AUTOS: Maranello Cruiser' goes Silent, Stuttgart Classic follows..

When a pair of 40 year old Classics gets 21st Century Makeovers, You've gotta wonder is this what the Future Holds for Us?

Ironically, this past weekend of June 13-14 was exactly 50 years to the running of the 38th 24 Hours of Le Mans, when two of Automotives most legendous' Marques fought Hammer 'N Tongs for that year's outright victory of what arguably was then the largest Sporting event, or certainly Motorsports marquee event.

As may be you've heard that the Rebellion-Williams E-Sports team won this past weekend's virtual Le Mans 24H race, which featured such luminaries as Fredrico Suave' and Rubino', nee Fred Alonso and Rubens Barrichello as one team. Along with current Formula 1 Pilotes Chuck Luh-cluck', aka Charles Leclerc, plus Max Verstappen and Lando Norris teaming up for the event...

Alas, as I've been tirelessly Serenading Y'all 'bout lately, what do you do when you're "rationing" your limited amount of CD Audiobooks which have Dried Up due to the local Library being Closed now for 3-plus months due to the COVID 19 Pandemic?

Whale', in my case, I've gravitated towards actually watching; Err, Uhm, Oh Yeah that's right Mary Ellen, I'm Blind! Meaning I'm mostly; SHUSH! Be Berry-Berry Quiet, we're Hunting Wabbits... OOPSADAISY, Wrong Soundtrack; Hya!

Uhm, I meant mostly listening to Thy Telie', primarily the Motor Trend TV Channel. Hey, are you really surprised that I'd gravitate towards this totally Automotive related TV Channel, Eh?

VIDEO: Vintage Voltage's EV Man Cave'

Funny how Time has kept Zoom-Zooming by even though we've been in Lockdown mode here in Oregon since March 13th, albeit many Counties, including Lane have now just graduated to Stage-2 implementation of "Re-Opening" on June 5th, whatever that means Hmm, why does that make me think of an 'Ol Boston Album I bought on vinyl during its initial release - largely Panned by Critics called Stage III; Err, Uhm I meant Third Stage; But I Certainly Digress...

As I've included Thee "launch sequence" track, which I've always enjoyed, but let it at least play thru to Ye beginning of the Cool The Engines track, which is one of the singles from this album...

VIDEO: Boston - The Launch/Cool the Engines

Over a month ago now, somewheres round May 7th, when I first jotted notes for this riveting; Err, Uhm Electrifying No Fenders story, Z-A-P! I sat down and watched my first ever Gory Electric Vehicles (EV) TV Show.

A fairly entertaining episode of Vintage Voltage, which takes classic automobiles and converts them into fully Electrified Rides. With the episode's vehicle in Questione being a "Clapped-out" Ferrari 308, for which I found what seems to be the final portion of this build?

VIDEO: Vintage Voltage - Ferrari 308 Phase 3

And then two more episodes I viewed revolved around Volkswagen and Porsche Classics, whose two companies are tightly intertwined. As I enjoyed the modest makeover the Karman Ghia received.

But I was far more interested in the show about the Porsche 914, which sadly wasn't finished due to the Client's constantly changing his Build requests bumping up against the interruption of the COVID 19 Pandemic...

And although I couldn't find anything related to this specific Vintage Voltage's Porsche 914 EV Conversion, Thar seems to be plenty 'O 914's that have made Ye Switch to Electric. As this Porsche was the Highlight of an EV Show in Colorado, albeit I have to say I was more impressed with the EV Skateboard; CRIKEYS!

VIDEO: EV Converted 1972 Porsche 914

Nonetheless, I did unearth an article 'bout whether or not Porsche should bring back the 914 as a 21st Century EV.

Will the Beloved Porsche 914 be Reborn as an EV?

But if you're A Died in Thee Wool Gearhead like Mwah, albeit a Revhead' Devotee. Which makes discovering a totally new website appropriately titled Petrolicious so very Karmic or Apropos. And especially when you're Blind, then ambulatory noise takes on even more significance regarding your passion for Automobiles...

Although I applaud the remaking of these motoring Classics, and think it's totally Cool to give  them a second lease on life. Thars still nothing better than the sounds of a true Blue' Err Momma Mia! Rosso or Teutonic Silver Internal Combustion engine vehicle!

VIDEO: 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS Carburetor "Soundtrack"

AWARD: Robin Miller Recognized for his Lifetime of Covering IndyCar's

This 1950 Cummins Diesel Special No. 61 Green Hornet "Roadster" is one of the few racecars to contest the Indianapolis 500 before Robin Miller arrived at IMS. (The Tomaso Collection)

Although NO Word on who bought the Long's Doughnuts!

Pretty Cool how IMS and IndyCar previously recognized 'Ol R', thoust Curmudgeon 'O IndyCar Reporters this past Month 'O May for his tireless effort of promoting the Sport the past 50 years. As I especially like Mario Andretti's Quip 'bout Thank Gawd' Thars' only One Robin Miller; Hya!

Robin Miller recognized with Award for His Contributions to IndyCar

Whilst his Co-partner in Crime at Racer Magazine Marshall Pruett filed a pretty funny video with various IndyCar Drivers Saluting Robin for his impending 50th Indianapolis 500 this year as a Reporter. While Miller celebrated his 70th Birthday this past October.

As Will Power's Dry, Sardonic Aussie' Wit is quite Hilarious! Oh? He wasn't a very good Driver?

VIDEO: Miller's 50th Indy 500

While I'm guessing it was largely overlooked that Cummins was celebrating the Centenary of its  Diesel Engine Company by featuring five of its Diesel powered Indy Cars gathered together for the first time, and running a Parade lap at Mother Speedway to commemorate said anniversary...

Tony Stewart to Drive One of 5 Cummins Diesel racecars in Indy 500 Parade lap

(Photo c/o No Fenders ‘Offical Photographer CARPETS'

AUTOS: Return of the Supercars?

Although how many of these will be seen upon thou Mulsanne Straight?

For Mwah, Mid-August always signifies what I'll forever cherish as the Monterey Historis

, typically held on California's coast over the third week of August. Having experienced this for the first time in thou Flesh a quarter of a century ago; Aye Karumba! Albeit it's now officially known as the Monterey Motorsports Reunion instead.

RETRO: Monterey Historics1994 - 20yrs later...

And with that Oh, so Clever Segway, how many of Yuhs have noticed the re-emergence of a few Hallowed Racing Car marques? For which at least one hopes to reappear at Circuit de la Sarthe sometime in the near future.

As Y'all presumably know about the FIA/ACO's new for the 2020-21 World Endurance Championship season's Hypercars Formula? for which as far as I know, only Toyota and Aston Martin have confirmed entries to date.

Although the current proprietor of Brabham Cars, Thee youngest son of the late Black Jack', aka Sir Jack Brabham, and brother of the lesser known Gary, and Four-time IMSA GTP Champion and Multi-times Indianapolis 500 competitor Geoff, hopes to soon return to Le Mans with his company's Brabham BT62 Supercar.

David Brabham: What I'd do Differently

Whilst previously, F1 Grizzled Journo' Joe Saward has mused over thou return of Lotus Cars with the unveiling of its latest Evija model. Pondering when Lotus will inevitably return to Formula 1? Since the marketing lure's simply too great to pass up.

Although perhaps the Anglo-Chinese marque will take the smaller first steps to utilizing racing as it's PR Platform by running it's evocative Evija upon the Mulsanne Straight in 2020/2021 instead?

The return of Lotus

Although subsequently having learned that this is Lotus's first All electric model, along with a curb weight of under the FIA Hypercar's 1,100 Kilos minimum, which would appear to give the Evija at least two Strikes in regards to running at Le Mans, El Correctomundo?

And lastly, although the creation of it's very first own Automobile is new, the name Pininfarina is certainly well known in super Car circles, primarily as the past long-time coach builder of Scuderia Ferrari's. With the Italian Automotive Design company, now oddly being owned by none other than Mahindra Group of India, with a controlling 76% interest.

Thus I suppose it makes sense that it's Debutante model is aptly named the Battista, honouring it's founder, the late Battista Pininfarina. Although I would ARSE-Sume' that EV Only powered chassis are Not eligible for inclusion in the newly created Hypercar format, especially due to their "Range Anxiety!"

Pininfarina Battista: 1900 Horsepower EV Hypercar Debuts in Geneva

Holy Lithium nickel magnesium Batteries, Batman!

OOPSADAISY! Think I'm getting those EV Supercars Cornfuzed' with some other all electric racing series called Formula E. Hence, we're All left Ah-waitin' for the Lame Duck 2019-20 WEC season to end. to see who'll join the party alongside Toyota & Aston Martin.

But Scuttlebutt suggest we're more likely to possibly see some form of Koenigsegg's latest supercar, boasting to be capable of an unthinkable 300mph; Gory Hell! Along with the likes of the McLaren Senna at Le Mans instead...

The Koenigsegg Jesko has 1600 Horsepower and promises A Top speed of 300mph!

Racing towards The Clouds Silently

Volkswagen's all Electric Pikes Peak Hillclimb racer. (Image source: caranddriver.com)

Although it's too Bad that NO Major TV Channel covers the event...

When I think of the words Pikes Peak, I immediately think of the Unser's, for which it once was their own Playground. With "Uncle Bobby," B-I-G Al', and the rest of the Unser Clan winning multiple times when the road wasn't paved!

Bobby Unser on Pikes Peak, Indy and Mother's Day

And then the Millen's name comes to mind, as ironically Factory Hot Schue' Romain Dumas  will be chasing Rhys Millen this weekend, who currently holds the All Electric record at 8:57.118 set in 2016.

Volkswagen Hoping for Pikes Peak Record With 671-HP I.D. R Electric Racer VW claims it can go zero to 60 mph in 2.3seconds

As here's some more information on the purpose built VW Electric Racer set to tackle Pikes Peak this weekend...

VW's Buzzworthy Pikes Peak Racer Shares Little with Its I.D. Namesakes Driven by Pikes Peak and Le Mans champion Romain Dumas

 
But Don't Blink! Or you'll miss it, especially since Thar' won't be any TV Coverage Me Thinks...