JUNE 10, 2020

(Mercedes-Benz images)
The latest from the "Cubic Money" File: According to Mercedes-Benz PR minions, the Mercedes-Maybach S 650 Sedan "represents the absolute pinnacle of luxury for the Mercedes-Maybach brand in the U.S. market, offering refined spaciousness, unparalleled comfort and effortless power to meet even the most discerning standards." But if that doesn't quite float your boat and you're hankering for a little more, Mercedes-Benz USA has unveiled the new S 650 Maybach Night Edition, featuring unique and distinctive black and carbon fiber elements. Available for the 2020 model year, this special edition is limited to just fifteen units and is only available for the U.S. market. Equipped with a handcrafted 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine producing 621HP and 738 lb-ft of torque, the rear-wheel-drive Maybach S 650 is the most powerful in the Mercedes-Maybach sedan lineup and can go from zero to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. The MAGIC BODY CONTROL® suspension features a camera that automatically scans the road ahead to proactively counteract bumps and dips for a supremely smooth ride, and it will even lean into curves like a slaloming skier for more dynamic handling. Key highlights that set the Night Edition apart include the exclusive interior carbon fiber trim in the front and rear of the vehicle, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and shadow “smoked” 20” Maybach forged wheels. Finished with Obsidian Black exterior paint and Exclusive Nappa Leather upholstery in Porcelain and Black, this exclusive Edition is complemented by Night Edition leather floor mats and a trunk mat in black with porcelain edges, while Night Edition badges also adorn the front fenders and interior trim. The Maybach S 650 includes features such as two executive rear seats with a 43-degree recline angle and power calf rests, front and rear seats with massage feature, a wood/leather steering wheel and leather covered door sills and seat consoles, extended interior ambient lighting in the rear cabin and rear seat entertainment. If you can find one, the 2020 S 650 Maybach Night Edition is arriving in U.S. showrooms now, priced at $242,950 plus the $995 destination and delivery charge.

(Honda images)
Celebrating its 60th anniversary this model year, the legendary Monkey oozes history and tradition, having originally been produced in 1961 for Tama Tech, a Honda-owned amusement park in Japan. But while this miniMOTO bike’s looks and spirit are faithful to the Monkey’s earliest concept of making mobility fun, this modern iteration for 2021 touts convenient features that help it perform well and run reliably, which explains why it’s a hit with both nostalgic customers seeking a trip down memory lane, and a new generation of enthusiasts. The Monkey comes in Pearl Nebula Red and Pearl Glittering Blue. How much? $3999.00. Monkey with ABS: $4199.00.

(Mecum Auctions)
The Eddie Vannoy museum collection of classic cars and countless vintage collectibles that took more than 30 years to assemble will now be offered at a live, on-site auction in Jefferson, North Carolina, approximately 2 hours from Charlotte, this June 26-30, hosted by Mecum Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction company. In total, an estimated 80 cars—nearly all offered at no reserve—six motorcycles and 5,000 Road Art items from collector Eddie Vannoy’s museum assemblage will cross the auction block. The vast selection of pristine collector cars includes a wide variety of American muscle, including a 1970 Plymouth Superbird; 1969 Dodge Daytona; two Buick GNX machines; and a handful of Corvettes, including a highly customized Resto Mod built by American Speed Shop and featuring a 525HP LS3 V-8 engine and Tremec 5-speed manual transmission in a specially fabricated tube steel chassis. The massive selection of memorabilia from Vannoy’s museum includes approximately 5,000 items of Road Art that were used strategically throughout the space to recreate eras gone by. From soda pop signs, ‘50s diner goods and an entire arcade worth of pinball machines and more; to gas pump islands, pedal cars, bicycles and both neon and porcelain signs, the assemblage is an all-encompassing one.

(Photo: Deremer Studios, LLC.)
Sunrise at The Amelia: The Corvette Mid-Engine prototypes were brought together to celebrate the arrival of the new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray at the 25th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. To celebrate the launch of Chevrolet's mid-engine Corvette, Bill Warner and his team assembled an inspiring class of nine mid-engine (and one rear-engine) Corvette prototypes. Vehicles in the class included the "alpha" 1960 Chevrolet CERV I (Chevrolet Experimental Research Vehicle), developed by engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov as a platform to develop and refine Chevrolet body, chassis and suspension systems, to the "omega" 1990 Chevrolet CERV III. The latter debuted at the 1990 Detroit Auto Show and paved the way for a future generation of mid-engine concepts while influencing the design architecture of the C5 Corvette.
(Photo: Deremer Studios, LLC.)
The 1960 Mid-Engine Chevrolet CERV I. Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov developed the CERV (Chevrolet Experimental Research Vehicle) as a platform to develop and refine Chevrolet body, chassis and suspension systems. An open-wheeled vehicle with a single seat, the fiberglass body designed by Larry Shinoda in the clandestine "Studio X" weighed only 80 pounds. Zora envisioned the CERV 1 competing in the Indianapolis 500 and even tested it at The Speedway. The Mid-Engine, AWD CERV II is in the background, which Zora wanted to enter in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  

(Photo: Deremer Studios, LLC/Marty V Photography)
The design of the Chevrolet Corvette Astro II (XP-880) was tasked to Larry Shinoda's Chevy 3 Studio and designers George Hubbach, Randy Wittine and Allen Young. Their concept proposal aimed to comfortably carry two passengers and their cargo with the engine and radiator placed in the rear of the vehicle, freeing the front compartment for storage.
(Photo by Deremer Studios, LLC.)
The 1990 CERV III was inspired by the 1986 Corvette Indy. The body - designed by Jerry Palmer's team in Chevy 3 Studio - was a combination of carbon fiber, Kevlar and aluminum honeycomb. The scissor-type doors pivoted up from the fenders. Power came from a twin-turbocharged 5.7 liter V8 producing 650HP. With a drag coefficient of 0.277, the car had a calculated top speed of 225 mph. It featured full-time four-wheel drive and active suspension.

AE Song Lyrics of the Week: 


It's not
What you thought
When you first began it
You got
What you want
Now you can hardly stand it though
By now you know

It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
'Til you wise up

You're sure
There's a cure
And you have finally found it
You think
One drink
Will shrink you 'til you're underground
And living down

But it's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
'Til you wise up

Prepare a list of what you need
Before you sign away the deed

'Cause it's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
'Til you wise up

No, it's not going to stop
'Til you wise up
No, it's not going to stop
So just, give up

"Wise Up" by Aimee Mann, from "Magnolia" (1999)* Watch the video here. 

*Perhaps Mann's most depressing song, "Wise Up" deals with the need to recognize reality. Its lyrics, "It's not going to stop till you wise up, so you might as well give up," are not of the encouraging, positive, motivational nature. This is in contrast to the song's sweet melody and gentle, orchestral swells. This song was featured prominently in the Paul Thomas Anderson movie Magnolia in a surreal sequence wherein several characters in different locations are seen simultaneously singing the tune aloud. The film itself was basically a story created around Mann's songs. The singer/songwriter explained to dcist what happened: "Well, I wrote it for Jerry Maguire. [Writer/director Cameron Crowe] really liked the demo, and then he didn't like the finished version, so he didn't put it in the movie. Then after the movie came out, he called me and said, 'I don't know what I was thinking! Your version is awesome. I guess I was just kind of attached to the demo.' So he put it on the soundtrack album. So it's there, and on the DVD, but it wasn't in the original release of the film. And then Paul Thomas Anderson heard it, and he really liked it. So [the song's prominent use in Magnolia] was kind of a sweet shout-out." (Knowledge courtesy of songfacts.com)