MARCH 15, 2023
Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 09:39AM 
BMW Group Classic will host the legendary Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in cooperation with the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este on May 19 - 21. This year’s event will include eight vehicle classes. Class A: A CENTURY OF THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS: HEROES OF THE MOST FAMOUS RACE IN THE WORLD. Class B: THE FAST AND THE FORMAL: PRE-WAR HIGH SPEED LUXURY. Class C: GRANDE VITESSE: PRE-WAR WEEKEND RACERS. Class D: INCREDIBLE INDIA: THE DAZZLING MOTORING INDULGENCES OF THE MIGHTY MAHARAJAS. Class E: PORSCHE AT 75: DELVING INTO THE STUTTGART LEGEND’S ICONIC AND ECCENTRIC BACK CATALOGUE. Class F: GRANTURISMO: EXPERIMENTING WITH THE POST-WAR EUROPEAN GT. Class G: THAT ‘MADE IN ITALY’ LOOK: STYLES WHICH CONQUERED NEW WORLDS. Class H: HERE COMES THE SUN: ’TOPLESS’ DONE DIFFERENTLY! Awards will also be presented in a special category for spectacular concept cars from various manufacturers. Editor's Note: Needless to say, we wish we were going. -WG
Renowned car collector Bruce Meyer recently handed over the keys to his 1932 Ford “McGee Roadster” to Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. Constructed by noted hot-rod builder Bob McGee, the McGee Roadster introduced an aesthetic that quickly became nearly ubiquitous in the roadster community. The popular hot rod will become part of the Petersen’s permanent collection. The Petersen Automotive Museum and the McGee Roadster share an origin story that stems from Hot Rod Magazine, founded by Robert E. Petersen in 1948. The McGee Roadster’s popularity skyrocketed after appearing on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine, the first street car to do so. Petersen’s subsequent success in publishing allowed him to launch one of the world’s finest automotive museums in 1994. “Hot rods are vital to the entire automotive industry, and Robert Petersen is the man who really brought hot rodding to the people. This car is an important piece of automotive history, and there is no more worthy destination than the Petersen Automotive Museum,” said Meyer, who is also founding chairman of the Petersen.
The iconic roadster has raced on the Bonneville salt flats, served as a daily driver and originated many of the design cues synonymous with hot rodding. McGee, who started working on the roadster in 1947, created the signature look with plenty of customization, including lowered suspension, larger Lincoln Zephyr rear wheels, a three-piece louvered hood, peaked and filled grille shell, hidden door hinges and shaved door handles, all painted bright red with a custom interior. “The McGee Roadster is so much more than just a car. It is the symbol of an entire era and generation of innovative hot rodders,” said Karges. “We are honored by Bruce’s donation and proud to preserve this piece of history.”
It must be "Extract As Much Money As Possible From Your Enthusiast Faithful" month. Audi of America has announced a limited offering of just 75 units of its 2023 Audi RS E-tron GT project_513/2. Developed in collaboration between Audi of America and Audi exclusive, customers now have the opportunity to drive a version of the E-tron GT that most closely resembles the prototype car. This limited edition leverages the original design used for global prototype testing with “E-tron” camouflage script on both the exterior and interior, and is exclusive to the U.S. market. The RS E-tron GT project_513/2 is the first Audi to offer a camouflage graphics-skinned and wrapped exterior from the factory, similar to what it looked like while undergoing testing. The project_513/2 represents the internal project naming convention that defined the product’s segment, generation and body style. What do you get with this package? An extensive list of standard equipment including: Fine Nappa leather seats with honeycomb stitching; 18-way front sport seat with ventilation and massage; Ceramic brakes with red calipers; Rear wheel steering; Power steering plus; Audi exclusive interior bits; 21“ 5-double-spoke concave design wheels in black finish; Dinamica headliner; HD Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light; Carbon fiber roof; Carbon fiber exterior door inlays; Carbon fiber mirror caps and Illuminated Carbon fiber door sills inlays with RS logo. The Audi RS E-tron GT project_513/2 offers the same performance as the RS E-tron GT. Two different motors (one on the front axle, and one on the rear axle) produce a combined 637HP – with acceleration to 60 mph happening in 3.1 seconds. But wait! For those hell-bent on being the Biggest Tools in the Shed, each individual project_513/2 customer will receive a never before offered special edition VIN art. The VIN art portraits are printed on a thin aluminum plate with a high-gloss surface and are derived from the Vehicle Identification Number – exhibiting a detailed art print expression of the customer’s vehicle in high-resolution for display. The 2023 Audi RS E-tron GT project_513/2 is slated to go on sale this spring. How much? $179,900 plus a $1,495 destination charge, $595 metallic paint charge, sales taxes, title, options and dealer charges. Remember, the dealer sets the actual price, so welcome to Hose 'O Rama!
The latest entry in "The Answer to the Question that Absolutely No One is Asking" Sweepstakes is something called the Acura TLX Type S PMC Edition in "menacing" Gotham Gray Matte paint, according to Acura PR minions. Acura is actually "hand-assembling" just 50 of these cars at its Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio with specific details that amount to Not Much, as best as we can tell. But you do get an individually numbered serial plaque to designate the 2023 TLX Type S PMC Edition as a limited-edition vehicle (1 of 50), so there's that. How much? The cars will arrive at dealers this spring for a jaw-dropping $65,000. The only additional comment we have is: Why?
Here's the deal on the all-new 2023 Lexus RZ 450e: It will feature the first Lexus-first dedicated BEV e-TNGA platform; Two grades will be available at launch; Premium and Luxury; A suite of standards including LSS+ 3.0, Lexus Interface with 14-inch touchscreen and DIRECT4 AWD; A panorama glass roof and Shadow Illumination "showcase the airy interior," according to Lexus PR minions. The 71.4 kWh battery delivers a total system output of 308HP and a manufacturer-estimated 0-60 acceleration time of 5.0 seconds. It has an EPA-estimated range rating of up to 220 miles when equipped with 18” wheels and an EPA-estimated MPGe rating of 115/98/107 (city/highway/combined). When utilizing 20” wheels, the RZ has an EPA-estimated MPGe of 102/87/95 with an EPA-estimated range of up to 196 miles. There's more to the Lexus RZ 450e, but in case you're interested, it starts at $59,650 MSRP (including DPH) and is available in limited quantities now.
Dodge has rolled out the third teaser video as the brand gears up to unveil the seventh and final 2023 Dodge "Last Call" special-edition model. The “Scream @ 215 mph” teaser video offers clues to unlocking the full power potential of the ultimate Dodge performance vehicle. The next video tease is scheduled to drop on March 14, 2023. The Dodge Last Call Powered by Roadkill Nights Vegas event, set for March 20, 2023, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will host reveal of the final "Last Call" special-edition model, and it will be available for viewing via Livestream on multiple online channels, including DodgeGarage.com Watch the teaser video here. And a Demon video here.
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Do you think the reports of Tesla quality and safety issues are overblown? Think again. Automotive News is reporting that the National Highway Traffic Administration has opened a formal investigation into 120,000 2023 Model Y crossovers. The reason? Oh, nothing much, except of reports that the steering wheels may become detached while driving. NHTSA is aware of two reports from Model Y owners of "complete detachment of the steering column while driving." Repeat that back to yourself s-l-o-w-l-y, as in, WTF? Apparently both Model Y owners were delivered their vehicles with the bolt attaching the steering wheel to the steering column missing. In one complaint to NHTSA, a Tesla Model Y vehicle owner in New Jersey described driving along a U.S. highway when the steering wheel suddenly fell off. The owner said the 2023 model-year vehicle was purchased Jan. 24, and the incident happened just days later on Jan. 29. That this is unconscionable and inexcusable is stating the obvious. The litany of egregious and outrageous quality issues with Teslas is long and unforgivable. (Remember the incident when the roof blew off of a Model 3 while the owner was driving home after taking delivery of it? - WG). The fact that the Cult of Elon blinds people - and some journalists - to the fundamental and unacceptable recurring quality issues with Tesla vehicles is just plain sad and pathetic. Any other car company would have been brought before Congress long ago to be questioned about the quality atrocities that Tesla has displayed from the beginning, yet this car company has been allowed to churn out piss-poor quality vehicles with impunity. It's just flat-out disgusting at this juncture. -PMD
The AE Song of the Week:
Stacy's mom has got it goin' on
Stacy's mom has got it goin' on
Stacy's mom has got it goin' on
Stacy's mom has got it goin' on
Stacy, can I come over after school? (after school)
We can hang around by the pool (hang by the pool)
Did your mom get back from her business trip? (business trip)
Is she there, or is she trying to give me the slip? (give me the slip)
You know, I'm not the little boy that I used to be
I'm all grown up now, baby can't you see
Stacy's mom has got it goin' on
She's all I want and I've waited for so long
Stacy, can't you see you're just not the girl for me
I know it might be wrong but I'm in love with Stacy's mom
Stacy's mom has got it goin' on
Stacy's mom has got it goin' on
Stacy, do you remember when I mowed your lawn? (mowed your lawn)
Your mom came out with just a towel on (towel on)
I could tell she liked me from the way she stared (way she stared)
And the way she said, "You missed a spot over there" (a spot over there)
And I know that you think it's just a fantasy
But since your dad walked out, your mom could use a guy like me
Stacy's mom has got it goin' on
She's all I want, and I've waited so long
Stacy, can't you see you're just not the girl for me
I know it might be wrong
But I'm in love with Stacy's mom
Stacy's mom has got it goin' on
She's all I want and I've waited for so long
Stacy can't you see you're just not the girl for me
I know it might be wrong
I'm in love with Stacy's mom, oh oh
I'm in love with Stacy's mom, oh oh (wait a minute)
Stacy can't you see you're just not the girl for me
I know it might be wrong, but
I'm in love with Stacy's mom
"Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne, from the album "Welcome Interstate Managers" (2003).* Written by Adam Schlesinger and Christopher B. Collingwood. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Original Music Video here.
*This song tells the story of a kid who has developed a huge crush on his friend's super-hot mom. Adam Schlesinger, songwriter and bassist for Fountains of Wayne, revealed in our interview that the track was actually inspired by a friend who was, curiously, attracted to Adam's grandmother: "Well, one of my best friends told me that he thought my grandmother was really hot, that added a little bit to the song. That's a true story. And my grandmother was pretty hot."Schlesinger told us he had Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" in the back of his mind when he penned "Stacy's Mom": "It was a contrast of that story against a track that sounded like '80s new wave, like The Cars or something." The Cars' influence is obvious - just compare the intro of their track, "Just What I Needed," to the intro of "Stacy's Mom" to hear for yourself. This song was a commercial success and reached #1 on iTunes' Most Downloaded Songs chart. In 2004, it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Vocal Pop Performance. Adam Schlesinger told us "Stacy's Mom" "is definitely the biggest of my own band stuff." Schlesinger added to Bullz-Eye.com that he does not think Fountains of Wayne will achieve the same level of success they did with "Stacy's Mom" ever again: "I think 'Stacy's Mom' was a fluke thing where it was the right song and the right video, and you kind of had the novelty factor, and all that stuff. And you can't really make that happen again." Actress and model, Rachel Hunter, portrayed Stacy's mom in the song's official video - directed by Chris Applebaum. Parts of the video bear a striking resemblance to the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High. At one point in the movie, a character named Brad is in a bathroom fantasizing about his sister's friend and the friend walks in on him. His sister's name, coincidentally, is Stacy. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG