Oldie But Goodie: Fifties 300SL Gullwing Touring

I really think an original 300SL Gullwing Touring model, with fitted luggage and a useful rear hatch, would have made a great fit in the Fifties grand touring market. Aerodynamics may have been even better with the smoothly rounded back ending farther back on the body. Supple Italian leather luggage with aluminum fittings securing it in the rear hold is fitted below the shoulder line for a clean appearance and maximum driver visibility.

I chopped this a long time ago but I think it's holding up pretty well : )

Oldie but Goodie: Bentley Blue Train Special

Having a difficult time carving out time these days to do new work so I thought I'd do another repost. Bear with me please!  Above, one of my earliest chops, 2006, a Bentley Blue Train coupe. Meant to evoke the fabulous Bentley Boys of the early part of the 20th century, my flagship coupe uses retro cues in a modern way. Although the technicality of these two renderings is flawed, I still like the designs quite a bit.

Using a name from Facel-Vega's history, the Excellence is a perfect range-topping sedan. The rear door cutlines extend into the roof creating "ears" like the '67-'71 Thunderbird 4-door for easier entry. I scanned one of my late grandmother's bracelets to use in this "ad" much like Cadillac did in the 1950s, setting the tone for their intended audience. Again, there are many technical flaws with these early works, but I like the design.

1960 Cadillac Series 52: First Senior Compact?

Yes, Silliness Ensues

My rendering is comical and meant to be, but the idea was an interesting one. I wondered what Cadillac would have had to do if given the edict to offer a "compact" car in 1960. I thought about what the marque would have to give up to meet the size and cost restraints, and how they'd make the best of them. 

• Shorter, taller body for maximum interior room
• Flatter sideglass and backlight but a complicated front windshield would be engineered to keep a strong resemblance to the larger cars
• Dual instead of quad headlights
• Bodyside argent two-toning, to not only differentiate from the senior models but to camouflage the cheaper-to-produce painted grille insert
• Fewer body stampings, no fender skirts

I think a Cadillac version of the '61 Tempest/Special/F85 would have been the more appropriate styling direction, but I knew from the start I wanted this to be a fun rendering. Maybe I'll do a more serious one in the future...

2014 Lincoln Continental Flagship Sedan: Repost

This rendering of a large, über luxurious Lincoln Continental sedan has been viewed more than 5,000 times in the past few weeks. It must have been picked up by a larger website. I thought I'd post it front and center for a few days to make it easier for everyone to find, lol. Actually, this little blog has been picking up lately, with close to 60,000 views just last month. I need to finish a few new cars but it may not be until the weekend. Thanks for checking in!