Bernie's Top 10 Cars from the 2015 New York International Auto Show

Now that New York had another successful auto show, I can finally give my top 10 vehicles from the 2015 New York International Auto Show.  Although McLaren had a successful debut with the 570s, Aston Martin brought the Vulcan, Porsche brought the new Boxster Spyder, and the Ford GT finally made its way to New York, don't expect to see these cars on my list. This isn't a list solely based on performance, economically and enviromentally vehicles (although nothing on this list falls in the economically and environmentally categories). It's just based on what caught my attention, what made my eyes twinkle and what I would purchase. So in no specific order....

The Cadillac ATS-V Coupe. I fell in love with the Cadillac CTS-V coupe quite some time ago, because of the design and the power. But the ATS is the sportier, slightly smaller, will give better gas mileage (although if you get the -V option, I don't think you'll be worried about gas mileage) sibling of the CTS. MSRP: $61,500.

My favorite body type of all time from the Mercedes Benz family, the CL/CLS class. Nothing more to be said, except if I were to purchase one, I might as well go all the way and get one with the AMG trim level. MSRP: $106,500 for the CLS63 AMG.

The Ford Shelby 350R.... Better than the Ford Shelby 350GT. MSRP: Who knows, but rumor has it, it can not beat a Koenigsegg.

The Mercedes Benz S-600 Maybach. The back seats are uber luxurious. After sitting in one, you too would add it to your top 10 list. MSRP: $190,000

Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition. I absolutely love black vehicles and manufacturers have been coming out with their own special edition vehicles. This particular Vanquish has carbon fiber trim (including the roof), top speed of 201 mph, 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, gives off 558 horsepower and 465 lb ft @ 5,500 rpm. But another feature I love about it...

The gear shift are the four buttons under the air vents. It's all in the details. MSRP: $319,000

 

Not sure if General Motors has given the green light for production, but I was honestly surprised with the Buick Avenir. Buick isn't exactly the most sleek, stylish, modern division of General Motors, and I'm definitely not in their audience's demographic. But there's something about the Avenir. As surprised as I was that Buick would create something like this, I would be as equally as surprised if this received the green light.

Audi RS7. The RS7 happens to be the most powerful RS model ever offered in the U.S, and it's even as fast as the Ferrari 458. MSRP: $106,500

Move over Dodge Challenger, there's a new Hellcat in town. Dodge rolled out the new Charger Hellcat. 707 horsepower with a top speed of 204 mph. Need any further convincing? MSRP: $64,000.

My favorite BMW- X6M. Plenty of space for shopping bags and plenty of horsepower- topping out at 567 horsepower. MSRP:  $103,000

And rounding out the list is this Rolls Royce Wraith. Not only is the Wraith the most sleek in the Rolls Royce family, it provides the most horsepower, topping off at 624. MSRP: $294,000

"Why isn't Bentley on this list?" Glad you asked. Bentley opted out of The New York International Auto Show to put their complete focus on the Bentayga. And also, I must pay homage to my dream Prius...

 

I had a great time at the New York International Auto Show, and I will definitely return next year. For more coverage from this show, check out Bernie's 2015 New York International Auto Show gallery.

Bernie's Top 45 Picks From 2014 Barrett-Jackson: Las Vegas Auction Part III

First I brought you Part I, then I brought you Part II, and finally here's Part III. But to recap...

The weekend of September 25-27, Barrett Jackson is holding their final auction of 2014 in Las Vegas, NV. Like most of their other auctions (I firmly believe that Reno has to become a little more established), the docket for Las Vegas fell nothing short of excellence.

Originally I picked out 62 cars that I would have loved to bid on, but I had to trim it down to 45. And here's my final 15...

Lot 453 has a customized Bentley Continental GT parked in it. This Bentley was painted flat black with custom 22" Forgiato wheels. Just serviced and ready for its next cruise. 6.0 Liter W12 twin-turbo 552hp engine.

Next door to the Bentley is a Lamborghini Aventador located in Lot 454. This Adventador has a special order Arancio Atlas pearl paint, one owner, glass engine bonnet, parking assist sensors, color rearview camera, branding package and front lift system.  

Stationed in Lot 458.1 is a 1958 Chevy Impala Convertible. This beautiful example has had a frame-off restoration. It is equipped with its 348cid V8 engine, Powerglide transmission, dual exhaust, power steering, power brakes, and Continental kit with 3-piece rear bumper, dual rear anntennas and fender skirts.

A rare, triple black 1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible is up for grabs at Lot 465. It has a Tri-Power 389 that was upgraded to a 421 cid Tri-Power. Power steering, brakes, top and windows. Factory trachometer. PHS documented.

Parked at Lot 473 is an ultra gorgeous 1950 Chevy Deluxe Custom Convertible. This Deluxe has driftwood metallic PPG paint with beautiful chrome work. 383 stroker V8, Edelbrock aluminum intake, Edelbrock aluminum heads, 700R4 4-speed automatic, Ford 9"rear end, front tubular A-arms, Mustang II power rack and front disc brakes.

Up for auction is a 1968 Chevy Chevelle SS 396 in Lot 502. This is a real deal, true 138 SS 396 car with copy of original sales invoice. Beautifully resored with a Pro-Touring stance. Features a Turbo 400 automatic transmission and 12-bolt heavy duty rear axle.

Located in Lot 601 is a 1977 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. This classic California Beetle has been recently restored to top condition and is now ready for the next princess.

Stationed in Lot 611 is a 1956 Cadillac Coupe. This Caddy has a stunning Pacific Coral exterior with matching interior and 40 miles since frame-up resoration. Runs and drives great.

A 2008 Custom Mercedes Benz CL550 is up for grabs in Lot 624.2. This CL550 is painted in matte gray with 22" Giovanna wheels. Highly optioned car with a $104,000 original MSRP. Fully serviced.

Spotted in Lot 694 is an ultra rare 1994 Lamborghini Diablo. This Diablo is in Nero over black and red custom finished interior with carbon fiber accents. A true premium exotic V12 in excellent condition.

Ladies and Gentleman, this is as close to my dream car as I am going to get in this docket. In Lot 706, there is a 1953 Pontiac Sky Chief Custom Woody Wagon. ZZ430 engine #173 of 430 built, 700R4 transmission, custom interior, custom gauges, power windows, power door locks, front disc brakes and '07 Corvette Mango Orange exterior.

Lot 789 belongs to a blacked out 1970 Chevy Chevelle. One-off Chevelle built by the Roadster Shop to be an ultimate Pro-Touring machine. LS7 with 6-speed transmission. Roadster Shop complete chassis with 14" Wilwood disc brakes. Proven street and track performance. Featured in over 10 magazines.

...But one of my dream cars have made it to the docket. In Lot 791, expect to find a 2011 Bentley GTC Supersports Convertible. This Bentley has a Renntech Stage 1 upgrade to 710hp. The Supersports package is an $80k factory high performance package alone.

Now the last two cars have yet to hit the dealerships yet...

In Lot 3003, Ford Motor Company will personally auction off the last production unit of the 50 Year Limited Edition Mustang (2015 Ford Mustang). All proceeds will benefit Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute. Will be sold at approximately 5:00 p.m. (PST) on Saturday, September 27, 2014.

And finally... In Lot 3004, there is the newly redesigned (Thank goodness) 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. Vin 700001 is powered by the new supercharged 6.2 Liter HEMI V8 and an 8-speed automatic transmission. All proceeds to benefit Opportunity Village Foundation. Will be sold at approximately 6:00 p.m. (PST) on Saturday, September 27, 2014.

Bernie's Top 45 Picks From 2014 Barrett-Jackson: Las Vegas Auction Part II

In case you missed it, I unveiled the first part of my selection.  But to recap...

Barrett Jackson is holding their final auction of the year in Las Vegas, Nevada. From September 25-27th, bidders and spectators get to view some exotic vehicles both old and new. A few days ago, I showed off my first selection of picks, which were interesting- from the Chevy El Camino to the Jaguar XK8, but right now check out my 16th-30th picks...

To kick off Part II, parked in Lot 170, we have a gorgeous 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback. This H Code Mach 1 has Grabber Blue exterior, black interior, 351cid V8, power steering, painted spripes on hood, new headliner, door panels and carpet.

Stationed in Lot 181, we have a 2008 Shelby GT500. This Shelby Fastback is performance white with ebony stripes and black leather interior. And it has 1,535 original miles.

A 1968 Chevy Impala SS is located in Lot 188. This one family owned and garaged 1968 Impala SS 427 has 57,900 original miles, mileage not indicated on title. All documentation and highly optioned. One of 1,778 built in 1968 with the 427 big block engine.

An extremely nice 1986 Ferrari Mondial 3.2 convertible is parked in Lot 211. 25,700 original miles with major engine out 30,000 mile service done. Clean Carfax, beautiful original Corsa red paint and presentable tan leather interior. Top has been replaced and is a work of art.

Number 5 on the list goes to this 1930 Ford Model A Roadster parked in Lot 220. All original steel body parts and drivetrain. Awesome Washington Blue paint with correct black fenders. Great condition top and like new upholstery. Excellent bright yellow wheels.

When you arrive at Lot 230, you will find a 1971 Dodge Demon. This professionally resored H Code Demon 340 with matching numbers 4-speed, Sure-Grip 8.75" rear end and 3.55 gears. Correct Trim Tag codes throughout.

This ultra cute 1960 Mini Cooper is up for auction in Lot 252. This right hand drive Mini (produced by British Motor Company) has been upgraded with an Oselli performance engine.

This extremely fun 1974 Volkswagen Thing is located at Lot 320.1. This is an acapulco style painted white with pink accents over a correct striped white and pink interior. Powered by a 4 cylinder engine backed by a 4-speed gearbox.

Stationed in Lot 335 is a 1981 Delorean DMC-12. This Delorean has less than 4,000 original miles from new. Has been in storage with good regular service. Totally original and unmodified with superb documentation.

Parked in Lot 347 is a 1957 Jaguar Mark VIII Saloon. This is a very pretty example of a rare Jaguar luxury Saloon. Fitted with factory sunroof and finished in two tone black over green with green interior.

An ultra rare 1967 Kellison Astra is up for grabs at Lot 367.  It is number 52 of the 60 Kellison J4 modified bodies that were factory assembled by Allied for the Astra Automotive Division.

Only four more to go... and this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air at Lot 380 definitely makes the list. This Chevy has two tone paint and custom leather interior. Powered by a ZZ430 engine with a Muncie 4-speed transmission. Polished aluminum and chrome package throughout.

Parked in Lot 394 is a 1957 Ford Skyliner. This Skyliner had a complete body off restoration. The 312 V8 engine was rebuilt as was the automatic transmission and braking system.

A 2009 Ford Shelby GT500 is occupying Lot 423. This is number 215 of 712 built and it's signed by Carroll Shelby. It has 540hp and 510 ft/lbs of torque. All original excellent condition. All paperwork with 8,570 original miles. Original sticker price of $82,555.00

And rounding out the list at Lot 444 is a 1964 Cadillac DeVille. This car features a V8 engine and all of the features you would expect in a Cadillac including power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning. Has been stored and cared for in a heated garage for all of its life.


Part III coming up tomorrow.