On April 25th-28th, Stuntfest held their annual weekend. The Stuntfest weekend usually goes as follows- Thursday night is a Meet-and-Greet (which I never go to). Friday night is usually a bonding experience at a strip club (again, I never go to. Plus I already been to them all.) Saturday afternoon is their block party and Sunday is their famous car show.
Stuntfest is one of those car shows that I'm always happy to attend. The reason why is simple. Much like Caffeine and Octane, Caffeine and Exotics, Dub Car Show, Los Magnificos, Torres Empire, Official Street Whipz' King of the South, Krazy Vatos and the newest entry- Whips By Wade, Stuntfest gives me what I want- a car show with a high percentage of show-worthy cars. That's it. Doesn't matter the location, since I will find my way there.
Saturday's block party was held at the Venue Nightclub in Forest Park, which is right outside of Atlanta. The block party was crowded with people, music, food and cars. In a nutshell, it was basically a car show. By now, you know that I'm happy to attend.
Last year's Stuntfest show had crappy weather- cool, cloudy and rain. This year was the complete opposite- hot with clear, sunny skies. By the time I pulled up to Silver Dollar Raceway, I knew what I was in store for... a lot of fun. There were plenty of vehicles on Forgiato, Amani Forged, Rucci, and Dub Wheels, plenty of vehicles painted in a variety of colors, and most importantly– plenty of car show worthy vehicles, which means I had no reason to complain.
On April 17th and 18th, I had the pleasure of returning home for the 2019 New York Auto Show. Held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Midtown Manhattan, this show is never one to miss (mostly because this is the closest auto show to my hometown, which is located on Long Island). With unveilings from Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Acura, Jaguar, Porsche, Range Rover– well almost everyone, there was plenty of ground to cover and plenty of eye candy to capture.
Even though I’m from New York, this was my seventh year going to the New York Auto Show and I absolutely love it. I get a rush of excitement seeing what’s new in the automotive world, as well as some looking at some custom cars within the Tri-State area. I had an excellent time at the show this year, although I (as well as everyone else) noticed that BMW was noticeably missing.
Some of my favorite unveilings were courtesy of Manhattan Motorcars. Because of them, the tri-state area had the opportunity to experience the new Koenigsegg Jesko, Bugatti Chiron 110 ANS, BAC Mono, and the Scuderia Cameron Clickenhaus SCG 003. Aside from those four cars, they also brought the Lamborghini Aventador SV, Lamborghini Urus, Koenigsegg CCX, and the Rimac C-Two.
Porsche unveiled the new limited edition Porsche 911 Speedster with the MSRP of $275750. Only 1948 will be produced. It has 502 horsepower, 346 pound-feet of torque, 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Impressive specs, but it is way too small for me. I can easily fit in it, but I can easily overstuff a Porsche within one shopping trip.
One of my favorite cars from the New York Auto Show is from the Mercedes Benz family. Yes, the Maybach seats are ultra plush, but the Mercedes Benz AMG GT63 won my heart. It may have a price tag of $136,500, however, the 577 horsepower, 590 pound-feet of torque, 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds, and it has more than enough trunk space to survive one of my shopping trips. One day....
Speaking of things that I want from the Mercedes Benz area, they also brought a Maybach inspired bag called The Eve I.
Best use of space goes to Subaru and their collaboration with the Natural Park Foundation to unveil the new Outback.
Toyota did bring the new Supra, however I am disappointed that they didn't bring the Yankees Camry.
Another unveiling that peaked my interest was the Rivian R1S SUV- the first electric full-sized SUV. Despite the size, the R1S can reach 60 mph in under 3 seconds. Three battery packs are available- one offers 240 miles of range, 402 horsepower and 413 lb.-ft. of torque, another battery offers 310 miles of range, 753 horsepower, and 826 lb.-ft of torque, and the third battery can offer 410 miles of range, 700 horsepower, and 826 lb.-ft of torque. Don't rub your eyes, you're reading this correctly. MSRP starts at $72,500.
Aside from the Jesko, the other attention grabber went to the Karlmann King with the world's most expensive SUV- valued at over $2 million. Just look at the interior to see why.
Enough talking because I know you would rather see some photos... I always have a great time at the New York Auto Show. You may not understand but this show holds a special place in my heart. To see the rest of the photos, check out Bernie's 2019 New York Auto Show gallery.
Normally I would start my car show season somewhere in Atlanta, but I wanted to do things a little bit different this year. For the past couple of years, I've been seeing some great photos from the Pomona Swap Meet and I always wanted to attend.
The Pomona Swap Meet is simply a Southern California classic. A swap meet is where venders sell different items and goods in one area. But the Pomona Swap Meet isn't an ordinary swap meet. Held seven times a year in the city of Pomona, the Pomona Swap Meet allows those that love cars to either sell a car, purchase a car, show off a car, and/or purchase parts for a car that is being built. And by parts, I do mean any and every type of part needed- I've seen venders selling motors, fenders, chrome bumpers, screws, seats, seat belts, steering wheels, wheels, tires, paint, oil, shop towels, emblems, window decals, automotive memorabilia, everything. If you need it for a car, you can pretty much find it there.
Despite the song "It Never Rains in Southern California", when I was in Los Angeles, it rained practically the entire time. It didn't rain during the show, but the threat of rain kept some people away. Needless to say, I still had a lot of fun.
On February 3rd, Caffeine and Octane held their second show of 2019. Although the city of Atlanta was packed for Super Bowl Sunday, Caffeine and Octane felt as packed as downtown Atlanta.
It's been awhile since I posted my photos from Caffeine and Octane on my blog. I usually go every month- last year I missed 2 shows (May and November), and I did attend last month's show. I think because I attend the show so often that I've run out of things to say. I enjoyed this month's show very much. Aside from running into some familiar faces, I did get to see some cars that I haven't seen before. Of course, I can expect to see a large turnout from the JDM market, as well as from Porsche, BMW, the Dodge Car Clubs, a sprinkle of Lamborghinis, etc.
... But then this pulled up. Atlanta unfortunately doesn't have a lot of Liberty Walk vehicles. The only one I remembered seeing was the Nissan GTR. Seeing this 458 did bring a tear to my eye. Another vehicle that brought a tear to my eye was....
this Chevy Impala for the most obvious reasons. I've always said that Lowriders have a special place in my heart because I love how they can take a rusty old car- which is what most of them start out as and turn it into rolling pieces of art. It takes a lot of work for that type of transformation. Growing up on Long Island, I've seen my fair share of the JDM and the luxury/exotic car world. Lowriders aren't a new concept, but I've only started seeing them in person within the last 10 years.
To see the rest of the photos, check out Bernie's Caffeine and Octane: February 2019 gallery. I would say that I will be attending March's show, but instead I decided to attend a show that has been on my bucket list for 2 years. Stay tuned.
First and foremost, I would like to wish everyone Happy New Year!!!! After the success of the Best of 2017 post last year, I decided to bring it back. 2018 was another great year of traveling to various cities, meeting new people, and of course- photographing some awesome cars. From the classic Bugatti Type 35 (the oldest car I've photographed of 2018) to a few Pagani Huayra BCs (hands down- the most expensive car- valued at $2.8 million- I've photographed of 2018), I've covered all cars in between and had so much fun shooting them.
Twin Turbo Lamborghini Huracan at Caffeine and Exotics
I've decided to start the recap with Atlanta's most exclusive car show, Caffeine and Exotics. Caffeine and Exotics is the younger sibling to Caffeine and Octane, which is Atlanta's most dependable car show. The mastermind behind Caffeine and Octane/Caffeine and Exotics, Bruce, wanted to switch things up a bit by moving the location of the show. From the beginning, Caffeine and Exotics was held at Lenox Square Mall- one of the premiere malls of Atlanta. Halfway through the year, the show was moved to City Springs, the new work/eat/live area of Sandy Springs, which is still the suburbs of Atlanta. Moving the show to a new location gave Caffeine and Exotics new energy.... and better backgrounds to shoot exotic and luxury cars.
Maserati GranTurismo on Forgiato Wheels at Whips By Wade's Certified Summer Car Show
This year, I broke a rule that I've set in place. Because I was let down in the past, I've told myself that I would never attend another first annual car show again. Whips By Wade held his first annual Certified Summer Car Show and on the flyer, it clearly stated "No stock cars or unfinished projects allowed in show area.” When I arrived to the Old Turner Field stadium on that faithful Sunday afternoon, I was not disappointed and that's coming from a person who is known for being honest about car shows. What I loved was that I got to see some cars that I'm familiar with, but I also spent time with cars that I've never seen before. Most importantly, stock and unfinished cars were forced to park in spectator parking.
Classic Chevy Donk on Starr Wheels at Dub Magazine's Car Show
I did have the opportunity to go to a show that I've never been to. As we all know, I'm familiar with Dub Magazine and even been to a few of their car shows. I've been to Charlotte, NC several times, this was the first time I’ve been there for a car show. Only four hours north of Atlanta, this was the closest Dub Car Show to my house. Some of the cars that were a part of the show have been in shows in Atlanta. I reunited with some of the cars weeks later at various shows. As for the majority of the cars- it was my first time seeing what the Carolinas had to offer.
Chevy Impala on Corleone Forged Wheels at Stuntfest
I missed Stuntfest in 2017, but I was able to make my triumphant return to the 10th Anniversary show. Stuntfest has proven themselves time and time again- regardless of the weather, the show will go on. Of course it rained, but the rain held off during the majority of the show. And you know what that meant- racing, racing, and more racing.
Mercedes Benz G63 AMG at the New York International Auto Show
Of course, there's one car show that will always have a piece of my heart- the New York Auto Show. I’m a native New Yorker and that’s one of the things that I’ve been proud to say. Aside from the location, this auto show also has a lot of cars that I don’t get to see every day as well as being among the first people to experience new vehicles. Living in Atlanta, if I want to see a Koenigsegg or a Pagani Huayra (especially under one roof), I have to go to New York or Las Vegas. But one of my favorite experiences from the New York Auto Show will have to go to resting in the back seat of the Mercedes Maybach. Those seats are extremely comfortable. Another favorite experience- Toyota paying homage to the most winningest team in North American sports history.
Box Chevy Caprice on Amani Forged Wheels at the King of the South Mega Show
Another dependable show that I always love to attend is the King of the South Mega Show. For the past three years, the King of the South Mega Show has been held at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Held by the Street Whipz team, this show gives enthusiasts the opportunity to show off their car in three ways- how it looks, how it sounds, and how it performs (since there is an opportunity to race at the track. It sounds very straight forward, but it’s hard because there’s a ridiculous amount of competition at this show.
Al and Ed's Autosound's Chevy Impala at Extreme Autofest
I did make to California this year and I decided to visit another familiar show- Extreme Autofest. Held in San Diego, Extreme Autofest provides a mixture of lowrider, tuner, and luxury cars, and I always have a great time attending the show. The very next day, I went to Cadillac Fest in City of Industry (outside of Los Angeles)- which is a show that is dedicated to Cadillac lowriders. While I was at the show, one of the attendees said to me that there's a weekly car meet in Compton. He told me the cross street of the location and I was able to find it. By the time I arrived to take photos, LAPD ran everyone away. It was packed to the point where traffic couldn't get through. At least I know for next year....
Dodge Race Car parked outside the Pennzoil booth at SEMA Show
Finally, the show that I love to end the year reminiscing over... SEMA. Technically, it's not a car show- it's a convention simply because it's not open to the public and business is conducted. However, I refer to the outside portion as a car show since there's food, entertainment, awards are given, etc. The 2018 SEMA Show was my ninth show and like last year, I landed (and hit the ground running) the day before the show. I can never, ever complain about SEMA. I'm around great people who share some of the same similarities as I do and photograph great vehicles while enjoying some great weather.
