Car Lyric of the Week: Untouchable by Pusha T

"The Rolls-Royce playing peek-a-boo with the emblem"

In this ferocious track off his latest EP, Darkest Before the Dawn: The Prelude, Pusha T spits about becoming the president of G.O.O.D. Music, a record label started by Kanye West, and his tracks being featured in film scores. He also boasts about his Rolls-Royce, which appears to be a Ghost judging by the music video. In a 2013 interview with Complex, Pusha T mentioned that his dream car was a Rolls, and it seems like the success from his debut solo album, My Name is My Name, and his most recent project, has made the dream come true. This clever line refers to the Spirit of Ecstasy, Rolls' famous hood ornament, and its ability to retract into the ostentatious chrome grille. Pusha T puts an interesting twist on this neat trick by comparing it to a game of peek-a-boo, creating one of my favorite lines of the album, let alone the song.

Spirit of Ecstasy on a 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II in Brooklyn, New York

This video shows the retracting Spirit of Ecstasy found on modern Rolls-Royces.

Artistic Photo #10

Lamborghini Egoista Concept at the Lamborghini Museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy
(Taken on August 20, 2015)

Hood Ornaments Part 2

From the earliest days of the automobile, the hoods of many cars, especially luxurious models, were adorned with exquisite figurines. Hood ornaments are now largely a thing of the past, and several months ago I wrote a post celebrating this lost art. Today I bring you four more beautiful hood decorations.

2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Key West, FL

While simple, the Mercedes-Benz hood ornament has turned the logo into a icon. This example is seen on the bonnet of a 2013 S-Class sedan, and while the ornament is just the Merc emblem atop a small column, it screams luxury and authority. This legendary logo is now only found atop the flagship S-Class sedan. 

1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI

The Bugatti Type 41 Royale debuted just as the Great Depression sent the world into financial ruin. Therefore, its already exclusive run of 25 units was cut to just six, and only three examples made it into the hands of owners. One of the three sold currently resides at the Henry Ford Museum, and it only makes sense that such a special car has such an unusual and intricate hood ornament. The grille of the Royale is topped with a elephant standing on its hind legs, trunk raised triumphantly in the air. This sends off an image of rarity and opulence, as well as power. This is one of the most unique and ornate hood ornaments of all time.

1935 Miller-Ford Indy 500 racer at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI

Surprisingly, back in the 1930's even Indy 500 competitors had hood ornaments. Unfortunately this Miller-Ford never ended up being raced at Indianapolis, despite the team's best efforts. However, it does feature an elegant version of Ford's 1930's V8 hood ornament. I've always liked the way Ford sandwiched the 8 between the arms of the V, and the wing flowing backwards conveys a sense of speed--perfect for a race car.

Jaguar S-Type in Key West, FL

Another one of the most recognizable hood ornaments are perched on the hoods of Jaguars. Seen here on a S-Type, the jaguar is springing forward, its muscular haunches and lean physique bristling with energy. With a ferocious scowl and piercing eyes the predator strikes fear in the hearts of surrounding drivers.

An Observation on the Jeep Wrangler

Recently I got a ride in my co-worker's 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, my first time in the legendary offroader. Considering how many I see roaming American streets and the generally positive reviews I often read in magazines, I was expecting an enjoyable ride. Sadly, what I discovered is that the Wrangler is not a very good car.

I know this may be a controversial opinion. And in no way am I claiming that it is an incapable trail specialist. We never left pavement but I trust that it is more than competent off the beaten path. However, on the road the ride is rough and the chassis communicated all of the bumps very clearly. There was also lots of body roll, due to the tall ride height.

The interior was also inferior. Because the doors and roof are removable, they are essentially just a sheet of metal and feel and look very cheap from the inside. Furthermore, the window controls are on the central console for the front seats and the overhead support bar for the rear seats. Not only do these switches feel flimsy, but they clog up the central stack up front and are difficult to reach in the back. The seats were a bit hard and flat, and overall the materials on the dashboard did not feel up to par.

But while I was observing all of these faults, I also came to a realization. I realized that I didn't care that I could feel every jarring bump through the hard seats, that the doors were essentially sheetmetal and didn't feel very safe, that the dashboard cluster was a bit chaotic. I realized why so far this year it is the 9th best selling SUV in America. Despite all of these issues, I felt extremely badass. The ride height and the iconic looks and the removable doors and roof all made me feel 100 times cooler than the surrounding drivers. Most Wrangler customers won't take it offroad, but they want to be able to say they can. It is a car that is bought off of image. It is a confidence-boosting slice of Americana.

And that's what makes it so great.

Car Lyric of the Week: I Still Wanna by Pusha T

"Learn from OGs, Alfa Romeos, and Sterlings"

Most rappers boast about their Lamborghinis or Mercedes-Benzes. But in this gritty banger from Virginia MC Pusha T, he harkens back to the cars that the hustlers used in the early 1990s. Alfa Romeos were last sold in the USA in 1995, and occasionally I'll spot a old sedan on the street. Alfa Romeo is a well-known brand, but unless you were alive two decades ago, you probably don't remember Sterling. The company, a division of Rover which was collaborating with Honda at the time, sold only one model--the 800-Series (a rebadged Rover that was related to the Honda Legend)--from 1987-1991. I had actually never heard of this vehicle until I stumbled upon a photo in the Chicago Auto Show archives last year. It is quite a mundane sedan, but still a interesting mention by Pusha T.

Artistic Photo #9

Ford Thunderbird in Brooklyn, New York (Taken on September 28, 2015)

Porsche 911 GT3RS

Park Slope, in Brooklyn, NY, is a very nice neighborhood, and I am very fortunate to have grown up there. However, it is in no way a good supercar spotting area; most parking spots are filled with beat-up first generation Subaru Foresters or fifth generation Volkswagen Passats. So when I turned the corner on my way home and found this deep purple Porsche 911 GT3 RS parked on my street I began to hyperventilate from excitement. I rushed inside and frantically grabbed my camera because this low-to-ground, mean-looking track machine is by far the coolest car to grace the crumbling streets of 16th Street.

Each new generation of the 911 is an evolution of the previous model--it retains the classic semi-circle shape but has the individual design elements, the lights and grilles, are up to modern standards. The 991, which debuted in 2012, continued this pattern, with slight changes from the 997 that preceded it. The headlights featured xenon units instead of basic halogen units, LED fog lamps, slimmer taillights, and a more intricate lower front fascia. There is a reason why Porsche does not give the 911 drastically overhauls. It is one of the most beautiful car shapes of all time, and while the periodical updates to the design are not very exciting, every generation of the 911 has retained the attractive proportions of the original.

This 911, the GT3 RS, can't be categorized as beautiful. The swooping 911 curves are still there, but the myriad of blacked-out and trim pieces and vents lend this performance-focused Porsche an aggressive aura. The wide rectangular vent flanked by square intakes pushed out as far as possible dominate the lower front fascia and make the GT3 RS look lower and wider than the other 911 models. A thin U-shaped vent at the base of the hood accentuates the performance image. The black plastic splitter sticks out from under the toned bodywork, making the 911 look powerful. The Porsche logo, however, is simply a sticker, which feels and looks cheap.

Massive 21 inch, 5-spoke, silver wheels fill the hubcaps, enhancing the low-to-the-ground, dynamic stance. Yellow brake calipers peek out from behind the spokes, suggesting intense performance. GT3 RS branding plasters the front fend, just above the black plastic sill. However, make makes the side of this 911 particularly distinguishable and particularly attractive are the two massive vents. Starting above the front wheel and extending down the front fender, a vent shaped like a sideways ladle composed of wide black slats cools the brakes while giving the 911 an athletic vibe. Just behind the door handle, the circular air intake, also found on the Turbo model, sucks in air for the flat six engine housed in the rear and gives the 911 brawny haunches.

A massive, brutally beautiful, black and purple wing soars above the rear deck, hoisted by spindling silver supports. Combined with the lip spoiler beneath it, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS has a lot of downforce and a lot of attitude. The black plastic engine cover looks a bit cheap, but still contrasts nicely with the main paint color, like the "Ultraviolet" here. Boomerang-shaped vents rise out of the black lower rear fascia, while houses two muscular exhaust pipes. Overall, the 911 GT3 RS is one of the most butch, badass cars on the road.

Grade
Front: A
Rear: A
Overall: A