In the presence of greatness

"Desu-San-Desu" (Desu-San-Desu) 02/23/2015 at 17:23 • Filed to: None

68

100

And millions of dollars.

So, took my 2006 Mini Cooper S in today for its first scheduled maintenance, since the dealership I bought it from said the first service would be free, so long as I had it done at their shop. Since I was in the area today anyway, I scheduled an afternoon appointment.

While waiting, I decided to walk around the shop. This was the contents of the other half of the shop:

- The, as in the only one in the world , Mercedes Lotec C1000
-A race-ready Noble M12
-An all-original, clean-as-a-angel's-asscrack Datsun 280z
-The blackest black Camaro to have ever lived as a wheeled mullet
-A Nova SS so bright yellow it could pass as an actual supernova
-A Lamborghini LM-freakin'-002
-And, tucked up onto the lift in the far edge, a 1-of-328-ever-produced Lamborghini Jarama.

My fizzy bits were quite fizzed.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:26

163

WHAT

HOW

WHERE

THERE IS LITERALLY ONE OF THESE IN THE WHOLE WORD

THAT IS A 1995 LOTEC MERCEDES BENZ C1000

WHAT

GIVE IT TO ME

GhostZ > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:27

9

I feel horrible for being drawn first to the Z.

What's the green thing? It looks like some Porsche homogolation or one-off racecar but I don't recognize it at all.

Cherry_man1 > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:31

4

LM002!!!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:31

2

Okay, so I have nearly recovered from the sight of the magnificent Lotec, but there's a Noble and an LM002 there too! Where the fuck in South Carolina is this magical place??? I must visit it next time I'm there.

Takuro Spirit > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:32

12

Yeah its not every day you see a quad cab LONG box.

Desu-San-Desu > GhostZ 02/23/2015 at 17:32

8

Funny thing, I was too. I even offered to buy it, lol.

The green one is a tracked-prepped and race-winning Noble M12 GTO-3R.

Gamecat235 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 02/23/2015 at 17:32

91

I believe you mean The 1995 LOTEC Mercedes Benz C1000

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 02/23/2015 at 17:33

1

http://jalopnik.com/382006/268-mph…

Bozi Tatarevic > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:33

1

Are you in the UAE? As far as I know the only Lotec in existence was commissioned by an oil baron from the Emirates

Desu-San-Desu > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 02/23/2015 at 17:34

2

It's actually not in South Carolina. It's a place called Carolina Auto Sports in Concorn, NC. It's where I bought the Mini and it's why I drove 2 hours for the free first service, haha. It's worth the drive just to see the other cars in the shop.

One car you can't really see well in the pictures is the red Lamborghini Jarama on the lift in the background of the middle picture.

Raphael Orlove > Gamecat235 02/23/2015 at 17:35

41

indeed. THE Lotec.

Desu-San-Desu > Bozi Tatarevic 02/23/2015 at 17:36

38

Nope.

I live in South Carolina. The shop pictured is in North Carolina. USA, obviously.

BeaterGT > Bozi Tatarevic 02/23/2015 at 17:37

0

That same car ended up in this dealership, crazy I know but some bloke on here did a short write-up on the car.

ly2v8-Brian > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:41

4

Most importantly, this is an awesome Nova

Bozi Tatarevic > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:42

0

Oh wow, I am in NC as well. I think I have an idea where this may be located now. If I am thinking of the same place, it's just down the interstae from a mall

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:42

1

This is all I see

Edit: Stupid picture comment box...The Z. The Z is all I see.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:46

1

Ahhh. Gotcha. Well I might have to make a special trip, even though I'll be in Charleston, SC which is not close by any means. That is a truly spectacular gathering of cars.

Party-vi > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:47

6

So it's been there since 2008? At least it's all in one piece now .

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Gamecat235 02/23/2015 at 17:48

28

I am fangirling. Holy shit. This has never happened to me before, and I've driven an LM002 which is one of my bucket list cars (tanks?).

nermal > Takuro Spirit 02/23/2015 at 17:49

0

That thing has to be a total PITA to park.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Bozi Tatarevic 02/23/2015 at 17:50

1

http://jalopnik.com/382006/268-mph…

Sn210 > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 17:51

1

C1000!!!!!!!!!&)&;@;&&&3):&&/)/$:!!1

nermal > Bozi Tatarevic 02/23/2015 at 17:52

5

Do you know what else is from that area?

Also, do you realize how much money these guys make?

945T > Raphael Orlove 02/23/2015 at 18:56

2

Shhhhhhhhhh, its hiding until 2020. ;)

55_mercury > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 18:56

0

What is that? Is it some sort of kit car?

Maxxuman > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 02/23/2015 at 18:58

1

Well, between '95 and '08 it depreciated $3million, but I still doubt anyone's going to give it to you anytime soon.

Desu-San-Desu > 55_mercury 02/23/2015 at 19:00

0

What is what?

Randomocticon > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:02

2

Just did googling and apparently lotec actually has a production car after this that's still produced to this day. The Sirius

http://www.lotec-gmbh.de/english/sirius…

with 1200hp.

mikewballou > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:03

0

whoa!!! can I grab that set of Sonata Tails?

RallyWrench > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:03

1

DAT JEEP COMPASS DOE

LongbowMk2 > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:04

2

is that a silver Buick LeSabre? LUCKY!

Mr Joshua > Gamecat235 02/23/2015 at 19:05

6

Nothing like getting your articles correct. ;-)

LongbowMk2 > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:05

0

How much did they want? Looks to be in fine shape.

willmederski > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 02/23/2015 at 19:06

2

"A couple of years ago, the C1000 was auctioned off at one of the Barrett-Jackson auction for $243,000. Only a few months later, the car was found on eBay with an asking price of $350,000 from a dealership in Georgia."

that's pennies!

i'm sure it would go for $1M+ in todays hyper-inflated market.

458>488 > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:06

0

SOCdriver > GhostZ 02/23/2015 at 19:07

2

Don't feel horrible, the Z is such a great car every person is drawn to it. Even my wife, the Great Hater of Coupes, loves the original Z (and the 370Z).

TheKoosh > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 02/23/2015 at 19:07

6

Funnier still: isn't that an LM002 in the second photo?? This is like walking into a bar and seeing Optimus Prime hanging out with Chuck Norris and the Beatles.

Mr Joshua > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:07

4

Oh Shit, Oh shit, Oh shit ! I can't think of anything else to say except I am now going to take the laptop and some lube to my bedroom for some "quality time" with myself.

vwsubi > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:08

0

is that the Lamborghini SUV concept back there?

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:10

1

EXCUSE ME WAT

LeadfootYT > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:11

0

Um... Desu? This is a very hazy memory, but were you the Opponaut in the Greenville area? If so, I may need to ask you many questions about how and where and why in order to film that C1000. Or the LM002. Or any of those. Immediately.

Actually completely serious. Not sure if that was you or not, but that looks like an SC license plate on the MINI, and I figured I would ask.

zziro > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:12

1

OMFG an LM002!

[blush, fan sweaty face, hunch to hide erection, laugh nervously]

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > willmederski 02/23/2015 at 19:13

0

$1M would be the down payment!

Desu-San-Desu > LeadfootYT 02/23/2015 at 19:16

1

Yep, I live in Greenville, SC. I bought my 2006 Mini Cooper S at the dealership with the shop pictured back in early January. It's called Carolina Auto Sports, in Concord, NC. Their shop and general inventory is one of the reasons I totally felt justified driving 2 hours for a free service, haha.

apexassasin > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:16

6

That Jeep Compass is 1 of 3 in the world painted in Black Rose Mica!

AntiLag > Randomocticon 02/23/2015 at 19:17

0

And still not in the 2 second club!

Mike > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:18

0

Shhh don't tell anyone. We don't the Feds crushing it....

Desu-San-Desu > LongbowMk2 02/23/2015 at 19:20

1

I asked about the possibility of what he'd want for it and the fairly vague reply made it obvious the owner wasn't interested in selling it.

noogaped > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:21

2

Desu-San-Desu > noogaped 02/23/2015 at 19:22

0

Yep, that's the place. Nice find!

drdude > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:22

1

Ok. I am in SC. Where am I driving to?

Desu-San-Desu > drdude 02/23/2015 at 19:23

0

LMAO. Concord, NC.

55_mercury > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:25

0

that thing with a Mercedes badge. It looks like some kit car one would buy from plans available from one of those science gadget type magazines.

sadfasdf > GhostZ 02/23/2015 at 19:26

1

Why? It's the best thing there.

Also, I'm pretty sure those wheels aren't original.

MrMcQueen21v2 > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:26

1

SC Native here, not surprised about this one being in Concord! haha

Dangerous > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 02/23/2015 at 19:26

0

There's a video floating around of them driving it around that dealership and someone is filming from inside. I think it was even linked to Jalopnik a few years ago.

shieldsdb > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:27

1

I've driven by this place a hundred times! !!!

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:29

2

THIS ENTIRE GARAGE IS THE MOST AWESOME THING I HAVE SEEN.

Desu-San-Desu > 55_mercury 02/23/2015 at 19:30

3

Google this:

Mercedes Lotec C1000.

mlevere1988 > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:30

0

um, ahhhh, ggggg......I think I need to take a moment.

hankolerd > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:30

0

My mechanic was also storing a red A Lamborghini LM-002 last fall. How many people buy these and then stick them in storage?

AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:32

2

Is it still at Carolina Auto Sports?

Desu-San-Desu > hankolerd 02/23/2015 at 19:32

1

As soon as gas goes above $3.00 per gallon?

Everyone.

Jack Does Cars > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 02/23/2015 at 19:33

0

I know that THE C100 used to be located in Charlotte. It now seems as if it has found it's way to South Carolina. Interesting...

Desu-San-Desu > AJ Feldman (alecmets2011) 02/23/2015 at 19:33

1

It was as of 2:30 this afternoon, lol.

Micro-dosing Gawker's Tears > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:34

1

While not as glorious as this, we have a running joke with a couple customers that sorta go like this "there are only 4 in the world, and he has 5 of them."

madtube > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:34

2

Holy.

Balls.

Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter > Takuro Spirit 02/23/2015 at 19:37

2

My mom's farm truck: F-350 Super Duty king cab long bed dually with one of those extra-tall caps.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Jack Does Cars 02/23/2015 at 19:37

0

Turns out Desu was in NC, so it might still be at the same dealership

Hououin Kyouma > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:38

1

That Z is gorgeous.

55_mercury > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:40

0

ah that makes sense. It's a lotus with a Mercedes body. Hence the kit car appearance.

Desu-San-Desu > Hououin Kyouma 02/23/2015 at 19:40

2

Yeah...I think I spent the most time ogling it. I even got the lead tech to pop the hood for me so I could ogle its naughty bits.

F1Fan426 > GhostZ 02/23/2015 at 19:40

0

NO. DON'T FEEL HORRIBLE. I was drawn to it as well.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:42

1

Closest I ever came to this was when I went to see my local Euro-car sales and maintenance place. Inside the workshop were, among other things, a distinct-shaped car under a cover in the back. I asked the owner/mechanic, a Polish man I believe, about the Citroen DS he had in the back, and he was so surprised and happy to have a 16 year old who could recognize a DS across a room and under a cover (not really a challenge for most Jalops, I know) that I thought he was about to give it to me. Instead, his wife stuck her head in from the office and screamed that perhaps I might like a Eurovan, but that's another story.

GTDC > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:43

0

Aaaah yes, Saabkyle04 did a Lotec C100 in NC as well.

Randomocticon > AntiLag 02/23/2015 at 19:44

0

Ha. Probably because no launch control, though to be fair the quoted time from Hennessey for their similarly powered(and weight) GT is 2.5 second, but recorded is like 3.0ish? I'm guessing adding PDK type transmission would make it accel a bit faster.

bryan40oop > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:44

0

http://jalopnik.com/382006/268-mph…

Edit:

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > 55_mercury 02/23/2015 at 19:47

3

Not Lotus. Lotec... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotec

And that's not a kit car. It's a 1 of 1 Lotec Mercedes Benz C1000 that has, as it's name sugests, 1000hp. It was created for an oil baron in the UAE for $3.4 million in 1995.

Not a kit car.

Seriously, not a kit car.

bre92ser > Takuro Spirit 02/23/2015 at 19:51

0

depends on where you live. they are pretty abundant in central/eastern Oregon, for example.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > TheKoosh 02/23/2015 at 19:51

9

God and Buddha are sitting at a bar.

God: "Holy shit, is that the Lotec C1000?"

Buddha: "Jesus fucking Christ, I think it is."

bre92ser > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:52

0

I'm just over here like "dude, sweet JK"

deserts2k > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:52

0

I must be the only one who remembers this Lotec at Barrett Jackson (of all places) crossing the block at around $275k if I remember correctly. I have a feeling it is going to be in the shop for a long, long time.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Maxxuman 02/23/2015 at 19:52

0

Considering it's been sitting at the same dealership since 2008, I don't think anyone would miss it.

AMGWTFBBQ > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:53

0

Whoa now. I live in North Carolina. Obviously I want to see this car. Where can I find it?

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:54

1

Um. Where did you buy this Mini? And what is the cheapest car they have for sale there?

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Takuro Spirit 02/23/2015 at 19:54

0

Even better mega cab, long box.

Desu-San-Desu > AMGWTFBBQ 02/23/2015 at 19:55

0

http://www.carolinaautosports.com/default.aspx

Desu-San-Desu > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU 02/23/2015 at 19:55

0

http://www.carolinaautosports.com/default.aspx

:-)

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Mr Joshua 02/23/2015 at 19:56

3

Not something a Gawker Media author knows much about.

*rimshot*

AMGWTFBBQ > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:57

0

grazzie

torquesteerisfun > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 19:58

0

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 02/23/2015 at 20:00

4

what happeneds when FPers start posting on oppo articles that were shared on the FP

Also_Ran > GhostZ 02/23/2015 at 20:01

0

That's alright, I was drawn first to the wheels.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Randomocticon 02/23/2015 at 20:03

1

I wonder if it's Bellatrix-proof...

scotschris > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 20:03

1

I know where this is and I have seen this very vehicle!

I saw it when I was still working for Auto Trader and one of my Sales Reps kept telling me about this Mercedes and didn't believe it. Then we were out visiting customers one day and there it was.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 02/23/2015 at 20:03

2

Front page plebs

WarchildSRT10 > Takuro Spirit 02/23/2015 at 20:11

0

Dat Wrangler at left of the Mini, doe...

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 02/23/2015 at 20:11

1

FPers will be the death of my sanity.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Desu-San-Desu 02/23/2015 at 20:11

1

Lol the next question is will moving to North Carolina and driving a Grand Marquis with 100k be worth it to see that garage?

E39Geek > Bozi Tatarevic 02/23/2015 at 20:12

0

NC resident here. This wouldn't by chance be located in Apex?

That's where my favorite independent garage is. I've seen all manner of high-end wheels parked in front but rarely took a peek inside the garage proper.