Toronto Cars & Coffee: August Edition

"chaozbandit" (chaozbandit) 08/08/2016 at 11:45 • Filed to: toronto, cars and coffee, engineered automotive

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After the last C&C concluded with record high attendance (400 cars approx.), I really couldn’t see how the following event could have topped it. You can imagine how surprised I was, then, when I arrived at Engineered Automotive this past Sunday to find the space completely full of cars. At 8:30 AM. Car people are crazy (in a good way, most of the time).

Gallardo Super Trofeo Blancpain Edition, #7 of 12

Even before I stepped foot into the main lot, a Blancpain edition puttered by somewhat stealthily. At a glance I had mistaken it for a Super Trofeo Stradale, of which I’ve only seen one before, but nevertheless I was incredibly excited to see what else had shown up.

ABOVE: GTS ACR Viper, whose owner I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of weeks ago while out playing Pokemon GO. Super chill guy who, with his partner, tries to attend as many car events as possible with his yellow snake. When asked why he hasn’t been showing up at C&C as frequently as last year, he said “I’ve just been everywhere.”

BELOW: Series 2 E-Type who arrived too late to find a spot inside. Though, that was probably for the better!

Some of you, at least the Toronto oppos, must have heard of a girl who goes by the name of Samantha Tan. She races a Mini in the Pirelli World Challenge; I had first met her two years ago at a season opener when she and her father arrived in matching cars, a 458 Speciale and 599 GTB (talk about a first impression).

Fast forward to 2016 and her father had just gotten back from a European trip. To pick up a car, specifically the GTS you see here. He, along with a few close friends, flew to Germany to take delivery of a brand new M4 GTS (hence the German tourist plates) and began a two week car-venture through the Apls and Italy. This was my first encounter with a GTS outside of an auto show, and I have to say I was left slightly disappointed. I mean, the interior looks disturbingly unchanged from the 2012 X1 I spent a year with or even from a base 3 series. Materials alone make not a special car.

Those who know Engineered Automotive will know that street cars and classics are not their only specialties. Along with racecars (track and rally!), they also do the occasional restomod or restoration and there’s always cool stuff up on the lifts. Like that Bel Air (it’s a Bel Air, right?) which looks to be undergoing an powertrain overhaul - or this Caddy just a few steps away.

While I’m not sure if it was EA who carried out the work (most likely), it was definitely neat to see a CTS-V motor in here. Talk about a sleeper.

Not one but two GT350s were present, though I couldn’t find either of the owners. This particular one, which was at the July event as well, appears to have finally gotten new tires (still needs a stripe though!).

What’s a C&C without a couple of Porsches? A GT4 or two are also guaranteed, though at this rate I’m starting to believe that Toronto dealerships got away with a large allocation. It’s gotten to the point where Targa 4 GTSs are the rarest of the 911 family.

While the US is now in full swing with R32 imports, there are a few other unicorns in the family that deserve some attention. This R33 GTS25T, for example, is a car I haven’t seen since the last Skymeet East in 2014 (before the group pretty much disbanded). While the R33 coupes seem to have a divided fanbase, the sedans are unanimously adored and you can clearly see why - the proportions of the R33 just seem to favor a longer wheelbase.

How many of you would believe me if I told you this was a wrap, and not paint-to-sample? I spent some very long minutes examining the shapes and reflections, and couldn’t find anything that would convince me otherwise. Just goes to show you how impressive 3M’s wrap materials (in this case Gloss Intense Blue) have become, and is a testament to the work done by the guys and gals at Sekan Skin.

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If any of you follow me on twitter (please, I need more friends), you will have recalled I had recently seen a Final Edition SLS and noted just how few I had seen this season, with the last sighting seemingly an eternity ago (ignoring the ItsWhiteNoise SLS). Even now, it’s refreshing taking a few moments to appreciate the work that went into designing the SLS. The curves of the AMG GT just don’t seem to carry any of the classic lines of the car it replaces.

Like Porsches, there always seems to be a Hellcat or two at any C&C. It’s not often you see two identical Challengers, minus a few stickers, parked up like this and I think it made for a cool photo.

The next Canada Post delivery vehicle!

With a weekend so packed (4 shoots over 2 days), I was bound to miss an event or two that I would have otherwise been to. With Importfest shifted 3 weeks to the beginning of August, there was a clash with Italian Car Day and as a result I missed a handful of very special cars (like Toronto’s first F12 TDF, in yellow). One of them, the above Dino, was kind enough to make the drive and grace us with it’s presence. A quick glance around the body and you begin to understand why the judges voted it Best in Show at ICD this year! There is an article on the restoration and ownership of the yellow Dino in Autostrada Forum’s latest issue, for those who were able to get a copy.

One of four R33s in attendance.

This Toyota Crown is just oozing with VIP style, right down to the interior, and is no stranger to car shows.

A special feeling when a car you’ve spotted in the wild shows up at C&C, and you get to meet the owner.

If you aren’t following me on instagram (again, why?), I had also recently fallen in love after seeing a pearlescent red-orange 370Z. Turns out, Nissan weren’t the only one with that idea! I have no idea whether or not this Stingray wears factory original paint or not, but the shapes of the C2 really accentuate the difference between the high and low points of a pearlescent coat. One of those instances where the camera really can’t do it justice.

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Since someone pointed it out in the last C&C post, I figured I’d cover my bases now with a beautiful Chevelle and 1930s Ford.

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It was only a matter of time before the horsepower-crazy German tuners took over the GTA. Again, no idea if it’s the work of Eurocharged Performance (who does a lot of the German-supported tuning and ECU flashes) or Engineered Automotive but it’s not everyday you see an E63 AMG Wagon with the Renntech goodies under the hood. A bonus Dinan F10 M5 was parked up right beside it (RIP the F10, as production ends this October).

No C&C seems to be complete nowadays without at least one SV showing up. One must applaud Lamborghini for continuing the SV lineage, however disappointing this iteration may be on the track. It is likely to be the same one that showed up last month, but I can’t say for certain whether the CSCC link holds true.

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Remember the Blancpain Edition at the top of this page? Here it is again, front-and-center outside of the EA shop. Black, with all these options, isn’t the best colour in my opinion but it seems to have handled its age well for a car that was announced in 2010. A look into the interior and it’s just a sea of alcantara, yellow stitching, and carbon accents. That plaque by the handbrake very clearly identifies this chassis as “LAMBORGHINI-2012 LP-570-4 BLANCPAIN EDITION SUPER TROFEO, VIN #, 7/12.”

While we eagerly await the C7 Gran Sports to land, I wonder how many potential buyers are entertaining the idea of a C6 ZR1. No idea how these have handled depreciation, but the performance per dollar is hard to beat.

Be honest, how many of you would take the Miata over the 458?

It was at this point, approximately at 9:30 AM, where I walked out of the shop disappointed by the four empty timbit boxes and both jugs of coffee completely drained. However, being greeted by a DeLorean briefly took my mind off it.

By 10AM the cars had started to clear out, since the skies were clear and it was supposed to hit 29C in an hour or two. While I don’t have a clip myself, I managed to pull one off facebook for you all to enjoy. Call me crazy, but I think the GTS won this one - the raspy inline 6 has somewhat redeemed the F82, but I can’t justify the price. The SV... well, it just sounds like any other Aventador to be honest.

That’s me in the McLaren-Honda shirt.

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One by one, the cars proceeded to leave as if nothing happened. The M4 needing a quick correction before exiting the lot to avoid scraping, but absolutely no drama at all. It’s as if, these ultra high performance cars could make for borderline daily drivers, or something.

Not even the slightest chirp from the Michelins as he pulled away. The same can’t be said of the handful of Mustangs who completely lit up their rear tires at the stop sign.

Bronze TE37s work quite well on literally anything.

GT350.

Like the R33s, there was no shortage of Vipers as well. Ontop of the yellow GTS from earlier, there was two additional gen 5s as well as a gen 4 (red/white stripes, chrome wheels) parked all over the place.

One of my favourite cars that I haven’t seen much of this year, and belonging to one of the guys behind WonChu films. I’ve slowly become accustomed to the W204 after a good friend of mine picked up his own C63, and RS05RRs are hands down my favourite wheels ever - a winning combo in my books. If you have to ask, this car is on air bags and it’s normal ride height is set with the fenders an inch above the sidewall.

Then a R35 GTR rolled in and I proceeded to chase it down.

To some people, 10 AM seems like a perfectly normal time to arrive at EA but this is the first time where I’ve seen half the lot clear out by then. This 318i, which was also at Importfest the day before, showed up just a bit too late. I had wondered what happened to the car because it was a retro BMW Art Car in 2015 (the rainbow stripe vinyl, which is still visible on the trunk lid) but I suppose getting turned into a track car isn’t so bad.

My first time seeing a Lightning, I think.

When you go to as many shows in a season as I do, you start seeing the same cars show up time and time again. This Carrera RSR replica, at least, seems to restrain itself to only C&C. Not much has changed on the car since 2015, and I have yet to meet the owner.

The sheer diversity of cars this month was something I’ve never seen before. Pretty much something from every facet of car culture, and people of all ages either fully engaged in conversation or otherwise. This R32 somehow snuck in without me noticing, and I only caught it as he was leaving. An immaculate 9/10 body and nothing inherently wrong with it as he rolled by - congratulations to the new owner!

A few GTA oppos who go to shows will instantly recognize this DBNK NSX. Like several of the regulars, not much has changed though it looks just as clean at every outing. I wouldn’t be surprised to see if this NA1 was holding it’s value just as well as a stock example. A similar story to the Vipers, there were no less than 4 NA1s on the lot during the peak.

Something about a black on black BB512 being rare, I don’t know.

An Eleanor Mustang being warmed up before leaving. The owner opened up the throttle a few times, and the supercharger whine was absolutely deafening. This is one of the few cars I’ve seen at every C&C this year, and it was immensely gratifying to finally see it alive.

I regret not taking a photo of the lot when it was full, but here’s a shot of how I imagine EA usually looks during the weekday.

Those lucky enough to wander down the street and venture outside the lot would have spotted a few special cars lining the roads. This Type 1 Beetle wasn’t a bad way to end the morning if I do say so myself. One of few photos I’ve taken this year that I imagine to be “painting quality.”

Not one but two midnight purple R33s, each pushing 600hp. The shade cast by the building really throws off the colour.

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I hope y’all enjoyed these pictures! There are a lot of cars I wish I had gotten around to, but the nature of this C&C is just so fast paced that there isn’t enough time to capture everything. Case in point a gold on black RR Wraith left around 9AM, followed by a 458 Speciale (no Mercedes were harmed in the making of this event). Here’s an adorable dog for your time!

If you want to keep up to date with my shenanigans, be sure to follow me on Instagram (IG: chaozbandit)! I will be posting pictures from the weekend throughout the week, and writing up my experience with ZCON Toronto sometime later.

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Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > chaozbandit 08/08/2016 at 11:50

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Yeah. I really want to do something like that Toyota Crown.

bob and john > chaozbandit 08/08/2016 at 12:13

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hehe, I actually hang out with Sam time to time. funny girl.

chaozbandit > bob and john 08/08/2016 at 12:15

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I see her 1M a lot but I don't think we've actually spoken LOL.

bob and john > chaozbandit 08/08/2016 at 12:25

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Shes really nice. Bit of a party girl, but eh.

Moves-Like-Senna > chaozbandit 08/08/2016 at 13:59

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This weekend was such a good turnout! I can’t believe that GT4 was a wrap, I swear it was the best color I’ve seen in a long time and was perfect for the car.

chaozbandit > Moves-Like-Senna 08/08/2016 at 14:24

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Sooooo many people, not enough timbits.

Moves-Like-Senna > chaozbandit 08/08/2016 at 14:31

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So true! What did you show up in?

chaozbandit > Moves-Like-Senna 08/08/2016 at 14:37

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The MDX with the smashed rear window, parked as far away as possible lol. You?

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > chaozbandit 08/08/2016 at 17:59

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Great photos! I might be missing something but how is the Aventador SV dissapointing on the track? Didn’t it post a sub 7 min time on the ‘ring?

Moves-Like-Senna > chaozbandit 08/08/2016 at 18:36

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I saw that! I was in my friend’s Hyundai Elantra GT with the GTI wheels/tasteful mods. It was between a couple other hatches on the side lot.

chaozbandit > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash 08/08/2016 at 21:04

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Thanks! I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s probably something to do with the car being so big that it isn’t as nimble as some make it to be. It has AWD which inherently understeers, a very small weight break (the thing still weighs nearly 2 tonnes), and the fact that it only has a 7% power increase over the standard Aventador...

I don’t know. For $500,000 you could do a lot better. Most owners probably won’t even take it to the track anyways.

(also the car drives like an absolute pig in Assetto Corsa)

chaozbandit > Moves-Like-Senna 08/08/2016 at 21:04

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YOU SAW NOTHING.

(it’s fixed now)

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > chaozbandit 08/08/2016 at 22:40

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Tbh I’m impressed it’s capable of that time without forced induction or hybrid systems. I wonder if it’s convertible to RWD as the like I’ve seen with some Murcielagos? Of course the price is a turn off but with a company making mass produced cars like that are this fast they’re gonna have to make some money. I’m not sure I’d ever be able to spend that much money on a car even if I was reasonably wealthy. But I’ll take the “word” of Assetto Corsa lol.

chaozbandit > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash 08/08/2016 at 22:49

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If they can do a RWD huracan, they can for sure do a RWD aventador. It’s really a matter of getting all 800hp to the rear wheels, albeit through 335 section tires.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > chaozbandit 08/09/2016 at 11:04

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I keep forgetting they made a RWD huracan lol, though I can’t imagine how smooth and responsive that NA V12 is.....