Tag: BMW

Clarion Builds a BMW…and it’s pretty cool!

The “big tent” at the Barrett-Jackson auction houses the best of the best the auction has to offer. From a regal Rolls Royce that probably hasn’t seen the road since prohibition, to a Chevelle that should require earplugs be in your ears before your butt’s in the seat, the collection under this tent really does have a little bit of everything. As I was walking through this gigantic mass of automobile history a little powder blue BMW caught my eye. With its European style and small stature it stuck out a little bit, and I wanted to know what the story was.

Upon closer inspection I could see that this ride had lots of cool modifications – just enough to make it different, but still in keeping with the spirit of the original style. As cool as the look of this car was, the story behind it is even cooler. This is the inaugural project of the Clarion Builds program, the purpose of which is to connect Clarion to a wider audience and support a great cause (more on that in a minute). This project was started in 2014, and the first year was taken to source and build this ride. Once the build was complete Clarion started showing off this car throughout the US, and it will continue to travel until it’s sold at the Barrett-Jackson 2016 Palm Beach Auction.

The concept behind the build was to bring this BMW up to present day standards while keeping the look and driving experience authentic to the original car. The stock engine was rebuilt with some performance components, and the suspension and braking system were upgraded. And of course a new audio system was installed, cleverly fitting into this car’s new interior. Clarion hopes this and future builds will help strengthen the next generation’s love of the car culture.

But that’s not all this car will do. Once it is auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson 100% of the proceeds will go toward Tgen, a Non-Profit Biomedical Research Institute. They perform groundbreaking research on the genetic components of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease and are making a real difference in the fight against these conditions.

So make sure you look out for this sporty 1974 BMW 2002 when you are watching the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction. I can’t wait to see what they can raise for this great cause, and what Clarion Builds does next!

New York Auto Show 2012


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Many manufacturers gave a nod to the past while unveiling their new models at this year’s New York Auto Show. The show kicked off with Cherovlet’s unveiling of the new 2014 Impala, with a classic 1966 model in the backdrop. This new generation of Impala boasts a new body type with a sleek front grill and a redesigned interior. It comes in both a 303-horsepower 3.6L V6 engine, as well as a standard 2.5L 4-cylnder engine. Chevy also displayed the Camaro, Corvette and Traverse to name a few.

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The Chrysler Group introduced its new line of SRT (Street & Racing Technology) vehicles, which includes a rebranding of some old favorites. The unveiling of the 2013 SRT Viper, the fifth generation of this instant performance car classic, highlighted this announcement. SRT’s President/CEO Ralph Gilles proudly proclaimed that it would be manufactured at the Connor Avenue Assembly in Detroit…while sporting a black t-shirt with “Detroit” in bold white letters. The Viper has some company on the SRT lineup with the likes of the Challenger, Charger and Chrysler 300.

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Ford showed off it’s 2013 Shelby GT500, with 650 horsepower in a variety of vibrant colors. The classic Cobra was also displayed, a model that has been an inspiration for many sports cars over the years. From racing technology to alternative fuel technology, Ford also highlighted the Focus Electric. Organized by Men’s Health magazine, the Focus Electric is part of the 2012 Electric Car Challenge, making the 3,000 mile trip coast to coast without stopping at one gas station.

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The electric vehicle family was also joined by BMW with their i3 and i8 electric concept cars. Each of these concept cars speaks to a different audience: the i8 to the sports car enthusiast, the i3 to the sport utility driver. However both feature some cool design elements like suicide doors with transparent panels and icy blue accents. It’ll be interesting to see how these features translate into a production model.

Along the lines of environmentally friendly vehicles the Fisker Karma is an awesome example. Its front grill seems to smile at you, while its curvy lines say “speed” even as it sits still on the show floor! The Karma is the first luxury electric vehicle with extended range, powered by a hybrid gas and electric engine. This system is complimented by the solar roof that can generate enough energy to power the cabin ventilation and audio systems as well as extend the driving range by up to 200 miles a year. Do you want good karma? Drive this car!

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For as much new technology as was displayed at this year’s show, each manufacturer’s automotive history was not forgotten. While Chevy, Ford and Lincoln included some examples of their past on the showroom floor, LeMay – America’s Car Museum featured classic models from manufacturers of the past and those still going strong. From a “speedster” that barely featured a windshield to cars with solar glass, the auto industry has come a long way! To see more highlights from this year’ show, check out our photo gallery HERE.