Aston Martin DB5: One Of The Most Iconic Cars Ever Made

Yes, there was once a time where cars were actually allowed to look this good. Sadly, the art of building a car with a beautiful shape to last generations has been lost. That is why, in a modern age of flat-body Lamborghini's and Ferrari clones with absolutely nothing that makes them unique except for the price tag and top speed, it is always good to remember what a truly beautiful and rare car looks like. That is why, today, in this article, I hope to give you a taste of the glory and pure beauty and brilliance that is the iconic Aston Martin DB5.

First of all, to any person on  this planet who is lucky enough to own any version of this car, you a god among the race of man. Second of all, if you are the sort of person who owns such a magnificent vehicle and had chosen to neglect it, sitting in an abandoned shed perhaps, then you deserve to be thrown into the fires of hell for all eternity.

Anyway, now I have gotten that out of the way, time for the actual review. Just a quick heads up, expect nothing buy pure love for this car. So if you are looking for a hate review on this beauty of the road and silver screen, look elsewhere, although I imagine it might be hard to find one.

So, where to start. Well, I suppose a good a place as any to start would be to talk about what exactly makes this car an icon of the motoring world. So, as many people already know, Aston Martin is a British based car company that specializes in making extremity beautiful luxury suparcars. However they may not be as popular  as they are today without a little film called Gold Finger. That's right, it is almost impossible to talk about the Aston Martin DB5 without mentioning the James Bond film Gold Finger, or the other way around for that matter. The film has been regarded as one of, not only the greatest Bond films of all time, but also one of the greatest films of all time. Anyway, the film was, and still is very popular through almost all viewing audiences, and the Aston martins work of beauty was one of the reasons why. Not only did it really kickstart the whole cars aspect of the Bond film franchise, an aspect that has since then never be forgotten, but it was also front and center in the film. Even though the car was covered in some of the coolest extras of all time, such as a blades coming from the wheels and an ejector seat, but the film also did a brilliant job of showcasing the cars glory. The film made it absolutely clear that the car didn't need any extra gadgets to make the car look amazing... it already was. The car has made a few other returns to the Bond film series in one of the best Bond films and best films of all time, Goldeneye, and another main role in the epic 50th anniversary Bond film Sky Fall, this time as Bond's own personal vehicle. Don't feel two bad that the vehicles got destroyed as, for one thing, the ones that got destroyed were stunt vehicles, and secondly, Bond basically bestows the kiss of death upon any vehicle he drives. And hey, as proven in the film Spectre, at least the steering wheel survives from Sky Fall.

Anyway, now we have cover the DB5's main film appearances we can talk about that cost of this elegant motoring machine. Simply put... it's a lot. In more refined terms, listings online from the Classic Driver website price the vehicle at anywhere from around $783,370 to around  $1,109,775, and that isn't even counting the Price On Request ones, which are even more expensive. So, what do you get if you have this much cash to spend on a car that you won't even drive more than a hundred days a year due to ridicules insurance? Well let me tell you.  First off you get a beautifully designed and hand crafted motor vehicle that tops out at around 145, mph, hey if you were in this for the mind blowing top speed you should be looking for modern supercars and hypercars. Next, the care comes with a 4.0 L engine that packs  282 brake horsepower and a ; a new robust ZF five-speed transmission as well as  three SU carburettors, and that is only in the base model. The DB5  also came standard with reclining seats, wool carpets, electric windows, twin fuel tanks, chrome wire wheel hubs, an oil cooler, built in magnesium-alloy body built to the superleggera patent technique, exquisite full leather trim in the cabin and even a fire extinguisher for safety reasons. All versions of the car have two doors and are of a 2+2 configuration. The car even handles beautify.

And there you have it, the car that is the reason why true motoring enthusiast would gladly give up their home and healthcare and move into a trailer park to be able to purchase one of the finest cars man has ever made.

The PT Looser (2005 PT Cruiser Convertible)

Okay... this one is bad. Really, really bad. As if the normal hard-top version of this hipster shitbox wasn't bad enough, they had to go and give it a convertible roof that is so bad the modern Volkswagen Beetles are laughing. The 2005 PT Cruiser Convertible is a nightmare of bad taste and even worse craftsmanship. How bad is it exactly? well, keep reading this article to find out. With that out of the way, lets dive in.

First off, let's talk about who actually likes this car.  Well, almost no one does. This car was so bad it even ranked as the 16th Worst Car Of All Time in an article published by The Street. However, there are a few people who like this car, for some reasons. Most of those people fall into one main ctagoy. This is the category that we, the general public, like to call "The Dumbasses." These are the idiots are ones who fall for the low price tag gimmick. You can get a  of the 2005 PT Cruiser in great used condition for under $5,000. But should you? Hell no! The dumbasses who buy vehicles like this tent to have one thing on their minds. that being, cheap, low-level, convertible muscle, despite its many flaws. Honestly, i didn't think I'd be writing these word but, save up just a bit more cash and buy a 2005 Ford Mustang convertible... even a V6 version. Honestly, the more and more I learn about the 2005 PT Cruiser Convertible, the more and moor a convertible V6 Ford Mustang of the same year begins to look like the greatest car in existence.

Remember when, a few lines ago, I mentioned that " The dumbasses who buy vehicles like this tent to have one thing on their minds. that being, cheap, low-level, convertible muscle, despite its many flaws." Well, here is where I talk about those many, many flaws. This could be a long list so strap in.

First off, the steering. I'm pretty sure most of you readers have either been on a bumpercar or seen one in  action. They slide around like they are on ice. People enjoy bumping into each other in the presuit of fun. Well, it is a similar experince behind the wheel of the 2005 PT Cruiser Convertible, just instead of whooping and laughing when you slam into another car, you will be explaining to your mechanic, car insurance company and hospital why you make an average of three to five appointments a month. Seriously, the 2005 PT Cruiser Convertible was ranked #1 in worst steering for vehicles of its class that year. Another problem this vehicle was known for was what happened when it got too cold out. Some vehicles, normally older ones, have problems starting up when the temperature drops. However, this vehicle got complaints right out of the gate. Not only would it not start but, due to a lack of sealing under the hood, the temperature would cause such problems as bad ignition starts, damaged plugs and wires, and even engine frost, a frost damage related problem where the en=gine freezes over. These problems were even worse than the ones found in BMW's 2005 M3. And to top it off, some of these problems occurred at temperatures starting at 38 degrees. Speaking of weather related problems, say you were driving along on a sunny day with the top down in almost any other modern convertible. The, all of the sudden, it starts to rain. No problem right? You just put the top up. Well good luck with that in the 2005 PT Cruiser Convertible. This was because this accident prone roof was known to get stuck about 1 of every 3 to 4 tries. Next, we have the interior design, or, lack there of. It looked like a pseudo-luxury Saturn Ion crossed with the interior of the 2005  Ford Focus Station Wagon. 

See what I mean? Absolutely terrible. It looks like it may have been designed by a depressed preschooler who is high as hell off of sniffing glue. Seriously, I made fun of the Toyota Prius for having a plastic-filled interior bet even that wasn't this bad. Now we can talk about the aborted whale fetus baby that is the exterior of the vehicle. That was putting it nicely. The car starts off halfway between the fires of hell and a shitter by keeping the a;ready appallingly horrible design that made the original hard top version so bad. The not to mention that they didn't make any effort at all to make the roof support bar mesh with the rest of the car, if you can even call it a car. The result is a convertible that looks worse than Tanner's Chevy Express Van convertible that he built for Top Gear USA's Alaskan Convertible episode... at least Tanner's convertible was fully functional for what they needed itto do AND HE COULD DRIFT IT. Last but certainly not least, the brake issues. Yeah, they were pretty bad. The brakes not only wore out very, very quickly,but there were even reports of them failing without even leaving the dealership. There are some more repairs, hospital bills and insurance forms for you top sign. This car will, in a verry quick time, cost the ovner not only more mony than it is worth, which is $0.00 by the way, but will also cost more than it cost to purchase in the first place.

Now, if you'll excuse me, i must now go look at some Ford Pintos and Yugos to get my sanity back. 

10 Million Horses: Ford Celebrates 10,000,000 of the most iconic American muscle car ever made

The Ford Mustang. Anyone who has ever glanced at the car world knows the car. It has been around for a long time, since the vehicle was first launched in the early part of the 1960's, it has had many diffrent styles and generations, some better than others. But when was the last time you bothered to check how many of these incoic muscle cars have been mad? Probably a long time if ever. However, as you most likely know if you pay any atention at all to the automotive world, the car just made a big boom in the numbers world. On August 8th, 2018, ford announced the Ten Millionth Mustang! This occasion was marked by, among many things, by spelling the number in mustangs (see above). At this point it is only fair to show the many versions of the iconic Ford Mustang since it was created.

Generation 1: The Origional

The first generation Mustang has become, and almost certainly always will be, an iconic symbol in the worlds of not only American Muscle Cars and Muscle cars in general, but in iconic symbol across the motoring world. It's stylish. It's iconic. It was a game changer.... oh yeah, and it's fast. Anyone with even the slightest interest in cars can't help but stare if they see on go buy. It's the mustang that launched America's most iconic muscle car.

 Mustang MK II: Oh No

Riding high on the blazing success of its original iconic muscle car, Ford decided to market it's sale of the vehicle that makes many worst car of att time lists, the Ford Mustang II. People bought it, expecting the qualities that made the first car so amazing. But they got a trash-compacted shit heap instead. Nothing worked about this vehicle. It has even been known as fords second worst fail... right behind the infamous bomb on wheels, the pinto.

 Mustang Generation 3: Huh?

We would forgive you for not recognizing this as a Mustang. Mostly because it looks like a cross between an elongated origional Fiat Panda, and an original Ford Fiesta. However, that's not to say it doesn't have its own unique charm. People have been known to call it "The Cute-stang." And At least it isn't as bad as the Mustang II.

Mustang Mach One: A Mustang For Bond

That's right, it is arguably the most bad ass mustang ever made. It Was released for the for the first time in 1971 and was a huge hit. Everything about it just screams "Badass right her!" Yeah, they even got James Bond to Drive One in Diamonds Are Forever. Fucking bad ass.

Generation Four: Bad Looks On An Okay Car

There are many reasons do dislike, hate, or just straight up forget this version of the mustang. Even ford doesn't like it. It's looks are bland, ther were a massive upsurge in V6 Mustangs in this time, and it drives worse than a soap-box racer. To put it simply, there is a company going down hilll, and then there is a company falling off a cliff. And dont even get me started on the convertible. Sadly, this is one of the three most common Mustangs on the road today.

Generation 5: A Turn For The Better

The Generation 5 Mustang was a turn for the better. It lasted longer than many of the versions that came before it. Another interesting note is that Dodge ended up stealing it's looks for their reboot of the Dodge/Ram charger. Sadly, this version of the iconic pony-car will most like;y be known more for the fact that it lead to the spike in the V6 Mustang market than for actual being a good car.

Generation 6: Smooth Muscle... With A Downsisde

How could ford top the amazing 2012 remake of the already iconic Shelby GT500? Well, in a short answer, it couldn't. Don't get me wrong, it is still a nice  car, and looks like a more modern mustang should, it just feels too smooth. Too tame. It just feels off. Another downside is that this car had the unfortunate time frame of being released around the time of Ford's newest engine, one that was made for their re-imagining of the Fusion,. We got the Mustang-spirit killing Eco Boost Mustang. all the sudden the Mustang became more fordable to the masses, but at a cost. It was no longer really a super cool muscle car. It felt, to many, to driving around in a slightly cooler For Fusion. And who wants that? Well apparently the public did as it sold frustratingly well.

1983 Chrysler LeBaron convertible: A Roadway Disaster

This is very confusing.  Chrysler has, for a while now, been creation  pseudo-luxury cars. Even today, the  Chrysler  300 S has become a “poor man’s Bentley.” And even though those cars are far from perfect, they do, at least have a few redeeming features. The new ones have started to look nice, and has become comfy pseudo-cars in a line up that even includes a 5.7L V8 powered Sedan. But that’s not what we are here to look at today. Today, we are here to look at the odd and dumpy attempt at class that was the infamous 1983 Chrysler LeBaron.

Hmmm, where to start with this one. Well, with a car this awkward and dumpy looking, there isn’t really a good place to start. Every possible starting point is as bad as the next. So, here it goes.

First off, did someone forget to tell the folks at Chrysler that boats belong on water and not on land? Seriously, look at the second photo, the one angled from the back of the vehicle. It you were to cut off the wheels and fill in the gaps where they are supposed to go, put it on the water and you it would take a stretch of the imagination to think it was anything but a boat. The metal rack and the wood paneling on the side signal even more that this thing belongs on the water and not on land.

And the comparisons to large seagoing vehicles don’t stop there. The boat aspect of the design appears to have worked it’s way into the way the boat... uh, I mean car, handles. Cornering this thing was a nightmare. Not least due to the horrible weight of this thing. Never before has a four wheeled vehicle been flipped so easily whilst going around a gentle curve at 15 to 20 Miele an hour. And if you thought trying to get it to go around simple curves, bends, and turns, was bad, wait until you try to dive the thing in a straight line after only six months of owning the vehicle. It gets ugly fast. The ‘83 LeBaron didn’t react well to  wear and tear to begin with, but the steering in the vehicle took a particularly bad hit. After only 7 months or so of driving the  convertible shitbox, drivers expressed complaints that the vehicle wouldn’t drive in a straight line anymore.

It was an absolute nightmare. Not to mention the horrible excuse for a  canopy roof  found on the convertible version. The roof tended to rip open seemingly out of nowhere, when,  in actuality, all that had happened was that a small gust of wind had blown the wrong way across the roof. The paper-bag style quality of the roof is what lead to so many material replacements and taped up holes on the vehicle, and became one of the reasons why America, and the rest of the world, would like to forget about this horrible hunk of junk and put it out to sea where it belongs... and then sink it with a cruise  missile.

Car Spotting: Art On Wheels

San Francisco is an amazing city  filled with good food, good people, fun and interesting places, art, and of course, cars. And sometimes those things collide, as seen in the photos above. This vehicle, it appears to be a Volkswagen Van/Deluxe Type, was found on Stockton Street, just outside of San Francisco’s iconic and recognized Pier 39. It it a rolling art show, covered in what appear to be hand made paintings of San Francisco, as well as a massive  tie-dye  Swirl that takes up most of the vehicles front end, apart from the windshield that has been kept clear of any obstructions, paint related or otherwise, due to legal driving conditions. From the quick shots I was able to get of the vehicle as it drove over the hill and through the intersection, it appears to be made of all original parts and pieces. The vibrant and bright paint on the front and sides of the vehicle throws the non painted parts, the hub caps, window lining, bumper and faded  roof, in to sharp relief. There are quite a few  artistic cars in San Francisco, this just happens to be the only one I actually got a shot of last week. And I’m very glad I was able to see it.

Car Spotting: Chevy Custom

We, here at The Big Car Lot are proud to introduce what we hope will be a new series, Car Spotting. This series will consist of photos of cars we ourselves find in real life, along with short to long descriptions of the vehicle. With that out of the way, let’s get into it.

Here we have a gorgeous custom car, that appears to be a custom Chevy. This splendid gem of a Car was found in the sunny little seaside town of Avila Beach in California. From the outside, the car appears to be a restored classic, with a two-tone sparkling orange paint job that glitters I’m the light. However, several details of the car show that is a custom build. First of all, there are no brand markings on the vehicle. Second of all, the interior has, not only a beautiful looking old style dashboard with a modern finish, but it also has the word “Custom” in big silver raised letter scrawled across the bottom right hand corner. The steering wheel, with its multiple colors complements the dashboard set up perfectly,  and the whitish silver of the dashboard looks amazing. And lastly, when the car came down the hill, just across the street from the restaurant window where I was sitting enjoying my calamari, everyone’s heads were turned by the sound of the custom V12 engine.

Plymouth Prowler (1997 - 2002)

Have you ever dreamed of owning a PT Cruiser that had a bastard child with a 1930's Ford Roadster? No? Well fuck you because here it is.

That was basically the marketing for the car that most people refer to as the weirdest car of the 1990's/ When it came out in 1997, nobody knew what to think, exact that Acid and a car designing workshop don't mix very well. With bumpers that looked like over-sized versions of the ones that normally are reserved for go-carts at the mall, and colors so aggressive they made the entire world want  to kill themselves, this car was certainly an interesting direction for Plymouth, a company that, at the time was making boring and bland family cars.

The Plymouth prowler just showed up out of nowhere one day and became the laughingstock of the car community. Nobody really knows what audience the thing was intended for, crack addicts looking for a new fix perhaps? Anyway, the car came with a 3.5 L EGG V6 engine and an 4-Speed 42Le automatic gear box. Unsurprisingly, this car was perfect for modifiers, and mod shops were taking in more of these cars than almost any other hot-rod style car in 1999. Also, the car was loud to begin with, very ;loud. The whole point of a smaller V6 engine as apposed to a bigger V8 was to save space and weight. however, the folks at Plymouth must have liked noise quite a lot as they removed all noise dampening parts from the vehicle and it's engine casing. And that is even before modifications were installed by people who want a bigger kick out of their "road buggy." This was made easier with the slightly larger version of the car being made available starting in late 1999. The slightly  bigger frame of the Late '99 Prowler meant more space for more things. Thus began the modifications that led to the nightmarish and loud V12 Prowler, found in mod shops across the country. The vehicle was so loud when fitted with a V12 engine, that it came close to hitting the noise regulation limit for vehicles in several states. Finally, in 2002, production of the vehicle stopped after America finally came to their senses and opened their eyes to the odd monstrosity that was the Plymouth Prowler.