Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

AutoAtlantica

@autoatlantica.bsky.social

230 followers 96 following 2K posts

I’m Darren, a collector of automotive headaches, a car industry enthusiast, YouTuber, and occasional magazine writer. I enjoy photography, reptiles, & Route 66/other road trips with the wife and dogs. Amateurish videos are at www.youtube.com/@AutoAtlantica

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · Mar 23

The fleet as it currently stands. It’s a constant battle to keep these on the road, but it’s gratifying after every repair to think the car is just a bit improved compared to before. Along with the rarity of some of these, it’s the challenge which becomes the thrill of the chase and all worthwhile.

3 28

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 1m

Some evening messing in the garage and the Volvo sounds good. Still missing first gear so that’s an outsourced project to come.

1 1

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 11h

This is the first time my Fiat-Abarth 500 has been out after dark for ten years.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 14h

An early autumn rise for my Buick Roadmaster.

1 4

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 14h

The two LT1s.

1 2

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 16h

Likely my final mow of the year completed.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 21h

This targa-topped Ford Sierra XR4i was built late in the development of Project Toni, when a U.S. model was under consideration. It never made it to production.

1 4 15

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 22h

1966 Pontiac Bonneville ambulance at a local car show. These were custom built to be used as both ambulances and hearses.

1 2 12

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 1d

I came close to adding this Saab 9-7x Aero to my collection. They were a badge engineered version of the GM360 SUVs offered under most of GM’s brands, but the Aero used the 6.0 litre LS2 unit and is very fast and very rare. Its sister car, the Chevrolet Trailblazer SS, used the same setup.

1 3

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 1d

A grey Aston Martin DB AR1 Zagato I found at Pittsburgh Cars & Coffee. The 99 Zagato coupes that were built were never supplied to the US, so the AR1 was built for that market instead: 99 again were built, however one of those was a Euro-spec RHD car, chassis no. SCFAG52323K800061.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 1d

This third generation Honda Accord liftback is a rare survivor, especially in base carburettored base DX guise.

1 8

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 1d

New video: Ford Mustang Mach 1 burnout … well, not quite. youtu.be/3406jBWT7t4?...

Ford Mustang Mach 1: A Modern Classic in the Making | Review

YouTube video by AutoAtlantica

youtu.be

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 1d

The European Ford Escort XR3 was launched to the press on a new, unopened section of the M4 motorway in Wales on November 24, 1980. It would go on sale in March 1981, and replaced with the fuel injected XR3i in October 1982.

1 6

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 1d

The Chevrolet Bolt is heavily revised for 2027 with the Ultium battery pack. It’s still 65kwh, but now charges at 150kW peak with 255 miles of range. It has a built-in NACS port and it can use the GM Energy home backup system. $28-30K depending on trim, but the new Nissan Leaf is a better deal.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 2d

Extraordinarily rare Crayford Vanden Plas 1500 convertible.

2 15

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 3d

New Tesla Model Y standard, a base model losing several battery cells down to 69kWh capacity. It gets smaller 18 inch wheels and loses the front and rear light bars, but still gets 321 miles of range.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 3d

SRV Dominator 3, one of five specially adapted tornado chase vehicles owned by meteorologist Reed Timmer. This one is based on a 2012 Ford F-350 Super Duty truck, is armour plated & can withstand 200mph EF-5 tornado winds. It carries a weather station, data reading rockers, and ground anchors.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 3d

The chilly autumnal mornings began today, so the heated seats were on in my Mini R56.

These really are the fiercest heated seats I’ve ever encountered. There’s warm, charbroiled and cremation mode essentially.

1 1

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 4d

Second generation Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS-T at a local car show. These debuted two years after the coupe and only in production for a couple of years.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 4d

Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray at my wife’s dealership, the first they’ve had since it was launched. It uses the standard 6.2 litre LT2 crossplane unit but with an electric motor added to produce a combined 655bhp. 0-60mph in 2.6 seconds. Sensational car.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 5d

Ian Seabrook of the Hubnut YouTube channel recently made a video of a rare British-spec Chevrolet Volt. It evoked memories of my former daily of almost 6 years; I commuted 110 miles a day in it to Pittsburgh in all weathers. I sold it when COVID hit and it sat on the drive for a year. Awesome car.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 5d

My friend Mark and his new-to-him 1986 Mini. He also owns a RHD 1979 car, an R53, an MGB, a TR7 and a restored Bugeye
Sprite. Ignore the plate, it was gifted to him as it has his mother’s initials on it.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 6d

Speedster Motorcars in Florida built these replica 1939 Lincoln Zephyrs in the mid-2000s. They used a custom-built frame with a fibre glass bodyshell. Some 40 were built.

1 2

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 6d

Me on the straight at Nelson Ledges. That was a day to remember.

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 6d

Stunning Pontiac Solstice coupe owner by a friend of mine. Only 1,266 coupes were built, just 26 of which were in Hydro Blue. This very car has featured several times on the Solstice’s Wikipedia page.

1 6

AutoAtlantica @autoatlantica.bsky.social · 6d

Second-generation Acura NSX (Honda internationally) at a local car show. These were built right here in Ohio at Honda’s PMC in Marysville.

1 3