Atomic batteries to power...turbines to speed...

A television car from my childhood, and most likely the first custom car I ever loved, George Barris' iconic modified 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car sold at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson auction for 4.2 million dollars. Oh, yeah, it's the Batmobile from the 1960's television series. Bought by some rich dude who lives in the area, he plans to put it in his living room.

SEMA winner and auction winner '62 Corvette

First-generation Corvettes aren't my favorites in bone-stock form, but customized they are some of the best-looking cars period. My current favorite, a 2009 SEMA winner of the GM Design Award for Best Hot Rod built by Roadster Shop, sold at the 2013 Barret-Jackson Automobile Auction for $360,000. Something about those C1 bodies when you slam them, throw some nice rims on them covered in big ol' fat rubber makes them scream. The general body shape was about the only thing resembling it's original form, with carbon fiber and aluminum here, there, everywhere, and amazing interior work. An LS7 427 CID motor turns out 618hp on this amazing build.

I haven't been excited about a Corvette since my dad brought home a brand-new '84 back in the day-(I won't mention, but actually I am doing just that in parenthesis, how the rumors of a mid-engine Corvette several years ago excited me.) Introduced at the 2013 Detroit Auto show, the 2014 Corvette seems to get me going a bit. The design is the best in years, with a Ferrari 458-esque front end with a body design (esp.note rear-window) that recalls the mid-60's Stingrays-which Corvette is resurrecting to badge the new flagship car. A bit longer and wider and lighter with lower cg due to aluminum frame instead of steel, she's got a 6.2l LT-1 V-8 pushing out 450 hp with equal torque. Carbon fiber hood and roof subtract more weight from previous C6. A wide rear-end with squared-off tail-lamps and quad-exhaust pipes adds to the 'mean' look of the car. Gonna be near 60k to put your bottom in one and drive home. I'm REALLY liking the look and improvements. Now if they can come into 21st century go-fast car tech and put paddle shifters in it (sorry stick purists), I would definitely be looking closer to home for my favorite super-car rather than overseas.

Here's an artist's rendition of what the C7 racer will look like. Very nice.