Minneapolis Street Sighting: Mercedes 280SL Pagoda

To be honest, I'm only posting this one because I really like how the photos turned out. I've written about the generation of Mercedes SL before; I quite like them, and honestly, it's one of a select few cars that are hard to ruin. I love the color combination on this thing. Quite possibly the most beautiful example of the breed I've seen yet.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Renault Alliance DL

When I am out riding and come across possible blog sigtings, they honestly come in the form of the usual big GM car or similarly sized Ford product, or maybe if I'm lucky, a Chrysler product. Very very rarely do I get a smaller car that isn't a sports car, and when I do, that small non-sports car is likely of American origin. I think this is to date the only Renault product I have been lucky enough to find.
On the outside, it doesn't appear to be all that special, and to be quite frank, it isn't. It's a typical economy car from the 1980s despite the fact that it's rare. As the badge on the trunk dictates, this car has a 1.7L four cylinder making all of 78 horses, which churn the front wheels. Honestly, that horspower figure seems quite poor, and even with the four door barely weighing 2400 lbs unloaded, it was still (likely) slow. The Alliance did get remarkable gas mileage though; roughly 38 city and 50 highway. I bet if today's compacts didn't push the 3200 lbs barrier, they'd get the same mileage.
This example, while not completely free of defects, is quite possibly the nicest non-show car Alliance I've seen in recent years. Correction: it's the only non-show car I've seen in recent years. Amazingly, despite Renault's supposed quality issues here in the 'states, this particular example does not have any rust (major anyway) that I can quickly point out, and since it's got a couple bumper stickers that don't look outdated, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this is a daily driver. This must be a sweet alternative to a new Civic or Sentra. I just hope the owner of this Renault cares about what he's saving, instead of keeping it just because he's frugal.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Mercedes E63 AMG wagon

It's very rare for me to shoot modern cars; however, I do have a few exceptions. If the vehicle is a rare variation of a somewhat common vehicle, if the vehicle did not sell well, and there aren't many examples in my area, or if the vehicle is an unusual condition for its age (either tip-top shape or U-Pull-it worthy need apply).
AMG is Mercedes' tuning arm. Basically, for mundane models, AMG makes them that much better.. Add 100+ horses, beef up the brakes and suspension, lower it, give it a nicer bodykit, better interior materials, and shave some weight off via lightweight materials, and jack up the price accordingly, and you've got the formula down pat. Now, it might sound like I'm harping on AMG, by the tone of my sentence, but honestly I'm not; I'm just fed up with the notion that most AMG buyers simply treat their cars as a more expensive Mercedes, not a sports-oriented vehicle. So, AMG owners drive their cars accordingly. They think that having an AMG means they're automatically entitled to drive like idiots, and drive faster than everyone else. Okay, so you have 507 stomping horses under your right foot, and you've got bigger brakes. I don't care if your $94,650 wagon can accelerate from 0-60 in a scant 4.6 seconds. You don't need to prove that in traffic.
In all honestly, I actually really like the W211 Mercedes E-Class, especially in AMG trim. The sedans are quite awesome, but the wagons are that much better. Unlike the already quasi-rare sedan, the wagon is rare as hen's teeth. The E55 wagon was actually sold through dealers for a short period, but never the E63; it was a special order vehicle, and whoever bought one knew what they were getting into.
When I saw this lovely example just sitting on a remarkably quiet Lake Street, I knew that moment was special; I had to shoot. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. And it was. I have not seen this AMG wagon since, nor have I seen another one. Honestly, this is probably the only AMG E63 wagon I'll ever see-- and that makes me sad.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Citroen 2CV6 Club

On my quest for shooting, I usually try to hunt for offbeat cars; cars I haven't seen a while. For the most part, cars from the big three generally don't interest me unless they're appealing in some way or another. On the flipside, I have a huge interest in foreign cars, and even deeper than that, obscure cars. This Citroen certainly fits that bill quite well.
Upon the surface, one tends to notice the drab red color, and white (gray?) wheels. To the average person, this combination screams generic old car, but for an enthusiast, this combo is quite appealing. Okay, maybe not in this application, but whatever. I like it. I'm glad this example is free of rust, and its quite free of the oft-tacky period decals that adorn these cars. The wheels are factory correct too (not that 3 lugs are common anyway), so that's a plus. I didn't get to inspect the interior as the owners came out when I was shooting, but if the exterior is any indication, the interior is in fairly good shape. While I would've preferred an earlier car, finding a 2CV of any sort is always welcome in this rustbucket-dense city. This 1986 model is awesome in its own right, I just wish I could find one of the pre-1960 vehicles. Now that would be a treat. If I had fun shooting the "common" 2CVs, imagine how much fun I'd have with a much earlier, prettier car.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Mercedes Benz W120/121 Ponton

When it comes to older Mercedes, its often hard for me not either fall in love with them, or be sad at owners' neglect to care for it. This example falls into the latter category. When this prestigious automobile was new, it was a sign of wealth, a sign of class. If someone drove a Ponton, it meant he or she came up into the world, and wanted something classier and more expensive than a Volvo PV, yet did not want to plunk down Rolls Royce money for a car. It signaled class, exquisite taste. Unfortunately, this example is owned by someone who cares only about destroying what prestige this once-classic German saloon had.
Instead of restoring it, the owner has decided it needs to be a Bel Air alternative. Instead of cleaning this once-proud car up, he has gone and butchered it to hell. The paintjob isn't awful, but it certainly suits a mid 1960s Chevy truck rather than a classic Benz. Out back, rests slotted tailights more appropriate to lime green lowered 1993 Chevy C/K, in place of the original units. The wheels, too, are a bit tacky, especially for a car like this. While I do like the wheels in general, they belong on a raked 1974 Ford Torino with sidepipes, or perhaps an old-school "bomb" type lowrider-- not a classic Benz.
While I am rather pissed at what the owner has done, I do appreciate the fact that this example isn't rotting away in a field. On second thought, this "55 BENZ" would likely be a more interesting photoshoot if it was in derelict condition. On the bright side, at least this once-proud luxury car is still on the road, despite being ruined.