Eddie Alexander Meeks can design and build your next dream automobile by hand.

The creator of one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever designed says it will never be ridden. “It’s a showpiece, a rolling piece of art,” says designer, builder, architect and artist Eddie Alexander Meeks, whose creativity only begins in the garage.

The Quantum Leap, which Meeks describes as something out of the movie, “Tron,” was a labor of love, taking more than four years to complete. Meeks custom designed everything on the bike except for the engine and transmission. However, as with most concept cars and motorcycles, it is one-of-a-kind and not for sale. His partner, Simon Solomon, at Solomon and Meeks, LLC, is the proud owner of what Meeks calls “the crowning piece” of his portfolio.

Meeks skills are obvious; his design for the Quantum Leap went against the norm for most production bikes by flipping the ends around, making it a front-wheel drive with rear steering. He also handcrafted most of the bike, including the steel bodywork, the copper, bright and black nickel plating and even the headlight. Meeks is multitalented. Not only is he a designer, inventor and metal crafter, but also an architect, artist (he hammers out copper by hand to create his sculptures) and a luthier (he makes acoustic guitars and cases). All this is done at his workshop, EAM Studios, in Greensboro, N.C.

He began designing and building motorcycles in 1994, and by his count has created approximately 35 bikes. Meeks also says Solomon and Meeks, LLC has won many awards and accolades for the motorcycles at national shows from Florida to New York to Nevada. “We always build radical, innovative bikes and always wow the crowds when we unveil them,” says Meeks. He has also started drafting a design of a limited edition production motorcycle “with an unusual power plant for the modern day.”

What’s next for Meeks? What about building a custom car? “I’ve thought about it, but haven’t done it,” he says. “Someone would have to have deep pockets and patience. It’s not like you can go and buy this car like you would a Ferrari.” He could not predict the endeavor’s time frame, but says the price tag to custom build an automobile is probably in the seven-digits range (The Quantum Leap cost about $250,000 to build).

Some of his other inventions range from bathroom fixtures, remote-control spy planes to better beer containers. He also creates furniture in his woodworking studio. All of his creations are individually numbered with tiny plaques—be it one of his sculptures (Sculpture 004) or the Quantum Leap (FWD 001). Looking ahead Meeks would like to be a consultant for companies seeking help with design. “Sometimes having someone from the outside like me come in and take a look at a project can save hours and money for a company,” he says. But he will continue to build and invent. “My talents for creating anything are just about unlimited.”

Solomon and Meeks LLC., 336.545.1004, www.eddiemeeks.net

A lightweight and sleek design makes this car speed past the competition.

It’s a foot shorter, 500 pounds lighter and gets 33 more horsepower than the vaunted Porsche Carrera Turbo. But fast isn’t the best adjective for the Lancia Stratos. This car is going to put the fear of God into Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin owners. It will not only outsprint those marques, but out-corner them as well. The key is an übershort footprint barely two feet longer than a Mini Cooper, and an exceedingly low weight. Why sweat weight? Because it’s the enemy of great handling and cannot be overcome by suspension design. And if the rebirth of this car, the new Lancia Stratos, was to stand for anything, it had to be about producing the very best handling sports car on earth.

Or perhaps the best-handling car since the 1970s, when the Stratos HF, based on the Ferrari Dino, won three-straight World Cup titles, from 1974 to 1976.

This new Stratos, of which roughly 25 examples will be produced, was penned by brilliant design house, Pininfarina, and pays homage to the original batlike Stratos. Like the original, the 2011 Stratos is also based on a Ferrari, the 430 Scuderia, but is cut down from the original chassis by nearly a foot. A shorter chassis shaves nearly 200 pounds off the car’s weight, but the Stratos is also stiffer with a carbon body that’s directly bonded to the aluminum subframe. It is also safer thanks to an FIAapproved roll cage, which the Ferrari lacks. At 2,900 pounds, the Stratos is lean, and with such a short wheelbase, begs to take corners as fast as you can focus on the next apex.

A near afterthought in all this talk of handling and carbon fiber re-skinning: The Stratos is as sharply angled and arresting to see as the original with a lower nose than the Ferrari, and the rear engine tucked in just aft of the driver, plumb ahead of the rear axle, and then boom, the car dead-ends right in back of the rear wheels. Beneath the shell, while this car has Ferrari at its roots, there are distinct differences. The seats are carbon buckets with a thin skin of leather, and even the dash and steering wheel are unique. Mechanically, the Stratos is deeply revised for higher performance. The donated Ferrari V8 is more urgent than that of the Scuderia thanks to a revised computer and exhaust that yield 533hp peak output. The engine launches the Stratos to 60 mph in three seconds flat, and you’re pulling 125 mph, in a 747-like sub-10 seconds. Remember that business about weight being the enemy of handling? Less weight is the friend of fearsome acceleration.

However, the fast run against the clock isn’t just about that Ferrari V8. The Stratos has a quicker-shifting transmission than the Scuderia—a sequential six-speed from Drexler that also allows for greater lockup of the rear wheels on launch. Finally, the suspension is entirely new as well, with driver-adjustable settings that deliver a far more aggressive, race car-like tune. If all this sounds like way more than a poser supercar, you’ve read right, because finally—well, maybe since the original Stratos was sold—a carmaker has realized that the best racing machine isn’t necessarily the one with more horsepower, but the one with the right combination of horsepower, low weight and a small footprint.

New Stratos, contact@new-stratos.com, www.new-stratos.com

A veritable explosion of exotic sports cars that has pushed prices and power into the stratosphere has hit the market during the past decade. And while styling and performance in the ultra-luxury sedan segment has evolved substantially, even the most esteemed models remain positioned in the sub-$500,000 price range. These cars feature conservative sheet metal compared to their two-door counterparts, and though 600 horsepower is certainly impressive, it is nowhere near the top of the power chart in the modern era.

Enter Alfred DiMora and his incredible Natalia SLS 2 concept. Its spec sheet and revolutionary design hint at a super sedan that is one part Maybach and two parts Bugatti Veyron. When it hits the road next year, its unprecedented $2-million price tag and 1,200-horsepower drive train will be comparable to the latter. The car will be powered by a massive V16 Volcano engine, and to ensure precise handling, four-wheel steering will be part of the package. Its outrageous looks and performance pay homage to the over-the-top vehicles from before World War II, such as the Duesenbergs, Cadillacs, Talbot-Lagos, and Rolls-Royces that were prized by ultra-wealthy families of the era.

Automotive aficionados will recognize the DiMora name from the Clenet and Sceptre novelty car companies of the 1970s and 80s. DiMora’s company in Palm Springs, CA, also currently manufactures custom motorcycles with six-figure price tags and markets the Hennessey Viper Venom GT supercar around the world. A consummate entrepreneur, DiMora has earned acclaim in business for numerous ventures, including revolutionary advances in such diverse industries as computer chips, antifreeze, hazardous waste management, and chemical recycling. But his true passion since boyhood has been automobiles. He spent his teen years rebuilding cars and learning welding, and his diverse business experience of the past quarter-century has helped him tap into the most cutting-edge technologies for the Natalia project.

When DiMora (also called Sir Alfred J. DiMora since he was inducted by the Knights of Malta in 2001) was honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars last year, he told audiences that his goal for the five-year project was to “change the way cars are built.” He explained that he was pursuing superior technology, and that his goal was to “bring back the American pride that we seriously need” because, according to him, the U.S. builds the most high-quality automobiles.

This super sedan will be a high-tech tour de force, with groundbreaking innovations in virtually every process, assembly, and system. The standard feature list reads more like that of a stealth fighter than an automobile—probably because it could be one. It includes space-age materials, dozens of computer systems, heads-up displays, and numerous onboard cameras and monitoring systems, to name just a few of its features.

Its construction begins with DiMora’s trademarked D-Tek System of honeycomb sandwich chassis panels, constructed of exotic materials that are interlocked and bonded together. Not only does this keep the chassis weight under 500 pounds, or about one-fourth that of a traditional body structure, but it avoids the substantial amount of greenhouse gases created by the manufacture of aluminum. Other benefits of this unique process include noise-dampening, low-tech assembly in a short amount of time, and an ability to make quick changes to the design.

Just a few of the futuristic tech gadgets on board include: a novel headlight array that can project movies or informational videos about the car, a heads-up display on the windshield that includes feeds from night vision and numerous perimeter cameras, and heated frameless windshield wipers. The Natalia development team seems to have adopted every hot feature from the aftermarket world, including handheld personal computers with wireless internet, paint that changes colors with temperature differences, rear seat massagers, NASA memory foam seat cushions with a gel lining, AC/DC power outlets, lighted Waterford crystal ashtrays, and so much more.

The car also breaks ground as the first and only vehicle that extends the front passenger seat outside the car and rotates it 90 degrees for easy ingress. Not only is this a spiffy way to impress onlookers, but it’s a convenient built-in accommodation for passengers with physical challenges. As if that’s not enough, you can also purchase a supercharged version that cranks out 1,400 horsepower for an additional $600,000, and you can get it blinged out with diamond-studded wheels for $500,000 each.

While many exotic car manufacturers ply their buyers with watches or track events, buyers of the Natalia receive a $12,000limited-edition handbag with their purchase: quite the womanly touch. With the Natalia, well-heeled buyers have a substantially higher-quality option than the Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Maybach offerings, and by all accounts, it has the style and performance to ensure they are the center of attention wherever they go. The vehicle’s name is a tribute to the woman who raised DiMora from toddlerhood. Not only was “Natale” her maiden name, but when translated from Italian, the word connotes inspiring leadership, originality, creativity, and wisdom—quite appropriate for such a groundbreaking vehicle. “Natalia” also comes from the root Latin phrase “natalis dies,” or “birth day:” Let’s celebrate the birth of a new standard of excellence.

DiMora Motorcar, 760.832.9070, www.dimoramotorcar.com

Incredible Aston Martin One-77 supercar is the real deal.

The next time James Bond heads to the market for a new car, the incredible Aston Martin One-77 supercar is a shoe-in to make the short list. There is no need for cliché weapons or defensive measures on this beast. Its voluptuous curves announce its performance intent and a massive V12 engine backs that up with 750 screaming horsepower. Nearly two years after its debut at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza on the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este in Italy, production vehicles are making their way into the hands of eager buyers. As the name implies, only 77 of the handcrafted vehicles are scheduled to roll with few available units remaining at press time.

As the famed British sports car company nears its 100th birthday, the amazing One-77 gives the marque a halo supercar with outrageous performance potential that matches its looks. From its signature front grill to its muscular shoulders in the rear, the car has Aston Martin’s unmistakable outline, while at the same time, it pushes the design envelope to extremes. In particular, the air intakes that bisect the connection between the front bumper and fender on either side of the signature grill are extremely aggressive, and its single strake in either door helps differentiate it from mere “normal” Astons. A handcrafted aluminum body is stretched over a high-tech carbon fiber monocoque chassis, and the company will reportedly leverage its race car expertise to specially tune the suspension of each car for every buyer’s preferences.

“The craftsmanship and design that has gone into the creation of the Aston Martin One-77 lifts automotive engineering into the realm of art,” said Aston Martin Chief Executive Dr. Ulrich Bez. “With its finely sculpted forms and sleek lines, it is an expression of unparalleled beauty that embodies everything Aston Martin stands for.”

While the One-77 has enough curb appeal to ensure it garners all the attention in any valet line or exotic car event, its powerful 750-horsepower, 7.3-liter V12 engine guarantees credibility as a performance contender in any cocktail party discussion—or track event. If you like Aston Martin’s symphony of cylinders in the DB9 and DBS sports cars, you will love the modified version that has been specially tuned by Cosworth to make the One-77 a performance powerhouse. Racing-style dry sump lubrication allows the front midmounted engine to be mounted four inches lower in the chassis, which benefits handling. A strengthened version of the DB9’s six-speed automated manual transmission with paddle shifters helps get the prodigious power to the ground, while massive carbon ceramic brakes give it effective stopping power and a huge air diffuser in the rear helps keep it planted firmly on the ground.

Aston Martin continues to tout its thorough testing process for the new car, and reported that the first production unit was delivered in February. Dr. Bez explained it would be easier to make a one-off concept car than a full production run, referring to the project as “77 one-offs.” With the company’s commitment to ultimate performance and a limited release, the One-77 is sure to be not only a star in any automotive crowd, but it has long-term collectability potential, as well.

Aston Martin, +44.1908.305530, www.astonmartin.com

As of Monday, California’s Fantasy Junction is officially offering Steve McQueen’s 1953 Siata 208S Spyder at $1.295 million.

The 1953 Siata Spyder was originally released as a limited edition – only 35 built. However, the moment Steve McQueen purchased one, the rare nature of the car rose both spiritually and financially.

Owned by the “King of Cool,” the Italian roadster was stored in McQueen’s infamous garage, which held a stable of Ferrari, Porsche, and Jaguar supercars. Formerly a staple within the Cars of Steve McQueen exhibition at The Peterson Auto Museum in Los Angeles, the Spyder is still regarded as one of the finest foreign supercars. In comparison to the size of the vehicle, it is incredible that the Spyder is fueled by the hefty 2.3 Litre 8-cylinder Fiat engine.

Complimenting the internal innovation, McQueen affixed an extremely rare set of Heuer racing instruments (watch/stop-watch) to the dashboard. Although the restoration has been a painstaking process, the “Little Ferrari” (nickname by McQueen) has been the apex of admiration, winning several honors at Concours d’elegance.

-Affluent Page

[Fantasy Junction]

Bentley Mulsanne (Above)
Bentley opened up its first retailer in South America in Sao Paulo, making it the 48th in the Americas and 172nd worldwide.

This new retailer will be owned and operated by British Cars do Brasil Ltda. Joseph Tutundjian has been named Retailer Principal for Bentley Sao Paulo and he, along with his partners Antonio João Abdalla Filho, Carlos Roberto Franco De Mattos Junior, and Mauro Saddi, will be the ambassadors of the Bentley brand in Sao Paulo.

Viewed as having enormous growth potential, the South American market is said to fit Bentley’s goal of producing automobiles that are compatible with renewable fuels by 2012. The luxury car maker has added seven new retailers in the Americas region since 2004.
“My partners and I are truly honored to represent the Bentley brand here in Sao Paulo,” said Tutundjian. “We have long appreciated the craftsmanship, quality and performance that Bentley automobiles have to offer and we are excited about their market potential here in South America.”

Bentley’s Sao Paulo showroom is now open and located on Rua Colombia, with its service facility a few kilometers away on Avendia Ulysses Reis de Mattos.

-Affluent Page

[Bentley-Sao Paulo]

At the 2010 Top Marques Monaco, designers Anders Lynge and Soren Bak Hansen will unveil the most expensive golf car ever made – The Garia Edition Soleil de Minuit.

Adorned with one-off custom paint, the Soleil de Minuit features a carbon roof, two colored hand-stitched luxury seats, alcantara roof lining, and several hand-woven details. Enhancing the unique spirit of the golf car, each luxury edition includes a built-in refrigerator and an exclusive personalization program. The program provides each driver with the opportunity to choose to either have the Garia painting in their favorite color, or perhaps match one of their other cars.

Garia did not only leave the innovative facets to the exterior; supporting each vehicle is a double wishbone front suspension, quite similar to those fashioned in Formula 1 automobiles.

Each Garia golf cart’s drive train is constructed by an Italian company that produces Ducati gearboxes, while the Soliel de Minuit’s aluminum profile frames are made by the exact company that make Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Volvo.

Continuing their dominance in the golf car market, Garia manufactures each vehicle at Valmet in Finland, the precise factory as the Porsche Cayman and the Porsche Boxster.

Priced at $52,000, the Garia Edition Soliel de Minuit will be on display in April of 2010 at stand A10 of the Top Marques.

-Affluent Page

[Garia]

Ferrari tuning-house Novitec Rosso has upgraded the Italian manufacturer’s highly successful 612 Scaglietti.

Adding a higher level of customization to an already extremely exclusive vehicle, Novitec Rosso bolstered the engine up to 565 hp. Thanks to a newly calibrated engine management system and stainless-steel, high-performance exhaust system, Novitec Rosso was able to keep the V12 engine and its 5,748 cm³ displacement unchanged. Because the engine is able to rev up at a faster rate, the top speed was increased to 325 km/h; it only takes 3.9 seconds to blow past the 100 km/h mark.

Instead of the 19-inch wheels that the standard 612 Scaglietti sits on, the Ferrari tuner chose a combination of size 9Jx20 wheels in the front and 12.5Jx21 in the rear. While this imbalance in size emphasizes the wedge-shaped design of the car, it also enhances the driving dynamics. The Pirelli P Zero tires offer the perfect complement, and as expected are also staggered in size: 275/30 ZR 20 on the front for expert grip around fast corners and sudden breaking, while the 355/25 R 21 on the rear axle allows for maximum traction and faster cornering speeds. Further exterior upgrades can be seen with the black Novitec Rosso lamps, as well as the four round taillights, reflectors, and side markers.

Providing a new level of comfort and individuality, the four-seat interior of each Scaglietti is customized to each customer’s preference. Able to request the ergonomically shaped steering wheel in any color, customers also have the option of choosing the material it’s made from and the thickness of the rim. One final touch from Novitec Rosso is personal tailoring of the seat to the driver’s exact body measurements.

Although pricing for Novitec Rosso’s customized 612 Scaglietti has not been announced, the regular model comes in at $313,000.

-Affluent Page

[Novitec Rosso]

With only 300 ever made, the Bugatti Veyron is one of the most exclusive cars on the market. One such example — a 2006 model — is set to be auctioned off on June 5th.

The car is in “almost new” condition, with only 7,400 km on the odometer. Able to reach speeds of more than 400 km/h, a new Veyron retails for around £1 million. Featuring a Quad-Turbocharged W16 engine that pumps out 736 kW of power, the Veyron zooms past 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds.

Lex Autolease and Black Horse have been working in partnership with British Car Auctions — who is conducting the sale — to enter the Bugatti Veyron. The sale will feature 350 cars in what is called the “Fast and Furious” sale by the BCA. While the Bugatti Veyron is the star of the show, other high-profile cars will be available as well, including a Ferrari F430 4.3 F1.

Open to everyone, the sale is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. local time on June 5th, with the Supercar section slated to begin approximately at 1:30 p.m. The sale will take place at BCA’s Blackbushe Auction Centre.

Robert Sturley, Lex Autolease Area Auction Manager (South) said, “We have worked very closely with BCA to bring together a truly exceptional collection of vehicles to feature in the ‘Fast and Furious’ sale.”

-Affluent Page

[British Car Auctions]

From afar, this two-seater looks like any other supercar. The glossy red paint catches your attention and speeds from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds keeps your attention.

When you take a closer glimpse of the Tesla Roadster Sport, you will find that it is unlike other sports cars, mainly because it doesn’t have a tailpipe. This is a completely electric supercar with zero emissions. Charging your battery for 3.5 hours using the Tesla High Power Wall Connector will give you 245 miles on the road.

Although electric cars may have a bad reputation for being sluggish, the Roadster Sport is anything but. It can reach speeds of 125 mph, whereas the new Chevy Volt, which can also use gasoline, only reaches a top speed of 100 mph when running on electricity.

The Roadster Sport comes as a convertible with a soft top roof, but anyone who wants a little more security while driving can purchase the optional clear-coat carbon fiber hardtop for $5,000.

The inside of this electric car is also worth noting. It comes with heated leather or microfiber seats and a vehicle information touch screen. Take it up a notch and add the premium seats with executive leather and carbon fiber, an extra $11,700, and the infotainment group which includes a large, in-dash touchscreen featuring GPS navigation, back-up camera, HD Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, amplified 400 Watt 7-speaker sound system, Bluetooth connectivity and Homelink door opener.

Customize your emissions-free car with 14 choices of exterior colors, five choices of interior colors, and nine options for interior-accent coloring.

The price of your Tesla, which can range from $128,000 to $163,500, is a small fee for such a large, positive impact on the environment.

-Affluent Page

http://www.teslamotors.com/