Power Squats and Power Bulges at Auto Collections Las Vegas

I had heard that Auto Collections was Las Vegas’ premiere place to go if you want to buy, or just look at, vintage steel. I went two weeks ago, while on vacation, and ended up stretching, squatting, and leaning myself through 300+ photo shots. Here are a few of my favorites.

This all started with my wife taking a business trip out to Vegas. She was going for a conference, so I thought it would be a good chance to see Auto Collections that I had heard of through Maxichamp’s blog, when I saw it on Jalopnik. I had planned to rent a Lotus Elise during the trip as well, but my Volkswagen needed tires, so that was the end of that idea. Of course, the trip was not without enjoyment. I didn’t know what to do for the first couple of days because despite my love for video games, I’ve never had much interest in sitting and pushing a button repeatedly to gamble. So, on Thursday, I made my way over to the Imperial Palace hotel and casino, up to the 5th floor to view this Auto Collection I had heard so much about. For the full Flickr gallery, including shots not posted here, go here.

When I first came in there was one of a kind red 1937 Mercedes 540K Mayfair Special Roadster. It was huge and supposedly a one of a kind, but otherwise not that interesting to me. Turning around, I found myself face to face with the 1987 Buick GNX that I’d seen online, as well as a 1968 Toyota Corona. You know, looking through this collection, it became apparent to me that I view cars in the same way that I appreciate art. I appreciate that big one of a kind Mercedes (which can be seen in the Flickr gallery, by the way), but what really interests me, as in the art world, is mostly what has happened in the last 50-60 years.

Along the way, I also realized that I started looking at the European cars more and more, which I haven’t really had much interest in, in the past. But, with vintage Porsches, Ferraris, and Jaaaaags staring you right in the face, how can you not fall for these cars?

Here are some more of my favorites from the shoot, as well as the full gallery. Below, you’ll see a Cadillac V16, as well as a white Mercedes replica. She looks pretty good to me, fake or not.

Some leather engine strap car porn for Ray Wert, lol.

More good stuff, below a Ferrari 308 and 330, as well as the rear end and Pininfarina badge on a 250 GT.

This was probably my favorite car in attendance, a 1961 Cooper Monaco Type 57 Mark II Race Car. An itty bitty little race car (I love tiny high performance cars). I would’ve driven this all the way home to Florida, if they’d have let me.

Historic race scrutineering stickers!

I thought the windshield mechanism was really interesting on the Austin Healey.

I really liked the angle that I caught this 365 California from, with the hood emblem, the grille,
and a little bit of the front plate.

This Daytona was just gorgeous, one of my three favorite cars in the whole collection.

In my opinion, this was it’s best angle, something to do with the shoulder, the door location, and the fender that was just right.

Check out the prancing horse detail inside the reflector.

Some more super vintage car porn, the 1946 Delahaye 135MS Selborne Roadster (what a mouth full).

A couple of Corvette Challenge cars.

Old School XJ220.

Another favorite, the Lancia 037, was surprisingly tiny. Anyone got a spare quarter mill they wanna give me?

And, last but not least, a 1938 Morgan Super Sport. The rest of the gallery can be viewed here.