Monday, November 12, 2012

CARS & COFFEE -FABSPEED MOTORSPORTS



It was 1988 when I was walking the Atlantic City boardwalk and saw a sign for a car show on the door of the convention center. I begged my parents to money give me money for a ticket and in I went to experience my first car show. I soon came face to slanted face with my first exotic  beauty. A red Lamborghini Countach sat there looking as if we're going to pounce on the next person to pass by. Honestly that is all I remember about that show....that red Italian piece of automotive art. Many many car shows and years later I found myself taking my five year old son to a grand opening of a local exotic car performance shop.
                                                                         
The weather couldn't have been more perfect for a fall morning, blue skies and a bright shining sun glistening off of some of the finest automotive bodies ever created. Every gear head with an appreciation for both foreign and domestic exotic automobiles would have to stand in awe over the wonderful collection of auto porn that has assembled on this stunning Saturday morning at Fabspeed Motorsports now located in Fort Washington Pennsylvania.
The first cars there to greet you were two stunning examples of craftsmanship, a beautiful white Bentley and a Black supercharged AC Cobra. It is at that point where you get overwhelmed by the type of cars in attendance. McLaren, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, Bently, Lotus, Tesla, Ford (GT) and Maserati. How can you lose with a line-up like that?
The last time I was in this building it was a factory where my father had worked years ago. I can say it looks a hell of a lot better the way it has been transformed. It is now a clean, upscale almost sterile operating room for speed. The walls were adorned with various manufacturer shields, logos and posters. The lobby is upscale and decorated like a ski lodge but instead of the typical ski lodge things Fabspeed has two modified Porsches, some exquisite exhaust components and an engine on display.

The front desk isn't simply a fancy desk...oh no, instead they used a polished turbine housing to keep that manly atmosphere flowing throughout the room.

Behind the offices are the engineering department, warehouse and  work bays.
At the back of the shop is a four wheel dynamometer. A dynamometer is a device used to test engine performance in a controlled environment. This model is capable of testing AllWheel Drive cars. On the dyno this day was an Audi R8 which tested at over 600HP! Friendly people, beautiful building and absolutely stunning cars, the only way the event could have been better would be if they gave test rides..even a ride along would have been perfect. I sure hope Fab Speed Motorsports continues to hold events like this in the future.