M5Power's 2007 Car Sightings: SIGHTING OF THE YEAR/PHOTO OF THE YEAR

[1X83Z]

Time for my only decent non-monetary contribution to this website.

This thread is dedicated to my car sightings from 2007. In this thread, I'm going to show you the contenders for 'Car Sighting of the Year,' and my overall winner, and, in addition, the contenders for 'Car Picture of the Year,' and my overall winner. Scroll down for the winners, and enjoy another year of hard work...

Also included is 'completed goals, 2007' and 'future goals, 2008,' below the winners, in addition to some statistics about this year's sightings.

Car Photo of the Year - Contenders​

January 27, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

February 17, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

"Bat wings" - February 24, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

"Jealousy" - March 24, 2007 - Atlanta Georgia

"It's just a car" - March 24, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

April 14, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

May 11, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

May 28, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

"El Diablo" - June 9, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

June 20, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

June 21, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

"Parallel parking in front of a $440,000 car" - June 21, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

June 23, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

June 30, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

"The 'short' Maybach" - July 24, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

"Common" - July 28, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

August 8, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

August 10, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

August 20, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

"Conspicuous consumption" - September 12, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

"Jermaine Dupri" - September 24, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

October 20, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

November 17, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

November 30, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

"Mob hit" - December 4, 2007 - Atlanta, Georgia

Car Sighting of the Year - Contenders

January 12, 2007 -- Lamborghini Gallardo Nera

We had one of the snowiest winters on record in 2007, so seeing any cars was basically out of the question, it seemed. Two days before heading back across the country to school, I managed to see an extremely rare Lamborghini Gallardo Nera - one of just 185 ever manufactured. This particular one had temporary plates written the day before, so it came as no surprise to me that the owner was driving it - presumably after waiting weeks for delivery! It was clear that the owner was a rookie supercar guy, though, as he scraped the front end hard on a building driveway... and that says nothing of the fact that the interior was covered with melted snow and road salt. A very rare winter-time supercar spot and a wonderful way to ring in the New Year.

March 3, 2007 -- Ford GT Heritage Edition

Wow. For the first time in my entire life, I thought the expression 'I heard it before I saw it' could be appropriately applied. I hear a lot of fast cars, but I'm rarely left impressed by an engine note. This was different, as I had my camera on and aimed before I even saw the GT. The sound was unquestionably from a supercar, and when the vehicle finally caught up to its breathtaking noise, I became particularly excited as the GT Heritage Edition came into view. Just 200 of the special "Heritage Edition" models (with the Gulf color scheme) were manufactured, and this was my first -- and to this day, only -- sighting of one.

May 16, 2007 -- Ferrari 330 America

I was on a walk in my neighborhood, sans camera, in mid-May when I saw this Ferrari approaching. At the time I was upset that I didn't have my camera, but the cell phone photo I took turned out somewhat well. I wasn't satisfied, though, and began driving around the neighborhood trying to find the car again - after having found out the car was one of fifty ever manufactured. Indeed, I found it parked in a garage, and I knocked on the door of the home. An old woman answered (she told me it was her husband's and that she was unable to drive the car) and allowed me into the garage to take some photos. I always thought it was ironic that I've spent years looking for rare cars on the road and the rarest I'd seen lived in a garage just two blocks from my home. I later ran into the car at some summer car shows and introduced myself to the owner; we chatted about our neighborhood and he took home 'Best in Show' at at least one show.

June 3, 2007 -- Ferrari F40

Rules had to be altered for this one to count as an official sighting, as it was parked outside a car show. However, from the owner's actions it was clear that this car was NOT on display. After my friends and I discovered it parked at the show, the show's announcer begged the owner to bring it inside -- and seconds later he got in it, and left. Who drives an F40 to an Italian car show, doesn't show it, and leaves when discovered? This guy. But that didn't stop my friends and I from running up a grassy hill to hear the car under full acceleration as it roared away from the parking lot.

August 11, 2007 -- Porsche Carrera GT

Throughout my car spotting career, if there's ever been a car I had a soft spot for, it's been the Porsche Carrera GT. This car is the reason I bought my camera, it was my 2005 Car Sighting of the Year, and it is among my favorite exotic supercars. The first time I saw this particular Carrera GT was in February 2005, before I had a digital camera. I told people I saw it and no one believed me, so I bought a camera with the goal of seeing another one. Almost three years later, it's clear the Carrera GT must have a soft spot for me, too, because I've seen four -- including this one, the very inspiration for my car sightings, one on four joyous occaisions.

September 30, 2007 -- Maserati MC12

A FerrariChat poster mentioned that he had seen an MC12 in a residential driveway in a nice neighborhood near where I usually spot cars. For a couple of weeks I drove by the home over and over hoping for a glimpse, but I never saw the vehicle. I had become disenchanted with the entire thing and was rarely going by the house anymore, when I saw it sitting in the driveway. I rang the call button on the front gate, but the homeowner refused to let me in for a picture. I drove away, and returned only to find the vehicle leaving the house providing dozens of great photo opportunities. I had never shared this before, but this is the picture I was going to drive away with. So glad I went back. Supposedly there are just seven of these in the entire United States -- and only fifty were ever built for the whole world, making this the rarest car I have ever seen. Reportedly the owner walked into Maserati of Atlanta with $1.2 million cash to buy it.

October 26, 2007 -- Lamborghini Countach QV

The Countach itself is a spectacular spot (I've seen just two in my life), but this one was particularly rare, as it's one of only twelve carburated Countachs in the country. I had to do a U-turn to catch up to this car, but I was glad I did, as the Countach's shape is truly among the most visually stunning in existence. Its shape compromised its drivability so much, but in the end, it's worth it - especially if you're not the one driving, but rather following and staring.

CAR PHOTO OF THE YEAR

June 21, 2007 - Denver, Colorado

CAR SIGHTING OF THE YEAR

July 16, 2007 - Bugatti Veyron

Was there ever any question? The second I saw the weirdly-shaped grille coming the other way, I knew I was about to have the story of the year. An illegal u-turn and some crazy driving nailed me some great shots of the most expensive, most powerful, quickest, and fastest production car ever - and a few minutes discussing it with owner Ralph Lauren. The subsequent thread on GTP made the front page of AutoBlog, MotorAuthority, and, eventually, Digg, where its posting was responsible for breaking GTP's 'most users online' record. It's rare that a day goes by where someone doesn't mention it, and it's rare that an hour goes by without me thinking about it. Not that I met Ralph Lauren, mind you - that was mostly immaterial. That I saw a Bugatti Veyron.​

COMPLETED GOALS - 2007
- Porsche 911 GT3 [997] (March 3, 2007)
- Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder (April 21, 2007)
- Porsche 911 GT2 [996] (April 21, 2007)
- Rolls-Royce Phantom LWB (April 21, 2007)
- Lamborghini Diablo coupe (June 12, 2007)
- Audi R8 (July 21, 2007)
- Ferrari 599 GTB (July 28, 2007)
- Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 (September 15, 2007)
- Aston-Martin Vanquish (September 22, 2007)
- Aston-Martin Vanquish S (October 23, 2007)
- Mercedes CLK63 Black Series (November 17, 2007)
- Bentley Azure (07-_) (December 6, 2007)

FUTURE GOALS - 2008
- Aston-Martin DBS
- Aston-Martin V8 Vantage Roadster
- Bentley Brooklands Coupe
- Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe
- Ferrari 348 Spider
- Ferrari Enzo
- Ferrari F50
- Jaguar XJ220
- Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
- Lamborghini Reventon
- Maserati GranTurismo
- McLaren F1
- Mercedes SLR Roadster
- Porsche 911 GT2 [997]
- Porsche 911 GT3 RS
- Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

STATISTICS
Total 2007 Sightings: 497
Total Unique Sightings: 310
License Plate States: 18
By month:
- January: 23
- February: 45
- March: 41
- April: 44
- May: 41
- June: 81
- July: 48
- August: 30
- September: 57
- October: 34
- November: 40
- December: 13
Lucky days:
- 21st: 39
- 24th: 39
- 3rd: 38
- 10th: 36
- 11th: 29
Unlucky days:
- 5th: 4
- 13th: 4
- 6th: 5
- 25th: 5
- 4th: 6
- 31st: 6
By manufacturer (unique cars):
Acura - 2
- NSX (02-05): 2
Alpina - 2
- B7: 2
Aston-Martin - 54
- DB7: 11
- DB9: 27
- V8 Vantage: 13
- Vanquish: 3
Audi - 3
- R8: 3
Avanti - 1
- Convertible: 1
Bentley - 20
- Arnage: 15
- Azure (07-_): 1
- Azure (95-03): 1
- Continental (84-94): 1
- Continental GT Diamond Series: 2
BMW - 5
- Z8: 5
Bugatti - 1
- Veyron: 1
Chevrolet - 2
- Corvette Grand Sport: 2
DeTomaso - 1
- Pantera GT5: 1
Dodge - 24
- Viper GTS: 7
- Viper RT/10: 7
- Viper SRT-10: 10
Ferrari - 82
- 308: 1
- 328: 2
- 330 America: 1
- 348: 5
- 360 Modena: 8
- 360 Spider: 13
- 365 GT 2+2: 1
- 456: 2
- 550 Maranello: 3
- 575M Maranello: 1
- 599 GTB: 1
- 612 Scaglietti: 3
- F355: 6
- F40: 1
- F430: 8
- F430 Spider: 15
- Mondial: 4
- Testarossa: 7
Ford - 4
- GT: 4
Lamborghini - 38
- Countach: 1
- Diablo: 2
- Gallardo: 15
- Gallardo Spyder: 12
- Murcielago: 4
- Murcielago Roadster: 4
Lotus - 5
- Elan: 1
- Esprit: 3
- Exige: 1
Maserati - 9
- MC12: 1
- Quattroporte Sport GT/Executive GT: 8
Maybach - 7
- 57: 6
- 62: 1
Mercedes - 4
- CLK63 Black Series: 1
- SLR: 3
Morgan - 2
- Roadster: 2
Panoz - 2
- Esperante: 2
Porsche - 14
- 930 Slantnose: 3
- 996 GT2: 3
- 996 GT3: 2
- 997 GT3: 4
- Carrera GT: 2
Rolls-Royce - 26
- Corniche I-IV: 2
- Corniche V: 1
- Phantom: 18
- Silver Seraph: 4
- Silver Spirit III: 1
Shelby - 2
- GT500E: 1
- GT500: 1

I hope everyone enjoyed this cheesy retrospective, the likes of which will not be undertaken again until 2008's thread.

 

[Tornado]

In this overly cynical and analytical world of ours, I'm sure if we had put it to an actual vote the Bugatti wouldn't have won.

Regardless, you need to find a Vector (and I mean a real, V8 powered one, with the turbos and whatnot). All this has been is another year of disappointment for you, Doug.

 

[Keef]

Wow Doug, you really put some work into this! Fantastic write-up. There's quite a few spots in here that I've never seen before so I'm glad they're posted. For instance, I find it amusing that you've now seen your Vanquish and the S, but still no Viper coupe. Also, it's cool that you actually came back to take a picture of the exact car that started your spotting career to begin with. Keep this up!

 

[Joey D]

Excellent write up Doug, you've certainly have had an awesome car spotting career. I think my favourite spotting of yours this year had to be the Ferrari 330 America, one for being so rare and one for being right under your nose and not knowing it. You really don't know what you are missing sometimes.

 

[neanderthal]

the shame of it is the fastback old school mustang (june/ july 23 or summat) is cooler than most of these cars. including the veyron.

if theres a car that is completely awesome yet underwhelming to me its the veyron.

 

[YSSMAN]

STILL no Dodge SRT-10 coupe... Better luck next year!

A personal favorite of mine was the CLK Black Series, but yes, you certainly are the king of car-spotting... I'm sure that living in Denver/Atlanta helps.

Sad that my top-spot this year was an old Panoz, but still equally as rare as some of the other cars you saw...

 

[ferrari_chris]

Well done Doug.

When I first learned of your car spotting years ago, I thought it was stupid and 'nerdy'. Now-a-days however, I completely understand it, appreciate it and am at times thankful for it. I do find the stats you're keeping a little on the funny side though.

Many of the shots you take are great quality, and the fact you find these cars driving (or parking) in public is, as you know, amazing.

I'd have chosen some different winners from you, but it's your content so you can do whatever you want.

Keep up the good work Doug, GTP wouldn't be the same without it. I look forward to next year's spots with anticipation. 👍

 

[Turbo Lag]

I wish i saw that many awesome cars Doug 👍 Theres now a Countach running around my area, ive seen it a few times but i wasnt armed with my camera. They are certainly very stunning cars, and the one i saw was black. And it had some fancy plates: "RUN4IT". Hope I can get a pic next year.

 

[opendriver]

See if you can get Raulphs F1 GTR. That would be up there in the MC12 category

That was an awesome year for spotting's, keep it up!

 

[V1P3R]

Oh oh Viper!

STILL no Dodge SRT-10 coupe... Better luck next year!

I have many times!

 

[1X83Z]

In this overly cynical and analytical world of ours, I'm sure if we had put it to an actual vote the Bugatti wouldn't have won.

Exactly the reason I didn't put it to a vote! After all, on a car vs. car scale, the Maserati MC12 is a technically better spot, as it's rarer - especially in the States. But the Veyron sighting also included Ralph Lauren and got me on Digg and AutoBlog.

Regardless, you need to find a Vector (and I mean a real, V8 powered one, with the turbos and whatnot). All this has been is another year of disappointment for you, Doug. [/SIZE][/FONT]

I'd give anything.

the shame of it is the fastback old school mustang (june/ july 23 or summat) is cooler than most of these cars. including the veyron.

Not just a fastback Mustang, but an original 1968 Shelby GT500.

To this day, that vehicle remains the only legitimate Shelby Mustang I've ever seen. However I give no opinion on the coolness of any of these cars, Veyron included - I just photograph them!

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. 👍

 

[Alex.]

Nice spotting career

I thought maybe this was a thread for everyone to nominate their personal spot of the year and other car spotting nominations but I guess you'd win most of them anyway

👍

 

[Revheadnz]

Wonderful post again Doug, I admire your dedication to your hobby 👍

And you've had some brilliant shots during the year, can't wait to see what next year will bring for you. You've seen more rare, amazing cars in one year than I have in most of my life.

 

[Joey D]

You need to put the Maserati GranTurismo on your list to see this year coming up, I'm sure it won't be a difficult spot for you consider I saw one during a Michigan winter.

 

[McLaren]

In this overly cynical and analytical world of ours, I'm sure if we had put it to an actual vote the Bugatti wouldn't have won.

Regardless, you need to find a Vector (and I mean a real, V8 powered one, with the turbos and whatnot). All this has been is another year of disappointment for you, Doug.

Only ones I know of are in Monaco and California. There is a yellow one somewhere in the West I presume. Doug might know where "Freedom Country" is.

See if you can get Raulphs F1 GTR. That would be up there in the MC12 category

That was an awesome year for spotting's, keep it up!

I believe Ralph has a LM, not a GTR. He might though, never know. But the LM only stays in New York, and is rarely ever driven.

 

[Formula1Driver]

Wow, I am amazed at how many beautiful cars you have been able to see this year, I live in a relatively small city in Canada and almost never see a common Corvette or Viper.

 

[franz]

What a year with lots of great catch! Good luck with the Reventon 👍

 

[1X83Z]

You need to put the Maserati GranTurismo on your list to see this year coming up, I'm sure it won't be a difficult spot for you consider I saw one during a Michigan winter.

Correct indeed. I'll see dozens in all, but I've got to get that first one!

Only ones I know of are in Monaco and California. There is a yellow one somewhere in the West I presume. Doug might know where "Freedom Country" is.

There's a white one which gets driven frequently in Michigan. Obviously everyone knows about the yellow one in southern California. But that leaves a large amount of cars unaccounted for, particularly the W8s.

Freedom Country - you mean the M12 that's decked out in US stuff?

I'm not adding the Vectors to the 'want to see' list because I just think it's impossible. But then, that's why the Veyron and MC12 weren't on the list, and look what happened.

 

[McLaren]

Correct indeed. I'll see dozens in all, but I've got to get that first one!



There's a white one which gets driven frequently in Michigan. Obviously everyone knows about the yellow one in southern California. But that leaves a large amount of cars unaccounted for, particularly the W8s.

Freedom Country - you mean the M12 that's decked out in US stuff?

I'm not adding the Vectors to the 'want to see' list because I just think it's impossible. But then, that's why the Veyron and MC12 weren't on the list, and look what happened.

By Freedom Country, I meant the owner of the yellow one on FChat.
Thought you might have seen his posts.

 

[1X83Z]

By Freedom Country, I meant the owner of the yellow one on FChat.
Thought you might have seen his posts.

Yes - and his tank.

 

[ND4SPD]

Wow, I am amazed at how many beautiful cars you have been able to see this year, I live in a relatively small city in Canada and almost never see a common Corvette or Viper.

You're kidding right? We have a Gallardo (have pictures of it somewhere being pulled over by the police on the Hanlon), multiple Vipers, Corvettes and Porsche's. Some Ferrari's and Maserati's running around Guelph (Hell I've seen a Ferrari 360 Spyder parked in the middle of downtown last summer, as well as some F355's running around)......The majority of the Ferrari's and Maseratis I see live in my area as well, in the westminster woods area. Hell I was downtown last night and a new M5 blasted passed me heading up to the University, that thing was loud as hell.

 

[Rue]

Great thread Doug! DYSAGT is my favourite thread in the whole site and always my first port of call when I go online. I really enjoy seeing your spots and they always inspire me to get myself out there to try and compete even if it is in a slightly less impressive way. Best of luck for another great spotting year in 2008!

 

[opendriver]

I believe Ralph has a LM, not a GTR. He might though, never know. But the LM only stays in New York, and is rarely ever driven.

I think its the LM. I just saw the special on discovery HD theater "Ralf Lauren's car collection" and it showed him driving it on public roads. He looked kind of weird driving it though, with the ear muffs and all. I think just about any car from his collection has a place here.

What I would do to go see it

 

[1X83Z]

Great thread Doug! DYSAGT is my favourite thread in the whole site and always my first port of call when I go online. I really enjoy seeing your spots and they always inspire me to get myself out there to try and compete even if it is in a slightly less impressive way. Best of luck for another great spotting year in 2008!

Thanks chaser_fan (), and same to you - both that your spots inspire me, and that I look forward to many more of them in 2008!

 

[Gashlycrumb]

Wasn't this car one of your spots this year? Pre crash of course:

 

[1X83Z]

Wasn't this car one of your spots this year? Pre crash of course:

Yes - that is rapper Young Jeezy's Lamborghini Murcielago LP640. I saw the vehicle on September 15:

And again on September 17:

The vehicle was crashed on or around September 28, when Young Jeezy was leaving his birthday celebration at Justin's, P. Diddy's restaurant, to go to an afterparty. The Lamborghini was totalled, but Young Jeezy did make it to the afterparty. To my knowledge he was sober and the accident was his fault. Young Jeezy previously drove this light green ('Verde Ithaca') Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster - which was featured in one of his music videos - but he sold that car in 2006 or early 2007.

 

[Gashlycrumb]

Spooky, it was crashed 13 days after you first photo'd it.

 

[1X83Z]

Spooky, it was crashed 13 days after you first photo'd it.

Give or take.

Both times I saw it, it was on temporary plates, though, and those are only good for thirty days. So at the absolute maximum, the thing was only on the road about 42 days, maybe a couple more depending on when his birthday party was.

 

[Gashlycrumb]

At least it looks fixable. Someone probably got a cheap-ish Lamborghini out of it/

 

[Rue]

What an tragically embarrassing life for one of the great supercars. Made to wear ridiculous wheels, cruised round town rather than driven hard round a track and then crashed on the way to a party instead of into a tyre-wall.