The original Lupin the 3rd anime series (Part I) first aired in Japan on October 24, 1971, and ran until March 26, 1972. Like Tin Tin, it's loaded with cool vehicles

This is the actual opening credit sequence... how can this not be admired?! Mercedes-Benz SSK (W06, 1928-1932  thank you CoSC!)

and the 1st scene in the first episode, is a Gran Prix

according to the cartoon, it's a Ferrari 312 (312 = 3 liters, 12 cylinders)

The character Fujiko  that is either Lupin's girlfriend, or double agent spy, drives an Alpine in episode 1

and the bad guy in episode 2 drives a Messerschmitt

this... really is a DeLorean. DeLorean partnered with his brother Jack to build four go-kart tracks in Michigan, and they stocked the grids with fleets of 20 HP, 3/4-size open-wheel racers. Thank you Doug!

The business folded after just a couple years, and its assets and intellectual property were purchased by California entrepreneur Ron Cameron, who had far more success with the concept as the Malibu Grand Prix.

https://bringatrailer.com/2026/03/27/this-weeks-weird-and-wonderful-march-27-2026/

Doug just told me about the weekly feature on BAT, the https://bringatrailer.com/editorial/weekly-weird-and-wonderful/

terrific CGI created by Marcio Bukowski to accompany TV Globo!’s coverage of the Brazilian Grand Prix

https://www.thechicane.com/2014/01/31/marcio-bukowskis-cg-f1-transformations/

cutting every possible inch off every corner, Jim Clark driving the Lotus 25 took the pole, had the fastest lap, led every lap and won, the British GP, Aintree 1962

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10224214923641054&set=gm.2838462419680323&idorvanity=527146584145263

the Long Beach Gran Prix is happening today

 https://www.imsa.com/events/2025-acura-grand-prix-of-long-beach/

A recently released Formula 1 documentary on Amazon Prime has come under heavy criticism for using AI-generated imagery in the advertising image, but it was only madly ridiculously stupid AI imagery in the advertising image (top of the post) , not the actual documentary

 

As we go further rearward in the pack, the cars become less and less F1-like. What are those cars in the upper row there? That bluish-silver one looks sort of like a forgotten 1990s Chrysler concept car and the red one to the right feels like a Lincoln MKS coupé that never happened.

https://www.theautopian.com/amazons-ai-garbage-poster-for-an-f1-documentary-shows-why-we-dont-use-ai/

imagine just walking along and finding yourself next to legit gran prix race cars, that are in the last stages of race prep

a Gran Prix in the photo of the San Diego Holiday Inn during construction, in 1970. The view from W Date St & Front St

 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=842582617898477&set=pb.100064402403964.-2207520000&type=3

Bing Crosby's '64 Grand Prix

https://www.facebook.com/vintagecelebritycar/photos/a.1101518476605806/2345979085493066/

I just learned that the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals has a section for the Big Body Muscle Invitational and Performance Wagon Invitational displays

https://journal.classiccars.com/2023/01/08/big-cars-and-wagons-at-mcacn-2022/

places to be, races to win, no time to wave to the fans

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=690876885741362&set=a.116823999813323

another collector died, and his 90 Pontiacs are going to be auctioned off next month. If you have always wanted a GTO Judge, here's your chance to buy one, or two

 

https://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/auction/14101/

https://www.hagerty.com/media/auctions/pontiac-fanatics-trove-of-cars-engines-and-body-shells-set-for-auction-in-july

These Pontiacs are within a couple city blocks of each other... that's pretty weird, as rare as these are to see at anything but a car show

 

the only American-built F1 car to win a Grand Prix.

 https://www.clubroadster.net/threads/doep-sh-tzzz.1962/post-5935650