Parking Lot Photo Shoot: 1999 Plymouth Prowler

This was a former DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program car, hence the extra lights on the body.

College Cars: 1954 Kaiser Darrin

This is College Cars, another look into the automobile collection of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Today we're looking at a 1954 Kaiser Darrin roadster.

I have long had a soft spot for the Kaiser Darrin, a fiberglass roadster that was built in small numbers for only one year and primarily because Henry Kaiser's wife liked the concept. Its claim to fame is the way its doors slide into the front fenders rather than hinge outward. The convertible roof is adjustable to have only its front section slide back like a targa top to let the sun in, or be lowered completely. It's no performance car, a Henry J chassis offering only 90 horsepower from a Willys-built six. But you have to admit it's interesting to look at. Cool fact: the last 100 or so Darrins got Cadillac V8s good for 300-plus horses. Now there's your sports car. Shame it was too little, too late.
Near as I can find, this car was purchased at the RM Auctions 2011 Amelia Island event, for $170,500. If this is in fact that vehicle, it was the 20th car built in a series of 435.

Parking Lot Sighting: 1993 Toyota Supra

College Cars: 1947 Cisitalia 202 Cabriolet

This is College Cars, a recurring feature about the Academy of Art University auto collection. Today we're looking at a 1947 Cisitalia 202 that is believed to have once belonged to Argentinian president Juan Peron and his wife Evita.

The Cisitalia cabriolet is an extremely rare car, with only 34 surviving examples in the world today. It's powered by a tiny 1.1 liter four cylinder engine producing just 55 horsepower. It was styled by Battista 'Pinin' Farina. Considering this car was created in 1947, it's a very modern design.

Side Street Spot: Fiat 124 Sport Spider

The Fiat 124 Spider was a popular import car in the US during the 1970s, so popular that Pininfarina carried on full production to the end of the Malaise Era and distributed them through Malcolm Bricklin's networks. This one is in pretty sad condition, sits alongside an industrial side street unnoticed by most people, and being a small-bumper car, is a good project candidate.

Dealership Photo Shoot: 1997 Ferrari F355 Spider

Photographed at Specialty Sales in Pleasanton, CA.

Sleeping Beauty: Abandoned Jaguar XK120

Lost down some lonesome byway in Oregon, is this classic 1950s Jaguar.

The Valet Stand: 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo

Welcome to The Valet Stand, where we look at high-end cars found parked in front of the lobby at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco. Today's feature is a yellow Lamborghini Gallardo. These pictures are from 2008 when this particular car still had dealership paper plates from British Motor Car Distributors on Van Ness Avenue.

The Valet Stand: Ferrari F430 Spider

Welcome to The Valet Stand, a new feature that looks at some of the best cars I've photographed in front of the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco. I like the St. Regis for its modern, photogenic lobby exterior and frequently wealthy clientele. We begin with a triple-black 2008 Ferrari F430 Spider.
Note the Rolls-Royce sign -- the St. Regis is sometimes used for manufacturer press events and one was held in 2008 to introduce the expanded Phantom range to journalists.

Low Price, Low Lights: 1958 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupe

The early Karmann Ghia, known to enthusiasts as a "lowlight", is a scarce find, especially at this price.  It needs an engine and a full restoration, but all of that is easily accomplished due to the abundance of reproduction parts. Being a prairie car, it will have little rust compared to Great Lakes and Northeastern cars, and the car has unknown paperwork (presumably a title) included.

Auction only has 18 hours left at the time of writing, but knowing the eBay Salvage & Parts Cars section and the lowlight Ghia's desirability, it will most likely be relisted.

Find it here in Omaha, Nebraska, on eBay, with bids starting at $1575 USD

Parking Lot Sighting: Mazda RX7 FD

I spotted this RX7 on my way out of Wal-Mart with a new memory card for my camera and a refreshing energy drink, and HAD TO shoot it. It has some modifications, but has not been heavily riced or hooned like most other surviving FDs. Pics have not been put through an HDR filter, however, I had to edit them because the RX7 color & detail were washed out in the original pics.