Toyota Test Driver Hiromu Naruse to be Honored with Hot Hatch

Hiromu Naruse was an esteemed test driver for the Toyota team for 47 years, from 1963-2010. For the past several years, he was the chief test driver of the amazing Lexus LFA supercar, and tragically, it was in an LFA that Naruse sadly lost is life on June 23rd, 2010. 
Hiromu Naruse in Lexus LFA at Homestead Track
The fatal crash occurred on a test track near Germany’s famous racing venue known as the Nurburgring, where Naruse is reported to have left his lane and hit a BMW production car frontally. Naruse was 66 years old, and a valued and integral part of team Toyota.  Naruse died doing what he loved, in the company’s first-ever attempt at a supercar, and not many can make that claim.

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Mel Gibson, Lethal Weapon to Women and Luxury Cars?

It seems that Mel Gibson has certainly had his fair share of bad luck lately, and the streak continues, as he has reportedly crashed his 2008 Maserati Quattroporte into a rocky hillside on a difficult section of Malibu Canyon Road.  Mel’s Maserati was towed from the scene, and the actor was uninjured in the collision.  I can’t say the same for his already tattered reputation.
Mel Gibson's 2008 Maserati Quattroporte Crash
California Highway Patrol asked Gibson if he had been using a cell phone at the time, and he denied it (I am sure records will be pulled from his provider, as is becoming common).  The police do not suspect the star of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident.  It certainly appears that Gibson is hard on things, reportedly his ex, and now luxury cars.  Do not sell this man a Ferrari 458 Italia, my heart couldn’t take it.  TMZ photo taken shown at right.

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Steven Slater: Rogue Flight Attendant or Working-Class Hero?

From airline attendant to underdog superhero, and seemingly overnight, Steven Slater has certainly made his point.  What he likely didn’t realize was the multitude of other issues that would be brought to the surface in the mix.  So what is up with commercial air travel?Steven Slater JetBlue Flight Attendant

To recap, Steven Slater was a JetBlue flight attendant and self-professed “Bag Nazi”.  Slater made a dramatic exit, and headlines, quitting his position by grabbing two beers and sliding down an emergency exit slide following an altercation with an unruly passenger.   (see photos at right, nice sleeves officer…)

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This Week in Chicago: Lollapalooza Invades Chicago

This Week in Chicago:  Lollapalooza Aug 6-8 2010 Grant Park

Think Woodstock, but substitute rain and farmland for 100-degree temperatures and downtown Chicago and you will have a pretty good idea what Lollapalooza is all about.  For 3 days this weekend, 8 stages will overtake Grant Park as over 120 bands bring their musical talents to the Windy City.  Headlining this year will be Green Day, Lady Gaga, and Soundgarden.  

Festival and music fans alike interested in going have the option of buying single day tickets or the 3-day weekend pass.  Lolla offers up a whole lot more than just music as well and this year is really stepping it up with the food selections they are offering on festival grounds.  This year, there will be two different food courts, also known as Chow Towns, on the north and south end of the grounds.  25 new restaurants have been added on to the already impressive foodie lineup from last year.  

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Luigi Colani’s Future Cars Make Spherical Sense

Luigi Colani began to make a name for himself in the arena of design around the 1940s and 1950s.  Born in 1928, it became obvious at the onset of his career that German industrial designer Colani was indeed born bLuigi Colani Future Car Designsefore his time! 
 

To give you a greater insight of Colani’s view, he says:

“The earth is round, all the heavenly bodies are round; they all move on round or elliptical orbits. This same image of circular globe-shaped mini worlds orbiting around each other follows us right down to the microcosmos. We are even aroused by round forms in species propagation related eroticism. Why should I join the straying mass who want to make everything angular? I am going to pursue Galileo Galilei’s philosophy: my world is also round.”

 

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Top 5 Most Expensive Paintings Sold in Our Lifetime

For the art lovers, I have compiled a list of the top 5 most expensive paintings sold in our lifetime.  These are the sough-after and pricey picks that grace only the most luxurious of art displays, and the artists may surprise you:
 

 

1.    No.5 by Jackson Pollock 1948
Sold by David Geffen in 2006 to a private buyer via Sothebys for $151.2 million dollars
No.5 by Jackson Pollock

2.    Woman III by Willem de Koonig 1953
Sold by David Geffen to Steven A. Cohen in 2006 for $148.5 million dollars

Woman III by Willem de Kooning

3.    Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt 1907
Sold by Maria Altmann in 2006 to Ronald Lauder, Neue Galerie for $144.8 million dollars

Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustov Klimt

4.    Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent Van Gogh 1890
Sold by Siegfried Kramarsky family in 1990 to Ryoei Saito for $139 million dollars

Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent Van Gogh

5.    Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1876
Sold by Betsey Whitney in 1990 to Ryoei Saito for $131.6 million dollars

Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Renoir

These are the list-toppers for expensive paintings out there, though it is uncertain if any are available (collectors tend to hold on to them).  What happened in 1990 and 2006?  I ask because 3 of these paintings were sold in 2006, and 2 in 1990.  Is this a curious coincidence, or did David Geffen perhaps need a bit of money in 2006, to the tune of nearly $3 million dollars (as he sold 2 of the top 5 paintings).  These affairs are often highly discrete, and of course, highly priced.

 

 

Want more of the Most Expensive?  Follow link!   Also, don’t miss our fleet of exotic rental cars on your way out!
 

 

 

 

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

 

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The Barefoot Bandit Hits Miami

The infamous and wildly popular “Robin Hood” like media child, Colton Harris-Moore (dubbed the Barefoot Bandit), seems to have developed expensive tastes!  The clever kid has fled to Miami, where he has continued to evade officers in some jaw-dropping luxury cars!

Yes, just when the world thought the sinewy saga of the Barefoot Bandit had come to an end when the youngster was snagged in the Bahamas, he seems to have made a slippery escape to Miami.  Upon reaching Miami, the Bandit swiped a bright red Ferrari F430 rental from a valet; it is unclear how he accomplished this feat. 

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Luxury Events: The World’s Greatest Catwalk Slinks Closer

With fashion season smoldering, the chatter has turned its attention to the rapidly approaching “WWorld's Greatest Catwalk Logoorld’s Greatest Catwalk”, set to strut its sultry stuff on August 14th.  This luxury event will start at 3pm, culminating Copenhagen’s Fashion Week for summer of 2010.  So what makes this fashion show unique?

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LeBron’s Relocation Revamping Miami Luxury Real Estate and Restaurant Pricing?

After much fuss and hype, 25-year-old NBA star LeBron James has opted to make Miami his new home.  Now that the decision has been made, some feel the effects are being seen around the city already, in the form of price fluctuations.LeBron James Chooses Miami

Yes, LeBron’s departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers met with much opposition, as he turned his decision making process into a reality show of sorts, choosing to don the Miami Heat jersey in the end.  Now that LeBron will be joining us in sunny South Beach and Miami, some feel that real estate and restaurant pricing is changing slightly. 

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