2017’s Top Seven Stories on TeamSpeed

As we look back on 2017, we remember our favorite high points: The cars.

2017 was good year…as far as cars go. At TeamSpeed we got to drive Bond cars, go off-roading, and even visited the pits of Formula 1 racers. Let’s take a look at the year in review and revisit your top seven favorite stories from the year.

The Mysterious Passing of Supercar Celebrity “Bleugatti”

The year’s top story covers the untimely death of Johannes Marliem, a well-known Goldrush Rally attendee who went by the online pseudonym “Bluegatti.” The 32-year-old, of Indonesian descent, was reportedly fearful after an investigation was opened around his alleged involvement in a $170 million graft operation. Sadly, Marliem chose to take his own life.

Matching McLaren and Rolls-Royce Sport Flowery Hues

Any car collector worth his foaming tire shine knows you’ve got to have a daily commuter car and a toy for weekends. Entrepreneur Michael Fux chose to raise the game with the latest business-and-pleasure combo to join his stable, by getting them in matching custom colors inspired by a flower. Touché.

McLaren F1 Maintenance Stories

Who could turn down the chance to own a legendary McLaren F1? After all, there are only 63 roadworthy cars left on the globe. The problem with owning a bespoke, ultra-high-performance car is that service bills can get spendy. Fast. When we say spendy, we mean really, really spendy.

Pagani Unleashes the Huayra Roadster

Horatio Pagani might be the modern-day equivalent of Ferruccio Lamborghini. His vision and passion for hand-built hypercars is unmatched, and if you doubt that, try to find anything remotely similar to a Pagani on the market today. This year, Pagani announced the first topless version of the Huyra and, yes, it’s good.

Hey, Aston, I Know That Car

James Bond first got a shot behind the wheel of the new DB11 as the DB10–an Aston you will never have the chance to buy retail–in the film Spectre. Don’t worry, though, because the DB11 brings all the good looks, and you won’t accidentally launch yourself or your passenger through the roof with an ejector seat.

Just Add Lightness

Lotus founder Colin Chapman may not be with us today, but his legacy lives on in simple, light cars like the Caterham Super Seven. The Seven has been schooling cars with two and three times the horsepower for decades now, thanks to a simple, lightweight design that makes the car a dream on a track. This one does that, too, but with more power.

An Homage to Tax the Rich

If you’re not familiar with the YouTube channel that made off-roading in ridiculously exclusive cars a thing, this article will give you a taste of that sultry dish. In fact, with four supercars in play here from different eras, this is a proper middle finger to trailer queen culture. It’s–dare we say–maybe not so wise, but we still love it.

Now it’s time to motor on into 2018. Self-driving cars haven’t arrived yet, and until the government starts taking away our vintage Lamborghinis, we encourage you to hoon them in the mud. Happy New Year! We’ll be right where you left us when the smoke clears.