Gents, it’s time I make a call to the president. We’ve got big news for him containing significant global implications.

I decided to spend the afternoon at the New York International Auto Show on its opening day. After yawning over the mainstream segment flooded with lookalike econo-box sedans and SUVs, I decided to head for the good stuff. I wasn’t expecting to see anything jaw dropping, but my expectations quickly shifted upon my encounter with the Bugatti Veyron Blanc Noir, Lamborghini Aventador and McLaren MP4-12C. The Mercedes-Benz SL was also a delightful up-close reminder after forgetting about it post-introduction months earlier. Acura’s NSX… all I can say is too little too late. We’ll discuss Acura in a future post.

Across from the Acura showcase was Lincoln. In previous years I walked right by Lincoln without bothering to even glance at their showcase. I posted earlier this year in my ‘Cadillac XTS: Rental Car Fleets Rejoice!‘ post that the Americans just can’t seem to come up with a signature definition of American luxury. The cars end up looking bloated and boxy, and don’t have that ‘it’ factor to be seriously considered among the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW. But wait, what is this… a Lincoln that actually looks like something? Is it a concept car? I must investigate further. I did a walkaround to study the lines and proportions of the 2013 Lincoln MK Z. My bias toward the vaunted European marques left me looking to find more wrong with the MK Z than right.

In the middle of my study I received a phone call from my good friend Chuck. I let him know I’m at the auto show. The conversation went something like this.

-“What’s up man?”

“I’m at the auto show.”

- “How is it?”

“It’s pretty cool. You should see the women here. There are some beautiful women crawling this place. The Acura NSX is dead on arrival. What the hell happened to Acura?!”

- “Take pictures! What’s your favorite car of the show?”

“Mercedes-Benz SL is a pleasant surprise. I mean, convertible cars just say ‘girl car’, but the SL is quite compelling. But, I’m looking at this Lincoln, and I gotta tell ya… I kinda like it! I mean, it’s gotta a few flaws and looks a bit bloated, but Lincoln is on to something. This is a good start.”

- “Man, I can’t believe that Mark is telling me he likes a Lincoln.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying it either.”

Gents, follow me on this one and I’ll paint the picture for you. Imagine there’s a summit of nations where the invitees are only the countries who have at least one global automotive manufacturing company. The Germans would be represented with BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, the British with Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Bentley and Land Rover, the Italians with Fiat and Maserati, and the Japanese with Lexus (Toyota), and Infiniti (Nissan).

Who would the Americans bring to the summit, Cadillac? That’s not going to cut it. Think about it, some British Ambassador shows up in his British green Jaguar and his American counterpart shows up in a tuxedo black Cadillac XTS, DTS, whatever-TS. The American coach of choice just doesn’t make the grade.

 
But now we have Lincoln with the MK Z. Up front, she looks the part with her bird wing grille, which can easily be passed off as inspiration from an American Eagle. It’s a long overdue and welcome departure from the now retired Lincoln signature waterfall grille, which has resulted in unforgivably bad front-end treatments on earlier Lincoln releases.   The MK’s belt line from her front wings to her rear projects an original and stately look. Aft of her C-pillar, the influence of the outgoing generation Lexus GS rear is obvious. There is also a bit of Audi A7 in the slope of the MK’s decklid. The Lincoln designers did a far better job in execution than the hungover Audi team. This is key because we feel that American designers are typically unimaginative and sloppy when it comes to designing cars that are slotted for the near-luxo and luxury segments. This ends up making them the upgrade offering at Hertz and Avis Car Rental, rather than something one would seriously consider as purchase alternatives over true sport-luxe offerings.

We also like the single strip LED taillight treatment, as it is a direct tribute to Lincolns of old. Heritage is key in the sport and luxury automotive segments, and Lincoln are wise to call on their ancestry. The MK Z also has the right proportions to be regarded as a luxo-sport saloon.

In 2004, Chrysler took the first swing at defining American automotive luxury with its 300 sedan. It was a good attempt, but lacked the overall refinements to have any real staying power. That still holds true with Chrysler’s seeming unwillingness to explicitly apply styling elements to the 300 to solidify its identity as American Luxury.  The 300 is more knockoff Rolls than it is American congressional or gangster.  There’s also Chrysler’s use continued use of cheap plastics throughout the 300′s cabin.  We like the 300.  There’s certainly something there with it, but Chrysler continues to play the fence with it.  It’s a significant lost opportunity considering they had first position in redefining American luxury.

Cadillac has been making repeated attempts but has gotten it all wrong. We sincerely ask Cadillac to please stop.   What you’re doing is simply awful. On that note, perhaps it’s time for Caddy to bid themselves farewell.

The Italians are style, the British are conservative yet inventive, the Germans are purposeful,and the Japanese innovate to make things better. How does one characterize the Americans in similar context? We think the Lincoln MK Z is a start in the right direction. It’s far from perfect, sporting a predominantly front-wheel drive layout. A fully specked variant will yield a 3.7L 300HP V6 and All-Wheel drive. That leaves the MK Z fairly short of being on equal footing with BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz or Audi. A V8 offering is absolutely necessary to play with the sport-luxe elite. We would also reserve the ‘Z’ designation for a V8 sporting variant of the Lincoln MK.

But, even with the aforementioned deficiencies, we at Gent would still give the MK the nod as our coach of choice at the summit of nations. We tip our caps to Lincoln for making a stride in the right direction in defining American luxury with the MK Z.

At the summit of nations we would certainly be outfitted in our finely tailored suits and best shoes. We envision arriving minutes before the appointed hour of the summit, after waiting for Bimmer, Merc, Jaguar, Lexus and Audi to first funnel in. Upon arrival, we’d step out of our Tuxedo Black Lincoln MK proudly and unapologetically, letting the sport-luxe mainstays know that a new American representative has been appointed, she’s about business, and makes us look damn good.

-Gent

The poet/performer Vinicius de Moraes and the vocalist Odette Lara collaborated on the self-titled album.  Friend and legendary Brazilian musician, Baden Powell also contributed his immense talent to the effort.

Powell orchestrates the interplay of verses and choruses between Vinicius and Odette. On the wonderful track we’ve presented here, Deixa (translation: Leave it to your heart to speak also).

Though the song lyrics convey sadness, Vinicius, Lara and Powell make it sound lively, fun and smooth.  Listen and enjoy by clicking the video link below.

-Gent

Lyrics:

Deixa
Fale quem quiser falar, meu bem
Deixa
Deixe o coração falar também
Porque ele tem razão demais quando se queixa
Então a gente deixa, deixa , deixa, deixa
Ninguém vive mais do que uma vez
Deixa
Diz que sim prá não dizer talvez
Deixa
A paixão também existe
Deixa
Não me deixes ficar triste

Porque ele tem razão demais quando se queixa
Então a gente deixa, deixa , deixa, deixa
Ninguém vive mais do que uma vez
Deixa
Diz que sim prá não dizer talvez
Mas ve se deixa

A paixão também existe
Deixa
Não me deixes ficar triste

Translation:

Let
Speak to those who want to speak, it’s fine with me
Let
Let the heart speak also 
Because it has lots of reasons when it’s sad
Then the people, let, let, let, let them
No one lives more than once
Let
Say yes, don’t say perhaps
Let
The passion also exists
Let
Don’t leave me to be sad

Because it (the heart) has so many reasons when it’s sad

Then the people let, let, let, let them
No one lives more than once
Let
Say yes, don’t say perhaps
But see if it leaves

Passion also exists

Leave
Don’t leave me sad

Then there’s the oft overshadowed Maserati, we’re not sure what to make of her.    Upon spotting this Matte Black Maserati GranTurismo S on 5th Avenue in Midtown, NYC, and reflecting on our encounter with this white Trident 47 striker, our conclusion is what we describe as Elegant | Arrogant.

The nose on this beast makes it clear that she’s looking for a fight.  She confidently says, “You want a piece of me?”  The rear, albeit understated in its design, exudes attitude.  It all comes together through beautiful lines and curves that seductively say “You DO want a piece of me!”

Unfortunately, according to the blokes at Fifth Gear,  the GranTurismo is more beauty than she is beast.  Powered by a  4.7 liter V8, producing 450bhp, the powerplant lacks sufficient output to move her 4200 pounds of mass with lightning quick agility.  That’s simply not good enough against the likes of supermodels, bad boys and space age psychedelics.  With its $100K price tag the GranTurismo 47 doesn’t have to be any one of the above.   Therein lies the intrigue of the GranTurismo and the Elegant | Arrogant air she exudes.

We certainly like her, well played Maserati.

-Gent

One year following the Japan earthquake and tsunami disasters, we pay our respects and remembrance to the people of Japan. See our tribute below.

-Gent

Whisky Cafe entrance stairway

Reposted from August 2011

TFG Journeys takes you to the Whisky Club located in the Yotsuya district of  Tokyo, Japan.

It was a rainy Thursday September afternoon and I had just arrived via bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo Shinjuku station.  After spending a week between Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Nara, I was finally acclimated to transit in and around Tokyo.  I made it to my hotel without incident, dropped my bags, and decided to explore.

I was walking along one of the avenues when I heard old Jazz music blaring from the stairway to an underground entrance.  The sound piqued my curiosity so I decided what to see what was down the stairs.  As I approached, I saw old Jazz ads with covers for artists like Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong and Sonny Clark.  As much as I tried to peek down the stairs, I couldn’t see the entrance to what appeared to be a bar of some sort.  Being a tourist, I didn’t want to be lured in to a place I didn’t intend to go, and ending up wasting time.  The lens cap on my camera had other ideas.  I dropped it and it rolled down the stairs, forcing me to go down the stairs to retrieve it.

Once I arrived to the bottom of the stairs, I was amazed by what I discovered.  It was part boys club and part speakeasy.  The entire place was aglow in red and orange tones from the Maplewood furnishings and accents throughout.  There was a placement of a piece of boyhood nostalgia in a bicycle, and a rack full of old Jazz magazines.  Five gents strategically located themselves around the establishment, one reading an old Jazz rag, the other tucked away on the opposite side of the blinds, another seemingly exhausted in the far corner, one enjoying a drink and a smoke while vibing to the Jazz tunes, and another who appeared to be deep in thought over his coffee.

The barista greeted me shortly after I walked through the door, and gestured to me to take a seat.  The DJ, a female, deliberately remained out of site.  It was pretty evident as to why given the atmosphere and the customers.  This is no place to bring your significant other on a date, or to enjoy a refreshment.  It’s a proper boys club.

Seeing as how I had never been to a real boys club, Gentlemen’s Clubs excluded, I was like a kid in a candy store.  I found Tokyo’s cultural pulse.  The Whisky Cafe was real,  original, and I loved it.  As I looked around, there was something interesting within view.  From where I sat, over my left shoulder was the DJ booth.  The old Yamaha turntable placed prominently in front as another nostalgic artifact that’s more suited to the Jazz vibe than the CDs that lined the booth.

As I settled in, I was struck by the weight and rawness of the sound the jazz tunes.  I turned my attention to the source of the sound and discovered the two audiophile-grade  JBL 4344 MK II studio monitors integrated into each end of the wall at the rear of the cafe.  Given their history, they are undoubtedly appropriate for the atmosphere.

JBL 4344 MK II Studio Monitor

The bartender brought my drink over as I sat and took in the old Jazz tunes.  I was in utter amazement over my find.  After about 30 minutes of lounging, I went over to the bartender and DJ to see if their arsenal of Jazz music is as deep as it appeared.  I requested they play Thelonious Monk ‘Round About Midnight.’  There was a bit of a language barrier between us, but they understood Thelonious Monk.  The DJ came back with two CDs showcasing the A-side version and the B-side.  The latter being my preference, I pointed to it and off the DJ went.  A few moments later, one of the Jazz tracks faded, and the slow intro began of what I could not easily discern, until very late into the song. It was the ‘Round Midnight A-Side. As the song played, the gent across from me, with his beanie hat, closed his eyes, intoxicated by the vibe of the song.  The smoke from his cigarette followed the tune like a Cobra to its master’s flute.

The A-Side transitioned to the B-Side, making the 4344 Mk IIs sound even more impressive.   Another gent walked in as the song was playing.  He took note of my Sony Alpha 700 DSLR camera, and signaled to me that he was impressed, and how much he loves Sony.  I gestured to him in acknowledgment.  We spoke a bit as best we can between two people who don’t know each other’s language, but we had a few things in common, an appreciation for music, high-tech toys, in the best of settings, the Whisky Cafe (Boys Club)

Gents, Tokyo is truly one of the world’s great cities, and is without question a marvel.  If you’re ever in town, pay a visit to the Whisky Cafe.  Boys clubs are rare, and this hidden gem will make your trip a bit more unforgettable.

Omotesandō (表参道) is an avenue, subway station and neighborhood in the Minato and Shibuya wards in Tokyo stretching from Harajuku station, the foot of the famous Takeshita Street, to Aoyama-dori where Omotesandō station can be found. Zelkova trees line both sides of the avenue. Around 100,000 cars drive down the main street daily.

Omotesandō was originally created as the frontal (表 Omote^?) approach (参道 Sandō^?) to Meiji Shrine, when the Shrine was dedicated in the Taishō era.

Today, Omotesandō is known as one of the foremost ‘architectural showcase’ streets in the world, featuring a multitude of fashion flagship stores designed by internationally renowned architects within a short distance of each other. These include the Louis Vuitton store (Jun Aoki, 2002) Prada building (Herzog & de Meuron, 2003), Tod’s (Toyo Ito, 2004), Dior (SANAA, 2004), Omotesandō Hills (Tadao Ando, 2005) and Gyre (MVRDV, 2007), amongst others.

Source: Wikipedia

I recently took a 10-day trip to Japan.  During my trip I visited Tokyo, Nara, Kyoto and Hakone.  In each destination I traveled to it became apparent that the Japanese have a strong affinity cars.   The 2006 film Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift gave us a glimpse, but falls far short of true car culture in Japan.  The Japanese have a great appreciation for car culture.

I assembled the video below to illustrate just some of the many great rides I saw during my visit there.  In some instances, I couldn’t pick up my camera fast enough, or was caught off-guard by some rare and unique vehicles passing me.  I’m very happy however with what I was able to capture.

Enjoy!

Boeing Boy - “Back in the days when calling a person “air-minded” implied the literal connotation” – The Washington Alumnus

We’re not into politics, but we do find Obama’s visit to the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington on 17 February 2012 particularly noteworthy.  Why? Because airplanes in our books are serious business. We here at Forgotten Gent are Boeing Boys, even when it comes down to planning our flight itineraries.  The Queen (747), the Triple (777), the Baby (737), and the Dream (787) all hold a special place in our hearts.

Business is booming for Boeing, and that’s a good thing for many reasons.  Fundamentally, Boeing aircraft are the foremost symbol that ‘Made in America’ still has importance.

-Gent

Photos courtesy of airlinereporter.com

The year is 1961 and João Gilberto sings about the first time he encountered her.

Translation:

The first time I met you I entertained the illusion of being happy

I was sad, smiled caught in the pine and sang

I made so many verses and held them closely

One day you left, I was speechless and my voice died

I search to forget the pain but I am unable

My guitar doesn’t play anymore

I live sadly in solitude

I don’t sing anymore

My consolation is to cry

Super Bowl XLVI is in the history books, but there’s one part of the game we won’t forget.  Flash back to the beginning of the game’s second half and we were introduced to the beautiful Catrinel Menghia. Ms. Menghia was fixing herself on the street when she caught the attention of a gent who was out for a coffee run.  We can’t blame him for staring.  Ms. Menghia, however took issue with the unwanted attention and immediately confronted him about his intentions.  Here’s the video and translation of the Seduction:

“What are you looking at? Huh!?

What are you looking at?!”

(She slaps him)

“Are you undressing me with your eyes?

Poor guy… you cannot help it?

Is your heart beating? Is your head spinning?

Do you feel lost thinking that I could be yours forever?”

Catrinel Menghia is a Romanian model who was discovered at the age of 16 on the street by a local agent who later took her to Bucharest. She participated in the Ford Supermodel of the World Romania contest in November 2001, where she won the second runner-up prize.

Menghia now lives in Milan. She has done campaigns for major fashion houses and is the face of Giorgio Armani worldwide. She has also appeared in the South African Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, FHM and Maxim. She became the pitch girl for the Fiat 500 Abarth coupe in 2011.

Ms. Menghia, you could certainly be ours forever.  The Abarth is simply a nice-to-have.

-Gent

Source: Wikipedia