tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82300168061255125452024-03-12T20:41:12.944-06:00The Life MechanicalLife without driving is merely surviving Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-902259176942949972015-11-16T10:00:00.000-07:002015-11-16T10:00:05.808-07:00Found in the Wild: Everybody Wants You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDL_yMyPVNO22wJc4ckK1ks_Tj_IQweSl3yddxj-AGF1w4XPrl2S4peoCc9dKcwJ_ZfLO-FuuVOUqEo8a2lr7U3TR0k5F05XVD9Os5q5efKK7H96v3dkLnnacoRK4-PN7pTb2fuDgaByS/s1600/12243755_10207075224633321_50178040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDL_yMyPVNO22wJc4ckK1ks_Tj_IQweSl3yddxj-AGF1w4XPrl2S4peoCc9dKcwJ_ZfLO-FuuVOUqEo8a2lr7U3TR0k5F05XVD9Os5q5efKK7H96v3dkLnnacoRK4-PN7pTb2fuDgaByS/s400/12243755_10207075224633321_50178040_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This is the car</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that non-car people love. It's a 1970 Ford Mustang fastback. And you have to admit, they're really on to something. I mean, how can you dislike a car with faux cooling scoops adjacent to the headlights and door jamb as well as a spoiler molded into the body shape. And that's before we've even gotten to the engines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 1970 Mustang was available with <b>nine</b> engine options. Nine! They ranged from a wet-noodle 120-hp inline-six to a fire-breathing "semi-hemi" Boss 429 big block with 375 "official" horsepower. But the most popular engine for these cars, and what I assume lives under the hood of this featured car is the 220-hp 302 V8. Despite a 0-60 time likely between eight and nine seconds, the vaunted fastback looks too fast for us to care. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just like today, where the GT350 Mustangs make headlines while the V6 cars make up most of the sold units, in 1970, the Boss units grabbed attention while thousands of 302-equipped cars were sold off the lots. With a small block and an automatic, this is the "average" fastback 1970 mustang.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTND8Sqi81vIHDR73Qwb50U1CyucdMV2_vUksrScqR9fmbOKkbqmkza8vwvwO-g2RDyHFkRiQ1Yb6YQBDferdD2hcFglrO_6dm8dF0QMtCCZahftmdpe476uaMMo8aqFKROVOV17fvN6Tf/s1600/12233436_10207075224553319_667605080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTND8Sqi81vIHDR73Qwb50U1CyucdMV2_vUksrScqR9fmbOKkbqmkza8vwvwO-g2RDyHFkRiQ1Yb6YQBDferdD2hcFglrO_6dm8dF0QMtCCZahftmdpe476uaMMo8aqFKROVOV17fvN6Tf/s400/12233436_10207075224553319_667605080_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With so many of these modified into drag strip stormers and Boss clones, it's almost refreshing to see this model left largely original. Finding a Mustang in this condition will run you around $10,000. Hardly a bargain and those seeking cheap muscle cars would be better served to find a midsize Buick, Oldsmobile or Ford product. Pony cars might have been the cheapest way to go fast in 1970, but they're now for well-heeled collectors only. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34PFA340nQv2pw6qkcYbDtpb-HUiY32Io3XnbPGUGPcZE-5X5Pu-JgnrN_R48Uf-RlgyHY4QMoSPSfDJiDK-4YXfgJSFJoXTl17obiPbzr2m2ncJ615IVuDrmkLNkK1uo-fgsul9HbxvM/s1600/12226635_10207075224513318_697346055_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34PFA340nQv2pw6qkcYbDtpb-HUiY32Io3XnbPGUGPcZE-5X5Pu-JgnrN_R48Uf-RlgyHY4QMoSPSfDJiDK-4YXfgJSFJoXTl17obiPbzr2m2ncJ615IVuDrmkLNkK1uo-fgsul9HbxvM/s400/12226635_10207075224513318_697346055_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-21523686369329898632015-11-09T08:00:00.000-07:002015-11-09T08:00:01.181-07:00Found in the Wild: Le Rust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxeigozn4W91YGmMMcCifZFSi6YQKRenc63NYmKHsGOWIE87omB_WoxU3AUIw_0nWVbt0Twym2yLAkx3bMU1A_US8n389iOfQe0NHukmPD3g-BX51YWVHhq8YuL486jAJuaHNSD4gB3tV/s1600/12208069_10207055944911340_166755717_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxeigozn4W91YGmMMcCifZFSi6YQKRenc63NYmKHsGOWIE87omB_WoxU3AUIw_0nWVbt0Twym2yLAkx3bMU1A_US8n389iOfQe0NHukmPD3g-BX51YWVHhq8YuL486jAJuaHNSD4gB3tV/s400/12208069_10207055944911340_166755717_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I absolutely love </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how stupid the name "Le Car" is. I mean it's really handy if you thought you were staring at a Le Blender and needed clarification. Never mind that French for car is "voiture," this 1980 Renault Le Car is a hilarious caricature of French motoring in the malaise era. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Le Car was sold in countries that <i>haven't</i> sent men to the moon as the Renault 5. Hence the faded and sad "Le Cing" stickers on the sides of this one. The Renault 5 started production in Europe in 1971 but didn't make its North American debut until 1976. The 5 was met with much acclaim overseas and nearly won the 1973 European Car of the Year award. But for reasons I'll soon explain, that success didn't translate over in North America.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRXshGwUidBvajM49GcubTw3Ju2jcwT7BzU0aFdyS-EQRiVqF8u60pAik48fcgUWfNQvjghQj1FcNiQ8yx7xzT83uHXaAPivQwEn-uE54_tW3u5NPNYbIIPBVJZxjH9zkov7MEWUU60pq/s1600/12233022_10207055944751336_699232277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRXshGwUidBvajM49GcubTw3Ju2jcwT7BzU0aFdyS-EQRiVqF8u60pAik48fcgUWfNQvjghQj1FcNiQ8yx7xzT83uHXaAPivQwEn-uE54_tW3u5NPNYbIIPBVJZxjH9zkov7MEWUU60pq/s400/12233022_10207055944751336_699232277_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Le Car was exactly the <i>type</i> of car that buyers were screaming for in the late 1970's; it was fuel efficient, spacious for its size and arguably stylish. But there were a few major problems that burned this car in the NA market. Firstly, these were distributed by the forever-in-financial-trouble AMC through their 1,300 dealer locations. The AMC mechanics were hardly competent in keeping these "furrin" cars running and finding parts was rarely easy. And things would break often because these were cheap cars, assembled cheaply in France in the 1970's. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZqTIj74Uo7kg-hz5RlXyeobL31XWdkuiFnjbw472Jh7OtjC2hkYwLYZP8qLJhh1VlejtSEGobX6xL6rKdBtqtqRqRvIyZhTagbFNU9x6-xCCDZY0M9s2zEDRZszF7Vsnjq7Wzf1YIzaT/s1600/12226541_10207055944591332_2021317772_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZqTIj74Uo7kg-hz5RlXyeobL31XWdkuiFnjbw472Jh7OtjC2hkYwLYZP8qLJhh1VlejtSEGobX6xL6rKdBtqtqRqRvIyZhTagbFNU9x6-xCCDZY0M9s2zEDRZszF7Vsnjq7Wzf1YIzaT/s400/12226541_10207055944591332_2021317772_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But possibly the biggest problem was that this economy car required premium fuel to run properly. Premium fuel required for a car whose goal is to save people money on gas? Who thought that one up? It wasn't like it was a highly tuned-race engine either. The 1.4L OHV carbureted engine was rated at a hilarious fifty-<i style="font-weight: bold;">one</i> horsepower. I guess when your car is that slow, every single French pony has to be accounted for. But why did the French need premium octane fuel to eek out 51 horsepower from a 1.4L engine? For reference, the 1.3L engine in the 1979 Honda Civic made 68 horsepower on regular fuel.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCx6DpVzWxc65jJ_JHyYbvZarJjrxtP41vmyNmTtDQ2HrFgjWt_v8q6DA3u6UH1e5rMiUM20yppxSevYmQAPpIVt5kPJOteRcYCxsBb5GLXnLoMAXKIFRFXh0eeF7xbxa1I3P7kPDbgiZ-/s1600/12212127_10207055943511305_631137932_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCx6DpVzWxc65jJ_JHyYbvZarJjrxtP41vmyNmTtDQ2HrFgjWt_v8q6DA3u6UH1e5rMiUM20yppxSevYmQAPpIVt5kPJOteRcYCxsBb5GLXnLoMAXKIFRFXh0eeF7xbxa1I3P7kPDbgiZ-/s400/12212127_10207055943511305_631137932_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The survival rate for these cars was extremely low. Rust accelerated their demise and most were treated as simple throwaway economy cars. There can't be more than a few hundred left on the continent in running condition. When you actually find one of these for sale, the prices are usually cheap but you'd have to really like Renault 5's to buy one. They're essentially slightly faster Citroen 2CV's without the classic charm. It's doubtful that this <strike>brown</strike> champagne-colored example will be returned to the road. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-49639878008978198532015-11-02T08:00:00.000-07:002015-11-02T08:00:03.311-07:00Found in the Wild: The Replacement for Displacement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTnMXQMaKzjl6MY0Ov6fc1O3nmSt_NVc-FgefiDGcpcMncCaxNZ3zQTDxsANklz3ADH-4_M_-OZDkd1bVjZkyK1wUvvDkiDJTw7i5CdMldN7gG7o0YWFLen-xBaH8rapjVtj9Ooyi4CI8/s1600/10927917_10204929632074848_1362535147_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTnMXQMaKzjl6MY0Ov6fc1O3nmSt_NVc-FgefiDGcpcMncCaxNZ3zQTDxsANklz3ADH-4_M_-OZDkd1bVjZkyK1wUvvDkiDJTw7i5CdMldN7gG7o0YWFLen-xBaH8rapjVtj9Ooyi4CI8/s1600/10927917_10204929632074848_1362535147_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cars were still slow<span style="font-size: small;"> in 1986. Few cars made between 1975 and 1985 made more than 200 horsepower and hardly any could go faster that 16 seconds in the 1/4 mile. People thought that cars would never be as fast as they were in 1970 but Buick decided to prove them wrong with the help one one little invention.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turbocharging isn't a new idea. GM was the first manufacturer to bring it to production with the Chevy Corvair Monza and the Oldsmobile Jetfire Turbo. But turbocharging had no <i>need</i> to be around in the 1960's. Gas was cheap and big-blocks were plentiful. Nobody cared about specific output when they could buy a binge-drinking 390-horsepower 454 in a ho-hum sedan. That all famously changed in 1974 after the gas crisis.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After <a href="http://www.thelifemechanical.com/2013/09/boosted-expectations-turbo-trans-am.html" target="_blank">a brief stumble</a>, GM got their mojo back and decided to turbocharge a V6 Buick into being the fastest accelerating car on the continent. because why not? Buick rammed 15 psi of boost through an OHV 3.8L V6 to make 245-horsepower and an impressive 355 lb.-ft. of torque. Heady stuff for 1986. The word quickly spread to not pick fights with all-black Buick Regals at stoplights.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bfJpIWCqWmdqKddml__BIwOpcRpTXTNpmJsTpl_f36hjj3hNR0ju-SAI2dheFhvX4WXluaWem1nYcPsXiC2MiqpihFvZGLBHT_CLEKwYael7bTVNVc1zH4EESIjS2t74ezmvQLlRW3__/s1600/10934419_10204929630994821_2054968348_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bfJpIWCqWmdqKddml__BIwOpcRpTXTNpmJsTpl_f36hjj3hNR0ju-SAI2dheFhvX4WXluaWem1nYcPsXiC2MiqpihFvZGLBHT_CLEKwYael7bTVNVc1zH4EESIjS2t74ezmvQLlRW3__/s200/10934419_10204929630994821_2054968348_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbA-qE9gp6ViBo8Tx-zh0cw9nTx0RXYh5fBO1bsAMyI5rE8GFO9f1Eao7-YZSVjL9whau0Qtb4c40-0WKjK4BgMWIQf6kawsKvV5dANgC0lls_Rc-VkFFDEYdz92w-Vgiwmi52BGUFTwW/s1600/10937478_10204929632114849_990880147_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbA-qE9gp6ViBo8Tx-zh0cw9nTx0RXYh5fBO1bsAMyI5rE8GFO9f1Eao7-YZSVjL9whau0Qtb4c40-0WKjK4BgMWIQf6kawsKvV5dANgC0lls_Rc-VkFFDEYdz92w-Vgiwmi52BGUFTwW/s200/10937478_10204929632114849_990880147_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What makes this care even <i>more</i> cool is that it's a common sighting in my neighbourhood. I never see it in the snowy months but rest assured, it's always parked at the curb about a block from my house. It's rarely clean, but obviously cared for and it sounds strong whenever I see it idle up and down the street. The old-style plates and half-centimeter-thick wad of registration stickers make me think that whoever owns this, might be the original buyer from 1986. Whoever he is, the NHRA sticker on the windshield shows that he's well aware of what he has.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-37928089567709481912015-10-26T07:00:00.000-06:002015-10-27T17:55:27.227-06:00Found in the Wild: The Affordable V12 Classic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55PHH6HGrOOUs5Jru3ZtOvXwmJRAwsHXAvpL4RYNFig6s8Bur6ASvyZ10hv1h2e3EQo0pkMGJVjoCKOQgPO26LgJT7N-LEgnHNW4Akdi3wWLNU3gidgplp8TuxApFTaih5XyZToomS1Q-/s1600/xj12+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55PHH6HGrOOUs5Jru3ZtOvXwmJRAwsHXAvpL4RYNFig6s8Bur6ASvyZ10hv1h2e3EQo0pkMGJVjoCKOQgPO26LgJT7N-LEgnHNW4Akdi3wWLNU3gidgplp8TuxApFTaih5XyZToomS1Q-/s400/xj12+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">If you want a classic V12</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-powered car, you only have three options. If you have millions to spend, you can pick up a Ferrari, or if you have only have six-figures to spend, you can buy a Lamborghini. But if both those options are out of reach and you have less than $10,000 to spend, there is only one way to go. Jaguar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Jaguar XJ was supposed to have a V12 as an option when it launched in 1968. But design delays, funding complications and general British-ness of the whole operation delayed the engine's introduction until 1972. Just in time for the global gas crisis!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUX7V5WLUpbZorRrKs4YMXPz_IP_cg-2qXkjjBhx7ROGpHZECsSYzPGunTMcPvrcse-Han8UynesCqKA6TfL-IO9Iv3kKPE7udo2bLJxDNREVfSqQXMP7K0n9uOwJc2gF2BjKdCJkVZdmk/s1600/xj12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUX7V5WLUpbZorRrKs4YMXPz_IP_cg-2qXkjjBhx7ROGpHZECsSYzPGunTMcPvrcse-Han8UynesCqKA6TfL-IO9Iv3kKPE7udo2bLJxDNREVfSqQXMP7K0n9uOwJc2gF2BjKdCJkVZdmk/s400/xj12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The engine itself was complex, and undeniably odd. It was a 5.3 liter SOHC design that produced 242-horsepower in US form. In North American spec it was fed by four Zenith Stromberg carbs. And now the weirdness. The Jaguar V12 has an open-deck block. The bores are free-standing and actually stand above the deck of the block by a few millimeters. Also unique is that it has an almost perfectly flat head. The combustion chamber is formed by using dished pistons. If that wasn't weird enough, the distributor is driven centrally and pops out of the middle of the "V."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtGJaCGMII3EtsZ4rVRz3VoeWcB4Wfo-ZIEqJ5YxinMX0L0koilHAKX1UMc4NcuxlZUgcZowsF64FTl_7WB0Z_3iZXgImX-J7B5U9Lwu4Qo6npHyp2LA0yoU5qlXR1fszXrV8SdT7v9b4/s1600/xj12+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtGJaCGMII3EtsZ4rVRz3VoeWcB4Wfo-ZIEqJ5YxinMX0L0koilHAKX1UMc4NcuxlZUgcZowsF64FTl_7WB0Z_3iZXgImX-J7B5U9Lwu4Qo6npHyp2LA0yoU5qlXR1fszXrV8SdT7v9b4/s400/xj12+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The downsides of all that weirdness was that due to the open-deck block, overheating could be lethal for the engine and repairs on the V12 are difficult to do at home. The XJ12 set new standards in over-complexity that wouldn't be matched until the Porsche 928 was introduced in 1978. For example, the XJ12's radiator has a radiator and the battery has a cooling fan. There are also <i>three</i> fuel pumps: two to send fuel to the thirsty V12 and one to send "unneeded" fuel back to the tanks. I say tanks because it has two fuel tanks located on the sides of each rear fender behind the wheels. And because these only return 10-12 real world MPG, you'll be filling them often. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But when you're not filling it up with premium (again) or repairing it (again) you'll be enjoying one of the world's greatest engines. The powerful and smooth V12 made the XJ12 a genuine 140 MPH car. And while maintaining and feeding one might be expensive, it's a whole lot cheaper than saving your pennies to buy an Espada. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-78698597052944040422014-11-28T08:00:00.000-07:002014-11-28T08:00:05.167-07:00Found in the Yard: The Fastest Slowest Camaro Ever Made<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgssBwuODaO1bGsK4O-fpxPn2_e3s3J_fFSZUaueSaBRz1uOIRwr0E9Ljmx-LZ0OquCrV0UCf8GVh2KbiinohbfHbFIsATDRY12PL6ynBy-JBv4n3RNAKaL6SEXWv5CZIMquNRX90ts4q/s1600/IMG_9332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgssBwuODaO1bGsK4O-fpxPn2_e3s3J_fFSZUaueSaBRz1uOIRwr0E9Ljmx-LZ0OquCrV0UCf8GVh2KbiinohbfHbFIsATDRY12PL6ynBy-JBv4n3RNAKaL6SEXWv5CZIMquNRX90ts4q/s1600/IMG_9332.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nobody will say<span style="font-size: small;"> that the third-generation Camaro was the best Camaro ever. The third-gen Camaro has neither modern speed or classic style and because of this, they can be found in junkyards across the continent on any given day. But I've never seen one with this engine before.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under the hood of today's 1984 Chevrolet Camaro lies the infamous '<a href="http://www.thelifemechanical.com/2013/01/found-in-yard-real-plastic-fantastic.html" target="_blank">Iron Duke</a>' 2.5 litre pushrod four-cylinder. It makes a flaccid 92 horsepower when new with all the refinement of a tractor running on three cylinders. And believe it or not, this isn't even the slowest Camaro ever made!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRIa8B94q8iXtvDCUHDgjTSdAlFE9N2nPQQbkwwCt1kpn483V5YQaef3sxVqeAkHP64XKrpaiN8zpWnx6E4Ti4I7N7ylEASFdP0zRjNz1z0rjQnt81J-5zkr_pRl1Oz4KFRL2oYiWsgAg/s1600/IMG_9342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRIa8B94q8iXtvDCUHDgjTSdAlFE9N2nPQQbkwwCt1kpn483V5YQaef3sxVqeAkHP64XKrpaiN8zpWnx6E4Ti4I7N7ylEASFdP0zRjNz1z0rjQnt81J-5zkr_pRl1Oz4KFRL2oYiWsgAg/s1600/IMG_9342.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's because this one has a floor shifted four-speed! Nevermind that Toyota and Fiat had been making five-speed transmissions since the 70's. While four speeds was slightly embarrassing in 1984, the optional three-speed automatic would have made this thing even slower. Iron Duke Camaros with the three-speed auto had 0-60 times of around <b>20 seconds</b>. This one is probably good for 15-16 second 0-60 runs. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5w2tsdAHxJ__F5-tMi7oDeu3H9YE9Yzs3W_j4mRVFUofAeV-ZaYuzHOvUct9fKhBDJSn7FxV5xdBp0AVHc_ZMIsr42SYvY3jjj5HkPkMgoi99IvI-MH4KYTt1h4CUsgsmdqyIyxT1jFji/s1600/IMG_9350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5w2tsdAHxJ__F5-tMi7oDeu3H9YE9Yzs3W_j4mRVFUofAeV-ZaYuzHOvUct9fKhBDJSn7FxV5xdBp0AVHc_ZMIsr42SYvY3jjj5HkPkMgoi99IvI-MH4KYTt1h4CUsgsmdqyIyxT1jFji/s1600/IMG_9350.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's even <i>more</i> embarrassing was that the earlier 2.5 litre Camaros from 1982 and '83 were even slower! Those years had just 90 horsepower to move the rather large Camaro. So in a way, what we have here is the fastest version of the slowest Camaro ever made. And let's hope that a Camaro this slow never happens again!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbEVDQjzocoMlJK1a0IPzI-Rn31g0BJecFIzDuydnN1KfP64UeIjJnOeMD9kJmsuVnjNWW9DPJn-i62IlEBUKg3rQStzQSXxXBOE-4nk2oBSWC-VyZ6-mKVHycKjm5N6u1yobXR5vritZ/s1600/IMG_9344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbEVDQjzocoMlJK1a0IPzI-Rn31g0BJecFIzDuydnN1KfP64UeIjJnOeMD9kJmsuVnjNWW9DPJn-i62IlEBUKg3rQStzQSXxXBOE-4nk2oBSWC-VyZ6-mKVHycKjm5N6u1yobXR5vritZ/s1600/IMG_9344.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6yFZgvsfVnBy1b0eS8BHIhSs1-rR8pZbQJjBKX8X5z5RDtz7F2h_pKGq30vp7-0-921uF-VcDglbCTZw0cYz_0J29PRmLlUKqNq4z_-RvnyTMq5-u47yIIacmBtrzYL_XT76Gh9rMbbG/s1600/IMG_9347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6yFZgvsfVnBy1b0eS8BHIhSs1-rR8pZbQJjBKX8X5z5RDtz7F2h_pKGq30vp7-0-921uF-VcDglbCTZw0cYz_0J29PRmLlUKqNq4z_-RvnyTMq5-u47yIIacmBtrzYL_XT76Gh9rMbbG/s1600/IMG_9347.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-63018553011248410742014-11-17T17:19:00.000-07:002014-11-17T17:32:11.589-07:00Found in the Wild: Rarity Doesn't Equate to Value<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7z8GN7DgFIMViy81-oPzwVFvOvbHBKviZ8YId1RoZtl5_qA6H9y0GgQSP4SiyUkwta_ctSQlWtl937kIhHoDR73dCF2Bxm_g4vBn37yKJfecnOGhAbVaWql2PJf932GpKFJjexyczniyO/s1600/10806898_10204455028050044_838551022_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7z8GN7DgFIMViy81-oPzwVFvOvbHBKviZ8YId1RoZtl5_qA6H9y0GgQSP4SiyUkwta_ctSQlWtl937kIhHoDR73dCF2Bxm_g4vBn37yKJfecnOGhAbVaWql2PJf932GpKFJjexyczniyO/s1600/10806898_10204455028050044_838551022_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There have only been 400,000 tons<span style="font-size: small;"> of gold mined ever. From day one to present; 400,000 tons. That's it. Despite being relatively useless, (Though it has excellent thermal properties)</span></span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">gold has tremendous value because of its relative scarcity. Today's 1984 Ford LTD is rare as gold lying on the sidewalk but hardly as valuable. Why is that?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We recently featured a <a href="http://www.thelifemechanical.com/2014/11/2drltdv8.html" target="_blank">very regal 1978 Ford LTD</a> and it's hard to believe that in six short years, the LTD was reduced to this boxy and apologetic lump. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting in 1983, the Ford LTD was based on the unloved and unattractive Granada which in turn was based on the Ford 'Fox' platform. Yes, the Mustang was also based on the Fox platform but the LTD inherited little of the charm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It did, however, inherit most of the Mustang's engine options ranging from a hilariously slow propane-fueled four cylinder (88 horsepower) to a relatively brawny 4.9 liter (302 cubes for US of A citizens) V8. This one likely has the middle ground 112 horsepower 3.8 litre V6 with a <b>carburetor</b> in 1984! For some reason, Canadian models made due with carbs while our southern neighbors had fuel injection which was good for an extra eight horsepower. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This LTD is 30 years old which is old enough to be registered as a classic car and yet it just isn't really a classic. The LTD is just an old car in the same way that N*SYNC is just old music. Nobody restores a 1984 Ford LTD. Nobody will mourn this car's passing. It's still driving around in downtown Toronto in remarkable shape so who knows, it might live a while longer. And if it's any consolation to the current owner, it's a rarer car on Toronto streets than a Mercedes SL, Lamborghini Gallardo or anything with a Porsche badge. It's just worth about as much an oil change in any of the aforementioned cars.</span><br />
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Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-8732385178568664522014-11-15T15:21:00.000-07:002014-11-15T15:21:51.256-07:00Found in the Wild: The Black Panther<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMYHzmQYdTYoqWRssJ5m11d0-h04ORH4cuNgmBktK77u6IEB2Dbo2hgSmH3fn8ndI4iFcW0CkbMXaqfmYW_jnHv3HeF9RCO1_ynRpgc4N5TYjNbYCD_DnRzyY2wQub3a6s3T8dlEYNAd0/s1600/10799254_10204448489446583_2102781518_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMYHzmQYdTYoqWRssJ5m11d0-h04ORH4cuNgmBktK77u6IEB2Dbo2hgSmH3fn8ndI4iFcW0CkbMXaqfmYW_jnHv3HeF9RCO1_ynRpgc4N5TYjNbYCD_DnRzyY2wQub3a6s3T8dlEYNAd0/s1600/10799254_10204448489446583_2102781518_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a rare car.<span style="font-size: small;"> It might look like a common Ford Crown Victoria used as cabs and police cars across the country but this one is actually quite special and one of only 11,000 ever made. That's because this is a 2003 Mercury Marauder and it's got a little secret under its hood.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYEg9RCvc_iTsmcn-LD2Y7Tbn6yvhDgzb4sqVICQNUPFTeUx5I-QjenEFSfq8sJ9amS14Zey63QzgHXkLhcZ8rwicyV8Qq1Yz5HWCX4r-pqNDswuWh2BqjHO6hapF4AM86irbXu9qKbkX/s1600/10807890_10204448489526585_1244011732_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYEg9RCvc_iTsmcn-LD2Y7Tbn6yvhDgzb4sqVICQNUPFTeUx5I-QjenEFSfq8sJ9amS14Zey63QzgHXkLhcZ8rwicyV8Qq1Yz5HWCX4r-pqNDswuWh2BqjHO6hapF4AM86irbXu9qKbkX/s1600/10807890_10204448489526585_1244011732_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That secret lies in the form of a 302 horsepower 4.6 litre DOHC V8. Standard Crown Vic's had to make do with just 240 horsepower from their SOHC V8's. This enabled the Marauder to do 0-60 in just 6.9 seconds and the quarter mile in an equally impressive 15.4. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFCpjs2BRIrH65PtGD-QtMnWWi0yg0Yk-f3VwkC_h4o47Ca4mue4XCkgr1rJIjfzcSTvYzNMuH5QIoecjEEOpoEtz1l_40C-G0Y68ibAa4_F5piAUJZC3_0jw0r6f7-e21DJSk8FIiA5h/s1600/10815825_10204448489566586_241364222_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFCpjs2BRIrH65PtGD-QtMnWWi0yg0Yk-f3VwkC_h4o47Ca4mue4XCkgr1rJIjfzcSTvYzNMuH5QIoecjEEOpoEtz1l_40C-G0Y68ibAa4_F5piAUJZC3_0jw0r6f7-e21DJSk8FIiA5h/s1600/10815825_10204448489566586_241364222_n.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyY967zZ2JDpcjRBWfmt1gmH_z4W6btDBp5j_gkdRyVxFd1gSKSzKqmOEruF4EVhp9NPLqZ_7YSELDze4BUOL26eL9bRUWJZ9PBeHffO37WbuNV-RJrRjg6N1mWUwutYFhqaLQ3VL711rk/s1600/10814327_10204448489326580_606679429_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyY967zZ2JDpcjRBWfmt1gmH_z4W6btDBp5j_gkdRyVxFd1gSKSzKqmOEruF4EVhp9NPLqZ_7YSELDze4BUOL26eL9bRUWJZ9PBeHffO37WbuNV-RJrRjg6N1mWUwutYFhqaLQ3VL711rk/s1600/10814327_10204448489326580_606679429_n.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Marauder doesn't look drastically different than the ubiquitous Grand Maquis but it has a host of subtle changes that set it apart. Most noticeable are the 18" chrome wheels with the god of Mercury depicted on the center caps. The rear valence also has 'MARAUDER' embossed into it and the car has twin chrome exhaust tips. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYEg9RCvc_iTsmcn-LD2Y7Tbn6yvhDgzb4sqVICQNUPFTeUx5I-QjenEFSfq8sJ9amS14Zey63QzgHXkLhcZ8rwicyV8Qq1Yz5HWCX4r-pqNDswuWh2BqjHO6hapF4AM86irbXu9qKbkX/s1600/10807890_10204448489526585_1244011732_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYEg9RCvc_iTsmcn-LD2Y7Tbn6yvhDgzb4sqVICQNUPFTeUx5I-QjenEFSfq8sJ9amS14Zey63QzgHXkLhcZ8rwicyV8Qq1Yz5HWCX4r-pqNDswuWh2BqjHO6hapF4AM86irbXu9qKbkX/s1600/10807890_10204448489526585_1244011732_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In addition to the high-horse quad-cam V8, the Marauder received a special rear suspension layout and shorter 3.55:1 gearing for quicker acceleration. Every single Marauder was sold with a four-speed automatic transmission so you three-pedal die-hards are gonna have to sit this one out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj709VnCSmqLxmEP-fVFvJDpdTnGbQW3ZRE2XgeM_lMIU4cG8IMVYa42QHZoxSqVGJnmcjQHbq1Rmn7-O_pmPb1Gp-Hv4MfpUZ4ZwrTRe3hnGyt-Xro7hNzydijj7WPXmANTxGPpvP_RkGp/s1600/10815825_10204448489366581_2126809240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj709VnCSmqLxmEP-fVFvJDpdTnGbQW3ZRE2XgeM_lMIU4cG8IMVYa42QHZoxSqVGJnmcjQHbq1Rmn7-O_pmPb1Gp-Hv4MfpUZ4ZwrTRe3hnGyt-Xro7hNzydijj7WPXmANTxGPpvP_RkGp/s1600/10815825_10204448489366581_2126809240_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Production of the Marauder was stopped in 2004 due to disappointing sales. Ford figured the market no longer wanted an imposing four-door, V8 muscle sedan. Then Chrysler launched the 300C with Hemi V8 power in 2005 and went on to sell hundreds of thousands of them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-86375958085602333722014-11-13T18:03:00.000-07:002014-11-13T18:11:34.174-07:00Found in the Wild: LTD Power<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vKDM0tBKvybFufh8RUTxmRxjMNKKkOALorQDHq5UF8Bv-q0BEG7p91N-0PbqIyXL0585ikndnWLVF2LExD3abS60P00G4Df9guMUbjNbh3SCidul93h0HV1neAze9bJtWiWcF1pI8xYq/s1600/10814222_10204438331872650_25085960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vKDM0tBKvybFufh8RUTxmRxjMNKKkOALorQDHq5UF8Bv-q0BEG7p91N-0PbqIyXL0585ikndnWLVF2LExD3abS60P00G4Df9guMUbjNbh3SCidul93h0HV1neAze9bJtWiWcF1pI8xYq/s400/10814222_10204438331872650_25085960_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kids these days<span style="font-size: small;"> have no idea how good they have it</span></span></span>.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I constantly hear people complaining about how slow and laggardly the Subaro BRZ is with it's "paltry" 200 horsepower and 7-second 0-60 time. Well listen here you little shits. In 1978, Ferraris had about the same performance and horsepower of that there BRZ. To prove my point, here is a 1978 Ford LTD.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cars were pretty much unanimously slow between 1975 and 1983. The federal government introduced strict emissions and fuel economy standards and automakers struggled literally for decades to get power and drivability back to where they were in 1970. Our featured LTD sports a 5.8 litre V8 that pumps out 150 wheezing horsepower. It's saving grace was the 290 lb/ft of torque that was really just a byproduct of such a large engine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ford made tons of LTD's in the 70's but this particular car is quite rare. That's because this maroon beauty is a two door. It's a sports barge! And check out the cool little window and crest embedded into the B-pillar. The vinyl roof was de-riguer for luxury cars of the 70's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The LTD is covered with cool, ornate faux luxury touches. It was a lot easier for manufacturers to build luxury than performance in the depths of the malaise era. Cars like this sucked gas, wallowed everywhere and speared pedestrians on their guilded hood ornaments. The cars of today could never have upright grills or big chrome bumpers to mow down poor people. That day is gone forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These cars are fantastically affordable. You can find LTD's and other 70's luxo barges for sale any day of the week in mint condition for only $2-3k. Yeah they handle like a waterbed and accelerate like cold molasses down a hill but do you really care when you look so cocaine fabulous?</span><br />
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Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-10786463222286878322014-11-12T18:39:00.000-07:002014-11-12T18:39:29.528-07:00Found in the Wild: The Official Classic Car of Toronto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyPiEdiSyzr9eoE1F0aZl-6-uYCgsxN5K7GSz1dLOAUg2naKwb2ELQcwGIljcU3zMA60qR7EhzzlfrAZQBmdMPw0O7mivRAMw6ThB9tRkXjaD4AnIPN8gmpEsKxPMVR1JN9WqbZyi1EHL/s1600/10814222_10204433305626997_153038025_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyPiEdiSyzr9eoE1F0aZl-6-uYCgsxN5K7GSz1dLOAUg2naKwb2ELQcwGIljcU3zMA60qR7EhzzlfrAZQBmdMPw0O7mivRAMw6ThB9tRkXjaD4AnIPN8gmpEsKxPMVR1JN9WqbZyi1EHL/s400/10814222_10204433305626997_153038025_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The R107 Mercedes SL <span style="font-size: small;">is the official classic car of Toronto. You can find these old Mercedes rolling around on any clear day no matter what neighborhood you're in. This generartion of SL was the height of MB's over-engineering days so they're bound to stick around for a while yet. But why are they so popular in Toronto?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firstly, they're great cars! The R107 generation SL's are great GT cars, are well made and have undeniably good looks. This 1984 380SL is powered by a 155 HP 3.8 litre SOHC V8. Mercedes wasn't much for year-to-year styling changes but the highly tuned TLM guessimator pinpoints this as a 1984 model. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"SL" ironically stands for Sport Lightweight which is </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ironic because the SL isn't overtly sporty and it certainly isn't a lightweight. The R107 SL's are hefty GT cars and are one of the best long distance touring cars of the era. These are not full bore sports cars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These cars are sometimes referred to as pagoda roof cars due to the unique concave curve of the detachable roof. This trait was carrried from 1963 to 1989. Pay no heed to the wonky wipers. They should be resting on the other side of the car but the owner probably turned off the ignition mid-wipe. Rookie mistake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The R107 SL is popular in Toronto for a few reasons. It's reliable, it looks good, it is one of the few classic cars that doesn't drive or feel like an old car. But most of all, it's German and it looks like money. Torontonians (Toronters?) love German cars from the 80's like 911's and 944's and they seem to be the de facto choice for people buying an affordable classic. The three most popular classic cars in Toronto are air-cooled 911's, Fiat 124's and the aforementioned R107 Mercedes SL's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Mercedes 380SL has a solidly made and beautifully designed interior. Most of these cars were automatics and the manual transmissions weren't that great anyways. Oddly, resetting the trip odometer while in motion will break the whole odometer setup. Ask me how I learned this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The obvious demand for R107 SL's has kept prices strong and finding one for cheap is tricky. But it's great to see so many of these still on the roads and they represent the very pinnacle of Mercedes' engineering might.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-90195650062311267122014-11-12T16:39:00.000-07:002014-11-12T16:39:22.141-07:00Found in the Wild: Big Cat in the Big Apple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_ajR4Tu6cA59XP-7PlIm4rNKC9Zvxx_ERH8w058Xl5i_5Z9KuQdfkbHouYa_17vU6Br6QNjLz_Gd39AK5b3uoND2yXiqXPxexvaD_3y2qzox5hKFpL9RnmrYCv94cTdc6fcW1_rKECgw/s1600/10807964_10204433164183461_1920099830_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_ajR4Tu6cA59XP-7PlIm4rNKC9Zvxx_ERH8w058Xl5i_5Z9KuQdfkbHouYa_17vU6Br6QNjLz_Gd39AK5b3uoND2yXiqXPxexvaD_3y2qzox5hKFpL9RnmrYCv94cTdc6fcW1_rKECgw/s400/10807964_10204433164183461_1920099830_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">New York City is a jungle<span style="font-size: small;"> and this big cat seems a little lost in the big city. In a city where cars are a premium luxury, this 1992 Jaguar XJS sits unwanted on the curb gathering dents and parking tickets. What's the real story here?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Jaguar XJS was the ill-fated successor to the much loved E-Type and featured I6 or V12 power. Our featured car is a 1992 model and has a 223 hp DOHC straight six with 24 valves. It's not as cool as the optional 6.0 litre V12 but it's far more reliable. But saying your engine is more reliable than a Jag V12 is like bragging that you're taller than Danny Devito.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The car looks fairly clean but has accumulated a few weeks of parking tickets and according to locals, the car hasn't moved in months. The car had no rust and the white leather interior was absolutely spotless. It seems equally likely that the wealthy owner either doesn't care about parking tickets or maybe the big Jaguar is simply broken down as old Jags are known to do.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo2aG_7HNCQYwpi4QLqOTzUMpLV7OVRPagperDMp8RvUtXXRTZfuZ3rv7KmWliF4Zfw7uFQ12bknBYoznvbarfspsL3_yOUjIo2MiIYm2esBqPgnCB_CgluSG-_-8_DHtA-EvDZNcJUDr/s1600/10811248_10204433164023457_290268824_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo2aG_7HNCQYwpi4QLqOTzUMpLV7OVRPagperDMp8RvUtXXRTZfuZ3rv7KmWliF4Zfw7uFQ12bknBYoznvbarfspsL3_yOUjIo2MiIYm2esBqPgnCB_CgluSG-_-8_DHtA-EvDZNcJUDr/s400/10811248_10204433164023457_290268824_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amusingly, the XJS has another Jaguar parked right behind it to keep it company. Perhaps they're owned by the same person. It's doubtful that the XJS has survived 22 years of street parking in NYC given its pristine condition but how it came to be apparently abandoned near Central Park will remain a mystery for now. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uCPreSXjZoDcyqH3L5-tIJ6MM6qaJEvkEF_2Dyst6wJZLf2Aw-0jtAOfHhpVFIOsomexXUm1CDaaCSz2HYUINpPAlfZYD-voQOoYbqs-33WlPZxjXMm9-yJov9g-S9bJg_JzFtCN6GTp/s1600/10754935_10204433163823452_1264691310_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uCPreSXjZoDcyqH3L5-tIJ6MM6qaJEvkEF_2Dyst6wJZLf2Aw-0jtAOfHhpVFIOsomexXUm1CDaaCSz2HYUINpPAlfZYD-voQOoYbqs-33WlPZxjXMm9-yJov9g-S9bJg_JzFtCN6GTp/s400/10754935_10204433163823452_1264691310_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-51646242557521902682014-10-26T14:26:00.001-06:002014-10-26T14:26:34.935-06:00Found in the Wild: Ivy League Turbo Swede <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CGSQsNw1lFCibDhzgp58Mjan9YvY7cHVmUazMXdJmRM8ZwkjB-1awToOG8LXAeINqdAjhGeUa-WAjAwqv9gVj7bBFn5PhYpxre33wILyKiWLUJSSBl6KFgqSsxy4ljHCyt0_ddRgamjM/s1600/IMG_9265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CGSQsNw1lFCibDhzgp58Mjan9YvY7cHVmUazMXdJmRM8ZwkjB-1awToOG8LXAeINqdAjhGeUa-WAjAwqv9gVj7bBFn5PhYpxre33wILyKiWLUJSSBl6KFgqSsxy4ljHCyt0_ddRgamjM/s1600/IMG_9265.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Few cars are weirder</span> than old Saabs. But old Saabs (and their eclectic owners) pride themselves in being different. People who wanted to drive different in the 60's bought a VW. But as the Beetle was phased out by the Golf in the 70's, Saab evolved as the natural choice for odd people who wanted to drive odd cars. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0FPNXjTSS5wdEoKFNVT-0-sYBcNWghq4lfnYtbA8u83lq4cHauGMZvpQf6wbhOFDjmURefCP7gvMA0Sgr0Lf55t95pk4W9FOPXdPTRg8nOd_pK-J08A0R0FXbnQmFxQN5FjNPNS6jp7B/s1600/IMG_9275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0FPNXjTSS5wdEoKFNVT-0-sYBcNWghq4lfnYtbA8u83lq4cHauGMZvpQf6wbhOFDjmURefCP7gvMA0Sgr0Lf55t95pk4W9FOPXdPTRg8nOd_pK-J08A0R0FXbnQmFxQN5FjNPNS6jp7B/s1600/IMG_9275.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's streetside specimen is a very rare Swede. This 1984 Saab 900 Turbo sedan is one of the few Turbo sedans (most were coupes) built and one of a microscopic number still driven as transportation. And it's a manual! Check out the square headlights set into a trapezoidal frame. See how they look like they don't really fit? That's because until the late 1980's the US and (subsequently Canadian) regulatory agencies banned aerodynamically shaped headlights. Round and square glass units were the only shapes allowed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfTK0EHlDjJZtYy_-MsSZYhSIjZURCl5scTB0-Hi9sa2QT-rmCN8474C5POvhyCwJjofb18J48Ld1p0Y9OxCGhBNzOKKQ82czgdZg-s0UvCnWrItPZZRJra9VrYAKrziO7hQ_Z6Tn-FRh/s1600/IMG_9269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfTK0EHlDjJZtYy_-MsSZYhSIjZURCl5scTB0-Hi9sa2QT-rmCN8474C5POvhyCwJjofb18J48Ld1p0Y9OxCGhBNzOKKQ82czgdZg-s0UvCnWrItPZZRJra9VrYAKrziO7hQ_Z6Tn-FRh/s1600/IMG_9269.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turbos were still a big deal in 1984. The Garrett T3 bolted onto the Triumph-derived 8-valve 2-litre SOHC 4-cylinder boosted the little Saab to 143 horsepower. Atmospherically aspirated cars made just 116 hp. The 900's engine was also mounted backwards and sat 45 degrees from vertical. Why? because Saab!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WAVpRwjIC3EuvzpcgCbV2QD42ddxHJrRi-knfvoxW-BQE6h3dAlWx5BVx74Ri1EPiYDP73gkzDLiafahEEW85xkBcX-B_Dh2oBonXf1kpEVA-4QpTvIV_AzodIxlrcVkRYOSffhqLM0g/s1600/IMG_9272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WAVpRwjIC3EuvzpcgCbV2QD42ddxHJrRi-knfvoxW-BQE6h3dAlWx5BVx74Ri1EPiYDP73gkzDLiafahEEW85xkBcX-B_Dh2oBonXf1kpEVA-4QpTvIV_AzodIxlrcVkRYOSffhqLM0g/s1600/IMG_9272.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the turbo power, these Saabs weren't really sports cars. (Though they have an excellent rally pedigree) These cars were bought by thinkers, architects and engineers as the Princeton parking pass can attest.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIXviQE6Wi15f2FOAcZClpTwNnevFOfBemOeFYNprDCrP1epvK2tE-MoTqRX6kjMC_nDXjTS56dGCURBX2TEz0dsyXThRqxuQfjg6LG09R19HTaOfoN45AXbwzdFKFfqB9-ySuMe5mwNQ/s1600/IMG_9260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIXviQE6Wi15f2FOAcZClpTwNnevFOfBemOeFYNprDCrP1epvK2tE-MoTqRX6kjMC_nDXjTS56dGCURBX2TEz0dsyXThRqxuQfjg6LG09R19HTaOfoN45AXbwzdFKFfqB9-ySuMe5mwNQ/s1600/IMG_9260.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These 900's were the most iconic Saabs. The 9000 and successive models would all become progressively more generic and less... Saab. Saab stood for being different. They looked different and drove different than any other car out there. Subaru aside, Every manufacturer now follows the exact same layout for front and rear drive cars. Don't you miss when cars could be a little strange? Rock on you zany turbo Swede. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtF0mfrrl_A4D_xOelpRZek-pHjljS09SQVmDVpPoxOt227TCd8PM14phq7a5tsW2C3ooGFiMtOWAsKjnFcz4JMQaPQittILBBA6JXs6cAXK9XDb8qh2fYwllDKX-cUJj-Mt5NQHlHDLx/s1600/IMG_9271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtF0mfrrl_A4D_xOelpRZek-pHjljS09SQVmDVpPoxOt227TCd8PM14phq7a5tsW2C3ooGFiMtOWAsKjnFcz4JMQaPQittILBBA6JXs6cAXK9XDb8qh2fYwllDKX-cUJj-Mt5NQHlHDLx/s1600/IMG_9271.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-89624788784945786862014-10-26T11:32:00.000-06:002014-10-26T11:37:27.583-06:00Found in the Wild: The First Modern Luxury Car<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizF3FxDO5X5_e2_TDnxeMt5Kv4IAZAilWtUGno5kBfgA8ob9ufBiWds0zVHRdmqM1wdDMB82jUhWX_v4FLqQP50sP4tOygNkQo74g4jTpiLmcW5WoayrYV2aY_kPErgNYxkYeY50W73Vgs/s1600/IMG_9248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizF3FxDO5X5_e2_TDnxeMt5Kv4IAZAilWtUGno5kBfgA8ob9ufBiWds0zVHRdmqM1wdDMB82jUhWX_v4FLqQP50sP4tOygNkQo74g4jTpiLmcW5WoayrYV2aY_kPErgNYxkYeY50W73Vgs/s1600/IMG_9248.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is it.</span> This was the most expensive Mercedes you could buy in 1980. ABS, automatic climate control, sodium filled valves, self-leveling hydro-pneumatic suspension and a dry sump engine were all standard features on this car. <b>In 1980.</b> Impressed yet? It gets better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7nWo2nzvgBYdkc6NIBkU0nXJRBj6uwAOkx6QrAnIIkpk6zGwEVcqr2H83aDCrkRZ0kM4kxT8KTt79IWExE1wCVnAgbn0Pe1jqIW96W7QB0XcdNRNlJqUS_5A3AKfCV6opmOXAJWZZnWS/s1600/IMG_9251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7nWo2nzvgBYdkc6NIBkU0nXJRBj6uwAOkx6QrAnIIkpk6zGwEVcqr2H83aDCrkRZ0kM4kxT8KTt79IWExE1wCVnAgbn0Pe1jqIW96W7QB0XcdNRNlJqUS_5A3AKfCV6opmOXAJWZZnWS/s1600/IMG_9251.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This grungy 1980 Mercedes Benz 450 SEL 6.9 cost some $52,000 when it was new. The most expensive Cadillac you could buy that year was around $16,000. This was a car for people who lived in a manor, not a mansion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1MtkJMr5ediBhIqe-A8SlVll_bySLpG1jgpD7QvgnoUuPR8_AcHwTou4ojkuz4u1gstGOfg-6FApyYSpNaqOArH8YIjdZ13pZ2_1Z8QmcLJz3r6lsn6F_IAWgXJQGHqDD6uasblTf1Ll/s1600/IMG_9253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1MtkJMr5ediBhIqe-A8SlVll_bySLpG1jgpD7QvgnoUuPR8_AcHwTou4ojkuz4u1gstGOfg-6FApyYSpNaqOArH8YIjdZ13pZ2_1Z8QmcLJz3r6lsn6F_IAWgXJQGHqDD6uasblTf1Ll/s1600/IMG_9253.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That $52k bought you 4,200 pounds of luxury car powered by a whopping 6.9 litres of V8. Mercedes' SOHC mill produced 250 horsepower and 360 lb/ft of torque. Yeah your mom's 328i makes more than that but in 1980 A Corvette made just 230 horsepower and had nowhere <i>near</i> that amount of torque. This gave the 6.9 impressive acceleration and a top speed of over 140 mph.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aqzC-Y-ecq0bOvj1FeD3zC-6rdzW_RhrP_Mouahi-svnrU8UEm1rZnFgvoZHRTyqA7Clc2Tq7Ynzpy6csKzbkoEStVMcLnoJg0yY3J0lDtXLMjS7xuwGm7c5QAyl_toghloCFltx3xh_/s1600/IMG_9254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aqzC-Y-ecq0bOvj1FeD3zC-6rdzW_RhrP_Mouahi-svnrU8UEm1rZnFgvoZHRTyqA7Clc2Tq7Ynzpy6csKzbkoEStVMcLnoJg0yY3J0lDtXLMjS7xuwGm7c5QAyl_toghloCFltx3xh_/s1600/IMG_9254.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Much like the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, the mighty 6.9 became a symbol of 'old money.' Like every other German luxury car, the 6.9 depreciated ferociously and you can now find dilapidated ones for a couple thousand all over Kijiji. But running, driving 6.9's are very rare and will set you back an easy 10 grand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YDdzP1rCE7xFkoD-bEV2wDsXwqJeRwAm-QeYtFL1rPWqugczntsRcK2LtNad2vVywehuCkeJvxpXpYFkrXUBumLRSci-83HgePqwbbnAgBIKYOFRG4-Zz6EpiMH-60XlKdHcSxnydrZm/s1600/IMG_9247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YDdzP1rCE7xFkoD-bEV2wDsXwqJeRwAm-QeYtFL1rPWqugczntsRcK2LtNad2vVywehuCkeJvxpXpYFkrXUBumLRSci-83HgePqwbbnAgBIKYOFRG4-Zz6EpiMH-60XlKdHcSxnydrZm/s1600/IMG_9247.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The 450 SEL 6.9 was a turning point for the luxury car. It proved that luxury cars could be athletic and customers began to demand more for their money in the segment. It might look old fashioned with its upright grill and chrome bumpers, but the 6.9 was the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0Sm0EUPF7_Lc6zMYevZ9HRpnMkaxu85Ms8fmWlAYd34WFPeEBGqevgQunxmQgFJKAl7wNbkSPGqz74j0QEVntfghIyFMiwJ_xTEAP4qNuB5qjDfELNtcp1FUZ9S2uToj6vML396ooNzh/s1600/IMG_9252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0Sm0EUPF7_Lc6zMYevZ9HRpnMkaxu85Ms8fmWlAYd34WFPeEBGqevgQunxmQgFJKAl7wNbkSPGqz74j0QEVntfghIyFMiwJ_xTEAP4qNuB5qjDfELNtcp1FUZ9S2uToj6vML396ooNzh/s1600/IMG_9252.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com118tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-89578319666944356622014-04-10T18:47:00.000-06:002014-04-10T18:47:08.035-06:00Found in the Wild: Why I need an Opel GT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Jn-_9A91cHxS60MnbbNrD-7kVs3nzBOAtw0cWh8u-jB05rF1wd1Ag3Q6VA-nlPcD3g9sXnsRtg2MTEh8gcYiAuR0fSiktrbHDr7dqif3PcgQvUQ0jyxZxEEEaNNeEJS46aG4ztnLduqB/s3200/20140406+Opel+GT!+CS+0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Jn-_9A91cHxS60MnbbNrD-7kVs3nzBOAtw0cWh8u-jB05rF1wd1Ag3Q6VA-nlPcD3g9sXnsRtg2MTEh8gcYiAuR0fSiktrbHDr7dqif3PcgQvUQ0jyxZxEEEaNNeEJS46aG4ztnLduqB/s3200/20140406+Opel+GT!+CS+0117.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The 1969 Corvette was my first crush.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I was never one to gush over how cool pro-sports players were and I was too young to care about girls at that age. The racy curves of the C3 Corvette Stingray captivated me at an early age and my love has never waned. In all my glossy classic car coffee table books, the pages containing info about the Stingray were always the most dog-eared. I told my 2nd grade self that a yellow 427 powered 1969 Corvette is a car I would have to own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well 2nd grade me didn't have rent to pay or realize how much premium leaded gas a 427 rat-motor really drinks! Thus, despite hours of online searching, I was unable to find a ratty Stingray to be my first car and I 'settled' on a 280ZX. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a very long time I have yearned to have a two-seater with swoopy 'coke-bottle' styling and aura of '60s cool in an affordable package. That's where the Opel GT comes in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The GT is a two-seat sports car made by GM's German subsidiary, Opel. The GT bears a strong resemblance to the C3 Corvette and they were both launched in 1968. The GT was styled by an American GM designer who was transferred to Germany so the GT really does share some Corvette DNA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A closer look reveals Corvette styling cues almost everywhere. The hood is lined with the prominent 'haunches' and tapers to a point.The front end has a low profile lined with a delicate chrome grille and round fog lights under each corner. The tail is a kamm design with four round tail-lights housed in it and two dainty bumpers to protect each corner. There's even a center mounted fuel filler on the rear deck and a complete lack of an opening trunk! If you squint, the Opel looks remarkably like a 3/4 scale Stingray.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's not to say that the GT was in the same performance league as the Corvette. The pictured car is a 1971 model had a 1.9 litre four-cylinder which only eked out 78 horsepower. At 962 kg, the GT wasn't heavy but it wasn't fast either. Certainly no match for a 1971 'Vette which packed 425 horsepower that year when the high-compression 454 V8 was selected.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Handling wasn't even that great as well. The GT was nose heavy and had a front/rear weight split of 54/46. The chassis shared a lot of components with the basic Opel sedan and becuase of this, the Opel's suspension isn't exactly cutting edge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite this, the Opel was an adequate handler and was certainly felt the part when driving. The seating in the GT was low, almost on the floor and the large gauges looked very similar to the contemporary Corvette's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Opel GT is a charming but rather unimpressive sports car. Though it's backed by a passionate enthusiast following, it's still a 43 year-old German car with spotty parts availability and double-digit power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would I date a girl based solely on her looks? Possibly. Would I buy a car based solely on its looks? Absolutely! The low performance potential and quirky nature of the GT have kept prices very low for a '60s sports car and prices on the nicest GT's rarely eclipse $10,000.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrkeLanY21DzpQwG-Bs_GqT1RQGYViSj5sOJ5JIKVOohwK7eS9nUrFsOLV5B0-Yjt6YwHmburSeFBLB81EeF94JWdYs1bH3rpcSqbYCYObW6pjkJfIx6zSczDjq5qsDpMen-xGsFn_lLp/s3200/20140406+Opel+GT!+CS+0123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrkeLanY21DzpQwG-Bs_GqT1RQGYViSj5sOJ5JIKVOohwK7eS9nUrFsOLV5B0-Yjt6YwHmburSeFBLB81EeF94JWdYs1bH3rpcSqbYCYObW6pjkJfIx6zSczDjq5qsDpMen-xGsFn_lLp/s3200/20140406+Opel+GT!+CS+0123.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnQSMnMmzRUy3rqwtBZsFKkdufWVO8M7RJ6UW8Iq9d11A3GnnbZu8mXbzERB_dWrWuMGhZ88POcDZeFkI4a-wyUpQ53wLKc2L66bX4SDucC2v2vsLnk0kcnpY6LX1qya9jTsuKldCnyVd/s3200/20140406+Opel+GT!+CS+0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnQSMnMmzRUy3rqwtBZsFKkdufWVO8M7RJ6UW8Iq9d11A3GnnbZu8mXbzERB_dWrWuMGhZ88POcDZeFkI4a-wyUpQ53wLKc2L66bX4SDucC2v2vsLnk0kcnpY6LX1qya9jTsuKldCnyVd/s3200/20140406+Opel+GT!+CS+0127.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, the Opel GT is way to experience all those things I love about the C3 Corvette (minus the prodigious power) for a sub $5k price. I've also fallen in love with the GT in its own right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The unique 'roll-over' hidden headlights are truly unique and the car seems like a great pint-sized sporty cruiser. I've been intently searching for one of these Opel oddballs for a while and I nearly caused an accident when I spotted this GT by the side of the road. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had never seen one in the flesh (metal) before and came away impressed. They can look awkward from some angles in pictures but they are much more cohesive in person. And man are they small! Though not incredibly low, the cockpit is narrow in a way that no new cars are. Luckily, my 5'9" self doesn't need that much room to be comfy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So could this very Opel be my Stingray stopgap until funds amass for my dream Corvette? Possibly. Though the paint is shot, the car is remarkably rust free and very complete. The interior has a cracked dash and ripped drivers seat but otherwise completely fine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Worringly, this car seems to be a bit of a long-term tenant. It's been there long enough to be documented on Google street view and it's blocked in by cars, concrete blocks and a tree. Will the owner of the garage sell? I'll find out this week when I visit during business hours. With any luck I can finally fulfill a childhood dream.</span></div>
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<br />Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-48055538013320726902014-02-15T11:15:00.002-07:002014-02-15T11:31:48.674-07:00Found in the Wild: LQ1 GP GTP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmdMSSgmcJIM1x1-rLwegZeSBh4PVwzergOFZ3v2ZhBvOMse3mvQ7WR68aKRWJIvgOtmWJQCewiLJu5rjD8-rcFpjJYtEYGGvG7vwyXrmJTjQJtq228l5ylZer5f7VaC9mc1R5_uMO6Mw/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmdMSSgmcJIM1x1-rLwegZeSBh4PVwzergOFZ3v2ZhBvOMse3mvQ7WR68aKRWJIvgOtmWJQCewiLJu5rjD8-rcFpjJYtEYGGvG7vwyXrmJTjQJtq228l5ylZer5f7VaC9mc1R5_uMO6Mw/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0002.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In the early 1990's</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> there was a new class of performance car that each American manufacturer was trying to capitalize on. Though GM, Ford and MoPar had competed in the RWD muscle car war for decades the manufacturers shifted their attention to a new genre of cars that Ford created all on it's own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the early 1990's, Ford was revelling in positive reviews on it's high tech sleeper, the <a href="http://www.thelifemechanical.com/2013/04/found-in-wild-all-sho-no-go.html" target="_blank">Taurus SHO</a>. The SHO (<b>S</b>uper <b>H</b>igh <b>O</b>utput) used an advanced alloy Yamaha engineered quad-cam V6 to turn the unassuming Taurus into a stoplight stormer. We can easily assume that many a Camaro were caught unaware. In 1991, GM launched it's rebuttal to the Taurus SHO with the this Pontiac Grand Prix GTP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The heart of the GTP package was it's engine. Engineered in America, the 3.4 liter DOHC V6 produced 210 horsepower in a time when a Corvette couldn't top 300 horsepower. This was heady stuff. Aluminum heads, sodium filled valves and a redline near 7,000 rpm made this a very impressive engine for the time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNW1hUIRXHe-Cn8FZsHfLaKuEq1EPl-33qpn19H59AMeMnocBb3Qe4PBcSJUQjzl4OnrDOxZ05ZM3jBHga2FpjZO51S7OJoX5p6lK7KunRZpUF-oUB20nHHanl95buhBkL-wbCXlq4rwC/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNW1hUIRXHe-Cn8FZsHfLaKuEq1EPl-33qpn19H59AMeMnocBb3Qe4PBcSJUQjzl4OnrDOxZ05ZM3jBHga2FpjZO51S7OJoX5p6lK7KunRZpUF-oUB20nHHanl95buhBkL-wbCXlq4rwC/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0006.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, almost all of these engines were coupled to a dull 4 speed automatic transmission. A very small amount escaped with the fragile Getrag 5-speed unit and <a href="http://www.thelifemechanical.com/2012/09/reckless-abandon.html" target="_blank">we saved one of those drivetrains from the junkyard once</a>. The Grand Prix GTP certainly looked the part with functional heat extractors on the hood, bold rectangular exhaust tips and that oh-so-'90's Pontiac ribbed body cladding.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsrryalZlioXc-ocNFUvXKkW07g12J4FfL85m8uOfRcf7JvJdoVSIhaQ6uqGQz_Rgy4LDGYRiJNF4c6k6D5w-xGT-kco_dljNJuxHbsXoVceARsNl_ycLWfCsd2h6iSVPayCNGmboqU2t/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsrryalZlioXc-ocNFUvXKkW07g12J4FfL85m8uOfRcf7JvJdoVSIhaQ6uqGQz_Rgy4LDGYRiJNF4c6k6D5w-xGT-kco_dljNJuxHbsXoVceARsNl_ycLWfCsd2h6iSVPayCNGmboqU2t/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0010.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12vjrwTUzftqLxOz9odfFIXpA7dS79GcsLCdAMOnu-VcGE1xja0GIWG1caMknwxmNq1SmY4Uuv1WP2_kY8dObcMQhtnY3kkRqQRfYSUQFlFMPZXFwsVYzpGDEcyhMjxKT2NFptbAyIE_J/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12vjrwTUzftqLxOz9odfFIXpA7dS79GcsLCdAMOnu-VcGE1xja0GIWG1caMknwxmNq1SmY4Uuv1WP2_kY8dObcMQhtnY3kkRqQRfYSUQFlFMPZXFwsVYzpGDEcyhMjxKT2NFptbAyIE_J/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0011.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inside the GTP, the focus was on high tech gadgetry. That modem looking blister on the dashboard is actually a windshield projected heads up display! Few are sure why Pontiac decided to make the center of their steering wheels into keyboards but there are no less than <i style="font-weight: bold;">twelve</i> buttons on it committed to various functions. Nevertheless, having spent considerable seat time in one of these, the interior is a comfy place to be serenaded by the burble of the V6.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelq0tIZOkf06q70f-BkMXXDhjtvNfW6VRdB-LICc2fwSKRxJThgtbTWWskWC4d29QTHOhNuFtlkk5VVMff8a4viPHTw8CeUI_dCB84z3n8CovA2pOS2GNBu5gbhcBDflTXLBura-7XFQ_/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelq0tIZOkf06q70f-BkMXXDhjtvNfW6VRdB-LICc2fwSKRxJThgtbTWWskWC4d29QTHOhNuFtlkk5VVMff8a4viPHTw8CeUI_dCB84z3n8CovA2pOS2GNBu5gbhcBDflTXLBura-7XFQ_/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0003.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The GTP looked like a world beater on paper. It had high horsepower, high tech and seemed to have all the ingredients of an exciting sport coupe but somehow it just didn't translate in the real world. Firstly, the LQ1 engines were complex, demanded strict adherence to maintenance schedules and repairs were costly when they did occur. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyewpiBennLlcp293MM_glMrVM32aEdHYSSiGeU4hLzAcrzO0Z-4c5SNspHNDG8dtG56UGv3VKsJWWAv8hD_mM2Kg-X-CRuESJhwHM3dzdCXRhibpLoVHLKl_6BWowX6kxIsJ0MttUBJu/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyewpiBennLlcp293MM_glMrVM32aEdHYSSiGeU4hLzAcrzO0Z-4c5SNspHNDG8dtG56UGv3VKsJWWAv8hD_mM2Kg-X-CRuESJhwHM3dzdCXRhibpLoVHLKl_6BWowX6kxIsJ0MttUBJu/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0008.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secondly, the transmission situation was grim whether you chose the automatic or the manual. The four-speed automatic was just not the right choice for a high winding sports focused engine like the LQ1 and it was a detriment to its performance and fuel economy. The Getrag five speed was a nicely weighted manual but was unable to handle the GTP's 215 lb/ft of torque. God forbid it ever broke because no spares were held by GM dealers and no techs were trained on it. If your shiny GTP's transmission broke, it had to be removed from the car and shipped to Germany for repairs. Ouch!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rfGIdYxgH3RhqC24jK9C8Rn5cFstmhyphenhyphenm6IANXode3w0z4k4EamCLohYbm_X1VQP6zS1MWwEoZoXtmn8N-WW1T0hePOKQDXWq_OY1BFawU0o9cfpaVjSxkxAgIME0_JFUrYEatALOK46R/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rfGIdYxgH3RhqC24jK9C8Rn5cFstmhyphenhyphenm6IANXode3w0z4k4EamCLohYbm_X1VQP6zS1MWwEoZoXtmn8N-WW1T0hePOKQDXWq_OY1BFawU0o9cfpaVjSxkxAgIME0_JFUrYEatALOK46R/s1600/20140128+Pontiac+Grand+Am+GTP+CS+0009.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today Grand Prixs of this vintage are still fairly common but GTP's are fairly rare. And good luck finding a mystical manual transmission GTP in the wild. Like many other '90's sport coupes, the GTP's are supported by a small yet devoted fan base. As long as the timing belts have been changed on time and you don't mind facing the parts scramble, these are great sporty grand touring cars and the noise they make at 6,000 rpm is <i>almost</i> worth the hassle.</span></div>
Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-28249110911045190102014-02-05T12:05:00.002-07:002014-02-05T12:05:34.425-07:00Found in the Wild: The Beast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EH8sthNMU5rjvXWdinm0CPK10t5m1LAC3_8Hdczzoxab2fVqnZrJI76_Tr35xcGXQVmd7ptAxqKSRIGp_6__t9jCggER8LLI3lTZo4D3HqUEuD-FK7KoWAYQOo1rp0Wozd3uRTf7D-9F/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EH8sthNMU5rjvXWdinm0CPK10t5m1LAC3_8Hdczzoxab2fVqnZrJI76_Tr35xcGXQVmd7ptAxqKSRIGp_6__t9jCggER8LLI3lTZo4D3HqUEuD-FK7KoWAYQOo1rp0Wozd3uRTf7D-9F/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0112.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In the movie <i>"The Sandlot"</i> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there was a massive dog called "The Beast" who was rarely seen but still managed to terrorize the neighbourhood kids. But under The Beast's imposing exterior lay a soul of a brutish but good hearted companion. And today's 1965 Chevrolet K20 is The Beast in automotive form.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoP9eA1V9zi_CyU1Ha0ibGSSTVs2BHpCakJetG8RFEVYAJBg6ssS2T8hXA0hwQ-ITGxIzCAri5tw9UmT32Y-xz_fkv5dMajyTXhpaeZa7aeejIjVCzBPiNXX_oCUskZR4BASu_VHPh7cQ8/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoP9eA1V9zi_CyU1Ha0ibGSSTVs2BHpCakJetG8RFEVYAJBg6ssS2T8hXA0hwQ-ITGxIzCAri5tw9UmT32Y-xz_fkv5dMajyTXhpaeZa7aeejIjVCzBPiNXX_oCUskZR4BASu_VHPh7cQ8/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0107.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This gnarled 4x4 certainly has a personality. Comparing this truck with a shiny, new F-350 bro truck would be like comparing a scowling Clint Eastwood from <i>Gran Torino</i> to the punk kids in the same movie whom he loathed so much. These kinds of vehicles often disappear from public view due to neighbour complaints about lowering property values and unsightliness but judging by the 15 foot wall of tangled branches forming this guys yard, he probably just doesn't give a damn. I can only hope this fearsome rig is piloted by some grumpy guy in faded T shirt while smoking a cigarette.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRIaisnNKxL1gLskpsy94CFWh5yqEsZKZ-gd2K8VytoyHFsdlYnSa2Zq6bu_mB_YItokRA_YLek944lyO2Z07tQViL447GzG15wnawiiMjoqIIjZySMylN5tA5Wrws5HsfqU20qWHy8i3/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRIaisnNKxL1gLskpsy94CFWh5yqEsZKZ-gd2K8VytoyHFsdlYnSa2Zq6bu_mB_YItokRA_YLek944lyO2Z07tQViL447GzG15wnawiiMjoqIIjZySMylN5tA5Wrws5HsfqU20qWHy8i3/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0111.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note the mark left on the door sill where the driver's hands have worn away the paint over nearly 50 years of continuous use</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Chevy K20 designed to work for decades without complaint. This truck is powered by a 220 horsepower 327 cubic inch (5.3 liter) V8 backed by a wimps-need-not-apply three-speed manual transmission and a beefy transfer case. Most of these were bought by hunters and tradesmen who needed a reliable vehicle to take them into the backcountry. The interior of the K20 is designed for work, not comfort. The vinyl bench seat was made to be easily cleaned and hard to rip, all the controls are made of metal and large enough to use with gloved hands. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91fDxYfxJxqv6g4k7mkInDGEG9VNbdm99cjw41R-zU8FYZ8UJtKilTD6eQS6-7J360z62fssAU4_WA93JKA6gtAL2cuXIhGzgiSgHFkazzAwRO6VfeYF25casUAv-JZYmkFAldSgrLYJH/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91fDxYfxJxqv6g4k7mkInDGEG9VNbdm99cjw41R-zU8FYZ8UJtKilTD6eQS6-7J360z62fssAU4_WA93JKA6gtAL2cuXIhGzgiSgHFkazzAwRO6VfeYF25casUAv-JZYmkFAldSgrLYJH/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0117.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAvrH0p1F-7tUMqBon21nHGYUOOZsqRgqeReFyvNU3mIAKjOLSZsK0RkLjdFJ0AXqr6zMFwH9xxZYJ1lHzTwIPjfkBd8UyPMbKOoBWTba2MWeYFAqLd_ayAZvPbVm-UNazg6k-50sc_wM/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAvrH0p1F-7tUMqBon21nHGYUOOZsqRgqeReFyvNU3mIAKjOLSZsK0RkLjdFJ0AXqr6zMFwH9xxZYJ1lHzTwIPjfkBd8UyPMbKOoBWTba2MWeYFAqLd_ayAZvPbVm-UNazg6k-50sc_wM/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0119.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But 49 years of hard use have taken their toll on The Beast. It's anyone's guess as to what variation of Chevy small-block V8 powers it now but with such a multicoloured exterior, you can well assume that the drivetrain has plenty of mix and match mechanicals. Every panel on it has surface rust and some panels have rusted right through. There was a time when parts could be found easily for this rig and the owner certainly took advantage of that. Seems like he didn't bother repainting the new pieces as he replaced them to create this rusty Chevy truck collage. Now <i>that's </i>art. Judging by the color of the cab, this truck was originally white.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is automotive archaeology at its finest. There's official looking stencil writing on the doors covered by black graffiti and the graffiti was haphazardly painted over with green paint. The hood bears signs of an ancient camo paint job as does the rear of the cab. Ex-company truck turned hunting vehicle? I'll have to stop by this house again to try and find the owner but in the meantime, it's entertaining to think of all the adventure this truck has seen.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSleioRdH6fVIKSc9OBg3xBRip0W9orLtVixRdxgK_0bs9nAQD36O4Z57N8g3651oUEbOiLFseg8Z-LZE5I3IvVZRhYs1lftdsPRxuTXfGdnApJY-JtTx2lB_1lm9vDC7DJFt_t9MdT7E/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSleioRdH6fVIKSc9OBg3xBRip0W9orLtVixRdxgK_0bs9nAQD36O4Z57N8g3651oUEbOiLFseg8Z-LZE5I3IvVZRhYs1lftdsPRxuTXfGdnApJY-JtTx2lB_1lm9vDC7DJFt_t9MdT7E/s1600/20140125+CHestermere+Winter+Fest+2014+CS+0109.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-59875580163136157122014-01-27T13:00:00.000-07:002014-01-27T13:00:01.578-07:00Found in the Wild: The Fastest Ferrari Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBLphnP-8_qO3Q0HyEaRU0TY8e-vAmC-MX39fm-gnopwKf2ZWEuQdrCPUVPyKiwgF3yHVT313HcVRc7gF-4zczPtGyBXNtDqP-VolckKGLVBwEJr1jMzcbTbWqw3CcUvC3hjbyx-65Xkb/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBLphnP-8_qO3Q0HyEaRU0TY8e-vAmC-MX39fm-gnopwKf2ZWEuQdrCPUVPyKiwgF3yHVT313HcVRc7gF-4zczPtGyBXNtDqP-VolckKGLVBwEJr1jMzcbTbWqw3CcUvC3hjbyx-65Xkb/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0040.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A few of the more astute readers</span> will remember our article on the classy and classic <a href="http://www.thelifemechanical.com/2013/10/found-in-wild-gentlemans-v12-fezza.html" target="_blank">Ferrari 365 GT 2+2</a>. That car had carburetors, (lots of them, actually) lap belts and an airbag-less steering wheel made of real wood. There are plenty of differences between that car and today’s featured 2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta but there are two huge similarities: The engine is in the right place (In front of the driver) and it has the correct amount of cylinders for a Ferrari. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9zfDwCBDoySfufErn0qu4fc9VRYfli4Tk18p1Xe0wkIthvbPR7S9W2zzh8qbG9HG0XFkPqETJPdP-FMlqCHOs2Z2tEz0uKMoD-lzpuYgrCeF1fwQOI6dBo7A535aAO8BZApxSNCOZw4U/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9zfDwCBDoySfufErn0qu4fc9VRYfli4Tk18p1Xe0wkIthvbPR7S9W2zzh8qbG9HG0XFkPqETJPdP-FMlqCHOs2Z2tEz0uKMoD-lzpuYgrCeF1fwQOI6dBo7A535aAO8BZApxSNCOZw4U/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0012.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s right, underneath the F12’s long and intricately sculpted hood lies a 730 horsepower 6.3 liter V12. This is also currently the fastest and most expensive Ferrari you can buy new. Not that you could actually buy one even if you coughed up the staggering $315,900 (USD) required to buy one of these sneer faced Fezzas. That’s because Ferrari only made a few hundred of them and in 2013 and they all sold out faster than free Justin Bieber tickets in an all girls middle school. So the F12 is the top dog Ferrari until the <strike>hideously ugly and sacrilegious</strike> controversial Ferrari LaFerrari comes out. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrAo1CAxYBpJUAzSPXLcLG2rKzB5bR499Jc0mZ1n6QPE6TRZjepHYN1roqOW5zCNcq0VIPCij8F92-EWR23y4O-YycR3k-Rio5uxVZaqa_nCvYIh3ikKtBPmte8FE-4ysWfGbCaeCquzb/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrAo1CAxYBpJUAzSPXLcLG2rKzB5bR499Jc0mZ1n6QPE6TRZjepHYN1roqOW5zCNcq0VIPCij8F92-EWR23y4O-YycR3k-Rio5uxVZaqa_nCvYIh3ikKtBPmte8FE-4ysWfGbCaeCquzb/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0011.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black and red "Daytona" seats look inviting</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Technically speaking, the F12 is very impressive. Its naturally aspirated V12 makes fierce sounds and incredible power at a stratospheric 8,250 RPM. It’s seven speed transmission shifts with superhuman speed and precision. The entire car lives on a perfect 50/50 weight split fore and aft and road holding is enough to make your neck sore. It must be an odd feeling knowing that you’re never more than 3.1 seconds away from 60 MPH.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the sad fact is that this car is not made for mortals like you and me. The world shrinks around you in a car like this. Typical freeway on-ramp exuberance will have you at 120 MPH by the time you’ve merged. You can’t enjoy sharp twisty roads in a car like this. It would feel bored and under taxed for any driving under the speed limit. This is not a car to make you happy as you link ‘S’ bends together; it’s a made to impress with its numbers; namely, horsepower, cost and acceleration figures.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBEnhud6r-fUZqfKZKH-1bTlUjkaAR2-xFRChEQgcGAIxjPKNU-dOIoonGTOMqX3DCgu3fzHwrGUFtxsNgcG1CnUa6xMcmZuOGkd-jYv2Zp1Lh_vEyPRcWqE86dWUtMECON9dcLPdGMXz/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBEnhud6r-fUZqfKZKH-1bTlUjkaAR2-xFRChEQgcGAIxjPKNU-dOIoonGTOMqX3DCgu3fzHwrGUFtxsNgcG1CnUa6xMcmZuOGkd-jYv2Zp1Lh_vEyPRcWqE86dWUtMECON9dcLPdGMXz/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0043.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ferrari has always been about speed, exclusivity and elegance. And in that order. Perhaps now, in a world where you can buy a 200 MPH Mustang and where 400 horsepower SUV’s are commonplace, Ferrari should rethink its ethos. Were I king of Ferrari I would implement some new edicts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1.</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>No more than 500 horsepower per car. Let’s bring the focus back to lightness for more speed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2.</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>No more automatics. Would you put paddle shifts in a 250 Lusso? Exactly. Ferraris are glorious machines and we should be more involved in their interface.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3.</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ABSOLUTELY no electric hybrid or hybrid assists. Come on guys.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR-1hsWoUXVYKLHHXw1klpWa2ygP4vUnqBYtnXey2f_lBJeCI8DSuEQqL_0zSQWpuQOh2Y99wQd0HK0OB3j_24bx8sghx5O-J5E0rdUMWdogOxAdD1I7Vuw7GOrkrvnxnoLUW6VLLL9-r/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR-1hsWoUXVYKLHHXw1klpWa2ygP4vUnqBYtnXey2f_lBJeCI8DSuEQqL_0zSQWpuQOh2Y99wQd0HK0OB3j_24bx8sghx5O-J5E0rdUMWdogOxAdD1I7Vuw7GOrkrvnxnoLUW6VLLL9-r/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0044.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Driving a modern Ferrari is a lot like riding a giant rollercoaster. The technology and construction behind it is amazing and the speed is exhilarating but the fact is, all that engineering is what’s keeping that coaster from falling out of the sky, not you. Simply by being a normal sized human with normal reaction times, you are the slowest element in a new Ferrari. A sports car should make you feel like you’re an integral part of the driving experience. And sadly, as fast as it is, there are cars that do it much better than the F12.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WsN70HSk4kw10MeQt7EnTElf1EJWO0dLsKxHYrzfJne0KReGs40jx8xe-sOYthOAsN-gTKUd5-ObtnEexXyqbGpHTCNzNzOQnVhBw9SKJ-QPfzA3t-Mzz2MA-PPN3FHOtVwkXvxcKje_/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WsN70HSk4kw10MeQt7EnTElf1EJWO0dLsKxHYrzfJne0KReGs40jx8xe-sOYthOAsN-gTKUd5-ObtnEexXyqbGpHTCNzNzOQnVhBw9SKJ-QPfzA3t-Mzz2MA-PPN3FHOtVwkXvxcKje_/s1600/20131004+Cars+&+Coffee+CS+0042.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-89015826873646282862014-01-23T14:29:00.000-07:002014-01-23T14:29:22.825-07:00Found in the Wild: Old World Money, New World Oddity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmSbdAw16yptPL0i-GBL3INo7XOvIBnxe8B3csP-ak_xZEBuANIWxASfLB9_p3PSeXT5hsgZ_klXxY5u1d2E42B0PSk62woSlLKz2Udg17isjsh_HKV84dPeWvRJIPxjWr2uKg_iaf1df/s1600/20140120+Mercedes+560+SEC+CS+0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmSbdAw16yptPL0i-GBL3INo7XOvIBnxe8B3csP-ak_xZEBuANIWxASfLB9_p3PSeXT5hsgZ_klXxY5u1d2E42B0PSk62woSlLKz2Udg17isjsh_HKV84dPeWvRJIPxjWr2uKg_iaf1df/s1600/20140120+Mercedes+560+SEC+CS+0007.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In 1989, your boss didn't </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">drive this car. But his boss probably did. This 1989 Mercedes 560 SEC was the most expensive Mercedes you could buy in 1989. (Excluding the hot rodded AMG versions) This was the halo car in the very back of the glossy brochure. Bold V8 power, elegant coupe styling and vault-like build quality were hallmarks of these cars. Finally a car for the Wall Street elite for times when a Countach is too much flash.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVbsyVc0mi1SDKXGdus-KpnTuzoLkNyHKdIJ9c7mZw3dzo8nobWZ_cwTqpp3fmQahUvKkE_AwWYT9RI-PpX8_cO3R1Y20zC1fLrY64HEK3BkwYGjIPOG6BDiuGBQXICJyoqnZVudwalR5/s1600/20140120+Mercedes+560+SEC+CS+0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVbsyVc0mi1SDKXGdus-KpnTuzoLkNyHKdIJ9c7mZw3dzo8nobWZ_cwTqpp3fmQahUvKkE_AwWYT9RI-PpX8_cO3R1Y20zC1fLrY64HEK3BkwYGjIPOG6BDiuGBQXICJyoqnZVudwalR5/s1600/20140120+Mercedes+560+SEC+CS+0013.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 560 SEC cost a whopping $140,000 new in inflation adjusted dollars for 2014. This was a car for CEO's,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> executives and other various "haves." That massive amount of money got you a 270 horsepower 5.6 liter V8, electronically limited 155 mph mph top speed and a whisper quiet interior even at speeds over 100 mph. Ordering a car like this with a manual would get you laughed out of the showroom. The 560 SEC was hardly a sports car.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEL_JBe2BWUTU1yqyMpQ8scqnvnsy4sAOHczktG4avAlG31AVF0ocadkxa0ADOlWYHAWwbmNF05S5JYnx2YxfAlTdQx7EWEFc29eSDm3NynCYZbXU6v_HkUw0Drqty4MPxNrNiV0n8HKii/s1600/20140120+Mercedes+560+SEC+CS+0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEL_JBe2BWUTU1yqyMpQ8scqnvnsy4sAOHczktG4avAlG31AVF0ocadkxa0ADOlWYHAWwbmNF05S5JYnx2YxfAlTdQx7EWEFc29eSDm3NynCYZbXU6v_HkUw0Drqty4MPxNrNiV0n8HKii/s1600/20140120+Mercedes+560+SEC+CS+0005.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMabl48aI4Rj4G47jZlVyhnt52N6vOiItZ9iT31BLhLOMDvjo3BK97zs9kso68ZRkL2FB4O-9Y1aKxXymqpvQKMgiltGA7Rv1BI-pgprp1DfcV3oNOXX4ps0I3oeMF-PgqUnyXrWn2ZGO/s1600/20140120+Mercedes+560+SEC+CS+0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMabl48aI4Rj4G47jZlVyhnt52N6vOiItZ9iT31BLhLOMDvjo3BK97zs9kso68ZRkL2FB4O-9Y1aKxXymqpvQKMgiltGA7Rv1BI-pgprp1DfcV3oNOXX4ps0I3oeMF-PgqUnyXrWn2ZGO/s1600/20140120+Mercedes+560+SEC+CS+0006.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There isn't really a modern equivalent for this car. Perhaps if you imagine a two-door version of a BMW 7 series you'd be close. The 560 SEC marked an end of an era for Mercedes Benz. These were the last cars to feel like a rolling bank vault. Modern Benzes are much more fragile and flashy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9814ihf0Hof4ftncxS5VRNuDzKMsN8yM-6k-TYxxGXseLjr0K3NqGIN1jnZfrkmTHZxubiueOdLYMCGfYiC6r8Dlgry2TQdaXHo1Ar5e542onecvKIqpGkn-tOz4WbCkpVjOOUtop5Vw/s1600/20140120+Mercedes+560+SEC+CS+0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9814ihf0Hof4ftncxS5VRNuDzKMsN8yM-6k-TYxxGXseLjr0K3NqGIN1jnZfrkmTHZxubiueOdLYMCGfYiC6r8Dlgry2TQdaXHo1Ar5e542onecvKIqpGkn-tOz4WbCkpVjOOUtop5Vw/s1600/20140120+Mercedes+560+SEC+CS+0009.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one was in incredible shape and wearing a recent issue license plate. Someone clearly bought this car from a fastidious owner. Hopefully this car came with a list of service records because maintaining one of these monolithic Mercedes requires deep pockets. Changing a water pump on one of these things is enough to make most driveway mechanics shudder. But when all systems are working, a 560 SEC is an executive grand touring car like no other.</span></div>
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Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-65526502967223561282014-01-23T13:00:00.000-07:002014-01-23T13:00:04.438-07:00The ICE Age Begins Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaBXCBE2tJkjtqXYN8yRWjuh7SGnF8-fA7oTesrd8CSJiS9eqRplTvFwq8Il4stnBQE9pO7oq_97I-UMCJ0Bf6Ozj46x1cbGGlWVy2It24FDBXCOkwTjItIktSbuvzi_vbjhMCoqSiHeJ/s1600/20140119+ICE+Cup+%231+CS+0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaBXCBE2tJkjtqXYN8yRWjuh7SGnF8-fA7oTesrd8CSJiS9eqRplTvFwq8Il4stnBQE9pO7oq_97I-UMCJ0Bf6Ozj46x1cbGGlWVy2It24FDBXCOkwTjItIktSbuvzi_vbjhMCoqSiHeJ/s1600/20140119+ICE+Cup+%231+CS+0253.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Ice racing is absolutely</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the coolest thing going on in Alberta in January. The single best thing about frigid Canadian winters is that many lakes freeze more than two feet thick; enough to support a car. We've covered two previous Calgary Sports Car Club ICE Cup events <a href="http://www.thelifemechanical.com/2013/01/race-on-sunday-write-on-monday-tlm-goes.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.thelifemechanical.com/2013/01/race-on-sunday-write-on-monday-tlm-goes.html" target="_blank">here</a>. This time we're at the first event of 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much like last year, the CSCC ICE Cup is a solo time-trial event set up on course marked with cones on a frozen lake. Classes are divided by drive type and whether or not your car is running studded tires. As per usual, there is a large Subaru turnout but anything (Except maybe an ice cream truck or a tractor) can run and there was a fair bit of diversity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This super clean and uber quirky VR6 engined Passat was certainly the weirdest car at the event. This one may or may not have been all wheel drive. With its signature VR6 warble and odd looks, this was TLM's favorite car of the weekend. Mid '90's VW enthusiast, whoever you are, we salute you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This straight six E30 BMW was a more "natural" choice for sliding around a frozen lake and it looked and sounded great while doing it. These are great cars for people looking start doing solo events in a rear wheel drive car. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Subayota twins are quickly becoming popular for these kinds of events. This stock Subaru BRZ was a head turner with white wheels (White wheels are ALWAYS the way to go) and turned in some decent times as well. These things look like fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was also lucky enough to have a chance in the passenger seat of Johnny Summers' Subaru WRX STI as he blasted around the track. Reaching speeds up to 100 km/hr on the winding ice course was as awesome as you think it would be. Summers would have the fastest time in his class by the end of the day.</span></div>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/sfjIunMlH_k/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/sfjIunMlH_k?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/sfjIunMlH_k?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SItting shotgun while he slid around the track was motivation for me to get <i>my</i> car working and race ready! I also managed to take a short video of a part of his run.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skiing aside, ice racing might be the single most fun winter activity you can do. As much as we groan about -20 degree days, they make events like this possible and that's fine by me. Enjoy the gallery below and we hope to see you out there next time! Stay sideways, my friends</span></div>
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Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-88155621185495950622014-01-16T14:00:00.000-07:002014-01-16T14:00:01.770-07:00Found in the Wild: The Zenith of Malaise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfVaHTqxiC-qjeO0aGLUQYVe9njHsuQYWIf5ieGEmzUWq7_Une3cE55ZwqUA9l895_GpmrbKAb_-CxOMwSV5IC64KMTJOyRkIRCvZSaimcMwnZHrCTmW0DjZCEsSi8D2QOUdpiMzLJrWl/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfVaHTqxiC-qjeO0aGLUQYVe9njHsuQYWIf5ieGEmzUWq7_Une3cE55ZwqUA9l895_GpmrbKAb_-CxOMwSV5IC64KMTJOyRkIRCvZSaimcMwnZHrCTmW0DjZCEsSi8D2QOUdpiMzLJrWl/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0010.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The muscle car era was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">defined by excess. Excess power to match outrageous graphics and a complete lack of sufficient brakes and suspension to keep the whole 425 horsepower mess pinned down. The Malaise era which followed the muscle car era was defined by excessive qualities too; though horsepower was not one of them. Welcome to 1979 and the absolute peak of malaisey goodness. Welcome to the Pontiac Parisienne Brougham Landau.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Malaise era lasted from 1974 to 1983 and 1979 was arguably it's <strike>malaiseyest</strike> peak year. Defined by generous helpings of fake luxury and overwrought neo-classical features, the Malaise era was one most car people would like to forget. But to hell with the naysayers because we've found the definitive Malaise chariot. If you look closely, every hallmark of the Malaise era can be found on this Pontiac if you look closely. The name even has brougham <i>and</i> landau in it! How luxurious does <i>that</i> sound?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8S7T61u2grOv-uTwXxJ9Dt0rKjVBfHBNbmM3U9VAOg474td4_W0Fxu_hyphenhyphenv0wiyhUOlXiOb-EfYClqSGkTApsfw4mcnicEnVHYUHQiZx-8qz0AlqFUW-5XtgDrUA0lyXe4Q5rPrajGmI5/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8S7T61u2grOv-uTwXxJ9Dt0rKjVBfHBNbmM3U9VAOg474td4_W0Fxu_hyphenhyphenv0wiyhUOlXiOb-EfYClqSGkTApsfw4mcnicEnVHYUHQiZx-8qz0AlqFUW-5XtgDrUA0lyXe4Q5rPrajGmI5/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0013.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A peek through the windshield reveals <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=61101882" target="_blank">button tufted velour</a> seats in a lovely shade of sandstone taupe. It's not fine Corinthian leather, but it will do nicely. These stack-o-pillows seats look a little silly but they're surprisingly durable and comfier than grandma's couch. Performance driving is for punk kids!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLS7eB7trVDgLPTxZhf1qpwZl8EDpAa_VsKAOk5gq8YSpMnSRq7k3c3RgALj79qRVaOaro7N5Mt38EMR3tWcYwldkrkl4Cfv443fw4PA52drnvVVnQQshuP1TfEI7oI971ViMcs2zKJ0IV/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLS7eB7trVDgLPTxZhf1qpwZl8EDpAa_VsKAOk5gq8YSpMnSRq7k3c3RgALj79qRVaOaro7N5Mt38EMR3tWcYwldkrkl4Cfv443fw4PA52drnvVVnQQshuP1TfEI7oI971ViMcs2zKJ0IV/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0009.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unsurprisingly, performance is not really the Parisienne's strong point as there's nothing but disappointment under that airplane runway length hood. Four engines were offered in the Parisienne ranging from 301 to 403 cubic inches and the most power the big 403 could muster was a feeble 185 horsepower. Acceleration with the 301 would be best described as lethargic. Bring a sundial to measure 0-60 times with that engine on board.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5GihcccJ8oiBwWYSW1mxaHU5twyU7YlZM8-kWtAJRrKczZHNMHV13ke3jebvsv4NgtZhj52nzvS8OYpeQwq3iX18tTktHknoHMq6C-vAKT-aeDyfDe3EAoS1O0z6MGMO_ppzsNAGmii-/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5GihcccJ8oiBwWYSW1mxaHU5twyU7YlZM8-kWtAJRrKczZHNMHV13ke3jebvsv4NgtZhj52nzvS8OYpeQwq3iX18tTktHknoHMq6C-vAKT-aeDyfDe3EAoS1O0z6MGMO_ppzsNAGmii-/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0004.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But acceleration was neither the point of these malaise cruisers. They were meant to swathe their occupants in boudoir-esque luxury and waft them to and from their home. The fact that this brougham is still commuting to work nearly 35 years later is a testament to the longevity of under-stressed drivetrains. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNnShrRk7dcvtslC8tzfQzySCEyE_24UtETbmZ9M8auSekk4EByPU3n1uUlvAFPL7S-ktQFTaLY3iF1pLkWK6kOisYiT0TZa9tiNoU9oHVzqXlLyTSOXJRkwEDRTGZfilvEqaG4fH-ZTn/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNnShrRk7dcvtslC8tzfQzySCEyE_24UtETbmZ9M8auSekk4EByPU3n1uUlvAFPL7S-ktQFTaLY3iF1pLkWK6kOisYiT0TZa9tiNoU9oHVzqXlLyTSOXJRkwEDRTGZfilvEqaG4fH-ZTn/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0015.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a world without front bench seats, it's hard for many to imagine the charm for a car like this. But malaise cars offer a relaxed driving experience like few other cars. And they can be bought cheaply, offer <strike>dorky</strike> cool vintage style parts are still pretty easy to find. If you want a unique winter beater, it's hard to go wrong with a malaise barge.</span></div>
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Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-10690304660232815992014-01-15T17:36:00.004-07:002014-01-15T17:36:33.656-07:00Found in the Wild: Almost Supernatural <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglML0WmgQ087FNp3f3VZd_qJdOl8dJ-GIv-q-jezrar-ps7dJ1x_wAfTI4p2LkwViNL_TnEvdF6UPuMp6h7HML53xDsVUoKPmrJdd3FwFVkP1-sNGHSfbvcIS_rKNFo9ijlm_g1j0GIlaP/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglML0WmgQ087FNp3f3VZd_qJdOl8dJ-GIv-q-jezrar-ps7dJ1x_wAfTI4p2LkwViNL_TnEvdF6UPuMp6h7HML53xDsVUoKPmrJdd3FwFVkP1-sNGHSfbvcIS_rKNFo9ijlm_g1j0GIlaP/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0019.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">As many of you already know,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the weather here in Calgary has been pretty nasty. This winter's arctic temperatures and record snowfall has kept most classics off the street. But not this one. Shining brightly among the hoards of dirty SUV's, this 1966 Chevrolet Caprice is a sight for sore eyes. (And frozen eyelids) And this one's got a big block.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sam and Dean Winchester from the Supernatural TV show drive a 1967 four door hardtop (No B pillar) full size Chevy. This one's a 1966 and has a very small chance of Hollywood stardom. I'm no stranger to 1966 Chevy full sizes as I owned <a href="http://www.thelifemechanical.com/2012/05/a-different-way-of-life.html" target="_blank">a very special one</a> a while ago. Loved that car.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0FBFsPmeKmvPQBdpv3s7QAV6ceRVakMa3aPf913KH7pWh-cLolbKSqfP627ARfQt3WWlpkhtysgvJn1y2R-LAzGLzxQWIbGif9gehvqhSP63bqAAU8M9JAfPvDfmK0GlqPEegyM5cPOE/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0FBFsPmeKmvPQBdpv3s7QAV6ceRVakMa3aPf913KH7pWh-cLolbKSqfP627ARfQt3WWlpkhtysgvJn1y2R-LAzGLzxQWIbGif9gehvqhSP63bqAAU8M9JAfPvDfmK0GlqPEegyM5cPOE/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0031.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Caprice was essentially a ritzier version of the Impala. Though they shared a common frame, body and drivetrain, Caprices had nicer interiors and most came with larger engines. This one is moved along by a big bad 396 cubic inch V8. No smog equipment here, just 325 horsepower of lazy big block. It also produced an earthmoving 410 lb/ft of torque. Weighing in at around 3,500 pounds, it isn't a rocket ship but that 396 can move it with authority.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAC-iv4LUlaxZVZtFFfgg3cpNI9W8Enr8gaRCvGxBBE411vErefoB_nWN05OWov5kk1KvLT4llu7XbsdqcwHwy224qKfQIEvpltgTGCI5nz9vtuSsNQGlrMal5t9oq9UXnG3trI9RUtXL/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAC-iv4LUlaxZVZtFFfgg3cpNI9W8Enr8gaRCvGxBBE411vErefoB_nWN05OWov5kk1KvLT4llu7XbsdqcwHwy224qKfQIEvpltgTGCI5nz9vtuSsNQGlrMal5t9oq9UXnG3trI9RUtXL/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0023.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Caprice was the most expensive Chevy sedan you could buy in 1966. If this wasn't enough luxury for you then you'd have to buy a Buick or an Oldsmobile. This baby blue bench seat looks a lot fancier than the one I had in my low-spec 1966 Impala. It just looks comfortable like no modern bucket seat can. Put your left hand on the wheel and your right hand around your girlfriend and cruise. These were the kind of seats that made fathers of daughters worry.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgCz7dsaF1Ko0km6CtXhNjT0ACvKQ9wENQGo4UK2f6q5Z1ehVKrZJt3c7efYmy-BFfBV6fbojAq_vo4Bf54RwAN4PuTdWg7KvMGM-OzTYY2TKC0EF_7goa2WB1-4hERzn2jE0uW_G5lm2/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgCz7dsaF1Ko0km6CtXhNjT0ACvKQ9wENQGo4UK2f6q5Z1ehVKrZJt3c7efYmy-BFfBV6fbojAq_vo4Bf54RwAN4PuTdWg7KvMGM-OzTYY2TKC0EF_7goa2WB1-4hERzn2jE0uW_G5lm2/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0029.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one's no cream puff but it's in decent shape for a vehicle of this age kept outdoors. Check out those swiss cheese "superleggera" rear quarter panels. It's hard to tell if the odd stance is caused by the uneven snow it's parked on or collapsed rear suspension. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUroDyI_0ynNcugnVwnKAOJuMbfHq14upte2qiqvPxx8Oo11DsKT5oKrmDYavzvi-EW-KtHuMgC1gVc1H64mCspreQAhCS63UFTJxoj-YvSZFsiPjPORFWc_DD6d9ks5G0CBHmIcKNphC/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUroDyI_0ynNcugnVwnKAOJuMbfHq14upte2qiqvPxx8Oo11DsKT5oKrmDYavzvi-EW-KtHuMgC1gVc1H64mCspreQAhCS63UFTJxoj-YvSZFsiPjPORFWc_DD6d9ks5G0CBHmIcKNphC/s1600/20140115+1966+Chevy+Caprice+CS+0022.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These cars were made when GM was at its absolute peak. America was a land of industrial might and confidence. These cars reflect that with their hewn-from-stone build quality and unapologetically sharp design. There are no cars like the Caprice made today so you'd be wise to pick one up. <a href="http://www.filmjackets.com/FILM_JACKETS/FERRISBUELLER/FerrisBueller-007.jpg" target="_blank">I highly recommend it if you have the means</a>.</span></div>
Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-48807268607465617302014-01-06T14:00:00.000-07:002014-01-06T14:00:00.729-07:00Fantasy Matchup: 1987 Buick GNX vs. 1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2012/07/1987BuickGNX_01_1500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://images.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2012/07/1987BuickGNX_01_1500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2010/02/1989-Nissan-Skyline-GT-R-BNR32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2010/02/1989-Nissan-Skyline-GT-R-BNR32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Turbos!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> They defined '80's performance cars and reshaped the way people thought about small displacement engines. Arguably kicked off by Porsche with its infamously lethal and creatively named 911 Turbo, turbos went from curiosity to serious horsepower in a very short time. Today we're comparing two very different and highly developed turbocharged cars of the same era, the 1987 Buick Regal <span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">GN</span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">X</span> and the 1989 Nissan (R32) Skyline <span style="color: #eeeeee;">GT</span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">-</span><span style="color: #990000;">R</span>. It's east meets west, pushrods meets camshafts in this ridiculous bench race to determine which late '80's turbo coupe is the meanest.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.motortrend.com/f/classic/wallpaper/1010_1987_buick_regal_grand_national_wallpaper_gallery/34248141+w1024+h768+st0/1987-buick-regal-grand-national-side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/classic/wallpaper/1010_1987_buick_regal_grand_national_wallpaper_gallery/34248141+w1024+h768+st0/1987-buick-regal-grand-national-side.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's start alphabetically with 'B' for Buick. Buick had been tinkering with turbocharging since the early '80's and by 1987 they had reached their peak. (More Buick turbo goodness can be found <a href="http://www.thelifemechanical.com/2013/02/found-in-wild-real-turbo-brick.html" target="_blank">here</a>) The rear-drive Regal platform was scheduled to be replaced with a front-drive one for 1988 and Buick wanted to send it out with a bang. Buick sent just 547 Regal Grand Nationals to McLaren (Yes, <a href="http://www.thesupercars.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/mclaren-f1-variations.jpg" target="_blank">that</a> McLaren) to be turned into fire breathing monsters. The sinister looking Regal received a special Garett T-3 turbo, larger intercooler, freer flowing exhaust, a revised transmission and host of suspension upgrades. It was one bad Buick.</span></div>
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<a href="http://image.motortrend.com/f/classic/wallpaper/1103_nissan_skyline_gt_r_wallpaper_gallery/30829070+w1600+h1200+st0/1989-skyline-GT-R-side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/classic/wallpaper/1103_nissan_skyline_gt_r_wallpaper_gallery/30829070+w1600+h1200+st0/1989-skyline-GT-R-side.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over in the Nissan camp, they wanted to go racing and do so with a technological tour de force. The 1989 Skyline GT-R was their creation. Built to annihilate the competition for Group A road racing it showcased every bit of go-fast engineering Nissan could muster. From top to bottom, the GT-R was a weapon. Power was sent through all four wheels via Nissan's nerdy and amazing ATTESA AWD system. All GT-R's were sold with five-speed manual transmissions. Bold fender flares were created to house the 10 inch wide tires on all corners and a rear wing was fitted to increase downforce and stability. But it was the engine that was <i>really</i> impressive.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.scorpiocars.net/images/Nissan/1989%20Nissan%20Skyline%20GT-R%20R32_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.scorpiocars.net/images/Nissan/1989%20Nissan%20Skyline%20GT-R%20R32_6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Displacing 2.6 liters with <i>two</i> T28 turbos to boost it, the GT-R's DOCH straight six was a beast in street or race trim. Factory rated at a laughably low 276 horsepower as per the Japanese car manufacturers "gentleman agreement," the GT-R's true output is believed to be around 310 horsepower. Like the GNX, these engines are very robust and with extensive modification they can exceed 1,000 horsepower. The GT-R was nicknamed godzilla after it's utter dominance of the Japanese Group A and Australian touring car race series'. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.motorsbros.com/images/Buick-Regal-GNX-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.motorsbros.com/images/Buick-Regal-GNX-04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The GNX <i>also</i> used turbocharging and had six cylinders but that's about where the similarities end. The GNX's 3.8 liter engine was a V6 and used a solitary turbo to produce a factory rated 275 horsepower. Most people with a brain and a calculator will realize that 275 horsepower does not move a 3,400 pound car to a sub five second 0-60 time. The true output is probably around 300 horsepower. Unlike the GT-R however, the GNX produces an earth moving 360 lb/ft of torque at just 3,000 rpm. It might be a powerhouse but it's no high winding mill. But how do these opposite ideologies of internal combustion translate into accelerating forward momentum?</span></div>
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<a href="http://image.motortrend.com/f/features/mt_hot_list/1112_15_nissans_that_get_an_enthusiasts_thumbs_up/34829897/1989-Nissan-Skyline-GT-R-R32-Interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/features/mt_hot_list/1112_15_nissans_that_get_an_enthusiasts_thumbs_up/34829897/1989-Nissan-Skyline-GT-R-R32-Interior.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's start with the Skyline. It carries 255 pounds less than the GNX, has an advanced all wheel drive system and a five-speed manual transmission. With both turbos spooling, the GT-R will hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and cross the 1/4 mile in 13.7 seconds. These times are still fast today and are remarkable for a late '80's car not built with straight line racing in mind. The GT-R is electronically limited to 112 miles per hour but with the limiter removed, speeds of over 140 mph are easily possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The GNX, on the other hand, was built for maximum acceleration and does so with ferocity. In just 4.7 seconds, the GNX rockets to 60 mph and it covers the 1/4 mile in 13.5 seconds. These cars were only sold with automatic transmissions so they could shift without losing boost. Top speed on the GNX is electronically limited to 124 mph but with the Regal's barn-door aerodynamics you'd have to be pretty brave to go beyond that. </span></div>
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<a href="http://automotiveviews.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/autowp-ru_buick_gnx_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://automotiveviews.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/autowp-ru_buick_gnx_13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the GNX's impressive straight line speed, it all falls apart when the going gets twisty. The GNX uses a stiffer suspension with thicker anti-roll bars and wider tires than the standard Regal. Though its .79 g of maximum grip is impressive, it's nowhere near as capable as the superhuman GT-R. It might be the best handling Regal ever made but that's sort of like being the tallest dwarf to ever live. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.autozine.org/Archive/Nissan/classic/Skyline_R32_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://www.autozine.org/Archive/Nissan/classic/Skyline_R32_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The GT-R, however, wooed reviewers and dominated racetracks with its handling. The Skyline is capable of an impressive .88 g of lateral grip. Praised as being one of very few AWD cars of the time that didn't "push" the front end around turns, the GT-R is a neutral handler and fairly easy to drive fast. It's manual transmission is certainly easier to manage around a road course than the GNX's automatic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://buickturboregal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/gnx-137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://buickturboregal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/gnx-137.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.carsmoveus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/justin_fox_GTR_badge_photo_by_mark_pakula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.carsmoveus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/justin_fox_GTR_badge_photo_by_mark_pakula.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In culmination, we have two highly developed turbo cars from the late '80's that excel in different aspects. The Buick is an old-school drag strip warrior that gets its speed from new-school technology. Alternatively, the GT-R is <i>almost</i> as quick as the GNX in a straight line and is also quite capable of going fast through the twisties.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaJ-LmOSUCSw8OT2WNnAhYWpdg4sejZ4cST2g2x7vj9V5ZMlM7zG1u7RKoMdGTuDElO15G4DKqBOyxU7kS4CCQApwIzLuRqVmXn0dQm-h8x95UOGkTafIp71WmZzbP13jsbu4OGEKAsb4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-05+at+1.25.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaJ-LmOSUCSw8OT2WNnAhYWpdg4sejZ4cST2g2x7vj9V5ZMlM7zG1u7RKoMdGTuDElO15G4DKqBOyxU7kS4CCQApwIzLuRqVmXn0dQm-h8x95UOGkTafIp71WmZzbP13jsbu4OGEKAsb4/s400/Screen+Shot+2014-01-05+at+1.25.33+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So which one would you choose? Which two cars should we compare next?</span></div>
Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-31077757126433831902014-01-03T18:04:00.002-07:002014-01-03T18:04:21.983-07:00Fantasy Matchup: 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS vs. 1978 Pontiac Trans Am<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sportscars.clubsportiva.com/uploaded_images/Ferrari-308-interior-708887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://sportscars.clubsportiva.com/uploaded_images/Ferrari-308-interior-708887.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://images112.fotki.com/v1185/photos/1/1154812/5685663/Pontiac1978TransAm_Set2_02-vi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://images112.fotki.com/v1185/photos/1/1154812/5685663/Pontiac1978TransAm_Set2_02-vi.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">1978 was a dark time</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for the performance automobile in North America. Real performance had given way to flashy stripes and vinyl tops, mandatory emissions equipment was suffocating engines and cars seemed to be getting heavier and more overwrought year by year. It's hard to believe now, in this era where 300 horsepower is common in a mid-price sedan that there was a time when hardly any cars made more than 200 horsepower. The Ferrari 308 and Pontiac Trans Am were two such cars that were plenty different but shared one large similarity. They were two of the best performance cars you could buy in 1978.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTFVLxirjyXYl2B7-Zlq0nY7eb63MiavSdRxB40fEXplfLdSDw6rDBaewk4wYf7mswNNxArcRtZnYOQ4LEDdAlbY4E79HwuBpVnLpx_oePlQVx1Lzf8BWodjv4lebJNhLXYRayNt-x8bv/s1600/1978+Ferrari+308+GTS+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTFVLxirjyXYl2B7-Zlq0nY7eb63MiavSdRxB40fEXplfLdSDw6rDBaewk4wYf7mswNNxArcRtZnYOQ4LEDdAlbY4E79HwuBpVnLpx_oePlQVx1Lzf8BWodjv4lebJNhLXYRayNt-x8bv/s400/1978+Ferrari+308+GTS+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Ferrari 308 (<b>3.0</b> liters, <b>8</b> cylinders) was introduced in 1975 as the "entry level" Ferrari. Sporting swoopy and scoopy styling by Pininfrina, the 308 was a bold car in the Ferrari tradition. Backing up all those big looks was a tiny 2.9 liter (I know, I know) DOHC V8 mounted transversely behind the seats. Breathing through four snorting and popping two-barrel carbs it made 240 horsepower at a yowling 6,600 rpm. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.motorera.com/firebird/1978/78transam5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://www.motorera.com/firebird/1978/78transam5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At first glance, it might seem like pitting a plow horse against a thoroughbred but the Trans Am was a force to be reckoned with in 1978. Soldiering on as the last bastion of true American performance, the '78 TA was once of the baddest muscle cars made since 1974. Bold, '6.6 LITRE' callouts signified that there was a heavy drinking 400 cubic inch V8 under the quivering "shaker" hood scoop. Higher compression, a meaner cam and extensive refining of the heads yielded 220 horsepower at a leisurely 4,500 rpm from the baby blue lump of iron. Now before you scoff, this is AMERICA dammit and that V8 put out a formidable 320 lb/ft of torque. So how do these cars line up in the real world?</span></div>
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<a href="http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1978_Ferrari_308_GTS_For_Sale_Engine_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1978_Ferrari_308_GTS_For_Sale_Engine_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does big displacement beat sophistication on the drag strip? Not quite, but considering the massive price gap between the two, it's fairly close. The Ferrari takes 6.6 seconds to reach 60 mph and can run the 1/4 mile in 15 seconds flat. The Pontiac is carrying an extra 495 pounds over the 308 and making do with 20 fewer horses, things don't look good for the Bandit. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg7nVU65HSsUzSrqHwGeG7gchLEA8JsFhwFlh3sqFuLoGTvRWnmJHbB-2kjop93-v60YH8UBrBGkWPmM5P8ow7rlLnFdwKgtRzl1znEh-B1CWFaWT9LRpPmXdVBwDye09QfFuASIVK5bt/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-03+at+4.18.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg7nVU65HSsUzSrqHwGeG7gchLEA8JsFhwFlh3sqFuLoGTvRWnmJHbB-2kjop93-v60YH8UBrBGkWPmM5P8ow7rlLnFdwKgtRzl1znEh-B1CWFaWT9LRpPmXdVBwDye09QfFuASIVK5bt/s400/Screen+Shot+2014-01-03+at+4.18.22+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But big torque at an accessible 2,800 rpm plays it's part and the Trans Am roars to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. In the quarter, it trails Ferrari by only two tenths of a second at 15.2 seconds. Top speed between these cars is a no contest as the Pontiac runs out of gearing at 123 mph while the Ferrari makes full use of its five-speed to achieve 150 mph. It's worth noting that top speed in the Trans Am was achieved 1,100 rpm <i>past</i> it's peak power rpm so who knows how fast a 6.6 liter Trans Am would go with longer gearing.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.collectorcarads.com/Picture3/78308GTS34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.collectorcarads.com/Picture3/78308GTS34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heading to the twisties in these two cars, things get interesting again. With such sterling heritage and a nearly 500 pound weight advantage over the TA, the 308 appears to have to have the upper hand. It certainly has the bones for success. The 308 uses a fully independent double wishbone set-up on each corner and the chassis is made of tubular steel. All this meets the road on 205 mm wide tires and contemporary reviews cite lateral acceleration in the range of .8 g. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.barrett-jackson.com/staging/carlist/items/Fullsize/Cars/157904/157904_Rear_3-4_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.barrett-jackson.com/staging/carlist/items/Fullsize/Cars/157904/157904_Rear_3-4_Web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The odds seem stacked against the Trans Am. The TA is based on a humble chassis and uses a <strike>stone age</strike> traditional live rear axle in the rear suspended by leaf springs. Despite many people's derogation of this setup, when ordered with the WS6 handling package, magazine reviewers raved about the car's balance and handling. Stiff springs and aggressive anti-roll bars were a part of the package and the Trans Am's signature "snowflake" wheels wore chunky 225 mm wide tires. All these upgrades culminated in an impressive .86 g of lateral acceleration. Take <i>that</i> Enzo!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.78ta.com/photo/mainimages/Hood10th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.78ta.com/photo/mainimages/Hood10th.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.ferrarichat.com/velostrada/Ferrari308GTS-badge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.ferrarichat.com/velostrada/Ferrari308GTS-badge2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So where does all that information leave us? Well the Ferrari is the faster car but not nearly as much as it's higher price would lead you to believe. In most performance metrics, the cars are very close. The 308 GTS and the Trans Am are two of the most iconic late '70's cars. Their build philosophies are polar opposites and yet they achieve the same goal; they both provide a well-rounded performance driving experience with real capabilities to back up their looks. And in 1978, that was a rare thing indeed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_0HfaP7hSJCfCc1b-14r-ffPwIYyyeYqZzS82VtEhsqAnXhcLK4lTKSzdDzKxcdG9DKcQhtbz9oWg1czhXKoIcJ12r4OYwdvOA97mF5vP9RGercQYAvrUFOqUDaQhqVb3UifIJLmA1RD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-03+at+3.39.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_0HfaP7hSJCfCc1b-14r-ffPwIYyyeYqZzS82VtEhsqAnXhcLK4lTKSzdDzKxcdG9DKcQhtbz9oWg1czhXKoIcJ12r4OYwdvOA97mF5vP9RGercQYAvrUFOqUDaQhqVb3UifIJLmA1RD/s400/Screen+Shot+2014-01-03+at+3.39.59+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So all that said, which one would <i>you</i> pick? And what two car should we compare next?</span></div>
Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-45005346476188314402013-12-21T17:03:00.002-07:002013-12-21T17:03:27.529-07:00Found on the Move: What's That in the Rearview Mirror?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8AtQCZlu47Gqp8a-LW9VQ_B65BT1G9g-Az1fb7XFF_CHeE6ckKFFxzo-T7ftwfolmYlSaUc9al_x2oLEeMS7uPit-8DroV3rQIoIMOPzD2SvMqERvgF_G1rMDpZinlCdeueMzVznQnqr/s1600/bugeye+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8AtQCZlu47Gqp8a-LW9VQ_B65BT1G9g-Az1fb7XFF_CHeE6ckKFFxzo-T7ftwfolmYlSaUc9al_x2oLEeMS7uPit-8DroV3rQIoIMOPzD2SvMqERvgF_G1rMDpZinlCdeueMzVznQnqr/s400/bugeye+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">There are very few places</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in North America where you can drive an open topped car with no side windows in late October. Giddings, Texas, between Houston and Austin, is definitely one of them. An eagle-eyed motorist caught a glimpse of this tiny red mystery car in his rearview mirror and took some pictures of it as it passed. But what car is it and why is it so happy to see you?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S3CGLUJh2c3FOPg7EJMptPgjV5cj9bqizGsAV2IW-MWwWy0NGXXuBLePAJL9nzH6ckvO-IgRv0_NLYAb5nWbhuQUNzt5Tqz8cE36Nf7sat75GMzr5CYbpk5cp1U_tDlUBWLavj3zCWFa/s1600/bugeye+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S3CGLUJh2c3FOPg7EJMptPgjV5cj9bqizGsAV2IW-MWwWy0NGXXuBLePAJL9nzH6ckvO-IgRv0_NLYAb5nWbhuQUNzt5Tqz8cE36Nf7sat75GMzr5CYbpk5cp1U_tDlUBWLavj3zCWFa/s400/bugeye+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bright red shrimpy sports car in question is a 1959 Austin Healey "bugeye" Sprite. Manufactured between 1958 and 1961, the jovial British roadster (a <i>true</i> roadster) is a real classic with a hugely devoted following. These cars left the factory powered by a 948 cc (58 cubic inch!) OHV inline four cylinder that popped out 43 horsepower at 5,200 RPM. Though due to most peoples strange desire to achieve highway speeds in under a minute, many have been upgraded with 1,275 cc mills. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj1sOVEQgmB0EBHHA2Vt6JThonW-woPjCH1je__Pj349dbH1lKFr1gLllxCo1acL0URTbITMSgUqUih2t8T-zHS_UNeg7_sTKWTJ2Amah83ijT51vDBctayjBNlbHgpebZfXTnIcxmIYu/s1600/BugeyeLF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj1sOVEQgmB0EBHHA2Vt6JThonW-woPjCH1je__Pj349dbH1lKFr1gLllxCo1acL0URTbITMSgUqUih2t8T-zHS_UNeg7_sTKWTJ2Amah83ijT51vDBctayjBNlbHgpebZfXTnIcxmIYu/s400/BugeyeLF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This photo shows a clearer view of the distinctive front end of the "bugeye." Not too hard to figure out how it earned its nickname. Despite lacking heaters, side windows and exterior door handles, the Sprite was underpinned by a fairly advanced chassis. In fact, the Sprite was the world's first mass-production unibody sports car.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsZwWZ2kOkxmQzoavhqVmYawzgqVxflWzk0zPNd_idaI349X3BMfaLxE6UX7cNeNOKky3RTcXjDaB9THKLPw2y0_WvX9e90onakKZBqYKD_54lMQkIcmA2yiWWxUq4VRlj4BTSVDB5MzW/s1600/bugeye+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsZwWZ2kOkxmQzoavhqVmYawzgqVxflWzk0zPNd_idaI349X3BMfaLxE6UX7cNeNOKky3RTcXjDaB9THKLPw2y0_WvX9e90onakKZBqYKD_54lMQkIcmA2yiWWxUq4VRlj4BTSVDB5MzW/s400/bugeye+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This gave the car <i>spritely</i> handling in addition to its affordable price and the Sprite became a grassroots favorite among American road racers. These cars are still raced in large numbers and still represent a great value in vintage sports cars. A tuned 948 cc engine can yield up to 70 horsepower and with only 1,460 pounds to pull around, we'll bet it's the most fun you could ever have with 70 horses.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgZTz5iFEI_413fdLRMkJGBxQEFES28SOArCwk3CjXmqrWDUTfdzlbpjdWdyaA46u0Y3Az7O6rGwitzm5nfR3tQUcS9euQqoRk49xccN_mKICSLXHb3QDZj_3yRVj3N78qHyYwDHVmxak/s1600/bugeye+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgZTz5iFEI_413fdLRMkJGBxQEFES28SOArCwk3CjXmqrWDUTfdzlbpjdWdyaA46u0Y3Az7O6rGwitzm5nfR3tQUcS9euQqoRk49xccN_mKICSLXHb3QDZj_3yRVj3N78qHyYwDHVmxak/s400/bugeye+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So whether you're in Texas or the Territories, it pays to drive vigilant because you never know what might pop up on the road right next to you. </span></div>
Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-64503645219328874382013-12-12T10:50:00.000-07:002013-12-12T10:50:19.357-07:00Why Gasoline Alley is Gearhead Heaven<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/81574105" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/81574105">Gasoline Alley - The Happiest Place in Calgary</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/thelifemechanical">The Life Mechanical</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We've visited Gasoline Alley before</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> quite a few times. We can't help it. Classic cars and trucks just have a gravitational pull on us! Have a look at our most recent video about Gasoline Alley and a few of the treasures inside it's neon lit halls.</span>Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8230016806125512545.post-85670572392229306682013-12-09T13:00:00.000-07:002013-12-09T13:00:03.944-07:00Found in Captivity: Bad Ideas Come in Small Packages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenzkXtoeYnxF86Wz0AghAbluDMw8UtcsqSZUZiO2rWBAh0Rzf62VsB4GTPNshAr2w6GBOFzuJlNJquZ32tDI0k1TMTwk1o1bgd4GT91zpGwtC6Ob4j6yOKQMWFCaSfAGIM-q-_uhDhXuy/s1600/20131206+Toyota+700+(Publica)+CS+0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenzkXtoeYnxF86Wz0AghAbluDMw8UtcsqSZUZiO2rWBAh0Rzf62VsB4GTPNshAr2w6GBOFzuJlNJquZ32tDI0k1TMTwk1o1bgd4GT91zpGwtC6Ob4j6yOKQMWFCaSfAGIM-q-_uhDhXuy/s400/20131206+Toyota+700+(Publica)+CS+0029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Japanese cars were still jokes</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in North America during the mid 1960's. They were funny little foreign cars with odd designs and feeble power outputs. Though reliable and frugal, they were, for the most part, ill suited for high speed North American roads and brutal mountain passes. Highway capable Japanese cars were still a few years off. It's odd to think that Toyota's now massive presence in Canada began with this frightened looking Ford Anglia wannabe.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_shlNpncxFEhNatfVfi5EQOqlvOFruzE7oyT5GkBujcQEzfjEAGzF0CLexMiyyh0SKpEsvj6Oe0ZTZduz8jlTXHofZWO8EVZsyX-u1WZEg2IbwKmDUZ7hqBdr15ozbLtcdY7VHL2m2S3Z/s1600/20131206+Toyota+700+(Publica)+CS+0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_shlNpncxFEhNatfVfi5EQOqlvOFruzE7oyT5GkBujcQEzfjEAGzF0CLexMiyyh0SKpEsvj6Oe0ZTZduz8jlTXHofZWO8EVZsyX-u1WZEg2IbwKmDUZ7hqBdr15ozbLtcdY7VHL2m2S3Z/s400/20131206+Toyota+700+(Publica)+CS+0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nestled in a little nook at Calgary's Heninger Toyota dealership (We're really on a roll with these Toyota dealerships) is today's refrigerator white 1965 Toyota 700. This car's 1965 build year coincides with Toyota's first year of importation to Canada. Toyota had been importing cars into the us since 1957. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYgdzeVDzu0qCaqoRPTxNGdUPUe9ibENGH1aU-hCz_TxfrkdQmE2b9jAo7Ifd2HS6Qf4svMgDdMaZb8C8qD8xypko0rgM_inFcBWysbHcampj5RKaRwHyar4aVfzw8hovOlXNP1YwRwEv/s1600/20131206+Toyota+700+(Publica)+CS+0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYgdzeVDzu0qCaqoRPTxNGdUPUe9ibENGH1aU-hCz_TxfrkdQmE2b9jAo7Ifd2HS6Qf4svMgDdMaZb8C8qD8xypko0rgM_inFcBWysbHcampj5RKaRwHyar4aVfzw8hovOlXNP1YwRwEv/s200/20131206+Toyota+700+(Publica)+CS+0027.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrwQC2Fd3MPam0abtLI3R7z9QqQDc5m13_U5ak6U1KI0u15nkmjnSKK2CDlJDsn3xFm4dY1AgeWymxFgxQ0C7_0CQVoG3vB8sKvS_yhUnHfgQlybp9pDUO1s_RMX6KJ9PO_3ahbbbMaIT/s1600/20131206+Toyota+700+(Publica)+CS+0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrwQC2Fd3MPam0abtLI3R7z9QqQDc5m13_U5ak6U1KI0u15nkmjnSKK2CDlJDsn3xFm4dY1AgeWymxFgxQ0C7_0CQVoG3vB8sKvS_yhUnHfgQlybp9pDUO1s_RMX6KJ9PO_3ahbbbMaIT/s200/20131206+Toyota+700+(Publica)+CS+0028.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 700 was so named for its 700 buzzing cubic centimeters that powered it. The 0.7 liter (43 cubic-inch) horizontally opposed two cylinder was air-cooled and produced a minuscule 35 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. Though it only weighed 1,300 pounds, this one's two popper is shackled to a power sapping 'Toyoglide' two-speed automatic. Zero to sixty times under 30 seconds were unattainable dreams. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The double digit power output coupled with the balky automatic meant that steep hills were a real threat to continuing forward mobility. There was also the <i>slight</i> issue of the air-cooled cars not having a heater. In Canada! Not surprisingly, the car was a hard sell and very few found buyers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This particular car was found in Kelowna and restored by the techs at the dealership in their spare time. A video with a more complete story can be found <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtdKAOiKrjQ">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though extremely rare, values for the 700 remain low. With horrible parts availability and limited highway capability, the inside of a showroom might be the best place for a restored 700. Though the car itself might not have been a commercial success, Toyota learned from the 700 and subsequent cars were better suited to North American driving. And for that reason, the Toyota 700 is a very important car indeed.</span></div>
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Clayton Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13377483610356176705noreply@blogger.com0