Recent Comments:
Are Hypermilers a menace on the road? {Autoblog Green}
May 9th 2008 6:30PM Who cares what "hypermilers" do as long as they STAY OUT OF THE WAY!
Even though I am a fairly efficient driver, I do admit to "throwing revs" with my V8 when passing "appliance motorist" hybrid drivers who have been impeding the flow of traffic (usually on off-ramps because of either their lack of driving skill or the abysmal roadholding ability of their pizza-cutter-sized tires). It's also fun to do the Michael Schumacher "chop" move once clear of their slow-moving front bumpers and then blast away (knowing that their "greener-than-thou" sensibilities are likely offended. And I absolutely refuse to yield the slow lane for hybrid drivers who can't seem to figure out that freeway on-ramps are for ACCELERATION to merging speeds
Such disapprobation is worth the loss of one or two mpg per tank.
Ford Mustang GT500KR priced at $79,995 {Autoblog}
May 6th 2008 5:36PM Roughly $40,000 more for 40 horsepower and a few styling parts?
KR must now stand for "King of the Ripoffs!"
Apparently Ford and Shelby couldn't stand by and let the Ford Dealers alone rip off the customers.
Too bad FoMoCo can't build a cheap V8 performance car anymore.
For $80,000.00, customers should at least get an EcoBoost (or EcoBoost "twincharged"(http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/08/inside_vws_new_.html) DOHC V8 with EBS-style direct ethanol injection (http://www.ethanolboost.com), a John Coletti "SuperCooler" intercooler(http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/04detroit/0301_2004_ford_lightning/index.html http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/search?q=supercooler), variable cam lift and phasing on the intake and exhaust cams, a variable geometry intake manifold (not that lousy, no-runner power-loser that's stock on the GT500 which costs 70+ horsepower at certain engine speeds) and probably even a 50+kw parallel hybrid electric "booster" motor!
Too bad FoMoCo's just "phoning it in" these days.
'Eleanor' Mustang licenced to Classic Recreations {Autoblog}
Apr 1st 2008 11:57AM One wonders how long it will be until more lawsuits break out.
Until then, what is a "checkbook gearhead" with an undying passion for a clone of the 1967 "Eleanor" (R) Mustang (R) from the 2000 remake of "Gone in Sixty Seconds"(R) and a spare $140,000.00 burning a hole in the pocket of his (or her) designer jeans to do?
http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2008/04/eleanor-r-without-shelby-r-what-is.html
Unique Performance auction hauls in $1 million+, not enough {Autoblog}
Apr 1st 2008 11:48AM Unique is gone (along with a lot of customer deposits) but all is apparently not lost.
What is a "checkbook gearhead" with an undying passion for a clone of the 1967 "Eleanor" (R) Mustang (R) from the 2000 remake of "Gone in Sixty Seconds"(R) and a spare $140,000.00 burning a hole in the pocket of his (or her) designer jeans to do?
Denise Halicki and Oklahoma's Classic Recreations, L.L.C. apparently have the answerL an "official" "Gone in 60 Seconds" "Eleanor."
See http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2008/04/eleanor-r-without-shelby-r-what-is.html
"Eleanors" without Shelby? More lawsuits to follow? It'll take longer than "60 seconds" to unravel this one.
Classic Detroit iron outpaces Dow Jones and the S&P 500 {Autoblog}
Mar 28th 2008 6:41PM There is certainly a "boom and bust" cycle to the muscle car market. But the prices never fall to as low as they once were.
And the price trends for desirable performance and muscle cars will skyrocket as the clamp-down in Corporate Average Fuel Economy bloats the price and cuts the performance of new cars. Already, high prices are causing many to miss out on the "Second Supercar Era." http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2007/04/missing-second-supercar-era-its-old.html
Peterbilt builds electric and hydraulic hybrids {Autoblog Green}
Mar 28th 2008 6:22PM These kind of heavy hybrids make a lot more sense than forcing ordinary ordinary citizens who need light trucks, vans, SUVs and large sedans into tiny, low-performance, safety-compromised "phone booth" cars.
Which is exactly what Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama want to do. http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2008/02/obama-incredible-liteness-of-being.html
According to Obama's campaign website, "Obama will double fuel economy standards within 18 years."
Apparently, that means that he supports an increase in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standard from the recently-enacted 35 miles per gallon to SEVENTY miles per gallon! (Even if Obama merely wanted to "double" the old CAFE standard, he'd be imposing by big government mandate a FIFTY-SIX miles per gallon average on all light vehicles sold in the United States of America)
Such radical fuel economy proposals would plunge the world of high-performance and sports cars into an age of banishment far worse than the "dark ages" of the 1970s. (http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2007/04/epa-hack-back-to-dismal-70s-again.html)
A tiny three-cylinder turbo diesel would be the "Shelby GT 500" or "Dodge Viper" "musclecar" of the Obama age of government-controlled motoring.
Hillary's announced anti-automotive freedom plans are no better that Barack Obama's for motoring enthusiasts.
Like Obama, Hillary also wants to cut "greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050."
Moreover, "Hillary would increase fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, but would help automakers retool their production facilities through $20 billion in 'Green Vehicle Bonds.'"
One suspects that a "Green Vehicle" handout would not include retooling for big-block V8 crate engines . . . .
Unique Performance auction hauls in $1 million+, not enough {Autoblog}
Mar 28th 2008 6:05PM How much of the auction take went to the defrauded customers who paid huge deposits for a Shelby-licensed Shelby Mustang?
http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2008/02/another-black-eye-for-shelby-autoblog.html
Sadly, the Shelby legacy is quickly becoming one of ripping off the customers. Whether it's the sordid Unique Performance saga, or the insane dealer gouging on the Shelby GT500, or the poor "bang-for-the-buck of the wholly underwhelming "Shelby GT" Mustang (http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2006/08/shelby-gt-dull-knife-in-gunfight.html), the "Shelby" brand is becoming synonymous overpriced disappointment.
Too bad Carroll Shelby apparently is unwilling to "stand behind his name" by doing the right thing.
Chevy Camaro accessory photos drip online {Autoblog}
Mar 28th 2008 10:38AM Apparently we really are going to repeat the 1970s again: e.g. cut the horsepower and pump up the wild graphics and plastic add-ons.
http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2007/04/epa-hack-back-to-dismal-70s-again.html
Can a return of the "Heavy Chevy" be too far behind?http://www.phoenixgraphix.com/gm/7172hc.htm
The ham-fisted add-ons in the photo don't hold a candle to the ones common in the "pop art" era (1968-1971) of muscle cars.
Sadly, the current designers don't have the deft touch of a Larry Shinoda in his prime. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Shinoda
But the reality of modern marketing is that there's a lot of money in selling "tuner" accessories, so who can really blame GM from cashing in.
Believe Speedzzter, the aftermarket will produce even tackier stuff.
BMW considering cutting the cylinder count on M-models? {Autoblog}
Mar 28th 2008 10:22AM This is a mistake.
BMW's M division could build a high-reving, pocket-sized twin-turbo (or "twincharged") GDI four-valve V8 (with electric accessory drives, a "6 x 2" overdrive transmission, a mild hybrid "engine stop" system, cylinder deactivation, "on-boost" auxillary alcohol fueling (perhaps combined with water injection), variable valve lift and timing, variable geometry "ram tuned" intake manifold," two-stage intercooling (i.e. the Coletti "SuperCooler" system), and a multi-program ECU with a big "power volume" knob) and obtain decent mileage and weight. The V8 configuration will always have the potential for more valve area and RPM than similarly-sized fours and sixes.
http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2008/03/is-v8-dead-under-35-m.html
Detroit News columnist Rex Roy: "Irrational greenies, hands off my V-8" {Autoblog Green}
Mar 28th 2008 10:10AM GenWaylaid, Das Boese and Shipey are correct.
V8s may become smaller and more exclusive, but they aren't going away. Europe has had $5-7/gallon gasoline for decades, yet several engines in excess of six cylinders are still offered.
Notwithstanding CAFE, V8s will disappear when the market for them is gone. But ordinary "Joe-six-packs" can probably kiss their chance at a cheap V8 goodby. However, exclusivity will only increase the mystique of V8 power.
http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2008/03/is-v8-dead-under-35-m.html
OEMs could obtain reasonable mileage with a twin-turbo (or "twincharged") GDI four-valve V8 (with electric accessory drives, a "6 x 2" overdrive transmission, a mild hybrid "engine stop" system, cylinder deactivation, "on-boost" auxillary alcohol fueling (perhaps combined with water injection), variable valve lift and timing, variable geometry "ram tuned" intake manifold," two-stage intercooling (i.e. the Coletti "SuperCooler" system), and a multi-program ECU with a big "power volume" knob).
Of course, some turbo-diesels will also still be offered as V8s.
Given the psychological appeal and strong tradition of the V8, and the hypercompetitive world automobile market, the rumors of its death are greatly exaggerated.
