Recent Comments:
Neil Young goes for a test ride in his new 1959 Lincoln electric hybrid, almost crashes. {Autoblog Green}
Jun 3rd 2008 10:30AM In 1959, Continental was a separate make, and was briefly even a separate division in Ford Motor Company until 1958. Lincoln had two models in 1959: the Capri and the Premiere. The Continental was a separate make, and in 1959 it was simply the Continental Mark IV. Not Lincoln Contintental. The two names were not used together until 1961.
The Town Car and Formal Sedan in 1959 were specially modified Continentals with padded roofs with thick "C" pillars to be used as limousines. One had a division window, one did not. Less than 100 were made in 1959 and 1960.
Rare 1957 Chrysler Diablo Concept up for auction {Autoblog}
May 18th 2008 4:42PM This car started life as the Dart. It had a hard roof that slid into the trunk and had much taller rear fins. Pics can be seen here:
http://www.autoweteran.gower.pl/concept/1956_Dodge_Dart.jpg
The retractable roof was removed, convertible top installed and the fins were lowered for the next showcar season.
2008 Harley-Davidson Edition Ford F-Series {Autoblog}
Sep 27th 2007 10:24AM It kills me that Ford's best looking, most interesting interiors are reserved for trucks!! And in the best colors, too. - the dark saddle color in the King Ranch and the copper in the Harley.
Sedan interiors get either mouse grey or mouse beige - in your choice of synthetic rat fur or hide upholstery. Y-a-aw-w-nn. How about some intersting colors and imaginative upholstery design for sedans!!
And excuse me, but where is the full white or ivory interior for the Mustang convertible? I guess the Detroit designers forget that the sun beats mercilessly all year round in Florida and southern CA, and black or the other available dark color interiors becomes an oven.
Love the interior in this truck, glad Ford has the ability to create something really stylish. But why not also aim your efforts at the car interiors, too!
RETRACTED - Lincoln MKS to get a V8 after all! {Autoblog}
Nov 7th 2006 4:53PM Now if only they could do something about the terrible Acura rip-off styling. (And who would pick Acura as a styling inspiration anyway?!!)
Of course, they should ditch this car altogether, or make it the entry-level model and cancel the Zephyr. Ford should really be focusing on a proper RWD chassis to replace the Town Car, not re-skinning a Volvo for some alphabet soup blandmobile. Something truly modern, contemporary, and cutting edge that will set Lincoln apart from the competition like the 1961 Continental did - with a serious luxury and technology load. Lots of good V8's already available to go into that one.
Official Viewing: Dodge Avenger {Autoblog}
Sep 20th 2006 12:06PM After the breathtakingly ugly Sebring (which makes the
current one look like a sleek Ferrari sedan in comparison), I was amazed Dodge could take the same platform - with its awkward ungainly proportions - and
actually make a handsome sedan out of it. Good to know the factory won't be sitting idle. The product mix will likely end up being 90% Avenger - 10% Sebring!
As far as resembling the Charger, I think it is an excellent idea. No one complains that a Mercedes C-Class sedan looks like a miniature S-Class. I think there is great wisdom going to a shared family resemblance for all models to build a brand identity.
Engine management and emission controls (Part 1) {Autoblog}
Apr 24th 2006 4:19PM Nice Roadmaster! I have a wagon in the same Dark Cherry with Dark Red interior. Most reliable car I've ever owned, with 200K miles. Having the Trailer Towing equipment with all the HD upgrades no doubt helped. (I don't tow a trailer.) This particular model is great for on-board diagnostics because pushing a couple of buttons on the HVAC contol panel will display all diagnostic codes - if any are present. Plus, it will give a digital readouts on speed, rpms, and engine temp. Gotta love computers!
Geneva Motor Show: Volvo S80 Executive reaches new level of luxury {Autoblog}
Feb 28th 2006 10:48AM Yawn.
For the likely $50K+ price tag for this thing, I could have my choice of dozens of more interesting, better looking cars. My experience with Volvos is that they reek of tedium, and are crude agricultural appliances when it comes to the driving experience. This one just seems to amplify all that.
No oil pump? An engine case that rotates?? Gas or diesel??? Now that's a Duesy! {Autoblog}
Feb 2nd 2006 2:25PM Not again?!! How many half-baked Duesenberg revivals have there been? If they are going to price it in Phantom territory they ought to create make something that rivals or exceeds the Phantom in imposing style and presense. (Something Duesenbergs routinely did in the 30's) Funny how the only serious Duesenberg revival attempt (1966 - a true coachbuilt body on the industry's most solid chassis) so closely resembles the current Phantom in general theme.
http://tinyurl.com/d7ljb
I think they were on the right track with that one.
Alas, the Imperial chassis ceased production the next year in 1967, and there was not enough money left to completely re-tool for a new chassis. This is not 1966. Selecting a new chassis would be pennies compared to the immense costs of way too many government standards that must be met today. I would re-examine the idea of producing a 2 seat coupe - a body style with a VERY limited market at that price point. Better to go with a Bentley GT-type 4 seater or a large elegant sport sedan.
Regardless, the only thing this revival will have going for it will be the new engine. If that doesn't pan out and it ends up using a MB V12, then the whole Duesenberg revival will end up being nothing more than a customized Mercedes, a la Fisker.
I wish them well.
Lexus LS less than the lap of luxury? {Autoblog}
Feb 1st 2006 10:55AM A Lexus LS430 is a luxury car for people who don't like cars. It's for people whose primary motoring concern is toaster-like reliability (and excitement) in the driving experience. They want a roomy, quiet,
nicely decorated cocoon that will deliver them to their destination with a minumum of fuss. A Toyota Avalon would accomplish the same goal, but they buy a Lexus rather than a Toyota because they don't want to feel completely outclassed in the country club parking lot by their friends' Germans and Jags .
On a personal note, I could never own a Japanese car. They stink. I mean, literally. Just like all Jaguars have a wonderful distinctive smell inside, Japanese cars are the opposite. Put me into a car blindfolded and I can immediately tell you it is Japanese by the smell. From Civics to LS430's, they all have the exact same overwhelming Japanese petro-chemical stench, only varying in degree. Gives me a headache in
about 5 minutes. Can't enjoy a car much, regardless of its virtues, if it gives olfactory offense. Anyone else ever notice this?
Lexus LS less than the lap of luxury? {Autoblog}
Feb 1st 2006 10:13AM A Lexus LS430 is a luxury car for people who don't like cars. It's for people whose primary motoring concern is toaster-like reliability (and excitement) in the driving experience. They want a roomy, quiet, nicely decorated cocoon that will deliver them to their destination with a minumum of fuss. They buy a Lexus rather than a Toyota because they don't want to feel completely outclassed in the country club parking lot by their friends' Germans and Jags .
On a personal note, I could never own a Japanese car.
They stink. I mean, literally. Just like all Jaguars have a wonderful distinctive smell inside, Japanese cars are the opposite. Put me into a car blindfolded and I can immediately tell you it is Japanese by the smell. From Civics to LS430's, they all have the exact same Japanese petro-chemical stench, only varying in degree. Gives me a headache in about 5 minutes. Can't enjoy a car much, regardless of its virtues, if it gives olfactory offense. Anyone else ever notice this?
