Making funnels from the quart-size bottles might not always work, if the bottle's neck is too wide for the oil-fill opening.  If that's the case, try empty dish detergent or shampoo bottles. Empty spray-cleaner ones too.  ... View more

License-plate frame seen at a Jaguar meet — "Ah, but when it RUNS".  Seriously.  ... View more

Pepperalls: excellent suggestions! I would also mention the backs of photos of a certain era... they might have the name of the developing lab/studio, where a Google search might yield info on the time-period.  ... View more

Hi Thomas; great article and fantastic photos!  I had a '57 Sedan de Ville that had 33K miles when I bought it in 1983, and 39K when I sold it in 2004. Of course the fins weren't comparable to the 1959s, but were still impressive.  Just a couple of "catches", though... You write "Most Eldorados from the Fifties were seldom seen in the Fifties"... I'd claim that they were much less-seen as time went on.   Also — I've never seen a vinyl roof covering on any Cadillac from that time. I could easily be wrong.  ... View more

Buick, founded in 1899, and next, becoming GM’s first marque; it’s hard to imagine Lexus having “a thirty-year head start on marketing.” Buick had a 90-year head-start in its very existence.   Good post, though. ... View more

Amen, and well-said!  ... View more

You'd already own the local PD. Joking!  ... View more

Sorry, but I didn't notice any miss-spellings, and Grace's use of hyphenation appears as good as your own.  ... View more

Somehow, nearly all of these cars resemble “Star Wars-meets-Stealth Fighter” in their stylings. To me, at least… you know, the eye of the beholder thing. Performance-wise, well — they’re called supercars, and I’ll readily confess to being in the majority of the ignorami when it comes to personal experience with anything coming close to them.   The Spyker, however, lives in its own realm. Its styling is far apart from the others, (maybe even behind, in that “best way possible”.). It simply says “Class”, in the way that the most attractive and classic British and Italian GT and SportsCars did, and still do.   That said, if some generous, but choice-limiting Genie were to make me an offer of any of them; it’d be one I couldn’t refuse. ... View more

It's now 12:24 PM... GO!  ... View more

I'd say it was most fortunate that it was you who found the "toys".  Now; the watch...  ... View more

So you think that Honda is doomed?!?  Because of one engine?  It sounds like you have a political axe to grind, and thought this was an opportunity.  It isn't.  ... View more

Great article, Andrew!  However, you didn't mention the thing that was most obvious to anyone entering the car(s) for the first time — a totally flat floor; no hump/tunnel.  It's always been my understanding that in the GM hierarchy, you don't try something brand-new in a Cadillac, (except a starter motor, way back then—another story.) Buick, being too high up as well, didn't get "messed with". So Oldsmobile was the recipient of new technologies, in order to see how reliable they'd be. I remember initial reviews of the Toronado mentioning that, because of the very long hood, cresting a hill was an exercise in trust, since you "couldn't see until you got there".   ... View more

Hi Zephyr; loved your post, but...  I'm pretty sure that the '67 model had neither rear windows or sunroof.  ... View more

Nah... Pizza is more certain to be used, in a timely fashion.  ... View more

Another fine (and needed) article, Kyle. I didn't watch the videos, perhaps luckily? The comments had a few further "definitions", but I won't contribute, as I'm no expert. You did provide both excellent and easy-to-understand descriptions of the terms and their effects. Thanks. ... View more

I don't know what your price range, or desired vintage is, but the Lexus SC 430 might fit the bill. They range from 2001 - 2010, and are still "affordable". They boast pretty decent performance from a flawless V8, and all have retractable hardtops.  ... View more

To me, it seems the problem was that it either wasn't affordable and sporty enough, (a la Mazda's Miata,) or opulent and powerful enough, (the later Cadillac XLR.)  Styling-wise, it looks like a bland Toyota Supra.    My absolute favorite Buick convertible will always be the first-year, 1953 Skylark.  It only lasted one year in that form. Check it out. It sort of resembles an MG-flavored roadster on steroids.    Great article, by the way.  ... View more

Phillip, first off, my compliments on the EXCELLENT photography — I’m a former pro myself.   Another idea for keeping that “patch” of tape handy, would be to apply it to a piece of wax-paper, making it easy to use; and then using either a rubber band or a very small piece of tape to keep it wrapped around the wrench, (or whatever you want.) ... View more

Duplicate post... sorry. ... View more

SUPERB work Bart, and incredible dedication.  You're a true inspiration!  ... View more

A bit harsh, don't you think? At least they didn't write:  "clearly show(s) that the editor of this publication(s - no “s”- not plural.) ... View more

Love the design of the Spyker — the interior reminds me of my parent's dinette set, circa 1957.  Owning one of these? The Z06 Corvette seems the most sensible one.  ... View more

Ditch the FIAT and get another old Civic... You'll be glad you did  ... View more

Hi Jack;    With nearly every new article, I find myself struggling to find the subject of it. You’re certainly possessed of a certain style, and it’s served in maintaining your reader-base.   Today’s article, purportedly about Toyota Camrys, quickly diverged towards Dodge Chargers; a comparison/connection that's tenuous, at best.    Your columns fall under the the category of “Advice”, yet hardly any that’s useful is actually given.  I’m sorry to sound somewhat harsh here, but to me, it appears that you’re playing to an extremely limited base.  I wish I were in there.    ... View more

So… Don Corleone’s people should have picked Jack Woltz’s car?!?  ... View more

  James;  a superbly written article — ALL the salient points are well-considered and presented.    Readers should save, and even print this out whenever they, like you AND me, get an Anglo-itch for Brit-MotorMetal. Yeah, I know; they’re so damned alluring.   An acquaintance of mine was a collector/restorer of Jaguar E-Types, back in the 1980s. He told me that, at a collector-meet, one license-plate frame stood out — it read “Ah, But When It Runs”. There was also much venting of radiators and much borrowing of jumper-cables that day.   THAT should serve as a personal warning of “Caveat Emptor” in ANYTHING, really; where some part other than your brain, are allowed to assist in decision-making. ... View more

As a former professional photographer, I have three pieces of advice...    The first, which SHOULD be obvious, is to hold the camera HORIZONTALLY.  Cars are neither people or five-story buildings. Look at the car ads on Craigslist and see how common this mistake is.    Second, lens focal-length DOES make a difference. Wide-angle can distort perspective while longer lenses can flatten it, (a GOOD thing for most exterior shots.) Wide-angle lenses are most useful for car interiors and engines.    Finally, a cloudy, overcast day gives the BEST, most even and soft lighting.  Just try to keep the sky itself out of the picture, (have a background of trees, an attractive building, etc.)    P.S.- DIGITAL zooming lowers resolution; OPTICAL does not.  ... View more

Right-on! I have a '92 SC400 with 130K miles, and it's silky smooth.  The original paint and interior are also in great shape.  Now if only they'd got those window regulators to last beyond 27-28 years!  ... View more

What? No mention of Lexus (LS400 or SC400) beating the lederhosen off nearly  all of  Deutschland 's aristocracy?  Then there's the incredible Toyota Supra Mk 4.    Sure, I'd like a Ferrari, but "having a favourite" should also include having even a remote possibility of "having" it.  ... View more