Duntov, of course! ... View more

The increasingly fragile electric grid in this country can barely sustain refrigerated air, and newsflash, windmills never generate as much energy as it takes to produce and erect them, and that's an engineering fact! Maybe they can blanket the left coast with solar panels and provide some shade at the same time in the next 15 years. Of course, with all the new and more inventive ways to play politics, this is the direct response to current Federal administrations clipping CARB's wings in the "States Rights" dictatorships that have evolved. And guess what, the people will decide how the future will unfold, even if it is a Mad Max movie. Next thing you know, they will decree old cars and trucks "gross polluters" and seek to ban them from the face of the planet!   ... View more

Although we've never met, I'm getting a simpatico vibe reading Jack's latest...well done!  ... View more

I had noticed this synthetic trend starting many years ago, especially the concerted effort to understate it, cowardly operators, they are! With nomenclature such as Nu Luxe, Alcantara and Sensor Tec, coupled with the carmakers diversion tactics like the perforation of vinyl for your heated and air conditioned thrones didn't fool me. I actually ordered a new 2002 BMW 325 I with leather as the only option; that wonderful aroma alone permeating the cabin was worth the price of admission, not to mention the breathability and durability of the material. Besides, who wants a drivers' car without leather, I don't know, but apparently there are people, vegan or whatever, who will forego such basic necessities...the same folks that are used to wearing synthetic shoes, belts and bags, I suppose. Truth be known, good old fashion cow hides would probably be less impactful than some of the CA Proposition 65 products in vehicles now! The leatherette singularity, indeed!!!        ... View more

I purchased a 1983 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe brand new after my also new 1983 Toyota Celica GTS was stolen off the street in NY. I paid about 12-13 thousand new, as I recall, after getting around 10 from insurance on the Toyota, which was a great car with 22RE 4 cylinder, 5 speed manual, nice seats and independent rear suspension.  The T-bird was a little bigger and pretty nice, too, despite the Turbo Pinto engine, heavier 5 speed and solid rear axle. The only problem I had with the Ford was the famous Ignition module breakdown/no start at 3 AM, along with two other different Fords with the same issue years later. I think, if I remember correctly, it was also one of the first to use  EFI by Ford, which had some problems with detonation on a previous Mustang design, and we take for granted now. I sold the car to a former co-worker in '88/'89 for less than half what I paid, but last I talked to the guy, the car had 200 thousand miles on it and was still going strong. Also, Ford marketing took full advantage of the aero tweaks that gained a competitive edge in NASCAR by Bill Elliott and others with the win on Sunday, sell on Monday mantra, in the tradition of US automakers...even Toyota got in on it now.      ... View more

My first personal experience with the rotary engine was in the 1971 Arctic Cat 303 Panther snowmobile, as mentioned, with engine made by Sachs, under license from Curtis Wright, I believe. Of course, these used 40 to 1 fuel/oil mix, and was only 20 h.p. rated, but the machine ran flawlessly for many winter seasons, albeit with about a gallon per hour fuel consumption, as I recall. Years later, my significant other bought a new 1986 Mazda RX7 with 5 speed manual, which I immediately drove to Key West from NY, and back, and she kept for a few years with no problems, as well.       ... View more

I had an '84 F150 4x4 with the twin traction beam front suspension, and that truck rode better than the '15 F150 I have now. Granted, it didn't have electric rack and pinion steering, but I never had any negative handling or durability problems.   ... View more