The old panther platform was one of FoMoCo's better ideas, despite it's faults, as evidenced by fleet durability, with body on frame construction, etc. I have a 17 year old town car with 160,000 miles that is decent shape for a daily driver instead of the F150 pickup truck, and it is perfect for the atrocious roads here in the northeast, will sail down the highway at a 100 all day long and still get 20 plus mpg. ... View more

Amen! ... View more

And a Plum Crazy redux, no less...the BMW color palate is off the charts lately. ... View more

When I was a boy about 8 or 9 my Mother took me to the NY Worlds Fair in 1964/65. One of the things I saw there was the new Mustang on display at the Ford pavilion. We went in and got into a red convertible with red interior, and I got to "drive" on the track that went through the tour, and of course I never forgot the experience. Perhaps it was youthful exuberance, but in fact that 5 minute "ride" made a lifelong impression and instilled a love of all things automotive. Fifty years later I was blessed to have had the means to finally fulfill my childhood dream of obtaining a first generation Ford Mustang Convertible, not the most desirable car in the world, but some small consolation for 50 years of hard work and a dream.       ... View more

Bravo, my brother, you are a man after my own heart... ... View more

You Sir, are a Doctor of philosophy, PHD or not. I've been blessed to have had quite a few bikes in my life, from Hondas to Harleys. After seeing the '13 CB while still riding a '75 CB750, I thought that could be my last scooter, and I let the old one go. Recently, I came across a used '13 CB1100 for reasonable money on Craig's List, and hooked up the trailer to go get it. I hadn't been on motorcycle in years, and upon arrival and after a short test ride, I decided against it. I still don't know exactly what precipitated my decision; was it riding position, was it the funky side stand action or was I just too old and beat up? Perhaps all of the above, or maybe I just want to count my blessings, now that I'm coming up on Medicare eligibility, but it had my name on it and I wanted it bad, except my aching ass and the metallic red paint shining in the sun just kept me from pulling the trigger...or maybe I'm just a Harley dude after all. That was the magic of the CB750, in my experience, you just can't beat the original, despite it's flaws or new technology, it's vintage, just like me, and to some extent that is what kept the HD Motor Company alive for 117 years, people come back for that old familiar connection, just like with Jack Baruth, honorary PHD! ... View more

I bought a brand new 3 series 20 years ago; a great car given the fact it lasted for 20 years and 200,000+ miles. I just saw the new M3 and now the new logo...these people have obviously lost it, and given the current slow motion trainwreck we are witnessing, I don't think it's ever coming back! ... View more

I owned a '77 Cutlass, it was a great car...I saw a new Escalade yesterday, in ruby red, lumbering around like the 3 ton too tall box that it is...ridiculous! Personally, I have been looking for a vehicle for a while, that, like Granddad, would be something that I could like, and the fact is I cannot like any of this junk with cameras on all corners, vibratory seats and steering, ADD recognition, etc. Far be it from me to assert what people want, but if inflation is running at 3-5 percent, we need 6-8 on a CD, like back in the '80's! Now that we are going third world, my buddy ordered a new Toyota Tundra, just in time for our microchip crisis; he's been waiting 12 weeks and now the factory is shut down for a month. He should get it just in time for 5 dollar a gallon gas, which is just what the sky is falling proponents are hoping for, to leverage you into the government mandated pod. Well, I'm gonna be 65 soon, giving myself over to the government health care, and I haven't had my shots yet, but I'm gonna drive my old man tan, stinkin' lincoln town car (it's got heated seats!) and V-8 Ford whatever, until I die. Like old Henry Ford said "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." ... View more

Amazing how a couple of those look like a tribute to Mr. Myers and the Manx...RIP ... View more

I just knew, in my small mind, that these electronics were going to be a double edged sword. Now that Edelbrock is shuttering it's original LA enterprise, I think it may be apropos to start hoarding small and big block Ford and Chevy V8 parts, such as intakes, long tube headers, blocks, heads, cams, carbs, distributors, valvetrains, etc., before the ten dollar a gallon juice and a Mad Max virtual reality manifests itself in the puppet clown show we got goin on....might want to grab a couple of blowers, too, for of posterity's sake ! ... View more

The NYPD and NY State Police had the police package Grand Fury or Diplomat painted the most horrendous high visibility colors you could ever find. The NYC cars had the old 225 slant 6 forever, not to mention no A/C, until Chrysler Corp. made the 318 V8 and air standard around '82. Then came the K cars, with turbos or without, not really meant for HD service, but that's another story. The NYSP cars had the standard factory AM radios removed with a block off plate "radio delete" for a while, until someone decided it was an extra cost option; they did have A/C though. Powered by the high output 318 V8, and with 200 lbs. of junk in the trunk (Motorola two-way radio, flares, emergency must haves) and non aero light bar, the top speed was just over 100 mph, which probably saved some lives in the long run. Of course, being unibody they were prone to being twisted driving through median ditches, and would not withstand what a body on frame car would, and still got wrecked, but you couldn't kill the drivetrain. My station had what had to be the last Dodge Diplomat in "school bus chrome (yellow) over ford emblem blue two tone" which was supposed to represent the blue and gold NY state colors. Finally, the dark blue with reflective gold tape stripe arrived, just before the transition to Chevy Caprice and Ford Crown Victoria police cars. I was one proud Trooper when we got a brand new unmarked "concealed identity" Dodge Diplomat in a nice metallic gold, and it was assigned to me. Even with a top speed of 105/6/7, maybe 108 downhill with a tailwind, being saddled with 3 speed automatic and 10 mpg average on high test, they were very durable vehicles at that time. ... View more

There's the answer; the government mandated pod, because you people are just doing too much driving around! When GM's Mary Barra announced the EV's were coming, all the mfg.'s ran to line up, as Jack pointed out, so we could achieve 50 mpg CAFE. I can barely even afford a 25 thousand dollar ICE Honda, never mind a 50 grand Tesla. Now that we're approaching third world status, I'm glad I'll be getting off this planet soon...beam me up, Scotty, before I become non-compliant! ... View more

Personally, if the choices are vinyl, leather or cloth, I would opt for cloth. However, the cloth option removed, anything less than leather in an average 40K vehicle is insulting, IMHO. Furthermore, I feel it necessary to scream from the nearest soapbox, why can't I find a vehicle with a decent seat, after over 100 years of automotive engineering? As recently as my '13 Honda Accord, I was a happy camper, but the lease was up, I let it go and have yet to find another as accommodating for my sorry ass. I have tried all versions of Toyota, Hyundai, Ford and Chevy and they all absolutely suck. It occurred to me while devoting all their R&D to engineering the dashboard douchebag with bedside attachment, the most basic of needs has been overlooked with manufacturers seeking the cheapest possible option, but it's got seat-side airbags! ... View more

Like Tim said, it's all about marketing, and of course SUV's taking over the world. Most people get into these to get out of cracker box cars and Mr. Mom minivans, thereby boosting self image in the Cul-de-sac. Even with AWD, probably 90% will never leave pavement, but it's better to have it and not need it...additionally, there are some nice models and personally, ease of access is one of the most appealing aspects of the SUV, along with elevated seating position, which promotes driver confidence like wheeling a Mack truck, summarizing my assessment on the decline of the sedan.  Also, Corp. avg. fuel economy (CAFE) is always a consideration, because most of the larger SUV's get much worse fuel economy than a conventional auto, hence, for 40 G's you can bolster your EGO and maybe get 25 mpg, too.   ... View more

One thing is for sure; those were the good old days! ... View more

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