Nice piece, and a nice finish as we see the Tii coming home with an unrusty visage.   I knew not about "Proving Ground."  Based on the Nick Lowery fashions (obscure "Antiques Roadshow" allusion) that Sam is sporting (?) in the photo, I may need time to prepare myself mentally and spiritually.  My first thought:  the man has got to support a family.  My second thought:  after that questionable wardrobing, his marriage may be in trouble, as possibly evidenced by the fact that his wife doesn't appear to mind if fashion forward Sam disappears for a day here and a day there so he can motor around the Smokies and reflect on why he's not the man he used to be.  Third thought:  I will watch the show; there will be some measure of redemption, right?  [Five-year-old-daughter:  "I think it's the best show since Peewee' s Playhouse."] ... View more

I won't pass up the chance to say that I prefer this grille to that of the Competition. ... View more

Dazzled as always by the honeyed words of Samuel Smith, I looked further at MotoGP and found it to be European, with one side trip on the 2021 schedule to Qatar.  For me, posted in Central Time, that's a six to nine hour time difference.  I assume that the channels or services that air the races are offering recorded versions in the States, which is a small disappointment.  Still, in any form it would be an improvement over what we have now, which is hokey dirt-track stuff.  I'm going to ride with Sam, and give it a look.  I think there's a major race coming up.  I hope there are frequent lead changes. ... View more

First, thanks for referring to Mr. Cumberford. I've been trying to remember his name since I first read a piece by Sajeev.  (I miss Jean Jennings, btw.  Special person.)   Second, my first impression of the M4 nose was biased to the negative by the fact that the photo of a grey, non-camouflaged version was taken from an angle that exaggerated the size of the front end.  The photos accompanying this piece have a normal perspective, and the nose looks less like something from a "Sharknado" movie poster.  Even so, any attempt I might make to be fair about any design detail on the prototype is thwarted by the effect of the noxious paint color.  I wish I could see it in black, or in white.     Here we are again:  "De gustibus non disputandem est."  Unless, as another person mentioned here, the subject is the Lexus "spindle," which is an Aztec-class abomination. ... View more

I've always heard this from my elders, that the most important thing in life as you get older is having friends.  Now I'm older myself, much older, and I know it to be oh so true.  Sam is a fortunate man.    One other thing:  Who is the femme in Photo #5?  Mrs. Sam? ... View more

I agree with driverdude98, especially when the issue is manual transmissions, but the slender design budget is too evident.  Big "mouths" aside, what is the deal with the headlights?  I know, "De gustibus, etc."  I'll be watching for the retail version of the Proto Z,  but I expect I will continue to hang on to my 2014 Focus ST for dear life.   ... View more

Officer:  "Ok, sir, put the ice cream down and step back." SS:  "Too late, copper, I've already eaten four spoons full." SS brandishes spoon. Officer: "Weapon!! Take him down!!" Blaze of gunfire.  SS slumps to the floor.  Blood and melted ice cream slowly flow together. Bystander:  "I hear he was a stand-up guy, but ice cream will do that to a person." ... View more

I feel like I just walked out of a Saturday matinee serial, the cliffhanger image etched in my brain.  How in God's name is he going to deal with the rust on the trunk lid?   ... View more

There is no arguing about tastes, but I do see several elements of beauty in the body work.  For me, the whole is not greater, etc.  We had a 1984 240 that took on a kind of beauty for me, but it also broke down a lot.  I have an irregular heartbeat, and I swear that it resulted from "Volvo breakdown anxiety."  ... View more

I'm glad you still have your father; otherwise, no words.  ... View more

Well, Mister Sam, you're tuned to the zeitgeist as always.  My zeitgeist anyway.  As a known introvert, the first months of "shelter in place" were fairly easy for me, but lately I'm feeling more and more like a prisoner.  I've gone to using words like "malaise" when I'm having conversations with myself.  What you've just written here, as you tried to find yourself by losing yourself, or at least tried to open pathways to such a reunion, resonates strongly.  It's not the happy music this time, but it has the value of creating a bond with your readers at a time when bonds with others are effing hard to come by.     So I'm about to head out and enjoy shifting gears and accelerating into the apices.  See you on the road, my friend.  It may not keep me clean and free, but I hope at least that I don't wind up in Ohio.  Watch out for the federales; they are not always kind. ... View more

Late 50s at the local drag strip on a Sunday afternoon.  This cat (precursor to "dude") pulls into starting position in a '58 Chevy, dechromed and painted matte black, with Lakes pipes and cut-outs initiated.  It made a lovely sound going off down the strip, but what I remember best was the sound of the idle.  It seemed to be idling in slomo, with the pistons firing one at a time, a second apart.  It was a rough beast.  It slouched up to the gate. I wanted nothing more than to have it for myself.  To paraphrase Scott Fitzgerald, everything I have done since then, no matter how fulfilling, has been "a poor substitute at best."    Thanks for "Stuff is happening on the rock."  Would it be ok if I substituted something stronger for "stuff"?  I was thinking that that was what Frank did. ... View more

I remember your fine piece when R&T named the Veloster N the PCOTY.  It was on the bittersweet side, given changing automotive times, but it surpassed anything I've read in framing the deep truth that "performance" metrics are finally intangible.  I love reading about McLarens and Porsches, but I am not rich nor care to be.  Enough is as good as a feast.  I dearly love my 2014 Ford Focus ST, and never get tired of driving it.  I've scoped out the Veloster N, and it promises to be the only car I would consider as a replacement for my ST, but as St. Augustine put it, "Not yet, Lord, not yet." ... View more

I'm sure a lot of folks followed Mr. Sam to Hagerty, as someone has already commented.  He's the genius of not being the genius, amongst many other things good and great.  I take heart that his many readers will soon be able to find him back out on the open road. ... View more