Very nice. I have a good friend who has a pale yellow 1600. And the explanation of the resemblance to the MG was welcome as well. The attention the cars have gotten in the last few years with all the other Japanese brands is long overdue.  ... View more

While it may come to pass in subsequent production, it shouldn’t be hard to understand that designing the frunk with a front hinge may not be that simple. It would require a different hinge design, adding different reinforcements. Those would likely require relocating other components which then cascades into a multitude of more component  relocations. Probably require a different frunk design...at least how it’s reinforced..and that can lead to a change in body lines and crash-worthiness...along with a different latch design. And then there are considerations for ease of assembly/maintenance. And don’t forget weight considerations. Finally cost. GM had a price point and trying to keep it there may have required they use a latch design that was already proven from other models.  And finally, why is taking some responsibility to properly close a frunk such a difficult concept? But blaming a failure to do so on the car so easy?  ... View more

Nice read of history. I think farmers are another group that should be celebrating Mr Zerk. Doesn’t take long to empty a quart grease-gun walking around an old tractor...even a new one, along with all the different implements that still use the fittings. ... View more

I’m seeing GM too. First thing that popped into my head was a mid-60’s Pontiac w/o the GTO faux scoop. Maybe a Chevelle but it doesn’t look like a model year that had a header panel. And kinda thinking there should be a vestigial hood ornament or emblem on the spine in the middle for those. Pepper might be on to something with the Corvair but I also see what looks to be a liner clip. Hard to tell but maybe some remnants of that GM blue used in those days too. I also agree that dimensions or a little more scale would help.  ... View more

Too bad. I’ve always wanted set of their wheels, just couldn’t afford them back in the day. And now that I can.... ... View more

The car is totaled...technically. And I seriously doubt $3500 would even cover half the replacement parts I see. Still, anyone on this forum should understand that market value isn’t the same as sentimental value of a car. I understand the need to save it. That said, I worked my way thru high school and college in a family collision shop. While I’ve been out of that industry since about the time your MG was new, if that estimate was for a finished repair, something isn’t right. Be careful. A second opinion might be warranted.  Glad you’re OK. ... View more

“despite the owners’ claims, the Corvette does indeed have a secondary safety latch for the frunk, which makes an audible double click when secured—all the evidence points to user error”   I guess GM assumes...wrongly it seems, that owners are physically able, and personally responsible enough to properly close the frunk. Adding a motor is a nice convenience on an SUV or mom’s sedan but adds weight. Something that is typically avoided whenever possible on a sports car. It’s not at all hard to blame the owners imo.  ... View more

Edit ... View more

In the article there’s nothing wrong with the latch, owners just aren’t closing them. User error. Why is it hard to blame them?  But I agree that unless other design limitations exist, a front hinged ‘frunk’ would solve the issue.  ... View more

Unless the latch is faulty in someway, yes, absolutely blame the driver. Your comparison to the Pinto is false. And yes...apparently there are SOME who didn’t learn to close a hood. I believe in personal responsibility. It’s a hood...or a “frunk”.  Close it. Done. Now go drive. ... View more

Yep...those “crow foot” open ends have bailed me out a time two over the years as well. 👍 ... View more

Another vote for Mazda’s RX7, but only if it stays with the the two-passenger, light weight, long hood, short over-hang, and FI rotary formula. No more trying to appeal to everyone and pleasing no one...like the RX8.  ... View more

Yeah...they failed to make closing the trunk idiot-proof and a “plethora” of mouth-breathers apparently have bought the car now....making the issue known. And like those who can’t tell when their tires are flat, they’ll get another idiot-light.  ... View more

You’re not going to eliminate it, but it can be reduced and agree with an examination of what brake pads you’re using.  The friction material used can vary a lot depending on use of the car and driving style. How much heat is tolerated and needed for good bite, lifespan, wear on rotors, noise, etc. And those materials can make a lot of difference in the amount of dust. USUALLY, but not always, a safe choice for a strictly street driven car are OEM pads. Of course those are also usually more expensive.  There are also some products available at most chain parts stores that you can spray on the wheels to help prevent the dust from sticking. But in order to apply you should really remove the wheels and wash them throughly. I’ve had decent luck with such products but they usually only last a driving season and then you have to reapply.  There are other products available to help clean your wheels of the accumulated dust, just be sure to chose the right stuff depending on whether the wheels are chrome, bare aluminum or painted.  ... View more

Mmmm, haven’t checked lately...how are the sales figures on BMW’s new Supra since it’s intro last fall?  I remember reading that they were set to exceed the BRZ and some others...but then those others had been on the market for a number of years. Wondering if they’re already trying to gin-up more interest with the M power.  ... View more

Mmmm, well if the owners are happy I’m happy for them. And love the exterior color scheme. But not a big fan of short straight line tracks either. One dimensional for me. And  turning a Viper into a drag car seems analogous to using a hammer to drive in a screw. It can be done but it’s against design and something is lost along the way.  ... View more

^ Very nice. Some aftermarket but nothing over the top. 👍 ... View more

Since I tend to keep a vehicle past warranty, I’d stay with the 5.0 with WAY less baggage than forced induction AND  battery.  As mentioned there’s not much else that’s a radical departure...and as a current F150 KR owner that’s not a bad thing. I think the move to aluminum body a few years ago was much more evolutionary. ... View more

Was the required/regulation passes made to qualify the record speed to the same standards used for men’s Guinness records? ... View more

Yeah...I don’t know. I hope they don’t ALL come back. That underbody lighting was pretty silly. 😊 And those younger (35-45) guys are generally a little chagrined when they admit some of the things they did.  I know what you mean about the stretched tires and goofy wheel off-sets but seems like that trend was ethnic and has started to run its course in my area. Maybe they’re getting tired of the snickering.  ... View more

As the owner of one of the models that was featured in that first film, albeit without the removable passenger seat cushion and lap-top, I also have mixed feelings on the movie. While it certainly popularized sporty Japanese imports and kicked-off a certain craze, it also stamped an image of their owners that’s been a bit hard to live down. It also launched an era of what were often called ‘ghetto-mods’...things done on the cheap by inexperienced owners for style and performance. Park bench wings, intercoolers the size of a small frig, underbody lighting and enough decals to violate city sign ordinances. I’m deep into my Medicare years but it’s fun to listen to the younger guys (35-45) now when they reminisce.  ... View more

The author is still focused on his favorite subject...himself. The last few paragraphs are decent, but not worth the drudgery. ... View more

Agree with all of the above. Glazing, especially on certain, often cheaper (but not always) pads, can get noisy.  Check the net or maybe an enthusiast forum for a (downloadable?) copy of the factory Service manual. Sometimes there are even trouble-shooting sections that might address the issue. It should also provide the minimum thickness of the rotor which you need to know before having them turned. Worse case scenario is just get replacement rotors. But you can’t always see run-out or judge them visually.  And if shimmed, sometimes the shims require a little brake grease.  ... View more

I’m not certain why, but over the past few years there has been a change in battery warranties...at least with the particular chain-parts store I frequent. They used to offer a ‘Good-Better-Best’ range of batteries with the best having up to 4-5 years of warranty usually some of it pro-rated. They now offer only 2 ranges of different construction (one is an AGM). The last one I bought just had a 3 year replacement...and if it gets replaced, the warranty still  only goes 3 years from original purchase. No pro-rating. Still feel the batteries are a decent value. And totally agree with using a battery maintainer.  ... View more

A cross-reference to common parts? What...no buying a part to see if it’ll work, finding out it won’t and not being able to return it? No jerry-rigging connectors? No guinea-pigging stuff for everyone else? No mumbling naughty words?  Where’s the fun in that?   ... View more

Thanks for the thoughts and pics. I do this as often as...well almost as often as needed. Like you I live 5 minutes from some nice two-lane rural country roads. And like you, little is more relaxing and satisfying than a slow-row through gears on them.  ... View more

Full disclosure, no experience with storage for more than 6 months or so, but fwiw.... Consider draining the gas but leaving the tank in place so the system is still closed and relatively sealed to the elements. Fog the engine, pull the battery and a good quality breathable car cover. Put the car on stands, but with weight on the suspension. I wouldn’t  leave shocks and suspension components in full droop long term. You can store the wheels and tires in a dry dark place, but you still may need new rubber after that long. My biggest worry wouldn’t be gas odor or a little humidity, it would be mice and anything else that like to chew and nest. Thoroughly clean the car inside to minimize attracting them with anything that smells like food. FWIW, years ago an older friend told me to use mothballs in a cup or bowl under the car and/or in the trunk. He claimed it was good to keep insects (and thereby rodents) away. No science behind it but anecdotally in the 40 yrs or so since I started doing it on my old car over the winter I’ve never had an issue. Mothball smell disappears in a hour or two in fresh air.  Unless your space is really tight, a little gas smell might also discourage vermin.  ... View more

Thanks @jsclark76.. I bought it almost 18 years ago to drive. I even used to Autocross it in A Street Prepared. That pic was taken at a track exhibition last year a few hours away. I’m into Medicare years and don’t have time for garage queens. I do my best to maintain myself....maybe even pamper it. But it’s driven. ... View more

Way back in the day work such as you describe we would’ve “subbed” out to a “Frame Shop” since it required some fairly HD equipment and a car-sized table to gauge and secure the vehicle before using heat and hydraulics. Seems like in some areas those shops are getting harder to find. I think these days most cars are unibody and even framed trucks are built to such tight tolerances that if damage gets much beyond suspension, the vehicle is totaled. Over time it’s not good news for old-car owners.  ... View more