April 10: Past their "best before" date

You've all heard the term "best before" date. Sure you have. It can apply to any number of things, although usually it refers to food. Personally, I use it to describe someone, who should have passed away long ago due to disease or mental condition. Take those bananas in the accompanying picture. They are a long way from their "date", but since this is a blog on cars, let's look beyond the edibles. How about that stunning example of a car, whose "best before" date must have expired, about the same time as those banana trees were planted. How in the world is that thing moving, whether under its own power or not? I wonder if it will get to wherever it is going, before its cargo reaches its "best before" date?

These are the kind of things that, one usually sees in the third world countries, like those of Africa or maybe even the Caribbean or Mexico. How do they ever keep on keeping on?

Forget about the torture those rear springs are experiencing, I wonder if that truck's frame is going to bend or break? Or just maybe, we in North America, don't use our vehicles to their full capabilities? Wouldn't expect to see this scene on one of our super highways, but there are plenty of back roads available for this stressed out old truck.

Here is an old Audi, that its owner has tricked out, just a little, before its time has come. Those dualie rear wheels will give it a bit more life, before it heads to the banana plantation for its last few rides. And what about those bullet holes? Obviously, they didn't succeed in putting it out of its misery.

Last week, this pic from Toronto's Globe & Mail, showed a bunch of happy revellers celebrating their candidate's election win. What better way, than to jump in and on your buddies sweet ride and cruise the streets, showing off the fact that, it still motors under its own power? A car wash sure wouldn't hurt this beauty.

By comparison this old French number is in first class shape, having both headlights in tact, although maybe a little air in that back tire would be to its advantage. I can see the Craig's List ad for this one already........ "only twenty three careful owners, lightly scuffed two door, well under 1m kms, comes complete with some air in the tires, price is firm." If you're not positive about your own wheels, then who will be?

Certainly past its "best before" date, is this well used Peugeot wagon.......

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Another beast of burden, with a few working parts, probably just the motor and transmission, as it looks like even the roll up windows are a thing of the past. These old wagons haven't been made for many, many years, so figure that this one's "best before" date was passed in the last century.

 Is there ever a finite "best before" date? Even when everything in the car has gone to its just reward, some folks will find that there is still something to be gained, by hanging on to a few key parts and getting them moving in any way possible........

Past its "best before" date? Will this car ever be consigned to the scrap heap? You be the judge?

Until next time.........

April 7: Moments in Time

Everyone has a moment in time that, they will always remember what they were doing at the exact moment that, they heard some important news. If you are in my age bracket, it may have been when President Kennedy was shot, or to others when John Lennon was gunned down, or when you heard (for the first time) that Jennifer Anniston was pregnant or maybe when Zayn Malik announced he was leaving One Direction. Have I covered all age groups? But I'm a car guy, so my important moments include car stuff.

I remember the day, way back in 1966, when I saw my first Hemi powered car. Hold on a minute before you start to berate me. You may recall that I come from a small so called, lunch bucket, industrial city on the east coast of Canada. Hardly any fancy cars or super hot ones were sold in my little town. Anyway, I was coming out of my grandfather's house, when a silver blue Charger cruised by and I spotted the tell tale sign on its front fender.......

My excitement lasted for days, maybe even years, as I think it may have been the only Hemi sold in Saint John. One of my important car guy moments in time.

Or how about my first "409"? It was in 1962 and I had just come out of the Y and was about to enter the local bowling alley, when I saw parked outside, a new black Bel Air hardtop with fender skirts (such an eye for detail). All very nice, but the real big deal, was the insignia on the front fender. Any chance I had of going home with a girl that night went out the window, as all I could talk about was that hot engine.

Car guy moments, all defined by a rare, big motored muscle car. Wonder if my memories would be different if I'd had a life?

Another moment in time.......driving thru Haymarket Square one sunny day (ok, that's poetic licence), I saw this white 1966 Fairlane leaving the Ford dealership. No big deal, except that it had a big air scoop on the hood. This meant one thing and only one thing that, this vanilla white Ford was packing a 427 cubic inch big block muscle motor. Again, a rarity and the only one in town. For an eighteen year old car guy, that was the equivalent of having a life size Raquel Welch poster, maybe better.

And the last one that meant something special to me........driving by the same Ford dealership three years later........

......a yellow '69 Boss 302 was pulling into traffic. Again, the only one I ever saw in our little town. Another Saturday night date ruined, as all I could talk about was my latest sighting ("Who is this idiot that asked me out?").

Not surprising that, every one one of these cars was later seen at the local drag strip. In the case of the Hemi and the 409, both motors were eventually pulled and put into purpose built race cars. Heck, they might still be around.

So that brings me up to the present day. Last week I was driving by a car hauler that, was unloading in front of a small town (Stoney Creek) Dodge dealer and out of the corner of my eye, I spotted this logo on the front fender of a new black Challenger........

.......yep, you got it, a Hellcat. Now I wonder, if twenty years from now that, moment will stand out in the same way as those car guy sightings have from so many years ago? Time and memory loss will tell.

Oh, and by the way, I do remember what I was doing when I heard about Jennifer Anniston.

Until next time.......

April 2: AMG G65 - I just don't get it

You think that this guy is thinking, what I'm thinking? Or do you imagine he is saying, this is my kind of ride? Who knows, since I wasn't there at the New York Auto Show this week, when automotive blasphemy took place.

I just don't get it. No, I really, really don't get it. Mercedes has a wonderful, big V12 power plant that, they put in a handful of their best and sportiest cars. So what do they unveil in New York? You got it, a V12 edition of their iconic G wagen. behold the G65 AMG.........

But why? First off, I've never figured out why anyone would want this truck as a status symbol, since its original purpose was to provide the German military with a light armoured vehicle, that would be dependable and versatile in a number of conflict situations. This is why, the Canadian army stocked up on them a few years ago......

You think that a V12 would make them a bit more intimidating? It certainly would get them into and out of trouble mighty fast.

The sales numbers actually speak for themselves. Benz sold just over 3000 G's in the US last year and about half had the mild(?) AMG 63 package  -  this is the 536 HP version. Obviously a "must have" for the golf club crowd, when running a tad late for their tee time. Just the person who needs the extra 80+ HP and the huge 738 ft lbs of tire shredding torque. But why? Just won the lottery and after spending most of it, one still has about $238k plus tax, burning a hole in their proverbial pocket?

Wouldn't this motor be best left in cars that, can make use of this mind numbing power, in the way that God intended?

Sure seems like this would be the best use of that terrific V12 powerhouse. And sure as heck, not in a civilianized military truck. Where are all those ex-Hummer owners? Maybe this can be your new country club ride.

Maybe, just maybe, I'm totally wrong about this and just don't get the irony of tracking this mighty offroader and running it against your smarter friends in their Italian purebreds......

Please note that with respect to truth in advertising (or blogging) the G shown, isn't quite the same as the one I'm ranting about, but for my purposes it's close enough. I sure wouldn't buy one if I had the coin, but can you imagine the fun you'd have if you did have the money? Ah, those rich folks, they certainly are different from you and me.

Ok, so now that I've got that off my chest, hope you all have a Happy Easter weekend.

Until next time......

March 31: Lincoln - yet another change?

What a beautiful looking car and it should be, since it mimics another beautiful ride and that is the new Bentley Brooklands.......

But hey, I'm not here to point fingers, especially in a world where design elements of one car are freely taken for use on another car. You know the old adage, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (in most cases).

No, what this blog is about is the latest Lincoln model that, will hit showrooms in the next couple of years. Thanks to Neil Young's verbal slip up, we knew that it was coming, just not in what form. The top pic is the upcoming Continental, to be unveiled at this week's New York Auto Show. A luxury car to compete with the new big Cadillac (CT-6), also being unveiled in New York, and of course, those other pesky luxo cruisers from Lexus and the German companies. Good idea, if one is trying to re-establish the brand and what it represents. The other unveiling from Lincoln is their new front end, which will filter across their line in the coming years. What?

Now, let's just take a breather here and think about that last comment.

Remember when Lincoln intro'd the new MKX, with a grille reminiscent of what is know as the Kennedy Lincoln? You don't remember, do you? Ok take a look.......

This was supposed to be the new Lincoln front end that, would distinguish the brand from all those other luxury makes. Good idea, since those older Continentals were lovely, elegant cars. Not a bad starting point to use in order to, once again, be an important brand.

Then Lincoln's execs thought, well, if old is good, then older is even better.......

.......and here they are showing off that new "old" face to the world and telling everyone that this would indeed be the new face of Lincoln. This one came from the '30's.......

A bit awkward at first, it eventually was integrated very nicely into the front end of every new Lincoln, the latest being their new for 2015 small suv, the MKC........

Not a bad look at all. And everyone knew it was a Lincoln.

So now Lincoln has reached back into their past for a rather revered name, the Continental, put it on a great looking design.......

.......and once again put a different, new corporate face on this car. And one that mimics the Chrysler 300, which itself mimics the Bentley. We all know that product identity is very important, but for Pete's sake give it a rest and stay with one front end. Lincoln has struggled with exactly what the brand stands for and what makes it stand out, but it sure doesn't help matters to continually make changes to its frontal identity.

So, come on Lincoln, make up your mind or we'll be sitting here waiting for the next, new front end to appear in a couple of years. But in the meantime, congrats on a very nice new Continental.

Until next time......

March 27: The Car Modeling Cat makes a gift

Showing a picture of the new for 2015, totally redone, Mustang is always a good way to get attention and to start a story and this is a good story...........

My lifelong friend has like me, a real interest in cars. We can talk for extended periods just about cars and what the different designers and manufacturers have done right or wrong over the years and what they might be doing in the near future. I always prefer these chats to the brow beating I get for not watching House of Cards (any good cars in it?). Anyway, my friend took a different path in life, had several kids and headed up a large national company. But for this other car guy, one thing always was front and centre, he never really spent much on himself, either as a treat or as a necessity. Although he could afford much more, his personal wheels were usually modest, while mine were usually showier and more expensive. On the other hand, he was generous to a fault with his kids, helping them acquire new(er) cars, or with a mortgage or helping them to live a dream.

Time for another Mustang pic.........

2015 Mustang scale model

Now retired, my friend always talked about getting a "toy" to play with, like a Miata. Never happen, I thought. Well, for whatever reason, that all changed last week. He called me on Thursday to talk about the possibility of buying a new Mustang. Then, surprise, a call on Friday to order said 'Stang.

Upon hearing this, the Car Modeling Cat and I, decided to make him a scale model of his ordered Mustang. You know, for a cat, she has some pretty good ideas (but then, she's a pretty great cat).......

The Car Modeling Cat ponders her next move

So in the space of the last week, we quickly went to work and whipped up a rather good representation of his upcoming ride......a Magnetic Metallic, 6 speed manual, Mustang coupe. Something for Summer fun and so much more versatile than a Miata would be.

Now, in all honesty, our model is not quite identical to his ordered car, in that the kit came with matte black multi-spoke rims, while his will be five spoke, black with aluminum accents (much better looking in my opinion). We tried to replicate the look by painting only the top of the wheel silver, leaving the rest flat black. Not exact, but pretty good and isn't it the thought that counts? Of course, it is!

Now he has this nice little model to tide him over until his real ride arrives in a couple of months.Who are we kidding? No way a 1/25th scale model will ease the anticipation, but what the hey?

His reasoning to finally do something big for himself? Not really sure, but I'm so pleased that, he finally pulled the trigger and decided to treat himself to a very nice, shiny, new toy. He deserves it. One less regret with which to go thru life?

Until next time......

March 24: Volvo and other cars we are missing

North America is one of the world's biggest car markets. In fact, the United States used to be the very biggest, until it was bypassed by that behemoth of a country China - hard to compete with a few billion people with a bit of money to spend. One might think that, in this market we get each and every manufacturer's best. Well, we do get a lot of product, but maybe we could use a little more?

Take for example, the struggling Volvo brand.....

Have they missed the boat by not bringing their entry level sedan, the 40 series, back to our shores?Remember, there used to be an S40 and a V40, which kind of went nowhere? They were replaced internationally by this attractive hatch. Might this not be the time to give this car another chance, since all the other luxury brands are introducing an entry level model? Just a thought, Volvo.

Kia doesn't have any issues struggling for their place in the market, but wouldn't a hot little hatch, be a good addition? Something like, or exactly like, the Pro Cee'd GT that they sell elsewhere. Yeah, I know, say that name fast. What is with those cute names from the other side of the Pacific?

2015 Kia Pro Cee'd GT

You want to talk about a company struggling for sales in Canada and the US? Well, look no further than poor old Mitsubishi. They just can't seem to get their act together. Sure, they have a long warranty, but generally dismal products in our market. Want to add a little spice? How about this strange, but oh so cute EK Space Custom (again with those names)?

Sure, it wouldn't save the company, but it would bring people into their showrooms, just like it did for Scion (for awhile at least), with their strange, but cute little mini mini van.Just picture the EK with 20" chromies.

Toyota has been keeping this little people mover on the other side of the Pacific.......

Hey, how about us? Similar in size to the Mazda5, but with a much more interesting design. Surely with Toyota's vast line up, a space could be found for their Hexa Space (that name?). I don't think that sales would be a problem.

Want to see the next Hyundai Accent?

My guess it will be this I20, which is being sold everywhere else, but not in the US or Canada. The current one is good looking, but this new I20 is better.

So let's finish today's blog with a concept that, I believe has a 100% chance at production. This red wagon is the Kia Space Concept shown recently at the Geneva show.......

Not a bad line on this beauty. Should you line up at your local Kia dealership with cash in hand, ready for its US and Canadian intro? In my opinion, not a chance. To our consumers, this is a station wagon and that is the kiss of death for a car in our market. Maybe Volvo, BMW, Mercedes, VW and Audi can move a very few wagons, but place them in anyone else's line up and watch them become covered with dust. Too bad, since we also miss out on the Mazda6 wagon.

So you like these cars that we don't get, but don't want to move to Europe or the Orient? Well, that's just too bad. Console yourself with the realization that, from time to time, I'll tease you with vehicles found elsewhere, but never around here. Better than not knowing, right?

Until next time......

March 20: Enough already!

Yes indeed, blog readers, all that dreaming about freeing ourselves from the shackles of our earth bound existence is about to be a thing of the past. Your dreams will become reality. And I'm not talking about flying high in your imagination, thinking about a night with Jennifer Anniston. Oh no, I'm talking about walking out to your car in the morning, starting it up and hitting the skyways, on the way to wherever your heart desires.

That intrepid Slovakian company AeroMobil, has been grinding away at this problem since 1989 and after many concept vehicles, they have unveiled, what they say will be the new reality as of about 2017. Only two years from now, parked in our driveway will be (or could be) a spanking new AeroMobil 3.0.........

Sure, it's a little shy of interior room, but who says you need to take the entire family for a sky jaunt to the local convenience store? Besides, this is early in the game, lots of time to work on adding a van model or even an suv (but if it flies, who needs a sport ute anyway?). Cruise at up to 124 mph in the skies or at a more leisurely 99 mph on the road. Can't you just see it?

But let's step back a minute........whose dream is this anyway? Like me, do you find it frustrating enough to watch out for all those other sky pilots driving our roads? Are you wondering, when driving a two, four or even six lane highway, from what direction the next surprise is going to come? Can you imagine what it would be like, if you had to look above and below you, as well as from side to side, front to back? Yikes, those flying dreams are becoming nightmares. Enough already!

But these high flying car ideas go back years and years.......

........even to the point of each of us having our own personal family sized flying saucer. Why the heck not? Surely all those UV rays can't hurt us? But seriously, doesn't the flying car idea belong back in the 1950's, when our ideas of the future were a tad warped and included all sorts of fantastical machines?

But why does anyone think that flying cars are such a great idea? Surely the creators realize that, professional air traffic controllers are stressed out enough, minding the skies around our major airports, without having to worry about the lower flying hundreds or thousands of carplanes zipping around town. Scary stuff!

Did the inventor think that, if you were stuck in traffic, you could simply pull over, attach your wings, wait for a break in traffic and then take off? Oops, didn't you see that flying semi coming up from behind? Oh well, better hope that they have a flying hearse for your funeral.

Enough already! Let's leave the idea of a flying car way in the past, where it belongs........

.........and let's have all that creativity work on something that, would be really useful, an idea that holds water, so to speak.......

You're welcome and please send all those hefty residual cheques to my attention, please.

Until next time.........