October 31: A Halloween scare from Dodge

The Dodge Hellelephant - now that's scary! Read on folks.......

Talk about milking a car and its name for years and years. The Dodge Charger was introduced way back in 1966, but that was only a teaser to the "real" Dodge Charger that came in '68. The first one sold a few thousand, but the gorgeous second generation set the personal car world on fire. Sure, you could get a Charger with the venerable Slant 6, but the "real" Chargers, or at least the ones we all remember and lusted after more than that porn star on the Ivory Snow box (Google it), were the big and brawny ones packing a 383 or a 440 or even the sacred 426 Hemi. An engine spoken about in hushed tones by teenage boys, who couldn't afford squat or by the big guns of NASCAR and the NHRA. Years later the Charger name appeared on a four door sedan (sign of the times), but amongst those who still remembered, the Charger name meant the one from 1968 and it was powered by the gloriously temperamental Hemi.

So back to the scary, "whatever the heck is it" Hellelephant? The famous SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) show opened this week in Vegas and as per usual, there were some outrageous unveilings. Maybe none more so than the new crate motor from Dodge, the Hellelephant. An explanation, please. The original Hemi earned the name elephant, since it was such a big beast of a motor. Dodge's newest crazy powerplant is called the Hellcat, so marry the two and you get the Hellelephant. Simply put, an off the rack crate motor putting out 1000 hp! What a wonderful time we live in.Now you can't just pull back the curtain and roll out an engine. Well, maybe you can, but it's not awfully dramatic. No, your best bet is to wrap it in something spectacular and for Dodge, what could be more spectacular than a 1968 Charger? And maybe massage it a bit for added pizzazz. So may I present the latest gonzo motor from Dodge in the one off Super Charger.......

A wild child engine in a fast and furious modified '68 Charger. How appropriate.

Nothing like using the past to introduce the present.........

And just when you thought that the Hellcat's 800+ hp would top the charts, Dodge drops this Halloween treat on us. Simply go on line, order up your Hellelphant, drop by your local Dodge dealer, pick it up, put it in your beefed up Honda and head to the streets. What better way to announce that you have arrived?

What other wild and crazy intro's will come out of the SEMA show? Stay tuned.

Until next time........
(due to circumstances there will only be one posting from me this week - back on the 6th)

October 26: Is that you Lexus?

Is that you Lexus? Of course it is and from the distant past, when Lexus was synonymous with a rolling couch. All the handling capability of a La-Z-Boy recliner with or without Brooke Shields on board. Ok, let's be really honest here and say that the past for Lexus wasn't that long ago, maybe only a couple of years or less. So what has changed? Like their in-your-face design language (love it or hate it), from now on Lexus is trying to be different. And that rolling sofa is not going to be part of that differentiation.

Enter the new for 2019 ES, formerly the Camry clone extraordinaire. Let's show it from its most attractive angle, since as we all know the new Lexus front ends, owe so much to the Remington shaver, that it's a wonder the latter didn't sue Lexus for design infringement........

Some nice sharp lines distinquish this midsize sedan. And previously, this interior would never have found a home in any Lexus, let alone an ES........

Yes sir, things have changed with the old seniors' mainstay ride, the ES. But before one thinks that BMW will rush out their new and improved 3 Series to counter this new threat, the ES also will cater to their old fans as well.......

So what else is new? Only in Japan for the time being, the ES has been approved to have digital side rear view mirrors. Yeah, I know, I thought the same thing when I first read this, "What the heck?" Does this pic help.........

Maybe, maybe not, so let me explain. This is not a mirror, this is a camera. A camera that sees what is behind and beside you like a traditional rearview. The catch? It's crystal clear and won't have the issues that a fogged up side window has. Or, what a rain or snow covered side mirror definitely has. A picture is worth a, well you know.........

Crystal clear, while your side window is rain covered, hindering any sort of helpful side or rear view. What will they think of next? Nonstick cookware?

So far only Japan has approved this rather neat innovation. And so far only Lexus offers it on the ES. When can we expect it on our side of the Pacific? That's a tough one. Consider fifty states and ten provinces having to give it their approval and you'll realize this won't happen overnight. Going way back, want to hazard a guess as to how long it took to get approval of square headlights? Neither do I, but it was sometime.

Just another techie bit to go wrong? Possibly, but until it does, what a great feature. And, who would have thought it would be introduced on the plain as white bread Lexus ES.

Is that you Lexus? Well if this is 2018, absolutely, "YES!".

Until next time........

October 23: Remember Suzuki?

Remember Suzuki? That little Japanese car company that sold a few models under their own name, while also supplying Chevrolet with the same model under a different name. They even made a stab at greatness with the unusually named Kizashi, the almost a midsize sedan. That name is right up there with Nissan's  Qashqai, when it comes to names that our North American tongues get twisted into pretzels pronouncing. When I think of Suzuki, this little 4x4 is the first thing that comes to mind.......

 Born to be wild? Well maybe, depending on your definition of wild, but to its credit, this little 4x4 was rugged and could handle some moderately difficult off road work. Sold elsewhere in a variety of versions.....

This was the Samurai, and this is what comes to mind when I think of Suzuki. But the Samurai had a baby brother, the cute as a button Jimny, which never graced our shores........

This little bruiser (maybe a little overkill here, Barry) was as capable as its bigger brethren. The Jimny has been selling everywhere else since 1990 and only now has it introduced its fourth generation for 2019, as you can see in this montage courtesy of CarDekho, India's new and used car website.......

According to Suzuki, the demand for this latest version has been staggering, with over 4500 orders coming from England alone. Quite remarkable and apparently nowhere near what they'll actually be shipped, of this little 4x4.

Staying true to the original, at least in some respects, the little Jimny is simple and tough. Check out the instrument panel.......

Almost a throw back to those days gone by, when all we needed to know was right in front of us and not hidden away somewhere in the car's computer, ready to be accessed, providing the driver knew where to look.

So give your head a shake, if you think North America has the latest and the greatest, when it comes to vehicles in all price ranges. Say it ain't so Joe, because it ain't. Just because they don't sell here, doesn't mean Suzuki has been lost to the other world markets. And (with apologies to Martha Stewart) that's a good thing.

Until next time.......

October 19: Blame Lincoln

The first Lincoln Navigator, the one that started it all. Started what, the alert reader might ask? The trend towards those really big suvs. Way back in 1998 Ford grafted a Lincoln front end onto an Expedition and then watched those really big suvs roll off the dealers' lots and head to the nearest gas station. Panicked Cadillac followed suite, by putting a Cadillac crest (and little else) on the front grille of a Yukon Denali.........

They too watched these behemoths sell like wildfire and we all know where the Escalade is today. The dream ride of urban soccer moms everywhere. And a few rappers.

Gas mileage misery likes company, so the biggest German gun didn't want to be left out of the "biggest gas guzzler" sweepstakes. Up popped the GL series from Mercedes in response to those folks for whom nothing less than a huge three pointed star would do........

A standout in a field of one, as far as those German luxo brands go. Even Infiniti and Lexus added bruisers that could suck their own gas tanks dry in mere kilometres.........

So, why has it taken so long for a couple of others to see the spray painting on the wall?

No matter, because Audi has just started selling the beautiful Q8.........

Sure, it's no Escalade or Navigator, but neither is anything else breathing this rarefied air, but it sure competes with the others big bucks to big bucks. Finally another choice for those soccer moms.

And now yet another German luxo barge is about ready to hit the driveways of urban mansions everywhere. Unveiled this week, the X8 from BMW is just the right kind of ride for those who believe nothing but a Bimmer will do and it will be a nice compliment to hubby's M5 sedan.

No one in the 'hood is going to miss that new upright twin kidney grille, that tries to out intimidate Cadillac. See that in the rearview and you'd be wise to move your pansy like Tesla Model X out of the way tout suite. This is serious stuff. And lest you think that your BMW should be going off road, well think again, as this barge, like all its competitors, ain't ever going to see anything worse than a very smooth dirt driveway leading to that 20 room cottage by the lake. This interior is headed to movie premieres, not an off road adventure.....

So, we go all the back twenty years to see who started this downfall of the big luxury sedan (or a very nicely equipped minivan). Blame Lincoln for having the foresight to realize, that people know no bounds when it comes to spending money on things, that are never going to be used for what you might think they should be used for.

Use these big brutes for what they were originally intended? Oh my, that is so yesterday.......

Until next time......

October 16: Time for a new Passat?

I've made mistakes before. No, seriously, I have. This is your Car Guy admitting that his all seeing all knowing car knowledge does trip up from time to time, although so infrequently, it's hardly worth mentioning, but hey, I'm an honest car salesman.

A couple of years ago I showed this picture of what I forecast would be the upcoming all new (an over worked phrase in the car business?) 2017 VW Passat........

Good looking and about time for a big change, since the "old" Passat had been kicking around the VW showrooms since way back in 2012, which seems like an eternity in my business. In fact, this slightly smaller (12 cms shorter) European Passat didn't arrive on our shores and we were left with the now really old 2012 model........

Not a bad car and to VW's credit they did add some features and stirred the performance buffs soul with a GT version. Lot of German car for cheap money (but let's not get into VW's quality issues).

So I've admitted my error. Really though, when they have an updated model across the Atlantic, why saddle us with day old bread, so to speak? Not the first time VW has done something similar. 

Now to the business at hand, the next brand new Passat.......

Bigger than our current model and much bigger than the European version, so what gives? To begin with this is the Passat that will be made for the Chinese market and for VW that is huge. They are the biggest foreign car maker in the Forbidden Kingdom, having sold almost 4.3 million vehicles there in 2017. Pretty impressive. No wonder they get their own version of the Passat. 

What about North America, now that we are really overdue for a completely new Passat? Will we get the German one or the Chinese model or maybe a shortened version? VW says we'll get our new Passat next year. My prediction is that this will be the Passat showing up on our shores, but ours will be shorter. Lots of foreign cars sold in China are lengthened versions of what is sold here and in Europe. Why? Those folks love their cars to be chauffeured and those back seats have to be commodious.......... 

And since this is a VW not a Mercedes, that's sparkling water in the armrest, not champagne. It's called know your clientele. 

Thinking of a new VW, but time is on your side? Then wait until next year to see if my prediction is right on and if this will be your new Passat.

Until next time.......

October 12: Lust for a Corvette?

Who doesn't lust after a second generation Corvette convertible? If this speaks to you, stay tuned as I'll eventually show you how to satisfy your desires for cheap money.

Sometime in the past I've written about the Japanese aftermarket supplier, Mitsuoka. They perform their magic, ok, so it's not quite magic, on a variety of usually Nissan products. For people who want something more pretentious, but with Nissan reliability, then Mitsuoka is the company to check out. Over the years they've performed thousands of their unique metal surgeries, to what you might say, has been mixed success.

Case in point......

This is the rather successful Newt, a conversion based on a Nissan Micra. Successful that is in the numbers Mitsuoka has sold, well over ten thousand. If all you have is Micra money, but long for the look of an older, shrunken Jaguar (and who doesn't), then the Newt is your kind of car.

Not all of Mitsuoka's handy work has the look of an old Jag........

With the Galue they've gone further upscale and grafted a Bentley type front end on a willing(?) Nissan donor car. Now, who wouldn't want to be seen cruising the highways and biways of their island home in this up market looking ride? Whether the overall effect works, I'll leave up to you. Wait just a minute.....me not give an opinion? Unlikely. These conversions look hideous. There, now that's off my chest.

Like all custom houses, Mitsuoka just couldn't resist doing a neo-classic, the New Le Seyde.........

.....or even their own sportscar, the Orochi.......

Successful? Yeah sure, think what you want. Not a surplus line gone used.

Now that mid '60's Corvette is looking even better, right? But why bring that up in a conversation about misplaced new body parts? Well Corvette lovers, Mitsuoka has your number with the just introduced Rock Star. Another original name from the land of very original and somewhat bizarre names. Compare this new model to the original.........

Can you see the difference? The mighty Corvette in a reduced size in all directions including price. Worried about affording the gas for your new acquisition? Fear not, as the Rock Star is based on that beloved budget sportscar, the Mazda MX-5, you know, the Miata.

Now tell me, who would have thought a Japanese company would have reached back to the American car past and whipped up this tasty Vette look alike? Goes to show you how good that design was back in the day, as it still looks so tempting in 2018. At least Mitsuoka thinks so.

Amaze those folks at cars and coffee, when you ease into the parking lot with a Corvette that isn't. Be the only one on your block or the whole country. Oh, and don't open the hood.

Until next time.......

October 5: Mattress money

Ah, the elusive dream of a good night's sleep. Isn't that an oxymoron? I mean, if you are having a dream, aren't you having a good sleep? Let's stop this line of thought, before I get too ridiculous and move on to the topic at hand. There is a US mattress and pillow company called Comfort Revolution. Does it make money? Does a bear, you know......in the woods? Here is its owner, Michael Fux in his garage.........

I guess you would say that he has been moderately successful. Moving to the US from Cuba as a young boy, his business life reads like Midas, the king who turned everything he touched to gold. Not sure what old King Midas did with his coin, but Michael Fux is my kind of guy. He lavishes his business winnings on an extravagant and varied car collection. On top of everything, he seems like a nice guy.

What would you buy, if you were dreaming on one of the creations of Comfort Revolution? Maybe an old race car driven by a late, great famous driver........

Almost mundane based on what we can see in the group shot. What if you had his money and particular tastes? Would you ask Ferrari to do something special for you? Maybe a plain Jane white spyder, but with some very special accents matching that custom colour interior......

.....or maybe ask them to match a beautiful mint green that has caught your fancy, oh and also match the interior in custom dyed leather........

All it takes is money, folks, and a good relationship with the factory. A quick call, some discussion and off to the production line goes your request and probably ahead of the poor people waiting for a standard (whatever that means) car.

Michael Fux is no shrinking violet. And speaking of violet.........

Yes, it is one of his favorite colours, so while on the phone with whatever factory, tell them about a particular shade of that favorite colour (better send a sample) and ask them to match it. They'd be happy to, after all, the exotics pride themselves on making just about anything their clientele asks for. Hey, it's your money. One caveat, Rolls-Royce does have standards, so they won't do a colour combo that belittles their very prestigious ride. What that combo might be is up to interpretation, of course.

Like that mint green Ferrari, but need something a little bigger, like maybe in a medium size Rolls?

Look no further than Mr. Fux's beautifully turned out, Wraith. But, when you are sleeping on a mattress filled with money, one custom Rolls is hardly enough........

Exquisite, if you happen to like yellow everything. But hey, beauty is in the dreams of the cheque writer.

At this year's Pebble Beach concours, as a special treat for the crowd (many of whom might also have a Rolls or two at home), Micheal Fux's latest Roller was unveiled.........

Subdued on the outside, wild on the inside and in that very particular shade that Michael likes so much. Even the umbrella matched. Cost? Let's just say that you could buy a small property in many places in Canada for the cost of that interior alone. Ok, so he might have received a volume discount, but at that level, who's counting?

So, a few years down the road, you are purusing the used car lots looking for that certain special vehicle and you happen upon an unusually coloured exotic, check out the door sill.........

Now you know who it was built for and sleep easy knowing that some local guy with a paint gun and an imagination didn't have a hand in it.

The moral of this blog? Instead of staying awake at night figuring out a way to make lots of money, just figure out a way to get back to sleep. It worked for Michael Fux.

Until next time.......