Swan Song

 Appropriate that I should start today's blog with the famous (at least in my mind), Swan Car from back in the depths of car history and from the addled mind of an over the top car enthusiast........

Appropriate how? 

Some of you may know that your Car Guy blogger has just celebrated his first month of retirement. Yes, after 27 great years of working with a varied range of (mostly) wonderful clients (you know who you are), I've decided to pack it in, hang up my hat, ride into the sunset or simply put, retire. 

Sure, I loved my job, but there are so many other things that I want to spend more time doing. A few.....

- chair of my condo board

- building my beloved models

- reading

- golfing

- taking courses

.........and walking, baking, going to the gym (when finally open) and of course, Netflix. 

Hey folks, I have a full life, so I'm not going to be one of those retirees who has to be cranked up and dusted off from time to time.

So good-bye to my Wheel to Wheel blog. A blog of which I'm very proud. I'm also flattered that so many have dropped in to read my latest meanderings thru the car business. Just about one and a half million, since I started writing ten years ago. Seems like only just over five hundred weeks have gone by since I started sharing my thoughts with you. Time flies or so goes that old cliche'.

So, it's time to bid you all adieu. A fond farewell from me and my dear little CMC, the Car Modeling Cat (who for this occasion only has agreed to show her lovable face)..........

Thank you so much for letting us entertain you.

Until next time?

Looking Back.......

Today I'm recapping one of my favorite blogs, the Mr. Peanut birthday blog from over five years ago. If you remember it, great, if it's new to you, enjoy.......

Guess who had their 100th birthday this week? If you said my neighbour you'd be wrong, since he turned 100 two years ago. Guess again? Yep, you got it..........

.........Mr Peanut. He doesn't look any older, than when he came into this world, of course, being born brown and wrinkled, tends to make old age less noticeable. So, why would I bring this up in a car blog? Simple. Mr. Peanut has been a car guy since the beginning and has had himself some interesting rides. A man of his discerning taste wouldn't be buying just anything off of the lot. Oh no, his rides have always had a custom touch or two.

 Initially he started out with a sports model, after all he was a much younger peanut. Always a cut above, even with a sports model, he required a driver. One doesn't wear a top hat and a monocle and drive oneself, do they?

But, time went by and his fame grew. He needed a ride that made more sense for a legume of his stature. The full custom treatment was required. Something to help him to come out of his shell, so to speak........

Yes, sir, a ride that would tell the world that, he had arrived in more ways than one. A ride that mirrored his unique look. You can see by this photo that Mr. Peanut's very special ride was fully up to the task of transporting such a unique personage.

Want to delve a little more deeply into what makes this creation tick?

To understand just how custom his ride is, try sizing this pic up to see all those special details that, make his Peanutmobile such a "must see" vehicle when it rolls into town. Let's be frank (pun intended), it makes the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile look cheap (and a bit obscene) by comparison.........

.......but them again, this is Mr. Peanut's special ride. 

Being a man of many interests, Mr. Peanut also has a more sporting ride, complete with a larger than life facsimile of His Peanutship molded onto the top of his rather unique vehicle. Of course, the make believe huge engine is indeed, make believe, but under that "in your face" bodywork lies an motor of prodigious power. Being a discrete soul, Mr Peanut has been very reluctant to divulge its exact numbers. Let's just say, you'll know he's coming, even before he comes into view.

Now he's 100 years old. Still youthful and always on the road, promoting the product that bears his name and arriving in his, oh so special, ride. Let's hear it for the old guy........

Until next time......

Finally Something My Neighbour Doesn't Have!

Got tons of money? I mean really tons of money? It's burning a hole in your safe? Want a car that even The Drake couldn't afford? Well, Bucko, have I got your ride.

Let's reminisce for a moment........

There was a time when that ultimate of luxo rides, Rolls-Royce, would built anything for their clients. Well, anything within the confines of good taste, as defined by Rolls-Royce. For instance, if you wanted a pink chenille interior and a polar bear fur roof, they would ask you to go see your local Cadillac dealer.

But once upon a time your wish was their command.........

Want a gold trimmed, ultra swoopy cabrio, a futuristic coupe or a one of one two door? Then Rolls-Royce was your car of choice. Have money to burn? Rolls-Royce knows how to help you burn it.

All this leads up to Rolls' recent announcement that they are going back into the coach building business. Yes, like you, I can hear the cheers of all the oligarchs and oil sheiks, also maybe one from the Sultan of Brunei. Good for Rolls, you've made their day.

To show how quickly they are getting back onto the saddle, last week Rolls rolled out their first coach built ride, the Boat Tail........

Thinking that this is just another Rolls cabrio? Ha, not a chance. Check out what happens when you open the trunk of this streamlined beaut.......

Yes folks, that is an umbrella and matching folding stools. Hey, if the Phantom sedan comes with an umbrella, then why not this new dream boat? Wonder if a supply of dainty lunch time sandwiches are also included? Your choice of fillings.

Now for the important details.......Roll-Royce will be building five of these. Act fast, but they might even be sold out already, so temper your enthusiasm. We all know the old line........if you have to ask, then you can't afford it. But we have to ask. Ready? $28,000,000 USD! Twenty eight million bucks! Yep, I know how disappointing that number is to those among us who might be able throw down three, four or even five million, but the high twenties are too much of a stretch. We plebs feel your pain.

I'll speak for the rest of the billion odd folks in the world, in saying that we feel happy for those fortunate very few billionaires who can pony up the coin for a coach built Rolls. It just makes us feel all is right with the world.

Until next time......

It's About Time!

Some things about the auto business make me wonder. Some? Sure start off my blog with an understatement. 

You all recognize this gem of a car.........

Absolutely, it's the 1964 Mustang, that came out (obviously) fifty-seven (!!!) years ago. It seems like only fifty. Anyway, my point is that this automotive idea was copied so successfully by everyone else, that all these many years later, the Mustang and two of its competitors are still racking up sales in 2021.

So this brings me to the adorable compact suv, that is so very popular today, the Subaru Crosstrek........

The recipe.......take one compact hatchback, in this case the Subaru Impreza.......... 

.........add all-wheel drive, add fender flares, add a couple of inches in height, finally a catchy name, Crosstrek, and watch all those folks beat a path to your showroom door to see this ALL NEW model from Japan. In reality it's just a messaged Impreza. Not a bad thing.

This Sub has been on the market for a few years and is consistently a great seller, so where is the competition? Ok, VW tried to compete with the Alltrack version of their Golf wagon.......

This lasted, maybe two years before VW decided those those few people who actually wanted an Alltrack, could go down the street to the Subaru dealer and buy a Crosstrek. Take the easy way out.

The question is why didn't it sell? Very good question and I have no idea. I expected this trend of tarting up a compact hatch to be the next big thing. maybe that's why I'm not an auto exec. Or maybe it's why I should be one!

So, now look what's happening. Finally after several years, other auto companies are getting off their buts and doing their own Crosstreks, ignoring VW's lack of success. 

Here is Ford's candidate for compact suv sales greatness in Europe, the Focus Active......

Will we get it over here? Maybe, maybe not, but give me one good reason why it shouldn't be at your local Ford dealer. It's an suv type, which in itself is usually sales gold. 

Look at what Kia and Hyundai are doing in this sales area and try to figure out why the Toyota Yaris Cross (top pic) isn't already at your local Toyota dealership.....

Too small? Ok, I get it, so how about the new 2022 Corolla Cross (bottom pic)? So far only for other continents, but there are rumours. There are always rumours. This is a no brainer.......take the world's best selling vehicle, the Corolla, make it interesting by jacking up the body, along with the price and reap the rewards. That's rewards spelt with a $ sign, Friendo.

So going back to my original question, what's taken so long to fill the field with Crosstrek competitors in this hot and sensibly sized/priced market segment? Who knows, but I can only assume they haven't read my earlier blogs, where I've given them an idea and a poke.

What do you think?

Until next time.......

Time on my hands.......

I hope you all know by now that when the CMC, the Car Modeling Cat, appears in this blog you are going to be treated to her and my latest pandemic relief projects. What better way to while away both our and your down time than checking out what your fellow human (and felines) have been up to.

First off, check out this 1976 Cadillac Eldorado........

Be honest. For a moment you thought that the CMC and I built this gold creation, didn't you? Oh well, I can certainly understand that, as our work tends to look like the real thing. This one below is our handy work and it is slightly more accurate than the real one above. The difference? The centre of the hubcaps are body coloured on ours, where as the real one has caps from a darker colour. car Yeah, I know, picky, picky, but significant to a Car Guy and his CMC.......

Fuzzy in picture only

Sure, we love the big old 'Murican iron, but we are far from being one trick ponies, or in this case cat and human. Always looking for something a little different to please our readers? Hah! To please ourselves. 

When this next model was released last year, I wondered who would buy it and yet, we ended up buying two. Go figure. This is a 1967 Ford service truck, which we turned into a fire department support vehicle.......

Think all reds are created equal? Think again, as this is definitely not the case. A little creativity with colours turned this white plastic truck into the correct red, with which all fire equipment is coated. Add some appropriate accessories in the back and we are ready to head out. A build of which the CMC and I are quite proud. Our second kit was done in the form of an electric company utility truck. Sorry, no pic.

Staying with service vehicles, next up is one which is quite different and much faster than our little red service vehicle......

Take your pic, the top one with the typical police hubcaps on a black heavy duty rim or the bottom one using Ford's regular Mustang alloy wheel. Both were used by the CHP (California Highway Patrol).

Over a year and this is all we have to show for it? Not likely, but how much time do you actually have to sit here and read about all the others?

On another matter........with my retirement looming, all the 1/18th diecast models from my office have to be assimilated into my treasured car room. Not possible. Here are some that are up for grabs, no cost, first come, etc and all you need to do is email me at  barry@havakar.com .......

2011 Audi A5 Coupe

Aston Martin DB9 Volante (cabrio)

1934 Cadillac V16 Aero Coupe

1938 Cadillac Town Car

Porsche 911 GT1

2006 Viper GTS and 2015 GTS R

Something to think about.

Until next time....... 

Wanting What We Can't Have

 I want it!

And why not? We live in a land of plenty (stop complaining), so shouldn't we be able to have anything that we want? Even things we don't want should be available to us. Now that we all agree, let's move on.......

Isn't this one of the best looking Audi's you've seen recently? What is it? For China, Audi designers took the A7, that maybe too big fastback and gave it a trunk. Also note the un-Audi like way the body curves up as it blends into the C pillar. Beautiful design. You want it? Move to China, as this one isn't coming here anytime soon. I want it!

Love a Mercedes C or E Class, but need some extra room? Don't have the coin to move up to the mogul's, oligarch's and dictator's ride, the S Class? Again, you're going to have to move to the Forbidden Kingdom......

Both the C and E Class come in an L model with more back seat room. You know how those folks like to be chauffeur driven. You didn't? Well now you do and that is exactly why these two models exist, but only over there.

What's next? Who among you has any idea what this is........

 Everyone give up, just like Lincoln has given up on sedans in it's homeland? Not so in China, as this new Lincoln Zephyr Reflection shows. Just unveiled and it's stunning. Want it? Then move, Bucko, as it ain't coming to your local North American dealer this year and probably never. Even with my bad knees, which making sedans a tough prospect, I want it!

The Ford Evos........

What is it? How about a high end suv with that coupe like profile that has become so popular. Mixed messages about it coming to North America or Europe, but it seems unlikely. It will be a hybrid. Unveiled last week at the Shanghai Auto Show, it apparently will be a treat for buyers in China, at least (cross your fingers) for now. I want it!

And now for something completely different (sort of)........

This fabulous interior comes from a humdrum suv that Ford only sells in China. They can keep that suv, but pleeeease put this gorgeous interior into something they sell over here. I want it!

Time to move?

Yep, I feel your pain, so let's shed a tear for all these beautiful rides that won't see the light of day on our continent, but move? Not in this life.

Until next time........

Family Hauler Time

For anyone of my age, when one thinks about the good ol' family hauler, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a minivan. Ok, I get it, but go back a little further. Back to a time long ago, when the family hauler was a station wagon, like this behemoth below........

Like the long extinct dinos, these things roamed our neighbourhoods and were as common as the now ubiquitous suv. These days, call something a station wagon and you've destined it to being nailed to the showroom floor. Ain't no one ponying up hard earned coin for a friggin' station wagon around these parts. 

Long gone? Ancient history? Dead?

Maybe, but that depends on what you call a station wagon. What is this double talk I speak of? Ok, folks, let's call them something else and see what happens. 

Years ago Aston Martin started a tradition of making a few wagon copies of their beautiful sports cars.......

Always gorgeous and always called shooting brakes. They probably could have called them chuck wagons and they would have sold. This tradition has continued up to the present day with the Zagato Vanquish Shooting Brake.......

No wood panelling, but definitely a wagon. Don't look for one at your local mall, as only a handful were made. Wonder if Chrysler knocked off a few of their big old wagons, called them shooting brakes, whether they would find a home?

Now cast your thoughts over to Porsche. Their lovely Panamera has had a wagon version for a few years.......

A wagon? Not quite, a Grand Turismo. Yep, that makes all the difference. Love a Porsche? Love to have a 911, but need the room? Play golf and need even more room? Then look no further. 

You're an environmentalist you say? Porsche has you covered.......

Take a Taycan EV, give it the Grand Turismo treatment and viola, you are the envy of your local Green Party candidate and a few other envious tree huggers you pass along the way.

Being one of those oddballs who like wagons, these hot new ones have my eye and heart. Of course, selling my soul still wouldn't give me enough coin to put one in my name. California Dreamin'? I think so. But it makes me happy that the old family hauler is still alive and well, but configured a little differently (and unfortunately vastly more expensive). 

Ah progress.

Until next time......

EV Dreamin'

 If you look at the pic below and start drooling, while gushing over the stunning lines, then you'd better move on to another blog.........

Recognize this frumpy old Hyundai from the mid 2000's? A mere 15 years has gone by this since blandly styled car was the norm for Hyundai and also it's sister brand, Kia. Times have changed and both of these South Korean companies are now known for their exciting styling and quality products. If you don't believe me, time to enroll in an updating course at your local college.

Nowadays everyone is talking EVs. Every week another new and near future EV is unveiled to enthusiastic response from everyone waiting for some Tesla competition and maybe a price they can afford. Well, not sure about the latter, but more about that later.

Hyundai and Kia have just unveiled their upcoming debutantes for the EV ball....... 

Kia EV6

Hyundai Ioniq5

Not a bad line on either of these beauties, but did anyone doubt that when these companies got serious about an EV, that they would be attention grabbing?

Ioniq5

EV6

Interiors that match their outsides in being up to date and showing the quality that has been these companies' recent hallmarks. The Hyundai looks more futuristic, while the Kia has a more traditional feel. Hey, we all love choices.

Pricing? Good question. These two will hit Europe first and the Ioniq5 is already being shipped to dealers. The EV6 should follow a short time later. A year from now both should be able to rip $ from our bank accounts. Expect them to be around $60-$70k Canadian, but that's only a guess based on European prices. 

Looking for a four door Ferrari? Maybe an electric Stinger?

Kia has your number. This GT version is bragging about 577 HP, so hit the loud pedal (in this case the silent one) and hang on. Being an EV, those acceleration numbers will be as stunning as this EV's looks.

Just think, an entire blog about Hyundai and Kia without a mention or even a thought about the original Hyundai, a rolling piece of junk, that we all remember as the Pony. How things can change over what have been a relatively few years.

Time to end this blog with a time worn cliche...... the future is now!

Until next time.......