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.......