The road less traveled

Okay, summer is here and for many of us it’s time to hit the beach, drive up to the mountains, or head out west.  All of these family adventures usually begin with…..”Where are we going?”  I personally like the mountains and the cooler air, the drives along winding roads that twist through the trees and overhanging rocks, but many of you prefer a trip down south to the beach.  Either way, its vacation time for you and your family.

I was recently eating lunch with a friend of mine and he had just returned from a road trip out west where he and his nephew rented a convertible Mustang and traveled along parts of the old historic Route 66 highway that was once so popular with travelers.  He told of the many stops they made and how much fun it was to just cruise the back roads with the top down and their hair blowing in the wind.  They saw the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, and many sights that I’ve never seen.  As we continued to talk it got me to thinking that I need to plan a trip like this with my family.  Now before you can say it, yes, I’ve seen the movie “RV” with Robin Williams and that’s not the kind of road trip/vacation I want to go on. (But a funny movie if you have not seen it)  I’m talking about a trip that takes you back into American history and travels to areas of our county that are dying off so fast that soon no one will even remember them anymore.  It’s sad to say this, but I’m just as guilty of planning our travels with one thing in mind, what route are we taking that can get us there the fastest and stay on the bigger highways and interstates.  It’s just the way our society has changed-we plan a trip and it’s more about the place we are going than the journey getting there.  Back in the old days we use to take our time as we traveled and part of the vacation itself was the things we would do along the way. 

George Strait had a song in 2001 named “The Road Less Traveled” and the lyrics said this; “There’s a road, a winding road that never ends, full of curves lessons learned at every bend…….for the road less traveled ain’t for the faint of heart, for those who choose to play it safe and never stray too far, me I want to live my life and one day leave my mark”

I’m going to do my best to plan a road trip with my family that includes taking “the road less traveled” and see part of this awesome country we live in and just enjoy the ride wherever it takes us!  Who’s going to join me as we take a road trip this summer?

Reasons you might be a Mustang Fanatic!

It’s the age-old dual of Ford vs. Chevy that all car guys love to argue about and most folks don’t even know why they argue about it.  You may have been born into a Ford, Chevy or Mopar family and the only reason you are passionate about that brand of car is because that’s what your daddy drove, therefore that’s what you have always driven!  I understand that completely and there’s a certain amount of family tradition that goes with the type of car you drive or the manufacturer you are loyal to, but when you declare your allegiance, you better get ready for the rivalry that comes with it.  Most of the time it’s all in fun, but some folks are very serious about it and you would think their last names were Hatfield or McCoy.  I have even heard the saying before: “That boy is into his Mustang so much, he bleeds Ford blue”!  I’m sure that the Chevy guys are just as crazy about their Impalas, Malibu’s, or Bel-Air’s, but it seems the Ford guys are the more loyal to the Blue Oval.

I’ve been to the local drag strip many times and without fail, if there is a classic Ford and Chevy staged in the lanes next to each other, you watch the crowds rise up and take notice as they cheer their favorite toward the finish line.  People love their Mustangs, Camaros, or Chargers and they take pride and ownership in that particular brand more than any other.  But when you drive a Ford Mustang it seems you instantly become part of a large family of loyal fans and you are accepted just because you drive a Mustang.  There are car shows/cruise-in’s/meetings/clubs/and even a song or two dedicated to the Mustang, so I’d say it’s become kind of a cult-like following.  The online Webster dictionary defines a Fanatic as “marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion”; I think I resemble that remark, do you?

Maybe we should review some of the signs that you may have this condition.

Let’s look at the top 5 reasons you might be a Mustang Fanatic:

1. You already subscribe to more than one monthly mustang publication.
2. Your screensaver album has more photos of Mustangs than family.
3. Any of your children or family pets are named Shelby.
4. You own more than four shirts with a Mustang on it.
5. You can tell anyone who asked you what happened on April 17^th, 1964.

I’m sure you could add a few of your own to this list but it’s all just part of the passion and devotion that defines who a Mustang owner is!  The Mustang nation of fanatics grows more every year and as we approach the 50^th anniversary I’m excited to say that it’s only going to get bigger!

Old Flame

Think back and see if you can remember that special girl that you had a crush on……you chased her, dreamed of her, then one day you finally worked up the courage to take her out and the relationship began.  Then a strange transformation took place, your whole world revolved around her, she is all you thought about and you spent all your hard earned money on her.  Everything was working out great and you loved her so much, but as time went on your relationship grew farther apart and you didn’t seem to spend as much money on her and you began to see a few flaws in her and you even seemed to lose your desire to spend as much time with her.  Even if it lasted a long time, the relationship lost its spark and you sometimes found yourself looking around at other girls (note to self……this can lead to big trouble).

Okay, have you figured out that I’m not talking about a girl?  I’m talking about an old flame……your old car you used to have, she was your baby, but now somebody else is driving her??  You sold her, traded her, etc…….it doesn’t matter the reason, the fact is, she’s not yours anymore!  It’s a sad day after she is gone and you realize you wish you had her back.  I’m sure many of you can relate to this.

The O-Jays in 1978 had a song titled “Used to be my girl” and it had a few lyrics that will remind you of that old car you wish you had back!  “I respect her, when she was mine, I used to neglect her, she wanted more than I could give……..And if I had the chance, I’d take her back, as a matter a fact, right away, like today…..She used to be my girl”. 

Yes, if we had the chance, many of us would love to take back our old car that was our pride and joy!  We would most likely treat her with more tender care this time.  Sometimes guys are able to track down their old rides and are able to restore them to the way they once were.  Maybe you would do things to it this time around that you did not have the time or funds to do when you owned her before.  Truth is that with the internet, car clubs, car forums, and databases, you may find that it is easier to find your old dream car.  If you are one of the lucky ones to get a second chance to own that “Old Flame”, make sure you treat her with more respect this time!

The new 2014 Jaguar F-Type..........is it your type?

I had an opportunity to attend a launch party and unveiling of the all-new 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE.  You might ask why this is so special, well; this 2014 F-TYPE is the first new roadster from Jaguar in 40 years.   The historical E-Type debuted in 1961 and ended in 1974, so the gap will finally be bridged, and I can assure you that there are some major advances in style, technology, and performance.  I will get back to the features of the car shortly, but let me set the stage for this very special event first. 

Upon entering the dealership the lobby was flanked by two of the all new F-TYPE convertibles and also a 1970 E-Type 2+2 Coupe.  All guests were treated to food/drinks/music, and a wonderful atmosphere where you were encouraged to check out all the features of this new vehicle.  The showroom was filled with approximately 60-70 guests including several members from the North Alabama British Motoring Society.  Many of these car enthusiasts had driven their own classic/vintage British motorcars to the event.  One very special club member’s car was featured inside, a 1970 E-Type 2+2 coupe with a 4.2liter straight 6-cylinder.

Okay……now for the scoop on the new car that Jaguar is not referring to as a tribute, but flows with the classic E-Type’s DNA.  The 2014 Jaguar F-Type is available in three models; Base, S, and the V8 S. This two seat fabric top roadster sets itself apart as totally different looking from anything in Jaguars’ current family, and is described on the brochure as “Pure Driving Pleasure”.  Each model is equipped with a Roots-type twin vortex supercharger under the one piece stamped aluminum hood.  The Base has a 3.0 liter V6 engine with 340 HP, the S model has a 3.0 liter V6 with 380 HP, and the mighty V8 S has a 5.0 liter V8 with an incredible 495HP.   The supercharger is mounted in the “V” of the engine to keep the profile of the hood more compact which maintains the sleek look to the hood line. 

As I reflect for a moment, one of the more exciting thrills of the evening was when the sales manager unexpectedly fired the engine on the V8 S and blipped the throttle a few times……..I can assure you that the guests were awake and eager to hear more from the beast growling under the hood!  That leads me to tell you about the Active Sport Exhaust system Jaguar has made standard on the S and the V8 S models. It features active bypass valves which open during more spirited driving, allowing exhaust to exhale a bit more freely.  The result is quite frankly unlike anything I’ve heard before……..the best way I know to describe it was a deep American V8 rumble mixed with a healthy dose of Ferrari.  By the way, this system does has a manual switch so that you can take control of when and where you want to make a little music of your own.  When you decide to take part in a little of the spirited driving that I mentioned you can do so at a pace that will impress even the tougher car magazine editors.  The new F-Type’s V8 S will take you on a major head rush as it reaches the 60mph standard in a mere 4.2 seconds, and is reported to have a 186 mph top speed.  (I hope I’m invited back for one of those “spirited” test drives I keep referring to)  In case you are curious how that stacks up against some stiff competition, in a recent Automobile Magazine test drive the Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet was only able to reach 60 mph in 4.5 sec. and the “as tested” cost was $18,855 more than the Jaguar.

 

I almost forgot to mention that it delivers a whopping 460 lb. ft. of torque through the 8-speed automatic dual-clutch gearbox.  If you are feeling the need for speed and decide to flip the switch on the dynamic mode to the left of the joystick looking shift lever, the F-Type will reward the driver with a host of race inspired goodies--quicker throttle response, quicker steering, and the adjustable shocks become more firm to plant this roaster into the turns with a more race inspired feel.  The action heats up even more if you decide to take measures literally into your own hands by switching to sport mode on the shifter knob--you can change gears when you want to and then if that wasn’t enough go for it by flipping the paddle shifters from behind the wheel and never take your hands from the wheel.  If this type of driving excites you then choose the Performance Pack option and enjoy the 8inch touch screen in the dash as it displays the G-Force meter, lap times, and other “go fast” info you race junkies are looking for from a rear wheel drive sports car.

My favorite part of the car was the sexy hips that the roadster was sporting in the rear--the side profile of the car rolled over and into a point near the back of this car reminded me of the classic look of its older brother in the showroom…..the E-Type but with a more refined and glamorous look.  It’s hard to imagine using the two terms racy and glamorous in the description of this car, but trust me that’s how I felt about it.  I overheard one guest say that the car “looks fast even when parked”.   And even though I’ve heard that term used before, it certainly rings true with this ride.

There are so many more features of this all new car that I don’t have time to cover, I could go on for hours.  But the best thing you can do is go see it and decide if this sleek new roadster is just what you’ve been missing in your garage!  The new 2014 Jaguar F-Type is most defiantly my “Type”.  The hardest part of your visit to the showroom will be……what color do you want?

Boys to Men!

I reached another milestone this week……..I began helping my son learn to drive a 5 speed manual shift car.  I must admit that he did great, much better than I did my first time trying to drive a manual shift car.  He picked up on the function of the clutch quicker than I expected and I think by the end of the summer he will have mastered it pretty well.  He seemed to be excited and nervous and the same time and surprisingly I was calmer with him than I thought I would be.  Dads can get a little nervous also during these early driving lessons and that may be why I learned to drive a stick shift car with lessons from my mom. 

As I reflected on our successful first driving lesson, I began to think about at what age a boy truly begins to develop his passion for cars.  Boys play with hot-wheels and model car when they are little, but at what point does the spark light their true excitement for wanting their first car?  I guess it depends on the boy; some kids may get into computers/girls/sports/etc…..but if they are destined to be a “Car Guy” at some time in their early teen years they begin to take more notice of cool cars.  They start asking questions about the make or model and the specifics of the engine size or horsepower.  If the dad is a car guy this development will usually be quicker than if the dad or grand dad is not into cars or hot rods himself.  No matter what age it happens, this can be a wonderful time for some father / son bonding as they share in the love of all things cars!  I tell people all the time that you are NEVER too old to play with cars!

(This photo is my son at a one of many car shows we enjoyed together when he was younger)

That leads me to another related topic…..car shows; taking a kid to a car show is so much fun and can be a great event that you share with the whole family.  Most car shows and cruise-ins are very family friendly and have something for all ages like face painting, games, contest, or even a kid’s choice award where the kids under a certain age get to vote for their favorite car/truck at the show.  Don't miss a great opportunity to share in this great past time event with your family and you can even relive a little of your youth as you tell them some stories of the "Good Ol Days"!

Now it’s time to wax!

After giving you tips last time on how to wash your ride, now it’s time to wax it.  Most folks forget that waxing a car not only makes it shine, but it protects the paint and if have not priced a paint job lately, trust me you want to do all you can to protect and prolong the finish on your ride.  Waxing the paint on your vehicle can help protect it from contaminates like tree sap, bird droppings, road grit/grime, acid rain, dirt, smoke, and even small rocks.  Most small scratches can also be removed from the paint surface if you wash and wax your ride correctly.

The first step is to make sure that your car or truck has been washed and dried completely (hopefully following instructions from my last article).  You should never wax a vehicle while the surface is hot; always allow time in the shade for your ride to cool.  The brand of wax is up to you, but I do recommend that you read the instructions on the bottle carefully because the manufacturer sometime gives specific tips that are to be followed.  There are two main types of wax or polish to use on your vehicle; carnauba based wax is derived from tree leaves and provides the best deep “wet-look” to your paint finish, and the newer polymer waxes or sealants do a better job of bonding to the paint.  The polymer products offer longer protection of your vehicles finish; however, they don’t always give the impressive “glossy” look that the carnauba products will.  When it comes to applying the wax you want to get some of the waxing pads, they are small round (approx... 6 inch) terry cloth type pads.  These pads make it easy to apply the paste or liquid wax onto the vehicle.  I always put my wax on the pad then rub onto the surface in small swirling motions and only do small sections of the car a time.  Another excellent way to apply the wax to your ride is by using an orbital buffer.  These buffers are relatively inexpensive and can make the task simpler than the old fashion hand polishing.

(I took this photo in Somerset, KY at a car show…….look at that shine!)

Make sure that after each section of the wax has dried (formed a white haze), then remove it with a clean/dry cloth.  I always use the new “micro fiber” rags to wipe off all of the wax and then a second one to polish the paint.  If you use this technique, I promise you that your ride can also have that awesome deep “Glossy” look! Now you have no excuses not to wash and wax your ride this winter and get it ready for the Car Show and Cruise-in season!

Joseph

What's the best way to wash your car?

Folks are always asking me how I have kept my cars so clean and shiny and I usually tell them its hard work, but today I thought it was time to share a few of my car cleaning tips that should help you keep your ride clean and looking good!

There are more car cleaning products on the market today than ever and I know you are most likely overwhelmed anytime you try to find the best stuff to use on your car or truck (even if it’s not a show piece).  I have been told all of my life that you should never use normal dish soap to clean your car that it is too harsh and will damage your paint and/or strip all of the wax on your car off.  Well, I’m not sure if that is true or not, but I have always used a soap specifically designed for cars.  The products I use when I hand wash my car are not the highest priced stuff in the store, but I do use ones that give you lots of soapy suds.  Always make sure you let your car cool and try to wash it in the shade if possible. 

The best way to wash your car is to use two different wash mitts (I never use any type of sponge……it can trap dirt or grime to easy).  Use one mitt to clean the car from the top down and wash it in sections, that way you can wash a section and then quickly rinse it off (not letting the soap dry).  Use the second mitt to wash the lower section of your car and the tires and wheels.  This second mitt will always be the one that removed most of the road grit and grime from the lower sections.  You never want to use this one on the main areas of your car like the hood or top.  Don’t even put the second mitt in the bucket until you are finished washing the upper sections of the car.  Some folks even use a second bucket for this mitt.  Make sure you rinse the car off completely with lots of water to remove any soap.

2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta………Photo courtesy of Road and Track

Here is another tip that adds a little time but is worth the effort.  I use one of the synthetic chamois cloths similar to the ones the Olympic athletes used to dry off with after getting out of the pool events.  This allows you to safely dry the car and remove all of the water that has beaded up on the paint……water spots look awful and collect more dirt.  Then all you have left to do is put some shine on your tires and you are ready for the local cruise-in!!

I hope these simple tips will help you keep your ride clean……….stay tuned for another blog soon that will guide you how to wax your car and give it that show shine!!

Joseph

That First Car

There is one experience that ranks right up there with all the big ones (First Kiss, First Child, First Job, or First Home), it’s not the most important one, but your first car is one you will always remember.  For most folks it’s that first taste of freedom or independence, driving your own car down the road!  You are finally captain of the ship and you are the one charting the journey (even if it is just driving to school or to the grocery store for your mom).  Your first car may have been a clunker or a hunk of junk, it may have been a hand me down from an older brother or sister, but at least you did not have to bum a ride with your buddies or have your mom or dad drop you off.  It never failed that as soon as word got out that you had your own ride, your cool factor increased by at least 25%.  Sometimes it would even score you a date with a girl or guy that was out of your league just because of your ride.  There are so many topics to discuss about your first ride, but I thought I would share my first car with you guys.

My first car was a 1979 Volkswagen Scirocco and it may have not been much to brag about, but one thing was for sure……it was mine!  I remember so many fond memories in this car and I should because I drove it for 9 LONG years!  I purchased this car with help from my dad in the summer of 1986 and we only paid $2200 for it.  I’m surprised looking back at just how many modifications I did to it because back in 1987, we didn’t know how to do all the cool tricks the kids do today.  We never considered lowering the car, putting a cold air intake on it, adding performance mufflers, installing cams, etc.  There also were not as many performance companies selling stuff back then.  Now days you can modify or “hot rod” anything!!

(My old 1979 Scirocco after a few modifications, and yes that is my cat “Sammy”)

Here is a list of the few mods I did; added a front chin spoiler with fog lamps, tinted the windows, changed the tires/wheels, and added a stereo and woofers/amps in the trunk!  If you knew me back in the late 80’s then you know that I had more money in my stereo system than the car was worth (how many of you can relate to that??).  Sometimes I wonder if this car is still running or if it has been retired…….who knows, one of these days I may try to find it and restore it.  Just think of the things I could do to it now. 

I've had many cars and even a truck sense my first car, but nothing will replace the memories of that first ride.  It never fails that at a car show or cruise-in you will hear the conversation turn to "What was you first ride"?  It's amazing to hear the kind of cars and trucks folks drove, but you can hear the passion in their voice as they tell the stories that take them back to those days gone by!!  Maybe you are one of the lucky ones who was able to locate and buy back your first car.......well, if you are enjoy it and don't let go this time around.

Joseph

The Chase is on!!

Face the facts……we all love seeing our favorite movie star give us a thrill ride during a high speed car chase scene.  There are a few must have’s in any great action film that are required.  It must have today’s biggest Hollywood Stars in it; it must have a great car chase scene and of course it needs to have some crazy stunts and a few explosions!

Let’s look at what is needed to make a great car chase; first we need to establish what vehicle we will use in our chase, should it be today’s hottest new ride or shall it be a classic muscle car?  One of my favorites is when the movie producers put the star in a car that is not known for its ability to evade the bad guys or the police. (Like the little mini cooper that Jason Bourne used in the first Bourne Identity movie).  Second, we need to decide where our hero (or bad guy) will drive, will it be in the city where he has to use his lightening quick moves to maneuver through the daily traffic during rush hour or will he be out in a remote location where he can take his car to the limits of speed?  The driver must have mad skills that would make a race car driver take notice and he must be able to drive the car at its limits and beyond. 

Joseph’s Top 5 Movie Chase Scenes:

1. Bullitt (1968) Starring Steve McQueen……..It features two muscle cars of the day (1968 Fastback Mustang and a 1968 Dodge Charger) and they chased each other through the streets of San Francisco for over nine minutes in one of the most epic chases ever filmed.
2. French Connection (1971) Starring Gene Hackman………This Oscar winning film featured a Pontiac LeMans chasing the bad guy on an elevated train track through the crowded streets of Brooklyn, NY.
3. Cannonball I. (1981) Starring Burt Reynolds and an all-star cast…….This movie was basically one big car chase from start to finish, but the opening scene with the police chasing the girls driving the black Lamborghini is a must see. (Can you say 200 mph?)
4. Ronin (1998) Starring Robert De Niro……You might not be a familiar with this one, but trust me it may be one of the best!  It is set on the narrow streets of Paris and features a BMW M5 and a Peugeot 306.  This fast paced chase was filmed using Formula 1 drivers of the day and actually had the real actors in the cars pretending to drive.  It’s been said that the actors did not have any trouble with showing “Real” emotions during these scenes!
5. Smokey and the Bandit I. (1977) Starring Burt Reynolds……This one is on my list because seeing it for the first time when I was 10 yrs. old and seeing the Black Trans Am running from the Sheriff and even jumping a washed out bridge will forever be etched in my mind as a classic.

Whatever your favorite is, I’m sure it contains the same action packed qualities that mine did, so break out the DVD player and queue one up. (Don’t forget to turn up the volume!!)

Car Forums.........are you hooked?

If you are “Old School” you might be asking what a car forum is, but if you are from the younger crowd, most likely you already know what they are and how addictive they can be! 

I’m not sure of the age or origin of the car forums, but they have become very popular among the tech savvy and car crazy groups and to be honest they can be extremely useful.  I imagine there are thousands of active forums on the internet dedicated to automotive endeavors, it does not matter if you are into Jeeps, VW’s, Mustangs, Trucks, or even vintage race cars, there is a forum for you out there.  Here is the crazy thing, not only is there a forum out there for you, but it’s full of other folks chatting and talking it up about the same stuff you love! 

I must admit that the first forum I got involved with ended up costing me a bunch of money……..how?  Well, it ignited a spark that fueled my passion for the Ford Mustang and after hanging out on that particular forum, I began my quest to own one and approximately 3 Months later, I purchased my first new car and yes it was a Mustang.  As time rolls on you surf the multiple topics and threads (as they are called) and see hundreds of photos of folks just like you who have begun to upgrade and modify their rides and guess what happens………you get bit by the modifying bug.  Now don’t let this scare you away from the forums because another great fact about forums is most of them have some type of tech section where you can get help from people who can help you with issues (troubleshooting) that arise with your vehicle.  Best part is they have already “Been there, done that” and can advise you what your problem is and how to fix it.  Trust me the tech section of the various forums have already saved me many times and saved money in the process. (Note……this money saved can be put back into your upgrade account!)  And speaking of money, another great thing about these sites and the forum section, its free to sign up and get a username/password.  I use to just lurk on these sites, but quickly learned it was way more fun to register and get in on the small talk of my favorite subjects.

I wanted to share a few of my favorites (not in any order):

http://forums.themustangsource.com/  (this is the site that got me hooked)

http://www.huntsvillecarscene.com/index.php#axzz2U8OX8Pfo (this is the site in my area that keeps me informed of car shows/cruise-ins/etc…) I bet your local car guys have one…..find it!

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/ (recently found this site and the forum section is packed with ALL [Foreign and Domestic] car stuff!) Lots of Formula 1 and vintage racing stuff on here to!

http://www.pro-touring.com/forum.php (This site is one of the best for custom/resto-mod stuff)

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/index.php4 (another great site for the custom/street machines)

I hope you get time to get involved in the forum scene and don’t just be a “lurker”……register and get involved (Warning…….it is addictive!!).

Joseph

Fast and Furious...what's the big deal?

What’s the big deal about the Fast and Furious movies and why do they grab so much attention?? The 6th installment of the Fast and Furious movies is set to open on Friday May 24th across the nation and car guys will race to see it! (Pun intended) If you have to ask why, you most likely don’t get it. The current episode stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Vin Diesel, and Paul Walker and many of the other regular cast from the other five movies.

For those who may not understand the craze for these movies, lets go down the list of reasons why they are so popular; Fast cars, Hot Girls, Street Racing, Car Chases, and Big name stars………ready to go see it yet?

To me the reason that these movies have been so cool for the car guy is that the ordinary car enthusiast can escape into a dream world of underground street racing and car modifying that is so addictive. Having an unlimited budget for upgrades/mods on your daily driver would be awesome, but how many of us can realistically do that?? (That’s what makes it fun to watch and play the “what if” game)

Have you noticed how the cars that are featured in each of the movies have instantly become “sought after” rides?? I mean just go back and look at the early movies and the cars; they made every young man want to go get a 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS or a 1994 Toyota Supra because those were the rides they drove in the 1st Fast and Furious movie. These cars even have a title that seems to define what they are and just how much they mean to the owners. The buzz word for these cars or the guys themselves is “Tuner”. This term seems to define the younger generation that is so serious about their cars and love to show them off.

The term “Tuner” as defined by urban Dictionary: “A small/small medium car of the compact/compact sedan/compact sports breed, i.e. foreign makes such as but not limited to Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi vehicles, that have been modified with various after-market parts in an attempt to make them better, faster, and more appealing to other owners of cars of the same type and style”.

I must admit that the Tuners these days have taken modifying to the next level……..I seriously enjoy seeing them and the ingenious ideas they come up with and those candy coated paintjobs they have on their cars will make you drool.



Another car featured in these movies is the 1970 Dodge Charger that is driven by “Dominic” (played by the actor Vin Diesel), and yes, it is a Man’s Man car!!
It has everything the true muscle car guy wants; Black paint, Big tires out back, and a Blower sticking out of the hood! This car is a throwback to the Muscle Car era of the 1960 & 70’s and appeals to the older guys who are watching these movies.

I’m not sure what new “Hot” cars will be featured in this latest movie, but I can guarantee you this, they will be copied and cloned just like all the other rides from the past few movies and sales for these cars will skyrocket!

So there you have it, the Fast and Furious movies have all the bases covered if you are even remotely into car stuff. And if you love cars/car shows/cruise-ins/etc……Huntsville, AL is a hub for these car guy activities. During the spring there is always somewhere to go and hang out with other folks who share in the same passion you do...... (No matter what brand or how many mods)!

In fact plans are in the works to have some cars featured/showcased during opening night of the Fast and Furious 6 at a couple of the local Huntsville movie theaters…….I can’t confirm what cars will be there, but I bet they will draw a crowd!

Enjoy the movie……..Joseph

(Article and comments also found at: http://www.huntsvillecarscene.com/showthread.php?t=7692#axzz2TgmIxsGm )

When Cars were the Stars!

 If I ask you what Eleanor and General Lee had in common what would you say?  Well General Robert E. Lee’s mother was not named Eleanor, but those two names do share something……they were stars of the TV Show Dukes of Hazard and the Movie Gone in 60 Seconds.  Bo and Luke Duke ran from Sheriff Roscoe and Boss Hogg each week as they tried to stay out of trouble in their 1969 Dodge Charger R/T named General Lee.  They jumped every washed out bridge in Hazard County and slid that car around every corner with dust just a flying! 

Eleanor was the name of the car in both Gone in 60 Seconds movies, the 1974 edition and the more popular version from the year 2000.  The 1974 movie featured a yellow and black 1973 Mustang Mach-1, but most folks remember the silver and black 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang that was stolen by movie star Nicolas Cage.  Maybe that’s where the phrase “drive it like you stole it” comes from.

 

Back in the 70’s a couple of guys named Starsky and Hutch could be seen each week in prime time TV as they chased the bad guys in their wicked looking 1976 Gran Torino.  Starsky nicknamed the car the “Striped Tomato” in one of the episodes and I guess if it had not been for the show, this car would not be very high on the “Cool Car” list, but trust me the red Torino with that famous white stripe down the side will always be associated with a couple of tough cops from California.

There were so many more cars that I could have talked about and I’m sure you are screaming the name of as you read this, but I wanted to mention one more that is my most memorable star car.

Burt Reynolds, better known as “The Bandit” almost drove right out of the screen in the blockbuster movie from 1977 called Smokey and the Bandit.  He burned rubber and jumped a bridge of his own in his black and gold 77 Bandit Trans-Am.  I was only 8 years old when I went to the theater with my parents to see it the 1^st time and it forever changed the way I felt about cars and may have been what lit my spark for being so passionate about cars today.  I’m not going to lie, even when I see a nice looking Bandit Edition Trans-Am today, it gets my blood pumping and it makes me want to grab for my old CB and give a shout out for the Snowman and ask what’s your 20?  If you were a child of the 80’s you know what I’m talking about!! 

It does seem that in many movies we have watch through the years that the cars were the real stars of the movie and I’m sure the Hollywood will thrill us with again with the next big car chase scene.

Thanks, Joseph

Why don’t we have flying cars by now??

When we were young it was believed that in the future we would have cars that can fly and there would be no worries about traffic jams or congested highways!  It seemed like all the futuristic movies and cartoons always showed folks traveling around in flying cars that hovered over the road and we all imagined that by the year 2000 or so, we would all be travelling around like this with no issues.  Well, I hate to break this to you but I don’t think we are any closer now to a flying automobile as a daily commuter than we were when I was a kid. 

1959 Cadillac Cyclone Concept

Now we have made tons of highly advanced and technological steps toward making the cars we drive handle better and go faster.....…have you been keeping up with where we are now as far as horsepower and handling is concerned??   If not, let me tell you about a few stats that will get your blood pumping if you are a car guy or girl.

The 2013 Porsche 911Carrera S has a listed 0-60 mph time of 3.7 sec., runs the quarter mile in 12.1 sec at 116 mph, and recorded an average lateral acceleration of 1.03 G’s.  Even though this car has a price tag of $123,840….....Those are race car stats from just a few short years ago.  (Courtesy of Motor Trend)

(Photo Courtesy of Motor Trend)

The 2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1 has an estimated 580 HP, runs 0-60 mph in 3.8 sec. and boasts a top speed in the quarter mile of 117 mph all while being priced at only $57, 265   (Courtesy of Motor Trend)

(Photo Courtesy of Car and Driver)

I remember when I was younger the first thing I did when I opened a copy of Car and Driver or Motor Trend Magazine was to flip to the back and check out the list of new cars and the stats they listed.  I always scanned that list for the fastest car from 0-60 mph or top speed and that was the car I wanted!  Hey, it never hurts or cost anything to dream right??

Okay maybe the cars we drive in 2013, or at least have the opportunity to drive, might not be propelled through the air, but trust me they are “Flying” down the highway!

Thanks, Joseph

What’s on the radio?

Driving our cars with the radio blasting is just a way of life but it has become so much more than just a radio and music these days.  I heard a song the other day while driving to work and it got me thinking about when did the first radios appeared in automobiles.  Well it turns out that mass produced radios built for vehicles were not available until the late 1920’s.  So I researched these little known facts and began to see how quickly things developed with different forms of entertainment in our vehicles.  I remember seeing a Cadillac owned by Elvis in the Country Music Hall of Fame and it had a 45 rpm record player in the back seat so that he could listen to any music of his choice whenever he wanted.  Now that car was custom made for Elvis by historic car builder George Barris, but it was very interesting to see what could be done with an unlimited budget.  Let’s see just how far we have come with electronics in our cars;

The First FM Radio was introduced in 1952, and the First 8-Track Tape Player was available in 1965.  I guess because we had a thirst for something better the first in-car Stereo came along in 1969 and the cassette tape player became popular in the mid 1970’s.  In 1982 Bose became the first “Premium” stereo system in cars. (I wonder just how “Premium” it was back then?)  As the new age began to take hold, the first factory installed in-dash CD player was available around 1985.*

 

After the whole “music in our vehicles” evolution was in full swing, it was time to usher in a new type of media into our cars and trucks; the Navigation system.  They were first introduced in cars in the late 80’s and early 90’s and that opened a whole new adventure for all of us to enjoy (or be frustrated at when they don’t work correctly).  Even though some of the early systems were not very effective, they at least pushed the envelope of technology.  The next big step in the world of vehicle navigation was the use of GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) in 1995.  The first system was reportedly introduced by Oldsmobile and was called GuideStar.*

With the advances in technology that have taken place just in my 43 years, I have to ask, what’s next?  If he were still alive, I wonder how crazy it would sound to try and explain Face Book, Texting, or Twitter to my Grandfather.  Can you also imagine how I would explain the fact that you can now talk to your car and just say “Rascal Flatts” and your car will automatically begin to play your collection of Rascal Flatts music from the hard drive that comes factory in the dash of your car.  Wow……times have changed!

*Reference:  Car and Driver Magazine Oct. 2010

Thanks, Joseph

What is your “American Idol”?

As I was watching the show “American Idol” this week it got me thinking about the level of talent and how hard it is to stand out from the crowd these days.  I think we can say the same thing about the cars we see on the streets today, it has become very hard to distinguish one car brand from another.  The past few years has seen the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Charger give us a blast from the past as each of these cars brought back that classic/iconic look that they became famous for.  Even the new 2014 Chevy Corvette unveiled a few weeks ago pulled from the old-school goodies bag by reviving the “Stingray” name……used for the first time since 1967. (I’m a Ford guy, but I think it looks awesome!)

2014 and 1967 Corvette Stingray (photo from Automobilesreview.com)

I think if the American auto maker wants to sell more cars and get back the piece of the pie being lost to the foreign car makers, they must not be swayed by all the market studies and social media hype.  The Detroit boys need to make cars that appeal to the young crowd as well as the older guys who enjoy driving American Iron.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of many cars from across the pond, however, it seems that today’s cars are falling into the cookie-cutter mold and all look the same!  Seriously it’s very difficult to make out a Hyundai from a Jaguar or a Kia from BMW and to me that’s a problem.  I’m not saying the design is not good or that the cars aren’t attractive, I’m just afraid buyers are searching for a unique look that sets their ride apart.  Years ago part of the American dream for every young boy was to own a true “American Idol” and it was parked in your driveway!

Thanks, Joseph
(Article and comments also found at: http://www.huntsvillecarscene.com/showthread.php?t=7605#axzz2RbKNNFED)