Last month, helping someone choose a new car, over a two day span we drove the BMW X1, Mini Countryman S, and a RAV4 in its priciest trim level. Based on the trim level and options she wanted, MSRP was similar on the three. Also drove a Mazda CX30 that was considerably cheaper. The Mini was too noisy and rough-riding…

Last time I was in California, I went out of my way to get a closer look at the Moffett hanger....and couldn’t help but wonder about the acoustics and how it could host a concert before it inevitably succumbs to that development pressure.

Amid the Camaros and Mustangs, I drove a 20 year old Corvair. Nobody cared that it couldn’t smoke the tires, but everyone wanted to learn about the car, including the DMV employee who didn’t even ask my girlfriend to parallel park during her license test because he kept peppering her with questions about the Corvair.

the child in me wants to throw some batteries into my neighbor’s pool just to watch an underwater fire

Hey, That’s Enrico Pallazzo!

Since all you’re really doing is putting some wheels beneath the engine, an Isetta will do, but any serious project starts with a (Lotus) Caterham

Thank you for mentioning rain. It’s the #1 reason drivers benefit from traction control and even all wheel drive.

So where’s the Corvair Greenbriar, or my Ford Falcon Clubwagon? It wasn’t just VW that created the market archetype.

The pint bottles of Fireball are likely the low alcohol version that seems to be displayed on the counter of every gas station convenience store that’s got a license to sell beer. Whatever floats your boat.

ironically, that shade of snot green actually draws your attention away from the rest of the ugly, so it gets a half point for the distraction

I’ve heard that Ford Small blocks (289-302-351w) were easily transplanted, and that the motor mounts lined up nicely with Pontiac V8s of the 60's and 70's. Never worked on one myself, but I’ve seen enough to conclude it was somewhat trendy at the time.

Sir, I don’t know whether you’re in denial, misinformed, or simply a fascist toadie, but trumps behavior that day was entirely consistent with the blather and attitude he’s displayed throughout hundreds, if not thousands , of inflammatory public appearances, televised interviews and tweets. Defending him at this point…

Landing a contract like this is a very big deal, the fantasy of every startup.

that “truck engine” is somewhat concerning. While I’m sure it’s a torque monster, it wasn’t built to rev, and I’d bet that it more likely would ‘tickle’ 140-150.

Same here. I’ve been whining about the disappearance of 2 door (and truly compact) pickups for years. I get how a truck with large comfortable cab can eliminate the reason one might need a second vehicle. What puzzles me though, is why the market -including the carpenters, plumbers, landscapers, etc. who actually need…

Agreed. I used to (1980's) run a Corvair in autocross and time trials. The engine’s belt-driven cooling fan sucks up a considerable amount of horsepower that could otherwise be directed toward forward motion. A few guys perfected the technique of throwing the belt off during a run to recover that power for a minute…

Chrysler Turbine. I can’t think of any other ‘concept’ car more memorable. Does it have to lose points because they let 50 loose on the road (and reclaimed all but 9, including Jay’s)

Sure, just the thing to slip by the whale watching tours...

That was my first thought too, and wondered whether they debated what colors to wear based on the details of their plan

WRX, like Miata, is the answer to a great many questions like this. It brought cheap, reliable rally car performance to the masses, in the preferred form of a commodious AWD wagon that doesn’t stop for snow or mud.