Great post. The paddle shifters would be greatly missed for this reason alone. Perhaps in some other cars (Nissan?) they would be superfluous, but Subarus need them for managing downshifts. Upshifting is best left to the mechatronics.

The 250 GT SWB was raced. A lot. And very successfully. If you are thinking Lusso, GTE or California, yes, those were intended for the road, not a track. Ferrari gets a significant bump because of its successful racing history and low production numbers of its early cars. Perennially attractive Pininfarina designs…

One downside is crummy mileage, at least for a car with 140 hp. Like 24 highway. At best. The Maximas were just as bad before the 1985 move to FWD.

You're right, they didn't offer it with a manual during the years it had the 4-valve straight-six. Whatever she had, it was not a 1989-1992. Or it got a swap (which doesn't sound likely).

I used to think all Eastern bloc cars were equally as bad (except Tatra), but we shouldn't confuse the heritage of Skoda and Dacia. Skoda has a deep history of unique engineering and design, dating to the 19th century, and survived despite the Cold War. Dacia, however, was a product of the Cold War, and did little…

Bombardier currently makes DI 2-stroke engines for both outboard motors and snowmobiles.

I'm liking the Fiat concept. Even a Lancia Beta with the Abarth swap would be pretty cool. I've seen a BRAT with an STi swap, pretty frightening.

Or this and another very similar option: LS FD RX-7. I suspect the RX-7 chassis and suspension setup will be more up to the task than the old 240.

Cadillac had a short-lived LMP Northstar program that was somewhat successful in the ALMS series but definitely overshadowed by the string of R8 successes. The best result at three 24 Hours of Le Mans was ninth. I think it scored a second in one U.S. race, just behind an R8.

Actually, BMW did perform development work on the Mark VII, installing a full-width dashboard, airbag, MPI engine and a new radiator design. They changed the gearing, too. It was probably the first "not entirely British" Mini. When the Mini reverted to BMW in 2000, it was only a technicality as the result of selling…

It's funny, I thought for a long time that Mini ceased to be when the Rover Group was purchased by BMW in 1994. But that's not true. Original Minis (in Mk VII form) were made at Longbridge until 2000, just before the new MINI appeared. The marque and manufacturing (if not the company) was and still is in England, and…

That's the beauty of the Saab. Efficient when required, power when necessary. Modulate with the throttle. That's basically the idea that's helping all of these other car companies get great highway fuel mileage with decently powerful cars. Even a Saab tuned well into the 300+ hp range will easily get 30mpg highway. As…

I've driven a Stage 4. Stock internals. Somewhat frightening with 420whp.

Actually, when the Viggen was launched (with a 235hp 4 banger), BMW was still using a 240hp six in the US and Canada.

If you drank it today, it would be plenty mellow. I drank a 4-year-old Devil Dancer (only 12% but still 112 IBUs) and it was clear the IBUs had faded considerably. The malts took over the flavor profile and it drank more like a malty cream ale. Caramel and butterscotch (think Werther's). Yes, a mild hop kick at the…

The IMS issue was a problem mainly for the 3.6-liter 2002-2004 cars, which I believe used a different bearing. Those had as much as a 10% failure rate. The early 3.4-liter cars and a final run of 996s to about 2007 had a less than 1% failure rate. It's not much, but a $1,000-1,500 bearing replacement is better than a…

Really Old Brown Dog is where it's at.

I only like Long Trail because it's a good alternative from the usual Geary's Pale and Allagash White (fine, but boring) at Drydock in Portland, ME, which otherwise has great seafood. The Double Bag is worth a try.

Wine quality is very much at the whim of the grape harvest, affected by weather, which is why vintage is so important with almost any style of wine, except fortified varieties or blend. Barley and wheat are far hardier. The sugar must be converted and the flavor is more predictable. But variations can occur in hop…

If you can find Really Old Brown Dog, it is excellent. But the Baltic Porter is where it's at. (robust porter if you can't find the baltic)