Post of the day - so far!

It is also worth recalling that cars have become so much better assembled and more reliable in every way over the past 50 years. Full service was needed back in the day because tires weren’t as good at holding air, engines leaked and burned oil, radiators leaked coolant, and gaskets and hoses deteriorated due to heat…

I wonder how many of our tax dollars were burned up to produce this hulk.  What a waste!

“...if this design let them make more profits they will immediately jump on it” It will be profitable for the aircraft manufacturers and airlines in large part because our tax dollars are subsidizing the R & D. Boeing wouldn’t be researching this without the financial aid of NASA. I don’t have a problem with the Feds…

The Citroen SM.  A gorgeous car then and still gorgeous today.

I suspect that one’s preference in design would be from the years he or she was first interested in cars. So, I’ll date myself by saying that the GM full-size cars in 1964, ‘65 and ‘66 were among the most beautifully sculptured vehicles of any era. I submit for consideration the 1965 Pontiac Bonneville coupe and 1966…

One important factor missing from this article is one’s age. It’s pretty well known that as we get older (say 50+) the less efficiently our bodies process protein. So, an older person needs to take in more than someone in their 30's, all other things being equal. In the example of the body builder at 200 pounds, the…

I’m with you on the EV conversion.  Doesn’t GM have a program for that?

When I travel to Maui - once or twice a year to visit family - I rent from one of those local, family-owned firms. I get a twelve year-old Hyundai or similar car that has definitely seen better days. But,

A stone pretzel steering wheel? What could go wrong?!? I can see getting a hand caught in that loop during a hard turn and fracturing a wrist. And the tensile strength of marble doesn’t exactly make it a flexible piece during an accident. However, this isn’t made for driving. Like unwearable jewelry, it’s for show,…

Air France flew the A380 from LAX to CDG - among other routes - and I took that AF 65 flight several times. It was a monster of a plane that lumbered down the runway and cut through most turbulence like a pointed brick. But it was quiet and smooth, especially in Premium Economy above and behind the wings (and…

Get a grip, Andy. I own a Buick Encore (after years of owning expensive and high-performance cars). It’s amazing how much I get cut off, tailgated, and passed close on the right in reduced lane conditions. Your invitation for gripes about inoffensive vehicles merely justifies more of this kind of sick behavior. I’m…

Erin’s reporting on this was right for Jalopnik. And given the significant intersection between politics and vehicles, I’m guessing there will be plenty of stories for him to write about in the weeks and months to come. Maybe not about such stupid folks, but as Louis B. Mayer of M-G-M (paraphrasing H. L. Mencken) once…

1st Gear - Yes, while we’re at it, let’s start asking about all those oil ‘mines’ dotting and polluting the countryside. And all those ‘mining’ refineries located along rivers, coasts and in poor neighborhoods. To question a couple of dozen lithium mines which will have to meet the latest environmental regulations,…

A great connection for Jalopnik - “Dune” and Chilton. Where else can one find such obscure references? Thanks. As for the movie, I actually like the David Lynch movie - it was weird, over-stylized and hard to follow. Much like the book. I read the “Dune” and “Dune Messiah” last month and saw Villeneuve’s  effort on…

Somehow, Ford manages product planning and cadence really well - the timing of the Mustang-E, Bronco Sport, Bronco and various F-150 models all seem to strike the market at the right time. But their manufacturing prowess is seriously in question. Meanwhile, GM can’t get product planning right at all - Blackwings too…

Of course it is.  An unregulated economy will always work to push the ‘external’ costs (pollution, worker safety) on to society.  So, there are only two exclusions to this - enlightened corporate leadership (e.g. Patagonia) or  government intrusion into the marketplace.  Since there are too few Patagonias out there to…

I have no problem with increasing the pollution tax or with including trucks into fuel economy rules - it’s the biggest loophole / scam in the industry. However, I would also allow the car companies to buy equivalent credits from any other industry. No need to tip the scales in Musk’s favor.

Disney called...

Kvetch all you like about the photos, Jason, but that is one handsome car. Why can’t we have nice things anymore? How hard would be it be to make something like this at a $35K price point? Instead, we get Corolla Crosses. Ugh.