Not big news. A few dozen were handed out to engineering schools in various states of disrepair. Notably, I think most were without charge controller, inverter, and/or brake booster (since these were unobtainium repair parts by the early 2000's). I know there's two in Flint (Kettering and Mott).

because racecar.

ZF 9-speed issues

CFC's are 'chlorinated' hydro-'fluoro'-carbons. So, it's a hydrocarbon chain with some C's and F's strung on it. Phase change cooling just requires a medium that can condense under pressure and evaporate when you expose it to heat, so most regular hydrocarbons fit the bill.

Propane charged cooling loops are fairly…

I still question why we don't just use R290 for vehicle a/c.

You're right, but it's inexact at best. I can look at a wide-band O2 sensor and know if there's enough lbs/min of fuel in a tbi system (and map for throttle/rpm ranges, pressure, octane, etc.).... a carb is more of a "does it work now?" "Seems to." And trying to strike a balance between will it start and idle, but not…

Carburetors are powered with demon magic. Not a car, but try syncing 4 single barrel, side draft, slide gate carbs. EFI I understand; PWM, phasing, sensors, I can handle. Accelerator pumps, venturis, floats, jets and jet sizing are a dark art.

fact: everyone north of 8 mile can suck it.

don't forget the EC / AT button that took me months to figure what it was supposed to do (fuel maps/shift points)

I totally understand this. The car is 100% identical to my first car. (edit: nope, mine was a 5-door liftback)

And in #1 most AWESOME plates: Pennsylvania's 'flagship niagra' plates. Completely unreadable past 10 feet. Too bad I moved.

Power assisted steering. All but the most hardcore sports cars will be made as 'Steer-by-Fear' electronic steering systems.

I like the cut of your jib.

is jezebel leaking again?

So, in recap, this confirms that to be a host on TopGear, one has to have a disproportionately large head? Sign me and my 3X-L helmet up.

Strange that the hair hides that melon-head so well.

No, that's after the airbag deploys.

I was in awe of my Aunt's Pontiac 6000's steering wheel as a child. In hindsight, as a child, I was clinically stupid.

"French Engineering"

Well, the linked article mentions that it fell under the Light Truck taxes (+25%) so one would assume Mini/BMW wasn't going to eat that cost. Soo.. probably 30-35k+, but would have been nice to have seen a journalist find that out and add to the story?

Male pattern baldness?