I had a first generation MR2 for 27 years. What a blast that was to drive. 115 hp although I had a Japanese motor in with higher compression - 130? Called it my big go kart.

I once drove a custom Mercedes R107 with an M100 V8 in it - a German Cobra, so to speak. All I could think was that this car wanted to kill me if…

Over the last 60 years, there have been just a handful - 3-4 Mercedes engines that had chain problems. And most of that was because they made a single-row chain when it should have been a double row. The M116 V8 - for the US only (for “fuel economy”) in 1981-1983 had a single row chain. The factory under warranty…

It’s disappointing that the engine uses a timing belt (which also drives the water pump), as that’s just a failure waiting to happen if the owner doesn’t change it on time, but it — along with the engine cover — does help keep engine noise down, which I appreciate.

Double points if the engine is interference - the…

I have heard several reference this book - I will have to order it. IIRC this is what the movie was based on. If you are near the Bay Area see the Cobra Experience museum too - fascinating!

A little GT-40 trivia: The movie got me interested in reading up on this era - for Shelby-American - what a story. To go from the first Cobra in 1962 to the FIA Manufacturer’s championship in 1965.

AFAIK the name “GT-40" was never official - a moniker given by the automotive press. It was officially the “Ford GT”.…

Asking a billion is more like extortion

That Rolls looks....garish. Traditionally they were understated elegance. But hey, who am I to critisize with such great sales?

I don’t know what to think about that. A car with all drum brakes, a little 2 barrel carb feeding a 289 - and that is the most invigorating drive you’ve had?

The cars of the 60s have a look that will forever be in vogue but handling and driving?

There’s example after video example of 60s icons being thrashed on the…

Looking at what is left of that front end I would speculate that he either became incapacitated or was trying to kill himself. That’s no 40 mph crash. 

I know the 500E was shunted back and forth across Stuttgart 3x-4x while each factory did their part. It wasn’t just Porsche that “made” it. Daimler didn’t have the facilities for such a small run and Porsche had just finished the 928 so they needed the work. It’s an interesting car, having the brakes of the 600SL and…

Why abuse an engine, even an old Toyota?

If that were a good synthetic it would probably be a non event. I was cringing looking at the valve train, even for a poor old Lada.

$500 and you are complaining? That is cheap. It’s your labor that has made it cheap.

But virtually all owners of more expensive cars are middle aged or up. Or drug dealers. :-) 

Can someone describe the “typical Corvette Owner”? I’m picturinkg some middle aged giy with gold chains, although I think that is more of a stereotype than reality.

I wouldn’t mind having one and doubt if I would be a “typical” owner.

I have seen 2 now on the street. I think the front end is beautiful while the back end has too many angles and things going every which way. Agree about the round tail lights. At least they have been round since 1961.

I would imagine those 291 Corvettes on dealer lots have a huge dealer markup.

What a sad day. I don’t know anyone who didn’t like this vivacious cheerful woman.

IIRC they were all the same color, too. I’ll bet getting GE Engine Services to fix that engine was bordering on aircraft turbine overhaul prices. Meaning 6 figures.

My experience was just the opposite. Admittedly this was 9 years ago, but my 90 year old father didn’t want to be bothered shopping for a Mercedes at dealerships, so I was assigned the task.

MB-USA had (has?) a website where you spec out the car - color, options, and then by the zip code you provide, send it to the…