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September 2002
Chrysler 300M to live up to it's heritage
We've all heard the Dodge will market a heavy duty Ram truck with a 5.7 L V8, 345 hp Hemi power plant, but the really good news is that Chrysler has plans on putting a Hemi in it's 300M sedan within the next two years. There are even plans for a 300M ragtop by 2005. Has anyone noticed that this will be the second US "supersedan" to hit the market since GM swung the axe on the Impala SS in 1996? The Mercury Marauder this year, then the 300M in a couple more years. I wonder if GM execs can now see the folly in their decision to dump the Impala... after all, Mercury brought in the Maurauder, and now Chrysler brings us the 300M, and the bottom is starting to fall out of the SUV market. (In case you don't remember, GM re-tooled the Caprice/Impala platform to produce Tahoes after 1996.)
GTO nameplate to return in 2004
It's always great to see a classic revived-- unless you're talking about the 1980's re-birth of the Nova and LeMans as four banger econo-toasters. No, this is a different kind of re-birth, a re-invention deserving of the muscle car heritage that goes along with the name GTO. In 2004, Pontiac will release the new GTO with a 5.7 L V8 and optional six speed manual tranny. Pretty cool... until you think about it for a while. Don't get me wrong, the car is great (aside from looking suspiciously like a Grand Prix) but I can't help but wonder why GM is going to make a car designed by Holden (GM's Austrailian subsidiary) that offers a V8/reardrive/four-seater package very similar to the one they were so anxious to get rid of when they killed off the f-body cars. Go figure... I guess that's just GM thinking for you. Nice car, Pontiac... I just wish you'd tell us what your logic was. I mean, getting rid of the forth generation Trans Am, one of the sexiest and beefiest-looking Trans Ams ever, and producing a sedan with more or less "ho-hum" styling. I just don't get it. I think I need to go lie down.
More Pontiac news...
Pontiac has also unveiled their new 2003 Grand Prix for NASCAR competition. Despite losing Joe Gibbs Racing (#18 Bobby Labonte & #20 Tony Stewart), Pontiac is pressing ahead in NASCAR. They have recently signed PPI team owner Cal Wells (#32 Ricky Craven) to run Pontiacs in 2003, and there are rumors of the #4 Morgan McClure team (Mike Skinner) making the switch from Chevy as well.
Can you take a check?
Autoweek has the scoop on the new Enzo Ferrari, the replacement for the F50. You'll find lots of great pictures of this red beauty in the mag, each one having the effect of a Viagra overdose. Think about it... V12 engine noise, 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, top speed of 217 mph. Ooh-- I think I have to be alone now. Anywho, the new screamer will set you back a mere 670 K. Well, change my pants and get my checkbook. I wonder if they ship UPS...
The Fako Mako
An overseas con man tries to pass off a gussied-up C3 Vette as one the three Corvette Mako Shark II prototypes ever built. TCGOB takes great pleaure in exposing him. Read more...
Parting Shot
Someone should die for this...
July/August 2002
Just a few more random bits I've collected from the internet over the past few months since I have nothing interesting to say right now.
NOTE: Funny car pics on TCGOB have been moved to a new server and can be seen by visiting our Photo Garage.
June 2002
Just a few random bits I've collected from the internet over the past few months since I have nothing interesting to say right now.
NOTE: Funny car pics on TCGOB have been moved to a new server and can be seen by visiting our Photo Garage.
Spring 2002
NASCAR: It's All About The Cars
"It's All About The Cars" featuring the GM Aerocoupes of the late 1980's has been posted. Read it here.
Most Stolen Vehicles of 2001
If you own one of these vehicles, you better go lock it up. As you can see by looking at the list, the most commonly stolen cars are also the most commonly owned-- all the more reason to your express automotive individuality.
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1-1991 Toyota Camry
2-1989 Toyota Camry
3-1990 Toyota Camry
4-2000 Honda Civic SI
5-1994 Chevrolet C1500 4x2
6-1995 Honda Accord EX
7-1994 Honda Accord LX
8-1994 Honda Accord EX
9-1988 Toyota Camry
10-1996 Honda Accord LX
11-1993 Chevrolet C1500 4x2
12-1997 Ford F150 4x2
13-1990 Honda Accord EX
14-1991 Honda Accord LX
15-1996 Honda Accord EX
16-1987 Toyota Camry
17-1997 Honda Accord LX
18-1992 Honda Accord LX
19-1991 Honda Accord EX
20-1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4
21-2000 Chevrolet C1500 4x2 Silverado
22-1995 Honda Accord LX
23-1991 Acura Legend
24-1990 Honda Accord LX
25-1995 Honda Civic EX
Automotive Pet Peeves
Got a pet peeve you'd like to let the world know about? Send it in!
by Steve Wingate
People who put aftermarket wheels on cars that looked just fine to begin with.Anyone who parks their car across two or more parking spaces in an attempt to keep other cars from getting germs on it. I often find myself with an overwhelming urge to surround such cars with old, rusty shopping carts.White wall tires.People who drive in the left lane with the cruise control on. People who cut across empty parking spaces.Of course, there's always that perrenial gripe "People who drive and talk on cell phones.", but we all know that one by now. 98% of people you see with a cell phone glued to their ear in traffic are doing it just so commoners who don't have cell phones will see them using it. I would like to propose a safer, more economical way of letting people know that they are more important than others. A bumper sticker that reads "I Have a Wireless Phone. Impressive, isn't it?" People who can't drive straight shifts.This happens often in the small town where I live. People who see someone they know driving down the street in the opposite direction and decide that they have vitally important news* to impart to one another, so they stop and talk, blocking both lanes of traffic. Too bad the police can't give people tickets for just being assholes.* This "vitally important news" is nothing that I would consider important, such as "Hey Frank, your house is on fire." or "There's some guy with an axe in your back seat." but more often things like "Did you hear there's a singin' down at Corinth?" or "I hear the chicken plant is hiring."
January-February 2002
"Boneheads!" by Steve Wingate
"Driving Songs" by Steve Wingate
2002 Car Guy of Benchfield