Chrysler Group LLC Reports May 2012 U.S. Sales Increased 30 Percent; Best May Sales in Five Years

• Best May sales since 2007
• 26th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains
• 12th-consecutive month of sales gains of at least 20 percent
• Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brands each post sales increases in May compared with same month a year ago
• FIAT brand sales up 128 percent versus May a year ago; sets new sales record
• Fourth-consecutive month that FIAT brand sets a sales record
• Chrysler brand sales up 81 percent; best May sales in four years
• Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan sets May sales record with 87 percent increase
• Chrysler 300 flagship sedan posts triple-digit year-over-year sales gain; best May sales in five years
• Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans each post double-digit sales gains
• Jeep brand sales up 24 percent; best May sales since 2000
• Jeep Wrangler sales up 44 percent; sets all-time monthly sales record
• Jeep Grand Cherokee has best May sales since 2005
• Dodge brand sales up 14 percent; best May since 2008
• Dodge Avenger mid-size sedan sets sales record for month of May; Dodge Challenger muscle car sets all-time monthly sales record
• Dodge Journey full-size crossover posts 56 percent increase; best May sales in four years
• Ram Truck brand sales increase 23 percent in May versus same month in 2011
• Ram pickup truck sales up 29 percent; best May sales in five years
• Eight vehicles from Chrysler, Dodge, FIAT and SRT brands win awards from the Texas Auto Writers Association at Texas Auto Roundup; 2013 Dodge Dart takes home three of the awards
• Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee Win AutoPacific’s ‘2012 Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction’ Awards
   

June 1, 2012 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 150,041 units, a 30 percent increase compared with sales in May 2011 (115,363 units), and the group’s best sales in the month of May since 2007.

The Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brands each posted sales increases in May compared with the same month a year ago. The FIAT brand set a sales record for the fourth-consecutive month and the brand’s 128 percent year-over-year sales gain was the largest percentage increase of any Chrysler Group brand in May. 

Chrysler Group recorded its 26th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains and its 12th-straight month of sales increases of at least 20 percent.

Several additional Chrysler Group models posted record sales in May. The iconic Jeep Wrangler SUV and Dodge Challenger muscle car each set all-time monthly sales records, while the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger mid-size sedans set sales records for the month of May. 

“In spite of a tremendous amount of global economic uncertainty, the U.S. new vehicle sales industry continues to power ahead,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “Our May sales increased 30 percent and represented our 26th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth. We are also in the process of adding production capacity as quickly as possible to meet strong demand for our products.”

Once again, a broad range of Chrysler Group models contributed to the company’s 30 percent increase. While the Fiat 500 continues to rack up sales records, the Ram pickup truck logged its 25th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Both the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans posted double-digit sales gains in May, while the Chrysler 300 flagship sedan recorded triple-digit year-over-year sales growth. The Jeep brand weighed in with impressive double-digit sales gains by the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler SUVs. 

Chrysler Group finished the month with a 61-days supply of inventory (351,804 units). U.S. industry sales figures for May are projected at an estimated 14.2 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).

May 2012 U.S. Sales Highlights by Brand
FIAT Brand
FIAT brand sales were up 128 percent in May versus the same month a year ago, the largest year-over-year sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand. The FIAT brand set a sales record in May, the fourth-consecutive month that the brand has set a new record this year. May marked the first full month of sales of the Fiat 500 Abarth. Dealer orders for the Abarth, the ultimate high-performance small car, exceeded the production run of this model for the 2012 model year. The Fiat 500 Cabrio won the Sub Compact Car of Texas award at this year’s Texas Auto Roundup hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA).

Chrysler Brand
Chrysler brand sales were up 81 percent in May, the brand’s best May sales since 2008 and its 11th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. All three Chrysler models contributed to the brand’s strong sales performance in May. Sales of the Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, the brand’s volume leader for the month, were up 87 percent, a new sales record for the month of May. 

Sales of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan were up 140 percent, the model’s best May sales in five years. The Chrysler 300 earned “Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction” in the “Large Car” category from the automotive research group AutoPacific in May. The AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are based solely on owners’ satisfaction ratings of their new vehicle. Chrysler Town & Country minivan sales were up 56 percent in May compared with the same month in 2011.

Two Chrysler brand models earned accolades during TAWA’s Texas Auto Roundup. The Town & Country took home two awards – Family Car of Texas and Minivan of Texas. The Chrysler 300 Luxury Series was named Full-Size Luxury Car of Texas. After a day of demanding driving at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, journalists voted on their favorites and Chrysler Group secured eight of the possible 18 awards – the most of any participating manufacturer at the event.

Jeep® Brand
Jeep brand sales were up 24 percent in May compared with the same month a year ago, the brand’s best May sales performance in 12 years and its 25th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The Jeep Wrangler, the brand’s volume leader for the month, set an all-time sales record in May with its solid 44 percent sales increase. May sales of the Jeep Liberty mid-size SUV were the best since 2007.

Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most awarded SUV ever, increased 40 percent in May, the model’s best May sales since 2005. For the second year in a row, the Grand Cherokee was named “Premium Mid-Size SUV” in AutoPacific’s “2012 Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction” Awards. Also in May, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 was named “Performance SUV of Texas” at TAWA’s Texas Auto Roundup.

Dodge Brand
Dodge brand sales increased 14 percent in May, the brand’s best May sales in four years and its 12th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth. Two Dodge vehicles broke sales records. The Dodge Avenger mid-size sedan set a new sales record for the month of May with its 93 percent year-over-year increase. The Dodge Challenger muscle car set an all-time monthly sales record in May. The Dodge Grand Caravan minivan, the brand’s volume leader in May, and the Dodge Journey full-size crossover, each had their best May sales in four years. 

The 2013 Dodge Dart, which goes on sale in dealerships this month, took home three awards from TAWA’s Texas Auto Roundup. The first Chrysler Group vehicle built off a FIAT-derived architecture, the all-new Dart blends Alfa Romeo DNA with Dodge’s passion for performance and style. The Dart was named “Compact Car of Texas,” and took home awards for “Best Value” and “Best New Feature” for its Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display.

Ram Truck Brand
Sales of the Ram pickup truck, Chrysler Group’s volume leader, were up a sound 29 percent in May compared with the same month a year ago. It was the pickup truck’s 25th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains and its best May since 2007. Both Ram light- and heavy-duty pickup trucks posted sales increases in May. Of the Ram light-duty truck sales, the regular cab pickups posted the largest percentage sales increase in May, but the quad cab trucks led in volume. The Ram Truck brand posted its best May sales in five years. 

Dealers are expected to begin ordering the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck in July. The new Ram pickup, which bowed at the 2012 New York International Auto Show in April, delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency, new technology and new features as well as interior and exterior upgrades. The 2013 Ram gets the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, one of Ward’s “10 Best Engines” for 2012, which features 42 percent more horsepower, 13 percent more torque and at least 20 percent better fuel economy when compared to the previous 3.7-liter V-6 powertrain. 

Toyota Troubles

You all know I have a 1987 Toyota truck; nothing special, just a well-used, ugly but useful truck. Like any old vehicle it often needs work. About two weeks ago I changed the oil and filter and weirdly shortly thereafter the transmission started popping out of third gear. Causal or coincidence?

It has to be coincidence because there is no relationship between changing the engine oil and the transmission operation.

Now the logical side of me knows that the most common cause of a manual transmission that won't stay in gear is internal. But the "I don't want to tear it apart" side says, "hey maybe it's something simple." Sure thing Bruce. So anyway I decide to change the gear oil, check the clutch hydraulics and adjustment. (Just as an aside when I put the 5-speed in about three years ago I don't think I put pure gear oil in.)

I decided that while I was working on the truck I would do some long needed minor repairs. (You all know where this is going.) I needed to replace one wheel stud on the right front, the ugly, rusty windshield wiper arms should be painted, and I thought I'd check the brakes. Well the wheel stud didn't get replaced; who knew that Toyota made the front hub and rotor a two piece, bolted and pressed together? Not me. And I do not have a press so that job will have to wait - forever. I did paint the wiper arms.

With the truck up on four jack-stands I noticed some fluid on the inside of the left rear wheel. A quick sniff said it's gear oil. Great an axle seal is leaking. Not really a problem; I've replaced hundreds of axle seals.

So I pulled the drum and of course the brake shoes were soaked. I stripped off the shoes and hardware and realized the backing plate is the bearing retainer. So I had to remove the wheel cylinder, which I did. As I'm holding the wheel cylinder this brownish fluid starts leaking out of the dust caps. Sniff, sniff. It's not brake fluid it's water! Somehow water got in behind the dust caps. I pulled the dust caps back and there was so much sludge in there ... Now I need wheel cylinders (I never replace just one).

Off I go to the parts store - brake shoes, wheel cylinders, axle seal, and brake cleaner. Got everything back together - the seal was probably the easiest part of the job - and decided to reuse the brake shoes. I know what you're thinking - he's an idiot. Way back when I worked on big trucks. We routinely used to clean oil soaked brake shoes because of cost and availability. What did you think all that brake cleaner was for?

Everything is back together and the brakes work fine. The transmission? It's the same of course. I really don't want to take it apart, it's going to tie up the truck for about a week (I am slow sometimes).

There's still so much that I could fix on the truck. I suppose I could buy a new(er) one but there's a part of me that enjoys getting my hands dirty.

Gumball 3000 Toronto

Anthony Carbone is capturing the cars as they roll into Toronto for CarZi.com and MadWhips.com. Full gallery here LIVE from Gumball 3000 Toronto, we're catching the cars as they roll in! Teams pay $40k to enter and only 120 are accepted and the have to have character and uniqueness. BOY do they have character and uniqueness! http://www.madwhips.com/gumball-3000-toronto/

If you could have only one car your whole life, what would it be?

That's what a friend asked me. Trick question? Not really, it's what we used to call bench racing. A bunch of guys (it was always guys) would sit around, usually during the winter, and talk what ifs or how abouts. So I pulled my chair up to the fire and thought about it.

My first thought was about building the perfect car. But then I thought about a new one. What would it need to be my one and only? Power of course; not an obscene amount because it had to be driveable and reliable but enough to make it fun. Fuel economy and low emissions because, well I'm not rich and I do care about the environment. It should handle decently; not race car handling but it should hold its own. Comfort is important. It should have a fair amount of utility; space for at least four adults and room to carry bulky items.

At first I thought about a Honda Element SC because I really like the Element but it's not really a powerful car and Honda has discontinued it. I don't like SUVs so they are out. Crossovers are okay but most just don't light my fire. I know a Ford Flex one with EcoBoost - 365 hp! So I went to http://www.ford.com/crossovers/flex/  and built my Flex Limited AWD, Turbo Black exterior with the Titanium Appearance Package. Pricey at $47,900 but it meets all my needs.

That's my car forever and ever if it were brand new. But what if I were to build the ideal car for me? Now we're talking bench racing!

Given the same criteria I'd start with a Volvo wagon, a 700 series, most likely a 760 Turbo because it's already got upgraded mechanicals.

Out go the Volvo engine and transmission though. In their place I'd put a 2012/13 Ford 5.0 from a Mustang Boss 302 with the 6-speed manual transmission. Power up the ying-yang (444 hp & 380 lb-ft of torque), reliability, low emissions (relatively) and decent economy (the Boss is rated at 26-mpg highway with a 3.73 rear axle).

The 760 is a very comfortable car; it has all the required creature comforts, it handles decently (I'd probably spend some money on aftermarket suspension parts regardless), and it has tons of storage space. All I need now is a about $20,000, a lot less than a brand new Flex but no warranty and all the hassles of a special built car.

But wait! I don't have the money for either so this will stay a fantasy. But if you could have only one car for your whole life, what would it be? Would you buy it or build it? Let me know.

RM Auctions @ Monaco, May 11-12

Auctions can be so much fun. I won't be in Monaco but damn, these are some of the sweetest race cars ever. To see everything being offered go to http://www.rmauctions.com/


1966 Ferrari 206 S Dino Spyder by Carrozzeria Sports


1957 Ferrari 625 TRC Spider


1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3 Sports Racer


1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spider by Pinin Farina


1952 Ferrari 225 Spyder "Tuboscocca" by Carrzzeria Vignale


1950 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport


1954 Maserati 250F by Cameron Millar


1951 Piero Taruffi "Italcorsa/Tarf II" Speed-Record Car


1965 Alfa Romeo 1600 Giulia Spider

Vegas Seven

As some of you know I have a new outlet, a weekly magazine named "Vegas Seven." They have a new section, "Fuel" that debuted on May 3, 2012. Although I don't have an article in the debut I'm still stoked about the magazine and its new automotive section. Check it out at http://weeklyseven.com/digital/2012/05/03/flip; Fuel is on pages 98 & 99.

10 Least Expensive Cars for 2012 - From Yahoo Autos

By Ted Reed | TheStreet

With fuel costs rising, car buyers are placing a renewed emphasis on fuel savings and higher efficiencies.

That means a bigger market for the subcompacts that offer the best mileage and lowest ownership costs, created by low initial cost of purchase as well as lower fuel use.

Needless to say, these cars are not for everybody. The Kelley Blue Book 2012 list of the top 10 vehicles with the lowest cost of ownership includes just one compact, the Hyundai Elantra: the nine others are subcompacts.

The cars are marketed largely for young people and, with most of them, "for anyone with pets or kids, it's tough to cram in," KBB analyst Alec Gutierrez says. They are generally intended "for a young adult or any adult who is not looking for sporty or roomy."

The offset is that the cars cost little to buy, operate and maintain. "With fuel prices as big a concern as they are today, and with so much talk about fuel efficient vehicles, we wanted to make sure we captured everything that goes into owning a car for five years," Gutierrez says. "For commuters, these are all fantastic options."

KBB surveyed the five-year total cost of ownership. It considered fair purchase price, relying on recent actual transactions from around the country, and then factored in fuel and other cost components. For maintenance, it used assumptions based on the cost of recommended scheduled maintenance. For repairs, it assumed the cost of a third-party extended warranty commencing when the original factory warranty ends.

In computing the price, KBB included the value of incentives, either rebates or financing, when applicable, although these are subject to change.

1) Nissan Versa 

 

Nissan Versa is KBB's lowest cost car to operate by a substantial margin, with a total ownership cost of $25,818 over five years.

The Versa "is the traditional segment leader," Gutierrez says. "It was also redesigned so it looks quite a bit nicer, and the cost is less than $12,000."

The four-door sedan has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $11,770 and a fair purchase price of $11,093. It gets 30 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg combined and 38 mpg on the highway.

2) Hyundai Accent 

Hyundai Accent is the second-lowest-cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $27,743 over five years.

Redesigned for 2012, Accent "is part of Hyundai's overhaul of its U.S. lineup, and it's a significant improvement over the previous model," Gutierrez says.

The four-door sedan has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $13,320 and a fair purchase price of $12,657. It gets 30 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg combined and 40 mpg on the highway. KBB assumed financing at 3.9%.

3) Kia Soul 

Kia Soul is the third-lowest-cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $28,131 over five years.

The Soul "falls into the boxy subcompact segment, like Cube and Scion," Gutierrez says. "It's very youth oriented, a little sportier than some of the others."

The four-door sport wagon has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $14,650 and a fair purchase price of $14,111. It gets 29 miles per gallon in the city, 32 mpg combined and 36 mpg on the highway. KBB 

assumed financing at 1.9%.

4) Toyota Yaris 
Toyota Yaris is the fourth-lowest-cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $28,167 over five years.

Like the Honda Fit, the Yaris "is also a perennial heavyweight among subcompacts," Gutierrez says. "The two of them were unchallenged for a lot of years. They are very reliable and very easy on the wallet."

The two-door hatchback has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $14,875 and a fair purchase price of $14,009. It gets 30 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg combined and 38 mpg on the highway.

5) Mazda2 
Mazda2 is the fifth-lowest-cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $28,457 over five years.

Like the Fiesta, Mazda2 arrived in the U.S. in 2010 as its manufacturer sought a presence in the domestic subcompact market.

The four-door sport hatchback has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $15,325 and a fair purchase price of $15,153. It gets 29 miles per gallon in the city, 32 mpg combined and 35 mpg on the highway. KBB factored in a financing rate of 0.9%.

6) Ford Fiesta 

Ford Fiesta, the only Detroit product on the list, is the sixth-lowest-cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $28,639 over five years.

The new Fiesta began arriving in dealerships in 2010 after being absent from U.S. markets for two decades, and it is credited with helping Ford re-establish itself in California and other small-car markets. "It's been a good seller so far," Gutierrez says. "It gets 40 miles per gallon and it's very affordable."

The four-door sedan has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $13,995 and a fair purchase price of $13,488. It gets 29 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg combined and 40 mpg on the highway. KBB factored in a $500 rebate and assumed a financing rate of 3.9%.

7) Honda Fit 

The Honda Fit is the seventh-lowest-cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $29,370 over five years.

"Fit is a perennial heavyweight in this segment," Gutierrez says. "It is maybe due for a redesign, since some of the competitors are newer. But it still gets 35 miles and still has a competitive price point."

The four-door hatchback has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $15,945 and a fair purchase price of $15,441. It gets 28 miles per gallon in the city, 31 mpg combined and 35 mpg on the highway.

8) Hyundai Elantra 
Hyundai Elantra is the lone compact car among the subcompacts on the list, and is the eighth-lowest-cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $29,498 over five years.

"Elantra is good for someone who can't quite climb into a subcompact and might want to make use of the rear seats," Gutierrez says.

The four-door sedan has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $16,120 and a fair purchase price of $15,519. It gets 29 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg combined and 40 mpg on the highway. KBB assumed financing at 3.9%.

9) Kia Rio 

The Kia Rio is the ninth-lowest cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $29,862 over five years.

The Rio "is similar to the Hyundai Accent, based on the same architecture, and it is really economical on fuel," Gutierrez says.

The four-door hatchback has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $14,150 and a fair purchase price of $13,513. It gets 30 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg combined and 40 mpg on the highway. KBB assumed financing at 1.9%.

10) Scion xD 

Scion xD is the 10th-lowest-cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $29,913 over five years.

The Toyota product "is similar to most Scion vehicles," Gutierrez says. "It's youth-oriented, it's fun to drive and it has excellent fuel economy."

The four-door hatchback has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $16,075 and a fair purchase price of $15,689. It gets 27 miles per gallon in the city, 29 mpg combined and 33 mpg on the highway.

Note from Bruce - I haven't driven all of these but based on past experience and knowledge there isn't a dud in the group. I've changed the order they are presented, reversed them so you see their number one first. I do take exception that these cars are primarily for "young adults or any adult who is not looking for sporty or roomy." Sporty is in the eye of the beholder.

Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Iso Rivolta GT

The Quail, A Motor Sport Gathering Will be the Setting for this Special Event

Monte Sereno, California, April 13, 2012 – The Iso & Bizzarrini Owner’s Club will be celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Iso Rivolta GT on August 17, 2012. The celebration takes place at one of the most prestigious automotive events in the world, The Quail, A Motor Sport Gathering in Carmel, California. Piero Rivolta, the last CEO of Iso, and the son of the founder, Renzo Rivolta, will be the club’s guest of honor.

More than twenty of these magnificent Iso cars are expected to be on the field including examples of the Iso Rivolta GT, the Iso Grifo, the Iso Fidia, the Iso Lele and the Bizzarrini GT 5300, which was originally developed by Iso under the technical leadership of Giotto Bizzarrini. This may be the largest gathering of these classic automobiles ever in North America.

Piero Rivolta said, “It gives me great pleasure to see the many classic car enthusiasts around the world who love and cherish these Iso cars that we made so many years ago. I know that my father would be honored and proud to see this."

The Iso Rivolta GT was created by three of the great automotive people of the 20^th century. Giorgetto Giugiaro styled the car when he was with Bertone, and Giotto Bizzarrini was responsible for the chassis design and overall engineering. It is powered by a Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine. Renzo Rivolta, however, set the design goals for the car. It had to be a sports car that could transport four people in comfort. These Iso cars have become highly sought after collector cars around the world.

About Iso S.p.A.

Iso began manufacturing scooters and motorcycles after WWII. Iso moved on to small trucks, the Isetta mini-car (made famous by BMW who licensed the design from Iso) and eventually Grand Touring (GT) cars, which featured Italian styling and American engines of which the Iso Rivolta GT was the first followed by the Iso Grifo.

Renzo Rivolta died at the age of 58 in 1966 and his 25 year old son, Piero Rivolta, took over the Iso company – the youngest major car company CEO in history.

Unfortunately, Iso went out of business in 1974. However, the company’s cars live on today in the hearts and minds of car lovers who collect, drive, restore, race and show these great cars at events all over the world.

About The Iso & Bizzarrini Owner’s Club - http://www.isobizclub.com/

The club was founded in December 1980 under the leadership of Winston Goodfellow, a well known car historian, enthusiast and former Pebble Beach judge. Don Meluzio is the president of the club today and can be reached at DMeluzio@aol.com.

###

Launching this May.. Fuel, An Automotive Experence by Vegas Seven

Vegas Seven, a weekly magazine here in Las Vegas, is set to launch Fuel, An Automotive Experience. I am pleased to announce that I will be writing for Vegas Seven.

Here are the specs on Vegas Seven -

Vegas Seven is a free, weekly newspaper written for the residents of Las Vegas. Coverage includes national and local news, arts & entertainment, nightlife, shopping, fashion, travel, technology, dining, health, green living, sports and politics. Vegas Seven is a relatively new publication, it launched on Feb. 4, 2010. The newspaper is headquartered in Las Vegas.

Circulation: 62,000

Unique Visitors: 10,326

Frequency: Weekly (Thu)

Color Ad Rate: $44.23 USD

Geographic Demographic: Las Vegas, NV

Reader Demographic: Females, ages 25-34 are the top readers, followed by females ages 35-44. Most of the readers do not have children and have either completed or had some college education. Men, ages 18-24 are the third most likely group to read this publication.

Twitter followers: 13,038

http://weeklyseven.com/digital

Scion FR-S Speedster - Just a dream?

Scion and Subaru teamed up to develop a new sports car. The Scion version is known as the FR-S. Now Toyota has introduced an open top version, at this time only a one-off, the FR-S Speedster. It will be on display and act as the Grand Marshall vehicle at the 38th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach IZOD Indy Car Race. 

Shades of the MR2-Spyder only better! I'm not usually a drop-top guy but please Scion, make it real. The Scion FR-S Speedster is one cool car. Here's the specs of the one-off:

Scion FR-S Speedster Specifications

Length                          166.7 in.

Width                            69.9 in.

Height                           40.2 in.

Wheelbase                    101.2 in.

 

Powertrain:

Flat 2.0L boxer engine

6-speed transmission

Maximum output           200hp @ 7,000 rpm

Maximum torque           151 lb.-ft @ 6,600 rpm

TORCO Synthetic SR-5 Racing Oil

ACT Clutch

GReddy SP Elite Exhaust System

 

Chassis / Suspension:

KW Suspensions Clubsport Coilovers (independent rebound and compression adjustability)

Wilwood SUPERLITE 6-piston radial mount calipers in custom red on 13”

SRP drilled and slotted two-piece rotors & BP-10

Wilwood Smart Pads

 

Wheels & Tires:

Front                            18 x 8.0 Forge Line center lock wheels

Back                             18 x 9.5 Forge Line center lock wheels

Front                            225/40/18 TOYO Proxes R888

Back                             245/40/18 TOYO Proxes R888

So gas is expensive, so what?

So many people are crying over gas prices as they approach four bucks a gallon (and over in some areas). Quit yer bitchin'!

First thing most people do is look for someone to blame. It's usually the government, our government. I don't know about you but the only people I see getting rich from the prices are the producing countries and the oil companies. Why is it that they oil companies always seem to report record profits every time pump prices rise?

No matter who is to blame those that seem to cry about the prices most seem to be the ones driving the gas guzzlers. Are you people nuts? Do you really believe you have a god-given right to drive something that gets poor mileage? And you think the government should subsidize you?

I'm no rich guy; I'm retired and on a fixed income. I love powerful cars and when I own another, and I will, I expect it will get no more than 20 mpg (at best). So either I'll live with it (and not complain), or I'll have a more economical daily driver. That's what I've always done.

When I was a kid and gas was way less than a buck a gallon no one worried about the price. I remember everyone pooling their change so we could come up with enough to buy a couple of gallons and head to the local McDonalds for a burger. Then when I was a starving student I remember leaving my VW at home and taking the bus because I couldn't afford gas. I never remember thinking "someone" should make gas cheap enough so I could drive wherever I wanted.

So stop whining, don't commute in the SUV if you can't afford it. Drive what you can afford to drive. And that isn't just based on fuel economy. I have a '87 Toyota pickup; it gets maybe 20 mpg around town. But it "costs" me very little to operate based on total cost. It's paid for, maintenance is low and insurance is reasonable (no collision). It's cheaper transportation than if I bought a new 35 + mpg car and made payments.

I don't whine about gas prices, I adapt. So stop expect someone (me) to subsidize your desire for grandeur.

Shelby American is 50? Wow.

It's hard to believe that Shelby American is fifty years old. That means I was almost thirteen when the Cobra was introduced, Carroll Shelby was 39. Strange he seemed so much older than I then yet now, even though he's still 26 years older than I am, we seem closer in age.

I remember seeing a Cobra probably in '65 or '66 somewhere but not up close. The first Cobra I could have reached out and touched (although I didn't) was at Lime Rock at the '69 Trans Am race. I was walking through the paddock when something shook the earth. It was a 427 Cobra with side exhausts. OMG! For me it was like finding Ursula Andress standing next to me in her Dr. No outfit (yeah I'm weird).

I never got to see Carroll Shelby race; I was one of those kids who read about the exploits of their heroes in magazines like Car and Driver, and Road & Track.

I did meet Mr. Shelby years later at a Chrysler event in Toronto, and then again at the Chrysler proving grounds in Michigan.

I'm one of the people who liked the cars Shelby designed and built for Chrysler. Yes they were based on inferior cars but they did "go like hell." They were fun, fast, and they handled.

I remember reading about the first World's Championship Chili Cookoff started by Shelby, Bill Neale and a host of others in Terlingua, Texas. It may be part of what started my love of chili.

Carroll Shelby has been a big part of my life and millions of others. He has always been bigger than life. Although his cars were always more accessible to those with a good income they always seemed to be for everyman. They were brutish in typical American overkill. We all basked in their glow when they vanquished the elite European brands.

Shelby American of this century is a far cry from the beginnings. It's a big operation that is more retail based than race oriented. I had the feeling years ago that Shelby sold road cars to finance their race side; now they sell road cars for their own sake. It's not a bad thing, it just is.

Here's to Shelby American, may they inspire the young boys in all of us for a long, long time.

Has technology gone too far?

I've been thinking a lot recently about all the technology around us. Not just what's in cars, although that's what's driven my thoughts I guess. Recent government interest in the distractions modern technology presents to drivers is focusing attention on interactive gizmos of all kinds.

Now I'm no Luddite; I embrace most of the technological advances in our cars today. I've owned older, more basic cars. Sure my '56 Ford was fun and easy to work on but it did break down frequently. And I have spent countless hours adjusting points, carburetors and valves. When electronic ignitions first arrived on the scene the question often posed was, "what happens when I'm in the middle of nowhere and it breaks?" Good question because if the points stuck or went out of adjustment just about anyone with a screwdriver and book of matches could fix the problem. I learned that a crisp dollar bill made a decent point file in a pinch. But then electronics got so good that they didn't let you down anywhere.

Electronic fuel injection and ignition, along with computer controlled cam timing (and so much more) has made  high performance, clean emissions and good fuel economy mutually possible. Electronics have made anti-lock braking, anti-skid control and all sorts of handling controls possible. And for the most part they are good things (I could argue that the more the computer controls a car the worse the driver becomes so instead of making for better drivers we embolden the idiots).

But right now most of my fear of technology is not a fear of the technology but a fear that where it's going may in the end it leave us defenseless. Cars are one of the last areas to join into the computer revolution, or of the computer "connected" revolution. It is the connectivity that worries me.

I am not a conspiracy theorist. I am not overly worried about Big Brother watching over me; he's been doing that for centuries. I am worried about the vulnerability of the technology.

It seems on a regular basis we hear about someone hacking into so-and-so's system and stealing this or that. Thankfully nothing serious has ever come of it, or so we've been told. But what if the hacker was someone with evil intent?

There is a push to develop driver-less cars and automated roadways. Another way to cut down the carnage on our roads, a noble goal. Think about all those cars and trucks being guided by some huge central computer. Now think about some of the problems we see with air traffic control.

In our day to day lives we have freely given every bit of ourselves to "The Cloud." Fewer and fewer of us have land line telephones preferring the "freedom" of cell phones, secure in our knowledge that no one is listening. (Is this driven by ignorance or idea that there's just too much to listen to?) When I was a young semi-radical we always wondered, "is someone listening" whenever we talked on the phone. Now we talk out loud in crowded places about everything and anything.

People everywhere worry about "them" tracking their cars through the on-board computer systems. I worry more about our enemies shutting down our transportation systems.

For me maybe technology has gone just a little too far. Ford has commercials out (not to pick on Ford) touting the interactivity of their Sync system; someone says something along the lines of, "not only can I talk to my car but it talks back to me!" No thank you, I do not want a car that talks back - enough people do that to me now.

Most of the technology that I like has made the world a better place. But like 3D television, do we really need the rest in a car? Do we really need to tell the car's climate control to adjust the temperature or the radio to change the station? Is the job of a car to entertain you? I don't think so.

I'd really like to see someone build a more basic car, a car for getting you from point A to B, a car that might in itself be fun to drive. It should be full of technology but only technology to make it a better vehicle, not an amusement park.

Maybe one day I'll build it myself. And yes I know I've rambled.

English Cat takes Public Transportation

Bus riders in Bridport, Dorset England often have an unusual companion on their way to and from work each day – an adventurous, 15-year-old cat named Artful Dodger.  Dodger, a beautiful orange tabby, regularly boards the bus at the stop near his house and takes a 10-mile round trip, much to the amusement of the bus passengers and drivers. Sometimes, Dodger even hops on a lucky rider’s lap for a cuddle.

 

The bus drivers and regular passengers know Dodger, and always make sure he gets off at his stop at the end of each journey. Some passengers even bring Dodger food and treats each day.

Dodger’s owner, Fee Jeanes, said she was extremely surprised when she discovered the cat’s secret life. One of her daughter’s friends said she saw Dodger on bus 10 miles from the family’s home.  Fee tells the London Telegraph, "I couldn't believe it and panicked. I got into my car to go off and look for him and then at that moment the bus pulled up near our house and lo and behold he got off.”  She soon found out that wasn’t the first time Dodger had gone cruising the city by mass transit.  "That afternoon I saw Dodger climb on board another bus and
I rushed to tell the driver.

I was shocked when she told me Dodger was always on there and liked to sit on the seats because they are warm from where people have been sitting.” The bus company, First, told the Telegraph that they don’t mind if Dodger hitches a ride with them, saying, "Given this cat is elderly we suspect it would be eligible for free travel, perhaps a bus puss, if such a thing existed."


The really weird thing is this is far from unheard of. I googled English cat takes public transportation and story after story appeared, and not just cats. It appears many of our four legged friends prefer riding to walking. Bruce Hotchkiss


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2074542/Pay-No-Ive-got-puss-pass-Cat-rides-bus-free-hopping-local-station--making-10-mile-journeys-passengers-laps.html