tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10159284008115940012024-03-17T20:02:27.477-07:00Palm Springs AutomobilistThe musings, adventures and reflections of a born again gearhead in the auto mecca of Palm Springs, CAJeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-75226315572312839842021-07-16T16:49:00.000-07:002021-07-16T16:49:00.253-07:00Buick at the 1992 Milwaukee Auto Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's an interesting blast from the past- I came across a box of photos of the 1992 Buick Display at the Milwaukee Auto Show. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But first a bit of background. In 1992 I was a District Sales Manager in Downtown Milwaukee. My job responsibilities included calling on Buick dealers, helping them with their sales needs, solving their incentive problems, stuffing their ears full of inventory (whether they needed them or not) until they screamed and turned blue, and also interestingly enough, auto shows. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These shows were a team effort. We would start in the late summer with an ordering party- we'd get together with the metro Milwaukee sales managers and configure the new cars for the January show. My counterpart and I would polish the orders, make sure they reflected the new models. colors. and options, and then submit them to the zone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The cars were all shipped to a cooperative dealer where the service reps would toil over making sure they were prepared to show condition and were worthy reflections of Buick quality. A couple of back-up cars were ordered in case any of the show cars turned out to be a "dud," like the Platinum Beige '89 Park Avenue with Red Leather that the sales manager at Rank and Son INSISTED was "sharp." We used the Rosewood one instead that year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1992 was an interesting year for Buick. The two-seat Reatta was no more, the full-size Le Sabre sedan was fully redesigned and based on the one-year old Park Avenue. A brand new very full-sized Roadmaster sedan joined the one-year old wagon (it debuted in 1991.) Both sported rear wheel drive and rode on a perimeter frame. But there was news in the compact segment as well- a fully redesigned Skylark coupe and sedan, complete with a prominent beak which, whilst on an acid trip, bore a slight resemblance to a 1939 Buick, or so I was told. For contrast, Buick sent us a cute little 1962 Special Deluxe convertible from the permanent collection. I will allow the viewer to decide which design has stood the test of time most beautifully.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Move in day was intense. Both metro sales and service reps were on hand as the show cars arrived off the transporter. It always snowed during set up so we trucked them for minimal weathering. Once set in place we spent a day and a half cleaning and detailing. The VIP Preview took place on the night before the show opened, it was not unheard of to change from detailing clothes to my Tuxedo in the men's room behind the exhibit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So sit back. ladies and gentlemen, and enjoy the Buick Display at the 1992 Milwaukee Auto Show- brought to you by your Metro Milwaukee Buick Dealers: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM42or1P7wt89YrIzJklggLoX3fumqtx8fvEWDCD5YrZg_jKiHTWIBhFojp3OYkp9F8fVG-nj1ndlhyphenhyphenifBcMiWu2WqlGpBzFha_4-FFnC4BumMXWi1fz19JAbzmPNKxCykBWAaf4y9OaGq/s2048/Scan_20210716+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM42or1P7wt89YrIzJklggLoX3fumqtx8fvEWDCD5YrZg_jKiHTWIBhFojp3OYkp9F8fVG-nj1ndlhyphenhyphenifBcMiWu2WqlGpBzFha_4-FFnC4BumMXWi1fz19JAbzmPNKxCykBWAaf4y9OaGq/s2048/Scan_20210716+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM42or1P7wt89YrIzJklggLoX3fumqtx8fvEWDCD5YrZg_jKiHTWIBhFojp3OYkp9F8fVG-nj1ndlhyphenhyphenifBcMiWu2WqlGpBzFha_4-FFnC4BumMXWi1fz19JAbzmPNKxCykBWAaf4y9OaGq/s320/Scan_20210716+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for the VIP Preview<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM42or1P7wt89YrIzJklggLoX3fumqtx8fvEWDCD5YrZg_jKiHTWIBhFojp3OYkp9F8fVG-nj1ndlhyphenhyphenifBcMiWu2WqlGpBzFha_4-FFnC4BumMXWi1fz19JAbzmPNKxCykBWAaf4y9OaGq/s2048/Scan_20210716+%25282%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72IBQ-3mubOc_oQHlDd-6qbWXatD9bzNjGxkn-aVX2YNWgqR6p-oO08GU5RLU0qUtmjmB0blK6fUEBPZekvrZIEtNwzMzvkHP3rq5DbtJvh8ygru2LyTChoqemuhgDev47n23VnSgohbj/s2048/Scan_20210716+%25283%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72IBQ-3mubOc_oQHlDd-6qbWXatD9bzNjGxkn-aVX2YNWgqR6p-oO08GU5RLU0qUtmjmB0blK6fUEBPZekvrZIEtNwzMzvkHP3rq5DbtJvh8ygru2LyTChoqemuhgDev47n23VnSgohbj/s320/Scan_20210716+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regal GS Coupe and Limited Sedan<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDqKJbHxronBXCB2BjBKElbGL60lYnw7YDK-o-QlF-dTbZczBh9Pz-WKiB6zu8x5bulzsMePtIfCofPYgSvJ3qh9Uyhee3fTTCQ28LujlExDXaWHfw8vTpGOBu__MNFdOiJbLB4PJKshR/s2048/Scan_20210716+%25284%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDqKJbHxronBXCB2BjBKElbGL60lYnw7YDK-o-QlF-dTbZczBh9Pz-WKiB6zu8x5bulzsMePtIfCofPYgSvJ3qh9Uyhee3fTTCQ28LujlExDXaWHfw8vTpGOBu__MNFdOiJbLB4PJKshR/s320/Scan_20210716+%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 1992 Skylark GS Coupe- with a $19,000 sticker!</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMNWO-LChSQqT2ZiewtB7PrFxHiPI_sxVIe4rT1cX44-7Cv3uOszyspdYPjI8Xj-7y_docpbwwB7aisfoR5ipgyiMAACFwDdNqj1H_GindGbSA1SzoF4Xo0S2LmL6vktko0dGRkdKcG_0/s2048/Scan_20210716+%25285%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMNWO-LChSQqT2ZiewtB7PrFxHiPI_sxVIe4rT1cX44-7Cv3uOszyspdYPjI8Xj-7y_docpbwwB7aisfoR5ipgyiMAACFwDdNqj1H_GindGbSA1SzoF4Xo0S2LmL6vktko0dGRkdKcG_0/s320/Scan_20210716+%25285%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buick's own 1962 Special Deluxe</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0hRiSscHL_W1ZXkHVcSe2gxdzsDb3vbuZO32KumDBnVl9OdBcbDooVwP6f6zl3EoBF0NS_-5RVmchptL016OMWvR_Ar353QfoLqC_C53usRdSnE5eaUK1-fzfLUA0V6X7Ebru8ZIDr7N/s2048/Scan_20210716+%25286%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0hRiSscHL_W1ZXkHVcSe2gxdzsDb3vbuZO32KumDBnVl9OdBcbDooVwP6f6zl3EoBF0NS_-5RVmchptL016OMWvR_Ar353QfoLqC_C53usRdSnE5eaUK1-fzfLUA0V6X7Ebru8ZIDr7N/s320/Scan_20210716+%25286%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The all-new 1992 Skylarks</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAr35HPsjPAdfdHRSMVeECXcslb4ASHFUiXQSw4AHlWuRdMaDWbvOtopzDEkDuE9mixO1jIHE8V-X5PE09MwmNVwITJjcS5CtLerIKCAuhsGTWjfpl6pvvjF293I-Rl7n9NWKvO9OngzFO/s2048/Scan_20210716+%25287%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAr35HPsjPAdfdHRSMVeECXcslb4ASHFUiXQSw4AHlWuRdMaDWbvOtopzDEkDuE9mixO1jIHE8V-X5PE09MwmNVwITJjcS5CtLerIKCAuhsGTWjfpl6pvvjF293I-Rl7n9NWKvO9OngzFO/s320/Scan_20210716+%25287%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buick Compacts Galore!</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAlUNRs8eYpMWzBFWOMKNX8AYsLWOhLVpabNWuNh7m17NFg7uYczk-6-HApae00zGZTl4lR-Cc3PYaFR3laiO4A1fkm69fOkORXcCtp8Z5n9QqUbqh5W0w1jQShBbbwhp_NLhS7aT8bRQ/s2048/Scan_20210716+%25288%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAlUNRs8eYpMWzBFWOMKNX8AYsLWOhLVpabNWuNh7m17NFg7uYczk-6-HApae00zGZTl4lR-Cc3PYaFR3laiO4A1fkm69fOkORXcCtp8Z5n9QqUbqh5W0w1jQShBbbwhp_NLhS7aT8bRQ/s320/Scan_20210716+%25288%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadmaster Estate Wagon looked great with wood</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbhoARX1SgirA5P7VTpMUP6BziN0_Mn835rrf7wiQqaZgPmBW8NqH133A-68eMQB-8GUIhsOHY7CSIC5T7hMMNIZT3_WQLTDTzufUxef0QHADqugERrlvJH9Vhwuch6aAkiztew8RITmt/s2048/Scan_20210716+%25289%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbhoARX1SgirA5P7VTpMUP6BziN0_Mn835rrf7wiQqaZgPmBW8NqH133A-68eMQB-8GUIhsOHY7CSIC5T7hMMNIZT3_WQLTDTzufUxef0QHADqugERrlvJH9Vhwuch6aAkiztew8RITmt/s320/Scan_20210716+%25289%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadmaster and Century Estate Wagons</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcK91WRPZYo2Fw5gJeeLosFyPhpz_ORgqmL3IE2RHK7PzlSAqkq4QB43emv-RVbosldHTiCWd1bSwmJAK0wahKzRqYu4zkJaoTudAzASlv87W2N5rWFwbhtYRB_ZHd4uuIzLR7AsmyHD5F/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252810%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcK91WRPZYo2Fw5gJeeLosFyPhpz_ORgqmL3IE2RHK7PzlSAqkq4QB43emv-RVbosldHTiCWd1bSwmJAK0wahKzRqYu4zkJaoTudAzASlv87W2N5rWFwbhtYRB_ZHd4uuIzLR7AsmyHD5F/s320/Scan_20210716+%252810%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regals and Centuries for days!</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_j65qjl4Rg0EfVHR8HhBLAgjNOEdQw9e3LUFEVRBymq5SnhRhMShyDENUAI-_mwAxSoFu5SJINvYgP_OV5BfcNkW_siARNP4EpltxHCOlylWbrbeNcJlbI6Bznuz13oDa_kJLd0z8Q36L/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252811%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_j65qjl4Rg0EfVHR8HhBLAgjNOEdQw9e3LUFEVRBymq5SnhRhMShyDENUAI-_mwAxSoFu5SJINvYgP_OV5BfcNkW_siARNP4EpltxHCOlylWbrbeNcJlbI6Bznuz13oDa_kJLd0z8Q36L/s320/Scan_20210716+%252811%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regal Gran Sport Sedan</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUQjKRbP-xE2G_SpNOSZvgFIBX7FSYadRQ7UO1TP4_R0c7YfFJbdYkzZc9773dywKsPMaPYLoUIrapORr_ESCccoEFhJq3LIPaEsLfyxjgvC9Jk5S7Dbh0CdVXd1_JgCrBlnGayeJ1dQK/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252812%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUQjKRbP-xE2G_SpNOSZvgFIBX7FSYadRQ7UO1TP4_R0c7YfFJbdYkzZc9773dywKsPMaPYLoUIrapORr_ESCccoEFhJq3LIPaEsLfyxjgvC9Jk5S7Dbh0CdVXd1_JgCrBlnGayeJ1dQK/s320/Scan_20210716+%252812%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regal Limited and Gran Sport Coupe</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CHQ0WtODFsTP-8RiIlvkXsXsoCQyBfLGJThgGjBA71nMw18el34Mo6KMG9iaOGBQ_O4Npr6OhF-_UUk5e98Om3ptox5ii0n5MJ6WkdYo8-VbApRGjzo0XqUPvanZDXPEsJwlMoaMw6Po/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252813%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CHQ0WtODFsTP-8RiIlvkXsXsoCQyBfLGJThgGjBA71nMw18el34Mo6KMG9iaOGBQ_O4Npr6OhF-_UUk5e98Om3ptox5ii0n5MJ6WkdYo8-VbApRGjzo0XqUPvanZDXPEsJwlMoaMw6Po/s320/Scan_20210716+%252813%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Roadmaster Sedan</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIBifPlUG2KRFR-oLpek3jqRTJUHEQYod1tNRNSbR0cxGLg38zADam_GRO04zUXnYReqcJnI5vxvkxAfCZP8LOJOP6AOHymk5Oj35-RcXGqwcF-Ix91XnS1aKmKc_F-2Q8CHbeD4Xq72N/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252814%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIBifPlUG2KRFR-oLpek3jqRTJUHEQYod1tNRNSbR0cxGLg38zADam_GRO04zUXnYReqcJnI5vxvkxAfCZP8LOJOP6AOHymk5Oj35-RcXGqwcF-Ix91XnS1aKmKc_F-2Q8CHbeD4Xq72N/s320/Scan_20210716+%252814%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restyled 1992 Le Sabres</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ1rjh5d_A-83fx8raMVP9D1qcO1A18tfHgh9Q8it7BNCfewaIQg5EmGyjgBiH_BZiJmHjOVyjxOOKgP9hDmUkIzo36uXj66Qlk8-H0Fvp7owDDd0uHddQbaEPLGENkCBnQkwxDPifBFB/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252815%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ1rjh5d_A-83fx8raMVP9D1qcO1A18tfHgh9Q8it7BNCfewaIQg5EmGyjgBiH_BZiJmHjOVyjxOOKgP9hDmUkIzo36uXj66Qlk8-H0Fvp7owDDd0uHddQbaEPLGENkCBnQkwxDPifBFB/s320/Scan_20210716+%252815%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riviera with R1V Decor</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSBSmS4kOFMfuNmglpmTNQGNLEfqUQBmp8L96UN1tM9gg1haaXUY4p4yb5K95CNsPmR3K138sAz6j1_D5w9v1wkvtpg3COlv_J1GyS5oIt7Gub7nHsYnRD6YPzNQ9gZ3r2mQ2q4My4gXv/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252816%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSBSmS4kOFMfuNmglpmTNQGNLEfqUQBmp8L96UN1tM9gg1haaXUY4p4yb5K95CNsPmR3K138sAz6j1_D5w9v1wkvtpg3COlv_J1GyS5oIt7Gub7nHsYnRD6YPzNQ9gZ3r2mQ2q4My4gXv/s320/Scan_20210716+%252816%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Avenue Ultra with Touring Suspension</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJTH-WT35v4nmNkNYMo4UWRMiYjAyee1mR-ijIr6x4oCXccwpzzaPq3MUC6tbV9EGJoyjOkjo0iAdnAbgCwABsGi6nhAWvncmbeO6E4cl_VzTFcvyEA3bDpxMkkIF8FGX0_wbVDKv3dEV/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252817%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJTH-WT35v4nmNkNYMo4UWRMiYjAyee1mR-ijIr6x4oCXccwpzzaPq3MUC6tbV9EGJoyjOkjo0iAdnAbgCwABsGi6nhAWvncmbeO6E4cl_VzTFcvyEA3bDpxMkkIF8FGX0_wbVDKv3dEV/s320/Scan_20210716+%252817%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunlfdRNLNLISYBuNdQDTw4eKswYeWb_NFu4FA5o8XWtkHybxIM3AKswwDCgTEp9n5_2jd2kJzxqrvgG6ProjDUvhEvJVSAbsRk4v0REYgUDgT0NktS3vAGKAGq0z7q03D6Khii1a1W0yU/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252818%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunlfdRNLNLISYBuNdQDTw4eKswYeWb_NFu4FA5o8XWtkHybxIM3AKswwDCgTEp9n5_2jd2kJzxqrvgG6ProjDUvhEvJVSAbsRk4v0REYgUDgT0NktS3vAGKAGq0z7q03D6Khii1a1W0yU/s320/Scan_20210716+%252818%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaZORbtEn9J7Yy-lQUYxz-alGu7-SOZBCBHE9tzt4s1cZuQ39AOif9GNY5bU3M1Wac5KyBHXQik6H_m52Eo7s1i5b6Kcrdw_z1EmtY49dS-YniycbvaTHQX8_RU-Ab8v5Cw1GJ1JcUnwk/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252819%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaZORbtEn9J7Yy-lQUYxz-alGu7-SOZBCBHE9tzt4s1cZuQ39AOif9GNY5bU3M1Wac5KyBHXQik6H_m52Eo7s1i5b6Kcrdw_z1EmtY49dS-YniycbvaTHQX8_RU-Ab8v5Cw1GJ1JcUnwk/s320/Scan_20210716+%252819%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_WdxPA_9d85eJ7RcxYIwEhfnEqF8l_i5y8XTJ_VrNNMPKvUL360xB2jBIeLyZTgn4T_DQZROU1iHhMq3eQdR2JZwU7AuPUnT_odc_lKPtTkEqrNLecgWzFZf75mk6knCqWFkp8oZ6HKN/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252820%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_WdxPA_9d85eJ7RcxYIwEhfnEqF8l_i5y8XTJ_VrNNMPKvUL360xB2jBIeLyZTgn4T_DQZROU1iHhMq3eQdR2JZwU7AuPUnT_odc_lKPtTkEqrNLecgWzFZf75mk6knCqWFkp8oZ6HKN/s320/Scan_20210716+%252820%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vtFAzqaYVBl8xa9-OINGuhN0Fo5v4i6fEGy0OUuOfDWjORMFtYGFoZxpBGyBGuuskKI3wvWo0gJ1Gde5WPPzZdJpzR_4LKEo39VVo5mDUBQ6B5CaRf8k0Bjs9HSWHwMVBJT3rFly0DLA/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252821%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vtFAzqaYVBl8xa9-OINGuhN0Fo5v4i6fEGy0OUuOfDWjORMFtYGFoZxpBGyBGuuskKI3wvWo0gJ1Gde5WPPzZdJpzR_4LKEo39VVo5mDUBQ6B5CaRf8k0Bjs9HSWHwMVBJT3rFly0DLA/s320/Scan_20210716+%252821%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4plAHoXNf7-6NUnwRl_enO5V5M-aow5O0w9_Hc4DBmfKlJVapAePFBEjc2NbGNR5Gi7YWIJcjKivB0pni6NfJT2ki7neSDoqWXHnpcv8UJRQl9mQ_K4fPxhIAW6dpVGubvsLAJJEi33KN/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252822%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4plAHoXNf7-6NUnwRl_enO5V5M-aow5O0w9_Hc4DBmfKlJVapAePFBEjc2NbGNR5Gi7YWIJcjKivB0pni6NfJT2ki7neSDoqWXHnpcv8UJRQl9mQ_K4fPxhIAW6dpVGubvsLAJJEi33KN/s320/Scan_20210716+%252822%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_wMevvyqbzybyNNY0SjEO1-chFMufg9bbBysZfMww1gqbUrcZpj59zy1OEHgOk5XSlTVBZsMWV6E8FGbZKgLhgqU9OhzZ7aF2oTA4B-ItIvwrrjcKRvzKhi1qpQSb-BXx39fjVhDY72d/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252823%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1473" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_wMevvyqbzybyNNY0SjEO1-chFMufg9bbBysZfMww1gqbUrcZpj59zy1OEHgOk5XSlTVBZsMWV6E8FGbZKgLhgqU9OhzZ7aF2oTA4B-ItIvwrrjcKRvzKhi1qpQSb-BXx39fjVhDY72d/s320/Scan_20210716+%252823%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-qJtq2MgFNLPttMm_VKaqgZBVapZI5seOTZCYAU8CKqeMMvO9X_Bm_42ffg3f_PrHl3m5SdosLZ4frkkaWgdLgFES_kfTB73j2U4GyWw8fHlEV_KF3tOyalIWed9nhUgV9Ao6a0Q06eJ/s2048/Scan_20210716+%252824%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-qJtq2MgFNLPttMm_VKaqgZBVapZI5seOTZCYAU8CKqeMMvO9X_Bm_42ffg3f_PrHl3m5SdosLZ4frkkaWgdLgFES_kfTB73j2U4GyWw8fHlEV_KF3tOyalIWed9nhUgV9Ao6a0Q06eJ/s320/Scan_20210716+%252824%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCNNPAXw47b8l_riVoaKdZb7oL5E3aKERBu1mU6XMi9NdS5wcbmHX07sq9N5Rl95bafQ9rFademElDL9U57XNAN8r2WtvwA4lp1BE5bikskrWnWnCPjogsHCaN2eLOF3XF_LBm5t6oOq0/s2048/Scan_20210716.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCNNPAXw47b8l_riVoaKdZb7oL5E3aKERBu1mU6XMi9NdS5wcbmHX07sq9N5Rl95bafQ9rFademElDL9U57XNAN8r2WtvwA4lp1BE5bikskrWnWnCPjogsHCaN2eLOF3XF_LBm5t6oOq0/s320/Scan_20210716.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-46924378443378018252016-07-03T17:27:00.000-07:002016-07-03T17:27:39.240-07:00Cars of the American Revolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuO9_vNJy6X3pEDBbwZCmNWsUPbCvWWRYU6s0rTaGE4t0v6XE_aElTcdE9oYEwqmIMLKBM6VK4qE1uqVRMl7c5mxEofLFbneV-3BYTrO6G-slHfyonayGDhl-IxbpxTMkrOBId4oOHNkn/s1600/68+amx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuO9_vNJy6X3pEDBbwZCmNWsUPbCvWWRYU6s0rTaGE4t0v6XE_aElTcdE9oYEwqmIMLKBM6VK4qE1uqVRMl7c5mxEofLFbneV-3BYTrO6G-slHfyonayGDhl-IxbpxTMkrOBId4oOHNkn/s1600/68+amx.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of course it began with American Motors. The Bicentennial of the American Revolution was beginning to appear on the outer edge of the American psyche, and it's only logical that little AMC would be the first to capitalize. However I do believe it was accidental. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
AMC had been trying to create a more youthful image with youthful cars like the Javelin and the AMC, and entered a specially prepared AMX in the SCCA Trans Am racing series. As an attention getter, the car was painted in bands of red, white, and blue- a scheme so effective that they offered it as a limited availability option for sale on the production AMX.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE2fhJarWLrAzOr0mT7JbG6dn3znSELzSewUj01znBlBRba3c10ayy78VZYO1Qh4w36ITimoq5SYK1N_nQpqW8ooatiH7REAPNC2J-kR6hPnfgwrimfTFXlQE1ZS9XAUDHiHND2f6L92h/s1600/68+amx+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE2fhJarWLrAzOr0mT7JbG6dn3znSELzSewUj01znBlBRba3c10ayy78VZYO1Qh4w36ITimoq5SYK1N_nQpqW8ooatiH7REAPNC2J-kR6hPnfgwrimfTFXlQE1ZS9XAUDHiHND2f6L92h/s320/68+amx+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GrT3HY5D_sUxMVnYQ4XRGL84vZa11VG67n8jTFyP-srW6bGTfX274c9IJaDzODweTkrkmtQ8_8Ht6y0KM0gZhpPR_C9cB7wXWlJVGyW_iJimma4JWGfe6MJqHU0e97itHHZWjpcl3qmr/s1600/69+amc+sc+rambl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GrT3HY5D_sUxMVnYQ4XRGL84vZa11VG67n8jTFyP-srW6bGTfX274c9IJaDzODweTkrkmtQ8_8Ht6y0KM0gZhpPR_C9cB7wXWlJVGyW_iJimma4JWGfe6MJqHU0e97itHHZWjpcl3qmr/s320/69+amc+sc+rambl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The SC/Rambler of 1969 was another image car from AMC, this time done in conjunction with Hurst. The little Rambler coupe had a 343 V8 stuffed under the hood and a series of performance mods so that the car would keep up. Again a color scheme of red and blue accents against a white field. This notion would prove popular.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43lCcnm8-qzyVLJFAL2rdeHbVf5SEa824A0_iVayFwvEEjK1XboeCPiyLvHiXTbFFeWtP1dYmnHPVTn7x55UmGp4N_twws4qlWBgiwRhP2LavsxqpTKMC7TuVLsElb97IXXAB32vYvMAM/s1600/70+amc+rebel+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43lCcnm8-qzyVLJFAL2rdeHbVf5SEa824A0_iVayFwvEEjK1XboeCPiyLvHiXTbFFeWtP1dYmnHPVTn7x55UmGp4N_twws4qlWBgiwRhP2LavsxqpTKMC7TuVLsElb97IXXAB32vYvMAM/s320/70+amc+rebel+machine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another AMC performance car was "The Machine:, a 1970 offering based on the AMC Rebel. They were offered in one color scheme, again with red and blur striping on a field of white. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6PhpSVLAY4XSrLDdNGkIqVQnIfRUbtb3HaJLmPpJaQlwrIWGPzGSO63EBsa0J3g5_mna1iyKBjbmnDNlmrvA0uj1WGImoA23Q5Ntt7kVj0-UKwRonIn7BQNofAC5T3d0p9zj_rqsOECM/s1600/cc72fordsprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6PhpSVLAY4XSrLDdNGkIqVQnIfRUbtb3HaJLmPpJaQlwrIWGPzGSO63EBsa0J3g5_mna1iyKBjbmnDNlmrvA0uj1WGImoA23Q5Ntt7kVj0-UKwRonIn7BQNofAC5T3d0p9zj_rqsOECM/s320/cc72fordsprint.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ford got in on the fun for 1972 with their "Sprint" packages available on Mustang, Maverick, and Pinto two door coupes. The cars all featured white paint with blue striping outlined in red, wheel covers with trim rings, Sprint deals, and white interiors with blue seat inserts and red piping, Carpets and dash were blue. These were very successful for Ford. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbh0Lxp7q3bVYbiB_NIg1ucbO0BwRtDmxdmgKEvQaTb6oIumn6jIadTgXF1IfRbko8vPgtg7GFDnKr1uTDDviCSrectVOlVRFRNp6qPR2eR_kbZQOSzYyg_Jqjxy7jxtKCQWP9e1kp5wD/s1600/ccnovaspirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbh0Lxp7q3bVYbiB_NIg1ucbO0BwRtDmxdmgKEvQaTb6oIumn6jIadTgXF1IfRbko8vPgtg7GFDnKr1uTDDviCSrectVOlVRFRNp6qPR2eR_kbZQOSzYyg_Jqjxy7jxtKCQWP9e1kp5wD/s320/ccnovaspirit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Chevrolet saw a good idea and responded with their own "Spirit of Anerica" models. Based on Nova, Vega, or Impala Custom two doors (the Nova and Vega were hatchbacks), they featured white or dark blue interiors, white interiors with blue accents, color toned wheels, special striping, and "Spirit of America" emblems. They were offered one year only.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh875Q4RdOLD8nblMkhgnKBlhqIsqjHjAgXVUu3x29oisc3Nh_i7XWXq-QmZWYOXAna3IVAPg76FyM5izdyBzUBpVE_iIujldWknTCCvIejEUQO0QREvXL_ztbCAri45m9kcJIVlQdu6G94/s1600/ccvegaspirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh875Q4RdOLD8nblMkhgnKBlhqIsqjHjAgXVUu3x29oisc3Nh_i7XWXq-QmZWYOXAna3IVAPg76FyM5izdyBzUBpVE_iIujldWknTCCvIejEUQO0QREvXL_ztbCAri45m9kcJIVlQdu6G94/s320/ccvegaspirit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YiAQvPBxctYr7IM2gHzNcyYc6t423PXruTJnYMR9SAL9mvuvhwWgC9IXCfDJCDhSpldxjs9yUdeaOqD6HJ7XarCzGvFfbMLRLvhcMUCZhcUZOOLqWiqumPMZKNrodiW5tTwqCSD2yQlW/s1600/74+spirit+impala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YiAQvPBxctYr7IM2gHzNcyYc6t423PXruTJnYMR9SAL9mvuvhwWgC9IXCfDJCDhSpldxjs9yUdeaOqD6HJ7XarCzGvFfbMLRLvhcMUCZhcUZOOLqWiqumPMZKNrodiW5tTwqCSD2yQlW/s320/74+spirit+impala.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53NvlqBg6byqd-JpMgqPKEnHZenW9b2xVg8YIm2-4MHVZcl6c8fr1uA6mvrfgnN678fd7Mcgk8hw_J7T-IudREKz5B04be_oiT8dYPkAP800bQ23lope9ApUHBvEKUrlNs3Is6D4NTj0w/s1600/75buick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53NvlqBg6byqd-JpMgqPKEnHZenW9b2xVg8YIm2-4MHVZcl6c8fr1uA6mvrfgnN678fd7Mcgk8hw_J7T-IudREKz5B04be_oiT8dYPkAP800bQ23lope9ApUHBvEKUrlNs3Is6D4NTj0w/s1600/75buick.jpg" /></a></div>
Bicentennial fever was reaching a fever pitch when Buick decided to go all out. They had been selected as the Pace Car for the 1975 Indianapolis 500 and the car they created was very dramatic. Designer Gary Smith created an American Flag that swept along the sculptured flanks of the Century. The car proclaimed "Free Spirit" on the front fenders and featured a white interior accented in blue, white wheels, and blacked out trim. A few hundred identical replicas were sold through Buick dealers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B-r9xx7gdQykUAelnZoUanPyJ7CXqla6bmQ_KpQQUtYymNwn-Rpk0AfvEjYl0IVJj3_qB2BAzu0B34jhPXk0-iL2ge4UsSXppXsRubGo4_1tHVAbMPCZaul9ax4O0aPJjwpAlBjcc556/s1600/75buick2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B-r9xx7gdQykUAelnZoUanPyJ7CXqla6bmQ_KpQQUtYymNwn-Rpk0AfvEjYl0IVJj3_qB2BAzu0B34jhPXk0-iL2ge4UsSXppXsRubGo4_1tHVAbMPCZaul9ax4O0aPJjwpAlBjcc556/s320/75buick2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqD2LNHY4lkCLSsOdG3eBOLUgsl_EgYiz5QSecW7nivE-lrEQXxph_e8a4bGXiII6KCaSrSOeXVzf1gPSeA55N2dCHIHQXRn4Bxopk0P9m35u14PJPFMGpb5OW3-eiqsvF7mDUx8wH_As/s1600/75buick5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqD2LNHY4lkCLSsOdG3eBOLUgsl_EgYiz5QSecW7nivE-lrEQXxph_e8a4bGXiII6KCaSrSOeXVzf1gPSeA55N2dCHIHQXRn4Bxopk0P9m35u14PJPFMGpb5OW3-eiqsvF7mDUx8wH_As/s320/75buick5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiw9CDn2cgdqMLmsjhJ_CcHqxEN0hcI5Kd5vnP1fdz054hLvOEzFNvQscx1fH8KBKn-g4smrQ1sxJMVUpyn181lxUakSSJcKdPm7oMnWiHN-gOEg7ZTCRcCph8zXr78KKcN1jyGDnlE5f/s1600/75+indy+GMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiw9CDn2cgdqMLmsjhJ_CcHqxEN0hcI5Kd5vnP1fdz054hLvOEzFNvQscx1fH8KBKn-g4smrQ1sxJMVUpyn181lxUakSSJcKdPm7oMnWiHN-gOEg7ZTCRcCph8zXr78KKcN1jyGDnlE5f/s320/75+indy+GMC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not to be undone, the Official Support Vehicles for the 1975 Indy 500 were GMC Trucks. They were also finished in white and had red and blue strobe striping to harmonize with the Free Spirit Buick Pace Cars. They also had special interior trim.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NxmHqUbhlntEI3Fu1dOvc-N3a5kM-p11tGhMqILVzwvWhyphenhyphenCavDXX1wKOV4c3nRUA3jj2uQa7vzJ7CkSShCWwyzKiVIJGNMBYEC4QVPVVYKbGRgkvbw3CPyzIthn3TrEpgxrRbO9Kywuo/s1600/76+colt+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NxmHqUbhlntEI3Fu1dOvc-N3a5kM-p11tGhMqILVzwvWhyphenhyphenCavDXX1wKOV4c3nRUA3jj2uQa7vzJ7CkSShCWwyzKiVIJGNMBYEC4QVPVVYKbGRgkvbw3CPyzIthn3TrEpgxrRbO9Kywuo/s320/76+colt+1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's a Bicentennial oddball- a Dodge Colt done up in a red, white and blue package. Called the Carousel, It featured a blue vinyl roof, blue striping outlined in red, and a white interior with blue seat inserts surrounded by red piping. I guess nothing says American Exceptionalism quite like a Japanese car. It was offered in 1975 and 1976.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxHzXy386ayIsOISZzvAPuzNuLpoFbg6wEsAmtuc5uYdLGXitM5ybtxj0xrkiDPorTIc6JizTSf-VryDV-g44l0WJe_U5kI3HdfdOEjOA7RCo5A_g-jo6mXzQ2E3r_qO7xlsei3CfzIMz/s1600/76+colt+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxHzXy386ayIsOISZzvAPuzNuLpoFbg6wEsAmtuc5uYdLGXitM5ybtxj0xrkiDPorTIc6JizTSf-VryDV-g44l0WJe_U5kI3HdfdOEjOA7RCo5A_g-jo6mXzQ2E3r_qO7xlsei3CfzIMz/s320/76+colt+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNV5t3N3pxmuoOSV7ipAWsAUn9nDdrI3YqwnkBZWqJEHjjeOVFD2Qkqs1-9_Eh0xiDw9xKQ7A8nnDW4BiW2ez95_QQw8SgpEKuErKbC7byjX_vAlh3ZSp1DdJ8DO5kMl4WAJ6xVgj26oZ/s1600/76+dart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNV5t3N3pxmuoOSV7ipAWsAUn9nDdrI3YqwnkBZWqJEHjjeOVFD2Qkqs1-9_Eh0xiDw9xKQ7A8nnDW4BiW2ez95_QQw8SgpEKuErKbC7byjX_vAlh3ZSp1DdJ8DO5kMl4WAJ6xVgj26oZ/s320/76+dart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dodge also had a model for those who prefer American made products- the "Spirit of '76" Dart Sport. Again in white with a white interior, it featured sport wheels, red and blue exterior striping and decals, and blue seat inserts and accents set into a white interior. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFE8xU9vxR9giyX3UkDpOvjy7b7piXJAVJ6ag_P_XiOmlx0JYagWhJtlLVdqZq2Hmi34LbEfmJf6FZn_2Zn3EsoUhjkhD4CMbvj2YYu87c4-Uk255eS6XST9Tr3W-4hqRERcMhdCj0xre/s1600/76+last.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFE8xU9vxR9giyX3UkDpOvjy7b7piXJAVJ6ag_P_XiOmlx0JYagWhJtlLVdqZq2Hmi34LbEfmJf6FZn_2Zn3EsoUhjkhD4CMbvj2YYu87c4-Uk255eS6XST9Tr3W-4hqRERcMhdCj0xre/s320/76+last.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And last but not least, the Queen of them all, the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Bicentennial convertible. Built to commemorate the final edition of the Eldorado as a ragtop, these triple white cars featured red piping and environment, red and blue pinstriping, and white wheel discs (all other '76s had black.) In addition, each had a dash plaque proclaiming it to be one of the last 200 production convertibles. For now, anyway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of course, this list isn't intended to be exhaustive and there will be other examples that come to light- especially dealer editions and aftermarket striping kits, but I thought it would be fun to highlight some of the special editions of the red, white and blue. Happy Independence Day, everyone!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyyH14zrB7hx8xg9QT6mu40qQ7BmqCFp5eNFQBwk4IyIn4LkCnoCpgwFyP3TLW3ovMhkqSFZWftYs1E1xFbTOc5LTAcCDgOe3h8-Rmbye12IIcs5Rotbq5-XmQBRrP4aIh7QW766qin_2/s1600/76+cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyyH14zrB7hx8xg9QT6mu40qQ7BmqCFp5eNFQBwk4IyIn4LkCnoCpgwFyP3TLW3ovMhkqSFZWftYs1E1xFbTOc5LTAcCDgOe3h8-Rmbye12IIcs5Rotbq5-XmQBRrP4aIh7QW766qin_2/s320/76+cars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-54025731031708461102016-05-29T14:15:00.000-07:002016-05-29T14:15:35.177-07:00When Buick Set the Pace at Indianapolis<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAqhGO6eUiepGVmochhBM_WWCd4AM-iGoN4YyXAJtvlI9sW_WkJs2pWbQlCltGt5Q1ObIapIHat0UwtjqkHcepKgFruCAZ-RDyvqeTVM9oYiYxdy_wEEx4KthKnNrih5fjPvxzlGBKeTd/s1600/39buick2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611567932518216610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAqhGO6eUiepGVmochhBM_WWCd4AM-iGoN4YyXAJtvlI9sW_WkJs2pWbQlCltGt5Q1ObIapIHat0UwtjqkHcepKgFruCAZ-RDyvqeTVM9oYiYxdy_wEEx4KthKnNrih5fjPvxzlGBKeTd/s320/39buick2.jpg" style="display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<br />
This week, Buick Town Monday happens to correspond with Memorial Day weekend, so let's take a moment and remember some of Buick's role in this iconic American Experience. <a href="http://www.buick.com/">Buick</a> was one of the first manufacturers to take part in racing at the Indy track, and won several events in 1909, two years before the first Indianapolis 500 of 1911. Many, many Buicks were also raced at Indianapolis including <a href="http://www.gnregistry.org/turbo.htm">factory sponsored racing engines</a> as recently as the 1980's.<br />
<br />
But Buick has also served as the Official Pace Car at Indianapolis on no fewer than six different occasions, and created some very special cars to suit the role.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L8rN4asH-urglIJHAHtZ4Zng0FKA8tyvI_AxueSXri7KOpS4HcTH9YKuYvkeik1OWjOzCNuXQiJQii6mhzl4L8ce4YSdY_i5RjOwEEsQ6NuAgUCKyGp3caZr8RFefwENXTP1LM2yoq6o/s1600/39buick.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611567934048314210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L8rN4asH-urglIJHAHtZ4Zng0FKA8tyvI_AxueSXri7KOpS4HcTH9YKuYvkeik1OWjOzCNuXQiJQii6mhzl4L8ce4YSdY_i5RjOwEEsQ6NuAgUCKyGp3caZr8RFefwENXTP1LM2yoq6o/s320/39buick.jpg" style="display: block; height: 247px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<br />
The first Buick Pace Car was a 1939 <a href="http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1936-1992-buick-roadmaster1.htm">Roadmaster</a> Series 80 Convertible Sedan. It used Buick's most powerful 320 cubic inch OHV straight eight engine in a slightly smaller chassis for high speed performance. Although nearly stock in appearance, The Roadmaster had no trouble maintaining the high speeds required of a Pace Car.<br />
<br />
The next time Buick was selected as Pace Car was 1959. This was a great opportunity to showcase the all new 1959 Buick with its swept back fins. A white <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_Electra">Electra 225</a> convertible with red bucket seats was specially prepared for the event. Following the race, the car itself was presented to race winner Rodger Ward.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C7mU9zK3SDWqGui1_VaWnm9PzBglMferDncOqJIuILE-v4nQ5sMsCNAzxdwB5K-G8h6NpD-4k8pJV36Agt97buyEWDlGrz43GPpELXpg0DNrbUXw6kLcWdNFkUxnvP2Cguw1uqDxMdvm/s1600/59buick2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611567262224421426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C7mU9zK3SDWqGui1_VaWnm9PzBglMferDncOqJIuILE-v4nQ5sMsCNAzxdwB5K-G8h6NpD-4k8pJV36Agt97buyEWDlGrz43GPpELXpg0DNrbUXw6kLcWdNFkUxnvP2Cguw1uqDxMdvm/s320/59buick2.jpg" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV34pPljln2F5o7bDcZaAIssbPZQ-rbGA-ZeyAqoX18BT7bvJ-B1kBB2iF32uVktLrb9if5V4RmrE9d6W6hk8X-5QSr2xzLQzvdxWDkuNr1uOjRj9TcFPJN_Dedh_4bRN_s3FdgIaP_QFm/s1600/59buick.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611567267344947138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV34pPljln2F5o7bDcZaAIssbPZQ-rbGA-ZeyAqoX18BT7bvJ-B1kBB2iF32uVktLrb9if5V4RmrE9d6W6hk8X-5QSr2xzLQzvdxWDkuNr1uOjRj9TcFPJN_Dedh_4bRN_s3FdgIaP_QFm/s320/59buick.jpg" style="display: block; height: 209px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<br />
The 1975 Buick Pace Car wrapped itself in the red, white and blue. A loaded <a href="http://deansgarage.com/2009/1975-and-1976-buick-indy-pace-cars/">Century Colonnade</a> Coupe with 455 V8, bucket seats, and T-Tops was chosen and finished off with a patriotic red, white and blue flag-derived paint scheme which was very much in keeping with the Bicentennial mania that was sweeping the country. In addition, white Le Sabre convertibles were supplied for race executives and a fleet of replica Century coupes, with the same cosmetic treatment, were offered through Buick dealers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfb9UpDt0s_onp0FQxsbIEe5mjpUxzGoVtWCs6-k2HoH1Mms7eX1RNxgZMXp_-F7zvGjiuJfrgi44Hw9lzv4GXryi5xxrxhEf3iBpmM8q1odNJHgQVRaaaHOj435qNe89UKQpYkyCahMS/s1600/75buick3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611567071729982658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfb9UpDt0s_onp0FQxsbIEe5mjpUxzGoVtWCs6-k2HoH1Mms7eX1RNxgZMXp_-F7zvGjiuJfrgi44Hw9lzv4GXryi5xxrxhEf3iBpmM8q1odNJHgQVRaaaHOj435qNe89UKQpYkyCahMS/s320/75buick3.jpg" style="display: block; height: 247px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfBb_liXjZ9jKzd0-zf5BotUQ56c2vGU3Dq3SBdRJznRvrTYkcdsY4-WcJOTxhrRzQQulaiCLx6iAL7mArjNoSc0Dvd-Z7v2JJ_w34FnIJfLxEJF8_HHjfpeaWiD00ruBrpCVa5gWVpFI/s1600/75buick4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611566927429053138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfBb_liXjZ9jKzd0-zf5BotUQ56c2vGU3Dq3SBdRJznRvrTYkcdsY4-WcJOTxhrRzQQulaiCLx6iAL7mArjNoSc0Dvd-Z7v2JJ_w34FnIJfLxEJF8_HHjfpeaWiD00ruBrpCVa5gWVpFI/s320/75buick4.jpg" style="display: block; height: 196px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKJgZikEBmGWFCDR2iVH0cL_JSpvWppEsdFz7RInMs0noUO7Q-IpomGz8TpHaDeGq8q2AHdtxYDKYPjc-QzISbMWL7gatMYAzE7y0pZfoeeWpXltwaiOY33fmAcbW72kVjnEYjQ1-4wkg/s1600/75buick2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611566924230581362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKJgZikEBmGWFCDR2iVH0cL_JSpvWppEsdFz7RInMs0noUO7Q-IpomGz8TpHaDeGq8q2AHdtxYDKYPjc-QzISbMWL7gatMYAzE7y0pZfoeeWpXltwaiOY33fmAcbW72kVjnEYjQ1-4wkg/s320/75buick2.jpg" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
Buick was the Pace Car again in 1976, but this time the technology was all new. The 1976 <a href="http://deansgarage.com/2009/1975-and-1976-buick-indy-pace-cars/">Century Pace Car</a> featured the first Turbocharged V6 engine which was specially developed for this high speed application. This concept would lead to turbocharged V6 engines in the 1978 model year, and ultimately to the legendary Buick Grand National. It was finished in an aggressive color scheme of silver, red, and black, and again replicas were offered through Buick dealers, but they had conventional 350 V8 engines.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYw_v2zYgNFo-Ln-LscWeDOBLRzQNwXWyV7AX8fXiLQKtpn8p1SfyeIPPRKVp3XQcMIrMDRbxuDYgK0pGwdWp84V1lWr9sgaz3UAri-xbzFz6nUUQ5HTkIYjz5CGcH25adsrbIjp8ZQMw/s1600/76buick3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqvuQ22VGluL66PkT-AuI2R46bXFDvZ2S744Eyw5ooRUxJ9GTHdBlBuqcRWvyw-dGWXvSP3cDSZdFNLNqDKf1MawalILYip9PpwFxorrJQv-fKR5KvDhAy94TAKIIMLQ4GwUQR7O4mJjZ/s1600/76buick2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611566506830902386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqvuQ22VGluL66PkT-AuI2R46bXFDvZ2S744Eyw5ooRUxJ9GTHdBlBuqcRWvyw-dGWXvSP3cDSZdFNLNqDKf1MawalILYip9PpwFxorrJQv-fKR5KvDhAy94TAKIIMLQ4GwUQR7O4mJjZ/s320/76buick2.jpg" style="display: block; height: 210px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611566500958418770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYw_v2zYgNFo-Ln-LscWeDOBLRzQNwXWyV7AX8fXiLQKtpn8p1SfyeIPPRKVp3XQcMIrMDRbxuDYgK0pGwdWp84V1lWr9sgaz3UAri-xbzFz6nUUQ5HTkIYjz5CGcH25adsrbIjp8ZQMw/s320/76buick3.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 228px;" /><br />
<br />
The Buick Regal was chosen as the <a href="http://beforeblack.net/81pace.htm">1981 Indianapolis Pace Car</a>, again showing off Buick's V6 power. This time, a highly modified 4.1 litre V6, conventionally asperated, developed 281 horsepower and helped further establish the performance reputation of the Buick V6. The actual pace car had a Targa-style roof with an integral roll bar, and was finished in a unique color scheme of silver and dark maroon with bright red and orange trim.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uzdOkwgrYP6xdjsFtWRN2RKeC8VVMB-1P257KvYWxoiVac3nwk6c-q4fXANQhHvl9YGSUwXWXh6xTS5Q1hJSgjDn9EoomVH6FSqhcXo24Zuz31zY8E2Go-UyNeCNiIrnu-tyiW3RSikh/s1600/81buick.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611566497903888450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uzdOkwgrYP6xdjsFtWRN2RKeC8VVMB-1P257KvYWxoiVac3nwk6c-q4fXANQhHvl9YGSUwXWXh6xTS5Q1hJSgjDn9EoomVH6FSqhcXo24Zuz31zY8E2Go-UyNeCNiIrnu-tyiW3RSikh/s320/81buick.jpg" style="display: block; height: 248px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<br />
Buick's most recent trip to Indianapolis was in 1983. That year a special <a href="http://www.rivieraconvertible.com/pacecar.htm">Riviera Convertible</a> was chosen to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Buick's personal luxury car. A special color scheme of two shades of tan, a leather and suede interior, a fuel injected turbocharged V-6 engine and even genuine wire wheels set the car off. A replica coupe called the Riviera XX was offered through Buick dealers, although only 500 were ever made.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMBbDQmzdrBQEu54_ndWPAzD6_BE673RON9rsy5CJZQqx8FO-3OtBFTBv4SjaBGq5y-nzI3OefD4e_rQr2aSeTM9ZZXnq1JtJPnkoiAesiZ7-R8ahmqpiSmjyh9RoXooN0lYE87B3crTc/s1600/83buick2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611566495459131330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMBbDQmzdrBQEu54_ndWPAzD6_BE673RON9rsy5CJZQqx8FO-3OtBFTBv4SjaBGq5y-nzI3OefD4e_rQr2aSeTM9ZZXnq1JtJPnkoiAesiZ7-R8ahmqpiSmjyh9RoXooN0lYE87B3crTc/s320/83buick2.jpg" style="display: block; height: 234px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
So when you sit back and enjoy the 102nd anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, remember that Buick has been a important part of the Indianapolis story sine the very first days, and that Indianapolis has played a big part in the development of some very important Buicks.Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-55031907020031376972016-03-31T11:46:00.002-07:002016-05-09T15:56:43.112-07:00Fast Car<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwFqX-uXfhzIzlwDBYVnBiRZANlc0t2W_EnVEwNpY-nf0ijQl621csyDcamVNvCqSm9TgjhO5UiuJTwMU6q381Jri4jeEsGf5F5pV8ikqS6JmaWXivD7rHsc_jfudLjM5OULDzay4zbly/s1600/60+Tri+TR3+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwFqX-uXfhzIzlwDBYVnBiRZANlc0t2W_EnVEwNpY-nf0ijQl621csyDcamVNvCqSm9TgjhO5UiuJTwMU6q381Jri4jeEsGf5F5pV8ikqS6JmaWXivD7rHsc_jfudLjM5OULDzay4zbly/s320/60+Tri+TR3+ad.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m a auto-visual sort of person- I see a certain car and it cues a memory. I see a first generation Mustang and I instantly remember the all-three network introduction on prime time TV. A Jaguar E-Type reminds me of a top-down drive on a moonlit Michigan summer night, with both speedo and tach needles pointing straight up. And oddly enough, a Triumph TR-3a sports car takes me all the way back to Christmas of 1963.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRv4P1aRVb0ZGV0OdECLMPlf8ro_a6T2T5puKr9_BRm2kk8Cir-RgVbDY8jf0-4Q9SF4ZolU2p1A-8xLnUbk6xq54Qo5kQghYW4MBOq3zqqCbp86rX4sZgBJ_CinLkqHATyMPGT4JXqIE/s1600/61+bui+elt+225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRv4P1aRVb0ZGV0OdECLMPlf8ro_a6T2T5puKr9_BRm2kk8Cir-RgVbDY8jf0-4Q9SF4ZolU2p1A-8xLnUbk6xq54Qo5kQghYW4MBOq3zqqCbp86rX4sZgBJ_CinLkqHATyMPGT4JXqIE/s320/61+bui+elt+225.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-1b752221-cde7-ea56-e9ef-6b57c42d568d" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was just a toddler, and had fallen asleep on the back seat of Dad’s big ‘61 Electra 225 on the way out to my Grandparents’ farm in Byron, Michigan. Dad was one of seven, and on Thanksgiving and Christmas the whole clan would gather at the farm. I was still asleep when we arrived, so Dad scooped me up and carried me inside. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At least that was his intention. Grandfather wasn’t the very best at maintaining things, and the tales of his automotive choices are disasters for another day. But suffice to say the broken glass in the storm door probably should have been repaired prior to the family gathering. That way, Dad wouldn’t have accidentally put my little head through the broken glass and cut it wide open.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I doubt we were even inside before blood began gushing out. I’m not sure Dad ever quite put me down, and it's highly doubtful that I even got my coat off. All I know for sure is that a holiday with turkey and toys turned out instead to be an urgent trip to the emergency room in Flint, nearly 25 miles away.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TAipquKjlAh5xZoC8HFTyd_lfPgepCtCC85zvWVC24iEp0I-QWX1kcerr9g5lcG5-N1I3KszLfkwHpgr3M8ozDcUD92aCMC-bLLCFTIi4gKdzqRLuXZyL9_zAo-BWuprXnR_j4kAaVVL/s1600/DSCN7403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TAipquKjlAh5xZoC8HFTyd_lfPgepCtCC85zvWVC24iEp0I-QWX1kcerr9g5lcG5-N1I3KszLfkwHpgr3M8ozDcUD92aCMC-bLLCFTIi4gKdzqRLuXZyL9_zAo-BWuprXnR_j4kAaVVL/s320/DSCN7403.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And for that we needed a fast car. Fortunately, my Uncle David came to the rescue. His cute little Triumph TR-3a, with its bug eyes and wide mouthed grille, was right outside the jagged door. It was quick, it's snug little cabin had a heater, and it had washable vinyl seats and sort of a top. We wedged ourselves in and the Two and a Half men were off. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSVIe4-vgqozXNhUVK6eyEvMCnjiNobmnHfFBp8wwFZdoM1CADA3c98ECZDjO4KiKC59j15Uh7yYRSSZxIwFvxmQfBhWx6eNNzMurd79R5XQRQwx0cdT4icH2IbYicK4m-ynnjZz-n2Z9/s1600/DSCN7409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSVIe4-vgqozXNhUVK6eyEvMCnjiNobmnHfFBp8wwFZdoM1CADA3c98ECZDjO4KiKC59j15Uh7yYRSSZxIwFvxmQfBhWx6eNNzMurd79R5XQRQwx0cdT4icH2IbYicK4m-ynnjZz-n2Z9/s320/DSCN7409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
Dad put me between the bucket seats and wrapped a towel tightly around my head. From my vantage point, I could watch the gauges- especially the speedometer and tach, both of which were swinging wildly as Uncle David did his best to make the little Triumph fly. I was mesmerized by the gauges and pretty much oblivious to the fact that I was painting the interior red. Google Maps suggests the trip takes a half hour, but Uncle Dave got us there much quicker than that. I wonder how much of the trip the little car was actually touching the road.<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next thing I knew we were at the hospital where a nice lady in white stitched my head closed again, and within a couple of hours we were back at the farm. Poor Granddad never heard the end of the broken storm door- my Grandmother was not very pleased and never let him forget it. Although Mother wasn’t exactly amused either, she played the Diplomat and saved her words for when we were back home. Dave replaced the carpet in the TR-3a that spring, I'm not sure if I was the cause of that. But my lingering memory was watching the gauges- especially the tach- and I learned that it was worth a little suffering to ride in a really cool car.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I guess I've pretty much lived by those words. </span></div>
Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-72802761405511655332016-03-19T20:39:00.000-07:002016-03-19T20:47:11.601-07:00Frankie and Phil<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYUKhUyfcp7UxZoaNiRx0I3uLTBwYiTa5u2vrpDNJvEgw5qv7a3_7ZiZfouDOWRXroHU9tIoDx03VfFObWLCH22jQxjUD7-vlLkk-W4ZJoz7JpyNVD3m8SluNzkYlCZkublDKW1jn5EDg/s1600/sinatras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYUKhUyfcp7UxZoaNiRx0I3uLTBwYiTa5u2vrpDNJvEgw5qv7a3_7ZiZfouDOWRXroHU9tIoDx03VfFObWLCH22jQxjUD7-vlLkk-W4ZJoz7JpyNVD3m8SluNzkYlCZkublDKW1jn5EDg/s320/sinatras.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Sinatras Jr and Sr in 1969</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Phil was a car guy to the core. He was the fleet manager at Gunther-Langer Buick in Los Angeles in the early sixties, and he had a side job with the Buick Zone over on Wilshire Blvd., keeping track of the fleet of Buick company-owned cars that were in constant rotation. It was almost a full time job in itself, and it brought him in contact with lots of folks- Buick reps, the staff at the GM Training Center, and more than a few celebrities who were provided with cars as well. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-df7310b1-920c-94d3-06e7-22a308b5f025" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lots of famous names showed up in those logs. Jack Entratter of the Sands Hotel. Legendary customizer George Barris. And Old Blue Eyes himself, one Francis Albert Sinatra, appears frequently in the records. While the exact beginning of his relationship with Buick is unknown, it dates back to at least 1962 when he wrangled an appearance for the not-yet-introduced Riviera in his movie “Come Blow Your Horn.” Sinatra was provided with cars in both Los Angeles and New York, as well as station wagons for the period of time when he had the Cal-Neva ranch in Lake Tahoe.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And it was in 1969 when Phil was asked to deliver a Buick to 24-year old Francis Wayne Sinatra, the only son of the legendary vocalist and a performer himself. He is noted in the log as Sinatra Jr. And who would imagine that the car guy and the aspiring singer would go on to become lifelong friends. They both loved cars, and I wonder if Phil wasn’t like a surrogate uncle to Frank. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t come on to the scene until the 1990s myself, and by then they were longtime friends. Phil was working at a different Buick dealer but still managing the fleet. No longer the recipient of company cars, Frank Jr. purchased numerous Buicks through the Los Angeles Zone. He and Phil would have lunch together every day that Frank Jr. was in town. Phil would frequently attend Frank Jr’s concerts, and was not an infrequent guest of Jr’s for holidays. By this time, Phil’s wife Esther was suffering from Alzheimer’s and was in a convalescent home, so Phil’s life would have been pretty quiet without Frank Jr. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was in Phil’s office the day of Frank Sinatra’s funeral in the spring of 1998 when Frank Jr. called Phil after having just left the service. Phil was dispatched to take guests to the airport- I saw it as a testimony to their closeness. I remember visiting Phil in his office that summer when he told me that he was going to Europe with Frank Jr. and the orchestra, and was told to bring a Tuxedo in case he got to meet the Queen. I hadn’t seen him look that excited in years. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But sadly it was not to be. Phil had surgery that summer, something supposed to be routine but instead he had a stroke on the table and passed away a few days later. Phil’s wife, Esther, was unaware that he had died. I have been told that Frank Jr. paid for her care until she died a few years later. While I don’t have confirmation of that, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. They were that kind of friends.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-27781275910023051452015-12-17T07:00:00.000-08:002015-12-17T08:34:21.828-08:00Reynolds Buick in Kodachrome, 1971<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzcK2bhyphenhyphenVNmAKJO293eSS-PyGghMG-Yn_l4VLHWpMgdHMASyg2L7hYzQRBnvcztWGS9YuT1p56ph-HcN3fJ9mkwQ0ZrhbvU8O92Z46si4TkV-HxhVdLGKGarON4KqU1FNrirXIQXrzJlM/s1600/RE3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzcK2bhyphenhyphenVNmAKJO293eSS-PyGghMG-Yn_l4VLHWpMgdHMASyg2L7hYzQRBnvcztWGS9YuT1p56ph-HcN3fJ9mkwQ0ZrhbvU8O92Z46si4TkV-HxhVdLGKGarON4KqU1FNrirXIQXrzJlM/s400/RE3.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
I got a note from my old friend Don Reynolds the other day. He's winding down a busy year celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Reynolds Buick, the store his grandfather opened in Covina, CA in 1915. It's always a pleasure to hear from Don because of his love of history, and the latest missive was no disappointment because he included a treasure trove of images from his Father's desk.<br />
<br />
The images are all from 1971 and represent a history book of what a prosperous automobile dealership looked like in the early 70s, preserved in Kodachrome. The building itself was only six years old at the time, and is resplendent with colorful pennants and a bevy of brand new Buicks- with a heavy emphasis on luxury models and boattail Rivieras.<br />
<br />
The photos also happen to date from what Don a called the "Jaguar phase," so there are XJ saloons and E-Types -one with genuine wire wheels even- in the photos as well. Apparently Reynolds was a big Opel dealer too, with several Opels in for service including what looks like a 1959 wagon.<br />
<br />
It's a glorious scrapbook of new Buicks and Opels, a peppering of Jaguars, enticing late model used cars, a GMC with a pop-up camper and even a dune buggy on the used car lot- because it's Southern California after all. There's even a Firestone tire store next door with a vivid red sign.<br />
<br />
In never before seen Kodachrome, here's Reynolds Buick of West Covina, Califiornia in 1971:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqouoAG8swubUHKwmYOBx6jB63dKCH8DSAPjROiDbTQQrUOtx9_5STs23yEiL6fVKoe6wobDJZpcBl2aLZEFuv-U9n0AFVm8ii_kQpbDl41LEN2gGg__ujgWy8D2P03jwnWI0saLPEfjx/s1600/RE3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkpwVHjA_pUubLMGb1gENxdNSWu8sDPSw5zRuL_LggugHXvsptKP3pUGj_oUjzMqUL2FkBZhbLyZ57L7OfJDChB5qB2S4wLNbfKPVjkQZulPERInKWhp8oiu6C6e8481GWNHtVEeibBPZ/s1600/RE1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkpwVHjA_pUubLMGb1gENxdNSWu8sDPSw5zRuL_LggugHXvsptKP3pUGj_oUjzMqUL2FkBZhbLyZ57L7OfJDChB5qB2S4wLNbfKPVjkQZulPERInKWhp8oiu6C6e8481GWNHtVEeibBPZ/s400/RE1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqC-khtUkjcZDiMHStmzgtCFDdZZO4ftnOoSDxraVp40aDrWiHxiZwPeOGyhAQ2wGum7IcxEiMk1HhaCnWz4BrL8FiRMV72EJe1hZ4Sao2lad7kjWkci0d62H4vzhbiN10lk83finVsvI/s1600/RE2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqC-khtUkjcZDiMHStmzgtCFDdZZO4ftnOoSDxraVp40aDrWiHxiZwPeOGyhAQ2wGum7IcxEiMk1HhaCnWz4BrL8FiRMV72EJe1hZ4Sao2lad7kjWkci0d62H4vzhbiN10lk83finVsvI/s400/RE2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG65m6aUN0hAJhGdTgZKPhImHOKoBh5IUHeTk5x7AT2xu33FpD8NbU7_LiNk5BBkOSI2FASS3byJjlBHekS0JCg7Jv1uAfdhaTZk9lH395Uv4lkdpcb8AZjr32e18rz3LmPOnfj1vDkwcR/s1600/RE13.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG65m6aUN0hAJhGdTgZKPhImHOKoBh5IUHeTk5x7AT2xu33FpD8NbU7_LiNk5BBkOSI2FASS3byJjlBHekS0JCg7Jv1uAfdhaTZk9lH395Uv4lkdpcb8AZjr32e18rz3LmPOnfj1vDkwcR/s400/RE13.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvlj7_RgFj-zQGdwulboJUEIwAQXxm9ZMjD6f1zHb0NaLLUYntmLvPy-X6drVmSQn564F8gH6LOH2YZXEHlq075_1XjgvvjXHQFvmEtohoDRhwLAlPAWDAjPc5fG6I8jxrN-X-xmNdQcC/s1600/RE4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvlj7_RgFj-zQGdwulboJUEIwAQXxm9ZMjD6f1zHb0NaLLUYntmLvPy-X6drVmSQn564F8gH6LOH2YZXEHlq075_1XjgvvjXHQFvmEtohoDRhwLAlPAWDAjPc5fG6I8jxrN-X-xmNdQcC/s400/RE4.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m-3BukRLlRqHjMLC_US16vSVS3lOqkNZUUxvr3dizZplsE9Z9dntLANaUpVZ41vYE704dXTO13UIABuy5rl1lL3egKczORd9Wk0i_OGJVc20SaUkU8Lg4HPgOdodUujYkFO9o4173GfM/s1600/RE15.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m-3BukRLlRqHjMLC_US16vSVS3lOqkNZUUxvr3dizZplsE9Z9dntLANaUpVZ41vYE704dXTO13UIABuy5rl1lL3egKczORd9Wk0i_OGJVc20SaUkU8Lg4HPgOdodUujYkFO9o4173GfM/s400/RE15.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKIW6a41bkuL7opBeXL4byxPa5WdSKgtL7XjdNd-Tb1nNVZMGsIkgShqUVzdVlsMIxXoT4-UNmOgq0rINV9V2CxKaQkKhVRfYI79iyLGCyMN39Ve_qGkBYiXLyEdcgza4-oRDhZn4AFSe/s1600/RE5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKIW6a41bkuL7opBeXL4byxPa5WdSKgtL7XjdNd-Tb1nNVZMGsIkgShqUVzdVlsMIxXoT4-UNmOgq0rINV9V2CxKaQkKhVRfYI79iyLGCyMN39Ve_qGkBYiXLyEdcgza4-oRDhZn4AFSe/s400/RE5.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzbge_lmYJW7OJRQtksbj9i-XodSadUm3-R_ZRj2mB3EJCaQhjkDv0-_H4_onzrt-pzOfY4uLI5rYXfsrvQKghxOkgZMvs_w-nPkJcPazBQOcyjnd5Le9yyrKU7Pp4D7GihHVSSarQblE/s1600/RE6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzbge_lmYJW7OJRQtksbj9i-XodSadUm3-R_ZRj2mB3EJCaQhjkDv0-_H4_onzrt-pzOfY4uLI5rYXfsrvQKghxOkgZMvs_w-nPkJcPazBQOcyjnd5Le9yyrKU7Pp4D7GihHVSSarQblE/s400/RE6.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeF0OGvAO-Jk9oUMemk0psK9kaiHPrcFCNFq7GKK0kqWYqQCYQKklFCIoZZgnzWLA0DP7qvlrzlH6Hi0bol7TT3g9eEc4Dk7NAx1wR6uvXjSTS3H0UnXOrUeHaE7w-sH-GvK9yUk45mdD/s1600/RE7.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeF0OGvAO-Jk9oUMemk0psK9kaiHPrcFCNFq7GKK0kqWYqQCYQKklFCIoZZgnzWLA0DP7qvlrzlH6Hi0bol7TT3g9eEc4Dk7NAx1wR6uvXjSTS3H0UnXOrUeHaE7w-sH-GvK9yUk45mdD/s400/RE7.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk1mIJ8frHA3ZNJ1dk6XbBQQPDb-SWn59aZmKjB4B6cJnqGAKXEq9cAB38_1X7D1QKgQ2_VI-ZRx7hWXrQaKkkUi9BNkGrU0qhSK77qMlmD_P2H4Hi6HX8KbHzJM8nDglcAs7M16bvWQM/s1600/RE8.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk1mIJ8frHA3ZNJ1dk6XbBQQPDb-SWn59aZmKjB4B6cJnqGAKXEq9cAB38_1X7D1QKgQ2_VI-ZRx7hWXrQaKkkUi9BNkGrU0qhSK77qMlmD_P2H4Hi6HX8KbHzJM8nDglcAs7M16bvWQM/s400/RE8.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59B0KEye2-vNx1Ww7COX2205ZcDiu5fOasjyBJ_eezMUM0y3ZDXfgIZ97iYIJdgmS9ioXUVe8uT0zJMtgoZzJTSjCEJpRz4ROUuM8YGnuqbFGzD36f803_qEfO5MbHrGO8LcMsM3wNHaO/s1600/RE9.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59B0KEye2-vNx1Ww7COX2205ZcDiu5fOasjyBJ_eezMUM0y3ZDXfgIZ97iYIJdgmS9ioXUVe8uT0zJMtgoZzJTSjCEJpRz4ROUuM8YGnuqbFGzD36f803_qEfO5MbHrGO8LcMsM3wNHaO/s400/RE9.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetsZv211Zr_09O4eJFDGJEQKBjW-WFa75ZKag4u6fG7xIZ9RW7elXzSKjyw03Ogaqa-op_7hLJSQTHS4BqkqxgV8leDRpqu1jjRquBeWSJTzZwsiNKAs8-HH2cDPwtybYn4Rq5FPu10_h/s1600/RE10.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetsZv211Zr_09O4eJFDGJEQKBjW-WFa75ZKag4u6fG7xIZ9RW7elXzSKjyw03Ogaqa-op_7hLJSQTHS4BqkqxgV8leDRpqu1jjRquBeWSJTzZwsiNKAs8-HH2cDPwtybYn4Rq5FPu10_h/s400/RE10.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAz8u9bT_DtRuzu84Qd4eMUB-TxnXbf2IGu3qvKlT5TV93HvaX222KFpZoPOEgTAKhi4nKuHNrF0jgPKz8d6M_jX2_TfB4N2K_7we-lChJ5_2p0zMPj_CngSB43DywxavH3jXV1BLA8t4/s1600/RE11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAz8u9bT_DtRuzu84Qd4eMUB-TxnXbf2IGu3qvKlT5TV93HvaX222KFpZoPOEgTAKhi4nKuHNrF0jgPKz8d6M_jX2_TfB4N2K_7we-lChJ5_2p0zMPj_CngSB43DywxavH3jXV1BLA8t4/s400/RE11.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-Ru3_-xGA3ICt3ecABvItTUDr1fJJXwPFpaJb99Ys3iZKiC0qgcVQvNu0QcQc3iCIE72R72pDBxLMPE3zMAKJjyqumRiMlRxkudoCwjIxKdUmK-3RSdkp9VliWActnc1i92LdvY5OaI0/s1600/RE12.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-Ru3_-xGA3ICt3ecABvItTUDr1fJJXwPFpaJb99Ys3iZKiC0qgcVQvNu0QcQc3iCIE72R72pDBxLMPE3zMAKJjyqumRiMlRxkudoCwjIxKdUmK-3RSdkp9VliWActnc1i92LdvY5OaI0/s400/RE12.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKozuGFkfeR_vhjMF67zyVpUDwqOrgJ5zK1RDZyt9RnD1aM0i4gx2c8evsKpzIxXuMTqRDdkBiCwPsStQF3eknZbVSdkNN00hs_uwoUqYKa2XiRm-uC7lnOF6atjTpUvim2zmlZL07o6D/s1600/RE14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKozuGFkfeR_vhjMF67zyVpUDwqOrgJ5zK1RDZyt9RnD1aM0i4gx2c8evsKpzIxXuMTqRDdkBiCwPsStQF3eknZbVSdkNN00hs_uwoUqYKa2XiRm-uC7lnOF6atjTpUvim2zmlZL07o6D/s400/RE14.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All images courtesy of Don Reynolds/ Reynolds BuickJeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-43854400014047784182015-01-12T17:28:00.000-08:002015-01-12T17:28:59.676-08:00Avenir: Buick is a Beauty, Too<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xfPqtouIYaD9Ma7XGCM2H4u9wWG0nDqQad3WwONCBZVlj38u8UEmC9T0AwNy-ZaU9TyzZEud5UEjowOIN-NIStKGa6-5A2R2gK4b5Ducef5LKUsZEeFniHH99idsYIhZqJImgWvlNBK1/s1600/Avenir+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xfPqtouIYaD9Ma7XGCM2H4u9wWG0nDqQad3WwONCBZVlj38u8UEmC9T0AwNy-ZaU9TyzZEud5UEjowOIN-NIStKGa6-5A2R2gK4b5Ducef5LKUsZEeFniHH99idsYIhZqJImgWvlNBK1/s1600/Avenir+3.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The first car of my Mother's that I remember riding in was a Buick- a big, black 1961 Electra 225 Riviera four-door hardtop. It had a long hood, four portholes, a luxurious button tufted interior, a freestanding clock a'la George Nelson, and a fold down vanity mirror that said "Buick is a beauty, too," And a beauty it was indeed, as were so many large, powerful Buick sedans over the years.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So yesterday's announcement of the new Buick Avenir concept car definitely caught my eye. It's a big, expressive car, with a long hood, a hint of Buick's distinctive coke bottle side sculpturing, a vee-shaped rear deck that pays homage to tthe boattail Riviera, and a roomy interior. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJp0M4ALd6uMsTnEuQ8FLPMI4udCygXHCBYgWvqVDrIDjMrCrycJpWPKN1Iyg8sEwQRozGC9mR0a5TVUB2vFnl0mwWG1tnXDp2iXdIc9GaHMRTDVlG9SR0RlPfGAaaETJbsxgOLo1DOaa/s1600/Avenir+8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJp0M4ALd6uMsTnEuQ8FLPMI4udCygXHCBYgWvqVDrIDjMrCrycJpWPKN1Iyg8sEwQRozGC9mR0a5TVUB2vFnl0mwWG1tnXDp2iXdIc9GaHMRTDVlG9SR0RlPfGAaaETJbsxgOLo1DOaa/s1600/Avenir+8.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The name means "future" in French, and I certainly hope it's a glimpse into the future of Buick sedans. Unlike some concept cars like the Cadillac Sixteen, the package looks quite credible and could be built on the new large Omega platform that will also host the upcoming Cadillac CT6. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9z0xAAY96ANDvoMrtv9EJSWqFAXLHKh3UscmwhNYKY-k78FJNXfsFSM6UYeRbo4hJ49mF7GJqTkbulUTEm5fO8aZS02C78xmceunS490a4iGa7KN6ngStIAj3SH9dKmwOvk4iySrykyYi/s1600/Avenir+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9z0xAAY96ANDvoMrtv9EJSWqFAXLHKh3UscmwhNYKY-k78FJNXfsFSM6UYeRbo4hJ49mF7GJqTkbulUTEm5fO8aZS02C78xmceunS490a4iGa7KN6ngStIAj3SH9dKmwOvk4iySrykyYi/s1600/Avenir+1.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LWURKLSRnM6NKdgLxrMlNVfiAkE6zrnN4EE_vttjXWk0rKO1KCSpukapyjTWTzI402kTKbVwbh0bMXsf32AlAc54DNqqeRYlq4zD4HgkxGOVk5aNxomyqokEOvw7KklIkqo-pl4vKMHu/s1600/Avenir+4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LWURKLSRnM6NKdgLxrMlNVfiAkE6zrnN4EE_vttjXWk0rKO1KCSpukapyjTWTzI402kTKbVwbh0bMXsf32AlAc54DNqqeRYlq4zD4HgkxGOVk5aNxomyqokEOvw7KklIkqo-pl4vKMHu/s1600/Avenir+4.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's powered by a direct-injected V6 engine with cylinder deactivation paired with an nine-speed automatic transmission and dual clutch all wheel drive, and rides on 21 inch wheels. Avenir makes use of high technology including a 4G-LTE wireless hotspot, fully reconfigurable glass-panel dash and rear seat video screens with individual USB ports, and while it all imparts a Buck Rogers feel, there's nothing that's too far out to bring to market today. It's loaded with features, but they're all doable. And inside and out, it looks like a Buick- a big powerful Buick, albeit a contemporary adaptation of one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVVKQfRITbX4xxGhyphenhyphenxBIoF4jkVzG8PZ3gFy9z1t09z8e9kKp__r6IwAYhwb5r7VVh-bZkRGNYt6Jp90DO0bk1OCzWyABz7IPNmLawNvnqWRHwKs639sCfsCNmbZnSddjYHPp9bWnQsRtW/s1600/Avenir+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVVKQfRITbX4xxGhyphenhyphenxBIoF4jkVzG8PZ3gFy9z1t09z8e9kKp__r6IwAYhwb5r7VVh-bZkRGNYt6Jp90DO0bk1OCzWyABz7IPNmLawNvnqWRHwKs639sCfsCNmbZnSddjYHPp9bWnQsRtW/s1600/Avenir+2.jpeg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zypL_b7bfjVdst25cpKPvSVUOM6ZPr5VnR5NS5ps8F77Tpms9srOaVuqra1VH8DKlfcPAV70oHa5S1ChIK1hM7Pg6p9dqMCeAqxugLauE0NN1GYL9xUnpXDDy37VAWD1uVq_7qn70e54/s1600/Avenir+5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zypL_b7bfjVdst25cpKPvSVUOM6ZPr5VnR5NS5ps8F77Tpms9srOaVuqra1VH8DKlfcPAV70oHa5S1ChIK1hM7Pg6p9dqMCeAqxugLauE0NN1GYL9xUnpXDDy37VAWD1uVq_7qn70e54/s1600/Avenir+5.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_WSofQ6Bc83mNKC1HsDGJcNtGM4KsXCE6ZQxFO-7DkCGHwwo2lP8QyrRhLWZLpImG1Bze6gAUiu2kWgxmnauzAm2QYtlLMgMdk1osMmFOraE-dW9Qu-9XD1ZrJYDpmwiuOLcCsD77Ii6/s1600/Avenir+6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_WSofQ6Bc83mNKC1HsDGJcNtGM4KsXCE6ZQxFO-7DkCGHwwo2lP8QyrRhLWZLpImG1Bze6gAUiu2kWgxmnauzAm2QYtlLMgMdk1osMmFOraE-dW9Qu-9XD1ZrJYDpmwiuOLcCsD77Ii6/s1600/Avenir+6.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7YIdIoEIuUwKLDBacM4tCvD83oL1gRIRuRjXXeDbJXandcZPid5TP517wSaT1J8YnztTQ0EGycLRQ6t2F6x9AzMF5rag-ZVzEepuvXj-AFf6i0bIYC6yZumdie0zFK48CZxVlQnbVicM/s1600/Avenir+7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7YIdIoEIuUwKLDBacM4tCvD83oL1gRIRuRjXXeDbJXandcZPid5TP517wSaT1J8YnztTQ0EGycLRQ6t2F6x9AzMF5rag-ZVzEepuvXj-AFf6i0bIYC6yZumdie0zFK48CZxVlQnbVicM/s1600/Avenir+7.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In short, I love it! Now all it needs is a vanity mirror that says "Buick is a beauty, too..."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMa6rUAM66IlFbnyMLoHocldTHPLxmmEKHUHzB3Giu7W9MFLFos8xxdEzqc1E0vTmJ0ZNR3DrdcUUjyFQ3cBvlVP_PGG0ikzlePadr_68u8dOBF2UsHXPZ-pXtJBaxDndDz2RkUc9Di7-E/s1600/buick+beauty+too.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMa6rUAM66IlFbnyMLoHocldTHPLxmmEKHUHzB3Giu7W9MFLFos8xxdEzqc1E0vTmJ0ZNR3DrdcUUjyFQ3cBvlVP_PGG0ikzlePadr_68u8dOBF2UsHXPZ-pXtJBaxDndDz2RkUc9Di7-E/s1600/buick+beauty+too.JPG" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Avenir images courtesy of GM Company.</span></div>
Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-26042415195727027702014-10-28T13:11:00.002-07:002014-10-28T13:11:47.059-07:00Lincoln Makes Huge Announcement, is Immediately Overshadowed by a Jim Carrey Spoof<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4KNsM2u8-pr_qoRblbQUi_-4J9PbS_Kp-eTO2kNLPGFIw7JtPAB1vBP0r3eZP_H2_VOwwQaBMjiQ-Knd6NcLom5li7GQSLh7Xqk7cY2f_HeXM_pArqIfExj91aEYwIt1kl8EgRaFZWlJ/s1600/Carrey+Lincoln+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4KNsM2u8-pr_qoRblbQUi_-4J9PbS_Kp-eTO2kNLPGFIw7JtPAB1vBP0r3eZP_H2_VOwwQaBMjiQ-Knd6NcLom5li7GQSLh7Xqk7cY2f_HeXM_pArqIfExj91aEYwIt1kl8EgRaFZWlJ/s1600/Carrey+Lincoln+2.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Lincoln made the news twice last week, which is pretty darn good for them, except that they were only planning on it once. Their big news came from newly appointed Chief Executive Mark Fields, who announced a much needed multi-billion dollar product investment in Lincoln which will include a new platform (to be shared with Ford, natch) for front, all, and- drum roll- rear wheel drive products.<br />
<br />
It's welcome news indeed that any follower of the brand will be excited about- we've been screaming "Go Big or Go Home" for several years now to Mulally's tone-deaf ears and lamented his showrooms full of rebadged Fords, and now it looks like Mr. Fields and Mr. Ford have decided to go big. <br />
<br />
But timing is a funny thing, as a couple days later, Jim Carrey lampooned Lincoln's hideously annoying ad campaign with a not-to-be-missed SNL spoof. Carrey did a dead-on impersonation of Magic Mike Star (and inexplicably, Lincoln spokesperson) Matthew Mc Conaughey. Carrey's blank stares and biting dialogue- "But you don't buy a Lincoln because it makes sense- you do it because you love it- or you're an Uber driver" laid waste to the tepid and tedious ad campaign and made millions of tongues wag for Lincoln. Perhaps the fine folk at Ford should include Mr, Carrey as part of the revitalization. Catch it below: <br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/z3eN9u5N2Q4" width="560"></iframe>Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-38348743443174675432014-10-25T16:39:00.003-07:002014-10-25T16:44:52.113-07:00It's Not a F@cking Lincoln<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDS6Ba2lhR8eALfSMaMoFyGhgfBJ9t-wjuDKe7g5-AqUYhwkaYqKAFxHG4cBlefQ7b4o3HnHCp1wfEcRe9xY8auJtbakIWAgM6Qoo-tmgyHjfrMaBfOp1kWKnVxhqgvfq5ZXRcJXb-dz_V/s1600/56+Cont+Mk+II+HQ.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDS6Ba2lhR8eALfSMaMoFyGhgfBJ9t-wjuDKe7g5-AqUYhwkaYqKAFxHG4cBlefQ7b4o3HnHCp1wfEcRe9xY8auJtbakIWAgM6Qoo-tmgyHjfrMaBfOp1kWKnVxhqgvfq5ZXRcJXb-dz_V/s1600/56+Cont+Mk+II+HQ.jpg.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The Continental Mark II is an icon in the postwar industry- a Classic from the day it first saw the roads, with timeless styling, unmatched appointments, supreme build quality, movie-star status and remarkable roadability- especially for a car that was introduced in the middle of the fifth decade.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was the crowning achievement of William Clay Ford, who oversaw the creation of an entire Continental Division to develop, produce, and market what he hoped would be an entire line of upscale cars to bear the proud Continental name. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes, the proud Continental name.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In other words, <i>It's not a f@cking Lincoln.</i> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes, I do understand that Ford Motor Company is more than a bit obtuse and inconsistent in the application of the Continental name, but that was AFTER the Mark II left the marketplace. And yes, the Continental was preceded by the Zephyr-based Lincoln Continental, but that car at its pinnacle sold for HALF of the Mark II's $10,000 price tag- from a branding point of view, the Continental carried a price tag twice as high, and the Lincoln name wasn't presigious enough. Continental had to be a cut above, and it was.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Continental Division had its own President, its own Management Staff, even its own factory where Continental Mark IIs were produced by dedicated Continental Division employees. And the Continental name that it bore was registered as a separate make with the AMA in 1955. It launched at the Paris Auto in October of 1955 with great plans, including a four-door companion to the called the Continental Berline. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Alas, success was not on Continental's side. Faced with slumping sales in 1957, the Division was merged with Lincoln-Mercury who were then themselves joined by Edsel- although Continental remained a separate make through 1958. After 1958, Lincoln treated the Continental as an implied brand- the Mark IV of 1959 bore a Lincoln data plate but carried the Lincoln name nowhere else, and the 1960 Mark V had a Lincoln Continental Mark V script on the dash, both were sold alongside nearly identical Lincoln models. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It not until the utterly brilliant Lincoln Continental of 1961, an iconic car that was the first worthy successor to the Mark II, that the Lincoln and Continental names were successfully reunited. But that was four years after the last Continental Mark II (for which I have a copy of the invoice from Continental Division) left the dedicated Oakwood Boulevard facility. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The classic Continental Mark II is many things- dashing, glamorous, prestigious, expensive, and exclusive. The Mark II represents the pinnacle of American automotive design of in the fall of 1955.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>But it's not a f@cking Lincoln. </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-13351229082592296402014-09-23T13:16:00.001-07:002014-09-23T13:16:36.171-07:00Remnants of an Aztek Civilization<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCriicLZoqiyq6cOI3K_0OKFgd_mcroE_RyT6dPNTwur5_9pIcGEqrG53qzjmF3LgyYa_OT_xrPKL8E6SZFJA7Yi9ISaFRQnqCbF0PjO503E6rDr0oZn-RkDAaSF-Hfn148zoF3BTRabMx/s1600/Aztek+Orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCriicLZoqiyq6cOI3K_0OKFgd_mcroE_RyT6dPNTwur5_9pIcGEqrG53qzjmF3LgyYa_OT_xrPKL8E6SZFJA7Yi9ISaFRQnqCbF0PjO503E6rDr0oZn-RkDAaSF-Hfn148zoF3BTRabMx/s1600/Aztek+Orange.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shimmering in Sunburst Orange</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It wasn't long after I arrived back in Flint for my annual trek that I began to notice them- Azteks. Azteks everywhere. Yes, Pontiac Azteks, those hideous little "Sports Activity Vehicles" that the grossly misinformed seem to love to include on their woefully misbegotten "Worst Cars" lists. Because while they're pretty hideous stylistically, they're actually very good and reliable transportation, and apparently very affordably priced and thusly very much in demand in Flint because the horrible little blobs are everywhere. Surprisingly plentiful is the Sunburst Orange, seen above, which is one of six orange ones I have spotted in the last week.<br />
<br />
If course the greatest concentration was at the local discount big box retailer, who will go nameless. There were so many in the vicinity I couldn't capture them all, including a white one that a couple was using for amorous intentions- Sports Activity indeed, right Pontiac? I missed the red one peeking out of the slightly scary apartment complex and the claret red one at the bank, but made a stop at the muffler shop for the Walter White Memorial Edition in Light Driftwood. They're plentiful on Craigslist as well, with most offerings showing mileage well over 100,000 and some near the 200,000 mark.<br />
<br />
So without further pause, enjoy the Remnants of an Aztek Civilization. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9slof56hcQejFVtPb3rUIPJTeYgQG5TsWvU6KXbBH0Q5QAfe144kvZr7xY2MYqy0w1tDHYo-afAaVPNBN2sBANUY6_LgDfUhUAGLuIVazRpEFTspk2X4_JSabxFWQqxfcQnG7U5qjUY2h/s1600/Aztek+Smurf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9slof56hcQejFVtPb3rUIPJTeYgQG5TsWvU6KXbBH0Q5QAfe144kvZr7xY2MYqy0w1tDHYo-afAaVPNBN2sBANUY6_LgDfUhUAGLuIVazRpEFTspk2X4_JSabxFWQqxfcQnG7U5qjUY2h/s1600/Aztek+Smurf.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Smurfing it on the Freeway</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFm3CzecPVBdok3UPu4JgM1Bw2B74zJNo6kDRX9nSlzqkBDmCoMIgwku0HYQdPQz9VCukBhp8RIP5UfbSVusMO8jDexEP4Ph3ewxeWrAw9vAdMN1A14UKc3KtpKfKtExARpenZ4AEiZA2c/s1600/Aztek+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFm3CzecPVBdok3UPu4JgM1Bw2B74zJNo6kDRX9nSlzqkBDmCoMIgwku0HYQdPQz9VCukBhp8RIP5UfbSVusMO8jDexEP4Ph3ewxeWrAw9vAdMN1A14UKc3KtpKfKtExARpenZ4AEiZA2c/s1600/Aztek+White.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is the monochromatic white almost too fashionable?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4VW1uRQS9hSCyXcvQ4GSu6foHLCkaH4Tu7OIcklfxgqAE4vXAjXiepvBa04v2WJuP7c_lb1r87uW3LeeWHQ5j2QzPx3XzlG8RPxVx9ffQivy3SSrHOI8f5v2XF8iZIy06mMB5Z-1DnKm/s1600/DSCN1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4VW1uRQS9hSCyXcvQ4GSu6foHLCkaH4Tu7OIcklfxgqAE4vXAjXiepvBa04v2WJuP7c_lb1r87uW3LeeWHQ5j2QzPx3XzlG8RPxVx9ffQivy3SSrHOI8f5v2XF8iZIy06mMB5Z-1DnKm/s1600/DSCN1040.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aztek on Aztek action at the Big Box Retailer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TRkKIzVFBKCkXSDRd64_BauHYfWlAkg4_OKkfGzNniCSN8qo6W4Y3pfqNYSiuof2AKJMRmN5G7EMSAC51iqupavIR4B-WdzaTNQS4AyhzCEYGkxuydlAilLxMSlSJDfaTfKzf7nTQtPG/s1600/DSCN1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TRkKIzVFBKCkXSDRd64_BauHYfWlAkg4_OKkfGzNniCSN8qo6W4Y3pfqNYSiuof2AKJMRmN5G7EMSAC51iqupavIR4B-WdzaTNQS4AyhzCEYGkxuydlAilLxMSlSJDfaTfKzf7nTQtPG/s1600/DSCN1041.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locking horns outside the Big Box.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7ZzE2jb3q0KvxPWt4WDmH0AxBfhaSWDU-fy1yr73bvyiGhkPrxcFDjTIBLwfP_7tGG_FEFi9NABGUXeFWGTkM25rjlZh5oWVaGa7atMaRaplxLjRlZPS6Q9PAEYb1Rgo-XOBY_mOVpl9/s1600/DSCN1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7ZzE2jb3q0KvxPWt4WDmH0AxBfhaSWDU-fy1yr73bvyiGhkPrxcFDjTIBLwfP_7tGG_FEFi9NABGUXeFWGTkM25rjlZh5oWVaGa7atMaRaplxLjRlZPS6Q9PAEYb1Rgo-XOBY_mOVpl9/s1600/DSCN1043.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smurfing It. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMmw5dc-0xDHY2VknaKqJ96v46Al7-1L7fwvxqh3hfXRY1GCx_e2SlgOVlfZg2E6TVR_9fHH_BPlmzJCZoeUZslpq7UYQ1J9pl2YmrihMdtbZ2ZoUwB0AMKQaibj-F0rFtaz7-S1KLzCy/s1600/DSCN1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMmw5dc-0xDHY2VknaKqJ96v46Al7-1L7fwvxqh3hfXRY1GCx_e2SlgOVlfZg2E6TVR_9fHH_BPlmzJCZoeUZslpq7UYQ1J9pl2YmrihMdtbZ2ZoUwB0AMKQaibj-F0rFtaz7-S1KLzCy/s1600/DSCN1045.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one that wasn't being used for Amore...<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-KgaINMOI-4c5syl6GvEToJZ5pXHap76MOh2IGxCz5TrsD4PyDFdvw5d6qn7NqKjhT_zSVFzDKxINSg0AWiQlQE-SBQ5kIgWXS6L2hyzgFwrpxrUyrTFaPQwFqEt32usRe8UMhSDR_MM/s1600/DSCN1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-KgaINMOI-4c5syl6GvEToJZ5pXHap76MOh2IGxCz5TrsD4PyDFdvw5d6qn7NqKjhT_zSVFzDKxINSg0AWiQlQE-SBQ5kIgWXS6L2hyzgFwrpxrUyrTFaPQwFqEt32usRe8UMhSDR_MM/s1600/DSCN1046.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Walter White Memorial Edition<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqJABncGbm8wN6dOUjO5puouBjaQWMuP_8WjLvGavBgNcmBOWwxcoN7G4qTFpeDb1lkidJXo2TM3zSt8bv44MpavoM34xntxAfNRcL-FcZfUdRc-RTB1KmDYf-1QUvFikvFA-GYT9qHCF/s1600/DSCN1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqJABncGbm8wN6dOUjO5puouBjaQWMuP_8WjLvGavBgNcmBOWwxcoN7G4qTFpeDb1lkidJXo2TM3zSt8bv44MpavoM34xntxAfNRcL-FcZfUdRc-RTB1KmDYf-1QUvFikvFA-GYT9qHCF/s1600/DSCN1047.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a Patriotic Setting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FLvdKZ4fkvaYTxnG-1lFxSvxhUx-M-XXCZN5q5qoFSYNnBHsBjOTrr1O1LRSVU8qlvbnAL98DVgFSuYS7Sxt3uQ-y4SpBY9v_itG82taT-w2NmcIwjlKoy2otYCL9YIaYmcFc7i_PTm5/s1600/DSCN1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FLvdKZ4fkvaYTxnG-1lFxSvxhUx-M-XXCZN5q5qoFSYNnBHsBjOTrr1O1LRSVU8qlvbnAL98DVgFSuYS7Sxt3uQ-y4SpBY9v_itG82taT-w2NmcIwjlKoy2otYCL9YIaYmcFc7i_PTm5/s1600/DSCN1048.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sad cousin, a neglected Rendezvous</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-20522337694059705732014-08-07T15:04:00.000-07:002014-08-08T10:29:01.712-07:00The Cool Cool Trailer- Shasta Reissues the Iconic 1961 Airflyte<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8t2Mx3NLRt_w6jCpBsEj_XUGW1UgpGFcCdDnJv4L9nduksayCsqzjOZrtzdybDD28nyRKdcxhHVhg9_jZi6QeP7M76_sf7pQWiHlMqSjdAOCRI9cPBF-Oc3SwtFZU7zUAmwpRVRsotykB/s1600/61+shasta+airflyte+new+ext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8t2Mx3NLRt_w6jCpBsEj_XUGW1UgpGFcCdDnJv4L9nduksayCsqzjOZrtzdybDD28nyRKdcxhHVhg9_jZi6QeP7M76_sf7pQWiHlMqSjdAOCRI9cPBF-Oc3SwtFZU7zUAmwpRVRsotykB/s1600/61+shasta+airflyte+new+ext.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How many times have you been asked, if you could bring back one car from the past, what would it be? Of course, the question is moot, and with the stratospheric cost of tooling and all the safety regulations it simply could not be done. But it makes for some darn good dreaming.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-10f79803-b26e-ccb4-2fe0-3360b124b9ef" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well recently a fellow named Mark Lucas had just such a dream- except as the President of Shasta RV, he’s in a position to do more than dream. He’d been watching the classic RV and camper craze and wondering the best way to step into the water himself, so he went out and bought a 1961 Airflyte 16’ trailer and brought in a few engineers to study it and and they came up with an idea- they decided to reissue it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv3IxHpBqNImRMoq6KEHqqXHj9Vx4t_tPpoRCUX_OryqaDkbYfVO1tzG3o2w8UKCvlDXyoaWWXRdIbAjSvAdwI4N0I61FoD90GqOb8gOAsoRVDYXoeR1yZAg33QaT7YaoUTtT7R60u80C/s1600/61+shasta+airflyte+ext+mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv3IxHpBqNImRMoq6KEHqqXHj9Vx4t_tPpoRCUX_OryqaDkbYfVO1tzG3o2w8UKCvlDXyoaWWXRdIbAjSvAdwI4N0I61FoD90GqOb8gOAsoRVDYXoeR1yZAg33QaT7YaoUTtT7R60u80C/s1600/61+shasta+airflyte+ext+mark.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYVscWMEwRbb5fJN97OLnJAhXcxH_6O06gpEjkdfKtGyK76_cBJsb7U4NrXFQl778UCfIFGzSUXRxof3_eilsZdh4ZVNJxUlP8tjCbVur7A99YhcPaZIlrfOQdjeR5yNblzHf1phlXlwc/s1600/61+Shasta+Airflyte+int.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYVscWMEwRbb5fJN97OLnJAhXcxH_6O06gpEjkdfKtGyK76_cBJsb7U4NrXFQl778UCfIFGzSUXRxof3_eilsZdh4ZVNJxUlP8tjCbVur7A99YhcPaZIlrfOQdjeR5yNblzHf1phlXlwc/s1600/61+Shasta+Airflyte+int.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s the exact same iconic shape from 1961, complete with the trademark Shasta winglets on the sides. It’s exactly the same size and roughly the same layout as the original, with the same one-piece roof skin and while there are mechanical improvements and modern A/C, and there were updated safety regulations that had to be met, in spirit and execution it’s as darn close to the original as you can imagine. He calls it a “90% replica”- true to the original design, but 100% modern in technology and usable with no safety or reliability concerns that you might have with a real 1961 trailer. It's even got a replica of the magazine rack (remember those? ) with the Shasta logo.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivBZ39QXkDeM6hoiGSuH6N9yhsZjVITUV1Qzm_Yd1mLHB7d7RO5jQW33iDwP7LTs-5SKpfGSy18xhfUdJQhp8aKgQsgObMtvsMh3-MxmfMCLOGeU3O-LxuKQ_Scxuhkn1iWHNNY5GdSXP/s1600/61+shasta+broch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivBZ39QXkDeM6hoiGSuH6N9yhsZjVITUV1Qzm_Yd1mLHB7d7RO5jQW33iDwP7LTs-5SKpfGSy18xhfUdJQhp8aKgQsgObMtvsMh3-MxmfMCLOGeU3O-LxuKQ_Scxuhkn1iWHNNY5GdSXP/s1600/61+shasta+broch+1.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietp0_zs0xZY2sOEteCk-jRwVLIld6NoGTD6GqrSfR1dPHEUW2LsynlCL-n3QVWQeOTRUoXZO3QuTgL-CxF65fwp32qraY20DqXHaYzMmZUhkPM-PlkJvrPFv36bkZGOO9onFltEzS-WS7/s1600/61+shasta+broch+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietp0_zs0xZY2sOEteCk-jRwVLIld6NoGTD6GqrSfR1dPHEUW2LsynlCL-n3QVWQeOTRUoXZO3QuTgL-CxF65fwp32qraY20DqXHaYzMmZUhkPM-PlkJvrPFv36bkZGOO9onFltEzS-WS7/s1600/61+shasta+broch+2.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They’re making a run of 1,941 (the year they went into business) of the special Airflytes as a commemorative edition to celebrate their 75th Anniversary- although they’re only seventy-four for 2015. But hey, don’t let math skills get in the way of the coolest idea I’ve heard all month. They come in three two tone schemes- Seafoam Green, Buttercup Yellow, and Matador Red. Expect pricing to come in around the $15,000-$17,000 range. Production begins in September. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUClfRtOTr8uGw5IIsJaqMincY_RSrMYI8Iw7xDzeWH7k8UIOsHQ6zxEpFFgFOhyphenhyphenqnjVpUYa8wqnF_sA-YA3u1qhuCrQl_7mf6RlMzBc4dG7aZV-0iAVWI4Es9Bpi_YGo4XjRJRNehLaMJ/s1600/61+shasta+airflyte+new+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUClfRtOTr8uGw5IIsJaqMincY_RSrMYI8Iw7xDzeWH7k8UIOsHQ6zxEpFFgFOhyphenhyphenqnjVpUYa8wqnF_sA-YA3u1qhuCrQl_7mf6RlMzBc4dG7aZV-0iAVWI4Es9Bpi_YGo4XjRJRNehLaMJ/s1600/61+shasta+airflyte+new+1.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Best of all, wouldn’t it look perfect behind a certain Cadillac? Hats off to Mark and the team at Shasta. This is the coolest thing I've heard of all summer. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43OT-1yMReQZatVgKo0_pigrmj6R809PbXwzKHRl7bCIFrLgLVw3sh29q1AlEbWeke2F3tVPdZ2QWEMtr1-iidHoYiuK_eKwVW1TEHFlf8xl8_vjfkJHyu8sG9iUduGpIOZYUYdUMP2B0/s1600/61+shasta+air+mag+rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43OT-1yMReQZatVgKo0_pigrmj6R809PbXwzKHRl7bCIFrLgLVw3sh29q1AlEbWeke2F3tVPdZ2QWEMtr1-iidHoYiuK_eKwVW1TEHFlf8xl8_vjfkJHyu8sG9iUduGpIOZYUYdUMP2B0/s1600/61+shasta+air+mag+rack.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check out this cool video tour of the reissued Airflyte: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Xp7WRedZgPU" width="560"></iframe><br />
<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now if they'd do one in pink to match the Cadillac.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; white-space: pre-wrap;">Info and Photo credits: Shasta RV, Retro Renovations and Mount Comfort RV.</span>Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-76083842732179693612014-07-21T12:00:00.000-07:002014-07-21T12:00:01.789-07:002014 Cadillac ATS- Cadillac Earns an A<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlCQwk3B5MJlzMM-09k6-pX2WKzSu0ixu0u8DdNBN5eKc7d14UrdZHBJH3kGBIqnvVcFGAKiZbF82Z47wscQMoQHj75XcknBbkYSyojrdxB729cyzgzxQ5vD7Fcwx1eQh5NK50lNXzfBH/s1600/100_5011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlCQwk3B5MJlzMM-09k6-pX2WKzSu0ixu0u8DdNBN5eKc7d14UrdZHBJH3kGBIqnvVcFGAKiZbF82Z47wscQMoQHj75XcknBbkYSyojrdxB729cyzgzxQ5vD7Fcwx1eQh5NK50lNXzfBH/s1600/100_5011.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was on the press drive to launch the original Cadillac CTS way back in 2002, and they described it to us as a 4-series- Cadillac was aiming at BMW, but somewhat generally as opposed to lining up a direct hit on either the 3- or 5-series. And while that strategy wouldn’t result in a victorious game of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Battleship</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the truth is that the original CTS was a nice car indeed with very pleasant road manners, and it quickly went on to become a success, and the far handsomer second generation even more so. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1LT1yXE5SI7ZBB3GzjtnoqvmmCqtk9CA9tBH6SGRbZeGSFoBSjcC-6VgYnaqj8AvWJmjvhep2p4N2EGzntoLCEuDBrfA7JNdaetUEA6Ba8m5nFG7algVaCD8ffwqRAHedR8FoYv3bMN0/s1600/100_5000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1LT1yXE5SI7ZBB3GzjtnoqvmmCqtk9CA9tBH6SGRbZeGSFoBSjcC-6VgYnaqj8AvWJmjvhep2p4N2EGzntoLCEuDBrfA7JNdaetUEA6Ba8m5nFG7algVaCD8ffwqRAHedR8FoYv3bMN0/s1600/100_5000.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-f69c0f8f-59cd-21b5-7f5e-2e10a2079313" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today we reap the rewards of that strategy, because the new third generation CTS has moved up in size to more appropriately position itself as a 5-series competitor and taking up the task of the entry level sport sedan is the ATS. Yes, I hate their nomenclature too but at least it’s in ascending order, so we know that the ATS will be small- the smallest since the ill-fated Cimarron if our slide rule can be trusted. Small, and clearly positioned. The wheelbase is 1.3 inches shorter than a new 3-series, but every other dimension- length, width, height and track- is within an inch. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOm1JidiKq5hR2dyaaS2mGzOHohHYNjB4BYrBtW3Z2pwxPaStqNGRkT_BszPJnXhsdU3emJ3-Q5ZHbSienF_RT7Q2RkjetSGRfnCB6hYsan0Ac9wj4CsZjO4nmwxSin39DBDy47i0NVWB/s1600/100_5037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOm1JidiKq5hR2dyaaS2mGzOHohHYNjB4BYrBtW3Z2pwxPaStqNGRkT_BszPJnXhsdU3emJ3-Q5ZHbSienF_RT7Q2RkjetSGRfnCB6hYsan0Ac9wj4CsZjO4nmwxSin39DBDy47i0NVWB/s1600/100_5037.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are lot of choices with the new smallest Caddy. Base engine is a 202-hp, 2.5-liter four, next step up is a 272-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four, top of the range and the car I drove featured the 3.6-liter V6 with 321 ponies, all come standard with a six-speed automatic although a six-speed manual is available with the 2.0-liter turbo. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the choices don’t stop there- there’s a plethora of packages available for ATS. All three engines are offered in base or Luxury trim levels, in addition the turbo and the 3.6 can be ordered in Performance and Premium levels, adding a whirlwind of luxury touches at an appropriately breathtaking price. My test car was full tilt (I don’t much care for second-class passage) and had a price tag to match- $48,620, or about fifteen G’s above the base model’s $33,990 (including freight). Sounds like a lot, but the ATS is stacked directly against the 3-series and priced within a few schekels of its German rival.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikH31SOtSFsIphVDmAK2UKzB6CVLlt6bieYs14YZAlGqq7oLsb51KT6G8TIE5wDS1LzIDTwa__PJtxw9vTsoihcS8UkKrvK5iL7tMBtpbHuAiaBQIMCII3JMw2tknD3qifa8A81Eaf2Zyc/s1600/100_5024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikH31SOtSFsIphVDmAK2UKzB6CVLlt6bieYs14YZAlGqq7oLsb51KT6G8TIE5wDS1LzIDTwa__PJtxw9vTsoihcS8UkKrvK5iL7tMBtpbHuAiaBQIMCII3JMw2tknD3qifa8A81Eaf2Zyc/s1600/100_5024.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What did you get for all that dough? Plenty. In addition to the direct-injected 3.6 and six-speed automatic, my Premium package ATS came with 18” machined wheels and runflat tires, performance seats with multiple power controls- 12 way driver and 10-way passenger, plus lumbar, a memory seat, and a split rear folding seat. It also had the CUE interface with an 8” color display, navigation, Bose audio including bluetooth and Sirius XM, a head-up display, magnesium paddle shifters and alloy pedals, Intellibeam adaptive lighting and keyless go with remote start, among other goodies too numerous to mention. In other words, it was loaded to the gills.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s been a lot written praising the ATS’s road manners and I don’t disagree with the collective wisdom- this is one sweet handling car. The chassis is totally neutral and beautifully balanced- it doesn’t lose its composure when you push it and it’s just the most flingable car I’ve driven in months. if you covered up the badge you’d think you were driving a BMW. Add to that a remarkably compliant ride quality (are you listening, Infiniti?) and what you have is one serious sport sedan.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Likewise I have nothing but praise for the direct-injected 3.6. It’s smooth throughout the power range and while the six-speed always seems to be one gear ahead of where I want it to be, that’s where the slap shifters come in. Who ever thought that we would live in a world where Cadillacs were so utterly </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>flingable</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUldN35fmeNVdJPaniuU3kurdTB5f8L27GjMveZeGzro8Ogf0GiwAPozhWzR9OE6ElByYNehAv2J9kkmNUWShufXy3y0KfJpGxwTYqNWB59RZdGEiNHijtNIB8HjawP3OvX73-8-PE4wl/s1600/100_5022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUldN35fmeNVdJPaniuU3kurdTB5f8L27GjMveZeGzro8Ogf0GiwAPozhWzR9OE6ElByYNehAv2J9kkmNUWShufXy3y0KfJpGxwTYqNWB59RZdGEiNHijtNIB8HjawP3OvX73-8-PE4wl/s1600/100_5022.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And that leads us to what I really liked about the Cadillac- its sense of style. From the traditional Cadillac egg-crate grille to the blade tail lamps, the car was beautifully detailed inside and out with Cadillac cues and just exuded the joy of good design, Special praise goes to the lighting designers, who added touches like vertical parking lamps that outlined the fender blades, LED vertical taillamps, theater dimming on the interior LED lighting and even beautifully illuminated exterior door handles. All these little touches reminded me that I wasn’t just in a delightful small sport sedan, I was in a Cadillac. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw4BEHhe3xxnKWMsD5lNSJy7CwijU3D3eoWKCIg2nMkrdo08QjRs5LkPckZmUAVepf-gMwuFq-IxakgoBum5axJ1wcWEaL_xYoJLLJegxEoPZOeWFVl0Th9g5uTEXXq_dkq9B-doabZoP/s1600/100_5052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw4BEHhe3xxnKWMsD5lNSJy7CwijU3D3eoWKCIg2nMkrdo08QjRs5LkPckZmUAVepf-gMwuFq-IxakgoBum5axJ1wcWEaL_xYoJLLJegxEoPZOeWFVl0Th9g5uTEXXq_dkq9B-doabZoP/s1600/100_5052.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To summarize, there was a lot I really liked about the ATS. The road manners were impeccable, the performance seats were extremely supportive and I loved car’s aesthetic statement. I’m not the biggest fan of the clunky CUE but all in all they’ve done themselves proud. Cadillac has earned an A for this one and I would definitely recommend checking it out if you’re shopping for an upscale compact sport sedan. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenwEdf4IcTsw6Dp6VnyEmzzMlPeUS2IwWYakTYGmDNGgEqVH5ryCQqOlC355PTee2dXlxj8bc4FPjOSNu-BbbBemEjsQXhP_2IL4adn74qy6KYljaUVlrjPuR6HmV5ITmhWvuxY29tnyt/s1600/CAM03744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenwEdf4IcTsw6Dp6VnyEmzzMlPeUS2IwWYakTYGmDNGgEqVH5ryCQqOlC355PTee2dXlxj8bc4FPjOSNu-BbbBemEjsQXhP_2IL4adn74qy6KYljaUVlrjPuR6HmV5ITmhWvuxY29tnyt/s1600/CAM03744.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-69314170103295812102014-07-01T16:42:00.003-07:002014-07-01T16:46:33.633-07:00Blaine Jenkins, 1934-2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rtrknZelD6cFHltE7LxEi6ca17i4iUUhh8GZ2CKSN4nnT6o_CVQCvAx19Ssi41LGW8HCLU0d62zcOyFFSdS52bj2TI90viOXkjsPXTkl6krrP7IuiMMUvhQPbU7DzROp4z-3RuzmCX4n/s1600/Blaine-107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rtrknZelD6cFHltE7LxEi6ca17i4iUUhh8GZ2CKSN4nnT6o_CVQCvAx19Ssi41LGW8HCLU0d62zcOyFFSdS52bj2TI90viOXkjsPXTkl6krrP7IuiMMUvhQPbU7DzROp4z-3RuzmCX4n/s1600/Blaine-107.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m deeply saddened by the passing of my good friend, retired GM Studio Chief Blaine Jenkins, age 80, at his home in Palm Springs, California. Blaine was a talented designer who had a hand in the creation of some of the most iconic products of GM’s Golden Era. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Y1uUJ7JpAjmusmufWGfeSyaSiG8OS2mN3W2Aj7UH75ko9-91tSyEwiAS7-vwL7GnXHKxRztn-LholYfju1AO8q-uJsDSI8FjgkQFONRw36VqJN8B7gbLJumovuSXBWa0V-8x5-YhPmb/s1600/Ruth+0002_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Y1uUJ7JpAjmusmufWGfeSyaSiG8OS2mN3W2Aj7UH75ko9-91tSyEwiAS7-vwL7GnXHKxRztn-LholYfju1AO8q-uJsDSI8FjgkQFONRw36VqJN8B7gbLJumovuSXBWa0V-8x5-YhPmb/s1600/Ruth+0002_0001.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blaine with Ruth Helm and his '53 Ford, 1955</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxYV8GQz5OQugsyWbKrGxYqh8BMdjP4tR-ZS5gVkPfY1fkLDLLDWlP5lghQi7jGqRXE8T7uGCrd6oK5yf5C0fN9mYZ2PkRboRY-x3i6qu26QTmfeTmTsiXGWPZtFUtGdagJmeH2j8XPuU/s1600/Ruth+0002_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxYV8GQz5OQugsyWbKrGxYqh8BMdjP4tR-ZS5gVkPfY1fkLDLLDWlP5lghQi7jGqRXE8T7uGCrd6oK5yf5C0fN9mYZ2PkRboRY-x3i6qu26QTmfeTmTsiXGWPZtFUtGdagJmeH2j8XPuU/s1600/Ruth+0002_0002.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blaine and Harvey Helm, 1955</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blaine was born and raised in the tiny town of Caney, Kansas, and studied architecture for two years at Kansas State before hearing about a school for Automotive Design called Art Center in Los Angeles. Although none of his credits would transfer, he applied anyway and soon headed westward. After two years, he joined GM in the fall of 1956. He was recruited by none other than legendary GM designer Chuck Jordan. Following his probation period in the Orientation Studio, he was assigned to Chevrolet Interiors where his first assignment was working on the all-new 1959 Chevrolet. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4zLgZkJ5OGU1GfGLnNUeqNgY1zEfMnei5JqhWPGUL6JKEx1nGogITUy30it4npbueYLaQc5hmdqvfxeAb01b8wi9ApEogW4oZDfD_TKKOR0V2za4orZeRfJA02boL-NJau5Dinrivdgk/s1600/60+chev+corv+Super+Monza+Int+Brad+Ross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4zLgZkJ5OGU1GfGLnNUeqNgY1zEfMnei5JqhWPGUL6JKEx1nGogITUy30it4npbueYLaQc5hmdqvfxeAb01b8wi9ApEogW4oZDfD_TKKOR0V2za4orZeRfJA02boL-NJau5Dinrivdgk/s1600/60+chev+corv+Super+Monza+Int+Brad+Ross.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 1960 Corvair "Super Monza" for Miss Lynn Mitchell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">His contributions to Chevrolet were many, including the interior for the 1961 Corvette Mako Shark. His “Super Monza” Corvair for sixteen year old Lynn Mitchell led directly to the highly successful production Corvair Monza. His favorite project of the era was the mid-year 1965 Chevrolet Caprice, a car which was developed so quickly it had no budget, and Blaine was able to design a Cadillac-level interior for the the new top-of-the-line Chevrolet. It was in 1965 that he created what became is signature color, a violet tinted silver he named "Evening Orchid." </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blaine marveled that of all the projects he worked on, he got more questions about Evening Orchid than anything else.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2WlT7Hb9djd2eZZskEBrKgkhSfV7Batx-OIvDAumOrc67yvY6B8l4cCRhK_37ntWZeXxzJANH4sOqP4OfxuvkgcF5_iGodnJFH2WQnSDFJtM85TGRJtUSygFxz_vgCW2KyeRKudNFZAB/s1600/100_7548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2WlT7Hb9djd2eZZskEBrKgkhSfV7Batx-OIvDAumOrc67yvY6B8l4cCRhK_37ntWZeXxzJANH4sOqP4OfxuvkgcF5_iGodnJFH2WQnSDFJtM85TGRJtUSygFxz_vgCW2KyeRKudNFZAB/s1600/100_7548.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1965 Corvair Corsa in Evening Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3BNIr-SUg5zYxqiVWMvNcsy4IVehKd7PMnr7IHKz7s5R_8qHyUDXmiW8Q8AvTuxnQepTFsDo142nnD9QFlulPj0TTR_nBHBH7asKKUhSbTK8W-QDgpmqPTZdNbpg7vhlxY3VgoHJn-th/s1600/65+chev+cap+bro+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3BNIr-SUg5zYxqiVWMvNcsy4IVehKd7PMnr7IHKz7s5R_8qHyUDXmiW8Q8AvTuxnQepTFsDo142nnD9QFlulPj0TTR_nBHBH7asKKUhSbTK8W-QDgpmqPTZdNbpg7vhlxY3VgoHJn-th/s1600/65+chev+cap+bro+2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mid-year 1965 Caprice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blaine went to Oldsmobile in 1966. His first project there was a last minute redesign of the 1967 Toronado interior to make it more appealing to women, then took over the 1968 line up. He was made Studio Chief and had a good relationship with Olds GM John Beltz, who came to him one day to ask what he could do if he was given a hundred dollars to spend inside a Ninety-Eight. “Anything you’d like” was Blaine’s immodest reply and the result was the highly successful Ninety-Eight Regency whose luxurious pillowed seating caused considerable consternation to sister division Cadillac.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TPq1Hn4AP3ik4ZeavWcgabmqieKji5_tILUnAiJUM2xXt82RFlz0JJlKAwg92HtI3EPuSN6G987BIMq_Poo0KfWtY77SMh7dCnk4rM9h2PxjJrlxx9LfaJ29mBfg5n9P4DYMFaFJ9-GV/s1600/72+reg+int.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TPq1Hn4AP3ik4ZeavWcgabmqieKji5_tILUnAiJUM2xXt82RFlz0JJlKAwg92HtI3EPuSN6G987BIMq_Poo0KfWtY77SMh7dCnk4rM9h2PxjJrlxx9LfaJ29mBfg5n9P4DYMFaFJ9-GV/s1600/72+reg+int.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1972 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">From Olds, Blaine went to Pontiac where he created the Luxury Le Mans and applied finishing touches on the 1973 Grand Prix and Grand Am, including the genuine wood dash veneers. After about a year, Olds asked him to come back and he went, remaining there until 1980 when he was placed in charge of the GM Color Program. He ran the color program for four years and introduced Jadestone and Briar Brown into the automotive conversation. Following that assignment, he returned to Chevrolet until a back injury caused him to take early retirement in 1990, His last project was the 40th Anniversary Corvette of 1993. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiumZhK-SVWKe8arBgv_qm9gTp8lquS_5HN_KCS75D9vD6caSi0Sw6D-nVZw8rs4e_K-hl5gcK0rffpBqIEsWwHvRSiMmnfLbqwrCO2ZJBN0i-Fba0jsmPumTtjHdEbdB6xkSvS6pYBabB/s1600/100_7549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiumZhK-SVWKe8arBgv_qm9gTp8lquS_5HN_KCS75D9vD6caSi0Sw6D-nVZw8rs4e_K-hl5gcK0rffpBqIEsWwHvRSiMmnfLbqwrCO2ZJBN0i-Fba0jsmPumTtjHdEbdB6xkSvS6pYBabB/s1600/100_7549.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1993 40th Anniversary Corvette</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blaine’s loved wood bodied cars and owned many over the years, including a 1947 Buick Estate Wagon, a Chrysler Town and Country Sedan and a rare 1947 Ford Sportsman. He also owned a 1954 Buick Super that had belonged new to his Mother’s college roommate, Blaine had known the car since 1955 and inherited it in 1976, it remains in his garage to this day. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSo1Lv6oUZWK0jF6bnAhwp4WZto2MqDnc3cI6f8q3RozLyp5ewX3pCANUDLPq5LeU6-s15-dFL2KD3QL-Acj_ui972SexhP7qwB8TcUBzN-FfHYOKuC9Xfc8X-22gYXIt37FDiwNNV9F3/s1600/BlainesBuick_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSo1Lv6oUZWK0jF6bnAhwp4WZto2MqDnc3cI6f8q3RozLyp5ewX3pCANUDLPq5LeU6-s15-dFL2KD3QL-Acj_ui972SexhP7qwB8TcUBzN-FfHYOKuC9Xfc8X-22gYXIt37FDiwNNV9F3/s1600/BlainesBuick_3.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blaine in front of the Buick he would inherit, 1955</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SeodfcHEK3xP8r-94P3MLDGnUGWCC7k0-rR4jy2o7Lq1d7rpMWR1Hi8iKZTdBuVhDbcgjk2IT68hYXwcIsdjW3cvgLJlVF6RHlLkGJNS7omPqvJFdZMa5uCSCjLXT9xplpg38yBz-AT-/s1600/Ruth+0002_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SeodfcHEK3xP8r-94P3MLDGnUGWCC7k0-rR4jy2o7Lq1d7rpMWR1Hi8iKZTdBuVhDbcgjk2IT68hYXwcIsdjW3cvgLJlVF6RHlLkGJNS7omPqvJFdZMa5uCSCjLXT9xplpg38yBz-AT-/s1600/Ruth+0002_0040.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blaine with the newly restored Super, 1989</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">He met his husband, Philip at a bar in Detroit one night in the summer of 1975 and they were together ever after- just shy of four decades. With him goes a treasure trove of stories and recollections of GM’s Golden Era. He knew how Harley Earl took his coffee and how Bill Mitchell liked his hookers, and there aren’t many left with that testimony. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfrU6ceTMpwAlbKAsUPVeuyYCtDQaj7YJKQaYiweCwUjuTtaKDEa2koluwB0KmHpq8wuYrS11vQy1F479JZrwnMaVxa4u-Q7b7JaoGnU3V-tgr5Z_-h4ernyOsnlI8GD7dhqDNz_ThLcR/s1600/Blaine-063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfrU6ceTMpwAlbKAsUPVeuyYCtDQaj7YJKQaYiweCwUjuTtaKDEa2koluwB0KmHpq8wuYrS11vQy1F479JZrwnMaVxa4u-Q7b7JaoGnU3V-tgr5Z_-h4ernyOsnlI8GD7dhqDNz_ThLcR/s1600/Blaine-063.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blaine's "Rock Star Moment," 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> His health declined in recent years and his mobility became severely limited, but his blue eyes still sparkled. In 2012, Automobile Magazine ran a tribute article about him and we celebrated with a surprise party that caught him totally off guard He reveled in his “rock star moment,” as I called it, and talked about it for months afterward. At his 80th Birthday party this last March, we were all asked to explain our connection to Blaine, after which he himself spoke. “I’ve had a magnificent life,” he said, “and each of you are a part of it.” He went on to say that his life had been far beyond the wildest dreams of a little boy from Caney, Kansas who wanted to draw cars. </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CW56rrJCz7kSDNe1rVHliE06iVDcBsQrdbW0akRonpeLoRryPJUT-GaMzsn-iwc9RP4sNb51o5UDqNodcEjtFkXLDi5cfAlcwFvNl3c4KG4rbm4jYQqVLFy8DCnlx0Ssn75V4vbaoTOq/s1600/Blaine-061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CW56rrJCz7kSDNe1rVHliE06iVDcBsQrdbW0akRonpeLoRryPJUT-GaMzsn-iwc9RP4sNb51o5UDqNodcEjtFkXLDi5cfAlcwFvNl3c4KG4rbm4jYQqVLFy8DCnlx0Ssn75V4vbaoTOq/s1600/Blaine-061.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is there really anything more one can ask for? </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will miss him dearly, but I am so much richer for having known him. Requiescat in Pace, my friend. </span></div>
Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-35877490095043999092014-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:002014-06-10T07:00:04.606-07:002014 VW Eos- Desert Delightful<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQTbckMiSxSFQofBdRFno4F-1LIZEkAx2UerhWgTRPrMx6xZRanDh5ALuyYLdvD0GbyRPKo1EQ911Bf2t4oR5Vv6q-WlqbKAXODht4sRdWfHz5PWg6MsrLmuzRDSb77q7lBszpNvkUUuJ/s1600/100_6038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQTbckMiSxSFQofBdRFno4F-1LIZEkAx2UerhWgTRPrMx6xZRanDh5ALuyYLdvD0GbyRPKo1EQ911Bf2t4oR5Vv6q-WlqbKAXODht4sRdWfHz5PWg6MsrLmuzRDSb77q7lBszpNvkUUuJ/s1600/100_6038.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">The triple-digit days in Palm Springs are fast approaching. It was high 90s this afternoon, and is still in the upper 80s a little after seven in the evening as the Eos and I head up winding Highway 74 toward the mountain town of Idyllwild. The turbo is humming softly, the DSG transmission is slapped into third with a couple thousand revs to go before redline, and the corner illuminating foglamps are darting back and forth to illuminate the twisty path. Of course the top is stowed. The passenger side windows are raised, partially in anticipation of the cooler temperatures up the mountain in Idyllwild, and partially to preserve a the remains of a really good hair day. The CD player is blasting K-Tel’s Greatest Hits of Drag and in this moment, the Eos is simply perfect. It and I seem to exist only for the enjoyment of the other.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgpH3_YbtE0qeveDcyVx3_IU2euFhLOsCNa1VauiZWcwV7RfzdJFly9XeA-Z-1Ut7Ih6l6cSmBNGvEDYzx3g9lnxhespuj64UtC0739Ei7qj3_7c6xVO5bgiwZmLSc1gmSJFZZVnvpcS6/s1600/100_5978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgpH3_YbtE0qeveDcyVx3_IU2euFhLOsCNa1VauiZWcwV7RfzdJFly9XeA-Z-1Ut7Ih6l6cSmBNGvEDYzx3g9lnxhespuj64UtC0739Ei7qj3_7c6xVO5bgiwZmLSc1gmSJFZZVnvpcS6/s1600/100_5978.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-2f078929-633f-ffb5-c89b-1f047114736e" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve always had a strong affection for open Volkswagens, and the Eos is no exception. In fact, if anything, the little hardtop-convertible-with-sunroof coupe might just be my favorite topless VW offering in recent memory. It’s certainly not the newest offering in the line-up, the Golf-based charmer has been around since 2007 and had only had a minor refreshing back in 2012, yet it continues to make people smile. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSTDwV3c_YtLJm5vnXRbYWI8KL37niSEWF-KU3PHsHi4BW6hXmXYf2ykEbirWhGLr8Qjqrj3tdxUFKR3Re3kqaFOLUgiwpTrQLF0DIb_q1ulPAH88_fEo5TAAcSdtCKKUFxxO6wS4uvDx/s1600/100_5986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSTDwV3c_YtLJm5vnXRbYWI8KL37niSEWF-KU3PHsHi4BW6hXmXYf2ykEbirWhGLr8Qjqrj3tdxUFKR3Re3kqaFOLUgiwpTrQLF0DIb_q1ulPAH88_fEo5TAAcSdtCKKUFxxO6wS4uvDx/s1600/100_5986.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">For how long is an open question, what with the seventh-generation Golf platform headed toward our shores, it’s just unlikely that VW will invest in a new generation for the likable little car, and that’s really a shame. Because the Eos has something most convertibles don’t- a sliding glass sunroof, which is a huge plus in Palm Springs. Yes, we love our desert but there are times of the day when it’s too hot for top down driving but just right for a sliding sunroof- and only the Eos gives you the choice of all three in a hardtop convertible. Drive to breakfast with the top down, then home with the sunroof open to avoid the sun on your neck. From there the little beret is tightly sealed until sundown, when the top does down and the Eos comes out to play. </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsgP6EhWV_fifEAwWWmpbKynDUjMJo22hiCNoEbuw7Uv0y9BY71q_dbRId0f8u6CR1imhJf1M9Q191w3feHG0BaxtGTiMXWlBCtWv-CVGFqmqy4QtGLqATd1ENSnWrc4YYWzD7fvDCC6j/s1600/100_6031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsgP6EhWV_fifEAwWWmpbKynDUjMJo22hiCNoEbuw7Uv0y9BY71q_dbRId0f8u6CR1imhJf1M9Q191w3feHG0BaxtGTiMXWlBCtWv-CVGFqmqy4QtGLqATd1ENSnWrc4YYWzD7fvDCC6j/s1600/100_6031.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since the EOS is essentially a high-line Golf with a disappearing hardtop, I just have to take a moment to talk about the roof itself. It disappears completely in about 30 seconds, was water tight in the epic car wash test, rattle free and almost sedan quiet when raised. And the solid sunroof shade was a big plus in the desert heat. Yes, the roof is an expensive item, but at least you’re getting value for the money spent. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVelSl40DAB7CdmIQGE-oMDzlgdwiuPfypzKn2Jo_7UkFqFiPvwDX4a059sg30GVmshEorXAdGjwTi4gmhWBc6fszximv9USIFFfN8niuetiZDkSq5jNbArE6k2k9ZJTZQZkMD2OGhSF8/s1600/100_6054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVelSl40DAB7CdmIQGE-oMDzlgdwiuPfypzKn2Jo_7UkFqFiPvwDX4a059sg30GVmshEorXAdGjwTi4gmhWBc6fszximv9USIFFfN8niuetiZDkSq5jNbArE6k2k9ZJTZQZkMD2OGhSF8/s1600/100_6054.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll be the first to admit that it’s a pricey little piece. My base-level Komfort represents the least expensive Eos one can buy, with a base price of $36,460 including freight. It’s pretty tall, but the level of standard equipment is quite high. There’s only one drivetrain- VW’s 2.0-liter turbo four with direct injection, it’s 200 ponies are mated to a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. Navigation is standard too, as is a back-up cam, bluetooth, 17” alloys, electronic climate control, a 12-way power driver’s seat, and VW’s pretty-darn good but unbranded audio. From there you can step up to a $39,190 Sport or a full-boat $42,960 Executive, which is some pretty serious coin indeed.</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo0JhWXdIoawUM-QJBKlHezQ6hLVJ0cEmq299QgcBS5Xg-WVnJ3v7Inf_ckk9Kle45mctaQ6Xq6_EFsImQBAsfbNn0PSuA0ip1H561GK3U5yZZqn4aGXq6Xhukpo05NbRbGIEbK3kPyVd/s1600/100_5958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo0JhWXdIoawUM-QJBKlHezQ6hLVJ0cEmq299QgcBS5Xg-WVnJ3v7Inf_ckk9Kle45mctaQ6Xq6_EFsImQBAsfbNn0PSuA0ip1H561GK3U5yZZqn4aGXq6Xhukpo05NbRbGIEbK3kPyVd/s1600/100_5958.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But don’t. The $36,460 Eos Komfort gives you a well equipped little VW complete with the sun, the moon and the stars. Is it expensive? Yes. The power disappearing top with moonroof appears to add about five grand to the price. But on the other hand, I can think of a lot of $36,000 cars that aren’t nearly as much fun to drive as the Eos. And with the new seventh-generation Golf just around the corner, the window of opportunity will be closing sooner than we’d like.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJryPCVrP7yb1ZzX3TK5Ek9sJ6x9A6Hf7F-5U65-gExvp1AHQ1dc1nerC-boSca1exMHExDIg1E41CI0edSCGDDv6ywbt6L3lMIocR8SlCWk5aVlx0KLIcu4fUHyuzu5CEhVjwuW7JX4q/s1600/100_6009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJryPCVrP7yb1ZzX3TK5Ek9sJ6x9A6Hf7F-5U65-gExvp1AHQ1dc1nerC-boSca1exMHExDIg1E41CI0edSCGDDv6ywbt6L3lMIocR8SlCWk5aVlx0KLIcu4fUHyuzu5CEhVjwuW7JX4q/s1600/100_6009.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-2635317637605249562014-06-03T12:03:00.000-07:002014-06-03T12:14:53.479-07:002014 Nissan 370Z Nismo- Godzilla with a Z<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvj4b9BdQIfu8RlWp89d5dVDGcfYLpAqlzl-FEr-Ar9W1Bjb_Yrt5K5GCHmMg-Le8Upm2grbmBP4cVu7ngCmabDYUqbzBCK4rUUmW-Z1KA21pDidPEUYq8s0RFPcYgOiS7A1h2tfQ7kjR/s1600/100_5711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvj4b9BdQIfu8RlWp89d5dVDGcfYLpAqlzl-FEr-Ar9W1Bjb_Yrt5K5GCHmMg-Le8Upm2grbmBP4cVu7ngCmabDYUqbzBCK4rUUmW-Z1KA21pDidPEUYq8s0RFPcYgOiS7A1h2tfQ7kjR/s1600/100_5711.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Man had just barely walked on the Moon when the first Z car landed on these shores- October of 1969, to be precise. Of course, back then it was the Datsun 240Z, and it was a remarkably nice, powerful and well balanced little car which pretty much started when you turned the key, which was a revelation to sports car drivers of the day. Not a Corvette, but a lot of fun for a screaming deal with a $3601 base price. At the time, it seemed to quickly become a favorite of young enthusiasts and those planning a midlife crisis. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Four and a half decades later and the now sixth-generation Z car is still with us. There have been stops and starts, and some regrettable misfires with two-plus-twos, crushed velour, and two-tone paint schemes, but all in all the car remains true to its mission. I’m pretty familiar with the current iteration of the Z-car and reviewed it last year, but somehow had never spent time in the Nismo, so when the opportunity arose I gladly snapped it up. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsfjAQWMDk7TMHdGsHugPhyesqCLsJ7etvdluFFslDX6eIuUj-_1CudH_9UoqayjxD_MvnZpOvlZRCQA1Ig4Bmj-iy2u0kemUTZZFrJnX-u3BDMqtXEn5kEGUdVbfFz-tsgJK6XVb329D/s1600/100_5661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsfjAQWMDk7TMHdGsHugPhyesqCLsJ7etvdluFFslDX6eIuUj-_1CudH_9UoqayjxD_MvnZpOvlZRCQA1Ig4Bmj-iy2u0kemUTZZFrJnX-u3BDMqtXEn5kEGUdVbfFz-tsgJK6XVb329D/s1600/100_5661.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Nismo is considered the ultimate edition of the 370Z, and much more than just a “track pack” with numerous cosmetic and mechanical enhancements. For starters, it has unique front and rear fascias that extend the length by approximately 6” over the base car. Add to that an integrated chin spoiler, side skirts, an underbody air diffuser on the rear fascia and a rear double wing spoiler. So it’s not the car for skulking around anonymously and we haven’t even gotten started. Throw in a gray lower body treatment with red striping, special gray 19” wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S001 tires (wider in the rear), a uniquely tuned exhaust with polished tips, sport brakes with huge rotors and jungle red calipers and a retuned suspension, and you pretty much have the Godzilla of Z cars.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inside there’s a lot of charcoal and red, including red stitching, black and red seat trim with the Nismo logo, and an alcantara wrapped steering wheel with a red leather accent at twelve o’clock, which proved remarkably engaging on twisty roads.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFDjEVI1mXkMUEXQ1W4NMAZcRa7b36lrYlxJWUH__FkiSquQooZ6WDJb4QkDEIihMddyDuoHIRNfKoQGbZzI36s-Wub5KA4mmHHI00yRW9sGKJ1IXtd3vYDL7hX79k0AF2pAHE76KaS5B/s1600/100_5694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFDjEVI1mXkMUEXQ1W4NMAZcRa7b36lrYlxJWUH__FkiSquQooZ6WDJb4QkDEIihMddyDuoHIRNfKoQGbZzI36s-Wub5KA4mmHHI00yRW9sGKJ1IXtd3vYDL7hX79k0AF2pAHE76KaS5B/s1600/100_5694.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lift the hood and there’s an old friend- Nissan’s pretty darn brilliant 3.7-liter VVT V-6 (VQ37VHR). I’ll admit that this particular engine is one of my favorites, with a wide band of torque and a 7,400 RPM redline. It’s fitted with a special Nismo engine cover and a cowl brace. In this application, it’s rated at 350 horsepower, pretty much because of the special exhaust. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">As interesting as the Nismo package is, it’s also amusing what it is not. It’s not offered with an automatic, instead Nissan’s excellent six-speed manual with rev matching handles the shifting duties. It’s not offered with Nav, just a large enclosed cubby on the dash. And it isn’t cheap- the base price of our test car was $43,020, and with Bose audio ($1350), Nismo logo floor mats ($125), Illuminated sill plates ($200), a cargo mat ($95) a cool but too-small-to-take-seriously rearview mirror mounted camera ($790) and destination ($790), our Nismo retailed for $46,370. Not small change, and close to the price of the fully loaded Touring convertible we tested last year.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSU-Zp3V0uK5NCFIvX8h4ufaBF1zf1e0P66T-w5M7DMMEkdAPgM9MSIM-oU_q5cLVNbHl8E2voUt4X_p5aC0YZIQNc4GNAdg337yAk3j4A6Df4K5V5X7zgmBnDF71smsK_vsgpNASws5d/s1600/100_5652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSU-Zp3V0uK5NCFIvX8h4ufaBF1zf1e0P66T-w5M7DMMEkdAPgM9MSIM-oU_q5cLVNbHl8E2voUt4X_p5aC0YZIQNc4GNAdg337yAk3j4A6Df4K5V5X7zgmBnDF71smsK_vsgpNASws5d/s1600/100_5652.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before we get behind the wheel, let’s just talk about the appearance. Make no mistake, The Nismo is indeed the Godzilla of Z-cars- just ask my neighbors. The elderly-pushing-ancient lady next door who pretty much ignores my test cars came out in her bathrobe to tell me it reminded her of her husband’s Porsche Carrera from four decades earlier. Another neighbor I had never met was out in my driveway taking pictures of it one afternoon. The Nismo Z commands attention even when you’re not driving the damn thing. So far, so good. </span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The interior gets high marks as well, Instead of the sampler platter of textiles we saw last year, everything is black cloth and red trimming. The cloth covered sport seats are very supportive, the same fabric is applied to the door panels so it's all tied together, and the entire cabin is very businesslike. The headroom was a welcome relief from the hairdo-destroying hellcat Camaro I had previously, and with the exception of the Senta-grade texture on the dash pad, it's what you'd expect the well-dressed ultimate Z-car to be wearing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU8SoqRcnnxEr6Pfab3UC2oNhUYkvsMy3Oh7Is4l-pyKQdBBHC5jm31XLhGB8Ey5VL-vLU1HVVgI2VXvz0BEGRzJ0hplSzzO9MqxL6tFPOKE_f2RjOL-eAoGjw8bmHKssByLfw9D9JGA3/s1600/100_5692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU8SoqRcnnxEr6Pfab3UC2oNhUYkvsMy3Oh7Is4l-pyKQdBBHC5jm31XLhGB8Ey5VL-vLU1HVVgI2VXvz0BEGRzJ0hplSzzO9MqxL6tFPOKE_f2RjOL-eAoGjw8bmHKssByLfw9D9JGA3/s1600/100_5692.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Turn the key and the story becomes more mixed. Yes, the 3.7-liter and six speed stick is one of my favorite drivetrains on the market, but it’s only 18 horsepower more than a base coupe- and a base coupe starts at a mere $29,990. The revised suspension handles brilliantly but the usual Nissan tradeoff of handling at the expense of ride rears its kidney-busting head. Don’t get me wrong- the Nismo is downright delightful on smooth twisty roads (smooth being the key) and I’m crazy about the rev-matching six-speed, but here it’s track-pack DNA comes to the surface. I have no doubt I’d be mad about it on an big oval, but the everyday ride over expansion strips and botts-dots is rather firm. And that’s fine, as long as you know what you’re getting into.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg22Vlk-DLXLWKS3FTcCObmHEmBtRa4C5pRcOASsLZTr1LKvaC3N8WJsBTL73OtrdzYuGrNBoBV-4GyX1makBhnPfM2dhZuYItVE8liqgXchceCvJ3hbuHo9_4usa1aMDw7NlZjsk8FgHx/s1600/100_5653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg22Vlk-DLXLWKS3FTcCObmHEmBtRa4C5pRcOASsLZTr1LKvaC3N8WJsBTL73OtrdzYuGrNBoBV-4GyX1makBhnPfM2dhZuYItVE8liqgXchceCvJ3hbuHo9_4usa1aMDw7NlZjsk8FgHx/s1600/100_5653.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And that's pretty much an analogy for the whole car. If you want the ultimate attention-getting Z, the Nismo fills the bill. It’s got a Godzilla look-at-me factor that’s pretty darn hard to beat for a car at this price point. If you have access to a track, you’ll be crazy about it. Hands down, it's the ultimate Z-car. But as much as I love the drivetrain, this car screams out for more go to match the looks and the handling. For me, I’d go for a Touring Convertible with Sport package for roughly the same money and trade some of the wow for the wind in my hair. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfUm87Dz6bD4pNxBjlyGxnELxJHP0gYil8_z5UNJALlFwfRnTMlHg-XtugcaOG7tSF4Ey53paaFBjzgCiuilv2dzTMUeSvB2gHGNVt7x9tnabZBnpA5cIehq_p3COFtedEiQSeqotWBK8/s1600/100_5658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfUm87Dz6bD4pNxBjlyGxnELxJHP0gYil8_z5UNJALlFwfRnTMlHg-XtugcaOG7tSF4Ey53paaFBjzgCiuilv2dzTMUeSvB2gHGNVt7x9tnabZBnpA5cIehq_p3COFtedEiQSeqotWBK8/s1600/100_5658.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-66938599267049789082014-05-28T07:00:00.000-07:002014-05-28T07:00:03.022-07:00Hot Hatch Reborn- Seventh Generation VW Golf and GTI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIcjGl0LEJsJyixJY-AoEIDiaL6ArbjnMXm4ItSAKwk6fFc1rtv6JduqigdZARQcrFYsqI03MPasSqxwrFxpQDksDpSQSRI8t0IbtbCFkhHDeYi_OTjUyBeZWWtXMjEuPGfbZGmvqLwQO/s1600/GTI+MKI+MK7+Exterior+Action.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIcjGl0LEJsJyixJY-AoEIDiaL6ArbjnMXm4ItSAKwk6fFc1rtv6JduqigdZARQcrFYsqI03MPasSqxwrFxpQDksDpSQSRI8t0IbtbCFkhHDeYi_OTjUyBeZWWtXMjEuPGfbZGmvqLwQO/s1600/GTI+MKI+MK7+Exterior+Action.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recently I was up in San Francisco for the launch of the new seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf and GTI. It was an appropriately urban setting, considering the type of customers they expect the new Golf range to appeal to. It’s worth noting here that the Golf and Jetta continue on their divergent paths, with the Golf moving into the upscale position and targeted at younger, urban consumers while the Jetta is positioned as a mass-market mid-size sedan- and I do mean sedan, as the SportWagen will be joining the Golf line up for 2015.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRsCfH4p1lVJoo5b5Z3SDvWUTTfu3LTbempBHxLvKmtsEINLjfIjPK57oMlDmPbIYTEYeXDH07wfhaTw1paCJltKAyhwPqaU2m2IKmll6-5y77DLE-pS0Q2t015LKMR4ih1LGM-f-TKPZ/s1600/Golf+GTI+Exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRsCfH4p1lVJoo5b5Z3SDvWUTTfu3LTbempBHxLvKmtsEINLjfIjPK57oMlDmPbIYTEYeXDH07wfhaTw1paCJltKAyhwPqaU2m2IKmll6-5y77DLE-pS0Q2t015LKMR4ih1LGM-f-TKPZ/s1600/Golf+GTI+Exterior.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-a1dcfa37-4106-ba52-4577-840fe6460d78" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The new Golf is an evolutionary change, roughly two inches longer and a half-inch wider but also about an inch lower and with the front wheels pushed forward 1.7 inches in a move that VW calls “cab backward.” VW reports that it’s a bit lighter as well. The styling is crisper but clearly Golf- it’s hard to imagine another car that’s stayed so true to its roots after seven generations. The interior is crisp and contemporary as well, and also roomier- and you’d know you were in a VW even if you were blindfolded. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguC3_c0nMm1IGxQaIqX1M6ySafICX44ifGJN5oIJINqT5ANLNFNvTcrDp550xa5eXoO5hzEoGdSNA_fokWqeW6gPLzXgQblX2kUFgYeTMba-ZOatGNFHarDr9aMZbclco2ilbM5ULMwPif/s1600/Golf+TDI+Interior+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguC3_c0nMm1IGxQaIqX1M6ySafICX44ifGJN5oIJINqT5ANLNFNvTcrDp550xa5eXoO5hzEoGdSNA_fokWqeW6gPLzXgQblX2kUFgYeTMba-ZOatGNFHarDr9aMZbclco2ilbM5ULMwPif/s1600/Golf+TDI+Interior+2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The 2015 Golf will be offered with two engines- a 1.8 liter turbocharged and direct-injected four with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic, or a 2.0-liter turbocharged clean diesel with a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG. A eGolf fully electric version is expected to be offered at a later date. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZsKm1lGrlUS3cpipVrLPyku6bdQMiOcnzi__IvT4m5bmCWiBaLsQiLF_5eWypu9udTiO2-Lk0xi_UU8yrvEWaYqUZuaUht1HbQLBD6vSmxUNcny_8VcYlyvcHQZg8GAfUu-hh9hkOneh/s1600/Golf+TSI+Engine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZsKm1lGrlUS3cpipVrLPyku6bdQMiOcnzi__IvT4m5bmCWiBaLsQiLF_5eWypu9udTiO2-Lk0xi_UU8yrvEWaYqUZuaUht1HbQLBD6vSmxUNcny_8VcYlyvcHQZg8GAfUu-hh9hkOneh/s1600/Golf+TSI+Engine.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">VW has expanded the offerings for the seventh-generation. There are new trim levels, two door models, two special limited edition models, and some aggressive new pricing. There’s a Launch Edition two door with a 5-speed stick and a base price that’s $2,000 less than last year’s base model, plus Golf S, SE and SEL trim levels, so expect to see a base price range from $18,185 to $27,815 for the fully loaded SEL four door. And that SEL is pretty loaded indeed, including panoramic sunroof. Fender audio, 18” alloys, Navigation, remote entry, push button starting and a 12-way power driver’s seat. Options include a Lighting Package with bi-Xenon headlights and LED running lights, interior ambient lighting and adaptive front lighting, and a Driver Assistance Package with forward collision warning and front and rear parking sensors, although the SEL has a standard back up cam. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnSiiCACv2AJ0236qcbObrMY689EvzbLk4VclIBrLNnNF1mEYema4Kcc86DLoEjBSu675zVxbPwN1XrML9WnFEswGyCArff_y6wBR3NH5rCyDtf1oOKfgot5THYQFrm_x4Y6po-n8aODl/s1600/Golf+TDI+Exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnSiiCACv2AJ0236qcbObrMY689EvzbLk4VclIBrLNnNF1mEYema4Kcc86DLoEjBSu675zVxbPwN1XrML9WnFEswGyCArff_y6wBR3NH5rCyDtf1oOKfgot5THYQFrm_x4Y6po-n8aODl/s1600/Golf+TDI+Exterior.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">VW has shuffled the packages for the TDI Diesel as well. There’s a new base model TDI S four door that’s priced over $3200 less than the last generation base model. The TDI models are packaged similarly to the gasoline versions. They’re four-doors only, and all will have a standard six-speed manual transmission (the six-speed DSG sets you back $1100.) Base prices range from $22,815 for the S to $28,815 for the full-boat SEL. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrqjH8xY5mQtXoUeA9dBIQLSgvLn8tjPBukX0Xrk85mLzWpXDRCVoBr1VlvKY2w-4HCJuqFLrZptHy-PQpjIkkCrUQc8LpFsnOKmPdSmP9le7ebObKiIDenC6UC5aOH_qJLWI7PPyGKMJ/s1600/Golf+GTI+Detail+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrqjH8xY5mQtXoUeA9dBIQLSgvLn8tjPBukX0Xrk85mLzWpXDRCVoBr1VlvKY2w-4HCJuqFLrZptHy-PQpjIkkCrUQc8LpFsnOKmPdSmP9le7ebObKiIDenC6UC5aOH_qJLWI7PPyGKMJ/s1600/Golf+GTI+Detail+4.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But most of our time was devoted to the GTI. It’s also all new, including a new EA888 2.0-liter direct- injected turbo four with a modest 10-hp boost to 210, and a healthy torque bump - up 51 lb-ft to 258. And later this year, there’ll be an optional Performance Package with 10 more ponies, along with beefier brakes and a torque-vectoring differential, all for $1495 extra. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GTI will also be offered in three models, S, SE and Autobahn. Pricing is roughly carryover. The two-door S is priced from $25,215, and they range up to $31,515 for a four-door Autobahn with DSG. VW has retained the retro plaid seating for the base model, which is exactly how I would want it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIi94fPrYkWd8ZnaH5l5dVhoxhNiuseO79oslloiYXwDRpiYvJVWMOHUvGbUjjMoWdwytuVp2di1nWJwpgciA-EcC65Uqckf4RS2AHDm-B0_qxaYCFfdlfMjiDOHohSncVRzBuVxZOk-M/s1600/Golf+GTI+Interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIi94fPrYkWd8ZnaH5l5dVhoxhNiuseO79oslloiYXwDRpiYvJVWMOHUvGbUjjMoWdwytuVp2di1nWJwpgciA-EcC65Uqckf4RS2AHDm-B0_qxaYCFfdlfMjiDOHohSncVRzBuVxZOk-M/s1600/Golf+GTI+Interior.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had the opportunity to sample all three models as well as every bridge in San Francisco. Both the Golf TSI and TDI were extremely likable and competent- the TSI has slightly more go but the TDI is only slightly behind and more than up to the task. The TDI is just so quiet, smooth and utterly un-diesel that, combined with the lowered base price and the much better fuel economy, it gets the nod in my book.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqCHC73O9SSWAqWYh5uAbIatOXuWG8sHiCDrA81EiIRr0dkEuDMfms5sr-yh47T4_Le1LLzm00TvdsN2Jf85uaMs9cPRV5ZznsZzOnR8OzPTTcohtj0GcTutpqEUW9r0nj_rdOHkLOezO/s1600/GTI+MK1+MK7+Exterior+Static.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqCHC73O9SSWAqWYh5uAbIatOXuWG8sHiCDrA81EiIRr0dkEuDMfms5sr-yh47T4_Le1LLzm00TvdsN2Jf85uaMs9cPRV5ZznsZzOnR8OzPTTcohtj0GcTutpqEUW9r0nj_rdOHkLOezO/s1600/GTI+MK1+MK7+Exterior+Static.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But my heart belongs to the GTI. VW had a full array of historic GTIs there for us to drive as well, and having owned both a First and Second Generation model new, it was quite a treat to slip behind the wheel again. The First Generation was every bit as snarky and fun as I remember it, with a high-revving and loud 1.8-liter four and a tight five-speed gearbox while the second gen is much cooler and better mannered, although slightly less of the little barbarian that I loved so dearly. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The seventh is just a very refined version of the second- a smoother ride, more refined manners, brilliant handling, but still screaming fun and I finally capitulate- the DSG in manual mode shifts faster than I can with a stick. I had the chance to sample both with and without performance pack, and while it didn’t seem significantly faster, the brakes were superb. Adaptive suspension is also available in the US for the first time, but I didn’t have the opportunity to sample it. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNKAllETceqbPKRFRJnmeg6GahJVATiFHcleqHoi0sraI7r_4DqPaE4cariwYfITkHrBCHB9LWAhKfQnHyDl_0uBwMfUqYk3EgxjkquXi5e_wvJJyI7EaHVVmvjQfxNn5rcuaZm1PAgMh/s1600/GTI+MK1+Interior+MK7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNKAllETceqbPKRFRJnmeg6GahJVATiFHcleqHoi0sraI7r_4DqPaE4cariwYfITkHrBCHB9LWAhKfQnHyDl_0uBwMfUqYk3EgxjkquXi5e_wvJJyI7EaHVVmvjQfxNn5rcuaZm1PAgMh/s1600/GTI+MK1+Interior+MK7.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have to say that I came away impressed with the seventh-generation Golf and GTI. They’re both VW to the core- responsive drive trains, excellent handling characteristics, the road poise of much more expensive sedans and nicely trimmed cabins. It’s the entry-level for German engineering but doesn’t act like entry-level at all. I can’t think of another car that’s as true to it roots four decades later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Photo credit- Volkswagen of America</i></span></span>Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-81507906987483829022014-04-02T11:36:00.000-07:002014-04-02T11:36:04.439-07:00Fun with the Continental Mark IV:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQkH-LMUU08smgw9YBZcHEHj4YEgz2Y12dBbhXzgOPTpzDKHJw-gMY_CqhL47iit2rwLG6x__V6_eXzjYLTaagJGvcHt8xQztv-zw3AEtFPhzAROv-0M4woMqSx7FHpH27LaJrGxZtXEE/s1600/72+LC+mark_iv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQkH-LMUU08smgw9YBZcHEHj4YEgz2Y12dBbhXzgOPTpzDKHJw-gMY_CqhL47iit2rwLG6x__V6_eXzjYLTaagJGvcHt8xQztv-zw3AEtFPhzAROv-0M4woMqSx7FHpH27LaJrGxZtXEE/s1600/72+LC+mark_iv.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, statistically the odds are that many of you are visiting for the first time because of a quote in Automobile Magazine about the Continental Mark IV. I'm not going to post it here, because you've probably already seen it. Instead how about a photo essay of the stunning Continental Mark IV? It's really hard to find a car that more beautifully captures the essence of the 70s than the Continental Mark Series. Successor to the wildly successful Mark II of 1968-71, the Mark IV made its debut for the 1972 model years. In addition to the tall grille, Mark IV also added a stand up hood ornament and opera lamps to the mix.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbBw8CC9CYOoesImp7ctlGNQSIXtl18KTSdI5N4mZCl34ottsfMXI4KI9m5E2lGbc8NmIt54A-57dwVde0DXg_KQFa-OjodCPznChw_OQqH6vpe3xNhLh52vsxteXtnhkQ-yExHOyuGJ0/s1600/72+LC+Mk+IV+Nesbitt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbBw8CC9CYOoesImp7ctlGNQSIXtl18KTSdI5N4mZCl34ottsfMXI4KI9m5E2lGbc8NmIt54A-57dwVde0DXg_KQFa-OjodCPznChw_OQqH6vpe3xNhLh52vsxteXtnhkQ-yExHOyuGJ0/s1600/72+LC+Mk+IV+Nesbitt.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rendering of the 1972 Mark IV by renowned Ford stylist Dick Nesbitt</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWT14EWAoeXpMlAqBBK6YoA7SJZYKLo0fJfqLCRY3kX3ANWbIm-z08i8ok49z3pwaNAoA4EUW3RgZMt83K33TMoQ4nx87LE6ltLbMm6VYVeCLXrdqWnf-Z1en34UK2bPkFmWyOBqcWAUl/s1600/72+mark+Ron+Buninga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWT14EWAoeXpMlAqBBK6YoA7SJZYKLo0fJfqLCRY3kX3ANWbIm-z08i8ok49z3pwaNAoA4EUW3RgZMt83K33TMoQ4nx87LE6ltLbMm6VYVeCLXrdqWnf-Z1en34UK2bPkFmWyOBqcWAUl/s1600/72+mark+Ron+Buninga.jpg" height="254" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This photo captures the essence of the Mark IV beautifully: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey7lyVFa4rDaf0UzKCaJQ31ognMuWy33lyN17APa_q4LdnUXKNVLDrTwDCQTW0Q6SBug7h6-3NoLt-RyD35U-V3RToHjTbY00u-iHQH_G1S28Xcg9rfz-TZD5O4CnMkp4qtIUPxxoOGtt/s1600/73+LC+Mark+IV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey7lyVFa4rDaf0UzKCaJQ31ognMuWy33lyN17APa_q4LdnUXKNVLDrTwDCQTW0Q6SBug7h6-3NoLt-RyD35U-V3RToHjTbY00u-iHQH_G1S28Xcg9rfz-TZD5O4CnMkp4qtIUPxxoOGtt/s1600/73+LC+Mark+IV.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bumper regulations kicked in for 1973 and required a front bumper that would withstand a 5 mph impact. Many feel that the massive bumper negatively impacts the styling but sales volumes did not suffer.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZry5BXLJ4FtDyjiiftXWOkS91TTprVoNMiQtWAP_8zfSGsW7iN38LVstsSYLEO2ja98Sg850LIFIv8Sb1hxnOj-ygUkkMV0MSMrTkJCMkx5Xw3TWaY0aBiVpQAk1WghrdCCuR8a7qadz/s1600/74+LC+Mark-IV+Silver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZry5BXLJ4FtDyjiiftXWOkS91TTprVoNMiQtWAP_8zfSGsW7iN38LVstsSYLEO2ja98Sg850LIFIv8Sb1hxnOj-ygUkkMV0MSMrTkJCMkx5Xw3TWaY0aBiVpQAk1WghrdCCuR8a7qadz/s1600/74+LC+Mark-IV+Silver.jpg" height="111" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The 1974 Mark IV now wears 5-mph safety bumpers front and rear. Also here we see the beginning of special editions- this Silver Luxury Group option began in 1973. A Gold Luxury Group was also offered.<br />
Below is the Gold Luxury Group specification page from the sales brochure:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Sni72MqSVilH-XLgDxo9sj_J2zy4D2kFNlrGXr8-0k9CChaNqry_ou2qoOcbxO3SvAfGLdtm5UTkZBCFwGRfkqBDpgncZ8YMjlksW5e13wpdXrFkzSiluNlinqzDkxhYL86vZNvFULFw/s1600/74+LC+Mark+Gold+Int.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Sni72MqSVilH-XLgDxo9sj_J2zy4D2kFNlrGXr8-0k9CChaNqry_ou2qoOcbxO3SvAfGLdtm5UTkZBCFwGRfkqBDpgncZ8YMjlksW5e13wpdXrFkzSiluNlinqzDkxhYL86vZNvFULFw/s1600/74+LC+Mark+Gold+Int.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShe7xBlJCRdPFINB25M5dqbFsQtPbH9oaWmkKK4_kz2H5pT3Y2sGZFA0Ivt-wyRQyba3m-Ps9bGSl34E04RsnY4EgUq1PJ9Q6CZn-ss4DriFbm5joVwUbY7mvNBj9cEsBdx_AnCWIFj3K/s1600/75+LC+Mark+IV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShe7xBlJCRdPFINB25M5dqbFsQtPbH9oaWmkKK4_kz2H5pT3Y2sGZFA0Ivt-wyRQyba3m-Ps9bGSl34E04RsnY4EgUq1PJ9Q6CZn-ss4DriFbm5joVwUbY7mvNBj9cEsBdx_AnCWIFj3K/s1600/75+LC+Mark+IV.jpg" height="117" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The new premium body side moldings and polished aluminum wheels really made the 1975 Mark IV into a knockout. Many Luxury Groups were offered for 1975 including Silver, Lipstick/ White, Saddle/ White, and Blue Diamond. Below is the Lipstick/ White:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmwZHUzkL7ch7a38jjQq4Vo_6gmRA3v8WN1h2hhzZks3huBSS7_2qZawEvvE4lib6oTkFJRJ_1C-fHk_4AEHeSpZZHnaLanWKwBz1w62d1JNrGxPebmX7mYdmG3wObRwTiSy4mrX2bzK6/s1600/75+LC+Mark+Lip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmwZHUzkL7ch7a38jjQq4Vo_6gmRA3v8WN1h2hhzZks3huBSS7_2qZawEvvE4lib6oTkFJRJ_1C-fHk_4AEHeSpZZHnaLanWKwBz1w62d1JNrGxPebmX7mYdmG3wObRwTiSy4mrX2bzK6/s1600/75+LC+Mark+Lip.jpg" height="120" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And here is the 1975 Mark IV display at the Chicago Auto Show:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2JepY3Juy3JTspq855Yk_qD3XhkUhg0zsrL0gRU0tiUYVX9eL9XeUxeuJt5Exd6wTQKi1ZpYu16O8vhARB2EIbTVbP4QK_wMFEED-uESpwXPZr95CGbh1DtmvkfdBqUkaIoxMy9znVgR/s1600/75+linc+chi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2JepY3Juy3JTspq855Yk_qD3XhkUhg0zsrL0gRU0tiUYVX9eL9XeUxeuJt5Exd6wTQKi1ZpYu16O8vhARB2EIbTVbP4QK_wMFEED-uESpwXPZr95CGbh1DtmvkfdBqUkaIoxMy9znVgR/s1600/75+linc+chi.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
1976 was the final year for the Mark IV, but instead of resting on its laurels, it reached new heights with expanded Luxury Groups and the new Designers Series. Four top fashion designers of the day created their own special Mark IV editions:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-6vq87YHNxFmX7LPph4FNDsptHWnOV9lVl_NMOp_jn_dIgnw3fFa_MQtWbK1vVqswH0A4Voru-aihaRSko1dR5P3JMBpiZ_CndGAVgPnlbtPMtaaJ5VApTgRSOPTeN5uJ9FYmX6OmeV7/s1600/76+LC+designer+Marks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-6vq87YHNxFmX7LPph4FNDsptHWnOV9lVl_NMOp_jn_dIgnw3fFa_MQtWbK1vVqswH0A4Voru-aihaRSko1dR5P3JMBpiZ_CndGAVgPnlbtPMtaaJ5VApTgRSOPTeN5uJ9FYmX6OmeV7/s1600/76+LC+designer+Marks.jpg" height="96" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Clockwise from left, we have the Pucci Mark IV in vintage burgundy and silver. The Givenchy in turquoise and white, the elegant Bill Blass in Navy and cream, and the Cartier in monochromatic dove gray. The Designer Series was a huge success for Lincoln both artistically and econonically- they commanded a premium of about a thousand dollars over a comparable but unlabeled Mark IV. Descriptions are below:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh262qAMjtA9E7uK4nyJJod_bWzj0gEY2wwmTEDtvPrxd5YJYw4eaEjzYWME1pvi5zoZVUeP24UzWF2Z8AniBGqg9NkUj7qMtWpWa2Yfv67CJL_brfGUl8IOF93gYn3CSE4yPN1lvzlZSCG/s1600/76+linc+design+hector+merly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh262qAMjtA9E7uK4nyJJod_bWzj0gEY2wwmTEDtvPrxd5YJYw4eaEjzYWME1pvi5zoZVUeP24UzWF2Z8AniBGqg9NkUj7qMtWpWa2Yfv67CJL_brfGUl8IOF93gYn3CSE4yPN1lvzlZSCG/s1600/76+linc+design+hector+merly.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRMPPOlm8FVqyPJSVOOpypvBDqTuJO2iDyQ9JIzGTOdo4d-4ovm4ujeSct8JwosYK5pKq7Z5q28Q9hSk-CZWqJHT2-YAj9_pjQLf0Ngj6k07SYln0_zjj-nI14J0OUcm5S4KIAmUvKCRm/s1600/76+LC+Mk+Cream+Gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRMPPOlm8FVqyPJSVOOpypvBDqTuJO2iDyQ9JIzGTOdo4d-4ovm4ujeSct8JwosYK5pKq7Z5q28Q9hSk-CZWqJHT2-YAj9_pjQLf0Ngj6k07SYln0_zjj-nI14J0OUcm5S4KIAmUvKCRm/s1600/76+LC+Mk+Cream+Gold.jpg" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
There were a plethora of Luxury Groups for 1976- Blue Diamond, Saddle/ White, Lipstick/ White, Red/ Rose', Jade/ White, the midyear Black Diamond and Desert Sand, and the Gold/ Cream shown above. Below is the Gold/Cream interior and coordinating exterior choices:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3-EttnBy3OFOgHYiNgH-J0XQ8RS2SGt8MSJuPHBB3Qm9LFUV9lpxRVi2RkIzGQUfCcj2XlGXZHZM4Kl4rB6_Kn55WBBt-zkMBN7TYlwHi15nwVHi6IDjUdCFAP_VGQP-VaS_KoQQev2B/s1600/76+LC+Mark+CG+Int.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3-EttnBy3OFOgHYiNgH-J0XQ8RS2SGt8MSJuPHBB3Qm9LFUV9lpxRVi2RkIzGQUfCcj2XlGXZHZM4Kl4rB6_Kn55WBBt-zkMBN7TYlwHi15nwVHi6IDjUdCFAP_VGQP-VaS_KoQQev2B/s1600/76+LC+Mark+CG+Int.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4obV_89-vKa1-ZVQsT-UXBB2uJm07DhxTJg3BXMNGbXZttkwuDXuAJYNA_xDHYwoL64nIYYIFPcq8tbKMg4x9DEc-J_HWw2fJL23j9QlhbqCjY-lIK7C1uzMCl8M3JfMRQ4mF-MPFYdLu/s1600/76+LC+Mk+IV+Cartier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4obV_89-vKa1-ZVQsT-UXBB2uJm07DhxTJg3BXMNGbXZttkwuDXuAJYNA_xDHYwoL64nIYYIFPcq8tbKMg4x9DEc-J_HWw2fJL23j9QlhbqCjY-lIK7C1uzMCl8M3JfMRQ4mF-MPFYdLu/s1600/76+LC+Mk+IV+Cartier.jpg" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Above is the elegant Cartier Edition. It came standard with the swanky Versailles interior in dove gray velour, but a Luxury Group gray leather interior could be selected for credit. The Versailles interior option was exceedingly plush:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE9nIsl7a7NaqDX97q1ACIAOeXK08Mtil4-o9Z98Qeef-Cr33wf6mZtFsuwrDEntOXMvlgaNgkzUYk2l220lRbctu3BYzML75SbalVCZ2ylNqj9FSKSDOte-o0NE4kUwP9tuBf_k3AMrx/s1600/76+LC+Mark+V+Cartier+Versailles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE9nIsl7a7NaqDX97q1ACIAOeXK08Mtil4-o9Z98Qeef-Cr33wf6mZtFsuwrDEntOXMvlgaNgkzUYk2l220lRbctu3BYzML75SbalVCZ2ylNqj9FSKSDOte-o0NE4kUwP9tuBf_k3AMrx/s1600/76+LC+Mark+V+Cartier+Versailles.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And as exciting as the 1976 models were, for 1977 we had an all new Mark V to look forward to. Would it disappoint? That'll be a story for another day. But the 1976 Mark IV was a pretty tough act to follow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk1ejxUCJNDlLfT097j8D_2tdir_dpB9sGJYiDQGANYiXdJlbtjHCY7ihNfB8jyBcPiUi0ismj3zosnqFIhyphenhyphencKJjvESNv45Qv7T7iCLL-X6w7tCsOYH0dltBX7TmNEMltLRuGam051C_L/s1600/76+LC+Mark+IV+Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk1ejxUCJNDlLfT097j8D_2tdir_dpB9sGJYiDQGANYiXdJlbtjHCY7ihNfB8jyBcPiUi0ismj3zosnqFIhyphenhyphencKJjvESNv45Qv7T7iCLL-X6w7tCsOYH0dltBX7TmNEMltLRuGam051C_L/s1600/76+LC+Mark+IV+Brown.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-70590632721548504642014-02-24T07:00:00.000-08:002014-02-24T07:00:10.668-08:00Cadillac ELR- High (Voltage) Roller: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> By Jeff Stork</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPk_jocO-9w-Z-BzN0CQchjI1BwRAL1UJn6oP27LO3B7kwH4GE6U_m95LYIQBl_5s1UqRuSd1-yCajD2zEV5NWxrvNtOkA80MJwzOFQ5-PQwoAdxJYPReIJmRPz8hSLdIIephQseNRLley/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-101-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPk_jocO-9w-Z-BzN0CQchjI1BwRAL1UJn6oP27LO3B7kwH4GE6U_m95LYIQBl_5s1UqRuSd1-yCajD2zEV5NWxrvNtOkA80MJwzOFQ5-PQwoAdxJYPReIJmRPz8hSLdIIephQseNRLley/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-101-medium.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">It wasn’t by some random act that Cadillac invited us to drive the new ELR coupe in Palm Springs, California- the desert playground renowned for high style and mid-century design was chosen deliberately to serve as a backdrop for the new line of Cadillacs, and the ELR in particular.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WvhLCSrn-mrFoSqtMBMVym6e8l0pofm9G_r0N_4pCF_q3Pll7HRmn9hmbk_62b_yOH4feaRegzQxvpT6kp1qv9LAAwGpwTSOEWjKsF0wMFBa8GoT-xBCJj6SgYMapx0KwC3BXu67G-EX/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-081-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WvhLCSrn-mrFoSqtMBMVym6e8l0pofm9G_r0N_4pCF_q3Pll7HRmn9hmbk_62b_yOH4feaRegzQxvpT6kp1qv9LAAwGpwTSOEWjKsF0wMFBa8GoT-xBCJj6SgYMapx0KwC3BXu67G-EX/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-081-medium.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-0a6d1c6f-6016-0874-03c7-2e546e169953" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We started with immersing ourselves in architecture. The tour included several notable desert landmarks, including a restored Butterfly house by Palmer and Krisel, Donald Wexler’s own desert home, the Edris house and Frank Sinatra’s “Twin Palms” Estate, both by E. Stewart Williams, and dined at William Cody’s Southridge hillside home. There were several schools of modernism at play- from a house that seemed to ride from the rocky hillside to post and beam examples that floated in the air. New Cadillacs were parked discreetly at the various locations and indeed looked appropriate in their surroundings. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PDoUMeCqqUEgNWnTsHApWimp_FaRKoDafXjN6cQyciG2XT2ncpfSYfRbniAnErAr1mw2MLphaYT_8HFMCL6E5RZicZYdoT0hXH1PuQndvV8XkdJWv-Wn5N3RR3UBowO_tZkr2LN6pIl2/s1600/CAM03837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PDoUMeCqqUEgNWnTsHApWimp_FaRKoDafXjN6cQyciG2XT2ncpfSYfRbniAnErAr1mw2MLphaYT_8HFMCL6E5RZicZYdoT0hXH1PuQndvV8XkdJWv-Wn5N3RR3UBowO_tZkr2LN6pIl2/s1600/CAM03837.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thus versed in timeless design, our attention turned to the car. ELR is equal parts technology and high style. Based on the Converj concept car, tt’s Cadillac’s first extended range electric offering, with both an electric motor and a backup gasoline generator. It’s good for about 35 miles of pure electric driving, and then the generator comes and adds about another 300. It’s the same drivetrain as the Chevy Volt, but the ELR is much more than a Volt. </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaYrDSWOZOniawiLivi9AIVpB7iDas5J3jW6-jT3p6tXIJ7O5A8rtYDISwayw5zoRjo6k1RUjEGrhv4jpanfvBjj_c1FxMVh7tb_ojqZ-KZwf1QnGFQmI2tnQ1SMr8gUZg_1kcAiOfHod/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-086-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaYrDSWOZOniawiLivi9AIVpB7iDas5J3jW6-jT3p6tXIJ7O5A8rtYDISwayw5zoRjo6k1RUjEGrhv4jpanfvBjj_c1FxMVh7tb_ojqZ-KZwf1QnGFQmI2tnQ1SMr8gUZg_1kcAiOfHod/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-086-medium.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ELR is both longer and wider than the Volt, and has completely unique two-door coachwork that shares no body panels with any other GM offering. Inside, there’s a highly luxurious interior with a high degree of hand stitching, and an equally high degree of standard equipment including Navigation, Bose 10-speaker audio, Cadillac’s CUE interface, and multiple computer assists from lane departure to front and rear park assist and forward collision alert. Indeed the interior almost seems too luxurious, with cut-and-sewn dashpad and doors, chrome and woodgrain accents, and sixteen way power leather seats. It’s beautifully tailored indeed, and there are few options- adaptive cruise control, and a Luxury package with different wheels, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert are among the short list of options. </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOJnYx0NQ_cewuZA2hyphenhyphenWgQtP5HozdeTxjXqC-SQkmHPwiqtPUXXrPW-XLxd6xkEqOGRuw95Fkf0Km2XnmCsOTxO9Ba8xk3mkdjWwf9ZYjh3c3KXrbBITa21DiK4focE5DTklYzMs5XXiD/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-119-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOJnYx0NQ_cewuZA2hyphenhyphenWgQtP5HozdeTxjXqC-SQkmHPwiqtPUXXrPW-XLxd6xkEqOGRuw95Fkf0Km2XnmCsOTxO9Ba8xk3mkdjWwf9ZYjh3c3KXrbBITa21DiK4focE5DTklYzMs5XXiD/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-119-medium.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cadillac still refers to its design theme as “Art and Science,” but they’ve evolved well beyond the angry kitchen appliance look of the original CTS. The language now is more a blend of soft shapes and sharp details, and the ELR has a lot in common with the 1967 Eldorado. It’s not an inappropriate comparison at all really- with both being personal luxury offerings acting as halo entries and both aimed at the top of the price ladder and intended to sell in small numbers. The ‘67 Eldorado was about 60s style and power, while the ELR blends contemporary style with extended range electric car technology and a high degree of luxury.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxFaEX0D6pTfNtAx5yGe9w_wve5Ltk3SZgfki1gxqNFQKHZQ0I4nUj55K4q4fdjB4wpPQ-1a09B3QTxBMBev3rGS-omqemt1tDE7Z60nhfdHKrBQQRK0m4Nvvd8OnVCzotmpw2A_V5Jja/s1600/CAM03853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxFaEX0D6pTfNtAx5yGe9w_wve5Ltk3SZgfki1gxqNFQKHZQ0I4nUj55K4q4fdjB4wpPQ-1a09B3QTxBMBev3rGS-omqemt1tDE7Z60nhfdHKrBQQRK0m4Nvvd8OnVCzotmpw2A_V5Jja/s1600/CAM03853.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all climbed into a fleet of ELRs and drove up winding highway 74 to the mountain village of Idyllwild. It’s a winding two-lane road, and a great opportunity to experience the ELR’s active suspension and regenerative braking paddles. Again, another reminder that ELR is not just a Volt with a crest- the ride and handling were on a par with the finest European coupes- and the cabin was so quiet I admit I didn’t notice when the generator took over. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_Y4MK7UCrXcyTcnOjZopMXD0TQUVqlWskszxRZm3TSrtaQ0WaskWn8tG4_veyCXdovhl5jVkaSLLawo1KeVNY4uWwCBRHP-NRUwlmVV1Q9Ch1-aQT4XnupkhJopxgD2bgCxCHnmLuj_w/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-044-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_Y4MK7UCrXcyTcnOjZopMXD0TQUVqlWskszxRZm3TSrtaQ0WaskWn8tG4_veyCXdovhl5jVkaSLLawo1KeVNY4uWwCBRHP-NRUwlmVV1Q9Ch1-aQT4XnupkhJopxgD2bgCxCHnmLuj_w/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-044-medium.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">On way down, I caught a ride with the ELR’s Marketing Product Manager who was able to demonstrate the car’s capabilities on the winding downhill road. All of that time the Cadillac chassis engineers have been spending on the Nurburgring has paid off- the ELR’s chassis showed amazing poise and happily went wherever it was pointed. He also demonstrated how the regen paddles are perfect for this type of mountain descent. I arrived back in down in the desert basin slightly white-knuckled but highly impressed with the chassis. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPUzpoGQpXjKqIwv0JwG7FG-KgaA-6BKWzwiCYIAVScDe-hLxS0Z86hzK2zr9IPFNGQ5Ifs742-QivZc0ihKIhz2mlTndH48PGn4mzjPP8Fqh7Pr2P7-Cu1Hy_ftw8r4Li_Xd-Bb0Ac8K/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-046-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPUzpoGQpXjKqIwv0JwG7FG-KgaA-6BKWzwiCYIAVScDe-hLxS0Z86hzK2zr9IPFNGQ5Ifs742-QivZc0ihKIhz2mlTndH48PGn4mzjPP8Fqh7Pr2P7-Cu1Hy_ftw8r4Li_Xd-Bb0Ac8K/s1600/2014-Cadillac-ELR-046-medium.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We also had an opportunity to talk about price positioning on the drive back. The base price of $75,000 is far from inexpensive, but it is a unique offering and was always planned to sell in limited numbers, so the decision was made to offer ELR one way- full boat- with only a couple of options, as opposed to a car like the Tesla which has a base price in the low sixties but pushes six figures fully loaded. Instead, Cadillac is going for a limited production halo offering with high-glam and a high price- along the lines of the 1953 Eldorado or the recent XLR roadster. Incidentally, they expect a majority of the cars to be leased, which is consistent with offerings in the luxury segment. While I’m not going to debate the price point, I will say that I found it extremely compelling and definitely one to consider if you’re in the market for a luxury coupe with a sense of style. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmCSt-8F5E8r9kXjLC-20tMsd5GV5r3mu__jbDUCBLqtWaZtssfP-qOGLqaJw3TutkKhVamwiaoHdoph2YlreFr9gvq76R6Tf20o-oaVRAvjs_yEbWzp01klhK54PxK4yy28eLbP2Aubv/s1600/CAM03864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmCSt-8F5E8r9kXjLC-20tMsd5GV5r3mu__jbDUCBLqtWaZtssfP-qOGLqaJw3TutkKhVamwiaoHdoph2YlreFr9gvq76R6Tf20o-oaVRAvjs_yEbWzp01klhK54PxK4yy28eLbP2Aubv/s1600/CAM03864.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credits: Richard Prince/Cadillac and Jeff Stork</span></span>Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-60609184751517561982014-02-23T11:20:00.000-08:002014-02-23T11:20:00.842-08:00Casa de Cadillac from 1949 to 1966<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">by Jeff Stork</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/o9rOMnoPfVM" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
I had a whole reel of historic photos of Casa de Cadillac in Sherman Oaks, CA that were taken between 1949 and 1966 when it was owned by Martin Pollard. He also owned the Casa de Cascade Car Wash and the Casa de Petrol gas station.<br />
<br />
Amnazingly, all of the buildings are still standing although no longer under a single owner, the gas station is now a flower shop and Casa de Cadillac, still in business, has been restored in a respectful manner. Enjoy: Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-19848544337408919622014-02-21T10:08:00.001-08:002014-02-21T10:08:45.581-08:00Starfire!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cxqTmzwfg_gb0xlQ3hTWP7g5vV0vzO5U3ESk6Yq_e6jiRndriNFhM5OQOYtCL8zGyhrmp6nh5k4jMIJRrIC7aNktiUHVYLTuOB2Mz0hDkyGacROrOxhx5hXyOgg-on2WV9u6t9KVmk8k/s1600/61+olds+starfire+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cxqTmzwfg_gb0xlQ3hTWP7g5vV0vzO5U3ESk6Yq_e6jiRndriNFhM5OQOYtCL8zGyhrmp6nh5k4jMIJRrIC7aNktiUHVYLTuOB2Mz0hDkyGacROrOxhx5hXyOgg-on2WV9u6t9KVmk8k/s1600/61+olds+starfire+1.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a></div>
I'll keep the commentary to a minimum here and let the images paint the picture- this is the announcement brochure for the mid-year 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire. Excitement- glamour- romance- what else could one possibly need in a car?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8QzU0uVj3CaZNktfMxIP08kNUzHRVE9jdGsK-8DQRiV7K1WSfwdrrE99d8Ll71536bDHKmz9OnuTWcO_Uq7773MCLijCyuM9WeSZejlgs_5byiS9lM4-eUjzPfUTostpFLiRvJBkg0K7/s1600/61+olds+starfire+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8QzU0uVj3CaZNktfMxIP08kNUzHRVE9jdGsK-8DQRiV7K1WSfwdrrE99d8Ll71536bDHKmz9OnuTWcO_Uq7773MCLijCyuM9WeSZejlgs_5byiS9lM4-eUjzPfUTostpFLiRvJBkg0K7/s1600/61+olds+starfire+2.jpg" height="320" width="301" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwJj33Vtv4qd183TXMr4oB1uixZX8R7sVAtRe25SwnkAp86lNSPo4lNQDiIbW6GcgL2UcgmKvx5Ck5kMTg9DNmjBjd195a6iwSKfvRLMedGiVd0agK7tiDm-6Sw8B4-e0EGISRozl3QuB/s1600/61+olds+starfire+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwJj33Vtv4qd183TXMr4oB1uixZX8R7sVAtRe25SwnkAp86lNSPo4lNQDiIbW6GcgL2UcgmKvx5Ck5kMTg9DNmjBjd195a6iwSKfvRLMedGiVd0agK7tiDm-6Sw8B4-e0EGISRozl3QuB/s1600/61+olds+starfire+3.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Sve5gqn0FxLd3xFzv8NWRIPcllN2euIjh8SUMIy1cNyWlM2nqTOlRJixop4L-3wiYxFeHWAcxCJCxAEix_66yqb3BfvAgZNMPIu3fp91o4TnDnr85I-QrZZAYu5DD8SC3Ls6KXXxF4f4/s1600/61+olds+starfire+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Sve5gqn0FxLd3xFzv8NWRIPcllN2euIjh8SUMIy1cNyWlM2nqTOlRJixop4L-3wiYxFeHWAcxCJCxAEix_66yqb3BfvAgZNMPIu3fp91o4TnDnr85I-QrZZAYu5DD8SC3Ls6KXXxF4f4/s1600/61+olds+starfire+4.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrAeRG4KPlL7ciCNwKMAvLWsSzzjAVq28sH1EKrJHy8o1P8_0nLStMKQfRYdPm5yu4uALaRXdK-rbnic7jIDE2VNe0gP5RCi-UoKDoEjxs90Tz5EGE2alWqWgFdN_1yAD40FIqxQxpA8y/s1600/61+olds+starfire+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrAeRG4KPlL7ciCNwKMAvLWsSzzjAVq28sH1EKrJHy8o1P8_0nLStMKQfRYdPm5yu4uALaRXdK-rbnic7jIDE2VNe0gP5RCi-UoKDoEjxs90Tz5EGE2alWqWgFdN_1yAD40FIqxQxpA8y/s1600/61+olds+starfire+5.jpg" height="320" width="289" /></a></div>
<br />Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-69128821332455262102014-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:002014-07-02T15:19:06.763-07:00The Silver Arrow Memos- Part III- For Clarity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgAtsKyBnHaW69fNT3-OROT69UWRvgoC2uLqcOXgoBWTLx14bB4Fvp1upMKWGkhV3xvUu6FAA_ckekcfVVU9byeWoEUe2IMokvkEzpVMMB9MH7Mx_hFNWYm-vWwAf5QCPc4Ll8boBAUnN/s1600/63+silv+arrow+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgAtsKyBnHaW69fNT3-OROT69UWRvgoC2uLqcOXgoBWTLx14bB4Fvp1upMKWGkhV3xvUu6FAA_ckekcfVVU9byeWoEUe2IMokvkEzpVMMB9MH7Mx_hFNWYm-vWwAf5QCPc4Ll8boBAUnN/s1600/63+silv+arrow+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">By Jeff Stork</span></i><br />
<br />
Note: This is Part 3.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://psautomobilist.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-silver-arrow-memos-part-i.html" target="_blank">Part 1 is Here</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://psautomobilist.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-silver-arrow-memos-part-ii-phases.html" target="_blank">And Part 2 is Here</a><br />
<br />
Last week we looked at a very ambitious Oct, 15, 1962 memo outlining phases II, III and IV for Bill Mitchell's Silver Arrow Riviera (XP-810 and SO #40210.) The memo called for replacing the engine and transmission (Phase II), significant exterior detail changes and a fully retrimmed interior (Phase III) and even more changes down the road with the addition of high mounted stop lamps, a redesigned cowl vent, wooden steering wheel, and the addition of a tachometer into the instrument panel (Phase IV.)<br />
<br />
This weeks memo is dated Oct. 31, 1962, and basically restates the contents of the Oct. 15 memo with a few changes. This time, Buick Chief designer Dave Holls is being asked to coordinate the replacement of the engine and transmission (Phase II), a full size drawing of the new interior has been released from the Buick Interior Studio for the new interior, the Mouton has arrived for the carpeting, and the design for the seats has been revised (Phase III.)<br />
<br />
Instead of reusing seats from a Skylark prototype car, they now plan to install cast aluminum prototype seats that are being considered for the 1964 Riviera. They are no doubt included in the styling drawing being released. The desire is that Phases II and II are to be completed by November 15, 1962, and Phase IV by early December, so there's a lot of work to do in the Styling garage before Santa comes. The document is signed once more by Bud Schenk of Program Planning.<br />
<br />
So this document seem to be one of clarification. It is reported that Mr. Mitchell liked being in the know. As we have said before, it is good to be King.<br />
<br />
Once again here are the memos for your perusal:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80QFNFxChhsYX6n27c_xdzp6MEsWXjrbLvnvUWsXwl2RrTJ0W46zdgeNO7deWPh5Q4-u6-68egyALVc8PRYkomKl48XRbsZgGOp0wwKDn-keM0jcZ96-XwWB4ds3NddcdKttHGF22opC5/s1600/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80QFNFxChhsYX6n27c_xdzp6MEsWXjrbLvnvUWsXwl2RrTJ0W46zdgeNO7deWPh5Q4-u6-68egyALVc8PRYkomKl48XRbsZgGOp0wwKDn-keM0jcZ96-XwWB4ds3NddcdKttHGF22opC5/s320/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+6.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiNYmTsRcBiVxpVZ3t5wbi7_Di4OxN5YqFvL5OPUKRXnSOXoIdjP1T0varXukXe0cYvN1AEGfwMLIdrAwQRQRCEhM2169uMIaHU5iHIbaAVn_g0Etly4vLdz_yzCKhFLqD_aWNtCLMMz3/s1600/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiNYmTsRcBiVxpVZ3t5wbi7_Di4OxN5YqFvL5OPUKRXnSOXoIdjP1T0varXukXe0cYvN1AEGfwMLIdrAwQRQRCEhM2169uMIaHU5iHIbaAVn_g0Etly4vLdz_yzCKhFLqD_aWNtCLMMz3/s320/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+7.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9RrdrEXqgYhtorDgnc-9cWOeRhGOgEWhYDjWTdG3-o-2tSzLw1-FJSojNfWU6kA_I6LnsObLE2lqX7nLPIVVs-SytotLR2WwIjs5m7gZCE6zpAwa7yWkMQ-0jgRAJhDuPuPckDAT_7RQ/s1600/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9RrdrEXqgYhtorDgnc-9cWOeRhGOgEWhYDjWTdG3-o-2tSzLw1-FJSojNfWU6kA_I6LnsObLE2lqX7nLPIVVs-SytotLR2WwIjs5m7gZCE6zpAwa7yWkMQ-0jgRAJhDuPuPckDAT_7RQ/s320/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+8.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-78459289333765951882014-01-27T07:00:00.000-08:002014-07-02T15:17:31.293-07:00The Silver Arrow Memos- Part II- Phases II through IV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoRL_kYr495-4jlhXZwrJBTY2LnwskQDfmhxM2WOJKWtlaGUqF0Z8r2WNtBku1-mct8yM1N9_W6XbV22gl_yVW0QAi4ahOc1jj5PR6y2Xxml1eRZkASKW0oUi16HRK-XZBCYqcktSTt6y/s1600/63+s+a+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoRL_kYr495-4jlhXZwrJBTY2LnwskQDfmhxM2WOJKWtlaGUqF0Z8r2WNtBku1-mct8yM1N9_W6XbV22gl_yVW0QAi4ahOc1jj5PR6y2Xxml1eRZkASKW0oUi16HRK-XZBCYqcktSTt6y/s320/63+s+a+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">By Jeff Stork</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Note: This is Part 2<br />
<br />
<a href="http://psautomobilist.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-silver-arrow-memos-part-i.html" target="_blank">Go Here for Part 1</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://psautomobilist.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-silver-arrow-memos-part-iii-for.html" target="_blank">And Here for Part 3</a><br />
<br />
In the second part of our Silver Arrow Memos, we have a very inclusive document that was written to Mr. W. L. Mitchell on October 15, 1962. By now we have gotten through Phase I and the 1963 Buick new car announcement, and it is presumed that all went well but it is worth noting that we have a new author for this document, Mr. E. C. Campbell.<br />
<br />
This memo outlines the steps for phases II through IV of the continuing development of XP-810, and is written to the fine standard and dignified tone of the last one. Honestly, I can imagine Audrey Hepburn reading them in her "Sabrina" voice.<br />
<br />
<b> Phase II-Completion Desired as soon as possible: </b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> "The car is to be picked up on or about Monday, Oct. 22 for return to the Division. The engine is to be replaced and the car returned to Styling."</i><br />
<br />
<b>Phase III- Completion Desired in Early November</b><br />
<br />
<i>"The following is being worked on now in the design, engineering, and fabrication departments and is to be completed as soon as possible in early November for evaluation before the car is returned to the shops for fabrication of the longer term items found in Phase IV.</i> "<br />
<br />
I'm going to paraphrase here for the sake of brevity, but the memo describes the following changes in exquisite detail for Phase III- removal of the shields behind the headlamp covers, removal of sail panel chrome molding, refined trim for the quarter panel scoops, new rocker panel and lower rear fender moldings as per Riviera S. O. 40193 (Board of Directors Presentation Car), removal of the B U I C K lettering from the rear deck lid and creation of a Riviera script badge to replace them, and the design, engineering and installation of special low profile exterior remote controlled mirrors that will involve the coordination of Buick Exterior, Buick Interior, and Engineering.<br />
<br />
There's plenty in store for the interior as well, starting with removing the Astra Buick Seats from a Skylark show car, S. O. 40224, retrimming them, and fitting them to this car. Along the way, there are plans to chrome plate the windshield pillars and window garnish moldings, repaint the dash and console, fit new metal trim to the dash, create a new Riviera nameplate for the glove box door and create a wooden shift knob.<br />
<br />
Oh, and retrim the entire interior. Seats of silver leather, new door panels, kick panels, carpeting, headliner, package shelf, and trunk. On a three month old car. And this is still Phase III- all this is being done while Phase IV is being developed. Have you gotten the impression yet that all of GM Styling existed to please Mr. Mitchell? Of course, XP-810 was a rolling laboratory and the innovation could benefit future GM cars, but people certainly tried very hard to please Mr. Mitchell.<br />
<br />
<b>Phase IV- Desired by Early December.</b><br />
<br />
<u><b>Exterior</b></u><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><i>Panic stop lights are to be built into the tulip panel. This will require reworking of the backlight lower reveal molding.</i></li>
<li><i>A new cowl vent grille, with air scoops, is to be installed. </i></li>
</ol>
<u><b>Interior</b></u><br />
<ol>
<li><i>A new wooden steering wheel and a new adjustable steering column are required. The wheel will be made new. The steering column is to be reworked from a 1963 production tilting column. A telescopic feature is to be added for fore and aft adjustment.</i></li>
<li><i>The instrument panel cluster is to be revised to permit the addition of a tachometer. The requirements for the mechanical tachometer drive system are to be coordinated by the Interior Engineering and Mechanical Assembly Departments.</i></li>
<li><i>An AM/FM radio is to be installed. A speaker is to be installed on the instrument panel. </i></li>
</ol>
<i>All design work will be done by the Buick Interior and Exterior Studios, and all development and engineering will be done by the Interior and Exterior Engineering Departments.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>E. C Campbell</i><br />
<i>Program Planning</i><br />
<br />
Below you will see the original memo along with period photography of the XP-810 Silver Arrow. And yes, there's much more to come<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJt1Aj9-4UNhETHrCTZ9BljYOX8pQizsX7K7uMCrRgYcekDt5GpIHPm4G3XPV9kOhd89Mq0YgfM6zLk1QlGqo3sXZ27fuxn4xNNQVGUEv0fx1sWxp1S5DiZ56fqkWtk67KkuOP2Y1lYA2/s1600/40210+Memo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJt1Aj9-4UNhETHrCTZ9BljYOX8pQizsX7K7uMCrRgYcekDt5GpIHPm4G3XPV9kOhd89Mq0YgfM6zLk1QlGqo3sXZ27fuxn4xNNQVGUEv0fx1sWxp1S5DiZ56fqkWtk67KkuOP2Y1lYA2/s320/40210+Memo+2.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuNrF2mSn-JyJeqX5_9w5kh13BjU_1z4OrNnMUvxzqLq7p6op4antpEJyRJ9UrUlbkJSoSc_q9xrRqg7B2gnhjfN6u7P4Q110tBKeUZR6fLb8WnG67H6ohGOMGcDSNGv1St-PGSpb4tso/s1600/40210+Memo+2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuNrF2mSn-JyJeqX5_9w5kh13BjU_1z4OrNnMUvxzqLq7p6op4antpEJyRJ9UrUlbkJSoSc_q9xrRqg7B2gnhjfN6u7P4Q110tBKeUZR6fLb8WnG67H6ohGOMGcDSNGv1St-PGSpb4tso/s320/40210+Memo+2b.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvtfKuHdDclnT-zzIOkH7qkMlrfsaqez6zpAlk4ISYftZl4_TZ3DwL5xel63YYcgLTsnG8tUlqd4DyBDGZ-TWqiZ-AjRg4hyphenhyphen09xwa1vRSTiq-maPq6nRbNILY0OkepETzyCDUlTLIzx_-/s1600/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvtfKuHdDclnT-zzIOkH7qkMlrfsaqez6zpAlk4ISYftZl4_TZ3DwL5xel63YYcgLTsnG8tUlqd4DyBDGZ-TWqiZ-AjRg4hyphenhyphen09xwa1vRSTiq-maPq6nRbNILY0OkepETzyCDUlTLIzx_-/s320/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+1.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcu2FEYOzsEyM4vMd0YVgas53X-ILFKNUnBOtvr5Gxrz0_u9NZ12wkIFPjM9leCVxCarncf24-oHmcoGrV2BQ_xu3ksnXgwNQSXTUrtrv1TKPsySxcnFf3cPtqHPGVJD167dMyuHtW6Zd/s1600/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcu2FEYOzsEyM4vMd0YVgas53X-ILFKNUnBOtvr5Gxrz0_u9NZ12wkIFPjM9leCVxCarncf24-oHmcoGrV2BQ_xu3ksnXgwNQSXTUrtrv1TKPsySxcnFf3cPtqHPGVJD167dMyuHtW6Zd/s320/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+2.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRmyceIyermX1YG5Z5W_5Ed02x7PmwInpJV3th99PrfXWCtgmvqRJAb7rlNC_CdCjiOp3a3kcZP10Tq8KOpWUzknH04CjsgPjHPew7AOBXBKUpEtDAa8kuTiBBoFVqHCrFV2tLp066fnk/s1600/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRmyceIyermX1YG5Z5W_5Ed02x7PmwInpJV3th99PrfXWCtgmvqRJAb7rlNC_CdCjiOp3a3kcZP10Tq8KOpWUzknH04CjsgPjHPew7AOBXBKUpEtDAa8kuTiBBoFVqHCrFV2tLp066fnk/s320/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+3.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNnJ0D_pRev7wN6YkFPgyVhLASd9yyPSKEB7cIAaGspOA7hwjGMhRwYsN-FQsU91IyvogmJIb13_WrdkuDfyr6qcZtSOct0fx3g0-D6-_a5ER8gwHLrvxhE4a2wwktjt0jGJHDr6fwS3F/s1600/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNnJ0D_pRev7wN6YkFPgyVhLASd9yyPSKEB7cIAaGspOA7hwjGMhRwYsN-FQsU91IyvogmJIb13_WrdkuDfyr6qcZtSOct0fx3g0-D6-_a5ER8gwHLrvxhE4a2wwktjt0jGJHDr6fwS3F/s320/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+4.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7D0gBkc3R_nEU40UdKdKhLb-G5GAhMjoa9gsjlhJfvdfpVEo6gD1qqLUtiR1PBAldxOSvHla-SnHyaWwyFP3EOa95El6k7zBUi5Nvnyx0SJarEu5E0KBZVE2IXDAt67_3xOAFqp2p7MQ/s1600/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7D0gBkc3R_nEU40UdKdKhLb-G5GAhMjoa9gsjlhJfvdfpVEo6gD1qqLUtiR1PBAldxOSvHla-SnHyaWwyFP3EOa95El6k7zBUi5Nvnyx0SJarEu5E0KBZVE2IXDAt67_3xOAFqp2p7MQ/s320/Silver+Arrow+SO+40210+5.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-30983534935595930482014-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:002014-07-02T15:13:44.810-07:00The Silver Arrow Memos- Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFvUCdUC9JIbL4Cca_iEv8-B1oy-kc87saVCd2Pa3Im2yCuOt-lIYCXC6n_3IK6hlqjy_vhqndKinhNHNyO6XCRaE6VCECHSGXojGNxou_4FcP1l-898sLBTAOyXM0zG0hpzx-Bl7G9-u/s1600/100_1960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFvUCdUC9JIbL4Cca_iEv8-B1oy-kc87saVCd2Pa3Im2yCuOt-lIYCXC6n_3IK6hlqjy_vhqndKinhNHNyO6XCRaE6VCECHSGXojGNxou_4FcP1l-898sLBTAOyXM0zG0hpzx-Bl7G9-u/s1600/100_1960.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is Part 1.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://psautomobilist.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-silver-arrow-memos-part-ii-phases.html" target="_blank">Go Here for Part 2</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://psautomobilist.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-silver-arrow-memos-part-iii-for.html" target="_blank">And Here for Part 3</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGFme683Qaf0GRDsPHQF6nP0b0_5bN5gVgRD1id5hZtmxGxVZUouDKP1RgT4LOffJmQ9C4ynmO2yYdr4du8X8MkSQ0WkbHIJPBcEaUlbUBpbdX2Midy-8HeHM-0AW8NhVpGsqzEcyDV-i/s1600/40210+Memo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGFme683Qaf0GRDsPHQF6nP0b0_5bN5gVgRD1id5hZtmxGxVZUouDKP1RgT4LOffJmQ9C4ynmO2yYdr4du8X8MkSQ0WkbHIJPBcEaUlbUBpbdX2Midy-8HeHM-0AW8NhVpGsqzEcyDV-i/s320/40210+Memo+1.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
First Silver Arrow Memo- July 11, 1962<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">By <a href="http://psautomobilist.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jeff Stork </a></span></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
No Rivieras are more famous than Bill Mitchell's Silver Arrows. Created ostensibly as show cars but in reality intended for his personal use, the Arrows are a mixture of dream car, rolling laboratory, and ultimate corporate perk. We've spoken before of Mitchell and how it is "Good to be King."<br />
<br />
Now in a series of original GM documents, we can watch the evolution of the original Silver Arrow as it evolves into its current form via a series of Styling Staff memoranda that track the progress of each phase of the car's modifications until they arrived at the car which resides today at the <a href="http://www.sloanlongway.org/BuickGallery.aspx" target="_blank">Buick Gallery</a> in Flint. They span a period of time from Summer 1962 until almost 1965.<br />
<br />
The memos are really more letters of understanding, on impressively logoed GM Styling Staff letterhead (how cool is that) are written to Mr. W. L. Mitchell and concern the design and construction of one 1963 Buick "E" Riviera Production Car, Special Order # 40210. The early ones are written by E.G. "Bud" Schenk, head of Program Planning. and carbon copied to everyone involved, even if only tangentially.<br />
<br />
Schenk was the one responsible for supervising the construction of the car, coordinating all of the activities between the various styling studios and all of the tradesmen, the division staff and above all keeping <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mitchell_(designer)" target="_blank">Bill Mitchell</a> in the loop. The Special Order Number (#40210) was used to keep track of all the expenses incurred on the car for the accounting department. The prototype number was XP-810 and would be how design staff would refer to it. The world would know it as Silver Arrow I.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH4Fykd6yoea12dAJXmGva7YJxPjbR6gZ95y1jIpfa4qT3fdYYXihE-cRbLWxtWBvzf9KV7j0ZcrJ6NPCD0eYDtCpnf9GUyk1NL8z0MRs1OpUULGEfAs2wU2J2ssXPGylk1m_ZH8zlSbI/s1600/63+silv+arrow+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH4Fykd6yoea12dAJXmGva7YJxPjbR6gZ95y1jIpfa4qT3fdYYXihE-cRbLWxtWBvzf9KV7j0ZcrJ6NPCD0eYDtCpnf9GUyk1NL8z0MRs1OpUULGEfAs2wU2J2ssXPGylk1m_ZH8zlSbI/s1600/63+silv+arrow+1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Silver Arrow I outside the GM Styling Building<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This earliest memo is dated July 11, 1962, and outlines the first round of changes to be made to the car. It's obvious that Schenk chose the language very carefully and the memo is worth reading.<br />
<br />
<b><i>"Mr. Mitchell has requested the Buick Exterior to undertake the design and study involved in making new concealed headlamps, radiator grille, and extending of front end sheet metal as an experimental proposal on a 1963 Buick 'E" Riviera Coupe production car. Present plans call for the completion of these changes on the subject car so that it may be available to be driven on Buick's 1963 Car Announcement Date Thursday, October 4.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>In general, the required changes are as follows as of this date-</i></b><br />
<ol></ol>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<li><b><i>New Concealed rotating headlamp grilles on the front fenders. Plans are to study the using of 7" diameter seal beam lamps. These units must be operable and applicable to a road car.</i></b></li>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<li><b><i>Radiator grille to be installed per design as proposed and released by the Buick Exterior Studio.</i></b></li>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<li><b><i>Revisions to front end sheet metal consisting of extending the hood surface and of possible fromt fender changes. </i></b></li>
<br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<b><i>Modeling of surface changes will be some in the Exterior Studio and information expedited so that engineering drawings can be released to permit the pre-fabrication of parts and components prior to the arrival of the car.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>It is anticipated that the car will be delivered to Styling in the early part of September."</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>E. G. Schenk</i></b><br />
<b><i>Program Planning</i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
In a word, wow. Buick Styling studio modeling, engineering drawings being completed, parts to be pre-fabricated prior to the first week of September so that someone very important can drive this special car on Buick's New Car Announcement Day. And as far as who the special someone was, one need look only to whom the memo was addressed - Mr. W. L. Mitchell.<br />
<br />
As I said, it's Good to be King.Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-40875740386770934282014-01-18T14:34:00.000-08:002014-01-18T14:35:46.907-08:002014 Camaro ZL1- Chevy Pumps it Up<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtqsH2XIHesyoJcxGUWor1_x5z9fb80mFrD0b1iacUohK0QKciLMbkA5WxLIbUp7imU2fdVjYWSBdFjJ2aDk_0cFpJACkHNKDgkC28KLHTwZIVB9x4UeylWOihIfKwwfYQwh__cMq41zO/s1600/100_4129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtqsH2XIHesyoJcxGUWor1_x5z9fb80mFrD0b1iacUohK0QKciLMbkA5WxLIbUp7imU2fdVjYWSBdFjJ2aDk_0cFpJACkHNKDgkC28KLHTwZIVB9x4UeylWOihIfKwwfYQwh__cMq41zO/s1600/100_4129.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">By Jeff Stork</span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pretty much grew up in the back seat of a first generation Camaro- a ‘67 SS ragtop, and so I was pretty pleased to see the return of the Camaro back in the Spring of 2009. I thought that the sixth generation offering was attractive in a respectfully retro way that was very true to Camaro’s roots, but even in SS trim I fell short of seeing it as an out and out performance car. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, like the little boy from Jerry Maguire who grew up and became a bodybuilder, things have changed. Chevy must have poured a whole lot of Muscle Milk into their pony car, because the ZL1 is like no Camaro you’ve ever seen, and muscle doesn’t even begin to describe this supercharged monster. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jsXlY63cw1nNmmC0eYkhyNDtNOOq4NlAMoZENpy1cjKs7YCWTQLZ8A1Rnj33mvN4wG_hIK6QyfEZVdGL6PWlJuETE8WOwRW-f56nfyzPD2f7kkVXf-CcashjkdzuPlRafP1tnzZLWEIL/s1600/100_4133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jsXlY63cw1nNmmC0eYkhyNDtNOOq4NlAMoZENpy1cjKs7YCWTQLZ8A1Rnj33mvN4wG_hIK6QyfEZVdGL6PWlJuETE8WOwRW-f56nfyzPD2f7kkVXf-CcashjkdzuPlRafP1tnzZLWEIL/s1600/100_4133.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s not just an engine- so much of the ZL1 is special to the car that it’s like a Camaro body shell was dropped on a racing chassis. In fact, over a third of all the parts are unique according to Chevy. Yes, the 6.2-liter LSA engine (borrowed from the CTS-V) is impressive- what’s not to like about an all-aluminum supercharged V8 that delivers 580 horsepower and a whopping 556 lb-ft of torque, and has an exhaust note nothing shy of heavenly? Nothing. Seriously, I’d like to make the exhaust note into an alarm clock and wake up to it every morning.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But as I noted, ZL1 is much, much more than an engine. The test car had a six speed manual Tremec gearbox, there’s also a six speed automatic available as well- both specially modified to handle the torque of the LSA. The whole chassis is special- from the third generation magnetic ride control with three settings including “track,” 20” special wheels and tires, and monster Brembo brakes, to the front cross-tower brace and rear sway bar, this is one highly tuned Camaro. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU16hpCle82bCteuOcxGiJ9lTqNGzsUmgF2SnadNcESwDvaUPuchI8OD-tScOI9Qz3wWXUEEHBQ72gWzeTNKlJJAUhxC2RE_KHyrkUavse4zMP0QmKhnjEEboSMLfIWzOwgL7DxlhAVfGK/s1600/100_4137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU16hpCle82bCteuOcxGiJ9lTqNGzsUmgF2SnadNcESwDvaUPuchI8OD-tScOI9Qz3wWXUEEHBQ72gWzeTNKlJJAUhxC2RE_KHyrkUavse4zMP0QmKhnjEEboSMLfIWzOwgL7DxlhAVfGK/s1600/100_4137.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s the only Camaro with electric power steering and what Chevy calls Performance Traction Management- which ties together the ride control, launch control, traction control and electronic stability control. In fact. the whole chassis package is so special they decided to offer it on the SS as the 1LE Track Package. The result? a Camaro that sticks like glue and handles do well that you start looking for the BMW badge. And for a car that can be a balls-out screamer, it’s remarkably smooth and nimble for around town driving. It’s almost like it has two distinct personalities, and we’ve all dated someone like that. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As any competitive bodybuilder can tell you, Muscle don’t come cheap. The ZL1’s base price including freight is $55,950, and our test car featured $1995 Recaro seats, $795 Navigation, a $600 carbon fiber hood insert, $500 worth of microfiber suede interior trim and to top it all off a $1300 gas-guzzler tax adding up to $61,140 which is serious money in anyone’s book. In fairness it should be noted that the cars offering comparable performance can cost many tens of thousands more- but it’s nonetheless a new and steep altitude for the Camaro. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3J5xyNtT6j91Ijw4Y5AU1AEKmK_xyYzXKOBky5PWdvajrA_vfsEWdDUChKi82_n_zc7G1R3q1FyUovE9f4znfHzH6ddptn0Yk1jM8AoEFBExHLPMyeuvqmCRuMJxJb6SANORhUjx7Mjt/s1600/100_4168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3J5xyNtT6j91Ijw4Y5AU1AEKmK_xyYzXKOBky5PWdvajrA_vfsEWdDUChKi82_n_zc7G1R3q1FyUovE9f4znfHzH6ddptn0Yk1jM8AoEFBExHLPMyeuvqmCRuMJxJb6SANORhUjx7Mjt/s1600/100_4168.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course nothing is perfect. With Red Hot paint the color of lava, enormous black wheels, a giant hood scoop and that oh-so-heavenly-but-loud engine noise, the ZL1 doesn’t exactly keep a low profile. Speaking of low, the coupe’s oh-so-low roofline makes for a cramped cabin and I’ve never seen a sixty-thousand dollar car that more needed a memory seat and didn’t have one. And I guess I’ll take the hit for the less-than-10-mpg observed fuel economy. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But at the end of the day, the most powerful Camaro ever is one hell of a well done GT. It screams when you ask it to, it sticks to the road and goes where you plant it - with no body roll and even a remarkably decent ride. It’s got that whole Ann-Margret “Kitten With a Whip” thing down pat. And while I couldn’t figure out how to fold the Recaro seats forward, there wasn’t really anyone I wanted to put in the back anyway. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui6VSW5W1K0OeOhEGMrABNCGrzyiZyWivx1H6HMi9PKA2a4a-WnxpK5uAk2NxgFXv1pC5MlPk5bZN1e6wvXBhldCFirkvhnbxFTTxCIjFswgxyi6YUWz9M6iuUVc9ocdAZfL-sXfugL8Q/s1600/100_4151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui6VSW5W1K0OeOhEGMrABNCGrzyiZyWivx1H6HMi9PKA2a4a-WnxpK5uAk2NxgFXv1pC5MlPk5bZN1e6wvXBhldCFirkvhnbxFTTxCIjFswgxyi6YUWz9M6iuUVc9ocdAZfL-sXfugL8Q/s1600/100_4151.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So why would anyone want a nearly-600 hp supercar that can easily exceed any speed limit in Palm Springs in first gear? Because on the right road, it’s superb. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, and the muscle boys loved it. :)</span></div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span></i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Model is fitness instructor Chris Bates. Photos by Jeff Stork</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015928400811594001.post-59384326005157395582013-12-06T08:06:00.000-08:002013-12-06T08:06:54.390-08:00And Then There's Mauve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG6nudRDwj-m1MGMh-aPO2zEfnW_Ue7TR4N8Y4JsVUtfGGZ5LPP9WIQ_VTJOaxx9FljWZefflTx1exhnA8sRTc1xUl5hn_twgoTmKykjMWDbYc-eyTv57PqHtDm3tJOXU40Ydb5G784uw/s1600/CAM01049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG6nudRDwj-m1MGMh-aPO2zEfnW_Ue7TR4N8Y4JsVUtfGGZ5LPP9WIQ_VTJOaxx9FljWZefflTx1exhnA8sRTc1xUl5hn_twgoTmKykjMWDbYc-eyTv57PqHtDm3tJOXU40Ydb5G784uw/s320/CAM01049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, it's a pun, and it's a color. More of a scale than a color. Somewhere from purplish rose to greyed grape, the universal element being a shade of purple. Sometime the word itself is included in the color name, like the "Mauve Metallic" 1966 Charger above, other times the color is given an ethereal and evocative name- as in Chevrolet's 1965 "Evening Orchid." The best name of all was probably Cadillac's "Persian Sand" of 1959.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Of course we're talking about Mauve, the purplish pinkish pastel that wormed its way into our hearts, minds, and cars beginning in the late 50s, and for ten or so stylish years appeared on our showroom floors. More sophisticated than red, cooler than blue, and always in the best of taste, we lift our hats to the many shades of Mauve: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLTylMg49sGhxArWwewDdVcDCwuv8rY-7S3j3oQFktHyU_usif8_qMCJ09CRjm-D5jqaH1T4KTf5ujnMugzwWyqyKQaOtAQDg3PiGlYwEl3rMY9Yvg_iAKttkwc6IyFgqoNAvKO2gzqDX/s1600/60+Imp+Mauve+Dallas+Davisson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLTylMg49sGhxArWwewDdVcDCwuv8rY-7S3j3oQFktHyU_usif8_qMCJ09CRjm-D5jqaH1T4KTf5ujnMugzwWyqyKQaOtAQDg3PiGlYwEl3rMY9Yvg_iAKttkwc6IyFgqoNAvKO2gzqDX/s320/60+Imp+Mauve+Dallas+Davisson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihkfKp1BNnP0OKMEv_Bj3ggcy8IHpSSZbkaGzLm9Qj93L0bIKNYGrucw5PXw-ZihWcit40X4f6Jmmu0KJUO4ZFK8tNUJAp-j1JXZmAYjW-ApP4szYik_-1XpVUxyFlDi6Y3D1rIpMruEG/s1600/60+cad+adman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihkfKp1BNnP0OKMEv_Bj3ggcy8IHpSSZbkaGzLm9Qj93L0bIKNYGrucw5PXw-ZihWcit40X4f6Jmmu0KJUO4ZFK8tNUJAp-j1JXZmAYjW-ApP4szYik_-1XpVUxyFlDi6Y3D1rIpMruEG/s320/60+cad+adman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-HqKu9QLeNa0dfG0B1DB4aB25Wv92ZAHM9rTNKmxDoQSsG6eGOhGlyNEOTGidPLi0j_exeJs-u91Kx38QscayGWfJe2sqbLEDmQ6Grq-4xBg8TcsJrwqyxXxbL6rg8N3WzjqTYjGSng9/s1600/60+imp+dusk+mauve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-HqKu9QLeNa0dfG0B1DB4aB25Wv92ZAHM9rTNKmxDoQSsG6eGOhGlyNEOTGidPLi0j_exeJs-u91Kx38QscayGWfJe2sqbLEDmQ6Grq-4xBg8TcsJrwqyxXxbL6rg8N3WzjqTYjGSng9/s320/60+imp+dusk+mauve.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizq3zfGIo6FLUfrA9PQzrBxZ8fWvL_zIl4FjXR1yMQ4zXMYOKJ1s1BtC1kRuVJE6Gbiqp4qrith6QC5SmTTkwu4QWdWAjNApfG1dTbykQLCdXDLwgO3qC5wLM43zwqUoH8zN5J_ZoKQrDm/s1600/62+cad+heather+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizq3zfGIo6FLUfrA9PQzrBxZ8fWvL_zIl4FjXR1yMQ4zXMYOKJ1s1BtC1kRuVJE6Gbiqp4qrith6QC5SmTTkwu4QWdWAjNApfG1dTbykQLCdXDLwgO3qC5wLM43zwqUoH8zN5J_ZoKQrDm/s320/62+cad+heather+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3rquHMBdh63bk0cm1B-JNkNUk2GPsyFv5hS_PLu-0YhhG2MAlIukd3x0wzIT89d7lsBu9RyymT_OC5xfC2BPvC9FF9XuTYUXH3VN1oLGEg2vMun2F4KvTDaCxFfDHcPo3o1HhCS-sl79/s1600/65+GTO+iris+eduardo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3rquHMBdh63bk0cm1B-JNkNUk2GPsyFv5hS_PLu-0YhhG2MAlIukd3x0wzIT89d7lsBu9RyymT_OC5xfC2BPvC9FF9XuTYUXH3VN1oLGEg2vMun2F4KvTDaCxFfDHcPo3o1HhCS-sl79/s320/65+GTO+iris+eduardo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj3ysH9_KBFKWoRfiYSy2rI2z6Zv-ABPGD4ITqLM92bpmYqfdJamaiVmlMC9XJbIt4YxA6zkJPL-e-eta4sXwhuwD8uzDh_72UUjALrjxBcG9DQnlCApfj6GKUx2o1cWdVYB2w5Ygw1mO/s1600/58+cad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj3ysH9_KBFKWoRfiYSy2rI2z6Zv-ABPGD4ITqLM92bpmYqfdJamaiVmlMC9XJbIt4YxA6zkJPL-e-eta4sXwhuwD8uzDh_72UUjALrjxBcG9DQnlCApfj6GKUx2o1cWdVYB2w5Ygw1mO/s320/58+cad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovYr1zxfAH8prHHjWj8MlcPHMug2uT391KTSBqCe5Hd08skCuCdMe2PX-O7hXJgb4DJXAmKFjkJSdOb-5Ahlnh6eMD0N2hswoP9sjpayVeUZ641pP_ooPACFNiaQgWa7iUXEI5NEM4SOU/s1600/59+biarritz+paul+zanetti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovYr1zxfAH8prHHjWj8MlcPHMug2uT391KTSBqCe5Hd08skCuCdMe2PX-O7hXJgb4DJXAmKFjkJSdOb-5Ahlnh6eMD0N2hswoP9sjpayVeUZ641pP_ooPACFNiaQgWa7iUXEI5NEM4SOU/s320/59+biarritz+paul+zanetti.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIlk89wy90zln_ph2rgcGIJXUpQS0iWaYWQIUpc0pNEmUFJUCJe-SKq-m7zHavpJuiF_2Na9aARFIFGR6ejKnhZTUYQ53Ga_vdcP8_XrTeAUCy7ZPad4sNyNm9oyt5AcAZdSFqESQevKP/s1600/58+olds+mountain+haze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIlk89wy90zln_ph2rgcGIJXUpQS0iWaYWQIUpc0pNEmUFJUCJe-SKq-m7zHavpJuiF_2Na9aARFIFGR6ejKnhZTUYQ53Ga_vdcP8_XrTeAUCy7ZPad4sNyNm9oyt5AcAZdSFqESQevKP/s320/58+olds+mountain+haze.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHM-M6bSKzFuDO9utVUW_5rV6XVKwR5Gx9UXZUogB6bvguEsQEyTkROvA45o3hXuIaVxtdnrG8lktqo5r9c-Z-v3NaGBbJd6RM9jcj8IEG7Jxo0fnwHKfxKF_37rUtwa2bJLhC3ETw4wv/s1600/59+seville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHM-M6bSKzFuDO9utVUW_5rV6XVKwR5Gx9UXZUogB6bvguEsQEyTkROvA45o3hXuIaVxtdnrG8lktqo5r9c-Z-v3NaGBbJd6RM9jcj8IEG7Jxo0fnwHKfxKF_37rUtwa2bJLhC3ETw4wv/s320/59+seville.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZfa8Y0I6cSNyl5kgmnqreARHmxBaKS6T4XAPHEn2LNWr_iBKQqGKtC9wP-IWgA9aS4GTXums7h0PsYts69i2t18VW_8RHlpZ7oOGIJ5CEHU6yPXLtH2hUHN0Bi31SmSbY0iJQINK-0Ir/s1600/65+corsa+evening+orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZfa8Y0I6cSNyl5kgmnqreARHmxBaKS6T4XAPHEn2LNWr_iBKQqGKtC9wP-IWgA9aS4GTXums7h0PsYts69i2t18VW_8RHlpZ7oOGIJ5CEHU6yPXLtH2hUHN0Bi31SmSbY0iJQINK-0Ir/s320/65+corsa+evening+orchid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hodYcUHncriKQ3EM81DMLh4b-kdhCy9OQNMja3Y5mJKT-AW4WSAOiHYMSCXJUWICFEi8C0L9maMZekwHlBzKiej75_Kilt2Z0GJsTJl5pH51iWpiYwxOJKqHylLNzHWJdQc4ClfIxZ2M/s1600/CAM01052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hodYcUHncriKQ3EM81DMLh4b-kdhCy9OQNMja3Y5mJKT-AW4WSAOiHYMSCXJUWICFEi8C0L9maMZekwHlBzKiej75_Kilt2Z0GJsTJl5pH51iWpiYwxOJKqHylLNzHWJdQc4ClfIxZ2M/s320/CAM01052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jeff Storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06318119606244028346noreply@blogger.com0