Hot off the presses, GM released photos of the the 2010 Chevy Camaro convertible. I've never been much of a fan of a lot of convertibles that have been built, as they often don't look finished off right to me where the top goes down. This one however, I have to say kicks some major ass! I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures when I attend the North American International Autoshow in the new few weeks.
GM releases Chevy Camaro photos
Friday, January 05, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Prostreet 1978 Ford Fairmont Futura
1978 Fairmont Futura undergoing transformationLast week I stopped up to a friend's place to check in on how his prostreet 1979 Ford Fairmont Futura was coming along. He picked up the car a few year's ago out of Florida for a rock bottom price of $1,100. His first car was a Fairmont packing a 302 with a 5 speed behind it. He always had a soft spot for them, so when it came time to build a car, he turned back to his roots.
His plans slowly progressed from simply builing a healthy 302 with another 5 speed, to a turbo 302, then back and forth between a big block or a 302. Then, while surfing ebay one night, he ran across an 8-71 blower for sale locally. Though it had been bought many years ago, it had never been installed and ran on an engine. He decided on a set amount of cash he was willing to part with and tried his luck as the bidding wound to a close. In the end, found himself picking up an 8-71 blower, and from there on, his plans seriously changed.
Mocked up engine with blower on top Almost every part of his project has since been adapted to cater to the engine he is building. The few engine blocks he had accumulated were no longer sufficient, he went with the strongest production block built by Ford, a 4 bolt Super Cobra Jet block. He no longer felt comfortable with a cast 460 crank, so was willing to give up cubic inches in order to go with a 429 forged, steel crank he obtained at a swap meet. The crankshaft was out of 429 propane equipped dump trunks, it was machined so that it would work in a passenger car by Moldex. The compression will be around 7.5-1 with the custom Diamond pistons that set him back a cool $1,000. The bumpstick is a mechanical flat tappet with around .520 lift, while the connecting rods are by Scat and said to be good for 1,400 hp, thought he paid extra for rod bolt upgrades. This engine will likely make as much as 1,000 hp, depending upon the boost he runs. For induction he has a set of dual 725 cfm Demon blower carbs. The cylinder heads are currently aluminum Ford Cobra Jet heads, though he is already pondering upgrading them to a set up Trickflow heads. Those are most of the basics for the engine itself.
Backing the engine is a full competition rollerized TCI C6 he picked up from a guy that had ran sparingly behind a high horsepower Mustang. It has a reverse valvebody and will be shifted by a B&M quarter stick. I think he has yet to order a torque convertor, nor does he have a driveshaft made yet, as the powertrain hasn't been mocked up within the vehicle yet. A beefed up custom Currie 9 inch rear and custom axles for high hp applications, with a Detroit Locker keeping the tires spinning together. The meats are 325-50-R15, which entailed cutting out the wheel wells to make room. The rear suspension is all aftermarket as well, with polyurethane bushings. The car will also have an 8 point roll cage, possibly a 10 point before it's all said and done. I'll try to follow his project more closely in the near future and offer updates as they take place.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
100% unadulterated horsepower
This is what I quite possibly love most about muscle cars. Don't get me wrong, the styling is some of the best in history in my eyes, but even it is trumped by the power factor, power to the 10th degree. It's that very power that has been responsible for my less than splendor driving record back in the day. I never racked up more than 5 or 6 points before they began dropping off, though as luck would have it, every time my record was completely clean, I'd tack on a couple of tickets. I wasn't always guilty, so at the time I didn't see much reason to try and fight them in court.
Posslibly the most entertaining was the two I got during Woodward's Dream Cruise on two seperate years. The first was simply a $90 fine, labeled on the ticket as "an exhibition of power." I was coming to a complete stop, powerbraking the car, and once the white smoke was pouring off the tires like a 5 alarm fire I'd ease off the brake, feathering the throttle until the hot, sticky tires finally found adhesiveness to the street. I told the girl with me at the time that I wasn't gonna stop doing burnouts until I got pulled over, which was after I did a good half dozen or so. The crowd took up a collection as the officer wrote the ticket, paying for more than half of the fine.
Then next time I wasn't as lucky, as I was tagged with a careless driving, though a court battle got it dropped to an illegal lane change, which greatly reduced the points and prevented my classic car insurance policy from dropping me. During that exhibition of power I had a touch over 500hp on tap, and almost equal amounts of torque. I may have left the scene with a ticket in hand, but it didn't break the smile on my face.
There is just something about trying to control something that is out of control, something that possesses more power than a vehicle could possibly ever need. That same desire drove me to park the car, as it still sits in a rolling state, in order to build something more radical. Now, equipped with a 12 point roll cage, the beast awaits it's engine that will make an estimated 650-700hp on the engine alone. The 250hp nitrous kit will be on tap for when it's needed. Insane? Perhaps, yet it's the desire to push the envelope a little bit further that keeps us gearheads striving for more power.
Here are just a few clips I found on youtube the other day that got my blood pressure pumping, sent goose bumps up my arms, chills up my spine, giggling like a school girl, and cussing like a school boy....fuck yeah baby, that's what I'm talking about! Enjoy.
Got Torque?
You asked for a morning wake up call?
Scotty, give me warp speed!
Special on Donuts!
Posslibly the most entertaining was the two I got during Woodward's Dream Cruise on two seperate years. The first was simply a $90 fine, labeled on the ticket as "an exhibition of power." I was coming to a complete stop, powerbraking the car, and once the white smoke was pouring off the tires like a 5 alarm fire I'd ease off the brake, feathering the throttle until the hot, sticky tires finally found adhesiveness to the street. I told the girl with me at the time that I wasn't gonna stop doing burnouts until I got pulled over, which was after I did a good half dozen or so. The crowd took up a collection as the officer wrote the ticket, paying for more than half of the fine.
Then next time I wasn't as lucky, as I was tagged with a careless driving, though a court battle got it dropped to an illegal lane change, which greatly reduced the points and prevented my classic car insurance policy from dropping me. During that exhibition of power I had a touch over 500hp on tap, and almost equal amounts of torque. I may have left the scene with a ticket in hand, but it didn't break the smile on my face.
There is just something about trying to control something that is out of control, something that possesses more power than a vehicle could possibly ever need. That same desire drove me to park the car, as it still sits in a rolling state, in order to build something more radical. Now, equipped with a 12 point roll cage, the beast awaits it's engine that will make an estimated 650-700hp on the engine alone. The 250hp nitrous kit will be on tap for when it's needed. Insane? Perhaps, yet it's the desire to push the envelope a little bit further that keeps us gearheads striving for more power.
Here are just a few clips I found on youtube the other day that got my blood pressure pumping, sent goose bumps up my arms, chills up my spine, giggling like a school girl, and cussing like a school boy....fuck yeah baby, that's what I'm talking about! Enjoy.
Got Torque?
You asked for a morning wake up call?
Scotty, give me warp speed!
Special on Donuts!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Who killed the electric car?
Personally, I've never been a big fan of movies that try and convince us that there is an "inconvenient truth," one in which tell of a doomsday soon to come, or some conspiracy put into motion by the big money corporations. In reality, most of these theorists gather facts that only show one side of the story, such was the case with "Who killed the electric car." While I have yet to see it (don't know if I could stomach it), I have heard and read all about it.
I had done by own bit of research on this car awhile ago, long before this movie ever came out. What I found across the internet and on forums was that very few owners of EV1's were actually happy with their cars. Many had been left stranded due to dead batteries at one point or another, and most agreed, the car was simply impracticle. GM sold just 800 of these cars, and they were never in great demand by the general public, but hindsite is 20/20 you know. Toyota, some 6 years later, would deliver just 342 electric vehicles to customers. They too agreed, they couldn't give the things away, the public simply wasn't buying into a fully electric car. Even Toyota came to bat defending GM, saying the movie was misleading and one sided. Interesting that the filmaker of the movie owns an electric RAV4-EV, was part of a protest outside of Toyota, though when given free Toyota key chains and bottled water, they gave Toyota a free pass from being portrayed as a bad guy in the film and all footage was cut from the film.
Electric car killer?
I was talking to somebody the other day in regards to when we were back in elementary school. Back when the weekly publications distributed in our classroom talked of global warming and how we would run out of oil by....well, right about now. In addition, there was the gas crisis back in the 1970's, while I was either too young to remember, or perhaps not even born yet. This country quickly believed that doomsday was in the very near future and began shifting over to buy smaller, more economical cars. During this period, due to the American automakers inability to act quickly enough, a trend to buy imported cars was beginning.
After the realization that we weren't really about to run out of oil, the performance cars began to return in the 80's, as did the rise in popularity among SUV's and full sized trucks. Even though gas prices has continually rose over the years, people still paid the price. Only during quick, drastic rises in the price of gasoline do sales of such bohemoth vehicles take a hurting.
Another interesting argument is among the "NO BLOOD FOR OIL" crowd. Well, last I checked, we aren't at war with Canada or Mexico, our top two suppliers for crude oil. In fact, I believe most would be surprised to hear where out oil in this country actually does come from. Here are the top 15 as of October 2006, for TOTAL oil imports, not just crude oil.
1. Canada
2. Mexico
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Venezuela
5. Nigeria
6. Algeria
7. Angola
8. Iraq
9. Russia
10. Virgin Islands
11. Ecuador
12. Kuwait
13. Brazil
14. United Kingdom
15. Norway
Energy information administration
A bit surprised? So was I the first time I read it. Take it for what it's worth, but that's just my two cents, just another one sided conspiracy film telling their version of the truth.
I had done by own bit of research on this car awhile ago, long before this movie ever came out. What I found across the internet and on forums was that very few owners of EV1's were actually happy with their cars. Many had been left stranded due to dead batteries at one point or another, and most agreed, the car was simply impracticle. GM sold just 800 of these cars, and they were never in great demand by the general public, but hindsite is 20/20 you know. Toyota, some 6 years later, would deliver just 342 electric vehicles to customers. They too agreed, they couldn't give the things away, the public simply wasn't buying into a fully electric car. Even Toyota came to bat defending GM, saying the movie was misleading and one sided. Interesting that the filmaker of the movie owns an electric RAV4-EV, was part of a protest outside of Toyota, though when given free Toyota key chains and bottled water, they gave Toyota a free pass from being portrayed as a bad guy in the film and all footage was cut from the film.
Electric car killer?
I was talking to somebody the other day in regards to when we were back in elementary school. Back when the weekly publications distributed in our classroom talked of global warming and how we would run out of oil by....well, right about now. In addition, there was the gas crisis back in the 1970's, while I was either too young to remember, or perhaps not even born yet. This country quickly believed that doomsday was in the very near future and began shifting over to buy smaller, more economical cars. During this period, due to the American automakers inability to act quickly enough, a trend to buy imported cars was beginning.
After the realization that we weren't really about to run out of oil, the performance cars began to return in the 80's, as did the rise in popularity among SUV's and full sized trucks. Even though gas prices has continually rose over the years, people still paid the price. Only during quick, drastic rises in the price of gasoline do sales of such bohemoth vehicles take a hurting.
Another interesting argument is among the "NO BLOOD FOR OIL" crowd. Well, last I checked, we aren't at war with Canada or Mexico, our top two suppliers for crude oil. In fact, I believe most would be surprised to hear where out oil in this country actually does come from. Here are the top 15 as of October 2006, for TOTAL oil imports, not just crude oil.
1. Canada
2. Mexico
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Venezuela
5. Nigeria
6. Algeria
7. Angola
8. Iraq
9. Russia
10. Virgin Islands
11. Ecuador
12. Kuwait
13. Brazil
14. United Kingdom
15. Norway
Energy information administration
A bit surprised? So was I the first time I read it. Take it for what it's worth, but that's just my two cents, just another one sided conspiracy film telling their version of the truth.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Nostalgic junkyards
Up near Mount Pleasant, Michigan, about 20 miles to the west, sits a junkyard that has been there forever. I heard about the place from a teacher at CMU while attending college some years ago. One day, I decided to go scope the place out. It sat on an old dirt road in the middle of nowhere. Ran by an old guy, apparently borderline crazy (aren't they always?), he normally didn't let anybody just wander the yard. He asked what I was looking for, I made reference to a few parts, and he said I could go look around. He then added "Goddamn it, you better not have any tools on you with plans to steal shit!" I assured him, I was just there to look.
What I found was amazing! It was like a time machine for the auto industry. Acres upon acres as far as the eye could see spread amongst the woods and rolling hills. Obviously most were likely beyond repair after decades of sitting in the damp Michigan soil year after year. Yet what you see is breath taking. Cars dating back all the way to the 1930's with the bulk of the collection being 1950's cars, tapering off by the 1960's. I saw almost everything imaginable. Even three late 1960's Dodge pickups like my friend had, a truck I had never seen anywhere else. Not only that, all three were the same teal green color.
The day I went over there I had an appointment with a teacher over a paper I was writing, as my scheduled time slot approached, I realize I wasn't gonna make it. I'd deal with that later, as I was gonna spend a few more hours enjoying this small piece of heaven. I later explained to the teacher, who was well aware of how big of a gearhead I was, and she totally understood. I'm not sure I even made it back to the junkyard, though I'd love to venture back some day with a camera. For some reason I think the crazy guy who runs the place wouldn't be too appreciative if he saw me taking pictures.
What I found was amazing! It was like a time machine for the auto industry. Acres upon acres as far as the eye could see spread amongst the woods and rolling hills. Obviously most were likely beyond repair after decades of sitting in the damp Michigan soil year after year. Yet what you see is breath taking. Cars dating back all the way to the 1930's with the bulk of the collection being 1950's cars, tapering off by the 1960's. I saw almost everything imaginable. Even three late 1960's Dodge pickups like my friend had, a truck I had never seen anywhere else. Not only that, all three were the same teal green color.
The day I went over there I had an appointment with a teacher over a paper I was writing, as my scheduled time slot approached, I realize I wasn't gonna make it. I'd deal with that later, as I was gonna spend a few more hours enjoying this small piece of heaven. I later explained to the teacher, who was well aware of how big of a gearhead I was, and she totally understood. I'm not sure I even made it back to the junkyard, though I'd love to venture back some day with a camera. For some reason I think the crazy guy who runs the place wouldn't be too appreciative if he saw me taking pictures.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Starting from ground zero
She's been lonely too longToday I ventured out to the garage to work on the Camaro. As I sat there looking at it, first thing I did was place the cowl induction hood back on the car. I realize it was just mental, but with the hood in place the car just looks more complete, as opposed to the basket case that it currently is. I then took the duster and dusted it off then added some tire black to shine them up a bit. There, it almost didn't look like a car that has been sitting for 5 years now.
Fully stocked Ground zero, that was where I'd be starting as I gazed into the interior. From the years of sitting, welding in of the roll cage, and remaining sound deadening insulation on the floor pans they were looking like they needed some tlc. I got out the angle grinder with wire wheel installed and went to town on the floor pans, stripping off all the insulation still glued in place, the loose paint, as well as the seam sealer. The removal process went quite smoothly, as they really weren't in bad shape.
Heart of the beast, a 454 bored .030 over Upon completion, I re-seam sealed all the welds along the floor pans, then added a fresh coat of rustoleum to everything. Next on the agenda I think I will cut out some metal atop the transmission tunnel, as it's seen quite a bit of abuse over the years. First, it looks like swiss cheese from all the holes from the factory column and shifter, then later the aftermarket B&M shifter, then the plate I tacked on top of the tunnel to keep it from flexing during shifts. So possibly tomorrow or sometime this weekend I need to pick up some sheet metal to weld back in after I'm done cutting. In addition, there are numerous holes in the firewall from who knows what from factory. I know at least one is for the throttle linkage, which I have replaced with a cable, another for the speedo cable, hole for the fuse block to pass through, and a handful of others which I'm sorta baffled by. I'll weld up the ones I'm unsure of, as it's easy to make new holes if need be.
Shop dogsI have to admit, my garage is good to go. I have everything arranged the way I want it making the most use of the space I have. I have a few cabinets in the basement I plan on relocating to the garage as soon as I get some insulation up and some sort of paneling or drywall, I haven't decided yet. I got a kickin' stereo system that sounds just right at MAX volume. My fully stocked fridge keeps me from making runs to the house for beverages. My air compressor is good to go, and I have all the tools to get the job done. Never in all my years of wrenching on cars have I had a better, more comfortable set up.
Finished floor pansPerhaps most importantly though, I finally feel it. That urgency to get out there and work on it. In the past, I thought I had that desire, yet it didn't last. Once out in the garage, or perhaps the day after, I had already lost interest. Honestly, this may sound a bit cheesy, but I have to thank the show on Speed on cable tv known as "Pinks." While I don't have the desire to race my car for pink slips, as I have no desire of taking a chance at losing it, it's just the raw nature of the show. The crudeness of some of the vehicles, the go fast at all costs mentality that I find so appealing. Watching top fuel racing still is fun, yet you can't look at them in the same way you look at your hot rod in the garage. The shows like Overhaulin' never really got my interest either. Watching a show on restoring cars, or even the restomods just didn't click for me, I found them rather boring. Pinks on the other hand, a lot of these cars are running engines on par with what I had. They are doing the smokey burnouts like I used to do. I can damn near smell the burning rubber and all so recognizable fumes coming from who knows what. It's the thump of the engines as they await the host to drop his arms, signaling the start of the race.
I guess in addition to this, a little bit of other influence may have been when I was out cruising in the Formula the other day and witnessed multiple classics out on what was an unusual 60+ degree day in November. At one point I was sitting next to a 1970 Vette, shortly after a 1970 Chevelle with a big block passed us going the other way. It had me longing for my ride, missing it like I haven't missed it in a long time.
So even though I sit unemployed, unable to purchase many of the major components to get my car on the road by summer, there is still plenty to do. Remember, the car is essentially a shell right now. After I finish up this little bit of wiring, I'm going to start installing the electrical and get at least the front and tail sections all wired up. I need to come up with some sort of dash for my main gauges as well, since the roll cage goes right through where the original was and a cross bar behind the dash makes it impossible to reuse. After that, I'm gonna find some plush carpet that matches the color of the car, like I had before, add some sound deadening mat, then install the carpet and seats. I had pondered aftermarket seats, and I may still install a set later down the road, though for now I'm going to install the originals including the rear seat. I may create some sort of carpeted back board in case I later decide to omit the rear seat, but my feeling is that the added weight being over the rear tires is likely more of a benefit for traction than a factor that would slow me down.
After that, I think I still have a full set of pioneer speakers and JVC CD player to install. All interior trim and panels are around here somewhere, as is the headliner...I think. I think the rear glass may be at my parents, the front glass I broke upon removal. If I can at least get the interior in order by spring, at least then I can sit in the car, look out the window, and feel that much closer to completion. I could tough it out with the rearend as long as I didn't install tires that hook, and the transmission only has a few 1,000 miles on it, as does the convertor. So that leaves a beefed up drive shaft and rebuilt engine, the engine which will set me back at least $5,000, which is why next summer will likely come and pass without it seeing the street. So be it though, as long as I stick to it and venture out to the garage on a more regular basis and can see progress, it would be a huge step in the right direction.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
When in doubt, peel out!
While out walking my dogs the other day, my neighbor and I came upon a school. As we struck up a conversation with somebody out front, up rolls a late 80's S10 pickup. The truck, driven by a guy in his late 40's at least, comes to a stop, sat there a second or two, then white smoke starts pouring off his passenger side tire. The thing that cracked me up most was that he didn't seem to putting on this show for anybody in particular, he simply stopped, layed down some smoke and rubber, then was on his merry way. I was left wishing I had brought my camera that day, as it's not often you see a spectacle like that.
I thought back to the days in which I would have done that. For no reason whatsoever, I'd simply burn a few thousand miles off my tires. I too was victim of having a "one wheel peel" car for my first car. It's one of the things where you almost feel like you're peeling away with your tail between your legs, as your one wheeler can't measure up to those with true posi's. That being said, all three of my cars today have a posi unit in them and one wheel peels are a thing of the past.
The whole exhibit brought back memory of a website that I believed I had saved. After looking through my bookmarks I found it and am passing it on for your reading enjoyment. Now, if you stumbled upon this site while googling something car related, as I see most of you do, you will totally relate to most every instance on this list.
When in doubt, peel out!
I thought back to the days in which I would have done that. For no reason whatsoever, I'd simply burn a few thousand miles off my tires. I too was victim of having a "one wheel peel" car for my first car. It's one of the things where you almost feel like you're peeling away with your tail between your legs, as your one wheeler can't measure up to those with true posi's. That being said, all three of my cars today have a posi unit in them and one wheel peels are a thing of the past.
The whole exhibit brought back memory of a website that I believed I had saved. After looking through my bookmarks I found it and am passing it on for your reading enjoyment. Now, if you stumbled upon this site while googling something car related, as I see most of you do, you will totally relate to most every instance on this list.
When in doubt, peel out!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Rick Wagoner admits, killing $1 billion EV1 program was his worst decision
Not exactly along the line of "Motor City Muscle," yet relevent just the same, as new technology often points in the direction the auto industry is headed in the near future.
GM plans to unveil a concept at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit that they hope will help restore some faith in GM's future. Many were upset that GM killed the EV1, this after the company was apparently at the forefront of developing new technology in search for a gasoline alternative. In the mean time, other foreign auto makers more than caught up, bringing several hybrid vehicles to market.
Later this month, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Rick Wagoner will announce the new direction and focus on new technology as part of the planned turn around. Without giving many details, he stated that the new technology would have an extended driving range on battery alone, in addition to having a gasoline or diesel powered engine to power the car when the batter was low.
Ultimately, they still view hydrogen fuel cells as the answer to our dependence upon oil, though that connection will be built through use of electricity.
GM may revive electric car
GM plans to unveil a concept at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit that they hope will help restore some faith in GM's future. Many were upset that GM killed the EV1, this after the company was apparently at the forefront of developing new technology in search for a gasoline alternative. In the mean time, other foreign auto makers more than caught up, bringing several hybrid vehicles to market.
Later this month, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Rick Wagoner will announce the new direction and focus on new technology as part of the planned turn around. Without giving many details, he stated that the new technology would have an extended driving range on battery alone, in addition to having a gasoline or diesel powered engine to power the car when the batter was low.
Ultimately, they still view hydrogen fuel cells as the answer to our dependence upon oil, though that connection will be built through use of electricity.
GM may revive electric car
Friday, September 29, 2006
Motor City gets a tune up as IRL and Le Mans come in 2007
After a 5 year absence, Grand Prix racing will return to Belle Isle.
Detroit Grand Prix coming back to Belle Isle
While not a big fan (or really a fan of any sort) of open wheel racing, I am way more excited to hear that the American Le Mans series will be joining the fray as well. While I don't follow this series either, it is much more up my alley, as at least they still look like cars and not jets with wheels on them. That being said, watching just about ANY motorsport live is great entertainment. I am looking forward to next year when myself and my gearhead friends catch some much overdue racing return to Detroit.
Detroit Grand Prix coming back to Belle Isle
While not a big fan (or really a fan of any sort) of open wheel racing, I am way more excited to hear that the American Le Mans series will be joining the fray as well. While I don't follow this series either, it is much more up my alley, as at least they still look like cars and not jets with wheels on them. That being said, watching just about ANY motorsport live is great entertainment. I am looking forward to next year when myself and my gearhead friends catch some much overdue racing return to Detroit.
Monday, September 18, 2006
My perspective on the Big 3
It's a rough time for the auto industry, an especially rough time for the Big 3 (or 2.5 if you prefer). Let me start by saying that for the better half of my life I have had a passion for the automotive industry. By my early teenage years I was already picking up car magazines, intrigued by power and performance. When I was 15 my grandpa bought me one final gift prior to him unexpectedly passing of a heartattack at age 60. My gift was a 1989 Firebird with 305 engine and 5 speed, 10,000 miles, practically a new car. Little did I realize the impact that car would have, sometimes I wonder if it was for the worse.
Between that car and my friends 1969 Dodge pickup, I grew an even stronger passion towards cars. I continued to desire to learn more. By the time I signed up for college I knew I wanted to enter the auto industry, 11 years later I am seriously questioning that decision. I found out recently that I will be losing my job, either in a few weeks or a few months, I will be let go sooner or later. During my time in the industry I have been a designer, at all three of my employers over that 6.5 years I've learned that your work load is like a roller coaster. It's normal to sometimes go through long spells, sometimes lasting weeks, without any work to do whatsoever. When you do have work, you're often neck deep in it. It's discouraging to say the least. While it sounds pleasant to some, sitting around with nothing to do, the novelty wears of fast and some days you just about loose your mind staring at that computer screen.
I'd be lying if I said that passion hasn't died down some. Even putting myself under the microscope, I've had two muscle cars that have both sat for 5 years now, both of which were running prior to that. I have made significant progress on one of them, but for the past two years I haven't done a thing to it. I now even have my own garage, with my Camaro in it, and yet the most I have done is more disassembly of it, no progress really.
I work as a supplier to Ford, so perhaps you can understand my disgust. Among the Big 3, I probably rank Ford #3 in my popularity contest. I've been a GM fan all my life, own a 1970 Mopar, and like most all of both companies products these days. As for Ford, I never liked too many cars from their muscle car era, never understood the boxy Mustang GT fad of the 80's-90's, but thought the LX was kickass. Today, the GT is sweet....but I'd rather have a Vette (make mine a Z06 please). I'll give the F150 credit, it is probably the best truck out there. My dad has a last generation F150 and has had zero problems or complaints. Then there is the Mustang, where upon Ford hit a home run. Just like back in 1964 where upon the Mustang created a whole new battle, the next generation has began, as a new Camaro and Challenger are on their way, each with it's own twist on nostalgia. Yet aside from the F150 and Mustang, it's hard to get excited over many of Ford's other products. The Fusion is a cool little car, but based upon a Mazda design. The Ford 500.....is there anything more bland than that car on the market today? It is even horrible by 1980's standards.
It's just very discouraging watching a company with so much history, with it's family ties, apparently lacking any sort of direction. It's like the other two companies, GM and Chrysler, both saw a shift to coming back to cars. They both forseen the rising gas prices and demand for better fuel economy, yet Ford still banked on their trucks and SUV's. Then there is their recent decision to kill the V8 off in their Lincoln brand. Who came up with this idea? When people think Lincoln and Cadillac, they think luxury, they think V8, they think power, king of the road status. You take away the V8 from this line and you have pretty much watered the brand down to just another rebadged Ford.
Sales over at GM and Chrysler both are taking a major hit right now as well. Yet in my eyes, both companies are offering lots of very exciting product. Both are heading in the direction of rear wheel drive, with V8's available in most of their midsize and up cars. Ford's refusal to head in this direction will have them playing catch up over the next 5-10 years. Pontiac is rumored to be heading in the direction where all of their vehicles will be rear wheel drive after 5 years, bringing back the "Pontiac Excitement" that has been lacking over the years.
I suppose I'm a bit of a sucker for American styling. While we went through a dry spell for many years, where there were very few models I cared for, I think those days are behind us. I think that GM and Chrysler are both once again producing the best looking cars I've seen in my life, rivaling those from the 1960's even, surpassing most in terms of power. If Ford could use the magic they put into the Mustang and apply it to the rest of the line up, they'd be right there too. It doesn't have to be nostalgic, just make it "American." The new Charger/300C/Magnum share very few body lines with their ancestors, and yet they all scream American styling. They look bold, powerful, and intimidating coming down the road. Their drivers look proud, having rediscovered a passion that they had forgot existed from driving a car. Yet there is very little nostalgic about any of them (aside from the hemi), and yet I think 20-30 years from now they will be the classics of the day. They have the staying power, the V8, the rear wheel drive, and all the makings of a fun car.
The Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice enters a market that the Brits (and most recently Mazda) have dominated for years, the two seat roadster at an affordable price, another classic years down the road. The GTO, while rather bland styling wise, at least has all the makings of a great/fun car. Lutz worked with what he had and did probably the best he could. Hopefully Pontiac gets a next generation version that builds upon the first, taking it to the next level.
As I come to this fork in the road, I'm not sure where my career path will take me. I'm not even sure where I'd like it to take me any more. As I head to my interview later this afternoon, I'm not even sure what to tell the recruiter I'm looking for. I suppose more than a job description, I'd like to tell her that I would like to rediscover the passion I once had. That drive that made what I was working on fun, not just another daily task. I'd like to be part of something special, though I'm afraid that maybe that job was outsourced over seas.
Here's a good article/insight on the industry/Detroit:
Business as usual is dead in Detroit
Between that car and my friends 1969 Dodge pickup, I grew an even stronger passion towards cars. I continued to desire to learn more. By the time I signed up for college I knew I wanted to enter the auto industry, 11 years later I am seriously questioning that decision. I found out recently that I will be losing my job, either in a few weeks or a few months, I will be let go sooner or later. During my time in the industry I have been a designer, at all three of my employers over that 6.5 years I've learned that your work load is like a roller coaster. It's normal to sometimes go through long spells, sometimes lasting weeks, without any work to do whatsoever. When you do have work, you're often neck deep in it. It's discouraging to say the least. While it sounds pleasant to some, sitting around with nothing to do, the novelty wears of fast and some days you just about loose your mind staring at that computer screen.
I'd be lying if I said that passion hasn't died down some. Even putting myself under the microscope, I've had two muscle cars that have both sat for 5 years now, both of which were running prior to that. I have made significant progress on one of them, but for the past two years I haven't done a thing to it. I now even have my own garage, with my Camaro in it, and yet the most I have done is more disassembly of it, no progress really.
I work as a supplier to Ford, so perhaps you can understand my disgust. Among the Big 3, I probably rank Ford #3 in my popularity contest. I've been a GM fan all my life, own a 1970 Mopar, and like most all of both companies products these days. As for Ford, I never liked too many cars from their muscle car era, never understood the boxy Mustang GT fad of the 80's-90's, but thought the LX was kickass. Today, the GT is sweet....but I'd rather have a Vette (make mine a Z06 please). I'll give the F150 credit, it is probably the best truck out there. My dad has a last generation F150 and has had zero problems or complaints. Then there is the Mustang, where upon Ford hit a home run. Just like back in 1964 where upon the Mustang created a whole new battle, the next generation has began, as a new Camaro and Challenger are on their way, each with it's own twist on nostalgia. Yet aside from the F150 and Mustang, it's hard to get excited over many of Ford's other products. The Fusion is a cool little car, but based upon a Mazda design. The Ford 500.....is there anything more bland than that car on the market today? It is even horrible by 1980's standards.
It's just very discouraging watching a company with so much history, with it's family ties, apparently lacking any sort of direction. It's like the other two companies, GM and Chrysler, both saw a shift to coming back to cars. They both forseen the rising gas prices and demand for better fuel economy, yet Ford still banked on their trucks and SUV's. Then there is their recent decision to kill the V8 off in their Lincoln brand. Who came up with this idea? When people think Lincoln and Cadillac, they think luxury, they think V8, they think power, king of the road status. You take away the V8 from this line and you have pretty much watered the brand down to just another rebadged Ford.
Sales over at GM and Chrysler both are taking a major hit right now as well. Yet in my eyes, both companies are offering lots of very exciting product. Both are heading in the direction of rear wheel drive, with V8's available in most of their midsize and up cars. Ford's refusal to head in this direction will have them playing catch up over the next 5-10 years. Pontiac is rumored to be heading in the direction where all of their vehicles will be rear wheel drive after 5 years, bringing back the "Pontiac Excitement" that has been lacking over the years.
I suppose I'm a bit of a sucker for American styling. While we went through a dry spell for many years, where there were very few models I cared for, I think those days are behind us. I think that GM and Chrysler are both once again producing the best looking cars I've seen in my life, rivaling those from the 1960's even, surpassing most in terms of power. If Ford could use the magic they put into the Mustang and apply it to the rest of the line up, they'd be right there too. It doesn't have to be nostalgic, just make it "American." The new Charger/300C/Magnum share very few body lines with their ancestors, and yet they all scream American styling. They look bold, powerful, and intimidating coming down the road. Their drivers look proud, having rediscovered a passion that they had forgot existed from driving a car. Yet there is very little nostalgic about any of them (aside from the hemi), and yet I think 20-30 years from now they will be the classics of the day. They have the staying power, the V8, the rear wheel drive, and all the makings of a fun car.
The Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice enters a market that the Brits (and most recently Mazda) have dominated for years, the two seat roadster at an affordable price, another classic years down the road. The GTO, while rather bland styling wise, at least has all the makings of a great/fun car. Lutz worked with what he had and did probably the best he could. Hopefully Pontiac gets a next generation version that builds upon the first, taking it to the next level.
As I come to this fork in the road, I'm not sure where my career path will take me. I'm not even sure where I'd like it to take me any more. As I head to my interview later this afternoon, I'm not even sure what to tell the recruiter I'm looking for. I suppose more than a job description, I'd like to tell her that I would like to rediscover the passion I once had. That drive that made what I was working on fun, not just another daily task. I'd like to be part of something special, though I'm afraid that maybe that job was outsourced over seas.
Here's a good article/insight on the industry/Detroit:
Business as usual is dead in Detroit
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