Commuter rendez-vous

Compared to most people I enjoy my daily drive to and from work. It gives me time to prepare, unwind, listen to podcasts and inevitably see one or two interesting sights.

At one time driving I94 into downtown Detroit I would see a blue Honda S200O driven by a tall driver who looked over rather than through the windshield. I know that issue being 6″6′ many of my car choices are filtered first by what I can fit in comfortably rather than by driving dynamics or automotive lust.

Whether it was due to a complete lack of forward vision if the hood was raised or an appreciation of the true nature of convertibles that raising ( or remembering ‘classic’ sports cars of my youth ‘erecting’) the top was the exception rather than the rule I do not know. But rain or shine this car was driven top down. The registration ‘Nurburg’ added to the already huge smile on my face knowing that here was some one else who got it and loved their car and driving as much as I.

Two incidents reminded me of ‘Nurburg’ this week. Merging on to 696 on thursday morning amongst all the trucks and SUVs I saw a flash of red and chrome out the corner of my eye…. an MGA? Of course, I had to accelerate change lane, catch up and find out.

Yes it was amongst the commuter traffic into Detroit on a sunny spring morning someone was driving a red MGA, even better the top was down. The driver sat erect sports jacket and cap matching the style of the 60s roadster perfectly. Even the large wheel set close to the chest in a manner that would have NHTSA reaching for the smelling salts was held in the appropriate ‘ten to two’ position by hands clad in leather string back driving gloves!!!! The driver sensed my gaze and looked across and smiled and nodded in response to me. No vulgar thumbs up or whoops just a dignified recognition of our common bond on the road on that spring morning.

Thursday on my way home near Ann Arbor I saw for the first time a Nissan GT-R the current darling of the automotive press and blogosphere. As I had hoped in the flesh it looked better than the pictures I had seen which left it looking to me more like a pastiche of Fast and the Furious ‘aero’ aids to create a race car look for the road. Albeit across the median once moving everything harmonized. In motion the car seemed to metamorphize like comparing an ungainly seal on land compared to its natural element slicing through the water.

These two experiences so different but similar in the auto response that they generate are what this blog is all about, interest and passion in all things automotive. For me and I think for Mark too this blog is less editorial and more autobiographical. There are many many magazines, books, blogs, podcasts that focus on particular automotive subjects, topics or vehicle, but this is more about who we are based on the things that motivate us to blog. Be it modern vehicles and the state of the industry, classic or historic racing, our own memories or experiences, books, games or TV what you will get here is an insight into the eclectic minds of two family men who have spent their lives involved directly or indirectly with the universe of the automobile and everything that surrounds it! if nothing else it might help our long suffering wives understand us a little better- although as it was their suggestion we start this blog I have to admitt that they already know us better than we do ourselves. Thank you!

Another way to enjoy the last gas on the planet.. with 3 very good friends

What could be better, the Stelvio, a Lambo, Aston and Porsche?

Toyota Avalon- windshield wiper craziness

Yes I made it with my mother in law and grand mother in law from FL to MI.

Notable sightings, MGB and an E -Type, in 1300 miles I had hoped for more…

It was a surprisingly good long distance car, the seats were a little uncomfortable.  The shocking thing is the rain sensitive windshield wipers, not so much the function but replacements use a top lock system that clips directly into the channel of the arm assembly, saw a Dealer price of $80 for the driver side and $25 for the passenger for that price I would expect a trained rodent to sit on the hood and clean the windshield on command! Those prices make $34 and $30 from Tire Rack seem almost reasonable!

Best Car to go from FL to MI w/mother&grandmother-in-law

Or so I have been told…

Favorite Car (Today)

The Lotus Eleven.

This car is not of this world.

Edgar Allen Poe said that perfection was not achievable in this life.

Well, either Colin Chapman and Frank Costin proved him wrong or they were from a higher place. Since Costin was no angel, we can rule out heavenly intervention. Yet, I still think that they didn’t belong here among us earthlings. The Eleven is virtually perfect, and perfection isn’t something we see here.

The first time I saw an Eleven in the flesh was at Mid-Ohio in 1988. I stood slack jawed as “Team Deep Steam” rounded the hairpin in what looked to be a highly polished UFO. I concluded that I had somehow stepped through a worm hole in Lexington Ohio when the Eleven seemed to levitate around the track.

Prior to this event I believed that Malcolm Sayer had a corner on liquid metal design, but here was a car whose fluid form upstaged even the great Jaguars of the ’50s. It even moved like a flying saucer. After some thought, I determined that the round shapes peaking out from under the objects mercury skin were not wheels…

…they were landing gear.

A first sign of spring in Michigan

Seen on the drive home a lucky owner taking their 550 Spyder (replica I assume) maybe a Beck out for its first spring run…

Or maybe…

An all time favorite, the Italian Job!

Here is a new environmental twist on the fantasy garage concept

As we approach earth day here is a new twist on what your fantasy garage would be.

Imagine you have access to the last gas or as I like to say from time to time ‘petrol’ on the planet. We will not worry about exactly how much there is. Lets just say there is enough for you to choose any any vehicle and any route. So the question is how would you use up the last drop of this wasting resource?

here are some thought starters

Here is a start 1955 Mille Miglia

Wonderful.

Thanks for the memory, scary what you remember

Not such a bad idea as a ‘family’ car. The passenger compartment appears to be able to carry a large feline and a french detective safely!

Thanks for the flash back, I even remembered all the words. Not bad for a brit!

My list of favorite cars may have no end, but it has to start somewhere. So here it starts…

The Triumph TR-4 is so brutally honest as to deserve a top spot on my list of great sports cars.

When I look at the collection of parts in my garage that is posing as a ‘65 E-type and think that if I had just bought a running TR-4 twenty years ago instead of the Jag I could have been driving a classic. Instead, I’ve had only the pleasure of looking a never ending pile of work for the last two decades.

I could have been happy with a TR-4.

The TR-4 is tough, masculine and unashamedly British. It is also a good car. It handles well and has plenty of power. It will drop its top when the sun is out, and assuming you’ve done the maintenance (Lucas elimination), it won’t let you down. Drive it, own it, and enjoy it while never having to worry about getting a door dent. Heck, a door ding may improve the image. You won’t look like you are trying to be cool, while effortlessly being so. A TR-4 says you have great taste but nothing to prove. Style without stigma. Pleasure without plastic. Perhaps no one will envy you (except me) but no one is going to think you are compensating.

IMHO upgrades should include a roll bar, Panasports, leather interior, a built motor and a canvas top. I’d go BRG insead of Red.