reddsun1

Hmm, interesting. Kinda puts me in the mindset of a Morgan Aero 8: if it were more thoroughly modernized or something. What's it based on? The Z4? I kinda like the AC Mamba myself. But this one's nice, too.

Sure, I know where you're coming from. We have the same phenomenon here in the US. For instance, if you're a fan of racing, it's just called NASCAR. I hate to admit it, but we [uS team] do kinda suck. Actually, that's putting it too harshly. It was one of those "inevitable" outcomes--kinda like you know we'd go out sooner or later; but still, I wish we could have gone farther in the tourny. We just have a long ways to go, when it comes to our level of play in the Int'l "football" scene. But there's definitely a difference that one can see in the level & style of play between the US, and say, Brazil. Watching the Brazilians does give a good example of exemplary play--those guys seem to have a "sixth sense," it's like they can dribble without even looking down at their feet; instead, they're scanning downfield, or the defender, etc. It's like: the truly good teams can do with their feet what NBA players can do with their hands; they're so good it seems effortless. There also seems to be a level of cohesion between players, reading & playing off of each other, setting up plays 2 to 3 moves ahead; as opposed to the US still playing a bit more individually. I saw part of the Australia/Germany match, and the Aussies truly ought to be commended for their play. They held their own against one of the true "powerhouse" teams until the closing minutes of the match, when Germany finally scored their 2 in quick succession. Until then, the Aussies were giving them what-for.

Now, how's THIS for a sleeper? How could you NOT get a chuckle out of this one? Hope the link works. LOL, it looks like he's still got boxes and crap in the back! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=61...29&q=drag+wagon

From what little I saw of the trailer at the first link, it looks more like they're cashing in on the "Gumball Rally" trend; the ultra-chic-neauveaux-riche-auto-hooligans phenom that's becoming more popular across the pond as well as here in the US. Did anybody else get a bunch of unwanted pop up scan-your-computer-for-free-click-yes-for-our-antivirus-crap ad bulls--t when they went to the movie w'site? I hate that s--t. I really do.

LOL, it's funny how HP numbers quoted are like fish stories--they get bigger every time somebody tells 'em. IIRC, the Skyline/Mustang was stated before as making 320hp? And the V8 ver. making 400hp or so. But for the video, they jump to 370hp and 500hp, respectively. By the time the promo cars start making the rounds, I guess it'll be "this thing makes nearly 600 horsepower..."

"Like I said, this planet's not big enough for the both of us. So, off you go!"

Anybody seen the TV spots for "Little Man," the upcoming Wayans Bros movie? From what I've seen of the commercials, it's just the Babyface Finster schtick. I guess the old WB shorts have been off the air long enough for them to presume people will think it's actually an original idea.

I'm no expert, but the 430 engines used in two of the mustangs are much larger (7.0 liters) than the RB26DETT (2.6 liters), so yes, the Windsors would be quite a bit heavier than the Nissan engine. 409006[/snapback] Yeah, but still, they're still small-blocks, right? They'd just have been running stroker cranks/rods to get the add'l displacement. I'd imagine complete Windsors should only weigh about 550-600lbs or so, don't they?

LOL, we got Ted Turner as speaker at my commencement ceremony. Bit of an eccentric fellow. I can't remember what the hell he rambled on about to save my life...

Well, I've met and talked with former NFL player Ed Reynolds [Patriots, Giants] a few times. His uncle is married to my father's sister. His brother was also one of my teachers in elementary school. I remember back in '85 when they made their first Super Bowl appearance, teach pulled some strings and got Ed to drop by our class one day. Not only were we stoked about seeing an NFL player, but what really took the cake was when he introduced his wife. Just imagine a room full of 10 yr old boys, all flabbergasted and mouths agape--man oh man, she was hottie gorgeous! If somebody had taken a picture, I'm sure it woulda been pretty funny You could almost hear the collective "whoooooa" come from the room full of awestruck boys, under our breath all at once. Have met him a few times in later years, he was gracious and pretty cool. Used to hang around in the paddocks at race events rubbin elbows with some cool cats too. Paul Newman, Derrick Bell, Bobby Rahal, Kyle Petty, Boris Said, etc. Hung around chatting with my boss and his old chum--and former World Champion--Brian Redman after an event one time. Used to go next door at work and shoot the bull with Le Mans winner Price Cobb, talk about race cars, old Mustangs and stuff like that. Um, let's see, oh yeah, Peter Klutt from Dream Car Garage. You meet all sorts of entrepeneurs and business moguls at vintage races too, like the heir to the Scott [yeah, paper towels and t-paper] company; nice old guy. The guy who owns the Greased Lightning company that makes all those auto oils and products and such. The real captains of industry, the guys who're really loaded out the arse with money and influence, you'd walk right by 'em and wouldn't even recognize or assume who they are, until you meet them and hear them talk about their businesses and such.

Only 1hr from the finish, and Don Panoz may get a [class] win at Le Mans, after 10 years of trying. Lead #83 Porsche is trying to limp back to the pits w/a broken shifter, and subsequently the #81 Panoz has taken over the lead in GT2. Corvette still muscleing along in GT1 lead, after #009 A-Martin went bunch of laps down w/mechanical woes over night. Could the Americans sweep the "production" classes this year?

The red hairy monster was in a couple of shorts. One was with Marvin Martian, and another was as a pet to the evil scientist when Bugs winds up in the mad doctor's castle, and the doc wants Bugs' brain for his robot. You know, the one where Bugs is snoring away during a t'storm, and the rain floods his rabbit-hole; he gets carried to the castle by the stream. "You know, inn-teresting monsters should always have inn-teresting hair-do's, I always say...." "And so, having re-disposed of the monstah, exit our hero...."

Le Mans 24hr: Aston Martin #007 goes out in first few laps. Someone's got to see the irony in the way it happened; appears the "Bond" car blew something in the engine. In a fashion similar to one of the film cars' trademark gimmicks, laid huge amts of oil on the track, creating spinout hazard for other cars behind...

God, so many to choose from. Such a huge volume of work. Who knows just how much of the work from Termite Terrace has been lost to obscurity and or deterioration? They don't make cartoons like they used to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4IXLmlF_6k...rch=porky%20pig *That's right! I'm the last of tha Do Do's! Do do do do de do de do de oh do do...

I knew it! I knew I remembered seeing this clip once a long time ago. Proof positive that these shorts were originally meant for grownups, you know--today's generations, exposed to sex, violence and other adult themes so early on, just don't seem to get that. The Porky Pig "blooper reel."

Here's one for the "the hell is THAT" column. Found this in someone's photobucket album online. Sure, the nose and tail look like Caprice/Impala, but the body sure does look like a Ford Thunderbird to me. The late model T'bird is bound to go down in history as the unofficial "most popular late model car ever" for customizing with parts and pieces from vintage autos for creating "new-old" custom cars, or something. The mose popular vintage donors by far for such customs would seem to be 50's Fords. I have seen some with Studebaker noses. So what do you call such a custom? Studebird? Or Thunderbaker?

Making that much power [for a street car], not a bit surprised some parts got shredded. Good lawd! That ought to be scary to drive on the street! I wonder why so much disparity in the perf of the Mustangs? Perhaps the Windsors are a good deal heavier? I don't know a terrible whole lot about the RB26DETT or other Japanese motors. I'll bet "True Blue" enthusiasts will scream bloody murder.

I wonder what sort of gearing they'll use? Top speeds of 175 were recorded on the Mulsanne back in '76. I imagine they'll have to use an original style 4-speed trans? I checked the vids--the in-car video shows what an absolute handful that big brute is. That's definitely one that would seem to have the driver getting out rolling sweat and breathing hard after every on-track session. Looks like it could run down anything given enough straightaway. But "pronounced understeer" is an understatement!

Woohoo! 24 Heures du Mans! The big race will be start tomorrow. I'm sure we can count on consistently dismal and sporadic coverage from the SPEED Channel--between inundations of NASCAR propaganda *groan*--but something's better'n nothing. Anybody know about the Le Mans Classic? Is that run before the regular event? Apparently, every now and then some old ideas tend to resurface. Someone is trying to bring replicas of NASCAR's only foray (thank GOD) into the sports car classic back for the '06 Classic race event. Efforts are apparently underway to bring copies of the Dunlavy Racing Torino and Olympia Beer Charger, both run in 1976. The original cars are both apparently long gone--too bad, maybe they should have stayed gone. By and far not America's most memorable attempts at the International big-show.

I suppose the film production company didn't have much choice when it came to obtaining a new truck for the film; in this media-marketing driven climate in today's movie-making, only a new model [that a mfr could be enticed to provide, glad to get the media exposure] would do, to be sure. I don't think any other US mfr even makes cab-over design trucks any more? Neither Peterbuilt, International nor KW make them any more do they? I'm partial to the traditional designs myself, like the KW W900 and Pete 379. Had a chance to ride a W900 back from Daytona to Danville once; I can tell you it was a hella comfortable ride, with the captain's chairs and air-ride. Damn sight better'n coming back in a plain-jane dually! As far as lack of info on the Pete 379? I suppose stuff like wheelbase and weight options are moot, due to their claim of near infinite customability? "...The Model 379 can be equipped from the widest range of engines available – up to 600 HP – and a variety of Peterbilt’s proprietary suspension systems, so it can be easily configured to meet the demands of virtually any job and the hauling requirements of most any application. The wheelbase can be adjusted in one-inch increments and six different frame rails are offered to custom match strength-to-weight requirements." But there are specs to be found: http://www.peterbilt.com/379Details.asp?model=model379 I kinda like the custom trucks that say "to hell with efficiency," "aero, schmero" and go for all out comfort and style. This Reliable Carriers must be a coveted job to get amongst truckers, as they seem to equip their drivers in some all-out over the top trucks, like homes on wheels...

Isuzu?! Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis? That's a Freightliner. Freightliner Argosy model, more specifically. That trailer looks to be at least a 48', maybe 52'? Can't remember the various lengths they come in. http://www.freightlinertrucks.com/trucks/f...y-model/argosy/

Yeah, Mercurys were much less coveted by the gearheads, I guess due to their more "luxury" based status in Ford's hierarchy. Also one of the biggest reasons why--despite earnest wishes from some in the Ford/Merc loving ranks--a new Mercury Cougar would likely be deemed unjustified by the bean counters in Dearborn. All the things that set the original Cougar apart from the Mustang: premiums features like leather interiors, AM/FM stereo systems, air-conditioning, etc coming largely as "standard" in the Cougars, are pretty much standard fare or easily available in the Mustangs now.

Yeah, I saw statements that alluded to the "factory" origins on their w/site. To the credit of Ford, at least they appeared to put more research/effort into their aero work on the stillborn King Cobra and Super Spoiler II, as opposed to the "tacked-on" appearance of the '71 Road Runner's pieces. Seems like the lower fenders ahead of the wheelwells and the "chin" area could've benefitted from more development on the RR. Although, I keep thinking "Datsun Z" when I look at the King Cobra pics of the nose with headlights exposed. Unintentional resemblence, I'm sure, but still there. I actually like the Mercury better. Looks like it's been lowered 2"-3". Perfect stance in that pic.

And here's the '71 "Superbird." I must say, I'd be damned afraid to take that thing up anywhere near triple digit speeds. I'm no aerodynamicist by any means, but that fuggin thing just looks scary---it's shaped like a damned boat hull! I suppose an alternate perspective would be to interpret it as having the shape of the leading edge of a wing, only upside down. But unless they went to the trouble of putting a flat undertray on the entire bottom of the car, what good would that do? But that point's made moot, as the greenhouse would alter the airflow over the top of the car anyway. I'd suspect that nose is gonna try to raise something fierce once the air really gets moving at/around it. The prices these guys want for "complete conversion kits" is absolutely laughable...

Yeah, I think the Cragar's look pretty good too. They're one of those "timeless" designs that looks pretty good on a variety of car makes and models, and they look pretty good in "plus" size pkgs, like 16" and 17" dia. And on a lot of cars they look pretty much just as good nowadays as they did 20 years ago, unlike a lot of "fad" designs that look pretty cheesy in just a couple of years. I mean really; about 5 years from now, you know a lot of people are going to look at their ___ with the 20" "Sprewell" spinners and wonder "WTF was I thinking putting that s--t on my car?" I found some pics of a couple of cars I saw in Salem that made me go "WTF?" Apparently, some guys making replica parts for Superbirds/Daytonas got together and started making parts for 1971 model cars, kinda like a "what if?" Dodge & Plymouth had continued production. It could be argued that it's a good thing the factories did pull the plug; they're definitely, er, odd looking. Here's the 71' "Dayclona"