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2016 Mazda ND Miata Club Review: Joy On Four Wheels

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Mazda ND Miata Club 1

The original Mazda Miata brought driving enjoyment to the masses. Like the great British and Italian roadsters before it, the Miata offered the full wind-in-your-hair experience, but it did so without all of the reliability problems suffered by the european cars. It was a simple, affordable, enjoyable machine. They basically materialized fun, and gave it four wheels.

Some have criticized the Miata for being soft as a sports car, though, even saying that it isn’t really a sports car at all. For the original NA Miata in stock form, I have to I agree. It’s a lot of fun, and is surely a great roadster, but a stock NA Miata lacks the handling composure that really defines a true sports car.

As the Miata has grown and evolved over the years, Mazda has worked to make it more of a sports car, while keeping it a great roadster as well. When I took the new ND Miata out for a spin, it became clear that Mazda has finally found the right balance for the total Miata experience.

In some regards Mazda has taken the Miata back to its roots. In other ways it has benefitted from many modern technological improvements. All in all, I am confident in saying that it is the best Miata they’ve ever made. Here’s why…

Continue reading 2016 Mazda ND Miata Club Review: Joy On Four Wheels →

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NAIAS 2016 Reactions: The 2017 Ford Fusion Sport

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If someone had asked me what I would have expected from a hypothetical Ford Fusion ST, I would have said over 300hp with All Wheel Drive. I would have also expected Ford to use the 2.3L Ecoboost from the Mustang and Focus RS, or an upgraded 2.0 Ecoboost.

Well, the 2017 Ford Fusion Sport isn’t “technically” a Ford Fusion ST, but it’s damn close. Most notably, Ford used their new 2.7L Twin Turbo V6 instead of a turbo 4, but 325hp is right where I had hoped the fast Fusion would be. I’m also thrilled they decided to give it AWD instead of asking way too much of the front wheels. That said, there is no manual option, just an 8 speed auto, but that’s just the world we live in, I guess. (Remember, it’s not “technically” an ST model)

The current Ford Fusion is a great handling car, and has been hurting badly for a high performance model. The Fusion Sport answers that call. It’s not a full-fledged ST or RS model, but it certainly has the horsepower, and Ford says it has had some nice handling tweaks as well.

I wouldn’t quite expect the Fusion Sport to be the full-on high performance machine that us purists want, but it will be one hell of a fun, and useful daily driver. Enthusiasts should expect to do further tire and suspension upgrades to get the high-speed cornering composure we desire (like most cars). But 325hp and AWD are a great combination, especially considering the tuning potential of that Twin Turbo EcoBoost V6. I’d guess 400hp will be quite achievable.

The new Fusion Sport joins an updated lineup of Ford Fusion models, and will run buyers around $34,o00, base price. Expect that number to reach or surpass $40,000 with options, but even so, the Fusion Sport is priced quite reasonably for the package it offers.

I see it as either a bargain Audi S4, or a slightly more civilized alternative to a Subaru WRX STI or a Ford Focus RS. Sometimes, when you have kids in the equation, you need a little more space than a little hatchback can offer. If it were me in that situation, this Fusion Sport would look like a splendid way to compromise over a Focus RS.

For non-enthusiasts, the Fusion Sport is just a really nice all-round sedan. It’s got AWD for bad weather, lots of nice features, and a little more punch than the av-er-age bear.

So well done Ford! The Fusion Sport looks like it may really be a solid competitor. Now let’s see if they’ll go ahead and bless us with an actual Fusion ST on top of this car – would a 400hp tune and a manual gearbox be too much to ask?

-Nick Walker

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Car Shows

1948 Tucker 48 “Torpedo” at The Concours of America

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1948 Tucker Torpedo Concours of America 1

The Tucker 48 was a car that would’ve stuck it to the Big Three in the years following WWII, so much so that they had to essentially sabotage and filibuster Preston Tucker to ruin his company before he could get too far off the ground. It was a great example of American anti-capitalism, and a shameful moment in the auto industry on the part of the Big Three.

Preston Tucker did manage to produce a few production Tucker 48s, or “Tucker Torpedos” as they were known. 50 cars were completed in total, and it’s always a wonderful occasion when you get to see one up close. We saw this beautifully kept example at the Concours of America, near Detroit, Michigan.

Just look at the car with its fantastic details, and consider what a shame it is that Tucker was never able to really get off the ground. In 1948 the Tucker was nothing short of revolutionary. It was fast, it was safe, and it was stylish. There was nothing even remotely like it, and that’s what scared the shit out of the Big Three so much that they felt the need to play dirty… if I sound vindictive, it’s because I am. The Tucker was a true masterpiece, and it would have shown them up big time.

The remaining Tuckers are heavily sought after today. At auction, they’ll easily fetch seven figures. For more info on the Tucker 48, check out the video at the bottom of this post.

Enjoy the gallery of this icon of the American Auto Industry, and for more info on the Tucker 48, check out the video at the bottom of this post.

Continue reading 1948 Tucker 48 “Torpedo” at The Concours of America →

Automotive Lifestyle, Car Games

Villain’s Vehicles: Pablo Escobar in his Porsche 935

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photo Pablo Escobar Porsche 935.jpg

When you’re the biggest drug kingpin on Earth, netting over $500,000 per day into your personal bank accounts, you may find it hard to figure out how to spend your money once you’ve bought everything you’d ever dreamt of… and more.

Pablo had this problem back in his day. In addition to importing exotic wild animals, hiring a private army to invade his county’s capital so he could have a law changed, and assassinating presidential candidates, Pablo also had a special affinity for Porsches. He collected hundreds of other cars as well, but there are many photos of him driving Porsche racing cars specifically. This Porsche 935 was quite a prize back then, and maybe even more so today. I bet he drove it on the public road too – I mean, who was going to tell him he couldn’t?

I’m not sure what became of this particular 935. Most of Escobar’s car collection was destroyed once he was on the run, and his properties were seized by the people who were trying to kill him. The cars were a symbol of Pablo’s arrogant excess, so destroying them was a prime way to send a message to the King of Coke that his days were numbered.

I think this is such a sick photo, though. Right up there with my other favorite Pablo pic.

-Nick

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE, Uncategorized

TBT: Back to a time when cars were made with elbow grease, and a touch of class

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Pre War Lincoln Interior

Opinions, Uncategorized

Reaction: 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

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chevrolet-bolt_ev_2017_800x600_wallpaper_01

$30,000 gets you 200 miles of electric driving. Well played, Chevy, well played.

It would seem the new Bolt EV is prepped to lead the way for the affordable AND viable electric car. The Nissan Leaf was a complete joke, people, this isn’t. Now let’s all hope there’s no “GM catch” to the Chevy Bolt down the line that will ruin it.

Likes: GM seems to have gotten the price and the range just right for what buyers have been yearning for in an electric car.

Dislikes: Marry Barra still seems to think it’s all about “beating Tesla”. Elon Musk wouldn’t have released Tesla’s patents to the whole industry if he didn’t want everyone to play his game. Her somewhat brawny attitude about beating Tesla makes me wonder if the mindset behind the Bolt is good GM or bad GM. Let’s hope they didn’t cut too many corners so they could be first to market in the $30K range, before the Tesla Model 3 hits.

-Nick Walker

Car Shows, Uncategorized

Slammed BMW M6 Convertible at First Class Fitment

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First Class Fitment BMW M6 Convertible

This slammed BMW M6 V10 Convertible was the first car that caught my eye this year at First Class Fitment. Even before I was inside the show, I shot it through the fence.

It was an immaculately done car, with a beautiful color combo, and some fine detail work.

Enjoy!

Slammed BMW M6 First Class Fitment 2 Slammed BMW M6 First Class Fitment 1 Slammed BMW M6 First Class Fitment 4 Slammed BMW M6 First Class Fitment 5

-Nick Walker

Car Shows

Best Of Show Winners from the 2015 Concours of America at St. John’s

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Six months back, Nick, Shane, and I were all in attendance at the 2015 Concours of America, over in Plymouth MI.  Nick’s shown us all the highlights and I’ve done a few features on one or two muscle cars and a set of dry-lake race cars, as well as a very unique Corvette.  However, nothing gets in front of Best of Show, and at this show, one award is given to the best American car, and one is given to the best imported car.  The winners this year genuinely embody the best of what the pre-war world of cars had to offer 80 years ago. Continue reading Best Of Show Winners from the 2015 Concours of America at St. John’s →

Car Shows, Uncategorized

Various Racing Machines in the Laguna Seca Paddock

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Porsche 956 Laguna Seca Paddock

Some more shots from the Paddock of Laguna Seca during Monterey Car Week, here is a gallery of awesome racing cars, old and new.

I always love seeing the old pre-war racecars sitting right next to more modern racecars, like Group C, because it really puts in perspective how far the automobile has come in just a few decades. That said, the drivers of those older racing cars were men among men. Those cars were not especially slow at all, reaching over 100mph, but with very primitive technology.

Enjoy the spectacle!

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Cars We've Seen

1966 Ford Fairlane 500XL Convertible spotted in Royal Oak, MI

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1966 Ford Fairlane 500XL

Allow me to be the first to say to all our readers, Happy New Year!  Here’s your welcome to 2016 present, a car which is now celebrating its 50th birthday. Continue reading 1966 Ford Fairlane 500XL Convertible spotted in Royal Oak, MI →