World Car Review: 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

Zaniest thing I've seen in a while, the Jade Warrior from 1985

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Learned about it from http://zelastchancegaragedu78.blogspot.com/ information from http://www.dragzine.com/news/the-jade-warrior-a-truly-insane-and-one-of-a-kind-ride/

The creation of British motorcycle racer Angus MacPhail, who built it himself in his garage, it's called the “Jade Warrior,” did the quarter mile in under 8 seconds a quarter century ago without the use of nitromethane. That's riding on the tip of a bullet.

It was powered by an inline 4-cylinder that blended MacPhail’s own engineering with that of a Ford Cosworth and sported a Roots supercharger producing somewhere between 400 and 500 horsepower.

The frame was, obviously, a completely one-off piece that was built monocoque-style – with a main center section made of alloy and put together with Araldite adhesive and Monel rivets. A well-designed body with ground effects incorporated helped keep it stable and hooked up at close to 200 MPH. Angus claimed it was actually very easy to navigate down the track.

Car of the Day - 2003 Honda Civic with Peeling Clear Coat

Delaminating Paint

Does your car look like this? A lot of our customers ask if this condition is caused by either a manufacturer's defect or from something that happened to their car.

Most likely you didn't do anything wrong and neither did the manufacturer. The paint is just showing its age. We call this condition delaminating paint. It is caused mainly by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, the same thing that causes sunburn on humans and the deterioration of your lawn furniture. Chemicals and other environmental factors also contribute to the paint's decline.

In the 1960s & 1970s it was normal to expect to paint a car every 5 years or so. And the average car did not last as long as they do now. Bodies and engines were typically worn out at just 100k miles.

Much has improved since then. Cars often last well over 15 years and 200k miles. Because of this, more people notice paint failing on cars even though the paint is much better than it was 30-40 years ago. Factory paint jobs typically last 7-14 years depending on color, chemistry and environmental conditions.

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Happy New Year!

Maaco will be closed

from: Saturday, January 1, 2011

to: Monday, January 3, 2011

We'll be back in the shop and hard at work by 8:00 AM, Tuesday, January 4. See you in the New Year!

Photo of Geese at sunset over Bosque del Apache by Judy Liddell
It’s a bird thing…

This photo was taken December 26, 2010 in New Mexico. Nothing to do with cars. Just beautiful. Happy Birthday Jan & thanks Judy for the gorgeous photo.

Daniel Boone Train

This fully functional 1-1\2" scale model of a Union Pacific 484 Baldwin steam engine and four Pullman cars were handcrafted by Daniel Boone VI. Every part was completely hand-forged. It took him five years (1957-1962) using all of his spare time to complete the project. The engine and tender weighs 2,450 lbs. without water. It pulls four cars which weigh 400 lbs. each and has the ability to pull 36 people. It runs off of steam, which is produced from burning coal. The engine and tender total 14 feet, 8 inches in length. Three of the Pullman cars are 9 feet long and the last is 11 feet long. This train was started in 1957 and was not completed until 1962 at a cost of $25,000.00. At its highlight, it was a ride at Maggie Valley North Carolina amusement park many years ago.

“America’s Southern Appalachian Plateau is one of the nation's richest sources of folk songs, customs, and legends." The residents of these "hollers" have been described as "full of humor and gentleness, of great dignity and pride." One such resident, Daniel Boone VI, has much to be proud of. The great-great-great grandson of Daniel Boone, the legendary frontiersman, has continued the family tradition as a blacksmith and has created some extraordinary art. Among other things, he was commissioned by the Rockefellers to work on the Williamsburg Restoration Project; most of his work was designing intricate gates and ornaments. He also spent seven years building two fully functional Union Pacific scale model trains. Dan the Sixth is a self-confessed restless man. When explaining the trains, he simply said, "Got to go puttering around, got to find things out." His wife said he "had to see if it would run or not." People often stopped by his shop to look at the trains, and Dan would immediately load the cars up with kids and watch the train go around the track. After Dan's death one of his descendents inherited both trains and now they are available to the right people and place, for the right price. Email Us to talk about it.

Harley Tandem

Coolest damn thing you'll see all week. 1913 Harley, heavily optioned,TANDEM !, unrestored, with a quick history and instructions how to start it. WOW

the bike's options are discussed for the first 5 minutes, then the bike is started up and the procedure is wonderfully demonstrated, step by step. (starts at minute 5:30)
Thanks Mike! This is great!

The Camelback locomotive design, used in conjunction with the exceptionally wide Wooten firebox, not safe though

The "Camelback" design, which straddled the cab over the center of the boiler, allowed the exceptional width of the Wooten firebox, which burned lower BTU anthracite coal from Eastern Pennsylvania.

The Locomotives in the picture were also called "Mother Hubbards" among other names. They were discontinued from freight service because if a side rod broke, it would wipe out the cab and if on the engineer's side, the engineer also. In yard service they were much safer because of the lower speed which was not so likely to break a rod and sling it through the cab.
photo from http://www.shorpy.com/node/9335?size=_original

Ford F-150 SFE SuperCrew 4X2

Back to the last year that Ford tried to reduce fuel consumption on the F-150. Matt O’Leary, Ford F-150 chief engineer says that Ford has committed to have the best or equal to the best fuel economy with every new product we introduce, and we are delivering with the new F-150.

The new Ford F-150 SFE package will be available on F-150 SuperCrew XL and XLT 4X2 vehicles with 4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8 engines and 5.5-foot beds. The Ford F-150 SFE pickup will achieve 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

The SFE package will be a no-cost option on XLT SuperCrew pickups with the chrome package and will cost $1,095 when ordered on XL SuperCrew pickups with the decor package.

Land Rover Discovery 4 Limited Edition

Land Rover Discovery 4 has launched a special edition of the Landmark for the United Kingdom. Available in black or white Fuji Santorini. This car has a unique grille, roof rails Black Satin, and 20-inch alloy wheels five. Inside, the cabin offers leather Taurus (with contrast stitching), Grand Ivory trim, and special floor mats.

Power is provided by the engine turbo-diesel 3.0-liter with an output of 180 kW (245 PS / 241 hp) and torque of 600 Nm (443 pounds-ft) of torque. This allows the SUV to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 9.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 112 mph (180 km / h).
Prices start from £ 46.945 (OTR), Landmark will begin to arrive in UK dealers in January.

Land Rover Defender 90 Yachting Edition

Cruising its way to the Essen Motor Show floors, is the sea-flavored Land Rover Defender 90 Yachting Edition, created by Brabus affiliate Startech. And while it ain't an amphibious off-roader, this Defender takes its styling inspiration from -you guessed it- maritime themes.

Finished in a bright white color, the Defender 90 Yachting Edition rolls on 16-inch alloys wrapped around in wider tires measuring 267/75 R16. Complementing the 4x4's looks are new running boards with integrated entrance lights that are activated via the keyless fob or by opening one of the doors, an SVX grille and body-colored headlight covers.

Greater emphasis has been given to the nautical-themed cabin. The crew of Startech's Defender are greeted by a yacht-like wood flooring and navy-blue leather with contrasting white stitching covering with the doors, dashboard, center console and Recaro sport seats. In addition, the shells of the seatbacks are painted white to match the exterior while the headliner is made from Alcantara finished in navy-blue.

A sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals and high-end infotainment system round up the interior appointments.

Hyundai Azera

We recently got our first official sneak peak at the upcoming 2012 Hyundai Azera, but the South Korean automaker keeps dropping new information and pictures on its mid-size sedan that will take its place between the Sonata and the Genesis. This time we have details on the engine options for the KDM version, which will continue to use the Grandeur nameplate.

In South Korea, the Azera will be offered with a choice of two naturally aspirated engines, both featuring direct-injection technology. The base model will be powered by the same 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder gasoline unit found on the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, while the flagship version will be motivated by a 3.0-liter GDi V6 delivering 270HP and 31.6 kg/m of peak torque.

The company states on the official brochure that the four-cylinder model will return an average fuel consumption of 12.8 km/lt (equal to 30.1 mpg US and 7.8 lt/100km), while the V6, 11.6 km/lt (27.3 mpg US or 8.6 lt/100km).

Hyundai has not made any comments or announcements regarding the powertrain options for the North American version of the Azera, though likely it will be offered exclusively with V6 engines. Recently, the South Korean automaker said that the Azera may get its North American debut at the New York Auto Show next April.

Nissan Sunny

Taking center stage and making its world debut at the 8th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition, is Nissan's all-new global small sedan, which will be locally marketed as the Sunny. According to the Japanese automaker, the new small sedan will go on sale first in China in January 2011 and then progressively across 170 countries worldwide under different vehicle brand names.

Even though Nissan's Spartan press release did not mention the Versa, there are one too many styling similarities between the new Sunny and the 2012 Versa sedan teased in an official sketch released by the automaker in October 2010. However, we have to stress the fact that Nissan has not made a connection between the two cars.

The Sunny, or as Nissan likes to call it, the firm's new global sedan, is believed to be based on the underpinnings of the Micra supermini, something that could explain the striking resemblance of the dashboard design.

Among the few details released about the car is that in China, it will be offered with Nissan's 1.5-liter HR15DE four-cylinder engine linked to Xtronic CVT, and that engineers have fitted the Sunny with MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam for the rear suspension.

The All-New Ford Ranger

The wraps are off the all-new for 2011, Ford Ranger pickup truck which makes its worldwide debut at this week's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney before going on sale in 180 markets around the world but not -you guessed it- in the USA.

Like its predecessor, Ford's new Ranger was developed in cooperation with Mazda, which will also unveil its version of the compact pickup truck called the BT-50 in Sydney.

The new Ranger moves a step closer to passenger cars in terms of styling, interior appointments as well as technology features. It will be available in three different cab body styles, 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains, two ride heights and four series choices.

It is powered by a choice of two new common rail Ford Duratorq TDCi diesels, a 2.2-liter TDCi four-cylinder unit with 150HP and 375Nm [277 lb-ft], or a 3.2-liter TDCi inline-five rated at 200HP and 470Nm [347 lb-ft], and new six-speed automatic and manual transmissions.

The 4WD models are equipped with an electronically controlled transfer case that allows drivers to shift from 4x2 to 4x4 through an electronic switch located on the console, while low range gearing can also be enabled.

Ford said that the cargo box of the new Double Cab is more than 100mm wider than before - 1,549mm long by 511mm high and with a maximum cargo width of 1,560mm. Volume is rated at 1.21 cubic meters.

All Ranger models will come equipped with a new Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system that includes four-wheel traction control, yaw control and roll-over mitigation, as standard. Other new technologies include Rear Park Assist and new Rearview Camera system, plus the availability of side curtain airbags on all cab styles for the first time.

Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe, said: "The new Ranger is an exciting and dynamic vehicle that will undoubtedly raise the bar in the pickup market. The scope of its capability and technology are further evidence of how powerful the One Ford initiative is in helping us globally to develop a whole range of all-new class-leading vehicles. We look forward to bringing new Ranger to European customers by 2012 and I am confident it will exceed their expectations."

The new Ford Ranger will be built at three sites with series production scheduled to begin next summer, initially in Rayong, Thailand. Ford said it is also planning to manufacture the new pickup truck at its plants in Argentina and South Africa.

The All-New Mazda BT-50

Mazda released the first photos of the all-new BT-50. As we've mentioned many times before, the two pickup truck models are the result of a collaboration between Ford and Mazda and will both get their world premiere at this week's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

The Japanese automaker's iteration of the compact pickup truck theme gets its own unique exterior cues and interior styling inspired by the firm's passenger car range. Though far less aggressive than originally implied on the first teaser sketches, the BT-50's exterior design is more funky than it's Ford sibling. The same can be said about the interior which is said to feature all the accommodations of a passenger car.

Here's what Mazda had to say about the new BT-50 in its teaser press release:

"It offers all the functionality required for business use combined with passenger car-like comfort for family use; and for active customers in Australia and Europe, it is the perfect answer for all kinds of outdoor leisure activities.

"With modern and refined styling both inside and out, the All-New Mazda BT-50 will raise the bar in the utility segment and for the first time provide a realistic alternative to the family wagon and 4x4 SUV."