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. . . 21-30-Nov
Already that time o' year
http://laautoshow.com/
Tickets are $15 --- $10 for 'seniors' . . .
. . . and the only reason I mention that is because I got my first 'senior discount' a coupla years ago at this very event
I've been told that I have an 'old' soul, so let's just leave it at that, K?
No pushing
I think the Italians won.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/max_91...7647096601623/
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8618/...113a9c16_c.jpgLA Autoshow 2014_ 108 by Max_911S_fahrer, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7563/...694a28e3_c.jpgLA Autoshow 2014_ 119 by Max_911S_fahrer, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...8274ac27_c.jpgLA Autoshow 2014_ 149 by Max_911S_fahrer, on Flickr
Hhhhhh
Looks like it's gonna be One o' THOSE Kinda Shows . . .
Seriously? I've worked around enough Bikers, Rock Star Wannabees, and ex-Servicemen --- all slathered in their campaign and 'ports-o-call' tats . . . to know how all that ink will turn out
Yeah, I am pretty sure Italy one that based upon contestant #2. :)
Scott
I took the day off, then drove down to see the show. Left a liiiiittle bit later that I wanted --- slept in, and enjoyed it . . . and? . . .
. . . was rewarded w/ two-and-a-half hours in traffic
Ugh!
Anyway --- my expectations for this show were low. I don't know what the attendance numbers for this event are/have been --- but it sure seems like number of Car Makers showing up 've definitely shrunk
No new Ferraris
No new Lamborghinis
No new Loti
. . . at least not by the Car Makers themselves --- 'officially,' anyway
Just as well, I suppose. It's not like anybody comes home from this kind of an event, then runs out and buys one --- right? . . . but, still
Anyway. Camera had a real hard time in this Hall --- flash or no
1) + 2) Weird to see a Ferrari done like this. I dunno what these 're called anymore --- their alphabet soup of names/numbers doesn't connect w/ anything for me . . . so --- I'll just call this The Little One. Looks are starting to grow on me, but, still . . . what 'adventures' will this car ever have? Prolly never turn more than 10k mi. Ever
That seems to be what Ferraris do best --- Sit-'n'-Sell
3) BMW i8? Wonder what the BMWNA Guys made of this . . . sitting in a 'Tuner' space. Good-enough-looking, I suppose --- have to admit that I like these 'butterfly' doors . . . but no real power. Where's Paul Rosche when you need him? My Little Marvel 's responsible for the 'electric blue' stuff, sorry
4) Used Car Lambo. In Auto Show white? And check-out the crowd-response/demographic. Who markets this stuff, anyway? I can hear the crickets from here. Maybe they shoulda dragged some o' those FIAT Ladies over
5) Monster brakes. >12"? Wheels look sharp. Really sharp
McLaren --- M-something + /something else . . .
. . . and it's orange (of course) because, well --- orange gets all kinds of attention . . .
. . . as we can see here
Convertible/roadster/spyder/your open-car car hyper-ventilative here
I don't know. I'm sure this thing is an absolute ball to drive/crushes any performance number I can think of/just generally hauls a$$/etc-etc . . .
. . . so how come it looks like somebody forgot to put the roof on, huh? Open cars used to look soooo elegant --- slim, slinky . . . one lovely line from front fender to back. Now? Between all the roll-over protection, pop-up roll bars, and here --- those kooky fin-things on the rear quarters . . . this car looks sorta unfinished. And not cheap, either
Put it another way . . .
. . . what would this car look like --- without them?
Jack the warranty --- and pass me the Sawzall
Some electric-car outfit. Built out of the carcass of some other electric car outfit
Looks like they had enough money after Chapter 11 to hire a Real Stylist. NOT! I've seen more design flourishes in a grocery cart . . . which this 'll get re-cycled in to, I'm sure. Your deity here, this is nasty. The only interesting thing about this vehicle is the powerplant --- which is what I took a picture of . . .
. . . I think
And look! --- orange! Be still my beating heart. OK-OK --- maybe instead of just a few hose/lines, if they painted the whole thing orange . . . or hired some of those Alfa Girls . . .
. . . or --- dressed the Alfa Girls in orange!
Yeah-yeah --- THAT's the ticket
Saleen
Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
What can I say, except --- to me . . . every car here looks like something that came right out of a Beverly Hills High School Parking lot
Hard for me to get excited about cars that take their styling cues from stuff that I saw in my high school's parking lot. Four decades, ago. Is this really how far design/styling have come, since? I mean, I keep trying to imagine these cars w/ plastic panels, turbo-fours, and GVWs under 3000 lbs
Then I come here --- and wake up
Oh well --- going by those rather-ominous number on their sides . . . at least these things have a ton o' horse-power.
They need it
Depressing
PS Where 're all the FORDs?
More Saleen . . . doing 'the Tesla'
. . . and The Future of Tuning?
Don't know
Didn't ask
Don't care ------------------------------------------------------------ yet!
:D:p;)
More Saleen
Jurrasic Car
This car should look good --- shovel nose, swoopy fender lines, gazonka motor on display, ditto exhaust pipes menacing . . . with manhood-mashing performance to match, I'm sure . . .
. . . yet, somehow --- to me . . . this whole thing manages comes off as WAY over-done, pretty-much 'naff' . . . like something that belongs in a Batman movie . . .
. . . or the next/inevitable installment of 'Cars'
Super-caboose = Kadashian Edition. And ---- mustn't forget . . . 750 hp + 248 mph = buy lotsa pants
Unaccountably outta production for a few years, so . . .
Only ever seen this car once outside of a car show --- or the factory where they were building it . . . applied for a job, there
Hhhh . . . what can I say about this
Rocket = Extra-super-horny Mustang . . . courtesy of (of all places) Galpin Ford --- a dealer
I dunno. Not much of a Mustang Guy so . . .
Kinda looks like it came outta the Très-Mucho-is-El-Perfecto School of Styling . . . or maybe a Cars sequel that Disney cancelled
I'm guessing that all the mods are fiberglass, but --- ya just never know, ya know? And I'm truly terrified of what that '725' stuff means
Don't Bogart that Ford my friend . . .
After scaring myself over at the 'Rocket' stand . . .
. . . any Aston --- even an orange one . . . w/ a 6-liter V12 (gulp!) . . . . seems almost . . . . . . . . calming
Does anybody buy these things? I mean --- I actually look/listen for these cars . . . never see 'em
Oh-yeah --- check-out the crowd
Meanwhile . . . out in the lobby . . .
. . . Maserati Quattroporte
Mid-'60s? 'Interesting' looking, to be kind. But what were your choices, Back Then? Roller? Big Benz? Kinda the same today, huh?
LOTS going on here, sheet-metal-wise. Notice the A-pillar's curve. And just try naming another sedan w/ a hood scoop. And are those fog-lights, inset above the bumpers? Must've been murder to restore something like this, too --- what w/ all the shapes, contours, trim + fiddly-bits . . . never mind all the plastic stuff. And check-out those wheels, will ya? Imagine trying to source/purchase/restore a set o' Maserati hub-caps + beauty rings . . . 50-years, on
Would 've loved to see the interior, too . . . or --- better, yet . . . hear the motor
Haven't seen one this nice in forever
. . . . Pirelli
Like, tires
Wonder what Wilbur's up to with his phone, there
Watch the tongue there, Big Stuff!
My 1st stop, pretty-much
Porsche's had this same hall-spot for almost as long as I've been coming to this show. Over the years, there 've been some pretty memorable cars on display, too . . . blasts from the pasts. I remember seeing Otis Chandler's 917/30 here, once. Rear wing looked big enough for the Playboy Mansion. Thing was VAST!
So --- regardless of what Porsche might be selling in any given year . . . or what I might be in the market for . . . I always look forward to seeing some piece of Porsche History when I walk in . . .
Hhhhhhh
OK --- I was disappointed. I guess I was expecting some kinda race car, but this? . . .
And --- of course . . . inevitably . . .
. . . the latest 9-whatever . . . featuring . . .
Lotsa buttons
No manual
Carbon-carbon, everywhere
800-something hp
3700 lbs
$850k . . . $930k w/ Wisea$$ --- I'm sorry . . . Weisach Package
918 built, so . . .
More 9-Whatever . . .
Ugh!
How 'bout ditchin' the V8, swapping in a 4-cyl diesel (with a turbo the size of roulette wheel) driving a generator charging a set o' lightweight batteries powering 2 (or 4!) hub-motors, then losing those steamroller tires for a set o' 225s . . .
. . . oh-yeah --- and shrinking the whole silly thing down to the size of, say . . . a 914?
Betcha you could sell more than 918 units
Then, again --- for $50k? . . . . they'd prolly need a bigger factory
And all this is from an outfit that started-out repairing farm equipment in a barn in Austria
918? What would the Old Man make of this?
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand? . . .
. . . everything else
Giving The People what they want
Sedans
Trucks
Then again --- Porsche ain't no charity . . . just the 'most profitable car company on the planet' . . . ~$22k/unit
But. Nothing more to see here . . .
. . . move along
...you missed this...it was blue at the show but I think this is pretty nice...not only nice, I would say elegant!....don't know how the "switch-blade" mechanics will work in the long run but I like it!...and I know the GT3-guys disagree, but...I want a manual transmission...just because I want to....that's all....:cool:.../ Lars...
P.S...this picture is "leaked" from Wikipedia....
Hey, Lars . . .Quote:
Originally Posted by larwik
No doubt --- Porsches are gorgeous to look at
And no one complains about these cars being slow, poorly built, or even hard to live with
But the same is true of a LOTTA cars . . .
. . . which is what's so disappointing, for me
What makes a 991 different? . . . and --- more especially . . . worth the BATH the New Owners will take putting their names on the titles to these?
Is this something that you'd be willing lose $2k - $3k /month on? . . . on top of any payments, insurance, maintenance, etc?
Not me
Lincoln
Not really a brand I track, but --- this one doesn't even look 'Murican, any more, either. I thought it was Korean
REALLY big sunroof there --- like . . . big enough for a Pope to poke through. I mean --- it's the whole flippin' roof! Plus? ---- REALLY tinted windows, too. Looks like whatever money they spent on that 'roof . . . they took outta the trunk lid budget. My sock drawers are bigger
I'd always worry that any 'roof that big/elaborate would fail at some point --- like . . . after the warranty expired. As for the tinted windows, well . . . I'd prolly just roll 'em down
Wish it had 'windwings'
More Lincoln . . .
Hmm. Latte metallic, maybe? Not that bad-looking . . . for a bus. And why do Automakers keep teasing with those handle-less doors? Jeez, I mean . . . they've been making keyless opening trunklids for forever --- I don't even know where they hide the 'manual' releases anymore, so . . . I have to use the button! I mean --- I'm ready, already?
'Nother monster sunroof, too, looks like
Not much crowd-action, going on. Prolly draw a bigger crowd if they stuck it over in the Porsche Room . . .
. . . or hired a coupla Pirelli girls
Ford Mustang Shelby GT-350
I'm sure they'll sell every one that they can make. Prolly goes like stink, too. But it sure would be nice to see something that doesn't take its design cues from a re-bodied Falcon they built 50 years ago. Or maybe something that weighs less than 2 tons with a driver + a tank o' gas. Criminy-Christmas. I know these cars are cheaper than anything even-remotely comparable, offered by anyone else --- but . . .
. . . why does this car have to be so stupid?
Big motors, big tires, big exhaust --- huge horsepower . . . and so what? 50k miles from now --- when all the plastics 've started unraveling, and the suspension's clapped-out . . . this'll be just another tire-roasting, gas-swilling excuse for some high school drop-out to deliver pizza. Is there anything here to fall in love with? Or is this just another noisy toy to use/abuse --- until the Next One comes along . . . and then this gets thrown --- sorry . . . re-sold
I can see/hear a fresh batch o' donuts getting laid down already
More GT350 . . .
Another thread . . .
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...50-Rides-Again
The Really Ironic Thing is . . .
. . . the only people who can afford something like this . . .
. . . are prolly old enough to know better
'65 Shelby GT350
When it came time for me to buy my First Collector-type car . . . this was Plan A
Actually, it was a '66. '65s were already un-findable/-affordable --- back when I was looking . . . circa 1980
Not exactly a Thing of Beauty, but these 're Runners. ~2800 lbs + ~300 hp = small/potent/fun. Interesting piece to drive. Low-back buckets have almost no support, thin steering wheel has all kindsa slack, with no power steering. Think truck. Shifter wasn't memorable, just the brakes. Semi-metallic pads --- drums in back . . . that just plain don't work when cold. Engine sound/response defines the term 'bark.' Whole car shook, even at idle. And, like the brakes, throttle takes a ridiculous amount of pressure to even move --- which is a very good thing because the car moves off quickly . . . super torquey/punchy motor --- especially for 'small' block. (The one I drove had quad Webers) Noise was kinda overwhelming. I mean, I could feel the exhaust pulses passing underneath me. Two-fisted driving, definitely
I love hearing people whine about no IRS in this car. Thing is so stiff, I can't imagine what the benefits would be. Shelby himself built/drove/tested an IRS set-up, Back Then . . . and said it wasn't worth it. Detroit Locker rear-end that's there is out of a Galaxie, as I recall
Loud/awful/wonderful
More Shelby GT350 . . .
What would a flat-plane cranked V8 do . . .
. . . in a 2800 lb car?
Put it Another Way
How much horsepower does a thousand pounds cost?
And just where did they put that thousand lbs, anyway? . . .
Kia GT4 Stinger . . .
Lotta names to stick on notta lotta car. This is a 'show car' so --- I'm not getting any hopes up . . . but w/ 300 hp inside this Little Buggy . . . betcha it flies
Not much to critique here, style-wise. I do kinda like the 'see-through' A-pillar. The Rest = . . . . yaaaaaawn!
More Stinger . . .
When I first saw this? --- thought it was a Volvo. Slick-enough, I suppose . . . but could do without the little fillip over the front wheels. Smooth is as smooth does, I always say. And I'm gettin' kinda sick o' LED headlights, too. Sure-sure --- nice-'n-bright + all that . . . 'till you have to replace one = $$$. And these look like they'll last about two seconds in any Target parking lot --- given the likely demographic of any prospective purchassor
Pretty little car, some nifty details
Then again, any pizza delivery guy 'll make a whole-lot-less noise w/ this, too, so . . .
More Stinger . . .
. . . details
Kia . . .
. . . Killer!
OK-OK --- prolly a Sorento-or-something-or-t'other. Whatever it is --- looks pretty d@mn serious
And check out that rear camber . . . + Korean panel fit
Curbs-schmurbs. Schwiiiiiiiiiiing diss!
Mmmm
. . . schwiiing dat!
Or? . . .
. . . how to sell a car
. . . and how NOT
Really wanna meet the Marketing super-Genius who sold this schtick. Put 'em in charge o' the Middle-East Peace Talks, or something
Then again . . . maybe it's some kinda Korean/kultural-thing?
Me? Hmmm. Hamsters. Bow-ties. Leather bodysuits . . .
. . . soooo creeps me out
Not Chubby, though. He's alllll over that bodysuit. Kinda built like a hamster, too
Mitsubishi Concept XR pHEV
NO idea what that stands for/means
Don't care
Didn't stick around to find out
Veeeery snazzy . . . for something that looks like it just came out of a fish-tank
More pHEV . . .
. . . like, maybe pHEVer?
I think they should call this the 'Hamster'
Some interesting details . . .
..'mail-slot' exhaust port, in back, looks like
..itsy-bitsy/teensie-weensie door handles --- recessed into the side character swedges
..'see-thru' A-pillars
Anyone remember the EVO? See post #23 . . .
http://ww.w.early911sregistry.org/fo...-Buy-NOW/page3
FIAT 500-something, I'm guessing
Is it me --- or are more + more so-called small cars turning into small vans? I like the AWD stuff but this car-as-gym bag thing is . . . odd
Then again, I've been looking for something small/cheap to stuff my mutt in + go places, so . . .
. . . here it is
Gulp!
More FIAT . . .
Fiat Girl looks 12
Dodge Charger . . .
Used to be that Chargers had swoopy flying-buttress roof-lines, wasp-waists --- and two doors
Then again . . . they also had skinny tires, sh!t interiors, and 'poverty' (hub) caps, so . . .
. . . only thing the two share?
. . . is a name-plate
Heritage-schmeritage
More Charger . . .
Thing is --- this car has some Good Stuff underneath
MBz engineered this monster --- thing's based on their W124, as I recall . . . so it all started-out promising-enough
Then --- kinda like an Ol' Highschool Sweetheart . . . things just got a little plump
Oh --- she's got her curves . . . and the moves. Pretty-enough face. Even smells good
But she's a barrel-gut, now --- and big as a house . . .
. . . and noisy
Chrysler 300 --- 'S' . . .
Charger's more-conservative Sis. Never driven any o' these --- sooo not my kinda car . . . but, well --- I see a ton of 'em out on the street, so a lotta Somebodies 're buying 'em
FIAT owns this outfit, now, so . . . we'll see where they take all this
Dodge Challenger
Not bad-looking, huh? . . . . for a 45-year-old
Chrysler works this car for all it's worth
Even showed-off a 700 (are you sh!tting me?) horsepower Hellcat . . . which I could not get near
Got a shot o' the motor, though . . .
. . . and got some shots of:
1) Mopar carpet!
2) Mopar parts!
3) Jeep Girl next door!
. . . and LOOK!
No tattoos . . . . showing, anyway
I don't believe the Hellcats were out last year. They have a different scoop and headlights (hollow inner lights to gulp more air).
HmQuote:
Originally Posted by Flieger
Musta been some other super-charged Hemi they were showing, then
:rolleyes:
;)
What the . . . . .
Oh. Nissan. Those Guys!
Guess the GTR must not be sellin' that great, huh, so . . . .
. . . roll out the more-phallic symbols, eh?
(Then again . . . zero emissions?)
Japanese marketing = skip subtle
Wonder how this 'll do in the EC's 'Moose Test'
Volunteers?
Nissan Milano . . .
Looks like the Design Guys 've got all the CAD stuff down. Seriously --- there's not a straight line on this thing. Kinda neat, I guess. But terrifying --- if you're the Body Guy who gets stuck having to try straightening-out all this stuff after any inappropriate contact
Then again --- how much of this car is non-metallic/synthetic? Amazing how all these different materials --- metal, glass, plastic . . . all get formed/molded/fitted to end-up looking like this --- one big seamless unit. Build-quality is amazing
Like the color, too . . .
. . . sorta like sepia metallic = sepiallic
NOW we're talkin'
This is where that fresh top-of-their-class Art Center grad begins his/her career . . . provided they pass their tour-of-duty in door handles & interior lighting
Light Commercial Vehicles
I tell ya --- it was one driven individual who cadded-up this thing. I can appreciate the subtleties of all the creasing of sheet-metal --- I mean, let's face it . . . this thing 's a dog-house w/ headlights, K? . . . but whatever money they may've saved in weight/materials shrinking the foot-print down . . . they prolly spent tooling-up for that kooky asymmetrical rear glass
And is it me? . . . or does this thing look like it's just a set of NiCADs away from being fully electric?
Anyway, after doodling these for a few years? . . . any designer's prolly crippled for life. Maybe that's why so many modern cars look like they do?
PS Where 're the bumpers?
Again, this year --- the most interesting thing at Honda's display was NOT something that they sell . . . at least at a civilian dealership
And I didn't read the placard, but --- I'm gonna go w/ Indy Winner? (Bottle o' milk = etc)
Fascinating for me to look at these cars. Not sure but --- to keep speeds down . . . aren't these cars down on power from years back? So 'aero' 's much bigger deal w/ these cars, seems. Lot less 'stuff' (winglets, fillets, scoops, fences, etc) = lower drag
Bigger cars, too. F1s are still held to 13" wheels, yes?
More Honda Indy car
I quit watching Indy decades, ago. Know virtually nothing about these cars or the regs, any more
Or the drivers
I just remember USAC and IRL and a lotta bickering 'bout rules and what-not
Then . . . just kinda lost interest
+ cars weren't as sophisticated as the F1 stuff
But worst of all --- I think . . . is how US sanctioning bodies have a really sh!tty rep for legislating-out any non-domestic competitors
Like Porsche
Too bad
Imagine what AUDI would do to this kinda racing --- running a diesel?
Meanwhile --- outside/in the lobby . . .
NOOOOOOO idea . . . either what this is/is about
. . . and this isn't even the After-market part
Bentley
Jeez-louise . . .
. . . what . . .
. . . a . . .
. . . boat
With a motor to match. Check-out the stands holding that motor up. Looks like something out of a May Day parade in Red Square
I thought that all these Mastodons come w/W12s --- but this looks to be 'just' a V8 out on display . . . as in twin-turbo, apparently
Gulp!
Then again, prolly required equipment for not-exactly-svelte cars that cost as much as a sub-division . . . well --- in MY neighborhood, anyway. And rather tamely-shaded, too, I might add . . . for something capable of zero-to-Grey-Poupon-in-my-face in ~4.5 seconds
Oh-oh --- and don't forget
AWD
Ughhhhh
Toyota
Remind me why I go to car shows, again?
Someone please just re-cycle this already. Or add some handles --- then head for Target. Penalty-box interior . . . for people who really-really hate cars
Think this is bad? . . . . . . . .
. . . it gets worse
I don't even know what this is. It has wheels, K ---- but-but-but . . . .
. . . what's with the Big Chrome D!ldon!c under the lid --- or the on-ecstasy exterior? Seriously. The whole outside was covered in what looked like a big TV screen --- with pixels flashing these kooky patterns across
?
Reminds me of something I saw in a Woody Allen film, once . . . 40 years ago
Good luck gettin' me in something/anything like this
Nightmare
Toyota channels a Corvette --- or, at least . . .
. . . tries --- really-really hard
Another CAD-Guy-Gone-Kwazy Kar
Seriosly, How much can one car take? There really is only so much stuff you can pack on to a car before Things Just Get Outta Hand
Scoops
Strakes
Extending wing
Semi-scissor doors
Front splitter
Rear diffuser
Bazooka exhaust
. . . somebody stop me ---- please!
Wait-wait!
Gonzo brakes
Gonzo wheels
See-through glass hood
LED headlights
LED tail lights
. . . and on and on and on and on . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . from the Too Much = Just Right School of Style
Meanwhile --- over @Volkswagenland . . .
. . . Golf R Sportwagen
Downright somber after all the histrionics over @ Toyota. Turbo-four + AWD, maybe?
Caramba!
Folding side mirrors, ala Audi
Great. Another thing to break
~$40k-ish, I say . . .
. . . and-uh --- lose the roof rails
More Volkswagen . . .
. . . . SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much more
Golf R 400 . . .
Uh-ooooh. Just tell me that its AWD, K? 'Cause there's only so much that two wheels can take
CF mustaches --- front + back. 'Ominou$ brake$' option
Wonder if any legal services are part of the 3-yr-warranty?
Uh-oooh . . .
. . . looks like somebody's had a few too many energy drinks before they hopped on the ol' CAD, last night
I LOVE the idea of Volkswagen building a sports car . . . but I was thinking more along the lines of the Type 60K10
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ighlight=60k10
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ighlight=60k10
Sleek. Smart. Lightweight. Maybe even diesel-electric?
Instead? . . .
. . . they come up w/ this? . . . . . . . Hot Wheels!
I'd had hopes that F Piëch could've maybe pushed something through --- an engineering + execution tour de force . . . the man is one of my heroes, but . . .
. . . doesn't look like that's gonna happen . . .
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...Piech-Quits-VW
Schade
Perhaps Herr Piëch would like to build a car with his name on it? . . .
. . . instead of just his fingerprints?
Look at what is . . .
. . . then remember what once was . . .
. . . now imagine what could be
New Miata . . .
. . . looks like the 1st One . . .
. . . + w/o those fugly 'donuts' around the wheel arches --- better than the Last One
Another Mazda . . .
I'd be interested to hear just what the engineering justifications are for the way this car looks. I mean, I get the 'down-force' part, the cooling/air-intakes stuff, and --- I don't know . . . even the small frontal-area? . . .
. . . but check-out that fin-thing on the back half of the car. What's with all the 'side-area'?
From an aero aspect --- are these things so unstable in yaw that they really need to have so much? And just how much HP does it take/cost to push all this through the air? (Like those outside rear-views. ???)
I'm asking 'cause race cars are built for a purpose --- +according to whatever rules happen to be in force. Their appearance is due to someone's solution to some problem
Short-version = race cars are 'designed' to look the way they look . . .
. . . not 'styled,' necessarily
That's a Lola prototype, a design from like 10 years ago- or maybe more like 6. Mazda bought a couple and runs their production diesel engines in them as a torture test. They try to use as many production parts as possible and when something breaks they then can make a better part for both production and racing. They are still rather slow compared to the newest P2 designs.
The fin was mandated several years ago after the cars started getting airborne again. Unlike the blow-overs of the Porsche and Mercedes GT1 cars, the organizers found that the cause of most cars getting airborne was ultimately a high-speed spin. After that, physics takes over. I heard someone say that these cars have about as much area as a Cessna 172 has wing area, but these cars are expected to stay on the ground at double the take-off speed for the Cessna.
The fin is meant to help keep the car yawing sideways (though it doesn't seem to help that much if a tire blows out or a crash occurs- the Toyota and Audis have gotten some air though nothing like the GT1's) and thereby prevent the situation that causes the blow-over. They also have rules about rounded corners on the rockers and the holes in the fenders meant to relieve pressure, all things to hopefully keep the cars inside the fences. Cars getting out of the fences mean spectators hurt and the end of the racing series.
Makes sense. Like the 'fences' on the wings of some aircraft --- smooth/straighten/direct/contain some airflow?Quote:
Originally Posted by Flieger
I'm sure the sponsors love it --- owners, too
More room for adverti$ing?
Chevy --- I think . . .
. . . says so on the side there, anyway
Didn't stick around for this. Heard something about it being 'laser powered' --- and kinda checked-out
As a 'styling exercise' --- it's interesting enough, I guess. Always fun to see what new twists Designers can come up w/ using 4 wheels, two headlights, steering wheels in front, etc . . .
. . . and we've been living with/looking at really-ugly F1 cars for a while now
One Question
And never mind the motor . . .
. . . where does the Driver sit?
I know-I get it --- these kindsa things are to preview what little styling touches we could expect to see on some future models
And all this comes to from the same people who build all those Silverados + Tahoes?
Guess that --- for me, anyway . . . it's a question of 'relevance'
Meanwhile, over at Infiniti . . .
. . . wow
I'm assuming that any new vehicle coming out these days is designed w/ at least the capability of handling some kinda hybrid/alternative powerplant. So I expect new cars to get larger --- room for batteries + such
IMO . . . Nissan + Toyota kick a$$ when it comes to Concepts
I mean, while GM comes up w/ a laser-powered car? . . .
. . . Nissan pulls up w/ something like this
This is in NO WAY anything that I'd ever buy/own --- but . . .
. . . if I didn't know what the Future could look like? . . .
. . . then --- I'd take a gander at one of these
Infiniti RedBull Racing --- powered by? . . .
. . . Renault . . .
Originally Stewart Racing . . .
. . . then Jaguar Racing --- check written by Ford . . .
. . . sold to an 'energy' drink company . . .
. . . who proceeded to do what the previous proprietors couldn't . . .
. . . which was win the Constructors' Championship . . . .
. . . four times
. . . in a row
Oh --- AND the Driver's one, too
(Ditto)
(Ditto)
More Infiniti RedBull . .
1.6L V6 + turbo + generators = 760 hp
'. . . sounds like a pissed-off vacuum cleaner . . .'
Wings, schmings. I say --- let's pop her top 'n' fire this b!tch up
Zis a car show or what?
Boom-shaka-laka-laka . . . .
Lexus LF-2C . . .
If I ignore the obnoxious color, for a moment --- then the detailing on this carriage is pretty surreal . . . and not just all the surfaces/creases/twists/fillips . .
Check out the door handles, headlights . . .
. . . + parking lights . . .
No trucks on their stand, either
More LF-C2 . . .
Wh#rehouse interior --- but, still . . .
More LF-C2 . . .
OK --- kinda porky, maybe? . . .
. . . and the 'dead-pedal' 's a bit naff --- but . . .
. . . quite the eyeful, eh?
The Redbull on display was a few years old- still had a V8 when it was racing (might not have an engine for the show circuit).
BMW . . . Notta-boxer
(Finally!)
If I was Suzuki? . . .
. . . I'd ping BMW Legal about that 'R' . . .
:rolleyes:
BMW i3
Seen a few of these scuttling 'round. Attractive-enough-looking I suppose --- but kinda like how I feel about my Dyson . . . not bad/kinda cute --- but no b*ner
Interior was very interesting, though. And, like w/ the bike --- not-at-all what I would expect from These Guys. Lotsa interesting colors + textures, here --- with wood-like stuff that reminds me of IKEA furniture/well-done plywood. I'm assuming that everything here is low-impact/re-cycleable/etc, so . . .
Anyway, like the berbery clothy stuff + what-I-assume-to-be-vinyl (?), although --- those lighter colors 'll get trashed w/ one trip to the dog park. Darker/more terrierish tones, if you please? Door cards look almost like GRP = like very mucho. Touch o' timber w/ the arm rests-cum-speak-o-pods = delish
Now --- let's try all this in something ///M-badge, shall we?
Oh-yeah ---- and ditch all the tele-dildonics. OK-OK --- a/c, heater, some kinda hook-up for 'personal electronics' . . . . . but that's it
W/ three pedals, please?
Mercedes what's-left-of-the-SLR
'Member the Uriginal? F1-inspired schozz, cheese-grater flank vents w/ side dump exhausts --- McLaren badges . . . wacky-as-hell?
Not any more. Tin-tops only, looks like. And so much for any 'gull-wing' stuff. And if ya wanna get crazy? . . .
. . . get yellow
Looks like something GM used to do . . .
. . . back in the '80s
Stupid
I mean, the most over-the-top car-maker on the planet --- Zonda . . . uses these Guys' motors, fercryinoutloud
And all that MBz can come up with? --------------------- is THIS?
More Mercedes . . .
zzzzZZZzzzzzzzzzZZZZzzzzzzzzzZZZZZzzzzzzzzzZZZZzzz zzzzz
I actually think the GT-S is the best looking of the three of that genre of Mercedes. Of course, it looks a whole lot like a 911 in profile so that might be why. It doesn't have the ridiculously long hood of the SLS (gullwing) or the F1 poser nose of the SLR. It's smaller and nimbler and more subtle, understated (in silver). Like a Mercedes should be.
Leave the outrageous to the Italians.
Lexus --- HF-something-or-,nother . . .
Saw this display from a distance --- looks like a coupe, but . . . didn't really care
But. Leave it to Lexus to find yet another aspect of their automobile to get people kooky about . . .
. . . the underside
And --- as you can see . . . lotsa interest, surprisingly
Nice stuff, here. Very tidy, too. Allkindsa beautiful bits/carefully fitted/out on display. Shame to have to actually drive all that down some Nasty Road. And heaven forbid you scrape any o' this parking or going up a drive. Add 'underbody inspect' to the lease return?
:D
Now. Let's see how those Germans respond, next year
New Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept
Whatever. D@mn 'handleless' doors, again. Wish everybody'd just quit teasing us w/ this feature ---- and just DO IT, already!
Like this color --- barbeque'd/roasted orangy/copper . . . yum. Prolly never do it for real = Show Car Only?. Invisible exhaust tips . . . almost
Really like this kinda 'reductionist' exterior, too --- compared to all the swoops + swirls of some other cars. A 'truck,' yeah, but . . . this'll still look good when fashions/styles/trends change down the road. Wonder how it does in dirt?
Room for batteries + hub-motors, ya think?
More Disco 'Concept' . . .
Check-out the interior. Like the ouside = 'spare.' Interesting 'floating' console/bin thing, there in the door. And wood makes a re-appearance --- floors, too! And . . . is that some sort o' lighting, built in, there in the door cap edges? Snaaaaa --- zee!
LEDs, I'm gonna guess. I do like these. Bright + long-lasting + low-power = v smart
Requisite 3rd row ('penalty box') rear seating looks like it might fold-away? And room-enough for a muttsker --- or three
PS So-uh --- where's the door-latch thingy?
Jaguar F-Type 'Project 7' . . .
. . . 2014 edition
Jaguar F-Type ('Project zero') . . .
. . . 2001 edition
http://www.jag-lovers.org/ftype.html
15 years on ---- and these Jokers is still teasing? And I'm really supposed to take this latest effort seriously?
(Reitzle must be just doubled-over by this mess. I bet Jaguar could still build the '01-version --- + sell every one for any amount. But, instead? . . . . what a bunch o' boobs)
PS If it were up to me? --- radio = optional, AC = optional, passenger seat = optional, doors ========== optional!
PPS Wolfgang Reitzle . . .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Reitzle
Seen --- at the Jaguar Stand . . .
Niiice phone, Padre!
Audi . . . does it matter? . . .
I know-I know . . . looks like a Show Car, but . . .
More Audi . . . . . .
. . . the thing about these Guys is . . . .
. . . they'll turn around and actually build this!
(Who Knows? Maybe 'll be the 1st to ditch the door-handles on a regular production car?)
PS Check out that gas fill. (Just guessing, but --- still has exhaust ports, so . . .)
Clean-clean-clean
Caddie . . .
Still a bit bigger/bulkier/chubbier than they need to be (IMO) --- but . . .
. . . what a difference from just a few years, ago
More Caddie . . .
And I didn't see any trucks/SUVs/etc . . .
. . . but --- then/again . . . I didn't really look too hard, either
These still come w/ that Kwazie V-something motor + 6sp?
+ No more wagons, looks like . . . . . :(
At the Lexus (?) stand, this time . . .
Maserati . . .
One o' the Few True Exotics who bothered to rent space, here
Dunno 'bout this one, though
Kinda --- biggish/longish, odd . . . almost reminds me of the Weinermobile, ya know?
Too bad 'cause I love their Quattroporte --- the model-before-the-current one. The auto-manual is junk, I hear --- but the shape + Ferrari motor = ay-yaay-yaaay. Beautiful interiors, too. And a bit of a deal . . . if you can get the gearbox sorted
Anyway --- this one? . . . . . . . . pass
Mini, this time . . .
. . . answering someone's prayers, maybe?
;)
Toyota 2000GT . . .
Very 1st time that I've ever seen one in the metal . . .
Small. And not exactly a WOW-kinda car, at 1st glance IMO ---240Z, anyone? . . . but some nifty details. Like the creases splitting the roof, and that character line @the fender tops looping over the really-tidy tail. Windsheild + side glass looks spectacular --- check-out that A-pillar. Never seen flush hood-hinges like that, either --- ever. But that weird hatch on the side reminds me of a Bristol. And the nose looks juuuust a bit too long for it. Hate-hate-hate those fender-top rear-views, too
Still. Super rare = ~300 built? --- how many LHD? Alu bodywork + real magnesium wheels --- + knock-offs, to boot. Tires look like they're as old as the car, maybe? Lid was down but, as I recall, these were DOHC I6 (built by Yamaha) w/150-200 hp (?). Carroll Shelby (yeah-huh) was involved w/ sorting these, at one point
Anyway, might be fun to drive, but --- w/ those production numbers = spares? . . . (your deity here) help you if anything breaks
Too bad about the ropes
A very good reason for that too;)Quote:
Originally Posted by LongRanger
Another vintage Toyota . . .
. . . Land Cruiser, I'm guessing. FJ25?
Wow . . .
. . . so, like . . . what ever happened to a simple stuff?
More vintage Land Cruiser . . .
D@mn ropes
Scion --- something-o-'nother . . .
I've seen the other side of this Partnership-w/-Subaru creation -- there's a copper-colored one @work. Except for badges = identical
Front-end seems to be modeled after an Imperial Stormtrooper --- like a lotta cars, these days. Something subliminal, maybe? Niiiice Singeresque outside-rear-views + rear-window slats = what-kinda-visibility? Wheels look good for one/maybe two dips/curbs/driveways. Nice-enough interior, too, but --- dunno about this Targa-roof thing. That --- + the color? . . .
. . . = looks like a girl's car
Time to head Down Yonder --- to the Aftermarket Section o' the Show . . .
Van conversion, huh? I 'member those. High School
Didn't care much for 'em back then, either
Ford Model A convertible Pick-up
Niiiiice little buggy. Low-compression = this thing 'll run on your used mouthwash. Be curious what the fuel economy is on something like this
NO IDEA what this is doing here. Shilling for some kinda travel company, looks-like
Cars I only see at Car Shows . . .
. . . well ---- mostly
'Outdoor Life-styles' anyone?
1) + 2) Uhhhh-you know . . . that's one heckova TV set ya got there, Mr RUBster --- but . . .
. . . ever heard of an ipad? And most Bikers kinda do tend t' ride 'em, so . . . jus' sayin'
3) + 4) Other than maybe a better view --- from inside a tent (?) . . . not sure what's goin' on here. Animal-proof? . . . maybe? Then, again --- w/ that wheezy/little ladder holding-up your evening's outdoor adventures. . . looks to me you're one rowdy bear away from a not-so-happy ending
Privacy-schmivacy --- how 'bout carrying your cr@p on the roof . . . w/ you dropping the seats/sleeping inside? Looks like a $10k answer to a $45/night question
'Course --- ya could always just get a bigger truck. Prolly save some money, even . . . . . . ya Goof-ball
You KNOW you'e at The L.A. Auto Show when . . .
1) People actually buy yellow Ferraris . . . . . . then put a padded vinyl roof on 'em. What? ---- no landau bars? . . .
2) People practice re-cycling --- by putting their truck's old dubs . . . . . . onto the 'wife's' car
3) Roll-cages built to withstand impacts --- w/ other planets . . . show-up on 'street cars'
4) Rolls-Royces are used to advertise . . . . . . for sh!tty/no-name stereo-installers. Excuse me, but ---- is that Sawzall you've got there?
5) $Xk 'butterfly' door conversions show-up . . . . . . . on >$Xk cars. Take THAT, McLaren
Hmmmm . . .
Inviting comments
I think he's shopping on-line --- for a proper pair of pants
Funny Car
Used to go to the Drags (a LOT) when I was a kid. The cars look the same --- sorta . . . but/still . . .
Pretty overwhelming --- the physics inside these
Performance?
Zero-to-100 MpH <1.0 sec
Standing 1/4 = ~4.0 sec @>310 MpH
Attachment 349930Quote:
Originally Posted by LongRanger
Attachment 349929
Damn... no signal AGAIN.
My old boss used to work for Goodyear as their on-site tire engineer for Top Fuel and Funny Car race cars. He said the sound of those engines when they started was insane. After years of being there, he said they would still make you jump if you weren't ready for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by LongRanger
I asked him, does the driver even made a difference or do they just sit there releasing a clutch, hanging on, and releasing the chute and that the race is won in the pit? He said the best drivers make so many minute steering inputs to make sure they go in a perfectly straight line and that they can actually get feeling from the tires and can tell when they are off. He said John Force gave him lots of feedback on how he wanted his tires.
Ahhh . . . The Goode Olde Dayes . . .
. . . no emission controls, impact bumpers, seat-belts, air-bags, collapsible steering columns . . .
. . . self-control . . .
. . . discretion . . .
. . . taste
Oh-wait --- sorry . . .
'Barris'
Then/again, candy-apple paint --- and chrome . . . can only do so much
= Why I'm not a 'Hot Rodder'
The Deep End
I'm guessing that the Auto Show Folks had some space left over --- and a weird sense of humor/few too many . . . so the Galpin Guys got these in
The Little One looks like a representation of one of Stan Mott's 'Cyclops' --- an R&T cartoon that I never thought was all/that funny . . .
. . . and the Big One is Ford's infamous Pinto --- Spanish for rear-end explosion ('a$$ torch'?), I believe. Anyway, if you ever wanna know why 'Muricans are down on US-built small cars . . .
Mini . . .
. . . or what's left of what-once-wuz a Clubman
OK-yeah-yeah --- krappy photos . . .
. . . but all those ropes pretty-much eff'd-up this shot, anyway, so . . .
Interesting Little Menace. Tubbed + caged = pfunny car. Looks to be harboring some sorta blinged-out Honda 'plant --- sharing space w/ what I presume to be . . . gulp . . . an inter-cooler. Still --- room enough for a nitrous bottle-or-two, maybe?
I tell ya . . . some people's kids
Anyway, looks well-enough-executed --- albeit w/ some pfunky pfinishing . . . but I'm a sucker for copper-anything . . .
Then/again --- wrong-hand drive, so . . .
Super Cars . . . .
HERE's where they're hiding . . .
. . . and I can see why
What ever happened to all those bright/cheery/giddy colors these things usually come in? Things act like they're under-cover, or something. Almost looks like frickin' B&W photograph, in there. And the brightest shade? . . .
. . . belongs to a Roller?
Ugh!
. . . and no girlies, either
Ford (Tuner) does a 3-Series . . .
. . . on 26 inchers
Wait
BMW (Tuner) does a Mustang
Right Back at cha, Ferd!
Pretty ghastly --- IMO . . . looks like it came out of some kid's cereal box. Weird/dildonic Rich Kid vibe --- as most Tuner cars seem to have, any more
Then/again --- w/ 500 hp (or --- gulp . . . more) cars on offer all day long . . .
. . . what else is left but to juice-up the 'looks' to go w/ all that power?
Still . . .
. . . where will this thing be in 5 years?
And I used to think Sbarro was too-too. What's next? A George Barris edition?
And? . . .
. . . inevitably . . .
. . . trucks
SoCal is pretty-much infested w/ these things. I know-I know-I know --- practical, usable, versatile, durable . . . . . . if you're moving furniture or hauling a trailer --- I guess. When My Grampa took me w/ him On-the-Job, pick-ups were std eqpt
But this?
Personally? ---- anything this big? . . . . . = attention. Or maybe some kinda deep insecurity/deficiency. Automotive equivalent of elevator shoes. Jeeeeez --- I mean . . . check-out the ground-clearance on some o' these rigs. The biggest obstacle anyone driving in SoCal is ever likely to encounter is a speed bump. (I mean ---- it doesn't even rain here, fercryinoutloud!) Or maybe another car . . . like (gulp!) . . . mine! Seriously. Imagine sharing the road w/ Mastodons like this on a daily basis = why I drive at off-hours/deserted roads/night
Maybe that's another reason why people buy these . . .
. . . self-defense
Then/again . . . maybe it's just for --- entertainment?
Why I want $10/gal gasoline . . . .
And speaking of entertainment . . .
. . . ZelectricBug
. . . . . Dot Com . . . . of course
Feels like a future. Taking old/small cars, pulling out their internal-combustion part, adding an electric part . . .
. . . . then/again --- meanwhile . . .
. . . 34-inchers
!
And w/ those tires? ----- only on carpet
Whenever I leave an Auto Show --- I always come away asking myself . . .
. . . what car would I buy?
It used to be that there was always something that I could really see myself in --- a small sporty car, a little SUV . . . maybe even a wagon. (Gotta dog, so . . .)
But more + more . . . there's not much to interest me at these shows. Sure-sure --- VW + Audi + Subaru 'll usually have something that might tick all the boxes. But the Reality is spending what-ends-up-being ~$40k on some impossibly-electronic contraption that's mostly plastic --- and that might not exactly be a 20-year proposition durability-wise . . . just drives me back to the kindsa cars that I'm used to: 'used'
But that's just me. And thinking about the cars that I HAVE gone bonkers for --- after seeing them at an Auto Show? . . .
. . . only 2
Last One? . . . was a Lotus Elise. Still want one. Small, feather-light, Toyota motor. Rented one once --- for my birthday. Hilarious performance. And totally accessible. Just balloon-footing around town --- I'd put 30 meters on anything . . . just scooting-away at the lights. 'Regular' suspension was so stiff, had my eyeballs pin-balling inside my skull just passing over the expansion joints. But barely used any gas, though
The Other was --- a Toyota pick-up . . . ~92? A little/dinky 4-cyl + 4X. Vinyl seats, rubber mats, crank windows, simple + cheap = total 'tool box.' Nasty Dog 'd love it, too . . . mostly 'cause he could see out, again. (And he'd get to sit right next to me, again/too.) I still look
Not so sure how well a Lotus would survive in traffic. SoCal is just punishing to drive-around in. Prolly need some Really Loud Horns = keep from getting smooshed. But a (little) truck? . . .
. . . hmmmm
Give the BMW a rest. And the Nasty Dog 'd fit better, too
Direct injected, stuck open injector, hydra locking, hole in the block, check engine light, because of the dirty intake track, car is too loud, so the engine cuts out at inappropriate times, to meet mandated noise levels, is our future? I'll keep what we have till the car companies get a handle on these issues.
Chris