classic car: December 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The Odd Vector Story

Remember what happened when Vector Supercars was taken over by a foreign guy who later got Lamborghini as well? If you don't, here's a refresher:

The former owner, Gerald Wiegert, of Vector was asked to step down as CEO, but stay in design. He refused, and was fired. He then changed all the locks in the factory, fired everyone, then locked himself inside. It was perfect meat for the news people devour and analyze. After a long and bitter "standoff", Wiegert stepped down, and Vector, now sharing much mechanically with Lamborghini, failed a few years later.

Wiegert is still around today, and still wants to come back with an all-new Vector Supercar. He has a website, vectorsupercars.com. Photo from espaciocoches.com

Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas Presents Galore

I got twenty-some presents this year for Christmas, and more than 3/4 of them had to do with cars. In total, I recieved two books, seven die-casts (3 were 1/18 scale, the others were Johnny Lightning), a '63 Corvette split window phone, a wall-mounted 50's 'vette carving, a steering wheel/pedal assembly for my dreams of driving Ferraris being realeased in GranTurismo 4 for PS2, and other things I can't remember because I'm enjoying NC sun right now as opposed to sub-zero temps back home. My desk is now overflowing with over 60 die-cast replicas and rods, and my new ones from Christmas are as follows:

A new Hot Wheels Speedster (basically a hot rodded Auburn), 2005 Chevy SSR, a '77 Pacer, a '65 GTO, an '05 Ford GT Supercar, an excruciatingly detailed '06 Challenger conept (which led to the production version), and a Porsche Carrera Targa.

All in all, I love my die-cast cars and hope to keep collecting them until (and after) I get a project car to restore.

P.S. If a so-called "Porsche Specialist" looks under the hood to check out an engine problem, you may need to think about a new mechanic. Get it? Think about it if you don't; You'll eventually figure it out.

Photo is (obviously) from toywonders.com

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Do What I Say

Click on the title of this post to see one of the most wild of these hopeless supercars. You'll see why it got my attention...

Too many tiny companies, so little time...

I've noticed (as you probably have if you read the Dupont registry for fun) that there are thousands of hopeful ultra-exotic car companies waiting for a big break that will never come. I mean, who's ever heard of the Zenvo ST1? What about the Weber Sports Cars Fastest One or the sporty A.D. Tramontana? All of these cars are real and for the ultra-rich, but are barely known.

P.S. The site where I got these photos, http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/, is pretty much the best page for auto photos of many cars past and present.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

New Idea!

After I looked at this photo on my digital camera, I realized what I could do. I have a plan to go around and get peoples' permission to look in and around their barn(s), and photograph any cars I see there. I will combine these photos into a collection and maybe make them into a book about midwest barn finds.
I know that this will take a long time, but it will be well worth it in the memories of the owners of the cars, and hopefully I may be able to get it published. Look for the book in stores come 2012!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

No more classics! Help me!

I am getting extremely bored now that winter has started setting in. I have to make do with identifying the make and model (and occasionally trim level) of every car I see, but it's no fun now that it's started snowing and everyone has moved their good and collector cars inside (except for those 80's ugly caddys). Up until two weeks ago, there was still a lone daily driver who'd pass me each weekday on the road, but now even he's in some econo-car. I just wish I could skip to summer again...

Friday, December 12, 2008

The Bailout and the Stupidity

I think the reason the Big Three are in trouble so much (or saying they are) is for three reasons.

One: UAW is complicating everything, and losing people money over it.

Two: The Big Three still need to match the quality (not to mention style) of the foreign manufacturers. I wish we could just return to the care-free glory days of the 60's, when the Big Three reigned supreme.

Three: In the current economic times, demand is down, and many are calling to bring the european models over here. Sure, Ford's bringing in the Fiesta, but we're not getting the diesel or other eco-freindly versions and other car. Sure, GM has the new Chevy Volt, but let's face it, that probably will turn out like the EV-1 (hopefully without the whole destroying the cars part). Chrysler has GEM (Green Eco Mobility, as it is now called), but those are basically restyled electric golf carts.

All in all, I don't blame Congress for not passing this bailout. We need more signs from the Big Three that they are able to manage, support, and protect their company (not to mention their reputation). They need quality cars that will sell. And above all, the Big Three need to STOP CREATING 12 DEALERS IN EACH 20 SQUARE MILES AND FOCUS MORE ON SERVICE THAN QUANTITY. Photos from npr.org and wayne.edu

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Why?

In my opinion, 80's American cars (to put it lightly) suck.

I just don't get why people register their Caddy Cimarron as a collector car. These 80's cars deserve to not become anywhere near collectible, except maybe the corvette, mustang, and fiero. In my opinion, everything else American from this era in time was ugly and unreliable.

(P.S. I saw the Oscar-Meyer Weinermobile today!)

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Overrated cars

Here is my list of overrated cars. I have not been influenced by other's opinions, and I don't work in advertising, so these are my opinions only.

1: Geo metro. It may get 36mpg, but it looks like a semi-modern Pacer and runs like one, too. A slap on the face for GM.

2: Most modern "American" "muscle cars". Barely any are actually made in America, and most don't even have 200 horses!

3: Hummer. It's huge, bulky, huge, and has obviously no mind towards originality in styling. Proves that America can still rip off others' ideas and make them worse.

4: Chrysler 300. Once again, rip-off(fake rolls/bentley)styling and not enough power, even the srt-8.

5: 80s Corvettes. they had about 225hp, enough said.