Manual Transmissions: Tomorrow’s 8-Tracks?
There are two things pushing the manual transmission off the stage - or at least, off to the sidelines:
First, there is government pressure - lots of it - that's got the...
How They Used to Make ‘Em
They don’t make ‘em like they used to - and in many cases, not at all. Have you ever wondered what happened to them? And why?
Station wagons -
You can still buy...
Re-Fixing It . . .
I sometimes wish I'd gotten the V6 engine that was optional when my 2002 Nissan Frontier pick-up was built, because then I could use my truck to pull a small (4,000)...
Retro Interview with Bill Porter
About 20 years ago, I sat down with former Pontiac Chief Designer William “Bill” Porter in New York City. Over breakfast, he discussed his role at Pontiac during the early and...
The Old Trans-Am vs. The New Camaro
I've owned my '76 Trans-Am for more than 20 years. It used to be an incandescent gas hog relative to the new cars. It's not anymore.
I have driven several during the...
Economic Obsolescence
Several of the most successful car (and engine) designs were successful because they were around for a long time. The original VW Beetle is an example and so is the small...
Great Pumpkin Test Drive
In the Halloween Spirit, here's a look at The Great Pumpkin, plus a test drive! It is very patriarchical as well as heterosexual and profoundly unsafe. No air bags. Not even...
Good Names… Bad Cars
The good thing about a bad car name is you've got no expectations. Not much to live up to - and so, little to disappoint you.
Achieva, for instance.
But wasting a good...
Plug n’ Play
One of the great things about old cars is you can selectively update them with modern technology without them turning into modern cars.
An overdrive transmission - but not air bags. Better...
Ode to the Air Cooled
No new cars - and just a dwindling handful of new motorcycles - have engines that rely on the air to cool them.
Technically, it's airflow - which washes over the exterior...