The Lounge

As Toyota Motor Corp. joins the Big Three Detroit automakers in trying to soften up fuel economy legislation winding through Congress that would require a Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard of 35 mpg by 2020, what gets lost in the controversy is that the carmakers actually could achieve the target. They just want a little more time — and money. Key to the fuel economy target in the likely bill: building pickups and sport-utility vehicles that average 27.6 mpg by 2020. Despite complaints from automakers, that goal is certainly attainable. But it's going to take a well-funded information campaign aimed at consumers to prime the marketplace for what amounts to a re-eng…

Camino has a new scanner - be prepared for an onslaught of pics of his old rides in the near future.

To everyone at Cheers and Gears and all our Guests,

Salesman: Welcome to 21st Century Chevrolet, can I help you? Me: I'm looking for something interesting and a bit different. Salesman: OK, What other new cars have you bought in the past. Me: An El Camino SS, a Firehawk, and a GTO - I like cars that stand out in a crowd. Salesman: How about moving up to a Corvette? Me: That's not in the budget. Salesman: In that case Camaro is the car for you! Me: I don't know, I'm not much of a Camaro guy. Got anything else? Salesman: I could put you on the waiting list for the new SS. Me: SS? SS, what? Salesman: Just SS, that's the name. Me: I see. Got a brochure? Salesman: I can let you look at my copy, but we don't have an…

Have a really good day in Minnesota, sir.

In honor of Turkey Day, I thought I'd make a special 'UDG' thread. The premise here is simple, you will only be allowed to pick cars that are built overseas, and must make the trip to YOUR nation via water. Rules- 1)Production models only. 2)These are your only vehicles. 3)Maximum of 5 choices. 4)Nothing older than 20 MODEL YEARS OLD......a wildcard for fun. 5)Your picks must have been built OVERSEAS and transported across a body of water to reach you market.

So I've been searching used cars this evening and found an 09 Civic EX coupe with only 8000 miles at Carmax for $13495. Seems like a great deal if everything is okay with it. The VIN is 2HGFG12839H535350. TIA

Any way I can one for my G6? I can't register on MyGMLink because I'm in Canada, and there's no Canadian version. I want to get it so I can familiarize myself with the car before I pick it up. I need a fairly long trip right off the bat when I pick it up (Toronto -> Waterloo).

I'm still calling you Paulie, BTW. I hope it's a good day - stay warm!

[...] But those involved hope their ambitious goal of simulating the tangle of neurons and synapses that power our thought processes could offer solutions to tackling conditions such as depression, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's. The Human Brain venture is the next step in a long-running program that has already succeeded in using computers to create a virtual replica of part of a rat's neocortex -- a section of the brain believed to control higher functions such as conscious thought, movement and reasoning. Scientists at its forerunner, the Switzerland-based Blue Brain Project, have been working since 2005 to feed a computer with vast quantities of data and algor…

Do any of you DIY guys have experience with ordering from this site? Looks pretty good at first glance...

I ride this trail when I'm home

On WDIV Local 4... NAIAS: Prime Time Extended Sneak Peek - Friday, January 6th at 8 p.m. I'll have that on one tv and the Wings on the other.

G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com 1963 Batmobile for Sales LOT 89068 http://entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv-memorabilia/memorabilia/earliest-known-officially-licensed-1963-batmobile/a/7096-89068.s?ic=ih-entertainment-1963Batmobile-PR-viewHighlightedLot-auction7096-111414 Heritage Auctions has the listing pleasure of selling the earliest official Batmobile to the public. Opening Bid is $90,000 and for this you get the world famous Oldmobile Rocket V8. So would you buy this piece of Auto Comic history?

http://www.holdencampaign.com.au/christmas2007/

Click the link: http://bit.ly/cga4st

Cadillacs in movies: http://www.imcdb.org/vehicles_make-Cadilla...l-Eldorado.html

... and anyone else who'd like to help. I'd like to ask a favor. Would you be willing to spread the word about the '38 Dodge in Mopar circles? I'd like to get this done for my mom. Thanks in advance.

* I haven't had time to write anything new for Motor Gnomes recently, but something that my friend, Don, wrote on his 10/10/2011 post, caught my attention...because I agree: His post here: http://www.motorgnomes.com/2011/10/miata-car-clubs/ I see so many clubs having well-attended events, including DRIVING events; yet, it seems so hard to simply get people together from various groups/boards in Chicagoland. Maybe someday that will change. For a year, I thought it had, with 65 people attending the 2008 MidSummer Chitown Gathering. But then, every year after that, interest waned, including very low attendance at 3 Meet'n'Greets, 04/16/2011, 05/21/2011 and 07/30/201…

Just curious to know if anyone has been a member of the Jaycees in their area.... I met with a couple today that lead Elgin's Jaycees, in part to see about a presentation they had in December (while I was ill) about starting one's own business. Turns out, that same couple went to high school with my sister ... it is a small world. Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ "There comes a time when we heed a certain call" ... USA For Africa ... 'We Are The World'

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-Chevro...1QQcmdZViewItem

Idiots...

Basically right now it lets you show off your car, in the same manner CarDomain or CarSpace would, but in facebook. A LOT of new features are coming, including rating your car and a buy&sell. The ratings will be particularly interesting because you'll be able to see a list of people with the most popular cars in your network, your geographical location, and so on. Suggestions for improvements are welcome. Pretty much anything is possible if you can name it... it can be added. *A lot of Classic cars are on the way for "favorites"* So far we have planned to add the following in the next week or two: > Buy & Sell > Rate my car > Top rated cars …

Where are some good places to go (especially near the shoreline) around June or so? We're going on vacation here again (second time in 3 or 4 years) and I'm just curious of the places you guys have seen and liked. We stayed in Wilmington, NC last time and that's a great place. We also spent a day on Myrtle Beach, another nice stay.

Uh, just a post to acknowledge that there indeed were 2 bomb attacks in Brussels Belgium. People died, and quite a bit more people were injured. It was awfully close to the capital building and NATO HQ. And certain people with certain views on certain peoples and their faith will make a case that their proposed solutions will work. Those peoples are currently in a national primary election. ^ I neutered what I was going to say because no politics. I'd have to ban myself from the topic.

So far, I like it. Curious what the full list ends up being... http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/13/the-list-0001-graduate-from-a-high-performance-driving-school/

I'm about to fly to Japan to throw my Toshiba through the window of their corporate head quarters. Don't waste your money on a Toshiba. Not only did my mother-board break in less than 3 months of ownership, we had to fight them to fix it, it took 3 weeks to fix and now the radio buttons don't work and the sound is wavy. Don't even try talking to their customer service line, they could care less and provide some of the worst customer service I've experienced in years. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON A TOSHIBA!!

Stay warm, have a good one sir!

Hey everyone, Just a quick question for you: If you had to think of the best name to describe people who like to modify and customize their cars and trucks what would it be? Tuners? Modders? Restylers? Or something else? I know this sounds like a joke (and I'm actually waiting to see the creativity of some of our forum members) but I have been giving this a lot of thought. Tuners make me immediately think of imports only, restylers make me think immediately of professionals and modders bring to mind something else entirely. SO, what do you call people who like to play with their cars?

I think it's going to be a good day in Philadelphia, enjoy yourself sir!

I LOVE to WRITE. I interned at a local newspaper "back in the day" and had many articles published. Recently, another article I wrote was published; this time, online. I've also added a bit more to my Route 66 story. AUTO ADS Last time here, I posted a thread with a bunch of older commercials that caught my attention: Then, Drew posted an article I wrote about commercials: ROUTE 66 After my September 2009 road trip along Route 66, I started writing a Route 66-based story. I finally added a new section in late February 2011, just as the host website was disbanded. So, the entire story is copied in here. Soon, my story may have a new home; details to be deter…

Driver swerves to avoid moose, hits bear instead Motorist escapes uninjured but animal is wounded OSLO, Norway — A Norwegian driver who swerved his car on a rural road to avoid running into a moose hit a bear instead, authorities said on Thursday. The driver spotted the moose on a country road near Hanestad, 225 kilometers (140 miles) north of Oslo, around midnight on Wednesday, and tried to go around the animal, not realizing that a bear was also nearby. "The driver had lost a bit of speed as he tried to avoid the moose before hitting the bear," said Svein Erik Bjorke of the local wildlife authority, who was out in the forest searching for the wounded animal. "We ar…

I do most of my communicating via Twitter, so if you are there give me a follow ... I don't bite, really ... https://twitter.com/#!/bmwborger

Man, you picked a good day to be born. Parties all around!

http://www.boredpanda.com/renaissance-mechanics-photo-portraits-freddy-fabris/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=BPFacebook

I want to use the picture attached above as part of my signature, but it's too large to use here appropriately. Can someone please resize it for me so I can start using it? TIA!

Looks like some sort of beetle, a jewel-like insect. Very interesting to see it in motion.

m.leftlanenews.com/nissan-recalls-2014-leaf-over-missing-welds.html Nissan has issued a recall for a limited number of 2014 Leaf vehicles. Some of the hatchbacks may have left the factory without proper welds on the front structural member assembly, compromising the integrity of the vehicle. The company suggests the defect may not be noticed unless the vehicle is involved in a crash. Engineers believe the missing welds run afoul of federal safety requirements related to occupant crash protection. The problem appears to be limited to Leaf units that were manufactured at Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee, plant between February 28 and March 12 of this year. Owners will be ask…

...My user name sucks! It really needs a nice overhaul. Along with my friggen sig; they're both annoying. (No, not the car in the photo. It's just poorly executed.)

Link Yes, those are iPODs in a vending machine. Why? I'm seriously asking, why? Doesn't everyone on earth have an iPOD anyways? And is there a computer nearby with which you can download music and put it on the uncharged, fresh out of the box iPOD? Another story, they sell digi-cameras in vending machines too.

Had a nice Memorial Day weekend moment yesterday. We fixed a 1997 Oldsmobile involved in a minor accident, and the customer came in to pick it up. He had just come from a stress test, 87 years old. He gave us a muscleman pose as he told us he passed, surprised he was still here, he said. He was happy to get his car back. He had been drafted in 1945, near the end of the war. He was slated to ship off to Japan for a ground invasion when the decision was made to try the bomb instead. The bombs worked, as we know, and possibly thousands of young lives were saved. So, instead of summer gear, they were given overcoats... off to Italy instead. He saw the world. He was spared. He…

Hey-o guys, So this past weekend the big dog NHRA guys were in town Fri-Sun. I've been wanting to go for quite awhile now so a few friends and I took the day off work Friday and went to practice/qualifying. First off, the nitro cars are absolutely insane. If you ever have a chance to go watch these cars, DO IT! Quickest passes in the 3.60's@325ish. The feels and sounds of those cars passing is like nothing else I've ever seen or felt. I have no clue how the crews and drivers can be around those daily and now have serious hearing loss/issues. I wore ear protection knowing they were loud..still didn't expect that loud! Here are some pictures from the day. Not much…

Okay, as I was browsing the interwebs I happened upon something that blew my mind: degree programs and courses in aftermarket automotive accessories! Here I am with BAs in Philosophy and Italina Literature when I could have gone for this instead: http://www.northwood.edu/flash/aftermarket/ And, surprisingly, Northwood isn't the only school to offer these kinds of courses. There are a few others such as the course offerd by Stark State as well (see here: http://www.starkstate.edu/automotive-aftermarket) and it seems that these are actually specifically involved with teaching you the elements of installation and theory. Anyway, has anyone heard of these or had any experie…

For some reason, I have a random copy of the Home News Tribune, a New Brunswick NJ-based newspaper, date Nov 20, 1969. I found these used car ads interesting : • 61 Austin-Healey 3000, good condition, overdrive, $795 • 69 Camaro Z/28, Hurst, 3.73s, 6600 miles, $3300 • 63 Impala convertible, $600 • 67 Biscayne, 427 motor, best offer • 65 Impala convertible 4-spd, $1275 • 68 El Camino, SS396, 4-spd, 24,000 miles, best offer over $2000 • 62 Corvette, 340-HP 4-spd, excellent cond, $1450 • 61 Merc convert, new top, $225 • 66 Belvedere 2-dr Hemi 4-spd, exc cond, $1800 • 69 Road Runner, Hemi 4-spd 4.88s (no price) • 64 GTO 4-spd, loaded, exc cond, beast offer over $1…

Here's a Monte Carlo I bet you've never heard of. :wink: http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/fer...213/rally00.htm

* Anyone else love looking at old newspaper classifieds…? Have a few more from 1970s Des Moines IA newspapers to feature in the coming weeks! http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/04/27/memory-monday-15/ A favorite part (among many) of my Route 66 road trip, September 2009, was spotting murals & cars. This was a great combo … with a Baxter Springs MO mural & a 1987 El Camino appearing in the pic I took! http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/04/28/tuesday-trip-15/ Speaking of road trips, a cousin & I are planning a day road trip this Saturday, 05/02/2015, down to Staunton IL (from Chicagoland); forecasted weather should be perfect…. Anyone want to…

FOOD & DRINK Apples or Oranges? Hot Chocolate or Hot Tea? WEATHER & CALENDAR Thunder or Lightning? Sunrise or Sunset? SPORTS & ACTIVITIES Talk or Text? Monopoly or Uno? Boston's Fenway Park or Chicago's Wrigley Field? ROAD & WHEELS Lincoln Highway or Dixie Highway? Glacier National Park or Yellowstone National Park? Shenandoah National Park or Great Smokey Mountains National Park? PICS & STORIES CARS or CARS 2? (I took the pic 03/09/2012; my nephew will have a sibling in a few months!!!) Dorkish grin or Devilish grin? (Pic taken during my last day of Cardiac Rehab, 04/13/2012) To continue or Not to continue? I hadn't realized it…

This was broadcasted yesterday. http://www.kotv.com/e-clips/Default.aspx?id=6733

* No joke, this is a 1965 Dodge Dart with a Pontiac nose! Would you drive it? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/06/16/twist-tuesday-22/ Every so often, I feature a different spying-eye radar type image. In this case, it is a TV series scene: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/06/16/tuesday-tv-22/ &, an imagine from Day 1 of my most-memorable road trip: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/06/16/tuesday-trip-22/ Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve "Why'd you do it?" __ Reba McEntire __ 'The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia'

Did we have a thread on here not too long ago about the little car pics sigs, some of which had smileys in them? I can't remember where I saw that thread?!

Let's wish these two dudes a good one!

Two new 'UDG' threads today!! With C&D getting up their newest '10 Best' list, I had an idea. The list is really diverse enough that one could assemble a nice little garage with the choices. So with that in mind, let's do so!! Rules- 1) You have the usual 5 choices. 2) Choices are limited to cars that were included in the 10 Best list. So no Mustang GT, Corvette Z06, etc. However, it can be any iteration of the Camaro, 3, Accord, etc. 3) These are your only vehicles. I know, no trucks/SUV's here, but I have to keep everyone from picking only outright sports cars. That's it! Enjoy! LINK- C&D 10 Best …

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/03/sport/motorsport/de-villota-marussia-f1-crash/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

The first hyperloop test bed is built and ready for it's first run according to this story. http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/high-speed-hyperloop-track-ready-for-first-trial-run/ar-BBzziBe?OCID=ansmsnnews11

Just fabolous...

Well, I hope it's not too late to wish you a good day, sir.

I looked out my bedroom window at 4:30 this morning and saw the most glorious sight EVAR OMG... 4 inches of virgin snow blanketing the area. Put on my cap and coat and headed out for some travel. So relaxing to be out driving in the snow so early in the morning in a vehicle that can make it through, no worries. Ended up in BFE again (not the same place as before, but still VERY country, with lots of hills and winding roads.) Snowy fun!

Camino, I tried to send you a PM but the box says you cannot accept new messages. Is there an alternate way I can contact you?

I have had the wifie out testing driving a few of the cars that she likes.... Nox, Vibe, Vue. Test drove the Vue today. Rode in-but haven't driven one yet. Drove two models- one w/ the 4 banger-and other a v6... Test drove the V6....she liked. But soon as it's my turn to drive...we get quick rush of rain...then someones pulls out in front of me. How come my few minutes suck? The sun rolled out for a few mintues...looked like a storm was on the way... The nice saleslady thinks we have time for a quick spin in the other Vue before the storm.... little did we know a severe storm was rolling in...... Weather was fine thoughout the wife's drive. The seco…

Gee, here I aM, wishing good Cheer on yer birthday. Envoy yourself!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/23-Lokar-GM...bayphotohosting this will fit my trans. but would it be wrong?

* Something from my website … any creative captions for this Cadillac & kid in the snow? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/02/23/memory-monday-6/ In health news … if only registering, coaxing doctors to communicate with each other, coordinating schedules & receiving-executing pre- & post-procedure instructions could be listed on a resume as professional abilities, duties & experience…. 03/25/2015, Wednesday = pacemaker replacement …technically outpatient, but may have to spend a night in the hospital; a week of rest follows, then follow-up on, of all days, April 1. TBD = endoscopy & colonoscopy …these should be easy. Given other test re…

* 1 of the 4 motorcycle ads highlighted proclaims: “If all you care about is girls, you shouldn’t read this”. The other 3 are a bit tamer: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/05/09/automotive-daily-111/ Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve "I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights" __ Carrie Underwood __ 'Before He Cheats'

* Included a note about my pacemaker replacement (Wednesday, 03/25/2015) on my website, with this engine image: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/03/25/wednesday-ratio-10/ Adding to that: I was awake enough Wednesday evening to watch “CHiPs” & a couple new shows, but was in & out of sleep otherwise. Today (Thursday), I’ve rested & watched TV, including an hour private investigating in California, an hour sleuthing in Maine, an hour housekeeping in Pittsburgh PA, then back to California to patrol the highways & now NCAA March Madness. [if only road tripping were really THAT easy!] Have a list of things to do, but not ready to tackle much. My lef…

Ah yes... interior COLOR... whatever happened to that?

You're internationally known! Have yourself a good day, sir.

Here's to a great Sunday, doing what you want to do. Happy B-day, sir.

A 'close to perfect' '55 Bel Air http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/inventory/1955-Chevrolet-Bel-Air/132711 Actual Ford LTD police car http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/inventory/1984-Ford-LTD/132709 The GMC I was talking to GMTruckGuy about http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/inventory/1955-GMC-100-Suburban-Carrier/132557

Motors Of History, Including the 1916 Hybrid with Regenerative brakes! C&D did this history of motors that have made a mark, have to say awesome that in 1916 the first Hybrid powertrain was produced with regenerative brakes. Shows it just took 100 years to make it a variable reality. 14HP ICE and 6HP EV. http://www.caranddriver.com/flipbook/engines-au-naturel-an-unfettered-look-under-the-hood-at-some-of-historys-most-significant-engines Love the steam motors, turbines, etc. So cool. Check it out.

Alright, NO excuse for lack of participation in this one. All of you classic and muscle car lovers, this one's for you. There is one caveat, however. I want to see true collector/investment grade cars here. Not run-of-the-mill stuff that you just happen to like. I'm talking cars with massive values- definitely way into 6-figure territory, preferably 7-figure- very rare numbers, etc. So, an example of something that doesn't count- a '69 Camaro SS. Something that does- '68 Charger Daytona. Rules- 1) These are collector cars- they do not have to be used regularly, tracked, etc. 2) Maximum of 5 choices. 3) Production cars only. 4) Any market is…

Alot of you guys have really cool signatures at the bottom of your threads. How do I get one of those? Thanks.

Thank god... now I can tell you all how my day (as well as the past few days) went without anyone second guessing what I say. I mean... seriously. I could say something bluntly obvious and you guys wouldn't believe it on that day. First off, I got to ride out to my Grandparents today, on my 300EX. It wasn't warm, but it wasn't cold either. It was wet, though. Damn rain, the previous night... Anyways, had fun. Got to pull some major Gs with it with sliding the tail around tight dirt road turns. Just the usual... Once there, I got to ride in his new Yamaha Rhino 660 again. It's pretty nice except for that auto. It's a tricky little thing and really causes the 660 to suck …

Hey, you have a good one, sir!

So went to the shop that does the work on my cars (the one with all of the cool car pics in the project car thread>) Miata broke a half shaft (see other thread) before Sunday's racing, so I was unable to race. Here is the story for Today: They are repairing another vintage Rolls Royce automobile. The power window motors are $1200. Each. Plus the other parts to repair the drivers and passenger side power window mech....about enough to buy a nice second gen Camaro...for EACH DOOR! So a machine shop in China has done this work before. owner of the car is flying to China FIRST CLASS and staying in motel while this machine shop rebuilds the window lift mechanisms an…

Came across this at my local Caddy dealership. According to Brad my sales guy, the old man traded it in along with his Allante to get a single new auto for him and his wife since he can not drive anymore. They got an SRX, but the dealership has two nice clean auto's to sell. 1981 Chevy C-10 Pickup with custom engine http://www.dougscadillac.com/VehicleDetails/used-1981-Chevrolet-C10-Short_Bed_Pick_Up_350-Shoreline-WA/2762157743 1993 Cadillac Allante http://www.dougscadillac.com/VehicleDetails/used-1993-Cadillac-Allante%27-2dr_Coupe_Convertible-Shoreline-WA/2623191303

Very impressive.... Not quite as fast as this Camaro though... Very impressive Drag week performance, this has been driven on the street... 251 in the quarter and done with GM power...awesome!

Enjoy