The Lounge

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...ml?hpid=topnews As the winds and water of Hurricane Katrina were receding, presidential confidante Karen Hughes sent a cable from her State Department office to U.S. ambassadors worldwide. Titled "Echo-Chamber Message" -- a public relations term for talking points designed to be repeated again and again -- the Sept. 7, 2005, directive was unmistakable: Assure the scores of countries that had pledged or donated aid at the height of the disaster that their largesse had provided Americans "practical help and moral support" and "highlight the concrete benefits hurricane victims are receiving." Many of the U.S. diplomats who rece…

Shortly after Castro took over in 1959, the U.S. slapped a trade embargo on Cuba. That means the country has imported few cars in the past five decades. But ever-resourceful Cubans have managed to keep the same vehicles on the streets since the 1950s, making the country the world's biggest open-air car museum. I know a Pontiac when I see one!

Enjoy

Well, it's cloudy and cool here this a.m. (unbecoming for a July 4th, imo). Still, it's a day to celebrate the anniversary of our great country's birth as a nation. And in that spirit (of '76), what better to do than declare your independence? Is there something holding you down, keeping you from greatness? Kick it! Be free!

make you :rotflmao:

Some quick shots in the barn last night. Have to get some good outdoor shots for the calendar later.

So I was in Flightsim... Saw this image, thought it was cool... and posted it. Nope, not much more to say about it than that

We'll thought it was time for us to have a fun thread of posting stuff we find from Japan. Crazy the auto modifications that are allowed in Japan for street legal driving.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-Tra...sspagenameZWDVW

Classic song, interesting version: EDIT: don't be scared, it's not gay.

Last night at around 11:00 PM, I hit the quarter-million mile mark in my 1990 Chevrolet Suburban. Sixty8 was there to verify and document the event: Still going strong after 19 years; can't wait for 300,000!

I rarely ever see commercials, w/ tiVo, but happened to catch some while catching up on last night's South Park... the Kia Soul ad is clever, with the hamsters. The Burger King Squarebutts ad is trippy (with a cameo by Sir Mix-a-Lot and a reworking of his seminal song, 'Baby Got Back')... saw a strange Cheetos ad also.

[intro (T-Pain)] (Shortayyyy) Aww $h! Get your towels ready it's about to go down (shorty, yeah) Everybody in the place hit the f@#kin deck (shorty, yeah) But stay on your motherf@#kin toes We runnin this, let's go [Chorus (T-Pain)] I'm on a boat (I'm on a boat) I'm on a boat (I'm on a boat) Everybody look at me cause I'm sailin on a boat (sailin on a boat) I'm on a boat (I'm on a boat) I'm on a boat Take a good hard look at the motherf@#kin boat (boat, yeah) [The Lonely Island (T-Pain)] I'm on a boat motherf@#ker take a look at me Straight flowin on a boat on the deep blue sea Bustin five knots, wind whippin out my coat …

...if Saturn, Hummer, and Saab had been dumped early in this decade?

Link here

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Colorado-SS...d=p4506.c0.m245

So my dad may have found a car to replace the 2007 Impala with when I purchase it at the end of the month... http://inventory.gslchevcity.com/english/Used-inventory/listing/Cars/2009/CHEVROLET/IMPALA/4710042.aspx 2009 Impala LS, Slate Metallic, 16000km (10000mi) -Bluetooth -Leather Steering Wheel -XM -OnStar -Folding Seats -Alloys -Spoiler -Tire Pressure Monitor -Block Heater Going to look at it sometime early next week if they still have it.

...major dental surgery. I am not a happy camper.

Hey all, Does anybody have any opinions to share about baltimore? My girl friend and I are thinking of moving there late next year. We both graduate in may and I can easily get another senior paralegal or project manager job in DC. We both like the idea of Baltimore because it is so much cheaper then the greater NYC area where we live now even though we would both be working in DC and we would be getting paid roughly equal to NY wages. From what I've gathered Baltimore has parts you wouldn't want to be caught dead in but has great parts along the river like Ferderal hill. We're both suckers for row houses and we've been to some of the good areas and really like t…

My tribute to Pontiac's one and only beast in styling and in performance; The Firehawk. B) The first... The second... The third and final...

Alright guys its time to start overhauling the blood red van of doom Interior CB radio Panasonic head unit polk 6x9 3 way rear speakers 5.25 two way door speakers finished shopping for interior black 17" rims with chrome lip 4 wheel disc brakes (from drums in back) flush mounted handles chrome trim slight drop (may cut springs with a chop saw) new mirrors new grill asembly any ideas any good sites to find parts?

Seeing as how I'm horribly far away from affording a new GTO, I've been looking at things that a are a bit more attainable. The 1994-96 Impala SS has caught my eye. In some ways, it's just like the GTO: -Big Corvette V8 power -Sleek, sedated looks (sleeper-like) I'm still not in the market for another car yet but I wanted to get an idea of how good these are (reliability, modability, etc.). This particular one looks pretty damn clean. B)

This looks like a great book on American auto design. http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0932128076...j=1#reader-page About the authors: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0932128076...s=1#reader-page

It's the grand finale car show for the HCCP (Historic Car Club of Pennsylvania). It will be held on the grounds of Delaware County Community College in Media, PA. Unless it gives me trouble, I'll be driving the '38 Dodge to this event. It would be great to see some C&G folks there.

Over at the Autoweek Combustion Chamber forum, one of the admins put up a thread warning members not to post pics from Brenda Priddy & Co, but to link to them instead. Some smartass put up a picture of Brenda Priddy and asked something like "OK, but what about pictures of Brenda Priddy herself? It was amusing.

Spooky? WTF?

I'm sure most have seen this before, but its priceless... Buick Gizoogled Check out the model listing. Chevrolet Gizoogled Check the model listing here, too. He Drove, She Drove - Toyota RAV4 2007 Escalade Press Release

Ok, so my best friend and I have been locked in a (rather pointless) debate on whether or not icecream cake is actually cake, or just icecream. He believe that it's a lie, and is nothing more than icecream. I believe that, because it is designed and shaped like a cake, it qualifies as one. To put an automotive twist on this debate, I came up with the floowing analogy: Icecream Cake is like a crossover SUV. It looks like a traditional body-on-frame SUV, with high ground clearance and available FWD. However, underneath it's based off a car or minvian. It also under most cercumstances go offroad or tow like a "real" SUV. Yet it is still considered an SUV. Please vot…

Hope it is a good one!

The auctions are over but unless you were in Scottsdale, you wouldn't know about some of the best cars to cross the block. Is the audience for SpeedTV so focused on Corvettes and Mustangs that they wouldn't even want to see the other vehicles? And what about the other auctions? What do you think? http://automotivetraveler.com/jump/2747

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/bcvideo/1.0/iframe/embed.html?videoId=100000000895665&playerType=embed

Asia - Aura (2001) 2007 Saturn Aura Asia - Astra (1985) (Opel) Saturn Astra Coincidence? Is the Saturn Alpha or Aria next?

I found these funny... Facts about Mr. T 1. Every time a bell rings, Mr. T pities a fool. 2. Mr. T speaks only when necessary. His main form of communication is folding his arms and slowly shaking his head. Regardless of the situation, he is always understood. 3. Mr. T once punched Chuck Norris at the exact moment that Norris roundhouse-kicked Mr. T in the chest. The result was the 80’s. 4. Twenty-three. That’s the number of fools Mr. T has pitied in the time it has taken you to read this sentence. 5. Mr. T does not break wind. He destroys it. 6. Mr. T ended the civil rights movement by getting on a bus … all the caucasian people moved to the back. 7. Mr. T i…

Remember this thread? Something's wrong with my car, and I'm told it may be related to my accident. I went on a trip this weekend to visit family. My driveway's on about a 10-15º incline, and when I sat down, my seat broke - the seat and and the seat back tilted backwards about 30º - as if it were hinged only at the back. When I got to my in-laws, I got a good look, and what happened is this: There's a metal bar that's used to raise and lower the front of the seat via a screw-type mechanism that rotates the bar like an axle. An arm attached to the bar raises and lowers the seat as the bar twists. the female part of this screw-lift equasion had snapped clean off of …

*grins devilishly* ...I have a second opportunity! Yep, my nephew will have his first sibling in a few months. Wonder if his sibling will be into cars, too...? I have thoroughly enjoyed my role as uncle & am looking forward to being an uncle again. My "corrupting skills", originally developed for friends' kids, have sharpened with my nephew these last 3+ years. Still don't know why kids like me so much.... Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * rNwJumpStartCruzNite | 5:30-10:30p; SAT, 05/12/12 | BeefVilla, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "A…

Specs and info here...sad to see this happen... http://www.shrackracing.com/hosting/jim_black_firebird.pdf

I found this old 1989 Dakota Sport in an empty lot with some other junkers, Golf, 2 Aerostars, and a 94 Cavalier with a huge whole in the drivers door. I actually went to check out the Cavalier but this. It is in bad shape but the body isnt too bad on it. It has rust on the rockers (not eating away) and the paint is peeling but on trucks, most stuff is replaceable compared to a unibody. The biggest thing that concerns me is the crack in the windshield and I dont know how it runs. However, I have always loved these Dakotas.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3013016&page=1 Unbelievable. I wonder if they know that it was the Fuhrer himself who started VW, as the "people's car"? Ah, a car for the master race, no wonder VW's are so good. That and most Jewish people to this day will still not drive Mercedes and BMW's either, because these companies used slave laborers from the death camps. I don't even know how much of the above article is true, as it's widely known that the Germans stole Opel from GM during WWII, but were made to give it back after the war.

its good to see these cars getting a little love. I think they are unfairly overlooked and espesially love the 73-6 olds. awesome homegrown car.

I thought this was brilliant... warning: Not Safe For Work!

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…

* During the last Chicago Cubs game ever broadcast on WGN radio, 09/28/2014, Pat Hughes (voice since 1996) reminisced & mentioned that, when saying goodbye, we tend to say we’ll see each other later or will keep in touch, but that rarely actually happens. I somewhat succeeded, by road tripping 2002-2011, meeting many of you along the way. I also tried to get people in this area together but stopped asking; ironically, I still want to ask if anyone wants to meet up…. I look through my pics of road trips, people, places, cars … & wonder where some, including those I thought would always be in my life, are today. Next week, I say goodbye to friends of 13+ year…

Alone, both the '49 Ford and MN-12 Thunderbirds are great cars. Together, however....ugh. Why are some so cruel? Who EVER thought this would look cool? Mutilated Mercury The perpetrators http://www.halerconcepts.com/49%20ford.htm

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4790227

I received permission to share this e-mail with all of you regarding the de-camo-ization of the New Camaro mules: Good morning, Camaro Comrades and Firebird Friends! As most of you know, the past couple of weeks has seen several unauthorized photos of the Camaro -- both interior and exterior -- leaked to the public. Frankly, they've caught us by surprise. Unauthorized photos are, invariably, taken quickly without much thought - and as a result -- are not very flattering. Since then, our Vice Chairman, Bob Lutz has ordered that we remove all the cammo off of the mules and early builds...and in fact our General Manager -- Ed Peper is encouraging you to acti…

Get the A$$ beating they so richly deserve....enjoy! GM goodness in the thrashing department....

1990 Corvette I saw a C4 yesterday, somehow they keep getting more appealing. I would honestly take a C4 over a C5, at least if we're talking coupes.

Does Pineapple Belong on Pizza? So the latest battle has Gordon Ramsey saying NO and Alton Brown Saying YES. So what do you think belongs on Pizza?

This is not a pure Dream Garage Thread game we usually play. There are no rules in this one. No maximum amount of cars to dream up. There are no rules. This is just a thread to which I am asking the Cheers and Gears community what dream car or cars (trucks,motorcycles, anything that goes) would you restomod and/or pro-tour and what do those mods include? Engine choices and the like. It could be new engines in old cars. It could be old engines in new cars. It could be sacrilegious engine swaps. I believe that if an owner sees a vision for his ride...then its AWESOME if that owner sees his vision through. Example: Bill Mitchel wante…

What's next? Besides the Camaro. Anything?

Remember my Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible test drive from the end of August? Well, it was spurred on by me receiving a coupon in Bicycling Magazine that promised a free bike jersey if I test drove a Saab and got the coupon filled out. It finally came in the mail yesterday: For the record, build quality is excellent with use of high-quality materials throughout. It supposedly goes for $100, but I got it for 15 minutes of seat time in a Saab.

Dear Diary: [/color] Massachusetts Winters Aug. 12 - Moved into our new home in Massachusetts . It is so beautiful here. The hills and river valleys are so picturesque. I have a beautiful old oak tree in my front yard. Can hardly wait to see the change in the seasons. This is truly God's Country. Oct. 14 - Massachusetts is such a gorgeous place to live, one of the real special places on Earth. The leaves are turning a multitude of different colors. I love all of the shades of reds, oranges and yellows, they are so bright. I want to walk through all of the beautiful hills and spot some white tail deer.. They are so graceful, cer…

Heard on the radio a day or 2 ago.... how do atheists state their unbelief in a god, without mention of god? just curious...

Today was the first day it really felt hot. Car thermometer said 130 when I started, but after a few min w/ the A/C on, it settled down to 100. Though one TV news channel says it was only 98. Well, 6 months of heat begins. Looking forward to getting in pool soon. Supposed to be 102 tomorrow, then cool down to the 90s for a few days.

http://www.techspot.com/news/34615-creator...-its-doors.html Which means Duke Nukem Forever could very likely live on as vaporware forever. Real shame, because I still have fond memories playing the earlier games secretly, because my parents weren't really fond of a 13 year old kid tipping topless 3D chicks and blowing up shiznat. If there was a king of video game role models, it was Duke.

I came across this 1957 Pontiac Safari and was curious about the value. Production appears to be about 1,300...running a 400 with TH400. Headliner needs work and it's missing a chrome piece on the back, but overall it appears solid.

Almost got hit twice today, within 5 minutes of each other. Was driving down a street in my neighborhood...came upon an intersection w/ a two way stop for the cross street...I was on the street that doesn't have to stop...what looked like a teenager in a Tahoe slows at the stop sign, then starts into the intersection just as I'm entering it from her right...I lay on the horn and she stops...was yakking on a phone, of course. Get out onto a major street (4 lanes, come up to a light and start turning into the left turn lane, when a dumbass turns onto the 4 lane street from the intersecting 4 lane street (from my left) and swerves into my turn lane, maybe 20 feet in f…

So I've got this guy I know from the TDI Club named Jess that came to our club dinner last night. Jess is into TDI's and Miatas, so we get along pretty well. What's impressive about Jess is his job-he collects eyes from human donors for transplant. Interesting full time job... And Jess's TDI Golf is a quick little car, but it's neither stock nor EPA legal. In fact, given the right conditions (AC, downshift, full throttle) it will create about as much soot as a good coal fired Chinese power plant. Anyhow...one day Jess is out and about in his TDI Golf going to put a set of eyes on ice. He's going about 70 passing a semi going 65 when a nearly new Camry rolls up on h…

Found a few design sketches for the C5 Corvette, the 4th-gen Camaro MCE, VUE, Sunfire GT, etc. while probing the web. Enjoy! C5 Vette: F4 Camaro MCE Proposal: VUE: Sunfire GT: Why didn't GM put this interior in the Sunfire? Link to where these came from: http://draganelmagda.blogspot.com/

At least for a while. My Tahoe tried to kill itself yesterday by bleeding oil all over the place. It's in the barn and parked until I can find the source of the leak - what a huge mess!

Who knows where this topic may go, but let's play with it anyway.... When it came to cars and how I looked at them, these were the following weird thoughts that came to mind: -Until at least 88, I didn't understand that new cars replaced older versions of the same nameplate. I basically figured all these different looks of cars were still being built alongside one another. For instance: The Nissan Hardbody came out in 1986. I thought it was a bigger truck, or some truck made of different metal or something. I figured the older version was still available new at the dealer and that you still had a choice. I also thought the first-gen F-body was the "co…

... I'd lie to go to this crazy spectacle. place mouse arrow here & press left button....

C'mon, guys, make me orgasm over these things.. Here's one that made me do it a few minutes ago:

New spyware could prevent drivers from speeding CTV.ca News Staff Many motorists would balk at the idea of an electronic back-seat driver that forcefully prevents them from speeding. But a new device being road-tested by Transport Canada could mean breaking the speed limit will no longer be an option. Using global positioning satellite technology and a digital speed-limit map, the device makes it difficult for drivers to press down on the accelerator once they go above a certain speed limit. The idea is sure to appeal to many road-safety experts, but the researcher in charge of the project admits some drivers will not welcome the idea of a machine that forces…

Well, I zipped down 95 yesterday afternoon to DC to see that awesome new Ang Lee movie about cowboys. Love the movie, want to see it again, sooo beautiful, yet so gutwrenching. Lots of interesting old pickup trucks in the movie, for those interested. The story spans about 20 years, and starts off with both guys driving beatup old 1950's GMCs... then they move on to 1960's and 70's Fords. Finally, we see Jack in a late 70's Chevy crewcab dually. So, that was one easy New Year's resolution... to see Brokeback Mountain. I know some of you guys would never see it because of the subject matter, and that's ok, but if your wife or girlfriend a…

So how many of you guys and gals can sing it? Ok here is my entry ( I know I suck) http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=5333

There is a video on VVCARS.COM where it shows Chery's design studio. If you look closely at some parts, you can see a design of the Volkswagen Touareg. The other one shows the Mazda Kusabi clearly and if you look to the right of the designer's ear, you can see the Chevy SS. I can understand if this is for inspiration but Chinese cars have a bad history for copying other cars. To see this, go to the website and click on Factory. There will be a video and if you pause it, you can see some of them.

Is it offered on manual cars? I was thinking about it because I'd like to get an auto start on the Cobalt (I think I'll opt for an '07), but the SS SC Coupe I'd be looking at only comes in a 5 Speed Manual.

I'm getting a new cell phone. Early yesterday I won the eBay auction I've been bugging you guys about. The phone in question is a Boost Mobile i875. It has features that I'll probably never use like Bluetooth® and GPS, and features I've grown to love like nationwide walkie-talkie (I really can't live without my bleep). Plus it plays MP3s. Thanks to eBay, I got the phone for half of what it retails for. It's brand-new in the original packaging and even comes with a free car-charger. I'm psyched. More importantly, it's replacing my old i850 which is beat to $h!. My current phone has quite a few miles (or minutes) under it's belt, and the ante…

I prolly carry too much baggage from the high school years. For EX, I recently looked at the FB profile of a guy I had a cross-room brawl with in high school, and I still feel dislike toward him, even tho the 'statute of limitations' has long ago run out on that. OTOH, as I randomly look up people I used to know from HS, I feel better & better about my current state of self-preservation. Many of the 'beautiful people' have fallen so hard. Life can be a harsh mistress, so the saying goes. Is it wrong to take a teaspoon of glee from that??

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m180/ocnblu4/1313942055-21311.jpg[/img]"]

Just watch and especially listen... 1995 Olds Cutlass Ciera Ad