trinacriabob

Happy Easter to those who celebrate it, and happy weekend. And, even if you don't, you can still make sure you eat well (aerial view courtesy of the Chicago Tribune).

Thoughts of the Fontainebleau, and its environs, randomly go through my head from time to time ...

Last day of March Some spotting occurring over several days this month. It's nice to see so many well maintained last-gen Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles on the road - in base 3800 form, and also in supercharged 3800 and 5.3 V8 forms. A fairly timeless shape that has held up well. I like the slightly different grille of the GXP compared to the base model. Here's a base model seen at a Sonic. If they had incorporate the GXP grille and amended the headlamps along those lines, I think they would have sold a few more of these. The question is whether they would have cannibalized from other W-body sales, or even picked up a few would-be Ford Taurus buyers. White is the best color for the last GP. I still have a slight bit of cognitive dissonance and a soft spot for this vehicle. They were reasonably priced for what you got. I've had them as rentals several times and have driven them for quite a few miles.

Q: What do you call someone at Berkeley on a scholarship? A: A "free radical."

Which then leads to either Barry White or Rick Astley ...

It tends to be more civil over here ... Ok, this backs up to mid-March, because it was when I was at the dealership for service. In the showroom: GMC Acadia dashboard GMC Acadia engine compartment - with the 3.6 L VVT V6 This is probably the only SUV/CUV I like. The Acadia has always been among the better looking in this segment, with its clean lines. I actually like the dashboard quite a bit. Also, GM currently features "cleaner" looking engine (ICE) compartments than does the competition. The Acadia slots it nicely in price point between Buick Encore and Envision. * still thinking along the lines of a basic $29 K Dodge Charger *

March 28 - today Spotted this final gen Monte Carlo ... they look great in white and with the optional alloy wheels. I have a soft spot for these and get some cognitive dissonance (the last larger GM coupe within the more reasonably priced brands), seeing that they have held up so well.

Some comments suggest that this is more suited to be the official song of NYC than Sinatra's "New York, New York." I'd be okay with that. Highlights: - the first 25 seconds, when some local dudes are presumably near Times Square and then an early '80s Buick full size wagon, possibly with wood grain, just happens to pull up, an occupant lifts the hood, and it starts belching smoke ... and one drunken guy falls over the fire hydrant (seems to be ok) - at 1:45, why is it that so many NYC taxi cabs used to be shown bouncing up and down like this on TV and movies ... soft suspensions, worn shocks, bad roads, or a little of all of these? These were the days.

There was a 283 V8 in my parents' driveway at some point. I know that they were very good engines. I'm not sure if the 307 and the327 used either the same bore OR stroke. It also seemed that the 307 skipped over Impala/Caprice and was slotted into Malibu/Chevelle. I'm not sure. So, it's funny that 307 c.i. worth of displacement shows up again, in 5.0 liter form and as an Oldsmobile small block V8, in the early '80s, and possibly the late '70s. And turned out to be such a great engine that it was chosen to power top of the line Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham et. al. just like a TBI Olds 350 V8 was chosen to power the first Cadillac Seville. I love that "family" of engines.

Very interesting ... I wonder where this "very" pink photos is ... thinking Savannah, Charleston, or other historic Southern coastal cities. Good on him or her. They snagged the right license plate sequence for that Riv. These used to hurt my eyes but, now, when I do see them, I appreciate them and that people are taking care of these polarizing vehicles. The Chevy ad was probably in the San Diego Tribune. El Cajon Blvd. The price makes sense, in a way. The barebones Maverick was introduced for $ 1,999, I think. But, look at what you started out with: a 170 c.i. inline 6, a "3 on the tree," nasty plaid bench seats, hubcaps, and no carpeting. With this one, it's more, but you got an automatic transmission (Power Glide), probably a V8, and trim items like buckets/console and wheel covers/WSW tires.

Per the text of the ad, color is spelled colour. I'm betting this ad was directed at Canadians or, since they use the dollar as well, maybe at Australians or New Zealanders. These guys don't look very "American" to me.

March 22 I was in the parking lot for an adjacent merchant (three guesses and the first two don't count) and this "Schwinn bicycle blue metallic" sports car caught my attention - the current mid-engine Corvette. This was a big leap for this car. It has taken a while to get used to it because it has had different proportions for decades. It might be one of the few expensive eye catching cars I'd consider if I had money to burn ... not. I'll take it in silver with a maroon leather interior. I think they did a good job with the redesign.

March 21 First day of spring! I saw this late model Corvette in a valet zone. I'm not sure if I like this metallic salmon color (most likely custom, and not stock) but I do like many metallic rust colors, especially on sports cars. As far as sports cars go, they're interesting how they've moved across the generations, unique, and a home grown American story.

Very sad. I just learned from the homepage that Jessica Walter died yesterday. There weren't many carbon copies of her, like there are with some run of the mill movie stars, and this is what she looked like if you don't remember her or the name. RIP Jessica Walter She played the obsessed fan-listener in "Play Misty for Me" who stalked a DJ in Monterey-Carmel, CA played by Clint Eastwood, and repeatedly called in the following song - the Errol Garner version as opposed to the later Johnny Mathis and Ray Stevens versions. She hit a home run with that one. Also, there is incredible footage of the Central California coast at Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur in that movie. Also, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack was in this movie, and in the scene that probably got it its R rating. We know @oldshurst442 likes that song a lot, as do many people with good taste.

This photo didn't fit into any car spotting thread per se ... ... but I always like to look at these, especially when the lights are on - and somebody IS home, so to speak.

I agree and people here are welcome to think I'm a dinosaur. Less is more, on so many levels, and that includes cars. I almost panic when I see the list of how many electric and automated regulating systems are already on cars, including entry-level cars under $20 K. How long will they hold up before that econobox needs to go in for a malfunctioning major system? My teenage car featured ABS and traction control, standard, but not too much else. I know we have some members who don't like Toyota much at all. And I'm not crazy about them, especially how they look. But, I was recently given a Camry as a rental, with a smooth shifting 8 speed automatic and a WHOPPING (by today's standards) 2.5 liters of 4 cylinder engine, with no turbo, and it pulls in highway fuel efficiency that is close to what a Malibu with a 1.5 T and a CVT pulls in. I'll take larger displacement ... and none of the gimmickry, for just a little less efficiency and more peace of mind. Nice. I remember these houses. Your lot is unusually large. All the latest construction in this area seems to be on no more than 7,000 sq. ft. lots, if that. What a great mix - evergreens and snow being a rare event, so you appreciate it when you do get it.

Trying to get my act, and photos, together after being away during this time. Along the Gulf Coast February 20 Interesting variation of the Cooper line-up. February 22 Classic. And people fault me for stereotyping? Check out the "Oregonism" sticker. They'd be better off with a garden variety orgasm instead. Rarely does one see Karmann Ghias. Wow. Mild weather probably helped keep this one in great shape. It brought a smile to my face.

I could make this a random thought but thought it was more suited to be a joke. We've heard the expression supporting what is home grown: "If it ain't Boeing, it ain't going." Ok, well, the following is a Boeing product, the B-757, and, according to the news, "it ain't going." Because if you ain't spending the money to fix its Rolls Royce* engines, then it definitely ain't going. * hmmm, Rolls Royce ... when home grown Pratt & Whitney is "the other" major supplier of engines for this aircraft

With regard to these annoyances, let's hope we've said, "Hasta la vista, baby."

February 17 This one made for a good laugh. How often does one see a Malibu Maxx? Then, it has a V6, it has FL plates, and the light bulb went on - one of our colorful C&G members, meaning he got into some interesting arguments on here in the 2000s, was the proud owner of a V6 Maxx and hung his hat somewhere in Palm Beach County. There is no shortage of expensive and/or exotic iron in South Florida. No shortage whatsoever. This was on Federal Highway in Broward. It's not in my budget, nor is it my style, so I didn't look at its badging.

+ 1 - - - - - What I was really going to say is that, in terms of looks, the new Toyota Supra is a fright.

Can't get enough of this sh!t. Music used to have much more passion that went into it. The lead singer here is really into it and can hold some of those difficult notes. Some say this is the quintessential disco song. I've read that some musical experts think that "More, More, More" is. Either way, those that approximate the Top 10 of this genre make for one incredible anthology.

This reminds me ... I really want to be able to go (which also implies getting into) Quebec this fall to see the amazing red, orange, and yellow leaf color spectacle.

I'm not going to do math, but, yes, with that sort of tread life, you'd use the warranty. I'm going to guesstimate that the break-even zone for a set of tires with an 80,000 mile warranty is about 60,000 miles. That puts the vast majority of buyers in a situation where they have no incentive or need to use the warranty. Over the years, I've been told by some of the guys in tires at Costco that the Defenders go the distance on most vehicles (maybe not the full extent of the warranty) but, on some (types of) vehicles, they don't deliver the expected results.

This is a tough call ... the discussion could be construed as one about economic policy, if they wanted to frame it that way.