Drew Dowdell

We're only going to get the outer edge of this storm you guys are talking about, but we got about 3 inches on Christmas eve. The Toronado pulled itself up the hill like it had AWD.

You don't drive much!

bump

I've had the most annoying guests this evening.... they wouldn't just let me stay in bed.

Well now you need to update your sig.... again.

You go through vehicles like most people go through plastic dinner utensils. The CX-9 really isn't my style, but congrats anyway!

I don't think the B-body LT-1s required premium.

Don't wreck it. There wouldn't be any BV left.

Or buy a Cruze or Malibu... or, at $30 grand, a Regal.

Behold the power of google. The 1977 Toronado XSR story ASC had developed the power T-top system and wanted to show it off (and of course, market it). So, after some discussion, a Firethorn 1977 Toronado Brougham coupe, VIN 3 57M 000055, was pulled off the Oldsmobile assembly line and sent to ASC for the conversion, which would include installation of the wraparound backlight and the power T-top system. Oldsmobile apparently decided that the T-top part of the conversion would be too expensive, going instead with a moonroof. The XSR prototype was initially ordered to be destroyed. ASC, however, took the position that they had a vested interest in the car (their $5000 prototype power T-top system!), and they felt that the concept was marketable, so the XSR prototype was sold to ASC through an Olds dealer in Flint, Michigan. ASC owned the car for four years, showing it at specialty shows and promoting its power T-top system (which evidently was a commercial flop... ever seen a car that has it?), putting 19000 miles on the car during that time. At that point the car was sold to a used car dealer in Ohio. Someone at the used car dealer apparently liked the XSR because when the car was sold to a Louisiana collector a year or two later, it had over 40,000 miles on it. The Louisiana collector got in trouble with the Bureau of Eternal Revenue somewhere along the line and the car was impounded (along with other assets). Apparently it was stored outside in a swampy area for some time where it evidently sustained considerable rust damage. This was, in part, due to the fact that the drains for the T-top system were never "plumbed" through the body cavities and to the outside of the car, since it was a prototype and not expected to see actual service as daily transportation. The car was eventually reclaimed by the Louisiana collector and then sold to another car collector near Winchester, VA about ninety miles from Washington DC. From there, the car is restored.

It's in private hands and privately rebuilt by an Oldsmobile aficionado. I don't recall the story exactly, but I believe it was a barn find.

It did. The concept version actually survived and has been rebuilt.

Well my daily driving got me 25mpg in the city

oh I know what one looks like... that wasn't the pic I was requesting

pics?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYmnP7VOyo4

if in 650 miles of driving they're only getting 20mpg out of the Regal, they're doing something wrong. Cory and I positively beat the snot out of that car in the mountains and it still got 21mpg with the A/C running. If you drove like that for 650 miles you'd be arrested and jailed. Either that or there was a highly excessive amount of idling in traffic. Remember, when you're not going anywhere, all non-hybrids get zero miles per gallon when running.

Sorry James, ya missed the nomination thread.

More and more I'm coming to the conclusion that it's as good a little car as you're going to find, but not at the price they are asking.

The poll is too large to put on the front page without screwing up the formatting. It's your guys job to keep the poll active.

BTW, the next time I do one of these things, I'm limiting you buggers to TWO nominations each! If you want to convince a friend to use one of his nominations for you, do it via PM.

If you could turn back time...... what concepts were left on the shelf that should have been productionized. You nominate vehicles in two ways. <br> <br> <ul class="bbcol decimal"> <li>A concept that was close to production ready, but never made it into production</li> <li>A concept that was close to production ready, but the production version watered the concept down too much and lost all of the appeal the concept had.</li> <li>Any year, Any brand, as many nominations you want.</li> </ul> The nominees are:<br> <br> 1. Pontiac G8 ST<br> <img style="width: 325px; height: 222px;" alt="Pontiac G8 ST" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-61469300-1292519023.jpg"><br> <br> 2. Cadillac SIXTEEN<br> <img style="width: 327px; height: 217px;" alt="Cadillac Sixteen" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-51-0-44608400-1292515219.jpg"><br> <br> 3. Chevrolet Kappa Nomad<br> <img style="width: 327px; height: 246px;" alt="Chevrolet Nomad" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-24434000-1292518304.jpg"><br> <br> 4. Hummer HX<br> <img style="width: 329px; height: 208px;" alt="Hummer HX" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-86281500-1292518372.jpg"><br> <br> 5. Cadillac Converj<br> <img style="width: 330px; height: 247px;" alt="Cadillac Converj" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-63074600-1292517108.jpg"><br> <br> 6. Pontiac G6 Concept<br> <img style="width: 330px; height: 271px;" alt="Pontiac G6 Concept" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-16631900-1292517172.jpg"><br> <br> 7. 1999 Dodge Charge Concept<br> <img style="width: 331px; height: 247px;" alt="1999 Dodge Charger Concept" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-43270400-1292517928.jpg"><br> <br> 8. Plymouth Howler<br> <img style="width: 334px; height: 217px;" alt="Plymouth Howler" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-12865500-1292518002.jpg"><br> <br> 9. Chrysler Hemi-C Convertible<br> <img style="width: 336px; height: 150px;" alt="Chrysler Hemi-C" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-15591800-1292516635.jpg"><br> <br> 10. Ford Interceptor Concept<br> <img style="width: 338px; height: 253px;" alt="Ford Interceptor" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-61214100-1292518439.jpg"><br> <br> 11. Ford Bronco Concept<br> <img style="width: 340px; height: 255px;" alt="Ford Bronco Concept" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-66264900-1292518513.jpg"><br> <br> 12. Cadillac Cien Concept<br> <img style="width: 340px; height: 255px;" alt="Cadillac Cien" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-15835800-1292517235.jpg"><br> <br> 13. Buick Avant Concept<br> <img style="width: 300px; height: 297px;" alt="Buick Avant" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-91698900-1292519272.jpg"><br> <br> 14. Chevrolet El Camino SS<br> <img style="width: 302px; height: 177px;" alt="Chevrolet El Camino SS" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-74846700-1292519678.jpg"><br> <br> 15. Ford Super Chief Concept<br> <img style="width: 303px; height: 202px;" alt="Ford Super Chief Concept" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-51-0-67346000-1292519695.jpg"><br> <br> 16. Lincoln Continental Concept<br> <img style="width: 302px; height: 226px;" alt="Lincoln Continental Concept" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-51-0-72134000-1292519899.jpg"><br> <br> 17. Chevrolet Cheyenne Concept<br> <img style="width: 303px; height: 227px;" alt="Chevrolet Cheyenne Concept" src="http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2003_chevrolet_cheyenne_concept_100006159_m.jpg"><br> <br> 18. Lincoln Mark X Concept<br> <img style="width: 318px; height: 210px;" alt="Lincoln Mark X concept" src="http://images110.fotki.com/v1585/photos/9/9586/3309319/MARKX_03-vi.jpg?1158239107"><br> <br> 19. Mercury Messenger<br> <img style="width: 323px; height: 215px;" alt="Mercury Messenger" src="http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/03images/det2_messenger_2.jpg"><br> <br> 20. Saturn Curve<br> <img style="width: 323px; height: 242px;" alt="Saturn Curve" src="http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/as/autoshow2004/photos/b_bbSaturnCurve.jpg"><br> <br> 21. Dodge Super 8<br> <img style="width: 324px; height: 242px;" alt="Dodge Super 8" src="http://www.scorpiocars.net/images/Dodge/2001%20Dodge%20Super%208%20Hemi%20Concept_2.jpg"><br> <br> 22. Buick Velite<br> <img style="width: 324px; height: 243px;" alt="Buick Velite" src="http://www.autocomponentsaftermarket.com/images/Buick10.jpg"><br> <br> 23. Chrysler Imperial Concept<br> <img style="width: 331px; height: 180px;" alt="Chrysler Imperial Concept" src="http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/chrysler_imperial_concept_official.jpg"><br> <br> 24. GMC Denali XT Concept<br> <img style="width: 331px; height: 220px;" alt="GMC Denali XT Concept" src="http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2008/02/thumb800x800_2236947131_51187a63ce_o.jpg"><br> <br> 25. <strong class="bbc"><span style="font-weight: normal;">1955 GMC L'Universelle</span><br> <img style="width: 332px; height: 248px;" alt="GMC L'universelle" src="http://image.highperformancepontiac.com/f/27299404+w750+st0/hppp_0309_01_z+1955_gmc_l_universelle+passenger_van.jpg"><br> <br> <span style="font-weight: normal;">26. Chevrolet SS Sedan concept</span><br> <img style="width: 335px; height: 206px;" alt="Chevrolet SS Sedan concept" src="http://bestsupercars.com/images04/carspictures/2003-Chevy-SS-Concept-Car-front-angle-mountains-1280x960.jpg"><br> <br> </strong><span class="bbc"><span style="font-weight: normal;">27. Holden Torana Concept</span></span><strong class="bbc"><br> <img style="width: 339px; height: 229px;" alt="Holden Torana Concept" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/torana_concept_001.jpg"><br> <br> </strong><span class="bbc">28. Holden Efijy<br> <img style="width: 342px; height: 255px;" alt="Holden Efijy" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/hanyou_kimura/Holden-Efijy_Concept_2005_800x600_wallpaper_04.jpg"><br> <br> 29. Chrysler 200c Concept<br> <img style="width: 346px; height: 259px;" alt="Chrysler 200c concept" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/hanyou_kimura/Chrysler-200C_EV_Concept_2009_800x600_wallpaper_08.jpg"><br> <br> 30. Chrysler Firepower<br> <img style="width: 351px; height: 263px;" alt="Chrysler Firepower" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/hanyou_kimura/Chrysler-Firepower_Concept_2005_800x600_wallpaper_04.jpg"><br> <br> 31. Chrysler ME-412<br> <img style="width: 356px; height: 266px;" alt="Chrysler ME-412" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/hanyou_kimura/Chrysler-ME_FourTwelve_Concept_2004_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg"><br> <br> 32. Infiniti Essence<br> <img style="width: 363px; height: 272px;" alt="Infiniti Essence" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/hanyou_kimura/Infiniti-Essence_Concept_2009_800x600_wallpaper_06.jpg"><br> <br> 33. Chrysler Turbine<br> <img style="width: 363px; height: 226px;" alt="Chrysler Turbine" src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/8492391+w750/c12_0603_07z+1963_chrysler_turbine_car+tail_lights.jpg"><br> <br> 34. Tucker Torpedo<br> <img style="width: 365px; height: 224px;" alt="Tucker Torpedo" src="http://www.extravaganzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/1948-Tucker-48-4Dr-Sedan.jpg"><br> <br> 35. Cadillac XP-38 - Eldorado Brougham<br> <img style="width: 370px; height: 226px;" alt="Cadillac XP-38" src="http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/55cadillac_eldorado_brougham_2.jpg"><br> <br> 36. Chevrolet Bel Air concept<br> <img style="width: 366px; height: 264px;" alt="Chevrolet Bel Air concept" src="http://www.diseno-art.com/images/Chevrolet-Bel-Air-front.jpg"><br> <br> 37. Holden Coupe 60<br> <img style="width: 366px; height: 277px;" alt="Holden Coupe 60" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-79449200-1292799413.jpg"><br> <br> 38. Jeep Gladiator<br> <img style="width: 373px; height: 279px;" alt="Jeep Gladiator Concept" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/msg-394-0-97677400-1292809383.jpg"><br> <br> 39. Pontiac Fiero Concept<br> <img style="width: 376px; height: 281px;" alt="Pontiac Fiero Concept" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/90_Proto_%28Small%29.JPG"><br> <br>

New Contest: Modern K5 Blazer Your mission is to harness that spirit and wrap it in new clothing for 2011 and beyond. The job is to create a new K5 Blazer that can actually blaze the trail. Or, if you prefer, a K15 Jimmy that take you to a wilderness view that extends to the horizon in all directions. You may base your creation on the existing Tahoe/Yukon, or branch out in a new direction. If you do, you could win a men's Chevy Truck watch. Follow the jump for rules and restrictions. Chevrolet K5 Blazer Design Contest This post has been promoted to an article

Updated with prize information.

It's not really even a programming thing. That's just the throttle position sensor or the transmission kickdown cable. Make it shorter, it'll kick down faster.