HarleyEarl

The new GM Daewoo Tosca, available middle of '06 in South Korea.

Fiat Oltre Unveiled: Hummer Gets a Rival From an Unlikely Source Date posted: 12-01-2005 BOLOGNA, Italy — Ever since Iveco, the commercial vehicle arm of Italian carmaker Fiat, introduced its new LMV (Light Multirole Vehicle) military off-roader, the creation of a civil version was an open secret. And now it is official: Fiat unveiled its Oltre concept car at the Bologna Motor Show. The Fiat Group is no stranger to the military off-roader. Back in the early 1950s, Alfa Romeo produced the Matta for the Italian army, while Fiat manufactured the Campagnolo for both civil and military use from 1951 through 1973. The Oltre is huge, especially for a vehicle with the Fiat nameplate: 191.7 inches long, 80.7 inches wide, and 86.6 inches tall, with an impressive 19.7 inches of ground clearance. It looks rather Hummer-like but with a bit of Italian flair. It is powered by a 3.0-liter common-rail diesel engine with a variable-geometry turbocharger and intercooler, capable of 185 hp. The big number to notice, though, is the torque figure: a whopping 3,336 pound-feet at 1,800 rpm! One more technicality: the Oltre weighs 7 tons. The five-seat monster off-roader comes equipped with 26-inch wheels and a sturdy four-wheel-drive system, so it is no wonder that it can climb even a 40-percent lateral gradient. When fitted with a special "breathing" system, the car can cross 5-foot-deep water, too. What this means to you: After such grandiose vehicles as the Lamborghini LM002, and the Rayton-Fissore Magnum, Italy's best-known carmaker is really going for baroque here.

Back to the '70s: GM hot on custom vans Now that SUVs are getting less popular, maybe we'll all love vans again. November 11, 2005: 10:53 AM EST By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN/Money staff writer NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Remember when vans were cool? No, not minivans. Those were never cool. I mean custom vans. You know, wheel-to-wheel carpeting. Wood trim. Lots of stereo speakers. If you're old enough, you remember some other things that were cool around that time, too. Disco music. "Keep on truckin'" T-shirts. Big hair. Well get ready, because the folks at General Motors are betting that we might be ready for a bit of a comeback. Not the hair, this time. Just the vans. GM is investing a fair amount of time, money and effort in a bid to convince Americans that custom vans are, indeed, still cool (though this time they're to be called "conversion vans.") The real killer blow to custom vans was one GM dealt largely to itself: SUVs. While we were all turning onto SUVs and dropping out of vans, we just forgot all they have to offer. But large SUVs are now declining in popularity. Meanwhile, one major competitor in the market, Dodge, has stopped making its Ram vans. That leaves just GM and Ford making the bare-bones "plumber's vans" that are the elemental core of custom vans. So, given that vans are extremely profitable, GM got together a group of 23 van "upfitters," the small companies that do the work of making a van a "conversion van," and formed the "Conversion Van Marketing Association." The 23 upfitters do the conversion work and GM sells the basic vans and does marketing for them. The resultant custom vans are sold, as always, at GM dealers. So far, with all the marketing support and a significant reduction in competition, conversion sales have not gone up. But they have at least stopped declining, which GM sees as a good thing. The market for conversion vans, under the best of circumstances, is not huge. GM expects to sell half of the 23,000 to 24,000 custom vans sold in 2005. What for? To understand why anyone would buy a conversion van, you have to understand that most custom van shoppers are considering the purchase as an alternative to an SUV. They want a truck, but one with lots of room inside. If you compare a custom to a minivan for day-to-day use, even the most ardent fan of big vans -- that would be Ross Hendrix , GM's marketing director for commercial truck and van fleet sales -- will admit that a custom van comes up short. The big conversion van drives, as you might expect, like a big van. GM pitches the custom van as a "living room on wheels," and, if you can imagine driving your living room, that pretty much sums up the experience. Inside, the seats are big and comfy, but they don't fold flat like they do in minivans, making for a little less versatility of use. The thirst for fuel is super-sized, too. The rather small-ish van I was given to test drive got about 14 miles per gallon in the city and 18 on the highway. And that was prior to all the additions. Conversion vans offer a lot of the same benefits as a big SUV -- serious towing capacity and 40 percent of those sold have four-wheel-drive -- but with more room inside for leg-stretching and for hooking up entertainment systems that rival what many people have in their homes. And the downsides -- fuel consumption and driving dynamics -- are the same ones you'd have to deal with in a big SUV but they may be actually be a little bit worse. "They're in the same price class," said Hendrix, "but a little less utilitarian, a little more luxury driven." Custom vans tend to be weekend vehicles or taken on vacation trips, he said. So, when Friday comes some people drive sports cars, others drive sports bars. Since they are custom, after all, prices can vary a lot, but the average buyer spends about $65,000 Hendrix said. At those prices, the cost of gas isn't a big issue for buyers. When I got into a GMC custom van recently for a few days of driving, I have to admit I was a bit baffled by its appeal. The custom Savana van I had cost about $53,000 total. For that I got to stand up straight thanks to an extra-tall roof and I got two separate stereo systems and captain's chairs and a sofa-like bench seat in the very back for passengers. If I'd wanted to sleep in it, a set of switches in the back folded the rear sofa seat flat. It wasn't until the last night I had the van that I finally understood its appeal, though. During dinner, my young son begged to go outside to watch a video in the van. So we did. I grabbed a DVD of "Dora the Explorer" and the key to the "fancy van." We didn't go anywhere. We just sat on the big sofa in the back and watched Dora and Boots and their friend the talking backpack. I can't tell you how irritating I find Dora and that talking backpack, but my son was about as happy as I've ever seen him. Finally, it made some kind of sense. That's not something I would ever have done in a minivan. But this was a room. It was like a rolling addition to our home. We could have been watching the Jets pre-game show in the Meadowlands parking lot. I'm still not sure if potential custom van buyers will be continue to be unswayed by the poor fuel economy of these vehicles, though. But compared to a mobile home, a mobile room might just be a bargain

FOR RELEASE: 2005-12-01 With Help from Dismissed Candidate, Martha Stewart Gives Daytime Audience Member a New Buick Lucerne Lori Quinlan from Monroe, New York unexpectedly takes home new Buick DETROIT – As part of a full launch campaign for the 2006 Buick Lucerne that includes a new tagline (Beyond Precision), new television commercials, new print/on-line advertising, and eventually Tiger Woods, Buick teamed with Martha Stewart’s daytime show to give a surprised audience member one of the newest, most luxurious Buicks today. During Wednesday night’s prime-time “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart” on NBC, teams competed to design an in-dealership launch showroom display for the all-new Buick Lucerne. During her daytime “Martha Stewart Living” Thursday, Dec. 1, Stewart and Buick teamed up to give away a Lucerne live to an audience member. Following an interview with Leslie -- who was released from Team Matchstick on Wednesday night’s show-- Stewart invited audience members to look under their seats for the key to a Lucerne. Lori Quinlan of Monroe, New York, was lucky enough to find the key under her seat. “This was a great surprise for one member of our terrific audience,” said Stewart. “It’s been great to work with Buick on this challenge and continue the good feelings here today.” The influence of the winning team’s creation, selected by Buick executives, will be experienced by prospective customers on December 13, when participating dealerships host a Lucerne V.I.P. Premiere Night. Viewers can RSVP for an invitation to a Lucerne V.I.P. Premiere Night party in their area via an online registration process at Buick.com. In addition to the car giveaway, elements of the Lucerne V.I.P. Premiere Night party were featured on Martha Stewart’s daytime show on December 1, 2005. Here, the party-planning diva showcased her influence on the upcoming Lucerne VIP Premiere Nights, from flowers and napkins to punch and hors d’ oeuvres, and will create a scene right out of the “Perfect Party Handbook”– a 20-page guide to entertaining brought to you by Buick and Martha Stewart Living. “Buick’s partnership with Martha Stewart to introduce the luxurious Lucerne reaches those consumers interested in upscale brands who might otherwise be unaware of the Lucerne ’s potential,” said Margaret Brooks, Buick marketing director. “By joining these two powerful brands it gives us a new opportunity to reach this ever-changing customer whose interests and tastes are as diverse as the people who view her programs.” About Lucerne Built “Beyond Precision,” the Lucerne is Buick’s third new vehicle in just over a year, following the LaCrosse midsize sedan and Terraza crossover sport-van. Lucerne offers an array of options, including a V-8 or V-6 power, three trim levels – the well-equipped CX, elegantly appointed CXL or the luxurious, performance-oriented CXS model. Standard on every Lucerne are OnStar, Quiet Tuning – Buick’s exclusive process to eliminate unwanted cabin noise – and a four-year/50,000 mile warranty. The sedan has a base manufacturer’s suggest retail price (MSRPs) ranging from $26,990 to$35,990. Lucerne is engineered to meet a wide variety of customer preferences and compete across a wide range of domestic and import entries in the premium midsize and luxury segments.

http://www.citruscorvettes.com/ccknow.htm We thought you'd like to learn some of the lesser known but interesting facts about America's only true sports car, the magnificent Corvette. Check this page often, as new items come to light almost daily. DID YOU KNOW.................... * In 1953 and 1954, the electrical system in the Corvette was 6 volts? * About 21,536 Corvettes were produced in 1996? * The 1978 Corvette, 25th Anniversary, was the pace car for the 62nd running of the Indianapolis 500? * The wheelbase on the 1963 through 1982 Corvette is 98 inches? * The 1972 'Vette was the first with the theft-deterrent system? * The Side Curves on the early Corvettes lasted from 1956 through 1962? * The fiber optic monitoring system for the headlights began in 1968 and was discontinued after 1971? * With 51,547 Corvettes made, 1984 was the highest production year ever? * Hideway headlights became standard on Corvettes with the 1963 model? * The 1968 Corvette was the First Year of the Third Generation ( C-3 ) Corvettes? * The Last time you could read " Chevrolet Corvette " on the steering wheel was 1964 * 1968 was the last year that the 327 C.I.D. engine was the corvette's basic engine? * It wasn't until 1958 that the Corvette generated a profit for General Motors. * The heater was not standard equipment on a Corvette until the unveiling of the 1962 'Vette? Brrrrr. * The famous (or infamous) Tuned Port Injection (TPI) was first available on the 1985 Corvette? * The last Corvette rolled out of the St. Louis plant on 1 August 1981? * That ABS (anti-lock Braking System) became standard on the Corvette in 1986? * The 427 CID engine had the horsepower increased to 435hp using three two-barrel carburetors (Tri-Power)? * The brand new 1953 Corvette made its first public appearance at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel? * 1966 was the introduction of the 427 CID engine, known to racers as the 'Rat Motor'? * Chevrolet celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the birth of the fabulous Corvette with a special two tone (silver and black) paint job and special emblems? * The 1997 Corvette was the beginning of the C5 Series, or fifth generation of the Corvette? * 16 January 1975 was the day on which they held the retirement dinner for Zora Arkus-Duntov? * Four wheel disc brakes were made standard equipment on all Corvettes in 1965? * The 1996 "Grand Sport" option was known as the Z16? * In addition to the original white, the 1955 Corvette was also offered in red, blue and black? * The Corvette big block was 396cid in 1965, but changed to 427cid in 1966? * The Corvette body was redesigned in 1968 to look like the "Mako Shark" prototype? * The first time a Corvette convertible came with an actual trunk since 1962 was the 1998? * The L-88 engine was introduced in 1967, and it was available without a radio or heater? * In 1960, engines with the high-lift cams came with an all aluminum radiator? * The famed LT-1 engine was re-introduced in 1992? * Only 9,752 Corvettes were produced in 1997? * Of the 9,752 Corvettes produced in 1997, NONE were convertibles? All were coupes. * In the 1982 Corvette - there was no such thing as a stick shift? All were built as automatics. * The first Corvette with dual headlights was the 1958? They were called "Quadra-lights". * The first 'Vette with factory installed seat belts was the 1958? * When the 1967 Corvette was offered with a 36 gallon gas tank, only TWO people bought one? * In 1957 there were 6,339 Corvettes produced - 1,040 with fuel injection? * The 40th Anniversary Corvettes were all painted Ruby Red Metallic? It really looks maroon. * All 1996 Corvette Collector Editions were painted Sebring Silver and featured ZR-1 five spoke rims? * The largest ever production run of the Corvette, 53,807 units sold, was 1979? * The C4 actually began with the 1983 model rather than the 1984? * There really WAS a 1983 Corvette model built? 43 units were manufactured then production ceased and 42 of these cars were destroyed. The only remaining 1983 Corvette is in the National Corvette Museum. * Zora Arkus-Duntov, the brilliant engineer who gave the Corvette the small block Chevy engine, was cremated and his ashes are interred in the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green? * The LEAST produced color produced in 1997 was Fairway Green Metallic? * The last year that whitewalls were featured was 1961? * The main engine of the Corvette was increased from 327CID to 350CID in 1969? * There were only 80 L-88 Corvettes made in 1968? * Out of 21,590 Corvettes manufactured in 1993, 6,749 were the "Anniversary" package? * The 1997 Corvette had an engine with 345hp and 350 lt. pounds of torque known as the LS1? * "Code 21" was the code for the "Radar Blue" exterior color introduced with the 1998 Corvette? * When the first 'Vette rolled out of the Bowling Green plant, it was driven by Governor John Y. Brown? * The groundbreaking ceremony for the National Corvette Museum took place in March 1992? * The Cross-Fire injection was introduced in 1982? * In 1992, all Corvettes came standard with ASR? * ASR was the acronym for "Acceleration Slip Regulation". * All Z06 Corvettes were made as the hardtop coupe and came with a six-speed transmission? * The Z06 special performance package was reintroduced in 2001 after a 38 year absence? * The 1982 'Collector Edition' was equipped with a hatchback rear window? * The 1979 'Vettes in the light blue body color came standard with a dark blue interior color? * The Fourth Generation or C4 spanned the years 1984 through 1996? * That 1958 was the year the Corvette first came out with dual headlights? Almost every car on the market came out with the dual headlights that year, known in the ads as "Quad-Lights". * The first time a Corvette could be ordered from the factory with side mounted exhaust was 1967? * The 1986 Indianapolis 500 was the first ever to have a new (1986) Corvette as Pace Car? * In 1994, only 116 Corvettes were painted Copper Metallic? * In the year 2000 models, it cost MORE to have your Corvette painted Magnetic Red or Millennium Yellow? * The 1976 Corvette was the first to utilize the HEI (High Energy Ignition) system? * From 1970 through 1976, you could not order a Corvette painted BLACK? * There were 27,720 Corvettes sold in 1966, and that was the highest number produced in any year? * 1981 was the first time Corvettes were produced in two separate assembly plants? * The 327/350 engine in 1965 was the last Corvette with fuel injection until 1985? * The 1996 Corvette Grand Sport came with a specially modified LT-1 engine that gave it an additional 30hp? * 1959 was the first year when sun visors were offered as an option on the Corvette? * The 35th Anniversary of the Corvette was celebrated with an all white Anniversary Edition? * That it was Myron Scott who gave the Corvette its name? * In 1995, the ZR-1 performance package cost an additional $31,258 ON TOP of the base price of $36,785? * All fuel injected Corvettes in 1960 had stick shift? * 1977 is the last year the Corvette had vertical backlight (rear window)? * There were NO Corvettes made in April of 1978? * In 1995, there were only 527 Corvette Indianapolis Pace Cars produced? * The 1984 thru 1987 Corvette had the same wheels - BUT in '86 the center was changed to a natural finish? * 1959 was the last year that LESS THAN 10,000 'Vettes were produced until 1997? * The Corvette convertible reappeared in 1998 when, in 1997, none were built? * The new 1985 Tuned Port Injected L-98 engine produced 230 hp and 330 pounds of torque? * The Chief Engineer on the Corvette from 1974 through 1992 was David R. McLellan? * If you ordered the RPO# Z4Z package, you got the Indy Pace Car replica? * In 1967, the 427c.i.d. engine was increased to 435hp with three two-barrel carburetors; Tripower? * the 1972 was the last of the "Bumper Cars", Corvettes with metal front bumper? * It takes about 55 hours to build a C5 Corvette? * The 1963 through 1967 Corvettes were known as the "C2" Corvettes? * That the name of the six-cylinder engine in the 1953, 1954 and 1955 Corvettes was known as the "Blue Flame Six"? * It was on 17 June 2000 that Chevrolet Corvette Group entered two C5-R race cars at LeMans? * The last year you could order the removable rear window was 1972? * The fourth generation Corvette was first built on 21 June 1996? * Special Pace Car Package Corvettes were offered in 1978, 1986, 1995 and 1998? * In 1977, only ONE Corvette was produced - in Chartreuse? * A 1970 or 1971 Corvette could not be ordered with air conditioning? * It was ob 30 June 1953 that the FIRST production Corvette rolled off the line in Flint? * And on 2 July 1992, the ONE MILLIONTH Corvette rolled off the line? * The 1967 was the last of the "fastback" Corvettes until 1978? * It was n 1969 that the steering wheel size was reduced to 15 inches? * It was also in 1969 that the ignition switch was relocated to the steering column? * It was bad reviews from the press that caused Chevrolet to halt production of the "split window" in mid-1963 and go to a single piece rear window, or "backlight" as it is called in the trade? * Fifty six Corvettes were built in 1988 for the SCCA "Corvette Challenge"? * It was in 1961 when Corvettes began the mesh grill and painted headlight bezels? * Power steering wasn't available on Corvettes until 1963? * With 405 hp, the 2002 ZO6 is considered to be the best Corvette to date? * The first time the base price of a new Corvette rose above $20,000 was 1982? * Corvette had vacuum operated doors to hide the wipers from 1968 through 1972? * The V8 of 265 CID was put into the Corvette in 1955 to boost sales over the new Ford Thunderbird? * In 1961, the rear styling was changed to feature four taillights, which became a Corvette tradition? * In 1989, Corvettes changed from either the 3 or the 4 speed transmission for the 6 speed? * Elkhart Green and Ontario Orange were the two most popular colors in 1972? * the 1974 Corvette was the last 'Vette made to use leaded fuel? * It was in 1957 that the 283 CID engine was available in the Corvette - the first time that a 'Vette was available with 1 hp per cubic inch? * The changes from 1971 to 1972 include orange rather than white parking lights and chrome vertical bars on the egg-crate grill? * When convertibles and coupes were available, 1975 was the lowest production run for convertibles? * The 1995 Indy Pace car Corvette was available only as a convertible? * The 1968 was the last Corvette to have the ignition switch mounted on the dash until 1997? * 1980 was the first year the speedometer maxed out at only 85mph? * It was 2 September 1994 that the National Corvette Museum opened with more than 100,000 in attendance? * Only the Indy Pace Car replica in 1998 was available with the yellow and black interior? * It was in 1986 that the base price for the convertible exceeded that of the coupe? * The 396CID engine was introduced in 1965 with a whopping 425 horsepower? * The 1962 'Vette marked the end of the "solid axel" era of Corvettes? * It was in 1963 that the rear view mirror was moved to the windshield header and off the dash? * It was in 1969 that the Sting Ray became known as the Stingray - one word? * There were only 6,503 1978 Limited Edition Pace Cars produced? * It was in 1981 that the Corvette first used a computer? * The ZR-1 Special Performance Package was discontinued 1972 then again in 1995? * Side-mounted exhaust was first offered for the Corvette in 1965? * "Saddle" was the only interior color available with the 1985 Corvette with Gold Metallic Paint? * In 1971, only 188 Corvettes were built with the LS-6 engine option? *Prior to the debut of the Corvette at the New York Motorama, the emblem on the front was the American Flag? * It was in 1966 that back-up lights became standard equipment? * The longest lived generation of Corvettes was the C-3 (1968 through 1982)? * The NO3 option was a 36 gallon fuel tank, and only available in coupes 1963-1967? * It was on 23 October in 1983 that the 750,000 Corvette was born? * In 1977, the leather interior became standard equipment in Corvettes? * When the 'Vette first appeared in 1953, the interiors were all 'Sportsman Red'? * It was in 1984 when the Corvette first used the serpentine belt? * The 1962 was the last 'Vette with exposed headlights? * The side vent windows were last seen on Corvettes on the 1967 models? * The rack and pinion steering was first available on the 1984 Corvettes? * A gold convertible rolled off the assembly line on 19 November 1969, the 250,000th Corvette made? * The 1963 Corvette was based on an all new ladder type chassis with independent rear suspension? * The 1956 Corvette was the first to offer the auxiliary hardtop? * "Project Opel" was the first name that was to be given to the car we know as the Corvette? * It was 1957 when the 283CID engine came to the Corvette? * In 1980, the emission restrictions in California were so strict that is was not possible to buy a Corvette in that state with the standard 350cid engine? Only the 305cid was available in sunny California. Sorry, Arnold. * The 1965 Corvette was the first 'Vette ever to have two different hoods? One was for the small block engines and the other for the big blocks. * The 1997 'Vette was so completely redesigned that some 1,500 parts were eliminated? * Only FIVE of the Zora produced sports model of the Corvette, known as the Grand Sport, were made before General Motors stopped the program? * The regular production number (RPO#) L36 represented 427cid 390hp engine 1996 - 1969? * From 1070 through 1972, only 53 Corvettes were built with the ZR-1 engine package? * It was on Christmas Day in 1909 that Zora Arkus-Duntov was born? * In 1991, only 417 Corvettes left the factory painted Charcoal Metallic? * CERV means Corvette Engineering Research Vehicle? * With the re-introduction of the ZO6 in 2001, the new powerplant was called the LS6? * In 1976, the most popular Corvette color was Classic White? * Tire size changed in 1965 from 6.70 x 15 to 7.75 x 15 in 1965? * The 1986 and 1987 Corvette convertibles ordered in Medium Brown Metallic had only saddle tops? * If you ordered a 2001 'Vette with RPO #R8C at $490 extra, you got delivery at the National Corvette Museum? * It was in 1966 that the Holley carburetor became standard on Corvettes? * Only 1,163 1998 Pace Car replicas were made? * The new dual snorkel air intake was put on 'Vettes, L82 engines, in 1979 which raised the HP from 220 to 225? * The LEAST produced option in 1966 was the M22 4-speed transmission? * Ordering the RPO #PO2 from 1969 - 1973 got you the deluxe wheel covers? * It wasn't until 1987 that you could order a six-way power seat for your passenger? * In 1986, only 4 Corvettes were sold with the "Copper Metallic" paint job? * 1960 was the last year of the "teeth" in Corvette grills? * 1975 is the year the Corvettes first received catalytic converters? * It was in 1967 that the parking brake handle was moved from under the dash to between the seats? * There were 5,773 ZO6 models made in 2001? * From 1963 through 1967, a 36 gallon fuel tank was an option? * The "solid axle" Corvettes were built from 1953 through 1962? * The least produced color in 1986 was Copper Metallic - only four 'Vettes made? (see 7 lines above) * It was the 1968 Corvette that first introduced the AM/FM STEREO radio? * 1982 was the last year the Corvette could be ordered with an 8-Track tape player? * From 1965 through 1971, the 4th and 5th digits of all Corvette VINs were "67"? * The length overall of a C5 Corvette is 179.6 inches - six inches short of 15 feet? * Mark Hamill and Annie Potts starred in the movie "Corvette Summer"? * It was as early as 1990 that the CD player was available in Corvettes? * In the 1963-1967 'Vettes, the 'Body Number Plate' was located on the crossbrace under the dashboard? * The designation "CE" in Chevrolet engine blocks means "Corvette Engine"? * About 6,759 "Collector Edition" Corvettes were made in 1982? * It was the 1993 model year when the Corvette first had different size from and rear tires? * In 1960, the 'Vette came with blue, black, red.....and turquoise interiors? * The 1979 Corvette mounted a 24 gallon fuel tank? * Because only 448 ZR-1 'Vettes were made in 1995, that performance option was cancelled? * The last year contrasting cove colors was available was 1961? * In 1967, the 'knock off' wheel was changed to a bolt on because of new safety regulations? * The first time that black was available as an interior color was the 1959 model? * Base price for a 'Vette in 1961 was just $3,935? Today, wheels & tires cost more. * It was in 1994 that Corvettes first were equipped with dual airbags? * In 1967, there were not one, but three different shades of blue available for the paint on a 'Vette. * If you ordered a '93 'Vette with RPO #Z25, you got a 40th Anniversary Corvette? * The first Corvette off the line in 1997, 98 and 99 were painted Torch Red? * When the 1985 'Vettes came off the line, the "Tuned Port Injection" emblem was added? * The most popular color for the 1959 Corvette was "Snowcrest White"? * When the 1997 Corvettes came out, the fuel door lid was moved to just behind the driver's door? * 4,209 Corvettes in 1967 came with the optional side pipes? * In 1989, there were only 9,749 convertible Corvettes built? * There were no YELLOW Corvettes from 1997 to 1999? * It was in 1999 that Corvette re-introduced the fixed-roof Corvette? * The Corvette, the 1953, only was available with a BLACK top? * It was actually in August of 1967 that production began on the 1968 Corvette? * In 1964, there were a total of FOUR different power options for the 327cid engine? * It was 1 January 1975 when Zora Arkus-Duntov retired as Chevy's Chief Engineer? * The 1974 'Vette was the first to feature urethane bumpers front and back? * In 1967, the least produced color Corvette was the Tuxedo Black? * In 1963, only 199 models of the ZO6 were produced? * There were only 1,163 of the 1998 Indy Pace Car model Corvettes produced? * In 1965, only 759 buyers ordered their Corvette with the factory side pipes? * In the 1964 'Vette, only the driver's side roof vent was functional - the other just for show? * 1961 was the last year for the 283cid engine and the optional two-tone paint scheme? * The last time the Muncie M-22 "Rock Crusher" trans was available was 1971? * About 14,436 Corvette convertibles were built in 1967? * It was Bill Mitchell who succeeded the renowned Harley Earl as VP of Styling in 1958? * The first time that RPO A42 was available was on the 1981 'Vette? That was the driver's side power seat. Mine has that option - and it doesn't work! * The 1989 Corvette marked the first time that the base price exceeded the $30,000 mark? * If you got the ZL1 engine in your 1969 'Vette, the price went up by more than $4,718? * It was the 1975 Corvette that first carried the L82 hood emblems? * In 1978, the Silver Anniversary paint scheme cost an additional $300? * In 1965, more Nassau Blue Corvettes were made than any other color? * Approximately 1,000 GRAND SPORT Corvettes were made in 1996? This option cost an additional $2,880 on the convertibles and $3,250 more on the coupes. * It was 1977 when the 8-track player was first available on Corvettes? * The 1953 and 1954 Corvette did not have roll up windows or door handles on the outside of the door? * Only the factory L88 performance engine required 103 octane gasoline? * There were 5,412 'Collector Edition' Corvettes made in 1996? * It was in 1973 that steel beams were added in the side doors for impact protection? * The passenger side grab bar was introduced in the 1958 Corvette? * In the year 2,000, Millennium Yellow came on 3,578 out of 33,683 Corvettes - more than 10%? * 1992 was the first year since 1970 that a Corvette could be ordered with 300hp? * 1976 was the last year of the Stingray? * The overall length of the 1975-1979 Corvette was 185.2 inches? Like - who cares? * The 1984 Corvette was the first 'Vette to feature Goodyear Eagle "Gatorback" tires? * For some reason, the hood emblem was left off the 1967 Corvette? * The maximum horsepower engine available in the 1962 Corvette was the 360hp engine with fuel injection? * The ignition switch on the 1968 'Vette was on the dash? * There were four different hp options on the 427cid 1967 engine - 390, 400, 430 and 435hp? * On the 1953 Corvette, the two engine casting numbers were 3701481 and 3835911? * It was Jim Perkins who drove the Corvette Pace Car at the 1996 Indianapolis 500? Access to the rear storage area was made easier in 1979 with the addition of the high folding seat back?

I almost think the chrome grill and the black grill should be switched. The entry level Lucernes should have the duller of the two.

Yes, that's all fine and good, but what about Bart and Lisa when they had to stay over at their stinky aunts and had to sleep with them?....now that's comedy..lol.

3 ports and bright grille = 6 cyl Lucerne http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive...html?page=1&c=y

Auto news Chevy poised to end Ford's reign as No. 1 GM brand ahead in 2005 sales as U.S. rival slumps December 1, 2005 Email this Print this BY MICHAEL ELLIS FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER Former Ford salesman Jason Hallman of Canton traded in his F-150 pickup and bought this Chevrolet Cobalt coupe, which sits Wednesday outside JR Cycle Works in Plymouth. He is co-owner of JR Cycle Works. (HUGH GRANNUM/Detroit Free Press) Related articles: • 2004-05 Chevrolet and Ford sales Jason Hallman, who sold Ford cars and trucks for nine years, did something this summer he had never done before -- he bought a Chevrolet. After quitting his job as a Ford salesman last year, the 32-year-old father of two felt free to buy whatever vehicle suited his family. After checking out a few different cars and SUVs, Hallman decided to trade in his Ford F-150 pickup and buy a red Chevrolet Cobalt coupe. "It was the first time in my life, as an adult, I could go to a dealership and buy what I liked," said the Canton resident, who quit his job at Jack Demmer Ford in Wayne in 2003. "It was kind of an eye-opening experience. "I was looking to get the most car I could for the money," Hallman, who also owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer SUV, said this week. More and more Americans are coming to the same conclusion as Hallman. For the first time since 1986, Chevrolet could top the Ford nameplate this year as the best-selling brand in the United States. The battle for bragging rights is tight. Through the first 10 months this year, Chevrolet led the Ford brand in U.S. sales by 2,272,218 to 2,257,104 -- a margin of 15,114 cars and trucks. That's equivalent to just a few days' worth of sales. Both brands are scheduled to report sales for November today, and year-end clearance incentives could help Chevrolet extend its lead. The Corvette is the only Chevy left out of GM's Red Tag sale. Ford excluded two top-selling cars -- the Fusion and the Mustang -- from its latest incentives. New vehicles like the Chevrolet HHR small car have pushed the General Motors Corp. brand ahead of its longtime rival. But an even bigger factor has been the sharp drop in Ford sales. Ford's U.S. sales fell to 2.78 million last year from 3.47 million vehicles in 2000. That was the same year Firestone's recall of more than 6.5 million tires, most on the Ford Explorer, raised questions about the safety of the top-selling SUV. Chevrolet's stronger sales are a rare bit of good news for GM. The automaker announced plans last month to stop production at a dozen North American plants and cut 30,000 hourly jobs by the end of 2008. The company has lost nearly $5 billion in its North American automotive operations this year. But Chevrolet's victory, if it passes Ford, may be short-lived. The Toyota brand is on pace for its 13th consecutive year of stronger sales, having sold 1.51 million vehicles this year excluding the Scion line of small cars. Although Toyota is still far behind Chevrolet and Ford, the Japanese company is planting the seeds for continued growth. That may be why Chevrolet officials publicly downplay the importance of being the No. 1-selling brand. But at a conference in Las Vegas in October, Chevrolet officials handed out to dealers bracelets similar to the ones cyclist Lance Armstrong's foundation sells to promote cancer awareness. Dealers said the bracelets were Chevy blue and emblazoned with the word "leadership." "It is front and center in our minds," said Richard Genthe, owner of meathead Genthe Chevrolet in Southgate and the senior cochairman of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. "It's in our e-mails and in our video presentations. It's a full-court press." Genthe admits that the race with Ford is still tight. "You can tell it's going to be a dogfight right up to the end," he said Wednesday. But he expects dealers to push the brand to No. 1, with help from Chevrolet in the form of more spending on advertising and incentives, if necessary. Victory in the sales race is more than just a chest-beating achievement. It helps convince car buyers that the brand is a winner. "If they win, I'm sure there will be a full-court press on advertising," Scott Brasher, general manager of Brasher Chevrolet-Buick dealership in Weimar, Texas, said this week. Although Chevrolet officials and dealers can be proud that they're close to beating Ford, they know another competitor is gaining fast. About 100 miles from Brasher's dealership, Toyota is building a pickup plant outside San Antonio. And while Ford and GM are making plans to cut production, Toyota broke ground in October on a second new plant, in Woodstock, Ontario. By 2014, Toyota could be fighting it out with Ford and Chevrolet as the top U.S. brand, said Rebecca Lindland, an auto sales analyst for the research firm Global Insight of Lexington, Mass. "The consumers that ... made Chevy and Ford what they were are basically out of the market in 10 years' time," Lindland said this week. "Baby boomers, they were the first group to come through with no loyalty to the domestic Big Three." But for now, Ford can find solace in having the nation's top-selling vehicle -- the F-Series pickup. And Chevrolet is attracting new buyers like Hallman. "I had been a Ford man my whole life," he said, but when the lease on his Mountaineer expires in 13 months, he may consider another Chevrolet. "I'll be looking at a Chevy store as well as a Mercury store."

Thursday, December 01, 2005 Print this Comment on this E-mail this Michael J. Dunne Thailand: Japan’s Backyard Michael J. Dunne / Autos Insider While China and India steal the headlines, Thailand's automotive industry makes quiet, remarkable progress. Vehicle production will top 1 million units this week. The industry expects total output to reach 1.15 million cars and trucks for the year. Exports will surpass 450,000 units, making Thailand the seventh largest vehicle exporter in the world. Mazda, Ford, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Isuzu ship cars and trucks to 106 countries from factories here. Thailand is already the second largest pickup truck market on the planet, after the United States. Domestic pickup truck sales will reach 400,000 units this year, up 23 percent compared to 2004. Head-turning growth and a passion for pickup trucks in this nation of 63 million would seem a natural draw for American industry. In fact, the Thai Board of Investment championed the country"s auto industry as the "Detroit of Asia” during the 1990s. The aim of the campaign was to lure back the Big Three, who had closed up their Thai operations in the late 1970s. Detroit did return, built world-class plants and developed nation-wide retail networks. But in the ten years since their re-entry, GM, Ford and Chrysler have encountered Iwo-Jima like resistance in the market. Among people who live and work here, Thailand is known as Japan's backyard. Japanese brands account for nine of ten new cars sales. Toyota alone has 40 percent market share. Isuzu dominates the truck segment with 37 percent of sales. GM, Ford and Chrysler as a group have battled to 8 percent market share since re-entry 10 years ago. Even that modest success would not have been possible without heavy reliance on their Asia affiliates, Mazda, Isuzu and Daewoo. Ford and Mazda produce half-ton pickups from the same assembly line at their jointly owned facility in Rayong, 90 minutes southeast of Bangkok. Chevrolet"s popular Colorado pickup was co-developed with Isuzu. GM also sources knocked-down kits from its Korean subsidiary, GMDAT. Under the skin of the popular Chevrolet Optra sedan marketed in Thailand is a Daewoo Lacetti. The Chrysler brand - which is without an Asian manufacturing partner - has been forced to beat an ignominious retreat from the market. (Mercedes-Benz has 0.8% market share). If you set brands aside and look exclusively at the origin of the vehicle platforms, Japan and Korea take 97 percent of the market. American companies may have arrived ten years ago with the desire to transform Thailand into the "Detroit of Asia.” But today, Ford, Daimler Chrysler and GM implicitly acknowledge that Asian manufacturing capabilities are pre-requisite to holding one's own against rivals from Japan. GM and Ford executives here deserve credit for utilizing Asian affiliates to construct a product strategy good enough to take eight percent of this heavily fortified market. It is one thing to fight for survival in Thailand, a country 12 times zone away from Detroit. But what are the bigger implications for competition back home, where America seems on the path to becoming Japan"s next backyard?

General Motors and Workhorse Expand Class-C Chassis Portfolio More choices for RV owners; Turbo-diesel engine available Louisville, KY - Offering the comfort and power of a full-size SUV or pickup truck, General Motors announces the availability of the 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine for the 12,300-pound Class-C chassis. In addition to the 14,050-pound chassis, General Motors has also announced that it will co-brand its 12,300-pound and 9,600-pound GVWR chassis with Workhouse Custom Chassis. All three chassis come standard with the Vortec 6.0 V-8 engine. "Adding the Duramax turbo-diesel engine to our chassis portfolio demonstrates GM's dedication to meeting the needs and desires of the RV customer," said Ross Hendrix, General Motors Marketing Director of Vans and Trucks. "We believe our chassis for the Chevy Express van delivers exactly what motor home customers want from their RV - exceptional capability, durability and power, with the comfort and convenience they've come to appreciate from GM vehicles." RV Equals Comfort With the Chevrolet/Workhorse Class-C Chassis, comfort and relaxation begins with the driving experience. The independent short/long-arm (SLA) front suspension provides both ride quality and long-term durability. The chassis' sharp turning radius allows the driver to maneuver in and out of tight spots with ease, adding to driver comfort. Inside, the chassis delivers more legroom and interior space for the driver and passenger than comparable competitive products, including larger step pads and wider footwells. There's also more functional storage, including deep and wide door storage pockets. "We're extremely pleased to expand the Chevy/Workhorse chassis portfolio with General Motors," said Bob Wert, Workhorse Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Planning. "The partnership between Workhorse and General Motors makes perfect sense because it allows two companies who truly understand the RVers needs for comfort to collaborate and offer outstanding motor home choices." POWERTRAIN The Chevrolet/Workhorse Class-C 12,300 chassis can now be powered by a Duramax turbo-diesel engine that delivers a class-leading 250-hp and 460-lbs-ft. torque run through a 4L85-E heavy-duty four speed transmission. All three chassis - the 14,050, the 12,300-pound and the 9,600-pound - are perfectly matched to the four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmissions with a 300-hp Vortec 6.0L V-8 engine. With just the right ratio of power to weight, the 6.6Duramax turbo-diesel engine gets the job done. Braking performance is provided by the standard four-wheel disc anti-lock brake system with Dynamic Rear Proportioning (DRP). DRP adjusts brake pressure toward the front or rear of the vehicle; therefore, optimizing front and rear brake performance under varying loads and road surfaces. With the Duramax turbo-diesel engine, the 12,300-pound GVWR chassis provides the power an RV customer will need to quickly merge into traffic or climb a steep grade. General Motors builds all of the Class-C chassis at its Wentzville Assembly Center in Missouri. Production is expected to begin in January 2006 and motor homes should arrive in dealer lots in early Spring 2006.

If you like reading road tests from the past, check this site out, many, many road tests of Chevy and GMC trucks, '73-'80.....so much fun. (click bottom right-hand corner of the pages to enlarge) http://www.73-87.com/7387info/Road_Test_7380.htm

http://www.autoextremist.com/page2.shtml#Rant

November 30, 2005 Glimpse into the 2006 Detroit auto show. by Mathieu St-Pierre , Auto123.com As is the case every year, the North American International Auto Show is quite the show. At this point, 6 weeks away from the car event of the continent, over 30 unveilings have been scheduled. For the 2005 show, all the car manufacturers combined for just over 60 premiers and concepts. This means that we should expect the number to double over the next few weeks for the 2006 Extravaganza. So far, nearly every builder that sells their product in North America has indicated that they will have something for everyone. Here is a brief list of what to expect: Audi Q7 SUV and S6 BMW Z4 Coupe and M Roadster Buick Enclave Crossover Dodge Caliber Ford Edge Jaguar XK Convertible Jeep Compass and TJ (Wrangler) Kia Magentis (Optima) Lexus LS460 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Nissan Versa Saturn Vue Greenline Toyota Camry Volkswagen Eos Concepts should include: Chevrolet Camaro Dodge Challenger Honda FCX Hyundai HCD-9 Mini Traveller Subaru B5-TPH

December 1, 2005 First Drive: 2006 Kia Sedona Review and photos by Paul Williams (Canadian Driver) Kelowna, British Columbia - Start a conversation with an auto writer, and the topic soon turns to -- you guessed it -- cars (sorry, it's all we really know). Fortunately, the guy next to me on a recent Kelowna-to-Vancouver flight was an enthusiastic car nut, and our subsequent talk made quick work of the one-hour flight. After reminiscing about the first cars we owned, along with the scariest cars we'd driven (his were a ‘62 Chevrolet Biscayne and a ‘56 Triumph TR3 respectively), the conversation got real. "What would you recommend for four-to-five people car pooling everyday?" he asked. "We're pretty much stop-and-go for 50 kilometres each way." Having just driven a top-of-the-line, $36,395, 2006 Kia Sedona EX at its product launch in Kelowna, minivans were on my mind, and the Sedona in particular. Let's see now…five people in heavy traffic, the same route everyday. They've got to be looking for decent fuel economy with a good ride, of course, but a key factor has to be the vehicle's interior environment. "We need room to read our newspapers," agreed my travelling companion. "Big cupholders for our coffee; legroom; places to store things; directional, interior lights to read when it's dark." Let's look at the Sedona to see how it might perform in this kind of daily duty. This is an all-new, second-generation Sedona that shares no body panels or technology with the outgoing model. The front-wheel drive, long-wheelbase, 5,130 millimetre Sedona (a short wheelbase version arrives next year) is bigger in all dimensions when compared with the previous generation. Length increases by 200 mm (the Sedona is longer than a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna), wheelbase is up 130 mm, and the taller, wider body raises interior volume to 4,879 litres, from 4,262. Power comes from a smooth, new, 3.8-litre V6 engine with variable valve timing that makes 244 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and 253 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm. The five-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift-logic keeps the engine speed down to a quiet 2,000 rpm at highway limits. Fuel consumption is rated at 14.2/8.6 L/100km, city/highway (a 12% improvement over the previous Sedona), and the fuel tank holds 80 litres of regular grade gasoline. The base Sedona LX is very well equipped at $29,495. Six airbags are standard, including the important dual side-curtains. Anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs bring the big Sedona smartly down from speed, and a back-up warning system helps when parking. Anti-whiplash active headrests are designed to minimize injury if the Sedona is struck from behind. The third row, split bench seat folds with little effort into the floor, and the second row captain's seats can be removed to create a cavernous cargo area. Alternatively, the second-row seats flip and fold. The Sedona has front, middle and rear power windows, and tri-zone air conditioning. In cold weather, the front windshield de-icer helps free the wipers, and heated side mirrors keeps them free of condensation or snow. An AM/FM/CD player with six speakers provides the entertainment and deep-tinted glass affords a level of privacy for passengers. The Sedona LX rides on 16" steel wheels with covers, has a cloth interior and features power door locks with remote keyless entry. A choice of six colours is available across the range, four of them new this year. For $31,895, the Sedona EX adds 17" alloy wheels, a power eight-way driver's seat, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, compass and trip computer, roof rack, an illumination package, fog lamps, chrome exterior accents and solar control windshield and front-door windows. At $33,395, the Sedona EX with Power Package adds power dual sliding doors with power tailgate, power adjustable pedals, automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror and a Homelink transmitter system to open garage doors and gates. The $36,395, full-load Sedona EX with Luxury Package checks off all the options by adding leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, automatic climate control, power sunroof, memory seating and pedal position and an electronic stability program with traction control. Kia Canada executives say that they expect most of their Sedona sales to come from the lower-priced LX versions, and while that trim level does offer a comprehensive and list of desirable features, the EX with the Luxury Package would seem to be the real value leader here. Priced at up to $10,000 less than similarly equipped minivans from Japan and the U.S., the Sedona EX with Luxury Package, like all Kias these days, offers just about all the equipment buyers would want in a vehicle of this type. But not everything. Strangely absent in this large, family minivan, is a DVD entertainment system. This is a major oversight that will be rectified, says Kia, in a few months. Apparently the decision hasn't been made whether to supply the DVD entertainment systems at the factory in Korea, or after they've been delivered to Canada. In the meantime, buyers of the first 2006 Sedonas will have to factor in a subsequent retrofit. Other high-end features, like a navigation system, are not offered in the Kia, but there are several units on the market that plug into the 12V power point, rival factory systems for functionality, and sell for about $500. The rear-seat directional reading lamps mentioned earlier are a great idea, but not available in the Sedona or any other minivan, it appears. Another observation is that the traction control/stability control system is only available in the EX with Luxury Package trim. We think this system should be in all the trim levels, especially considering that this is a large vehicle likely to be transporting groups of people. And the owner's manual needs a much better index. For instance, when looking up "flat tire," would you look under the letter "I" for "If you have a flat tire?" Didn't think so. Other similar errors are common in the short, unhelpful index. We drove the Sedona EX with Luxury Package approximately 450 km from Vancouver to Kelowna, spending about six hours on the mountainous roads in mostly foggy, wet conditions (our pictures were taken in a rare moment of sunshine). Visibility all-round is excellent in the Sedona, the ride is smooth and quiet. Our tester was rattle-free, and the seats were comfortable throughout the journey. Roominess in the Sedona is outstanding, with excellent second and third-row legroom and hiproom. Storage containers are everywhere. We found power from the V6 engine sufficient to ascend the steep roads with two adults and their luggage on board. At higher speeds there was some wind-noise evident at the front of the vehicle. The overall interior and exterior design of the Sedona is generic, but pleasing and well executed. The Kia five-year, 100,000 km warranty is comprehensive, even covering consumables like brake rotors and windshield wipers. Would it make a good car-pool commuter? Close to ideal.

I don't get the fancination with in-motion shots of the Lucerne.....I hate that....blurry wheels and everything else...just so dumb.

I am such a fan of these cars...I can't explain it....

Monte Carlo = beauuuutiful

He Drove, She Drove Lucerne has classic styling, comfy interior and a powerful V-8. By Paul & Anita Lienert 2006 Buick Lucerne CXS Type:Front-engine, front-wheel drive, 5-passenger sedan. Price:Base, $35,990 (inc. $725 destination charge); as tested, $38,630. Engine:4.6-liter V-8; 275-hp; 295 lb-ft torque. EPA fuel economy:17 mpg city/25 mpg highway. Where built:Detroit. 12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan*:$1,717. (Estimate. Rates may be higher or lower, depending on coverage, driving record.) Anita Likes:Love the portholes. Six-passenger capability. Roomy rear seat. Huge trunk. Great safety features. Standard OnStar. Dislikes:No adjustable pedals. No rear DVD entertainment system. No displacement on demand. Pretty pricey for a Buick. Paul Likes:Hits the target market dead-center. Classic Buick styling, with lots of chrome. Extremely comfortable seats, with optional heating/cooling. Great "magnetic ride" suspension is compliant, firm with very little body roll. Excellent assembly quality. Powerful V-8 engine returns to the big Buick for the first time in years. Responsive steering. Dislikes:Needs a navigation system. Mediocre fuel economy. Gauges a little difficult to read in daytime. Only a four-speed automatic when many competitors offer five and six speeds. The interior is subdued. Extras include heated, cooled front seats. The bad news for Buick fans is that General Motors has killed two familiar, long-running Buick nameplates -- the LeSabre and Park Avenue. The good news is that Buick for 2006 has introduced an exceptional successor in the full-size Lucerne sedan. Even better news is that the V-8 engine returns to the big Buick for the first time since the demise of the Roadmaster. We tested a well-equipped, top-of-the-line Lucerne CSX with the new 4.6-liter V-8. The bottom line: $38,630. SHE: You gave the Cadillac DTS a middle-of-the-road grade last week and called it a "hollow status symbol." Now you've turned into Mr. Sweetness and Light over the Buick, which is the sibling to the DTS, and given the Lucerne five stars. Do you want to explain your strange and mystifying logic? What's the difference? HE: About $15,000. Seriously, I think Cadillac has been drifting away from its traditional customer base for years, and the DTS is the poster child for that brand ambivalence. You'd never find a Lucerne in my driveway, but I think Buick has hit the target market dead-center with this car in ways no other domestic brand has done. The Lucerne gets classic Buick styling, with lots of chrome and those ubiquitous portholes, but the silhouette is clean, modern and appealing, without looking like a clich�. Buick owners should love it. Inside, the car is roomy and comfortable, if somewhat conservative. And the new V-8 is a differentiator, too. While it's not quite a match for Chrysler's Hemi V-8, it still enables the Lucerne to walk away from weaker contenders like the Ford Five Hundred. SHE: I'm glad you mentioned the portholes because I'm just nuts about them. I find them very comforting in the same way I find a bungalow comforting. They're a familiar and romantic link to Buick's past. But they didn't just slap on any old porthole; the designers modernized them a bit. I should probably add that they're not functional -- they're purely cosmetic. The Lucerne is not as in-your-face as a car like the Chrysler 300. It has much more subtle, sculpted lines. I'm less turned on by the cabin, which isn't as up to date as what you'd find on a Lexus or even a Cadillac. Or, for that matter, a car such as the Toyota Avalon. HE: I would call the interior subdued, not overly lavish. The only feature that's really lacking is a navigation system. But there are lots of extras, including optional front seats that are heated and cooled. SHE: Buick says you'll be able to order a nav system in the spring. I'm disappointed that you can't get adjustable pedals or a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. But you do get a standard OnStar communications system. I'm still concerned about the price, which seems a little steep for a domestic near-luxury sedan. HE: Let me tell you what you get for that money. The Lucerne gets GM's outstanding magnetic ride control, which gives you a superb, compliant ride, with very little body roll. And the 4.6-liter V-8--another feature that's shared with Cadillac--is pretty powerful, delivering 275 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque. Unfortunately, GM has fitted only a four-speed automatic where Chrysler and Ford are now offering five- and six-speed units on their cars. So you can't tap the engine power as effectively, and fuel economy is not much better than mediocre. SHE: Too bad GM doesn't offer displacement on demand. That would have helped gas mileage, too. Having said that, the Lucerne hits the high notes in just about every other respect. The styling is a conversation starter, at least among consumers of a certain age. You can get lots of golf bags in the trunk, and you can order the car in a six-passenger configuration--a feature that not many competitors offer. My only question: Is this a Buick for the ages or the aged?

First Drive: 2007 Suzuki SX4 Re-creating the small crossover BOB GRITZINGER Posted Date: 11/30/05 If you thought Suzuki offered one small crossover vehicle in its Aerio five-door hatch, think again. Next September the Japanese automaker will introduce the slightly larger 2007 SX4, which it will market as a small “sport crossover vehicle.” Premiering at the 2006 New York auto show in spring, SX4 will take on a wave of small-on-the-outside, big-and-practical-on-the-inside entries such as the Chevrolet Aveo, Nissan Verso and Toyota Yaris. In SX4, Suzuki aims to capitalize on its heritage and strength in four-wheel-drive sport/utility vehicles. It must also overcome acknowledged Suzuki negatives: odd styling and weak chassis. The SX4 could be the remedy. Styling is improved, whether in the more rugged sport/ute trim with fender flares and tough-looking lower front and rear fascia accents, or in the cleaner Euro trim. While “sporty” isn’t the first word we’d use to describe SX4, test drives reveal minimal chassis roll, predictable steering, good brakes, stability at high speed, and excellent suspension control devoid of harshness. The five-door SX4 is powered by a 2.0-liter, 147-hp, 135-lb-ft inline four-cylinder. The SX4 comes in front-wheel drive or electronically coupled four-wheel drive, each with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. With U.S. sales estimated at 30,000 annually, SX4 is expected to play a key role in doubling Suzuki’s overall U.S. sales to 200,000 units in 2007.

do it blu....

Oldsmobile Ad Slogans 1902 The Oldsmobile is the Best Thing on Wheels. Nothing to watch but the road. 1909 The logical car at the logical price. 1921 Built to extend the fame of a good name. 1928 You can buy a bigger car but not a better one. 1930 Sound economy suggests Oldsmobile. 1931 This year own an Oldsmobile - the fine car of low price. To design progressively ... to build faith ... to sell honestly ... to serve sincerely. 1932 Outstanding General Motors values in the medium price field. 1934 Leader in style .. leader in performance.. leader in value. 1935 The car that has everything. 1937 A beauty in armor. 1938 Step ahead and be money ahead! 1939 Setting the pace - different times, different models, but always top-flight performance. 1940 - 1941 Styled to lead - built to last. Bigger and better in everything! 1942 Fire-Power is our business - keep ‘em firing. It’s quality built to last! Proved and Improved for ‘42 (Hydra-matic drive). 1943 -1945 “Count on me for ‘43 - to help keep ‘em rolling!” (Olds dealers of America) 1944 You can always count on Oldsmobile (service and dealer ads). 1946 The Drive that shifts for itself! 1948 A famous “Drive” in a Famous car. 1949 Make a Date with the “88.” 1950 Oldsmobile Rockets Ahead! Make a Date with a “Rocket 8!” 1951 Ride the “Rocket” and Save! 1953 The new ruling power of the road. 1954 There’s more than a touch of tomorrow in the Rockets of today. 1955 Oldsmobile Rockets ahead ... with flying colors! 1958 Presenting a new way of going places in the Rocket age... OLDSmobility! 1960 The most satisfying car you have ever owned! 1961 Sized right ... powered right ... priced right ... Super 88 - the action line ... in performance and design! 1962 There’s something extra about owning an Olds. 1963 New style to invite you ... new luxury to delight you. New style to delight you! Rocket action to excite you! 1965 Pick the Rocket to fit your pocket! 1966 Step out front in 66 ... in a Rocket action Olds! 1968 Every Olds has to make it before we mark it (GM Mark of Excellence). Youngmobiles from Oldsmobile. 1970 The Escape Machines. Escape from the Ordinary. 1971 Oldsmobile - always a step ahead. 1972 - 1974 Not Just Another Pretty Car 1975 It’s a good Feeling to Have an Olds Around You 1976 - 1978 Can We Build One For You? 1978 In Man's Search for a New Measure of Excellence... 1979 - 1981 We’ve had one built for you. 1982 - 1983 Even Today, There’s Still Room To Do It In Style 1984 - 1986 There’s a special feel in an Oldsmobile. 1986 - 1988 Oldsmobile Quality. Feel it! 1989 - 1991 This Is The New Generation of Oldsmobile 1992 The Power of Intelligent Engineering. 1993 - 1997 It's Your Money, Demand Better 1999 - present Start Something

I hope they go with Camaro......I miss that car more than the Chevelle.

welcome...it's so much fun to see how people veiwed things in another era, their unique sensibilities that reflect the times..I find this stuff facinating...Like mentioning about the spare too far to reach for women.

2002 Saturn Sky Concept. The new Sky is very different, but this concept still looks good.