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2 2( e46/ m3) 2 2003/ 2006BMW M3s 3 6 El ement al 2007Ul t i maGT R 48 Par agon 1994Ac ur aNS X 66 DB2 1994Bi mot aDB2
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Al l r i ght sr es er v ed.Nopor t i onof t hi spubl i c a t i onma y ber epr oduc edwi t houtpr i orwr i t t enper mi s s i on.F or a dv er t i s i ng i nf or ma t i on,pl ea s ec ont a c tPa t r i c ka t : Cont a c t @Des er t Mot or s . c om orv i s i tourwebs i t e .
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Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 5
O
fal lt hi ngsi nt he aut omot i vewor l d, coachbui l der shol d as peci alpl acei nmy hear t .Unl i k emaj oraut o manuf act ur er swhoha vet o f ocus on an ent i r e vehi cl ef r om t he f i r s t t echni cal dr a wi ng t o t he l as t bol t ,a coachbui l der i s f ocus ed s ol el y on t he phys i calappear ance oft he vehi cl e . They t ak e one of t he mos t el ement ar y r equi r ement sofanaut omobi l eandel e vat ei t t oanar tf or m. Dat i ng back s e ver alcent ur i es ,t he ar tof coachbui l di nghass adl ychangedandf aded gr eat l yf r om i t s heyday i nt he ear l y 20t h cent ur y . Wi t h t he advent of uni body cons t r uct i on, mas s pr oduct i on and e ver yt hi ngunder oner oofbus i nes smodel s , coachbui l di ng i nt he t r adi t i onals ens e has becomei ncr eas i ngl yl es sf i nanci al l yvi abl e . Wher ei tonce appl i ed t o a wi de r ange of aut omobi l et ypes and pr i ce poi nt s ,i thas now been r el i nqui s hed t o onl yt he mos t e xot i c and l uxur i ous of aut omobi l es .
6J ul y/ Augus t2009
Howe ver ,manycoachbui l der sha ves ur vi ved andr es hapedt hems el veswi t ht het i mes . I nt hecas eofZagat o,oneoft hewor l d’ s mos t pr omi nent coachbui l der s ,i t ’ s much mor et hans i mpl ymaki ngs omet hi ngt hat ’ s pr et t y .F oundedatt heendofWor l dWarI byUgoZagat o,t heywer eoneoft hef i r s t bui l der s t o appl y ai r cr af t i ndus t r y t echnol ogyandcons t r uct i ont echni quest o pas s enger vehi cl es . Not s ur pr i s i ngl y , Zagat onotonl ybecames ynonymouswi t h l i ght wei ght and aer odynami c des i gn,but al s owi t hbeaut yandgr ace . Zagat o hashad al ong hi s t or y wi t h As t on Mar t i n begi nni ng i n 1960 wi t h t he pr omi nentandnow hi ghl ys oughtaf t erDB4 GTZagat o. Mor er ecent l y ,t heyt eamedup ont heDB7Zagat oi n2002andayearl at er , ont hi s ,t heDBAR1. Res t yl i ngane xi s t i ng car i s one t hi ng, but r es t yl i ng As t on Mar t i n’ s mos ts ucces s f ulcarofal lt i me andacart hati swi del y cons i der ed oneof t hebes tl ooki ngmoder ndes i gnsi sanot her . I t ’ sl i k es ayi ng,“ ok ay ,whatyoudi di sgr eat ,
buther e’ show i ts houl d’ vebeen”andIl ove t hatki ndofar r ogance . Orr at her ,Il ovei t wheni tt ur nsoutl i k et heDBAR1. Maki ng i t sof f i ci aldebutatt he 2003 L os Angel es Mot or s how and des i gned s peci f i cal l yf or Cal i f or ni a, t he Amer i can Roads t eri st he f i r s tand onl y carAs t on Mar t i nhasde vel opedf oras peci f i cmar k et . Of f er i ng abs ol ut el yno weat herpr ot ect i on, unl i k et heVant ageVol ant ei ti sbas edon,i t i sr eal l y onl ys ui t abl ef ort emper at e ,dr y cl i mat esmaki ng i tan out cas ti ni t snat i ve Br i t ai n. As t on Mar t i n onl y bui l t99 AR1s and or der s came i n ver y qui ckl y wi t h vi r t ual l y al loft hem maki ng t hei rway t o Nor t h Amer i ca. Mechani cal l yt her ear en’ t many changes f r om t he Vol ant e . The 6. 0l i t erV12 r ecei ved a s l i ghti ncr eas et o 435hp and t he wheel s and br ak es wer e s wappedf ormor eaggr es s i veuni t s . The DB AR1 wast he ver yl as tvar i antof As t on Mar t i n’ si coni c DB7 and,wi t ht he hel p ofZagat o,cer t ai nl yoneoft hei rver y bes t .
2003As t onMar t i nDBAR1
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 7
8J ul y/ Augus t2009
2003As t onMar t i nDBAR1
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 9
T heDet ai l i ngGar age
Gr eatCarWas hes Iknow onet hi ngt obet r ue .Li f e’ sBet t erI n A Cl eanRi de! Iam e xci t edabouts har i ng wi t hyouonapr of es s i onall e vels omeaut o car e t i ps , how t o do’ s , and pr oduct knowl edge f ormai nt ai ni ng and pr es er vi ng yourr i de . Whet heri t ’ s yourdai l y dr i ver , s unday cr ui s er , or per haps a whol e col l ect i on,t he end r es ul ts houl d ha ve t he s ame e xhi l ar at i ng f eel i ng ass mas hi ng t he pedalt ot hef l ooron an open r oad. Iam honor edt obeabl et obr i ngt oyous omeof mye xper i encesands har et hem wi t hyoui n Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne . Iam of t enas k ed,“ whati st hebes tpr oduct f or …?” Al t hough Ido ha ve my f a vor i t e pr oduct st hatIwi l ls har e wi t h you i nt he comi ng i s s ues ,my r es pons ei ss i mpl e .I f youenj oyt her es ul t st hatyouachi e vewi t h t hepr oduct syouar eus i ngt hens t i ckwi t h t hem. Iknow t hatt hi si sof t en awayof as ki ngwhatel s ei soutt her et hatIs houl d t r y? Ial s ol i k et r yi ngdi f f er entpr oduct sasa l otoft hewayapr oductbeha vesonacar canbever ydi f f er entf r om mak e ,model ,and ul t i mat el yt he pai ntt hati s us ed. I nt hi s i s s ue ,youwi l lf i nds omer ecommendat i ons f oragr eatcarwas h. Theeas i es tandf as t es twayt ogetyourr i de l ooki ng pr et t y and mai nt ai ned i sa s i mpl e bubbl ebat h. Ther ear es omet echni quesi n was hi ngacart hatwi l lmi ni mi z et hei mpact and pr e vent mi nor bl emi s hes and pai nt i mper f ect i ons f r om occur r i ng. Wi t hout us i ng t he pr operpr oduct s ,was hi ng your r i de al one can caus es cr at ches t o appear t hat wer en’ tt her e bef or e you s t ar t ed. Al t hough t heymaynotbedeep,t heycan of t enbever yappar enti nanadequat el i ght
s our ceort hes un. I ti snor malovert i me , howe ver ,t oe vent ual l yha veaf e w oft hes e “ mi cr o”s cr at chesasj us tapar tofnor mal wearandt earf r om bei ngont heopenr oad al ongwi t hmai nt ai ni ngyourvehi cl e .Thi si s why i ti sr ecommended t o pr of es s i onal l y det ai lyourvehi cl eof t en. Wat er : Cl eanwar m wat eri sneeded. F ort hos eof youwhos uf f erf r om har dwat er ,i tmi ghtbe neces s ar yf oropt i mum r es ul t st oi nves ti n s omet ypeoff i l t r at i ons ys t em t omi ni mi z e wat ers pot t i ngt hatcoul doccurdur i ngt he was hpr oces s .
Soap: I tcanbeover whel mi ngwhenwal ki ngi nt oa s t or et obuyane w cars oap. Iha vet r i ed s e ver alf r om t he cheap s t uf ft o payi ng a pr emi um amountf ordi f f er ents oaps .Some wi t h waxes and ot her st hat cl ai m t hey r emove bugsand t ar .I n my opi ni on,t he mos te xpens i ve hasnotbeen t he bes t .I l ook f ors oapst hatha ve a t hi ck vi s cos i t y andcr eat eacl oudofbubbl eswhenpur ged wi t h wat er . T ot he t ouch,i ts houl df eel s ome what “ s l i my” as t hi st el l s me t hat t her ei spl ent yofl ubr i ci t yt ogl i deyourwas h mi t t / s pongeal ongt hes ur f ace .I ti sal ways i mpor t antt owas hapanelatat i mer i ns i ng yourwas hmi t t / s pongeeacht i me .Her ear e al i s tofs ome s oaps t hatIr ecommend: Car nuB Aut o Shampoo,Sur fCi t y Gar age , andGr i ot ’ sGar age Was hMi t torSponge? I tdoes n’ tmat t ert omewhatyouchoos eas a pr ef er ence ,j us tnotyourdi r t ys ock or was hcl ot h.Il i k eat r uemi cr of i bermi t tas
Wor ds :Mar cusMor t on
t hey abs or b pl ent y of s oapy wat er and appeart obegent l eonal mos tal ls ur f aces . I t i s i mpor t ant t o s epar at e a was h mi t t / s ponge f or pai nt ed s ur f aces and anot herf oryourwheel sandt i r es . Dr yi ngT owel : T o pr e ventwat ers pot sf r om et chi ng i nt o yourpai ntorcl earcoat ,dr yi ngyourvehi cl e i sani mpor t antl as ts t ep. Fi ndagoods of t t owelorchamoi st o gent l y dr y yourr i de . Onceagai n,Il i k eaqual i t ymi cr of i bert owel and onl y us ei tf ordr yi ng t he vehi cl e .A bat ht owelorot hermor eaggr es s i vet e xt ur e canact ual l ydohar mt ot hepai nt ,s of i ndi ng a good t owelf or dr yi ng your vehi cl ei s i mpor t ant .I ti sr ecommended t o ha ve a di f f er entt owelf ordr yi ng wheel sand t i r es aswel l . I tcanbeagr eatdebat east owhatpr oduct s ar et he bes t . I n my gar age ,i ti s not uncommont oha ves e ver aldi f f er entpr oduct l i nesont hes hel f .Eachonewi t hadi f f er ent us e . Wi t hne wt echnol ogy ,compl e xpai nt s , anddi f f er entmat er i al sf l oodi ngt hemar k et , i ti s har dt os ay whatwi l lbe t he bes t pr oduct f or t omor r ows car . Unt i l ne xt i s s ue…happywas hi ngands af emot or i ng! Mar cusMor t on i st he ownerofPi tSt op Aut o Det ai l i ng, LL C l ocat ed i n t he Scot t s dal e Ai r par k i n Scot t s dal e , AZ. Mar cus can be r eached vi a emai l at mmor t on@az det ai l i ng. com F or s peci al t y pr oduct st omai nt ai nyourr i de ,pl eas evi s i t www. az det ai l i ng. com or t he Scot t s dal e Ai r par kl ocat i on.Yourques t i onsar eal ways wel come!
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 11
Mor eThanJus tMus cl e
Carcol l ect or sus ual l y enj oy t aki ng t hei r bel oved cl as s i cs f ora s hor tr i de down s ceni cboul e var dsandhi ghwaysbecaus e i t ’ sf un and of t en t ur nsi nt o a“ bes ti n s how”e xper i ence .L et ’ sf acei t ,weal l l ove t os t r utourcoolcar s ,butdi d you know t her e’ sanamaz i ngcarr al l ycal l ed Mus cl eCar1000? Now i ni t sf i f t hyear , t hi ss i xday , al l i ncl us i ve ,e vent t ak es mus cl ecarent hus i as t sandt hei rmus cl e
12 J ul y/ Augus t2009
car s on a 1000mi l e cour s e of f er i ng abs ol ut e l uxur y and oneof aki nd e xper i ences ,l i k edr agr aci ngdownmar i ne ai r bas er unways ! Fr om gour metmeal s , pr i vat e carcol l ect i on t our s ,t of i ves t ar r es or t s and a Concour s d’ El egance , Mus cl e Car1000 i s one of t he mos t e xcl us i vecarr al l i esi nt hecount r yandi t ’ s al lf oragoodcaus e . Ther ear eal i mi t ed numberoft eamst hatcompr i s et her out e ,
s os paces f i l lup qui ckl y . T o qual i f y , par t i ci pant s mus t own 19641973 Amer i can Mus cl e Car s , 19551973 Cor vet t es ,and19621967Cobr as .Fr om Oct ober49,Mus cl eCar1000t eamswi l l t r a vel Sout her n Cal i f or ni a f r om San Di ego, t o Pal m Spr i ngs , and t hr ough Sant a Moni ca and Sant a Bar bar a. F ounderChr i sHos ki nss aysMus cl eCar
Muscl eCar1 000Del i ver sAdvent ur ef oraWor t hyCause
1000does n’ tj us tof f erbondi ngt i mewi t h car s ;i t ’ sdes i gneds oyoucanbr i ngyour wi f e ,f r i end,ore venmot hert oenj oyal lof i t s amaz i ng ameni t i es l i k e pool s i de bungal ows att he L a Qui nt a Res or ti n Pal m Spr i ngs . Mos ti mpor t ant l y ,Hos ki ns cr eat edMus cl eCar1000 t obenef i tThe Hunger Rel i ef Or gani z at i on ( HeRO) ,a nonpr of i t es t abl i s hed i n Hondur as t hat wor ks t o er adi cat e chi l d hunger i n
de vel opi ng count r i es . Af t er hi s own “ oncei nal i f et i me” e xper i ence t r a vel i ng t hr ought heHi mal ayans ,Hos ki nsi ni t i at ed t hei deaofcombi ni nghi spas s i onf orcar s and hi s pas s i on f orhel pi ng ot her si nt o s omet hi ng r eal l y e xt r aor di nar y . The s uppor tofMus cl eCar1000 r al l yt eams and i t ss pons or sha veenabl ed HeRO t o e xpand and open s e ven f eedi ng cent er s s i ncet hepr ogr am s t ar t edi n1992.
Eachyear ,t heMus cl eCar1000r al l yget s mor epumpedandadvent ur ous .Thi syear , e ventpr oducer s pr omi s e anot herwi l dl y i ns aneande xhi l ar at i nge xper i ence .Upt o 50 t eams wi l lj oi n t he r out e and e xper i encet heul t i mat e“ s t aycat i on”on wheel s . T or es er ve yours pace t oday , ww . pl eas evi s i twww mus cl ecar 1000. com. St or y :Di os :Se anaBay l or Phot t hWood
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 13
P/ W: Pat r i ckEr nz en
A
sl ong ast her e’ sbeen hot r ods , t her e’ sbeenr odded‘ 30sF or ds . Overt he pas ts e ven decades , not hi ng has been modi f i edmor et i mesandi nmor ewayst han t hes e once humbl e coupes ,s edans and r oads t er s . Wi t hs o many f act or yr epl acement and af t er mar k etpar t sa vai l abl eandar i chhi s t or y ofcus t omi z at i on s t eeped i nt r adi t i on,i t ’ s t he bl ank canvas ofchoi ce f orcount l es s ent hus i as t s ,bui l der sanddes i gner swhoai m t o achi e ve t hei r vi s i on of per f ect i on. F as hi on i sa f i ckl et hi ng and whi l et r ends wi l lcomeandgo,onl yaf r act i onoft hes e s t yl es and t r ends ha ve managed t ot r ul y s t andt het es toft i me .Cas ei npoi nt :t hi sal l s t eel ’ 33 F or d Coupe . Though t he f oundat i on i s an or i gi nalHenr yF or ds t eel bodyandboxedchas s i swi t ht hei ni t i albui l d comi ngi nt hel at e‘ 90sandr e wor k edwi t hi n t hel as tyear ,t hecarcoul d’ vebeenbui l tt o t hes es ame s pecsus i ng s i mi l arpar t sf i f t y year sago.Ever yt hi ngont hecari svi nt age hotr od,f r om t he Amer i can Raci ng T or q Thr us t st ot hef amousMoongaspedal . Mat ed t oaf ours peed T10 t r ans mi s s i on t hate vent ual l yt er mi nat es i nt o a pol i s hed Ri chmond Gearqui ck change di f f er ent i al , t he Che vr ol et power pl ant i sal at e 327 bor edt o331wi t hf uel i eangl epl ugheads ,a 3duece s et up wi t h Roches t er2 G car bs and get ss ome e xt r a oomph f r om r ol l er r ock er sandf unct i onalheader sf eedi ngi nt o t os t ai nl es smuf f l er s . Whi l eIha veahar dt i mecal l i ngacart hat ’ s been f l amed f r ont t or ear “ s ubt l e” ,i t s e xt er i orandbodymodi f i cat i onsmanaget o wal kt hatf i nel i nebet weenwi l dandmi l d. Whi l et her ear eal ar genumberofchanges al l ar ound, e ver yt hi ng i s t as t ef ul and t i mel es sandt hedes i gnchoi cesaddt oeach ot her ,notdi s t r actf r om oneanot herl i k es o
16 J ul y/ Augus t2009
many ot hercus t om car s . Thos ef l ames come by t he way oft he l egendar y Ar t Hi ms land ar e cont i nued ont ot he body beneat ht he hood s ot hatt hey cont i nue r i ghtt ot heendoft hebodywor kwhet her open or cl os ed. The body has been choppedbyf ouri nchesandt her ooff i l l ed. Unl i k emanybodymodi f i ed ‘ 30sF or ds ,i t r et ai nst heor i gi nalgr i l l ,t hecowlventand r earwi ndow r emai n oper at i onaland t he t ur ns i gnal sha vebeeni nt egr at edi nt ot he or i gi nalGui deheadl i ght s .A genui ne‘ 50s I ndy carf uelf i l l erador nst her earf ender l i k e a mechani calj e weland hi nt s att he F or d’ sper f or manceunder pi nni ngs . The i nt er i orr ecei ved a s i mi l art r eat ment , s eaml es s l y mer gi ng f act or y and af t er mar k et . Nos t al gi c St e war t War ner Wi ngs gauges r epl ace t he s t ock uni t s behi nd t he f act or y panel and ar e accompani ed by a r oof mount ed t achomet er . Wher et her e was once a bench now s i t s a pai r of Por s che 356 buck et st hat ,al ong wi t ht he r es toft he i nt er i or ,ar ecover edi noxbl oodNaugahyde uphol s t er y .Af i f t eeni nchs t eer i ngwheel mount st oacus t om qui ckconnects t eer i ng col umnt hatmak esi t swayt oaVegabox andchr omef ourbarf r onts us pens i onwi t h af ouri nchdr op. Rears us pens i oni sPet e andJak e’ sl adderbar swi t hAl dancoi l over s and s t oppi ng powercomes f r om SoCal hi ddendi s csi nt hef r ont .TheF or dr et ai ns i t sdr umsi nt her ear . Al lt hatbei ngs ai d,i t ’ snos ur pr i s et hatt hi s car has won a number of a war ds and accol ades ,i ncl udi ngSt r eetRodderT op10 andi samul t i pl eGoodGuysandBl acki e’ s Fr es noAut or amawi nner . The1930sF or d wi l lal waysbeak eypl ayeri nt hecus t om carwor l dandwhendoner i ght ,i t ’ scl eart o s ee why i thasbecome whati thas :t he qui nt es s ent i alhotr od.
1933F or dCoupe
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 17
1933F or dCoupe
20 J ul y/ Augus t2009
22 J ul y/ Augus t2009
r i c kEr nz e n Ot i sBl a nk words:Pat p h o t o s :
F
ornear l y40year sBMW hasbi l l edt hei r car sas“ TheUl t i mat eDr i vi ngMachi ne” and not hi ng epi t omi z es t hi si nr oadgoi ng f or m mor et han t hei r hi ghl yl auded M3 model . Si nce i t si nt r oduct i on i n 1986,i t hasbeenpr ai s edf ori t sphenomenaldr i vi ng char act er i s t i cs , benchmar k def i ni ng per f or mance and has been a war ded t op honor s by vi r t ual l ye ver y publ i cat i on i t ’ s e verappear ed i n. Though bas ed on t he mor e pedes t r i an 3s er i es ,t he di f f er ences ar ewi der angi ngwi t hcompl et el yr e wor k ed s us pens i on,ahi ghper f or manceengi neand a numberofbody modi f i cat i ons ,amongs t ot hert hi ngs . The3r dgener at i onM3,t heE46,wasf i r s t i nt r oducedi nOct ober2000andi spower ed by a 333hp 3. 2li nl i nes i x,BMW’ s mos t
24 J ul y/ Augus t2009
power f ul nat ur al l yas pi r at ed pr oduct i on powert r ai nupt ot hatpoi nt .F ormanyi t wasl oveatf i r s ts i ghtandt hatl oveonl y gr e w once behi nd t he wheel . I t s pr eBangl es t yl i ng i s cl as s i c BMW. I t ’ s cl ean and el egant ,yetaggr es s i ve att he s amet i me .Wi t hs t yl i ngs t apl est hatdat e backar ound 40 year st ot heBMW Ne w Cl as s ,t her e’ snomi s t aki ngi tf oranyt hi ng ot hert hanaBMW. I ti mmedi at el ybegan r acki ngupaccol adesf r om j our nal i s t sand ent hus i as t s al i k e and qui ckl y became a dar l i ngofgear headsar oundt hewor l d.I n 2009,Road and T r ack Magaz i ne l abel ed t he2006M3wi t hSMG t r ans mi s s i on,t he hi ghl y pr ai s ed opt i onalgear box,as t hei r f a vor i t es por t scarofal lt i me ,wel laf t ert he i nt r oduct i onoft hene wer ,mor epower f ul E9X M3.
2003/ 2006BMW M3
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 25
ThatSMG t r ans mi s s i onf i ndsahomei nt hi s pai rofE46 M3s : as i l ver2003 and bl ack 2006. The ol der and mor ee xt ens i vel y modi f i ed oft he t wo has been ar ound t he bl ockaf e wt i mes ,wi t hmor et han100, 000 mi l es on t he cl ock and i s cur r ent l y dai l y dr i ven. A goodnumberoft hos emi l esha ve been r ack ed up goi ng t o,f r om and on a numberoft r acks ,i ncl udi ng L aguna Seca, Phoeni x I nt er nat i onal Race way , Sout hwes t er n I nt er nat i onal Race way , Manz ani t aSpeedwayand e ven on t hef i el d atQual comm St adi um,home oft he San Di egoChar ger s . Vor s t ei nerCSLs t yl ecar bon f i berf r ontand r earbumper s ,boot l i dandanOEM CSLr ear di f f us er gi ve t he car a s l i ght l y mor e aggr es s i ve appear ance and s ha ve a f e w
26 J ul y/ Augus t2009
pounds al ong t he way . Ot her vi s ual modi f i cat i ons i ncl ude car bon f i ber ki dney gr i l l sands i degi l l sandbl ackvi nylcover i ng t he r ooft o compl i mentt he dar k gunmet al OEM ZCPwheel sandover al lbl ackons i l ver t heme .Themodi f i cat i ons ,whi l es ubt l e ,gi ve t he cara bi tofa har dcor e edge and t hat ef f ecti si nt ens i f i ed wi t h as i gni f i cantdr op t hanks t o JI C/ Cr os s Compet i t i on 15way adj us t abl e coi l over s . But t he s us pens i on modi f i cat i ons s er ve t o do mor et han j us t mak et heM3 l ookpr et t y . I n addi t i on t ot he coi l over s ,t he car ’ s wor l dcl as s handl i ng i s enhanced wi t h JI C/ Cr os sCompet i t i on f r ont camberpl at esandr ears hockmount s ,aUCC f r ont s waybar andPower f l e x bus hi ngs . Power and s ound out put al s or ecei ves a bump f r om a Mi l l t ek e xhaus ts ys t em and St r eaml i neai rf i l t er .
2003/ 2006BMW M3
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2003/ 2006BMW M3
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 29
30 J ul y/ Augus t2009
Thi sj etbl ack wi t h bl ack Nappa l eat herM3 hast hes ameSMG gear box,buthast ak ena mor e mi l d, under s t at ed appr oach. Modi f i cat i ons come mos t l yi nt he way of s mal l er ,vi s ualmodi f i cat i onss uchass mok ed s i gnal s ,pai nt edr ef l ect or sand19�CSLs t yl e wheel s .Thei nt er i orhasr ecei vedanumberof changes ,i ncl udi ngAl cant ar aSMGandebr ak e boot swi t ht r i col ors t i t chi ng,aEur ot r ayand dr ywea ve car bon f i berand chr ome accent s t hr oughout . Thecari soneoft hef e w E46s t hatl ef tt he f act or y wi t h manuals eat sand wi t hout a s unr oof ,bot hf eat ur es des i r abl e amongs tM3ent hus i as t s .
veNeal ,Da y wnRa ,Sha ange r m St ,Ti ki ups anSt i :Br mages I i k s p u anSt i :Br ds Wor Overt hel as tdecade ,we’ ves eene xpl os i vegr owt hi nt hehotr od and cus t om cari ndus t r y and hobby as a whol e .Thi s can be at t r i but ed t ot he popul ar i t y oft el e vi s i on s howsl i k e Over haul i n’ , Amer i can HotRod and ot her s ,as wel las Power bl ock TV,t he Bar r et t Jacks on Col l ect orCarEvent s ,and ofcour s e ,acces st o gr eatper s onal i t i esl i k eChi pF oos e ,St aceyDa vi dandot her s .Thi s br i ngsi nne w ent hus i as t s ,andnat ur al l y ,mor epr oj ectcar s ! Nots i nceGeor geBar r i ss nappedt hous andsofphot osandwr ot e hundr edsofar t i cl espr omot i ngt hehobbybacki nt he1950’ sand ’ 60’ s ha ve we s een s o much at t ent i on on ourhobby ,and i t ’ s amaz i ngt owi t nes s .Yet ,whi l et her e’ sal loft hi se xci t ement ,many oft hes ene wf ansandpar t i ci pant sar ef eel i ngl os twhens t ar t i nga pr oj ect .I tcanbeadaunt i ngt as kt os ayt hel eas t ,butwhent aki ng t hos ef i r s ts t eps , ha vi ng t he r i ght f oot i ng can mak e al lt he di f f er encei nt hewor l d. Nat ur al l y ,anys ucces si napr oj ectr equi r esapl an,andbui l di ngor modi f yi ng a carr equi r esver y car ef ult houghtatt hi ss t age .I ’ ve of t enhear dguyss ay“ Ij us tbui l dasIgo… nopl an,j us twhatf eel s
r i ght ” ,ands adl y ,i tcer t ai nl ydoes n’ tl ookl i k ei tmus tf eeli nmany cas es .Di s j oi nt eddes i gn,hal f as s ed“ f i xes ”t omak epar t sf i t ,and of t en uns af e“ engi neer i ng” ( ” engi nebeer i ng” ,mos tl i k el y)ha ve s entmanyapr oj ectt oanear l ygr a ve . Thebes tadvi cewoul dbet obr i ngonane xper i enceddes i gnert o hel p gui deyou al ong.Asapr of es s i onalhotr od and cus t om car des i gnerwi t h overt went yyear se xper i encei nt heaut oi ndus t r y ( f r om par t sands er vi cet obodyandaf t er mar k etacces s or i es ) ,as wel last r ai ni ngi ndes i gnandf i near t ,I ’ m her et oof f ers omeadvi ce ont aki ngt hos ef i r s ts t eps . The i mpor t ance ofha vi ng a vi s i on on paper ,es peci al l y when wor ki ngwi t hs hopsandot her sonat eam,can’ tbeover l ook ed. Theendgoalofs el ect i ngyoucardes i gneri s : • A vi s i onoft hef i ni s hedpr oductf ore ver yonet owor kf r om • Avoi dgaps ,mi s communi cat i onsander r or si ndes cr i bi ngi deas • Getwhatyouwantf oryourcus t om cardr eam!
5Thi ngsT oCons i derWhenHi r i ngaCus t om CarDes i gner :
2.Fi ndA Des i gnerYouGetAl ongWi t h
1.Pi ckaDes i gnerWho’ sSt yl eYouLi k e
Spends omephoneandemai lt i met al ki ngwi t hdes i gner s .Doyou, “ getal ong” ? Can communi cat ef r eel y?An open e xchangewi t h yourdes i gnerwi l lpayof fi naHUGEwaydur i ngt hepr oj ect . L ookf oracus t om cardes i gnerwho: •Canhel pgui deyou oI fas k ed,butal s ot ak eani deayouha veandr unwi t hi t . oSi mpl yhi r i nga“ wr i s t ”t omak es omel i nesbas edonl yon whatyous ayi sbor i ng,andwi l ll ea veyourdes i gn“ f l at ” . •I sagoodl i s t ener ! oNot hi ngcanbemor edi s appoi nt i ngt hanaguywhodoes n’ t l i s t en oI st hedes i gnerl ooki ngt ocr eat eapor t f ol i opi eceonyour di me? •I smor et hanj us tat al ent edar t i s t oDoes n’ ts i mpl yr ehas ht hes ame3D modelt hei rl as t40 cus t omer sgot( butwi t hdi f f er entpai ntandwheel s )becaus e , you’ l lget ,wel l ,t hes amecarast hos eot her40guys ! •Canf ol l ow yourbudget oMak eyourbudgetknownandunder s t ood
Notonl yar eyouhi r i ngs omeonet oas s i s ti nl ayi ngt hegr oundwor k f oryourpr oj ect ,butt hedes i gnermus tal s obeabl et oconveyyour i deasandt as t es ,aswel lascr eat eapi ecet hatwi l li ns pi r eyour bui l dt eam. You’ l lwants ome“ wow”f act or ,butal s obes ur et hatyourdes i gner dr a ws wi t h pr o pers cal e and pr opor t i on!T aki ng a car t oonl i k e i mageors hoddy“ Phot ochop”t o an e xper i enced bui l derwi l lget youl aughedoutoft hes hop.Theki dyouhi r ei naf or um mi ght mak et hat‘ 58 Eds elbumperl ook l i k ei tf i t syourMonz ai nt he dr a wi ng,buti nr eal i t y ,woul di t ?And,ar eyoul ooki ngt obl ow your budgetonwi l dchangesbef or et hecare venhi t spr i mer ? L ookar ound,ands t udyt hear t i s t ’ ss t yl esandpr i orwor k. Much l i k eyou choos eacart hate xci t esyou,bei tf ornos t al gi a r eas ons ,acer t ai nf eel i ngi tgi vesyou,orj us tt hef actt hatyoul i k ed i tover al l ,you’ l lbemi l esaheadbys el ect i ngades i gneri nt hes ame way .Whent hecari st or napar tandl ooki ngbl eak,t hear t wor kwi l l s er veasane xci t ementgener at or .
Mak ei tanopene xchangewher ei deascanf l ow f r eel y ,andyou’ l l be pl eas ant l ys ur pr i s ed how an i dea can gr ow orbe r ef i ned t o mi ndbl owi ngl ycooli nt her i ghthands . 3.Under s t andTheDes i gner ’ sT er ms •Gett het er msanddet ai l soft hedes i gni r onedouti mmedi at el y . •How manyr e vi s i onswi l lyour ecei ve? oWhat ’ st hecos tf oraddi t i onalr e vi s i ons ? •How wi l lt hewor kbedel i ver ed? oHar dcopi es ?( onef oryou,t hes hop,andmaybef or pr omot i onalpur pos es ?) oDi gi t alcopi esf ormagaz i nei nk?( how abouts pons or s hi p pr opos al s ?) •Canyouus et hear t wor kt opr omot et hecar ? oWhoownst heCopyr i ght ? A pr of es s i onaldes i gnerwi l lpr ovi de a cont r acte xpl ai ni ng t hes e i mpor t antt er msal l owi ngf orwor r yf r eedes i gnt i me .Payat t ent i on f r om s t ep one ,and you’ l la voi ds t ar t i ng overwhen yourf or um buddydi s appear swi t hyourPayPalpayment . Under s t and,t oo,t hat“ yougetwhatyoupayf or ”appl i eswi t hcar des i gner s . I fyouwantyourdes i gnsqui ckl y( orj us tont i me)and atahi ghqual i t y ,bepr epar edt opayabi tmor e ,andr es pectt he t i mer equi r ed t o per f ectades i gn.Much asyou woul dn’ tr us ha s ur geon r econs t r uct i ng yourbody ,gi ve yourcar body t he s ame cons i der at i onf orequal l yf unct i onalr es ul t s !
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 33
4.Don’ tBeThat“ I ’ l lknow whatIwantwhenIs eei t ”Guy Thatguyi st heenemyofdes i gner s ,andi tt r ans l at est o“ headache” t oanypr o.Ha veani deaatt hef i r s tcons ul t at i on,e veni fi t ’ svague , and as kf ordi r ect i on/ advi cei fneeded ( s ees t ep 2) .Know what you’ dl i k et o do wi t ht he car .Wi l li tbe r es t or ed? Modi f i ed? A combi nat i on of t he t wo? Somet hi ng wi l der ? A pr of es s i onal des i gnerwi l lof f ere xampl es ,and t hr ow i deasar ound wi t h you, hi t t i ng on yourl i k esand di s l i k esbef or e penci lhi t spaper .Many gr eatcar sde vel opdur i ngt hes e“ benchr aci ng”s es s i ons ,andyou’ l l s a veat ononr e vi s i ons . Communi cat i oni syourbes tf r i endher e .Si mpl yj umpi ngf r om s t yl e t os t yl ewi l lbur nyouandyourdes i gnerout ,andcl os edoor son r eal l ycr eat i vei deas . Res ear cht hehel loutofyourpr oj ectandi deas .Got os hows ,cr ui s e ni ght s ,r odr uns … Pi ckupmagaz i nes ,books ,vi deos …L ookar ound
atwhat ’ sbeen done ,and f i nd a s t yl et hatyou l i k e . Si t esl i k e MyRi des i s Me . com of f ercus t om car“ gar ages ”ands how andr ace pi ct ur egal l er i est hatar egr eatr es our cesf ori deas . Mak eal i s toft hi ngst hatyouenj oyaboutcar sands a vepi ct ur es t hat r emi nd you of t hos ef eat ur es . Per haps you enj oy good handl i ng,ormaybe s t r ai ght l i ne per f or mance i smor e yourt hi ng. Maybei t ’ sal laboutt hel ookoft hecar ,andyou’ r eaf t eras how car t hat ’ l lmak epeopl es t opanddr ool . I t ’ sdur i ngt hi shugel yi mpor t ants t aget hatyouandyourdes i gner wi l ldet er mi nea“ di r ect i on”f ort hepr oj ect . Yous houl dha veal i s tofyourdr eamsf ort hecar ,aswel lasal i s t t hati smor er eal i s t i c ,t aki ngi nt ocons i der at i ont her eal i t yoft hecar you’ ve chos en.Appr oachi ng a pr of es s i onaldes i gnerwi t ht hes e i deasi npl acewi l ls a vet i me ,f r us t r at i on,andaboveal l ,hel pt onai l your“ per f ect ”concept .
5T i psf orChoos i ngaHotRodDes i gner
5.Don’ tFal lVi ct i mT oT r ends
“ Bui l dt oYOURt as t e ,nots omeoneel s e’ s ”i smycr edoi nt hes t udi o.
I fyou’ ves eenat ealgr eenandgr aycarwi t hat weedi nt er i orand 15i nch bi l l etwheel sl at el y and t hought“ wow… t he 1990’ s cal l ed,andt heywantt hei rcarback” ,i magi newhatr es pons eacar bui l ti nat r endys t yl et odaywi l lel i ci ti nt enorf i f t eenyear s .
Seekoutades i gnerwhounder s t andst hes t yl eyou’ r epl anni ngt o bui l d your car i n, and can of f er uni que appr oaches t o des i gn pr obl emst hatnotonl ymak eyoureyespopout ,butwi l lpr e ventyour har dear neddol l ar sf r om doi ngl i k e wi s ef r om yourwal l et .
Si mpl ys hoppi ngatt he“ popul arki ds ”t abl ewi l l ,i ne vi t abl y ,br eed youacooki ecut t ercar .Si mpl ys ayi ng“ ohman,t hatcart hatwon St r eetMachi neoft heYearhadacoolhood,s oIwantTHAThood, andt hes amewheel s ,andt hes amepai nt ,andt hent hatcart hat wont heyearbef or ehadt hos es eat s … IwantTHATi nt er i or …”and s oon,wi l lnotdes i gnorbui l dYOURdr eam car .
Appr oachmodi f i cat i onst as t ef ul l y ,r es pect f ul l y ,andwi t ht het hi nki ng “ how doest hi schangeaf f ectt her es toft hecar ?Whatpur pos edoes i ts er ve?”I fi tmak ess ens e ,doi t .I fi t ’ sques t i onabl e ,ques t i ont he hel loutofi t !
Muchasyoumayha veenj oyedl ooki ngatAl ys s aMi l anoonTV, di dyoumar r yher ?Chancesar e ,youf ounds omeonewhof i tyour l i f e ,whomat chedt hatof t enundef i nabl es etofcr i t er i at hatj us t “ di d”s omet hi ngf oryou.Thi spr oj ectcars houl dbenodi f f er ent .I t s houl d be a uni que r ef l ect i on ofYOUR s t yl e ,and a t al ent ed des i gnerwi l lhel pyout omak et hathappen.
Thats ai d,headonoutande xpl or e… l ookatwor k,compar es t yl es , andt al kwi t hdes i gner s .Yourdeci s i ons houl dgobeyondpr i ce ,andbe t heRI GHTFI Tf oryourpr oj ect .Seekoutades i gnert hatcanl i s t en, of f eri deas ,andaboveal l ,nai lyourdes i gn.Af t eral l ,s i mpl ys et t i ng s ai lont heoceanmi ghtt ak eyouSOMEPLACE,buti si twher eyou WANTED t ogo?Hi r i ngades i gnerwi l lhel pchar tt hatcour s eAND r eacht heendoft hej our ney . Whenpl ot t edcor r ect l y ,yourdes i gner wi l lha veyoui t chi ngt ohoi s tt hes ai l sagai n,andt hat ’ swhatt hi s whol ecart hi ngi sal laboutanyway… f eedi ngt hatpas s i on. Br i anSt ups kiownsandoper at esPr obl em Chi l dKus t omsSt udi o,a f ul l s er vi ce hot r od and cus t om car des i gn hous e , whi ch al s o s peci al i z es i n gr aphi c and web des i gn t ai l or ed t ot he aut omot i ve af t er mar k et and s peci al t ys hop.Wi t h overt went yf i ve year s of i ndus t r ye xper i encei n bot ht hes t udi o and s hop,aPCK des i gn i s engi neer edt obeuni que ,t ai l or edt oyourbudgetandgoal s ,andpacks t hef i nes ta vai l abl es er vi ce . Seemor ehotr odandcus t om carar t i cl esandpi ct ur esatAr i z ona' s l ar ges tcarcommuni t y ,MyRi dei s Me . com.
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P HOT OS / WORDS : P A T RI CKE RNZ E N
Des pi t e cons i der abl er enown i n cer t ai n aut omot i ve ci r cl es , t he Ul t i ma GTR i sr el at i vel y unknownt omos t .T aki ngt he GTR t ocars howsoroutf ora Sundaycr ui s er es ul t si nmany puz z l ed l ooks and baf f l i ng gues s esast oe xact l ywhati t i s . Butt hatunknown f act or does n’ t s t op peopl e f r om ga wki ng and,i nf act ,addst o i t . Even j us tt aki ng i toutt o t he gr ocer y s t or e f or mi l k, peopl er eact i ng wi t h wa ves , t humbs ups and camer as out ofcarwi ndows i st he nor m. Be i tF er r ar i ,L ambor ghi nior ot her wi s e ne xtt ot he Ul t i ma, t he Ul t i ma i sget t i ng mos tof
38 J ul y/ Augus t2009
t heat t ent i on.Outont hes t r eet j uxt apos ed t o a s ea of mundane , gr ay s edans and SUVs ,t heGTRl ooksmor el i k ea s paces hi pt han a car . Li k ei t does n’ t bel ong and s houl dn’ t be l egal l y al l owed on publ i c s t r eet s . Butt hen,i ti smor eor l es sas t r eet l egalr acecarand, s i t t i ng i n ei t her of i t s deep l eat herbuck et s ,i tf eel sl i k ei t . The cabi ni st i ght and l oud, vi s i bi l i t yi sl i mi t edandt her i de i shar s h… andI ’ dcompl ai ni fi t was n’ t . The qui ckr el eas e s t eer i ngwheel ,t oggl es wi t ches andf unct i onf i r s tSt ackdi s pl ay f ur t heradd t ot he t r ackr eady
aur at hat engul f s you and i f t her ei sanypas s i onf ors peed i nyouatal l ,i tcal l st oyou.But i t ’ s not wi t hout cr eat ur e comf or t s . Thi s par t i cul arcar hasaf ul ls t er eo,car pet i ngand ai rcondi t i oni ng,s oi ti sact ual l y f ai r l y l i vabl e f or s uch an e xt r emevehi cl e . Wi t h about 600bhp and 500f t / l bs of t or que f eedi ng t hr ough a Por s che G50 t r ans axl e and a pai rofr ubber s t eamr ol l er s i n a car t hat wei ghs r i ghtar ound a t on,i t goes wi t houts ayi ng t hatt he per f or mancei ss t agger i ng.The car bed Mot own 427 SBC
br i ngst hepowerf as tandhar d and wi t hj us tat hi n di vi derof met al ,f i ber gl as sandabouts i x i nchess epar at i ngyouf r om f ul l cer ami c coat ed header s f eedi ng di r ect l yi nt o a pai rof s ome oft he har des twor ki ng muf f l er si nt hebus i nes s .I t ’ sa f ul lbody e xper i ence . Butt he Ul t i ma i sf arf r om a dr ag car . Wi t h e xt ens i ve ont r ack de vel opment and t uni ng and wi t h unequal l engt h aar ms , adj us t abl e coi l over s and mas s i ve AP Raci ng br ak es on al lf ourcor ner si ti st r ul y at home on r oad cour s es and amongs t t he ver y bes t s t r eet l egalt r ackt oys .
2007Ul t i maGT R
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2007Ul t i maGT R
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“ It ’sAl lAboutGoin’Fas t !”EnthusiastProfile Asl ongashecanr emember ,Di nohasbeen i nl ove wi t he xot i c car si n gener aland F er r ar ii npar t i cul ar .Whenal lofhi sf r i ends i nt he 5t h gr ade wer et al ki ng aboutt he l at es tMus t ang orGTO,hewoul d waxon aboutt he handi ng char act er i s t i cs oft he Por s che91 1.
I tal ls t ar t ed att he Ne w Yor k Ci t y aut o s how i n1969. Whi l eheandhi sdadwer e wander i ng t he f l oor , Di no became mes mer i z ed by t he F er r ar is t and and a Gi al l o365GTB/ 4‘ Dayt ona’ .Thes al es man behi ndt her opes ,ei t heri nanef f or tt ol i mi t t hedr oolar oundt hei rdi s pl ayori nanactof maki ngaki d’ sday ,l ethi m behi ndt her opes t ogetacl os erl ook. Het henopenedt he doorandof f er edt heki da‘ s eat ;behi ndt he wheel . He r emember s bei ng hi tby t he ar oma ofConnel l yl eat hert hati ss t i l las f r es hi nhi smi ndt oday . Bar el yabl et os ee overt hes t eer i ngwheel ,t hats eatwasal li t t ook. Hewass ur et hatonedayhewoul d beaF er r ar idr i ver . As t he year s went on, and el ement ar y s choolga vewayt ohi ghs chool ,r eal i t ys et s i n,and i twasobvi oust hatpumpi ng gas was n’ tgoi ngputhi sbut ti naF er r ar i ,s ohe s t ar t ed honi ng hi s dr i vi ng s ki l l s i n e ver yt hi ng he coul d get hi s hands on. MGBs ,Al f aRomeosandL ot usCor t i nason t he t wi s t y mount ai n r oads of Nor t h Wes t er nNe w Jer s eywer et heor deroft he day . He t al ks about di ges t i ng al lt he i nf or mat i onhecoul df i ndonpr operape xi ng ofcor ner s ,doubl e cl ut chi ng,t r ai lbr aki ng and whatt ypesofcor ner sr equi r ed what t ype oft echni que ,et c .He t ook pr i de i n bei ngabl et oout r unhi sbuddi es ,whower e dr i vi ngCor vet t es ,Mus t angsandot herbi g hor s epowermus cl e car s ,on wi ndy r oads whi l edr i vi ng‘ i nf er i or ’car s .Apr act i cet hat hascont i nuedt ot hi sday .I fyouha vee ver beenonamount ai nr oadort r ackandt r i ed t of ol l ow Di no,youknow whatImean.Hi s gi r l f r i end,who he af f ect i onat el y cal l s hi s
CBBSCD( Car bonBas edBi ol ogi calSpeed Cont r olDe vi ce) ,cal l se venadr i vet ot he s t or e“ pr act i ce” ! Car st ooka‘ backs eat ’f oranumberof year s whi l e he was i n col l ege att he Uni ver s i t yofNe w Me xi co,at t endi ngona t enni ss chol ar s hi p.Col l egel i f ega veway t oapr of es s i onalt enni scar eerwher ehe bat t l edwi t ht hel i k esofMcEnr oe ,Vi l l as and ot hert op pr osoft he day . Ashi s compet i t i vet enni scar eerwascomi ngt o acl os ehedeci dedt obuyhi sf i r s tF er r ar i . I twasa1980Mondi al8.Nott hef as t es t andmos tpr es t i gi ousoft hel i neup,buti t wast hecur r entF er r ar ioft heday .Ther e wasacat ch… i twaswr eck ed. Hes t i l l j umpedi nands pentt hene xt9 mont hs j uggl i ngar et ur nt os chooli npr epar at i on f orchi r opr act i c col l ege ,t eachi ng t enni s and r epai r i ng t he Mondi al . He r ecant s t hati twasqui t eahect i cs chedul e . I nl es st hatayeart heMondi alwasback ont her oadandabus i ngasmanywi ndy r oads i nt he Nor t h Eas t as pos s i bl e . Wheni tcamet i met opackupandmove t o I owa f or Chi r opr act i c Col l ege at Pal mer ,t he Mondi alhad t o go… ata pr of i t !“ Thatcarhel pedpayf ors chool , and gi ve me a t as t e of F er r ar i owner s hi p” . I twas pr obabl yt he onl y F er r ar ii ns t udent par ki ng at Ramapo Col l egeofNe w Jer s ey!I twas‘ f un’ ,but i tr eal l ycoul dn’ tgetoutofi t sownway , r ecal l sDi no. TheMondi alwasr epl acedwi t habr and ne w Fi at X 1/ 9, whi ch became t he wor khor s ef ort he ne xt175, 000 mi l es . Thatcardi de ver yt hi ng. I tdi dt hedai l y dr i ves t uf f .L ongt r i pst oandf r om s chool and,wi t hal i t t l et weaki ng,e ven won s e ver al SCCA aut ocr os ss er i es . He r ecal l se vengi vi ngaF er r ar iBoxerahar d t i mewi t ht heX1/ 9ataLi meRockt r ack dayi nConnect i cut !
Wor ds:JohnSchl i ct i ng Once hi s pr of es s i onalChi r opr act i c car eer began, i t became appar ent t hat anot her F er r ar iwasadi s t i nctpos s i bi l i t y . A 308QV wasne xtont hel i s tandwasf ol l owedbya 348,T es t ar os s a,Mondi alt ,s e ver alL ot us es , M3sand5s ,Por s chesandAMGs . AnF40 e ven gr aced t he gar age f ora numberof year s . Al loft he car s ha ve s een r egul ardut y at hi l l cl i mbs and t r ack e vent s . “ No gar age Queens ” ,i shi smot t o,aswel las ,“ Li f ei s t oos hor tt odr i vebor i ngcar s ” . Ther ewas e vena1987Mar ch/ Cos wor t hI ndycari nt he s t abl ef ora whi l e . “ 750 t ur bo char ged hor s epower and 1500 pounds , can be pr et t ye xci t i ng” ,s t at es Di no. “ Once you getus edt ot hepower ,i tr eal l yi st hedown f or ce and t he br aki ng t hatchanges your per cept i onofper f or mance” . I nt he l at e‘ 90she and s e ver alot her‘ car guys ’ ,s t ar t edwhathasbecomet heF er r ar i Cl ubofAmer i ca-Des er tRegi on.Hes er ved anumberofyear sast heRegi onalDi r ect or , and mos tr ecent l y as t he T r ack Event s Di r ect orand Chi efDr i vi ng I ns t r uct or ,unt i l t hecur r entboar d el i mi nat ed t hatpos i t i on, s t at i nga‘ l ackofi nt er es ti nt r acke vent s ’ . Somer ecentheal t hi s s uesha vef or cedhi m t omak et het r ans i t i onf r om t hr eepedal st o t wo. “ AsmuchasIl ove‘ Danci ngont he pedal s ’ ,i t ’ sabi tt oughr i ghtnow,andIha ve t oadmi tt hatIam f as t eroveragi vens t r et ch ofr oadwi t hanF1 gear box. I nt heend,i t r eal l yi sal labouthow f as tyoucango. ” So i fyou happen t o be on yourf a vor i t e wi ndyr oadort r ackandcan’ ts eem t os hak e t hecart hati sl oomi ngi nyourmi r r or sand f i ndyour s el fbei ngoutbr ak edi nt oacor ner andl ef tf ordus t ,t her ei sar ealgoodchance t hati twasDi no.Butdon’ twor r y ,hewi l lbe wai t i ngupt her oadf oryou,wi t habi ggr i n, r eadyt os ay“ hi ” ,and t al kcar s . Becaus e t hat ’ st heki ndofguyhei s .
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Snaps hot :Mer cedesMcL ar enSL R
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 47
When Japanes ecar sf i r s ts t ar t ed l andi ng on U. S.s oi l ,t hey wer el i t t l e mor et han cheap,economi calcar st hate xi s t edt oget youwher eyouneededt ogoandl i t t l eel s e . Us ef ul ,butbor i ng. Unt i lt hei nt r oduct i on oft heDat s un 240Z and T oyot a2000GT , Japanes ecar sdi dn' te venr egi s t eront he s por t scarmar k et ,l etal onecompet ei ni t . I tt ook year sf ort hes e now cl as s i cs t o f i ghtt hei rway t or ecogni t i on,bute ven af t er t hes e car s ,t hei rs ucces s or s and ot herJapanes eof f er i ngsgai nedcl outand became s ome oft he pr emi eropt i onsf or hi ghper f or mancemot or i ng,t her ewass t i l l s omet hi ng mi s s i ng: The Japanes e s uper car .Ent erourdas hi ngpr ot agoni s t .
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Goi ngbyt henumber s ,t heNSX i sf arof f cur r ent s uper car s t andar ds ; yet ,e ven t odayi ti samongs tt hever ybes tdr i ver ' s carand,i ni t sday ,wasnot hi ng s hor tof r e vol ut i onar y . Hand bui l t by a s mal l numberofs ki l l edcr af t s meni nJapan,i t ’ s e xt r emel yr i gi d,l i ght wei ghtal l al umi num monocoquechas s i ss i t sat opal l al umi num unequal l engt haar ms us pens i onf r ontand r earand i s cover ed i n,you gues s ed i t , al l al umi num bodypanel s . Thef i r s tofi t s ki nd, t he body panel s and s us pens i on component sal ones a vemor et han400l bs overs t eelequi val ent s .I t shi ghr e vvi ngV6 wast hewor l d’ sf i r s tpr oduct i onmot ort o f eat ur e t i t ani um connect i ng r ods and
f or ged pi s t ons and t he f i r s tt of eat ur e var i abl eval vet i mi ngi nt heUS.Al loft hi s addsup t o per f or manceand qual i t yt hat not onl y met , but ,i n many cas es , s ur pas s ed i t s Eur opean r i val s and at a f r act i onoft hecos t .TheNSXwasqui ckl y dubbed “ t he e ver yday s uper car ” and, gi ven i t s t echnol ogy , manuf act ur i ng pr oces s and t he end r es ul t ,i t ’ s a much des er vedt i t l e . I fyou' r es t i l lnotconvi nced,maybet hes e guys wi l lbe mor e per s uas i ve: Gor don Mur r ay ,Ar yt on Senna and Al e x Zanar di . Mor e t han your t ypi cal NSX owner s , Gor donMur r ayhass ai dt hatt heNSX was
1994Acur aNSX
amaj orcont r i but ort ot hedes i gndi r ect i on oft he McL ar en F1 and cons i der ed t he NSX' sr i dequal i t yandhandl i ngt obehi s t ar getf ort heF1' s . Ar yt onSenna' si nput pl ayedapar ti nt hecar ' sde vel opmenti na bi g way . Senna wor k ed di r ect l y wi t h Honda' schi efengi neer swhi l ede vel opi ng t he NSX pr ot ot ype at Honda' s Suz uk a Ci r cui t , gi vi ng i nval uabl e f eedback r egar di ng bot hi t s chas s i s and dr i vi ng dynami cs . Af t er wi nni ng backt oback CART champi ons hi psi n1997 and1998, t he Al e x Zanar di Edi t i on NSX was i nt r oduced and, f i t t i ngl y , Al e x hi ms el f r ecei vedt hef i r s toft he51 pr oducedand s ol de xcl us i vel yi nt heUS.
Buti fyou' r es t i l lnotconvi nced,ha veno f ear .Ther ei spl ent yt hatcanbedonet o br i ngt hecarupt os peedandi nt hecas e oft hi spar t i cul ar1994 NSX,pl ent y ofi t has been. Ther e’ s l i t t l e t hat r emai ns unt ouched, but at t he hear t of t he t r ans f or mat i oni sas ubs t ant i al l yr e wor k ed V6 t hat mor et han t r i pl es t he or i gi nal mot or ’ sout put ,put t i ngdownas t agger i ng 665r whp. A j ump i n powert hatdr as t i c does n’ tcomeeas yand,i nt hi scas e ,i t ’ s f or ced. A Pr eci s i on T ur bo PT67 pul l si n copi ous amount s of ai r and pounds i t t hr ough acus t om ai r t owat eri nt er cool er andi nt ot hes l ee vedcyl i nder s . Thatai ri s qui ckl ye vi ct edf r om i t sne w home ,butnot
bef or e a hal f doz en ver y angr y Sci enceof Speedf or gedpi s t onss queez ei t f ore ver yl as tdr op ofpowerand e xpeli t t hr ough a cus t om,f ouri nch t ur boback e xhaus ts ys t em. And j udgi ng by t he s oundst hatcomeoutoft hebackoft he car ,t hatai ri snonet oopl eas edbyal lof t hi s . Whi l eabeaut yi nf act or yf or m,t hi scar ’ s goneundert hekni f ef ors omee xt ens i ve cos met i cs ur ger yt ogeti t sl ow,dar kand hands omel ook.Themos tdr as t i cchanges comef r om aCant r el lSt udi oswi debody conver s i on pack age and GT Ser i es f r ont bumper . TheNSX s ha vesei ghtyear sof f
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 53
i t s age wi t h t he f acel i f t ed 2002+ headl i ght sanda2002+ s t yl ecar bonf i ber compos i t e hood. The Gr i gi oT el es t o( a 2007 L ambor ghi ni LP640 pai nt col or ) beas ti sdr opped on a s etofbl ack Vol k Raci ngGT V wheel sbywayofTEI N Mono
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Fl e x coi l over s and i ti s i mmedi at el y appar ent t hat t hi s car i s al lbus i nes s . NSXR chas s i sr ei nf or cement s ,s t abi l i z er and bus hi ngs ,Dal iRaci ng s way bar s ,an Okuyama r ear s hock t ower br ace and Movi t 4pot cal i per s and 12. 5� r ot or s
ens ur et hat i t de vour s cor ner sj us t as eas i l yasi tdoesl ongs t r et chesofs t r ai ght t ar mac . Goi ng 14 year sr el at i vel yunchanged,i t ’ s onl ynat ur alt hatt heNSXs l owl yl os ts ome
1994Acur aNSX
ofi t s not or i et y as one oft he gr eat es t s por t scar sofal lt i me .Ast echnol ogyand per f or mances t andar dsi ncr eas e ,t hos eof t he NSX s l owl y appear i ncr eas i ngl y mundane and e ven Honda’ s cur r ent Accor d put s outs i mi l arhor s epowerand
accel er at i on number s . Howe ver ,i ti s i mpor t antt or emembert hatcar sar eabout muchmor et hanj us tnumber sandt hatnot onl ydi dt heNSX br i ngne wt hi ngst ot he t abl e ,buti tdi ds oi nr emar k abl ef as hi on and at a pr i ce t hat embar r as s ed t he
compet i t i on. Even j udged by t oday’ s s t andar ds , i t i s a mas t er pi ece of engi neer i ng and s t yl i ng and a pl at f or m t hat ,i f put i nt ot he r i ght hands ,i s s omet hi ngt r ul ys pect acul ar .
Des er t Mot or sMagaz i ne 55
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1994Acur aNSX
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T h r e eS i mp l eT i p s t o
{ } B E T T E RP HOT OS
P h o t o s / Wo r d s : P a t r i c kE r n z e n
W
hi l epar tnat ur alabi l i t y,phot ogr aphy , l i k emanyt hi ngs ,i sl ar gel yknowl edge andper s i s t ence .I nt hi scas e ,nat ur alabi l i t y i st hephot ogr apher ’ sar t i s t i cvi s i onandeye: t hei rabi l i t yt ol ookatobj ect sandas cene and compos e t hem i n a way t hat i s i nt er es t i ngandappeal i ng. Whi l el uckyf e w ar ebor nwi t ht hi sabi l i t y ,f or t unat el yf ort he r es tofus ,mos tofi tcan be l ear ned and much of i t comes wi t h e xper i ence . Howe ver ,compos i t i onalunder s t andi ngi s n’ t t he onl y i mpor t ant knowl edge f or a phot ogr apher . Under s t andi ng how t he camer a’ s s et t i ngs , t he envi r onment ’ s l i ght i ngandanynumberofot hert hi ngswi l l af f ecta s hoti s equal l yi mpor t ant . The ot hermos ti mpor t antpar toft hepuz z l ei s per s i s t ence:s i mpl yget t i ngoutt her e ,t r yi ng ne wt hi ngsandt aki ngphot os .Thenumber ofphot osI ’ vet ak en overt hepas ts e ver al
year si s wel li nt os i x di gi t s and I ’ m s t i l l l ear ni ng ne w t hi ngs and i mpr ovi ng my abi l i t i esal mos te ver yt i meIgett hecamer a out .I fIdi dn’ tf eell i k eIwas ,Iwoul ds t op t aki ngphot os . Youmayha venot i cedt hatIdi dn’ tment i on phot ogr aphy equi pment as par t of t he equat i on. Whi l e qual i t y gearwi l li mpr ove t hephot osofaqual i t yphot ogr apher ,f art oo of t en peopl ef al lpr ey t ot he not i on t hat good phot os come f r om good equi pment whi l ei nr eal i t y ,good phot os come f r om goodphot ogr apher s . Putaknowl edgeabl e , qual i t y phot ogr apher wi t h a cheap poi nt ands hoot up agai ns t a compl et e novi cewi t h $10ki nf ul l f r amedi gi t algear andha vet hem s hoott hes ames cene . The bet t er s hot wi l l come f r om t he poi nt ands hoote ver yt i me . Bes i des ,t hes e
ar t i cl es ar en’ t i nt ended t o pi xel peep, compl ai n aboutaut of ocushunt i ng orhel p youdeci dei fyous houl dgoCanonorNi k on. Wi t ht hi ss er i esofar t i cl esIi nt endt opas s on a l i t t l e ofwhatI ’ ve l ear ned overt he year s ,i ncr eas ebot hyourcompos i t i onaland t echni calknowl edge ,e xpl ai nt hi ngsi naway t hat ’ s eas yt o under s t and and,hopef ul l y , convi nce you t o go out and t ak es ome phot os . Regar dl es soft hes i t uat i on,s ubj ectorwhat you’ r es hoot i ngwi t h,t her ear eanumberof of t en over l ook ed,s i mpl et hi ngs t hat can dr as t i cal l yi mpr oveyourphot os . Thet hr ee oft hes et hatI ’ m goi ng t o addr es si nt hi s ar t i cl e and how t hey di r ect l y appl yt o aut omot i ve phot ogr aphy ar e:t he r ul e of t hi r ds ,bei nga war eofyourback gr oundand var yi ngyourphot ohei ght .
T hr eeSi mpl eT I pst oBet t erPhot os
{1:“ Goodt hi ngscomei nt hr ees ”} Of t en over l ook ed by begi nner s , but appar entoncepoi nt edout ,t her ul eoft hi r ds pl ays a bi g par ti n gr eat compos i t i ons . Googl i ng “ r ul e oft hi r ds ” yi el ds al mos ta quar t er mi l l i on r es ul t s and i s one of t he mos tcommon pi eces ofadvi ce gi ven t o novi cephot ogr apher sandf orgoodr eas on. Appl yi ngt oal lvi s ualar t sandappear i ngas ear l yast hel at e1800s ,t her ul es t at est hat an i mages houl d bevi e wed wi t h apai rof hor i z ont aland a pai rver t i call i nes pl aced par al l elandequaldi s t ancesapar t ,di vi di ng t he i mage i nt o 9 equalpar t s . Poi nt s of i nt er es ts houl d be pl aced on t hes el i nes and/ ort hei ri nt er s ect i ons . Thi s gener al l y cr eat es a mor e dynami c ,appeal i ng i mage t hat t ends t o cr eat e movement i ne ven s t at i ci mages and dr a ws youreye t o and
t hr oughout t he i mage mor et han i ft he obj ect swer ecent er ed. Howe ver ,asi st he cas e wi t h al lr ul es ,t her e ar ee xcept i ons . The r ul e oft hi r dss houl d be cons i der ed a gui det oi mpr oveyourar t ,notar ul et ohol d you back. Ther e ar e cer t ai nl yi ns t ances wher e phot os may be i mpr oved by not pl aci ng t he obj ect s bas ed on t hes e convent i ons . F or e xampl e , cent er i ng an obj ectcan wor k wel li ns i t uat i ons wher e you’ r egoi ngf oraver ygeomet r i c ,r i gi dl ook and can wor k wel l when deal i ng wi t h r ef l ect i ons and s ymmet r y . Gener al l y s peaki ng,i t ’ si mpor t antt hatwhen t aki ng t hi s ki nd ofs hott hatt he obj ecti s ver y muchcent er ed.Whent aki ngadi r ectpr of i l e s hot of a car ,f or e xampl e ,t r yt o be compl et el y per pendi cul arand cent er ed t o
t hewheel bas eorbodyoft hecar . Ha vi ng t hecarj us ts l i ght l yangl ed,buts t i l lcent er ed of t en l ooks uni nt ent i onal and can gi ve undes i r abl er es ul t s . Whi chl i neand/ ori nt er s ect i onyourobj ect s andpoi ntofi nt er es t ss houl dbepl acedon wi l lbedet er mi ned byt hei ndi vi duals cene and compos i t i on,butgener al l ys peaki ng, wi t haut omot i vephot ogr aphyIt hi nkofhow t he vehi cl e woul d be t r a vel i ng and what ki ndofmovementort ens i ont hepos i t i oni ng cr eat es . Whi l e much of aut omot i ve phot ogr aphyi ss t at i cs hot s ,t hever ynat ur e ofaut omobi l esi smovementandt hi ss houl d bek epti nmi ndi nnear l yal ls i t uat i ons . V Rul eoft hi r dsi npr act i ce
{2:“ Si r ,Ibel i e vet her ei sat r eegr owi ngout ofyourcar ”} I ts eemss oobvi ouswhenpoi nt edout ,but i t ’ s amaz i ng how many phot os I come acr os st hatar e gener al l y wel lcompos ed, t echni cal l ys poton,butt her ei ti s … al amp pos ts t i cki ngr i ghtoutoft her oofoft hecar . T el ephonepol es ,s t ops i gns ,pal mt r ees … al l t hi ngs t hatmany peopl e gets o us ed t o s eei ng i nt hei rdai l yl i f et hatt hey become al mos ti nvi s i bl e ,e ven when compos i ng a phot o. Whi l ei nmanyl ocat i ons ,es peci al l y out door car s hows ,t hes e t hi ngs ar e e ver ywher eanduna voi dabl e ,wher ee xact l y t hey ar ei n yours hoti sup t o you. Mor e of t ent hannot ,as i mpl emoveofaf e wf eet t ot hel ef toras l i ghtbendoft hekneescan r epos i t i on s uch obj ect st o a pl ace wher e t hey’ r el es s obt r us i ve . Not hi ng ki l l st he l i nes ofs l eek F er r ar iorL ambor ghi niqui t e l i k eagar bagecanj ut t i ngoutoft heengi ne bay . Wi t h car s hows ,s omet i mes t hes e obj ect sar e peopl e and can be e ven mor e m vabl unmo e .I nt hes e cas es ,pat i ence i sa vi r t ueand,wi t hanyoft hes eobj ect s ,al i t t l e Phot os hopcangoal ongway .Ther ewi l lbe s i t uat i ons wher e al mos t e ver yt hi ng i s per f ect , but t her e’ sj us tt hat one t r ee s t i cki ngout ,r ui ni nge ver yt hi ng. I ti st i mes l i k et hi st hatyourbes topt i on,i fpos s i bl e ,i s
t oj us tt ak et he s hotand wor r y abouti t l at er .Wor s tcas es cenar i o,youha veagood s hotwi t hal es st hani dealdi s t r act i onoryou was t edaf e w megabyt esonyourcar d( ora f r ameoff i l m,i ft hat ’ show your ol l ) .
bus hesordi s t ants t op s i gns . Rai s i ng t he camer a can el i mi nat e t he di s t r act i ons caus ed by t al l er obj ect s by r ai s i ng t he hor i z on i nt he f r ame ,bl endi ng t he obj ect i nt ot her es toft heback gr ound.
{3:“ THAT’ Swhyki dsl oves por t scar s ”}
Whenpos s i bl e ,Ibr i ngas mal ls t epl addert o anye ventatwhi chIpl anont aki ngal ar ge numberofphot os ,es peci al l yi fI ’ m nots ur e whatt hes ur r oundi ngswi l lbel i k e . Atonl y about3x2f eeti ni t sf ol dedf or m,i tf i t si nt o vi r t ual l y any carand can be car r i ed and s t or edeas i l yate vent s ,buts t i l lal l owsf ora s i gni f i cant i ncr eas ei n hei ght , es peci al l y when coupl e wi t h out s t r et ched ar ms . Howe ver ,t her e ar e gener al l y pl ent y of obj ect s ate vent st hatwi l lal l ow you t o s hootf r om a ne w per s pect i ve .I ’ ve been known t os t and on t op of wal l s ,pol es , el ect r i calboxes ,s mal lchi l dr en… what e ver i tt ak est ogett hes hot .
Not hi ng i smor es t al et han 150 cars how s hot st ak en f r om ¾ at s t andi ng head hei ght . Fi nei fyou’ r es el l i ngcar soneBay , not s o gr eat i f you’ r et r yi ng t o cr eat e phot ogr aphy t hat k eeps peopl el ooki ng. Thi s i s es peci al l y t r ue when s hoot i ng ar ound 50mm,butt hat ’ s anot herar t i cl e . Var yi ng yourhei ght not onl y gi ves your phot ogr aphys omevar i et y ,buti tcancr eat e per s pect i vest hatyoudon’ ts eei ne ver yday l i f e , maki ng f or mor e i nt er es t i ng compos i t i ons . A changeofj us taf e wf eet upcanal l ow yout os eedet ai l syoumi ght nor mal l ybeabl et os eeoraf e wf eetdown cangi veahi ghper f or mances por t scaran Remembert hatwhi l er ul es oft humb and e venmor eaggr es s i veappear ance . t i ps s uch as t hes e wi l lgener al l yi mpr ove yourphot os ,t hey’ r ej us tt hat . Rul es of humbs and t i ps . Ne verl et“ r ul es ” and I n addi t i on t o how hei ghtcan af f ectt he t i ons t i f l eyourcr eat i vi t yandal ways appear anceofyours ubj ect ,i tcanpl ayan convent ak et hes hott hatyoul i k e . Af t eral l ,i fyou equal l yi mpor t antr ol ei ni t ss ur r oundi ngs . t tl i k eyourownphot os ,whocar eswhat Dr oppi ng t he camer aaf e w f eeti s of t en don’ enough t o al l ow t he vehi cl e t o bl ock ot her st hi nk? di s t r act i ngs hor t erobj ect s ,s uchaspeopl e ,
Camer ahei ghti ncr eas ef oras i mpl er ,l es sdi s t r act i ngback gr ound.V
Ane xampl eofaphot odoes n’ tf ol l ow anyoft hes et i ps . VT wovar i at i onst hatdo.
Thet woe xt r emesofs ubj ectpl acement .V
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heni tcomest ot hewor l dofmot or cycl es , t her e’ snot hi ngqui t el i k eanI t al i anbui l ts uper bi k e . Whi l e Japanes e bi k es of f er gr eat l ooks and out s t andi ngper f or manceatanunbeat abl epr i ce , t hey l ackt hepanachet hatmak ese xot i cI t al i an aut omobi l ess os peci al .F ort he pas t25 year s Bi mot a has been t aki ng t hes e al r eady br eat ht aki ng machi nes t o t he ne xt l e vel . Uni mpr es s edwi t ht hes t at eofcur r entf r ameand over al lpack age des i gn,t he Ri mi ni ,I t al y bas ed company began by t aki ng Japanes es por t bi k e mot or sofvar i ousmak esandbui l di ngent i r el yne w bi k es ar ound t hem. St ar t i ng wi t h Honda, Ka was akiand Suz ukii nt he 1970s ,t hey l at er addedYamahaandDucat ipowert ot hei rl i neup.
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Sour ci ngi t sVt wi nengi nef r om t heDucat i900SS and f i r s ti nt r oduced i n 1993,Bi mot a pr oduced onl y408 DB2s( 123 wi t h hal ff ai r i ngsand 285 wi t hf ul lf ai r i ngs ,s uchast hi se xampl e) .Whi l ef ar f r om t he f as t es tbi k ei nt he wor l d by t oday’ s s t andar ds ,pr oduci ng 86hp wi t h at op s peed of 140mph,Bi mot asar eaboutmuchmor et hanj us t t he mot or . Wi t h Ohl i ns s us pens i on, Br embo br ak es and t ypi calhi gh qual i t y Bi mot a chas s i s des i gn,whati tl os esi nt hes t r ai ght si tmak esup i nt he cor ner s . Bes i des ,e ven i f a moder n, Japanes e600wi l lmak es hor twor koft heBi mot a ar ound at r ackoron t hes t r eet ,you’ l ls t i l ll ook damngoodandchancesar eyouar en’ tgoi ngt o r uni nt oanot herDB2al ongt heway .
1994Bi mot aDB2
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1994Bi mot aDB2
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Oped:AnOpenL et t ert oPr es i dentObama. . . When wi l lpol i t i ci ans l ear nt oj us tST AY OUT ofpr i vat ei ndus t r y? Asweher ei n t he St at esl i s t en t ot he pl et hor a ofwel l pi t cheds pendi ngpr ogr amst hathasl edt o US Gover nment owner s hi p of banks , i ns ur ance compani es and now t he US aut oi ndus t r y ,and i fhe get s hi s way , heal t hcar e ,nott oment i onf i r i ngofCEO’ s ( GM) ,and f or ced r et ur n ofcont r act ual l y mandat ed bonus ’( AI G) ,al lputt oget her wi t ht hee xper i enceandt houghtpr oces s ofneophyt esatbes tandcommuni s t sat wor s t ,and s pentwi t ht he f er vorofa col l ege s t udent who j us tr ecei ved hi s s t udentl oans . Addi t i onal l y ,al loft hi s ‘ as s i s t ance’i sal waysundert hegui s eof “ Wedon’ twantt or un( f i l li nt hebl ank) ” , but he t ak es i t over anyway ,and t he peopl es i t back i n t hei r eas y chai r s , wat chi ng amedi aover e xpos ed pr es i dent mak ee ver bet t er ‘ s al es pi t ches ,t hei r f r eedoms s hr i nki ng, and do not hi ng, becaus e he “ L ooks l i k e a good guy” . Whent hi sPr es i dent ’ st er mi sover ,i ft her e i ss t i l lacount r yl ef t ,hewi l lha veas ol i d f ut ur ei nTV i nf omer ci al s ,ori nr eal i t yTV, ast he“ TheUl t i mat ePi t chman” . Iwoul d behappyt obr ok ert hatdeal ! Ne verhast het er m,“ I fonedoes n’ tl ear n f r om t he pas t ,one wi l lbe doomed t o r epeati t ” ,e verbeen mor et r ue as i ti s t oday . A s i mpl e l ook at pr e vi ous l y gover nmentr un aut o compani es r e veal s t hef ut ur e .F or getCommuni s tr unL ada, but t ak e Br i t i s h L eyl and f or i ns t ance , whi ch was des t r oyed by t he l abour uni ons ,nott oment i onoutdat eddes i gns andpoorqual i t ycont r olwhi chdes t r oyed t he Br i t i s h mot ori ndus t r y wi t h car sl i k e t he Mor r i s Mar i na, whi ch was wi del y
r egar ded as a di s malpr oduct ,and t he Aus t i n3Li t er ,whi chhadnor ecogni z abl e pl ace i nt he mar k et . Wel lt houghtout pr oduct s ,bot h. NOT! Butonedoes n’ t ha vet ot hi nkt hi ngst hr oughi foner eal l y does n’ t ha ve t o compet ei nt he f r ee mar k et and act ual l yt ur n a pr of i t . I t was n’ tunt i lJaguarandL andRoverwent backt ot hepr i vat es ect ort hatt heyhad anyt hi ngr es embl i ngqual i t yandr el i abi l i t y . I nt he US,t he l abouruni onsha ve now been‘ gi ven’acont r ol l i ngs t ak ei nGener al Mot or s( 50%+)byMr .Obama,whi l et he bond hol der s who i nves t ed r eal , har d ear ned money i n t he company wer e f or ced by t hes ame‘ Bene vol entL eader ’ t oacceptpenni esont hedol l ari ns t eadof goi ng t hr ough t r adi t i onal ,f r ee mar k et bankr upt cy ,and now t he Pens i on and heal t h car e f und known as Gener al Mot or s does not ha ve t o negot i at ea r eal i s t i c cont r act wi t ht he uni ons and pr oduce pr oduct s t hat anyone ei t her i ns i de or out s i de t he US woul de ven r emot el ywantt obuy .I fonet hi nkst hat t hePont i acAz t ecwasat r oci ous ,Ican’ t wai t t o s ee what Obama Mot or s ’ cr eat i onsar egoi ngt ol ookandr unl i k e!I am s ur et hat t hey wi l l be deci dedl y unent hus i as t i c . Butt he s heerf actt hat Mr .Obamahasdeci dedt ocuti nhal f ,t he 20car sandt r uckst hatGM act ual l yt ur ns apr of i twi t h,undert hegui s eoft hene w r el i gi on,gl obalwar mi ng. I nt heUS we ha veaCons t i t ut i on,and t hel as tt i meI r ead i t ,t her e was not hi ng about t he Pr es i dentt aki ngoverpr i vat ei ndus t r y ,no mat t er how much you t hi nk you can ‘ hel p’ . Coul di tbeanyt hi ngmor et hana powergr ab? It hi nknot !
I tal ls oundss oni ce ,t hegover nmentcan r el i e veusofourper s onalr es pons i bi l i t i es andt ak ecar eofus … asl ongaswear e wi l l i ng t o gi ve up mor e and mor e f r eedomsi nt hepr oces s ,andbewi l l i ngt o acceptmedi ocr i t y .I fmemor ys er vesme r i ght ,Ibel i e vet hati tr eal l ydi dn’ twor ki n t he f or mer Sovi et Uni on, or f or t hat mat t eranywher ei thasbeent r i ed. Sur e , t her ei sawor l dwi def i nanci alchal l enge r i ght now, but as wi t h any f i nanci al chal l enget heans weri snoti r r es pons i bl e s pendi ng i nt o bankr upt cy ,butmeas ur ed, r es pons i bl ef i s calr es t r ai nt .I fonedoes n’ t handl et hei rf ami l y’ sf i nances t hatway , gues swhathappens ! ButIdi gr es s .TheWes ti nGener alandt he US i n par t i cul arar ebas ed i nr i s k/ r e war d and f r ee mar k et s ol ut i ons t o pr ovi di ng goodsands er vi ces .I not herwor ds ,“ He who bui l dsa bet t ermous et r ap,s houl d r eapt her e war dsofhi sef f or t s ” .I ti st hi s phi l os ophy t hat has gi ven us s ome amaz i ng advances i n medi ci ne ,ener gy , and e ver y i ndus t r y I can t hi nk of , i ncl udi ng t he aut omobi l e . Not gover nment cont r ol and l i mi t i ng of r e war ds . I ti sover duef orcarent hus i as t st ot ak et o t hes t r eet sandcr y ,“ Iam madashel l ,and we’ r enotgoi ngt ot ak ei tanymor e” ! No mor es peedcamer as !Nomor et axes !No mor ei r r es pons i bl egover nments pendi ng, and no mor e cr appy , gover nment mandat ed, des i gned and bui l t car s . FREEDOM,i nnovat i on and choi ce i s t heans wer . DrDeanMi cal i z i o
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