Kid Toys For Big Boys.

Talk about the perfect ride for the old and young car fan in all of us... it's a full-size, fully-functional Lego car! For as long as I have been a car fan I have also been a Lego fan, and spent hours of my childhood building cars out of my coloured bricks. I never had quite enough Lego to do what these guys did though:

The creators built this car out of more than 500,000 pieces of Lego. And as if that isn't cool enough, the car runs on compressed air! It may not yet be ready for high-speed use, and I cringe at the thoughts of the crash-test results, but it's a very impressive engineering exercise. Several companies are currently investigating the potential of compressed air as a future source of energy for cars, so this isn't JUST a toy.

Check out the following website for plenty of pictures and more details on the project:

The 'superawesomemicroproject' website

Well done guys, the adult car fan and child Lego fan in me thank you for creating something they can both enjoy! And with Christmas only a few days away, those still scratching their heads over what to get me just got a little hint...

What Would I Buy Today?

It has been ages since I looked up old cars for sale. It used to be that I would look several times per week on a website called "Leboncoin" (translated into English it means 'The Good Corner'). This website is THE go-to place in France for used car listings. The site isn't specifically automotive; you can sell anything you like, but their car, motorcycle and related equipment sections are very popular and very well set up to make searching easy.

This morning, the first morning of my Christmas vacaction, I got thinking about how I hadn't been back to Leboncoin for a while, so I thought I'd do a search for something fun. Despite my never-ending desire to buy another old car, it really isn't an option right now, but I figured it would be fun to take a peek and see what, if I really was buying something today, I would pick.

Didn't take very long. The website is well organised, and it is easy to search either by keyword (name, make, model, etc), or by many of the drop-down lists (age, price, location, engine type, etc). An expert of the site, I know exactly what I'm looking for... I limit the age to 1990 and older and pick vehicles in my region... and even if it's fantasy time, I also have a realistic side, so I stick a 2500 euro cap on it.

(EDIT: The link no longer works; it would seem the car was sold)

Four pages of cars. I scan through quickly, as I go with my gut and want something that catches my eye. And one car does. It's a 1989 Peugeot 505. A long low sedan, it was Peugeot's last RWD car and produced from 1979 until 1992. To my eyes it has a profile as attractive as that of a Jaguar XJ of the 80's and 90's, with the cabin set far back on the chassis and a long hood and trunk that taper gently before dropping off abruptly.

This version, the SX model, is equipped with a 2.5L diesel engine and 5-speed manual transmission. Far from the sporty, powerful GTD version with its turbocharged 2.5L engine, this pedestrian example is more of a casual weekend touring car suited for lazy drives through the countryside. Still, it appears to be very clean, at least on the outside, and with only 153,000 kms (barely broken in for an 80's French diesel!), it most certainly has many good years ahead of it.

And while I am quite fascinated by this car, I saw a few others that also caught my attention... I think I need to drop by 'The Good Corner' more often!

EDIT: A friend with a great automotive website I've already mentioned (www.testdrivejunkie.com) just posted a picture of a great 505 Turbo ad on his Facebook page... glad to see I'm not the only one who likes these cars!

https://www.facebook.com/testdrivejunkie

A Euro Ford To Get Excited About.

 

Big news for sports car fans, Ford is FINALLY bringing their iconic Mustang to Europe! No more back-door importers cutting holes to jam in side marker lights, or swapping in coloured turn signals, or riveting licence plates into spaces never designed for them. Ford has redesigned their 6th generation, 2014 Mustang as a true world car, with Europe in mind from the beginning.

Varying automobile standards around the globe (such as crash tests, headlight and taillight specifications, and safety equipment, for example) have made it difficult for an automobile manufacturer to design a car for one market and later try and introduce it in another. A car well suited to the US, for example, won't necessarily cut it in Asia, just as a car certified in Europe might not pass the test for South America.

This was the case with the current Mustang. As with every previous Mustang, the US domestic market was all that mattered when it was designed. That car was and still is a success, but when it came time to plan the 2014 version, Ford had bigger ambitions. Having a car dependant on the US market is a dangerous proposition... if that one market shrinks, there is no way to boost sales elsewhere to compensate.

Starting next year Ford will be playing in a much larger sandbox. Europe's weak economy is certainly not an automaker's golden ticket, but a car as unique and legendary as the Mustang will certainly be able to gallop its way into the market. Studies have shown that the Mustang nameplate is one of Fords best-known names even in countries where it has never officially been sold. That's a huge plus for an automaker, as getting a new car onto the radar of new car buyers is a huge, costly struggle.

For as long as it has existed, the Mustang has found its way to Europe by way of import companies or private citizens who have imported the cars on their own (such as American military stationed on bases in Europe). This is a very pricey option, however, and results in a very expensive Mustang.

The other sticking point until now has been the engine displacement. Some would argue that the only true Mustang is the one with a 5.0L V8, but an engine of that size is hugely taxed by European governments keen on pushing people into low-displacement, economical cars. When the average car engine is somewhere below 2.0L, the tax rate on a 4.6L V6 or 5.0L V8 is prohibitive.

It seems that Ford was really willing to do what it takes to help the Mustang succeed in Europe, as they have included a 4-cylinder option for the first time in over 20 years. This 2.3L Ecoboost turbo engine will put out more than 300hp, so while the reduced displacement will help tax and insurance rates, the power is still there to make this one respectable ponycar.

Looks are subjective, but I think that this new 'Stang is a knockout. It's got the creases and bulges to prove it's a sports car, and the clean, sleek profile to help it fit into parking lots filled with BMW and Mercedes and Audi coupes, the go-to brands for Europeans looking for a sporty ride.

I really think that Ford has something hot on their hands. In the very least it will continue the success it has always known in the US... but it will also be a truly unique, stand-out option in Europe, and I suspect that it will redefine the sports car market there over the next few years.

 

A Car Guy With Heart.

And here I thought that I was the biggest car fan around! Turns out I'm not, not by a longshot. A certain Cort Stevens, who I have not yet had the pleasure to meet but have exchanged with for years, outdoes me big time. He is the creator of one of my favourite Facebook pages, 'Old Cars, Strong Hearts'. Cort himself posts plenty of photos and stories, but he also lets page members post their pictures of old cars and advertisements and toys, and even shares ads for cars and parts for sale.

Click here and 'Like' the "Old Cars, Strong Hearts" page!

I get a real kick out of the mix of automotive wonders he posts, from old American classics to quirky Japanese sports cars to unidentifiable European oddballs. If it's car-related it's allowed, and as a result you never know what you're going to find. There are great sites out there for specific types of cars, but none are quite as good at showing such a broad range that will appeal to your typical old car fan.

When I first got to know Cort he was a massive Chevrolet Monte Carlo fan, and had owned many of these legendary RWD coupes. 'Monte Carlo' may evoke images of a rich, sunny gambling paradise to Europeans, but a tried and true North American gearhead knows that it's the name of a large traditional sports coupe from the 1970's and 1980's.  While he still has a Monte, these days he is more of a Chevrolet Caprice Classic fan, with a 1979 sitting alongside a 1989 in his garage. The Caprice is a legend in its own right, and is the kind of roomy RWD landbarge cruisemobile that is no longer built.

(As an aside, I personally have a troubled history with the Caprice... it was my dad's 1988 Caprice Classic station wagon, kitchen-appliance white with a burgundy interior... sitting in the rearward facing third row of seats, watching the road roll out from underneath the rear window and trying not to throw up... but I digress...)

For those that don't eat, breath and sleep cars, Cort likes to share his vast musical knowledge too. He regularly provides 'CD Showcases', with links to great old songs that one can easily imagine blasting while out on a roadtrip. Many of the songs are well known, but quite a few are true hidden gems that I only discovered thanks to the 'Old Cars, Strong Hearts' page.

Ah yes, the heart. This is the part that makes this online group even more special. I don't know all of the details, and wouldn't dare try to tell his story, but Cort is quite open about the fact that he has been through multiple heart surgeries. He recently posted a story on his 'OC,SH' page about a fellow heart-surgery friend who passed away last week. It was a touching tribute that spoke of their meeting as Cort enjoyed the experience of a lifetime, a "Coast-to-Coast" roadtrip across the US in 2011. What better way for someone who loves cars, and music, and people to spend their time than driving across the country in a car he loves, music blaring, meeting dozens of people who share his passions and trials and joys?

Cort, if ever you want to get some attention, ship your shiniest Caprice over here and organise a European roadtrip! I guarantee that you'll turn some heads, and I'd be more than happy to join you for the ride. I'll drive and you can be DJ! And that's at the heart of being a 'car guy', right?

 

10 Euros For A Vauxhall Victor.

Looking through my summer photos the other day, I rediscovered this lovely Vauxhall Victor. I stumbled across it wandering the streets of Lisbon, in Portugal. It was parked (abandonded?) in one of the endless alleys that wind their way through the city. The softie in me can't pass a sad, lonely old car without taking a peek and a few pictures.

As I was snapping my photos a young woman and her son walked by. She stopped and asked if I liked the car. She said that she often saw people taking pictures of it. Apparently the steel grey Victor caught many eyes! I asked if she knew who owned it, and she said that in fact she did. It belonged to the owner of one of the buildings in the alley. It had been there for years, and while several people had inquired to buy it, the owner didn't want to get rid of it.

This particular model was the Victor FB, produced from 1961 to 1964. Just under 330,000 examples were produced during that time. A roomy family car, it came in 4-door sedan and 5-door 'estate' (wagon) versions. The previous generation Victor, which was clearly inspired by the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, had been sold in the US through Pontiac / Buick dealers. The FB version I saw, however, was never available in the US, though interestingly it did apparently appear in Canada as the 'Envoy'.

As I was leaving, the little boy with the woman walked up to me. I asked him what he wanted, and he said "1000 euros". He wanted to sell me the Victor for 1000 euros! I told him that was a little high, and asked if he would take 10. He thought for a second and said sure, with a big toothy smile. I told him to go and see if it was okay with the owner, and to give me a call if we could make a deal. He walked off laughing, as did I.

Four months later I'm still waiting for that call...

 

Technically In Control.

The dreaded 'Contrôle Technique'. It's like a car fan's version of a visit to the dentisit. Or filing taxes. Or watching 'Little House On The Prairie' reruns. In English it's called a Safety Check, but no matter what the language, it's a pain in the neck. We can all agree that it is important for a car, especially an old one, to meet the minimum safety requirements, but sometimes the smallest thing can force a car off the road.

My Corsa was due for its contrôle technique this week, and I was nervous. It runs fine, but already two years ago (in France you have to pass the safety check every two years) there were a few weak points. They consider two types of problems here, ones that do not require a second visit (like surface rust, a tiny oil leak, or cracked tailight lens), and others that do require a second visit (like a broken windshield, worn-out tires, or a major fluid leak). If you need to go back for a second visit and your car still doesn't pass, you are no longer allowed to drive it until the problems are fixed and you've paid for a new contrôle.

My brakes have been a bit funny lately... they stop the car, but it pulls to the right. I was also worried about the pollution levels. I have changed the engine since the last contrôle, and I had no idea if it was tuned right. An older car like mine, with a carburetor, isn't held to the same standards as a modern car, but it still has to be tuned up and running cleanly.

I let the contrôle sneak up on me, so I didn't have a chance to give the car a good check-up, and had to drop it off yesterday at lunch. I had my fingers crossed all afternoon, and wasn't sure what to expect when I went back to pick it up at the end of the day.

Overall it was a success. The mechanic who looked the car over was very impressed. He said that few 30 year old cars do as well. The pollution was 1/10th of the allowable amount, and there were no significant corrosion or wear issues. The only sticking point was with the brakes, which, as I suspected, were "déséquilibré" (unbalanced). The left side wasn't working as well as the right, so I will have to repair the brakes and go back for a second visit.

Still, all in all, this is good news! I was really worried that he would discover some problem that would force my old car off the road, or require major work. Now that I know what has to be done, I'll correct the brake problem and get the Corsa back in for her clean bill of health, and head off for two more years of safe and satisfied driving!

All I Want For Christmas Is A Wartburg.

 

Santa, I know what I want this year for Christmas. I want a Wartburg. You might have to look it up. I only just discovered it myself a few weeks ago. I suspect that there won't be many people asking for one, so there shouldn't be much competition. I can even tell you where to look!

It was a few weeks back, when I was in Berlin, that I first discovered the Wartburg 353. It's a fantastically style-less car, a 3-box sedan in its purest form. I was just coming down from the high of the Trabant tour I had taken, and I was going over all of the Trabbis in the parking lot. That is when I stumbled across a handful of strange long sedans. There were several cream-coloured and one red. I had to read the name on the back to figure out what it was (my guess was Lada or Skoda). It was a Wartburg.

The Wartburg 353 was produced from 1965 until 1988. Apparently pickup and van versions also existed, but the sedan was clearly the most popular. The original 3-cylinder 2-stroke engine gave way at the end of its life to a VW engine, though obviously the charm would lie in the original clattery 2-stroke. It was apparently the fall of the Berlin wall and reunification of Germany that spelled the end of the Wartburg. The ancient, low-tech car simply couldn't compete in a global market.

 

I didn't have much time to look closely, but one peek of a Wartburg is enough to get me hooked. I asked if any were for sale, as they were clearly sitting abandonded surrounded by Trabants. The tour guide told me that he suspected they were, but that I would have to contact the owner. I left an email address without really much hope, but lo and behold, I recieved an email this week! There are 4 Wartburgs for sale! I have requested some more photos and some information...

So Santa, I've done most of the leg work for you. All you have to do is head to Berlin and scoop one up for me. The least rusted one that runs would be great. I'm not picky about colour. I've been a rather good boy this year, and you know that I don't risk any speeding tickets if I get one of these wonderful relics!

 

 

Trabant Tour Through East Berlin.

 

Forget Disneyland, I had East Berlin as my personal amusement park this week when I was treated to a one-hour 'Trabi Safari' Trabant tour! Even before starting the tour I had a full Trabant sensory overload in the 'Trabant World' reception area / gift shop. Several cars out front, some decorated in wild colours and patterns, welcome you to the shop, and inside you're bombarded with all sorts of Trabant-flavoured items. There are t-shirts and mugs and mouse pads and pins and posters and, well you name it, they've slapped a Trabant picture on it! You can also buy small encapsulated pieces of the Berlin wall, and replicas of other famous oddball cars, like the Austin Mini and Citroen 2CV.

But enough of that, the point of the visit was to drive a Trabant! The friendly, smiling receptionist was very helpful, and quickly got us ready for our ride. Dozens and dozens of Trabant 601s were sitting in the back parking lot. Some are left in original, traditional hues, while others have bright, modern colours, and others still are painted in army or jungle-animal prints to go along with the 'safari' theme. All three Trabant 601 models are available (the classic sedan, the wagon, and the convertible).

Waiting for us was a sky-blue traditional version with wonderful patterned seat fabric. The enthusiastic tour guide explained the basics of the Trabant... and in the case of the 601, 'basics' is the key word, because there really isn't much to know! You pull out the choke and hold the gas pedal down as you turn the key and the cranky 2-stroke 2-cylinder coughs to life. No need to check the gas gauge... as there is none. As it was a chilly November day we fiddled with the heater controls, and, surprsingly, the cabin heated up quickly.

While the tour is apparently very popular in the summer, there were only three couples on our tour, plus the guide in the lead car. The Trabi Safari is live-commented by the guide who not only knows Berlin very well, but clearly has a soft spot in his heart for the tiny 601. We were the last car in the convoy, and simply had to follow the car in front as we twisted and turned around East Berlin.

The guide took his time, making sure we all stayed together, and made for a very memorable tour. I have to admit I was more focused on the car than the city at first, but I enjoyed learning about the different landmarks around Berlin. The live commentary was interesting and funny, with many jokes cracked at the expense of 'damn capitalists' in their big Mercedes and BMW sedans, trying to push the Trabbis out of the way! This commentary made for a very authentic and memorable tour, as the guide also showed great respect for the difficult history Berlin has survived.

 

Trabi Safari homepage

 

For anyone visiting Berlin I absolutely suggest this tour. Different tour routes and durations exist, and all is explained on the Trabi Safari webpage. Even if you aren't a Trabant fan, it provides a fantastic personal, street-level view of a city full of history and mystery. And anything that keeps old Trabis out of the scrapyard is a good idea to me!

 

 

I Came, I Saw, I Trabanted!

Wow! As if discovering Berlin wasn't interesting enough already, I was offered a fantastic present on Monday: the chance to drive a Trabant 601 around Berlin!

Anyone that knows me, or has been reading along for a while, will know that I am in love with these funny little cars from the 60's, and this was a super experience that has left a huge smile on my face!

Need proof that I was already a fan? Here are a few links to previous stories related to the fantastic Trabbi!

The one that got away...

The reminder...

Trailer version...

I think it's clear enough, I love these things! Very shortly I'll share my experience, racing around East Berlin, dodging capitalist drivers in their luxury cars in my legendary Eastern-block chariot...

Pumpkin Car-ving.

For Hallowe'en this year I decided to add a little automotive flair to my pumkin carving, and the result is this prototype Boo-Ick convertible! It's a sporty orange 2-seater with a removeable hardtop, which is perfect for this time of year. There's a large trunk with lots of room for candy, and the two candle-power engine helps you make quick getaways when the treats give way to tricks...

I figured a haunted Jack-O-Lantern doesn't need wheels, it can just fly everywhere, though I did add bumpers for those rough landings. It's a rather slippery, aerodynamic design, and while it bears a striking resemblance to both Yoda and an Ewok, I think that it could be a hit.

 

 

If anyone at Buick is reading, feel free to contact me, and fast... in a couple of days this prototype is going to be crash-tested into the compost bin, or recycled into soup!

 

Hope everyone had a happy and safe Hallowe'en!