@Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: Ahem....millions of the former GM "secured creditholders" argue: "How could things have been 'much worse'?"
The front needs more "bling." (Did I really just say that?)
When I look at it dead on front, for some reason I just see a mid '70's Ford LTD -- the kind that every polyester-clad cop drove in every half hour TV sitcom.
I'm sure the aftermarket will fix that right up.
When I look at it dead on front, for some reason I just see a mid '70's Ford LTD -- the kind that every polyester-clad cop drove in every half hour TV sitcom.
I'm sure the aftermarket will fix that right up.
An ode to the Astra:
I seldom take notice of small cars, until two years ago, one of the sharpest things I'd ever seen zipped by me on Interstate 5 in San Diego. I gunned it and followed it for about two miles hoping to see who made it.
Turns out it was a blue three door Saturn Astra with the factory 18" alloy wheels. It was gorgeous.
I'd never, ever gone to a dealership to specifically look at a brand new car. This time I did. Much to my surprise, I noticed that the car was built in Antwerp, Belgium! The engine built in Hungary, and the remainder from Germany and Austria. Really? A genuine European car with looks, fuel economy, and handling with the Saturn name badge?
I bought my first and only new car that day. An '08 Saturn Astra in red with all the options.
I still love it.
I seldom take notice of small cars, until two years ago, one of the sharpest things I'd ever seen zipped by me on Interstate 5 in San Diego. I gunned it and followed it for about two miles hoping to see who made it.
Turns out it was a blue three door Saturn Astra with the factory 18" alloy wheels. It was gorgeous.
I'd never, ever gone to a dealership to specifically look at a brand new car. This time I did. Much to my surprise, I noticed that the car was built in Antwerp, Belgium! The engine built in Hungary, and the remainder from Germany and Austria. Really? A genuine European car with looks, fuel economy, and handling with the Saturn name badge?
I bought my first and only new car that day. An '08 Saturn Astra in red with all the options.
I still love it.
(Head Slap) He should'a had a V-8!
Two guys are sitting at a blackjack table with a dealer passing out cards. Sometimes people win or lose, but everyone knows the rules.
Then, all the sudden, the dealer changes "Blackjack" from 21 to 17 and arbitrarily changes the value of the chips -- in order to make things more "fair."
The "dealer" is Obama. The players are the shareholders that "bet with" the "Old" GM.
Some advice for Obama: Don't bet your job against the taxpayers' anger.
Then, all the sudden, the dealer changes "Blackjack" from 21 to 17 and arbitrarily changes the value of the chips -- in order to make things more "fair."
The "dealer" is Obama. The players are the shareholders that "bet with" the "Old" GM.
Some advice for Obama: Don't bet your job against the taxpayers' anger.
@stöke, breakfast of champions:
Was it poorly made or something? This design is beautiful. The only one that's ever "stood out" to someone who doesn't give over-the-road trucks a second glance.
Was it poorly made or something? This design is beautiful. The only one that's ever "stood out" to someone who doesn't give over-the-road trucks a second glance.
It's been done.
British Leyland killed "BullySpanner" a year or two before their demise too.
British Leyland killed "BullySpanner" a year or two before their demise too.
The 2011 Dodge Journey!
"Adequate transportation for a motorist."
"Adequate transportation for a motorist."
Detroit?
Atlas has shrugged.
Atlas has shrugged.
Galling.
Murilee:
1.) Thanks for the "Catbox" inspiration.
2.) Thanks for the "Star." (Uh, don't ask where it went.)
3.) Thanks for the reason to get up early on Saturday, read your brilliant Jalopnik postings which then inspired me to go play with my Triumph Stag all day.
4.) Thanks for the "Junkyard-ethos-kinship." It's hard to describe, but I know it's there.
Good Luck Friend! Whatever you're writing, I'm buying.
1.) Thanks for the "Catbox" inspiration.
2.) Thanks for the "Star." (Uh, don't ask where it went.)
3.) Thanks for the reason to get up early on Saturday, read your brilliant Jalopnik postings which then inspired me to go play with my Triumph Stag all day.
4.) Thanks for the "Junkyard-ethos-kinship." It's hard to describe, but I know it's there.
Good Luck Friend! Whatever you're writing, I'm buying.
Weird.
When I was in South America -- specifically Columbia -- union workers took similar lunchtime breaks as this.
Only after lunch, their production line rate tripled.
When I was in South America -- specifically Columbia -- union workers took similar lunchtime breaks as this.
Only after lunch, their production line rate tripled.
Hence the meteoric rise of the Tea Party at the expense of these types of "Republicans."
Thanks for the timely notice, Jalopnik.
Corker, Alexander, and Blackburn have all been added to my list.
Thanks for the timely notice, Jalopnik.
Corker, Alexander, and Blackburn have all been added to my list.
The "100 dollar," 1971 Triumph Spitfire, purchased from a neighbor at the age of 16.
I was certain that an English convertible sportscar would be just the thing to get an awkward pimply kid noticed by the ladies.
With a Haynes manual carefully perched on the valve cover and my ass sitting on the front tire, I spent glorious hours trying to wake the machine from a ten-year slumber.
It worked, it was the best summer ever, and thus began my lifelong love of cars......and ladies.
I was certain that an English convertible sportscar would be just the thing to get an awkward pimply kid noticed by the ladies.
With a Haynes manual carefully perched on the valve cover and my ass sitting on the front tire, I spent glorious hours trying to wake the machine from a ten-year slumber.
It worked, it was the best summer ever, and thus began my lifelong love of cars......and ladies.
Mid-engined vans?
Just knowing that a jagged metal 5-bladed cooling fan is spinning at 6000 RPMs, six inches away, at direct crotch level is enough to make a trip to the corner market an absolutely exhilarating experience.
Just knowing that a jagged metal 5-bladed cooling fan is spinning at 6000 RPMs, six inches away, at direct crotch level is enough to make a trip to the corner market an absolutely exhilarating experience.
Something dead reliable, fuel efficient, and appliance-like. Er, a Toyota Camry-esque thing.
Instead, I've got the Triumph Stag, various Internationals, and wait for it........
A 3 door Saturn Astra XR.
(no joke!)
Instead, I've got the Triumph Stag, various Internationals, and wait for it........
A 3 door Saturn Astra XR.
(no joke!)
The photos invoke pathos. Sort of a car-guy ennui.
Someone, somewhere, spent countless hours on this project. Trips to the junkyard; trips to Home Depot; all of those late hours in a garage solo, while a lonely wife watched sitcom reruns on the other side of the door.
And for what?
To end up on Craigslist -- in this economy -- waiting to be judged and ascribed a value by those who did not, and never will, share his vision.
Olds Toronado/Austin Princess guy? I love you man.
Someone, somewhere, spent countless hours on this project. Trips to the junkyard; trips to Home Depot; all of those late hours in a garage solo, while a lonely wife watched sitcom reruns on the other side of the door.
And for what?
To end up on Craigslist -- in this economy -- waiting to be judged and ascribed a value by those who did not, and never will, share his vision.
Olds Toronado/Austin Princess guy? I love you man.
It's surprisingly attractive. So much so, Raymond Lowey himself could have designed it.
This makes me appreciate my '78 International Scout in the driveway even more.
This guy has cornered the market on all things interesting.
No wonder the selection at my Pick-a-Part yard has been so anodyne lately.
No wonder the selection at my Pick-a-Part yard has been so anodyne lately.
