In the 1980s and even into the early 1990s the Grand National was subtly different, but only subtly - still a Buick G-body like your Uncle Vern’s, but less chrome for some reason. Read more

So the tail is there simply to satisfy the aesthetics of the cultural unconsciousness. Right. Read more

Totally. Read more

Need lots of photos of the cult transaxle cars - the 924 Carrera GT and 924 GTS and any of the 944 Le Mans runners. Post ALL the fender flares. Read more

I mean, like, I would, but still.

Some pedantic part of my brain still has a problem with McLaren’s categorical refusal to use limited-slip differentials. I know the traction/stability/turn-in system is borderline sorcery, but I am uneasy about the idea of the car clamping its brakes whenever it feels like it. Read more

Ugh. This combination of downers - not just the eye-opening reliability problems, but issues with the dealer service departments - is familiar to anyone who understood Alfa’s abandonment of the US market back in the 1990s. FCA’s involvement changes the equation, but this is still not a welcome report. Read more

I see what you did there. Read more

Thesis: There will be no Z4 M because the Z4 just isn’t that kind of car; to go a step further, BMW is increasingly not that kind of company. Read more

Mustang, especially the GT: Generally pretty cool all-American but (increasingly) globally respectable everyday performance car. Works along a wide spread of socioeconomic groups, especially since it’s moved into some of the territory previously held by the Thunderbird: a corporate vice president can drive one without… Read more

Interesting. To read most of the comparisons, the Camaro is the superior speed machine compared to the Mustang (tighter structure, better feel, lots of good arguments to be had about each of the motor matchups). And the Mustang wins the sales race based more on usability, styling, and possibly social image. Read more

A (probably) complete listing of subgenres by URL codes and how to use them: https://www.playpennies.com/features/secret-codes-for-netflix-170910 Read more

Just got home and had lunch, pulling this up and cross-referencing the live feed with the schedule. Read more

Yeah, we know. Some legacy mag writer is gonna drive it instead and complain about the plasticky interior. Read more

I have had the pure and honest privilege of attending a proper Black Pentecostalist service (in Detroit, no less) by invitation. It was lovely, surreal, slightly awkward for this suburban white boy, and motherfucking loooooong. And that’s without sticking around for the fried chicken dinner afterwards. Read more

France, 2017, Fiat 500X diesel with six-speed. Tractor torque curve - lunge then gasp then shift then lunge then gasp then shift while trying to mollify an overexcited shift light. Treated it like a four-speed; would go 1-2-4-6 or 1-3-5-6 or something because it had plenty of low-end grunt but nothing past 2000. Read more

Hah. We had a Peugeoyota in Provence last year. See below for more details, but summary: needs more power, plenty flingable, way better than the 500X. Read more

I’ve rented four different cars on two trips to Europe over the last few years. The rules are exactly the same there as they are here, except amplified: Smaller and simpler is better. Read more

“In the old days drivers were fat and tires were skinny.” - Jose Froilan Gonzalez, who was Fangio’s best friend, fellow Argentine, and the first person to win a Grand Prix for Ferrari.

Why did I know that, despite all other possibilities, you would be the first one to respond to this? Read more