Cars, Man

[AZPops]

 

[AZPops]

 

[AZPops]

Had fun on 4 wheels, BUT! I loved being on the open road on this, ...

Rode over the Dam, too many times to count. This was prior to, and when the bridge was being constructed.

Quick story. When I turned north off I-40 to HWY 93 to Vegas. I'd stop at a Shell Service Station (I think it's a Chevron now) to top off the tank (no gas from there to Boulder City).

Got off the bike, walked in to give the cashier (can't remember her name) a twenty. I noticed two (I'd guess european) vacationing couples.

I topped off the tank. Looked to my left, and saw both couples staring at me. OK, I guess checking out the scooter, so gave them a friendly wave.

Went in to get my change. The cashier told me the couples asked if I was a police officer? ... Police officer?

She smiled, explaining only police have / wear guns in their country. She told them, no, he's not a police officer. He's an outlaw. ... We both had a laugh.

OK, it's kind of long, so sue me! ... lol

Before you ask. I'd pack my side arm away at Rose's Den before proceeding to Vegas.

OK, since you asked. ...

Heading back to Phoenix, after crossing the dam (well back then) you'd see a "Welcome to Arizona" billboard.

During the busy summer vacation months. In the afternoon, the parking lot below the billboard was pretty much packed.

I'd park the bike (just off the road. Don't need no stink'in parking space ... lol). Remove my helmet (Vegas has a helmet law. Don't got one in Arizona), then replaced it with a bandana. Got into one of the bags, took out then placed my holster and side arm on my belt. Looks I got was quite entertaining.

Got on the bike, then headed to Rose's Den. Good Times!

 

[Monocrom]

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Always like Lincoln autos, not sure why.
I guess, if you like them, you like them

can get an Aviator w/ twin turbo V6
there's only a few cars I'd consider getting in white..

this be one

View attachment 91341

Do like the looks and size of the Aviator. But it's a Ford underneath the sheet metal.
Not looking to get stranded by the side of the road.

 

[Monocrom]

Oh, if I was alive during another era, I'd be saving up for one of those. (And assuming I didn't live in NYC with its ridiculous Winter storms.)

Technically I could get an AWD muscle car, today. But I need reliability, as well as performance. (No Dodge in my garaged parking spot.)

 

[TPA]

Who is going to identify the car this photo was taken in? I was thinking it was an Infiniti G35, from the early production years due to the ashtray and metallic trim, but now I'm not so sure.

 

[TPA]

1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Saloon LWB, RHD, one of 32, restored, 6.2L V8, 13Kmi original, £150K

We had a 1950s Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith growing up. I was young (<8 years old, I guess) and we didn't have it for too long, so I don't remember too much about it.

Ours was navy blue & silver. Wood galore on the inside, with a partition window between the driver and back seat. I remember it had "trafficator" semaphores which would swing out on the B-pillars for turn signals. I know this well, because one day my dad was driving it home and the chrome trim piece departed the car as he was turning into the neighborhood and he offered me a substantial amount of money at the time if I could find it. It took me awhile, but I did retrieve it and it was able to be reattached to the car.

It was a surprisingly large (tall) car and wouldn't fit in our garage unless the antenna was removed. Even then, there wasn't much room between the garage door's bracing and the car's roof. Actually, most Rolls-Royce cars are deceptively large. You don't realise it initially, but when you get close to them you notice it immediately. A Phantom Drophead's front fender is just as tall as a Suburban's hood. The tires on it are 32" tall.

Ours had after-market aircon which worked amazingly well. Since it was the 1980s, we also had a unique anti-theft circuit built into the car: an electronic keypad inside the glove box. You'd have to open the glovebox, key in the code, then turn the key on the dash. There was also a way to start the car with only codes.

I don't think this one is ours, but the color and model are correct:

 

[orbital]

Do like the looks and size of the Aviator. But it's a Ford underneath the sheet metal.
Not looking to get stranded by the side of the road.

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I know it's a Ford product.
Guess I could find something negative to say about every automobile manufacturer,,,,, or any product for that matter.
That twin turbo V6 in the Aviator is only a half liter smaller than the Raptor V6 engine ~ genuine kick azz truck

 

[Monocrom]

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I know it's a Ford product.
Guess I could find something negative to say about every automobile manufacturer,,,,, or any product for that matter.

Mazda.... Their gasoline powered vehicles are the only reliable ones they make (good thing nearly everything they sell in North America is gasoline powered.)

Honda.... Their transmissions tend to be a bit weak.
Acura.... See Above.

Toyota.... So reliable, good luck getting anything other than a token rebate to make you feel better about yourself.

Lexus.... See Above.

Ford.... Found On Road, Dead.

 

[orbital]

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fun stuff::

Ford and Mazda maintained a close, 36-year strategic partnership from 1974 to 2015, featuring significant cross-ownership, platform sharing, and joint production. Ford acquired a 24.5% stake in 1979, increasing it to 33.4% by 1995, giving them control. The alliance produced many shared vehicles—including the Ford Ranger/Mazda B-Series, Ford Focus/Mazda3, and Ford Probe/Mazda 626—before Ford sold its stake in 2015, leaving Mazda independent.

{does this include the 2010/11 Mazda 6 ? {cannot imagine it doesn't}

 

[Monocrom]

Thankfully Ford left Mazda alone years before selling off their stake of it.
Which obviously was a huge mistake for Ford. That partnership caused Ford vehicles to be incredibly reliable. My 1998 Ford Escort? I knew it was a Mazda under the sheet-metal. It was one of the big reasons why I bought it. I knew it would be reliable. A Mazda masquerading as a Ford. And, it was extremely reliable. No issues. Ford absolutely benefited from that partnership. By the time I bought my 2009 Mazda 6, it was one of the worst kept secrets that Ford decided to let Mazda do its own thing. No interference. And again, utterly reliable in the last 18 years I've owned her.

 

[orbital]

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crom will like this one.

Lived in Madison for about 3 years, one day around 1991 while driving a company van, had 'new' a black RX7 pull out in front of me.
I knew Mazda had just come out with the new RX7, but hadn't seen it yet.

It was in front of the dealership; sales guy (guessing) let it rip>>>> then opened and closed the drivers door while driving, say 50%
Such a small thing to watch, opening & closing the door,, remember it like it was yesterday.

Always thought the early 90's RX7 was such a great looking car.

Looked just like this

reword slightly

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

That RX has an impressive footprint.

 

[AZPops]

Here's one of Andy Tims track day, in his previous Lotus. ...

 

[TPA]

I know it's not sexy, not fun, nor will ever be cherished, but I have to give praise to the Chrysler Pacifica. We just had one for the past 20 days for our Mayo trip. (Thank you National for our company's contract calling this a Corolla). I believe it was 1 notch below fully-optioned as it had heated and cooled front seats. Quiet interior, soft ride, comfortable seats, plenty of cargo space, decent infotainment & stereo. We logged ~60 hours inside it per the instrument cluster.

It's a shame that no one's bothered to put all of that into a sedan, unless you're buying something like an S-Class....which probably is on-par with Chrysler for reliability, which isn't good.

I know I'm getting older, but I can't be the only one who wants a sedan (not an SUV) which isn't a SPORTS car and doesn't have a Sport mode. I used to laugh at Mercedes with their Sport edition E-Class. A sports Taxi!

 

[Monocrom]

Won't lie.... I still want a sports sedan. I need to feel alive!
I know a car chase will never break out in real life, with me in pursuit.
By some Bizarro World chance it happened, I'd never engage in it since lives would be put at risk. But.... I like knowing that I'd be easily able to stay on someone's backside. Like a determined pitbull! I just like knowing.

 

[orbital]

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Available w/ 2.5L turbo engine ~ 250hp & 320 torque
that's super for a smaller car.

 

[Monocrom]

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Available w/ 2.5L turbo engine ~ 250hp & 320 torque
that's super for a smaller car.

View attachment 91556

That is precisely one of the two sports sedans I'm seriously considering. Ironically, park them next to each other, and the current 3 is barely shorter than my 2009 Mazda 6.

 

[Monocrom]

Well, it's kinda cute; if nothing else....

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

It's adorable, but I can't help thinking about it as Pac-Man food for an F-150.