Regal Regie: 1956 Renault Dauphine brochure

Posted on Aug 2, 2018 in Featured | 2 comments

Before the Volkswagen Sedan became an American best-seller, the title of the best-selling imported car was held by an attractive little rear-engined French car — the Renault Dauphine. This product of Renault Régie Nationale France was designed from the start as a car for the masses, as the automaker itself explained in rather self-deprecating fashion in this...

Quality? Don’t Care. Performance? No. Safety? Pass. Fuel Economy? Yes Please!

Posted on Jul 22, 2018 in Safety | 1 comment

Fuel economy, at least temporarily, has become the single most important factor to new-car buyers. I say “temporarily” because we all know it won’t last. Americans have a tendency to overreact to things. Remember in 2008, when gas prices jumped and folks traded in their SUVs en masse for more fuel efficient rides? Remember, later that year, when prices dipped...

The Ford Dealership Volume I: 1903-1954

Posted on Jul 16, 2018 in Featured | 2 comments

All photographs and captions, courtesy of The Ford Dealership Volume I: 1903-1954. Car dealerships are, to most people, forgettable places. They exist simply to display inventory and, if all goes well, provide a place where paperwork can be signed. But automotive enthusiasts like Henry Dominguez, author of several Ford-focused books, tend to feel differently...

Jaguar Introduces New, Downsized Production Engines in Beijing

Posted on Jul 11, 2018 in Technology | Comments Off on Jaguar Introduces New, Downsized Production Engines in Beijing

For a long time, the scope of automotive power was covered by the saying “there is no replacement for displacement”. In the 21st century, the rules for gaining optimum engine power have changed in the face of improving emissions and fuel economy. The widespread usage of technologies such as variable valve timing gasoline direct injection, forced-air induction...

What Car Should I Buy For Double Duty?

Posted on Jul 7, 2018 in Editorials | 2 comments

Best & Brightest, you certainly didn’t disappoint in the last installment of Ask Bark. While some of you seem to be confused about the difference between asking for friendly advice and asking for a full evaluation of one’s values, I know that Greg appreciated your advice almost as much as he appreciated mine. Well done, B&B. Now, let’s examine this...

Mad Max in the Desert: Off-Road Racing Kills Eight

Posted on Jun 24, 2018 in Racing | Comments Off on Mad Max in the Desert: Off-Road Racing Kills Eight

Who ever could imagine this kind of racing not producing a deadly accident? Trucks and various kinds of off-roaders bounce over rock piles and desert dirt, kicking up clouds of dust so they cannot see the racers in front of them—all at night, all without crowd barriers. The modified Ford Ranger driven by Brett Sloppy (whose unfortunate name may never be...

Audi and VW Push Web-Enabled Cars

Posted on Jun 21, 2018 in Safety | 2 comments

Wisconsin introduced seat belt legislation in 1961. Not until 1984 did the U.S. mandate seat belt use. The same protracted battle is taking place with infotech in cars, and by most accounts, the safety guys are losing. Audi has proudly announced it was the first luxury brand to offer Wi-Fi and Google Earth access in its cars. Nissan, GM and Ford have followed...

A Rare Gem, The Dual-Ghia

Posted on Jun 14, 2018 in Antique | Comments Off on A Rare Gem, The Dual-Ghia

Can you name the one, rare, meticulously crafted concept car that traded hands during a high stakes poker game between the sitting U.S. president Lyndon Johnson and future president Ronald Reagan? This same car was so seductive that Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford of the “rat pack” had to own one. The car is the Dual-Ghia, and I recently stumbled...

Smartphone Overheating? Chevrolet Impala Can Help

Posted on May 27, 2018 in Technology | Comments Off on Smartphone Overheating? Chevrolet Impala Can Help

While occasional smartphone overheating is normal, it can be disconcerting as it saps the phone’s battery life and slows processing speeds. Industry-first technology coming soon to some Chevrolet models can help cool down this problem. DETROIT – While occasional smartphone overheating is normal, it can be disconcerting as it saps the phone’s battery life and...

In Which We Bid Farewell to The Newsbot and Replace It With …

Posted on May 25, 2018 in Editorials | 1 comment

… well, nobody. Allow me to explain. After nine months of running TTAC more or less solo, with the exception of Aaron’s stewardship on the daily-news side of things, I’ve realized it’s time for a change. For starters, I’m tired. Working 60- and 70-hour weeks for nine months straight is not healthy for anyone. At the same time, the competitive pressures are...

Over the Top: 1,400-hp Camaros, Bentley Continentals and Maybach Eyewear

Posted on May 25, 2018 in Racing | Comments Off on Over the Top: 1,400-hp Camaros, Bentley Continentals and Maybach Eyewear

There are so many ways to express automotive excess that it’s hard to be surprised anymore. But the Camaro above blew out a few of my old brain cells today. The $320,000 brainchild of Canadian Serge Leger, its 6-liter GM LSX V8 was modified (greatly) to produce 1,400 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque. That ought to take you off the mark smartly. But check out the...

Automotive Madness: Three Stories

Posted on May 19, 2018 in Safety | 1 comment

1. You may already have heard that a few dealers are upcharging for the upcoming Subaru BRZ (above)—to the tune of $5,000 over MSRP. Some have called this price gouging, which, of course, it is. Anyone paying this price is a turkey. One imbecile argues that this is owing to the immutable law of supply and demand. Since the BRZ is in high demand and deliveries...

Spinning vinyl while cruising the interstate

Posted on May 18, 2018 in Featured | 2 comments

I spotted this in-car record player mounted under the instrument panel of a late-1950s Dodge this past weekend at a car show, and it just stopped me in my tracks. Though Chrysler had its optional Highway Hi-Fi beginning in 1956, this unit is instead an aftermarket Philips Norelco Auto Mignon that was produced a few years later. Unlike the early Chrysler system...