The old days

["Mahoney, John" <JMahoney@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Last weekend, I attended the dedication of our new Pittsford Community Library and had a couple of AMC moments.  One was the realization that this new building (which isn't particularly exciting, due to the town's strict "colonial" approach to architecture: as an early [in 1789] area settlement so far "west" and one of the least-changed during nearly 200 years thereafter [it was a sleepy canal stop until suburban development began in the late 1960s], it became a hotspot for historic preservation at the same time it became "the" address to seek) is the second in that location and that I used to park a 1971 Ambassador there when the last library was, in 1974, also new.  It's hard to imagine that was 30 years ago!  The second memory jog: two photographs on display.  In one, circa 1956, there were three Nash cars in a streetscape; in another, in 1964, two Ramblers appeared.  It's hard to recall how vital and alive AM once was on the American automotive scene.       

(To go with its teardowns and sell-offs [one of those TV lawyers {and I don't mean plays one on TV; I mean one who chases amb-, uh, who buys TV advertising} bought half of someone's back yard {for $375.000} and has had his French-something stone monstrosity underway for over two years], this little old town is contemplating a new law allowing no car to be parked off a paved driveway (what about on a tennis court?) for more than seven days consecutively.  It's hard to recall when people had freedoms, too.)

They were strict, though, too:

"Voted that any person that Shall blot of Grease or Soil any book in any Shape or turn down any Leaf Shall forfeit Six Cents ... and for Every Leaf that Shall be tourn out Shall forfeit Double the price of the Book."

- March 7th, 1803

>>
I think the Kia V-6 is based on the PRV. Not necessarily better made, but more modern electronics
<<

The 3.5L in Sorento (and in the, uh, "uniquely-styled" Amanti) that came from the old Hyundai parts store, is, to paraphrase one nameless Detroit insider, so far behind, it's on GM level --- and he was referring to the '09 "Ultra V8" global engine the General's R&D wing thinks will impress.  Even those without blinders at Warren and RenCen will admit that 350-hp from 4-point-whatever-it-ends-up-as-liters will, instead, be a big joke.  Nissan, Toyota, Honda (despite what it sez about no V-8s being planned),

http://sohc.vtec.net/news_files/319284/05tas-05.jpg

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns14730.html

and, of course, Hyundai, itself (I can't wait to see its Lexus/Infiniti lineup, given what Sonata has become) will have 400-hp 3-point-whatever V-6s that can run race circles (and Rambler economy runs) 'round old GM.

Asia moves ten steps for every one America takes: just put one of these

http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/img/media/xl/310.jpg

next to one of these

http://img91.exs.cx/img91/195/newcivic.jpg

to see where 30 years of baby steps went.  Makes Pacer look new again, 

http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B32673.jpg

makes "torque steer" seem like old-car history.  (250-hp in a Civic??)

>>
the current e320d is a six, ~200hp.  dunno if it's inline, or v like
their gas sixes.  it has 5 and 4 cyl siblings, both offered in the
'dodge' [mercedes] 'sprinter' [hah!  157hp/8550lbs?] van which i've
seen all over in ups, fedex, and dhl trim.
<<

The next CL (C216) to appear in Frankfurt will have soup-to-nuts power, from 612-hp 6.5L and 535-hp 6.3L AMG V-12s to 388-hp 5.5L "base" model.  It'll also likely get --- albeit not upon its introduction --- a diesel hybrid.  It won't look too bad --- although its rear will resemble an Acura RL plus a Saturn Aura.

http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/45294.jpg
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/45293.jpg

When even Mercedes is stepping ahead of Detroit in style and keeping up with Japan in technology, we, here, had better do something or turn out 
the lights.