They're at it Again

Just when you think the folks at MINI might run out of ideas, they do this...

The Elves of Malvern Link Have Been Busy

Next year is the centenary year of cottage car builder Morgan. If you're not really up on your Morgan history, you could do worse than checking out the official Morgan web site here.

The fine people at Morgan intend to celebrate with a new car - the Aero SuperSports. Based on the Morgan Aero, the SuperSports offers a lift off roof panel that makes one think immediately of the original Porsche Targa or the Surrey top for the Triumph TR4.

The SuperSports is powered by a BMW-sourced V8 and promises to deliver you to 60 MPH in just 4.5 seconds from rest. Naturally, it's all wood and leather on the inside and it continues the Morgan tradition of ash framed bodywork. At a tick under $190,000.00, you'll want to start saving your lunch money now.

Rocketsports Jaguar

A name long associated with modern Trans-Am racing is coming to the American LeMans Series.

Paul Gentilozzi's Rocketsports Racing is fielding a Jaguar XKR this season. According to this story, the team will compete in the remaining ALS events this year and run the full schedule next year. The XKR will compete in the GT2 class against the very strong factory Corvette team.

Should be some great racing.

Stan Mott - Part Two

I posted a quick note about the new GM-Segway collaboration that could revolutionize urban transportation (or not) if it catches on. In the post, I mentioned that the look of the vehicle reminded me of Stan Mott's 'Cyclops' stories.

On a whim, I tracked down Stan's email (he's living in Germany) and dropped him a quick note about the vehicle and how it brought back memories of his articles. Lo and behold, Stan replied and sent along his impression of how the new vehicle should be styled. To say it picks up on GM's styling heritage would be an understatement. Enjoy.

This is My MGB

I know most of you have never seen it - especially since I took delivery of the Mini almost three years ago. It's been in the garage most of the time because the 'new' had not yet worn off the Mini and the 'B had a niggling ignition problem - the classic 'now you see it, now you don't' sort of thing. I couldn't figure it out and Mike Darby never experienced it when I took it in to him for a look see. I could drive it for days and never have a problem. Then, it would exhibit symptoms of a failing coil, except the car would cut out like all power was being chopped. Richard Cunningham loaned me a brand new coil to try - it didn't help. Mike Darby even brought a sack of used but serviceable coils to try as well.

Since the points and condenser were at least 11 years old I figured now would be good time to install the Pertronix ignition that I heard so many good things about. I ordered the kit and let it sit on my workbench for about three months. Even a great how-to article in the MGB DRIVER magazine failed to get me moving.

I had a day off work and Richard offered to give me a hand with the Pertronix installation. It took all of 20 minutes - even with me dropping small pieces - to install. The car fired up and ran beautifully once the rats nest of wiring under my hood was sorted. With Richard in a chase car, we drove from Spanish Fort to Pelican Point and then to Silver Hill to pop in on Mike's shop. Mike looked the installation over and gave it a quick flash with the timing light to set the timing. Everything is spot on.

I drove on home to Spanish Fort with nary a hiccup. It is the opinion of the two experts mentioned above that a dodgy splice in said rats nest may be to blame - one of the spliced wires actually came apart during the Pertronix install.

Suffice it to say that I'm still in love with the 'B. It was my first British car and first convertable. If you see an old guy with a big smile in a light yellow MGB, give a wave!

Stan Mott was Right!

I hope I'm not the only one that has fond memories of the artwork and humor of Stan Mott. Stan was a frequent contributor to Road & Track magazine during what I believe was its golden age (OK, during my misspent youth). Stan is a talented artist and was frequently called on to illustrate stories in R&T.

You'll probably be seeing news items about the GM-Segway urban vehicle called PUMA. This is a two seat, sit down version of the cutting edge Segway two wheeled personal vehicle. What does this have to do with Stan Mott? Stan was the author and illustrator of a series of stories about a microscopic-sized car called the Cyclops supposedly built in Italy from old Cinzano signs. The madcap adventures of the two American importers made for laugh-out-loud reading.

I've posted images of both the Cyclops and the GM-Segway Puma. I'll take the original, please.

Video Time

It's been a while since I've posted any video here, but I couldn't let this one go. It's two of my favorites subjects: Minis and, ah, young ladies in mini skirts. They certainly did a remarkable job of keeping the naughty bits out of sight.

Barn Fresh

I can't think of a better fantasy than that of finding a classic car in a state of barn preservation. I imagine that all car enthusiasts harbor a secret hope of taking home a car that hasn't seen the light of day in decades, to begin the project of reviving it and enoying it.

The 'Bring A Trailer' web site is a place to daydream about classic cars and get a sense of the story behind them. The site is laid out like a blog with entries contributed by site visitors, Craigslist sellers and Ebayers. They have stories organized in several categories- by country, price, etc. In other words, car porn it at it's best. Check out Bring A Trailer and let me know what YOU think.

Rover SD1 Styling Analysis

The last Rover-badged car to be sold in the USA was the fine SD1. This four door sedan (saloon) was large, comfortable and very fast. It looked nothing like any Rover that preceded it. It's just a shame that it didn't catch on with more American drivers.

This article on the Austin-Rover Online web site provides an analysis of the unique combination of styling elements in the SD1. A little Ferrari, a little Pininfarina Aerodymanica concept car and some inspiration at BLMC and you've got - in my book - a winner.

A New Supercar from McLaren

One my favorite British cars of all times in the McLaren F1. This BMW V12-powered machine is going on a decade old but still looks as sexy as the day it was introduced. Sporting a center steering wheel, the F1 had seating for three. There are rampant rumors that a new McLaren is in the works to pick up the mantle of the F1. Check out the AutoWeek article here.