RideLust

It would’ve been so much easier if I was just into video games or something because there are times when being a car guy totally sucks. You see I don’t just like cars, I love them. In fact every aspect of my life revolves around them. I write about them, build them, race them, film them… hell, they encompass everything I do. Who knew that back in the day when I was playing with Matchbox and remote control cars that it would turn into an obsession that has taken over my life. The problem is this; I want everything, but the fatal combination of a writers salary and lack of space prevent this from happening. Sure being in the industry helps, as we get to drive press cars and go to different automotive related events, but still, that doesn’t change the fact that I jones for something different in the garage on a daily basis. Take this near perfect 1972 Ford Galaxie 500 that I spied recently on eBay. Folks, if I had the money this sucker would be in my garage tomorrow. Sure it’s big and cumbersome, but it’s a classic piece of American iron that I would love to use as a daily driver. Maybe it’s because it’s different, or maybe its because cars like this remind me of my childhood growing up in the 1970′s. Whatever the reason though, road yachts like this always get my blood pumping.

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The Subaru Outback, Nissan Murano, Cadillac SRX and Honda CrossTour are all vehicles that combine the all weather utility of an SUV without the girth of a full sized truck. Nowadays automakers are calling these vehicles crossovers in the hopes that the buying public will think that they’re getting the latest and greatest. However, if you look back throughout the annals of automotive history, you’ll notice that there was one little car maker that brought the concept of the crossover out over 30 years ago. AMC (American Motors Corporation) recognized the need for a family sized utility vehicle that had the all-weather prowess of a full-sized truck, but without the size. In the early 1980′s AMC released the Eagle, a wagon that combined the best of both worlds in a package that Americans could wrap their arms around. Now granted, Subaru had their DL wagons out in the late 1970′s, but they were small and packed in about as much luxury as a burlap sack.
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A few years ago SpeedTV used to air a show called Dream Car Garage. It was sponsored by Legendary Motorcars of Ontario, Canada and catered to everything from high end exotics, to big block muscle cars. One of the best segments they ever put together was a match up of the baddest muscle cars from the 1960′s and 1970′s. What you have to remember before you press play on these videos though, is that the American muscle car was and is, a mythical beast. Names like Cuda, Chevelle SS, The Judge and Boss made European sport sedans of that era quake in their boots. Not because of how fast, or how well they did (or did not) handle, but because of their in-your-face, take no prisoners, power house attitudes. I own two muscle cars and while I love them with all my heart and soul, I’m always amazed at how fast people think they are. Like I said, these old sleds are mythical beasts, and while other cars out there may out perform them, there will never, ever be anything as cool as an old school American Muscle Car. Click through for a whole bunch of awesome!
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It seems like just about every car on the road today has a set of aftermarket wheels. Some look fantastic, while others are just nightmares. A good set of wheels can change the look and feel of your ride, increase performance and enhance it’s value, but this is if, and only if they are chosen correctly. Over the years wheel and tire sizes have increase dramatically. For instance, back in the 1960′s most cars came stock with 14-inch wheels and hubcaps, the 70′s went to larger 15-inch wheels and then in the 1980′s we saw the emergence of 16-incher’s. It wasn’t until the 1990′s though when the aftermarket wheel scene really took off. All of a sudden we had 17, 18 and 19-inch wheels and then in the first part of the new millennium we saw the introduction of the DUB or 20-inch wheel. I remember when I first saw a 20-inch wheel on a car and was like, what the f*ck was that! Back then it wasn’t all that common, but today they’re all over the place. For those who are uneducated in the process, there are few elements when buying wheels that you really need to look at. First you need to define the application for which the wheels are going to be used, second is to determine your fitment parameters and lastly you need to pick out a style that suits your ride.
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Back in the mid-1960′s the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) formed the Trans-Am Racing Series that pitted production based vehicles against each other in head to head competition. Trans-Am Racing was unbelievably popular and is still considered by some to be one of the best series ever to have been put together. Picture full-on muscle cars like the Plymouth Barracuda, AMC Javelin, Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro racing head to head on some of the best circuits in United States. These were the days when racing was racing. There was no traction or stability control and no anti-lock brakes. Hell, these cars ran on leaf-springs and in doing so showed us that the old muscle cars of yesteryear truly could go around corners if properly set-up. I was visiting over at Pro-touring.com, a web site that is dedicated to making full-on corner carvers out of vintage American muscle, when I came upon a thread containing some wonderful old photographs of Trans Am racing in its heyday. These photos were taken by Dave Friedman and give us a little insight into how amazing this series really was.
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Over the years automakers the world over have used animal names to describe their newest cars. These names are supposed to immortalize the true essence of these cars and portray to their owners the automobiles inner spirit. More often than not however these names are ill-seated at best and unfortunately at the end of the day, don’t do the poor animal any justice at all. Below is a listing of 20 cars that have taken their names from members of the wild kingdom. Some are appropriate, others, well… not so much. Either way though you can’t blame the manufacturers from trying to put a little personality into their rides.
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Can someone please tell me why, for the love of God and all that’s holy, did the manufacturers stop running the Trans Am Series!?! The above video is a mini-documentary of the 1971 Trans Am season and to say that this is what ALL auto racing should be like is an understatement. In today’s day and age we have all the competitors handy. We’ve got new Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers, all of which are more than capable of running (with some modifications) in a new and improved Trans Am series. This video showcases the battle between Mark Donohue and George Folmer as they battled for the 1971 championship. While you watch this video make sure to take note of the driving styles that the drivers of that era employ. Cars are literally drifted around each corner kicking up dust and dirt while they race for the checker. Hell, you can almost smell the race gas as the fans stood track side watching these icons of American speed go head to head. I swear, sometimes I think I was born in the wrong era. Anyway, enjoy this because not to many videos like this exist out there.

Car reviews have been taking place since the Model-T Ford began production more than 100 years ago. Sure they may not have been as in depth as they are by today’s standards but nonetheless, the general public still wanted to know about their favorite rides. As time and technology progressed so did the ways in which automobiles were tested. Sure, some things like 0-60 times, braking distances and handling remained constant, but the actual ways in which the tests were conducted as well as the test themselves moved on to reflect the next generation of automobiles. Back in the 1960′s and early 1970′s Bud Lindemann was the voice of the car review on television with his show Car and Track. All manner of automobiles were tested in relatively the same ways in which we do it today. However watching these cars being put through their paces back then and seeing how abysmal they really were, truly gives us an appreciation for the technology we have today. The above test of this 1971 AMC Javelin SST demonstrates exactly what I’m talking about.

Source: Youtube.com

Every year the folks over at Hemmings Muscle Machines ask their readers to extend a helping hand and assist them in picking their Muscle Machine of the Year. The chosen candidates have all graced the pages of the magazine over the past one year period, and while the Hemmings editors are more than capable of making their own decisions, they kindly rely on diplomacy and let their readers make the final decision as to who takes home top honors. Every car in this years running brings something special to the table, and while all the cars are not bone stock machines, each car represents a section of the muscle car spectrum to which all muscle car hobbyists can relate to. Let’s meet the contestants and remember to cast your VOTES!!
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Can someone please tell me why we can’t bring back the Trans Am series like the one run back in the early 70′s. I mean just stop for a moment and look at this thing. This is the 1971 AMC Javelin of Mark Donohue that won the 1971 SCCA Trans-Am Championship. You wanna’ talk about some hardcore car porn, than look no further. From the dual exhaust cutting in through the rocker panel, to the strut-braced front air-dam, to the patriotic paint scheme and mini-light style wheels, this 1971 AMC Javelin is a ride that makes us car guys get that fuzzy feeling in all the right places.

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