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March 4, 2014March 4, 2014 zoomvroom Car Culture, Movie Cars

The Top Movie/TV Show Cars

Many movies have cars that we love. Famous cars with famous actors – it goes together. Le Mans had a Porsche 917 and a Ferrari 512LM with Steve McQueen doing all of the driving in the 917. It also had a Porsche 911 Carrera S that went for $1.75 Million dollars at auction last year. The Ronin remake had Robert De Niro, a Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9, a BMW M5, and a nitrous-huffing Audi S8. Vanishing Point had Barry Newman, a 440-powered Dodge Challenger R/T Magnum, and a Jaguar E-Type V12 Convertible. Well, you get the idea.

While I know that last weekend was Oscars weekend, I still thought that the cars from famous movies deserve a proper recognition. Enjoy my list. I have also attached videos of the cars in the movies that they were in. I hope you enjoy the list and the videos!

1968 Dodge Charger “Bullitt”: While it’s a shame that I haven’t seen Bullitt yet (one of these days!), I’ve seen the epic car chase scene on YouTube countless times. I know. It’s not the same. The 1968 Dodge Charger from Bullitt is undeniably one of the most iconic cars ever to be used in a movie. Anybody, I repeat, ANYBODY, can watch the chase scene and then see a 1968 Charger in real life, and say, “I saw a car that looks similar to that one in Bullitt!” The two cars that really defined the words “muscle car” tore up the streets of San Francisco for real (no CGI, just a couple of sped-up shots). Both the Ford Mustang GT with the 390 cubic-inch V8 and the Dodge Charger R/T with the 440 cubic-inch V8 needed some modifications for the chase scene. Ex race-car builder Max Balchowsky modified both cars for film use. The Highland Green Mustang needed a TON of mods for the chase scene. The Charger, however, only needed heavy-duty shocks and springs to cope with the jumps. Both cars used prototype Firestone tires, but it’s possible to see different width tires multiple times on the Charger. According to Balchowsky, the Charger with it’s big 375-horsepower 440 cubic-inch V8 outgunned the 325-horse 390 cubic-inch V8 Mustang (pun not intended) so much that it required the stunt driver to slow down the car so that McQueen’s ‘Stang could keep up. Score for Mopar! While (spoiler alert!) one of the cars met a fiery demise at the end of the movie and was subsequently scrapped, some say that the other Charger is still around…somewhere. I’d sure like to think so! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lbs_nYW3-o
1955 Chevrolet 150 “American Graffiti”: Arguably one of the most iconic cars for hot rodding, let alone movies, the 1955 Chevrolet 150 from American Graffiti remains the benchmark for modified ’55 Chevy’s. Three 1955 Chevrolet 150’s were used for the filming of the movie. Two of said cars were used in 1971’s Two Lane Blacktop. Transportation supervisor Henry Travers picked the two cars up from the Universal Studios lot and painted them black. One car was a fiberglass shell, and it was used to film exterior shots and the actors inside the car. The other car, the stunt car, was used for the climatic drag race crash. Travers, who drove the car stunt Chevy for the Paradise Road finale couldn’t roll the car as directed by George Lucas – the car had to be heaved onto it’s roof by the crew. A third, non-running 1955 Chevy was picked up, spray-painted black, and a fake B-pillar was welded on to resemble to other two cars. It was burned to film the crash’s aftermath. The burn car was returned to the junkyard – it would have been impossible to get the car in running condition! Only the main camera car remains today. It has traded hands a few times and some dubious modifications have been made to it. In 2012, it was sold privately to a private buyer who plans to restore the car to it’s original American Graffiti appearance. Prior to the deal, the buyer apparently barely avoided acquiring his own burn car, built by George Barris. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOgqUHk-zDY
1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 “Ronin”: While the chase scene from Bullitt deserves lots of ink, the multiple chase scenes from the 1998 remake of Ronin make the leaping American stallions chase scene look about as exciting as a segway tour of Los Angeles. John Frankenheimer, the same speed junkie who directed the 1966 movie Grand Prix, directed Ronin. He hired a gaggle of stunt drivers, including F1 champion Jean-Pierre Jarier and sports car champion Jean-Claude Lagniez, and let them loose throwing muscular German sedans around Paris, Monaco, and parts of Souther France at opposite lock drift angles and mind-blowing speeds – on closed-off public roads. An Audi S8 and BMW rightfully grab a lot of attention in the movie, with Frankenheimer cleverly using right-hand-drive cars with fake left-side steering wheels so that the actors including Robert De Niro and Natascha McElhone could “drive” while one of the Frenchmen terrified them just a couple of feet away. Not to be outdone are the guys from Mercedes-Benz who sent a 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9, arguably the first German muscle car. Robert De Niro “drives” for a while, while French actor Jean Reno actually drove. The absolute mayhem begins with a Rockford pulled off in the Benz, and then De Niro and Reno chase down the bad boys who happen to be driving a Peugeot 406. The Peugeot and and Benz hurtle through the French countryside at speeds well over 100 mph, and then De Niro stands up in the sunroof and blows the 406 to smithereens. Post-explosion, the 450SEL 6.9 hurtles into the seaside village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, an outskirt of Monaco, where a good half of the movie was filmed, where it hurtles through tiny city streets trashing market stalls and cafe tables in search of whatever is locked inside of that mysterious locked case everybody wants. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMaG5WAmHvY
1980 Lamborghini Countach “The Cannonball Run”: If you can, keep your eyes ON the car, not IN the car! It sounds easy, but Tara Buckman and Adrienne Barbeau are inside. When Hal Needham and Brock Yates (arguably one of the most iconic auto journalists ever) thought up the plot for The Cannonball Run, a highly fictionalized version of the illegal cross-country Cannonball Run races of the 1970s, they knew that only one car could keep a teenager’s eyes off of Buckman and Barbeau – a 1980 Lamborghini Countach. The entire opening sequence of the movie focuses entirely on the Countach. The V12 shrieks up and down through the gearbox, and the two ladies stopping just long enough paint an “X” across a 55 mph speed limit sign before the car screams off onto the American prairie highway again. The car taunts a police cruiser by coming up extremely close in the rear view mirror, pulling alongside, and then disappearing into the horizon. No wonder this movie, which Yates himself calls “a pretty lousy picture!” grossed more than $72 million dollars – in the U.S. alone! Of course, Burt Reynolds and Victor Prinzim are the official stars of the movie with their fake ambulance, but don’t tell that to any teenage boy who saw the movie in the 1980’s. After filming, the car was used by Hawaiian Tropic as a promotional vehicle for 28 years. Then, a private collector in Florida bought the car in 2009, and restored the car to factory condition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh9L6LrpmTQ
1970 Porsche 911S “Le Mans”: Most of Le Mans focuses on a frenzy of screaming prototypes, howling sports cars, furious air wrenches, and cheering crowds of adoring fans. Not for the opening sequence, though. Before reaching the Le Mans circuit, McQueen’s character, troubled racer Michael Delaney, gently pushes his 911S across the French countryside and a quiet village. Soon, he will strap into a howling Porsche 917 for 24 hours of 240+ mph battle against a Ferrari 512LM. But, for now, it’s just the man and his steed. The Slate Gray 911S stands out in it’s timeless, understated elegance. Kind of like McQueen himself. It’s no wonder that he took the machine back with him to California to join his rapidly growing sports car and motorcycle collection. Since he owned a nearly identical 1969 model, the 1970 911S was soon sold to a Los Angeles-based attorney who kept the car hidden away for the better part of 30 years. The car changed hands two more times before going up for auction at RM Auctions Monterey, where it fetched a tidy $1.375 Million dollars, the most EVER paid for a 911 at auction. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JlyQsWXrqA
1966 Jaguar XKE V12 Convertible “Vanishing Point”: Most people my age today probably wouldn’t understand the tagline from Vanishing Point: “Tighten your seatbelt. You never had a trip like this before.” But in 1971, the phrase fell on plenty of knowing ears and cars. Enter Barry Newman as Kowalski, Congressional Medal of Honor Winner, ex-cop, ex-istentialist, as well as ex-race-driver. His mission is the stuff of any Hollywood movie legend, or any car buff’s legend – drive the car from Denver to San Francisco in record time. Hollywood being Hollywood, Kowalski encounters everything from rattlesnakes to sun-hardened old-timers, pre-“Bette Davis Eyes” Kim Carnes music, and deranged religious prophets. But, his most memorable meeting was against a goggles-wearing, giggling desert rat hell-bent on some hoonage in his Jaguar XK-E V12 Convertible. Said Jag driver literally begs for it – he even bangs his car into the Challenger to get Kowalski’s attention. Since this is Hollywood, Kowalski takes the bait. Big time. It’s wire rims against mag wheels, Dover Sole versus Alaska Salmon, tea cakes versus beefcake. A one-lane bridge looms ahead. Kowalski gives the big 440 full throttle, fender swipes the Jag, and the Jag flies off the road in a splendid, um, horrifying fashion. After several barrel rolls and a gigantic drop, the Jag ends up on it’s side in a mud-caked riverbed. Since the driver of the Jag was a stunt driver, he’s OK. Kowalski gives him a quick check, and is back on his way. I can’t say the same for the Jag – it ended up as a total write-off. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBTup5WH0a0
1963 Apollo 3500 GT Thorndyke Special “The Love Bug”: When was the last time you saw The Love Bug? It’s a cute movie, and the support vehicles are, well, spectacular. In any given racing scene, cute little Herbie the Love Bug is surrounded by all sorts of cars you’d expect to see at a period SCCA road race, from Triumph TR6’s to Shelby Cobra’s to MG TC’s. The most memorable supporting vehicle is the black and yellow car driven by that crook Peter Thorndyke in the final El Dorado race. Thorndyke drives everything from a Jaguar E-Type to a Ferrari 250GT (a replica car that long ago disappeared) Tour de France on his way to campaigning the Thorndyke Special. The Thorndyke Special is, for all of it’s Italian looks, is an Apollo 3500GT. It may have Italian styling, but it was made in Oakland California. The Apollo cars started life in Italy, where the bodies and chassis’ were made by Intermeccanica. They would then be shipped to Oakland, where the engines and transmissions would be installed. Most of the engines were 350 cubic-inch Buick V8’s mated to either a Muncie M-22 “Rock Crusher” transmission or a Buick three-speed automatic. 42 cars were built between 1962 and 1964, when the company ran out of money and closed. Max Balchowsky specifically modified two cars for the movie with their well-known paint scheme. At least one car still exists today, with the restoration in Toronto, Canada started many years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCmUQo2r33g
1969 Lamborghini Muira “The Italian Job (1969)”: For us car lovers, the opening scene of the 1969 The Italian Job starring legendary British actor Michael Caine is beautiful and haunting. An orange 1969 Lamborghini Muira P400 is making its way through the beautiful Swiss Alps with the actor Rossano Brazzi behind the wheel, cigarette dangling like they are in commercials. He’s wearing driving gloves, a perfect suit, and designer sunglasses. Matt Monro crooning “On Days Like These” accompanies the scream of the 3.9-liter V12 of the Muira. What could go wrong? Everything, as the Muira enters the tunnel at high speed, and comes out crumpled in the bucket of an earth mover at the other end. A roadblock set up by the bad guys takes the blame. And, the once-raging Muira is dropped over 100 feet into a river. Was the orange Lambo actually destroyed? Yes and no. Two Muira’s were used for the scene. The running and driving one was not wrecked, as it was a press car for Lamborghini; that honor goes to a crash-damaged frame of a Muira with new bodywork and no engine. Rumor has it that when the crew came down to the river the next morning, not a single piece of the wrecked Muira was to be found. Creepy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQIRbV_noi8
1964.5 Ford Mustang GT Convertible “Goldfinger”: While the Aston Martin DB5 seems to get all of the credit (rightfully so – it’s AWESOME!), the first Ford Mustang ever in a movie co-starred with the Brit. Tilly Masterson’s gold 1964.5 Ford Mustang GT Convertible was a preproduction model, and was run off of a Swiss mountain after Bond’s tire slicing hubcap sticks out. Ford REALLY wanted the Mustang to be part of Goldfinger, and had originally specified for a fastback to be used in the film. Unfortunately, the fastback Mustang would start production too late in 1964 for filming purposes. Ultimately, the Goldfinger Mustang fastback was built with special gold metallic paint, and it featured a roof panel with 007-inspired switches. It was used as a promotional vehicle for both Bond and Ford for many years, and it still survives in private ownership. As for the Mustang GT Convertible used in the film, it is believed but unknown by either Ford or anybody that it was sold after the film and repainted and currently with somebody. Who that somebody is beats Ford and everybody else. I’d sure like to know. Other Ford vehicles were used in Goldfinger: A 1957 Ford Thunderbird was used by Secret Service agents, a 1964 Lincoln Continental was driven to the junkyard and crushed by Oddjob, Goldfinger’s lethal assistant, and a 1964 Ford Ranchero was used for Oddjob to drive away from the junkyard with the crushed Continental in the bed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLuNstLjP1c
1967 Ford Mustang GT500 “Gone in 60 Seconds”: The menacing-looking 1967 silver-grey Ford Mustang GT500 from the 2005 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds is a 1967 Ford Mustang GT Fastback. It has body panels and GT500 badges to make it look like a GT500. It had a hopped-up 390 cubic-inch V8 made up to perform and sound like the 428 cubic inch Cobra Jet V8 found in the GT500. Three cars were made for filming, and one was scrapped. The other two survive in private ownership. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMv-X0tG2KQ

August 10, 2013 zoomvroom Car Reviews, New car info, World News

Yeah Baby

For those of you who remember seeing the little Dodge Omni’s tuned by Shelby in the 1980s will remember that their name, the Omni GLH fitted them. Very well. Before his death, Carroll Shelby bought a Ford Focus ST. Why? It reminded him of the old Dodge/Shelby Omni GLH-S’ from the disco days. He brought it to the factory, where they immediately started tuning it. This magical 2014 Ford Shelby Focus ST will cost $14,995 (on top of buying a $25,000 Ford Focus ST), but those dollars might be well-spent. The car gets: GT500-spec brakes, a Ford Racing suspension, Borla cat-back exhaust, an upgraded interior, new wheels and tires, and your choice between three graphics packages. Power is still the stock ratings, but Shelby is working on a 30-60 horsepower/torque upgrade that will still allow the car to use pump gas. All the while still being emissions-legal in all 50 states. Many enthusiasts will ask why it’s not called the GLH, but the reason is that there is still too much of a connection to Mopar for that. Sources at Shelby tell us that we can expect to see a new Shelby debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, and it won’t be based off of a Mustang! Secretly, I am hoping for a Transit Connect panel van tuned to produce a lot of power and looks. Drool over the picture of the Shelby Focus ST. It’s definitely NOT a sleeper! That is, unless you live in a town with a LOT of hot rods…

June 14, 2013 zoomvroom Car Culture, Field Trips, Out N' About, The History of Autos, Website Reccomendation

Coverage from the 11th Annual Peggy Sue All-American Cruise!

Every year, the Peggy Sue All-American Cruise and its related events take over sunny Santa Rosa, CA. Restored cars, hot rods, low riders, raised Jeeps, and antique American cars are all part of the mix. We have entered our 1950 GMC 100, “Betsy” twice. It’s always been a lot of fun for me to see all of the classic cars in the parade or the massive parking lot where they are displayed! This year, one of my good friends joined me in watching the classic American cars cruise around downtown Santa Rosa. Revving engines? Check. Drunk people yelling at drivers to “Step it up, dude!”? Check. Squealing tires? Check? The smell of burnt brakes? Check. Annoyed and overworked event staff? Right on. I know that you are getting bored reading my words about what was going on. I’ll cut to the chase: It was a LOT of fun, and you should join me next year. Enjoy the pictures.

I don’t know what this Chevy Nova had under the hood, but it sounded NASTY! Many of the cars at the parade were either restored to Concours-levels or were built for the drag strip. This one was built to rule the streets.

This 1959 Chevrolet Corvette is a rare “Fuelie.” Instead of a carburetor, it has a primitive version of fuel injection. This particular example was restored to a “Level 1.” Level 1 means that it is virtually perfect. That it is.

This 1966 Chevrolet Biscayne is a powerful, efficient, and stylish family sedan from the muscle car era. It has a 327 cubic-inch V8 engine and a two-speed automatic Powerglide transmission. It’s lovely.

I find it nice that the interior of the same Biscayne matches the exterior of the car. Even the steering wheel has chrome on it!

Same car. This is the model designation. The car is a barn find from somewhere around Redwood City, according to the owner. He restored it himself, and he did a very good job of it!

For those of you old enough, you should remember the aero-wars days, when big engines and aerodynamics were all the rage. The 1971 Plymouth Roadrunners and Superbirds were the car of choice for many famous NASCAR drivers. Richard Petty left Ford in 1969 to go to Plymouth. He did so much better in a Plymouth Superbird that Ford built the Torino Talladega as a response. This particular Roadrunner has the 440 Six Pack (a 440 cubic-inch V8 with THREE two-barrel carburetors!), which was just one step below the mighty 426 Hemi engine. It is painted in the iconic Lime Green that is popular with automotive restorers.

This Corvette is one of the nicest Corvettes that I’ve seen in a LONG time! It is painted Aqua Blue and Snow White, with a matching interior. It has the 283 cubic-inch V8 and a four-speed manual. It is a 1956 Corvette. The only shame? That it’s far too nice to tour Route 66 in.

Sorry about the fingertip on the top of the camera view. The sun was shining and I REALLY wanted to tell you about this truck! It’s a 1965 Chevy K10 with the optional 327 cubic-inch engine and a three-speed manual. It is built to tackle any trail, and take anything that you want with it. It may not be stock, but it looks like it will outrun just about any Jeep from the same era off-road.

Remember the Chevy Vega? If you don’t, it’s okay. The Vega was powered by a 305 cubic-inch V8. It was relatively powerful and fast, but it was a minor disaster for Chevy. This Vega is a 1974 model. It wasn’t the nicest car there, but it was one of the newer cars there.

The best part about this 1969 Chevrolet C30 is that it is used a lot. I don’t know how much, but I have seen it at Sonoma Raceway’s Wednesday Night Drags as a tow vehicle. It’s the perfect tow vehicle. It’s got a 350 cubic-inch engine that’s all-original. So is most of the truck.

This rare 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is one speedy car. It’s all stock, and plenty fast that way. It’s got the 350 cubic-inch V8 engine found in many GM vehicles from 1969-1999. The top speed is 130 mph. This car means business. The lucky driver had to keep the car in first gear. he also kept touching the brakes because the car wants to leap forward. Lucky him.

I’m going to apologize in advance for the direction of the photo. This 1951 Dodge cab-over semi has been so heavily customized that the only thing original about it is the cab. That’s it. The rest of it is custom-built. The truck is a heavy-duty car-hauler with three axles. The engine is a brand-new 6.7-liter Cummins Diesel engine that has two turbos instead of one. Wow!

While motorcycles aren’t as common in the parade as cars, there were still a good three or four. This 1946 Indian Roadmaster has the iconic “shovelhead” engine that many motorcycle enthusiasts favor. This Indian Roadmaster is banana yellow with the “caramel cream” seat. I like old motorcycles like this. Maybe some readers will buy me one…

The Indian logo is still in the original chrome, almost 65 years later. The gas tank can hold 10 gallons. It says that on the chrome gas cap.

I like the way that Indian made the front wheel cover so stylish. I was talking to the owner for a minute, and I found out that he drove it all the way down to Santa Rosa from Healdsburg. That’s not a lot of fun on an old motorcycle, yet Indian motorcycles are built to cruise. I’m guessing that it was probably a comfortable ride down to Santa Rosa.

This 1932 Ford Roadster is a sick hot rod. The lady standing by the car is the owner. The car has a Ford 351 Windsor V8 engine. It has a Jaguar rear end, and a five-speed manual. This car means business. I don’t know what I like more: The mechanical parts of the car, or the exterior? That’s a decision that YOU will let me know in the comments section…

This Ford Bronco looks like it came out of some post-apocalyptic movie. It’s got aggressive tires, a six-inch lift kit, and a 302 cubic inch V8. I don’t know the exact year, but it looks like it’s from around 1967-8. This is one nice Bronco.

This is one of the coolest, most amazing Jeep CJs that I’ve ever seen. And that’s saying a lot. This CJ is stock, and is a 1947 model. Between the drivers seat and the passengers seat, there is a metal rifle/shotgun holder for two high-powered guns. Not that it would be used for that!

How often do you see a stock 1932 Ford roadster? Not at all often! This is a stock 1932 Ford roadster that could sell for upwards of $150,000 in its current condition. It even has the rumble seat and the original interior! It’s beautiful!

That’s all, folks!

If you would like to check out the Peggy Sue’s Cruise website, it is http://www.peggysuescruise.com/home/

December 12, 2012 zoomvroom Car Reviews

The 2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year!

As many of you might know, Dodge products have been kind of yucky and disappointing (i.e. Dodge Caliber). To use better vocabulary, they are lacking a certain sophistication, and not up to expectations.

The trucks made by Dodge weren’t very good, and people bought them because they were cheap. From the late 1960s to the late 1990s, Dodge’s trucks were kept afloat by government fleet sales. In 1994, Dodge came out with a game-changer. The new Ram 1500/2500/3500 were revolutionary – they had enough power to send a big rig running, and they were at the top of their class in terms of towing. Further, their design was top-notch. And, they sent Chevy/GMC and Ford back to the drawing board.

The generation that debuted for the 2001 model year was something of a joke. It wasn’t comfortable, the only “real” power for the 1500 came in the form of an outdated 5.7 liter Hemi V8, and the 2500 got its power from a 5.9 liter Cummins diesel that had been in service since 1990. It was slow, and outdated. Dodge was a joke. Again. This was during the time of the race to see which half-ton could tow the most with the most power. Then, the economy tanked.

Dodge came out with the current generation of the Ram 1500/2500/3500 in the darkest days of the recession. That was back in 2008, and the Ram was expensive ( yet very nice). As all truck owners know, there is no truck that is the magic truck that changes everything. Sometimes, we have to suck it up and buy the truck that works for us, not the masses.

Well, Ford has been going the way of smaller, more fuel-efficient engines, Chevy/GMC is coming out with a new line of trucks next year, and Ram is leaning towards more efficient engines and eight-speed transmissions. The old 3.7-liter V6 that used to serve duty in everything from most Jeeps to all the Ram products except the 2500/3500. So that engine was a disaster – it was slow, it had very little power, and it sounded like a diesel. Now, the new Pentastar V6 displaces 3.6 liters, and has 42% more power than the old engine. Plus, it offers 13% more torque. Oh, and it’s mated to the excellent new 8-speed ZF automatic that has been beefed up a bit for towing duty. Yahoo.

The historic 5.7-liter Hemi V8 has been around since 2001. However, it has been updated every single time the Ram 1500 gets an update. This time, it has the same amount of power (390 horsepower, 410 lb-ft of torque), but it is more efficient, thanks to Variable Valve Timing. Plus, there are revised cooling systems, electric power steering, and a cool new electrical system with pulse modulation that uses power more efficiently to lessen the strain on the alternator.

Most people focus on the powertrain of a pickup truck, yet that may be one of the less important topics on the refreshed Ram 1500. Ram has added air suspension, which may raise concerns about reliability. But, the Ram 1500’s air suspension looks like the ones found in modern full-size luxury cars, which typically weigh about as much as a half-ton pickup. This air suspension is cool. It can raise the truck 1.2 or 2.0 inches, depending on which off-road mode the 4WD system is set to. There is also an aero mode that will lower the truck 0.6 inches (this is intended for long drives on the interstate). Active shutters behind the grill will close at highway speeds, directing air AROUND the truck, not UNDER. This, plus the slightly redesigned body cut the truck’s coeffecient of drag from 0.39 to 0.36, to net a 6 percent increase in aerodynamic efficiency.

If you are thinking that Ram left the interior of the Ram 1500 as disgusting as it was four years ago, then you would be greatly mistaken. The Ram 1500’s interior has gotten as much attention as the exterior and mechanicals. The interior layout is the same, so if you have driven a Ram 1500 of this generation before, you will know that the Uconnect infotainment system was slow and horrible. The screen is brighter than before, and it has higher resolution than most navigation screens. The screen is now a massive 8.4 inches (think of putting an iPad Mini in the dash), and you can further upgrade the system with various apps like: Pandora internet radio, etc. Plus, it can provide you with an in-vehicle WiFi hotspot. While Motor Trend likes the layout of the system, problems from before still plague the Ram 1500. Sometimes, it’s slow to respond. Also, the navigation system can sometimes lose track of the truck when it is in motion. It sometimes thinks that the truck will be a few hundred yards off the highway!

The new 8-speed automatic is essentially the same ZF transmission found in the Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger and Rolls-Royce Ghost. The transmission control is a radical departure from the column shifters or console shifters we are used to. It is a dial. It may seem like truck blasphemy, and to some it is. It is nice to have it placed on the dashboard, however. The Motor Trend testers weren’t the only ones who turned up the radio when attempting to do a three-point turn.

Another gripe about the Ram 1500’s transmission controls – the tiny pushbuttons on the steering wheel are right above the cruise control buttons, and aren’t clearly differentiated from the cruise control buttons. IF Ram is concerned about customers shifting the truck while wearing work gloves, then they would have installed shift paddles, NOT tiny buttons.

One of the things that many truck buyers want is on/off-road prowess. If you are looking for off-road prowess, get a Ford F150 SVT Raptor. If, however, you need some off-roading chops, then the Ram 1500 might be your ticket.

For those of you who have driven the current generation of the Chrysler 300, you will be shocked to find out that the Ram 1500 SLT with the Pentastar V6 drives almost exactly like a Chrysler 300 with a bed. The 2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year judges were amazed at how well the Ram 1500 SLT drove. The torque comes in at relatively low RPMs, with a peak of 269 lb-ft. Plus, you can still be rewarded by swinging the tachometer up to 4500 RPM to get the full 305 horsepower. Plus, the Pentastar sounds good for a V6. The Pentastar and the 8-speed automatic make for a potent entry-level truck. Plus, the air suspension works as well off-road as it does on asphalt. Body motions are relatively few in cornering, while bumps are soaked up quickly and quietly without any complaint.

The Ram 1500 V-8 Sport is a totally different animal. Of course, 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque will make it quicker. A lot quicker. The interior will remind you of an SRT product, with the same seats as the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, and the same feel as an SRT product. The interior is also a bit louder in the V-8 Sport, with engine note and road noise being a bit louder than the SLT. The anti-roll bars and coil springs allow for less body roll in cornering, but they don’t give the driver the same feeling of control the driver would get in an SLT. The steering is the same, but bigger tires give more grip and tire slap.

The V-8 Sport has so much power that it is hard to hook up the rear tires to the pavement. With a good launch, look for 60 in a scant 6.9 seconds. Ford’s Ecoboost engine might give quicker results, but if you want a classic American V8, then the Hemi V8 is a good choice. When the V-8 Sport is hooked up to a trailer, that’s when the engine comes alive. The quarter mile will disappear in 20.0 seconds at 69.4 mph. Yikes. The Ram SLT with the Pentastar may have a bit less power, but it still has enough power to tow at 75% towing capacity.

The 2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year judges were extremely impressed with the Ram 1500. The V6 covers the area once patrolled by the Dakota, and the V8 turns the truck into a truck that inspires confidence like no other half ton.

They say brand loyalty is one of the strongest criteria in buying a truck. It would be a shame to be a Ford guy and never think of the Ram 1500. As good a truck as the F150 is, the Ram is better. For now. I may have a Chevy pickup, but I should say that the Ram 1500 is a good choice for those who need a truck that is bigger than a Toyota Tacoma, yet smaller than a Ford F250. The 2013 Ram 1500 is a job that comes close to perfect. It may not be a game-changer for trucks like the Porsche 959 was for supercars, but it is a very good truck. Congrats, Ram.

November 20, 2012 zoomvroom Car Reviews, New car info, Road Trips

Making A Grand Entrance, or Getting to Thanksgiving in Style

As you know, Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season with a full belly. At least 80% of all Americans travel for the holiday. I know that those who are traveling by road will be traveling the crowded interstates. For those taking the back roads, I’ve put together a list of ten cars that have at least 400 horsepower and seat four people comfortably. Tell me which one you’d like to take.

Audi S8: The 2013 Audi S8 has 520 horsepower, yet it isn’t a car that is 6000 pounds and fast in a straight line like a Rolls. Instead, it weighs 4400 pounds. With Audi’s signature Quattro AWD system, the S8 will go where a Rolls would never think of going. Do you know of any full-size sedans other than the S8 than can get to 60 in 3.5 seconds? Plus, the interior will enclose you in Alacantara and leather sourced from the finest tanneries in the world. Not a bad way to travel…
Bentley Mulsanne: Would you like to make an even grander entrance than the S8? If you do, take the 2013 Bentley Mulsanne. A 505 horsepower 6.75 liter, twin turbo V8 powers the massive Bentley to a heart-stopping 4.8 seconds to 60. It might not be as fast as the S8, but it will look better at speed. All four of you and your lucky friends will be enshrouded in pillowy, massaging seats that have leather.
Cadillac CTS-V Wagon: The Caddy is one of the more powerful cars here, yet one of the first choices for a back-road blast. The CTS-V Wagon is fast, with a top speed of 190 mph (governed!), and it will carry turkeys, luggage, and plenty of eggnog and brew for Thanksgiving without breaking a sweat. Plus, it will look like you are having a blast. Which you WILL be, right?
Dodge Charger SRT-8: The Charger has long held a soft spot in my big car heart. It’s fast, it makes a statement, and it’s loud. What’s not to love? Plus, the SRT-8 can be purchased for under $50,000! 60 mph comes up in a show-stopping 4.3 seconds. This makes it the large family-oriented performance car of the century!
Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec: The Hyundai is the first Korean performance sedan. It competes with the Mercedes-Benz E550, yet offers almost as much room as a MBZ S-Class. It may be smaller than the gigantic Equus, but it’s MUCH more fun to drive. Plus, it will get people asking what it is. Some will think it’s a Lexus, others will think is a Mercedes. Tell them it’s a Hyundai, and take some photos for me!
Jaguar XJL Supercharged: The 470 horsepower, 5.0 liter engine is powerful enough to move this big boy. Fast. The interior is even nicer than the engine. There is a suede-like material that Jag used for the headliner that is very soft and nice. The engine is so powerful that you can load up the trunk and have your friends in the back stretched out. What’s not to love?
Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged: The Range Rover Supercharged has a 510 horsepower engine that is basically the same one you’ll find in the XJL Supercharged. This powerful engine will take the nearly 5000-pound SUV to 60 in a mere 5.2 seconds. Plus, it will haul all your gear wherever you want it. You can quite literally load up the shotguns and go hunting wild turkeys in the Rockies. Plus, it’s got a very similar interior to the XJL Supercharged. Not bad for an SUV that costs almost $120,000.
Mercedes-Benz GL550: The GL wowed the 2013 Motor Trend SUV of the Year judges so much that they named it SUV of the year. It’s the first MBZ to win that title since 2001. The GL550 doles out globs of torque and 429 horsepower. It’s powerful, fast, quiet, AND it will follow the Range Rover Supercharged. For a while. The Designo interior rivals that of the luxurious S-Class, with comfortable leather seats that seat seven. Plus, you can take all your gear in the back and still have room. It’s bigger than an Escalade, yet smaller than a Navigator EL.
Porsche Panamera GTS: The powerful Panamera GTS will haul four people in relative comfort, thanks to it’s leather-covered Recaro seats. It has AWD and 430 horsepower. It’s like the Nissan GT-R Black Edition, with two more doors! And a rumbling V8! Plus, it will get 24.5 mpg on the highway! VROOOOOOOOM!
Tesla Model S Signature Performance Edition: The 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year deserves to be on this list. Why? It’s extremely powerful electric motor produces 416 horsepower at the wheels. This means that it’s there as soon as you start it. It might not have the range of the Mulsanne or the Panamera, but it will make the most amazing entrance ever. It carries almost as much as a Chevy Equinox, plus it has 285 miles of range! Plus, you can get to 60 in jolting 4.0 seconds! This is one silent VROOOOOOOOOOOM!

Have fun daydreaming about what could be, when you’re stuck on the interstate wishing you’d taken the backroads. These cars may not be ‘The Family’s New Car’, but they definitely have serious style! P.S. Do you have any cars that have at least 400 horsepower and seat four comfortably? I’m sure you do…

July 25, 2012 zoomvroom Recall Alert!, Vehicle repair, World News

Be Careful Driving These Cars!

For those of you who own a 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup and/or a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, listen and listen good!

The 2009-10 Dodge Ram 1500 has a problem where the variable-speed gears in the rear end will stop turning (mostly at highway speeds), causing the rear wheels to lock up. Several people have complained to NHTSA about the rear wheels locking up while on the highway and their truck spinning out. Of course, NHTSA started investigating, and found out that there is a small software glitch that tells the gears to stop spinning. This means that up to 230,000 Ram 1500 pickups will be recalled. The closest dealer will fix the truck for free!

With the amazing new Jeep Grand Cherokee, everything seemed fine until somebody called Jeep to tell them that a fire had just occurred. Jeep, not expecting something like that, called NHTSA almost immediately. NHTSA found out that the power-steering fluid hoses can leak onto the hot engine, which could start a fire! If you take your 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (with any engine) to your local dealer, it will be fixed with heavy-duty hoses.

Not only is this bad for Mopar’s reputation, but it could also cause (hopefully) false concern about the rest of the product line that SRT, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram sell. Let’s hope that the problems are limited to these two vehicles. If you want any more information, you can go to: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm for the Grand Cherokee, or http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm for the Ram 1500