Time to cheer up DainBramaged -

[ConcernedCanuk]

.
.
.

talk to him about cars will ya?

His complaint -

"17 threads since May, boy we don't care much about cars,

and it goes to show how narrow the focus is on DU. How sad."

MAYBE

it's just because many DUers don't even KNOW there is an Automobile Enthusiasts Group

where you can brag about your favorite machines,

or just pick the brains of the mechanically inclined

Cheer DB up

visit Automobile Enthusiasts Group

ask a question, post a pic,

or just say hello!



MY old beast turned 30 this year!

[vadawg]

1. if i could post pics i would post some of my toyota,

but this might give him a heart attack :)

[LeftyMom]

2. I don't really have any questions about my Subaru, it works brilliantly.

I don't think that will cheer him up though.

[ret5hd]

3. So you got you a smart car?

[Warren DeMontague]

9. No shit.

As much as I appreciate his many contributions to the board, I really don't think he wants to hear what a lot of us have to say on the subject of automobiles.

[Mopar151]

18. You mean like

all the hateful snark that was posted in response to his Earnhardt thread? Or the rantings of the Toyota Pious cult, or the Bicicyle Snobs?

[Warren DeMontague]

19. If you're looking for a fight on... well, whatever

you've got the wrong satisfied lifelong Toyota customer.

[Mopar151]

20. Whatever floats your boat, dude

This guy said he was real happy until he looked under his Tundra

[Warren DeMontague]

22. And all those people sending in reliability data to Consumer Reports are lying/hallucinating, I know

This is why there's absolutely no point in getting into it.

But I'll be sure to remember that you're right and I'm wrong as I happily continue my lifetime of driving extremely reliable Japanese cars.

[Mopar151]

25. I mention the piousness of Prius owners

And you try to start a dust-up about Consumer Reports numbers - which do not address the very real issue of corrosion and structural failures, which Toyota has had issues with since the first Hilux.

[Warren DeMontague]

27. I will never buy anything but a Japanese car as long as I fucking live

and absolutely nothing you say can change that fact. Go play with someone else.

[Mopar151]

30. Thereby proving my point about pious beleif in brands n/t

[Romulox]

38. Self-selected polls are not statitiscally valid.

But you knew that, didn't you, Mr. Quality Expert? :rofl:

[Kalyke]

41. No - it's because Consumer Reports isn't as unbiased as you keep

thinking they are.

http://www.allpar.com/cr.html

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/467498-consumer-reports-bias-2.html#post3466628

In a nutshell, Consumer Reports polls their readership, not mechanics and driving experts, etc. Therefore, they have continuously misrepresented the durability of American cars because their readership tends to be wealthier and, frankly, snootier (those who wouldn't DANE to stoop and buy a Ford or a Chevy) and they purchase more foreign cars.

[NoGOPZone]

47. You consider the AllPar article to be unbiased?

The first paragraphs makes a big fuss about CR's 'taudry' 6-12% response rate but neglects to mention how big a sample size 480,000 for the population being considered. I give Zatz credit for one thing though, he's managed to self promote that article onto several message boards.

[vadawg]

21. +1000 dude i dont argue with the dont buy toyota guys, i just buy the cars i like

will be another toyota on my road next month to replace the wifes old toyota...

[Romulox]

37. Hope it doesn't have any unexplained acceleration problems!

Are you buying a Toyota for its alleged quality or to just "stick it" to working Americans?

Because if it's primarily the former, you might want to read up on the recent news re: Toyota. :silly:

[Ignis]

42. "Bicicyle Snobs"

Yeah, they're right up there with the English Snobs. :dunce:

[hfojvt]

50. well I do call cars 'weapons of mass destruction'

but it's not like I am running them off the road or throwing pollutants in their faces.

[Mopar151]

65. If I crash to avoid you, isn't it the same thing?

I had to tackle a bike tourist last year, 'cuz he snuck onto a "hot" race course, and avoided 3 polite attempts to stop him. And I've had a bunch of near misses on the highway. Karma, unfortunately, does not trump the laws of physics.

[Captain Hilts]

4. I miss driving a disposable car. Such freedom!!! nt

[SoCalDem]

34. Too bad more young people don't use throw-away cars

Our own son had to sell his beloved Audi last week.. He's still unemployed, and just finally could not afford it anymore:(

When he bought it, he was making $85K a year (he's single), and now he's been out of work since March:(

[Mopar151]

52. I call 'em "One Payment" cars

You have to bring your own "cool", though.

[flvegan]

5. I talk to DB about cars all the time.

Matter of fact, I think he promised me a ride in whatever exotic he buys (and deserves) when he retires.

[bridgit]

6. I know where to find some car *pics*, maybe they'll help

[SpookyCat]

48. Ho. Ly. Shit.

That last photo...my heart almost stopped. That was taken at the Railroad museum I pretty much grew up at. Did you find that pic online or have you been there?

That museum is very dear to my heart. I would love to "talk" to you if you've been there.

Now, ON topic, those are some beautiful cars, esp the fin numbers. I confess I don't know what the second one is?

[bridgit]

59. Oh yeah, we use the 12 as a connector from the 99 to the bay area or vice-versa

Have tons of pics of the cars on exhibit, some may think it's corny but Ilike it out there :hi:

[SpookyCat]

61. One of my favorite places on earth.

My dad was a member since the late '40s when it was in its infancy. I spent many many hours there as a kid running around and making trouble. ;-)

My jungle gym was the old steam engine 334 that sat out at that time in what used to be the parking lot, over by where that pic from the other post was taken.

Used to put track torpedoes on the tracks and run away laughing when the visitors jumped, (hey, I was like 9 LOL).

It's bitter sweet now that my dad is gone, but it is right here...(thumps chest).

Hey, PM me if you're going out there one day I'd love to meet another rail fan AND a DUer! A twofer! :hi:

[EmeraldCityGrl]

7. My first car back in the 70's was a Chevy Nova

Some people now think they're cool. It was very uncool back then.

[Mopar151]

28. A '66 Nova is the fastest street car in the country!

At Hot Rod Magazine's Drag Week, contestants have to drive between venues (about 1000 miles!), can have no support vehicles, save a trailer towed by the competing car.
Larry Larsen's Nova won the 2008 and 2009 editions of Drag Week (NO trailer or tire changes), running a best of 7.3 sec @ 204 MPH.
And the Hot Rod editor that drove a leg while Larry slept(!) said that the car has good road manners - tracks well, the Lenco is easy to get used to, the engine is tractable and runs along at highway speeds on a whisper of throttle.
http://image.hotrod.com/f/15242219+w750+st0/hrdp_0902_01_z+2008_hot_rod_drag_week+.jpg

http://image.hotrod.com/f/15242231+w750+st0/hrdp_0902_02_z+2008_hot_rod_drag_week+.jpg

No worry, EC Girl. Novas have always been cool with the people who know....
Like this kid from Kannapolis you might have heard of:

[kestrel91316]

8. My 22-yr-old Honda Accord aka Trusty Dusty was unfortunately stolen recently.

Talking about cars makes me profoundly depressed now.

[SoCalDem]

35. Don't you just hate that?

car thieves are the lowest:grr: because you can never replace an "old friend" like that, and financially, they are not worth much, so they are often not even insured for theft at that age:(


My husband still drives our '91 Honda Accord EX every day to work:) If someone stole it, we would just be out of luck.

[sandnsea]

10. A client is on Jay Leno's Garage

Pretty cool. So is his product, if anyone needs better electrical for a vintage car. And he's a good Dem too.

http://www.gener-nator.com

[emilyg]

11. My first car was a

Buick Special. I miss that tank.

[johnnie]

12. I believe he put me on ignore

After a few posts he got ad at me so I doubt he will read whatever I would do to cheer him up..lol

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

23. No, he routinely takes people off ignore.

He's ignored me three times already.

[vadawg]

24. rofl

[HopeHoops]

13. I think I'm on his shit list for a GD post I made.

:hide:

[Mopar151]

14. Hillclimb pics

Some from '72





A Lotus 19 V-8 (1 of 4), formerly owned by John Mecom, photo c. 1978 @ Burke Mtn.

http://www.hillclimb.org/photo_video/photo_page/old_photos/images/Sim_Shortman_Burke_(might_be)_1978.jpg

[Mopar151]

15. Old time racin' pics

My Dad's friend frank "Stroker" Smith owned this one, with Moran "Sonny" Rabideau driving. Dick Berggren inducted Sonny into the New England Racing Hall of Fame. Stroker's wife made THE BEST homemade donuts - if I was really lucky, and with Dad on Saturday morning when he stopped by the tin gararge in the Chapel Pines, I could have one.

Jan Opperman, in the Bogar 99. truly a unique personality - Outlaw, Hippie among rednecks, Mystic for Jesus. Tough as they made 'em, crazy brave, awareness of the car bordering on the supernatural. Won 99 of 144 features in 1 year with this car.


?v=0

[Boojatta]

16. How about this?

When I came of age my father asked me, one day, if I would step with him into his study.

"My son," said he, when we were seated, "what is the chief end of your existence?"

"My father," I answered, "it is the study of Nosology."

"And what, Robert," he inquired, "is Nosology?"

"Sir," I said, "it is the Science of Noses."

"And can you tell me," he demanded, "what is the meaning of a nose?"

"A nose, my father," I replied, greatly softened, "has been variously defined by about a thousand different authors." (Here I pulled out my watch.) "It is now noon or thereabouts — we shall have time enough to get through with them all before midnight. To commence then: — The nose, according to Bartholinus, is that protuberance — that bump — that excrescence — that —"

"Will do, Robert," interrupted the good old gentleman. "I am thunderstruck at the extent of your information — I am positively — upon my soul." (Here he closed his eyes and placed his hand upon his heart.) "Come here!" (Here he took me by the arm.) "Your education may now be considered as finished — it is high time you should scuffle for yourself — and you cannot do a better thing than merely follow your nose — so — so — so — " (Here he kicked me down stairs and out of the door) — "so get out of my house, and God bless you!"

[Mopar151]

17. Hot Rods, aka ISMA Supermodifieds

Competition like F1 needs. Zen simple, 850++ horsepower, 1800#, And drivers who trust each other enough to run inches apart.

Liquid Lou wrenchin' on the Mucci Trucking car



Cayuga, Ontario - #78 Mark Sammut passes for his first ISMA win

[Mopar151]

26. Low traffic in the auto group

May have to do with the "must be a donor to post" thing - and I am stony broke, just can't do it.

[Touchdown]

29. He put me on ignore because I own a Mac. Who knew they made cars?

But of course to him, everybody who uses a Mac is a cult member ready to don Nikes and take cyanide.:eyes:

[SidDithers]

32. He put me on Ignore because I'm Canadian...

when I was skeptical in a UFO thread.

He's funny, in a "GET OFF MY LAWN!" kinda way.

Sid

[tekisui]

31. I am currently driving a 1977 Toyota pick-up.

No power steering, no radio, not much of anything except a strong little engine surrounded by a rusting out frame.

I think I am in love with it.

[Mopar151]

46. We're with ya

couple musical takes on real cars:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cdzt_8DbQg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTiDJd62y-A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqjcIekArJY

and the classic "beep beep" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDSk4zwjg5A

[Mopar151]

33. Cracklefest cars, 'specially for Dain Bramaged

That ol' nitro sniffer.... For those not steeped in old fuel cars, "Cracklefest" cars are restored dragsters from the '60's, which are fired up for display and nostalgia. The safety equipment needed to run a full pass today changes the look of the cars a lot, and they were none too safe back in the day! When Don Garlits and his man Connie Swingle made the safer rear engine design work in 1970, a whole generation of these chassis was obsoleted, and stashed away. This one was stored in a bunker in the desert for 37 years!




Restoration story at the link: http://cacklefest.com/Smirnoff.shtml

Best dragster name ever:


As a featured NHRA Museum "Cacklefest Car", the BSN drew a lot of attention at the 2008 NHRA Finals at Pomona. Here, from L to R, some real legends; John Collins, Richard Tharp, Gary Ritter, Tom Ivo, Gas Ronda and Steve Gibbs.

[Romulox]

36. LOL. It's so *cute* to be a anti-labor Democrat. I'm going to start a thread about H1Bs!

:eyes:

[snooper2]

39. I would say 98% of cars DU'ers own are all POS regardless of brand

So when a car thread pops up it's pretty amusing. My Corolla has a trillion miles and still going strong! My PT Cruiser has great looks and hauls a lot of my crap :rofl:

Plastic dashes, GPS for idiots, air bags, synthetic carpet on the floors, plastic shit all over the engine compartment, snap together parts, computers running sensors running computers running sensors...junk junk junk....

Just this morning we were in the parking lot looking at the sorry excuse for a car that is the Chevy Aveo a co-worker had to rent. Donnie who is just a little over five foot tall was leaning against the front fender. When he went to walk away the fender had a nice dent/crease... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: , he weighs like 110 pounds :rofl:


If you want a real ride you'll have one of these....Of course most people can't drive correctly and need traction control and ABS to help them make it around the corner to the bank so I don't recommend for the average person as you'll probably wrap it around the first pole :rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMRJtNbuxHU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYaHSRhGPU4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGjSiX8j-Qw&feature=related

[Mopar151]

40. The cars I build are a good deal better than these n/t

[snooper2]

45. that's the difference between a rat rod and a hot rod :)

:hi:

[Kalyke]

44. I agree about the sensors crap.

The only problem my old Mustang ever had was with a sensor. Hell, I drove it 10 years before needing brakes!

[Mopar151]

64. Even model T's have sensors

They're part of other things like the "timer" and the "float". They are mechanical, and analog, but sensors, nonetheless.
Automatic transmissions have a bunch of sensors - governor, vacum modulator, kickdown cable - and the valve body is nothing less than a hydraulic analog computer.

[Marr]

43. Why? I think 90% of us are on his magical ignore list.

IIRC, he said I would soon be banned, because when he waves his mystical Wand of Ignore at someone, they usually end up disappearing from the board. I tried to point out that people you put on ignore don't stand out anymore, but of course, he'd already left to throw rocks at a Datsun.

[Throd]

49. Maybe he can help me put a Honda engine in a '68 Chevelle

[Mopar151]

51. Why would you want to?

Or are you just trolling? Equivalent volumetric efficencies may be acheived in either Honda or GM, and the Chebbys sure do bolt up easier.....
Same guys make most of the hot rod parts for either one

[Throd]

54. Lighten up. It was a gentle jab at his "If it isn't a Bowtie, It's crap!" ethos.

My solution is to stick an Olds 455 in everything.

[Mopar151]

55. Sorry about that

I mistook you for one of the Japanese Kar Kult, aka Rusty Toyota Club. Me, I think if your'e gonna put in a 455, ya might as well do 2!


http://image.hotrod.com/f/10273243+w750+st0/hrdp_0212_01_z+hurst_hairy_oldsmobile+oldsmobile.jpg

[Throd]

57. No worries. I can find something to appreciate in almost any car.

The Hairy Olds is an icon to excess. However when I put a 455 in a '91 Mercury Sable, it was a stupid idea, poorly executed.

[Mopar151]

56. And to show ya I'm no Honda Hater

A Honda (judd) V8, swapped into a Mercedes hillclimb car - what a sound!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU9mQ7z5JVQ

[Blue_Tires]

53. i know about the group; i just usually make my car-related posts in the lounge

my tribute to the thread:

[Mopar151]

62. That's a sweetheart!

A good shoe always makes it look easy, but the car is impressive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ratSF-1u2PM
I'm impressed with the hands-off panic stop, and the car is quite forgiving, especially given it's speed.

[Blue For You]

58. My 30 year old cruiser:

1979 Coupe DeVille, with fully functioning 8-track player!

/>

[Mopar151]

63. The Baltimores

sing "Cadillac Heaven" - the perfect song to play on that 8-track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4KF6pCME10

[Blue For You]

66. Great song, thanks for posting!

:toast:

[Nikki Stone1]

60. I'll post a car (I don't own it, but I'll post it.)