cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
20827
Spotted: A look in the mirror at 2016
SUMMARY OF 2016 SPOTTINGS:
Approximately 650 vehicles were spotted in 2016
Total of 1990 vehicle images on my hard drive
A Corvette big-block convertible, stuck behind me in traffic on Coronado Island. I could hear his rumpity-rump idle get progressively rougher, as my temperature gauge crept upwards. Finally, able to stand it no longer, we both peeled off the main drag - me to the right and him to the left. I parked in a residential area, pulled the URB-E out of the Lotus' trunk, and cruised the island.
Later I wandered over to the San Diego Automotive Museum restoration shop, where I checked out a 1963 Olds F-85 Jetfire with the Turbo-Rocket alloy V8, one of the very first turbocharged engines in an American car.
The British will of course know this as the 215 cubic inch engine that found a home in so many Rovers.
Turbo-Rocket fluid was an alcohol-water mix that kept combustion chamber temperatures (and detonation) under control - long before computers allowed us instant control of ignition timing, which enables higher compression ratios without melting down the pistons.
Turbo-Rocket Jetfire V8
I had an F-85 once, with the same Jet-A-Way transmission fitted to this car. The trans was notorious for melting-away, and leaving you stranded.
Outside the shop I glanced over and saw a LaForza, an Italian-American SUV that will be coming up for sale soon. Look at the panel gaps! Not the most attractive or successful Olde World/New World hybrid.
Around the corner was a particularly nice Ford Falcon Ranchero, from around 1965.
and a very scruffy, but still running, Corvair convertible.
and a very scruffy, but still running, Corvair convertible.
When cruising over to Company 27 to film the fire engine, we saw this nice 1956 Chevy but had no time to chase him down.
Other spottings included this Lamborghini Spyder
and this Ferrari Spyder. It had no badges, and I don't recognize the model -- perhaps one of you can enlighten me?
One thing I know is where there's a red light every 1/2 mile, a Ferrari is no faster than a Fiat getting from point to point!
I'll finish with this El Camino, as the Chevy car/truck is certainly one of the most popular vehicles I've seen in the past year.
The driver's door was not closed all the way; it's not atrocious panel fitment but lackadaisical (careless) owner...
POSTSCRIPT - is a new age upon us entering 2017?
This photo shows my electric Fiat parked in front of the first Hydrogen station in San Diego County.
We consumers can now buy hydrogen vehicles from Toyota and Honda (others coming soon).
We can fill up in 5 minutes, and travel 360 miles on a tank of "gas" and emit nothing but water vapor.
In this case, a tankful was 3.377 kg at $16.49/kg. That's good, isn't it? Or rather, who can say? I dunno? Is it expensive or cheap?
In this case, a tankful was 3.377 kg at $16.49/kg. That's good, isn't it? Or rather, who can say? I dunno? Is it expensive or cheap?
I did do some conversions and learned this this amount of hydrogen, at atmospheric pressure at sea level, would occupy 12 cubic meters or 424 cubic feet. or a cube 7.5 feet per side.
Is this the future in California? Only boring electric and hydrogen vehicles?
We shall see.
Cazalea
Spotted: A look in the mirror at 2016
SUMMARY OF 2016 SPOTTINGS: Approximately 650 vehicles were spotted in 2016 Total of 1990 vehicle images on my hard drive It's been raining outside, my computer is repaired, everything is backed up, and I am cleaning up my year-end tasks. I thought it woul...
LaForza all the way :)
Thanks for having gone through the daily efforts of getting us really cool, interesting machinery here - much appreciated! And this post is just as great - some of the vehicles I forgot existed
Not a big fan of the 488. But the real stingray gets me heated
I still think the stingray vettes are way undervalued. One of the best American designs. If I extend my two car collection it will be stingray, xke, 458, and hemmings cobra in that order. But in truth I don\'t drive my beloved 68 Camaro ever and I have a ...