General Car Talk Discussion Thread
Ex-OEM King
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 17,867
Likes: 7,020
From: Minnesnowta
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 88,888
Likes: 11,846
From: Waffles, BU
MARK GRAIN (Senior technician, McLaren Cars/Motorsport): There was a German customer, a businessman. He lived in Cologne, commuted in the car every day. He said, “Oh, I’ve got a problem, this warning light. I’ve looked in the manual, can’t find anything. Can you send somebody out, see what it is?”
So one of the guys went. It turns out it was the engine cover lifting slightly. The warning light for the engine cover.
But the only time the car ever did it was 185, 190 mph. “It does it on the way to work, and it does it on the way back.” Every day.
So one of the guys went. It turns out it was the engine cover lifting slightly. The warning light for the engine cover.
But the only time the car ever did it was 185, 190 mph. “It does it on the way to work, and it does it on the way back.” Every day.
If I was a rich asshole who lived in Cologne.. this would be me.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
Articles like that only further reinforce my worship for the godlike F1.
It will forever and always be my favorite car. There will be cars that are faster, have better all-around better performance, and are more expensive, sure. But there will never be anything else like it..
It will forever and always be my favorite car. There will be cars that are faster, have better all-around better performance, and are more expensive, sure. But there will never be anything else like it..
x7
Thread Starter
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 64,134
Likes: 14,284
my bad it's Exotics on Cannery Row, not Fuel Run.
Exotics On Cannery Row Partial Super & Hyper Car List
- Bugatti Chiron
- Bugatti Chiron
- Bugatti Veyron
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- P1 GTR
- P1
- Lamborghini Centenario
- Lamborghini Centenario
- Ford GT
- Ford GT
- Ferrari F50
- Ferrari F50
- Ferrari F50
- Ferrari F40
- Ferrari Enzo
- Ferrari Enzo
- Ferrari F12 TDF
- Ferrari F12 TDF
- Ferrari F12 TDF
- Ferrari F12 TDF
- MBZ AMG GTR
- Pagani Huayra BC
- Pagani Huayra
- Pagani Huayra
- Porsche 918
- Porsche 911R
and 180 more.....
- Bugatti Chiron
- Bugatti Chiron
- Bugatti Veyron
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- Koengisegg
- P1 GTR
- P1
- Lamborghini Centenario
- Lamborghini Centenario
- Ford GT
- Ford GT
- Ferrari F50
- Ferrari F50
- Ferrari F50
- Ferrari F40
- Ferrari Enzo
- Ferrari Enzo
- Ferrari F12 TDF
- Ferrari F12 TDF
- Ferrari F12 TDF
- Ferrari F12 TDF
- MBZ AMG GTR
- Pagani Huayra BC
- Pagani Huayra
- Pagani Huayra
- Porsche 918
- Porsche 911R
and 180 more.....
2024 Honda Civic Type R
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,187
Likes: 1,519
From: Chicago, IL
Isn't any kind of flashing lights illegal on (citizen) cars, especially brake lights? Driving behind a newer Hyundai Santa Fe today, the third brake light on top would flash several times and then go solid when the brakes were applied. I've seen several Hyundai models do this as well. How did they get away with it?
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,492
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Isn't any kind of flashing lights illegal on (citizen) cars, especially brake lights? Driving behind a newer Hyundai Santa Fe today, the third brake light on top would flash several times and then go solid when the brakes were applied. I've seen several Hyundai models do this as well. How did they get away with it?
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 29,608
Likes: 6,504
From: Spring, TX
I've seen it too on a few different makes, not sure if they're aftermarket or OEM. See a lot of it on commercial vehicles.
Never though about the legality of it, but have seen it as an alert for panic stops.
Never though about the legality of it, but have seen it as an alert for panic stops.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 29,608
Likes: 6,504
From: Spring, TX
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/pio...as-passed-away
Roy Lunn created the GT40 and Jeep Cherokee, and flew in the RAF. What a bloke
You might not have heard of Roy Lunn. But you’ll certainly know his work. He’s sadly passed away at the age of 92, and in short, he’s the ‘godfather of the Ford GT40’. Ford’s words, those.
Roy was born in England and worked at AC and Aston Martin – after being an RAF pilot in World War II, naturally – before moving to America in 1958 and joining Ford.
He worked on all manner of exciting concepts, including a flying car. But the peak of his time at Ford is the car that stopped Ferrari in its tracks; the GT40 that won Le Mans four times in a row.
“His legacy as the godfather of the original Ford GT40 was well known throughout the company, and he helped bring Ford a performance car that is just as legendary today as it was in the 1960s,” says Raj Nair, Ford’s North America president.
“The team that put together the Ford GT of today was inspired by the work of Roy and his team and we will be forever grateful for the work they started.”
The GT40 is one of just many big, big achievements Roy can claim. He worked on the first turbojet aircraft, launched the first Jeep Cherokee in the 1980s – arguably the car that kicked off the whole SUV craze – and even worked at the Pentagon in the US, heading up the Humvee programme.
While Roy retired in 1987, he never actually stopped, writing books, building houses (!) and even as he passed away he had plans to write a book about Jeep’s history and build a sustainable people’s car, the latter attracting the attention of local colleges.
Even if you hadn’t heard of Roy, we bet you’re in awe of him now. What a bloke. Rest in peace.
Read the story of the Ford GT40 here
You might not have heard of Roy Lunn. But you’ll certainly know his work. He’s sadly passed away at the age of 92, and in short, he’s the ‘godfather of the Ford GT40’. Ford’s words, those.
Roy was born in England and worked at AC and Aston Martin – after being an RAF pilot in World War II, naturally – before moving to America in 1958 and joining Ford.
He worked on all manner of exciting concepts, including a flying car. But the peak of his time at Ford is the car that stopped Ferrari in its tracks; the GT40 that won Le Mans four times in a row.
“His legacy as the godfather of the original Ford GT40 was well known throughout the company, and he helped bring Ford a performance car that is just as legendary today as it was in the 1960s,” says Raj Nair, Ford’s North America president.
“The team that put together the Ford GT of today was inspired by the work of Roy and his team and we will be forever grateful for the work they started.”
The GT40 is one of just many big, big achievements Roy can claim. He worked on the first turbojet aircraft, launched the first Jeep Cherokee in the 1980s – arguably the car that kicked off the whole SUV craze – and even worked at the Pentagon in the US, heading up the Humvee programme.
While Roy retired in 1987, he never actually stopped, writing books, building houses (!) and even as he passed away he had plans to write a book about Jeep’s history and build a sustainable people’s car, the latter attracting the attention of local colleges.
Even if you hadn’t heard of Roy, we bet you’re in awe of him now. What a bloke. Rest in peace.
Read the story of the Ford GT40 here
2024 Honda Civic Type R
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,187
Likes: 1,519
From: Chicago, IL
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
I don't know which vehicles have the flashing third brake light stock, but some dealers add it on. Admittedly it is probably safer, but the ones that add it charge you several hundred to install it.
All they do it wire in a relay. Takes less than half an hour
All they do it wire in a relay. Takes less than half an hour
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 23,362
Likes: 4,273
From: Los Angeles
I have seen plenty of those... Annoying but yes it does get your attention. so i guess it works 
I guess not many ppl know that BMW newer models have the emergency brake light. In the event of hard breaking, the middle inner section will light up. Normally they don't.
I guess not many ppl know that BMW newer models have the emergency brake light. In the event of hard breaking, the middle inner section will light up. Normally they don't.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,421
Likes: 1,564
From: Miami, FL
Speaking of dealer mods I just learned license plate covers are in FL cuz Florida.
Why some license plate frames are illegal in Florida | Miami Herald
Why some license plate frames are illegal in Florida | Miami Herald
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 29,608
Likes: 6,504
From: Spring, TX
Speaking of dealer mods I just learned license plate covers are in FL cuz Florida.
Why some license plate frames are illegal in Florida Miami Herald
Why some license plate frames are illegal in Florida Miami Herald
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 28,432
Likes: 7,772
From: Dirty H-Town, Amerikkka
^This is correct.
Azine Jabroni
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9,245
Likes: 2,226
From: Austin, TX
Speaking of Texas License plates, here are some noteworthy rejected vanity plates in Texas:
- FART CAN
- LO BLOW
- LUN4TIC
- MEPOPO
- MOMBOMB
- SLAY-N
- POLICE1
- WTF*87
- BLESSEDMF
- NO TRUMP
- NSTY WM
- OFFENDR
- SLO AF
- SEND@NUDE
- TOOTER
- ZERO GVN
- BAKED
- BEA OTCH
- D3Z NUT5
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 29,608
Likes: 6,504
From: Spring, TX
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/cla...-concours-pics
More photos at link above:
TG has a ramble through California's finest offerings. Full image gallery here
Pebble Beach is fascinating. Not only for the cars, but the way it operates. So if you’re keen you can get there at 6am for Dawn Patrol. This is basically a chance to see the cars moving under their own steam (and to lay down a blanket by the podium for later in the day) as they drive out onto the hallowed turf of the 18th fairway. After that they barely move for the rest of the day, so you want to be there.
Each car is led out by a golf buggy and then parked precisely on its mark. An army of people are needed to do this, all dressed in identical baseball caps. The owners are stressed because, heck, this is Pebble Beach and they’re the highest of high-rollers, used to having people do stuff for them, but wanting to do this themselves because, heck, this is Pebble Beach.
Once they’re parked up an avalanche of car detailers descends. Because they’ve got so dirty travelling the 400 metres from the holding paddock past the front of the hotel and down to the grass.
By 8am all the cars are on the field and by 9am the judges are out. A group of judges is responsible for a particular class and they have to reach a consensus verdict on the best car, but in addition there are celebrity judges: racing drivers, car designers, company bosses and so forth, who get to be involved too. John Lasseter, the boss of Pixar was one. Jay Leno was there, so was Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It’s really interesting watching each car being judged. The owners scurry around on the search for documents the judges have requested, while the car is poked, prodded and generally given a hard time. Several people adopt period dress, which is always amusing.
On the other side of the hotel is the Concept Lawn, which is a bit of a misnomer. McLaren has its MSO 720S on display, there’s a Performante and a bunch of other stuff including the new Maybach Vision 6 (magnificently OTT) and the forthcoming BMW Z4 (bit of a wallflower after the Maybach). Best of all was the VW I.D. Buzz after VW announced they’ll put it into production in 2022.
Back on the lawn the crowds build and the judges keep ticking boxes. It’s a long process, but the cars are frequently magnificent. The attention to details on cars of the Thirties was staggering, the bonnet mascots are sublime, I love when I see a couple in front of their De Dion Bouton, him deep in conversation with the judges, her discussing her outfit with some friends. Outfit judging is obviously something that hasn’t caught on yet.
Several cars are outstanding, but for me nothing grabbed the attention quite like the 1929 Barker-bodied Mercedes-Benz Tourer (it’s the blue and chrome affair). The attention to detail was astonishing. So I spent my time trailing the judges, listening to their conversations and chatting to the owners of these vastly expensive machines, who get just as nervous as you and I about outcomes.
And for those who believe Pebble’s tendency to reward cars that have been preened to a standard far beyond how they originally came out of the factory is a pointless chase of perfection, there’s always the Preservation class – here it’s fine to be seen to be ageing gracefully. Which is more than can be said for all the people on the lawn…
Pebble Beach is fascinating. Not only for the cars, but the way it operates. So if you’re keen you can get there at 6am for Dawn Patrol. This is basically a chance to see the cars moving under their own steam (and to lay down a blanket by the podium for later in the day) as they drive out onto the hallowed turf of the 18th fairway. After that they barely move for the rest of the day, so you want to be there.
Each car is led out by a golf buggy and then parked precisely on its mark. An army of people are needed to do this, all dressed in identical baseball caps. The owners are stressed because, heck, this is Pebble Beach and they’re the highest of high-rollers, used to having people do stuff for them, but wanting to do this themselves because, heck, this is Pebble Beach.
Once they’re parked up an avalanche of car detailers descends. Because they’ve got so dirty travelling the 400 metres from the holding paddock past the front of the hotel and down to the grass.
By 8am all the cars are on the field and by 9am the judges are out. A group of judges is responsible for a particular class and they have to reach a consensus verdict on the best car, but in addition there are celebrity judges: racing drivers, car designers, company bosses and so forth, who get to be involved too. John Lasseter, the boss of Pixar was one. Jay Leno was there, so was Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It’s really interesting watching each car being judged. The owners scurry around on the search for documents the judges have requested, while the car is poked, prodded and generally given a hard time. Several people adopt period dress, which is always amusing.
On the other side of the hotel is the Concept Lawn, which is a bit of a misnomer. McLaren has its MSO 720S on display, there’s a Performante and a bunch of other stuff including the new Maybach Vision 6 (magnificently OTT) and the forthcoming BMW Z4 (bit of a wallflower after the Maybach). Best of all was the VW I.D. Buzz after VW announced they’ll put it into production in 2022.
Back on the lawn the crowds build and the judges keep ticking boxes. It’s a long process, but the cars are frequently magnificent. The attention to details on cars of the Thirties was staggering, the bonnet mascots are sublime, I love when I see a couple in front of their De Dion Bouton, him deep in conversation with the judges, her discussing her outfit with some friends. Outfit judging is obviously something that hasn’t caught on yet.
Several cars are outstanding, but for me nothing grabbed the attention quite like the 1929 Barker-bodied Mercedes-Benz Tourer (it’s the blue and chrome affair). The attention to detail was astonishing. So I spent my time trailing the judges, listening to their conversations and chatting to the owners of these vastly expensive machines, who get just as nervous as you and I about outcomes.
And for those who believe Pebble’s tendency to reward cars that have been preened to a standard far beyond how they originally came out of the factory is a pointless chase of perfection, there’s always the Preservation class – here it’s fine to be seen to be ageing gracefully. Which is more than can be said for all the people on the lawn…
Senior Moderator
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 45,641
Likes: 2,335
From: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
I upgraded the '13 Accord EX-L to a '17 Accord V6 Touring yesterday. What a smooth and quiet car! With all the equipment and safety features it makes a TLX pointless.