Lutz to retire Again...

post from Saab Weblog - Trollhattan Saab on 15 January 2007 10:27:00 PM. © Saab Weblog - Trollhattan Saab

Thanks to Ted in comments for dropping this bit of news, via Autoblog: Bob Lutz has already retired at least once from an executive position at a car-maker when he left DaimlerChrysler following the merger. When he joined General Motors a few years back to oversee its product development, he was already well past the standard retirement age and by next year he will be 75 years old. According to Just-Auto.com, GM Europe President Carl-Peter Forster has been informed by...

Read The Full Article:
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/01/lutz_to_retire.html

Add to del.icio.us

Digg this

Post to Furl

Add to reddit

Add to myYahoo!

Montclair Means "Big" and Finally We Learn to
Love It

post from Classical Drive on 15 January 2007 09:06:27 PM. © Classical Drive

Were the Detroit cars of the late 50's and early 60's big? Does a fish have fins? Admittedly our photo of Ted Forbe's (see two previous blogs) 1958 Mercury Montclair convertible exaggerates, though not by much. But first, a confession: When this Montclair was built yours truly, as a young and prejudiced import/sports car enthusiast, would have ridiculed it. Too heavy, over-decorated, handles like a pig, etc. All of which was true. But now, looking at this car from an historical perspective and with a better understanding of how it reflected the mood of the times, I'm a fan. I can see the beauty in the details. I can sense the pride of ownership it gave. I can look back and imagine the pleasure it gave to the owner and his friends (girlfriends, especially) as they cruised down Main Street. And I can certainly appreciate the effort Ted put into bringing it to its present high standard. Impractical it may be in modern terms but who cannot admire that stretched bumper pan making way for a "continental" spare that swung to the side for access to the trunk? (By the way, it drives like it looks.) Suitably inspired, I'm off to Arizona... watch this space for daily updates from America's most spectacular collector car auctions.

Read The Full Article:
http://classicaldrive.com/blog1/2007/01/montclair_means_big_and_finall.html

Digg this

Saab USA in 2007.

post from Saab Weblog - Trollhattan Saab on 15 January 2007 07:55:00 PM. © Saab Weblog - Trollhattan Saab

Thanks to EduSaab, we now have a copy of the Automotive News article I mentioned earlier on Saab's marketing plan for 2007. In short, GM's giving them the same crumbs off the table in 2007 that they got in 2006, so Saab are going to have to work harder and smarter to attract new customers and bring back the old. I'll post more on this, including a podcast to be recorded later today, as soon as I can. There's a...

Read The Full Article:
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/01/saab_usa_in_200.html

Digg this

Honda Civic Type R goes on sale

post from PistonHeads (Motoring News) on 15 January 2007 07:00:00 PM. © PistonHeads (Motoring News)

New hot Honda to hit the streets in a few weeks time

Read The Full Article:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=15719

Digg this

Evo-engined sports car arrives

post from PistonHeads (Motoring News) on 15 January 2007 07:00:00 PM. © PistonHeads (Motoring News)

Light carbon chassis for quick take-off

Read The Full Article:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=15721

Digg this

Civic Type R

post from PistonHeads (Motoring News) on 15 January 2007 07:00:00 PM. © PistonHeads (Motoring News)

New hot Honda to hit the streets in a few weeks time

Read The Full Article:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=15719

Digg this

BMW updates the 1 Series

post from PistonHeads (Motoring News) on 15 January 2007 07:00:00 PM. © PistonHeads (Motoring News)

More economical but not much faster

Read The Full Article:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=15720

Digg this

BMW completes Mini range

Entry-level and diesel model due in March

Read The Full Article:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=15717

Digg this

Hemmings Find of The Day > BMW M6

Yes, it is six kinds of wonderful. Yes, it is not only a pristine example of a late 80s generation 6-Series BMW, but it's also an M which kicks the deal into seventh gear. And yes, the machine has...

Continue.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.4driversonly.com/50226711/hemmings_find_of_the_day_bmw_m6.php

Digg this

That green 99 on video

That crazy green 99 with the 16 valve engine and 9-3 Aero wheels is now featured on a video from YouTube. I featured this car last week as it's somewhat different and for sale. I have no idea if it's sold yet, but if you want a better look around the car, including inside and on the move, then spend your next 2:48 right here:...

Read The Full Article:
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/01/that_green_99_o.html

Digg this