Postcast: Killer B, Karmann Resurrected, Sports Customs, Nanny This, Racing Line
The American automotive media is just as obsessed with the thrill of the new as the industry itself. Even though websites like this one (OK, not exactly like this one) have transformed two month lead times into two minute lead times, all the buff books still tout the latest hot machine. The industry colludes in this effort, withholding new vehicles from their US press fleets until the car mags hit the stands. Perhaps because we started at the bottom of the press car food chain (and worked our way downwards from there), TTAC isn't fixated on getting ahold of the latest and greatest. In fact, we consider the dearth of established models in the carmakers' press fleets (e.g. Nissan 350Z) a major disappointment that reflects the automakers' limited attention spans. There is a lot to be learned from well-established bread-and-butter vehicles. To wit: Jonny Lieberman is reviewing a Mazda B-Series pickup and Sajeev Mehta's Lincoln Town Car review just crossed the transom. These reviews will tell us more about why Ford is in such dire straits– missed opportunities– than any financial statement or ride in the new Em Kay Ex Lincoln. Of course, as the Brits put it, we wouldn't say no…
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You mean besides creepy boss stories? Cause... I have some good ones.
I've heard some good stories about press cars, particularly the viper, it really gets around. One race journo friend parked it at the track, where the evening dew settling on its hood revealed a perfect... butt print. Creepy boss stories? Naaah - my boss is a great guy.
The Lincoln Town Car has two serious flaws that no amount of "refreshing" is going to address. It has a serious lack of head room and bad ingress/egress due to the aircraft style doors(a couple more inches of head room is lost). Bad for police cruisers, bad for cab drivers, bad for limousine drivers, bad for tall drivers, and lousy for the unlimber geriatric set. Not to mention the back seat passengers of all of the above. Whether it is Ford or GM or Chrysler-the first one who makes a decent quality full-size RWD V8 cruiser with real head room wins all of the marbles. Lincoln has only sold what they have over the last few years due to default. Any serious competition and they are toast. How many drivers were forced into a minivan or SUV due to the squat Town Car? Many, many, many drivers.