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Turn Two: Kia Forte SX

January 13, 2010

Make no mistake-the Kia Forte represents a new chapter for the Korean automaker, and shatters the notion that an economical, compact sedan has to look as as exciting as a small kitchen appliance. My prior experience in a Forte was restricted to a wet Pocono International Raceway, where I used a manual SX to acquaint [...]

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Name that Mopar

January 12, 2010

If the curves behind the lovely lady don’t look familiar, you would not be unlike many of the journalists at the Detroit auto show over the past couple of days. The car is clearly not a traditional Chrysler, yet it is wearing Chrysler badging. There are no signs anywhere near it and no nameplate.Curiously, there [...]

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Chevy looks set to bring back small car performance with Aveo RS “show car”

January 12, 2010

Big honkin’ V-8’s are great fun, but they can be a little bit on the expensive side to operate as a track car. They tend to go faster (duh) and weigh more which means that disposable items like tires and brakes are, well, disposable. Also, their point of entry tends to be a pricier than [...]

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Girls of NAIAS Day 2

January 12, 2010

I’m beginning to think that I’ve delved into the depths of dirty old man-ness but I keep justifying it to myself by saying our readers like to see the show professionals.
Truly, there some booths have little else to offer other than girls and stickers. Of course we like stickers, but girls are better so the [...]

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Jeep Wrangler Islander Reminds You to Smile

January 11, 2010

Sure, it’s just another low-cost job by Chrysler to remind everyone that they are still around in the absence of new vehicles or overhauls, but in my eyes the Wrangler Islander is a success. Intended or not, the Islander can’t help but remind you that Jeep isn’t just an SUV but a lifestyle. Forget those [...]

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Fiat influence brightens Chrysler booth

January 11, 2010

What can a manufacturer that doesn’t have any new product do for a big show? Simple, throw stickers on some old models and bring on the girls. For good measure, toss in a few Italian cars and there is a party waiting to happen!
Gallery of girls after the break.

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Driver’s suit test at Sebring in 67

January 11, 2010

In the early days driving suits were cotton (think pale blue Dunlop suits worn by all F! drivers). To fireproof them these suits had to be soaked in a mixutre of Borax and something else (can’t remember!). I had never had my suit tested until Sebring. Every driver had to endure a medical by a [...]

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Dodge Refreshes Nitro Line

January 10, 2010

When former Chrysler parent Cerberus was asked to show what new cars were in the pipeline to the US Government, the news was worse than expected-there was virtually nothing, especially for Dodge. With new cars from Fiat still a couple years away, Chrysler must make do with its current stock. In hopes of sparking interest [...]

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Mystery Buggy

January 10, 2010

We’re on a hunt for details folks. Robert Barg has provided this photo of a Hunter Buggy at the 1970 Sundown Grand Prix. Looking at the pit boxes, I’m assuming this is Mosport but I know nothing else of this rather odd looking machine.
Who can tell us more?
Editor’s note: Robert has done some more digging [...]

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Motorsport marshalling in the early days

January 9, 2010

Mosport was a different place in the beginning. To start with it was 10 feet narrower. The top of 7 was ten feet higher and back flips were a real danger. Only run off, if you could call it that, was bottom of 2 where you might get stuck in the swamp. Single row guardrail [...]

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