
Latest Posts

Latest Posts
| |

E'Go Revolt

E'Go Revolt
| Posted By:
PatrickM
@ Nov 24 2009, 11:14 PM |
 About a year ago, the Russian company E-Go announced plans to build a GT/Supercar called the Revolt, which would be essentially a Mitsubishi 3000GT with a new skin designed by E-Go. It is worth noting that the 3000GT changed very little throughout its lifespan and the last ones sold in the US as 1999 model year cars, were essentially identical to the first cars that were brought here in 1991. As such, E-Go would be selling "new" cars featuring components that are atleast 10 and potentially as much as 20 years old. Time has not been especially kind to the 3000GT and reliability problems have driven down the value of the cars to a point where it is not uncommon to see them selling for 10% of what they cost new. The complex, twin turbocharged, dual overhead cam V6s are notorious for spinning bearings and the Getrag transmissions and all wheel drive transfer cases are riddled with problems as well. Certainly not the parts bin one would want to raid if they had plans of building a high dollar supercar. The biggest asset the 3000GT has is its curvacious body, which looked like nothing else on the road in the early 90's and does not look out of place in the company of some of today's finest exotics. The styling of the 3000GT, both inside and out, is truly timeless. The Revolt, atleast in the sketches E-Go has released, is certainly a good looking car but it's more Japanese robot than Italian supermodel. Hopefully E-Go has done their homework and found a way to exorcise the ghosts which have haunted the 3000GT platform for the last 20 years. |
|
Comments: 0 ::
View Comments
|
|

Autumn Driving

Autumn Driving
| Posted By:
PatrickM
@ Sep 26 2009, 10:57 AM |
 It's a bittersweet reality that summer is behind us. The long, warm, sunny days have given way to brightly colored leaves and chilly breezes. For a car enthusiast in New England, Autumn is the perfect time to drive. The scenery is incredible and engines love ingesting the cool, dense Fall air. It's time for one last hoorah before snow, ice and road salt put an end to the driving season! |
|
Comments: 0 ::
View Comments
|
|

Speed Junkie

Speed Junkie
| Posted By:
PatrickM
@ Jul 26 2009, 02:42 AM |
Speed Junkie A cool breeze drifts in through the open window and brushes against my arms, raising small goose bumps. The fading rays of the autumn sun reflects off my car keys sitting on the table opposite me. At first I ignore them, but looking out the window, I can see my car in the driveway. Its sapphire blue paint looks stunning in the early evening light. The car is begging to be driven. The temptation quickly becomes too much to resist. I grab the keys off the table and go outside into the crisp fall air. I open the door and settle into the soft driver's seat that wraps itself around my body. I slip the key into the ignition switch and twist it gently. The silence is cut by a breif shriek from the starter, followed by the deep growl from the exhaust. Mild vibrations, signaling that the engine is alive, work their way up through the seat and steering column. I pull out of my driveway and waste no time pressing the aluminum accelerator pedal firmly into the tan carpet. The engine screams and I am violently pushed back into my seat. All of the day's problems and worries can't keep pace and I immediatley feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. As the growl of the engine increases in volume and pitch, the speedometer needle sweeps past 55. I am concious that a smile has begun to creep across my face. The light gray ribbon of road in front of me winds its way up a hill and to the left. I glance at the speedometer again; it's passing the 70MPH mark. That is twice the legal limit, but lifting off the accelerator doesn't cross my mind. I am in desperate need of an adrenaline rush and I am going to get one, speed limits be damned. I take a long left hand sweeper turn at 85, the car stays flat and planted. G-forces press my ribs firmly into the side of the seat. The acceleration hasn't subsided. The road that streches out before me is long, straight and flat. At 90, I still want more. My muscles tense and my focus on the road narrows in. Everything except for the gray pavement, with its yellow and white lines, starts to blur The wind rips over the hood and tears around the side mirrors, making a sucking sound as it passes the windows. 120 miles per hour comes and goes. I am rapidly approaching a tight, uphill right hand corner. I look down at the speedometer one last time, just long enough to see the bright red needle resting just past 135. I lift off the accelerator and begin to apply the brakes. I am pushed forward by an invisible force and the seat belt becomes tight against my chest and waist. The sharp bend in the road is still approaching quickly and I apply more pressure to the brake pedal. For a moment I worry that perhaps I waited too long to brake. The exhaust crackles loudly as I downshift, using engine braking to help slow the car. After a moment that feels like an eternity, the speedometer drops below 40. The adrenaline rush is so intense that I find myself breathing heavily and my heart feels like it is trying to beat its way out of my rib cage. I pull into a dark gas station which has apparently closed early for the night. I just sit there in the parking lot and take a few deep breaths. I feel rejuvinated, energized, almost hyper. Finally, I turn out of the gas station and head back toward home. I drive slow, choosing not to press my luck any further.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The other day I found a floppy disc (remember those?!) which contained some papers from my senior year in high school. One assignment was to write a descriptive essay about anything we wanted. I chose to write about my car, of course. I was particularly proud of what I wrote and as I remember I got an A on the paper. It's kind of fun to reminisce about high school and how much my life and my taste in cars has changed since then. I loved the rush of driving fast then and I still do. I have become a lot more responsible and conservative with my driving, but after a hard day, few things can make me smile like a run through the gears at wide open throttle. |
|
Comments: 0 ::
View Comments
|
|
| | |