ROAD CHATTER brought to you by E N D L E S S R O A D in Historic Savage Mill, 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763 Phone: 301-497-0369 FAX: 301-497-3690 snipped-for-privacy@aol.com """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" IN THIS ISSUE
- Car-Guy Trivia Questions
- Formula One
- Bits and Pieces
- On Order
- Recent Receipts
- Car-Guy Trivia Answers
- 10% Off Visit For Your Trivia Questions ======================= **====================== Car-Guy Trivia (answers are later in this email) Our regulars know that we usually have five trivia questions here, but this month is a little different. The computer world these days always gives us new acronyms and initials to remember, but the automotive world has their share, too. These are just a few that we came up with; I am sure you can think of some we missed.
European Acronyms and Initials:
-ALFA (ROMEO) -HRG
-FIAT -MG
-OSCA -ATS
-AC as in AC Cobra -ERA
-SAAB -EMPI
Muscle Car and Hot Rod initials and words and from the past:
-Two fours
-Three twos
-FI -AWD
-OHV -LHD
-OHC -RHD
-DOHC -ET
-IFS -CFM
-IRS -FTD
-FWD -FDD
-RWD -REO
-Gurney's AAR, then used on performance Barracudas
-GM's COPO -Yenko's SC
-Oldsmobile's 442 -Souped Up
Die Cast Collector Terms:
-MIB -DP
-NRFB -NIBP
-NOS -OBO
-NFS -NR
-NNB -MB
-SD -PROMO
======================= **====================== Formula One
Finishing our scenario for the season, what if Michael, Rubins, and Ferrari had not run this season, who would be the Top Guns for the year? We adjusted the points as if the boys in red were not there. Not just dropping the Ferraris from the existing points, we scored all the drivers in the positions they would be if the Ferrari positions were disqualified or not there at all. Those in third would go up 4 points from 6 to 10, fourth would go up from 5 points to 8, etc. Plus ninth and tenth would suddenly get 2 and
1 points, respectively. This is what the 2004 F1 world would have been without the Red Blitz.
With/Without Ferrari
148....00...Michael
114....00...Rubins .85...112...Button .59..73...Alonso .58..64...Montoya .46..70...Trulli .45..42...Kimi .34..45...Sato .24..44...Coulthard .24..31...Ralf .22..42...Fisichella .12..24...Massa ...7..20...Webber ...6..13...Panis ...6..11...Pizzonia ...3...7...da Matta ...3...7...Heidfeld ...2...4...Glock ...1...5...Baumgartner ...0...8...Klien ...0...1...Mark Gene ...0...1...Villeneuve ...0...1...Zonta
Jenson Button would be this year's champion by 39 points. Second place would have been a tight race between Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli, with Montoya a close third. Poor Coulthard, who is getting the boot, would have been two points ahead of McLaren's new fair-haired boy, Kimi.
2005 Formula 1 World Championship March 6 Australia (Albert Park, Melbourne) March 20 Malaysia (Sepang) April 3 Bahrain (Bahrain International Circuit) April 17 France (Magny-Cours) April 24 San Marino (Imola, Italy) May 8 Spain (Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona) May 22 Monaco (Monte Carlo) TBC Europe (Nurburgring, Germany) June 12 Canada (Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal) TBC USA (Indianapolis) July 3 Britain (Silverstone) July 17 Germany (Hockenheim) July 31 Hungary (Hungaroring) August 21 Turkey (Istanbul) September 4 Italy (Monza) September 11 Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) September 25 Brazil (Interlagos) October 9 Japan (Suzuka) TBC China (Shanghai International Circuit)
======================= ** ======================= Bits and Pieces
Most of you know of the legendary video Rendezvous. Some of you have seen it. Shot from the nose of a Ferrari coupe, screaming from one side of Paris to the other. No staged scenes, no blocked off traffic, no police cooperation, pure and simple flat out through city streets and traffic lights. We had the video, but it was a whopping 49.95 for a nine-minute film. Now we have it on a DVD for 32.95. This is cheaper than the magazine price plus shipping.
***
"The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty." - President of Michigan Savings Bank, 1903, advising Henry Ford's lawyer not to invest in the Ford Motor Company.
***
Slow Hand cited for lead foot
In mid-October, we noticed in the news that rock and blues icon, Eric Clapton, was stopped by police in Dijon, France, when they clocked his Porsche 911 Turbo at 134 miles per hour. His British license was confiscated at the scene of the stop, about 190 miles east of Paris.
Despite having to pay $922 in fines, Mr. Clapton, 59, took the situation well. After being booked, he agreed to a photo session with police. He then left in his Porsche, driven by his secretary.
======================= **====================== Here are highlights of a few things we have on order now:
All models are 1:18 unless otherwise stated.
Auto Art Jaguar XKE V12 Coupe
71191 1963 Corvette convertible red
71192 1963 Corvette convertible silver Beanstalk
10045 Ford SVT Lightning Concept
Carousel Coyote 1977 winner Foyt Coyote 1966 G. Snider #82 Lotus Gurney #17 1965
CMC Mercedes SLR McLaren, silver
1962 Ferrari 250GT SWB, red Mercedes 300SL, silver Ertl
33685 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator - yellow with black interior
33765 Authentics 1950 Oldsmobile (Reorder)
33874 1964 ½ Mustang Pace Car (From the Precision 100 mold) Exoto Exoto is behind on all of their new numbers; some of these numbers have been on order for over a year. Don't hold your breath.
McLaren MP4/6 Berger #2 McLaren MP4/6 Senna #1
1989 Works Sauber Mercedes C9 Le Mans #62 GMP Mustang Malco "Ohio George" (Third Reorder)
1:24 1971 GTO Judge, black/black Tommy Ivo Buick Twin Engine Dragster Highway 61
60065 1967 Dodge R/T
60066 1957 Chevy
50337 C-61 Chevy flatbed, red
Hot Wheels
2004 Ferrari F1 Schumacher
1:43 1970 Mustang Boss red
1:43 1968 Camaro light blue Kyosho
1977 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 red #64
1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 yellow Shelby Cobra 427/C blue Lane / Exact Detail
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396
405 1967 Firebird 326 HO Hardtop
406 1967 Car Craft Firebird
Minichamps Bar Honda F1 006 Jenson Button #9 McLaren MP4/2 Nikki Lauda McLaren MP4-19 Raikkonen McLaren MP4-19 Coulthard Precision Miniatures Prm-04 1933 Willys Ohio George Prm-05 1933 Willys KS Pittman Pmsc-01B Black Landau Style Hearse Revell Porsche 962C 1986 Le Mans winner
Ricko
1934 Lincoln Model K black
1933 Cadillac V16
2003 Cadillac 16 black
Super Car Collectibles Most of these are put on hold before we receive them. Please let us know as soon as possible if you want one.
29411 Sox & Martin 1970 Duster Pro Stock red-white-blue
29413 1969 Yenko Street/Strip 427 Chevelle white w/black Yenko stripes with two sets of wheels & tires
50229 1970 AAR Cuda Yellow / Black ======================= **====================== We received these lately:
Auto Art
71050 1957 Corvette SS competition
71121 Corvette 25th Anniversary Collector Edition
72823 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1, Black/Silver CMC
024A Mercedes 450 SL Blue
049 Mercedes W196 Stromline Fangio #18
027 1938 Auto Union Type D ERTL
33793 Saleen Mustang
33861 71 Vega Baldwin Motion orange
33913 Pontiac Firebird, Arnie Beswick Boss Bird GMP
1:6 1960's Hemi Blown 392 Engine (Fantastic Model!)
1:24 1987 Buick GNX black
6002 Porkchop Hot Rod Nova, Black Highway 61
60071 1968 Barracuda
1970 Mustang Boss 302 Dodge Racing Maverick Hot Wheels Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta - red Ferrari 365 GTB/4 red Ferrari F40 red
Lane - Exact Detail
403 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 Convertible, Red
504 1965 Chevelle Malibu SS L79, Madiera Maroon
505A 1965 Chevelle Z16, Black Minichamps BMW 320I Jagermeister, Stuck Porsche 956L 1983 Le Mans winner McLaren MP4/18 2003 Raikkonen MIC
1964 Pontiac GTO Beswick Tameless Tiger
Revell
1969 Targa top Porsche 914/4, in yellow, first 1:18 Porsche 914
Ricko
1963 Lincoln Continental
Super Car Collectibles
29353 Sox & Martin Plymouth Superbird
29412 1969 Yenko Nova 427, Fathom Green, 1st in Street & Strip series
50238 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda, Red
======================= **====================== Car-Guy Trivia Answers
European Acronyms and Initials:
-ALFA ROMEO: Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili was formed in 1909 from the remains of SAID or Societa Anonima Italia Darracq, which was an assembler of these French cars. The Romeo part came in 1915 when Nicola Romeo bought the remaining assets of a now bankrupt ALFA.
-FIAT: Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili Torino. Interestingly, the first managing director was Giovanni Agnelli. The present honorary chairman is Giovanni Agnelli (not the same one).
-OSCA: Officina Specializzata Construzione Automobili. The remaining Maserati brothers sold Maserati to the Orsi family in 1938. They were contracted to stay on for 10 years. At the end of 9 years, they left and returned to their native Bologna from Modena and started OSCA, which remained in business until 1967.
-AC as in AC Cobra: Auto Carriers operated under that name from 1911 to
1922, when the name was changed to AC.
-SAAB: Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget. The company was founded in 1937 to be the backbone of a domestic aircraft industry, when war in Europe seemed to be coming. Post war, they diversified into car production with the SAAB 92, as well as aircraft production.
-HRG: Who knows what an HRG is? It stands for the initials of the three partners who started the company in 1935: Edward 'Ted' Halford, Guy Robins and Henry R Godfrey.
-MG: Morris Garages. Omitting some earlier short-lived businesses, Morris Garages was the original core business of what became Morris Motors. As the main company grew, the Garages became involved in modifying the standard cars to meet customers' special needs.
-ATS Automobili Turismo e Sport This was the company formed by a few wealthy Italians to benefit from the talent who all left Ferrari after a dispute about his wife getting involved in company business. Phil Hill went with them, and this was the start of his decline in F1 racing
-ERA: English Racing Automobiles: In the mid 1930's, a small group of racing enthusiasts began construction of a limited run of single-seat racing cars in the town of Bourne. Only about 20 were built, and all but one still exist and are still actively raced in vintage racing. This was the first real presence of the English on the international racing scene, which ultimately lead to their domination of the industry, if not the championship. The postwar BRM effort grew directly out of the ERA activities. What is BRM? British Racing Motors, of course.
-EMPI: European Motor Products, Inc. Back in the 60's, they built a dune buggy type vehicle for VW, Porsche, Corvair power and are still well known to the VW scene as suppliers of aftermarket parts and hop up parts.
Muscle Car and Hot Rod initials: Many of these terms may also be used on imports.
-Two fours Two four-barrel carburetors
-Three twos Three two-barrel carburetors (And if it was neat, it had progressive linkage!)
-FI Fuel Injection
-OHV Over-Head Valve
-OHC Over-Head Cam
-DOHC Dual Over-Head Cam
-IFS Independent Front Suspension
-IRS Independent Rear Suspension
-FWD Front Wheel Drive
-RWD Rear Wheel Drive
-AWD All Wheel Drive
-LHD Left Hand Drive
-RHD Right Hand Drive
-ET Elapsed Time (no, not that little guy trying to call home)
-CFM Cubic Foot per Minute (Usually referring to volume of air passing through the carburetor)
-FTD Fastest Time of the Day
-FDD Fastest Dame of the Day (I am willing to bet that this one isn't used as much anymore.)
-REO: Ransom E. Olds left Oldsmobile in 1904. The REO company started later in 1904 and initially out produced the Oldsmobile Company. Later in its history, the company switched to truck production and later merged with the White Truck Company. Ultimately, the company went out of business, and interestingly enough, the empty corporate shell was changed into what eventually became the Nucor Company, one of the better members of the so called new steel firms. (We know this isn't really a hot rod term, but it's the closest category we had.)
-Gurney's AAR, then used on performance Barracudas = All American Racers
-GM's COPO = Central Office Production Order, GM's way of getting around their rules concerning racing and performance vehicles.
-Yenko's SC = Super Camaro
-Oldsmobile's 442 = 4 barrel, 4 speed, 2 exhausts. This was the way that our friend/customer, Steve, and I remembered it, when the 442 first came out. But, when I mentioned to Detour Dave that I had recently seen an automatic in a 442, he did a little research and came back with the following: "1965 was the first year that an automatic transmission was an available option on the 442. Later, the 442 was offered with a Turbo-Hydromatic transmission linked to the Hurst Dual Gate shifter, which was introduced on either the '68 or '69 Hurst Olds. It carried through at least the '72 model year. The 442 meaning, four on the floor, four barrel carb, dual exhaust ONLY applied to the 1964 car. In 1965, it meant 400 cubic inch displacement, four barrel carb, dual exhaust. I think this definition stuck at least through the 1970 year, Not sure what it meant then, but I would assume it meant 455 cubic inch displacement, four barrel carb, dual exhaust. The 442 jumped up again in the mid 80's, and it meant four speed automatic, four barrel carb, dual exhaust. Heck, I even read that the 442 was offered on 2 early 90's Oldsmobiles (although I'm not familiar with them), and they say that 442 in the early 90's meant four cylinders, four valves, two camshafts." (I thought Steve and I were doing good to just remember the original definition; thanks to both Steve and Dave.)
-Souped Up The first Souping Up was not cars at all, it was dishonest race horse trainers. They would feed their horses a 'soup' of stimulants to make the poor performer much faster than he should be. (Thanks to Sports Car International for that one.)
Die Cast Collector Terms:
-MIB Mint In Box
-NRFB Never Removed From Box
-NOS New Old Stock, our friend and die cast enthusiast, Warren, thinks of this as NO$.
-NFS Not For Sale
-NNB New No Box
-SD Slight Damage
-DB Damaged Box
-DP Damaged Package
-NIBP New In Blister Pak
-OBO Or Best Offer
-NR No Reserve
-MB Minimum Bid
-PROMO Promotional model used by the dealerships to show customers color combinations and model variations. Chevrolet Dealerships in the early 50's used these 'promos' to show potential customers color variations and in fact the color names were imprinted on the model itself. It was also a bank and in many cases given to the customers. The plastic versions were made by PMC while the earlier metal versions were made by Banthrico.
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Thanks -
Dave