Indholdsfortegnelse for August 1989 i MotorTrend

Change, the Only Constant You loyal readers of the magazine might have noted that this column is a couple pages farther forward in the book than it used to be. There’s a reason for that. I now have the great pleasure of serving as editor of this magazine, after spending a long apprenticeship here at Petersen Publishing Company. What’s become of Mike Anson, who previously held the title and entertained you in this space with tales of his misspent youth as a Southern California car freak? Well, Mike heard the high-paying call of automotive public relations beckoning and finally got an offer he couldn’t refuse. As you read this, he’ll be ensconced in his new office overlooking the same Pacific Ocean beaches he surfed as a (slightly) younger man. Soon…

BATMAN’S NEW FORMULA? Are Pontiac and Hollywood joining forces to turn celluloid fancy into General Motors fact? This Duane Kuchar illustration from a Ghostar photograph indicates that the Batmobile we knew from the discontinued television series (July ’89) may be making something of a comeback. The ’90 Pontiac Firebird will show its face this fall, GM sources confirmed, and what a distinctive one it is. The wide-mouth air intakes and droop-snoot look move Pontiac’s F-car along the road to ’91-92, when the all-new GM F-cars reportedly will be ready. Apparent are cues from the widely displayed Pontiac Banshee “concept car,” an auto show vehicle some Pontiac sources assert is more than 50% of the next Firebird’s design theme. OLDS READIES GM10 CUTLASS SEDAN Oldsmobile will keep the sportier edge of…

FORD SHOWS OFF LATEST ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES With all the hot debate on global warming and higher fuel economy standards, Ford thought it was time to show Capitol Hill it’s not sitting on its hands when it comes to alternatives to gasoline-powered vehicles. Using its “top scientist,” Dr. John P. McTague, to explain the details, Ford demonstrated to the press a battery-powered Aerostar and a “Flexible Fuel” Taurus that runs on methanol, ethanol, gasoline, or any combination of the three. The 3-liter 6-cylinder Taurus uses an onboard sensor to measure the percentage of alcohol in the fuel tank and send that information to an onboard computer, which adjusts the amount of fuel going into the engine and the spark timing. An oxygen sensor fine-tunes exhaust emissions. With a potential for…

First of all, you’ve got to forget all you’ve ever been told about luxury cars. Throw out all that stuff about pillow-soft ride. Trash all that garbage about flaccid acceleration. Jettison any thoughts about spongy tires and mushy brakes. Mercedes-Benz has a whole new theory about luxury, and it’s epitomized in the company’s latest offering—the 500SL. To the engineers at Daimler-Benz, luxury isn’t tootling six debutantes over to the country club dance without ruffling their crinolines. Luxury isn’t a prestige parking place for a car that feels much better parked. And luxury isn’t a 20-mph pass down Fifth Avenue, Michigan Avenue, or Rodeo Drive with nothing but the air conditioner blasting. No. To the white-coated men from Stuttgart, luxury is ground-level flying at 155 mph with fenceposts fast-fading in the…

Here’s an example of confidence, Lexus style. After nearly six years of development, when Toyota’s luxury division is finally ready to show its LS 400 to the press, the Lexus people think big. They know that each journalist will slide behind the wheel and mentally compare this new upstart to its well-established competition from Germany and England. You can’t find a tougher, more thoroughly entrenched group of cars in all of autodom. You might expect the Lexus executives to wince at the thought of such comparisons. The Lexus people relish them. During three days of driving, a small group of journalists rotated through four different LS 400s with varying equipment levels. And they spent just as much time in a quartet of low-mileage luxury benchmarks that Lexus provided expressly to…

The face of a corporate giant has a tendency to look impersonal. Men of flesh and blood are too often consumed by machines of metal. The product represents the organization, not the individual. Mercedes-Benz, where tradition ripened to untouchable richness, was always a staunch supporter of this philosophy. The emphasis, religiously, was on the machine. The accomplishment of the individual was allowed to fade in order to enhance the brightness of the Star. But once in a while, convention was conquered. On one such occasion, 37 years ago—for one glorious season—Mercedes-Benz lowered the veil. Man and machine emerged as separate entities. Individual genius and personal courage were allowed to become glorified. What transpired was history. What followed was legend. In the early ’50s, after a painful ascent from the ashes…

The 800 Hotline is the quickest way to get the best aftermarket products for your car. How does it work? Simple. Just locate the catalog or product you’d like and call the toll-free number listed for that manufacturer. It’s the fastest way to order accessories, parts and catalogs. Who knows, if Alexander Graham Bell had known about our 800 Hotline, he might have invented the telephone sooner! Traffic Radar Free information from Cincinnati Microwave explains the principles behind traffic radar, including limitations that can result in incorrect speed readings. Also, information on Escort and Passport radar warning receivers, which are only sold factory direct. Cincinnati Microwave. 800-543-1608 Kimberly-Clark Corp. Kimberly-Clark is offering a brochure on car covers made with Evolution® 3 fabric which protects cars from damage caused by sun,…

Fast and Faster My compliments on the Flat-Out Sequel. It’s nice to know that American iron is hitting the high end of the speedo for a change. What I’ve noticed in both runs is the absence of the Firebird Formula 350. I own an ’88 Formula 350, and on a trip to Houston from San Antonio, I managed 144 mph before my radar detector told me to slow down. I might have been able to coax a couple more mph out of her. The point is you’ve used loaded T-As and IROCs along with Mustang GTs and LXs, yet no Formula 350s. Maybe the next time? Dennis E. SchoenbornSan Antonio, Tex. Having read the emphasis on speed in your magazine and the article by Jack R. Nerad in the June…

CLASSIC ALFA ERA DRAWS TO A CLOSE This car will end the long line of rear-wheel-driven Alfa Romeos. Currently on the drawing boards as a ’92 replacement for the mid-size Milano sedan, it will feature a V-6 powerplant hooked up to the front wheels, like its big sister, the 164. Testing of key components is already underway. Designed by the ascendant IDEA styling house, the new Milano will bear a strong resemblance to the distinctive 164, with a low, sloping hoodline, teased-back windshield, high trunklid, and narrow taillamp band. Answering criticisms that the current Milano cramps its rear seat passengers, the new car will be slightly longer, its 101-in. wheelbase and 172-in. overall length each representing gains of more than 2 in. The new Alfa is destined to use the…

Lift the hood on the Porsche 944 S2, and you’re confronted with the biggest 4-cylinder automotive engine in production today. Inside the delicate aluminum engine castings, a quartet of forged aluminum pistons (each measuring more than 4 in. diameter) contributes 52 hp apiece to the cause. The total displacement of the 944’s engine used to be 2.5 liters. That wasn’t quite enough to satisfy the Porsche engineers, so they bellied up to the boring bar, then whipped up a long-stroke crankshaft. Result: the 944 S2’s displacement has jumped clear up to 3 liters. And these are pretty potent liters, at that. Given the motor’s 69.6-hp/liter peak output, we’re talking about the most powerful normally aspirated 4-cylinder engine you can buy. The 944 S2 is the mid-priced entry in the 944…

Do you really care about the situation of the big sedan in America? Not technoid Infiniti Q45s or the sleek Pontiac Bonneville SSEs of a sportier world, but 4-door 6-passenger V-8-powered American-by-God sedans. No one in our chain of command boasts much in the way of extended families or curtain-climbers now, but you know that situation can change. The Ford LTD Crown Victoria LX and the Chevrolet Caprice Classic Brougham LS are a natural comparison. They’re the badgered holdouts of a class of automobile that was once a powerful force in this country. Hounded by a swarm of smaller, sportier, and more efficient sedans from primarily Japanese producers, and faced with changing tastes in a volatile and fiercely competitive marketplace, most of America’s large, rear-drive sedans have disappeared one by…

Ten years ago, if you said the word “van,” the mental images conjured up would be of bulky, brown UPS trucks and airport shuttles. Today, put the word “mini” in front of it, and the pictures that come to mind are of comfortable transportation, utility, and dependability. When the mini-van was first introduced, everybody wanted one. Including us. After some deliberation, we finally decided on the front-drive Dodge Grand Caravan LE for our long-term tester. With the optional 3-liter V-6 powerplant (built for Chrysler by Mitsubishi), the 3-speed automatic with lockup torque converter, and a cushy interior that seats seven, the Caravan has provided the solution to our daily “what car should we take to lunch?” problem. We took delivery of our Caravan with 1704 miles on the odometer and…

The story of our feature car is intriguingly seasoned with a proper sprinkle of spices: accidental discovery, hidden backyard garage, cobwebs, reluctant owner, relentless pursuer. Bruce Meyer, Beverly Hills-based collector and connoisseur, learned about the Gullwing in 1970. At the time, it still belonged to its original owner, a gentleman in his mid-70s who had purchased the car new from the Hollywood Mercedes dealership. When Meyer first laid eyes on the ’55 SL, the well-established layer of dust covering the light blue metallic body, together with the spider-infested and thoroughly deflated tires, made for a graphic illustration of the owner’s contention that the car had not been driven for a decade. The odometer, showing a reading of 12,000 miles, provided further indication. Two years of monthly phone calls eventually convinced…

For information on how to advertise or for VISA/MC orders call TOLL FREE: (800) 231 4053 (U.S.), (800) 521 3151 (Canada), or (213) 854-2700 in CA. MT’s MARKETPLACE, Direct Marketing Division, P.O. Box 69910, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Deadline: 8th of 3rd month preceding issue date. CARS IS IT TRUE you can buy jeeps for $44 through the U.S. government? Get the facts today! Call (312) 742-1142, ext. 9767. CADILLACS, MERCEDES, PORSCHE, etc., direct from government. Seized in drug raids. Available your area. Save SthousandsS. (216) 453-3000, Ext. A8198. MERCEDES-BMW-ROLLS-PORSCHE- Lamborghini-Maserati-Ferrari, classics-antiques. Buy direct from owners. No commissions—thousands listed. BENCHMARK, 1(800) 422-3248 BUY GOVERNMENT SEIZED & SURPLUS VEHICLES from $100. Fords, Chevys, Corvettes, exotics, etc. For info call (602) 842-1051, ext. 010. FOR SALE BY OWNER 35,000 LUXURY CLASSIC SPORTS…

The French firm Matra celebrated its 25th year in the automobile business by unveiling a new high-tech prototype that leaves no doubt that good things do indeed come in small packages. The futuristic M 25 is a 2-seat rear-engine coupe that packs a whole lot of performance into its petite 136.5-in. length. Made of carbon fiber and Kevlar over aluminum honeycomb to ensure exceptional strength and rigidity, the M 25 tips the scales at just under 1550 lb. That’s light enough for its new 197-hp 4-cylinder 1.8-liter Renault turbo engine to propel it from 0-60 mph in 4.5 sec and take it through the quarter mile in 12.8 sec. Top speed is around 160 mph. Although the interior is fairly roomy, instrumentation complete, and the bucket seats comfortable, the M…

VH-1, the baby boomer cable music video channel sister to MTV, is giving away 37 Corvettes. Not big news on its face, right? But listen, the music folks are giving away an example of every year of Corvette. That’s right, from the ’53 Blue Flame Special to the ’90 ZR-1, and all to one person. The VH-1 summer promotion is being conducted in conjunction with the summer Beach Boys tour. Remember the Beach Boys album with all the Boys sitting atop Corvettes? Well, the Boys are in this deal up to their baggies. As this is written, the Boys are finishing a new single, reportedly titled “Still Cruisin’,” in which they extoll the virtues of the VH-1 Corvette Collection. In addition, the collection will be trucked around to as many…

For those of you who haven’t been paying attention, we’re going to do a bit of review. When Pontiac’s Grand Prix stole the show for Motor Trend’s ’88 Car of the Year, it did so with a mundane, 130-hp 2.8-liter V-6 coupled to a Muncie/Getrag 5-speed manual transmission. Obviously, with a 10-sec 0-60 and 17-sec quarter mile, the car didn’t win us over with acceleration. Instead, the Grand Prix SE managed to take the honors with a decathlon-style performance that included looks, handling, braking, and ride. End of review; now flip forward a few pages to the current workbook. Pontiac has certainly been aware of the Prix’s underhood shortcomings. A boost to 3.1 liters for ’89½ has helped somewhat, but the real promise for enthusiasts comes from outside the corporation.…

We’re about 50 miles outside of San Francisco, and the Q45 just kisses 100 mph as we pass a line of wayward vacationers on the way to Mendocino. Dodging the odd motorhome or rental car on Highway 116, the big sedan usually needs only a prod at the accelerator and a flick of the steering wheel to relegate any slower traffic to the mirrors. The fog of indecision finally lifts, and I realize: This is a really nice car. My delayed appraisal underscores two important aspects of the top-line offering from Nissan’s premier division: One, the Q45 is an exceedingly competent automobile. It handles your every request with the sublime assurance of an English butler. Second, this is a subtle car. The almost Teutonic lack of opulence means it impresses…

Okay, before we even get started, there’s one thing we have to get clear: Take it from us, both the RX-7 Turbo II and the RX-7 Convertible offer prodigious quantities of pure, unadulterated fun. Both cars will slap a smile onto your face faster than a Buster Keaton film festival and keep it there for at least the length of your finance contract. But make no mistake about it, with these two offerings, Mazda is forcing you to make a major choice here, a choice that could well reflect your whole individual outlook on existence. This is almost a “Scruples” question come to life. Are you a pure-fast gas-it-and-go type who revels in low ETs and nearterm ETAs? Or do you want to see and be seen, take life easy,…

Suburban life is really very simple. During the week, we work. On the weekends, we “relax.” This “relaxing” consists of driving frantically all over town running errands, standing in check-out lines, shuttling people and sick pets to the far-flung reaches of the county, and looking for parking places. After many decades of this, we grow old and retire, and we get to “relax” all the time. Sounds great, doesn’t it? A typical day of such relaxation will find you in, near, or looking for your car a good portion of the day. A pleasant, spunky little car can make the whole procedure fun, while a wheezing dog of a car can make you wonder why you don’t just buzz your head off with your weed whacker and end it all.…

Rick Hendrick: Man on the Fast Track Every generation has its automotive and motor racing guru. Lovable Briggs Cunningham was the leading light in the sunny ’50s. Then came Carroll Shelby in the decade of anything goes—and where nothing went quite like the Texan’s 427 Cobras. He was succeeded by the urbane Roger Penske—a racer even yuppies could love, who wooed Wall Street as well as Detroit. After that, the world awaited the next whizkid. Until the arrival of a soft-spoken man named Rick Hendrick. Fifteen years ago, Hendrick was selling used cars in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since then, the self-described dreamer has been making deals faster than Monty Hall on speed. In 1988, his 30 dealerships sold $600 million in cars and trucks, and his three NASCAR stock-car teams…

Confessions of an Automotive Idiot My last remaining vestige of the Protestant work ethic is a guilty feeling I get when I’m not reading in the bathroom. This prompts me to organize materials before the need arises. Unfortunately, I was sufficiently rushed recently that I was not able to select my reading material beforehand and was forced to choose from the collection on the tank lid. Alas, only McCall’s and Motor Trend magazines were left by my predecessors. I thought about it. I picked up Motor Trend. Yet I soon realized I would have been more familiar with the stuff in the other magazine. (I might not care about Tuna Tortellini Casserole, but at least I know what it is.) What did I find? I’m still not entirely sure, but…