READER MAIL
Editors' Note: If you have a comment, please include your name or initials (AND YOUR HOMETOWN TOO, PLEASE). We do not print email addresses. If you want to read previous issues, click on "Next Entry" on the bottom of each section (we do not save emails from previous issues, however). Thank you. -WG
An appreciation.
Although I've lived in Colorado for the past 45 years, I grew up in Toledo and left at the age of 27. That said, many of my friends and family have and continue to work for the "Big 3", mostly in Detroit, including a late uncle who worked on the first Mustang's design and a son-in-law who works with the V.P.s in the Glass House while traveling the world.
I mention these things because I know I grew up in special time- born in '53 and fed an awesome diet of Detroit's magical golden years - that "grand era" - as seen from my point of view as a kid and later on as an adult.
Your weekly columns have, over the years, re-connected me with my roots and the appreciation of having experienced the kaleidoscope of chrome and color of the '50s, the muscle car era of the 60s, and the rejuvenation of the auto industry through today.
It is not possible to overstate my joy and appreciation (mostly) that your thoughts and expressions have brought me over the last couple-plus decades! THANK YOU and all the best to you and WordGirl in your future endeavors!
Glenn Cincala
Longmont, Colorado
Editor's Note: As we said, Peter will return with a new column on February 5th, although we are updating the site weekly until then. What we do after that is yet to be determined. -WG.
Cold turkey.
While I know the both of you are on a well-deserved break from creating the weekly rant, I do request that you please post your next one ASAP as I am in desperate need of a hit. This cold turkey stuff is for the birds.
DG
Berwick, Maine
Nissan + Honda (+Mitsubishi?)
I've been reading about the proposed merger of Honda and Nissan with the possible inclusion of parts of Mitsubishi in this unholy mess and I wonder if Honda is completely losing its mind? Nissan has been fading for years and I wonder what Honda could possibly gain by merging with Nissan other than the national pride trying to keep another Japanese manufacturer afloat. I still think Honda builds a pretty good product - especially in the SUV category and have many friends that are happy with them. Nissan - not so much - and their product line doesn't have much to offer. And rumors of Mitsubishi joining the party are ludicrous - I don't see any upside for Honda in all of this - could you enlighten us?
JackW
Roswell, Georgia
Editor-in-Chief's Note: To be brief, I don't see any upside for Honda, either. Nissan is and has been a mediocre car company for years, there's just no denying that fact. This "merger" is clearly being dictated by the Japanese government. I just hope Honda retains its integrity in this mess. -PMD
Front row seat.
What a way to start the new year off, with one of my all time favorite rants. I always enjoy the rants that showcase your front row seat to the glory days of GM. I had the good fortune to see most of the concepts in your rant at what used to be called the Monterey Historic’s in 2003, when the featured marque was Corvette for its 50th anniversary. To say that it is a memory etched into my mind is an understatement. The 1959 Sting Ray racer was my favorite, in the flesh it has a lithe and purposeful appearance that very few cars manage to achieve. The Mako Sharks were also there and were captivating for how they telegraphed what was to come for the production cars, and yes their paint jobs are wild. I also love the closing picture of Bill Mitchell rumbling out of his driveway in the Sting Ray racer, as it perfectly captures the era, and reminds us of why it was so special.
KB
Sparta, New Jersey
Never gets old.
Your Corvettes “Never get old.”
Thanks.
MLH
Salem, Virginia
On Nissan and Honda and maybe Mitsubishi.
I can't fathom this merger works with Nissan's portfolio intact. Indeed, I suspect it only works it Honda strips it for parts. Variable Compression engine patents; access to the famed Z/Datsun/Skyline/GTR/Fairlady heritage; cherry pick of the better logistics spots in the USA and maybe priority port queues/access, acquiring stateside manufacturing plants, etc., etc.
But then I realized I'm just a guy from Illinois doing time in the Durty Jerz who has no clue about how this might benefit Honda in Japan, Southeast Asia, or globally. We always think things through the eyes of our Uncle Samuel. The Prize might not be the USA (since all we buy is pickups with BBQ grilles in the truck bed and gun racks on the back). Instead, the Prize might be Honda's ability to ride Nissan's Asian and global networks. Also, that it keeps Nissan from being acquired by FoxConn, or Musk, or whomever is sniffing around for a ready-built-if-not-quite-prime-time ride.
Meh...
CJ
Morristown, New Jersey
Back when.
I read with interest the blurb about the Gregory/Rindt Le Mans-winning Ferrari 250LM. My very first Road & Track was the September 1965 issue with the 1965 Le Mans race report by Henry Manney III. It documented the dismal showing of the Ford GT's, titled "Casey at the Bat". That issue also had a color spread of the Monaco GP (third win for Graham Hill), and articles of Spa and Clermont Ferrand GPs. Manney is my all-time favorite race correspondent; his articles were informative and witty; great reading. This was when R&T had a separate article for each F1 race and other major races. How the mighty have fallen!
DRG
Rochester, New York
Things are different now.
I'm glad you're looking forward to a new avenue of personal satisfaction and achievement in your career - you have delivered so much to us out here, for so long, I believe it's your time now.
I really hope you can keep doing something for the Auto Extremist, but also understand the intense effort it requires. We all support you however it turns out!
My stint in the auto business started a couple years prior to your publication, but I started following you almost immediately as you highlighted all the industry issues, helping me understand that although there were triumphs, the abject failures I saw were real, and, unexplainable! I voraciously read your column every week, long after I sold my store, until a few months back.
That's because, the insanity of governments, coupled with the spineless responses of CEOs simply rolling over and deciding to buy the Electric Dream sight unseen, have killed my interest in modern vehicles.
I'm not a curmudgeon, and I'm not against technology that is truly useful, but my interest in electric cars that can fetch themselves and 2 story walk-up sized trucks for $100,000 is zero.
So, I guess what I'm saying is I'll still keep reading, but things are different now.
I guess I'll have a little more time to fix the broken door wiring in my old CRV!
Wayne Knodel
Medicine Hat, Alberta, CANADA