The Dying Muscle Car

The snarling, growling big block muscle car tearing across an empty desert highway. It is one of the most stirring images in all of automotive history. But unfortunately, like so many other good things, it is at risk of extinction. Back in 1969, one of the golden years for muscle cars, you could have any number of choices; Mustang, Camaro, Charger, Challenger, Nova, Impala, Duster, Cuda, Road Runner, Chevelle, Javelin. Nowadays, you have, 5. Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, Corvette, and Charger, with the last two being arguable. The Vette is borderline supercar, and the Charger is just a Challenger with 4 doors. And with rumors floating around that the Vette could go to a high revving, small displacement engine, the list could shrink down even further. On that note, what constitutes a true muscle car? It's a relatively simple formula, you have a big V8 preferably driving power through a manual gearbox, turning the rear wheels with all the safety systems that comes in your right foot. Four-door muscle cars aren't frowned upon, but are decidedly harder to find. But on the safety note, back in the golden age of muscle, you had no traction control interrupting you, and no stability control to keep you out of the ditch. No anti-lock brakes to keep you out of the back bumper of that truck in front of you, and no airbag if your face was introduced to the steering wheel. And yet, I still prefer it that way. Classic muscle cars, you have to respect. Think you can handle them, and they will quickly see if you can. If you get too cocky, they will be swift to put you in your place. Your place probably being wrapped around a tree on a damp road. But for all the negatives, muscle cars have a certain appeal and charm that you just don't get from any other kind of car. And I for one, don't want to see them go. Rising gas prices and ever stricter emissions loom over the muscle car like the reaper sharpening his scythe. However, people who still have gas in their veins will continue to fight for the survival of the muscle car. Will you join the fight?

Why Toyota needs it's street cred back

The Toyota Supra. It is, in it's own right, a legend. It's turbo inline six power, four wheel drive grip and hoop spoiler was a major case of shock and awe when it stormed onto the scene. It made such an impact they're still a fairly common sight in street races, and some fanatical tuners claim them to be the best car ever made. And they've certainly got a reasonable argument. But then, Toyota stopped the Supra. And I can't help but wonder why. It should have been a launch point, a place where they could further refine and improve their original machine. But instead, they seemed to loose interest in the Supra, despite a clear public interest. In fact, they seemed to loose interest in cool cars all together. Sure the MR2 Spyder was interesting, it's a bit of a rarity nowadays, but it was still slightly underpowered and, if I'm honest, a bit girly. And then there's the Celica, which certainly looked good, but at the end of the day, it was still a 4 cylinder front wheel drive car. And just when Toyota was in prime position to bring out something cool, the biggest abomination on 4 wheels was unleashed to the masses. The Prius. Yes, the little eco-box that celebrities love and people that love cars love to hate. It was about as far from the snarling, whistling monster Supra as you can get. Then there's the Camry and Corolla, best selling cars that are about as exciting as a bowl of cold oatmeal. Toyota has gone soft. But then, word of a new concept leaked out, the FT-86, which seems to have picked up where the Supra left off. It even has the same famous hoop spoiler, which is sure to send many fan boys into a cold sweat. It's nearing production, and all I can say is, thank God. C'mon Toyota, we're buying your cars by the truckload. How about making something fun for a change?