Category: Drive Time
RFI: Sport Fury
Okay, I need some Murkin aficionado to ‘splain this one to me. It’s a 1963 Plymouth Sport Fury:
The engine is 512 c.i., and creates 656 hp with 662 ft-lbs of torque, while the rev counter goes up to 9,500rpm, all of which seems stratospheric for a car of this vintage.
The questions flow thick and fast, e.g. why did this beast not take over the world, did it ever race and win everything it raced in, etc.
All educated comments welcome.
Expensive Toy #2,350 – Auto Division
Reader Mike S. sends me something about a car which lists the pros and cons of ownership thus:
Well, with all those, can the name “Morgan” be far behind?
So far, all good. But wait! What is this foul wart on a pretty girl’s face?
According to the article though, they will be available with a stick shift, as the Lord intended.
And yes: $100,000 is a lot of moolah for something that’s at best a once-a-month drive (weather permitting). But then again, I know men for whom marriage is similar (costly, with only an occasional ride), and we don’t look down on them now, do we?
The big question is: is this new Morgan a lottery car, or could one get a better toy for a hundred grand? Thoughts in Comments, with the usual caveats (i.e. I don’t want to hear from the Toyota HiLux Brigade; we’re talking playthings).
Well There Ya Go (Part 2)
All-electric, huh? Wasn’t that the call not even a year ago? Looks like somebody may be having a change of heart:
Jaguar is reportedly considering performing a dramatic U-turn on its plans to become an exclusively electric car maker, according to reports.
Sources close to the project told the Sunday Times that bosses have instructed engineers in the UK to develop a new petrol-electric hybrid engine it can offer as an alternative option to customers in what would be a significant one eighty on its all-electric rebrand.
The ‘secret initiative’ is part of efforts to ‘soothe drivers’ concerns’ about range anxiety amid a slowdown in EV demand across several major markets, which has already triggered a number of manufacturers to delay their own plans to go all in on battery-powered cars.
And you can all stop that derisive laughter now, okay?
Well, There Ya Go
That wasn’t so hard now, was it?
General Motors has announced that production of the newly updated 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV will end after approximately 18 months to make way for a gas-powered Buick crossover at its Kansas manufacturing facility.
Inside EVs reports that General Motors has confirmed plans to discontinue production of the heavily updated 2027 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle after a limited production run of about one and a half years. The decision will allow the automaker to repurpose its Fairfax, Kansas, factory for manufacturing the Buick Envision, a gas-powered crossover currently built in China that will be reshored to the United States.
Could it be that the Duracell Envision is getting undercut in the CCP market because of the subsidized price of their competitor? I have no idea, although I wouldn’t bet against it. Here’s what I do know:
The decision to move Envision production to Kansas represents a strategic response to trade policy pressures while the company also prepares to relocate gas-powered Equinox production from Mexico to Kansas in 2027.
The automaker faces pressure from the Trump administration to increase domestic manufacturing, particularly affecting vehicles like the China-built Buick Envision, which is exposed to tariff-related concerns. Meanwhile, the Bolt has been impacted by the loss of the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs, reducing its competitive advantage in the marketplace. With relaxed fuel economy regulations, GM sees less business justification for the electric vehicle compared to a gas-powered crossover that offers higher profit margins.
So for once, GM is doing the Right Thing, albeit only after having a Trump-sized cattle prod rammed up their corporate ass.
And as for that “no gas-powered cars after 2030” or whatever, let that remain in the fevered (and stupid) dreams of the Greenies and Californian state government [some overlap] while we sensible people get on with our lives and drive proper cars.
Right Direction?
Okay, maybe it’s not all doom ‘n gloom on the automotive front:
A legendary British muscle car, which went out of production 50 years ago, is set to be reborn as a luxury model for the 21st century – and it won’t be powered by batteries and electric motors.
The returning classic will be built near Oxford and powered by a V8 petrol engine, bosses behind the new project promise.
Banbury-based car firm Jensen International Automotive (JIA) on Wednesday confirmed that its ‘all-new, ultra-high-performance, luxury Grand Tourer’ will arrive this year.
And from the single teaser image shown, the new car is set to follow in the tyre tracks of the iconic Jensen Interceptor, with a two-door shooting brake silhouette.
Here’s the teaser pic:
Of course, that looks nothing like the old Jensen, more’s the pity:
…but at least they’re adhering somewhat to the Jensen formula of “British styling, American engine”, opting for the Corvette 6.2-liter V8 instead of the Chrysler 6.3-liter. This way, they can call on 495hp compared to the older engine’s 250hp (anemic by today’s standards, but quite astonishing in its day).
From the looks of things, their target market would be… one-time Jaguar drivers.
Now tell me that didn’t push the needle of the old Irony Meter off the scale.