Another nice feature of my voice recognition system is that once I press the voice button on the steering wheel, I can say:
display map display traffic information display tire pressure display fuel economy play "the Boxer" or any music on hard drive tune FM 91.3 tune satellite radio channel 17 display mileage range display weather
and a host of a myriad of commands. Never had a car that actually did what I told it to do for almost every conceivable request. Awesome technology.
Nice try @abacomike, but I still ain't talking to my car. :@
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Saw a Ford Fiesta hatchback with brahma bull type horns attached to the front grill. These are horns that grow on a bull's head, not the kind of horns that make noise whic are available online.
Saw a Prius with lots of stickers. One asks where all the hippies have gone. I hold up my hand like a little kid saying, "I know. I know."
I have this theory that states that a persons intelligence is inversely related to the number of bumper stickers on their car. You get one or two freebees as long as they are reasonable (no "my kid is inmate of the month at county jail"), but after that the more you have the stupider they seem to be.
That is exactly the way I feel.
When I see a car with a lot of bumper stickers and I comment about that to Mrs. j, she just says, "they're only trying to express themselves. Some of those stickers are actually funny". I usually respond that, "yeah, dumb people are funny sometimes but most of those people are just plain dumb and are beyond help. Normal people don't have to express themselves on every issue like that".
The dumbest ones are the ones that have stickers covering their rear window. I know that is illegal and don't know how they get away with it. Maybe the cops are afraid to pull them over due to the fear of having to listen to them try to explain themselves. That kind of dumb is contagious when you get too close to it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Another nice feature of my voice recognition system is that once I press the voice button on the steering wheel, I can say:
display map display traffic information display tire pressure display fuel economy play "the Boxer" or any music on hard drive tune FM 91.3 tune satellite radio channel 17 display mileage range display weather
and a host of a myriad of commands. Never had a car that actually did what I told it to do for almost every conceivable request. Awesome technology.
Nice try @abacomike, but I still ain't talking to my car. :@
jmonroe
In my college dorm, each floor had an RA (Residence Assistant) which was a Sophmore, Junior, or Senior. Each building had an RD (Residence Director). Back then (the mid '90s), the greenie car du jour was a Geo Metro. The Residence Director for our building had a Blue Geo Metro. The back of the car was COVERED in bumper stickers. One that sticks out in my mind is "Vegetarians are sprouting up all over." Now I have nothing against vegetarians, but I don't know why I need to know what kind of food you eat when I am behind you on the highway. The best way to describe this guy is as a pompous [non-permissible content removed]. His assigned parking spot was right next to a Handicapped space. So when we would come home on a Saturday night, 4 of us would literally drag the car into the Handicapped spot. The next morning one of us would wake up, call campus security and say that our uncle is visiting and needs to use the Handicapped space. Campus security would come up and tow the RD's car away.
One day he came up to us in the dining hall and said: "Hey, a few of you guys have a parking lot view from your window, right?" Now it just so happened that one of my friends had one of the last "fishbowl rooms" which had floor to ceiling windows and a view of Lake Cayuga. "Yeah, why?"
Residence Director: "Well, somebody keeps moving my car into the Handicapped spot on Saturday nights and campus security tows it every Sunday morning."
My friend says to him with a straight face: "How can you move a car without the keys?"
Residence Director: "The car is pretty light. If you get 10 guys, they could definitely pick it up and move it."
My other friend says: "So you think it is guys on the football team?"
Residence Director: "You know, I never thought of that. Let me put a call into the coach to see if anybody will own up to it."
I said: "Ok, we'll keep our eyes open for any suspicious activity."
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
abacomike said: Another nice feature of my voice recognition system is that once I press the voice button on the steering wheel, I can say:
display map display traffic information display tire pressure display fuel economy play "the Boxer" or any music on hard drive tune FM 91.3 tune satellite radio channel 17 display mileage range display weather
Another nice option would be a session with a psychiatrist while driving. Just ask for "Psychiatrist Session Please" and the lady comes on and listens to your problems.
Everything is becoming voice command today. If you have Comcast you can actually talk into the remote control. They even have gimmick that you can say a famous line from the movie and it will pick it up.
Example: say "frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" and Gone with the wind will pop up.
My Enclave has pretty good commands that will allow you to enter an address into the NAV. Saying "Tune XM 80s on 8 and bam you are there.
I rarely use it. All my stations are preset and if I'm using NAV the destination is usually put in ahead of time.
"Tune"? See, there's another word I would need to master. If I get it wrong (as I usually do) in the Caddy the voice comes back with a totally unhelpful "help" dialog. I hate that voice.
I have a long ways to go before I am going to talk to my TV too. I think this is tech that is not ready for prime time.
I usually don't listen to Sirius satellite radio very often but I decided to listen to channel 17 (Love)
I discovered that Holly turned into Love after Christmas season was over. I like it too. I usually listen to a Fox station and check other stations for something I like, but Love is calm, soothing, and brings back old memories of good songs without the ups and downs of Bridge, 40s, 60s, and a few others I'm forgetting. Once in a while I hit a good topic on Doctors channel. But I love Love.
The Volt also displays album covers. Kinda fun! I haven't dared try the voice commands. Ever since Siri told me the nearest Starbucks was in Leicestershire, England (I was in western Michigan at the time), I've stayed away from the voice stuff! I'm sure it's much better now.
I have never been a fan of bumper stickers. Why ruin your nice car you paid a lot for?
I'm not a fan of the dealer stickers either. If they want to pay me a monthly stipend to advertise for them, maybe. But otherwise they think most buyers are so dumb they can't figure out that their car is being used as a free rolling billboard. My barber doesn't put a sticker on the back of my head. My grocery store doesn't go through the parking lot slapping on stickers like Lookout Mountain used to do.
I'm with @driver100 on the book. I checked Amazon and it's available, new, for about $70 US from California.
Abebooks is another good one. I bought several of Imid Jr's high school and college books there. Also I found a copy of the Azol family genealogy written by a family member who had come to the area in the 60s and spent the summer researching who was who in our branch of family.
ab, you can get a copy along with a CD for under $30 US (shipping may be slightly more to Canada) It may be used but he has 20 copies so may be new. Looks like a really good book to have for a collection.
Actually he has "less than 20" copies so I suspect he has 1. He gets 3 stars out of 5 in buyer reviews and that would concern me. There is a seller up in Maine that has one, $46 US but with cheaper shipping and better ratings. Would be about $70 in our worthless Cdn currency. Thinking about that one.
Anyone else like to read automotive books? My favorites are ones about defunct makes, like Studebaker, Packard, American Motors. I think it's interesting to find out what went wrong with these makes. I haven't read any on makes like Hudson, Willys, Kaiser, and the like, but I'm on the lookout for some.
Has anyone read any books about designers like Harley Earl, Virgil Exner, Raymond Loewy? I'm looking at a few books on these men, and recommendations would be welcome.
Thanks in advance.
One I wanted to get but waited too long, and now it is very expensive to buy in print form is this, by GM Designer Dave Holls and auto writer Michael Lamm:
A Century of Automotive Style: 100 Years of American Car Design
I can get it in electronic form but really wanted the paper version.
ab, you can get a copy along with a CD for under $30 US (shipping may be slightly more to Canada) It may be used but he has 20 copies so may be new. Looks like a really good book to have for a collection.
If i am looking for something out of the usual I try abebooks.com. They link you up to booksellers all over the world. abebooks stands for Advanced Book Exchange. Started by two computer nerds whose wives had a book business selling books worldwide the old fashioned way....from a list.
abacomike said: Another nice feature of my voice recognition system is that once I press the voice button on the steering wheel, I can say:
display map display traffic information display tire pressure display fuel economy play "the Boxer" or any music on hard drive tune FM 91.3 tune satellite radio channel 17 display mileage range display weather
Another nice option would be a session with a psychiatrist while driving. Just ask for "Psychiatrist Session Please" and the lady comes on and listens to your problems.
I think you'd have to have an upscale car with a credit card operated system for that kind of help. You would probably hear something like, "$150 for the first half hour, $50 for each additional $20 minutes". Then the disclaimer, "driver is responsible for obeying all traffic laws during this session".
With all the gadgets on cars today, how far off do you think it will be for that option to appear?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Another nice feature of my voice recognition system is that once I press the voice button on the steering wheel, I can say:
display map display traffic information display tire pressure display fuel economy play "the Boxer" or any music on hard drive tune FM 91.3 tune satellite radio channel 17 display mileage range display weather
and a host of a myriad of commands. Never had a car that actually did what I told it to do for almost every conceivable request. Awesome technology.
Nice try @abacomike, but I still ain't talking to my car. :@
jmonroe
Afraid of what the Genny really thinks of you?
I guess you can say I have put talking to cars on my "reverse bucket list" (plan to go to my grave without ever talking to my cars).
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
"Tune"? See, there's another word I would need to master. If I get it wrong (as I usually do) in the Caddy the voice comes back with a totally unhelpful "help" dialog. I hate that voice.
I have a long ways to go before I am going to talk to my TV too. I think this is tech that is not ready for prime time.
Hey, ab, it might not be the tech that's not ready for prime time - it just could be the user. Sound reasonable, ab???
Another nice feature of my voice recognition system is that once I press the voice button on the steering wheel, I can say:
display map display traffic information display tire pressure display fuel economy play "the Boxer" or any music on hard drive tune FM 91.3 tune satellite radio channel 17 display mileage range display weather
and a host of a myriad of commands. Never had a car that actually did what I told it to do for almost every conceivable request. Awesome technology.
Nice try @abacomike, but I still ain't talking to my car. :@
jmonroe
Afraid of what the Genny really thinks of you?
I guess you can say I have put talking to cars on my "reverse bucket list" (plan to go to my grave without ever talking to my cars).
jmonroe
Well, jmonroe, at least ask the Genny if it's a boy or a girl - you might be surprised at the answer!
I have never been a fan of bumper stickers. Why ruin your nice car you paid a lot for?
I'm not a fan of the dealer stickers either. If they want to pay me a monthly stipend to advertise for them, maybe. But otherwise they think most buyers are so dumb they can't figure out that their car is being used as a free rolling billboard. My barber doesn't put a sticker on the back of my head. My grocery store doesn't go through the parking lot slapping on stickers like Lookout Mountain used to do.
When I took possession of my 740i last month, I noticed a black plastic frame on the rear of the car with the dealer's name in white lettering. I looked at the "Genius Delivery Guy" and said to him - "...when you pay as much for a car as you could for a Condo in my development, there should at least be a chrome frame around the license place in the back of the car. And while you're at it, what about a sun shade for the front dashboard?"
The response was almost instantaneous - a BMW chrome frame was installed and the sunscreen delivered to the front seat of the car. That says BMW on it as well.
Advertising the fact that I am driving a BMW is not a problem to me - but advertising the dealer to all that pass me by on the highways and byways of this great country of ours is another thing. I get nauseated at the site of those pink AutoNation tag frames on the back of all their cars. Couldn't they come up with something a bit more palatable? Probably not!
Anyone else like to read automotive books? My favorites are ones about defunct makes, like Studebaker, Packard, American Motors. I think it's interesting to find out what went wrong with these makes. I haven't read any on makes like Hudson, Willys, Kaiser, and the like, but I'm on the lookout for some.
Has anyone read any books about designers like Harley Earl, Virgil Exner, Raymond Loewy? I'm looking at a few books on these men, and recommendations would be welcome.
Thanks in advance.
One I wanted to get but waited too long, and now it is very expensive to buy in print form is this, by GM Designer Dave Holls and auto writer Michael Lamm:
A Century of Automotive Style: 100 Years of American Car Design
I can get it in electronic form but really wanted the paper version.
Thanks ab - I'll look into it. If I find a decent price on a paper version, I'll let you know.
Anyone else like to read automotive books? My favorites are ones about defunct makes, like Studebaker, Packard, American Motors. I think it's interesting to find out what went wrong with these makes. I haven't read any on makes like Hudson, Willys, Kaiser, and the like, but I'm on the lookout for some.
Has anyone read any books about designers like Harley Earl, Virgil Exner, Raymond Loewy? I'm looking at a few books on these men, and recommendations would be welcome.
Thanks in advance.
One I wanted to get but waited too long, and now it is very expensive to buy in print form is this, by GM Designer Dave Holls and auto writer Michael Lamm:
A Century of Automotive Style: 100 Years of American Car Design
I can get it in electronic form but really wanted the paper version.
ab, you can get a copy along with a CD for under $30 US (shipping may be slightly more to Canada) It may be used but he has 20 copies so may be new. Looks like a really good book to have for a collection.
If i am looking for something out of the usual I try abebooks.com. They link you up to booksellers all over the world. abebooks stands for Advanced Book Exchange. Started by two computer nerds whose wives had a book business selling books worldwide the old fashioned way....from a list.
A Century of Automotive Style: 100 Years of American Car Design
Bean - I think most of the stuff you'll find about these designers will be in automotive books and news history. You picked some fascinating studies. You can actually find a synopsis of each career in Wikipedia. If you are ever in Detroit, the library has an outstanding automotive research area. I've always been interested in automotive design - very interesting, not just the car design itself, but the marketing, what was going on that impacted the design and squabbles between design and engineering. Two interesting second derivatives are the areas of concept cars and automotive advertising which have a few books in Amazon.
PS - another interesting designer is Elwood Engel
Great stuff, berri. I've never heard of Engel, so I appreciate the mention. It seems like the 50's through the early 70's is the peak of auto design.
I'm planning a trip to visit my brother at his home in Ponte Vedra (on the northeast coast of Florida about 18 miles south of Jacksonville and 24 miles north of St. Augustine) on or around the 9th of February. It's about 300 miles - so I usually stop for lunch to take a respite. He said he would do my Federal Tax forms for me and send them in. He's always nice about doing that for me - after all who better to do your taxes than a CPA who specializes in Forensic Accounting.?
Unfortunately, those pink Autonation license frames are for breast cancer support, a good cause, although ugly.
Yes - they are ugly - but I didn't know they were for breast cancer support. I've seen them on brand new S Class Mercedes Benz Sedans on the roads. I'd rather just donate several hundred dollars to the cause and then put on chrome frames with a less-guilty attitude about not having them on my car.
Unfortunately, those pink Autonation license frames are for breast cancer support, a good cause, although ugly.
The Autonation C250 salesman said almost no one leaves those pink license holders on their new car. They probably charge $50 for the holder, then give the money to charity, knowing they get credit and a tax deduction.
Unfortunately, those pink Autonation license frames are for breast cancer support, a good cause, although ugly.
Yes - they are ugly - but I didn't know they were for breast cancer support. I've seen them on brand new S Class Mercedes Benz Sedans on the roads. I'd rather just donate several hundred dollars to the cause and then put on chrome frames with a less-guilty attitude about not having them on my car.
That's what you do.....just buy chrome ones from the dealer or bring your own. Autonation probably make money on them, treating it as a donation for tax purposes. Same as when a grocery store asks you for a donation as you are checking out....sometimes they get to write it off.
In my college dorm, each floor had an RA (Residence Assistant) which was a Sophmore, Junior, or Senior. Each building had an RD (Residence Director). Back then (the mid '90s), the greenie car du jour was a Geo Metro. The Residence Director for our building had a Blue Geo Metro. The back of the car was COVERED in bumper stickers. One that sticks out in my mind is "Vegetarians are sprouting up all over." Now I have nothing against vegetarians, but I don't know why I need to know what kind of food you eat when I am behind you on the highway. The best way to describe this guy is as a pompous [non-permissible content removed]. His assigned parking spot was right next to a Handicapped space. So when we would come home on a Saturday night, 4 of us would literally drag the car into the Handicapped spot. The next morning one of us would wake up, call campus security and say that our uncle is visiting and needs to use the Handicapped space. Campus security would come up and tow the RD's car away.
One day he came up to us in the dining hall and said: "Hey, a few of you guys have a parking lot view from your window, right?" Now it just so happened that one of my friends had one of the last "fishbowl rooms" which had floor to ceiling windows and a view of Lake Cayuga. "Yeah, why?"
Residence Director: "Well, somebody keeps moving my car into the Handicapped spot on Saturday nights and campus security tows it every Sunday morning."
My friend says to him with a straight face: "How can you move a car without the keys?"
Residence Director: "The car is pretty light. If you get 10 guys, they could definitely pick it up and move it."
My other friend says: "So you think it is guys on the football team?"
Residence Director: "You know, I never thought of that. Let me put a call into the coach to see if anybody will own up to it."
I said: "Ok, we'll keep our eyes open for any suspicious activity."
One time, we picked up a teacher's Isetta and placed it on top of a lunch table! No idea how he got it down!
Hey, ab, it might not be the tech that's not ready for prime time - it just could be the user. Sound reasonable, ab???
If the technology cannot decipher my voice commands, clearly the technology is flawed. At least @jmonroe has an excuse - his car is Korean, and I don't believe he speaks Korean.
This conversation inspired me to try to talk to Cortana for the first time. Recently my secondary PC is putting itself to sleep after some period of time and I have to use the power button on the machine to get it to wake up. That's slightly painful as I have to move the monitor to open up the laptop it sits atop to do that. It never did that before, you could jiggle the mouse or touch a key to wake it up. I was going to follow the screen prompt that came up after I turned it on again for the umpteenth time to ask her why it is doing that. She would not even acknowledge me. So I wasn't yelling at the TV or the dashboard but yelling at the laptop. Windows 10 seems as flaky as every other MS operating system.
Speech recognition in cars has come a long way. That said, I use Apple Car Play quite a bit, too. It's excellent also. Between CUE and Apple Car Play everything's covered for anything I want to do.
Music cover art shows up on the CUE screen. It comes from the GRACENOTE database.
Test drove a new Accord Touring today. I forgot how good Hondas (and Acuras) drive. They've even made improvements since I drove my ex's Accord. The 6 cyl is impressive.
Drove a hybrid. That was even more impressive. Too bad they decided to put CVT transmissions in those.
Honda still makes really good cars. They're built well. They handle well. They are technological wonders.
Speech recognition in cars has come a long way. That said, I use Apple Car Play quite a bit, too. It's excellent also. Between CUE and Apple Car Play everything's covered for anything I want to do.
Music cover art shows up on the CUE screen. It comes from the GRACENOTE database.
Test drove a new Accord Touring today. I forgot how good Hondas (and Acuras) drive. They've even made improvements since I drove my ex's Accord. The 6 cyl is impressive.
Drove a hybrid. That was even more impressive. Too bad they decided to put CVT transmissions in those.
Honda still makes really good cars. They're built well. They handle well. They are technological wonders.
Have you been asked to return the loaner? The Honda V6 is a sweet engine. I love the energetic growl it makes when accelerating with gusto.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Unfortunately, those pink Autonation license frames are for breast cancer support, a good cause, although ugly.
Yes - they are ugly - but I didn't know they were for breast cancer support. I've seen them on brand new S Class Mercedes Benz Sedans on the roads. I'd rather just donate several hundred dollars to the cause and then put on chrome frames with a less-guilty attitude about not having them on my car.
That's what you do.....just buy chrome ones from the dealer or bring your own. Autonation probably make money on them, treating it as a donation for tax purposes. Same as when a grocery store asks you for a donation as you are checking out....sometimes they get to write it off.
And who knows how often it goes in the other drawer? That is the last place I'd drop a buck.
Mrs. j collects for a few causes a couple of times a year by dropping self addressed envelopes under doors in the hood (you're not supposed to put them in the mail box). These places usually ask that XXX dollars be collected. She almost never gets that amount because a lot of people don't respond and she kicks in the amount that is short. We won't go broke doing this but I have to wonder if it is a really legitimate outfit sending those packets out but it looks official.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Speech recognition in cars has come a long way. That said, I use Apple Car Play quite a bit, too. It's excellent also. Between CUE and Apple Car Play everything's covered for anything I want to do.
Music cover art shows up on the CUE screen. It comes from the GRACENOTE database.
Test drove a new Accord Touring today. I forgot how good Hondas (and Acuras) drive. They've even made improvements since I drove my ex's Accord. The 6 cyl is impressive.
Drove a hybrid. That was even more impressive. Too bad they decided to put CVT transmissions in those.
Honda still makes really good cars. They're built well. They handle well. They are technological wonders.
Have you been asked to return the loaner? The Honda V6 is a sweet engine. I love the energetic growl it makes when accelerating with gusto.
Nope....dealership has been silent since they sent all the service and recall paperwork to me, per my request.
But, got a call from Cadillac Customer Service while I was out to dinner with friends last night. Rather odd, given it was a Friday night about 7:00 p.m.
They asked what it would take to resolve my issue before going through arbitration. I don't know how many more times I had to tell them, but I said I wanted full financial restitution. I've told at least 4-5 different people the same thing at Cadillac Customer Service. The nice lady said she'd get back to me next week.
Of course, everyone along the way has told me the same thing and then they disappear. I would imagine if they decide to go to arbitration with me, they'll pull support for the loaner.
My niece is 6 now. When she was younger, she was really into cars - she had at least 100 Hot Wheels, and many others. She also got excited about motorcycles. I remember the first time she saw the fintail, she was very interested in the color, and the chrome on the front end. Then suddenly when she hit 5 years old, no more car interest, all girl stuff now (along with a few video games and her tablet). Oh well.
Here she is with her first car, a pink Mini (I didn't take the pic, so it is what it is):
The kid talk reminds me of this classic video out of Russia from a few years ago:
I remember when I was little, I liked a diverse assortment. MGs really interested me, small trucks like the then-current VW Rabbit pickups, I liked how Beetles sounded, I liked antique cars, I liked Porsches, and I liked cars with a manual on the floor, as the shifting procedure was of great interest.
I am lurking for the next little while we get settled at home. First night was a little rough - OK, a lot rough. But we have a lot of help now at home and are adjusting.
2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
Bean - Elwood Engel was a design executive for Ford. Among his credits is the 61 Lincoln Continental (suicide door models). He replaced Virgil Exner after the ill fated downsizing of the 62 Polara and Fury. He accomplished some rapid changes on limited money and turned those downsized 62 Mopars into the highly successful Dodge Coronet helping bring on the growth of midsized autos. Another guy in a similar vein (working on tight budgets) was Brooks Stevens. Like Raymond Loewy, he was a broadly talented industrial designer. Although a consultant, he is credited with helping Studebaker on models like the 62 Hawk GT and the upcoming 67 new design models that didn't arrive due to the BK. He also worked on some Jeep models like the Grand Wagoneer. At one time he had a museum north of Milwaukee, but I don't know if it still exists. Similarly, designing on tight budgets was an expertise over at American Motors with guys like Teague and Anderson. The more you read on the topic the more names that will pop up.
@28firefighter, At first, he needs to eat every few hours. The first month or two you will be in a fog. Depending on your child, you may have to train him to sleep at night. This is a time when really appreciate any help you get. Try not to worry about it too much, it will get better.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
The Prostate Awareness Foundation doesn't wear a ribbon but it's got great information for those of you of a...ahem...certain age. It's a non-profit so covers all the bases.
Bean - Elwood Engel was a design executive for Ford. Among his credits is the 61 Lincoln Continental (suicide door models). He replaced Virgil Exner after the ill fated downsizing of the 62 Polara and Fury. He accomplished some rapid changes on limited money and turned those downsized 62 Mopars into the highly successful Dodge Coronet helping bring on the growth of midsized autos. Another guy in a similar vein (working on tight budgets) was Brooks Stevens. Like Raymond Loewy, he was a broadly talented industrial designer. Although a consultant, he is credited with helping Studebaker on models like the 62 Hawk GT and the upcoming 67 new design models that didn't arrive due to the BK. He also worked on some Jeep models like the Grand Wagoneer. At one time he had a museum north of Milwaukee, but I don't know if it still exists. Similarly, designing on tight budgets was an expertise over at American Motors with guys like Teague and Anderson. The more you read on the topic the more names that will pop up.
@berri, very interesting stuff. Thanks for the post. I'm a big fan of Dick Teague's designs at AMC. I have absolutely no artistic ability, which is why these guys fascinate me so much.
Bean - Elwood Engel was a design executive for Ford. Among his credits is the 61 Lincoln Continental (suicide door models). He replaced Virgil Exner after the ill fated downsizing of the 62 Polara and Fury. He accomplished some rapid changes on limited money and turned those downsized 62 Mopars into the highly successful Dodge Coronet helping bring on the growth of midsized autos. Another guy in a similar vein (working on tight budgets) was Brooks Stevens. Like Raymond Loewy, he was a broadly talented industrial designer. Although a consultant, he is credited with helping Studebaker on models like the 62 Hawk GT and the upcoming 67 new design models that didn't arrive due to the BK. He also worked on some Jeep models like the Grand Wagoneer. At one time he had a museum north of Milwaukee, but I don't know if it still exists. Similarly, designing on tight budgets was an expertise over at American Motors with guys like Teague and Anderson. The more you read on the topic the more names that will pop up.
@berri, very interesting stuff. Thanks for the post. I'm a big fan of Dick Teague's designs at AMC. I have absolutely no artistic ability, which is why these guys fascinate me so much.
+1
Some of those early car people must have very interesting stories. Hundreds or maybe 1000s of makes and only a fraction survived. I still like the fact Daimler let a guy race his cars, the guy had a daughter by the name of Mercedes, so he called one of his super racing models a Mercedes-that became very successful. I am so glad, otherwise I would be driving a Daimler.
Is there a joke I'm missing? I looked up the word and it doesn't seem to apply. .
Oh boy, was i too subtle? I was being sarcastic about the politically correctness of supporting cancer research for women and not one for men which actually kills more people. Why indeed isn't there a license plate bracket for prostate cancer? I assumed the Kramer ribbon analogy would make the point.
If you think I was insensitive I apologize.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Comments
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
When I see a car with a lot of bumper stickers and I comment about that to Mrs. j, she just says, "they're only trying to express themselves. Some of those stickers are actually funny". I usually respond that, "yeah, dumb people are funny sometimes but most of those people are just plain dumb and are beyond help. Normal people don't have to express themselves on every issue like that".
The dumbest ones are the ones that have stickers covering their rear window. I know that is illegal and don't know how they get away with it. Maybe the cops are afraid to pull them over due to the fear of having to listen to them try to explain themselves. That kind of dumb is contagious when you get too close to it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
In my college dorm, each floor had an RA (Residence Assistant) which was a Sophmore, Junior, or Senior. Each building had an RD (Residence Director). Back then (the mid '90s), the greenie car du jour was a Geo Metro. The Residence Director for our building had a Blue Geo Metro. The back of the car was COVERED in bumper stickers. One that sticks out in my mind is "Vegetarians are sprouting up all over." Now I have nothing against vegetarians, but I don't know why I need to know what kind of food you eat when I am behind you on the highway. The best way to describe this guy is as a pompous [non-permissible content removed]. His assigned parking spot was right next to a Handicapped space. So when we would come home on a Saturday night, 4 of us would literally drag the car into the Handicapped spot. The next morning one of us would wake up, call campus security and say that our uncle is visiting and needs to use the Handicapped space. Campus security would come up and tow the RD's car away.
One day he came up to us in the dining hall and said: "Hey, a few of you guys have a parking lot view from your window, right?" Now it just so happened that one of my friends had one of the last "fishbowl rooms" which had floor to ceiling windows and a view of Lake Cayuga. "Yeah, why?"
Residence Director: "Well, somebody keeps moving my car into the Handicapped spot on Saturday nights and campus security tows it every Sunday morning."
My friend says to him with a straight face: "How can you move a car without the keys?"
Residence Director: "The car is pretty light. If you get 10 guys, they could definitely pick it up and move it."
My other friend says: "So you think it is guys on the football team?"
Residence Director: "You know, I never thought of that. Let me put a call into the coach to see if anybody will own up to it."
I said: "Ok, we'll keep our eyes open for any suspicious activity."
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Another nice feature of my voice recognition system is that once I press the voice button on the steering wheel, I can say:
display map
display traffic information
display tire pressure
display fuel economy
play "the Boxer" or any music on hard drive
tune FM 91.3
tune satellite radio channel 17
display mileage range
display weather
Another nice option would be a session with a psychiatrist while driving. Just ask for "Psychiatrist Session Please" and the lady comes on and listens to your problems.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Example: say "frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" and Gone with the wind will pop up.
My Enclave has pretty good commands that will allow you to enter an address into the NAV. Saying "Tune XM 80s on 8 and bam you are there.
I rarely use it. All my stations are preset and if I'm using NAV the destination is usually put in ahead of time.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I have a long ways to go before I am going to talk to my TV too. I think this is tech that is not ready for prime time.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Abebooks is another good one. I bought several of Imid Jr's high school and college books there. Also I found a copy of the Azol family genealogy written by a family member who had come to the area in the 60s and spent the summer researching who was who in our branch of family.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
With all the gadgets on cars today, how far off do you think it will be for that option to appear?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I guess you can say I have put talking to cars on my "reverse bucket list" (plan to go to my grave without ever talking to my cars).
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
jmonroe
Well, jmonroe, at least ask the Genny if it's a boy or a girl - you might be surprised at the answer!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
The response was almost instantaneous - a BMW chrome frame was installed and the sunscreen delivered to the front seat of the car. That says BMW on it as well.
Advertising the fact that I am driving a BMW is not a problem to me - but advertising the dealer to all that pass me by on the highways and byways of this great country of ours is another thing. I get nauseated at the site of those pink AutoNation tag frames on the back of all their cars. Couldn't they come up with something a bit more palatable? Probably not!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
This conversation inspired me to try to talk to Cortana for the first time. Recently my secondary PC is putting itself to sleep after some period of time and I have to use the power button on the machine to get it to wake up. That's slightly painful as I have to move the monitor to open up the laptop it sits atop to do that. It never did that before, you could jiggle the mouse or touch a key to wake it up. I was going to follow the screen prompt that came up after I turned it on again for the umpteenth time to ask her why it is doing that. She would not even acknowledge me. So I wasn't yelling at the TV or the dashboard but yelling at the laptop. Windows 10 seems as flaky as every other MS operating system.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Music cover art shows up on the CUE screen. It comes from the GRACENOTE database.
Test drove a new Accord Touring today. I forgot how good Hondas (and Acuras) drive. They've even made improvements since I drove my ex's Accord. The 6 cyl is impressive.
Drove a hybrid. That was even more impressive. Too bad they decided to put CVT transmissions in those.
Honda still makes really good cars. They're built well. They handle well. They are technological wonders.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Mrs. j collects for a few causes a couple of times a year by dropping self addressed envelopes under doors in the hood (you're not supposed to put them in the mail box). These places usually ask that XXX dollars be collected. She almost never gets that amount because a lot of people don't respond and she kicks in the amount that is short. We won't go broke doing this but I have to wonder if it is a really legitimate outfit sending those packets out but it looks official.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
But, got a call from Cadillac Customer Service while I was out to dinner with friends last night. Rather odd, given it was a Friday night about 7:00 p.m.
They asked what it would take to resolve my issue before going through arbitration. I don't know how many more times I had to tell them, but I said I wanted full financial restitution. I've told at least 4-5 different people the same thing at Cadillac Customer Service. The nice lady said she'd get back to me next week.
Of course, everyone along the way has told me the same thing and then they disappear. I would imagine if they decide to go to arbitration with me, they'll pull support for the loaner.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I am lurking for the next little while we get settled at home. First night was a little rough - OK, a lot rough. But we have a lot of help now at home and are adjusting.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
At first, he needs to eat every few hours.
The first month or two you will be in a fog.
Depending on your child, you may have to train him to sleep at night.
This is a time when really appreciate any help you get.
Try not to worry about it too much, it will get better.
to apply. .
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
+1
Some of those early car people must have very interesting stories. Hundreds or maybe 1000s of makes and only a fraction survived.
I still like the fact Daimler let a guy race his cars, the guy had a daughter by the name of Mercedes, so he called one of his super racing models a Mercedes-that became very successful. I am so glad, otherwise I would be driving a Daimler.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
If you think I was insensitive I apologize.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible