Mercedes Fascination Video: Mercedes W116 And W126 Sedans

Mercedes Fascination Video: Mercedes C111

I'm just as fascinated with the punch cards and behemoth computers as I am with the C111.

18 Wheeler Semi Road Train Drag Race

I think Al Gore just had a coronary.

Angolan Exclave of Cabinda

In its infinite wisdom, the African Nations Cup decided to hold a soccer tournament in the Angolan exclave of Cabinda. This weekend, separatists sprayed the Togo team bus with bullets, killing three.

Angola had been in a civil war for decades. The left wing government, propped by Cuban soldiers, fought right wing rebels propped by-- get this, the Apartheid-era South African military. Funny how Cold War geopolitics worked. In the exclave of Cabinda, separatists fought for independence. The civil war ended, but the Cabinda separatist movement continues, albeit at a low level.

Angola is rich in oil. Its capital, Luanda, is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. It is also rife with corruption, poverty, and bureaucratic incompetence. Both China and the U.S. are willing to look the other way in exchange for oil rights. Unfortunately, Cabinda has most of Angola's oil.

Which is to say-- holding an international tournament in Cabinda makes about as much sense as holding one in Kabul or Peshawar.

Short documentary about Angola here. Go to 16:50 for piece on Cabinda.

I Do Not Want To Be An Early Deng-Era Chinese Traffic Cop

What's with the radar gun?

Source

USF1 Tests At Barber Motorsports Park

The American Formula One team will be testing its car at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Alabama. Truthfully, I had never heard of this circuit before. But it looks interesting-- certainly more interesting than most of the Tilke-designed racetracks around the world. Apparently the largest motorsports (motorcycle and car) museum is also on-site.

Carspotting (26): 1984 Isuzu Impulse Piazza Special Edition

I got lost today. As I looked for a sign to the highway, I saw this parked on the street. It's my first car, the Isuzu Impulse SE. The Special Edition is charcoal gray and comes with these gorgeous gold rims. Classy. It was touted as rarer than a Ferrari. Incidentally, the existence of this car shoots down Hagerty's recent assertion that the Impulse is extinct.

I briefly spoke to the owner, who graciously stood aside while I snapped these shots. Surprisingly, he wasn't too excited about the Giugiaro styling. He likes his car because of its excellent fuel economy.

This Impulse differs from mine in four respects.

1. Mine was an automatic.
2. This one has tinted windows.
3. This one has an aftermarket CD player and is missing the OEM equalizer.
4. Mine had an aftermarket sunroof.

All in all, this was a very satisfying find.

Heidfeld As Mercedes GP Test Reserve Driver

In the last few months, I have talked about Nick Heidfeld quite a bit. Where was he going to go? To McLaren? Or Mercedes GP?

I've inarticulately shown how, head-to-head, he was better than Kimi, Massa, and Kubica. I even tried to explain (unsuccessfully) why he has never won a race.

Well, the rumor of the week now is that Heidfeld will be Mercedes GP's third driver. Kate Walker at Girlracer wrote a perfect and succinct piece on Heidfeld's accomplishments, weaknesses, and current dilemma. He has racked up so many karmic points, this (him going to Mercedes GP) is bound to happen.

The Grass Is Always Greener: Pontiac G8/Holden Commodore Edition

1. Holden introduces the VE Commodore. Notice the single grill and flat hood.

2. Holden sells the same car as the Pontiac G8 in America. Notice the double grill and the two nostrils on the hood.

3. Americans want the Holden look, and spend thousands of dollars to buy, ship, and install Holden hoods and grills.

4. Australians want the Pontiac look, and spend thousands of Australian dollars to buy, ship, and install Pontiac hoods and grills.

5. With Pontiac's demise, Holden is left with a bunch of Pontiac hoods and grills in its inventory. Holden creates the SS V-Series Special Editions of the sedan, ute, and sportwagon. These limited run models, which of course cost more, have Pontiac hoods and grills. Otherwise, they are identical to the other Commodores.

I Just Adjusted My Power Seat

This morning, I lowered my power seat to the lowest position/setting possible to lower my car's center of gravity. Now, every time I sit in my car, the driving position makes me feel like an overpaid DTM racer.