Tatra 603 promotional video

Before Rendezvous, before Ronin, all the way back in 1962, there was this promotional video.  It's got a Tatra drifting, rolling over, jumping into the air, fording streams, and generally showing how a hoon behind the wheel of an ass-engined V8 can outrun smokeys.  And what is that paddy wagon with the suicide doors?

Via Stipistop, of course.

Honda Bonneville 400: Fastest F1 car in the world

If you were able to stay awake last night/this morning for the Korean GP, you may have caught Alan Van Der Merwe test the wet track with the F1 medical car, a throaty, AMG powered station wagon.  Bob Varsha on Speed mentioned that Van Der Merwe had previously set a record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in a Honda F1 car.  I had to look this up.

Here is a video.  The goal for the rear-wingless 2006 Honda RA106 was 400 kph.  They achieved 393.6.  Not bad.

More info here.

F1 safety car Korea off (video)

While you wait for the rain to stop,...

Carspotting (67): Lotus Eclat

I had to run an errand early this morning in San Francisco.  I was low on gas and pulled into a Shell service station.  While pumping gas, I noticed an odd looking taillamp peaking out of a canvas-covered compact.  I was confused.  My first reaction was, Is this some kind of weird Australian import?  Then I though, Is it one of those Lotus Elites or Eclats?  I had never seen one in real life before.

So I approach the three Cantonese-speaking mechanics taking their coffee break.  May I lift the cover and take a peek?  They did not give a rat's ass.  So I lifted the cover and took these shots.

It's an Eclat.  In 1979, a new one of these cost $28,400.  I know nothing about them, but I'll take a stab in the dark and guess that they were atrociously unreliable.

This is in really bad shape.  Pobrecito.

It was last registered during the first Bush presidency.

Foam bumper falling apart.

Chia Lotus.  Ch-ch-ch-chia!

Red the movie: Mercedes 600 Pullman and GAZ-14 Chaika

I'm not a big fan of shoot 'em up movies, so I reluctantly went to see Red.  It stars Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, and Brian "I look like Brando" Cox.  It's about a group of Cold Warriors (American, British, and Russian) reuniting for one more mission.

It's no Oscar contender, but it's very entertaining.  I was impressed with the Mercedes Pullman used to transport a faux African despot and I loudly yelped in the packed theater when a GAZ-14 Chaika, replete with jumpseat, made an appearance.

Here is the trailer.  The spinning cop car shot at 1:40 is my favorite special effect.

Fiat 500 TwinAir engine

Crappy Korean GP track

What a piece of turd.  The bunching astroturf.  The dusty track.  The dangerous divot on Turn 16.  The blinding walls.  Let's hope nobody gets hurt this weekend.

Separated at birth: BBC's Jonathan Charles and Journey's Steve Perry

Are SR24 (Oakland) and Table 24 (Orinda) related?

Early this year, there was a hushed buzz surrounding SR24, a new comfort food restaurant with a classy setting in Oakland.  It emulated other San Francisco restaurants named after European highways.  SR24 is named after Highway 24, a strip of asphalt that connects Walnut Creek to Oakland.  Though I mocked the idea, it ended up being one of my favorite eateries.

Now, a few miles down Highway 24 in Orinda, Table 24 just opened.  It specializes in... wait for it... comfort food in a classy setting.  The two restaurants are not affiliated with each other.  I will eat there soon and report back on my verdict.

1993 Cadillac Eldorado review

It was the introduction of the Northstar engine, not the CTS, that ushered in Cadillac's comeback.  Discuss.