This a perfect example of the sum of it’s parts rising above the parts themselves. Let me explain why:
“Bagged” 1995-96 GMC C1500
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Driven features interesing or unusual cars which are actually driven around instead of sitting in a garage or museum.
Driven: 1990’s Isuzu Impulse Wagon
There must be some sort of odd subconscious check list in my head that decides whether or not I like a car, would I drive it, and why. Somehow this thing passes the test. Although it’s nowhere near as pleasing to the eye as the first generation Impulse, this second gen wagonback still satisfies. Continue reading
Driven: Bill Burke’s Land Rover Defender 90
I’m not exactly sure if this meets the (admittedly) arbitrary requirements for Driven, as it’s apparent that this thing can go wherever it wants. This model is a 1990 or newer US-spec with the Buick-derived V8 engine. It’s interesting that Land Rover used this engine all they way up until 2006, when it was designed by Buick in the 1950’s
The Buick 215 V8 was initially offered in 1961 for the “early Y-bodies” which were the initial uni-body offerings of the BOP A-body platform, my that’s a lot of bodies. Due to smart-ass “experts” on the internet I feel I should defend my Olds-loving honor and mention that the Oldsmobile variation of the 215 had several changes to the heads for aesthetic, performance and durability reasons. As a result, Olds heads can go on any other 215, but not the other way around. It’s also worth noting that the Olds 215 had an optional water-injected turbocharged model, exclusive to Oldsmobile cars.
The design was split in the 60’s: Buick built off of it’s characteristics using iron blocks (the 215 was all aluminum) and it evolved into what became the modern Buick V8 line-up and the indestructible 231/3.L/3800 V6 family; with the Aluminum tooling being sold to Land Rover in 1965.
So what’s Mr. Burke doing with his 93″ Wheelbase (where the name “90” comes from) British-bodied, American-powered SUV? Well as you can see from the advertising on it, he gives lessons in 4-wheeling. You can find out more at www.bb4wa.com (no longer available in 2019).
1947 Studebaker Commander Starlight Coupe
My friends and family often ask me why I go to the Scottsdale Pavilions car show so often. “Don’t you get tired of looking at the same cars all the time?” they inquire. While you do see a few of the same cars, it’s different enough to be interesting. You just never know what might roll its way into the Pavilions, and today’s post is a perfect example of what I am talking about.
This car is a 1947 Studebaker Commander Starlight Coupe. I’ve never seen one before and with only 13,299 ever produced (and far less than that surviving today), I doubt I’ll see very many more of these things around.
1982 Ford Granada Wagon
I spotted this car a few weeks ago during a trip to San Francisco. I didn’t think much of it, just another old Ford wagon from the 80’s. I completely forgot that I had taken the picture until recently when I was sorting through them all. After spending a bit more time researching than I expected I finally figured out what I was looking at.
This is the 1982 Ford Granada wagon and, as I have learned, there are a handful of interesting things to note about this car. For one, it was only made for a single year. It’s part of the second generation of the Ford Granada, which only saw two production years before being tweaked with a new front end and sold as the LTD. The first year had only coupe or sedan options, the wagon came about for the final year. Continue reading
Fuck Crossin Over To Them (S10 Blazer)
Believe it or not but there used to be small trucks, with a frame and everything, like this S10 Blazer I spotted the other day. Â Now, I understand that the ‘need’ isn’t really there anymore but I miss seeing them around. Â pretty much everything out there now is based off of a family sedan, which seems odd for a ‘truck’.
Crossovers are basically cars that sit too high with a hatch and worse mileage.  I’m not saying to sell your Fusion Edge or Altima Murano to rush out and buy a beat up old S10, what I’m trying to say is that if you keep mindlessly buying this shit they will keep making it.  Maybe I’m too old, or out of the loop, or I just simply do not get it (or all three).  Do people buy them to sit up higher and feel more confident?  I drive a 4 door car that is neither lifted nor lowered, I can see traffic around me just fine and I’m willing to bet it would do just as well offroad.  I’m having a hard time seeing the benefits of a crossover vs a normal car.
So you want a car that kind of reminds you of sitting in a small truck? Â Is it one of those too cool for school things? You don’t want to be seen in a mini van so you choose to drive a what is essentially a mini van without sliding doors hoping that no one will notice? Â The world may never know. Â Then again, why were people buying S10 blazers? Â Who knows? Â At least they were capable when they needed to be though.
You are the reason they don’t make wagons anymore, and I’ve been on a wagon kick lately.. asshole.
Oh yeah, the S10 Blazer.. I didn’t crawl under it to have a look at what’s doing under the hood. Â I know that I sure wouldn’t want someone crawling under my car while I was in the store, so I can’t confirm that there’s a small block sitting under the hood. Â However, It’s safe to assume that there is and has been one there for probably 15 years, 6 years after they bought those wheels. Â This truck is so close to looking right, I hope they fix some of what they messed up in the (obviously) 90’s.
