The 1971 AMC AMX/3

It's surprising to me how many younger people have no idea there was an American car manufacturer called AMC or American Motor Corporation. It's history is quite interesting as AMC battled it out with the Big 3, including the period that Mitt Romney's father headed up the company. In the end it had a sad and painful demise, which seems to be the way most automakers end up perishing.



Back in the late 1960s the muscle war was heating up in the United States. AMC was losing badly to legendary cars like the Plymouth Barracuda and Chevrolet Corvette. AMC struck back with the Javelin and AMX, which had fairly good success. In the middle of this war AMC released one hell of a prototype super car: the 1971 AMX/3. Instead of making something to compete with Corvettes, AMC had produced something to compete with the likes of the Ford GT40.

The 1971 AMC AMX/3 came with a V-8 engine that produced about 340 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The car handled well for its time with a double wishbone suspension in both the front and rear as well as anti-roll bars and tubular shock absorbers, impressing journalists who were able to go for a ride in it. The AMX/3 would never see a production line as safety and emission standards in the US were raised. AMC abandoned the project to concentrate on updating its existing cars to keep up with the raised standards. Only six AMX/3s are in existence today, making them truly a rare bird.

Car Insurance Provider Offers 'secure' E-delivery Solution For Certificates, Report Shows

Kwik-Fit Insurance has acquired a secure electronic delivery product that should support the secure delivery of car insurance e-certificates, a recent report indicates. Known as SDX, the delivery solution has been designed to provide safe messaging in the issuing of said certificates, the report explains. SSP, an IT solutions specialist for the insurance and finance industries, will facilitate the product offering as per the three-year agreement made with the car insurance provider. The move will likely benefit Kwik-Fit’s business profile, according to the report. "The internet has had a significant impact on our business and is now the main source of motor insurance sales,” said Martin Oliver, managing director of Kwik Fit, in a recently-published press report. “Customers buying online not only demand low prices and high levels of service, but also expect electronic delivery of documentation immediately". According to the press statement, the deal has been made in response to a proposed legislation. Expected to be passed next year, the legislation would allow care insurance providers to provide e-certificates electronically with assured security. With regards to appropriate delivery of the car insurance certificates, SDX says that issuing the documents electronically is safe from unauthorised access. The company adds that it will make certain that the documents are tracked en route. “With growing concern over identity theft and fraud,” the statement explained, “software suppliers have been working on making a secure system for the insurance industry to issue certificates to its customers.” As a result of said fears surrounding identity theft and fraudulent activity, many insurance and financial industry experts have become increasingly wary of electronic document issues. Press reports like this one released by Kwik-Fit, however, are aiming to restore faith in the Financial Services Authority (FSA) -- and in other stakeholders in the insurance sector -- specifically surrounding the idea of e-document delivery solutions. “A recent review of data security systems by the FSA across a number of financial services companies stated that more must be done to ensure that customers' personal data does not fall foul of identity theft in the UK,” the press report highlighted. Research conducted by Kwik-Fit Insurance has suggested that online car insurance revenue accounts for approximately 70% of all car insurance policies bought through the company. Kwik-Fit further suggests that business benefits in conjunction with the SDX solution will include better customer service, savings in postage and administration. ”Another factor will the increased environmental benefits, which are becoming more of an issue that for both businesses and consumers,” the press report concluded. “Also a major online benefit of this venture is the enhanced user experience when visiting the Kwik-Fit Insurance website.”

PZEV: the Acronym That Means Nothing

Have you ever been driving along, stopped at a red light and noticed the car in front of you has a "PZEV" badge on its rear end? Quite a few people see the badge and at least casually wonder what it means. Is it the trim level for the car? A special feature? Maybe it's a super-secret type of turbo?

In reality PZEV is none of those things. It is an acronym, one that really doesn't mean much of anything (if you ask me).



PZEV stands for Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. I know what a zero emissions vehicle is, like the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Model S. Those cars don't emit anything out of their tailpipe (they don't even have one). That means the car itself produces zero air pollution. Does a PZEV car only produce a partial air pollution? It seems to me that a car either produces air pollution or emissions or it doesn't. I always learned in math that dividing zero by any number didn't result in a partial zero.

Of course the whole thing was created by politicians, who are experts are creating nonsense. Essentially a PZEV has beefed up emissions controls that are warrantied for 150,000 miles or 15 years. The idea is that the vehicles will pollute less. I haven't found any information that either confirms or debunks that they do indeed reduce pollution like hybrids or electric vehicles.

So why do automakers produce PZEV vehicles? The state of California gives any automaker that sells PZEVs ZEV credits. I'm not going to get into all the intricacies of the system, since again it was created by lawmakers and would consist of too many boring bedtime stories (in the middle of the day, because it's just so boring it would put even a room of college professors to sleep). If an automaker doesn't have ZEV credits it can't sell cars in California. There are other ways to earn these credits, and automakers with excess credits can sell them. But really the incentive is to produce PZEVs to continue selling cars in a huge car market. Any automaker that would allow themselves to get pushed out of California deserves to die.

So that's what a PZEV is: a partial zero or a mathematical impossibility (because everyone knows dividing  zero will result in tearing the space-time continuum).

Stick Shift Nostalgia

Photo credit: Myles Davidson, stock.xchng

I have mixed feelings about what seems to be the inevitable demise of the stick shift. The first car I drove regularly was an automatic Honda Prelude. It ran and ran, but other than a sunroof there was absolutely nothing fun about the car. It wasn't until I bought my first car (you know, one with my name on the title) that I finally had a stick shift that provided much more driving fun. I had attempted to drive stick shift a few times before that, but in all honesty the people who were "helping" me were too busy shouting and acting like an ape that had been stung in the ass by a bee.



Once I bought my very first car with a stick shift I knew I needed to learn how to really drive it. I could drive stick fairly aggressively with no problem, revving the gears and popping the clutch hard. I also knew that driving my car that way all the time would be hell on the clutch and transmission. I needed to learn how to drive a stick smoothly. Instead of turning to the screechy teachers, I was determined to just teach myself. Fortunately I had a sloped driveway, so I pointed the nose of my car uphill and practiced driving it up the hill, popping the car into neutral and letting it roll back down the hill, and then driving it back up the hill again. I did this for hours until I could get the car going without the engine stalling or the tires chirping. Once I had starting from a standstill down, I drove around the city for hours to perfect my transitions between gears.

Sadly I haven't had a stick shift in a while. Most bigger, nicer cars don't seem to have them even as an option anymore, unless you're buying a sports car or GT. I have to admit that driving with kids would make a stick shift a little much. But I really miss the fun of determining when the car switches gears. My Saab had a function that allowed me to shift gears manually. At first I was skeptical, but over time I learned that it was the next best thing to having an actual stick shift. Still, I would have loved to have had the ability to pop the clutch in that car and spin the tires like crazy. Downshifting from third to second spooled the turbo to a fury, rocketing the car forward with a mighty burst of speed. I can only imagine with a stick the fun that could have been.

Since then I have test driven some stick shift cars, most notably a MINI Cooper. The guy at the BMW dealership where I drove the MINI was a little scared when we pulled out of the parking lot. I thought he was concerned I was cornering too fast (those cars really do hug the turns, which I loved). After driving a few blocks he made a comment, something like "Wow, I'm glad you can actually drive stick. Most people claim they can and then they either grind the gears like crazy or stall the engine out!"

Driving stick is definitely a dying art form. I have a notion to buy a small old car with a stick and restore it, just so I can keep up on my skills and so I can teach my children the joy of popping out the clutch while revving the engine just so. Plus learning to drive stick means a person can drive pretty much anything, which can be a huge advantage in a pinch.

What Automakers Can Learn From Harley Davidson

The 2013 Iron 883. Photo courtesy Harley Davidson.

The story of American motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson is a truly fascinating one. If you ever have the chance to read up on it or watch a quality documentary on the subject you will understand what I'm talking about. Like some automakers, Harley Davidson has been on the verge of utter collapse before, but in recent years it has enjoyed greater prosperity.



I would argue that automakers could learn much from Harley Davidson's example. One lesson to be learned is the value of offering some back-to-basics models. Like many cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles throughout the years have become more technologically advanced. I see nothing wrong with that per se (I remember when it was a crap shot whether a car would start on the first try during cold weather). The thing is, many vehicle manufacturers have decided their vehicles have to become huge hulks with tons of chrome (or other shiny materials). It's happened to the BMW M3, MINI Cooper quite a few other cars.

Harley has been offering some stripped-down, back-to-basics motorcycles that don't have all the flashy bling-bling garbage you find on some of their other bikes. They look tough, sleeker and more like the old school motorcycles that are legendary. These motorcycles cost less, weigh less and get better gas mileage. I remember the first time I saw the Cross Bones I thought it was one of the coolest new motorcycles I had seen in years. Harley has continued producing these basic throwback bikes, providing a no-nonsense ride, and people are responding. The 2013 Harley Davidson Iron 883 is one of the newest iterations of this philosophy, with a starting price of just below $8,000 U.S.

There are some automakers who are following this example. The Dodge Challenger employs wonderful technology (like a multilink rear suspension) while still delivering a cool retro experience and performance not weighted down by too much bulk, chrome and bling. What cars do you think are offering this same philosophy? Which ones do you think have lost their way in a bloated bling fest?

Car Myths Abound

Some cars, like my Saab 9-3, can go over 10,000 miles between oil changes.

We've all heard them, maybe even grew up believing them. Sadly some adults are still fully committed to them. I'm talking about car myths, of course. I've studied car culture on a collegiate level, and I have to say the myths about cars are some of the most fascinating things about car culture group dynamics. What really fascinates me is that there is such an abundance of information to refute these claims, but in some ways this proliferation of information has made people believe the myths even more (remember, don't trust the system!).

Here's a sampling of some of the most interesting and frustrating myths. I have to admit I have at one time or another believed a few of these, but then I saw the light. Enjoy.



1. Not changing your engine oil every 3,000 miles will cause engine damage. Oh as a new car owner I fell for this one hook, line and sinker! I also fell for all the additional oil treatments and other oil-related services places like Jiffy Lube threw at me. I wanted my beautiful car to run beautifully forever, like some sort of an immortal machine bathed in a the Fountain of Youth. The thing I didn't understand was I was wasting my money and lining the pockets of big oil companies. This point was especially driven home to me when I bought my Saab and read in the owner's manual that, using a specific brand of synthetic oil, the car could go well over 10,000 miles between oil changes! Read your car's owners manual thoroughly and follow the manufacturer's advice over the pushy "help" of an oil change place. Or better yet, ditch the oil change places and either do it yourself or hire a competent mechanic -- which leads me to my next point.

2. Oil change places (lube shops) are great for getting a quick oil change. I fell for this one as well, like I said above. The fact is that most of these places don't make much just off changing your oil. It's the add-on services these places push so hard that keep them in business. I am convinced that you are often made to wait longer than necessary for a quick oil change to wear you down so you'll agree to stupid servicing your car doesn't need. What really got me was once when I was at one of these places the guy had the balls to come out with a dirty stock air filter and tell me I needed a new one. The only problem was my car had an aftermarket high performance air filter you can wash and oil up again! The other problem with these quick lube stops: most of them do not have insurance. That means if Jimmy, the guy who makes minimum wage and has no mechanic training or certification, forgets to reinstall your car's oil plug or pan you're out of luck when the engine seizes. At a reputable mechanic shop your car is covered for such slip-ups by the shop's insurance policy, meaning you get a new engine free of charge.

3. Putting in a higher octane gas than your car needs gives it an extra boost. Putting in a lower octane gas than recommended will kill your car. The former of the two statements was never true. A car that needs 89 octane will not run faster or more efficiently on 93 octane. Save your money and go for the lower octane rating. As far as putting a lower octane than recommended in your car, it will likely affect the car's performance negatively. With computerized fuel injection, though, modern cars will adjust the air/fuel mix and spark to the octane rating of the gas, avoiding any engine problems. With older cars that don't have the benefits of a computerized fuel cocktail mixer, you need to always stick with the recommended octane rating.With newer cars that require premium gas, they likely will achieve poorer fuel economy with regular gasoline in the tank. That and they just won't go as fast, and where's the fun in that?

4. Four wheel drive/all wheel drive means you can drive like normal on slick roads. This one irks me each time it snows here! I have driven multiple four wheel drive and all wheel drive vehicles in snowy and icy conditions, as well as front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicles. When you're dumb enough to speed around in slick conditions, you can have all four wheels spinning at once but if your tires aren't getting traction it does you no good. The type of tires you have on your car determines traction more than how many wheels receive power, so invest in some aggressive treads, snow studs or chains. I will say that four wheel drive and all wheel drive help you keep from getting stuck in snow, if you know how to use it properly. That being said, I have driven a front wheel drive vehicle carefully through some horrible storms and passed many four wheel drive vehicles that have slid off the road or flipped over.

5. X Brand of vehicle is the most bestest brand in the whole world, amen thus saith the God of Cars! Another annoying one, but again it is utterly false. Sure, there are brands that have a better track record of reliability than others. The truth is that vehicles in general are improving greatly in reliability. I have known people who have purchased vehicles known for their reliability and had problem after problem. I have known people who have purchased vehicles known for poor reliability and had little to no issues. Reliability means different things to different people. Some people don't care if the turn signal stalk falls off the steering column as long as the engine runs, while other people will scream and throw fits over one cup holder that malfunctions. A huge factor that affects reliability is how you treat your car. I know people who just beat on cars like they're a stubborn mule, and they have problems no matter what they buy. If you buy a used car, beware that you are going to have to deal with how the car was treated before it came into your hands.

Somerset Vintage & Classic Tractor Show 2013

Well the first sketching outing of the year was last weekend at the Somerset Vintage & Classic Tractor Show. There is always a great range of machinery at this show, and I definitely had fun sketching. As well as having a great range of tractors on display the show also raises a lot of money for various good causes. To find out more about the show please visit their website:

www.somersettractorshow.co.uk

The eagle eyed of you may notice that I'm now blurring out sections of my scans. This is done to stop people being able to save a clear image of my work. I hope this doesn't spoil your enjoyment of my work.

1919 International Harvester Titan

(ink & watercolour)

Owned and restored over 4 years by Mark Harris.

1972 Oliver 1250

 (ink & watercolour)

V8 Diesel Caterpillar producing 167hp. All original farm condition giving it tons of character.

Owned by Jason Smith and family

Love the chunky grill on this.

Here's some of my highlights of the show:

 1955 Lanz Bulldog
This has a Hot Bulb engine which is heated up by a flame under the front end. Hence the propane gas tank. It makes a great thumping sound as the single cylinder fires up, and the tractor shakes into life.

 1939 Le percheron
(essentially a Lanz Bullldog licensed under a different name)

 1940ish British Anzani Iron Horse

"Major Madness"
A Tractor Puller powered by 380ci Ford Cargo engine, turbo charged with over size injectors!

 1973 MSW 550

 1917 International Mogul 10/20

 1965 Eicher Puma 201

 1941 John Deere AR

1956 Massey Harris 555

1962 Lanz 4090

Spotted this on the way out.