hooniverse

What was your automotive news for the week?

Greg Kachadurian

/comment

Comments

I suppose it’s another one of those weeks where there just isn’t much for me to talk about. It was a fairly quiet news week and I’m in the middle of prepping for a weekend at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (the real one this time), so I can’t go all that deep in search of stories to fill an article with. So it’s another show-and-tell-edition of the news! You all know the drill by now; if you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments. And if you’re going to be at Daytona this weekend, you may just bump into me and several of my iRacing teammates. I’ll have moonshine again.

Have a good weekend.

About

Greg Kachadurian

Greg Kachadurian

I’m the guy that spoiled the site with all the new car stuff. Hooniverse News Editor since 2011, amateur motorsport photographer, sim racer, and mountain road enthusiast.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 64 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

48 responses to “What was your automotive news for the week?”

  1. danleym Avatar
    danleym

    Just bought a T5 from Modern Driveline for the Spirit. After 40 years saddled with a 3 speed slush box, its gonna have a proper transmission! It’ll probably take me 4-6 months before it’s back on the road, but I can’t wait to drive it with a 5 speed.

    Reply
    1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
      Wayne Moyer

      Wait is the Spirit an AMC or Dodge?

      Reply
      1. danleym Avatar
        danleym

        AMC

        Reply
        1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
          Wayne Moyer

          No kidding. We had one when I was growing up. A red one. Most people don’t even know they exist. I’m guessing it was a ’78-80 given the events of why it would have been purchased. The Spirit AMX is on my short list of second cars to add to my garage. That T5 should really help with it.
          I’m also a lover of all things malaise and especially AMC. So I am also jealous.

          Reply
        2. Wayne Moyer Avatar
          Wayne Moyer

          No kidding. We had one when I was growing up. A red one. Most people don’t even know they exist. I’m guessing it was a ’78-80 given the events of why it would have been purchased. The Spirit AMX is on my short list of second cars to add to my garage. That T5 should really help with it.
          I’m also a lover of all things malaise and especially AMC. So I am also jealous.

          Reply
          1. danleym Avatar
            danleym

            https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/08bc744dbee642ad6188d9f9ec892da22dc2a3a902d69eb0ad71f13f7aa87af4.jpg

            This is my favorite picture of it. Done right, they really are a very good looking car.

          2. danleym Avatar
            danleym

            Yeah, they’re an oddball for sure. Low production numbers, only made from 79 to 83. Almost everyone who sees it and even has a guess goes with Eagle or Gremlin (so not far off at all). I’ve had this one almost 20 years, and I’m finally getting around to doing what I want with the drivetrain.

          3. danleym Avatar
            danleym

            https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/08bc744dbee642ad6188d9f9ec892da22dc2a3a902d69eb0ad71f13f7aa87af4.jpg

            This is my favorite picture of it. Done right, they really are a very good looking car.

          4. Wayne Moyer Avatar
            Wayne Moyer

            I can see why people would think it’s an Eagle. It has that lifted look. It also has the AMX Spirit look to it as well thanks to the spoiler and fog lights. Those wheels look real nice on it. Is that an ’82 or ’83?

          5. danleym Avatar
            danleym

            They share the same front end, too. Doors might even be the same, I don’t know for sure. Hell, the Eagle SX/4 was a Spirit body with 4WD underneath, so it’s a very easy mistake to make.

            This one is an 80. Wheels, spoiler, fog lights all added by me. Spoiler and fogs were factory options though.

          6. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            I completely agree. These cars have a chunky, muscular look, to my eye at least. Your car looks so clean for its age, and I like your wheels– are they factory AMC pieces? None of mine ever had those, but they look period correct.

            Here are old photos of my black ’80 Spirit GT (with the 360 transplant) and a rear shot of my green ’82 DL with the inline six. I had smokey burnout fun in the ’80, but I spent much more seat time in the ’82.
            https://live.staticflickr.com/1748/41902507574_942de3f669_c.jpg
            https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49444058791_4cbe022a0b_h.jpg

          7. danleym Avatar
            danleym

            To be fair, that picture is a few years old, and the paint is pretty faded now. Definitely ready for a refresh, maybe I’ll spring for that next winter… Still in pretty good shape otherwise.

            They are AMC wheels, but I don’t remember what they’re off of. I don’t think they were ever offered on a Spirit. I always liked the turbocasts you have on your 80.

            I’m hoping this 6 will be good for some smokey burnout fun when I’m done with it.

    2. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Awesome! You won’t regret it. I only had stock 4-speeds in mine, but manuals really liven up the 258.

      When I put the 360 in my ’80 Spirit GT, I (stupidly) left the inline six’s 4-speed behind it. I shredded that box after about 5000 miles, then swapped in a second one that I had lying around, which didn’t even last that long. After that I put the 360 in my Jeep CJ, and the Spirit still sits with an empty engine bay. Keep the updates coming– you might just inspire me to bring mine back to life!

      Reply
      1. danleym Avatar
        danleym

        Yeah, honestly it’s been a dog with that 3 speed auto. I’m excited for the overdrive because that means more gearing in the rear end, but even a 4 speed would be nice.

        I was damn close to selling this thing. Finally came to the conclusion that I either needed to start building it the way I had always wanted and stop putting that stuff off. I think putting it off long enough started making me feel stuck in a car that wasn’t really what I wanted it to be, and that got to be no fun. Glad I decided to build it, because I’m real excited for what it’s going to be.

        Toss an engine in and start driving it again! You could probably find a decent runner cheap enough, even if it’s a 304.

        Reply
        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          I have a good 304 in storage– one from a ’71 AMC Matador that I drove during the winter seasons in college. It’s complete with slush box, but I would want to source a manual if I were to put it in the Spirit. I’m tempted to instead install a fuel-injected 4.0L from a Cherokee. Unless I built the V8 with a new cam, intake, and carb, the 4.0L would have more power, if not more torque, and the six would definitely be lighter. Besides, I have a fondness for inline sixes.

          In the meantime, I’ll just get my AMC fix with updates on your project. Keep us posted!

          Reply
          1. danleym Avatar
            danleym

            The 4.0 is a great choice for these cars. I considered building a stroker for mine, but this is my first engine build and I figured I’d minimize complexity where I could.

            I love the old full size AMCs. On my “if I ever win the lotto” list is a Rebel wagon with a built 401.

          2. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            I missed out on a ’64 Rambler Classic Wagon for sale here in Ohio a few months back, and I’m still kicking myself for it. It was super clean and would have made a fantastic project. I need to finish up the odds and ends my 535i needs so I can sell it and free up cash for when I come across must-have old rides for sale.

    3. neight428 Avatar
      neight428

      I continually muse on the possibility of swapping a manual into my T/A, but thus far shut it down when I think about the strict $ value proposition. I’ve worked out so many problems with this thing already though, it would be friggin’ awesome with a modern 5 or 6 speed, but I don’t know that I would ever be able to carve out the time to do it or want to pay someone else to do it.

      Reply
      1. danleym Avatar
        danleym

        I at least have the benefit that they put a T5 in a Spirit. Not until 83, and mine’s an 80, but even in 80 they were putting in SR4s or T4s, both of which were pretty much a T5 minus the overdrive. So there’s no modifying the trans tunnel, I can use factory pedals, there’s a clutch master and slave cylinder available from Rock Auto. So as manual swaps go, this one is relatively straight forward. Not cheap though. The cost of the transmission was a hard pill to swallow.

        Reply
        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          The T-5 you’re installing will be markedly better than the factory T-4s. I believe my ’82 had a T-4, which was a decent transmission, but my ’80 had what I’m fairly certain was an SR4, and it was relatively weak. Granted, I forced it to deal with the torque of a 360 V8, but even when paired with the 258, the SR4s didn’t hold up very well.

          In my mind, a modern manual swap is one of the best performance investments you can make.

          Reply
          1. danleym Avatar
            danleym

            Yeah, Modern Driveline rates it at a “conservative” 300hp. They even say that it a very conservative rating. So that puts it in line with any of the World Class T5s put in fox body Mustangs. The AMC T5 was not a world class, and therefore probably about as weak as the SR4 or T4.

            It is going to completely change the character of the car. Even if I wasn’t building the engine at the same time.

  2. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Just a random musing after the article about GM in the 70s last weekend…Henry Ford said in 1922 that their Model T was supposed to last their customers for life (in reality, five years was closer to true). Already in 1923, GM started with yearly design changes. And in 1955, Harvey Earl, GM designer, is quoted to have said that their job is to accelerate product aging: “In 1934, people owned cars for an average of five years. Now the average is two years. Once that is down to one year, we have succeeded.” Quite a vision to work after.

    Reply
    1. mdharrell Avatar
      mdharrell

      The only GM vehicle I’ve ever owned was a ’65 Corvair about 25 years ago. I only kept it for a couple of months, so I guess they succeeded.

      Reply
      1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
        Wayne Moyer

        I’m looking at my ’65 Corvair as my wallpaper. I’m not on month seven. So I hope I can keep it longer. It’s not the longest GM that I’ve ever owned though. I’m just hoping that it becomes the GM that I own the longest.
        As for those statements. The post war one makes complete sense. That was consumer driven America. It was all about getting ahead of the Joneses. GM had 50% of the market. Harley Early knew how to take advantage of it. The cars didn’t have odometers that reached 100,000 miles.

        Reply
    2. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      A lot of depreciation for people to swallow too. Obviously some did, but a small minority.

      Reply
      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        What irks me the most is that economics is about the enlightened person making smart choices – while the current flavour of capitalism is about idiots buying as much as they can, to their detriment, as often as possible. These two cannot be combined without adding other factors into the equation (e.g. ambitions about more spare time/less work, environmental impact of consumerism etc.).

        Reply
  3. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    I just want to brag about my resourcefulness in fixing the kid’s snowmobile – to recap, he smashed up the left front suspension, necessitating replacement of both upper and lower radius rods. Normally not a big deal, but with this snowmobile – not accessible.
    So the upper bolt, I was able to finagle in place after only about 15 minutes of hand/finger contortions and repetitive cursing. Woo hoo! The lower bolt, not so much. So I was prepared to fully remove the engine (I had even gone so far as to pull the clutches) but thought maybe for once I can be smart. I pushed a long wire through the bolt holes to use as a fish tape. Now the fit is TIGHT – the Polaris engineers gave almost no tolerance for slop. Simply wrapping the wire around the bolt and pulling back through didn’t work. So, I tried brazing the wire to the end of the bolt and then pulling it back through the hole(s). It still took a minor miracle coupled with lots and lots of bleeding, bruising, and the requisite cursing, but it worked!
    There really is no better feeling than tightening the last little screw on a major project, sitting down, and just staring at you accomplished.

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      …then, when grabbing for the beer, there it is.
      https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/cddb3606-9a40-4149-a4bb-a23fe749a2f4/svn/everbilt-flat-washers-800341-64_1000.jpg
      Just kidding, that would be me. Enjoy your weekend!

      Reply
    2. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Told the kid next time he’s helping fix it? Sounds like his smaller hands would have helped.

      Reply
      1. GTXcellent Avatar
        GTXcellent

        Oh believe me, he helped – I even put up with all of his whining about it because I had to have another set of hands.

        Reply
    3. Victor~~ Avatar
      Victor~~

      Been there , feels good after a tough solve like that , sometimes the smallest thing can be a pain .

      Reply
  4. Manic_King Avatar
    Manic_King

    I read Sniffpetrol’s tweets from time to time and in one he came up with the idea that VW should create Harlequin version of Phaeton, but with classy, dark-ish, suit-like tones. So I searched. Of course someone has created the classic version:

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8ee80c9a3d5974877d5a1f724e2ac2f24186ee326a0a0e02346a0ba4807c9f8e.jpg

    Reply
    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Too bad they cheated on the hood

      Reply
    2. Victor~~ Avatar
      Victor~~

      That is truly horrid ,

      Reply
  5. Smaglik Avatar
    Smaglik

    Was able to locate a set of factory rims for the wagon for $200, and they came with tpms sensors. I had a set of x ice tires mounted, and now I’m ready for snow! Or, at least icy parking lots…

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/17870a6749c07c45738b9fcb597f2d1770e4050ba8eddf6df14c2efba956db0b.jpg

    Reply
    1. salguod Avatar
      salguod

      This summer I put a set of those on my 325Ci to replace the factory rims with a fair bit of curb rash and failing finish. They came from a 2005 530xi for $250 with tires that had probably a season of tread left. The xi wheels have the proper offset for the E46.

      I think they look pretty good.

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/904653503052e9e65bd295d1be629b0c5079951d685b1874db7d606814cabd96.jpg

      Reply
      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        I really like the simplicity of the design. Good fit for these two BMWs!

        Reply
        1. salguod Avatar
          salguod

          With their wide, tapered and curved spokes, I’ve always felt like they were a bit like a modern German version of the classic Crager SS or the Boyd Smoothie.

          Reply
      2. Smaglik Avatar
        Smaglik

        Looking good!

        Reply
  6. Victor~~ Avatar
    Victor~~

    SpeedyCop is mating a Ford diesel truck chassis , with a 1957 Chevy truck cab. Here he is mating the firewall of the Ford to the cab .

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d256d764d29137d47358536f34c4a8b6cb868735864ed32dbee17fc09888e687.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fcf8e8febcb18794b6cbd8e8b36839514c2d8aaf8493f31e4bef73b72666a3a9.jpg

    Reply
  7. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    This week, nothing of note, but going to the Bathurst 12 Hours next week

    Reply
    1. danleym Avatar
      danleym

      Bathurst is a bucket list place for me. Bit of a long trip for a race, but maybe when the wife and I finally take that trip to Australia we’ve been talking about we can plan it around a race there.

      Reply
  8. Victor~~ Avatar
    Victor~~

    SpeedyCop is mating a Ford diesel truck chassis , with a 1957 Chevy truck cab. Here he is mating the firewall of the Ford to the cab .

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d256d764d29137d47358536f34c4a8b6cb868735864ed32dbee17fc09888e687.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fcf8e8febcb18794b6cbd8e8b36839514c2d8aaf8493f31e4bef73b72666a3a9.jpg

    Reply
    1. Victor~~ Avatar
      Victor~~

      ” Clyde the Ramp truck “

      Reply
    2. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Not for Lemons I hope?

      Reply
  9. kogashiwa Avatar
    kogashiwa

    Actually have news for a change. Got my first ever new car … and did my part to #savethemanuals
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0e0ef4fdd4bfa4ce0da2a5e65fb328ee882f0f347277ec26578e7e6bddc5a798.jpg
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e8568d69196e28fd0c1130c0596051a3764f63452f075157d1db226c85731c43.jpg
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f19adc90f52eaf88dd9b718bff5ae9974f5210266e2ad67eb6c76a77293ad37b.jpg

    Reply
    1. Wayward David Avatar
      Wayward David

      CONGRATULATIONS! Good choice; should be a lot of fun – for a lot of years.

      Reply
  10. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Ad “Jaguars in Norway” – this XE has been roaming our village since 2017:
    https://i.ibb.co/sqTnFXg/IMG-20200126-090900.jpg
    Picture taken at 12 o’clock, when a very foreign object called “the sun” reaches its zenith. I live where the lefternmost mountain touches the fjord.

    Reply