The Car with MORE POWER

I am a big fan of the hit 90’s show“Home Improvement”. Tim Allen starred as the husband of Jill Taylor and the father of their three boys. He had his own repair show (within the show) called “Tool Time”. Throughout the course of the show’s eight seasons, Tim took on a few restoration projects of classic cars. I actually believe that this is where my fascination with classic, muscle cars comes from. It was the only time I can recall being exposed to such things.

1933 Ford Roadster built by Tim Allen

What interests me now is that it wasn’t just plot filler on a comedy show. Time Allen is actually a big gear-head in real life and the cars he was restoring on the show where in fact his cars. The first car project Tim took on was restoring a 1933 Ford Roadster. This car still causes me to drool. He painted it this amazing sky-blue and was fitted with a 350 Chevy engine ("RRR” branded), and a custom grill.

The second car was just as beautiful – a 1946 Ford Convertible detailed in maroon with a tan ragtop. This baby boasts a 292 ci Motor City Flathead pumping 225 hp, a C4 trannie with overdrive, Heidts independent front suspension, CWI/Ford rear, and a Lokar shifter. It is truly an amazing looking car.

While watching Tim build cars essentially from the ground up was entertaining, I was more interested in finding out that Time Allen has actually helped design a few models for Cadillac. During the height of his show’s success, Time teamed up with Chevy’s Jon Moss and Wheel to Wheel’s Jeff Beitzel to transform a 1996 Impala SS into a black, menacingly fast but also supremely comfortable one-of-a-kind ride. In addition to Tim’s exterior and interior aesthetic modifications, this SS holds a DOHC 32-valve Corvette ZR1 engine and delivers 446 hp at 5500 rpm.

Tim Allen with the Silver Ice TAD CTS

While the Impala is impressive, I liked the next car he designed with Chevy nicknamed the TAD (Time Allen Design) Cadillac CTS. The “Silver-Ice” TAD version of the CTS (starting with the CTS Sport basic package) features exterior additions including 18-inch wheels, 14-inch brakes, special interior trim, a rear spoiler, new front grill and screen, Corsa stainless steel polished exhaust system and body-side rocker panels to add a more aggressive appearance. There are numerous engine and chassis modifications with a belt-driven turbo compressor, a unique air-induction and charge air cooler assembly and a height-reduced modified suspension.

One thing is for sure - if Tim Allen is a Cadillac man, then I am pretty that means it’s an amazing car with “MORE POWER”! If you’re interested in checking out some of the new Cadillac models and going for a test drive, then get in touch with Williamson Cadillac car dealership. They’ll answer any questions you might have and setup you up with what you need!

Hello Mr. Lincoln

Lincoln, meet the new Lincoln

While 2012 was a big year for Lincoln (the former President managed to land two movies – “Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” and the more prestigious “Lincoln” from Steven Spielberg), Lincoln is hoping for another good return in 2013. Of course, I am talking about the folks over at Ford who will begin rolling out their newly designed Lincolns after newly two years of work.

Some of the changes on the 2013 Lincoln MKZ include all-new sheet metal, a choice of gasoline or hybrid power trains, a raft of cutting-edge technologies, and will offer features like adaptive headlamps, a retractable panoramic glass roof and active noise control, as well as the latest version of Ford's Sync infotainment system with ”MyLincoln Touch”. You have a choice in your engine as well. There is a 240-horsepower 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and a 300-hp 3.7-liter V6, both coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a new push-button gear selector that replaces the conventional gearshift lever. Either engine can be ordered with front- or all-wheel drive.

The MKZ Hybrid combines an electric motor with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine and is coupled with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

2013 Lincoln MKZ

Of course, the Lincoln MKZ will have the latest in safety features. Standard and available systems include Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Keeping Alert, Driver Assist, Active Park Assist, a Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support. Another exclusive option is inflatable rear seatbelts. I had not heard of the “Lane Keeping” technology before, but it is very innovative (some of that technology that makes you scratch your head, but in the end you just accept that it works and that’s all that matters).

Ford introduced this technology in 2012 with the Ford Explorers. The Lane Keeping Systems can help detect drowsy drivers and help them stay alert and in their lane. The technology’s Driver Alert System monitors the vehicle’s lane position and can notify a driver of signs of inattentiveness with a coffee cup warning light that appears on the dashboard. Too bad it doesn’t dispense a nice, not cup of Dunkins coffee too…perhaps one day. Regardless, this type of technology is quite innovative and has great potential. Beyond technology, there has been a extensive redesign of the cabin which now includes premium-grade leather with wood trim, a new instrument panel, a multilevel console, a pair of LCD screens, air filtration and a choice of entertainment systems, including a 700-watt THX II audio system with 14 speakers. Only time will tell if the new design will take off, but I imagine everyone will be interested in a look and a test drive. Reedman Toll Lincoln Dealer would be the best place to go and check out the new MKZ as well as the other updated designs in the Lincoln lineup.

Here is a look at the "Lane Keeping Technology" as well:

The New FIAT 500e - Mama Mia!

I am a You Tube commercial hunter. With the wonderful new technology that graces even the most basic cable or satellite services, television viewers no longer have to endure the onslaught of commercial advertisements that break up our beloved shows. I’ll be honest though – I enjoy commercials…for the most part. I like knowing what new products are out there. More so, I like making fun of certain commercials (why does KIA think giant rodents driving their cars will prompt anyone to go buy one) and I like finding those hidden gems, the companies that really nail a commercial. We no longer have to wait for the Super Bowl for high quality commercials as companies seem to be able to do more with less. But with the joy that is the DVR, we skip over commercials and thus miss the magic. That is why I turn to You Tube these days – to watch commercials (too much free time, I know).

I came across one of those hidden gems just the other days from the fine folks at FIAT. I knew little about the Italian car designers until I saw their commercials and did some research.  The new lines of FIAT 500’s, which had their debut at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show this past November, are electric. I am really planning to go electric once our current cars breathe their last, especially with the gas prices continuing to climb. Plus, electric cars have come a long way since their infancy.

Fiat states that its new electric car effectively combines zero local emissions driving and "iconic Italian design." The 500e is powered by a 111-hp (83 kW) electric motor and floor-mounted 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that provide up to 80 miles (129 km) of range (100 miles/161 km in the city), 147 lb-ft of torque and a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h). Fiat estimates that the 500e will boast 108 mpg-e combined, making it one of the most efficient and cleanest, cars on the road.

An electric minicar may never be the equivalent of a V8 sports car when it comes to driving excitement, but Fiat thinks the car will be more fun to drive than competitors.

FIAT stated in a press release, "Other EVs are benign and lifeless until the accelerator is pressed. In keeping with its sporty, fun-to-drive character, the Fiat 500e incorporates a ‘creep’ feature, which launches the car smoothly and assuredly as soon as its brake pedal is released, just like a vehicle powered by an idling engine."The battery pack will take less than four hours to charge with a 240-volt Level 2 charger or about 24 hours with a 120-volt charger.

Electric cars aren’t for everyone, which is a good thing for anyone outside of California where the 500e will be sold. That being said, FIATs ‘regular’, non-electric cars are just as stylish and sporty as their competitors. To talk to some of the best FIAT experts in the DFW area, hop on over to Holt FIATof Hurst dealership.

And the commercial that caught my eye? You can check it out here:


 

The Winged Warrior Rises

I was at the post office the other day shipping an autographed Adrian Peterson football I sold on eBay. One thing that always amazes about the post office is that, regardless of the fact of how poorly I hear they are doing business-wise, they are always busy. Upon closer observation I noted that there were two groups of people in line: those like me that were shipping packages and those that were buying stamps (some to use on snail mail, others who were collectors). I had forgotten that the United States Post Office still created different series of stamps. One of their upcoming series (slated for release today, February 22) is titled “Muscle Cars” and it features five classics including an orange 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona peeling out on the open road. The spoiler on the back there still cracks me up, but I couldn’t help but wonder what cosmetic changes Dodge has made in the last 44 years.

I must say that the soon-to-be-released 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona blends “muscle” with “style” quite well and is considered “the baddest of the bad”. It is available in two basic configurations: the regular leather-clad, optioned-up version or a Super Bee (pictured here on the right) with cloth seats and fewer expensive options. Both share a huge engine with serious power that would bring a smile to any drivers face. Grant it, it doesn’t sport the five-foot-tall rear wing of its 1969 predecessor, but this model would probably fit into your garage better as well as attract less awkward expression while cruising down the highway (my son said the original model was “scary-looking” so I suppose that would be a plus as well).

The “Winged Warrior” will become available this spring after the Daytona line’s four year absence. The car features hood stripes, roof wrap and custom interior. “Daytona” is spelled out on the back fenders, a plaque on the dashboard, and the body color palette is silver, blue, black or white. If you’re drooling like I am and want to test drive one, you best be ready when they hit the market…only 2,500 will be available for sale. Luckily, Dodge has a full line of muscle cars, sedans, SUVs, and more available at such dealers like the great Ken Garff West Valley Dodge dealership.

Green by Ted Deker

The first book I ever read by Ted Dekker was Black - the first book in his circle trilogy and, even more so, the beginning of a unique universe where the future mingles with the past and where evil and goodness meet.

When I discovered that Dekker would be writing a fourth book directly related to the Circle Trilogy, I was anxious for its release. The ending to White (the last in the trilogy) was a satisfying conclusion, but at the same time I was left wanting more. Along the way, Deker dropped hints in his other books suggesting that life went on for Thomas Hunter, the book's protagonist. Green did not totally disappoint.

The story starts off slow in my opinion. However, Dekker states that all of his books can be read in any order. When one considers that this may be the first book one reads of Thomas Hunter, then I suppose the start does a nice job of presenting characters and back story. For those already immersed in the history, it may not get off to the quick start you're hoping for.

The story is full of the actions sequences and world (or is it time) hopping that were staples in the previous novels. Dekker also does a nice job of answering questions that we left hanging at the conclusion of White. What became of both the worlds? Did Justin ever return? What became of the Forest Guard and their battle against the Horde? In which world did Thomas really belong?

I know many people who were on the fence about this book and I can understand why. While this book is well written and full of that Dekker-esque mystery, it just lacked something. As I mentioned, I've found that those who have already been through the trilogy as well as the other related books (Showdown, House, Skin, The Lost Books, Sinner, Saint, etc) did not enjoy this book as much as the others. The ending, while great and something I definitely didn't see coming, left something to be desired. Especially when compared to White's conclusion - there were questions yes...but it really stemmed from a desire of wanting the story to continue. I believe if I had read Green before any of the other books, I would have felt differently.

I'd rate this book 3/5 for returning Circle fans and 4/5 for newcomers.

The Austin Daytripper

A friend of mine from Port Neches-Groves High School has created and hosts this great show which will be featured on PBS soon. You can watch the pilot at this site though:


http://www.theaustindaytripper.com/PILOT.html

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