ON THE TABLE

July 20, 2011

 Wieden+Kennedy, Dodge. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Every time I give Wieden+Kennedy - Dodge's ad agency - the benefit of the doubt and assume that they seem to finally get it, they pull their now familiar Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine and come up with such a blatantly nonsensical spot that it has me questioning their sanity at best, and wondering if anyone out in Auburn Hills - and that means you Olivier "I'm a frickin' ad genius just ask me" Francois - has a clue whatsoever as to what they're doing. The latest evidence? The new Dodge Durango spot entitled "Long Lost Performance" is so filled with gibberish and utter bullshit that I don't know where to begin. First of all, while showing dilapidated and abandoned old race tracks, the premise of the spot revolves around the fact that we're living in a downtrodden era that is deprived of automotive performance and that people have even forgotten what real performance is all about. Really? In an era of 550hp Cadillacs, 400hp+ Mustangs and Camaros, 400, 500 and even 600hp Corvettes, 600hp Mercedes, 400 and 500hp Audis and BMWs and 300 and 400hp trucks, we're living in an era deprived of performance? What planet are you guys living on? Oh, that's right, you live in the Free Republic of Portland, Oregon - like San Francisco, a solar system unto itself - where reality rarely creeps into the equation and where everyone has a huggable day. And then, to make matters worse, the punch line of the spot suggests that the new Dodge Durango is the answer to all of our performance ills and that it puts the "sport" back into SUV. Huh? This spot smacks of everything I absolutely loathe about modern car advertising, clueless ad agencies and the marketing people responsible for such dismal trash. Not having a clue is one thing, but to flaunt that fact with malicious, abject stupidity while actually thinking you have got it goin' on is criminal. And in case you're wondering, even if they had used the Challenger or Charger the premise would still be fatally flawed. We're currently living in what will be considered to be the Golden Era of high-performance in the not-too-distant future, an era likely never to be repeated again (and even if we do it will be exponentially much more costly), so, when I see such blatant disregard for the facts, a stunning lack of awareness and such utter cluelessness such as this, it just makes me cringe. Flat-out inexcusable. - PMD

Alfa Romeo. The Italian brand is now allegedly arriving here in time for the 2013 model year, maybe. That sounds somewhat feasible, but then again we've been hearing this for a decade at least. Come to think of it, it will take Fiat-Chrysler at least three years to save up enough money to actually re-launch the brand here anyway. And whatever that figure is, they can multiply it by three and it still won't be enough.

GM. The Detroit-based automaker will invest $328 million in its Flint, Mich., assembly plant to make the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. Even though they won't see the light of day for two years (2013), it's good news for the Flint plant, which opened in 1947.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Our favorite BaT Car of the Week. Check it out here. - PMD

 

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Our "Quick Take" this week concerns the 2011 Camaro SS Convertible. As I mentioned above in "On The Table" anyone who thinks we're living in an era deprived of performance or that high performance is dead needs to have his or her head examined. After just being at Elkhart Lake's Road America for the magnificent vintage racing weekend and hearing all of those big-bore V8s pounding around the majestic, 4.048-mile natural-terrain road racing circuit, this beautiful Cyber Gray Metallic Camaro SS Convertible reminded me of just how far we've come in terms of high-performance street cars that we can enjoy every day. The Camaro SS is everything an enthusiast could want in a high-performance V8-powered fun machine. Yeah, it's on the porky side in terms of weight but the big Chevy V8 is ultra-responsive and performs flawlessly whether just cruising around or in hammer time mode. And it sounds absolutely great with an exhaust system that's tuned to perfection, especially with the top down. Unfortunately it reminds me that we're living in the sunset of the high-performance era, and that these kinds of V8-powered machines are going to become rare and extremely expensive in the not-too-distant future. But let's worry about that later because this car is a testament as to how far we've come in terms of technology, suspension and braking development, tires and everything else associated with high-performance motoring. The Camaro SS is an eloquent rebuttal to those who actually think that high performance is dead, or that high-performance motoring is a thing of the past. It's fast, it's fun, it's unapologetically raucous and it's exactly what the Doctor ordered for whatever ails you. Get one while you still know the difference, put your foot in it, and let out a big sigh as it magically clears your head. And don't thank me. Thank the True Believers at GM who still get it.  - PMD

2011 Camaro SS Convertible: $42,200, ($39,650 Base Price; Cyber Gray Metallic/Black/Inferno Orange; 6.2-liter 426HP LS3 V8 with Sequential Fuel-Injection, 6-speed manual gearbox, Limited slip differential, Performance suspension, 4-wheel Brembo performance brakes, Dual exhausts, Power retractable roof, etc., etc.; RS Package - 20" X 8" Front and 20" X 9" rear flange-less, painted aluminum wheels with Midnight Silver finish, High intensity discharge headlamps with "halo" ring, Unique RS tail lamps - $1200; Interior accent trim package - Black interior with Inferno Orange accents on front and rear seats, Accent stitching on steering wheel, shift knob, door armrest, center console and seats - $500; Destination Charge, $850).

(Photos by Pawel Litwinski © 2011 Courtesy of Gooding & Company)

Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, has announced that two legendary sports racing stars - a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype and a 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Factory Team Car - will be presented at auction for the first time in history at the world-renowned Pebble Beach Auctions on August 20 & 21. The 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype (Chassis 0666 TR) was the prototype and test-bed for the Testa Rossa line, which is arguably the most successful series of sports racing cars in history. Based on the 290MM, the prototype TR was assembled in 1957 featuring the classic V12 engine, de Dion rear axle and right-hand drive. The car debuted at the Nurburgring 1000kms where Masten Gregory and Olindo Morolli finished in 10th place. As a factory team car, 0666 TR practiced in Sweden and ran the GP of Sweden. After receiving pontoon-fender coachwork by Scaglietti, Ferrari campaigned the car in the Venezuelan Grand Prix and the 1000kms of Buenos Aires, where it placed an impressive 3rd and 2nd, respectively. It has  competed all of the major sports car racing events worldwide including Sebring, Nurburgring and Le Mans, as well as SCCA events. Restored to superb condition with its original, matching-numbers engine and 1958 NART livery, the wildly impressive historic racer has won two Best in Class trophies from Pebble Beach, a Platinum Award and the TR Cup at Cavallino, and it is one of only two factory Classiche-certified TRs in existence. With just two owners in 40 years, this car's presentation at auction this August is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If this Testa Rossa sells next month, it will be the most valuable car ever sold at auction in the world.

(Photo by Pawel Litwinski © 2011 Courtesy of Gooding & Company)

This 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Factory Team Car - CSX2129 - was built by Shelby American to full 'Sebring' specification as a Factory Team Car in May 1963. This famous Cobra competed through the 1963 USSRC season at the hand of Bob Bondurant and, predominantly, Ken Miles. Numerous class victories and pole positions marked CSX2129's successful 1963 season as it played a major role in Shelby American's win of the USRRC Manufacturer's Championship, USRRC Driver's Championship and an SCCA Championship. Successfully raced by Graham Shaw in 1964, the 289 team car returned to Shelby and was displayed at the 1964 New York World's Fair. FInished in its authentic 1963 team livery, this American motorsport legend has an estimate of $2.4 million - $2.8 million and will be an exciting highlight of Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 20 & 21 at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, located at the corner of Portola Road and Stevenson Drive. Preview days will start on Wednesday, August 17 continuing through Sunday, August 21. The auctions will commence at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions catalogues are available for $100 and admit two to the viewing and the auctions. General admission tickets to the viewing and auctions may be purchased on site for $40. Auctions are broadcast live from Gooding & Company's website on www.goodingco.com/auction.

(Ford)
A unique “Blue Angels” edition 2012 Ford Mustang GT will be sold at the Gathering of Eagles charity auction July 28, during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) 2011 AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s greatest aviation celebration, held July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis. All proceeds from the car donation and sale will benefit the EAA Young Eagles organization, which has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.6 million young people since 1992 while also teaching the value of hard work, personal responsibility and enhanced math and science skills. The Young Eagles Auction is part of the EAA Gathering of Eagles at the EAA AirVenture Museum. The Gathering of Eagles annually draws more than 1,000 aviation enthusiasts in support of Young Eagles and other EAA programs that inspire young people to become engineers, aviators, astronauts, scientists and innovators – the aviation pioneers of tomorrow. Ford is the exclusive automotive partner of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, and the Ford “Blue Angels” Mustang pays tribute to 100 years of naval aviation, which will be celebrated all week at AirVenture 2011 as part of the show’s Tier 1 event status from the U.S. Navy tied to its yearlong Centennial of Naval Aviation festivities. The exterior of Ford’s “Blue Angels” Mustang GT was inspired by the acclaimed naval aviation performance demonstration team and the F-18 Hornet aircraft it flies. The car sports a custom rear spoiler with vertical tailfins, “screaming yellow” gloss accents, and the Blue Angels script and crest prominently displayed. The unique chrome blue paint, courtesy of Creations n’ Chrome, is unlike anything available on a production vehicle anywhere in the world. With the Blue Angels crest stitched into its leather Recaro racing seats, the car’s interior also features offset stripes inspired by pilot flight suits. Additional unique details include cluster graphics, performance gauges, navigation screen images, safety belt fabric, instrument panel appliqués, rear seat-delete and cross-brace, Blue Angels script in the illuminated sill plates and puddle lamps that project jet images when the doors open. A Ford Racing supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 624 horsepower powers the special Mustang, and other Ford Racing components include a handling pack, performance exhaust and brakes enhanced for track days. Mustang Chief Designer Darrell Behmer, Design Manager Melvin Betancourt and Chief Nameplate Engineer Dave Pericak lead the design and engineering teams that developed the “Blue Angels” Mustang. The car will be on display inside the Ford Hangar throughout EAA AirVenture.