OCTOBER 23, 2019

(Thanks to Steve Shannon for these images)
This is the 1965 Pontiac Vivant as it appeared at the Art Center car show in Pasadena, California, recently. This is what Hemmings had to say about it back in 2011: "Herb Adams, the famed Pontiac engineer behind the Trans Am, the GTO Judge and the Super Duty 455, designed the Vivant right out of college, in about 1965, inspired by the Alfa Romeo B.A.T. concept cars from more than a decade prior. Though he worked for Pontiac at the time, he pursued the Vivant as a side project, without any assistance from Pontiac itself. Drawing on his experience as a competitor in the Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild contests, he built a model of his design. That encouraged him to go ahead and build a chassis in his garage using Pontiac parts sourced from a junkyard, including a Tempest transaxle, full-size Pontiac eight-lug wheels, and a Pontiac 370-cu. in. V8. When it came time to build the complex body, he turned to a trio of Englishmen he met – Jack Henser, Harry Kennedy, and John Glover, collectively known as 'The Beatles of Troy, Michigan' – who had been building race cars for such quarter-mile stars as the Ramchargers, Connie Kalitta, Don Garlits, and Tommy Ivo. Adams said they agreed to build the Vivant’s body out of aluminum as a calling card, and at a great discount versus what it would have cost to have gone through the same fabricators that did prototype work for GM at the time. They finished it around late 1965 or early 1966, in time for it to appear at the Detroit Autorama, but Adams was soon on to the next car and sold the Vivant to settle some debts he incurred while racing in the SCCA Trans-Am Series."

(Emory Motorsports images)
Rod Emory has refined Emory Motorsports’ ‘Outlaw 356’ recipe - again - with this unique 1959½ “Transitional” 356 Speedster built in the grandest Outlaw tradition. “Each 356 that we put back on the road is a piece of Porsche history, and we work very hard to preserve that creative spark,” comments Rod Emory of Emory Motorsports. “The best part of my work is bringing new life to cars that might otherwise be destined for the junkyard." The donor car for this particular project is a case in point: a 356 coupe whose roof was seriously compromised in an accident. Because the roof was not repairable, it provided Emory Motorsports an ideal canvas for developing a truly one-of-a-kind 356 Outlaw that echoes everything enthusiasts have come to adore about the classic Speedsters of the era. This Outlaw Speedster’s chassis (and every Emory 356 Outlaw) was specially prepared to make maximum use of more than triple the standard power. Rear suspension was updated with modified 901-style IRS. Adjustable Koni dampers control the unsprung weight, and a pair of sway bars limit body roll during spirited cornering. The brakes were also upgraded to custom rotors and calipers that have 911-level stopping power. Power gets to the ground via 195/65R15 Dunlop SP 5000 tires on 15x5 Tecnomagnesio wheels, which are finished in satin-black powdercoat with brushed wheel hubs. 
The Speedster aesthetic calls for a pristinely spartan interior, which is clean and functional. Charcoal square-weave carpet gives the Hydes red leather upholstery additional pop. Speedster-style seats and dashboard seamlessly combine the old with the new. A 904-style triple gauge with speedo and tach provide a few extra data points to keep the driver informed while on the road. The interior is rounded out with black knobs and escutcheons, a Derrington steering wheel, and padded headrest.  

Emory Motorsports hand-formed a racing-inspired aluminum tonneau cover and headrest fairing, perfectly mated to the integral headrest hoop and cage. Other exterior touches include body-hugging bumpers and an unusual reverse-louvered deck lid. Typical bonnet modifications include deleting the handle and adding fuel-filler access for the custom 18-gallon tank. The period-correct Aquamarine Metallic paint was applied by Little Shop of Kustoms in Desert Hot Springs, California. This Outlaw enjoys a race-bred finishing touch, the iconic hand-painted Mobil Pegasus on the front fenders.  

Reflecting on the Transitional Speedster, Rod Emory said, “Porsche enthusiasts will notice that this build does not wear a 'Speedster' emblem. This is a nod to the car’s coupé beginnings and to the idea that we are celebrating the best of what this car still had when we found it. The '1959½' designation also signifies how this car straddles model years and body styles. This Outlaw 356 illustrates just some of what is possible with our talented crew here at Emory Motorsports and the result is bringing new life to a car that would have been lost to history.” The Emory 1959½ “Transitional” Speedster is also significantly more powerful than its original 1600cc forbears. The proprietary Emory-Rothsport Outlaw-4 engine, co-developed with former Porsche GT racing crew chief Jeff Gamroth of Rothsport Racing, is standard equipment. This 4-cylinder, 2.4-liter displacement engine, fed by Weber 48 IDA carbs, delivers 205 horsepower. Spark is issued via an MSD ignition box through a bespoke twin-plug distributor, while the dry-sump engine is cooled in part by 14 quarts of oil in a 911-style full-flow arrangement. An aluminum-case 901 4-speed transmission was selected for the build.  For more information on Emory Motorsports, you can call 971.241.7017 or visit EmoryMotorsports.com or @rodemory on Instagram.

(Lexus images)
Lexus has unveiled its LF-30 Electrified at the Tokyo Motor Show. Lexus PR minions are working overtime on this one, insisting that the concept "embodies the vision of Lexus' future electrification" endeavors, which "promises unmatched driver fulfillment and enjoyment of automobiles." The futuristic exterior projects where Lexus is taking its electrified vehicles toward 2030. The concept's interior leverages autonomous driving technologies, a newly designed cockpit and assorted other advancements. The LF-30 Electrified has four in-wheel electric motors, steering by wire and something called Lexus Advanced Posture Control, which "can offer a dynamic experience unlike any currently available." We can wait.

Does Ford Have a Better Idea – for the EV Market?

By Allen Bukoff

Detroit. Ford’s big new play in the EV space is the Mach-E, their “Mustang-inspired SUV” (or is it a crossover?), which will reportedly make its debut next month at the LA Auto Show. With the Mach-E, it looks like Ford is trying to hit at least three bullseyes: 1. an all-electric EV that is 2. in the popular SUV form factor, and that is 3. sporty race-car fun (electric motor torque + Mustang spirit). This would be a vehicle somewhere between the current SUV EVs (Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-PACE and Audi e-tron) and the upcoming Tesla Roadster. A fourth bullseye here could be price ... IF the Mach-Ecomes out at a significantly lower price than these other SUV EVs. According to fordauthoritiy.com, “The price is expected to start at around $40,000.” That sounds great – but it’s not clear yet what kind of range you get with the base price. If it’s the full 300-miles on a charge – the range being touted for the Mach-E – then the pricing will be another bullseye.

Except for Teslas, however, EVs are not really selling well. Our recent research survey (conducted with the help of Autoextremist readers) demonstrated that there are plenty of negative erroneous beliefs and wariness keeping most automotive consumers (ICE vehicle owners) from making the leap to EVs. Right now – given the success of Tesla and what other OEMs are starting to offer – it would seem that in order to attract North American automotive consumers to EVs you have to pair that EV-ness with one or more additional special attributes. Additional attributes or “bonuses” appear to be needed either to reel in current EV considerers or to pull people with EV leeriness over that hump. Tesla is the best example of the EV-plus product/marketing strategy and biggest EV success so far. The Tesla brand overall stands for EV + elite + luxury (the brand actually leading with elite). Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-PACE and Audi e-tron combine EV + luxury + SUV. The Tesla Roadster seeks to combine EV + race car (which is how Tesla started out). No one – not Chevrolet Bolt, not Nissan LEAF, not Hyundai Kona – has been able to make an EV-only positioning sell very well, even with affordable prices.

Right now the OEMs seem to be moving their bets to the EV + luxury + SUV formula. Despite Tesla’s success, it’s not clear that this is the best EV beachhead or that – even if successful – it will help stimulate EV appeal outside the luxury sector. With the Mach-E, Ford appears to be trying a slightly different formula, with different emphases: sporty fun + SUV + EV. The much-anticipated Tesla Model Y (EV + elite + crossover) will be the closest rival of the Mach-E and also reportedly starting around $40,000. If Ford can offer the Mach-E at a similar price and range, the racy, Mustang-inspired Mach-E may turn out to be the mainstream EV hit that has eluded the North American market so far.

AE Song Lyrics of the Week:

I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you

I have run 
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for


"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - by U2.