April 2012 - Page 2 of 3

I’m a 42 year old Australian male and I love Prince

Or…..A 20+ year journey with a guy who looks and sounds like a poof*.

1987 has a lot to answer for. Well, maybe it’s just the 1987 version of me that has a lot to answer for. I was 17 years old and militant in my attitude towards anything I didn’t like and if it wasn’t loud, hard and metallic, there was a very good chance that 1987-me wasn’t into it.

In 1987 I was a long-haired wannabe guitar player who had a hard time accepting that anything not involving a hammer-on guitar solo was real music. Eddie Van Halen and Yngwie Malmsteen were gods and as soon as I got a car in early 1988, it became a rolling church, blaring their hymns at maximum volume wherever I went. I used to have a 25km commute to work and I can remember winding down all four windows in my LJ Torana and having the music up so loud that I couldn’t hear the traffic around me. Yes, I was that guy.

It was around 1987 that I first met a certain guy who just happened to be a Prince fan. It was three years after Purple Rain, but he still wore the T-Shirt from the film at every opportunity and of course, I gave him heaps for it. Let’s just say that with all the frilly shirts, the heels and the high-pitched singing, Prince wasn’t regarded as much of a man’s man in suburban Melbourne. The recipient of my mostly good-natured derision was much nicer about it than I would have been, taking my constant ribbing in his stride and turning out to be a very decent guy in response to my constant asshattery.

A potential conflict of interest arose in 1989. My favourite superhero of all time, Batman, was the subject of a new feature film. I didn’t know it when I arrived at the movie theatre, but the soundtrack to the movie was written and performed by Prince – and I loved it. Thus began what was for me a minor personal cultural revolution, one that would later see me accepting all sorts of things that 1987-me would have considered rather ‘poncy’ – like European cars, for instance.

It was a guitar solo that got the ball rolling. Skip ahead to 2:20….

Who knew that Prince could play the guitar like that? Well, aside from all the people who weren’t boof-headed, loudmouth idiots like me. If I’d actually seen Purple Rain back in 1984, I would have known that Prince had significant guitar chops. But I didn’t. I preferred to base my opinion on how the guy dressed.

Continue reading I’m a 42 year old Australian male and I love Prince

My 2012 Automotive Bucket List

I love buying (and driving) cars and there seems to be no end to the list of cars I’d like to own at some stage in my life. Accordingly, here’s a list of the cars that keep my mind ticking over, cars that get my motor running and keep me motivated, planning and scheming.

I’ve called this my 2012 list because it seems like a few cars drop off my radar every year, only to be replaced with new shiny objects that pique my interest for one reason or another. None of them present a particularly urgent case but they’re all things I’d like to own at some stage.

Some loose criteria that I considered….

I am not a wealthy man so none of these cars should be crazy expensive. All should present a reasonable proposition for purchase at some time over the next 25 years or so. This is a bucket list, remember.

Most of the cars on this list will be ‘second cars’ rather than daily drivers.

The cars shown in the photos (click to enlarge) are all available for sale right now, at the prices mentioned. In no particular order:

Subaru Brumby

The car I’m most likely going to buy next, to be used as both a daily driver and weekend load lugger. The Brumby (or Brat as it was known in US) is known for its longevity and versatility. Good examples don’t cost much, are still sought after and hold their value pretty well.

I’m more likely to get one like the example at the rear, but the one at the front is selling for $5.5K right now.

Continue reading My 2012 Automotive Bucket List

Postscript to the Lotus press release disaster

Some people think that I used to carry on too much about the poor and often unjustified press coverage that Saab received and how it would effect the public’s confidence in what Saab were trying to do. And those complaints were often during what were comparatively good times, just after the sale from GM.

The aftermath of Lotus’ press release disaster has seen CAR Magazine take a look at the persistent press that preceded the company’s very unfortunate statement.

…..at the merest hint of trouble the naysayers are on the case, speculating wildly about a calamitous end, pouring ill-considered fuel onto the fire. Now don’t get me wrong: as journalists it’s our job to dig out the facts and not to shy away from bad news; but what these stories are doing is effectively hastening any slide. If Lotus IS clinging on by its metaphorical fingertips, the current media frenzy is stamping on its fingers.

The reason this matters is all about confidence. Once potential customers catch the whiff of trouble they put their chequebooks away. And once the fire is alight it’s desperately hard to extinguish. Perception IS reality; rumours become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Who’s going to make the second-biggest purchase of their life from a company that might not be around to supply parts and servicing and honour warranties? Ask Saab.

Lotus’ public statement today was a mistake and a disaster, but I hope the circumstances that led to it subside soon (i.e. the media speculation, not the Sniff Petrol joke).

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As a postscript to the postscript, let me also share this. It’s from my article earlier today….

With regard to Lotus, I can’t think of a single motoring journalist worth their salt who sincerely wishes them harm. I can think of a few who enjoy the opportunity to take a sensationalist stab at them in order to further their own publishing efforts. They’re akin to those who would stop and take a photo at a car crash. But anyone seriously into cars would want to see Lotus succeed into the future. Some may not have much faith in current management, but they want Lotus to hang in there and succeed.

Again a comment on the subject from the CAR Magazine article:

Anyone who loves cars should love Lotus, and every motoring journalist I have ever met has had at the very least a soft spot for the brand and a fond memory or two tucked away.

As already mentioned, I hope they can get over this the best way a car company can – by delivering great product.

The Lotus Press Release disaster

Just in case you missed the black and gold train wreck in the last 24 hours…..

Lotus are under pressure. The Five Year Plan from the 2010 Paris Motor Show didn’t resonate that well with a public that preferred the idea of one or two brilliant cars over what many saw as a pipe dream of five new upmarket cars in five years.

The Malaysian government recently sold its 43% stake in Lotus’ corporate parent, Proton. Perhaps understandably, there’s now a bit of conjecture out there as to what the new owner’s plans for Lotus will be. Questionable ownership stability/support and unheralded vehicle planning are not happy bed partners, as I’m sure any Saab fan can understand.

Today’s PR train wreck started with a bit of innocent fun on the part of the jesters over at Sniff Petrol. They produced a funny, satirical graphic featuring Lotus CEO Dany Bahar’s face superimposed over the body of “Bagdad Bob”, proclaiming there are no problems at Lotus. See it at that link or with the press release, below.

Anyone who reads Sniff Petrol, or listens to the Gareth Jones on Speed podcast, knows that the crew involved are motoring (and Formula 1) fanatics of the highest order. Those same people also know that Sniff Petrol will mercilessly take the piss at anything without fear or favour. Their efforts are merely jokes but what makes them extra-funny is that they often bear a close resemblance to the truth (just like Ralf Schumacher’s racing career). So Sniff Petrol had a little fun at Lotus’ expense. Big deal. They do it to a different manufacturer every month.

When you read the reaction from Lotus, it seems (at first) as if they were happy to play along. It soon becomes evident, however, that this minor provocation was the straw that broke one particular camel’s back.

Continue reading The Lotus Press Release disaster

Extraordinary things…..

Apple is now valued at $600 BILLION. If I’ve got my zeroes figured correctly, that’s US$600,000,000,000 – though whichever way you say it, that’s a lotta clams.

To top that, Instagram was purchased by Facebook for $1 Billion, which as this article from Australia points out, makes this 17 month-old photo-sharing start-up with just over a dozen employees worth more than the New York Times.

Are these values the tip of an iceberg that is about to pop a gigantic tech bubble right in our nerdy faces? Whilst conditions are somewhat different these days and a burst seems less likely, valuations like these are nothing short of extraordinary.

Interestingly, Microsoft topped $600Bil once in its history and for just a few weeks – right before the tech bubble burst back around the turn of the century.

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The performance of the Koenigsegg Agera is absolutely extraordinary. Whilst I don’t want to take anything away from the astonishing Pagani Zonda, I found it amusing that this film begins by talking about the Zonda as an appreciating classic.

I’m not sure the last 1:20 of the video does anything to help with that assertion, to be honest. It does plenty to pump up the Koenigsegg’s value, though.

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Saab’s photo studio is in a wonderful building in Vanersborg and is apparently valued at a mere SEK800,000 – a sum that I find extraordinarily low.

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I’m in two minds as to whether I should post this, but as tough as it is to watch, it is definitely extraordinary. Parkinson’s Disease is such a cruel affliction and I don’t mean to trivialise it in any way by posting this. I know a family with an elderly who is afflicted with Parkinson’s in my neighborhood. I hear they have a reliable in-home care provider from an institution similar to Care For Family (careforfamily.com.au), which is in a way better than family members trying their best. Professionals understand how to manage and care for their patients.

We all know someone famous with the same neurological disease. The degeneration of Muhammad Ali is extraordinary to see. He is, and always will be, The Champ.

Ironically, there’s been a documentary on TV tonight about the Thrilla in Manila, Ali’s final fight against the late Joe Frazier.

It scared me a little when I saw this documentary scheduled on the TV guide. The last Ali documentary I saw on TV was When We Were Kings, back in 2001. The program featured a news ticker to tell viewers that a plane had accidentally crashed into the World Trade Center. Around 10 minutes later, the program finished prematurely and the next 48 hours were consumed with blanket news feeds from the United States. I still have the videotape.

Thanks to Ted for the right info – it’s Parkinsons, not Alzheimers.

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The men of the Carlton Football Club were extraordinary last Thursday night. I beg you – watch this video and take particular notice of highlight #3.

Catching the ball in the air from a kick (called a “mark”) can be one of the most spectacular things you’ll ever see on a sports field, and something like this happens nearly every week in our game. It’s poetry.

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I hope you all had a wonderful Easter long weekend.

Mine was absolutely……. fantastic.

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There are lines that even Porsche shouldn’t cross….. Cayenne GTS

Some say the Cayenne itself is a bridge too far for Porsche. I disagree.

But that green on a Cayenne? Silk purse, sow’s ear. And failing.

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I’m sure it’s a remarkable piece of machinery, but you’ve still got to present it tastefully, don’t you? I’m all for more vibrant color palettes on vehicles but a vehicle’s got to have a certain tone, a certain character. I’m just not sure that Kermit Green and a Cayenne go together.

The bit where he takes those low profile tyres ‘off-road’ and on to some loose gravel at the end of the clip is a nice touch. That’s quite possibly the only bit of non-road driving a Cayenne GTS will see anywhere in the world.

Who I’d like to see as Saab’s new owner

Thanks to all who voted in the Who would you like to see as Saab’s new owner poll and shared some thoughts via comments.

The outcome was interesting, to say the least. The three known players had very different results, with Mahindra getting 64% of the vote, Youngman just 15% and the Sino/Japanese electric consortium just 2% of the vote. Any unknown potential suitors gathered the remaining 19% of the vote.

So Mahindra are the popular winner.

Who do I think should become Saab’s new owner? Let me break down my answer into two separate parts for you.

Continue reading Who I’d like to see as Saab’s new owner

Poll: Who would you like to see as Saab’s new owner?

Bids for the purchase of Saab Automobile are due by April 10th, which means it’s crunch time in Trollhattan. Who would you rather see as Saab’s new owner?

I was going to introduce this poll with an overview of the three ‘known’ parties that are reported to be interested in purchasing Saab Automobile. According to all the reports, they are:

Youngman – Chinese company with fingers in several pies, wanting to expand into passenger cars
Mahindra – Indian company with fingers in several pies. Owns one passenger car brand already but does more with commercial vehicles.
Unidentified Sino-Japanese consortium looking to build electric vehicles.

I’ll leave my thoughts on each party aside, for the moment. Right now, I’m more interested in seeing what you think of the potential bidders.

Vote below. Comments are open if you’d like to elaborate.

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[poll id=”3″]

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On the road – Saab 9000 Aero

I noted with some interest that British journo and Saab fan, Graeme Lambert, has just taken a Saab 9000 Aero as a long-term test vehicle. Nice move! Being a fan of practical classics, I’m looking forward to reading his thoughts.

A few weeks ago, I caught up with a friend of mine in Victoria – a 9000 Aero owner named Nathan. In fact, Nathan was the guy who provided my first ever Saab driving experience in his 1986 Saab 9000 Turbo. That car’s gone now, but his current 9000 Aero is an absolute cracker of a car and while I was visiting, we took it out for a spin (of course!).

I should preface this by saying that despite having spent plenty of time in different Saabs, and countless hours in the Saab 9000 (we’ve had two CS’s over the last 7 years or so), I’ve never spent much time in the Saab 9000 Aero. In fact, the only time I can recall is a short ride through Melbourne’s city streets in a pristine automatic model (thanks, Dan!).

So aside from all the other reasons I enjoyed catching up with Nathan, the chance to spend some quality time in the Saab that former designer chief Bjorn Envall said was Saab’s best ever vehicle was one I was very excited about.

I’m pleased to say it was a fair bit of a revelation, too.

As mentioned, I’m quite accustomed with the Saab 9000. I’ve been driving our CS models for years now and I’ve loved them both. They eat up highway miles rapaciously, they’re comfortable, can swallow a whale and have proved to be very reliable. The CS is not a sporting car, though. Not by a long shot. Whilst it will move reasonably quickly when provoked, it’s more inclined to wallow around a corner rather than turn through it. Judge the weight transfer correctly and it can be a fun car to drive, but it always feels like the big, comfortable, floaty car that is.

As I learned a few weeks ago, the Aero – especially Nathan’s Aero – is a completely different beast.

I don’t know how much you’ll be able to tell from the video, below, but this car is blazingly quick. I imagine the regular Aero is quick, too, but this one is brutal. I spent quite a bit of time being pushed back into the most comfortable seats ever to feature in a motor car.

What amazed me more than the speed, though, was how utterly stable it was through the corners. Floaty, comfy 9000 CS’s – be gone! This Aero was hunkered down; it actually felt like it was crouching and shifting it’s weight like one of those sidecar racers – very deliberate and precise. Nothing we threw at this car could get it out of shape. We had sections of road (not in the video) that were in very poor condition due to roadworks and the car simply continued to inspire confidence the whole time.

Pure Saab? Not with all those Abbott bits bolted on. But they’re bolted on to what is undoubtedly a superb base. The 9000 Aero is an outstanding vehicle and one that I look forward to spending a bit more time in (like this Easter weekend, for example!).

And for those who were wondering about the output of Nathan’s car – it hasn’t been on a dyno for quite a while, but he says it’s currently making upwards of 340hp and well over 500Nm of torque. It really is super-quick and handles like a much smaller car – a testament to some very committed ownership and a company’s expertise.

Pardon the rattly camera casing and the idle chatter. Just enjoy the car…..

My Saab journey started with a guy named Nathan and a Saab 9000 Turbo

This is a very special post. I’ve done a lot of things in life that I never thought I’d do, largely thanks to my work revolving around Saab Automobile. I’ve travelled quite a bit, covered some wonderful motor shows and other events, I’ve worked in Sweden for Saab and most importantly, I’ve met some absolutely wonderful people all around the world.

Maybe all of that would have happened anyway, but it didn’t all just “happen”. It happened primarily because a friend of mine bought a Saab back in the 1990’s. That guy was Nathan.

In the beginning, there was Rachel. We met in our early 20s at a college in Melbourne and were part of a group of friends who did a LOT of stuff together. From the car races to the bakery at morning tea to hanging out at Philip Island, it was a great time. Rachel’s family had a farm in Gippsland, in Victoria’s south-east and we’d visit there occasionally, too. It was at the farm that I first met Nathan, Rachel’s brother.

Nathan’s a few years younger than me and I was in my early 20’s at the time, so it came as a fairly big surprise to see him roll up one day in a 1986 Saab 9000 Turbo. The car would have only been 5 or 6 years old and worth a fair bit of money in early 1990’s dollars. European cars seemed to run in the family, though. Rachel had a Peugeot and Mum, Judy, had a Volvo 760 Turbo.

Nathan’s 9000 was the first Saab I ever rode in myself and the first Saab I drove. I’ve written about the experience once before, a post called The Damascus Road (at 200 km/h). We had an absolute blast in that car and for a kid who was only used to old Holdens and Fords, the Saab was a revelation. That car was so much of a revelation, in fact, that it shaped much of my adulthood and those driving experiences carry a fair bit of responsibility for the fact that you’re reading these words on your computer screen right now.

Time marches on. I moved to Tasmania in 1995 and haven’t seen much of Nathan since then. I’d heard that he moved to South Australia and had done a few other things with his life, as we all tend to do. Just before I moved to Tassie back in the mid-1990’s, Nathan had been tempted to trade his 9000 on a Toyota Rav4. I was with him at the time and talked him out of it. Because of that, though, I didn’t have any high expectations for him staying with Saab for very long thereafter.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Continue reading My Saab journey started with a guy named Nathan and a Saab 9000 Turbo