Karl on Cars
Cars in Entertainment
April 21, 2009
In case you missed it, the Ford Mustang turned 45 last Friday. It was August 17, 1964 when the car debuted at The New York's World Fair, effectively creating a new category of vehicle -- the Pony Car.
In the next three years over one million Ford Mustangs were sold. Think about that for a minute -- one million units in three years. We're not talking a million full-sized trucks or four-door family sedans. The Mustang was a two-door coupe with clearly sporting intentions. That would be like selling one million Hyundai Genesis coupes in the next three years (like the original Ford Mustang, the new Genesis is a sporty, rear-wheel-drive coupe that offers good value and performance).
Now I like the Genesis coupe, and judging by our site traffic reports and anecdotal evidence so do many of you. But one million units in the next three years? Not gonna happen.
But then a lot of things have changed over the past four-and-a-half decades. GM once owned over two-thirds of the U.S market with mulitiple models hitting the million-plus mark in three-year sales. Back then many Americans had never heard the words "Honda" or "Toyota" (let alone "Hyundai"), as both the manufacturer and model count was substantially lower. Did you know there are over 40 manufacturers and 330 U.S. vehicles for sale as 2009 models?
Which brings me to today's question: Could a future performance car ever see the level of economic and cultural success that the Mustang has seen over the past 45 years?
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- Karl Brauer April 21, 2009, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Ford, Muscle Car, Retro Revivals, Talk Back Tuesday
- Technorati Tags:
- Ford Mustang Sales Success Pony Car GM
February 10, 2009
While watching a recent television program I noticed something troubling, but not at all unexpected in today's world. In the program a primary character was describing a new automobile, and the dialogue sounded almost like a dealer brochure. My guess is the writers tried (in vain) to mold the brochure-speak into a believable conversation string, but it didn't sit right with me. I told my wife, "Okay, first of all the features mentioned don't actually work particularly well, and second they are a major waste of money in terms of what you pay and what you get." I mentioned all this in an annoyed tone just to clearly establish my suspicions. Less than two minutes after this scene a commercial break began. Anyone wanna guess what the first commercial was advertising?
Now before we all get caught up in exactly which car was being discussed on which show let me clearly state the focus of this blog post: the changing nature of advertising (not the validity of any specific product claims).
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- Karl Brauer February 10, 2009, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Talk Back Tuesday
- Technorati Tags:
- Advertising Media Message Product Placement
March 18, 2008
Someone brought up this topic a few days ago, asking me what my dream cars were as a child.
If you're an automotive enthusiast you can likely rattle off the dream cars of your youth without taking a breath. Dozens of images flow through my mind when I think about what cars fascinated me as a kid. But to give the question merit I think you have to define "childhood." The cars that excited me in grade school, late '70s Firebirds and '57 Chevys, weren't the same ones I lusted after in my teens. For me, I'll define "childhood" as 16 years old, or the year driving cars went from being fantasy to reality. At that age, these were my favorite vehicles (with period-correct photos to prove the point):
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- Karl Brauer March 18, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Muscle Car
February 11, 2008
As with so many of my automotive-related interests I acquired my joy of slot-car racing from my older brothers. They were playing with Aurora AFX cars and tracks in my earliest memories (the first Aurora sets were introduced in 1971) and I was happy to take up the cause when they outgrew the activity. If memory serves, it was about when they could start driving real cars. I finally sold all our remaining cars around 1999 on ebay. I was shocked when the random collection brought $110.
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- Karl Brauer February 11, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- Cars in Entertainment
February 1, 2008
I'm going to admit it -- my interest in professional football is at an all-time low. Growing up in Denver it was impossible not to be a fan of the Broncos, which ultimately paid off several years ago. But I don't live in football-crazed Denver anymore. Hell, I don't live in football anywhere anymore. Gotta love the second-largest city in the nation not having a pro team. Regardless, the Broncos have been mediocre at best for several years, and honestly I've got other ways to spend my Sundays. What, you think those old Triumph motocycles stay in tune by themselves?
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- Karl Brauer February 1, 2008, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Ford
December 24, 2007
Of course nobody is still buying Chistmas gifts on December 24th, right?
But, in theory, if you still have to buy something for that car geek on your list you might stop by the local Radio Shack. They've got $8 remote control cars that range from Enzo Ferraris to Porsche Carrera GTs to Hummer H2s. I bought two of these toys in Ford GT form a couple months ago when I couldn't pass up the low price. Last week I saw some more, and because those first two were bubble-wrapped for future posterity it made sense to snag a couple more for the kiddies.
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- Karl Brauer December 24, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Ford
September 24, 2007
If you're under the age of 40 and have ever picked up a joystick you're probably aware that we're on the brink of a major event in the gaming world. The third series in the Halo franchise hits stores at midnight tonight (in those stores willing to open at midnight). As a lifelong gamer (had an Atari 2600 in grade school) I'm still amazed at the level of technology and associated realism offered in modern gaming. And while I'd just assume leave many aspects of the Halo world inside my Xbox (sword-wielding aliens, a war-ravaged earth, purple chicks who get inside your head and tell you what to do), there's one Halo item that brings together my love of gaming and my love of automobiles -- the Warthog.
This four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering military vehicle is like a Jeep Wrangler on steroids. It can turn on a dime, climb over anything and happily bounce along after a 30-foot drop (though like any high-profile vehicle it can also roll over). Obviously there is no real-world version of the Warthog, but the Jeep Hurricane concept car from the 2005 Detroit Auto Show was surprisingly close. With two Hemis on board, one powering each axle, and the abiliy for each wheel to turn either direction --indepently -- the Hurricane had Warthog-like traction, plus a near-zero turning radius. Sure, the Hurricane was pretty over-the-top, but considering how close Chrysler got to making the Tomahawk...
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- Karl Brauer September 24, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment
July 9, 2007
Being the dutiful parent of a nine-year-old boy I put in my theatre time during the opening weekend of Transformers. However, in a pleasant surprise, the movie wasn't a completely pointless excercise for moi. As a mediocre fan at best (I watched the series occasionally back in mid '80s, but never had a toy and haven't followed it since), I have a very basic understanding of the storyline. But start talking "Series 1" and the like and I'm lost. While our own Daniel Pund was quick to point out the film's weak points
(and they are plentiful) I was able to focus on the special effects and (albeit rare) witty dialogue and have a relatively good time...
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- Karl Brauer July 9, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment
June 29, 2007
Okay, the suggestions are in and the winner is clear, though not surprising. The favorite car commecial, according to you guys, is the Rube-Goldberg inspired Australian Honda commerical, "The Cog." I remember when the link to this commercial first made the rounds in everybody's inbox, and it is an undeniably impressive series of events. I also like the solid directorial work that effectively captures the entire sequence. But here's my question, how much of this was real and how much was computer annimated/enhanced? I think I read somewhere it was all "real." Either way, here's the link:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OFTduBCb7Eo
However, my favorite car commercial of all time remains the Ridley Scott classic for the Nissan 300ZX. The commercial as a whole is pretty cool, but I love the end, where the 300ZX creates a sonic boom and flashes by and then...after a noticeable pause...when you think the commercial is done, the jet finally
flies by.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w21qQFJ5rTU
Others sent in by readers include:
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- Karl Brauer June 29, 2007, 9:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Reader Feeder
June 25, 2007
Alright guys, I've finally set up a specific email for people to send in their random thoughts, insightful observations or useless time-wasting links (definitely don't skimp on the latter). I've gotten an increasing amount of excellent information from readers who either email my direct account or know me well enough to call. In fact, tomorrow's Talk Back Tuesday is totally inspired by excellent reader feedback on a certain topic near-and-dear to my heart (hint: it's near and dear to Chicken Little's heart, too).
So, instead of making folks jump through hoops to send me this stuff, I've set up the email karloncars@edmunds.com to make it easy...
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- Karl Brauer June 25, 2007, 10:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Reader Feeder
June 14, 2007
Ah, the Mercury Montego. At some point in the brand's history this nameplate had a bit of muscular/performance flair, but like too many Mercury nameplates it ultimately became an oversized, underwhelming shadow of a Ford product. To me the Montego nameplate will always represent the blue car that was really a red car (that was really a gray car?) in the movie Used Cars. And to save the dealership from evil "Roy L. Fuchs" a superstitous car salesman had to jump a 1974 (or so) Montego sedan over a moving train. If you claim to be a car nut, or just enjoy the subject of buying and selling cars, you must see this movie.
The new Montego lives up to the nameplate's history, as it's basically a warmed over Ford Five-Hundred. And like the 1970s Montego, this version is being retired in favor of a more recognizable (and, Ford hopes, appealing) nameplate. The 1970s Montego was replaced by the "upsized" Mercury Cougar of 1977 (ugh, let's not go there...), and the current Montego will become the Sable for 2008.
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- Karl Brauer June 14, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Mercury
May 25, 2007
...we've got a good one going up on Monday about Smokey and the Bandit
, a classic car movie that turns 30 this week. If you're of a certain age group this movie likely left an indelible impression on you when it premiered in 1977. It was the second-highest-grossing film of 1977 after Star Wars
(another movie that left a large impact crater on my young psyche). The harsh truth of 1977 is that there wasn't a lot to celebrate in the world of automotive enthusiasm. Cars were weak, gas was no longer cheap, and it looked like we'd all be pedaling front-wheel drive hatchbacks before the end of the decade. Bandit
was a total departure from this line of thinking, which is probably why it resonated so well across the fruited planes.
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- Karl Brauer May 25, 2007, 9:01 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Muscle Car, Pontiac
May 18, 2007
I haven't seen the Transformers movie
yet, but I've seen several of the many trailers
flying about the Internet. In case you don't already know, the movie is basically a GM fest in the spirit of The Matrix
sequels and Live and Let Die
(yes, go back and view that 1973 Bond flick again and you'll know what I mean). I'm not picking on GM here, as Ford was just as guilty in Casino Royale (though the spread of divisions from Aston Martin to Mercury helped hide the effect). Of course it happens on T.V. too. The only non-Chrysler in The Beverly Hillbillies
was the hillbillies' ancient Ford. And do so many Desparate Housewives
really drive Nissans?
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- Karl Brauer May 18, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment
October 26, 2006
I spent yesterday at California Speedway participating in
The Richard Petty Driving Experience
. This is where you suit up in a race suit and helmet (complete with HANS harness) and blast around an official NASCAR venue in a 650 horsepower, tube-frame race car spec'd out much like the "stock" cars driven by the likes of Dale Jr. and Jeff Gordon. On the one hand it's very cool because it takes only a few hours and you actually drive the car by yourself (with no instructor barking orders at you from the passenger seat every three seconds)...
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- Karl Brauer October 26, 2006, 8:01 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Safety Systems
June 9, 2006
I just watched a commercial for the old Dodge Charger. It's on Sylvia's Carspace Page
, and it's got to be one of the funniest commercials I have ever seen. The portrayal of women is so blatantly 1970s that many people in today's world won't think it's funny. To me it's a case of something being so bad it's good -- though I wouldn't suggest Dodge revive the "You might be Dodge material" campaign today...
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- Karl Brauer June 9, 2006, 8:52 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Dodge, Muscle Car
June 6, 2006
The essence of greed is wanting far more than you really need, right? Okay, with this baseline established I can admit that, despite the Ford GT parked in my garage, I would really
love to own a Ferrari F40. To me this car is as important to Ferrari as the GT40 is to Ford. First, it was the final Ferrari to receive Enzo's personal oversight, and it remains one of the quickest cars ever produced, even by 2006 standards (it was produced from 1987 to 1992)...
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- Karl Brauer June 6, 2006, 8:49 AM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Ferrari
April 10, 2006
As part of the Mustang GT500 event we got to attend the VIP Premier screening of the next Pixar movie, Cars
. And, just like with the 2007 Shelby Mustang, I'm not allowed to talk about the movie yet. But we also got a tour of Pixar Studios in Emeryville (near Oakland and Berkeley). All I can say is "Wow!" Beyond the expected cool stuff (life-sized versions of Mr...
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- Karl Brauer April 10, 2006, 8:07 PM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment
January 20, 2006
Okay, I admit it. I paid slightly
over retail for an Xbox 360 on ebay. It wasn't multiples of the retail price, or even double, but I did pay extra to not have to deal with timing my Best Buy/Taget/CompUSA visit for just after a shipment of 360s came in. Predictions are that it will be tough to get a console through normal channels until at least May.
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- Karl Brauer January 20, 2006, 7:41 PM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment
November 19, 2005
In the last three years we've seen all-new versions of several classic nameplates, including the RX-8, 350Z, 300, Charger, GTO, Mustang and GT (Ford). All of these cars use varying amounts of the original model's styling cues, and all of them succeed to varying degress in capturing the original's "mojo" (in my totally biased opinion, I'd put the Ford GT at the "top" of the list of "cool new version of retro car" with the GTO at the bottom). While we can argue the pros and cons of looking backward for inspiration, we can't argue the popularity and improved brand equity (or "halo" effect) delivered by these vehicles. And in the spirit of "if a little is good, more is better" I'm going to do a series of "retro revival" discussions regarding cars I'd like to see brought back. First on my discussion series -- the Pontiac Firebird
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- Karl Brauer November 19, 2005, 3:11 PM
- Categories:
- Cars in Entertainment, Muscle Car, Pontiac
