The Other Cars of USA7s Members (Non-Se7ens only)

[Bruce K]

2 minutes ago, MV8 said:

It's just a short version of a logon I've been using since the late '90s "Miatav8" on miata.net. The image is a TVR Speed 12. They made one road car from the three prototypes for GT1 after the rule change as a heavily modified Cerbera. I might as well have a unicorn avatar, since I don't have one of those either. I just like it.

You do own a good sense of humor, though!

[Bruce K]

2 minutes ago, panamericano said:

" In period, Can Am cars produced about the same power as my Lola. "

 

Good comment.  Vintage racing has that silly aspect.  Unless a club really enforces something, people just pour on the power.  The great pro drivers of the 1960s-70s might have been happy with 450 HP from a 302 TranAm motor.  Now you see those cars with 600 HP, for gentleman and lady drivers that run a few times a year.  Boggles the mind.

Absolutely.  I purchased my 935 Tribute from a very nice man who sold it to me because a) he believed his car's capabilities far exceeded his own, inviting accidents, and 2) as powerful as his car had become, it was non-competitive - folks were producing twice as much power with single-race motors.  He believed that he could not restrain himself, and that an ultimate argument with the armco was inevitable.  I am not in this to win - I just want to participate.  At some future event, there will only be 3 cars in my class, and even if I have to push her across the finish line, I will podium.  That is sufficient for me.

[Bruce K]

25 minutes ago, panamericano said:

" In period, Can Am cars produced about the same power as my Lola. "

 

Good comment.  Vintage racing has that silly aspect.  Unless a club really enforces something, people just pour on the power.  The great pro drivers of the 1960s-70s might have been happy with 450 HP from a 302 TranAm motor.  Now you see those cars with 600 HP, for gentleman and lady drivers that run a few times a year.  Boggles the mind.

Plus, these cars, though designed with the assistance of an early wind tunnel, were still lacking in aero control elements, especially at the front.  Without a splitter or dive planes, Lola front ends can go light at about 150 mph.  150 mph is more than enough at most tracks, but with 600 hp and the right final gear, T70's can exceed 200 mph, which can be hit on the Back Straight at Watkins Glen, several spots on the Circuit of the Americas and other tracks.  If you examine the BAT auction car, there is NO front aero to help keep the front end planted.  Plus, the BAT car has an aluminum  rear spoiler, which exacerbates front end lift at high speeds.  I knew a local construction company owner, who took an old open wheel car with an improperly maintained carbon fiber front splitter out to a track with a long straight.  At high speed, the splitter cracked and bent upward, creating enormous lift.  My acquaintance immediately flew about 4 stories up into the air.  The car turned upside down, and it all came down on his head, killing him instantly.  Front dive planes are being installed on my car as I type.  I don't want that front end frolicking around at 150, which is a speed I might hit.  We shouldn't need a pilot's license to drive sports cars!

[Croc]

 

Time for another car of mine.  A 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback.

 

This car had been a hacked up race car for many years.  Found on a backroad of NC for sale with a Jericho gearbox and no engine to speak of, it was given to Holman Moody and Pathfinder to do some magic.

 

The Jericho came out.  A T-10 gearbox went in.  Holman Moody did a Ford 289 HiPo engine with Nascar headers tuned for 93 octane.   Like all Ford engines of this era, it leaks oil, a lot.  I think of it as the corrosion protection program.  Three inch stereo pipes. No muffler.  Apart from having roller rockers and being tuned for 93 octane it is FIA compliant - so an easy conversion if a future owner needs it. 

 

 

 

The body was given the usual GT350 R (for racing mods) - fiberglass hood and trunk, air scoops in all the right places.  Suspension follows the same period GT350R mods.   It was running the Lincoln Versailles rear end (9 inch diff on live axle) as this allowed rear disk brakes but I eventually had to swap that for a Mosler diff as I was bending the axle under hard cornering and creating oil leaks from the rear end as the seals warped.  

 

 

Interior dash is a GT40 Mk11 dash from Abbey Panels, just turned upside down for installation in the Mustang.  The exterior was intended to be a tribute to the Ford Mustang notchback race cars that did so well in the Tour De France road rally event of the period.  This also played a part in the idea for a limited run Holman Moody Ford Mustang celebrating Tour de France road rally (red exterior with gold accents) which was released just after this was finished.  

 

Because the standard Gt40 race dash had so many holes drilled as standard, creativity was applied to fill in the holes with some fake switches.  

 

 

 

It is a tough car to drive.  It is physical and requires a lot of finesse and more than usual brute force to rotate it properly through corners.  The front tends to want to push despite the ton of negative camber on it.  So the right foot and a bit of a flick is needed at turn in.  A lot of wheel waggling then ensues to line it up.  

 

Being chased by @xcarguy here, with his son in the passenger seat of the Mustang.  @Kitcat is coming over the crest in the background.  I had vague hopes of staying ahead of both but there is a video somewhere on USA7s that shows what happens when grip finally gives up in a corner in front of two sevens - only a lap or two after this photo was taken.  I lost the car laterally onto the dirt and the rear rotated around in front of Kitcat.  He locked up, poo came out and then he sorted out how to get past all 2700lbs of rotating Mustang.  Meanwhile Xcarguy is behind, both hands off the wheel doing thumbs up signs.  Oops.  

 

 

 

On a hot day, the tires just give up and she goes sideways in the corners.  This photo shows a certain level of desperation to avoid going off as the visible hand on the wheel shows opposite lock coming on and my right foot is on the floor. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But for all that the car is intoxicating for its smells and the epic engine note as it bellows out of a corner.  Easily rivals a v12 Lambo engine for engine note as it revs out.  You feel its pistons firing through your body.    Rev limit is 9K but I stop at 7K to save it.  Thats still around 140mph in a straight line.  With brakes that take 4 laps to warm up so you are slewing the car into a corner to scrub speed.  And even when those brakes do warm up they are not the greatest, reflecting what it was like in period.

 

In summer you are wrecked in 25 minutes.  Truly an intense exhausting drive to hustle it fast.  Quite easy to drive it at 7/10ths but taking it faster is massive increase in effort.

 

 

 

 

 

A lap of Thunderbolt circuit at NJMP to illustrate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[xcarguy]

Here’s the video to which Croc is referring. I was looking for Croc and my son so I could fall in behind and shoot some video. About five minutes into the video, Kitcat catches us and into the bowl we went…and that’s where the fun began. 

[toldfield]

That was great!  Thanks for the ride.

[MV8]

7 hours ago, Croc said:

 

Time for another car of mine.  A 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback.

 

This car had been a hacked up race car for many years.  Found on a backroad of NC for sale with a Jericho gearbox and no engine to speak of, it was given to Holman Moody and Pathfinder to do some magic.

 

The Jericho came out.  A T-10 gearbox went in.  Holman Moody did a Ford 289 HiPo engine with Nascar headers tuned for 93 octane.   Like all Ford engines of this era, it leaks oil, a lot.  I think of it as the corrosion protection program.  Three inch stereo pipes. No muffler.  Apart from having roller rockers and being tuned for 93 octane it is FIA compliant - so an easy conversion if a future owner needs it. 

 

 

 

The body was given the usual GT350 R (for racing mods) - fiberglass hood and trunk, air scoops in all the right places.  Suspension follows the same period GT350R mods.   It was running the Lincoln Versailles rear end (9 inch diff on live axle) as this allowed rear disk brakes but I eventually had to swap that for a Mosler diff as I was bending the axle under hard cornering and creating oil leaks from the rear end as the seals warped.  

 

 

Interior dash is a GT40 Mk11 dash from Abbey Panels, just turned upside down for installation in the Mustang.  The exterior was intended to be a tribute to the Ford Mustang notchback race cars that did so well in the Tour De France road rally event of the period.  This also played a part in the idea for a limited run Holman Moody Ford Mustang celebrating Tour de France road rally (red exterior with gold accents) which was released just after this was finished.  

 

Because the standard Gt40 race dash had so many holes drilled as standard, creativity was applied to fill in the holes with some fake switches.  

 

 

 

It is a tough car to drive.  It is physical and requires a lot of finesse and more than usual brute force to rotate it properly through corners.  The front tends to want to push despite the ton of negative camber on it.  So the right foot and a bit of a flick is needed at turn in.  A lot of wheel waggling then ensues to line it up.  

 

Being chased by @xcarguy here, with his son in the passenger seat of the Mustang.  @Kitcat is coming over the crest in the background.  I had vague hopes of staying ahead of both but there is a video somewhere on USA7s that shows what happens when grip finally gives up in a corner in front of two sevens - only a lap or two after this photo was taken.  I lost the car laterally onto the dirt and the rear rotated around in front of Kitcat.  He locked up, poo came out and then he sorted out how to get past all 2700lbs of rotating Mustang.  Meanwhile Xcarguy is behind, both hands off the wheel doing thumbs up signs.  Oops.  

 

 

 

On a hot day, the tires just give up and she goes sideways in the corners.  This photo shows a certain level of desperation to avoid going off as the visible hand on the wheel shows opposite lock coming on and my right foot is on the floor. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But for all that the car is intoxicating for its smells and the epic engine note as it bellows out of a corner.  Easily rivals a v12 Lambo engine for engine note as it revs out.  You feel its pistons firing through your body.    Rev limit is 9K but I stop at 7K to save it.  Thats still around 140mph in a straight line.  With brakes that take 4 laps to warm up so you are slewing the car into a corner to scrub speed.  And even when those brakes do warm up they are not the greatest, reflecting what it was like in period.

 

In summer you are wrecked in 25 minutes.  Truly an intense exhausting drive to hustle it fast.  Quite easy to drive it at 7/10ths but taking it faster is massive increase in effort.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I guess granada front brakes and dropping the upper control arm shaft down an inch on the unibody. They have power rack and pinion conversions available for these now too. I always disliked the original power system with the tilting pin actuator. Always seemed to over-correct.

[Bruce K]

7 hours ago, xcarguy said:

Here’s the video to which Croc is referring. I was looking for Croc and my son so I could fall in behind and shoot some video. About five minutes into the video, Kitcat catches us and into the bowl we went…and that’s where the fun began. 

Enjoyed your video.  Your Stalker is really well-finished - looks like a labor of love.  Appears to handle well, too, with tons of grunt.  And the sound your trans makes going into gear is the definition of "snick".  The cockpit is laid out great, and those colors will wake you up quicker than a thermos of espresso.  Please advise as to the type of camera you are using.  Your images and sound were excellent.  My GoPro, on the other hand, is ancient and low-res.

[Bruce K]

12 hours ago, Croc said:

 

Time for another car of mine.  A 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback.

 

This car had been a hacked up race car for many years.  Found on a backroad of NC for sale with a Jericho gearbox and no engine to speak of, it was given to Holman Moody and Pathfinder to do some magic.

 

The Jericho came out.  A T-10 gearbox went in.  Holman Moody did a Ford 289 HiPo engine with Nascar headers tuned for 93 octane.   Like all Ford engines of this era, it leaks oil, a lot.  I think of it as the corrosion protection program.  Three inch stereo pipes. No muffler.  Apart from having roller rockers and being tuned for 93 octane it is FIA compliant - so an easy conversion if a future owner needs it. 

 

 

 

The body was given the usual GT350 R (for racing mods) - fiberglass hood and trunk, air scoops in all the right places.  Suspension follows the same period GT350R mods.   It was running the Lincoln Versailles rear end (9 inch diff on live axle) as this allowed rear disk brakes but I eventually had to swap that for a Mosler diff as I was bending the axle under hard cornering and creating oil leaks from the rear end as the seals warped.  

 

 

Interior dash is a GT40 Mk11 dash from Abbey Panels, just turned upside down for installation in the Mustang.  The exterior was intended to be a tribute to the Ford Mustang notchback race cars that did so well in the Tour De France road rally event of the period.  This also played a part in the idea for a limited run Holman Moody Ford Mustang celebrating Tour de France road rally (red exterior with gold accents) which was released just after this was finished.  

 

Because the standard Gt40 race dash had so many holes drilled as standard, creativity was applied to fill in the holes with some fake switches.  

 

 

 

It is a tough car to drive.  It is physical and requires a lot of finesse and more than usual brute force to rotate it properly through corners.  The front tends to want to push despite the ton of negative camber on it.  So the right foot and a bit of a flick is needed at turn in.  A lot of wheel waggling then ensues to line it up.  

 

Being chased by @xcarguy here, with his son in the passenger seat of the Mustang.  @Kitcat is coming over the crest in the background.  I had vague hopes of staying ahead of both but there is a video somewhere on USA7s that shows what happens when grip finally gives up in a corner in front of two sevens - only a lap or two after this photo was taken.  I lost the car laterally onto the dirt and the rear rotated around in front of Kitcat.  He locked up, poo came out and then he sorted out how to get past all 2700lbs of rotating Mustang.  Meanwhile Xcarguy is behind, both hands off the wheel doing thumbs up signs.  Oops.  

 

 

 

On a hot day, the tires just give up and she goes sideways in the corners.  This photo shows a certain level of desperation to avoid going off as the visible hand on the wheel shows opposite lock coming on and my right foot is on the floor. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But for all that the car is intoxicating for its smells and the epic engine note as it bellows out of a corner.  Easily rivals a v12 Lambo engine for engine note as it revs out.  You feel its pistons firing through your body.    Rev limit is 9K but I stop at 7K to save it.  Thats still around 140mph in a straight line.  With brakes that take 4 laps to warm up so you are slewing the car into a corner to scrub speed.  And even when those brakes do warm up they are not the greatest, reflecting what it was like in period.

 

In summer you are wrecked in 25 minutes.  Truly an intense exhausting drive to hustle it fast.  Quite easy to drive it at 7/10ths but taking it faster is massive increase in effort.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great looking, nostalgic car.  Very authentic to my non-expert eye - reminds me of Watkins Glen and the old Trans-Am days.  Perhaps you should post a video that includes those terrific motor sounds - I'll bet it thunders!

 

I share your perspective - it is so much easier catching someone as opposed to staying in front.  When you are behind, everything is in front of you.  But when you are ahead, you have two vistas to monitor at all times, while still managing to drive.  I could see from Xcarguy's excellent video how difficult the Mustang is to handle at 9/10's - out of those turns, she was shaking her derriere harder than a French can-can dancer.  And, as you noted, even more when two Sevens are on your tail.  I suppose some of this should be expected from a fairly heavy car riding on fairly skinny rubber.  But you also mentioned overly-responsive turn-in - makes me wonder if your alignment is a bit out.  Is the problem asymmetric?  That's usually a hint.

 

(For the uninitiated, my post has intimated that Croc's car was possibly a little under-prepared.  Just watch - when you provoke a crocodile, be prepared for a dagger-toothed response.)

Edited January 9, 2023 by Bruce K

[Croc]

4 hours ago, MV8 said:

I guess granada front brakes and dropping the upper control arm shaft down an inch on the unibody. They have power rack and pinion conversions available for these now too. I always disliked the original power system with the tilting pin actuator. Always seemed to over-correct.

 

It was kept period GT350R on the front.  So front brakes are Kelsey Hayes 11 inch discs which was the upgrade option available instead of the base model front drums.  Rears were drum from a Ford station wagon (or was it the Galaxie?)  but I have adapted for rear discs.  Mind you - the car still doesn't stop great!

 

Front suspension is basically standard 65 Mustang but with 3 deg of negative camber thanks to some camber plates. GT350R spec springs (shorter to lower ride height plus different rate).  Yes the upper control arm mounting is dropped an inch.  Rear has the usual GT350R traction bars and revised rear springs.  

 

Mine is original style steering box - no power steering.  Yes it is heavy at low speeds.  Quite vague at the straight ahead so a fair amount of wheel waggling goes on at speed to work out where the wheels are pointed.  If I upgrade it using the new power rack approach then I get one step further away from keeping it FIA spec.   

[Croc]

On 1/8/2023 at 5:17 PM, Bruce K said:

Great looking, nostalgic car.  Very authentic to my non-expert eye - reminds me of Watkins Glen and the old Trans-Am days.  Perhaps you should post a video that includes those terrific motor sounds - I'll bet it thunders!

 

There is an old video - need to find it.  It was a casual track day so nothing special.

 

On 1/8/2023 at 5:17 PM, Bruce K said:

I could see from Xcarguy's excellent video how difficult the Mustang is to handle at 9/10's - out of those turns, she was shaking her derriere harder than a French can-can dancer. 

 

mmmmm...okayyyyy.  Thats a first for a car description for me. 

 

On 1/8/2023 at 5:17 PM, Bruce K said:

But you also mentioned overly-responsive turn-in - makes me wonder if your alignment is a bit out.  Is the problem asymmetric?  That's usually a hint.

 

  

Alignment is fine.  Actually my alignment is excellent compared with your eyesight.  Were you posting before your afternoon nap?    What I said is ...

 

On 1/8/2023 at 8:51 AM, Croc said:

The front tends to want to push despite the ton of negative camber on it.  So the right foot and a bit of a flick is needed at turn in.  A lot of wheel waggling then ensues to line it up.  

 

My command of Minglish says that is NOT an overly-responsive turn in.  A push is tendency to understeer.

 

Car was set up by Holman-Moody.   They know plenty about setting up race cars, more than even you.  This is the first time I have not had to set a race car up myself.  It handled very well out of the box and I am decently competent at setting up a car's suspension for good handling.  I explored putting the toe in to neutral and then to toe out to get the turn in a little crisper but I found it is nicer at the original settings because it is more controllable on the throttle.   I'm old school - I like throttle steer.  

 

On 1/8/2023 at 5:17 PM, Bruce K said:

For the uninitiated, my post has intimated that Croc's car was possibly a little under-prepared.  Just watch - when you provoke a crocodile, be prepared for a dagger-toothed response.

 

Nonsense, it was a gentle love bite and you have always enjoyed a bit of bloodsports despite your fake plastic fangs.    The Mustang is well prepared.  Its the other cars I am still working up that I admit where I am in the middle of a lengthy development program e.g. the BMW, the Holden, the Cossie, etc.  These cars yet to be featured are definitely under-ready but I like development programs.  

[xcarguy]

On 1/8/2023 at 4:47 PM, Bruce K said:

Enjoyed your video.  Your Stalker is really well-finished - looks like a labor of love.  Appears to handle well, too, with tons of grunt.  And the sound your trans makes going into gear is the definition of "snick".  The cockpit is laid out great, and those colors will wake you up quicker than a thermos of espresso.  Please advise as to the type of camera you are using.  Your images and sound were excellent.  My GoPro, on the other hand, is ancient and low-res.

Bruce,

 

The car was very well sorted. I sold the car to a former member here in 2021, but not sure where the car is now (maybe Kentucky). The camera I was using at the time was a Replay XD 1080 mini.

[Bruce K]

16 hours ago, xcarguy said:

Bruce,

 

The car was very well sorted. I sold the car to a former member here in 2021, but not sure where the car is now (maybe Kentucky). The camera I was using at the time was a Replay XD 1080 mini.

Xcarguy - Whoever bought it recieved quality for their money.  Regarding the camera, is that the one you recommend at this time?  If you know of a camera that can produce a better video than your GT350 film, I would like to know about it.  (PS - I don't want a Hollywood movies camera - just a small one for the rollbar on track days).

[Bruce K]

@Croc - I remarked regarding your great-looking GT 350 in the turns:  "she was shaking her derriere harder than a French can-can dancer."   

 

To which Croc replied: "mmmmm...okayyyyy.  Thats a first for a car description for me. "

 

Thank you!  Accusing a writer of creating a new and innovative description is like accusing your pastor of being holy.

 

I also wrote:  "makes me wonder if (the GT350) alignment is a bit out.  Is the problem asymmetric?  That's usually a hint."

 

To which @Croc replied:  "Alignment is fine.  Actually my alignment is excellent compared with your eyesight.  Were you posting before your afternoon nap?"

 

What a rude and scurrilous remark!  I NEVER nap in the afternoon!  My nap is always concluded by 11:30 AM.

 

I remarked:  "when you provoke a crocodile, be prepared for a dagger-toothed response."

 

To which @Croc replied:  "Nonsense, it was a gentle love bite and you have always enjoyed a bit of bloodsports despite your fake plastic fangs."

 

Hey - these fangs are wax, not plastic!  And what the hell is Croc short for anyway?  Are you, or are you not, a crocodile?

 

[CarlB]

On 1/8/2023 at 8:46 PM, Croc said:

 

Mine is original style steering box - no power steering.  Yes it is heavy at low speeds.  Quite vague at the straight ahead so a fair amount of wheel waggling goes on at speed to work out where the wheels are pointed.  If I upgrade it using the new power rack approach then I get one step further away from keeping it FIA spec.   

You might try adding a lot of caster to improve the straight line feel. Mercades on some of their cars with reciprocating ball steering uses 6 degrees.  

[xcarguy]

3 hours ago, Bruce K said:

Xcarguy - Whoever bought it recieved quality for their money.  Regarding the camera, is that the one you recommend at this time?  If you know of a camera that can produce a better video than your GT350 film, I would like to know about it.  (PS - I don't want a Hollywood movies camera - just a small one for the rollbar on track days).

Bruce, while the camera did shoot quality video, it wasn’t the most user friendly product. I had mine in sync with my Traqmate, but could never get them to hold hands without a lot of effort on my end. Not sure if the Replay is even supported any longer. The best person here to query regarding camera is @Croc

Edited January 10, 2023 by xcarguy

[Bruce K]

Thanks, Xcarguy.

 

@Croc - what is the best small camera for recording track events?  Best hardware for sound and resolution?  Best software for highest quality edits and ease of use? 

[Croc]

10 hours ago, CarlB said:

You might try adding a lot of caster to improve the straight line feel. Mercades on some of their cars with reciprocating ball steering uses 6 degrees.  

 

Thanks Carl.  I have it maxed out at 5 degrees on the front - no more is available without strut tower surgery which is not permitted.  Caster is one of the tricks to trying to make saloon cars handle on a race track.  

[Croc]

On 1/10/2023 at 6:24 PM, Bruce K said:

what is the best small camera for recording track events?  Best hardware for sound and resolution?  Best software for highest quality edits and ease of use? 

 

 

@Bruce K I am glad you said track events as I would thought you might have needed it for your OnlyFans site (I am kidding...)

 

Everyone usually goes GoPro as it is a safe option.  It is good resolution.  But battery life is problematic - it always seems to drain quicker than GoPro advertise.  Then they require you to use proprietary add ons for external mic cable or casings and it gets awfully expensive quickly.  Not a fan of the software as they seem to think you should be able to upload a 4gb track session video to a phone for editing.  

 

A number of guys on USA7s have mentioned the Yi camera as good but half the price.  I have not tested it personally but have heard a number of good reports.

 

My preferred go to action camera is sadly no longer sold.  Garmin VIRB 30.  Easy touch screen to control.  Came with all the cases and mounts.  Software for processing was brilliantly easy to add track data overlays onto it.   External mic had a clunky multi-cable adapter which required some dexterity with 3M painters tape to get everything solid.  The results were excellent.  Mine is about to go into the bottom drawer as I broke the last case mount that will take an external mic.  

 

The go to I have been falling back to is DJI Osmo Action Camera.  Mine has been recently superseded by the latest model but it looks the same.  High quality video.  Its simple.  Easy to use.  Good battery life.  Editing software is useless.  Its Chinese software so my antivirus triggered when I tried to install it so that got discarded.  If you use it with the Cynova 3.5mm mic adapter then you can have a power cable and the external mic running simultaneously.  Example footage at 3 different settings in the following link (March 6, 2020 post 49 of that thread)

 

 

Since the DJI software is security fraught and a PITA to use, I use RaceRender to edit.  That is a faff which is where the Garmin was a winner since the software made the experience work.  

 

There are new cameras out there - InstaOne which looks interesting but I have not tested it.  I think the latest can take an external mic which is essential for our open cars.

 

If external microphone then the Audio-Technica Pro 24 CM microphone with some type of "dead cat" cover (furry windscreen protector).  I have two of these for over 5 years and they just work.  New battery each weekend.  Hook it up. Tape it down or mount it firmly.  I have them hanging off the back of a Caterham, under a dash, in an engine bay, etc. 

 

For mount look at a manfrotto super clamp and get a mini ball head to mount to that.   They are expensive and they are heavy but they work without fail and quality products.  

 

 

 

[wdb]

Wow, this is some heady company. I'll start by saying that nothing I have ever owned comes anywhere close to most of this collection.

 

Here's my 'daily' as it were, a 2013 E350 4Matic kombi. (There is another fleet member that probably sees more miles.) I picked it up in June 2020, in the throes of the pandemic. It replaced a GS350 Lexus. I was toting my nonagenarian mother and dad around (at least I was until COVID locked them down), mom was using a walker, and dad was getting close. The Lexus' trunk just wouldn't do anymore. I wanted a wagon for ease of ingress/egress for those two 90-somethings, and heaving up into SUVs wasn't my idea of how to do that. Plus it had to be roomy and safe and whatnot. Plus to be honest I've always liked longroofs.

 

The irony of the story is that I never used the car to haul my mother and dad anywhere. Dad passed in October of 2020. All things considered he did pretty well to get that far, what with all the stents in his chest and surviving cancer and the byzantine cocktail of meds he took. Mom went the following year; they had been married for 71 years, so I was not surprised that she did not relish life without her man. 

 

Back to the car. It's a CarMax find, had 37K miles on it when I picked it up. Came off lease from the first owner. Lived on Long Island and appears to have been used as a kid hauler. It has evidence of less than tidy parking maneuvers on every corner, which is perhaps why MB didn't turn into a CPO. Or maybe it was because it was replaced with a Tesla Model X and they just put everything on the auction block? Not sure. MB Tex interior which I specifically wanted, after all it is a station wagon first and foremost. "AMG" styling package, which is a bit humorous but I do think it is a smart looking unit.

 

It's also a stupidly useful piece of kit; rear facing third row seating, combination car cover / cargo space divider, and all sorts of clever useful little thingies wherever one looks. I am constantly amazed by just how much it will swallow, and how large. It's no sports car but it is competent, quite comfortable, more than fast enough, and will return 30+ MPG on the highway without even trying. Combined with the 22 gallon fuel capacity that makes for quite a long time between fillups. I toy with the idea of parting with it and getting something smaller and more fun, but then I get in and turn on the massage function (did I mention that it has a 'dynamic' driver's seat?) and I think, nah, I'll keep it a while longer.

 

 

Edited January 12, 2023 by wdb