12 Mind-Blowing Cars That Prove The 90s Were JDM’s Golden Era
The 1990s was a great time for cars, with the last of the truly mechanical performance vehicles rolling off the production line before the electric revolution began. It also happened to be the time when Japan was really into making enthusiast cars . . . . .
Mazda RX7 (1991-2002)
It’s not often a car’s styling stands the test of time quite as well as the RX7’s has. Just imagine how it must have felt to first lay eyes upon this gorgeous, curvaceous machine in the early 90s. More than 25 years after it was first revealed, it still looks fantastic, and not in a ‘because retro is, like, so in right now’ kind of way, either.
But it’s not just a pretty silhouette that the Mazda RX7 is famed for. The 1.3-litre twin-rotor engine is a unique little thing, and has won many fans for the way it revs to the stratosphere and sounds like nothing else. Couple that engine to a car that has 50/50 front/rear weight balance, a low centre of gravity, and a lightweight construction, and it’s no surprise it’s won plaudits for being one of the best driver’s cars ever made.
Honda NSX (1990 - 2005)
When you think of Japanese performance cars, you tend to think of fairly low budget cars, but the Honda NSX is the glittering exception to that rule. It was designed to show the likes of Ferrari that you could have supercar performance and great looks at a lower price point and with actual reliability. It succeeded, and went down as a legend.
When we drove one last year, we instantly fell in love with that engine; 276bhp might not sound like a lot these days, but the way it howls its way to the red line after VTEC kicks in is addictive. Its handling dynamics may give away its age, but it’s still great fun to throw around your favourite road, and makes you realise the horsepower war is really rather pointless.
Toyota Supra (1992-2002)
For the A80 model, the Toyota Supra was completely redesigned. Gone was the old boxy styling from the 80s, and in was in-yer-face curvaceous styling and a massive rear wing. It was with the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre 2JZ engine that this car really made its name, offering 276bhp from the factory but coming with a ridiculous appetite for being tuned. It quickly became the darling of the aftermarket scene, and in 2016, not a lot has changed in that regard.
Nissan Skyline GT-R (1989 - 2002)
Three generations of GT-R actually spanned this decade, with the R32 running between 1989 and 1994, and the R33 seeing production between 1995 and 1998, at which point the R34 took over the GT-R reigns.
Like so many of the greatest road cars ever built, the GT-R’s resurrection in 1989 was down to Nissan’s desire to dominate motorsport. The R32 was designed to win Group A racing, and the now-iconic 2.6-litre RB26DETT was a result of its determination to use regulations of the time to its advantage. The R33 then came along, updating the styling and improving on a few areas of the previous generation, such as the all-wheel drive system.
With the R34, the styling changed much more radically, and became the symbol of the PlayStation generation thanks to its in-depth on-board analysis systems. As the culmination of a decade’s worth of motor racing knowledge, it was the ultimate incarnation of Nissan’s racing project, moving the game on significantly from the R33 and cementing its place in history.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
NHL Power Rankings: Capitals reclaim top spot as Blackhawks sputter - SI.com
HOW THEY STACK UP AFTER WEEK 16
3. Los Angeles Kings
3. Los Angeles Kings
last week: 3
record: 30-15-3
The Vincent Lecavalier
deal is paying quick dividends for the Kings. The veteran center has
three goals in five games, including a last-second equalizer against the
Sharks on Sunday that sparked a 3–2 Los Angeles win in OT. That was
their 30th W of the season, the fastest they’ve reached that mark (48
games) in franchise history. Last week: 2-2-0
5. San Jose Sharks
last week: 5
record: 25-18-4
The Sharks are 7-0-2 in their last nine games, and
finally seem to have found some traction at home, where they’re 4-0-2 in
their past six games after starting the season 5-12-0 there. Joe Pavelski
might be the best player no one talks about. The veteran center picked
up his league-leading eighth game-winner on Saturday against Minnesota. Last week: 2-0-1
13. Anaheim Ducks
last week: 16
record: 21-18-7
The Ducks have won four of their last five games to
move back into playoff contention, and their offense seems to be
clicking. Anaheim still ranks 30 in goals per game (2.02), but the Ducks
have scored at least four goals in five of their past nine. Last week: 2-0-0
I Completely Agree
Until the US Fixes its Backwards Transportation Spending It Should Stop Building New Roads
#NoNewRoads is asking Americans to document places where cities and states have committed to big transportation projects like widening freeways, which continue to degrade the quality of life in our cities without providing any tangible benefit. Most importantly, there is no evidence that adding capacity in the form of more lanes actually improves vehicular congestion—in fact, it makes it worse. And all at a tremendous cost for taxpayers.
(Jalopnik.com)
#NoNewRoads is asking Americans to document places where cities and states have committed to big transportation projects like widening freeways, which continue to degrade the quality of life in our cities without providing any tangible benefit. Most importantly, there is no evidence that adding capacity in the form of more lanes actually improves vehicular congestion—in fact, it makes it worse. And all at a tremendous cost for taxpayers.
(Jalopnik.com)
This Alone Drove Up Prices 10x Over For The Car
7 Reasons The AE86 and The Miata Are Overrated
TWO If it weren’t for Initial D, the AE86 wouldn’t be very popular. A stock Delorean was a terrible car, but ever since it starred in the Back To The Future movies, it’s become a car people drool over; the same thing has happened to the AE86. Because Takumi delivered tofu and raced in an AE86, people are willing to buy them for big amounts of money. AE86’s in good condition cost about $14,000, a bit much considering it’s a 40 year old car with 128 horsepower. If Initial D never aired, I’m sure AE86’s would be selling for half the price, and half of us car guys would never know about the Takumi mobile.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
TWO If it weren’t for Initial D, the AE86 wouldn’t be very popular. A stock Delorean was a terrible car, but ever since it starred in the Back To The Future movies, it’s become a car people drool over; the same thing has happened to the AE86. Because Takumi delivered tofu and raced in an AE86, people are willing to buy them for big amounts of money. AE86’s in good condition cost about $14,000, a bit much considering it’s a 40 year old car with 128 horsepower. If Initial D never aired, I’m sure AE86’s would be selling for half the price, and half of us car guys would never know about the Takumi mobile.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
Hell Yah, Porsche!
Porsche Sticking with Manual Transmissions to the Bitter End
Thankfully, Porsche doesn’t intend on phasing out a manual transmission option for its 911 lineup anytime soon. Speaking to Car and Driver, the Porsche engineering boss for the 911 Turbo, Carrera 4 and Targa promised that a manual transmission will be used in the 911 for the foreseeable future.
“It’s a unique selling proposition for Porsche to have a manual in the 911 range, and I think we will fight for that as long as possible,” said Erhard Mössle. “Even if it’s only 10 percent of the market, it’s important for some customers and for some markets, especially the U.S., to have that kind of gearbox.”
(AutoBlog.com)
Thankfully, Porsche doesn’t intend on phasing out a manual transmission option for its 911 lineup anytime soon. Speaking to Car and Driver, the Porsche engineering boss for the 911 Turbo, Carrera 4 and Targa promised that a manual transmission will be used in the 911 for the foreseeable future.
“It’s a unique selling proposition for Porsche to have a manual in the 911 range, and I think we will fight for that as long as possible,” said Erhard Mössle. “Even if it’s only 10 percent of the market, it’s important for some customers and for some markets, especially the U.S., to have that kind of gearbox.”
(AutoBlog.com)
I Wish I Had The $ For This
Aston Martin Vulcan For Sale For a Mere $3.4 Million
Claimed to be the first in the U.S., it's for sale—for $1.1 million more than Aston's original asking price.
(Road&Track.com)
Claimed to be the first in the U.S., it's for sale—for $1.1 million more than Aston's original asking price.
(Road&Track.com)
Steak Sauce, The Lost Sauce Of The 70's & 80's
Why Doesn't Anyone Use Steak Sauce Anymore?
Meat quality has improved dramatically, says meat guy
Naturally the folks from Certified Angus Beef have an interest in claiming that today's beef is of higher quality than yesteryear, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. When chatting with corporate chef Michael Ollier, he stressed that what was on the table at steakhouses in the '70s doesn't hold a romantic votive candle to what's being served today.
“More ranchers are raising higher-quality beef, which we can tell because Certified Angus Beef has a much higher acceptance rate of cattle today.”
When CAB launched in 1978, it was the first branded beef company in the world, but it's now joined by over 100 others who all set distinct quality benchmarks on their products that simply didn't exist for older generations of cattle. He thinks that the more heavily marbled meat has shifted diners' tastes.
“Before, you were masking something that was inferior, but as people gain a palate for higher-quality beef, they're more hands off and letting the flavors of the beef sing,” says Michael. “Or, they're finding more adventurous ways to balance a fatty cut like a ribeye,” he says, citing the popularity of sauces like chimichurri.
It's even out of fashion at chain steakhouses
As a child I was a picky eater, but loved dangerously rare steaks. At Outback, my dad would jokingly ask the waiter to just wave the steak over the flames, then I'd make a little puddle of A.1. in the corner of my plate and dunk the barely cooked filet into that sickly sour well. To find out if the mainstream had really turned on A.1., I hit up a local chain steakhouse to relive my youth with a filet mignon lunch special.
When I arrived there was no steak sauce on the table, but with the type of hospitality that only comes from people who serve overpriced tenderloins to businessmen, my waiter happily obliged my request. He even brought out a gallon-sized container for photo purposes. But despite all the accommodating, he quickly threw A.1. under the bus. In his two months at the restaurant, only one other customer had asked for it, and even that was more than he'd seen at his previous steakhouse gig.
Just asking for steak sauce was already embarrassing, and using it was even more so. I felt like everyone was watching me, as I ruined 6oz of presumably Select beef by dunking bites into a ramekin of sauce that black-holed all the beef flavor and replaced it with an encompassing sourness that actually made me physically pucker.
The manager, who'd obviously been alerted to my mission, did a polite table-touch to ask me how I liked the steak. I thanked him and said that everything was great. He smiled and smugly added, “Even without the sauce?”
(Thrillist.com)
Meat quality has improved dramatically, says meat guy
Naturally the folks from Certified Angus Beef have an interest in claiming that today's beef is of higher quality than yesteryear, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. When chatting with corporate chef Michael Ollier, he stressed that what was on the table at steakhouses in the '70s doesn't hold a romantic votive candle to what's being served today.
“More ranchers are raising higher-quality beef, which we can tell because Certified Angus Beef has a much higher acceptance rate of cattle today.”
When CAB launched in 1978, it was the first branded beef company in the world, but it's now joined by over 100 others who all set distinct quality benchmarks on their products that simply didn't exist for older generations of cattle. He thinks that the more heavily marbled meat has shifted diners' tastes.
“Before, you were masking something that was inferior, but as people gain a palate for higher-quality beef, they're more hands off and letting the flavors of the beef sing,” says Michael. “Or, they're finding more adventurous ways to balance a fatty cut like a ribeye,” he says, citing the popularity of sauces like chimichurri.
It's even out of fashion at chain steakhouses
As a child I was a picky eater, but loved dangerously rare steaks. At Outback, my dad would jokingly ask the waiter to just wave the steak over the flames, then I'd make a little puddle of A.1. in the corner of my plate and dunk the barely cooked filet into that sickly sour well. To find out if the mainstream had really turned on A.1., I hit up a local chain steakhouse to relive my youth with a filet mignon lunch special.
When I arrived there was no steak sauce on the table, but with the type of hospitality that only comes from people who serve overpriced tenderloins to businessmen, my waiter happily obliged my request. He even brought out a gallon-sized container for photo purposes. But despite all the accommodating, he quickly threw A.1. under the bus. In his two months at the restaurant, only one other customer had asked for it, and even that was more than he'd seen at his previous steakhouse gig.
Just asking for steak sauce was already embarrassing, and using it was even more so. I felt like everyone was watching me, as I ruined 6oz of presumably Select beef by dunking bites into a ramekin of sauce that black-holed all the beef flavor and replaced it with an encompassing sourness that actually made me physically pucker.
The manager, who'd obviously been alerted to my mission, did a polite table-touch to ask me how I liked the steak. I thanked him and said that everything was great. He smiled and smugly added, “Even without the sauce?”
(Thrillist.com)
As A Car Maker, Is It Really Worth It?
Mercedes-Benz Opts Out Of $10 Million Super Bowl 50 Spot
It is reported that Mercedes-Benz has decided not to produce an ad for Super Bowl 50, saving itself some serious cash.
Last year, the German automaker spent about $9 million making and airing its spot for the Mercedes-AMG GT.
While after this searches for the brand's range-topping sports car soared by 3,107 per cent, the most of any brand advertised at the 2015 game, Mercedes Blog , apparently there won't be a follow-up.
A 30-second ad costs about $5 million, while a 60-second advertisement can run for as much as $10 million.
Merc might be absent from what is shaping up to be one of the most watched Super Bowls ever, but a number of automakers have already confirmed their presence. These include Acura, Audi, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia and Mini.
(CarScoops.com)
It is reported that Mercedes-Benz has decided not to produce an ad for Super Bowl 50, saving itself some serious cash.
Last year, the German automaker spent about $9 million making and airing its spot for the Mercedes-AMG GT.
While after this searches for the brand's range-topping sports car soared by 3,107 per cent, the most of any brand advertised at the 2015 game, Mercedes Blog , apparently there won't be a follow-up.
A 30-second ad costs about $5 million, while a 60-second advertisement can run for as much as $10 million.
Merc might be absent from what is shaping up to be one of the most watched Super Bowls ever, but a number of automakers have already confirmed their presence. These include Acura, Audi, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia and Mini.
(CarScoops.com)
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