Test Drive With Jay

Memories of burnt rubber and a ”thanks” from Ferrari

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:10:34 +0000

1982 Lancia Zagato

I saw a great video from Ferrari today that thanks it’s 8 million facebook fans by writing “8,000,000″ with the rear tires of a new 458 Italia. (more on that, later) The short film instantly reminded me of an adventure I had years ago…

It was 1994 and I was a sophomore at Lowndes High School My father had ceremoniously passed down his beloved Lancia Zagato to be my first car. That’s right, my first ride was a shiny Red, Italian, convertible sports car – what the Hell was he thinking??? (Love you, Dad) My long time friend and classmate, Daryle Mayer, decided that he wanted to learn how to drive a manual transmission. As his Eagle Premiere (remember those?) was equipped with a slush box, the Lancia was chosen as our vehicle to “play” with.

We decided to use the parking lot of LHS, right next to Martin Stadium, as our ‘test track’ area, and I proceeded to pass down the art of using a clutch. After a short time, Daryle had gotten the hang of launching in 1st and shifting through the gears. Obviously, (think High School mentality here) the next logical lesson was the art of the burn out. As an example, I proceeded to do something that would be talked about through the halls of Lowndes High for months to come; I used the tires of the Lancia (brand new ones as I recall – sorry, Dad) to write my name, “JAY”, across a large portion of the parking lot.

Smoke billowed out from the fenders as I laid into the throttle and I’ll never forget Daryle shouting over the raspy scream of the Lancia’s exhaust, “Jay, I think the cars on fire!!!” Ha!!! I’ll never let him live that down. The “JAY” script would fade in just a few weeks and it’s been 18 years now since that adventure; I would give anything to have video or pictures from that day. Some things, though, never change; Daryle is now my co-producer and cameraman for the Test Drive video segments that you’ll see on this site. And yes, we still like burning up tires.

Anyway… here’s Ferrari’s own adventure of using a very expensive Italian “pencil”; enjoy!

Pictures from the SGCCC Cruise-In

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:08:00 +0000

We had a great turnout for the latest South Georgia Classic Car Club’s cruise-in at Toys R Us in Valdosta. I showed up in the mighty Torino and took some picks while I was there. Highlights include a Cobra kit car and a Ford GT…

Test Drive: 2012 Harley Davidson Switchback

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:04:23 +0000

Our latest test drive video is courtesy of my new friends at Tifton Harley Davidson in Tifton, GA. We’re testing an all-new model from H-D; the 2012 Switchback. It’s most obvious attribute is right in it’s name… it can switch back and forth from a touring bike to a nice around town cruiser. It can do that because it’s standard windshield and hard bags are quick release items. You can literally remove or add the equipment in less than 60 seconds; a nice trick to say the least.

After 3 days of riding the Switchback, though, my mind started to focus less on the equipment and features of the Switchback, and more on the actual riding experience. It was very comfortable with a near perfect riding position, cushy seat and anti-vibration floar boards, plus, the new Twin-cam 103 V-twin is a downright torque monster that never fails to put a smile on your face.

Harley Davidson bikes have never been better and the new 2012 Switchback is a perfect example. Check out the Test Drive video above. If you’d like more information on the Switchback, or any of the great new Harleys, visit Tifton Harley Davidson, just off I-75 exit 61 or their website at tiftonharley.com

First Look: 2013 Ford Taurus SHO

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:43:45 +0000

It used to be that the U.S. owned the big car world. Since the 80′s, though, it was the European luxo barges that got all the attention; in particular the performance versions of the big car offerings from BMW & Mercedes. Cars like the BMW M5 and Mercedes AMG E series (even the Audi S series) have been beating us at our own game; sort of. Those cars are pricey… REALLY pricey. The fact is we DO offer a car in the States that has similar size and performance to those German bruisers; the SHO. While the original Taurus SHO was more sports car, the latest version is a full size car with a bang… 365 horsepower and 360 ft. lbs. of torque worth of bang. For 2013, Ford has tweaked the styling of the SHO, added a better braking system, updated the MyFord Touch system, and, most importantly, added a new track-pack option. The best part of the SHO is the same as it has always been; bang for the buck value. A new 2013 SHO will be in the mid-$40s. That’s half, or less, than the a fore mentioned Germans.

Scirocco Might Be Headed To The U.S.

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:24:52 +0000

The original VW Scirocco has always been one of my favorite V-dubs. Since 1988, though, it hasn’t been in the U.S. That’s not to say that the model is gone, however. In fact, on European soil, a new version of the VW Scirocco (based on Golf mechanicals) has been selling like hot cakes. Now, VW is said to be seriously considering bringing the sporty 2 door hatch back to the U.S. Now before you go screaming, “It’s just a re-skinned Golf”, you might consider that the original Mustang was just a re-skinned Falcon.

First Look: 2013 Lincoln MKZ

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:14:44 +0000

Ford’s Lincoln division has been suffering in the last few years. They haven’t been making bad cars… just uninspiring ones. With the new 2013 MKZ, Lincoln is clearly trying to turn that around. Without a doubt, this is the hottest looking Lincoln since the 1993 Mark VIII. Available with the 2.0 EcoBoost 4 cylinder, 3.7 liter 6 cylinder, or the Hybrid powerplant, The MKZ will offer a well rounded option list. The interior is just as good looking as the exterior and features a 10.1 inch (that’s not a typo) LCD screen in the dash! Though the MKZ will still share the basic chassis and engine options with the Fusion (also updated for 2013), there’s enough style and option differences to make this new MKZ stand on it’s own.

First Look: 2013 BMW X1

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:10:37 +0000

This is our first look at BMW’s new ‘cute ute’, the X1. Based on the 1 Series sedan’s chassis, the entry level SUV will have 2 engine choices for the U.S. Market including a turbo 2.0 liter four with 240 horsepower and the tried and true 3.0 turbo 6, good for an even 300. Both powertrains should move the small X1 down the road with enthusiasm, while an extremely long options list should satisfy those looking for ‘all the bells & whistles.’ Completely optioned out, the X1 will push the $50K mark, but the starting price for a base model 2.0 is a more agreeable $31,545.

Batmobile vs. Batmobile race (VIDEO)

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:28:34 +0000

If I were 11 years old again, I’d be squealing like a little girl right now. Instead, I’m 34 – I’m squealing like a BIG girl. Here we have a video that takes two of the most famous on-screen cars of all time and lines em’ up for a “super” race. It’s the 1966 Batmobile from the original TV series and the 1989 Batmobile from the “Batman” film starring Michael Keaton. I actually got to see both of these cars at car shows back in the 80′s. The 66 is based on the Lincoln Futura concept car. It weighs in at a whopping 5,500 lbs. and has an old school 390 under the hood. The 89 model, though most thought it was a stretched out Corvette, is actually built on a Chevy Impala chassis and gets it’s motivation from a pumped up small-block 350. Check out the video below… I suggest skipping to about the 7:45 mark where the race starts. AND… I suggest sticking around for the hot bikini car wash afterwards. (no, really!)

How to roll in style… when you’re dead

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:07:47 +0000

This, my friends, is the Rolls Royce Phantom B12 Hearse from Biemme Special Cars. It’s a 1 of 1 concept that measures over 23 feet in length. (“that’s what she said”… sorry) I suppose, if you’re planning your own funeral and want to let your family members know that wasting money on riding like P. Diddy is more important than their inheritance, this would be the hearse for you. I’ve got to question Biemme’s decision on the rear doors, though; “suicide” doors on a hearse!??? Bad taste, guys… but funny.

Ford teases a new ‘performance’ Explorer

admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:41:11 +0000

Without moving up to the BMW/Mercedes/Porsche level, there hasn’t been any real competition for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 performance SUV… until now. Ford is teasing a new ‘performance’ version of the newly designed Explorer. Rumors suggest that the Explorer will be close to the performance of the Jeep, while beating the SRT’s $60,000 price tag and combined 14 mpg rating. Check out the teaser video…