0-100-0 is interesting because it incorporates the performance of the brakes...
Just recently, it has gone from the Toyota GP of Long Beach to the Acura GP of LB...
Probably around the time of this issue, I got a chance to drive one of these. I borrowed one to take home for one night.
(GM used to ship interesting cars to the studio I worked at and most people got a chance to drive the cars overnight. Through this program, I got to drive some very interesting cars. One I remember is the Opel Tigra - I think that's what it was called... There was a European Ford coupe that I can't remember the name of...
Some of the cars were not sold in the US and came from the European market...)
This is not the type of car I usually like but I remember being very impressed by it. It was quiet, spacious, rode well and jumped when the throttle was tipped in. The throttle response was addictive...
My friend BS got credit for doing the styling on the car. I think he may have gotten promoted as part of that success.
He retired from GM a few years ago.
He's a big Porsche fan and has a 928 and a Cayman.
His 1/43rd scale model collection is impressive and expansive...
I don't remember the NSX-R but I really like the red seats...
Honda used to have a logo/graphic I really like...
I don't know when they got rid of it but it's a shame that it's gone...
Now that I work for Honda, I'm learning from the inside how Honda works. Surprisingly different from other Japanese companies (extremely different from Toyota!). After working for Toyota for 9 years, the Toyota culture is somewhat ingrained in me. Working for Honda, the Toyota way conflicts with the Honda way and it's often frustrating to see the difference to the Honda way...
Honda does some things that Toyota would never do in their culture. One example is to have a meeting without sharing some preliminary information first. In Toyota's culture, you don't surprise others with information that they have not had a chance to review before the meeting. If people have not had a chance to review and consider the material, then you postpone the meeting. The Honda way is to not share information till you are in the meeting and then start sharing information that you haven't had a chance to consider. You're still supposed to give your opinion on the spot...
You get a more "gut reaction" type of response, which can be more pure sometimes. Other times, some opportunity to reflect on new information can be very helpful...
Carroll Shelby is sitting on the Viper and next to the Cobra...
Shelby is well known for being generous with his signature.
Once, I was at SEMA in Las Vegas and was walking through the related industry tools show (in a different building from SEMA).
While walking through some small booths for some of the smaller companies in a quieter part of the show, I walked by a booth and area that was empty.
Someone was sitting at the booth on a stool, alone at a desk in front of the booth. As I walked by, I though it looked like Shelby but wasn't sure, especially because he wasn't wearing his trademark cowboy hat. I took a double take & I was sure that it was Shelby.
I walked back by (the area was still empty of people) and slowed down in front of Shelby and took a closer look.
It was Shelby. He had a stack of small letter size "posters" of him and some of his cars in front of him.
What was surprising is that he was by himself. No one else in the small booth. I don't even remember what the booth was for...
As I slowed and lingered, I was hesitant to speak to him or ask for an autograph (I'm not much of an autograph hound).
Shelby didn't look too happy to be sitting there alone, wasting his time (I'm guessing he agreed to be there for 1/2 an hour or so to please a supplier or friend or ?).
He noticed me lingering and he asked me if I wanted an autograph!
I was first a little startled that he spoke to me first, and also because he was not very happy (he looked grumpy and sounded it too). I didn't think his attitude was because of me, but instead due to the situation.
I stammered something about wanting an autograph.
I asked him to sign one for my daughter too.
I still have those somewhere...
Pretty amazing numbers for the Porsche 911 Turbo.
I wonder what this chart would look like today...
Almost never see a Geo anymore. This Prizm is a rebadged Toyota Corolla that was built at the Freemont California plant (The plant was run by Toyota but used to be a GM plant that had been mothballed [I think they used to build the Camaro there] & brought back as part of the joint project. I can't remember the acronym that the plant went by... it's at the tip of my tongue... I remembered: NUMMI... New United Manufacturing something or other. Now it's the Tesla plant...).
When I worked for GM, I got a two day tour of the plant and the Toyota Production System.
The tour was given to GM employees by a GM person who worked at the plant.
The Toyota Way was deeply impressive and made a big impact on me... Later in my career, I would end up working for Toyota and see/work with the TPS and other Toyota culture from the inside...
Another feature article by Peter Egan. Will read this too...
