Will compete in 2013 NASCAR and arrive in showrooms as 2014 model

DETROIT – Chevrolet today announced the return of a V-8 powered, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan to the U.S. lineup, the Chevrolet SS. The SS will also be Chevrolet’s next NASCAR Sprint Cup racecar and will debut in its race configuration at the 2013 Daytona 500.

The limited production version of the Chevrolet SS will be a 2014 model and will arrive in dealer showrooms in late 2013. It is the first time in 17 years that Chevrolet will offer a rear-wheel-drive sedan for sale in the United States.

Chevrolet has a long history of using the SS (Super Sport) designation on high-performance models of some of its most enduring nameplates. The SS designation first appeared in 1957 on a Corvette prototype race car built under the guidance of Zora Arkus-Duntov with the plan to enter it in the Le Mans 24-hour race.

The first production vehicle offered with an SS option was the 1961 Impala – 453 were built with the performance upgrades which included a modified chassis and suspension, power brakes, a steering column mounted tachometer and unique wheels and tires. The latest SS model in the Chevrolet lineup is the fifth-generation Camaro, which debuted in 2010.

The Chevrolet SS will be a derivative of the award-winning global rear-wheel-drive architecture that spawns performance vehicles like Chevrolet Camaro and Holden’s upcoming VF Commodore. The much anticipated Australian-built car will benefit from significant technology advances which enhance overall performance.

“As a passionate race fan and performance enthusiast, I am thrilled that Chevrolet will deliver a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR racecar in the SS that is closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “The Chevrolet SS is a great example of how GM is able to leverage its global product portfolio to deliver a unique performance experience that extends beyond the track. I am personally looking forward to driving it.”

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Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Earlier articles:

Silly Season … Super Sport Performance Chevy

“New” Chevrolet will be 2013 NASCAR racer

An American Legend

I was ten years old when my Dad took us to see one of the first Shelby Cobra sports cars at the Koons Ford dealership in Seven Corners. The showroom was packed with men and boys trying to get a good look.

The man

Carroll Hall Shelby was born in  Leesburg, Texas, son of a rural mail carrier. Was a flight instructor during World War II.

In 1952 he starts racing cars, finishing second at the 1954 LeMans driving an Aston-Martin DBR3 for John Wyer.

Sports Illustrated 1956 and 1957 "Driver of the Year."

Wins the 1959 LeMans driving an Aston Martin DBR1/300

Wins USAC driving championship in 1960 while physicians determine his chest pain is from angina.

Opens driving school at Riverside Raceway in California

source:  Carroll Shelby: An American Legend

Shelby American forms to produce Cobras (1961- 1967)

The first match of a Ford 260 V-8 and AC Ace is made in February 2, 1962, producing the Shelby Cobra.

source: Shelby American Inc.

Originally built to be Corvette-beaters, Ford wanted to beat Ferrari.

The CSX2601 is an iconic championship racer which took the manufacturers crown in the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) GT race class in 1965, holding the distinction of being the first American car to beat a Ferrari in world championship racing in Europe.

The 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra was one of only six built by Carroll Shelby to compete in FIA GT. It also features an experimental coupe body fitted to the Cobra chassis designed by Pete Brock which helped increase the car's top speed by 25 mph.

Source: Iconic 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe Could Fetch $15 Million at Auction  (World Car Fans.com)

The Legacy

Shelby's touch lead Ford to win LeMans, Mustangs to be race cars, Dodge Omni's to "Go Like Hell" and the DNA for the Dodge Viper.

His last car is a 1000 horsepower Shelby

A complex man who has affected North American performance vehicles for five decades.

Keith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market and American Car Collector, commented, "Carroll Shelby will be forever remembered as the man who single-handedly took the fight to Ferrari and beat them at their own game on their own race tracks. His spirit, his ingenuity and his ever-present sense of humor will be missed."

Godspeed.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

edit: added video

Laurel VFD makes a video drill out of a SUV fire

Nice job by the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department to make a mini-drill from a SUV fire:

The officers of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department thought that the video of this incident could be used particularly well for training purposes.

The original video has been edited to include basic information about car fires and possible dangers associated with them.

Mike "Fossilmedic" Ward

Finding electronic clues for the next hot-rod Chevy

Christopher Price is a knowledge worker that blogs about technology.  Posted this item on April 24:

Out of the blue, I decided to pull up my OnStar vehicle profile, and check its maintenance. I don’t know why. But, I did.

And afterwards, I was once again ticked that my 2009.5 Pontiac G6 V6 (with FlexFuel), could not take advantage of even the most basic of OnStar RemoteLink features. Generation 8.0 OnStar “won’t ever” support RemoteLink, sadly.

Just for fun, I decided to pull up the list of cars which did support RemoteLink. Sheer boredom, I was expecting nothing but what I knew. And then I saw it. A 2014 Model Year button.

Oh, this must be a mistake, I thought. Nothing will show up. Null entry, move on. Right?

GM Confirms the 2014 Chevrolet SS Performance & Cadillac ELR — Thanks to OnStar Mishap

Mike Colias, a reporter with Automotive News, picked up on this item, adding the following nuggets:

The list of 2014 models disappeared from the OnStar site this afternoon, after I called GM for comment.

Another clue: Last week, the Web site GM Authority reported that GM has filed for U.S. patent rights that would trademark the SS badge.

Trail of clues leading to Chevrolet SS nameplate

We reported on this speculation last month: “New” Chevrolet will be 2013 NASCAR racer

I missed the very brief window in 2011 when the Caprice "detective" versions were available for sale. 

Contract loophole = Street Caprices

Maybe I can buy a Super Sport next year.
 

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

London Fire Brigade's Latest Fleet

When I first saw this, thought about the recent article posted by Bill "Firegeezer" Schumm:  UK Decision to Sell Off National Fire College Brings Widespread Complaints, where he covers the difficulties in maintaining the firefightng fleet.

This is different, related to the Olympics.  From the London Fire Brigade Facebook page:

Introducing … Olympic MINIs! We'll be using these to attend to small incidents, like bin fires, on the Olympic Park during the Games. What do you think to them? They'll be out & about in London over the next few months so if you're lucky enough to spot one, do take a snap and upload your pics here.

Fire engines will still be mobilised should larger incidents occur, but the MINIs will provide an immediate response to tackle small fires without unnecessarily disrupting the Games. They are fitted with blue LED lights and a siren. They will carry a range of equipment, such as foam, water and dry powder fire extinguishers to tackle various types of small fire. They also contain first aid equipment.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Some excitement at the Abu Dhabi racetrack

Phil McGovern, writing for crank&piston, described this incident during the UAE Touring Championship:

We had the displeasure of witnessing this crash at Yas Marina late last season and had that immediate sinking feeling.

The amazing thing though, is that sinking feeling was all but instantly rectified as Mr Yusif Bassil, grew wings (do some digging and you’ll get that) shot out of his horrifically mangled and by now on fire, Renault Clio.

Notice how quickly the flames run up the inside of the windshield.

Video was also found in videobash, uploaded by Alfonsoqtp with this observation:

Good thing he didn't get stuck inside and need that fire suppression system because it looks like it broke loose from the passenger floor right at 0:32 !!

Apparently the driver's door was jammed.

That HANS device makes it a little difficult to move!

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Last day at Indianapolis, normally I am on the first morning flight. This year I am working the exhibit hall one more time!

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

A Risk of the Just-In-Time Supply System

THE EXPLOSION AT AN EVONIC INDUSTRIES chemical plant in Marl, Germany, on March 31 may lead to a severe cutback in automobile production world-wide.  The destructive blast in the Marl Industrial Park (reported in Firegeezer HERE) has shut down the portion of the plant where a chemical Cyclododecatriene, also known as CDT or PA-12, is produced.

Reuters

This chemical is a vital component of a specialized resin that is used in making automotive brake, brake lines, fuel lines, gas tanks, and several other related products.  Evonic Industries makes about 50% of the world's supply of CDT and the stock on hand will run out in a few months.  Executives from the world's largest automakers are meeting today (Tuesday) in Detroit to discuss finding alternative sources or even different products that may be safe enough to replace the CDT-based parts.

Businessweek is reporting today (in selected quotes):

At stake is whether automakers can keep assembling cars and trucks after another breakdown in supply chains that are stretched taut around the world to minimize investment and parts inventory.

TI Automotive Ltd. warned its customers in an April 12 letter of severe shortages interrupting production "in the next few weeks." The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company supplies brake and fuel lines, as well as fuel tanks and pumps, to all major automakers, including General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and Volkswagen AG according to its website.

While automakers and their suppliers have reacted quickly, it may be difficult for the industry to find a solution in time to avoid losing production because of the nature of the parts that use CDT and PA-12, De Koker said.

"Brake lines and fuel lines are safety products, so you don’t make changes overnight," he said. "You have to do them very carefully with the right testing to prove out the product."

OregonLive

Evonik has begun repairs at its factory in Marl, Germany, Ruben Thiel, a spokesman for the Essen, Germany-based company, said in an e-mail. "Every conceivable effort" is being made to rebuild the plant "before winter," he said.  Evonik plans to add capacity in Asia, (but) a new factory won’t be ready until the end of 2014.

Other makers of PA-12 are France’s Arkema SA (AKE), Switzerland’s Ems-Chemie Holding AG (EMSN) and Japan’s Ube Industries Ltd., Thiel said.

Read the entire Businessweek article HERE.

One international automotive organization is predicting that the shortage will "likely be serious."  The Detroit Free Press adds:

IHS Chemical analyst Paul Blanchard said in a report that Evonik wouldn’t regenerate production capacity for at least six months, leaving the auto industry scrambling to find substitute parts for a resin that was already in short supply.

"The ability of Evonik and Arkema to find alternate sources of CDT is very limited and it is doubtful that the CDT shortage can be made up," Blanchard said. "In the short term auto and truck production will be affected."

Read more in the Detroit Free Press HERE.
Daily Finance has a unique view of the situation HERE.

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Here is One Way To Do It ….

"CATCHING AN AUTO FIRE"  takes on a whole new meaning in the Netherlands

This video was posted on Saturday from the Netherlands.  According to the accompanying write-up, this old Volvo was being driven by "a little old lady" who wasn't aware that her car was on fire and kept driving.  Passersby phoned the fire brigade who responded and as they were arriving, the woman discovered her plight, stopped the car and got out without taking it out of gear.  That explains the prescient positioning of the first-arriving engine.  Everybody was safe.

Thanks to Christian Lewalt er of Feuerwehr Blog.

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But There Are Better Ways Than This:

A COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, MAN was finished with his cigarette while driving through the city Monday afternoon, so he flicked the butt out the window.  But as luck would have it, the wind currents blew it back inside the car where the lit cigarette nestled itself into the rear-seat upholstery.

It was around 4 pm when he first learned about his goof-up and decided to call some folks over to see what happened.  They arrived on Big Red a few minutes later while this home video was cranking:

The driver can always blame it on the auto manufacturer for not putting ash trays in the cars anymore.

Thanks to Ron for the video.

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161 ticket holders won $250,000 each

Nine people who bought tickets in Virginia and Maryland were a PowerBall short of the jackpot, but got enough of a prize to have serious fun.

I am planning to be one of the first owners of a four-door Mustang GT.

(c) Theophilus Chin / Chris Doane Automotive photo

Then have Kenny Brown Performance install a Class III package.

No buyer's remorse this time!

I was seriously considering buying a Kenny Brown Panther, a supercharged supercar that looked like an unmarked Crown Vic police cruiser. Inspired by the 1998 Car and Driver "Lounge Lizard" project car. (article HERE)

In a 2003 follow-up article by Larry Niven, Kenny Brown Marauder S: Ford lobs one into the aftermarket, and Kenny Brown hits it outta the park, we get a feel for the impact of the Lounge Lizard project car:

It's fitting that Brown is the orchestrator of this Marauder transformation. He was the original sculptor of the Lounge Lizard C/D project car (November 1998), a supercharged, blacked-out version of the Crown Victoria (Ford's version of the Mercury Grand Marquis) that we believe was the forerunner to the Marauder.

Since we published the Lounge Lizard story, Brown has built 35 similar cars …

For the Lizard and its SOHC 16-valve V-8 engine, Brown used a Roots-type supercharger that is sold by Ford—through Ford Racing—and sits in the vee of the engine.

Spent the Monday of 2003 FDIC week at the Indianapolis shop trying out their "work car."

It was almost a religious experience.

Went back that summer to check out a customer car that was similar to what I wanted. 

Met with an Indianapolis Ford dealer to order the proper base vehicle, a 2004 LX in Dark Toreador Red Clearcoat Metallic with a Medium Parchment interior.

Got cold feet – over $50,000 for a car.

Ten years and a lottery ticket later …

The four-door Mustang GT with a Kenny Brown Class III package is the closest I can get to recreating that experience.

thanks to Nick Kurczewicki at Road & Track online for the scoop on the new Mustang:

2014 Ford Mustang Sedan – First Look. New 4-door Mustang sedan may also be available as a Boss 302.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Update – the four door Mustang may carry the "Falcon" name plate