Wanted: An 'American People's Car'

This article in a Florida newspaper takes the biscuit for historical inaccuracy. Talking about the rise of Volkswagen in the United States the writer, one Nick Iannone, says: "Throughout this assault, Detroit neither responded with revised product nor adjusted market perception."
The writer must be unaware of the frantic efforts in Detroit to beat off the imports. The strategy was to offer a bit more car at a competitive price. The most obvious example is the Chevrolet Corvair from 1959, which copied the Volkswagen in concept with rear-mounted air-cooled engine. There were many other responses besides - in the early sixties compact cars like the six-cylinder Ford Falcon were designed to attract economy-conscious buyers although perhaps appealing more to little old ladies than college kids. The original Pony car, the Ford Mustang from 1964, was introduced to fix that problem. The later Ford Mustang II and Maverick likewise. In the early seventies the Ford Pinto, 1970, and Chevrolet Vega, 1971, were further flawed attempts to compete.
Many of these efforts lacked credibility. The Corvair was killed off by Ralph Nader who attacked the car in the book "Unsafe at any speed." The Pinto went down in history for bursting into flames in a rear-end crash. The Vega was lampooned as "made from old slot machine parts in Youngstown, Ohio." The quality of the Vega and Pinto was awful. The big three couldn't catch a break.
The Chevrolet Chevette of 1975 had a good run being the top-selling small car in the U.S. in 1979/1980. There was even a diesel version, with Isuzu motor, to go up against the Volkswagen Rabbit. VW's attempt to build cars in the U.S. ran out of road.
Remember the Saturn, another small-car GM brand, from 1985. Other efforts resorted to rebadging imports such as the Chevrolet Metro, the short-lived Geo brand and, more recently, the Pontiac Vibe. Your small Government Motors car likely came on a ship from South Korea nowadays.
The brutal truth is that the U.S. has never been much damn good at building small cars, Model 'T' excepted. Even now when cars like the Ford Focus offer credible basic transport nobody takes much notice. When you are late to the party who cares?

See also: Crosley "crackpots", Kansas electric.

Spain, Switzerland and Sussex

Peter Flanagan sent these pictures taken at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed. In keeping with our summer Spanish theme these show a luxurious Hispano-Suiza.

Soggy bottom boys in Montreal

NASCAR Nationwide cars are in Montreal this weekend, at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, with Aussie Marcos Ambrose qualifying on the pole in the wet. NASCAR doesn't normally run in the rain - see PunchBuggy passim.
Ex-F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve qualified sixth in a Toyota. Villeneuve finished fourth in the recent Canadian Tire Series race at Trois-Rivieres on August 16th.
Picture by Ron Stockey.

Let's Go to the Ex II

We took the special express bus from Dundas West to the Ex on opening day. We queued in the sunshine to pay our $1.75 entry fee (normally $15). The city are bribing us with our own money but we pocket the insult. I wanted to see this Ford Tractor, with seventies-style clamshell body, which tows a road train around the exhibition grounds. We also noted the very politically correct bicycle parking.

The highlight of the visit was the concert "The Spirit of Woodstock" at the CNE Bandshell. The wrinkly rockers and bluesmen were wheeled out one more time to celebrate forty years since the mudfest in New York State. The show was stolen by Canned Heat (below) from California, who like Mountain and Johnny Winter, played at the original Woodstock gig.

The show was opened by a Paul Butterfield tribute band fronted by Michael Pickett. They set off at the gallop with "Shake Your Money Maker," "Got My Mojo Working," and "The Train I Ride," in the set list. Pickett invites the audience to make a peace sign, getting into the spirit of the occasion. Every old hippie in Hogtown has turned out for the "free" concert. You expect the furry freak brothers to turn up any moment. Pickett has a voice like a foghorn, an authentic blues shouter blowing on the mouth harp.
Next up Canned Heat, here a six-piece. They open with "Bullfrog Blues," "On the Road Again," and "Time Was." The light-hearted "Let Me Drive Your Automobile" follows with the band working both drumkits and the audience - you'd book this band. As the flute signals the opening bars of “Goin’ Up The Country” the hair is standing up on the back of my neck. The instrumental "Wade in the Water" is next featuring Harvey Mandel on guitar, a "psychedelic gospel" or sonic trip which draws a standing ovation. Mandel's second, or was it third, gig with Canned Heat was at Woodstock. These battle-hardened veterans give us "Work Together" then John Lee Hooker's "Boogie" with alternating drum solos to close out the set. With their heavy touring schedule these boys certainly put on a show.
A three-piece Mountain take the stage with "People Get Ready" as various members of Canned Heat are watching off. The band play with no guitar leads and move about the stage. Leslie West the front man is a shadow of his former self in size but still a formidable performer. Rev Jones on bass camps it up by twirling a long topknot as he spins around like a whirling dervish. "You don't play the bass, you play the hair" says West calling him a "F***ing maniac." Drummer Corky Laing has a finely developed shtick of launching drumsticks into the audience. The roadie looks like he's escaped from Noggin the Nog. I lose track of the set list as the opening tune morphs into "Blowin' in the Wind." A sample of "Paint it Black" was in there somewhere and we eventually get to their signature song "Mississippi Queen."
By now it is dark and we hang on for Johnny Winter who is assisted on stage and remains seated. Is this a gig too far? He starts with "Super Cool" and Jimi Hendrix's "Red House," then "She Likes to Boogie Real Low." A duet with Leslie West doesn't really chime. He warms up eventually and is the bluesman of old with "Miss Anne," and Ray Charles' "Black Jack." I wish my old friend Pat Barton was here to see him. After some five hours we leave the Texan to the late crowd and head for the bus before chucking out time. Far out man.

Dalton's dirty diesel

In the week when the Canada Line railway opened in Vancouver, connecting the downtown to the airport, I spotted this protest poster on Dundas West in Toronto. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is shown as the villain of the piece. Hogtown's long running saga of a railway to Pearson Airport is mired in controversy over the possible use of diesel trains for the projected service. The trains in British Columbia are electric and its seems sensible to follow suit. When will this "world class city" get its act together and provide a clean efficient train service between Pearson Airport and the downtown? Don't hold your breath.

Brompton mod a long time coming

To Curbside Cycle where they have the later-type roller wheels for my Brompton bicycle in stock. This is a retrofit item that reduces the risk of the bike falling over when parked. I'd almost given up hope of sourcing these spares. They fitted them at the shop after Ron Stockey found a screwdriver large enough to torque off the old rollers. With the help of Richard the salesman we got the job done. The new wheels were secured with hardened steel bolts, with Allen heads, and a touch of Loctite.

Hogtown history they'd rather you forget

The commendable history of Toronto City Centre Airport is never mentioned by the boroughmongers, as they are more interested in destroying its remarkable recent success. This plaque in the old control tower at the airport tells a positive story, that the sinecurists must not be allowed to suppress:

The Royal Norwegian Air Force
1940-1945
Here during World War II, the Royal Norwegian Air Force trained its air and ground crews. Land for a training camp was provided free by the Toronto Harbour Commissioners at the foot of Bathurst Street, west of the Ferry Dock. The camp, known as "Little Norway", was opened officially on November 10, 1940, and by the end of that year, 500 officers and men were stationed there. "Little Norway" consisted of seventeen buildings, including a hospital, headquarters, schools, recreation hall,
depot, guardhouse, barracks and messes. Colonel Ole Reistad, Commander of the R.N.A.F. in Canada from May, 1941 to April, 1945, was an outstanding sportsman and winner of an Olympic Gold Medal. In 1943 the "Little Norway" operation was transferred to the Muskoka Airfield. A total of 2,657 personnel served in the R.N.A.F. in Canada. Most expenses for their training were paid for by the Norwegian Merchant Navy.
Toronto Historical Board
1984

Let's go to the Ex

We went on Thursday by bicycle but it turns out they didn't want us at all. They were paying guys good money to keep folk out of Exhibition Place, known as the Ex. We entered via the bridge from Ontario Place innocently enough but when we exited at the Prince's Gate they wouldn't let us back in! Anyway we'd already got the photos we wanted so we returned via the Lakeshore.

Tiny Tom Donuts are an essential part of this nostalgia-fest which had its heyday a long time ago as a blue-collar treat for Torontonians. This year the annual bash starts on Friday August 21st.

This irritating piece of agitprop is sprayed at frequent intervals on the short stretch of cyclepath on the Lakeshore, opened recently by Waterfront Toronto, known risibly as the Blue Edge. I wonder how much a consultant was paid to design it? Have these people taken leave of their senses?

Oldies in the Algarve

I took this picture on our recent visit to Portugal at Monchique in the hill country. I was intrigued by the Citroën Visa, a model of which I used to own, inherited from my Dad.

Car show calamity

It all started when I read an article by auto journalist Bill Vance about Old Autos, a fortnightly newspaper, published in Bothwell, Ontario. Turns out they have an upcoming car show and swap meet, an annual bash.

We leave home at 07:15 Friday heading for Bothwell, in south-west Ontario. Taking the Gardiner Expressway, we turn onto Hwy 403. We breakfasted at a truck stop at TA Travel Centres, Exit 230 off Hwy 401, west of Woodstock. We were cheerfully served by Nicky G., $21 including tip. So much better than a chain restaurant - we are getting the road trip buzz. Fill up with diesel, $13 for a tank at 81.4 cents a liter.

A diversion due to construction put us off course in farm country. We stopped at a restored railway station at Glencoe, then past Old Autos office at Bothwell to the Friday Swap Meet. I purchase the March 1962 edition of Hot Rod, then 50 cents, now $5, with an article about the English Allard dragster. Annette snaps up a Carlton Ware plate for $4. Every part imaginable for old cars is on sale as well as some complete vehicles in need of TLC.

To Chatham tourist information who direct us to the RM Classic Car Exhibit at One Classic Car Drive, off Hwy 401 at Hwy 40 at Blenheim, ON. This is a world-class auto restoration facility and auction house - cars in the warehouse are constantly changing. We are given a guided tour of Bugatti, Duesenberg, Pierce-Arrow and Cadillac. We were charged $6 per head. We check into Log Home B & B on the Delaware First Nation Reserve, Moldaviatown, with hosts Eunice and Rienus Ryk. Recommended. After a nap, we head into Bothwell to watch the evening parade. We park on Main Street and take a sub supper from Subs & Scoops, having our own smart car tailgate party.

The cars in the parade are throwing sweets for the kids. The usual suspects are in the parade including local pols, firefighters, Shriners and, of course, antique cars.
Next morning, after a splendid breakfast, we drive to Wallaceburg for WAMBO (Wallaceburg Antique Motor & Boat Outing), intending to return to Bothwell. The weather has turned and both events are badly affected by pouring rain. Hot Rods and muscle cars are lined up on James Street. We warm up at Fiesta Restaurant, 504 James Street, Downtown Wallaceburg, unlimited coffee, $3 for two. We chat to Judy Dalton while sheltering at a stall by the river - she is promoting the restoration of the Capitol Theatre in Chatham. We hear that Wallaceburg is hurting in the downturn and we are sorry their event is so soggy.
The weather is getting worse if anything so we motor northward to the Canadian oilpatch, visiting the Oil Museum of Canada at Oil Springs. This is the oldest working oilfield in the world with 'nodding donkeys' still working here and there. We continue via Oil City and Petrolia. We are running short of diesel but manage to find a station at Ailsa Craig. Home via Hwy 7 with pitstops at Kitchener for Tim Hortons, and grocery at Acton, arriving at 18:45.

Big Boys Toys

To CYTZ on the yellow Brompton bicycle on a glorious day for coffee at Druxy's. Check out the yacht moored in the harbour - the Calixe, from the Cayman Islands. The helicopter strapped to the roof of the cabin is the ultimate accessory that says I've got it all.

Off up Spadina to Global Cheese in Kensington Market to stock up. We stop at a bar on Dundas St West for an iced tea on the way home - it was a music store about forty years ago where my pal Ron used to have accordion lessons. By a circular route to Wendigo Way and back to base. I am pleased that I recover quickly from the ride, having kept fit on holiday by walking and climbing hills.