Driving Impression of the New Chevy Cruze

Hi folks -- sorry for being so quiet lately -- just too much to do in SD and then travel to Detoit and London, Ontario. So at the Detroit Airport I got a Chevy Cruze from Avis. Our family was a Chevy family going back to the beginning. When I was very young, my father had a gently used 1948 Chevrolet. Then we acquired in succession a 1954 Belair, Blue and white, a 1962 Chevy II Nova (there was a 1958 lemon yellow and indeed lemon Plymouth Fury in between), a 1972 Chevelle, and finally a 1979 Chevelle that was a terrible car with a defective THM-200 transmission coupled to a 305 V-8. That last car proved to be such a disapointment to my father that I since that time I have hated and decried Chevys and GM products at every turn. So it was with some trepidation that I started off with this Cruze on Thursday evening.

This car beats the old Cobalt all to hell. It handles well (almost too sensitive for my taste) and had a far better interior than I expected. Yet that interior is no better than my 2006 Nissan Sentra, so GM has come a long way, but initially it had a long way to go. Controls all make sense, the seats are comfortable, visibility relatively good, and the style is not bad for what I would still consider an econobox rather than a medium sized sedan that it is touted as.

I think this is a sensible car for a young family needing good, reliable transportation. The bow-tie doesn't mean much to a status -seeker, and it does little for self esteem. But as an appliance car it does the job it seems, but still it doesn't quicken the blood or touch deep emotions. But maybe I am asking too much out of an entry level car.

HST 378 Class from USD Visits Jay Leno's Garage and then the Show

Hi folks -- no photos yet to post -- photos were a no no while in the "Big Dog" Garage in Burbank and then on the set of the Tonight Show. But it was an incredible experience on April 1. We drove up to LA from San Diego on Friday morning in a number of cars. I took my son-in-law Tony and two students, Michelle Griswold and Patrick Doyle. Traffic was murder on I-5, but we got to the Big Dog Garage just after 1 p.m. The entire class was waiting for us outside the gate! We then had a 1 1/2 hour tour of the facility, which is a working garage that employs eight mechanics. There are so many cars in the collection it is hard to say which cars were my favorites, but off the top of my hat I would say a red Triumph TR-3 and a four cam Porsche Carerra 356. Of course there are plenty of Duesenbergs, Bugattis, Bentlys, etc, and all are fabulous. Ater the tour we had a special group visit to Studio 11 at NBC and the taping of the April 1 Show. That was great fun -- the music was terrific -- indeed the entire experience. After the taping was over Jay went back, changed into his jeans, and came out and met the class. The students asked several questions and Jay was most gracious. He said he thought my book The Automnoible and American Life was a good book, should be added to his book club list on his website, and also said I could come back to the Garage whenever I want. Yesterday was that a highlight of my time here in CA. It took us a while to get back to SD on Friday night. My only regret is that Chuck Berry was in concert at one of the casinos, and that would have been one terrific way to top off the day. But no complaints at all -- Friday April Fools' Day 2011 was one of the best days in my life.

A good looking rear end! Installing a Ford 8.8 inch rear end into the 1967 Cougar

Hi folks -- on Sunday Tony and I (mostly Tony) got to work on finishing the rear end swap on his 1967 Cougar. The above 8.8 came out of a 1998 Ford Explorer and was modified by taking off existing brackets and then welding new ones on to match the configuration of the Cougar. Particular attention was paid to make sure the brackets are properly spaced and that the pinion angle was correct. Once this job is done it is on to the engine rebuild.

Rebuilding a Ford 289

Hi folks-- yesterday we started cleaning the Tony's garage to get ready to rebuild a Ford 289 to put in his 1967 Mercury Cougar. One slight detour today -- putting in a 8.8 rear end from a 1998 Ford Explorer into the car. I'll keep you all informed as we go!

Mid-term Exam -- "The Automobile and American Life" University of San Diego, March, 2011

Mid-Term Dr. Heitmann HST 378 March 8, 2011 Name_________________________ I Identification and Significance. (50 pts.) Answer five of the following eight by writing a short paragraph (minimum 3 to 4 sentences) on each of your choices. Make sure you are as incisive and factual as possible with your response, and stress the significance of the person, place, or thing. 1. The Bicycle as a Technological Antecedent 2. The Origins of Mass Production 3. The Duesenberg Automobile 4. Harley Earl and his Art and Colour Group at GM 5. Edward S. Jordan and automobile advertising 6. The Transition to the All-Steel, Enclosed Automobile during the 1920s 7. The Automobile and the Origins of the Great Depression 8. Pre-WWII Blues Music and the Automobile Essay. (50 pts.) Answer one of the following by writing a coherent essay harnessing factual evidence whenever possible. Your answer should have both an introduction and a conclusion. It can be said that during the first four decades of its history the American automobile industry was guided by people of great vision. In your opinion, who were these individuals (you need not list every person, but those most important as you make your case), and what did they specifically accomplish? Be as specific and as detailed as possible in your essay response. Without doubt, the introduction and diffusion of the automobile during the first half of the 20th century resulted in enormous social change in America. Discuss the impact of the automobile on society and the American family, making sure to include: perceptions from the religious community; intergenerational conflict; courtship and mating; the place of women in the family; and finally, changes in home architecture.

Some Mary Kay Pink Cadillac Photos

Hi folks -- I was visiting with Ed Garten on Friday morning at a local Panera in Beavercreek, Ohio when Ed noticed that a Mary Kay Cadillac parked out front actually had a "Mary Kay" chrome trim designation placed on the trunk of the car. So I decided to check a few photos on the web and here are some that I found. Yes, it is more than a car that the women who sell Mary Kay products gain from taking on the challenge.

Mary Kay Ash purchased her first pink Cadillac in 1968. The car was repainted by the dealer before delivery to match the Mountain Laurel Blush in her compact. As it turned out, it was a rolling advertisement, and Mary Kay rewarded her top five producers with pinkCadillacs in 1969. Pink was an obvious color choice — matching the company's eye and lip color palettes. Since 1980, the shade used by the Mary Kay fleet has been exclusive to Mary Kay. Every two years, a Director can be eligible for a new Cadillac.

When the two year lease has expired, the cars are repainted, prior to being auctioned off. The shade of pink has changed over the years. In 1998, the color was changed to "pearlized pink."