Allan Arbus, best known for his role as Dr. Sidney Freedman on M*A*S*H, passed away on Friday, April 19 at the age of 95.

Arbus was born February 18, 1918 in New York City. He married Diane Nemerov in 1941 and the pair become well known photographers. Arbus also served as a photographer for the Army Signal Corps during World War II. The two developed a thriving photography business, but the business was closed in 1956. After the closure, Diane gained fame for her photography of marginalized people, and Arbus continued to work in fashion photography, but he also began to act. The couple separated in 1959 and divorced in 1969. Following their divorce, Arbus moved to Los Angeles to continue acting. Diane committed suicide in 1972, and Arbus married Mariclare Costello in 1976.

Arbus is best known for his reoccurring role as Dr. Freedman in M*A*S*H, in which he made 12 appearance. But he appeared in a number of movies and television shows with his last appearance coming in 2001. His film credits include Coffey and Crossroads. He also appeared in a number of popular television shows including Taxi, Starsky & Hutch, Matlock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

For me and legions of other M*A*S*H fans, Arbus will be long remembered as the witty psychiatrist, Dr. Freedman. He has always been described by his fellow actors as a very nice and hardworking man. Arbus was such a convincing actor, that Alan Alda recalled talking with him between takes on M*A*S*H about psychology. Alda recalled, “I was so convinced that he was a psychiatrist I used to sit and talk with him between scenes. After a couple months of that I noticed he was giving me these strange looks, like ‘How would I know the answer to that?’”

Allan Arbus is survived by his wife, Mariclare, and three daughters, Amy and Doon form his from marriage and Arin from his second.

On this day in 1983, the series finale of M*A*S*H aired on CBS. The episode, entitled Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen, was a fitting end to the series as it documented the end of the war. The two and half hour episode was watched by a record setting audience, and still holds the record for largest percentage of the American viewing audience.

M*A*S*H has long been my favorite television series, and its finale is one of the greatest series finales ever produced. It was a fitting end to a series that lasted three times longer than the Korean War. If you get a chance, catch a rerun of M*A*S*H today or this weekend and enjoy one of most iconic television series ever produced.

SRT Racing has accepted an invitation to run two SRT Viper GTS-Rs in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The race will be held June 22 – 23 at the historic track. The cars will be driven by Marc Goossens, Tommy Kendall, Kuno Wittmer, Dominik Farnbacher and Jonathan Bomarito. Other drivers and team members will be announced in the future. The 2013 entries will be a part of the LM GTE Pro Class. 

The Viper has a winning history at Le Mans with both cars finishing at the top of their class in 1998, 1999, and 2000. The new Viper GTS-R made its debut last season in the American Le Mans Series. Both cars are also scheduled to run the full 2013 ALMS season.

See the full announcement from Chrysler/SRT below:

De Retour! Viper set for Return to 24 Heures du Mans With SRT Motorsports

Two factory-supported SRT Viper GTS-Rs will compete in famous 24-hour endurance race in France in June

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — It’s official: Viper will return this year to the stage of some of its most impressive past road racing performances – the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.

SRT Motorsports today accepted an invitation from the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) to field two SRT Viper GTS-Rs in the LM GTE Pro class of the 2013 24 Heures du Mans, June 22-23, officially returning the Viper sports car to one of the most prestigious automobile endurance races in the world.

The Viper finished one-two at the 24 Heures du Mans in GTS class competition three consecutive years – 1998 to 2000.

“Racing is truly a part of the illustrious history of Viper and a proving ground for the SRT brand,” said Ralph Gilles , President and CEO – Street and Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “Historically the Viper GTS-R has enjoyed great success at Le Mans, so we couldn’t be more excited and proud to accept the challenge to return to France and continue composing the next chapter in the history of Viper racing at such an historic venue.”

Beth Paretta , Director of Marketing and Operations – SRT Brand and Motorsports, and SRT Motorsports driver Marc Goossens were on hand at today’s press conference in Paris to officially accept the invitation.

“The new SRT Viper GTS-R represents a rebirth for us in road racing by bringing an elevated level of technical sophistication to the track,” Paretta said. “The invitation to return to the 24 Heures du Mans gives SRT Motorsports and the SRT Viper GTS-R the opportunity to compete on a stage with the best sports car teams from around the world.”

SRT Motorsports teamed with Riley Technologies, based in Mooresville, N.C., on the design-and-build process of the SRT Viper GTS-R. Two identically prepared cars returned to competition last year at Mid-Ohio, the first of four test-and-tune races in preparation for a full 2013 schedule in the GT class in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patron .

In addition to Goossens, drivers returning to the SRT Motorsports lineup for 2013 will be Tommy Kendall , Kuno Wittmer , Dominik Farnbacher and Jonathan Bomarito . Additional team announcements will be revealed at a later date.

The Viper’s successful racing heritage began in 1996 with its first racing entry, the original GTS-R, which earned five international GT championships and the 1997 to 1999 FIA GT championships in addition to the three consecutive one-two finishes at the 24 Heures du Mans in the GTS class.

The Viper posted an amazing overall win at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 2000 – the first for a production-based American car. Viper also captured GTS class and driver’s championships in ALMS competition in 1999 along with the series’ class, manufacturer’s and driver’s championship in 2000 before retiring from the series.

About SRT and SRT Motorsports
The Chrysler Group’s SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand uses a successful product development formula featuring five proven hallmarks: awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability; benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors and race-inspired and high-performance interiors to remain true to its performance roots.

The SRT lineup in the 2013 model year features five vehicles that are world-class performance contenders and bring the latest in safety technologies and creature comforts. The Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 are joined by the SRT flagship Viper and Viper GTS models, which are making their highly anticipated return to the high-performance sports car market.

The engineering expertise within SRT extends well beyond its high-performance street vehicles. Technical support for the Chrysler Group’s various racing programs is provided by the astute engineers at SRT Motorsports, where lessons learned on the race track directly translate to improved vehicles for the company’s customers.

While some of the production vehicles have stolen the show at the North American International Auto Show, there are a number of concepts that have been introduced. The 2012 Detroit Auto Show had several interesting concepts, and there seem to be fewer this year as the production models are more prevalent. Concepts can have a variety of purposes. Some are previews of future models, such as the Ford Atlas Concept – a preview of the next generation F-150. Others are just odd like the X-Truck. See all the 2013 concepts in the gallery below. As before, links will take you to the full article at Autoblog.

The 2013 North American International Auto Show is well underway and all the latest models and concepts have been unveiled. Unlike last year, auto makers had relatively few concept vehicles. This year the focus was on production vehicles for the 2014 model year. The highlight of the show has been the 2014 Corvette Stingray, but there are plenty of other important new models. Check them all out in the gallery below. Please note: all links will take you to the full article by Autoblog.

Tonight, Chevrolet took the cover off the 2014 Corvette in grand fashion. The event was broadcast online and has been publicized for months.  One of the most surprising announcements of the night was the car’s name: Stingray. No Corvette has been given this badge since the late 1970s. Chevrolet felt this car was so special, that it was worthy of one of the most iconic nameplates in GM’s history. Stingrays are expected to begin hitting show room floors in September, and no pricing was announced. Nevertheless, a new Corvette is big news in the automotive world and the introduction of the C7 has been anticipated since the release of the C6 in 2005. Is the C7 worth the wait? Let’s explore the 2014 Corvette Stingray.

Specs

We will begin with the most important information. The drivetrain. The Corvette made the small block V8 into what it is today, and the 6.2 litre LT1 offered in the Corvette Stingray is all new. Producing 450 horsepower and 450 lb. ft. of torque, the numbers are not that much more than the C6. Paired with the LT1 are two new transmission options. Chevy is offering an all new seven-speed manual or a six-speed paddle shift. Both will offer impressive performance paired with that V8.

Chevrolet promises the new Corvette Stingray has 50/50 weight distribution and added stiffness to improve handling. In fact, the car’s entire frame is now constructed from aluminum, a feature once reserved for the Z06 and ZR1. Chevy claims that the new Corvette will achieve 0 – 60 in under 4 seconds and that the power to weight ratio of the C7 is better than the Porsche 911 and Audi R8. Those are some pretty big claims. Claims that will have to be tested in the future, but impressive for a base model. But nothing was said of independent suspension. Chevy will offer a Z51 performance package with a variety of improvements including Magnetic Ride Control, limited slip differential, dry sump system, close-ratio gearset, and additional coolers for the brakes, transmission and differential.

Interior

Since the C5, the Corvette’s interior has been problematic, no, cheap. The plastic dash and uncomfortable seats have made the Corvette’s interior one of the most hated in the industry. One of the promises GM made with the regards to the C7 was an all new interior worthy of a world-class sports car. Certainly the new interior looks better, but anything would be an improvement in this department.

What has changed inside the Corvette? Chevy claims that the interior is all new, and it looks it. The dashboard has an all new, driver centered design, a new instrument cluster, a new infotainment system, and all new seats. The seats of the C5 and C6 were poor and the Corvette Stingray will come with two seats, GT and Competition. Both look inviting, but the Competition seats will feature a magnesium frame to save weight and add strength. But there are some oddities. The blocky steering wheel looks like it belongs in the Impala, not a Corvette, and the carbon fiber trim pieces look out of place. Although it is not perfect,  Chevrolet has paid more attention to the interior and it shows.

Exterior

The exterior is where everything goes wrong for me. I have said on several occasions that if the Corvette was still made of fibre glass, in the world of aluminum, magnesium, and carbon fibre, that Chevrolet had already lost. Bad news: fibre glass it is. Why in the 21st century is a world class sports car still built from plastic?? I know, I know, carbon fibre is expensive, but aluminum is not and the entire frame of this car is made from it. If it is strong enough to frame the car, why can’t it make up the body as well?

Fibre glass aside, the Corvette now has the nose of a Viper, rear 3/4 of a GT-R, and the ass of a Camaro. The result of of an awkward three-way? There are too many lines on this car and it is hard for the eye to follow one line from start to finish with finding another. It reminds me of the current Hyundai Genesis Coupe in this regard. It is over-designed.

Angular design works well on Lamborghinis, but it has not worked here. Softer lines have been a part of the Corvette’s heritage since the first car was unveiled in January 1953. A curvy body has graced the Corvette for most of its life. The designers went for something different, and I am not sure if it has worked. From the side, this car is clearly a Corvette as it has a silhouette that has been familiar since the C3. But from other angles, the car is just bizarre. Perhaps the most unappealing angle is from the rear. The square rear with the square tail lights belong on the Camaro. My only wish is that someone had taken away the designers’ rulers.

I am sure that the majority of Corvette enthusiasts will love the C7, just as there will be some that hate it. I have been pretty critical, and I do not want anyone to think that my negative posts about GM has anything to do with my opinion of the Corvette. As a car enthusiast, I have always had an admiration for the Corvette, and I loved the C6. But I think this car’s styling will make it tough for some Corvette enthusiasts to like, and that is not a bad thing. Controversial design makes a car more interesting, and I am looking forward to learning more about the 2014 Corvette Stingray throughout the year, and there is still a lot to be revealed. When will we see the convertible? Z06? ZR1? What about the C7-R?

In the meantime, watch the full unveiling video below.

What is going on with Ford Motor Company’s Lincoln The Lincoln Motor Company? Ford says the brand is going strong and even gave it a new name at the beginning of this year. But much of the automotive press has dismissed Lincoln and some have even predicted its death. Nevertheless, they continue introduce new models, but we have to wonder what Ford’s plans are for the “new” Lincoln Motor Company.

Competition

Lincoln’s new MKZ is too much like Ford’s Fusion

Lincoln has long been the luxury brand of Ford. That is to say, Lincolns have simply been nicer versions of Ford vehicles. However, the automotive world is changing, and Ford has been leading the charge with its global platforms. But Lincoln seems to have been left behind and lost its character. What does Lincoln do that is different from Ford? Not much really. So, who are Lincoln’s top competitors?

Lexus? Yes and no. Lexus has been much like Lincoln in that it has only sold rebadged versions of Toyota, but not any more. New Lexus models such as the GS and the soon to be released IS prove that Lexus has a new target: Germany. Lexus is going after BMW and Mercedes by building rear wheel drive cars with a fair amount of power and competitive handling. Lincoln still primarily makes front wheel drive cars and there is a limit to the amount of power that can be sent to the front wheels. So Lexus is moving up. Not all of the Lexus models are sporty, so Lincoln can compete with the luxury and styling elements of these models, but even here Lincoln falls a little short.

Infiniti? Yes and no. Like Lexus, Infiniti is reinventing itself by creating models that offer sportiness and luxury. But again, Lincoln falls short.

Cadillac? No. The ATS, CTS, and XTS are all rear wheel drive and have a decent amount of power (when properly equipped, but is for another post). Again, Cadillac is gunning for the Germans, and by all accounts, the all new ATS has brought them close. But Lincoln cannot compete with the power and handling these cars offer.

BMW and Mercedes? Hell no.

Buick? Yep, and that is about it. Buick sells rebadged versions of Chevrolet vehicles (much like all GM’s brands, but again, that is for another day). They are all front wheel drive and are primarily sold to, how to put his nicely, more mature Americans. This describes Lincoln as well. 

So what does Lincoln need to do? Clearly they cannot keep selling rebadged Fords and compete only with Buick. Mercury was axed because the cars were only rebranding Fords, but so does Lincoln. So why did Ford keep Lincoln? Perhaps we are beginning to see why. There has been a lot of talk lately about Lincoln developing a rear wheel drive platform based on the current Mustang’s platform. Could this be used to take on the Germans and Japanese luxury car makers? Can Lincoln pull off what Lexus has done over the past several years. I believe it can, and this is where Ford needs to take Lincoln.

Welcome the MKC

Yesterday, Lincoln unveiled the MKC, the new SUV concept it is bringing to the Detroit Auto Show. Based on Ford’s new Escape, the MKC does not look like a Ford. One might say it looks like an Infiniti or a Range Rover Evoque, but the important thing is that it has a design unique to Lincoln.

When I first saw the MKC this morning, I wondered why it was not a Ford. It would sell better as a Ford, and it would look great with Ford’s new Aston Martin-like styling. But the more I thought about it, this really needs to be a Lincoln. Lincoln needs a vehicle that has styling that differs from the Ford that shares its platform. This model is the first step for The Lincoln Motor Company to separate itself from Ford.

As I look at the MKC’s pretty body and luxurious interior, there is one question nagging me. How will it drive? The Escape has been well reviewed, but the Lincoln MKC needs to be different. It needs to offer something more. As I discussed above with the cars, Lincoln’s SUVs need a new target. Land Rover seems like a good target for Lincoln. Like a Land Rover, the MKC offers great looks and a luxurious interior, but will the MKC perform off-road? We will have to wait to find out. There are already a wide variety of luxury SUVs on the market today but there are only two companies, that I can think of, that sell nicely equipped off-road capable SUVs: Land Rover and Jeep. These companies should be Lincoln’s target with all future SUV offerings.

We do not know much about the new MKC, or about the new Lincoln Motor Company’s future plans, and we may find out more about both over the next few days. But if the “new” Lincoln Motor Company wants to compete on global scale like Ford, they will need all new models with new goals. Rear wheel drive luxury cars and an off-road capable luxury SUVs would set Lincoln apart from Ford and could save the company.

Although the North American International Auto Show does not officially kick off until January 14, all eyes will be on Detroit tomorrow as one of the most anticipated cars of the show will be unveiled. Chevrolet will take the camo off the 7th generation, 2014 Corvette tomorrow evening. The event will not be exclusive to the media, however. Chevrolet will steam the event live online.  Click here to visit Chevrolet’s 2014 Corvette website and to watch tomorrow’s event live.

The Detroit Auto Show is my favorite. Most of the auto industries new production models and concepts will be unveiled in the coming days. As always, the first week will be reserved for media, members of the auto industry, and various organizations. The show will open to the public on January 19. Although I am unable to attend the show, I will have a series of posts over the next few days highlighting the most important models and concepts. After all the models have been unveiled, I will post a gallery of all the production models and concepts.

Save One

The tokens included in the original Monopoly game are about to change. Well, at least one of them. Fans of the game are being asked to vote on Facebook for their favorite token. The token that receives the fewest votes will be “placed in jail” forever. Monopoly has been a popular board game for more 80 years and now comes in wide variety of editions. This vote will only effect the traditional game.

Choose one

Voters are also asked to choose a new token from a selection of five all new tokens. The five tokens include a diamond ring, a cat, a helicopter, a robot or a guitar. The piece which receives the most votes will be added to the game.

As of today, the wheel barrow and iron are in danger of being removed so head over to Facebook to save your favorite token. You are allowed to vote once per day until voting ends on February 5. The new token will be unveiled on February 6.