Allan Arbus (1918-2013)

Posted on April 23, 2013 by E. M. White

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.

SRT Viper to Compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Posted on February 3, 2013 by E. M. White

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.

Aston Martin Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Posted on January 6, 2013 by E. M. White

Famed auto maker Aston Martin has released plans for its 100th anniversary. Founded in 1913, Aston Martin has released a special anniversary logo (above) and a series of events to celebrate the heritage of the company. Visit the website below to learn more about the history of the company, view a list of events, and signup for Aston’s newsletter. Aston Martin has long been one of my favorite car companies and builds some of the most beautiful cars in the world. The following is the press release from Aston announcing their plans for 2013:

ASTON MARTIN CELEBRATES ITS FIRST 100 YEARS

17 December 2012, Gaydon: 2013 sees Aston Martin celebrate its centenary with a year-long calendar of exceptional events.

The globally-renowned British luxury sports car maker will mark its first 100 years with a series of UK and international celebrations highlighting the unique success of the brand worldwide.

Boasting the strongest product line-up in its 99 years to date, Aston Martin has recently introduced its new ultimate GT – the exceptional Vanquish – and timeless new DB9. The new cars have been unveiled to global media acclaim and, in the case of the Vanquish, numerous prestigious awards.

Aston Martin has also played a key role in one of the year’s most hotly-anticipated films, with the iconic DB5 stealing the automotive limelight in the latest James Bond blockbuster, Skyfall.

Centenary launch

15 January 2013 marks the official incorporation of the company 100 years ago and to commemorate the historic occasion the oldest surviving Aston Martin – A3 – and a stunning new Vanquish, the brand’s ultimate GT, will take their places at a photo call at Henniker Mews in Chelsea – the original home of Aston Martin – where a commemorative plaque will be unveiled.

In the evening of 15 January the Aston Martin Heritage Trust Walter Hayes Memorial Lecture will take place in central London with A3 and Vanquish again guest starring alongside actor Sir John Standing as Lionel Martin, telling the story of his early days and his experience of making the first Aston Martin in Lionel Martin’s own words.

Centenary week

The centrepiece of the celebrations will be a week-long festival of all things Aston Martin which is set to take place from 15 July to 21 July next year. Designed to appeal to owners and enthusiasts of the brand, the Centenary Week will include open house activities at Aston Martin’s exclusive Gaydon headquarters, including factory-based events and driving tours.

The week will culminate in a 1,000-guest ‘birthday party’ on Saturday 20 July and a spectacular Centenary Concours event in central London on Sunday 21 July.

This highlight of the centenary celebrations will be held in central London in partnership with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust and the Aston Martin Owners Club. It will feature the 100 most iconic cars in a concours display and up to 1,000 Aston Martins forming the largest gathering in the 100-year history of the great British marque.

Centenary drives

A number of centenary drives will also be held to coincide with the birthday party and the concours event. These will include a James Bond-themed route around England and Wales taking in a number of the iconic Bond film locations, a drive through the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and a rally through six European countries in six days. In America, the Pebble Beach centenary drive programme offers an opportunity to visit some of California’s most scenic regions before spending the weekend at the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Centenary logo

To mark its first century in business, Aston Martin has created a special centenary logo: a dynamic spiralling design derived from the nautilus shell, one of the most perfectly proportioned and mathematically precise objects found in nature. Ninety nine points arranged in an elegant helix spiral out from the Aston Martin logo and culminate in a red ’100′ to mark the celebration year. The logo has been designed to express forward motion while also acknowledging the importance of the past.

1913 to 2013

On 15 January 1913, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford founded a new automotive venture.

They called their company Bamford & Martin which later became Aston Martin, acknowledging Robert Bamford’s success at the Aston Clinton Hillclimb in Buckinghamshire, where he had successfully raced their very first cars.

Bamford and Martin began their business in Chelsea’s Henniker Mews in London, becoming well known as providers of sporting machines to enthusiastic racers and discerning enthusiasts.

In the century that followed Aston Martin has come to represent many things, from sporting prowess through to technical innovation, beautiful design, fine craftsmanship and superior performance.

In Aston Martin’s first 90 years the company built fewer than 15,000 cars. The open bodied two-seater sports specials of the pre-war years gave way to the David Brown era of the 1950s and beyond which saw the introduction of the legendary DB2/4, DB4, DB5, DB6 and DBS, before the V8 Vantage and Virage led Aston Martin to the DB7, original Vanquish and on into the modern era.

A second celebration sees Aston Martin mark its first decade at Gaydon, in Warwickshire, moving in to its purpose-built premises on 3 January 2003. Since that date Aston Martin, overseen by CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, has produced 45,000 cars to huge critical and commercial acclaim.

The original DB9 and Vantage were joined by the Rapide, DBS, Virage and now the timeless new DB9 and ultimate GT, the Vanquish – Aston Martin’s latest flagship sports car.

Aston Martin is, too, no longer focused on the domestic market but an international player, exporting 75% of its annual production around the world to 146 dealerships in 41 countries.

For further updates view the centenary web page and sign up to receive the newsletter www.astonmartin.com/100.

Happy New Year

Posted on January 1, 2013 by E. M. White

I know I have not posted many articles the last few months, but that will change in 2013.

Have a safe and happy new year!!

Driving the 2013 Ford Fusion

Posted on September 29, 2012 by E. M. White

This morning, I got to drive the all new 2013 Ford Fusion. My local dealer had one, only one, and they had not put it in the showroom yet. So, I asked if I could drive it. I have liked the Fusion since they unveiled in Detroit earlier this year. It is a beautiful car, but a good looking car is not always a good car. After spending some time with it this morning, I can assure you that the Fusion is a good car. There are some faults, but it is a good car nonetheless.

The first thing you notice about the Fusion is its looks. Even though this car was the base model, starting at $22,500, it had a chrome grille and chrome trim. The exterior is very clean, but aggressively styled.. The European influence in evident in the cars lines, but the Fusions’s best feature is its face. The grille and headlights give the car an aggressive look. The car’s styling has been compared to an Aston Martin, and there is definitely some Aston influence.

The interior of the car has been upgraded for 2013. The cloth interior of the car I drove was nice, but the front bucket seats are uncomfortable. There is too much lateral support for a car that you are not going to throw around a track. The rear seats were better, and have plenty of head room and leg room. On the tech side, the model I drove did not have MyFord Touch, but it did have Sync and an excellent tech package for a base model. Overall, the interior is a great improvement and one of the nicest in the class.

When driven, the Fusion is very quiet. In fact, it reminded me of driving a Cadillac or Lincoln. What really impressed me, however, was the suspension. It is not overly soft, and it is not too hard. It feels sporty and gives the road feedback a driver will like. Although I did not take it out on the highway, the car performed very well in town. Smooth transmission and not a lot of engine noise – although, I really like a great sounding engine.

The car I drove had the base 2.5 litre four-cylinder. It is a solid engine, but nothing exciting. And the car only comes with a variety of four cylinders and Eco-Boosts fours. I think this is Ford’s biggest mistake. The car may look aggressive, but it does not have the engines to back it up. Yes, people want fuel efficiency in a mid-size sedan, but the Mustang’s V6 gets 31 MPG, and the 300 HP would make the Fusion a very fun car.

Overall, the Fusion is a great car. Great looking, great fuel efficiency, a solid interior, and it is damn good looking (yes, I know I said that twice!). It is entering a very competitive market, but it will do well. The 2012 Fusion was the second best seller in the class, and this car is a lot better than the outgoing model. Will the new Fusion dethrone the Camry? Probably not yet, but it is going to force the others to make some changes to their cars. As Ford says, the new Fusion is, “Not just a new car model, but a new model for cars.” Indeed it is.

Photo Credit: Autoblog

2013 Ford Fusion Sprint Cup Series NASCAR Unveiled

Posted on January 24, 2012 by E. M. White

Just a few weeks ago, Ford unveiled the 2013 Ford Fusion. The Fusion is the current namesake of Ford Racing in NASCAR and when the redesigned Fusion was unveiled in Detroit on January 9, the new NASCAR could not have been far behind. Today, Ford unveiled the 2013 Ford Fusion Sprint Cup NASCAR. Ford says the 2013 Fusion NASCAR is a return to a true “stock car,” meaning that the car looks like the road version. Currently, NASCAR mandates the shape of the car and the fans are bored with the lack of design, but for 2013, they are allowing the manufactures to incorporate designs that are unique to their individual brand. This is exciting for fans of NASCAR and remember when the cars did look different. Over the next several weeks, we will certainly see the new cars from Dodge, Toyota and Chevrolet.

Ford, being the first, gives us an idea what to expect for the Sprint Cup Series in 2013. The Fusion is unmistakably a Fusion in shape and graphics. The flared fenders, the body lines are all very stylish, but will likely be slightly modified before it hits the track in February 2013. Ford is still testing the car and NASCAR will have to approve all the designs prior to competition. However, this model must be fairly close if they are spending the time to unveil it at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The fact that this is a concept is important to bare in mind, but if the car’s shape largely remains intact, and the other manufacturers take as much care with their design, the 2013 NASCAR season could be an important year for NASCAR and the auto manufacturers.

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Source: Ford

Detroit Auto Show: Top Picks

Posted on January 14, 2012 by E. M. White

Every year industry leaders choose the best of the Detroit Auto Show. I thought I would beat them to it. I am fairly confident, however, that my top choices will be similar to theirs. I will choose one production car and once concept car as the top of the show.

Top Production Car: 2013 Ford Fusion

2013 Ford Fusion

This really should not be a surprise to anyone. The Fusion’s refresh has been the talk of Detroit. The facts that it comes in three versions (gasoline, hybrid, and electric) surprised a number of people. For the gasoline models, Ford is expecting MPG to range from 33 – 37 on the highway, depending on the engine you choose. The choices of engines for the gasoline models include a 2.5 litre four-cylinder engine (170 HP), a 1.6 litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine (179 HP), and a 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine (237 HP). The Fusion Hybrid will offer 47 MPG in the city and 44 MPG on the highway, while the Fusion Energi is expected to achieve over 100 MPGe, better than the Chevrolet Volt.

The other major story about the Fusion is its appearance. The new Fusion has been compared to a Jaguar and an Aston Martin. High praise indeed, but this should come as no surprise to those in the know. After all, Ford owns Jaguar and did own Aston Martin. Inside the Fusion, Ford has updated the seats, carpets, and just about everything possible. The big story is the amount of technology in the car. SYNC, of course, but an optional virtual dashboard, option park assist, and optional lane sensing technology, the Fusion is packed with the latest the 21st Century has to offer.

2013 Ford Fusion

Overall, Ford has delivered a blow to its competition. By comparison the “redesigned” Toyota Camry, the stale Honda Accord, and the over-designed Hyundai Sonata are dull. It even challenges the handsome Kia Optima and Chevrolet’s upcoming 2013 Malibu. The mid-size car market has needed a shot in the arm for some time now, and Ford has delivered.

Top Concept Car: Acura NSX Concept

Acura NSX Concept

I was pleasantly surprised when Honda/Acura announced the NSX concept in Detroit, but was disappointed to learn that the car would be labeled an Acura, and not, as it had originally, a Honda. Disappointment in a name and disappointment in a car are two different things, and there is no way to be disappointed with Acura NSX Concept.

This Italian inspired beauty is mid-engined and promises impressive performance. This does not come as a surprise, but what does is when you learn the engine in this car is only a V6. Not just that, but its a hybrid! What does that mean? Well, Acura uses the V6 power along with the power from not one, but three electric motors. Add in a dual clutch gear box and we have the world’s first hybrid supercar. Acura has yet to say how much horsepower the four engines produce or what the MPG rating will be, but they have said one thing, that the car will be built, strangely, in Ohio. That would be like Lamborghini announcing they were leaving Italy for West Virginia!

Acura NSX Concept

Nevertheless, no matter where the NSX is built, it is going to change the supercar market place. Could the days of v10s and v12s be over? Can a hybrid supercar really compete with the Italian thoroughbreds? The Acura NSX has a chance, but it is not going to be a simple task.

You can see both these cars, and many more, in person by visiting the Detroit Auto Show. The show will be open to the public through January 22.

Detroit Auto Show: Production Car Roundup

Posted on January 12, 2012 by E. M. White

The North American International Auto Show kicked off this week with major product unveils from Ford, General Motors, and Toyota. This post, a first in a two part series, will explore the production models that were unveiled in Detroit this week.

The Sunday before the Auto Show, Dodge and Cadillac announced their much anticipated new models. Dodge unveiled the 2013 Dodge Dart with its Alfa Romeo platform and economic engine options. Cadillac, on the other hand, announced the 2013 Cadillac ATS, a car it hopes will compete head on with the BMW 3-Series. This is a lofty goal as the 3-Series is hailed as the ultimate sports sedan.

2013 Ford Fusion

Ford began Monday morning’s show with the all new 2013 Ford Fusion. Ford surprised the crowd by announcing that the Fusion would be available in 3 models: standard gasoline (with three engine options), hybrid, and electric. The design of the Fusion incorporates Ford’s new, agressive, grille and the Fusion is a major part of the current “One Ford” strategy. This car is my favorite from the show and is likely to shake up the mid-sized car segment with its range of engine options and its impressive technology packages.

Other production models unveiled at the show included the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL, Dodge Charger Redline, 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS, 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 2013 Lexus LX 570, 2013 Acura RDX, 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Bentley Continental GT V8, 2013 Mini Roadster, Audi A4 Allroad, Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid, Buick Encore, Toyota Prius C, and the 50th Anniversary Edition Shelby Mustangs.

Unfortunately, I do not have the space to give my impressions of all of the models, but I will highlight a few. The major unveils from list include the all new Buick Encore. A small SUV from Buick (who wants that?!). In addition, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe received a facelift and a series of new engines, but it is still not powerful enough to compete with Mustang or Camaro. The Toyota Prius C is expected to cost less than $19,000, being the cheapest hybrid on the market.

From the production models, however, we see that the auto industry is, once again, very healthy. Tomorrow I will post an article on the concept models from Detroit.

If you get a chance to visit the Detroit Auto Show, the show will be open to the public through January 22. If not, check out the reviews of each car listed above by clicking the link (will take you to Autoblog). Also, be sure to check out the gallery below.