What are some cars I should read about?

"JalopJeep" (JalopJeep)
06/23/2014 at 23:59 • Filed to: None

I haven't read a book of my own volition in years, but when I'm winding down at night I'll end up reading online for hours and hours. I LOVE reading about obscure cars, cars I wish I knew more about, how certain mechanical aspects of cars work (anti-lag, KERS, rear-mount turbos, etc.). I just cannot satiate my appetite for more car knowledge. I wish there was a car wiki that I could just keep clicking ''random" on nonstop. StumbleUpon is alright but not the best. So Opponauts, y'all got any ideas or articles that could curb my hunger for the time being?

DISCUSSION (23)

CounterTorqueSteer > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 00:02

Do some research on jaguar lemans racers.

PatBateman > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 00:02

In order to understand the present, we must first understand the past.

http://books.google.com/books/about/St…

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 00:03

You can read about that sexy car in the picture. If you haven't already. :P

JalopJeep > CounterTorqueSteer
06/24/2014 at 00:04

I've seen the Silk Cut's mentioned a lot on here, off to the google machine. Thanks!

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 00:06

If you want interesting concepts and weird ideas I'd go with defunct luxury or ultra luxury brands. Duesenbergs, Packards and such.

michael bleggi > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 00:08

I love youtube documentaries... there are countless on Lemans racers and 911s.

JalopJeep > PatBateman
06/24/2014 at 00:09

Don't have that particular book, but have a shelf full of American Muscle books, same goes for Porsche. Grew up in a household that treasured both so those were the two kinds of cars that really kickstarted my passion. I'll keep that bookmarked for sure, though. Thanks!

JalopJeep > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
06/24/2014 at 00:11

Grew up in an air-cooled 911 (granted not a 930) so I'm pretty boned up on my 911 knowledge! That is one badddd 930 though, isn't it?

JalopJeep > michael bleggi
06/24/2014 at 00:12

Love Chris Harris' work, and YouTube docs. Definitely gonna give that one a watch!

Doug DeMuro > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 00:14

Ford Centurion. Honda Crossroad. Acura EL. Jeep Liberty CRD. Audi 200. Lexus ES250. Ford Probe GT V6. Lincoln Blackwood. Porsche Cayenne manual. Eagle Talon TSi. Buick Regal Joseph Abboud Edition. Plymouth Prowler. Daewoo Nubira 5-door. Volvo 850 T5R.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 00:15

You and me both. we could get along easily then. :P

I love that 930 in the pic, for once I'm actually okay with aftermarket wheels on it. But the black headlamps kinda bother me; they should either be chrome or color matched!

JalopJeep > Doug DeMuro
06/24/2014 at 00:16

That's money. Thanks a lot, Doug. Actually passed a TSi on the way home today and read the wiki while eating my lunch when I got back.

JalopJeep > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
06/24/2014 at 00:18

I agree the black bezels are slightly ostentatious but otherwise I think it's really tastefully done. And I don't usually go for anything other than Fuchs.

webmonkees > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 00:19

Kinja'd!!!

There may already be a copy of How to Keep Your VW Alive on the shelf, then. I had a copy before I acquired and killed my VW, twice so far.

Good thing I didn't try the Hobbit.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 00:24

I agree but ya can't forget the always good-looking Cookie Cutters! Especially when they're black or color matched. :)

Kinja'd!!!

JalopJeep > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
06/24/2014 at 00:26

Kinja'd!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 00:30

Kinja'd!!!

DanZman > Doug DeMuro
06/24/2014 at 01:13

my friend has a TSi... those cars spawn some sort of unnatural love from their owners

jariten1781 > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 01:32

There's a very cool write up on Honda's website about how they developed the 3rd gen Prelude 4ws. Their engineers were so clever back then and given more latitude than anyone today. It's a must read.

http://world.honda.com/history/challe…

Here's the front ends from two accords welded together to test an early prototype.

Kinja'd!!!

KamikazePigeon > JalopJeep
06/24/2014 at 09:37

I know exactly what you mean!! The story behind The Volkswagen Beetle is pretty spectacular if you haven't read about it. I'll list a few others as well.

Mazda 787B Le Mans racer (or rotary engines in general for that matter)
Mazda Miller cycle engine
Honda CVCC Engines and GM ( http://jalopnik.com/when-honda-gav… )
Saab 96 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQxD0E… ) Also their story on the owner and his extensive Saab Collection is fantastic ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUXS1F… )
The history behind almost any automaker is usually extremely interesting
I'm sure you could go endless hours searching car info from this list ( http://jalopnik.com/the-ten-most-c… )

I can't think of anything else atm.

BJ > Doug DeMuro
06/24/2014 at 16:07

I assumed that the Joseph Abboud edition Regal was put in there simply to see if anyone was paying attention, but it's a real thing! Superb.

.jdb. > JalopJeep
06/25/2014 at 17:24

Check out Cord. In the 1930s, they were making a front-wheel drive car with an automatic transmission and flip-up headlights. Sure, that was the recipe for a ho-hum Nissan Pulsar in 1985, but back in the 30s, that was hot stuff.

Also they're gorgeous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cord_auto…

Color-Commentary > JalopJeep
06/26/2014 at 01:23

Nissan SuperHICAS steering. The Cadillac Allante's production line. Extrude Honing. The value of shot-peening gears. How to use a VAG-COM tool. The acceleration advantage of reduced unsprung weight. The Wolf-modified Countach. Smokey Yunick's adiabatic engine. Also, read the book "How To Make Your Car Handle."