Every now and then one has to read an article four or five times to actually believe someone could possibly write such nonsense.
The following item, from Time magazine's special report "The 50 Worst Cars of All Time," has to qualify as one of the most absurd pieces of...journalism I've come across so far this year (h/t NB reader Paul Head).
To set this up, it goes without saying that Ford's creation of the Model T represents a seminal moment in American history as it made cars affordable to the general population for the very first time, and caused a huge economic explosion in our nation.
Alas, that's not how Time sees it (emphasis added to really point out the stupidity):
The Model T - whose mass production technique was the work of engineer William C. Klann, who had visited a slaughterhouse's "disassembly line" - conferred to Americans the notion of automobility as something akin to natural law, a right endowed by our Creator. A century later, the consequences of putting every living soul on gas-powered wheels are piling up, from the air over our cities to the sand under our soldiers' boots.
Can anybody point me to the nearest restroom?
Post facto sidebar: Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Dan Neil is apparently responsible for the above detritus. To give one an idea of the hypocrisy, Neil has been writing about cars since 1991. He did a stint at AutoWeek, and five years as contributing editor to Car and Driver.
In short, his entire journalistic career involves test-driving, reviewing, and writing about cars. Ergo, he makes his living off of the automotive industry.
Yet, he sees the car most responsible for America's fascination with such as a bad thing.
For those interested, here's a picture of Neil inside what he claims to abhor:
Anybody think he bikes to work?
*****Update: Automotive journalist Isaac Martin sent me the following e-mail message (permission granted to share):
The 1909 Model T was, he claims, the, "Yugo of it's day." - that was a cheaply made product. Yet all the literature written about the Model T, by people who grew up with the car, indicate that it was supremely tough, durable and dependable. If a component broke, it was easily replaced. Customers could get genuine Ford parts, or an aftermarket replacement. Not only did the Model T sales keep Ford employees working, it also help employ people building aftermarket parts and accessories for the car.
It didn't rattle apart. From durability tests ranging from loading 50 people in one T, to climbing numerous steps at numerous state capitals and driving from coast to coast without failure, I'd say the Model T was darn tough.
A Yugo? Not hardly. With 15 million Model T's sold, the car obviously exceeded buyer's expectations.
I dislike Mr. Neil's smarmy, cutesy writing style loaded with leftist commentary.
I went on line and looked up the MG-A Twin Cam to learn if the car was as bad as Mr. Neil writes. His complaints weren't reflected by MG history and enthusiasts.
Mr. Neil described the 1960 MG-A Twin Cam powered by " . . .leaking, piston-burning, plug fouling nightmare of a motor." that could "vomit" connecting rods over the road.
In 1960, MG prepared a total of five MG-A Twin Cams for international endurance racing.
At the Sebring 12 Hours Endurance Race, MG number 39 finished third in class and 24th overall. MG number 40 finished 4th in class and 29th overall. At the 1960 24 Hours of LeMans, an MG finished first in the Two Liter Class.
Funny, I couldn't find any reports about burned pistons or vomited connecting rods after a total of 36 hours of racing competition.
In addition, the Twin Cam used a modified B-block and increased the oil crankcase capacity for added durability. Were these engines sensitive to correct tuning for street use? No doubt. There were plenty of people who wouldn't work on them.
I was surprised to observe a technique used by the liberals in supporting their arguments. Namely, they leave out facts that don't fit their thesis. Mr. Neil forgot to add that the MG-A Twin Cam was fitted with four-wheel disc brakes. This feature put it in the rarified company of the Jaguar XK-E.
Ultimately, MGs suffered from terrible build quality. That's one reason why the import market is dominated by Japanese name plates and not English. Some cars are better than others, but the MG-A Twin Cam is not a Worst Car of All Time.
Finally, he admits to having "restored" with "his own two hands" an MG-A. For someone so "knowledgeable", and no doubt "hip", I find the MG-A is a pretty odd choice. However, even orphan cars need love too.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Can anybody point me to the
September 9, 2007 - 13:37 ET byCan anybody point me to the nearest restroom?
Good, Noel you have found an enviro-friendly use for the paper the article is written on.
Support our Troops
Noel, I assume you're using
September 9, 2007 - 15:58 ET by motherbeltNoel, I assume you're using the word "journalism" loosely?
Anohter POS vehicle
September 9, 2007 - 13:43 ET by BlondeSilliness. In the extreme
Oh, how I wish I could afford this one of the 50 worst!
Not that I don't love the Bird, mind you....but this horrible thing in the Time Rag is definitely more my speed.
Now I'm going to have to go back and view all of the cars....thanks, Noel!
<edit> Okay...I'd drive one of these, too, any day of the week.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
And, I'm sure that the
September 9, 2007 - 13:55 ET by MikeBAnd, I'm sure that the folks at Time magazine, in order not to violate their principles will now stop driving their Fords, Chevys, Dodges, Chryslers, Saturns, Toyotas, Nissans, Jags, Hummers, etc., and all start walking to work, to the grocery store, doctor's office, their kids' soccer games, etc. What's that? The folks at Time don't have any principles? Oh, well, never mind. Move along, people. Nothing to see here.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
Luddites and Hypocrits
September 9, 2007 - 14:01 ET by BowiePunditThis is like blaming modern medicine for our social security woes and geriatric health care issues, and then running to the emergency room for every hangnail.
Silly Prols
September 9, 2007 - 14:03 ET by Junk Science SkepticDon't you know that personal transportation is only supposed to be available to the motorcading liberal "elites"?
Neil went looney-tunes a few years back. The Pulleftist Prize went to his head. He better be careful, he's bordering on revealing the true agenda of the eco-left: Get those Prols out of our way on the freeways, we can't take the Gulfstream everywhere.
Thompson/Giuliani 2008
Noel, Dan Neil's family owned a (gasp!) Corvair.
September 9, 2007 - 14:48 ET by Dave RAs an avid car enthusiast and life-long reader of Car & Driver (sans Dan Neil's articles, as I didn't much like him then, either) and more recently, Automobile Magazine (huge fan of David E. Davis, Jr.) it is easy to understand the utter contempt I hold for the anti-car gang. The derision I have for Jihad Jimmy and Joan Claybrook runs deep. However, I hold an even deeper contempt for Ralph Nader, who I consider to be the most technologically-challenged individual this country ever produced. This man nearly single-handedly destroyed the US automotive industry through his abject ignorance.
By going after GM over the Corvair, which was no more dangerous than many other cars on the road at the time (people were getting killed in Falcons, too) Ralph scared the Big Three away from beneficial technical innovation of any kind when it came to the American automobile, thus saddling us with the severely over-weight, over-sized, under-powered and ill-handling behemoths we got stuck with in the sixties and early '70's.
The Corvair's only sin was that it was different in that it's engine was located in the back. Yes, the drivers of this car had to keep in mind that this set-up changed the handling characteristics somewhat. Many other rear-engined cars have been sold here over the years, such as the Porsche 911 (which will swap ends rather abruptly if you let up on the throttle in a really tight high-g turn-I know, as I have had it happen to me) and the VW Beatle, but curiously, Ralph didn't go after them. He only went after the American car. (This was eerily similar to another freedom-deriding America hater-Martin Sheen. Mr Sheen would regularly trash the US automotive industry while doing voice work for Toyota commercials).
When the gas "shortage" hit in the early '70's, we were caught totally flat-footed, as the Japanese and, to a lesser extent, the Europeans, were on the spot with much more efficient and better handling cars-the kind of cars that could steer around trouble instead of merely blundering into it.
The US auto industry has never really recovered from that.
I read the Time article yesterday, as I am sure many fellow car enthusiasts did, as well. I noticed the PC angle pretty quickly, in the H2 piece as well as the one on the Model T, along with some others.
It was his blatant hit-piece on the Corvair that caused me the most consternation. After the always-obligatory reference to Ralph the safety-nazi's involement in the Corvair's demise, he said this: "Even so, my family had a Corvair, white with red interior, and we loved it."
Personally, I think Dan should go work for Motor Trend.
"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- Rick Roberts
Dave
September 9, 2007 - 15:59 ET by Noel SheppardDave,
Interesting. Of course, you are correct about the 911. I had quite a few scary 180s in mine due to the engine being in the back. Simple physics, obviously, but not something you're always thinking about. ns
Noel, the Porsche 911 is the bomb.
September 9, 2007 - 19:35 ET by Dave RThe pre wasser-boxer (as in the air-cooled) 911 stands alone in my mind as one of the most desirable cars ever made. I never was able to own one myself, but I had several friends who did. Unlike those poor Ferrari saps (who had to buy Japanese as a spare just to get to work) they had pretty good luck with theirs. They were real sports cars you could actually commute to work in.
Yes, the ride was harsh enough to dislodge the fillings in your teeth, they smelled, they were quirky as hell, but the sound of that air-cooled horizontally-opposed six has never been equalled. Even if you were just cruising along at fifty mph, it still sounded like you were going really, really fast.
In '79, I was in Germany for about three weeks. While there, I had the opportunity to be given a ride in a European-model 930 Turbo, which was the fastest production car available in Germany at that time. Not only that, but it was going to be driven by a real German. It was the most potent automobiles I have ever ridden in.
The rather abrupt and nearly endless straight-line acceleration felt as though it was going to permanently push the back of my head into the headrest. The lateral acceleration that car was capable of caused me to think the vertebrae in my neck was going to literally seperate. I was terrified. And I loved every minute of it. I remember my fingers literally ached for two days from the death-grip I had on the seat.
Haven't had that much fun riding in a car since my brother showed up at my house one evening a few years back and tossed me the keys to a BMW M5 loner car, as their car was in the shop, and the M5 was the only loner available. Of course, I can't discuss that, as I am not sure the statute has run just yet. :-)
"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- Rick Roberts
Cavalry, too.
September 9, 2007 - 14:46 ET by WoodyMAh, for the good ol' days of non-polluting horses.
Woody, Check my
September 9, 2007 - 14:50 ET by BlondeWoody,
Check my profile! :D
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
This sounds strange, but
September 9, 2007 - 15:05 ET by Lord ElicaniThis sounds strange, but after watching Back to the Future, I always wanted that DeLorean DMC-12. Not for the time travel, I just liked the hatch wing doors.
Quo usque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra? Quam diu etiam furor iste tuus nos eludet?
Lord E
September 9, 2007 - 15:07 ET by BlondeThank you....a 3rd car on the Time's worst list that I'd love to add to my personal stable (if I had one!).
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Lordy me Blonde
September 9, 2007 - 15:13 ET byhere's some that didn't make the list
http://wildpantera.com/indexf1.html
Okay B.
September 9, 2007 - 15:18 ET by BlondeAdding that to the dream stable.
Along with the, um 64' Merritt (yacht).
I love mechanical stuff....as long as I only have to drive it and not maintain it. I can drive (big)boats...did you know that? Although we call it "piloting". And I can kinda fly a plane, too....not to the point of getting it back on the ground. Well, maybe, in a pinch.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Blonde,
September 9, 2007 - 15:14 ET by Dave RMy first car made the list, but I can't say I'm real proud of it.
It was a Chevette. :-(
"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- Rick Roberts
Dave
September 9, 2007 - 15:19 ET bycouldda been a pacer or pinto
Support our Troops
botg,
September 9, 2007 - 16:01 ET by Dave RLOL-Actually, worse would be sitting in a Pinto with a full fuel tank, then looking in the rear-view mirror only to see an Audi 5000 coming up behind you. Then, after the explosion, the only other vehicle around that is able to take what is left of you to the morgue is a Pacer.
What a horrible last-ride that would be.
"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- Rick Roberts
Yeah, D.
September 9, 2007 - 15:22 ET by BlondeI saw alot of cars on that list.
But if you think about it....they were all rather innovative in their times....the Edsel, Corvair, Pacer, Pinto, and even the poor little Chevette.
This is just so much typical liberal tripe. Care to place any bets as to how much any one (or collectively) of these critics in this little Time hit piece has ever contributed to anything, whatsoever, at all?
I'm guessing nothing. And I'd be right, too.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Is that not a Model A pictured
September 9, 2007 - 15:22 ET by Lame CherryNot being born in the time of stone and old as dirt, my Mom always told me the Model T was square with sharp edges and the Model A which Ford came out with later was rounded like the vehicle pictured above.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
What kills me is that this
September 9, 2007 - 15:34 ET by OIFveteranWhat kills me is that this idiot is all over the place with his criticisms. He laments that the car/bike hybrid had the first V8 in it. However, he bashes the Corvette "California" for having a weak V8 and the 82 Camaro for having a 4 cylinder. He had a similar complaint about the Prowler not having a big enough engine. I can't follow that kind of logic.
He accuses one car of being nothing more than a park bench on wheels, then later complains about the enourmas fenders on a LeBaron.
Also, did anyone else notice that he criticized alot of cars for the desing and engineering aspects, but when it came to the SUVs all he could do is attack the owners of the vehicles?
<insert something clever>
OIF
September 9, 2007 - 15:43 ET by BlondeHe must be a total fool.
I love all cars....I'm a car freak...and come by it naturally....my 85 year old mum drives me crazy...."Look!"
All cars were designed for SOMETHING. Whether it worked or not, is another story.
Even that ugly Pontiac Aztec was designed to do something, or serve some purpose. Not that I'd be caught dead in one....but it was someone's good idea.
Now, a DeLorean....a Corvette...a T-Bird (my fave...just because I own one 50 years after my mum did)....and if someone would be so kind as to send me one..... I'd love to have a white, 2 seat Bentley.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Who could
September 9, 2007 - 16:17 ET by general companyI can't follow that kind of logic.
What logic, this is a very poorly assembled list. He inserts only his opinion as the arbitrator. Some of these vehicals were very importaint for their "time". Anyone who fails to acknowledge this is not qualified to make such a list
Also, did anyone else
September 9, 2007 - 18:14 ET by John in CAThought it was worse than that. Seems Neil gets bent out of shape just because the auto industry produces the cars which make us desire them - not good for the common good, you know.
The worst was his critique of the Hummer H2. Nothing wrong with the vehicle per se - it just sends the wrong message.
Did a bit of fisking of Neal's more glaring liberal insertions here.
John,
September 9, 2007 - 20:24 ET by Dave RIn one sense, Dan Neil is a classic "car" guy. I remember back when SUV's (referred to as sport-utes at the time) first started selling big. Many automotive purists (people who love to drive cars for the sheer enjoyment) didn't, and still don't, think much of them. I personally don't care for them, either, as they all, even those made by Lexus and Mercedes, drive like, well, trucks.
Where Mr. Neal strays from the formula is in his vindictiveness toward those who prefer to drive SUV's. No true "car" guy would ever suggest people should not be allowed to drive what they please, nor would they even think of using the environment as an excsuse.
"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- Rick Roberts
Noel says: "...has to
September 9, 2007 - 16:06 ET by bassndudeNoel says: "...has to qualify as one of the most absurd pieces of...journalism..."
Bassndude says: Journalism??
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Cognitive dissonance
September 9, 2007 - 18:16 ET by rubylensIt's called "cognitive dissonance" (simultaneously holding contradictory or otherwise incompatible attitudes, beliefs, or the like). Liberals are awash in it. Just like this guy apparently hates what he purports to love (cars), many liberals clearly hate America while professing their patriotism and love of country. They seem to really believe that both are possible at the same time, and I believe cognitive dissonance is the reason for many liberals' constant pessimism and unhappiness.
Noel, Noel, Noel
September 9, 2007 - 19:15 ET byAs usual, Noel, you make something sound like a headline, and then upon reading it, turns out to mean little, if anything.
He doesn't blame it on the Model T. I've noticed you trying this before, with other American icons, claiming they had been besmirched, when in fact they hadn't.
As for providing a pic of him sitting in a car; well, didn't you say he is a motoring writer? Sure, he has a stupid grin and looks like an idiot, but so do I.
I've seen your photo, mister. You have a bad haircut and wear a tie, but you don't have a caption underneath asking if anyone under 74 thinks you're an idiot!
Lighten up.
Hello Eye. Hows the
September 9, 2007 - 19:18 ET by BlazerHello Eye. Hows the weather over in your part of Brittaniastan this fine evening?
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Well, Blazer...
September 9, 2007 - 19:25 ET byIt's a lovely evening actually. How are things in Ameristan?
will check with Pelosi
September 9, 2007 - 19:34 ET byand get back to you
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Nancy says
September 9, 2007 - 19:36 ET bydon't laugh at my my dream
Support our Troops
Well Eye, i can't
September 9, 2007 - 23:16 ET by BlazerWell EC, I can't complain, not a radical Al-Qaida, or Tehran backed mosque on every corner like McDonalds yet, like some places I know.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Way Dry Eye
September 9, 2007 - 19:20 ET byput some mayo and honey in that BBQ sauce it will moisten it
Support our Troops
actually..
September 9, 2007 - 19:23 ET byYeah, the last line is pretty condescending to the car itself, but still doesn't do what you are suggesting, and doesn't improve your look.
Eyecare, you need an eye exam, pal.
September 9, 2007 - 19:45 ET by Dave RNext time, try openening your eyes when you read, as what follows is straight from Dan Neil's piece on the Model T.
I don't know how much more plain that could be.
"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- Rick Roberts
Exactly!
September 9, 2007 - 19:46 ET byHe's blaming cars. He's not blaming the Model T.
I think my eyes are fairly "openening'ed"
I didn't steal your country, and I don't know how much more plain that could be.
not so dry Eye
September 9, 2007 - 19:53 ET byas the T is the precuser
Support our Troops
EYECARE ERROR ALERT!!
September 9, 2007 - 19:54 ET by Mica the MagnificentThat's "openening'ed."
Always put a period at the end of a sentence.
You're welcome.
hang on!
September 9, 2007 - 20:00 ET byWe didn't finish this discussion the other night!!
If you live in the US, then you are right, indeed, Mica.
However, the rules of English (however difficult) still apply in England. They also apply in Australia. In your country, you seem to speak a new derived language, and I believe it's called Microsoft.
That's what my computer says, when I spell check, anyway.
One sugar thanks!
I . . see . .Eyecare
September 9, 2007 - 20:19 ET by Mica the MagnificentSo.....putting a period at the end of a sentence is . .microsoft language?
Since you missed my point, I'll explain it to you.
It is rather dull to point out spelling errors of others when writing posts here with us. You are the only one who does that.
It is a technique you use when you are stumped, baffled and, may I be so bold, put in your place.
So I merely returned the favor and pointed out your own errors.
That's it, there's nothing more to it.
Ramble on, my friend. Ramble on.
eye,
September 9, 2007 - 20:01 ET by Dave RPerhaps you are not entirely familiar with the history of the automobile on this side of the pond, but Henry Ford and his Model T have historically been credited with putting the masses on wheels, more so than anyone else in this country.
I notice Mr. Neil wasn't pointing his hypocritical finger at Adolf Hitler, he of "people's car" fame, among other shall we say, more sinister things.
"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- Rick Roberts
I'm very familiar with your
September 9, 2007 - 20:25 ET byI'm very familiar with your car industry and ours, in Australia, and also the UK. Henry Ford showed how the whole thing could be done affordably. It didn't stop there. He came up with mass production of large technical products; a system that was to prove vital during WW2. I think a few sensitive types have read this the wrong way, and that's all there is to it. Noel and DaveR, you should take it as a compliment that Hitler wasn't mentioned, and Henry was! That means that Henry is being acknowledged as the father! What this writer was doing was comparing the auto industry to say; the tobacco industry, and then blaming Sir Walter Raleigh. Clearly, this would not stick. I think that was the point, and Noel should learn about irony while he gets his hairstyle (or wig) altered.
I'm very familiar with your
September 9, 2007 - 20:25 ET byI'm very familiar with your car industry and ours, in Australia, and also the UK. Henry Ford showed how the whole thing could be done affordably. It didn't stop there. He came up with mass production of large technical products; a system that was to prove vital during WW2. I think a few sensitive types have read this the wrong way, and that's all there is to it. Noel and DaveR, you should take it as a compliment that Hitler wasn't mentioned, and Henry was! That means that Henry is being acknowledged as the father! What this writer was doing was comparing the auto industry to say; the tobacco industry, and then blaming Sir Walter Raleigh. Clearly, this would not stick. I think that was the point, and Noel should learn about irony while he gets his hairstyle (or wig) altered.
Eyecare the braindead agrees, but not really, then does, but not
September 9, 2007 - 20:53 ET by SportPoliticsNow you've magically dismantled the PURPORTEDLY unwritten mind of the Times writer? How about you read it you braindead letch of a moron, Eyelesscarrion ?
"It put America on wheels, supercharged the nation's economy and transformed the landscape in ways unimagined when the first Tin Lizzy rolled out of the factory. Well, that's just the problem, isn't it? "
_________________________________
In other words, YOU'RE AN IDIOT EYECARE, AND COMPLETELY AND WHOLLY INCORRECT, AND OF COURSE, AS NEARLY ALWAYS, NS IS 100% SPOT ON.
Eyecare, I doubt you could be more carelessly STUPID.
September 9, 2007 - 20:38 ET by SportPoliticsYou've hit another lib psychoblob out of the spacenerds area 51 there, Eyecare.
"He doesn't blame it on the Model T. I've noticed you trying this before, with other American icons, claiming they had been besmirched, when in fact they hadn't."
PLEASE NOTE IDIOT, IT IS PRESENT IN THE LIST OF THE 50 WORST CARS OF ALL TIME. THAT OF COURSE IS NOT BESMIRCHING AN AMERICAN ICON, ACCORDING TO YOUR OBVIOUSLY ALIEN MODIFIED GLOBULAR MASHNOGGIN'.
I frankly am amazed how stupid you liberal dorfs can be when you're claiming at the very same time to have some sort of nuanced insight, which is not only incorrect, but is definitely trounced into the dirt in a far larger and blaring point obvious to all the but the unnaturally insane.
Eyecare, save us the hassles, get to the opthamologist and have your googlers removed, perhaps then your brain can reassert it's natural equilibrium.
C & D readers respond to Dan Neil's article.
September 9, 2007 - 20:44 ET by Dave RJust thought some of you might enjoy some of the reactions of Car & Driver readers, my once favorite car mag.
"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- Rick Roberts
I enjoyed it
September 9, 2007 - 21:01 ET by pbthinkerWith all the PC stuff going around, I've learned to overlook some of that stuff and I enjoyed this article. Most of the cars he picked on, he did so because they were junk. Some, like the Corvair, he didn't base his writings on his experience, so he let his PC get ahead of his brain.
Some cars, though they were junk, actually led to some interesting technology. My understand is that the Cadillac v8-6-4 led to the developement of the Northstar V-8, which is one of the better engines on the market today.
The Corvair, getting back to that one, had an interesting little car called a Monza Spyder, which was a fun car. The problem was GM decided to get away from the Corvair early on but, with Nader's book out, they held on for a couple of years so it wouldn't look like he was correct.
Anyway, I'll give the article a "C", because of the PC stuff, and leave it at that.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.