1967 Nissan Patrol For Sale

1967 NISSAN PATROL Rare, beautiful collector 4x4. Only 2,616 ever imported to USA. New red paint, front bucket seats, rear fold-up jump seats, electronic ignition, new electric fuel pump, runs great, 4.0L straight six (110 lb compression in all cylinders), 3-sp manual, new custom front bumper, new Dunlops and chrome wheels. 20,xxx miles on odometer. I am the founder of the Nissan Patrol Club America and have owned this Patrol for seven years.

CTA West

Now published and available online - CTA, Gregg Cappetto's vehicle transportation web site created and maintained by Stephen F Smith

Click on the post title to see the site

2006 Jeep Commander

Here is the first interesting vehicle from Jeep in a LONG time - interesting because it looks like a Jeep, but actually has a third row seating option. Now if they will only make the Wrangler Scrambler pick-up that the Company showed at all of the auto shows this year!

Gas Prices

Wow, how about those gasoline prices, eh? The cheapest price in Albuquerque is now at Costco and Sams Club - $2.19 per gallon. I regretfully must say that I need premium!

SVO

I am now about 90% convinced that SVO is the way to go. I don't mean SVX® or SVT®. SVO stands for "Straight Vegetable Oil" and is a dual-tank approach to running a diesel on vegetable oil. See the link above for complete details. Once I sell my beautiful Patrol (see previous post) Sue and I will probably purchase an elderly (mid-1980's) Mercedes Benz diesel vehicle and convert it to SVO power. Other alternatives for us include selling our current M-Class and buying the new M-Class diesel if/when Mercedes sells them in the USA, or using the Patrol money as a down payment on a new Prius. Time will tell, but the no-car-payment option sounds really good to me right now.

Finally Some Diesel News From Mercedes-Benz

Washington DC June 20, 2005; The AIADA newsletter reported that Mercedes-Benz is expected to launch several diesel-powered vehicles for sale across the U.S. as early as 2008 -- including, the E-class sedan, M-class and G-class SUVs, and new R-class sport wagon, reports Automotive News. "We are working really hard to have the solution ready for the new regulations that will come in 2007-2008," says Eva Lenhardt, head of technology communications for Mercedes Car Group in Stuttgart.

OK, 2008 is a LONG time to wait for one of these new vehicles. I want one now, but the plain jane E320 CDI is to pedestrian and not useful enough for my taste. Hey, Mercedes, bring on the diesels.

Candy Red

I just have to show off my beautiful baby before I sell her. She was originally red in 1967, then white and now is back to glowing candy red. This photo was taken at the paint shop prior to my reapplying the chrome and other accessories. The tires and wheels are brand new (Dunlop tires and Unique chrome steel wheels).

Ford Cruise Control Fires

Have you heard the latest news about the Ford cruise control debacle? It seems that up to six MILLION cars could be affected! Click on the headline to view the whole story and check to see if your Ford is included in the group.

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 6 million additional Ford vehicles could contain the same cruise-control part that led to the investigation of 3.7 million Ford trucks and SUVs. NHTSA is monitoring for reports of fires in this new group of Ford vehicles. "

Nissan Patrol for Sale!

Anyone want to buy a great Nissan Patrol - 1967 with just 56,000 miles on the odometer? Only $960.00. Please leave a comment if interested.

New Mercedes Benz S-Class

Oh, man. The new S-Class is homely. I am almost shocked since the CLS is so sensational looking. What are they thinking with the wheel flare/arches? Perhaps a touch of Ford Focus? Old S-Class, here I come. The new one is awful!

US Grand Prix - What a Mess!

Seven of the 10 teams did not race after their demands for a makeshift chicane at the Brickyard -- which they believed would have made racing safe -- were not met.
Amid chaotic scenes, the sport's governing body, the FIA, refused to change the circuit, leading to an unprecedented boycott.
All the drivers completed the parade lap but then peeled off into the pits, leaving reigning champions Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi racing.
All three teams run on rival Bridgestone tires which apparently had no problems.

Happy 50th Anniversary Car and Driver!

I groaned when I saw it in the mail: the disproportionately thick magazine full of ramblings and ruminations – the dreaded 50th Anniversary issue. I saw it coming; sneaking up in previous issues with articles about the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies. Then I started reading – and became ensnared! Now, understand, I am reaching the dreaded 50th birthday myself. I have never been a sentimental person – no oldies radio stations on the preset buttons, no warm memories of the Brady Bunch, and generally no dwelling on the past. Suddenly I am remembering via the cover thumbnails the naked women painted with flags, the horrible cars of the Seventies, the 55 MPH speed limit, and the immortal Cannonballs. Then in my psyche there materialized the C/D issue that heaped adoration upon the Chevy Citation and my unfortunate recommendation of the dreaded vehicle to my then-girlfriend (now wife of 25 years). She had just rolled her rusty but beloved Mercedes 280C on an expressway exit ramp and wanted to replace it. Being a “car guy”, what car would I recommend to replace it? Luckily, she ignored me and purchased a lovely red Honda Accord hatchback (with its potent 68 horsepower power plant). It is amazing that she married me after the ill-fated Citation endorsement. Of fonder memories, there was my all-time favorite writer, Steve Smith. Perhaps it was his name, but I also associated with his wit and wisdom through my teenage mentality. By the way Steve, I loved your article in the 50th Anniversary Issue. I did abandon C/D for a while when Automobile Magazine was published but, over time, started subscribing to both rags. I am back to donating my money only to C/D and its irreverent and juvenile attitudes. And, yes, my wife still cringes every month when C/D arrives in the mail. So, thanks for the fond memories. Now I am listening to oldies radio and remembering all the fun times I had through the years – still no enthusiastic recollections of the Brady Bunch except for the Mopar wagons and convertibles. You see, I have always viewed life through the rheumy eyes of a car junky and C/D feeds my habit.