What is LOVE?! Baby just drive me..just drive me..some-more.

So what's on my mind today or tonight if you will is value. You see, Jalopnik recently ran an article about the new 2013 BMW 320i and how top properly order yours with maximum fun checked on the boxes. The ZPS and ZMT options give you the M Sport package and a manual transmission. You even get sports seats that, if they are anything like my old 335i, are able to keep that ass firmly planted, but with comfort.

Point being that BMW really is trying to give back to the enthusiast. Even though I couldn't find a single 320i or 328i with a manual transmission in all of DFW, I still like to think that some where in the engineering and marketing dept. at BMW someone really is thinking of the little guy. You know, the ones that really got the word out that BMW was worth a damn. The reason they may be who they are now...

Enough rant, lets get on with things.

This really got me thinking about value. I won't lie, I built a 320i for about the $34k, probably about $31 or $32k at the dealer. This kind of sounds sweet! So I thought. But where the hell have I been? I mean, I've owned a BMW before and I loved it but I payed for the ownership experience. So why am I so smitten? Like everyone else, including my wife, we love the way they drive. But really? For a small four cylinder car I am really giving BMW a lot of credit here to pay that kind of clam for such a sweet little box.

Okay, back to reality. Not only am I a fan of the big German boys, but I am an even bigger fan of American V8 powaaahhhh! So I thought what's hot right now? Mustang. So what did I do, I priced a 2014 track pack car with Recaro seats for, what's this, just about ten dollars more than the dainty 320i.

WHOA.

Oh God, here comes the flood of random cars that could be bought at that price. Subaru WRX, Scion FR-S and some tires and wheels and stuff...I'm sure I could go on into fanboy heaven and back. My point was merely that sometimes it's still a tough choice to say what it is exactly we are looking for in a fun car. I would love to hear a V8 burble every day I go to work. I dream about it at night and I want it in the morning.

For some reason it still doesn't completely kill the idea of something great from the creator of the worlds greatest driving machines, even if it is a "lesser" model. I too can subscribe to the homage of slow car fast > fast car slow. Now the real question is: Is it good enough? I don't know the answer to that. Maybe I should find out. Maybe it is a true homage to the BMW of old. The car we thought had been lost.

Even though I disagree that BMW was lost, they seem to have found some roots again. Which is a great thing and it would be great to do some campfire sessions with the best of the BMW CCA during this time.

For me, I'd just have to test drive it. Maybe I will...if I can find one! For now though, I have to say, if I had to choose, it'd be the Mustang GT every time. I mean, we're talking about a car that goes head to head with the world famous M3 and does it for an entire GT's cost less.

So while the 320i might be a BMW bargain, it's tough to beat, what goes for about $31k at a good dealer, with such presence and umph. I know that to each there own and on both sides of this argument the flame wars could go on forever about BMW drivers never driving the child's toy and a Mustang driver driving some uppity, yuppy wagon. For the fringe enthusiast, I say it's up to you to decide.

With that said, maybe I'll press on and try to get some seat time. Looks like I could use a test drive. Maybe that Scion too. Weird to even mention them in the same thought.

In the air of the night. It's time to filter the dirt and get down to what's going into the Rod's new virtual engine.

I recently got the idea for working on this much like a diary. That's the reason I thought it was integral that I put in some character. This blog will be thoughts and opinions about a lot of things, just centered around cars. I said this already in my introductory statement and I'm just expanding on this idea now.

I wanted a place to go to pull out the thoughts and air out my brain. After watching a few videos and reading some other entries I thought it best to use this as my personal "pensive" of sorts. Unlike Dumbledore I don't carry a wand so I gotta use a Mac.

I keep hearing Matt Farrah (/Drive, The Car Show) telling me to be prolific. Well that's part of the plan too. I may not have time to be super prolific, I will be using the time to bring out some ideas and explain a few things.

Ideas such as my brain's project garage. Yeah, it needs a better name and I'll work on it. For now I will entail the insane amount of projects that roll around my head any time I even think about a car. No, I won't actually cover every freaking one but I'll be dishing out the best. Right now I don't have a shop and some get to create. So for me, I'm building in my mind. Now I'm sharing with you.

So what? You say? I say that I share my ideas just like everyone else has because what if I pick up on something you may not have ever thought of? Yep, just like the greatest shops in the world give me ideas, I like to combine them and now instead of keeping my ideas inside, I'll let you take a look into my world and see if there is anything useful.

Sometimes I will spell it out, sometimes it will be pictures and some will be my terrible sketches. Oh yeah, MY sketches.

I actually hope that people see things a little bit differently with my ideas and shift the paradigm on typical thinking. Over the last year I've spent time running, lifting, driving, traveling and working on being a better husband. During this time I've changed the way I think about a lot and work on using my zen moments to my strength. But my strength can't be the only gain if I'm helping others in the long run.

No need in getting sappy, lets move on to the good s#it.

Something cool is that I really have a garage now. Or at least I'm working on it and I'll be doing the new Rod's Garage segment that will actually be something other than just the current stock. If I get a cool new toy, then I'll share it and see what I can make out of it.

Other new stuff is possibly going to be side projects. As an engineer I like to fool around with any tool I can. So some of the projects that I have going on my just wind up here. Just about anything can be tied back to the automotive world or just my very own perspective on life.

The most current idea expands on that last part. Life perspective. I have a tough time learning from my mistakes it seems so along the way I like to teach myself by doing a great deal of different things. So this is going to be a lot of different experiences and lessons learned. Don't think of life revolving around cars, think of cars revolving around life. Lessons aren't always learned in the driver's seat. Sometimes it's sitting at the dinner table and sometimes it's under the barbell or while smoking your favorite brisket.

Keep your mind open because I'll keep the conversation going.

I may only be driving a mouse, but it's something dammit!

Well, after a brief hiatus I've decided to bring some writing back to the world of Throwing Rods. I still have quite a few decisions to make and what the overall evolution will be but in my mind, I have a few ideas to keep me occupied.

Throughout the various stories to come, I'll be drawing inspiration from a great deal of sites, some things will continue to evolve, some will stay the same. Just like when a manufacturer gets something right, it's best to stick with it and keep that stability. Sometimes though, you just have to jump ship and do something completely different. 

The old ideas will mostly remain in tact, but new segments or updated segments will start to pop up and the one thing I want to add is fun. Or, I guess, what BMW calls  "joy".  Well, maybe not that serious, lets stick with fun. I hope to retain the satire and sarcasm while actually writing with amusing overtones. I am not sure how far to take things and for all I know Throwing Rods will take a complete 180. 

What caused all this? Well, a lot of thinking and discussing, with a little self discovery. No, I'm not going all Eat, Pray, Love on you, this is a f*&%ing car blog! 

What I do have time for, is nostalgia. Going forward, I'm also looking backwards. Cars on the street, rusting classics, polished hot rods, you name it. While I was taking some time off, I started looking back into what it was that moved me as an enthusiast. There are a great many things, food, music and more but the thing is that may family kept my head in the past with vintage Chevys mostly. These were the things that moved me and always seem to. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape old metal. 

Now? Now it's time to get writing. I started this on inspiration, no budget and a lot of hopes and dreams. Why not continue the trend? Sounds like a damn good idea to me. So I'll be looking in every direction to discuss a slew of new topics. Some boring, some not, some off topic and some on but either way, it will all tie into the idea that started Throwing Rods and what it is that drives it. 

Gift Giving on Both Sides!

I know the holiday season is over but I think it's never a bad time to think about how we address the gift giving every year. So I wanted to lay out a little gift guide to the opposite sex. At least that's what I thought at the time anyway. To be honest I don't care who gets who, but I hope this is as whimsical to me as it will be to you. All gifts listed are, at the very least, wife approved, since I had my wife help me out with my list here!

So lets start by looking for gifts for your car guy or car gal and how to appropriately equate that gift to your significant other, friend or whomever as a way of educating and understanding that will be appreciated on all levels. On one part this is a great way for your typical car gift being those terrible detailing kits from your general buy it all stores and on the other side, not your average equivalent gift that is thoughtful and a bit more unique than your average run of the mill, feminine gift guide.

Like I said, this is very unisex and works for just about everyone. So lets have some fun and get started!

Let's start with the washing. 

For the cars, you want to start with a proper water bucket and grit guard. Preferably two buckets for an even cleaner wash!

Wash Bucket and Grit Guard

The bath bomb, while this isn't a wash per say, it's used during bath time as a relaxer. Soothing. Much like the clean water is soothing for your car wash, the bath bomb is soothing for the bather.

Bath Bomb

Cleaning

At this point I want to introduce the clay bar and lubricant. This takes off the hard to get contaminants on the car's paint.

Clay Bar and Lubricant

Obviously this would be where soap comes in. I know, you use soap in the wash process but humor me, the soap bar is much more like a clay bar and if you must, you can get a bath melt instead!

Soap

Repair

Next step is to repair. Repair the paint, clear coat and the skin. This incorporates a cutting compound or restoration polisher to remove the swirls or damages to your clear coat surface.

We move into Scrubs and Shower gels here because it's exfoliation time!

Shower Scrub (duh!)

It's time to exfoliate that bad paint job too! Over time the exposure, use and bad car washes get the best of our paint job. Fix it with a cutting compound or swirl polisher!

Paint Correction Polish

Restore

All exfoliated and rough?? Good, that's how you get started. Now time to restore. Smooth it up with a Shower Smoothie or Body Lotion. 

Shower Smoothie

Still looking at a cloudy car finish? Lets polish or glaze that finish!

Glaze and Polish

Seal it up!

Lookin' good! Now it's time to start putting a shine on it with a Body Butter or for our vehicle, a Sealer! 

Body Butter

Jetseal

Wax it

Whoa! I know where you think this is going but it's not going there! Where it is going is the final step to make it shine. Dust and Massage Bars are a great way to end the spa or bath time. But for your car, you need to massage some high quality wax on it to make the whole days work worthwhile!

Massage Bar

Concourse Wax

Aaaand you're good to go! Literally, you've got your ride shined up and your date ready! It's always good to be thorough and enjoy the effort you've put in. Look good, feel good, drive well! Car peeps, if you're still confused, follow this list of steps and clear your day!

I hope everyone has as much fun reading this as I did writing it. I'd like to thank my wonderful wife for the inputs and all the help!

Need some great quality photos: Silodrome

Do you have the wheel power?

One of the things that I have been thinking about, while contemplating a couple of test cars, are what wheels to use when building a test car. In my case, when the opportunity arises, it would be great to find a couple of chassis test cars just to cut on and play with to dial in what feels good, what doesn't and how it all around functions. This would be from the ground up. Like stitch welding the body to testing suspension components, rear axles, engines and transmissions, even seating options. But every artist needs a canvas. In the current case of resto mods, the two cars that come to mind are the big body Chevelle and the petite Mustang. Why these two? Well that isn't what this article is about but I'll explain MY choices to serve these roles.

lsxtv.com

The Chevelle is mostly a childhood dream that is popular with the pro touring scene but not nearly as many hard core parts are made for the Chevelle as there are the Camaro/Nova. I thought about this long and hard and was tempted to look into a Pontiac Ventura. Which is still an alternate and very different then your average Nova or Camaro. Heck, it's not even a GTO but that could be a cool play on the GTO concept as it was formed years ago. I digress. The Chevelle is pure sex on wheels and never gets tiresome. It also enjoys a simple front A arm front suspension and a 4 link rear. It's also a full frame car which change the dynamic of the build all together. The aftermarket support is huge and parts are plentiful. But it's not as hard edged as the "go fast" cars which makes it that much more of a challenge. Much like the Torino, it's always cool to see these big old cars go fast.

The Mustang. Of course, your thinking, why not just get the Nova? A Camaro in sheep's clothing. Well, why would I? If given the opportunity, I'd rather have a bow tie AND a blue oval in my garage. The Mustang is a subframe design in the front and leaf spring rear. This is the same as the Camaro/Nova/Ventura/etc. models. Now I just get to test Ford engines as well, in a smaller, lighter chassis. These cars now have a very hard core following and some really great go fast parts. These two cars couldn't be more different. Some day I'll explain my take on the original Mustang designs and why I think EVERYONE sees the car the wrong way. If I don't get to say it, I'll just build it so you can see my vision of what the original designers had in mind. Again, I should stray from my own diversion.

Honorable mentions, any Dodge. Why? Well, Dodges are hard to get ahold of in good enough shape, for low money. Dealing with the torsion style suspension, is just a hassle not worth my testing unless I have a lot more time and money. Maybe some day. Would it be cool? Very much so. I don't tell people this but Chrysler's muscle and pony cars are probably the most awesome looking and sounding of any in their time. Much like AMC, they are expensive, have a strong following and good luck finding them in great shape. That's as far as I want to go on Dodge.

You might say that the only thing left would be some kind of monocoque. That's true but I don't have the cash, nor will I ever to really play the true sports car game. But if I do, Lotus, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin owners take note, I'll be coming..trailer in tow!

Ok so lets start this journey with one of the most important parts. Baby's shoes. No, not brake shoes, the wheels! Today I want to showcase the best value in Forged wheels. Weld Racing wheels. When building in the modern, forged wheels are the only way to go. They are strong, stylish and everyone knows you mean business. Typically, they are light weight as well. Always a bonus!

The reason I have chosen Weld is that they have been building racing wheels for years, always a quality product and comparibly they cost about half of what a comparable wheel of this nature would, by the likes of Budnik, Forgeline or Bonspeed. If I were building a mostly show car, my obvious choices would be Budnik or Forgeline. But in this case when we need more go than show, my choice is either an OEM Corvette, some cheaper wheels that won't really fit the way I need to, or a completely well built, good looking, made to order Weld Racing wheel.

For my target audience, the pro tourers, I'd look no further than the Street Performance RTS Line. Sizes range from 17", 18" and 20". With widths up to 18" and spoke compensation for your gigantic brake kits. Yeah, not only custom offset but a brake clearance calculation as well. So cool! That is something I have not seen anyone else in the industry do. Yes the newer wheels have built in clearance but you don't get to choose this to match your brakes with how you want your wheel to look!

So for your first step at getting some wheels with a heritage for racing and so much custom build ability, I am certainly going to choose Weld for all of my testing vehicle needs! No, I didn't get any money from Weld. Just an enthusiast doing his homework. Check out the links to view more of their line. Don't forget that they also make full bore drag racing wheels for all levels, wheels for your towing rig and some for off road duty. Ford Racing used Weld for their Cobra Jet drag car also!

BigDFoodTrucks: Hanging up the Keyboard...

BigDFoodTrucks: Hanging up the Keyboard...: After much consideration, I've come to the decision to shutter Big D Food Trucks. While I've had a swell time eating my way through DFW stre...

Fast N' Loud, right here in Dallas!

I should feel defeated by this but I don't. Originally I had planned to take this blog and one day turn it into a customs/speed shop. There are 3 elements to my shop, a full custom/rebuild, a quick turn around restoration/modification, speed and performance. With my buddy Kyle on board we could expand into motorcycles. I always faced the idea of working on a few cafe racer types.

Anyway, you get the idea. We were going to have a Motorsports division that fell under the speed shop where I'd have local students in the Dallas area come to help work on the car(s) to learn a thing or two and put a personal touch on the cars that will eventually be raced and possibly auctioned off or sold. The kids could help me create new art cars and give them something to be proud of on race day. Learning valuable skills for now and the future. We could even help get them into some of the new teen driving advanced schools while working with Ford or Audi who run advanced classes currently.

Wow, now that I put digital pen to paper, it actually sounds kind of brilliant. Throw in a few car shows and work with local hot rod groups or social outlets like Ricekiller.com to get some meet ups or shows to boot. I don't care if it's a Lotus Elan or Cadillac Eldorado, they are all welcome. My only requirement is I get to use a Ford F-150 Raptor as my tow vehicle.

Sounds too good to be true, well, as I jabbered on, a great new show on Discovery HD has beat me to the proverbial punch! Nearly to the T of what I had hoped to one day set up, the guys at Gas Monkey Garage have already done such things. All while using a Raptor for a tow vehicle. I know right? Makes me sick! Not really, I love it! Just a couple of awesome guys working on hot rods to do the right thing and sell them to potential owners and get these rides back out on the road. Based in Dallas, Richard Rawlings and Aaron Kaufman run the shop to do such awesome duties. Reminds me of some of the shops I used to hang out at in Oklahoma.

So what I wanted to do is promote the homegrown show of epicness, Fast N' Loud and hope that ThrowingRods can take a little time out and go check out Grease Monkey Garage! Here's to hoping! Check out the show and I hope these kinds of things keep going to keep the auto culture out on the roads. Wednesdays at 10/9c

What's new is new and what's old is old.

So, for a while I've been thinking about finding a replacement for my old Tyco Heads Up Turbo Hopper. I've known for a while I wanted to get back into the hobby but just haven't had the time or place. Though I do have a great parking garage. So this weekend I wanted to do a scale down of my dream garage. Just for the more budget minded. I have known about the company Traxxas for a while but I stumbled upon their Mustang Boss one day and wondered what new toys they had to offer. Toys isn't probably the proper term as they are much more advanced than what I had as a kid.

But I have to think, owning a sports car takes a lot more money than you want to spend. Especially when trying to save for a house or you just don't have the cash to put up or live with a sports car or high performance sedan. There are a number of things you can do like go buy and old Miata or 325i. But that still takes a lot of time, effort and most of all, cash. So my offering is a miniature version of some full scale fun! Below is a list of awesome scales that, if on a budget, and want to have a bit of 4 wheeled fun, then why not go for the list below!

Check it out.

Boss 302

Ford Raptor

Ken Block Fiesta

John Force Funny Car

Grave Digger

And you didn't have to get any grease under your finger nails! Unless there is some lithium grease somewhere.

Never Going Back Again says Mustang

Stevie Nix and Lindsey Buckingham may know all too well about rumors but Mustang fans know them as well. It looks like the rumors were true. About the OX cart axle pony car being updated with an Independent Rear Axle for the 2015 model year. With the cat out of the bag, sales are going to go one of three ways. One, your performance enthusiast is going to hold out for a 2015. Two, the older generation of Mustang owners my denounce the new Mustang and hang on to their stake in Mustang past. Three, new buyers won't know the difference and continue to buy the car regardless. Either way Ford is pushing for a more dramatic and fashion forward look and feel for the Mustang. Regardless of final design rumor, the truth is that the Mustang is changing and notably for the better. With the Mustang going on a diet and an IRS in the future, things are looking exciting. But for now it's all speculation. But this is a step in the right direction if I do say so myself. Personally the best solid axle in car history has served the Mustang quite well, but these new underpinnings should prove to be a valid improvement.

To boot, the new root of challenge between the Mustang and M3 on and off the track is now going to become one of the most valid and still crazy comparisons in automotive history. Both cars are looking to loose weight. But one is going back to a root that is familiar but experimental. Well received (1M Coupe) but still somewhat foreign. The other has had its roots instilled and is moving into a new generation, like a slingshot. So, I'll leave you with the words of the great Ricky Bobby, "Slingshot engaged."

Firestone 550 Izod Indy Car Race at Texas Motor Speedway

Again, it's a GREAT weekend at Texas Motor Speedway! The Firestone 550 Izod Indy Car race comes to town this June 9th. Of course I have to support our American open wheel racing! Though Texas is not a road course, I'll get over it. If you ever get a chance to even go out and see an Indy Car race, do so! Not much will be able to take that sound of roaring flat plane V6 with forced induction. Now the cars are running off of E85 these days which is an interesting change from years past. But Chevrolet has long supported its mission to utilize alternative fuels in racing as can be seen from some of their project cars and racing teams.

Now, back to the Indy Car series. Will Power is the current points leader in the series and Scott Dixon in a shallow distance of second. Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchiti do have a battle for third though and it will be interesting to see how the next couple races play out, but there is plenty of racing left in the season. Check out more info about the race in Texas here!

Global Rally Cross Comes to TEXAS

Hey there rally fans, a new form of rally is storming the US with Global Rally Cross. A combination of moto-cross and rally, all on a set track. Yeah, it's a bit different than your typical rally but there is plenty of good hooning in the arena. Drivers like Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan, Ken Block, Dave Mirra, Travis Pastrana and many, many more!! This Saturday, Texas Motor Speedway is hosting the first GRC at TMS. Prior to an evening of Indy Car Racing this event caters to a younger crowd of automotive enthusiasts. Given that when I was getting into my more prevalent young driving years, the world of moto-cross was growing at an exponential rate. While the 4 wheeled industry was slowing being pushed away. Well times have changed and we are seeing a shift in paradigm. The world of Rally Racing is being brought back with a vengeance in an extraordinary way. Many enthusiasts may not agree but if its the way it has to go then so be it. Drivers like Ken Block and Tanner Foust are new faces in a pit of old moto-cross riders turned rally, sport truck or NASCAR drivers. These new drivers have charisma, attitude and the obvious driving credentials to make these new sports a legitimate option for enthusiasts. New forms of hoontastic events such as Formula Drift and Gymkhana add to the show of new venues to revile in the sights and sounds of a new wave of both high powered muscle cars and light weight rally cross champions. It's a great time to be a car guy/gal!!

Throwing Rods will not be able to make it out to the event this weekend but will be there in spirit at least. If you are like me, then you can remain sane and go pick up one of these awesome Ken Block R/C cars from Traxxas! I think I should add a couple to the ThrowingRods garage, what do you think?

Deep Thoughts

So, I've contemplated dream garages for years. But as I get older I have more and more realizations of what's possible, affordable and easy to upkeep. Now affordability is a relative term for sure. Any car guy knows this. Today on the other hand I just started wondering what would be the ultimate combination of some of my all time urges. Within some amount of reason. I came up with the following list: 


Acura NSX

It's low, it's got the engine between the axles, it's incredibly reliable, handles on rails and only one last thing. Ayrton Senna. 


E36 M3 (Race)

It's awesomely ugly, fairly light, easy to work on and doesn't break the bank like the other M Machines. No one seems to care as much for this model. Give it a tune up, patch in some bracing and go to stitch welding and viola! A weekend track car with super aftermarket support.


Ford Raptor

Seriously, I have to explain this?


2013 Mustang Boss

It's old, it's new, it has parts from all era's. It captures American spirit, has a rumbling but brilliant V8. gives the feel of that hot rod you missed in high school with the spirit of a new, more sophisticated break neck thrill ride. 


So what's your future garage look like?

SXSW, a road trip via iPhone.

Just some great joys from Austin and what fun and finds you can have automotive and not when you get out on the open road!

Live!

Red Bull Stage

Slammed Cadillac

Shiny Toy Guns and downtown Austin

Lunch with Billy Gibbons

Volt Test Drive

Minis

The Cult at the Chevy Sound Stage

Car Art? Camaro Hood

Doritos anyone?

Eve6

Hmmm, Turbo Sonic

The M Machine