Ahead Of The Curve

Even though you hear this term frequently in regards to movies, music, or art, I've also heard this who knows how many times in the automotive industry. Sometimes the concept pays off - sometimes it doesn't. Even if all intensive purposes are good and the execution is right on; if the timing is off, especially if the public is just not ready for it - the venture will fail. More often than not, the same concept will be launched several years later, usually with greater success. Other times, it will just get buried. This scenario crossed my mind when I came across two distinct issues of Hot Hod Deluxe - the original issue released back in 1999 and the 2nd launch "rebirth" issue in 2008. The magazine failed the first time simply because the public was not ready to fully embrace that aspect of the hot rodding culture in the late 90's. The magazine was ahead of the curve.

I received a flyer in the mail yesterday advertising seminars at a local automotive repair shop as part of "The Automotive Sisterhood" movement that's taking hold. In a nutshell, ASE certified technicians hold evening classes to better educate women regarding their automobiles. This is a wonderful thing, no matter who puts these seminars on. The irony of all

this is, is my oldest daughter, who is a long-time ASE technician, and I have talked about organizing something like this in area for over 10 years. I even worked with our local technology school to offer evening adult-ed classes at low cost on the very basics of the working of an automobile as well as in the purchasing of a used vehicle. That was back in 2007. Neither class got off the ground due to too-low of enrollment. I always thought it was because a guy (me) was teaching a class geared towards women. A possible comfort level just wasn't there. Today, schools that offer evening adult-ed classes are clamoring for this - but now I don't have room in my schedule to teach at night. Was I just ahead of the curve?

However, not all things automotive that are ahead of the curve destined to be delayed or outright flops. Some hit the ball out of the park on the first try. Case in point, the 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner that debuted in the fall of 1967. In a sea of muscle cars, Plymouth zigged, while everyone else zagged. After extensive research, Plymouth realized that if a buyer wanted a new muscle car that met certain criteria (in this case cut a 14 second flat or lower quarter mile E.T. and reach 100 mph or better while in the process), one would have to spend at least $3300 to do so. That was a lot of coin back in 1967. That also meant a lot of buyers were left out of the performance car market. Plymouth focused on the go-fast goodies and left out all the fluff. The result? A car that met Plymouth's criteria for under $2700 dollars and sold like hotcakes. Even if a buyer opted for the $800+ 426 Hemi engine option, nothing could touch a Hemi Roadrunner for the $3500 admission price. Even Motor Trend magazine in their December 1967 issue called the Roadrunner "...the most honest supercar in over five years."

It's been said that you can thank a drag racer for much of the modern technology we have today on vehicles. Everything from fuel injection, to flex-fuel motors, to super-charging, to distributorless ignitions - it appeared first in drag racing. But that's what it's all about - innovation. Back in the 50's and 60's, there weren’t very many established rules, which allowed guys to experiment with some truly radical designs. Some worked - some didn’t. But for every failed drag car design, something was learned, for better or for worse. One of the most bizarre drag cars ever (that thankfully to my knowledge no one tried copying) was the Vulcan Shuttle. Throughout history, many racers have tried to harness the uncontrollable power of a rocket engine. The problem however, with a rocket in a drag racing situation is that the length of time that thrust is being created is directly proportional to the amount of solid fuel being used. The driver is not controlling the throttle - that’s the job of physics. You light the fuse and hang on for however long it decides to burn. The Vulcan Shuttle came out in around 1980, a rocket motor housed in a Volkswagen Bug. With a surplus engine that was about 10-feet long, this little V-Dub acted like an out-of-control bottle rocket, and eventually killed its driver, Rodney Poole, during a test pass at an airport. Ahead of the curve? Probably not...

Even NASCAR has had some ideas that sounded good at the time, but for some reason never materialized. Probably the best known concept was one that Bill France had back in the 80's. You ready for this? A street racing series. This is where your favorite NASCAR drivers in their beloved rides skip the ovals and grandstands, and take it to a determined street course. Can you imagine? Straight-a-ways, left and right turns, no drafting, or high banked ovals, speeds ranging from 40mph to around 135mph. No more cookie-cutter race courses. They would all be different. You want to show your driving skills? Here you go! Talk about grass roots style racing - heck let's bring it back!

Got any other ideas or stories? Let me know.
Until next time, peace out.
Dave