Q. How far
back does the car radio go
and who invented it? -- J.M. (via Internet)
A. You can thank
William Lear, Elmer Wavering and Paul Galvin, owner of the Galvin
Manufacturing Co. Very briefly, the three got together, with the result
being Galvin parking his radio-equipped Studebaker outdoors at the 1930
Radio Manufacturers Association convention because he didn't have an
inside display. His car's radio made quite a splash, and Galvin changed
the name of his company to "Motorola." Auto radios initially were
costly, and the public at first was wary of them. But B.F. Goodrich
eventually contracted to sell and install them through tire stores.
Wavering stayed with Motorola. He invented the auto alternator and
"paved the way" for power-assist options, such as seats and windows,
says the Old Cars Weekly News & Marketplace publication. Lear
went on his own and was said to be responsible for the eight-track tape
player and aircraft-related items. He also was very interested in
steam-powered vehicles, but is best known for his Lear business jet.
Q.
The new Ferrari California T looks spectacular. But a friend said it's
got a hidden drawback, which he wouldn't disclose. -- A.H. (via
Internet)
A.
Many old Ferrari lovers would call the California T's lack of a
traditional Ferrari manual transmission and foot clutch a drawback.
Instead, it has a mandatory dual-clutch 7-speed transaxle, which can be
operated in automatic mode or shifted manually--with no foot clutch.
Actually, few modern Ferraris have been bought with a regular manual
transmission. An interesting fact is that the 560-horsepower California
T has a relatively small V-8 with power enhancing turbochargers because
there are "tough Chinese taxes on cars with (large) engines," says
Forza, a Ferrari magazine. China has a good number of wealthy folks who
want a Ferrari.
Q. Cadillac seems to be
gaining in
the luxury market but still isn't keeping up with the growth of it.
Will it introduce any special models to compete with foreign luxury
brands? -- D.M. (via Internet)
A. Wait until the November Los Angeles Auto Show, when
Cadillac will introduce the ATS-V junior sport-luxury model with a
twin-turbocharged V-6, reports the DetroitBureau.com. The ATS-V is a
new high-performance car that targets the BMW M3 -- the compact luxury
segment auto benchmark. The ATS-V reportedly will precede the
next-generation CTS-V model that Cadillac also is developing. An
all-new Cadillac flagship sedan reportedly also is in the works.
Q.
I'm considering the purchase of a De Tomaso Pantera sports car. It's
sleek, fast and far more affordable than an old Ferrari, Maserati or
Lamborghini. It's got an Italian body but a Ford V-8, so it will be
more reliable than an old exotic car with an Italian engine. Your
thoughts about this car? -- R.H. (Via Internet)
A. The 1971-74 mid-engine Pantara was a fast, serious two-seater with
exotic wedge-shaped lines by Italy's Ghia. It came from Ford Motor and
Europe's offbeat car builder Alejandro De Tomaso. Its Ford
351-cubic-inch V-8 generated 310 horsepower and it had a
German ZF five-speed transmission. At $10,295, it seemed like
a steal-- about half the price of an Italian exotic. Avoid
the many hacked-up Panteras and early, troublesome cars, although most
early Pantera flaws have been fixed by now. Still, the less troublesome
1973-4 models are your best bet. The Pantera was
sold by Lincoln-Mercury dealers, who didn't know what to do with it
because it was way out of place alongside L-M's domestic cars. Still,
5,629 Panteras came to America. More may have been built, but Ford and
De Tomaso divorced because of weak exotic car demand in America after
the U.S. gasoline shortage scare of 1973-74 and the cost of meeting new
U.S. emissions and safety regulations after 1974. Panteras have
steadily risen in value in recent years and are valued at
$38,000-$65,000 by the Sports Car Market value guide. A good one is an
exotic car bargain, especially considering the prices of the Italian
exotics you mention.
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