Dynamic ability, comfort, efficiency, aesthetic allure and a profusion of innovations designed to enhance driving pleasure – the BMW 5 Series contains all the signature ingredients of a best-selling model at the premium end of the executive segment. Indeed, consistently rising … Continue reading

The Spun Bearing

The Spun Bearing: Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche, the i8 Spyder, and the Continuing Proliferation of Hofmeister Kinks
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In Interesting, on April 7th, 2012

On the Passing of Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche The grandson of the founder of Porsche, Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche passed away this week at the relatively young age of 76. Among his contributions to Porsche was the gorgeous 911 coupe. Porsche had … Continue reading
The Spun Bearing: The Case For the 90 Degree V6 (With Reservations)
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In Interesting, on March 30th, 2012

The latest information (rumors) circulating about the next M3′s engine suggest that BMW is seriously thinking of placing a V6 (a 90 degree V6 at that) into the F80. Heresy!! BMW, a company known for it’s silky smooth inline sixes … Continue reading
The Spun Bearing: M Diesels, Synchros, and Cruise Control In the Rain
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In Interesting, on March 23rd, 2012

M Diesel BMW released a new batch of pictures of the M Diesel, the incredibly powerful straight six oil burner available in their series of M Performance automobiles. With almost 400 HP and 546 lb-ft of torque on tap – … Continue reading
The Spun Bearing: Nissan Powers the DeltaWing at Le Mans
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In Interesting, on March 16th, 2012

Wander around racing chat rooms and you can find more bile being spilled regarding the DeltaWing entry at Le Mans than just about any racing car since Enzo Ferrari ridiculed the mid-engined Coopers in the late 1950s. When I first … Continue reading
The Spun Bearing: On Playing Musical Chairs With the Board of Directors
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In Featured Posts, Interesting, on March 9th, 2012

Announced today is a ‘strategic realignment’ of the BMW board of directors effective April 1, 2012. Quoting the press release, “Board of Management members Dr.-Ing. Klaus Draeger, previously responsible for the R&D Division, and Dr.-Ing. Herbert Diess, previously responsible for … Continue reading
The Spun Bearing: If Not Saab, Triumph?!
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In Featured Posts, Interesting, on March 1st, 2012

Just when you thought it was safe to get back into the water comes reports that BMW is thinking of reviving the Triumph brand. To those of you who haven’t quite reached ‘old fogy’ status yet, Triumph made cars and … Continue reading
The Spun Bearing: Push Rods, Drum Brakes, and Leaf Springs! Oh My!!
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In Interesting, on February 26th, 2012

Pushrods After the Twin Overhead Cam article, I just had to bring up pushrods. Derided by many, the humble pushrod has been around as long as the overhead cam valve actuation. They are still in use, primarily in American made … Continue reading
The Spun Bearing: A Century of Automotive DOHC Engines
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In 3-Series, on February 19th, 2012

“Power output is finally dependent upon weight of air efficiently burnt per minute, and this in the end is fixed absolutely by the breathing power of the valve gear.” – Laurence Pomeroy, in The Grand Prix Car That is the … Continue reading
The Spun Bearing: Boutique Cars Need Engines Too
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In Featured Posts, Interesting, on February 9th, 2012

Some fragment of an article flashed by, probably on an iPad, that got me thinking about all of the small-scale manufacturers of automobiles and their need for drivetrain components. More than one genius has gone to financial ruin thinking they … Continue reading