JUNE 21, 2023
Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 08:37AM 
The original - and still our favorite - Autoextremist logo.
The AE Quote of the Century: Everybody loves The High-Octane Truth. Until they don't. -WG
Mercedes-Benz is presenting a new sports car study: The Vision One-Eleven. The concept "combines a highly dynamic design language with innovative all-electric powertrain technology," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven is inspired by the tradition of the legendary C 111 experimental vehicles from the 1960s and 70s, which were used to test revolutionary Wankel and turbodiesel engines. They were also prototypes for testing polymer-based body shells. The extremely (aero)dynamic mid-engine sports cars are considered design icons of their era, not least due to their distinctive gullwing doors and eye-catching orange-and-black paintwork. The supercar silhouette of the Vision One-Eleven "is characterized by skillful execution of the signature Mercedes-Benz One-Bow design that is significant of its 21st-century style," the manufacturer continued. Its technical highlights include the extremely powerful and highly efficient axial-flux motor developed by electric motor specialist YASA. The British company has been a 100-percent subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG since July 2021.
The Hagerty Drivers Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, announced the 1952 Porsche America Roadster (Type 540), Chassis No. 12336 as the 34th vehicle to be inducted into the National Historic Vehicle Register, the only federally recognized program to document the historical and cultural significance of the automobile. The “America Roadster” No. 12336 is one of sixteen aluminum-bodied Porsches built specifically for U.S. racers, thanks to the impetus of importer Max Hoffman and famed racer and dealer, John von Neumann. Neumann and Hoffman recognized the potential competition and sales success for a modified roadster in the burgeoning sports-car-crazed, post-war U.S., and rallied the upstart German automaker to build a more competitive model than their standard 356. Josie von Neumann raced this America Roadster after it was sold by her stepfather to entrepreneur John Crean. Josie took home victories in the America Roadster as she began her short career, besting many of the most significant European sports cars in the 1950s California racing scene. The America Roadster helped launch Porsche’s success and longstanding heritage as a competition leader. The Porsche will be on public display inside a special case erected this September on the National Mall during the Foundation’s annual “Cars at the Capital” celebration. The free event will also feature Amelia Earhart’s 1937 Cord, the 33rd vehicle added to the National Historic Vehicle Register, and have activities for all ages.
Honda calls the lightweight and minimalist 2024 CB300R its "ultimate entry-level sport-naked machine." It features exposed hardware and a cutaway tail, and it touts premium features from its larger-capacity siblings, making the CB300R "an affordable, approachable naked sport bike." It is available in Matte Black Metallic or Pearl Dusk Yellow (shown). How much? It has an MSRP of $5,149, and it will be available in July.
Father's Day in Beverly Hills.
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Any place is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
Me, myself, I got nothing to prove
You got a fast car
I got a plan to get us outta here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
Won't have to drive too far
Just 'cross the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living
See, my old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle, that's the way it is
He says his body's too old for working
His body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit school and that's what I did
You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way
So I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
Speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I-I had a feeling that I belonged
I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You got a fast car
We go cruising, entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
And I work in the market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs
So I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
Speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I-I had a feeling that I belonged
I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You got a fast car
I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me'd find it
I got no plans, I ain't going nowhere
Take your fast car and keep on driving
So I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
Speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I-I had a feeling that I belonged
I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way
*In this song, Chapman sings from the perspective of a woman whose life isn't working out as she hoped. She's with a guy who's unemployed, lazy and unsupportive - she works at the convenience store to pay the bills while he's drinking at the bar. In the chorus, we hear why she's with him: Long ago, he made her feel like like she belonged, and that they could have a fulfilling and exciting life together. Riding in his fast car, his arm around her shoulder, all was right.Speaking with Q magazine, Chapman said: "It's not really about a car at all... basically it's about a relationship that doesn't work out because it's starting from the wrong place." This won the Grammy Award in 1989 for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. This song returned to the UK singles chart in April 2011 after it was performed by contestant Michael Collings on the first edition of the fifth series of Britain's Got Talent. When the then-unknown Tracy Chapman was booked to appear down the bill at the Nelson Mandela birthday concert at Wembley Stadium on June 11, 1988, little did she know her appearance would be the catalyst for a career breakthrough. After performing several songs from her self-titled debut during the afternoon, Chapman thought she'd done her bit and could relax and enjoy the rest of the concert. However, later in the evening Stevie Wonder was delayed when the computer discs for his performance went missing, and Chapman was ushered back on stage again. In front of a huge prime time audience she performed "Fast Car" alone with her acoustic guitar. Afterwards, the song raced up the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG