1964 Ariete SH-8
A compact, sporty hot hatchback coming to an ariete dealership near you, combining the practicality of a hatchback with the sportyness of a v8, the SH-8 balances two worlds for a unique experience!
Starting at $14,800
(my first time taking real pics myself, lmk if it looks bad lol)
Submissions are now closed.
Thanks to everyone for participating!
CENTURIAN REGALIA
3-Litre Inline-6, 4-Speed Automatic, Full Leather Interior,
Optional Powered Windows, and Air Conditioning.
Luxurious, Swift, and Comfortable for $52,000
thats still quite steep for my shoes. Im looking for something under 15 for the family. 17’s pushin it real far mister.
The poor fellow who owned it loved it so much, he went through all the hassle of importing one here. Y’know its very well maintained, low mileage, AND, not even a year old! Heard his business venture in our great land of opportunity went bust and is now desperate for cash. How desperate you ask? well… 13500 desperate.
Good lord… Now that’s a great bargain!
Oh boy does that sound very VERY appealing… I’ll have a think about it…
A very simple one this time, I’m quite rushing this. Ah well.
The 1964 Audax Heartland, the final year of this generation, with all the improvements you could ask for since the debut at the turn of the decade. Seen here is the Deluxe trim, featuring a well-appointed interior (not pictured), an advanced suspension setup, a thrifty inline-six and practical four-speed standard gearbox. Premium has never been so affordable!
Part 1 - The Imports
[Note: There are no bins! Vehicles are presented in the order their ads were posted, not in order of scoring, so don’t panic if your car is mentioned early or celebrate because it shows up late. Also, while some of these cars specifically said where they’re from in their ads, I’m just guessing on some. So your car may unexpectedly appear or not appear in this category.]
Wendy was at home, finishing putting away groceries she bought that afternoon. The shopping trip wasn’t exactly the most pleasant experience. Since she, Earl, and all of her in-laws were relying on one pickup truck to get everywhere they go, Wendy had to find a time to drive to the supermarket when the truck wasn’t needed on the farm or by one of Earl’s younger siblings. Of course, once she found a time to take the truck, her mother-in-law, Mabel Bauers, decided that she would take advantage of the opportunity to go along with Wendy and do some shopping of her own. So, Wendy had been picked up earlier that afternoon by Mabel for a ride to the supermarket that was…less than enjoyable.
There was more than one reason for that. One was the truck. As she rode along with Mabel, Wendy felt every jolt and jostle through the suspension that had been built much more with load-hauling than comfort in mind. The thin bench seat didn’t help. As they bumped along the road to town, Wendy daydreamed about making this same trip in a few weeks in a new car that would smoothly glide over the road while she sank into a plush, nicely upholstered seat.
Another reason the ride was less than pleasant was Mabel. Wendy always got the feeling that Mabel felt that Wendy wasn’t good enough for her boy Earl, or that she thought Wendy was a bad influence. Maybe it was because they both liked rock and roll. And of course, since Earl and Wendy married, Wendy had endured Mabel’s judgment–both silent and not-so-silent–about her housekeeping and cooking. Mabel had been delighted, however, to learn that she was going to be a grandmother, and Wendy got the feeling that she was getting more silent judgment and less not-so-silent judgment from Mabel lately. She guessed that was Mabel’s way of trying to make peace with Wendy. Still, as she and Mabel made polite small talk punctuated by some awkward silences, Wendy couldn’t help but wish that she had a radio to turn on to make the silence and small talk less painful. Of course, the radio would have to be tuned to something Mabel found “respectable,” but it would be better than nothing.
Wendy had endured the same experience on the return trip and had breathed a sigh of relief when Mabel finally dropped her off at home. In fact, the ride home had probably even been worse because Wendy had started feeling nauseous from morning sickness–it was funny how they called it “morning” sickness when it didn’t only come in the morning–and had endured a heavy dose of silent judgment from Mabel about the frozen TV dinners she had purchased at the supermarket. But Wendy knew that Earl liked those TV dinners, and they would come in handy for their plans that evening.
Now, the aroma of the TV dinners was wafting from the oven, the groceries were almost put away, and Wendy was expecting Earl’s younger brother to drop Earl off any minute now on his way to his 4-H Club meeting. She heard an engine, a squeak of brakes, the heavy thud of a car door, the front door opening, and “Wendy, I’m home!” She caught a glimpse of Earl coming through the front door and going up the stairs to wash up before dinner after a hard day of work on the farm.
“Dinner’s almost ready!”, Wendy called up to Earl.
“Great, can’t wait!”, came the reply.
Wendy could hear water running upstairs as Earl washed up. Her kitchen timer dinged, and she carefully pulled two piping hot TV dinners out of the oven (with her oven mitts on, of course), and placed them on TV trays in the living room. The newspaper had said there would be a program on that evening talking about new import cars, and Wendy and Earl had planned to watch it that evening to see if there was anything that caught their eye.
Wendy walked over to the television, turned it on, and twisted the tuner to the right channel before taking a seat behind one of the TV trays. Earl came bounding down the stairs with fresh clothes on and plopped into the other chair.
“Oooh, chopped beef! My favorite!,” he said as he looked at his tray and picked up a fork. “Did I miss anything?”
“No, it’s just starting.”
As music to the title slides died down, the TV host appeared on the screen. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to this evening’s program. The American auto industry is an industrial juggernaut that has long dominated sales here in the United States and made robust sales in foreign markets as well. But in recent years, automotive manufacturers in other countries have been making enough strides to cut into the American manufacturers’ sales–including right here in America. Tonight, we’ll be taking a look at some of the import models now offered for sale in the United States to see if these automobiles have what it takes to serve the needs of the American consumer.”
As footage of a car started to play, the announcer continued in a voiceover.
Ponto Fiorenzi - @Hilbert
“The first vehicle we look at tonight hails from Italy. The Ponto Fiorenzi is an automobile that defies categorization–part hatchback, part station wagon, part van, and quite unlike anything else on American roads today. But the body style means that this vehicle offers some of the best space and practicality you can find in any compact vehicle. It’s also an automobile that’s extremely easy on the wallet, with a purchase price of only $9,620, gas mileage of an astonishing nearly 30 mpg, and the second-lowest expected servicing costs of any vehicle we tested. Expected reliability is solidly average, so we don’t expect it will spend too much time in the shop. In large part thanks to its small footprint, it also handles extremely well in everyday driving. A responsive engine, manual steering, and the Fiorenzi’s small size provide a dose of fun while driving it too.”
“But there are drawbacks to this vehicle too. In particular, testers noted that in spite of its reasonably well-trimmed interior and excellent radio, the overall experience of riding in Fiorenzi is quite uncomfortable. While it maximizes its small footprint, its cabin in fact remains small and rather cramped–especially when loaded with the full 6 passenger complement it’s supposedly designed to carry. The suspension tuning is also on the stiff side, which makes bumps come through in harsh jolts and makes it challenging to take the Fiorenzi on any unpaved surface. And while it may be practical, it won’t earn you any envy from the neighbors.”
“We were also concerned with how such a small vehicle would hold up in a collision with the large vehicles that dominate American roads. In fact, while the Fiorenzi comes with standard safety features, its small size makes it one of the least safe vehicles on the road today.”
“All together, the Fiorenzi makes for an appealing vehicle for the budget-conscious shopper who is looking for an inexpensive, reasonably practical vehicle and is willing to accept some compromises in comfort and safety.”
Wendy looked over at Earl. ”Well, I like everything about it being inexpensive, practical, easy to drive, and fairly reliable, but I’d really like to have something that is a lot more comfortable than what this sounds like.”
Earl gulped down a forkful of chopped beef.” Well, I did like that they said it’s a little bit fun to drive, but it sounds like there are sportier rides out there. And we agreed we wanted something that’s safe and doesn’t feel ‘cheap’–and I’m not sure this one fits that bill.”
Wentworth Oxford 1.8L - @Dog959
The announcer continued. “Next, we look at a hatchback vehicle from Great Britain, the Wentworth Oxford. The Oxford advertises its advanced suspension system and other technological advancements like an engine that is mounted across the engine compartment instead of the traditional front-to-back way. Indeed, there are some ways that the advanced technology of this automobile makes it standout. In particular, its advanced safety features put it among the safest vehicles on the road in spite of its compact dimensions, and it’s a surprisingly effective offroad vehicle. While the $13,000 purchase price is unremarkable for this class, long term savings can be expected from its lower than average servicing costs, excellent 26 mpg fuel economy, and slightly above average reliability record. The hatchback packaging also makes for an overall practical design, and it handles better than many other vehicles on the road.
“But for all of its talk of an advanced suspension system, the Oxford is solid but unremarkable in comfort, largely due to the slightly stiff suspension tuning and the lack of an automatic transmission. It also offers little in the way of driving fun, with a small 4-cylinder engine capable of only 80 horsepower.”
“Overall, the Oxford is a practical, reliable, and reasonably comfortable vehicle that stands out for its safety and low operating costs, as long as driving fun is a low priority and you’re willing to accept some minor compromises in comfort.”
Earl started talking through a mouthful of peas. “I don’t know, I’d really like something that’s more fun to drive than that one. Only 80 horsepower? We already have a truck that has just enough power to get the job done–I want something with some real speed!”
“I know,” Wendy replies, “but it does sound like a good car overall. Although I was a little disappointed that it didn’t seem to be particularly comfortable.”
Mara Companion 1.3 WA - @AndiD
Images of another hatchback popped up on the screen as the announcer continued. “The Mara Companion 1.3 WA, imported from Archana, just might be the least expensive vehicle you can purchase in America today, with an upfront price of $6,900. That’s right, less than $7,000 for a brand new car. If there’s a less expensive car out there, we haven’t been able to find it. We also estimate that the Mara is the least expensive new car to service, and it offers very good fuel economy of nearly 24 mpg. The Companion is also quite competent on rough roads, or even offroad, and there are very few cars on the market that can match its exceptional reliability record. It also handles easily in day-to-day driving.”
“But the Mara’s low price comes with compromises. Its engine produces an anemic 46 horsepower, so there are no sporting pretenses with this automobile. And while the ride isn’t overly stiff, and interior fixtures–including a radio–are of reasonable quality, the Mara’s compact footprint makes its interior cramped and uncomfortable on the whole. Safety features are also outdated, which, when combined with its small size, makes the Companion the most dangerous vehicle on the road for its passengers, in our estimation. Access to the back seat is also difficult due to the lack of rear doors, so it is less practical than its hatchback body might suggest. And unsurprisingly for its price, it’s overall a rather basic vehicle that won’t leave your neighbors impressed–and might even leave them chuckling at you behind your back.”
“So if getting something cheap and reliable to get you from point A to point B–including over rough roads–is your top priority, the Mara is an excellent choice. Just beware that these low costs come with abundant compromises you’ll have to be prepared to make.”
Wendy shakes her head. “I’d love to have something inexpensive, but it sounds almost like they took our pickup truck and shrunk it into a hatchback. We already have something that’s cheap to run and reliable.”
Earl nods in agreement. “Yeah, if this was the only thing we could afford, I wouldn’t say no, but since we have some more money set aside, I don’t think this one is likely to be worth a second look.”
Fratelli Frui Chiara 2600 Berlina - @Mintymoon
The screen changes to images of a small yellow sedan. “The Fratelli Frui Chiara 2600 Berlina is quite a mouthful of a car that hails for Italy, but the length of its name is matched by the overall quality of this vehicle. The Chiara features a new front-wheel drive design, and this compact sedan is by far the best-handling vehicle we have driven recently–none of the other vehicles we tested even came close. Fuel economy was also an outstanding 29 miles per gallon and the Chiara’s reliability record is unparalleled. Service costs are anticipated to be lower than average, and the Chira is able to navigate rough roads with ease. Although safety features are quite basic, the monocoque chassis design provides competent crash safety on the whole. Comfort isn’t exceptional, with a suspension that is slightly stiffer than ideal for comfort, but the Chiara is reasonably comfortable on the whole.”
“While compromises are few with the Chiara, there are some. The sedan’s reasonably responsive engine and good agility give it a limited dose of sporting soul, but a true driving enthusiast likely will want to look elsewhere. The upfront purchase price of $13,400 is also on the higher side for the class, even if it won’t exactly break the bank.”
“On the whole, the Chiara is a compelling package with class-leading handling and reliability, outstanding fuel economy, and few true weaknesses to mention. With the exception of the true driving enthusiast, we would easily recommend this vehicle to anyone shopping in the compact class.”
A smile had been growing on Wendy’s face as she watched the Chiara segment. “Can we go look at one of those!? It sounds like everything we’re looking for!”
Earl looked a little glum and gave a sigh. “I guess you’re right. There’s a lot to like about that one. I just wish they’d had better things to say about its sportiness. But who knows, maybe it will be more fun to drive than they say.”
SUMA L303 Civilla 112 - @Banana_Soule
The next segment began. “While the SUMA Civilla might look like an American automobile of a few years ago, this sedan is actually an import. While the extremely similar front and rear designs might leave you wondering if this car is coming or going, buyers are likely to find its modest upfront purchase price of $10,600 and lower than average operating costs quite attractive. Expected reliability and safety are also somewhat better than average for the class, while the large trunk for its footprint makes it a reasonably practical vehicle. And while not designed as a true off-road vehicle, the Civilla should have little trouble handling unpaved roads.”
“But the Civilla fails to impress with its handling ability and ride comfort, which are only average for the class. While the interior is handsomely trimmed and equipped with a high-quality audio system, ride quality is a bit of a let down, and the interior space is a bit cramped. It also offers little for the driving enthusiast. While engine power and acceleration are decent, the throttle is slow to respond, and steering feel is vague.”
“Overall, the Civilla offers a solid overall package for everyday use at an attractive price, as long as a fun driving experience isn’t high on your list. But if you want a vehicle that truly stands out from the crowd, you’ll need to look elsewhere.”
Wendy set down her fork. “That one sounds like it might be worth looking at if they had better things to say about how comfortable it is.”
Earl said, “It sounds like it’s a pretty good car, but I don’t know if there’s really a standout reason to go look at it. And you know I’d like something that’s more fun to drive than this.”
Clari Coqui - @Vento
“Our next vehicle this evening is an odd-looking hatchback, the Clari Coqui. The Coqui certainly leaves an unusual first impression, with an extremely large split grille–with a grille within each grille–oversized turn indicators that appear to be competing for space with the headlights, and a massive metal piece separating the two grilles. The Coqui’s door handles are also extremely low, making for an uncomfortable process of bending over to open a door, and the rear is dominated by extremely large badging for the vehicle. The windshield wipers are unusually mounted at the top of the windshield, while the antenna extends out from the roof.”
“But if you can get beyond the Coqui’s polarizing looks, there’s a lot to like about this vehicle. The Coqui handles soundly in everyday driving, feels agile, and has a responsive engine that can accelerate the Coqui to 60 miles per hour in under 9 seconds. As a result, we found it to be one of the most fun-to-drive vehicles in this market segment. With a plush interior and sophisticated independent rear suspension, the Coqui also offers an outstandingly comfortable experience inside. While the upfront price of $14,600 is on the high side for the class, we anticipate overall costs of ownership to be average thanks to reasonable servicing costs and overall fuel economy of 18 mpg. The hatchback design also makes the Coqui a practical automobile, and safety is sound overall.”
“The mechanical drawbacks to the Coqui are limited. Its reliability record is slightly below average, and it could struggle if faced with rough, unpaved roads. But on the whole, if you find yourself on the ‘love it’ side of the ‘love-it-or-hate-it’ styling and can afford the upfront purchase price, the Coqui offers one of the most well-rounded packages you can find in a modern compact automobile.”
Wendy raised her eyebrows. “Well…maybe it looks better in person? I don’t know about the way it looks, but it sounds like just about everything else about this car is more or less what we’re looking for. $14,600 is still within our budget, right?
Earl nodded. “Yes, that’s close to as high as we can go on the price. And I do like what they said about it being fun to drive. 9 seconds to 60 is quick! Maybe we should go take a look at one and see if it does look better in person.”
KD 1600 GT - @06DPA
The program continued. “Next, we look at the KD 1600 GT, which bills itself as ‘exotic European motoring on the cheap.’ This hatchback certainly delivers on the ‘cheap’ part, with a starting price of only $9,430. That makes it one of the least expensive vehicles we tested. We also anticipate very low servicing costs, nearly unmatched fuel economy in excess of 29 mpg, and an above average reliability record. This makes the 1600 one of the overall cheapest cars to own in its class. The 1600 makes for an effective daily runabout, with very good handling and practical storage space thanks to its 5-door hatchback design. A standard suite of safety features makes the 1600 reasonably safe in a crash, and it is also extremely effective at navigating rough, unpaved roads.”
“There are a few drawbacks to the 1600, however, especially in the comfort department. While the interior is trimmed with rather ordinary-looking but sturdy materials, the radio provides only a tinny-sounding single speaker. While the engineers of the 1600 did an excellent job tuning its suspension for a balance of comfort and handling, the fundamental suspension setup isn’t particularly sophisticated. As a result, ride comfort is only mediocre. And if you’re looking for a sporty driving experience, look elsewhere. The 1600’s anemic 54 horsepower engine won’t get you anywhere fast, steering is vague, and there’s plenty of body roll when cornering. We also observed that while the 1600 is cheap in price, it also manages to feel quite cheap as well. This isn’t the car to buy to impress your neighbors.”
“On the whole, the 1600 is a cheap, reliable, and practical runabout great for handling daily errands. Just don’t expect much comfort or excitement along the way.”
Earl swallowed a mouthful of baked apples. “This reminds me of the one they talked about earlier…the Mara? We already have a pickup truck that gets us from A to B without much drama, and it seems like that’s exactly what this car does too.”
Wendy finished dabbing her mouth with a napkin. “I think you’re right. At least this one has a radio, but I would really like something very nice and comfortable if we can afford it.”
Accurate L155 LVO - @fabiremi999
The program returned from a commercial. “The Accurate L155 LVO is a sedan hailing from Great Britain that promises ‘the ultimate in civilized fast motoring.’ The L155 features a very responsive engine, good cornering grip, and a dash of oversteer to deliver on the promise of a sporty driving experience that exceeds most of the competition. It’s also easy on the wallet, with a purchase price of only $9,110, lower than average servicing costs, and middle-of-the-pack fuel economy of 18 mpg. It’s also a reasonably practical car for day-to-day use.”
“But the L155, while delivering a sporty experience, is still outclassed for driving enthusiasm by a number of competitors, and the sporty feeling comes at a significant compromise to comfort. There are other drawbacks as well. In spite of a set of advanced safety features, the L155’s small size and frame-based chassis put it towards the bottom of the class for safety. The car’s sporty turning and responsive throttle can also make it a bit of a handful in day-to-day driving. Most concerning for us, the L155 features an extremely sophisticated–and unusual–engine with not one, but two overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. This design must have looked good on paper, but in practice it proves to be an overcomplicated engine that had several mechanical issues just during our testing. By our estimation, these engine issues make the L155 one of the least reliable vehicles on the road and overshadow the other attributes of this car.”
“While the L155 delivers a sporty experience at a low price, the overcomplicated, unreliable engine prevents us from recommending this automobile to the motoring public.”
“Ymgh,” said Earl, with a mouthful of food.
“What?”
Earl swallowed. “I said ‘Yikes.’ I don’t like the sound of those engine issues, even if it does sound like a pretty fun ride.”
“I agree,” said Wendy.
Winson Sapphire 2200 Touring - @Mad_Cat
A sophisticated-looking sedan now showed on the screen. “Another British sedan, the Winson Sapphire 2200 Touring, is certainly a handsome vehicle. It also offers very good handling, an affordable $11,200 purchase price, and good–although not exceptional–servicing costs and fuel economy. Its monocoque chassis design and advanced safety features prove good crash protection, and the Winson is more than capable of handling a rough road. We also found the radio was excellent.”
“But the Winson fails to deliver a particularly comfortable ride to its passengers, in part due to its rather cramped cabin. And while it delivers a bit of driving fun, it’s no speed demon with a 90 horsepower engine. Its reliability record is also somewhat checkered.”
“The Winson ultimately delivers a bit more than its competitors in some categories and falls a bit behind them in others, standing out as neither particularly good nor particularly bad in any way. If you’re looking for a reasonably-priced all-rounder, this might be the car for you.”
Earl, his tray empty, looked over at Wendy’s only half-eaten dinner tray that she had been picking at gingerly thanks to the nausea from her morning sickness. “Are you going to eat that?”
“No,” said Wendy, handing the tray over to Earl. He took the tray and, before digging into the leftovers, asked, “What do you think of this car?”
Wendy looked thoughtful. “I don’t know, it seems…OK? It doesn’t seem like there’s anything particularly wrong with it, but it just seems like there have to be better cars out there.”
“I agree,” said Earl. “Not to mention that with only 90 horsepower, I’d love to get something more powerful.”
DCMW Sharriallat Standard Six (US spec) - @moroza
[Note: Something went wrong with the windows reverting to default paint on import, and I was able to sort of fix most of the windows but couldn’t figure out which fixture was the triangular front window section.]
Wendy and Earl turned back to the TV announcer, who was talking about a fancy but somewhat outdated-looking station wagon. “The ‘D’ in DCMW stands for ‘Dalluha,’ which is where the DCMW Sharriallat Standard Six hails from. Advertisements for the DCMW promise ‘a satisfying blend of performance, comfort, style, and everyday usability,’ and it mostly delivers on these promises. It handles reasonably well in daily driving, provides good cornering grip, and comes with a responsive 150 horsepower engine that launches the DCMW to 60 miles per hour in just over 8 seconds. The interior is both plush and spacious for the vehicle’s size, and it rides smoothly. In fact, we would say that the DCMW provides comfort unparalleled in its class. Its reliability record is also excellent. Crash safety is also anticipated to be good thanks to standard safety features and monocoque construction.”
“There are a few drawbacks to this automobile, however. While servicing costs and fuel economy are reasonable, the $14,500 sticker price is a bit steep for the class. It also didn’t inspire confidence over dirt roads, even if it ultimately handled them competently. But our biggest gripe is the lack of rear doors and the fact that there are only two seats in the rear, which means that the ability to carry passengers–and get them into and out of the vehicle–is rather limited.”
“Overall, our gripes with the DCMW are minor and few. While we’re not sure if the DCMW has quite as much ‘everyday usability’ as promised without rear doors, it certainly does deliver a satisfying blend of performance, comfort, style–and reliability to boot.”
Earl had quickly polished off Wendy’s leftovers. “Well,” he said, “it looks like the styling maybe hasn’t been updated in a couple years, but this sounds like a pretty good car.”
Wendy nodded in agreement. “If it had rear doors and another seat or two, it might be just about perfect. It might be a little hard getting kids in and out of the back, and it would be nice to have a larger bench seat back there. But those might be pretty minor issues overall.”
Part 1 - The Imports (Continued)
Cordelia Horizon - @Ananas
A somewhat quirky-looking hatchback–or was it a sedan?–came up on the screen. “The lone French offering of this evening is the Cordelia Horizon. The Horizon handles nicely in daily driving, and even does so with a good dose of sportiness. The responsive 140 horsepower engine accelerates the Horizon to 60 miles per hour in under 9 seconds, and cornering grip is excellent. It also doesn’t compromise on comfort. While the ride is a bit firm, it’s not overly so, and bumps are absorbed well. The interior is plushly trimmed and, at least in our tester, had the unusual feature of a phonograph. On the whole, the Horizon is both one of the sportiest and most comfortable vehicles we tested. The hatchback design also enhances its practicality. Gas mileage is good, and the Horizon can competently handle rough roads.”
“But while the Horizon stands out positively in many ways, it also stands out in some negatives as well. One area it stands out for the worse is cost, both its $15,000 sticker price and the extremely high anticipated servicing costs. And for that price, the Horizon doesn’t even come with a full bench seat in the back, instead opting for two bucket seats. Its ladder frame is poorly designed for crash safety. And like the Accurate L155, it also features an overly complicated dual overhead camshaft engine with 4 valves per cylinder that makes the Horizon’s reliability quite suspect.”
“Overall, the Horizon offers both a sporty and comfortable ride that few other automobiles can match. But these standout qualities come paired with significant drawbacks in cost, reliability, and safety. Whether the good outweighs the bad, well, we think that’s something each buyer will have to decide for themselves.”
Wendy had shifted in her seat to sit with her feet curled under her. “I’m a little nervous about what they said about reliability, cost, and safety, but I did really like what they had to say about comfort. I would love to have something that comfortable.”
Earl had slouched back in his chair, his hand on his full stomach. “I also liked what they had to say about it being fun to drive. 0 to 60 in under 9 seconds is quick! I don’t know, it might be worth checking out.”
Centurian Regalia D - @GAlexZilla
The announcer continued. “Our final automobile of the evening is a handsome sedan that bills itself as ‘the people’s limousine.’ While we’re not inclined to describe anything riding on a 106 inch wheelbase as a limousine, there’s much to like about the Centurian Regalia. Its suspension is extremely well tuned for predictable everyday handling, and power delivery is smooth and predictable. There are very few better-handling cars out there. Gas mileage of about 26 mpg is excellent, and reliability is top-tier. Comfort is also better than most thanks to a fully independent suspension and an interior that, while using ordinary-looking materials, is put together with extremely high quality materials and excellent attention to fit and finish. Safety and service costs are about average for the class, and the Regalia is more than capable of handling some rough, unpaved roads.”
“We found a few quibbles with the Regalia, which might not matter depending on customer budget and preferences. First, the $13,500 is a bit on the higher side for the class. Second, the Regalia offers little in the way of driving excitement. Throttle response on its 85 horsepower engine is on the slower side, and the Regalia feels leisurely on the road. Finally, the Regalia we tested came with only 4 seats, making it less practical for passenger-carrying duties than an automobile with a full rear bench–or front and rear benches.”
“On the whole, the Regalia offers a refined, comfortable, and reliable package for drivers who need little in the way of excitement on the road.”
Wendy turned to Earl. “I like the sound of that one! It sounds very comfortable, it’s within our budget, and it’s reliable. It would be nice if it had a few more seats, though.”
Earl sighed. “Well…I know it sounds like something you would like, but it really didn’t sound very exciting. I know it checks a lot of the other boxes, but only 85 horsepower? That’s barely more than our pickup truck, and you know that thing isn’t what anyone would call fast.”
Earl and Wendy’s Rankings of the Imports
Earl got up, switched off the TV, and stepped out of the room for a moment, returning with a notepad and pencil. Earl and Wendy discussed the program they had just seen and, after some back and forth, came up with a ranking of the cars that Earl jotted down, from last to first:
Accurate L155 LVO - unreliable engine, not very comfy
SUMA L303 Civilla - solid car, not sporty, not very comfortable
Mara Companion 1.3 WA - practical, reliable, too basic
KD 1600 ST - also practical, reliable, too basic
Winson Sapphire Touring - thoroughly OK, no standout features
Wentworth Oxford 1.8L - good car, only average comfort, not sporty
Ponto Fiorenzi 868 - practical, great on gas, not very comfortable or sporty
Centurian Regalia D - comfortable, reliable, not sporty
Fratelli Frui Chiara 2500B Berlina - practical, not very comfortable, not sporty
Clari Coqui - good overall, but looks?
DCMW Sharriallat Standard Six US spec - really comfy, pretty sporty, no rear door
Cordelia Horizon - also comfy and sporty, good on gas
Then came the discussion of which of these cars to test drive. They quickly agreed on the Cordelia, the DCMW, and the Fratelli Frui. They were on the fence about the Clari but ultimately decided they would take a look to see what they thought about it in person. Wendy made a case for the Centurian, but Earl was insistent that he refused to consider it because he didn’t feel it was sporty enough.
Top 4 advance to finals.
[Note: The rankings here are based on pure calculations off of the game stats and do not account for the realism/design factor. That factor will be considered in the finals, so the finalists will not necessarily finish in the same order in the finals. They will also have to see how they stack up against the domestic competition.]
Superb job with the reviews, especially for your first time hosting!
I’m not sure what drove me to make a 2-door when the shape clearly invites 4. Doh.
The glass is Mds glass. But what happened to the paint altogether?
The styling may well look outdated on the American automotive landscape, but across the pond, whence the Sharriallat’s inspirations hail, these looks were very much contemporary. All 1964…
Looking forward to seeing how the domestic competitors stack up to all these imports! I wonder how many opted for solid rear axles. I almost did, but Audax as a brand always pushes the fancy stuff, so fully independent was the call.
Yep!
Common export-reimport goof. Happens with custom materials, also a thing that appeared a lot in CSCS.
You answered yourself there already. Earl and Wendy are Americans. Their simple rural lifestyle won’t make them conaisseurs about the design of conservative British saloons. So their judgement related to domestic cars is totally valid, no matter how many examples from overseas you can show.
I built a motorized post carriage from Wild West times…
I propably won’t stand a chance with the Globus here, but I am curious.
I didn’t do anything with the paint, so I assumed you had intentionally changed the paint scheme for the ad. Don’t worry, I’ll look primarily at your ad photos for any design judging in the finals since I know the export/import got all kinds of messed up.
Makes me wonder if I shoulda went with the original 4L V8. That could’ve gotten earl to open up a bit but that woulda tanked fuel eco and max budget at 15k. Ayy I’ll settle for Wendy’s honorable mention, for entering an out of brief car.
Oh and great job on the reviews! really appreciate the effort.
Part 2 - The Domestics
[Note: Again, cars are in order the ads were posted, not in scoring order.]
Earl Bauers was excited about a new car. Of course, he knew Wendy was mostly going to be driving it and that she wanted something comfortable…but he couldn’t help but daydream about a sporty new car.
He found his mind drifting all the time. Pastor Luther’s sermons became mere background noise as he pictured himself settling into a bucket seat and firing up a throaty V8 engine. On his trips to the farm goods store, he found himself pushing his pickup truck as hard as he could through the corners–which is to say, not very hard. He found himself chatting with friends at the diner about what cars they’d seen, or heard of, or driven themselves. When he was out working on the farm, he pictured being thrown back into his seat by bat-out-of-hell acceleration while singing a new song he’d recently heard on the radio to himself again and again:
Little GTO, you’re really lookin’ fine
Three deuces and a four-speed, and a 389
Listen to her tachin’ up now
Listen to her why-ee-eye-ine
C’mon and turn it on, wind it up, blow it out GTO…
It was difficult for Earl to find the time to actually do something about the car search between his responsibilities on the farm and still helping with his younger siblings. But he finally resolved to carve out an afternoon to head to the local library with Wendy to do some research on different cars he’d heard about, seen around town, or seen advertised. So on a warm summer afternoon, he and Wendy loaded into their little blue pickup truck and he goosed the 4-cylinder engine for all it was worth…only to be greeted by a mild hum instead of a throaty roar. As he drove, he started singing a song he liked to play on their record player at home, and Wendy joined him:
She’s real fine, my 409
She’s real fine, my 409
My 409…
When they got to the library, they spent several hours combing through newspapers and magazines–with plenty of questions for the librarian–looking for articles with information on the cars they wanted to look at. Finally, with a stack of newspapers on the table in front of them covering every car they wanted to research, Wendy and Earl started reading the reviews together.
Globus Comet - @Happyhungryhippo
They started reading the first article in their stack. “The Globus Comet is a compact sedan that advertises its extensive standard features list, including a standard V8 engine, while also promising reasonable economy and reliability. The Comet indeed largely delivers on these promises, offering one of the most comfortable experiences in its class and an average reliability record for an attractive sticker price of only $11,500. The interior comes nicely trimmed with premium materials and is very quiet, and the ride is soft and comfortable. The Comet is also reasonably practical and offers some surprising offroad capabilities for its class.``
“But the Comet fails to deliver on its promises of economy, with fuel economy that is somewhat below its competitors. And even though it offers a suite of advanced safety features, its ladder frame construction leaves it trailing some of its higher-tech monocoque chassis competitors in crash protection. Drivers looking for a sporty driving experience will also want to look elsewhere, as the Comet is one of the least sporty models on the market. While power is a reasonable 125 horsepower that accelerates the Comet to 60 mph in a little more than 12 seconds, the power-assisted steering is devoid of any steering feel, the automatic transmission sloshes through gears at a leisurely pace, and the suspension floats and wallows over the road. Ease of driving also lags somewhat behind the standard for the class.”
“On the whole, the Comet is an affordable, practical, and comfortable automobile, but we’re not convinced that the Comet does enough to differentiate itself in an increasingly crowded market segment.”
Earl turned to Wendy. “This doesn’t sound like a bad car, and I know you probably like the part about it being comfortable, but it really doesn’t sound like this one’s very fun to drive. I’d rather look elsewhere.”
Wendy shrugged. “I mean, I do think it sounds rather comfortable, although I didn’t love the part about how it isn’t that easy to drive–even though it didn’t sound too bad. But let’s see if we can find something else that you like a little bit better.”
DMC Orca - @PhirmEggplant
Earl picked up a magazine, flipped to a dog-eared page, and started reading .”The DMC Orca is a compact wagon offering seating for six that advertises its spaciousness and ease of driving with a 3-speed automatic transmission. The Orca certainly delivers on its promise of space and is one of the most–if not the most–practical vehicles you can find in its class. The Orca also comes reasonably well-equipped for a reasonable price of only $11,000. It also offers safety features that are some of the best you’ll find on the market. So if you’re looking for space and safety for a family for a low upfront cost, the Orca is hard to beat. The Orca is also surprisingly competent as an offroad vehicle, so it can handle taking a family not just around town, but to the campground.”
“But the Orca is not without its flaws–some of them quite serious. In spite of its automatic transmission, the Orca proves noticeably difficult to handle on the road. And while the upfront cost is low, the Orca is one of the least efficient vehicles in its class, delivering fuel economy of only 14 mpg. It’s also likely to spend a lot of time in the shop, with one of the worst reliability records on the market. The car also offers nothing to the driver looking for a sporty driving experience, and comfort lags behind competitors.”
“If safety is your top priority in an automobile, or if you need a reasonably competent offroad vehicle on a budget, consider looking at the DMC Orca. But for most buyers, the Orca is likely to fail to stand out from the crowd.”
Earl set the magazine aside. “Well, I don’t think we need to look more at that one. It would be nice to have something with good safety features, but we don’t really need that much offroad capability, and it doesn’t sound like it’s sporty at all.”
Wendy nodded. “I think you’re right. And I didn’t like the part about how its comfort ‘lags behind competitors.’”
Miller Boar Wagoner 207 - @Ch_Flash
Wendy picked up a newspaper folded open to a review with a photograph of an attractive wagon and started reading. “The Miller Boar Wagoner 207 is advertised as a ‘sportswagon’ that combines a powerful engine with a four-speed manual transmission. The Boar’s station wagon configuration makes it a practical vehicle for day-to-day errands–even though we would have liked to see rear doors–and we anticipate crash safety in this automobile to be notably above average.”
“But the Boar fails to deliver on its promise of a ‘sporty’ driving experience. While it is certainly more fun to drive than many other vehicles in its class, it is substantially outclassed by a number of competitors. Day-to-day handling is also average, as are most other aspects of the Boar, including comfort. The Boar is also one of the thirstier vehicles in its class, with estimated fuel economy of about 15 mpg.”
“The Boar is certainly a handsome vehicle, and one that carries with it an aura of prestige. So if you are looking for a stylish, practical, and safe automobile, the Boar will fit the bill. Otherwise, however, the Boar is decidedly average in most respects. We expect most consumers who aren’t taken with the Boar’s looks will want to look elsewhere.”
Wendy set the newspaper down. “It certainly is a good-looking car, and I like that it’s a wagon with lots of space for a family. But…I’m not sure about most of the rest of what this review said.”
Earl picked up the newspaper to look at the photograph of the Boar. “Yeah, it’s a nice-looking car, but it sounds like it doesn’t quite deliver on the ‘sportswagon’ promise. Let’s see what else we have here.”
IP Icarus 1900 Deluxe - @Knugcab
Earl started reading an article under a picture of a tow-tone station wagon. “For the IP Icarus 1900 Deluxe wagon, its manufacturer has settled on a remarkably simple marketing tagline: ‘Enjoy.’ In fact, there is quite a bit to enjoy about this wagon. To start with, it’s relatively affordable, both for its sticker price of $11,800 and its servicing costs that are anticipated to be lower than average for its class. Fuel economy is also a decent 19 mpg, and reliability is average. The Icarus is also an extremely practical vehicle for carrying people and cargo–in fact, we consider it to be unparalleled in its class. This is thanks to its two full rows of bench seats and two jump seats in the rear cargo area that can be folded or removed. Offroad ability is also unexpectedly good for a station wagon. It is reasonably easy to drive around town.”
“While the Icarus might be an unquestionably practical automobile, however, there is unfortunately rather little to ‘enjoy’ about the experience of driving it. Power output is only 80 horsepower from a 4-cylinder engine, steering feel is vague, and the suspension is rather softly sprung. And while the interior is handsomely appointed, ride comfort is only so-so because of the Icarus’s live rear axle. The interior also feels a bit cramped, even when riding without the full complement of passengers.”
“So if you need a vehicle that can haul plenty of people and cargo in a compact package, the Icarus is the car for you. Just don’t expect to have too much of a fun or pampered driving experience.”
Earl paused and passed the newspaper to Wendy. “This might be the kind of car you want us to have for our family, right? I’m not really happy about an 80 horsepower engine and vague steering, but if this is the sort of thing you think we need…I’d be willing to take a look.”
Wendy skimmed over the article again. “Hmm…Maybe this is what we need, but I have to be honest; I’m not sure this is really what I want. I’ve really been looking forward to a car that will just float over the road, and it doesn’t sound like this is it. But let me think about it.”
Canmo Gannet - @crwpitman1
Earl picked up a magazine that had been placed face-down, and he flipped it over to read. “The Canmo Gannet is a new compact sedan that still has room to carry 6. Canmo advertises the Gannet’s premium interior, power steering, and 3-speed automatic transmission. As a result, the Gannet is quite comfortable in spite of its size and carries an aura of prestige that one might expect to come with a larger automobile. Crash safety is also solid, if unremarkable, for its class.”
“But the Canmo also comes with one of the higher price tags you’ll find in this size class, and the overall package struggles to justify the price. While the Gannet offers premium features, Canmo has struggled to ensure that all of these features function reliably, giving the Gannet a highly suspect reputation for reliability. And in spite of its small size and features that you might expect to provide a pleasant driving experience, the Gannet somehow proves unusually difficult to handle. The Gannet also offers extremely little for the driver looking for a sporting experience, as its design focuses entirely on providing its passengers with a comfortable experience.”
“The Gannet ultimately offers better comfort than most competitors, but other features of this automobile come up short. There are better options in this segment.”
Wendy frowned. “It sounds like this is a pretty comfortable car, which I like, but the whole point of getting a smaller car is to have something that’s not hard to handle like a big car. So I don’t think this is one I want to look at.”
Earl closed the magazine. “You won’t hear any argument from me.”
Skyhawk Mayflower Club Wagon V6 - @Atomic
Wendy grabbed a newspaper from the stack with a photograph of a station wagon. “The Skyhawk Mayflower Club Wagon advertises its neat party trick of featuring a retractable tailgate and roof to be able to accommodate transporting large items. But the Mayflower is more than just a one-trick pony. While the $14,900 sticker price might be high enough to put off some potential buyers, overall ownership costs are fairly reasonable when taking into account servicing costs and fuel economy that are average for its class. Handling is solid, although not exceptional. Ride quality is good, with a softly sprung suspension, and the comfortable interior is nicely trimmed with premium materials. Reliability is expected to be better than average. Offroad ability is surprisingly good.”
“While the Mayflower has many fine attributes, there are a few ways it comes up a bit short of its peers. Power is a respectable 113 horsepower from a responsive engine, and steering feedback is good. But, on the whole, while the Mayflower delivers a bit of a taste of a sporty driving experience, it fails to stand out as a fun-to-drive car. Safety also trails slightly behind competitors.”
“The Mayflower ultimately offers a great deal to like, with very few weaknesses on the whole. If you’re looking for a comfortable family vehicle and can afford to dig a little deeper in your wallet, you may want to consider the Skyhawk Mayflower.”
Wendy smiled. “I like the sound of that one!”
Earl looked glum. “Yeah…can we call that a maybe? It’s almost at the top of our budget, and for that kind of price, I’d like to get something that can do it all. I mean, I guess we could do worse on the fun-to-drive front but…still, it doesn’t seem like a GTO.”
Wendy cocked her head and answered Earl with a sing-song “OK.” She continued, “I suppose we can keep looking, but I want to maybe come back to this one if we don’t come across anything better.”
Armor Valencia Coupe - @GassTiresandOil
Earl grabbed a magazine with a photograph of a sleek-looking coupe. “Ooh,” he said. “I like the looks of that one. Let’s say what they have to say about it.”
Earl began to read. “The coupe version of the Armor Valencia is advertised as the sportiest version of the Valencia. But even in a supposedly ‘sporty’ version, the hallmark of the Valencia is actually comfort, which is surpassed by only a few vehicles in its class. This is likely due in large part to its premium interior trim and, in our tester, the unusual option of a phonograph player. While power output is good at nearly 150 hp and 0-60 acceleration takes under 9 seconds, overall sportiness suffers from vague steering feel and a suspension that is tuned a bit more for comfort than controlling the body around corners. So while there are certainly cars on the road that are less fun to drive, the Valencia can’t match the top of its class in the sportiness department.”
“Other than the Valencia’s remarkably good comfort and somewhat better than average sportiness, there is relatively little to make the Valencia standout. The $12,900 is exactly average for the class, and service and fuel costs are higher than most; gas mileage is only about 14-15 mpg. Reliability is unremarkable, and crash safety from its ladder frame chassis lags somewhat behind a class that is increasingly populated by more crash-resistant monocoque designs.”
“For drivers looking for comfort, decent power, and a little hint of sport, the Valencia might fit the bill. But buyers of the Valencia will likely shell out more than most on keeping it up.”
Earl set the article down. “I’m not sure about this one. Maybe? It sounds like it might be sort of fun, but I’m not that excited about it. And I’m worried about the service and gas costs.”
“I hear you,” said Wendy. “Those costs make me nervous. I do like what they had to say about comfort, though. Can we maybe think about this one a little more later?
“Sure,” replied Earl.
Angus Lionhead Octane V6 S - @karhgath
[Note: I just realized that the Angus is described in its ad as Canadian, but since a lot of American cars have historically been manufactured in Canada without really being considered ‘imports’–including the car in my profile pic manufactured in Oshawa, Ontario–we’re just going to say this is a domestic.]
Wendy grabbed an article from the stack–which was getting shorter–with a picture of a two-tone coupe…no, a sedan. It sure did kind of look like a coupe, but Wendy counted the doors; there were 4.
She started reading. “Angus Auto claims that its new Lionhead can deliver comfort for 4 in a small package–and Angus delivers. The cabin is unsurprisingly a bit tight given its wheelbase of under 95 inches. But bumps are well-absorbed by a fully independent suspension and high profile tires, and the cabin is nicely appointed with premium materials. So while the Angus isn’t the most comfortable car in its segment, it ultimately checks in just above average compared to its competitors. The Lionhead also manages to deliver a fun factor that’s among the best in its class. Power output is a solid 116 horsepower, launching the car to 60 mph in under 9 seconds. The Lionhead feels agile and responsive, with good steering feel from its rack and pinion steering setup. Handling in everyday driving is easy and secure.”
“The Lionhead is also fairly budget friendly, with a $12,000 sticker price, average service costs, and fuel economy of 20 mpg that is better than average for its class. Reliability is also unparalleled among domestic models in this class.”
“We do, however, have a few quibbles with the Lionhead. While an increasing number of competitors have transitioned to a monocoque chassis, the Lionhead retains a body-on-frame construction that leaves it straggling a bit in crash safety, in spite of advanced safety features. The Lionhead is also ultimately a fairly small vehicle that only seats 4, so it is somewhat less practical than many competitors.”
“On the whole, the Lionhead offers an appealing blend of comfort and sportiness in a compact package without breaking the bank. Unless class-leading safety and extreme practicality are top priorities, we suspect many car shoppers will choose to park a Lionhead in their driveway.”
Wendy stopped. “I like the sound of this one. Might be nice if it had a little more room, maybe some more seats, but it sounds like it gives us a lot of what we’re looking for. And it seems way more comfortable than our truck.”
“I think you’re right,” said Earl. “And it also sounds pretty fun to drive. Maybe we should think about test-driving this one.”
Eros Athena - @xsneakyxsimx
Wendy started reading another article. “Advertisements for the Eros Athena proclaim it as ‘the new standard of affordable luxury.’ Frankly, we’re not quite sure it delivers on either. While the Athena’s $11,900 sticker price is on the affordable side for the segment, owners will burn through a lot of money paying for its higher than average service costs and buying gas for its 14 mpg appetite. Repair costs are also likely to add up because of a less-than-stellar reliability record. Comfort is average for the class, although the interior is nicely trimmed. Luxurious, though? We’re not so sure.”
“The Athena, however, unexpectedly delivers a fair dose of driving fun. Not in the top tier of its class, mind you, but 0-60 acceleration is a reasonably quick 10 seconds from a 155 hp V8 engine, and steering feel is good. The Athena, however, tends to wallow a bit in sumps and corners due to a suspension that is somewhat too soft for ideal cornering.”
“And while the Athena doesn’t advertise safety, it’s also among the safer vehicles in its class. Day-to-day practicality, however, takes a hit from the coupe body style that makes rear seat access difficult.”
“On the whole, the Athena offers reasonable comfort and sportiness at an attractive upfront price–although costs are likely to escalate on the backend.”
Wendy stopped reading. “This might be one to look at. Pretty comfortable, pretty sporty?”
“Yeah,” said Earl, “but it’s just ‘pretty’ comfortable and sporty–it doesn’t sound like it’s really good at either.”
Voyager Twister - @0rangeGhost
[Note: I think fixture order got mixed up on the taillights when I imported.]
Wendy shuffled around in a stack before finding the article she was looking for and starting to read. “The Voyager Twister is a compact sedan that seems to try to entice buyers mostly with its handsome good looks. The Twister also offers a low purchase price of $10,200 and one of the most comfortable cabins in its class. It also provides its passengers with safety features matched by relatively few on the market.”
“But keeping the Twister on the road could prove a challenge–and an expensive one. Its relatively high service costs, worse-than-average fuel economy, and subpar reliability record mean that the money saved upfront will quickly be eaten away by fuel and repair costs. The Twister also offers an unremarkable driving experience and does little to provide any thrill to the driver looking for some sport.”
“The Twister ultimately offers more comfort and safety for your dollar than most other automobiles. But unless comfort and safety on a budget are your absolute top priorities, you’re likely to find a different automobile more to your liking.”
Wendy stopped reading. “That sounds comfy, but I’m not really sure about the rest of it.”
Earl nodded. “Agreed.”
VanZandt Keystone - @VanZandt_Breda
Earl started reading an article under a photograph of a sedan. “The Van Zandt Keystone claims to be an ‘every-family, any-place, never-quits sedan.’ But while the Keystone isn’t exactly a bad car, we’re not sure that every family will love this automobile. While the Keystone offers little to dislike, it also offers little to like as well. In nearly every category, the Keystone does little to stray from being solidly in the middle of the pack. The $13,100 sticker price is just above average, while service costs and 20 mpg fuel economy are somewhat better than average. Handling is unremarkable. Comfort is somewhat better than average for its class, while the fun-to-drive factor is somewhat lower than average for its class. And in spite of the Keystone’s claims that it never quits, reliability is–you guessed it–just about average for its class. Safety? Also average.”
“So maybe the Keystone is an every-family sedan at the end of the day in the sense that there’s little to dislike about this automobile, and it’s hard to imagine any family being sorely disappointed in this sedan. But we suspect that many shoppers will want a little bit more of something from their car that makes it stand out from its competitors.”
“Hmm,” said Earl. “This one sounds…kinda bland? If we can’t find anything else we like, maybe this one would be a reasonable choice, but I’m not sure this is a winner.”
Wendy nodded. “I think I’d like to find a car that we actually like rather than one that’s just ‘not bad.’”
Sumner Pilum 262 Special - @nvisionluminous
Earl pulled another magazine from the stack and started reading. “The Sumner Pilum 262 Special attempts to cater to a younger crowd through a pop music-themed marketing campaign promising that Sumner purchasers are ‘into something good.’ Indeed, the Pilum largely delivers on these marketing promises. It reaches 60 in under 8 seconds thanks to its 170 horsepower engine and a limited slip differential that keeps power evenly distributed between the rear wheels. Handling is agile and responsive in both spirited and more relaxed driving. The fully independent suspension is a bit on the softer side–not overly so, but just enough to make the Pilum comfortably absorb bumps without jarring passengers. The interior is also trimmed with premium materials. Overall, the Pilum delivers top-tier sportiness and above average comfort compared to its competitors. Reliability is also above average, and crash safety is also excellent thanks to advanced safety features and an unusual chassis construction that combines a stronger monocoque cabin structure with lower-cost front and rear subframes.”
“As the saying goes, ‘you get what you pay for,’ and you certainly pay for the excellent blend of comfort, sportiness, safety, and reliability the Plium provides. The $15,000 sticker price is at the very top of its market segment, and service costs are also expected to be notably higher than average. Gas mileage is also a rather poor 15-16 mpg.”
“On the whole, the Sumner Pilum presents an appealing package for shoppers looking for a well-rounded car. We think the biggest question about the Pilum isn’t whether you want one–it’s whether you can afford one.”
Earl set the magazine down. “Well, the service and gas costs make me a little nervous, but we just barely have the money for this, and it sounds really good. You and I both get what we want.”
“True,” said Wendy. “If you think we have the money for this, I’d wouldn’t be opposed to taking a look.”
Part 2 - The Domestics - Continued
Bazard Belwood - @Edsel
Wendy read the next article. “The Bazard Belwood is a compact sedan that trades on what advertisements describe as ‘Bazard’s world-class reliability.’ Indeed, the Belwood is one of the most reliable vehicles in its class. It also offers a low $11,000 purchase price and below average service costs. Fuel economy is also reasonable for its class, making the Belwood a practical choice for the budget-conscious shopper with its low overall costs of ownership.”
“The question with the Belwood, however, is if it is a car its owners will want to keep for its impressively long lifespan. The Belwood is one of the least comfortable vehicles in its class, provides below average safety, and has a bit of the feel and reputation of a ‘cheap’ car–not in a good way. The Bazard also lags behind class leaders in its driving experience, both in terms of day-to-day ease of handling and providing a sporty experience for drivers looking for a thrill.”
“Drivers who simply want inexpensive, trouble-free transportation will like the Belwood. But those who want some thrills and frills with their driving experience are likely to find the Belwood too basic for their tastes.”
Wendy looked at Earl. “This reminds me of some of those imports that were on that TV show we watched…maybe the Mara? And the KD 1600? Since we already have the truck that’s cheap to run and hard to kill, this just seems like making our truck into a sedan.”
“Yeah,” said Earl, “I think we can probably pass on this one.”
Navajo 270L - @S4HUN
Earl grabbed another newspaper and started reading. “The Navajo 270L is curiously advertised as a ‘full-size’ wagon while actually falling into the intermediate size class. Navajo seeks to entice buyers with advanced features like fully independent suspension, disc brakes, power steering, and monocoque body construction. In fact, the Navajo offers unparalleled safety and carries a reputation as one of the more prestigious vehicles in its class. For all of its features, its price tag is also a surprisingly low $11,400.”
“But for all of its features, the Navajo trails its competition in key areas, with all of that tech failing to prevent the 270L from being one of the most ungainly vehicles to handle short of a full-size car. And while it offers reasonable levels of comfort and provides something for the sport-seeking driver, it fails to standout in either of these areas. It is also one of the thirstiest vehicles among its competition and has a reputation for poor reliability.”
“Safety-conscious buyers should make sure to give the 270L a look. But car shoppers with other priorities are likely to be more satisfied with a different option.”
Earl stopped reading. “Do we need to consider this one?”
“No,” said Wendy, “I don’t think so. I really like the safety features, but it sounds like there’s not much else that would make me want to look at this one over some of the others we’ve read about.”
1964 Ariete SH-8 - @bdub1
Wendy picked up a magazine with a picture of a…car? Of some sort. Wendy wasn’t sure she had seen anything quite like it. Sure, it was a hatchback, but there was something unusual about this one.
Wendy started reading from the magazine. “The Ariete SH-8 is advertised as a ‘hot’ hatchback. It offers 156 horsepower from a relatively small, 244 cubic inch engine. As a result, the SH-8 can rocket to 60 mph in under 8 seconds.”
Earl whistled in admiration and quickly received a stern look and a “Shhhhhh!” from the librarian. Earl turned back towards Wendy looking thoroughly chastised.
Wendy continued. “The SH-8 combines this raw power with good cornering grip and agile steering with good feedback. On the whole, the SH-8 delivers the sportiest driving experience you’ll find in the compact segment. Handling in less spirited driving is also sound.”
“But looking outside of the SH-8’s handling and performance, the compromises necessary to achieve this sporty driving dynamic become apparent. While the 4-seater cabin is trimmed in premium materials and offers plush seats, comfort is somewhat below the class average on the whole due to a rather firmly tuned suspension. This suspension setup also makes the SH-8 struggle with any kind of surface other than a well-paved road. And the SH-8’s performance comes at a literal cost as well, with a $14,800 sticker price, service costs that are among the highest in the segment, and mediocre fuel economy of about 16-17 mpg. That said, reliability is expected to be average, so the SH-8 should avoid spending too much time in the shop for expensive repairs.”
“So if you’re looking for some driving fun in the compact segment, the SH-8 is the car for you. Just be prepared to accept the compromises that come with the sporty performance.”
As soon as Wendy stopped reading, Earl said, “I like that one! Sporty performance! Driving fun! That’s what I want.”
Wendy cocked her head. “Well…it doesn’t sound like it’s particularly comfortable. It does sound like it has a nice interior, although I don’t know about the ride. I don’t know, I might be willing to consider this one if you really want to.”
Earl grinned. “I think I really want to.”
Zephorus Deagle Goldline Wagon - @Riley
“The Zephorus Deagle Goldline Wagon exudes class, and few can match its aura of prestige. The Deagle also offers class-leading safety features and a surprisingly sporty driving experience–not just for a wagon, but for any compact vehicle. It also has a track record of reasonable–although not exceptional–reliability.”
“The sporty experience of the Deagle unfortunately comes, quite literally, at a high cost, with the price tag reaching $15,000. The Deagle also burns through money on service and fuel costs like none other on the market, making ownership of a prestigious vehicle like this one a commensurately expensive proposition. Its sporty tuning also comes with inherent tradeoffs to ride comfort, and it is not designed at all to be taken offroad–or perhaps even on dirt roads. Its standout sportiness also fails to translate to superior ease of day-to-day handling.”
“The Deagle’s advantages and drawbacks mostly tie back to one thing–its powerful, responsive, 327 cubic inch V8 engine. 0-60 acceleration is just over 7 seconds. But this engine also means more fuel, more cost, and more mechanical complexity. Fuel economy is a miserable 11 mpg.”
“If you want pure muscle in a reasonably practical package, the Deagle is your car. But if you don’t have a need for speed, you’re likely to find less expensive options that suit your needs just as well, if not better than, the Deagle.”
Earl chuckled to himself. “0-60 in 7 seconds. Yeah…that’s even more like it!”
Wendy put her hand on Earl’s. “Earl, I know this could be the car that you want, but is it really the car we need? It sounds like it’s going to be a lot of money to buy this, put gas in the tank, and keep it fixed up. And it doesn’t even sound like it’s that comfortable. I know we set aside some money to buy this car…but can we really afford this one?”
Earl slumped in his chair and blew out a deep breath. “You’re right. Even though we have the money to buy one of these–barely–it’s just going to chew through too much money.”
Audax Heartland Deluxe - @supersaturn77
Earl grabbed the last newspaper they had set aside in their research and started reading. “The Audax Heartland Deluxe promises that ‘premium has never been so affordable.’ The Heartland indeed offers a comfortable experience among the better ones in its class, thanks to a well-appointed cabin and fully independent suspension. Handling, reliability, and safety are also sound, if unremarkable.”
“But the Heartland only delivers on its promise if that fun-to-drive feeling isn’t part of ‘premium.’ Power output is a relatively modest 104 horsepower, and the Heartland reaches 60 mph in a not-slow, not-fast 12 seconds. Steering feel is vague, and the suspension is a bit on the softer side. On the whole, the Heartland offers a competent, but not exciting, driving experience.”
“The promise of an ‘affordable’ car is also relative. While cars in the compact segment are less expensive than their larger cousins, the Heartland’s $13,500 sticker price is a touch on the high side for its class, and fuel economy is a middling 18 mpg. Service costs, however, are likely to be better than average.”
“If you’re looking for comfort and a reasonable price, the Audax Heartland Deluxe offers an appealing package. But drivers looking for a sporty driving experience will have to look elsewhere.”
Earl raised his eyebrows. “Can we cross this one off?”
“Maybe,” said Wendy. “I rather liked the sound of it, even if I know it might not be your cup of tea. Maybe we can talk about it more later.”
Wendy and Earl’s Verdict
Wendy pulled out a notebook she had brought with her, and she and Earl discussed the cars they had read about while Wendy jotted down notes. After a while, they came up with a list of cars in order of their least favorite to most favorite:
Canmo Gannet - comfy, otherwise not great
DMC Orca - cheap, safe, not much else
Globus Comet - cheap, comfy, not much else
Bazard Belwood - like our truck, but a sedan
Zephorus Deagle Goldline Wagon - big V8, too expensive
Voyager Twister - comfy, low price
IP Icarus 1900 Deluxe - really practical, not that comfy or sporty
Miller Boar Wagoner 207 - practical, safe, average otherwise
Navajo 270L - really safe, not a standout otherwise
Audax Heartland Deluxe - comfy, not sporty,
Van Zandt Keystone - average all around
Armor Valencia - comfy, a bit sporty, higher operating costs
Eros Athena - pretty comfy, pretty sporty, higher operating costs
Skyhawk Mayflower Club - well-rounded, expensive
Ariete SH-8 - very sporty, not very comfy, expensive
Angus Lionhead - mostly good, safety not great, reasonable price
Sumner Pilum - good all around, expensive
After some discussion, Wendy and Earl ultimately decided to test drive the Ariete, the Angus, and the Sumner. Wendy was a bit on the fence about the Ariete, but Earl was so excited about its performance abilities that she just couldn’t say no.
Top 3 Advance to Finals. [Note: preliminary scoring did not account for design/realism, which will be applied in finals, so scoring order in finals might not be the same as indicated here].
These well crafted reviews made for some excellent saturday morning literature, just like the previous wave you posted. I’m excited to see how the finals go. But most importantly I’m invested in how it turns out for Earl and Wendy!
Eh, I was working with the notion that in 60s USA they weren’t as frugal with fuel. Was probably my main fallacy.
You’re not wrong, but at least for this challenge we’re looking at more economy-minded buyers than the buyer of the typical land yacht of this era. A lot of the import-style cars here also do pretty well with gas mileage, which actually tracks with the real world where the American manufacturers of gas guzzlers were starting to lose market share to more fuel efficient imports, and they would start getting absolutely punched in the mouth by imports within about a decade.
Maybe we can give you an honorable mention for best imitating the mindset of a 1960s General Motors executive. 
Finals
[Note on scoring: I have been promising to apply design/realism considerations in this round. How, you say? Rather than applying an arbitrary realism penalty/bonus, I altered each of the finalist entries–other than SH-8, which needed no alterations–to match features that were plausible in this market segment in 1964. This means a few things. (1) Semi-trailing arms replace rear double-wishbones. I have been hard-pressed to find any early 1960’s cars with rear double wishbones, while at least BMW was using actual semi-trailing arms and a number of other manufacturers were using trailing arms or swing axles–but the closest analogue in the game is semi-trailing arm. (2) Transmissions limited to 4 gears. 5-gear manuals are possible in-game but appear to have been largely unheard-of in lower-end/mid-range cars in this timeframe. (3) Rear drum brakes instead of rear disc brakes. While cars at this time were starting to have standard or optional front disc brakes, rear disc brakes were very rare. Rear discs were offered as an option on the 1965 Corvette, for example. (4) No phonographs. Seriously, guys? So the test drives will reflect these altered scores. Also, before anyone brings out the pitchforks demanding why I let a bunch of cheesefest cars into the finals, I did test to make sure that even with these revisions, these cars outscored the rest of the unmodified field in terms of engineering. As for design scores…well, I calculated those based off of which ads you all ‘liked’, rather than having me assign arbitrary scores. Trust me, given that I have a demonstrated tendency to design a car, say, “Yeah, looks good,” and then get absolutely savaged on design judging, it’s better to defer to the wisdom of crowds here. And for what it’s worth I also did a “smell test” on the crowd-sourced design scores and think they hold up.]
Today was the day. Wendy and Earl had carved out the day to test drive 7 cars they had picked out: 4 imports, and 3 domestics. They hopped in their little blue pickup truck and jostled down the road, the air streaming through the open windows providing relief from the South Carolina summer heat.
They finally arrived at their destination outside the city, Lugoff’s Imported Cars, and found a small building surrounded by a lot of all kinds of cars. They were greeted by a sweaty, pot-bellied man with a short, blonde crew cut and weather suspenders over his checkered shirt.
“Howdy, folks,” he called. “Welcome to Lugoff’s Imported Cars! I’m Fred Lugoff, Jr. Now what can I do for a fine young couple such as yourselves today?”
Earl felt Fred’s meaty palm squeezing his hand in a too-hard handshake as he introduced himself. And was that cologne he was wearing? Whatever it was…it was pungent. And not exactly in a good way.
Earl managed to stop himself from shaking out his squeezed hand and instead reached for the piece of paper in his pocket.
“Well, Mr. Lugoff–”
“Please, call me Fred.”
“OK, Fred, we were hoping to test drive a few cars: the Fratelli Frui Chiara 2500B Berlina, the Clari Coqui, the DCMW Sharriallat Standard Six, and the Cordelia Horizon. Do you have any of those in stock?”
Fred’s already loud voice somehow got even louder while managing to not quite yell. “Do I have those in stock? Why, I stock all of the finest imported automobiles, or my name isn’t Fred Lugoff, Jr.!”
Wendy, standing off to the side and fortunately out of Fred’s line of sight, stifled a chuckle at the overly excited salesman.
Earl kept a straight face. “That’s great, Mr.–I mean, Fred.”
Earl felt his shoulder sting as Fred clapped his meaty hand on it and gestured Earl and Wendy into his office. “Now you fine young folks come right this way, and I’ll set you up with the keys for those vehicles you wanted to test drive…”
A few hours later, Earl and Wendy rumbled away from the import dealership–with Fred of course waving from the curb and yelling after them, “Y’all come back now!” They spent the rest of the afternoon at a series of nearby domestic dealerships–staffed by noticeably less colorful salesmen–test driving the Ariete SH-8, the Angus Lionhead, and the Sumner Pilum. As they rumbled along home in their little blue truck, they discussed their impressions of the cars.
[Note: Cars are in order of test drive based on order of finish in their respective prelim rounds. Rankings will come after the “big reveal.”]
Fratelli Frui Chiara 2500B Berlina - @MintyMoon
Wendy and Earl had liked the looks of the Fratelli Frui. Or was it just the Fratelli? The Frui? The Chiara? The Berlina? They weren’t quite sure exactly what to call this car with so many foreign names, but they agreed that it looked quite attractive and sophisticated. They were, however, a bit disappointed with their test drive. Although the car handled easily–and, in their opinion, better than any of the other cars they drove–they weren’t quite as blown away by it as they thought they would be. The ride had been reasonably comfortable, but they put it towards the lower end of the cars they test drove. Earl also wasn’t impressed by the performance, and he was lobbying Wendy to drop it out of consideration. And yet…even Earl had to admit that it was very easy to drive, and the low service costs, great gas mileage, and outstanding reliability it supposedly had would definitely help save some money down the road. Maybe enough to take a trip down the coast to Daytona? Earl figured he’d have to content himself with that hope if they bought the Fratelli–or was it the Chiara?–since he wasn’t going to get much excitement out of driving the car.
Clari Coqui - @Vento
Wendy and Earl agreed that they fell on the “hate it” side of the “love-it-or-hate-it” styling the TV announcer had described earlier about the Clari Coqui. But when they weren’t looking at the outside of it, they had to admit it was a very pleasant car. Wendy thought it was more comfortable than most of the other cars they drove, and Earl enjoyed tossing the car through curves with a bit of a lead foot. And it was pretty solid in other respects too. But…was the styling a dealbreaker? They were inclined to think it was, but there were a lot of things to like about the car…
Cordelia Horizon - @Ananas
The Cordelia they drove came equipped with a radio instead of a phonograph player like the one they’d seen on TV. [Note: Again, c’mon, really?]. They weren’t sure they liked the styling, but it was certainly much more pleasing to the eye than the Coqui. On the test drive, they felt that it rode and handled very similarly to the Coqui–which was a good thing, since both cars delivered good doses of both comfort and sportiness and handled soundly. Of course, there were some other differences between the cars, but Earl and Wendy were starting to think that if they wanted something that drove like the Coqui, maybe they should go with the somewhat more visually appealing Horizon instead.
DCMW Sharriallat Standard Six - @moroza
Wendy couldn’t stop raving about the Sharriallat on the ride home, and also pondering how it was supposed to be pronounced. She couldn’t remember how they’d said it on TV. Shar-ya-lat? Sha-ree-a-lat? Shar-e-all-at? Anyway, she couldn’t stop raving about how spacious it was. How plush the leather seats were. How smoothly it rode. Sure, it didn’t have rear doors, but that wasn’t an obstacle for Wendy. She wanted that car.
Earl was a little bit less sold on it. Sure, it was fun to drive, but he wasn’t blown away by it. And what about the styling? He had already once had to pass over better-looking cars for the more practical option, and he didn’t want to do that again. It wasn’t that the Sharriallat was bad-looking. It was a handsome car. But Earl just thought it looked a little outdated. He didn’t want to shell out almost his entire budget to buy something that people might think was a very nice used car. At the dealership, Fred had waxed on about how the styling was actually very much all the rage across the pond and had tried to convince him that the Sharriallat was considered the peak of sophistication in Dalluha. But Earl…well, he wanted something that he, his family, and his friends–heck, his enemies too–would think looked good, not something that was all the rage thousands of miles away.
Ariete SH-8 - @bdub1
When Earl started making the case that they should consider the SH-8 instead of the Sharriallat, Wendy’s mood changed from joyous to combative. It was the least comfortable car they drove, she said. She reminded Earl of the moment when they had turned down a dirt road on the test drive, only for Earl to have to push it out of a rut that it got stuck in. There were still too many unpaved roads around–heck, even on the farm–for them to have a car that was a pavement queen. And what was the styling? It looked like something out of the future, she thought. Not to mention that she was worried they were going to have to drain their bank account every time they went to the mechanic.
Earl had to agree that he didn’t love the styling. But that engine. That cornering grip. That steering feel. It was hands down his favorite car of the bunch to drive. And if that required some other compromises, well, Earl thought they were worth it. He tried to point out that the Ariete wasn’t that uncomfortable, but Wendy wasn’t having it. So he decided to move on and fight that battle another day.
Angus Lionhead - @Karhgath
When Earl suggested they move on to the Lionhead, Wendy’s mood brightened. She liked the car. Did she love it? No. But she thought it was nice to look at. The seats were very comfortable. And it rode and handled pretty well. While she wished it had a little bit better reputation for safety, she didn’t think that was a dealbreaker. She also wished maybe it was a little bit bigger–or even came as a hatchback or wagon. But if Earl liked it, she supposed she might be able to get on board with it.
Earl felt similarly. It had a pretty good engine and pretty good pickup–although not like the Ariete. He could see himself having some fun driving it. And it also was also the least expensive to by and, by Earl’s math, the second least expensive car of the bunch to own. Would it be his first pick? No. But he had to agree that overall, the Angus was a likeable car.
Sumner Pilum - @nvisionluminous
Wendy then brought up the Sumner Pilum and asked Earl if he would like it better than the Angus. Earl thought he probably would. After all, while it wasn’t close to the Ariete, it was more or less as fun to drive as any of the other cars they test drove. And he thought it looked pretty nice too.
But Wendy wasn’t sold on the Sumner. She said she was very disappointed with the way that it handled, and she even went as far as to say that she thought the truck was almost as easy to drive as the Sumner. And while she appreciated its good safety reputation, she also wasn’t sure if she really liked the styling all that much.
Wendy and Earl ultimately decided that they wouldn’t be making a decision today, and that they would need to sleep on it before they made the call.
Several months later…
A blanket of gray clouds hung over the red brick hospital as Earl Bauers pulled a car up to its front entrance. The faint hum of the engine came to a stop as he turned off the ignition. The metal on the door handle felt cool as he pushed open the door and felt the brisk air that passed for late-winter weather in South Carolina. The heavy door made a satisfying thud as he pushed it closed behind him. He walked around the car just in time to see the door swing open. There was Wendy, being pushed in a wheelchair by a dour-looking nurse, holding what looked like a small bundle of cloth in her arms–except for the tiny little face peeking out from under a knit blue cap.
Earl smiled. Wendy saw him and smiled back. She sat up out of the wheelchair, took a few steps to Earl, and passed him the baby. Earl took him gently in his arms and held him delicately against his chest, worried that he could break a thing so small and fragile with just one wrong move.
“Hey there, little guy,” he cooed. “Are you my little Henry? Yes you are! Yes you are!”
Little Henry Bauers did not stir from his nap. He wouldn’t have understood the soothing noises coming from his father’s mouth anyway.
Wendy pulled open the passenger side door of the car and lowered herself into a thickly padded leather bucket seat. She was sore, but her body relaxed as it settled into the comfortable seat. She reached over her shoulder for the seat belt and pulled it across her body. The metal buckle clicked firmly into place.
“Earl,” she said gently. “I’m ready to take the baby.” After all, she thought, it was far safer for little Henry to be held snugly in his mother’s arms than left lying in a car bed. Earl gently passed the little bundle to Wendy and delicately pushed the door shut. He walked around to the other side and settled into the driver’s seat. He hadn’t really been looking for a comfortable car, but he had to admit that he liked these seats. As he too buckled his seatbelt, his arm accidentally brushed Wendy, who was only inches away from him. Sure, he thought, it wasn’t the most spacious car, but it was enough.
Earl’s keys jangled as he reached toward the ignition and started the car. Or, he thought he had started the car. Had he? Yes, there it was, the gentle hum of the engine, and the slight vibration he could feel coming from the seat. It wasn’t the first time Earl had struggled to tell if the car was on. He reached for the floor-mounted transmission and put it into gear. The steering wheel gave him some pleasantly firm resistance as he maneuvered out of the parking lot, turned onto the road, and came to a stop light.
Earl looked over and Wendy and Henry. Wendy was staring down at Henry as he slept. She had been doing that a lot. To be honest, Earl had also been looking a lot at the baby–no, his baby–no, his son. It was hard to believe.
The light turned green. Earl stepped on the gas and was jolted back into his soft seat by the acceleration as the engine quietly brought the car up to cruising speed.
“Earl!” Wendy whispered sharply. “You’ll wake up Henry if you keep driving like that!” Henry just smacked his lips in his sleep and shifted slightly in Wendy’s lap.
“Sorry,” Earl whispered back.
It was quiet. Earl could faintly hear the air rushing past the car and the hum of the engine, but it felt calm in the car. The car glided down the road, occasionally jostling a bit over a bump here or there, but nothing that Earl or Wendy really noticed. Especially not in those seats.
As they drove home, Earl resisted the urge to push the car hard through the curves. He had done it before. And he would do it again. But on this day, and with these passengers–with this very new passenger–it was not the time to push the car to its limits. The fuel gauge caught his attention as he glanced down at the speedometer. He would have to get gas soon. Not today, but probably the next time he or Wendy took the car out. When was the last time he had filled up the tank? Maybe a week ago? Longer? Whenever exactly it was, Earl did some rough mental math and…wait, what was the odometer reading when he filled up? It was…oh well. The gas mileage was “not bad.” That was Earl’s answer, and he was sticking to it.
Wendy looked out the window at the fallow fields as they rolled through the countryside toward the Bauers’ family farm. The overcast sky was beginning to clear, and she could see the weak late afternoon sunlight beginning to peak through the clouds. She sighed contentedly, feeling the warmth of Henry’s tiny body nestled up against her. Wait–had Earl remembered to put her bag in the car like she asked? She glanced over her shoulder into the back seat and felt relieved when she saw it sitting on one of the two seats in the back. Of course, there had been enough room for it in the trunk, but Earl had a habit of throwing things in the back seat–now that they had a car that had one.
She saw the Bauers’ farm drawing closer through the window, and soon they were on dirt roads leading up to the farm. Of course, no car was ever that comfortable on a dirt road, she thought, but at least she was never worried if they were going to make it down this road. From a distance, she saw Earl’s youngest sister running toward the house, probably to let the rest of the family know that they were coming. In fact, by the time they pulled up in front of the house next to the little blue truck, Mabel and her children–baby Henry’s aunts and uncles–were streaming out the front door. Wendy was surprised to see that Mabel was even smiling.
Earl and Wendy got out of the car, with Wendy delicately handing Henry to Earl. They were greeted by variations of “Awww, isn’t he precious! What a cutie pie!” Earl got slaps on the back from his siblings and “Hey there, dad!”
Mabel walked up to Wendy. “May I hold him?” Somehow, the voice that spoke wasn’t the stern, dour Mrs. Bauers that Wendy had become accustomed to.
“Sure,” said Wendy, as she carefully passed sleeping baby Henry to his grandmother.
“Oh,” said Mabel. “He’s beautiful!” Tears welled in her eyes as she gazed down at her one and only grandson. Mabel drew close to Wendy. And she kissed her gently on the head.
“Wendy, I am so happy for you. Children are God’s greatest blessing.”
Wendy could have been knocked over with a feather. Where was the stern, demanding, mother-in-law she’d come to know? Where had this well of tenderness come from? What had happened to the snide remarks about her housekeeping and the disapproving glances when she put TV dinners in the shopping cart?
Henry started to fuss. “Here,” said Mabel, passing him back to Wendy. “I think he wants his mother. Come, let’s go inside. I’ve made supper for all of us.”
Mabel placed a gentle hand on Wendy’s shoulder as the assembled family walked back toward the house. Wendy paused for a moment.
“Oh, Earl,” she said, “could you please grab my bag from the back seat.”
“Sure, honey,” Earl replied.
He turned around and headed toward their Angus Lionhead, bathed in the evening sunlight.
Final Rankings of Finalists
7th - Fratelli Frui Chiara 2500 Berlina. The Chiara, relying on a rear double-wishbone suspension and a 5-speed manual transmission, took some major hits from realism adjustments. As a result, the Chiara dropped below average in both comfort and sportiness. Although the calculated overall engineering score remained good, I ultimately felt that it did not make sense for Wendy and Earl to buy a car that didn’t particularly appeal to either of them, and I formally added an above average score in sportiness or comfort as a finalist criterion–although after I had announced the Fratelli as a finalist. Overall, a very good and well-designed car, but just not what I feel Wendy and Earl were looking for here.
6th - Clari Coqui. This is a very well-engineered car and would be a legitimate first place contender if judging were solely on the basis of engineering. However, it received one of the lowest design scores and, as a result, sinks to the bottom of the finalists.
5th - Ariete SH-8. This car was outstanding for its sportiness that powered it into the finals, and its comfort wasn’t too bad. But this design quite simply is not a 1964 design. While the Gremlin body it’s based on unlocks in 1965 and can unlock earlier with tech pool, the actual Gremlin was released in 1970. As a result, the SH-8 just doesn’t fit the bill for this contest. Comfort was also on the low side, making it a tough sell to Wendy in spite of Earl’s enthusiasm.
4th - Sumner Pilum 262 Special. The Sumner had outstanding scores prior to realism adjustments but, as another entry that relied heavily on rear double-wishbones and a 5-speed manual for its preliminary round score, it took huge hits for realism in the final that cratered its drivability. Design scores were also average.
3rd - Cordelia Horizon. A very good entry, held back only by lower reliability and safety scores. And a phonograph player. But the styling is only so-so, and that ultimately puts the Horizon in third place.
2nd - DCMW Sharriallat Standard Six. The attention to detail in the design of this car is astonishing–as it seems to be in pretty much all of moroza’s builds. I hate to make moroza the Creedence Clearwater Revival of JOC with two consecutive second-place finishes, and there is a legitimate case for a first place finish for this car. But design scores were fairly average, and, as described in the judging, it just doesn’t seem like Wendy and Earl would take to the styling of the car. The point about this styling being era-appropriate is well-taken, however, and this car could be a winner with different, perhaps more sophisticated, buyers.
1st - Angus Lionhead. The Angus takes first place with a well-rounded approach. It lost relatively little score for realism adjustments, and it scores average or higher in every high- and medium-priority scoring category. It also scored highly for design, with looks that seem era appropriate and that, while not necessarily the absolutely most attractive, add to its overall well-rounded design…
Congrats to the winner, and thanks to everyone who participated! Please feel free to DM me with any questions, concerns, or gripes about judging. Good luck to the host of the next round!
