Favorite Cars

"I would rather ride on the back of a mangy ass than drive a Ferrari."
-- Ferruccio Lamborghini, during an argument with Enzo Ferrari

• Introduction
• Terminology
• Domestic Cars
• Foreign Cars
• Research Project

Introduction

Here are a few of example of Cars that are very much endeared but difficult for the masses to attain:

Fascination with cars has existed since the dawn of automobiles. Compare the history of the automobile to the history of industrialization, which over the past 125 years, ran almost in parallel.

Terminology

How many of these do you know?

• Carbon Fiber
• Direct Injection
• Hemi
• Carbon Ceramic Brakes

While originally the word term coupé, described any cut-down coach body, it later became associated with a specific type of truncated coach body that came into general use in western Europe and America in the mid-18th century. In the 20th century the name was given to the closed, two-door, two- passenger automobile.

Glossary

Carbon Fiber

A very strong, lightweight synthetic fiber used primarily as high performance, weight saving materials in:

• Racing vehicles
• Spacecraft components
• Protective clothing

Direct Injection

A type of fuel system in which fuel is injected at extremely high pressure (29,000 psi), directly into the combustion chamber to distribute the air/fuel mixture in very fine particles for greater performance and efficiency. Examples of such systems are:

• TFSI (Audi)
• Ti-VCT (Ford)
• TFI (Porsche)

Hemi

Hemispherical combustion chamber on OHV engines, Made popular by Chrysler/Dodge in the 50's and 60's; also obscurely used by Ford. Popular Hemi Engines:

• 426 Hemi (Dodge)
• 6.2L Hemi (Chrysler, Dodge)

Carbon Ceramic Brakes

Also known as Carbon Ceramic Matrix; high performance braking systems usually consisting of the rotor and pads; capable of unrivaled heat dissipation, light weight and excellent performance. Main benefits:

• Shorter stopping distances
• Excellent resistance to brake fade
• Reduced unsprung weight which affects rotational mass and handling

Domestic Cars

Listed below are three manufactures in the United States that have built performance cars that have created a loyal following.

Chevrolet

This manufacturer also creates the Corvette, which is the most popular American sports car by far, but for this project we will discuss the retro styled Camaro, which is making its come back to endear the blue collar car nuts.

Dodge

Ford

Foreign Cars

Audi

BMW

Aston Martin

Porsche

Research Project

1. Type of Car
2. Geographic location of the manufacturer
3. Noteworthy details
4. Comparable vehicles
5. The reason you like the car

(Personal statement describing how the performance vehicles of today compare to the muscle cars of the 60's and 70's.)