Not Smart enough for America yet!

In terms of fuel mega-efficiency, the Smart Car would have been the smart choice hands down. It was driven across Canada, over 6000km, from Victoria to Halifax, on only (CDN)$300.00 worth of gasoline. This was back in 2005. I would expect that driving it twice across the USA would cost a little more than double that.

The Smart Car made its debut at the Detroit Automotive Show only this year. In case something goes wrong with the vehicle it would not yet be possible to service it state-side. However, it's so small it would be possible to Fed-Ex or UPS it overnight to Canada for repairs and have it shipped back in a few days to wherever we broke down. Well, not really.

Another minus is the lack of storage. We will be traveling with an extensive wardrobe. Winter coats might be required for the nights in the desert. I'm also taking along a mini-ironing board to steam out the wrinkles in the suits we will be wearing on the casino floors of Las Vegas.

Long story short, the Smart Car doesn't make the cut. But here's the big news... The car we are taking has been purchased within the last twenty-four hours. Mr. B.P., also known as the "Anglo-Italian", has dropped several LARGE bills on a 2006 model of a certain Teutonic-American car.

After over 90 minutes of haggling with salesmen, during which I sat quietly and made mental notes on how to be a good performer in the art of the hard-sell,(and I must say I did learn a lot from B.P.) the ink hit paper and the deal was done. Then Germany beat Sweden 2-0.

I'm going to keep you in suspense about the make of the car. Actually, I'm going to wait until a picture is available. So check back soon!

1966 El Camino

Imagine driving this vintage vixen down the entire length of Route 66. Alas, it will not happen! Sure we'll look real cool in it, but will we feel cool? Can we really handle the heat in the desert without air conditioning? Where do we pack all our stuff so it won't be stolen? How much gas will it drink by the time we get to Phoenix? How much of a larger carbon footprint will it leave than a newer car? And, it comes equiped with a antiquated sound system. Cassettes? Is that even considered old school? I could understand if it had an 8-Track system.

It's still okay to dream though. You just need to fine tune your dreams and think them through.

Check back soon to see the other cars that didn't make the list.

Blog.Blog.Blog.

I haven't been blogging! But there is big news to tell.

Full Spectrum Liberation is hitting the road soon. FSL will be travelling down Route 66 this coming summer.

That's right, your FSL correspondents S.P and B.P will be keeping you informed as their trip across the great U.S of A unfolds. The plan is to drive a 1966 El Camino from N.Y.C to S.F via L.A, and then back east, starting sometime in the middle of July.

Wherever there is internet access FSL will display pictures, possibly video, as well as ironic and wry comment about our great adventure in late imperial America.

What better time to cruise across the heartland of the empire than when the price of oil is at historic highs. What better car than a classic American "muscle" car, built when America was at its prime.

And how better to experience the fruits of decades of automobile emissions on the global environment than to drive through the American desert at the height of summer, in a car with no Air Con. Forcasters are promising a hot one this year. Your FSL correspondents will record the daily temperature in the cockpit.

Can they handle it? What will they see? Who will they meet along the way?

STAY TUNED!