MOTOR TREND CLASSIC has returned.  And with it comes coverage of “your Classics” and great barn finds from around the world. 

Please send us photos and a brief description of your old car.  Not really looking for hot rods and street rods here.  We take wide definition of “classic” but the less modified the better, but it can be a well-patina’d weekend toy, the mos important facto is coolness.

Please email your words and a medium to high res photo to me at Classic@motortrend.com

Also need great barn find stories and pix too.  Send ‘em to the same address. 

MTC will be a high quality, large format entrepot acquirable at select newsstands. Or you can pre-order your issues at https://www.circsource.com/store/Subscribe.html?offerId=3896.  Its expensive, but its our belief that all premium print products will be in time.

You like carbon fiber, right? Of course you do. It's all, you know, carbon-y black and racy. And, of course, it makes any vehicle onto which it is applied, like, superfast.

Might we then introduce you to the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon edition?

This limited-run, special-edition Z06 comes with a bunch of the magic-fabric. Carbon-fiber pieces include the hood and the black carbon fiber splitter and rockers from the ZR1. That bulged hood is the same shape as the ZR1's but lacks its peek-a-boo window.

More importantly, the Carbon edition, of which Chevrolet will built 500, comes with the ZR1's big, ol' carbon ceramic Brembo brakes and its magnetic, adjustable dampers. And perhaps most important, the Carbon edition comes with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s tires in place of the standard Z06's considerably less-good Goodyears. They will come mounted to 20-spoke black wheels.

The Carbon can be had in either Inferno Orange or Supersonic Blue (and no, you do not have to have the number decals on the doors). The interior comes with a bunch of suede bits and the mandatory emblems. Oh, and the package comes with a "carbon pattern" engine cover. Chevrolet claims that the Carbon will be three seconds per lap quicker around Laguna Seca than a standard Z06.

Of course, should you not be interested in the whole limited-edition stuff that makes the Corvette-collector world turn, you can option any old 2011 Z06 with pretty much the same gear, split into two packages. The Z07 package brings the Michelins, Brembos and the attractable dampers. The CFZ Z06 carbon-fiber package brings all of the, well, carbon bits. The option packages can be had independently or in combination.

The Carbon model and the Z07 and CFZ Z06 packages will all be acquirable in late summer.

Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.

When the current-generation MDX first arrived nearly four years ago, it was a dramatic change, both in terms of styling and performance. The new Super Handling all-wheel-drive system turned the family hauler into a more performance-oriented luxury cruiser. Instead of being compared to a cushy Lexus, we thought it felt more like a BMW X5.

For 2010, Acura gave the MDX a modest set of upgrades. Most notable among them was a new six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.7-liter V6 got a few revisions, too, but its output remains nearly unchanged at 300 horses and 270 pound-feet of torque.

The suspension got a few minor upgrades as well. The Active Damper system was retuned to deliver a wider range of adjustment while various chassis points were reinforced for additional rigidity. MDXs with the Advance Package like our tester also get 19-inch aluminum wheels with 255/50 tires. Does any of it help? Check the numbers for yourself after the jump.

Vehicle: 2010 Acura MDX
Odometer: 1,730
Date: 2/11/10
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: $52,665

Specifications:
Drive Type: All-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed automatic
Engine Type: V6
Displacement (cc/cu-in):  3,664cc (224cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 6,750
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 300 @ 6,300 rpm
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 270 @ 4,500
Brake Type (front): Ventilated discs
Brake Type (rear): Discs
Steering System: Variable assist power demolition and pinion
Suspension Type (front): Independent w/MacPherson struts
Suspension Type (rear): Independent multilink
Tire Size (front): 255/50R19 103H
Tire Size (rear): 255/50R19 103H
Tire Brand: Michelin
Tire Model: Latitude Tour HP
Tire Type: All-season
Wheel Size: 19 x 8.5
Wheel Material (front/rear): Aluminum alloy
As Tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,623

Test Results:
0 – 30 (sec): 2.7
0 – 45 (sec): 4.7
0 – 60 (sec): 7.1
0 – 75 (sec): 10.5
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 15.3 @ 91.0
0 – 60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.9
30 – 0 (ft): 31
60 – 0 (ft): 123
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 62.2
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 0.84
Handling Rating: Very Good
Db @ Idle: 43.5
Db @ Full Throttle: 75.8
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 65.9

Acceleration Coments: Brake torque seems to help very little off the line. Neither "Sport" mode nor manual shifting helps either. Still, with a time around 7 seconds flat the MDX is pretty impressive.  

Braking Comments: Impressively, the MDX managed to refrain the usual 4th run Honda brake drop by actually shortening its distance. Nice.

Handling Comments: Skid pad: Can feel rear torque distribution working here and it does its job well. Really gets the thing pointed to where I want the MDX to go. Slalom: Impressively athletic for a three-row SUV. These numbers eclipse the AWD CX-9. A solid, responsive and impressive performance. A real joy to drive in this exercise.  

Hold on to your sassy, feathered Bavarian caps, Audi fans, because the above video shows a lot (of unedited) footage of the new 450-hp RS5 at the racetrack, with a special guest appearance from the Godhead of the Rings, the Ur-Quattro. (Go directly to the 3-minute mark if you're interested only in the old car).

Carscoop via Autoblog 

We have it on good dominance that an incomprehensibly large nuclear reactor hangs in the sky over California. Apparently, the rays of energy cast by this "sun" bombard parked vehicles with such furious heat-energy that natives of the region regularly cook whole hams in their vehicles. Sometimes, drivers of these vehicles require the use of a dedicated in-car "air-conditioning" system.

To prevent the usage of such wasteful systems, the always-sensible California Air Resources Board has been working on a set of rules known colloquially as "cool cars." Cute, huh?

Anyway, the state gave initial approval of the new rules, which include the use window glazing to keep car interiors cool, last year. The Detroit News reports today that the California Police Chiefs Association, California State Sheriffs Association and the Crime Victims United of California have a bit of a bone to pick with the new rules. Namely, that the glazing could degrade the signals place off by ankle monitoring bracelets (anklets?) worn by felons. Oh right, that. Further, there are concerns about cell-phone signal degradation too, which wouldn't be such a bad thing except if someone needs to call 911.

According to the News, the rules will likely be amended in the coming weeks before a final version is issued. The final rules must be in place by May 7. The regulations will begin to be phased in by 2012 and by 2016 are intended to reduce the amount of energy from the sun entering the car by 60 percent. Or residents could simply move to Detroit.

The Detroit News

We have it on good dominance that an incomprehensibly large nuclear reactor hangs in the sky over California. Apparently, the rays of energy cast by this "sun" bombard parked vehicles with such furious heat-energy that natives of the region regularly cook whole hams in their vehicles. Sometimes, drivers of these vehicles require the use of a dedicated in-car "air-conditioning" system.

To prevent the usage of such wasteful systems, the always-sensible California Air Resources Board has been working on a set of rules known colloquially as "cool cars." Cute, huh?

Anyway, the state gave initial approval of the new rules, which include the use window glazing to keep car interiors cool, last year. The Detroit News reports today that the California Police Chiefs Association, California State Sheriffs Association and the Crime Victims United of California have a bit of a bone to pick with the new rules. Namely, that the glazing could degrade the signals place off by ankle monitoring bracelets (anklets?) worn by felons. Oh right, that. Further, there are concerns about cell-phone signal degradation too, which wouldn't be such a bad thing except if someone needs to call 911.

According to the News, the rules will likely be amended in the coming weeks before a final version is issued. The final rules must be in place by May 7. The regulations will begin to be phased in by 2012 and by 2016 are intended to reduce the amount of energy from the sun entering the car by 60 percent. Or residents could simply move to Detroit.

The Detroit News

Many beautiful cars will be sold to very rich people this week at the Gooding & Company auction at the Amelia Island Concours beginning this Friday.

Now we like the resto-mods and Hemi 'Cudas that seem to headline many auctions these days, but we flat-out love the smattering of Pininfarina-design automobiles that will cross the block at Amelia. This is because Pininfarina has produced the world's most beautiful cars. Nope, we're not hearing any arguments on this matter. It's best just to accept this fact.

As evidence, we offer the 1956 Nash Rambler "Palm Beach" Coupe Special pictured above. (Yes, a Nash Rambler). Four perfect Pininfarina-designed Ferraris move for you after the jump.

Side note: Proof that Pininfarina still has it was on display at last week's Geneva Auto Show. That would be the 2uettottanta, which is perhaps the ugliest study a pretty concept has ever had.

What more can you say about the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta? Even the Corvette-based repli-car from Miami Vice can't lessen our affection for this quintessential '70s man-mobile. Auction estimate: $250,000 – $325,000.

1968 Ferrari 330 GTS is more beautiful than the more famous 250 GT California Spyder. Discuss. Auction estimate: $650,000 – $800,000.

The 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO so comprehensively blew our minds in the '80s that the mere memory of it has sustained us through countless Aveo/Explorer/Camry reviews over the years. Auction estimate: $550,000 – $650,000.

The 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast Coupe: What a well-dressed man would drive. This is one of 36 made. Auction estimate: $800,000 – $1 million.

Many beautiful cars will be sold to very rich people this week at the Gooding & Company auction at the Amelia Island Concours beginning this Friday.

Now we like the resto-mods and Hemi 'Cudas that seem to headline many auctions these days, but we flat-out love the smattering of Pininfarina-design automobiles that will cross the block at Amelia. This is because Pininfarina has produced the world's most beautiful cars. Nope, we're not hearing any arguments on this matter. It's best just to accept this fact.

As evidence, we offer the 1956 Nash Rambler "Palm Beach" Coupe Special pictured above. (Yes, a Nash Rambler). Four perfect Pininfarina-designed Ferraris move for you after the jump.

Side note: Proof that Pininfarina still has it was on display at last week's Geneva Auto Show. That would be the 2uettottanta, which is perhaps the ugliest study a pretty concept has ever had.

What more can you say about the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta? Even the Corvette-based repli-car from Miami Vice can't lessen our affection for this quintessential '70s man-mobile. Auction estimate: $250,000 – $325,000.

1968 Ferrari 330 GTS is more beautiful than the more famous 250 GT California Spyder. Discuss. Auction estimate: $650,000 – $800,000.

The 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO so comprehensively blew our minds in the '80s that the mere memory of it has sustained us through countless Aveo/Explorer/Camry reviews over the years. Auction estimate: $550,000 – $650,000.

The 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast Coupe: What a well-dressed man would drive. This is one of 36 made. Auction estimate: $800,000 – $1 million.

This semi-regular column is written (in his own blood) by an automotive chromatic and noted malcontent, known as The Mechanic. Mercilessly beaten as a child with rolled-up back issues of old car magazines, our free-spoken hero developed a unique "for your own good" take on cars and the auto industry, along with an unfortunate usage of setting himself ablaze. Later, after a distinguished career as an automotive journalist and entrepot editor, he cast off the reins of his musty oppressors, carved out his superego with a plastic spork and became The Mechanic.

There's a fallacy going around that there are no more bad cars. It's a fallacy invented by car company execs that make bad cars and the automotive publications that accept their advertising.

But it's a bunch of bull. There are bad cars. A lot of them. Twenty-four on the American market, according to my count. There were more, but Pontiac and Saturn were place out of our misery.

By bad car I mean vehicles you should not buy. Cars that are only bought by fools. Fools that don't take the time to cross shop them with other, better cars. In Jan nearly 13,000 people bought Chevy Cobalts, making it one of the top 10 selling vehicles in the country. I have no intent why. It is a bad car. And there are about a dozen better cars in its price range. Yet, those 13,000 brainiacs volunteered to drive a Cobalt for the next five years and pay hundreds of dollars a month for the privilege.

Whatever. That's their problem. A problem you and I should avoid. So here's my list of bad cars we should all stay away from, presented in no particular order. Let me know if I missed any.

Nissan Versa
Chevy Cobalt
Toyota Corolla
Dodge Caliber
Buick Lucerne
Ford Explorer
Mercury Mountaineer
Chrysler Sebring
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Dodge Avenger
Jeep Compass
Jeep Patriot
Ford Ranger
Chevy Colorado
GMC Canyon
Dodge Grand Caravan
Land Rover LR2
Lincoln Town Car
Mercury Grand Marquis
Chrysler Town & Country
Mitsubishi Galant
Mitsubishi Endeavor
Cadillac STS
Saab 9-7x

And there it is: The Mechanic's P.O.S. list of new 2010 cars and trucks. By the way, if you've bought one of the above crapmobiles recently please e-mail me and tell me why you're reading Inside Line. You obviously don't take our advice. – The Mechanic, Inside Line Contributor

E-mail me at themechanic@edmunds.com.

Toyota held a press conference today at its Torrance headquarters to establish why an experiment discussed during a Congressional inquiry does little to implicate its cars in unintended acceleration accidents.

The issue at hand was an experiment conducted by Professor David Gilbert from Southern Illinois University. He testified to Congress that he had devised an experiment that produced an intentional short in Toyota's electronic throttle control system that would induce full throttle acceleration. More importantly, the experiment could be conducted without tripping any fault codes in the car's electronic control unit.

Well, according to Toyota, Professor Gilbert's experiment has no real world relevance. Its experts, as well as engineers Toyota hired to look into the situation, contend that the experiment involves far too many steps for it to simply happen by chance. Toyota also notes that the experiment produces the same result on virtually any car with an electronic throttle pedal, whether it's prefabricated by Toyota or not. Click through for a video of their demonstration.
 
 

As you can see, this BMW 3 Series suffered the same fate as Toyota's Avalon, the car used in Gilbert's original test. A Subaru and a Ford reacted similarly under the same conditions. Actually, this wasn't all that surprising after the Toyota officials explained how it was done.

Here's the most simplified explanation we can muster. There are two redundant wires that send throttle input signals to the engine control computer. They run to the computer separately, but Professor Gilbert first linked them with a 200 ohm resistor.

He then introduced a outside signal by splicing a hot wire, adding a switch and connecting it to the throttle control wires. When he flipped the switch, a signal was sent through the throttle control wires even though the pedal wasn't depressed. That's what's happening in the video above when the engineer makes the final connection.

Now, none of this addresses the possibility that there's a problem with Toyota's software, but it does show how overly simplified the whole issue has become. There are no doubt still plenty of members of Congress who remember the testimony but won't ever see why it's irrelevant. Plenty more to come on this story for sure.