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One Rare Brit

Admiring the 1952 Alvis TB21 Sports Tourer LHD Prototype

By Bradley Harris

Events like the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance or museums like the Peterson offer the opportunity to see some incredibly rare and significant vehicles - vehicles you may only ever get to see in person once in a lifetime. These opportunities are thrilling, but also can be a tad sterile or uptight, and lack that last degree of engagement that car enthusiasts crave. That’s where Cars and Coffee events come in, taking place in locations around the world every weekend. At Cars and Coffee, enthusiasts can mingle in a very casual manner with other enthusiasts and owners of vehicles that are running and get driven, if not regularly then at least occasionally. Without the concern for awards and judging, and the lack of ropes or guards from getting up-close and personal with vehicles, these events are where the passion for cars really comes alive. Friendly owners often allow excited children and adults alike to oggle an engine up close, or sit in their dream vehicle while they tell them about cool features or an incredible story they have with the car.

Attending the first Cars and Coffee Manhattan Beach event since the pandemic started brought the opportunity to admire some truly special vehicles. This particular event normally takes place on the last Saturday of every month at The Point (850 S. California 1, El Segundo, CA). 

Amongst all of the gorgeous and/or unique vehicles was one in particular that caught my eye. The name Alvis is rarely ever heard or known of here in the US, and they’re definitely not a common sight, with only 8 of this specific model making their way here over the years. They were constructed in England and sold mostly in the UK from 1919 until 1967, and were vehicles considered to be on par with Bentley for their engineering and luxury. This particular model, a 1952 TB21 Sports Tourer, with just 31 examples ever constructed, is just as rare to see as a Ferrari 250 GTO. Lucky for me, this one showed up, the rarest of them all, and I got a chance to chat with this car’s owner, Sandy Bettelman.

Bettelman is an incredibly friendly guy with a great 5-car collection, and was happy to show me around his beautiful Alvis and tell me a little about its history. As it turns out, this vehicle is a prototype, and the only one if its kind in the world! What makes this TB21 different from the other 30 examples constructed is that it is left-hand drive and has 4 seats, where every other example is right-hand drive and has 2 seats. It was constructed for potential export to America, but due to cost, production ended for the TB21 after just one year. The car thus remained in England, where it served for a very short time as the personal car of William M. Dunn, the company’s chief engineer. 

The car then was imported to New Zealand by Motor Lines Limited in October 1952 as a two seater, with the rear seat area completely closed off. The car was restored in 1967 by P. K. Andrews, the former managing director of Andrew Motors Limited, the local Alvis distributor, to its original design as a 4-seater, and it’s incredible to see the car in such pristine condition today considering that was the only restoration ever performed on it. The car then changed hands again, making its way to Germany before Bettelman bought the car and brought it to California in 2017.

The car features a 3.0-liter straight six engine with with a single SU carburetor making 90HP, and is attached to a 4-speed manual transmission. The engine and chassis are shared with the Alvis TA21 saloon, as is the traditional upright Alvis chrome grille. Atop the grille is the Alvis “Speed Eagle” hood ornament. Several of the body panels are crafted of aluminum to save weight. Inside the the engine bay, there are 6 additional spark plugs mounted to the firewall, in case the owner ever needed to change them on the go. The windshield is split, and either side can be folded down. It uses trafficators, or semiphores, in the front fenders to notate the driver’s desire to turn. These were common practice prior to turn indicator lamps. 

Bettelman drives each of the vehicles in his collection at least once a week, including this one, which is fantastic, considering so many great cars never leave their collections and never get to see the road or light of day again! This is something I wish more collectors would do, as the real joy of a car becomes palpable only from behind the wheel as one hears the engine rev and feels and hears the rush of wind at speed. Cars are designed with the express purpose of transporting the driver and passengers, and I’m happy to hear that Bettelman uses them as intended. The Alvis, he says, is actually pretty fast and fun to drive. I can only imagine the thrill of it, hearing the 3.0-Liter sing as the wind rushes by. 

If you’re interested in finding a Cars and Coffee near you, many of them have their own website as well as dedicated pages on Facebook and/or Instagram. If you want to get up close and personal with some of your favorite cars, and find out about cars you’d never even known existed, I highly suggest checking them out. You’ll thank me later :)

#cars #fast cars #british #britishcars #alvis #tb21 #sportstourer #carenthusiast #carenthusiasts #drive #driving #manhattanbeach #englishcars #carshow #carshows #carsandcoffee #carmeets

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Fixing The COVID Blues - Social Distancing With A Drive

By Bradley Harris

COVID Blues. Pandemic cabin fever. Quarantine Madness. Whatever the name, I know at some point, we've all felt it. The way we live and interact with each other has been dramatically changed, and as a result, we've just had to deal with a lot less in-person social interaction than usual, as well as decreased means to relieve stress and anxiety. I'm willing to admit to doomscrolling daily. I know it's bad for my mental health, but can one be blamed? Every day seems to bring something progressively more depressing or upsetting.

All this means that getting creative and finding ways of blowing off steam while maintaining social distance has been critical to navigating these uncertain times. One of my big outlets has become leisure drives. I've always loved taking leisure drives, but life has previously gotten in the way of my being able to enjoy them as much as I'd like to. Perhaps this is the universe's way of correcting that, or at least, that's how I'm taking it. One of the beauties of the car is that you can escape your surroundings for even just a little bit, break the stream of negative thoughts, maintain social distance, and just get into the moment - listen to some great tunes, feel the wind in your hair and the sunshine on your skin, and focus on the road ahead.

While regular around town drives have done the trick in a pinch, I relish when I can take the time for a longer drive. One of my favorites in the Los Angeles area is Angeles Crest Highway.

(Photo Credit: Google Maps)

(Photo Credit: Joeography.com)

Climbing up through the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains, this 66-mile ribbon of asphalt heaven is one of the greatest driving roads in all the world. It has tunnels, sharp hairpins, wide sweepers, and grand vistas of the LA Basin and San Gabriel Mountains. The scenery changes from suburban neighborhoods to alpine forest to high desert. If you're the hiking or camping type, there's plenty of opportunity to do so as well, from the Brigde To Nowhere hike to Chilao campground. In pre-pandemic times, one could stop and sit inside Newcomb's Ranch for a delicious meal. Nowadays, just enjoy the takeout in your car outside.

If you have less time than it would take to drive the entirety of Angeles Crest (you should set aside about 4 hours to drive it back and forth), there are a few other roads that connect to it that are equally fantastic and can be combined to make a shorter loop, such as Angeles Forest Highway and Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road. Those two roads are especially notable because they are less travelled than Angeles Crest, and Upper Big Tujunga is an excellent road for running out high grip, high horsepower cars due to it having many more long sweepers than tight hairpins.

Notably, there is almost no cell service once you cross over into the forest from La Cañada-Flintridge, which is certainly a boon if you're looking to cut out from the world for a few hours or longer. That said, it's wise to let someone know you'll be going up in case something happens and you need help. While there is plenty of traffic south of Newcomb's Ranch, the farther up you go from there, the less there is. Also, one should ensure having a full tank before embarking up Angeles Crest, as there are no gas stations anywhere along its entire length. The Shell gas station just off the 210 freeway exit for Angeles Crest is a ritual stop off place for anyone planning to drive up from the Los Angeles side of the highway. Any number of amazing sports cars, exotic cars, hot hatches, muscle cars, and motorcycles can be seen prepping here to make their drive up.

That is perhaps one of those most glorious parts of Angeles Crest Highway, aside from the pure driving enjoyment that it provides. Stop off at one of the many turnouts along the highway, and you can see a cavalcade of cars of all types being driven - really driven, the way they were meant to be, with their symphonic screaming V12s, bassy burbling V8s, singing inline 6s, turbo-whooshing flat 4s, and everything in between.

(Photo Credit: Brad Harris - taken during a group drive I did, showing an Audi RS3, Buick Cascada, Honda Fit, and two Porsche Boxsters (986 and 981))

Angeles Crest Highway offers one of those rare opportunities to disconnect from the world and just get in tune with your car, enjoy the moment, and let go of your worries. In a world where being socially distant is the new norm, it offers a way to do so in a positive, uplifting manner. If you're like me and driving relaxes you, this is one drive you just don't want to miss. It will be the instant fix to your COVID blues.

#angelescresthighway #take a break #covid blues #pandemic #cabin fever #quarantine madness #angeles crest #cars #roadtrip #bridge to nowhere #mt baldy #national forest #losangeles #los angeles #mtbaldy #bridgetonowhere #covidblues #nationalforest #take a breath #relaxes #destress #inthemoment #focusonyourself #relaxing #driveclub #driveclassics

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What You Need To Know As A Car Buyer...

I recently began working as a Sales and Leasing Consultant at Nissani Brothers Chevrolet in Culver City, California. It's been an amazing learning experience for me personally, as I'm learning more about how I approach people and how I can do it better. It's pushing me to become more approachable and more outgoing, which I feel are qualities I haven't always had in the past. It's also shown me that there's a huge segment of car shoppers that aren't prepared or have inordinate expectations when they walk into the dealership. In the spirit of creating more informed customers, I'm sharing from my experience some tips to keep in mind when you decide to purchase a car so that the process is as smooth and painless as possible for you 😁.

THE AVERAGE NEW CAR TRANSACTION PRICE IN 2019 WAS $36,718 (Edmunds.com) ...

If you HAVE to have a new car, these days, it will cost you... quite a bit in many cases. Bargain basement prices on anything but the smallest base model subcompact vehicle don't exist anymore. If the AVERAGE selling price is above $30,000 across all brands, then that tells you most new cars cost OVER $30,000, NOT UNDER. That means if the car is financed for what is now an industry standard of 6 years, the average monthly payment for a new car is $500 before interest or taxes. If you want a shorter term loan, we're talking payments in the realm of $600-$700. Add in tax and interest, and hopefully you're getting the picture that NEW CARS ARE NOT CHEAP!!!! Those days are gone, so set your expectations appropriately.

Also, while this seems like common sense, options like leather, premium audio, advanced safety tech, and semi-autonomous driving features don't come cheap. I'm surprised to find how shocked people are to find that all the niceties have a substantial cost. While some cars and/or brands have some more advanced safety tech coming as standard, most of it is still optional across a majority of the industry, and more often, the basic model is not going to have any of it. If you want it, be ready to pay at least a few thousand for it.

Finally, always keep in mind, in terms of size, a car will always cost less than the equivalent CUV or SUV (i.e. Chevrolet Sonic vs Chevrolet Trax).

I know a lot of times, people just want what they want, but also be prepared for the fact that what you want may not be in your budget.

CREDIT REALLY DOES MATTER...

There are always ads that say good credit, bad credit, whatever credit you have, we can help you out. Perhaps in some situations that's true, especially for used cars, where your only option is to finance the car. However, in terms of new cars, credit still is king. To lease a new vehicle, you MUST have good credit, no ifs, ands, or buts. Anything above 700 will likely be useable to lease, though they'll often still ask if you can put anything down. In terms of financing, 700+ means that a dealership may not necessarily require you to put a down payment on the car if it has incentives or rebates. A dealership will almost always require a down payment of at least $2,000 if you have a score between 600 and 700. If you have a score below 600, you will not be financed majority of the time. When I say majority, I mean like 98% of the time. To get financed, you'd need a huge down, $8,000-12,000, and that just isn't feasible for most people. Make sure you know your credit situation very well and what kind of financing that likely will land you. Unfortunately, dealers are good at working deals at times, but they just can't work magic.

BRING ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION...

Make sure you have everything you need to assure you don't have to run around getting docs to close a deal. Have proper identification, have paystubs or bank statements handy, and have your car insurance information ready. If you have a trade-in, have your registration available as well as both keys for the vehicle if possible.

GENERAL RULE OF THUMB: FOR EVERY $1,000 ADDED TO THE VEHICLE'S PRICE, IT WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $30 ADDED TO THE PAYMENT (FOR A 72 MONTH TERM DEAL)

Keeping this rule of thumb in mind will help you to quickly tabulate what you can estimate your payment to be if you decide to look at a vehicle with less or more options than what you were initially interested in.

With that, happy car shopping! I hope these tips help to provide some sense of perspective so that your shopping experience goes smoothly and doesn't end up leaving a bad aftertaste 😁

[bh944]

2018 Honda Fit Sport 6MT Review

By Bradley Harris

So I'll admit... I ended up getting behind the wheel of my Lunar Silver 2018 Honda Fit Sport rather unexpectedly. I wasn't even totally sure about getting a new (to me) car, as I had no down payment, and have recently been making the majority of my income from Uber, which is a hard gig to get financing approval on. However, I got an email from a Honda dealer advertising financing for all, so I decided to give it a try at least.

When I arrived, I specified that if at all possible, I'd like a car with a manual transmission. As luck would have it, the only manual car available was a slightly used Fit Sport. After a quick test drive, I liked the look and was rather impressed with the transmission and unexpectedly peppy pickup, the space, and the Android Auto integration. On top of that, the dealer was willing to give me some time with the car to earn the down payment with Uber, so I said, "Let's make this deal happen!" As it turns out, I couldn't imagine many other cars making me happier to drive it with Uber than this car, and really, it is simply a solid automotive value - period.

In terms of exterior styling, I rather like the car a lot. This is where the "Sport" trim moniker makes the most impact, as exterior aesthetic upgrades are the only changes Honda made in creating the Sport trim, other than adding contrasting orange stitching to the otherwise very very black interior, which at least has varied textures and some metallic finishes to keep it from looking like a black hole of plastic. Honda added sporty-looking front and rear bumper caps with orange trim lines, as well as sill extensions, a roof spoiler, and gloss black wheels to achieve a sportier look, and by most accounts, it's successful. I've received a few compliments on the look of the car.

Overall, "Fit" is perhaps the most apropos name Honda could have given this car. It's diminutive dimensions, at 161.8 inches long, 67 inches wide, and 60 inches tall mean that it can fit in even some of the tightest parking spaces without issue, making it ideal for impacted parking areas in urban environs. Don't let its small size fool you, though, as its capacious interior, assisted by that 60 inch height, has 39.5 inches of headroom in the front seats and 37.5 inches in the rear, 41.4 inches of front / 39.3 inches of rear legroom, and 54.8 inches of front / 52.6 inches of rear shoulder room. I've regularly had people 6' - 6'2" sit in the front seat without complaint with someone comfortably seated behind them that was anywhere from 5'2" to 5'9". I myself, at 5'10", find the Fit accommodates me quite well seated behind myself, with 3 inches of additional kneeroom between me and the front seat no less! A very regular comment I get is, "Wow! What car is this again? It's so roomy in here!" Honda's designers and engineers have achieved nothing short of a small miracle getting so much space from such compact dimensions.

In terms of luggage space, it has 16.6 cubic feet with the "Magic Seat" second row up and 52.7 cubic feet with it down, so called magic because with one pull of the lever located on the back of each section of the 60/40 split folding seat, the seat goes down in one fell swoop to create a totally flat rear load floor. For reference, that 16.6 cubes of space with the seat up is as much as you'll get in the trunk of most mid-size family sedans, including Honda's own Accord, at 16.7 cubic feet, and it's incredibly useable, with only minor intrusions from the spaces for the rear shocks. I once helped an Uber rider cart home 7 large plants from Home Depot, folding the 60 section of the Magic Seat to accomodate it all. We both were impressed. (Funnily enough, she chose to ride in the 40 section of the seat in the second row amidst her small forest, rather than ride shotgun, because it would be weird sitting up front I guess... 😂)

All the controls and instruments fall easily at hand, and honestly, it's an intuitive and easy cabin to figure out. One niggle I've found, though, is that the center armrest is quite small and a bit low for my liking, which is too low for my right arm when not busy steering or shifting. Also, the only item I thus far have needed to reference the owner's manual for is the infotainment system. While I've not tested the old head unit with the digital adjustment for volume which was much maligned, the volume knob/power button is the only hard control for infotainment aside from the brightness button. Overall, it's a pretty easy-to-use system, but figuring out the display screen options was a bit of a head scratcher, even after I referred to the manual. It took some digging in online forums for me to finally understand how that part works, which is a frustration which shouldn't be the case, but which in the grand scheme, isn't all that huge.

The last niggle, and this is a rather large one, is that the system can be quite glitchy from time to time. I'll be driving, and the Android Auto will cut out saying my phone isn't compatible with Android Auto (me thinking, "Aaaaaaaaall of a sudden"). This one isn't much of a bother, as it just takes a quick unplug/replug of the cable into the phone to fix it. The bigger problem is that the system will completely shutdown at random, not often, but often enough that I've begun to think it has a mind of its own. Worse, it takes the system around 2-3 minutes to completely reboot and start up again, during which a lot of navigating would have needed to happen, and the silence which it creates can be defeaning when Uber riders are onboard. Thankfully, Android Auto does pickup the slack on the device at times, continuing to announce directions from it, and if it doesn't, the Uber app is showing the route as well. The system's excuse that it suddenly lost power is invalid, however, as this mishap happens most while in motion, and it's something Honda needs to address.

As for positives of the infotainment, while I don't have an iPhone to test Apple Carplay integration, the Android Auto integration is👌🏼. One can stream from any audio source on their phone when using Android Auto, and Google Maps is better than almost any nav system an automaker could integrate into the system. What's even neater is that with my Uber app set to navigate from Google maps, when I hit navigate in the driver app, it pulls up on Google maps in the center stack screen and starts navigating with only a second or two load time.

The upgraded audio available with the Sport and above, at 6 channels (two tweeters near the base of the windshield, and one full range speaker in each of the 4 doors) and 180 watts of total output, is rather decent for a car in this class, and can reach up in volume with little sound distortion aside from some bass muddiness. It has adequate connectivity too, with streaming Bluetooth audio as well as a USB port and 12V outlet lower in the center stack above a bin just behind the cupholders where one can store their phone. An additional outlet and USB port are in the center console. No AUX outlet means easy switching between your device and a passenger's for audio source duty isn't easily possible, though in most cases I think many will find that a plus. Additionally, there are no charging ports behind the console for the second row.

For everyday driving duty, the audio system is more than adequate for most, though if you're someone like me who LOVES the music they listen to, you'll want to upgrade this system beyond what Honda can give you at this price point. Price considered though, the system is quite good.

The shifter, which is leather covered and stitched like a baseball (nice touch!) in the aforementioned contrasting orange (same as the sturdily-upholstered cloth seats and steering wheel for added sporty appeal), falls easily at hand, fitting in the palm beautifully and comfortably. So does the leather-lined three-spoke steering wheel, which feels nice to hold, has just the right diameter, and contains easy to use controls for cruise control, audio, and Bluetooth phone functions.

The rev counter and speedometer are analog and are very legible, while there's a digital gauge for fuel economy and fuel tank level which also shows the odometer, trip information, fuel range, and a few other useful data points. The fuel economy gauge is fun to play with as you monitor accelerator usage, and there are lights next to the speedometer that change from blue to green as revs climb, fitting with the name "Earth Dreams" Honda has given to its latest set of engine tech. I personally feel adding a red light as one approached redline would be a nice-to-have addition, especially since this is the "Sport" model.

There's actually quite a copious number of beverage holders, with a spot for bottles on each of the four doors, as well as two reasonably-sized cup holders ahead of the shifter, and one cup holder that expands out of the dash up at the drivers left side near the air vent. That placement is very very convenient, I've found.

One last note on the cabin. Build quality is stellar! Panel gaps and trim fittings are all tight, and after about 18,000 miles of driving, there's been no squeaks, rattles, or other untoward noises.

Soooooo, finally, how does it drive?

Competent. Very competent. Its responses are mostly well-controlled, with quick, responsive steering and a composed ride quality; though, as can be expected for a car in this price range, sharp impacts are heard and felt, and there is a bit of float and flopping over on quick transitions that I wish the "Sport" moniker could have dialed out. Also, the rear end will stutter and skip a bit on broken pavement when near the limits of the tires' adhesion, thanks to its torsion-beam rear axle. As it is, all suspension and mechanical settings are the same across the board for the Fit from trim to trim. The steering is relatively numb, though there is a tiny bit of feedback coming through the steering right at the limit. You can feel the tires begin to break traction and push into understeer, but the buildup to that is quiet, as is the case with most electric steering setups these days. A bit of lift throttle will quickly reign in the front end, which otherwise will generally go where it's pointed with precision. The short wheelbase really helps with making the car lithe and responsive, as does it's low 2,648-pound weight.

The shifter is mostly a joy to work, with silken glides from gate to gate and a solid, mechanical feel as it enters the gear. However, from time to time, the shifts can get a touch balky, and even refuse to enter the gate, which necesitates a full clutch out/in to get it to cooperate. Pedal placement is also great for whether you heal-and-toe or not.

Overall, though, the Fit is a relatively slow car that can be quite fun to drive fast, as its limits are within reach on the street and can be explored without necessarily endangering your license. Freeway onramps become your skidpad, and feeling the 1.5 liter's i-VTEC cam changeover as you reach freeway speeds in the upper range reminds you why anybody makes a big deal about it. There's a noticeable increase in acceleration as it happens, at you really feel every one of its 128 horsepower working. It's acceleration, while not breathtaking, is surprisingly peppy. It has a rather delightful VTEC song, too, with a full induction sound that will give you flashbacks of some of Honda's greatest engines.

In terms of fuel economy, this little machine is a sweetheart. It's EPA-rated at 29 city / 36 highway / 31 combined, and in mixed driving, I'm getting anywhere between 32 and 35. Plus, with just a 10.6 gallon tank, I'm super happy paying only about $26 per fillup of 87 octane at current prices in my area hovering around $3.19. As an Uber driver, this kind of fuel economy/cost are a boon, as it means I can make a lot more money from each tank than I can in many other vehicles, and the expense doesn't cut too much into the profit.

The Sport trim includes none of the Honda Sensing suite of safety tech available on the EX and EX-L, but being an enthusiast, I personally don't want or miss any of it. While there are many consumers who find comfort in the extra safety, there's just no replacement for good driving, and I find that this car, with a manual, is great car for honing one's skills to become a better driver for everyone. The tall greenhouse on the Fit means that sightlines all around are phenomenal. A camera checking my blind spots would be redundant, as doing it in this car is easy to do myself. With my hands full between the shifter and steering and my feet with the pedals, my attention is squarely on my driving, and it makes me very aware of what I'm doing and how I can do it better. There's no room for distracted driving!

Honda has built a real winner with the Fit, and despite the Sport trim only looking sportier than its other trims, its driving dynamics, while not outright sporty, are at least composed enough to be fun in between serving commute duties. With a mixture of space, versatility (+1 for the hatchback), economy, and infotainment tech, the Fit Sport is a great car for enthusiasts on a budget who must make some compromises for life. Commuters on a budget will find they had to compromise very little, if at all, with the Fit, and with the extra safety tech of upper trims and niceties like leather, heated front seats, and a moonroof, the Fit is capable of fit-ting most people's needs and lifestyles very, very well at a price that won't break the bank.