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David Reynolds wrote:
Thomas "Gus" Mahon, died on August 19, 2002, as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Gus was an inspiration to many in the Shelby Dodge community, and he will be missed.Gus achieved fame by not only achieving insane acceleration on his nearly-stock 2.2 liter minivan and four-cylinder Spirit, but by generously publishing the results on the Web and helping others to follow in his footsteps. He was known as being friendly despite his wicked sense of humor - shown by beating muscle car owners with a 13-second minivan at the track. His Web site is at http://home.earthlink.net/~turbogus/
Gus was a grandfather: "I became a Grandpa on Mother's day at 6:13 AM. Little Gabrielle was on television as the Mother's Day Baby of the Hartford CT area. The newscasters commented on how lovely my daughter Nikki looked just hours after delivery."
TheDodgeGarage.com wrote: "Gus was struck by an automobile while riding his 250 cc motorcycle August 19th at 7:00 P.M. Doctors worked on him for hours in an attempt to save his life but his injuries were to grave and he passed away at 11:00 PM. The accident is under investigation by the Connecticut State Police."
For details and to make a donation to his family, please click here.
The price list for 2003 shows some interesting changes. The Neon SE is now selling for under $13,000, making it about $10,000 after rebates and haggling. The SRT will sell for over $19,000, making it very competitive with the WRX, Altima V6, and other fast cars. Click here for details.
"Chris the Mopar Man" noted that, in a report on Ford enviromental policies, Bill Ford said average fuel economy of the vehicles it sells in the United States has remained essentially flat since 2000. Ford also admits that carbon dioxide emissions from its U.S. cars and trucks have also held relatively stable over the past two model years, instead of decreasing in line with its commitments as a "green" company.
Ford has been criticized by environmental groups for its proliferation of oversized, inefficent trucks, such as the Expedition, Excursion, Navigator, and Blackwood. General Motors also sells a line of large, heavy trucks (Avalanche, Yukon, Suburban, etc.) but tends to have more efficient engines and boasts less about being green. GM, Ford, and Chrysler all have announced plans to sell relatively efficient (by large truck standards) hybrid-electric SUVs in the future.
The UAW's Local 227 has organized a protest against the UAW's international headquarters lack of action following the sale of Chrysler's parts and assembly plants. The "peaceful protest," to take place on Thursday August 22, at 10 am outside 8000 Jefferson Avenue, is expected to include members from McGraw Glass, New Castle, and other Chrysler facilities.
Continental announced a recall of 596,000 tires used primarily on the Ford Expedition / Lincoln Navigator due to tread separations and other problems. The 17-inch ContiTrac AW and General Grabber AW tires were also used as replacements in the aftermarket.
The front clip on the Neon SRT has been changed, making it more consistent with the stock 2003 Neons. Rumors have surfaced that the reason was overheating, but "Mr. Source" wrote that this was not the case. "That car performed SEVERAL tests before it was given the OK...Just imagine if the car has that kind of problem, with the new "holes" in the front fascia, it will help it at idle speed, during rush hours?... So far that PARTICULAR engine has been already with customers, remember Mexico has that engine in the Stratus R/T with no problems...since 1995. Have you heard about the aftermarket Mopar upgrades for that car?" "Mr. Source" wrote that this may have been the reason for the chnage. (Note that the wheels have also been changed to a less expensive but still aluminum variety).
The Neon SRT is powered by a Chrysler-designed 2.4 liter forced-air engine which reportedly brings its 0-60 times to around 6 seconds, making it the second-fastest Chrysler vehicle after the Viper. The last production Chrysler vehicle to attain this class of speed was the Dodge Spirit R/T, made in 1991-92 (and the Daytona R/T, which lasted through 1993). The Neon SRT's production is expected to be substantially higher than that of the turbocharged R/T models of the 1990s.
Gene Wilson and his Hemi-powered Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T made a little Brainerd International Raceway history after clocking a 200.23-mph pass during the fourth and final session. It was the first Pro Stock lap to ever surpass the 200-mph mark at the historic facility.
The Jeep Liberty Renegade comes with a standard light bar - and that makes it illegal in West Virginia, according to Neon performance guru Gary Howell. Howell, who learned about this law from Chrysler after ordering a Liberty Renegade, said that State Senator Jon Hunter is willing to work on changing the law. He quoted Sgt. Forman of the WV State Police Vehicle Inspections as saying that no drive or fog lights may be located above the headlights, except of vehicles equiped for snow removal.
West Virginia is the only state where light bars are illegal, though they are may only be operated in off-road conditions in other states.
Reuters reported (and just-auto noted) that the NHTSA has upgraded its probe into engine compartment fires in the Ford Focus, apparently another in a long line of pyrotechnic Fords. There are current six Ford Focus investigations under way.
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