Q29 Roadster

[Sixty8panther]

Check out this custom one-off. 1929 Ford with an

early 90s 1st gen. Q45 motor transplant. It

predated the Lexus hot rod by a few years but I

never heard of it until just now when I found it on

some random Infiniti forum.

I posted a couple of photo-links of this in the "Transplanting

a Q45 in a Hotrod" thread last month. The car was built by

rodder Joe MacPherson, who apparently owned several

Tustin California dealerships including Infiniti of Tustin. The

Q29 won the AMBR title in 1994 at the Grand National

Roadster Show in Oakland.

Later on as shown here it was obviouslt deemed

cool enough by the powers that be at Nissan &

Infiniti to dipslay at the show next to a 2nd gen.

Q45 in the 97-01 era. Actaully that looks like a

99-01 Touring edition in the back ground.

[Flybrian]

I'd be a little more impressed with Infiniti's V8 if it didn't suck where it counts.

INDY RACING LEAGUE SEASON REVIEW: The Oldsmobile Era

Detroit, Mich. - With a perfect record of 19 wins, 19 poles, and 19

fastest laps, Oldsmobile's production-based IRL Aurora V8 racing engine is

the dominant powerplant in the Pep Boys Indy Racing League series.

    The IRL introduced its 4.0-liter naturally aspirated engine formula

in January 1997. Two manufacturers produced engines for the new

specifications: Oldsmobile (IRL Aurora V8) and Nissan (Infiniti Indy). The

following is a recap of the IRL events contested to date with these

engines:

Manufacturer:                Oldsmobile    Nissan

Race Wins:                        19          0

Pole Positions:                      19          0

Fastest Laps:                        19          0

Races - Most Laps Led:            19          0

Podium Finishes (1st, 2nd, 3rd):  56          1

Total Laps Led:                3,839      22

Total Miles Led:                  5,280      33

Total Racing Laps Completed:  67,164      4,371

Total Racing Miles Completed:    84,010      6,844

Number of Starts:                460      40

Number Running at Finish:        246      14

Number of Engine Builders:        11          3

Number of Teams:                  38          9

Number of Drivers:                55      10

OLDSMOBILE CHAMPIONS. IRL Aurora V8 engines were used by every IRL champion in 1997 and 1998:

Drivers Champion

    1997: Tony Stewart

    1998: Kenny Brack

Team Champion

    1997: Team Menard

    1998: A.J. Foyt Ent.

Rookie Champion

    1997: Jim Guthrie

    1998: Robby Unser

OLDSMOBILE UNDEFEATED. The IRL Aurora V8 has dominated Indy Racing

League competition since its introduction, winning 19 consecutive races -

including back-to-back victories in the Indianapolis 500, the centerpiece

of the IRL series. Eleven drivers have won IRL races with Oldsmobile

engines:

THE AURORA ADVANTAGE. The IRL Aurora V8 is the engine of choice in the

IRL. Oldsmobile engines were used by 89% of the starters in the eight IRL

races contested in 1997. The following is a summary of the Oldsmobile

starters in IRL events contested in 1998:

    Event    Olds Starters    Percent

    Orlando        27 of 28        96%

    Phoenix        28 of 28    100%

    Indianapolis 32 of 33        97%

    Fort Worth 1 26 of 28        93%

    Loudon      24 of 26        92%

    Dover          21 of 22        95%

    Charlotte      22 of 24        92%

    Pikes Peak  23 of 25        92%

    Atlanta        25 of 28        89%

    Fort Worth 2 26 of 28        93%

    Las Vegas      26 of 28        93%

    1998 Average              93.8%

[Sixty8panther]

Well... true, you got me there.

However, maybe (actaully almost certainly) if Oldsmobile

had built a nice RWD land-barge like the Infiniti Q45 back

in the late 90s they might still be around. Instead they

made a four door Toronado & a jelly-bean shaped Cutlass

and effectively alienated 98% of their propective

customers. Nice job GM.

Within 10 years of the Cutlass being one of the best selling

cars in the USA Oldsmobile tried to do a J-turn in the

marketplace & dethrone Lexus as the new "Yuppie-wagon

must have", now Buick is making the same damn mistake.

Yes... go ahead & tell me how Geriatrics don't matter.

[Flybrian]

Well... true, you got me there.

However, maybe (actaully almost certainly) if Oldsmobile

had built a nice RWD land-barge like the Infiniti Q45 back

in the late 90s they might still be around. Instead they

made a four door Toronado & a jelly-bean shaped Cutlass

and effectively alienated 98% of their propective

customers. Nice job GM.

Within 10 years of the Cutlass being one of the best selling

cars in the USA Oldsmobile tried to do a J-turn in the

marketplace & dethrone Lexus as the new "Yuppie-wagon

must have", now Buick is making the same damn mistake.

Yes... go ahead & tell me how Geriatrics don't matter.

Olds needed more time pure and simple.

I don't see how you can look at any of the new Oldsmobiles and really call them 'yuppie wagons.' Aurora and Intrigue did nothing but uphold Oldsmobile's tradition of being the spearhead of American automotive innovation with the aforementioned 4.0l V8, PCS on the Intrigue, and distinctive styling. The fact that Aurora competed very, very favorably against the Q, ES, and Legend/RL as well as the Lincoln Continental and blew away the LHS tells me that these cars had appeal that bridged wide gaps other GM products couldn't.

On a pure styling note, you can't simply brand them as 'jellybean.' Look at the Aurora for one. Note the composte headlamps, the clean grilleless front fascia, sculpted tail, wraparound rear glass, framless windows, and area ruled flanks. Even in generally smooth cars like the earlier 929 and later Taurus, the truly original detailing mentioned above is noticably absent. In those cases, you simply get a round car. In Olds' case, you get something distinct and original.

Also, look at the new Oldsmobile's ideas - the cute-ute Recon debuted in 1998. Imagine that hitting the lots in 1999. See ya, CR-V. Imagine the Profile making the rounds in 2000 and up for sale the following year. See ya, Highlander. And then the O4, showcased in '01 and being sold in late summer of '02. Beetle 'vert wha?

That's what would've kept Oldsmobile around. In fact, it was the very presence of gauche lameness like the Cutlass Ciera that hurt Olds more than anything. As far as geriatrics go, well, I wouldn't describe Marc as 'geriatric' - more, say, an older gentleman - but he loves his '01 Aurora. Alot of older folks really do have taste and don't just want a cheap, decontented boat with a ton of chrome.

[Sixty8panther]

True.... a production Profile and Recon would have

helped tremendously. But still the Aurora should

have been the technology showcase for Olds not

the flagship. A truw RWD V8 large sedan should

have been the top of the line Olds.

The 04 did not do much for me but it did have a few

neat styling touches.

I'll take a big RWD boat with tons of chrome given

the chance. Decontented or not.