Hear ye, hear ye — we here at TTAC are going into winter break mode. What that means for you is that starting this afternoon and running through New Year’s Day, we’ll be operating at around half-speed.
There will still be posts, but not as often as usual. Some of us are taking time off, some of us will be working at half-capacity (spare me the jokes about us always being at half-capacity), and all of us will be enjoying the holidays in some way or another.
Come January 2nd, it’s back to business as usual, and the Detroit Auto Show looms large over the month. Which means we’ll be hitting the ground running and getting ready to cover it in TTAC style.
Until then, play nice, don’t drink and drive, and may your 2017 end on a high note. Here’s hoping for a bright 2018 full of cars and chrome.
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all of the TTAC staff and the B&B!
And I’d be fine with less chrome in 2018.
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/Happy Channukah/Happy Kwanzaa & Merry Festivus to all (hope that covers everybody!) And as a counterpart to brettc: I’d like to continue to see the JUDICIOUS application of chrome, and a turn away from the “all black murdered out” look, and crystal tailight lenses for 2018! :-)
Joyous season and happy (Gregorian) New Year!
I’m with Moparmann on this one. There’s no plate like chrome for the holidays.
While you’re taking time off, break out the clay bar for that Camry coupe.
Shiny to dull, not a good look.
I think it’s beyond saving and needs a respray.
I’ve read that Toyota’s red paint of that era is non-clearcoat, it’s single stage that you can actually buff it back to a surprisingly decent shine. Something that always bugged me about the ’92-’96 cars as they aged, that as well as they were screwed together, the interface between the headlight and the corner lens seems prone to misalignment as seen here. It could also be that this car had a front end accident at some point in its lift and the fresher paint hasn’t had a chance to fade as much, and it could partially explain the headlight/corner lens thing.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all TTAC staff and B&B!
Wow, if I knew that at time of purchase, I would have selected a color with clearcoat on it.
My 1987 Ford Thunderbird in light blue had the optional clear coat. The paint held up quite well for many years and was able to resist everything from tree sap to road tar.
Lots of non-clearcoat paint still around in the early ’90s. Definitely requires a good polish once a year to avoid looking like this.
Our family’s first clearcoated vehicle was the infamous 1982 Celebrity that would become my first car. It was two tone (with a pinstripe to separate) copper color below, chocolate brown on top. By the time I inherited it at 10 years old the chocolate had “bloomed” like a Hersey bar past its sell by date.
I don’t think GM started using clearcoat finishes until the mid-80s. The H-bodies may have been the first…?
Clearcoat metallics are maintenance-free except for the repaint. My red ’04 F-150 and white ’06 Super Duty are non clearcoat and still shine OK with zero waxing since new. Yes their paint would sparkle with wax but all their dings and dents would be highlighted too. I guess I only buy new “non clearcoat” non metallic cars and trucks and now I know why.
May indicate the front sheet metal was replaced.
Yeah, it definitely looks like the front clip has been replaced. It also appears someone had the right idea in polishing the rest of the car to match but soon called it a day after doing just around the door handle?!?
Merry merry everyone!
As much as I have and will continue to give TTAC guff, I return for a reason.
I wish you all the best. Enjoy your holiday break.
“we’ll be operating at around half-speed.”
Sorta’ like my iPhone 4s. Happy Holidays everyone.
Yeah, Apple claims the sloer speeds was in the best interest of the iPhone user.
To bad Apple didn’t think it worthwhile to inform the user.
Applegate! But like Tesla, Apple has it devout supporters who like the Apple experience of using outdated tech.
“Apple has it devout supporters who like the Apple experience of using outdated tech.”
Nothing wrong with using outdated tech. Its the customers as beta testers that bugs me.
Merry Christmas to all at TTAC from Down Under, even JB and DW.
Enjoy your time with your kids, family and friends. May next year be good for TTAC and the TTAC clan.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!!!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! I look forward to another year of your wonderful insights and humor.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all the Best and the Brightest.
Is that the best you can do on this article, show a photo of a beat-up old Camry? I’m ashamed of you!
Almost any other car would be preferred, like a Camaro, Corvette, Mustang, Challenger, Charger or something else cool.
The picture was taken when it was new. It’s actually a very Christmasy vehicle. Hermey built it.
That red will buff out and shine up nicely. Just a coat of wax would do it wonders. R
The shiny part around the door handle where the oil from your hand alone keeps it shiny indicates there is life left in it.
Happy Holidays to all!
The Camry Coupe was always interesting to me as we never got them Down Under. The Sedans and Wagons of that generation are a common sight here, as is its predecessor.
Also, the corner lens looks like it has been replaced at one point in its life. It looks like it may have been in an accident at one point…as has been mentioned before.