AutoTour

The Benson Automobile

2010-05-23T14:20:00.001-07:00

The Benson Automobile was the first automobile built in the state of Oregon. Garage Inventor Nils Benson and his teenage assistant James Chance started working on the car in 1904. Benson ordered some parts and made others at his machine shop on SE Grand Avenue in Portland. The rubber tires were shipped from Indochina.

The Benson Automobile was displayed at the 1905 Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition in Portland and operated there for 3 months. Later, Benson added a crankshaft and 2 more cylinders for a total of 4 before the automobile was considered finished in 1906. Though he originally planned to build more, this was the only automobile Benson ever built.

The Benson automobile ended up being stored in a shed behind Benson's home on NE 92nd Place. It was sold to neighbor William McAllister in 1951 and then to Walter Rusk in 1973. Rusk restored to automobile in 1973-74 and donated it to the Oregon Historical Society in 1999. Today, the Benson automobile is on display at the Oregon Historical Society's Museum in Portland.

(Photography is not permitted at the OHS museum, but I took these before I was told about the rule. I am posting them so that no one else will be tempted to break the rules.)

The Cambellini

2010-05-23T13:51:00.001-07:00

This is something special. I saw this car back in 2008 at the Northwest Car Collectors Association Car Show and Swap Meet in Portland, Oregon. It was labelled simply as a 2006 Cambellini owned by Tom and Jan Campbell. I didn't know anything else about it until I received an email a few months ago from a friend of Tom Campbell named Rick Sanders who gave me the rest of the story, which I have consolidated here in my own words.

Tom Campbell was an engineer who became the head engineer and manufacturing mamager at a compeny with over 200 employees and with his wife Jan raised two boys. Tom spent about 20 years designing and building the Cambellini from scratch in his 4,000 square foot shop. By 1991, he had built his second clay design model of the car at approximately 18" in length. From that model he used a projector to blow up slices of the model to full size using tools and jigs he designed, and from those slices built a full-size clay model. He built the entire body and chassis from scratch, only purchasing items like the engine, wheels & tires & windshield. Tom Campbell passed away in December 2009 at the age of 56.

The Cambellini absolutely looks like it could be a production car, and is a testament to one man's talent and determination to fulfill a dream.

1963 Imperial Custom Sedan

2009-10-06T21:13:00.000-07:00

Imperial was Chrysler's most luxurious brand from 1955 to 1975, and with Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler, originally gave Chrysler a 5-brand structure like General Motors. DeSoto's last year was 1961, but Imperial hung on. Imperial's volume was always lower than competitors Cadillac and Lincoln, making them somewhat rare today. This 1963 Imperial Custom Sedan was spotted by chance parked in a residential neighborhood.

1963 was the last year for this body style, which debuted in 1961. The most interesting styling element of the 1961-1963 Imperials is the individual freestanding bullet headlights set in recessed alcoves in the fenders. This was a unique idea meant to recall the freestanding headlights of the classic cars of the 1930s, but the way the top of the fenders extends over them kind-of defeats the point and makes washing and detailing more difficult. But it gives these rare cars a special character.

The 1963 Imperials were actually a bit more restrained than the previous two years. The 1961 model featured large tailfins, which were already going out of style at that point. For 1962, the fins were cut down significantly, but cigar-shaped variations of Imperial's trademark gunsight taillights were perched on top of them. The 1963 models abandoned the gunsight theme and had more conventional taillights incorporated in the trailing edge of what remained of the tailfins.

Imperials from this era were available with an optional tire-shaped piece of trim fastened to the trunk lid, meant to recall the days when cars carried the spare tires on the back. This trim had originated as an option in 1957 and persisted until 1963, though this model is not equipped with it. In 1964 the "fake spare" motif became standard, incorporated into the shape of the trunk in a more restrained fashion, ala Lincoln's 56-57 Continental Mark II and the later Mark III that would debut in 1968.

1967 Cadillac Eldorado

2009-09-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

Though Cadillac had been using the Eldorado name for years, the 1967 Eldorado was very different from the previous models. The 1967 Eldorado is based on the Oldsmobile Toronado that debuted the previous year. Like the Toronado, the Eldorado featured front wheel drive, a chain drive and Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. The Eldorado also featured a 340-horsepower Cadillac 429 V8 and improvements over the Toronado including standard variable-ratio power steering, radially vented front disc brakes and automatic self-leveling control.

On a 120 inch wheelbase, 9 inches shorter than Cadillac's standard line, the Eldorado featured sharp, angular styling with little chrome and hidden headlights behind a full-width eggcrate grille, and still looks good today.

1939 LaSalle Model 5019 4-Door Sedan

2009-08-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

This 1939 LaSalle is from the marque's next-to-last year. LaSalle was a "junior Cadillac" that originated in 1927 as part of the General Motors Companion Make Program. In the 1920s, a large price gap existed between each of the General Motors brands. To close those gaps, GM has each of the the four upper brands, Oakland, Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac, start a "companion make." Oakland had Pontiac to fill the gap between it and Chevrolet, Oldsmobile started Viking and Buick started Marquette to handle the large gap between them, and Cadillac created LaSalle to fill the gap between it and Buick, making the new GM structure Chevrolet - Pontiac - Oakland - Oldsmobile - Viking - Marquette - Buick - LaSalle - Cadillac. Marquette lasted only for one year: 1930, while Viking lasted only from 1929 to 1931. Pontiac became so popular it quickly began far outselling its parent Oakland, and Oakland ended production in 1931. That left LaSalle.

LaSalles were stylish and featured Cadillac engines and workmanship at a lower price, and the make did quite well in its early years, carrying Cadillac through the Great Depression and outselling Cadillac 11 to 9 in 1929. In 1937, LaSalle production set a record, but a new recession in 1938 caused sales to fall dramatically. For 1939, LaSalle received new bodies, but it didn't do a lot of good. More expensive top-of-the-line Buicks and cheaper entry-level Cadillacs had also narrowed the gap that LaSalle was intended to fill, making it redundant. LaSalle would receive a minor facelift in 1940 before being dropped completely so Cadillac could focus on luxury cars.

1969-1970 Jaguar E-Type (XKE) 4.2 2+2 Coupe

2009-08-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

This Jaguar E-Type, or XKE, is from 1969 or 1970. It represents the last E-Type Jaguars before V12 engines were introduced and major syling changes were made.

The year can be determined by the front details. There is no clear cover over the headlight scoops, indicating a 1968 or later model, and the turn signals are below the bumper, a change made for 1969. In 1971, when V12 engines arrived, a number of styling changes were made, most noticably a large grille opening. The 1969 and 1970 models are virtually identical.

The E-Type Jaguar was available in 3 body styles: a roadster, a coupe and a 2+2 coupe with a rear seat that was introduced in 1965. The exterior styling of the 2-seat coupe and the 2+2 coupe are almost identical, but the 2+2 is distinguished by longer doors and the associated side windows, due to an additional 9 inches in wheelbase, and the chrome strip along the top of the door below the window.

Another spotting feature that identifies this as a 1969 or 1970 model is the large taillights below the rear bumper.

When the E-Type Jaguar was introduced in 1961, it was powered by a 265-horsepower 3.8-liter inline 6-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine. In 1964, the engine displacement was increased to 4.2 liters; horsepower remained at 265 but torque increased from 260 to 283 foot-pounds. This engine was used through 1970.

The interior of the E-Type also saw some changes in 1968, primarily in the center console, where toggle switches were replaced by rocker switches and the clock was moved among the gauges from within the tachometer.

The E-Type Jaguar is one of the most collectible classic cars, and this is a fine example of one of the last before the changes that came with the V12 engine began to significantly change the design.

1936 Cord Model 810 Westchester Sedan

2009-08-19T00:17:00.000-07:00

This is a 1936 Cord Model 810 Westchester Sedan. The Cord was one of the most ahead-of-its-time cars ever built. It was also available as a Sportsman Phaeton convertible.

The 1936 Cord 810 originated with the earlier Cord L-29, which was made from 1929-1932. The L-29 was one of the first front wheel drive cars, but was not particularly successful, and Errett Lobban Cord, who also controlled Auburn and Duesenberg, ended the Cord brand. In 1933, Gordon Buehrig designed a new car that was originally intended to fill the gap between Auburn and Duesenberg. It was originally designed as a rear wheel drive Auburn, but was modified into a Cord using the front wheel drive developed for the L-29.

The 1936 Cord 810 featured a 125-horsepower V8 engine, a four-speed pre-selector transmission, unibody construction and styling with no running boards, a rear-hinged hood, hidden headlights, hinges and fuel filler, little chrome and a wraparound "venetian-blind" grille.

Unfortunately, a late introduction and high prices kept the Cord 810 from being successful. For 1937, it became the 812, and a supercharged 170-horsepower version was offered, as was a version of the sedan on a longer wheelbase, but sales wasn't any better, and production ended after a total of 2,320 cars over the two years.

The Cord 810 and 812 are sought after by collectors, due to their low production numbers and distinctive styling. Sedans in good condition can be worth $70,000 and up, and convertibles can be worth over $100,000.

1948 Kaiser Sedan

2009-08-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

Immediately after World War II, Henry J. Kaiser, a steel and shipbuilding magnate, and Joseph Worthington Frazer, a 35-year veteran of the auto industry, thought the time was right for a new auto company and joined forces to form the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation. The company's first cars were produced in June 1946 in the the former Ford WWII bomber plant in Willow Run, Michigan as 1947 models. There were two brands: the lower Kaiser brand and the upscale Frazer brand. Initially there were two Kaisers built for every Frazer.

By 1948, Kaiser-Frazer was the number eight automaker in the country, having passed all the other independent automakers. The car shown here is a 1948 Kaiser sedan. The styling is virtually identical to that of 1947, and the next year would see some changes.

Unfortunately, things got worse for 1949, when the company dropped to 14th place. Henry Kaiser borrowed heavily to finance new models and an all-new small car. Joseph Frazer left the company, and the Frazer brand was phased out in 1951, the same year the new small car, the Henry J, was introduced.

Neither the new full-size Kaisers nor the new Henry J were particularly successful. In 1954, Kaiser purchased Willys-Overland, builder of small cars and the famous Jeep, to become Kaiser-Willys, and the HEnry J was discontinued. Kaiser sold the Willow Run plant to General Motors and consolidated production in Willys' plant in Toledo, Ohio.

The situation didn't improve, and the US production of both Kaiser and Willys passenger cars ended in 1955. The company continued on with the Jeep product line as Kaiser-Jeep and the simply the Jeep Corporation, which was acquired by American Motors in 1970 and survives today are part of the Chrysler Corporation.

1948 Chevrolet Limousine/Car Hauler

2009-08-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

OK, this isn't anywhere near a stock production vehicle, but it is pretty darn cool:

This Limousine/Car Hauler is based on a 1948 Chevrolet truck cab that has been stretched 11.5 feet, but the chassis is a stretched 1986 Chevrolet 1-Ton pickup chassis. Underneath the 16-foot car hauler bed is a 442-horsepower 502-cubic inch Chevrolet V8.

Inside the stretched cab is a lot of comfortable seating including captain's chairs in the front and a bar area in the back. It's hard to imagine a classier way to tow a classic car to a car show.

1957 Packard Clipper Town Sedan

2009-08-17T20:48:00.000-07:00

This is a 1957 Packard Clipper Town Sedan. It looks suspiciously like a Studebaker sedan, and there is a reason for this.

In the early 1950s, George Mason, President of Nash Motors since 1948, had a dream of America's independent automakers banding together to form a fourth major auto company that could challenge the big three. In 1954, he started to make his dream a reality. In April 1954, Nash merged with Hudson to form American Motors. In October of the same year, Packard, under the leadership of James J. Nance since 1952, bought Studebaker to form Studebaker-Packard. This was part of the plan: after the dust had settled from those mergers, Studebaker-Packard was to merge with American Motors. But this never happened. The same month Studebaker and Packard merged, George Mason passed away unexpectedly, and his assistant, George Romney (father of Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney) took over American Motors. Romney changed direction, abandoning the plan to merge with Studebaker-Packard and eventually abandoning the Nash and Hudson names altogether, replacing them with Rambler.

This left Studebaker-Packard in trouble, as Studebaker had serious financial problems before the merger. The company tried to continue on, creating the Packard spinoff brand Clipper in 1956, but things rapidly went downhill. Nance resigned in August 1956, and Studebaker-Packard was taken over by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. With the company needing to cut costs, and with Packard's body style already several years old, the 1957 Packard line shared the Studebaker body. Unfortunately, this was obvious to most car shoppers, who saw no reason to pay the premium Packard price for what was a thinkly-disguised Studebaker. These cars became known as "Packardbakers."

Despite being considered inferior to the earlier "true" Packards, the 1957 Packards weren't bad-looking cars, although that would change for 1958, when quad headlights and another layer of tailfins were tacked on rather poorly. What buyers Packard had left were turned off, and between that and the recession, sales fell even further, and 1958 would be Packard's last year.

1939 Bantam Roadster

2009-06-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

This 1939 Bantam Roadster was built by the American Bantam Car Company of Butler, Pennsylvania. The roadster was one of several models of Bantam built from 1937 to 1941. this diminutive car is based on a British Austin and is powered by a 20-horsepower 4-cylinder engine.

1957 Buick Hardtop Estate Wagons

2009-06-26T19:36:00.001-07:00

In the 1950s, hardtop styling was all the rage. It started with hardtop coupes, and then spread to sedans. In the late 1950s, even some station wagons gained hardtop styling and lost their B-pillars. Among these were the 1957 & 1958 Buick Special Riviera Estate Wagon and Century Caballero. Buick's were not the only or even the first hardtop wagons. There were also Oldsmobile versions of the GM hardtop wagons, and hardtop wagons were made by Rambler, Mercury, Chrysler and Dodge as well.

This is the Special Riviera Estate Wagon, the lessor of the two Buick hardtop wagons. The Special line was Buick's "entry-level" line, as signified by its having only three portholes instead of four, though since Buick's position in GM's structure placed it below only Cadillac, even the Specials were well appointed. Thus, the Special line was prestigious enough for the hardtop wagon, though a pillared version was also available.

The Special Riviera Estate Wagon featured a 122-inch wheelbase, seating for 6 with a rear seat that folded flat for cargo space, and a 250-horsepower engine. Options included a split rear seat and a third row seat to provide seating for 9.

The higher-model of Buick's hardtop wagon was the Century Caballero Estate Wagon. It had the same wheelbase as the Special Riviera Estate Wagon, but featured a more powerful 300-horsepower V8 engine.

2008 Saleen Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang

2009-06-26T18:08:00.000-07:00

The limited-edition 2008 Saleen Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang features the 465-horsepower supercharged 281-cubic inch engine used in the Saleen S281SC, a five-speed manual transmission with a short throw shifter, and unique styling including a "stinger" hood, "duck-bill" rear spoiler and graphics replicating those on Dan Gurney's 1969 Trans Am series Mustang. This example in Vista Blue 9one of the only three colors available, spotted at Cruisin' Sherwood on June 13, 2009, is #53 of only 300 to be produced.

Race Car Driver Dan Gurney is one of only two drivers to win Grand Prix, Indy Car, NASCAR and Sports Car races (Mario Andretti is the other) and is the only US citizen to win a Grand Prix in a car of his own construction. He won a total of 51 races in his 15 year racing career, including 7 Formula One races, 7 Indy Car races, 5 NASCAR Winston Cup races and Trans-Am, Can-Am and Sports Car races at Nuerburgring, Daytona, Sebring and LeMans. He has finished on the podium an additional 47 times, including 2 second-place finishes at the Indianapolis 500.

1957 Pontiac Chieftain Catalina

2009-06-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

In 1957, the Cheiftain was Pontiac's entry-level model. But being as Pontiac was a distinct step up from Chevrolet, even the entry-level Chieftain was available as a Catalina hardtop coupe, while in the Chevrolet line only the mid-range Two-Ten and flagship Bel Air were available as hardtop Sport Coupes. 1958 would be the last year for the Chieftain name; in 1959, Pontiac's entire entry-level line would be named Catalina and the hardtop coupes would be called Sport Coupes like their Chevrolet cousins.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

2009-06-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

I've already discussed the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro in an earlier post, but here's a look at the SS version of the 2010 Camaro, spotted at Cruisin' Sherwood on June 13, 2009.

Standard equipment for the Camaro SS includes the 400-horsepower LS3 V8 engine with 400 foot-pounds of torque and a six-speed manual transmission. Options on this example include ground effects, 21-inch black wheels, and sunroof. The window-tinting and blackened emblems are aftermarket.

1994 Dodge Viper

2009-06-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

This 1994 Dodge Viper was at Cruisin' Sherwood on June 13, 2009. It is typical of the first generation of the Viper from 1992 to 1995. Powered by an 8.0-Liter V10 engine with a 6-speed manual transmission, the Viper offered performance that far surpassed the American competition, at a price that was lower than European exotics.

The Viper's 8-Liter V10 engine was designed as a cast-iron truck engine, but made its debut in the 1992 Viper with an aluminum-alloy block and heads. The truck version didn't appear until 1994. In the first generation Viper, the engine produces 400 horsepower and 465 foot-pounds of torque. The Viper would accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds and would reach 100 in 9.6 seconds and reach a top speed of over 180 miles per hour.

Aside from its performance, the Viper was quite no frills. It featured side curtains of fabric and clear plastic instead of side windows and a manual soft top that folded to fit in the trunk instead of a more typical convertible top. The Viper also lacked traction control and anti-lock brakes, and air conditioning did not become available as an option until 1994. This would change with the 1996 debut of the second generation Viper, which not only included many of these features, but was also available as a fixed-roof coupe.

Porsche 356C

2009-06-25T22:22:00.001-07:00

The 4-cylinder Porsche 356C was produced for the 1964 and 1965 model years. It was the last and most powerful version of the 356 series with up to 95 horsepower and was built at the same time as the first 6-cylinder Porsche 911s. The 356C also featured 4-wheel disc brakes. Over 10,000 356Cs were built for 1964, an all-time high for the 356 series. After the 356C was discontinued, its 4-cylinder engine was used in a new entry-level model call the 912 that shared the 911's body. This 356C was spotted in The Dalles, Oregon on June 10, 2009.

1953 Studebaker Commander Convertible

2009-06-24T00:25:00.000-07:00

Spotted in The Dalles, Oregon on June 10, this car is perfect for my first classic car profile. It is more than it seems, as Studebaker never sold any convertibles with this body style. But first, some history...

In 1947, Studebaker was "first by far with a postwar car;" the first major U.S. Automaker to have a significantly new car design that wasn't based on their prewar models. At the time, postwar carbuyers weren't really so concerned with models that were truly new designs. They hadn't been able to replace their cars since 1941, and having been in a depression, many had cars much older than that, or were young G.I. just coming back from the war with a lot of cash saved to buy a new car. The other carmakers held onto their new designs for a couple more years, by which time the Studebaker design had become dated. Studebaker planned new models for the company's 100th anniversary in 1952, but they didn't actually come out until 1953.

The 1953 Studebaker line featured a sleek hardtop coupe designed by Raymond Loewy and Bob Bourke based on an earlier show car, and the sedans featured similar lines. With their European-inspired lines, all were sleeker than just about anything else available. A single prototype 1953 convertible was built, but convertibles had only accounted for 2% of Studebaker's 1952 sales so it didn't go into production, and financial troubles kept them from making a convertible version in subsequent years.

This example actually started out as a 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk Hardtop Coupe. In 1983, the roof was removed and a convertible top from a 1964 Dodge Dart was installed and the styling was changed to that of a 1953 model. Carol and Steve Hudson of The Dalles discovered the unfinished project in 1995 and completed it in 2003.

This beautiful car is perfectly restored and looks stunning with its red paint and white interior. It absolutely looks like a factory model, and if you don't know that Studebaker never actually amde any you'd never suspect that any significant work had been done to it. It is a shame that Studebaker never actually sold 1953 convertibles, but it makes this custom car that much more unique.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

2009-06-10T00:30:00.000-07:00

The new 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful production Corvette ever offered by General Motors. It also features lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork.

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is powered by a supercharged 638-horsepower LS9 V8 with a 6-speed manual transmission and has a top speed of 205 miles per hour. The base price of the Corvette ZR1 is $102,450.

Standard equipment includes carbon fiber fenders, floor panels and hood, visible carbon fiber roof, roof bow, splitter and rockers, action handling, traction control, 4-wheel independent suspension, 6-piston fronts and 4-piston rear cross drilled Brembo ceramic antilock disc brakes, 19" front and 20" rear aluminum wheels, run-flat tires, keyless access with push button start, theft deterrent system and alarm, xenon high intensity discharge headlights, head-up display, power heated outside mirrors, leather seating surfaces, XM satellite radio and steering wheel radio controls.

This example with Premium Equipment Group including DVD Navigation, Bose 7-Speaker Premium Sound, power telescoping steering wheel, heated seats, side impact airbags, and custom leather-wrapped interior costs $115,000.

The Corvette ZR1 delivers fuel economy of 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway.

2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Coupe

2009-06-10T00:22:00.000-07:00

The new 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 coupe features a new 560-horsepower 5.2-liter V10 with all-wheel drive and a six speed transmission with optional E-Gear sequential paddle shift system, an aluminum space frame and aluminum body with a total weight of 3,110 pounds and a leather interior. It will accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 202 miles per hour. The base price is $200,000.

2009 Callaway Corvette

2009-06-10T00:10:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Callaway Corvette is available as either a coupe or convertible and with either a manual or automatic transmission. The supercharged V8 engine produces 580 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque.

Standard equipment includes a polished CS2000 Roots supercharger with intercooler, an electronic fuel system control with high volume injectors, a Callaway Honker high flow intake system, stainless steel exhaust, body-color injector covers, a C16 hood with supercharged emblems, embroidered floor mats, a dash plaque and a 3 year/36,000 mile powertrain warranty.

Available options include exhaust tip slats, multi-pro suspension, C-Mg wheel & tire package, Deutschleder interior package, short-throw shifter, LeMans brake packages, SportSeat package and Car Cover.

2009 Ford Flex

2009-06-09T23:25:00.000-07:00

The all-new 2009 Ford Flex crossover utility vehicle became available in the summer of 2008 and was a finalist for the 2009 North American Car of the Year. It is powered by a 263-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC Duratec V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with Roll Stability Control and is available with optional all-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the front wheel drive version is 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway. The all wheel drive version delivers fuel economy of 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway.

Options include seating for seven, a multi-panel Vista roof consisting of a power sunroof for the front passengers, two fixed roof windows for the middle row and a single fixed skylight for the third row, rear console refrigeration, a power liftgate, White Suede or Brilliant Silver roof and 19" or 20" wheels.

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe

2009-06-09T23:07:00.000-07:00

A hardtop coupe version of the Pontiac Solstice roadster became available in early 2009. Pictures here, at the 2009 Portland International Auto Show, is a 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe.

The Solstice coupe features a removable lightweight roof panel can be removed by one person and has a curb weight that is only 22 pounds more than the roadster's.

The Pontiac Solstice GXP coupe is powered by a 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec® DOHC 4-cylinder engine with variable valve timing and 260 foot-pounds of torque and a five-speed transmission, that delivers 0-60 times of under 5.5 seconds. The base model Solstice coupe features a 173-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 167 foot-pounds of torque.

The Solstice coupe features four-wheel independent sport-tuned suspension with StabliTrak handling and additional cargo room under a rear liftglass.

2009 Jaguar XF

2009-06-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

The all-new 2009 Jaguar XF was introduced in March of 2008. It is powered by a 4.2-liter aluminum-alloy DOHC 32-valve V8 that produces 300-horsepower. It is also available as a 420-horsepower supercharged version. The XF will accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 121 miles per hour. The supercharged version will accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 miles per hour.

Standard equipment includes a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a pushbutton starter and iPod, mp3 player and Bluetooth cell phone connectivity. Available options include a Bowers & Wilkins 14-speaker 440-watt surround sound system, Sirius satellite radio, voice-activated navigation, reverse parking camera, climate controlled seats and a blind spot monitor.

2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid

2009-06-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

The GMC Sierra Hybrid became available in early 2009, in two-wheel-drive & four-wheel-drive crew cab short box models. The two-mode hybrid system includes a 322-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 and two 60-kilowatt electronic motors in an electronically variable 4-speed automatic transmission. The Sierra Hybrid can be powered by the electric motors at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and will deliver fuel economy of up to 21 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway with the two-wheel-drive version or 20 miles per gallon with the four wheel drive version, but still have a 6,100-pound trailer rating when needed.

2009 Dodge Ram 1500

2009-06-09T22:30:00.001-07:00

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 was a finalist for North American Truck of the Year. The Ram is available with a 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 with a Multi-Displacement System that delivers fuel economy of 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20miles per gallon on the highway.

Standard equipment includes multi-link coil-spring rear suspension and in-floor storage bins. The truck pictured, from the 2009 Portland International Auto Show, features the available RamBox Cargo Management System with a cargo bed extender/divider and lighted lockable storage bins.

2009 Ford F-150

2009-06-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Ford F-150 became available in the fall of 2008, and is the 2009 North American Truck of the Year and the 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year.

The 2009 F-150 features a stronger frame, three V8 engine choices (a 4.6L 2-valve V8, a new 4.6L 3-valve V8 and a 5.4L 3-valve V8 that can run on E85) and an available 6-speed automatic transmission with a Tow/Haul Mode that comes standard with both 3-valve engines.

The F-150 features a flat loadfloor without the "hump" behind the seats, fuel economy of up to 21 miles per gallon, 4x2 or 4x4 drivelines, 3 cab styles, 3 box lengths and 2 box styles, and 7 trim levels (XL, XLT, STX, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch & Platinum).

Standard features include AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with Roll Stability Control and Trailer Sway Control, side-curtain airbags and a Standard Personal Safety System that controls the deployment force of the airbags based on the severity of the crash and other factors.

Options include a voice-activated navigation radio with Sony premium audio and Sirius satellite radio and TravelLink, an enhanced reverse camera system, a tailgate step, box side steps, bed extender and cargo management system, telescoping/folding trailer tow mirrors, integrated trailer brake controller, and heated and cooled 10-way power leather-trimmed front seats.

At the 2009 Portland International Auto Show, Ford displayed a cutaway version of the 2009 F-150 that displayed many of the truck's features.

This view shows the inside of the SuperCrew cab, with the flat loadfloor behind the front seats.

At the front the cutaway allowed a view of the front suspension.

The cutaway box allowed for a view of the frame and rear suspension, and a closer look at the optional box-side steps.

This rear view of the cutaway F-150 shows the optional tailgate step and bed extender.

2009 Hyundai Genesis

2009-06-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

The all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan is the 2009 North American Car of the Year. It feaures a 290-horsepower 3.8-liter DOHC V6 or a 375-horsepower 4.6-liter DOHC V8 with 333 foot-pounds of torque that will accelerate the car from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds and a 6-speed SHIFTRONIC® automatic transmission.

Standard features include Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brakes, Eight airbags including side-impact and side-curtain airbags. Options include HID auto-leveling and auto-cornering andaptive headlights, in-dash navigation, XM Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic. Prices start at $33,000.

2009 Volkswagen CC

2009-06-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

The new Passat-based Volkswagen CC is powered by a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct fuel-injected DOHC 4-cylinder engine with 207 foot-pounds of torque or a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter VR6 with 265 ft-lbs torque and a 6-speed Tiptronic® automatic with sport mode. The CC will go from 0 to 60 in 6.6 seconds.

Standard features include side curtain airbags, a stability control system, automatic headlights, and auto-dimming mirrors. Options include all-wheel drive, a touch-screen navigation system with backup camera and adaptive swiveling xenon headlights. Prices start at 26,790. The example shown, displayed at the 2009 Portland International Auto Show, cost $32,680.

2010 Ford Mustang

2009-06-09T20:07:00.000-07:00

Ford's redeigned 2010 Mustang, the convertible version of which is shown here at the 2009 Portland International Auto Show, was scehduled to go on sale in coupe, convertible and glass-roofed hardtop versions in March 2009, after being debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2008. Every piece of the 2010 Mustang's exterior sheetmetal except the roof of the coupe is new when comapred to the 2009 model. Even the pony badge has been redesigned. Engine choices will be a 210-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 with 240 foot-pounds of torque or a 315 horsepower 4.6-liter V8 with 325 foot-pounds of torque and either a 5-speed manual or automatic. The V6 should deliver fuel economy of up to 26 miles per gallon and the V8 should accelerate the Mustang from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 5 seconds.

A three-mode stability control system is standard on all 2010 Mustangs. 17" & 18" wheels are availble on V6 Mustangs and 18" & 19" are available on V8 models. Mustang options include the voice-activated Sync 2.0 sound system interface, Sirius satellite radio, a navigvation system with an 8" screen, a spoiler-mounted backup camera and a "track-pack" consisting of a 3.73 rear axle, summer-only tires and high-performance brake pads.

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC

2009-06-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

The new 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC compact SUV, shown here at the 2009 Portland International Auto Show, is powered by a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with 258 foot-pounds of torque with a 7-speed driver adaptive automatic transmission and 4MATIC permanent all wheel drive.

Standard features include electronic stability control with trailer stability assist, 4-wheel electronic traction system, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft alarm system with engine immobilizer, automatic headlights and dual-zone automatic climate control. Options include autodimming mirrors, Sirius satellite radio, rearview camera, navigation system and 20" alloy wheels.

The base price is $35,900 while this example with options costs $45,645.

2010 Mazda 3

2009-06-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

The new 2010 Mazda 3 first debuted at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. It is snown here at the 2009 Portland International Auto Show. It was scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2009. Engine choices include a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder or a 167-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. Transmissions include a 6-speed manual, 5-speed manual and 5-speed Sport automatic transmission. The 2010 Mazda 3 will deliver fuel economy of up to 33 miles per gallon on the freeway.

Standard features include 4-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, dual front air bags, dual front side-impact air bags and front and rear side air curtains, dual power mirrors, power windows, an engine immobilizer anti-theft system and tire pressure monitoring system.

Significant options include heated front seats, heated side mirrors with turn indicators and an Adaptive Front-lighting System with steerable Bi-Xenon auto-off headlights.

2010 Mercury Milan Premium Hybrid

2009-06-09T18:56:00.001-07:00

Along with the new 2010 Fusion Hybrid, Ford is also releasing a Mercury version, the Milan Hybrid. It features a 2.5-liter iVCT I-4 engine with Atkinson-cycle combustion, a permanent-magnet AC-synchronous electric motor, a 330-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, an electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT).

The Milan Hybrid offers the same performance as the Fusion Hybrid. It will reach 47 miles per hour on electric power alone and deliver 41 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per hour on the highway with a range of up to 700 miles. Like the Fusion Hybrid, the Milan Hybrid's dashboard features a pair customizable "SmartGauge" 4.3" LCD screens that use a virtual "Efficiency Forest" to illustrate current fuel economy.

Available options include a hard drive-based navigation system with Serius TravelLink, which will find fuel prices, display weather forecasts and warn about accidents, and Mercury SYNC with 911 Assist that can make a 911 call througe a Bluetooth cellphone.

2010 Lexus RX350

2009-06-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

The all-new Lexus RX350 is powered by a 275-horsepower 3.5-liter VVT-i V6 engine with a 6-speed automatic sequential shift transmission and and a 3,500-pound towing capacity. It is also a Certified Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV-II). Standard features include 18" alloy wheels, 10 airbags, vehicle stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes. Options include available all wheel drive, 19" alloy wheels, dual rear-seat DVD screens, heads-up display, pre-collision system and dynamic radar cruise control.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

2009-06-09T17:52:00.000-07:00

Hyundai's all-new rear-wheel-drive 2010 Genesis Coupe, pictured here at the 2009 Portland International Auto Show, was scheduled to be available in early 2009. This example features a 306-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 and a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. A Genesis Coupe with the V6 engine will accelerate from 0-60 in under 6 seconds.

A 212-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged intercooled inline 4-cylinder engine is also available. When using premium fuel the engines will deliver 310 and 223 horsepower respectively.

Standard equipment includes 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control System, and ABS Brakes.

Options include a 6-speed automatic transmission, Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels, limited-slip differential, track-tunes sport suspension, Infinity audio system, XM Satellite Radio, HID Xenon Headlights, leather seating and automatic temperature control.

2010 Ford Fusion Sport

2009-06-09T17:37:00.000-07:00

Ford has a new Fusion for 2010, first available in the spring of 2009. The Fusion Sport, shown here at the 2009 Portland International Auto Show,features a 175-horsepower inline 4-cylinder engine with a 6-speed manual transmission and all wheel drive. The Fusion Sport also features unique leather-trimmed upholstery with contrasting stitching.

2010 Buick LaCrosse

2009-06-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

The all-new 2010 Buick LaCrosse is scheduled for release in the summer of 2009 with a 255-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 with 211 foot-pounds of torque with a 6-speed automatic transmission or a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 with 261 foot-pounds of torque. Includes anti-lock brakes, traction control and StabiliTrak stability control. The LaCrosse CXL offers an intelligent all-wheel-drive system. The LaCrosse CXS offers real-time adapted suspension that automatically adjusts to road terrain and driving style.

Options include heated & ventilated leather seats, rear seatback DVD screens, rearview camera, Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, xenon high-intensity articulating headlights, Side Blind Zone Alert and Head-Up Dusplay.

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8

2009-06-08T23:21:00.001-07:00

The Dodge Challenger debuted in 2008, with styling designed to recall the original 1970 Dodge Challenger. The 2009 model starts at 21,995 for a base SE model with a 250-horsepower V6 engine. The mid-range R/T, featuring a 372-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with variable valve timing and a Multi-Displacement System that shuts down four cylinders when they aren't needed, delivers fuel economy almost as good as the V6 The high-performance SRT8 version, as shown here at the 2009 Portland International Auto Show, starts at $39,995.

The Challenger SRT8 is powered by a 425-horsepower 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine with 420 foot-pounds of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and riding on 20-inch wheels, and will deliver 0-60 times in the low 5-second range. The SRT8's fuel economy is rated at 14 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway.

Standard features in the SRT8 include front and side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control and tighter suspension.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2009-06-08T22:59:00.001-07:00

Ford has had a hybrid version of their Escape SUV for a while now, but for 2010 Ford's all-new Fusion adds another hybrid to the lineup. The 2010 Fusion Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter, 155 horsepower, 4-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission, an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The Fusion Hybrid will reach 47 miles per hour on electric power alone and delivers 41 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per hour on the highway and a range of up to 700 miles.

The Fusion Hybrid's dashboard features customizable "SmartGauge" LCD screens that use a virtual "Efficiency Forest" to illustrate current fuel economy.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

2009-06-08T22:24:00.001-07:00

One of the most anticipated new American cars is the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. The preproduction model shown here was displayed at the 2009 Portland International Auto Show, in advance of the beginning of production in February, 2009. The Camaro is styled with design cues from the original Camaros of the late 1960s, including the long-hood, short-deck proportions, the shape of the fenders and the gills in the rear quarter panels.

The Camaro will be available in three models:

The base LS model, starting at $22,995, and the mid-level LT are powered by a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 with variable valve timing, rated at 300 horsepower and 273 foot-pounds of torque and with estimated fuel economy of 26 miles per gallon on the highway.

The high-performance SS model, starting at 30,995, is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine rates at 422 horsepower and 408 foot-pounds of torque with the 6-speed manual transmission or slightly less with the 6-speed automatic. The V8 engine features a cylinder displacement system that shuts off half the cylinders when not needed to deliver fuel economy of up to 23 miles per gallon on the highway. The SS will also feature performance suspension with a lower ride height.

All Camaro models feature a 6-speed transmission, either manual or automatic, six airbags, 4-wheel disk brakes with ABS, stability and traction control, and a choice of 18, 19 or 20 inch wheels. Options include leather upholstery, an ultrasonic rear parking assist system, remote start, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth connectivity and GM's On-Star communications system.

The Camaro's interior also features styling cues that recalls the original Camaros, such as the deeply-recessed round gauges in square housings.

Chevrolet also plans a convertible version of the Camaro, that was scheduled for release in the summer of 2010.