Although frequently misunderstood and often misspelled, MacPherson struts are one of the most common suspension systems used on modern cars, found on everything from the Proton Savvy to the most formidable Porsche 911 Turbo. In this newly revised and updated installment of Ate Up With Motor, we’ll take a look at the origins and workings of the MacPherson strut, including modern variations like the Toyota Super Strut, GM HiPer Strut, and Ford RevoKnuckle.
Continue Reading The MacPherson Strut
Privacy Policy Update
On Friday, we did an extensive overhaul of the site’s Privacy Policy to better reflect what data we collect and your options for controlling or limiting that data. We have subsequently made several minor changes to clarify the new wording. Please review the new version by clicking here. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Updated Terms of Use
In addition to updating the Privacy Policy, we’ve made a few minor revisions to the Terms of Use. In particular, we wanted to point out that when people submit comments — which as you’ve probably noticed are moderated — we may occasionally respond to the comment via email before or instead of approving the comment. (For example, if the comment includes the person’s phone number or email address, we will usually contact the commenter to ask, “Are you absolutely sure you want to do that?”)
High-Tech High Roller: 1981–2001 Toyota Soarer Z10, Z20, and Z30
Before it became a Lexus in 1991, the Toyota Soarer enjoyed a decade of success in Japan through two successive generations, becoming the favored choice of Japanese yuppies. A cousin of the Toyota Supra, the Soarer was a sporty, sophisticated personal luxury coupe boasting an array of high-tech features that have only recently become commonplace on high-end cars. In this installment of Ate Up With Motor, we look at the complete history of the Soarer, including the 1981–1985 Z10, 1986–1991 Z20, and 1992–2000 Z30, with a brief look at the final 2001–2005 Z40.
Continue Reading High-Tech High Roller: 1981–2001 Toyota Soarer Z10, Z20, and Z30
Thunder and Lightning, Part 2: The AE86 Toyota Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno
In the eighties, the Toyota Corolla and its Japanese-market Toyota Sprinter sibling switched to FWD, but not without one last fling for the sporty rear-drive coupes. In the second part of our story, we look at the origins and history of the final RWD Corolla — the 1983–1987 AE86 Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno — and consider the later history and fate of the Levin and Trueno coupes.
Continue Reading Thunder and Lightning, Part 2: The AE86 Toyota Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno
Thunder and Lightning, Part 1: The Toyota Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno
Although the Toyota Corolla is one of the world’s bestselling automotive nameplates, it’s not one that generally arouses much enthusiast interest. Twenty years ago, however, the Corolla Levin coupe and its near-twin, the Sprinter Trueno, were sporty rear-wheel-drive cars that are still coveted by street racers today. We’ll get to the legendary AE86 in part two. In this installment of Ate Up With Motor, we examine the history of the early DOHC Corolla and Sprinter coupes, their Yamaha-developed 2T-G engine, and the more mundane cars on which they were based.
Continue Reading Thunder and Lightning, Part 1: The Toyota Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno
Short, Sharpish, Chopped: The Peugeot 104 Coupe
While pointing to a direct successor to the original Honda CRX coupe is a tricky thing, the CRX did have an antecedent of sorts, built not in Japan, but in France: the Peugeot 104 coupe.
Continue Reading Short, Sharpish, Chopped: The Peugeot 104 Coupe
Compact Cult Classic: The 1984-1991 Honda CRX
Recipe for a cult hit, Honda-style: Take one competent C-segment hatchback, lop a few inches out of the wheelbase, tidy up the suspension tuning and aerodynamics, and repackage the results as a pint-size sports coupe. In this installment of Ate Up With Motor, we examine the history of the 1984–1991 Honda CRX (née Honda Ballade Sports CR-X) and its erstwhile successors, the del Sol and CR-Z.
Continue Reading Compact Cult Classic: The 1984-1991 Honda CRX
Party Downsize: The Ford Fiesta Mk1 and Mk2
The original Ford Fiesta, introduced in 1976, was the Ford Motor Company’s most important new car of the seventies. It was a staggeringly expensive project that began Ford’s conversion to front-wheel drive and took the company into the modern B-segment for the first time. However, the Fiesta also provoked great internal controversy and emerged only after a protracted and contentious development period. In this installment of Ate Up With Motor, we look at the origins and history of the 1976–1983 Mk1 Fiesta, the Fiesta XR2 hot hatch, and the 1984–1989 Mk2 Fiesta.
Continue Reading Party Downsize: The Ford Fiesta Mk1 and Mk2
Site migration
If you’re a regular reader, you’ve probably noticed our new look: We’re now on a new and considerably updated content management system with what we’re hoping will be better functionality and better security.
This process has been not unlike swapping an engine into a car in which it was never designed to go and there are probably going to be some glitches. (There was a problem with the redirections from old URLs that we’re hoping is now fixed.) If you find technical problems, please let us know.
Class Acts, Part 2: Triumph 2000, 2.5 PI, and 2500 Mk 2
The Triumph 2000 was a hit, giving the Rover 2000 a run for its money and demonstrating that there was a lucrative market for affordable premium sedans. The Mk 2 edition, introduced in the fall of 1969, seemed set to continue that success, but with Triumph now part of the British Leyland Motor Corporation, the 2000’s future would soon be in doubt. In part 2 of our story, we look at the later history of the big Triumph 2000, 2.5 PI, and 2500TC/2500S sedans.
Continue Reading Class Acts, Part 2: Triumph 2000, 2.5 PI, and 2500 Mk 2
Privacy Policy updated
I’ve just finished updating the site’s Privacy Policy. I had made some minor changes yesterday, but opted to make some additional revisions this evening. I encourage you to review the updated policy and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. The easiest way to reach me is via the Contact Form.