Cathy talks with Pat McMahon from AZTV about the Jaguar XF R

Every now and again we get to test drive a really killer car. Cathy recently had the new Jaguar XF R to cruise in and cars like that have a tendancy to attract some attention. So Pat McMahon from AZTV where he is the host of the Pat McMahon show, took some time to talk with Cathy about the Jag. Here's the vide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2o18x41BV0

Two for the Road at the Phoenix Auto Show

November 27, 2009 - Bill and I made it to the Phoenix International Auto Show and had a great time. We understand that attendance was up from last year. That is a good thing. We took a ride at Camp Jeep where we received a personal tour from John Tulloch

of Chrysler/Jeep. You actually felt like you were off road, “look mom no hands.” After viewing the vehicles at the show, Bill and I talked about how fortunate we’ve been to have tested most of the cars at the event.

We previewed the Ford Fiesta in Detroit in November, but we actually drove one on the streets of Phoenix at the auto show. You must experience one; when they arrive at your local Ford dealership.

Bill will be at the LA Auto Show in December, I am sure he will have a lot to say about that event, including cool photos.

Russo and Steele’s 2010 Catalog Party

Celebrating Ten Years of Distinction in the Industry with class and ALL RESERVE

Bill and I went to the Catalog Party for Russo and Steele on December llth on The River Walk in downtown Scottsdale. The party was outside and the atmosphere was as electric as Drew’s personality and his auctioneers. The who’s who of exotics, vintage, muscle and just plain enthusiasts were all in attendance.

We met up with Brighton Motorsports owners Karen and Shane, as well as their team sales manager, Vince. They brought along for display one of their rare treasures; an Allard. that actually turned more heads than some of the women of Scottsdale in attendance.

Josephine, Stephanie and her staff did a fabulous job. Drew and his team are the same genuine people they were ten years ago when they started their business. It is nice to see that one triumph after another doesn’t change the man or the team!

DRIVE ONE 4 UR SCHOOL…

You Go Camelback Ford Lincoln Mercury !!!

When Sunnyslope High School needed to raise money for their Journalism class and trip to Washington DC, they figured they would be doing car washes, selling candy or begging their parents for the dollars needed.

Fortunately Melanie, who is the X of Boomer and X, is the journalism teacher at Sunnyslope High School. She received a call from Camelback Ford asking them if they wanted to participate in the Drive one 4 UR School. This program, sponsored by Ford Motor Company, paid the school $20.00 for each test drive that occurred during the selected hours on one chilly day in October.

Parents and students alike came out to drive a new Ford product. Bill and I did our share for the school, despite the fact we had been in the entire Ford lineup including the Mustang. The feedback to the vehicles was fantastic, and the staff at Camelback Ford was pressure free and lots of fun for the students and adults.

The Journalism class earned enough money to help with the conventions cost for the Washington Trip and keep our future journalists enthusiastic about their possible future profession.

Sunnyslope H.S. was grateful to Community Tire and Two for the Road USA radio show for helping with giveaways and publicity.

LINCOLN MKT at Bondurant

I don’t know what it is for me, but I am such a fan of the Lincoln brand.

I picked the MKX as my #1 car for 2008 and now I get in the MKT and I love it.

Bill tells me it’s the FLEX on sophisticated steroids and I guess I agree in some ways, but WOW…the grille, the interior luxury and the performance peeked my interest at first sight. I couldn’t bring myself to think of it as a wagon…

Ford put on a super showcase, and even though Bill couldn’t make this event due to another automotive commitment in California, he stayed close in touch as we did text back and forth.

The MKT is a vehicle for a family, with young children or long legged teenagers and me (the boomer). I liked it especially for travel with grandchildren. Check out the cooler in the second row of seating.

Bill and I will do a full review when we receive delivery to test for a week in Phoenix. In the meantime, I just can’t say enough about its beauty.

Here are some photos out at Bondurant where we did our press conference. They include Mike Hagerty from Channel l5, Larry Edsall, Nick Calderone and our other press association colleagues.

Our radio partner, Sanderson Lincoln Mercury on Bell Road, would be happy to give you a test drive.

THANK YOU GENERAL MOTORS

Thanks GM for the opportunity to drive your newest products. A great course, and
Professionally run, we thank you. Not only did the press have an opportunity to get behind the wheel of some very nice cars, so did the public.

Bill and I drove around Desert Ridge in Scottsdale, Arizona with an organization called P.A.P.A. (Phoenix Automotive Press Association.) Bill and I have been members for eight years and have experienced some of the most informative and exciting events.

We both picked Camaro’s for our photos… wonder why?

RUMBLE AT RAWHIDE

December 13, 2009

There were beautiful cars, motorcycles and vendors ranging from kettle corn to camshafts. The Rawhide venue was the perfect setting for the nostalgic cars and dressed up motorcycles. The new management team was out and about meeting and greeting and making sure everyone was happy.

I was there representing Silent Witness with Cindy Kjos and Neal Sheiner, Bill Z. was at the LA Auto show and unable to attend. He would have gone crazy taking photos for his Cool Car Corner site; for each vehicle was prettier than the next

No matter how hard we tried, at our Silent Witness table indoors, we couldn’t stop looking at the cars. When we did finally pack up to leave, we wandered around the polished and waxed beauties and stopped by a few unusual cars to get the scoop.

I picked my favorite; it was ’51 Mercury. Since it was the same year I was born I felt like both the Merc and I had held up okay. The Merc however had an obvious advantage, a face lift and some new softer leather inside. Oh! And my rear has gotten larger, the Mercury’s looked the same.

Thanks to Jim Mayor and Ethan Schwartz of Rawhide http://www.rawhide.com/ for a free booth for Silent Witness