My Career (to Date) as an Automotive Journalist: The Beginning

In 2012, I was working a desk job that I hated.  I realized whenever I had a free moment I was reading about cars, watches or menswear.  In fact, I started this blog about those three exact things.  I knew I had to make a change.

I already had my bachelor's degree in management and a brief check of the classes I would need to finish to get a second degree, albeit an associate degree, at Austin Community College revealed I only needed nine more hours!  I soon enrolled in an online continuing education class that would teach me how to write for magazines, quit my soul-crushing flunky position and turned in all of the required ACC enrollment paperwork.

One of my classes - Critical Issues in Journalism - was on-campus and taught by a local news anchor.  He was so passionate about politics and the history of journalism that I felt kind of lucky to be in the class.  Even if I don't share your interests, I can absolutely respect and smile at your enthusiasm.

When it came time to write my term paper, I was, at first, tempted to write about Richard Nixon, whose career fascinates me.  However, I didn't want to write about Watergate or all of the hackneyed topics associated with "Tricky Dick."

I was going to go out on a limb and try to start my automotive journalism career early by writing about the media biases and practices applied to and exploited by the late John Z. DeLorean.  (That A-quality paper can be found here.)

Notttt you!

My second class was News Writing I.  Luckily, I was able to take it online.  That didn't make it any easier, though.  Some of the assignments were real nail-biters.  My failure to grasp certain points in assignments was reflected in my grades, but I didn't make those mistakes again.  I ended up bumping along and learning my way to an A. 

I soon got involved with ACC's student newspaper, the Accent.  I proposed writing about male campus fashion, an interest that was not represented at the time.  (The next semester I would write an automotive journalism article for them.)

I finished the semester with As in both classes and by writing about another one of my interests: James Bond.  My review of the movie "Skyfall" would lead to my winning 2nd place in Critical Review from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.  (The awards ceremony took place in April of 2013.  I had no idea I was even up for an award, so I didn't attend it.  Ah, regrets...)

I had no idea how career-shaping my next (and final) semester would be.  And you won't know until you read the next installment in this series (coming soon)...

I Took My Time Machine to the Mechanic, Part Two

When I last left you in this two-part series, I had just taken my Omega Seamaster, model 2301.21, to Russell Korman for a repair estimate.

The shop is in North Austin and shares a parking lot with a block of other shops.  When you walk in, you see an armed guard behind a counter.  Kind of intimidating, but comforting at the same time.   You'll see the usual glass cases full of glistening stones and shiny baubles and gleaming timepieces.  Among those watches are the Rolex and Omega brands, a rare sight in a retail store in Austin.  A few years ago, Omega pulled out of Ben Bridge stores and Bailey Banks & Biddle stopped selling watches altogether.  So, Russell Korman is like a candy store for a watch nut, especially one who owns/enjoys Omegas.

When I dropped my Seamaster off for a quote, I was told I would receive a call with the price and necessary repairs and parts within a week or two, if I remember correctly.  I was thinking they would get back to me with a figure higher than the amount I paid for the watch itself.  When the call finally came, I was told my baby would need a "Clean, Oil and Adjust" (of course) as well as a new mainspring, reverser wheel and bearing; the original bearing had worn down to a malfunctioning shape.  I asked if I could keep the parts they replaced and my contact at Russell Korman gave the in-house watch repairman a note to set them aside for me.  I also requested, as part of the estimate, the cost of replacing a missing link pin and tube which had been replaced by the previous owner with what I could only guess was part of a paperclip.

I was pleased to learn that all those repairs, including the new link pin and tube, would cost about half of what I had expected they would, partly because they would give me a discount for having the repairs performed and the link pieces installed at the same time.  The Omega-authorized technician would adjust my watch to run within COSC chronometer specs (-4 seconds/+6 seconds a day) and the shop would provide a one-year warranty for the work performed.  Also, if the watch ended up not keeping time to my satisfaction, I could take it back in to have it tuned to my individual wearing habits.

I put down the necessary 25 percent deposit over the phone and Russell Korman set about ordering the required parts.  I was told to expect a call in four or five weeks telling me to pick up my revived timepiece.  

The day after I received that long-awaited call, I made the trek up north.  When the sales person brought out my watch, I noticed something about it looked a little different from when I had brought it in.  Could it be?  Yes.  Yes, they had refinished the case, bezel and bracelet!  The best part?  There was no charge for it.  That saved me about 150 dollars and transformed my watch into like-new condition.  It's never looked better.  Hopefully, I won't need to have it mechanically serviced for another five to eight years.

At one point, I had given up on ever owning this watch.  At another point, I had resigned myself to never having it work again.  Now, it's back, working perfectly and looking as if it just came from Switzerland. 

Please forgive the borders - I took these pictures from my Instagram page.

Back and better than ever.

My old gaskets and what I assume is my watch's original reverser wheel.

Big thanks to Russell Korman Jewelry.  If you're in the Austin area and want to see some beautiful watches or have yours worked on, give them a visit.

If you're reading this, which watch brands do you like?  Which brands do you own?  

"Le Mans" Movie Night at the Long Center

     After much weather-related going back and forth Thursday night, my friends Dan and Sarah and I went to watch a free showing of the Steve McQueen classic "Le Mans" on the lawn in front of the Long Center.  I thought it would get rained out, but that didn't happen.  However, the rain that did fall earlier brought a stretch of severe humidity in its aftermath.  Ugh!  

     I think others had my same fear.  I thought there would be a ton of event staff and patrons there, but the potential for rain must have scare a lot of them off.  There were two race cars present and a few girls in skin-tight red dresses handing out World Endurance Championship flags and pocket notebooks before the movie started.  Yay for swag!

     On the way to Sandy's Hamburgers, we came upon a Ferrari FF parked at the bottom of the stairs of the Long center, courtesy of Ferrari of Austin.  I must say, it's certainly a departure from traditional Ferrari styling and body styles - and that's not a good thing.  I couldn't seem to find an angle from which the car looked good.  I never thought I'd miss the 612 Scaglietti.  However, it was nice to see the 651-horsepower oddity "in the metal" for the first time.

     After dinner and returning to our cars to pick up a folding chair and a blanket, we walked back to the lawn and discovered the Long Center started the movie early.  We probably only missed five minutes or so.  It was just as well that we did.  "Le Mans," while rife with what I would imagine were cutting-edge filming techniques and breath-taking crashes (no CGI in 1971),  failed as a movie.  There was very little dialogue, no chemistry between Steve McQueen and Elga Andersen and too many shots that lasted WAAAAYYY too long.  "How many shots of the crowd do we need?!  We get it!  They're there to see the race."  It almost felt as if the director was going to spend the 24 Hours of Le Mans just showing audiences people sleeping on the ground and guys in weird hats.

     Despite that, my friends and I had a good time, especially once the air cooled and the breeze rolled in.

     Did any of you catch the "Le Mans" showing?  What do you think of the movie?  Who's going to the races at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend?

I Went Back to School...for the Second Time

As part of one of my upcoming freelance articles, I went to Driveway Austin on Saturday to take part in its Foundations of Road Racing course...in my father's stripped-down 2003 Toyota Corolla.  *sarcasm* Whee!  *sarcasm* 

Since I'll be doing a separate piece on the course for my local paper (stay tuned to Watches, Whips and Wardrobe for that article), I'll keep things here brief and simple, but I will give you a little eyecandy that won't be in my newspaper story.

My main take-away from the course was that you should do four things (among others) when you drive around a track, as well as public roads:

1.) Consider where (front to back, side to side) and when you transfer the weight of your car, which is shifted around by throttle, steering and brake application and affects your tires' grip.  If you don't manage your car's weight shifting properly, it can work against you and slow you down.  It can even make you spin out.  I should know.  It happened to me!
2.) Always look ahead.  If you're approaching the entrance to a curve, you should already be looking at the apex.  When hitting the apex, look for the exit.  Connect the dots as you go.
3.) Strive for consistency.  Dissect the track into sectors, then give yourself goals for each one.  Once you're able to meet those goals, you can start knocking off lap times very close to each other.
4.) Be smooth.  Never jerk your steering wheel, stomp your brakes or jab your throttle.  All of those actions can upset your vehicle's balance by shifting its weight in counterproductive ways.

A couple of tips from yours truly:
1.) Drink plenty of water.  You will sweat it out, especially if you keep your A/C off to be gentle on your car.  Intense concentration and nervous energy, combined with plenty of leg, foot, arm and hand movement and blistering track temperatures of 140 to 150 degrees will leave you a perspiring, stinky mess...and a smile on your face.
2.) Remove anything that can move around or make distracting noise from your passenger compartment and your trunk.  I made the mistake of thinking my trunk wouldn't be a problem since its contents couldn't shift and hit me.  There were gobs of my dad's tools and gardening and building supplies in there which I had to unload in front of my fellow students.  Not cool.

Now for that eyecandy.  When I was in pit lane, I had to move my car so that the track crew could unload a storage container.  Once its doors were swung apart, I got a glimpse of the candy red, wide-ended beast within...

Of course it's red!

Hmmm...  This doesn't look like a street-spec 458 Italia...

This car must be a real "Challenge" to drive.  (Wocka wocka!)

 

As you might expect, this Ferrari sounded amazing.  My classmates and I got earfuls of its loud, angry V8 wail.  Just by watching it dart and jink around the track like a 4-wheeled laser beam, you could tell its suspension must have been as stiff as a jet fuel martini.  The driver had to have been rattled, but I'm sure it was worth it.

I got a nice little surprise at the end of the day.  Driveway Austin's owner, a former Le Mans racer, gave us all our own mementos to commemorate our day at the track...

What about you all, readers?  Do you have any performance driving training?  Any plans on attaining it?  Feel free to share in the comments section.

I Took My Time Machine to the Mechanic, Part One

     In 2008, I got my first "big boy" job out of college.  I was making the most money I'd ever made in my life, so I decided it was time to buy the watch I'd been lusting after for the past eight years: the Omega Seamaster Professional chronometer, model 2531.80, aka "The James Bond Watch."  I did my research to make sure I got an authentic specimen on eBay, and I've been enjoying it ever since.

Omega Seamaster Professional, model 2531.80.  Cue the James Bond theme music.

     Flash forward to 2009.  I'm still at my big boy job, trapped in a mind-numbing tax code training class. My fellow inmate, Paul, notices the Bond watch on my wrist.  He says that he, too, owns an Omega and that he'll wear it the following Monday.  Monday comes and we both try on each other's watch.  His is an older model Seamaster, a cross between a De Ville and a Seamaster.  The white face and two-tone gold-and-stainless-steel construction make it dressy, but the metal Seamaster bracelet and the wave pattern on the dial keep it somewhat sporty.  I instantly start wondering if Paul would consider selling his timepiece of the last 10 years.  However, given my lack of cash at the time, I do not give voice to my curiosity.

     To my pleasant surprise, Paul approaches me a few weeks later, giving me first dibs on purchasing his watch.  I make a cash offer he rejects as too low.  He proceeds to list the Seamaster on eBay and I resign myself to buying that model Seamaster a few years later.  Flying out to visit my buddy Jacob in California takes my mind off the near-miss.

     The day after I returned from California, I received a voicemail from Paul.  In a fit of sentimentality, he decided to return the money to the winning eBay bidder and hold on to the watch that he loved.  However, he ended up contacting me because he was hard-up for money and absolutely needed to sell the watch.

     I met Paul and his young daughter over lunch the next day.  Paul honored my original offer (which was less than what he would've received from his eBay buyer) and I went home with a time-telling trophy.

Omega Seamaster, model 2301.21.

I still thought it was beautiful, scratches and all.

     

     I enjoyed my second Seamaster for several months and one night...it all ended.  I heard something pop when I was winding the watch and from that point forward, the watch wouldn't wind or keep time at all.

     Thinking it would cost more to fix the watch then the amount I spent on it, I never looked into getting it fixed.  I would pretend it worked when I wore it...to sleep.  

     Earlier this year, my mom convinced me to take it into the Russell Korman jewelry store for a free repair quote, just to see if it would cost as much as I thought it would.  And that is where Part Two of this tale picks up.  Look for it soon...

My First Writing Award and My New Writing Job!

     Hello again, everyone. 

     I've been busy lately.  I won 2nd Place in Critical Review with the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association for my review of "Skyfall" in last winter's print issue of Austin Community College's Accent student newspaper.  Special thanks to my wonderful, talented editor, Era Sundar!  I've attached the scans of the piece below:

Page 1.

Page 2.

    
     I've also been given the opportunity to keep the blog and facebook page for Austin-based Last Act Theatre Company's newest play, "The Happy Couple."  (I'm also acting in it, as Billy.)  I'll keep readers and followers updated on character and play developments from the rehearsal process through the show's run.  Check out Last Act Theatre Company's blog, here, and its facebook page, here.

A Little Spring in My Step

     I'm excited about March 20th, the first day of spring.  I've enjoyed wearing lambswool sweaters, corduroy pants, camel hair flat caps, my beard and colorful scarves this winter, but I find spring clothing a lot more fun (and plentiful in my closet).  I love the texture of seersucker, the coolness of linen, the "pop" of pastel pinks and lavenders, and the refreshing, clean look of white bucks and accessories (like the Swatch White Rebel). 
     Being a hard-liner for things that mean nothing to others, I won't shave my winter facial hair until the first day of spring.  I'll also wait until March 20th to break out some very spring time shoes (I'm looking at you, linen) that I haven't worn yet: the Johnston and Murphy Ellington Wingtips.  Jos. A. Bank had a great sale on these that I stumbled across, so I had to get them.




Johnston and Murphy Ellington Wingtips

   I think these shoes will go well with this outfit...



     A little info: These Ellingtons started life as the Dolby wingtip saddle shoe last year.  I spoke to the manager of the J&M store a couple of months ago and she told me the only difference between the Dolby and these Ellingtons is the material used for the sole.  So glad they decided to keep this design because I didn't get a pair of the Dolbys in my size when I had the chance.
     So here's to spring!  I hope you all have a wonderful one full of good times and wonderful memories.

P.S.  If you've never checked out Jos. A. Bank before, take a look at their site.
    

GREAT NEWS!

     Thanks to the help of two reporters at the Austin American-Statesman and an old friend of mine, I recently received my first freelance automotive journalism assignment from the editor of the Marketplace Cars section (check it out here.) 
     I interviewed about 5 or 6 different tuner shops around town to find out what kinds of trends there are in the aftermarket scene given the down economy.  Fortunately, Austin has been in an economic bubble relative to the rest of the country.  Money is still flowing toward additional horsepower and performance in the ATX.
     I've learned a lot and have had a great time speaking with shop owners.  They've all been very pleasant and more than happy to discuss cars and mods with a fellow gearhead.
     My interviewing technique needs work (being smoother with my questions and integrating the use of my voice recorder) and I hope I learn how to attend events and do the work I need to get done, but still have fun and be myself.  Afterall, I'm going into automotive journalism because I really enjoy cars.
     If my editor decides to publish my article, I'll be sure to post the link on WW&W.
    

"And the Award Goes To..." : Oscar Fashion

     I've been acting in community theater plays and independent films for several years now, so you'd think I'd watch the Oscars.  You'd be wrong.  I never gave them a second thought.  I didn't even give them a thought this year, but, out of boredom, I ended up watching them.  I'm glad I did.  They reminded me of how many great-looking movies I need to see, and I got to see Daniel Day-Lewis win his 3rd Oscar.  (I fell in love with his acting after seeing this: Milkshake.)
     I also got to see Hollywood stars in their finest attire (most of the time.)  Below are some of the fashion hits and misses from the 2013 Academy Awards.  (Thanks to Esquire for the pictures.)

Black lapels, black shirt, sparkly black bow tie?  Looked like a hole full of night time below Jamie Foxx's head.  No pocket square?  Another chink in the armor.  Both jacket buttons buttoned?!  Come on, man - you're killin' me!  You're too cool a guy to look that goofy.    

Christoph Waltz kept it simple and classic with this one-button number.  No embellishment or excess here (unless you count his jacket sleeve length, which doesn't allow any of his shirt cuff to show.)  A very clean, classy look. 

I'm not crazy about skinny lapels, but some people are more able to wear them than others.  Steven Spielberg is one of those people.  However, his peak lapels were so thin that you could barely see the "peak."

I was surpised by how much I liked Chris Pine's tux.  I'm wary of double-breasted jackets as they are tricky to pull off.  Mr. Pine certainly did it right.  The lapels were wide enough to make a dramatic statement, but not wide enough to land a fighter jet on; the sleeves allowed him to flash just enough shirt cuff; the jacket fit his body perfectly; and he left his bottom right button undone.  The bow tie seemed a little too wide, though. That breast pocket looked like it could've used a friend, too.  And what was with the scraggly neck?      

Hugh Jackman is a tall man (6'2", according to Google) and has a great build, but his unique shawl collar double-breasted tuxedo jacket made his torso look absolutely HUGE.  Perhaps that's an accurate image.  A nice touch: his satin lapels matched those of his wife's jacket. 

Congratulations on winning Best Picture for "Argo," Mr. Affleck.  Your tux won't be winning any awards, though.  The peak lapels looked great, but given their width, they made your vest look like overkill.  Your bowtie was a mess, too.  It looked like it was, somehow, crumpled into a rectangle.       

The Wild Card: Samuel L. Jackson threw the Academy a style curveball with this luscious crimson velvet jacket with gunmetal piping.  I loved the rich color, the lustre of the fabric and the subtle color of the trim.  Points off for: the lack of a pocket square, the cheesy metallic shirt, the exposed bowtie band and the outfit's jarring contrast with the sea of black tie.  Mr. Jackson was a cardinal in a colony of penguins.

Tryin' Out This "Twitter" Thing for Oscar Night

     I've known for a while now that Twitter is the wave of the future of communication, social networking and promotion, but I've never really hit it hard.  I have accounts for my writing and acting (@DerekShiekhi and @DerekVandi, respectively) and post to them every now and then. 
     Tonight, I thought I'd tweet about celebrity style at the Oscars in real time as I watch them.  It seems as if a lot of social media-savvy cats do stuff like that.  Follow along at https://twitter.com/DerekShiekhi or @DerekShiekhi. 
     Enjoy the show!

Hustlin'

Thought I'd share with you some of the developments in my writing career:

-I held an informational interview with a top writer/blogger with the Austin American Statesman.  He asked me about my educational and professional background and gave me a few pointers about my blog:

• I should change the name to something more personal to me; perhaps a phrase that encapsulates my personality, as well as my interest in cars, menswear and watches.  Some new names I've been thinking of include: The Finer Things (hackneyed, I know...); The Dandy Lion (I'd have to explain my first theater role as Aslan, though); A Gentleman's Interests; Dandy By Design; and New Dog, Old Tricks.  Nothing really sweeping me off my feet, yet.  Feel free to share your ideas for the new name of my blog.
• I should incorporate things into my posts that give people who aren't necessarily fans of cars, menswear and timepieces a reason to care about what I'm writing and my opinions.
• I need to redesign my blog and its layout (I should be able to work in gingham somewhere, right?)
• I need to be posting EVERY DAY.  I'm working on it...

-This same journalist was kind enough to give me the name of the Marketplace (cars, RVs, motorcycles and real estate) editor for the Statesman.  He is also currently reviewing my portfolio.  (I will contact the Marketplace editor soon.)

-I spoke with my Copy Editing professor, who also works at the Statesman, about my blog.  He gave me some tips on it and the name of someone to contact at the paper about pursuing work.  (I will contact her, soon, too.)

-I started a new, part-time telecommuting job in which I edit annd write resumes for clients.

-I conducted an informational interview with the Editor in Chief of a highly popular automotive blog.  He, too, was very generous with his time and knowledge.  His blog works with freelancers and he gave me the greenlight to contact him again in May, when I graduate.  He also told me what he looks for in a portfolio.  I hope he likes my Ford Thunderbird review...

-Next Thursday, I will interview the head of ACC's automotive technology department about the department and what 5 things students should do to prepare their cars for the spring and summer.

-Next on the list: finishing my profile and applying for freelance work on eLance.com (or Helium.)

My First Road Test: 2005 Ford Thunderbird

    
      The Ford Thuderbird was first introduced in model year 1955 and was in production, off and on, for the next 50 years.  Over the years, it became an American automotive icon.  Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe were snapped by the paparazzi in a black T-Bird with the top down.  A 1961 "Bullet Bird" had the honor of being a part of JFK's inaugural parade.  Ol' Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, had a Thunderbird. 
     Unfortunately, that Hollywood luster faded by 1997, when the Thunderbird was discontinued.  Ford couldn't leave one of its most famous models alone for long, though.  By 1999, it had a Thunderbird concept vehicle ready for the North American International Auto Show.  The production version of the brand new Thunderbird was unveiled in 2001.  This time, it didn't need celebrity owners.  It was a star in its own right (and in the 2002 James Bond movie, "Die Another Day") and shone all the brighter when it was named Motor Trend magazine's "Car of the Year."
     I must admit that, as big of a 007 fan as I am, the coral T-Bird in "Die Another Day" didn't really stick out to me.  It wasn't until a year or two ago that I even gave the car a second thought.  I love products made my American companies with long-standing pedigrees and illustrious histories, like Brooks Brothers clothing, Johnston and Murphy shoes and Tiffany & Co. silver accessories.  It seems inevitable that I would be drawn to the Ford Thunderbird.  I fell in love with its looks and its nostalgia factor, but I knew I had to test drive one to see if reality would match my romantic vision of it.

Driving Notes

• Looks.  The 11th-generation Thunderbird is a great modern interpretation of a classic design.  The egg crate front grille is present, as are the afterburner taillights.  Ford brought elements of classic T-Birds into the 21st century without excessively aping ancestral designs, like the new Dodge Challengers.  The body tapers dramatically front to rear, giving the car the appearance of squatting down on its rear springs as it accelerates off the line.  A lot of these T-Birds have chrome wheels with 5 thick spokes, but, unfortunately, this 50th Anniversary edition comes shod with 16-spoke alloys that look too small under the amount of car that rides atop them.  I love the large, flat trunk lid because it reminds me of old-school American cars with trunks big enough to make into mobile apartments.  However, when you open this one, it looks more like a broom closet inside.  This car is definitely a weekend machine.        
• Interior.  I knew going into this test drive that the interior would make or break my love affair with this car.  I was already sold on its exterior.  Upon getting inside the snug, primarily black interior, my girlfriend loudly said, "It's like a cave!"  I was instantly put off, as well.  I consider myself statistically average height (5'10" with shoes on).  My hair was brushing the inside of the lined convertible top - an issue I've never had with another car, even the tiny Honda S2000.  The windshield was so short and steeply raked that forward visibility was impractically limited.  When the sun visors were flipped down, I could barely see the road in front of me.  When they were flipped up, they were right in line to chop the top of my head off under heavy breaking.  The insert in the driver's door panel and the panel surrounding the cigarette lighter was loose (see picture), bringing the mystique of this car down a few pegs.  However, I kind of expected fit and finish problems in an 8-year-old American car's interior.   
• Exhaust note.  I was pleasantly surprised when I turned the key.  I knew there was a V8 up front, but I figured, given its small size (3.9 liters) and the car's boulevard cruiser persona, that it wouldn't have the satisfying, throaty, low growl I heard.  It instantly brought a smile to my face.  Hearing the sound trail behind me as I drove around the block with the top down on a balmy, sunlit day was a simple pleasure that I believe many Americans have felt behind the wheel of a Thunderbird over the past 50+ years.
• Cowl shake.   I'd read about "cowl shake" (chassis flex and vibration present in convertible cars, which lack the structural rigidity of fixed-roof cars) in car magazines before, but I'd never experienced it.  This car definitely had it.  In my 5-minute drive through the neighborhood streets around Covert Ford, never exceeding 40 mph, I could feel the area around the firewall and the front end shimmy and shake when going over road imperfections.

VITAL STATS
Engine: 3.9L V8
Power: 280 HP / 286 LB-FT
Transmission: 5-Speed Auto

Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive

Curb Weight: 3,781 LBS

Seating: 2

MPG: 18 City / 24 HWY

(Figures courtesy of ThunderbirdConcepts.com.)



Those chrome rocker panels allow you to see your saddle shoes before you get in and take your sweetie to the drive-in in this automotive blast from the past.

I love the afterburner tailights and the subtle, chrome-tipped dual exhausts.

Possibly the best view of the Thunderbird: big round headlight eyes and chromed egg crate grille smile.

The turquoise needles added an attractive splash of color to otherwise plain black-on-white gauges.

On the bottom right, you can see where the fascia panel had come loose.

The 5-speed automatic transmission delivered snappy, confident shifts.

While the metal-finish trim on the driver's door was attractive and relieved the dourness of an all-black cabin, it was also loose to the touch.

The brightwork touches lead your eye around the shrinkwrap interior.



Looks like a tight fit in there.  I like how Ford chose to use a tastefully sized engine cover that didn't obscure absolutely everything under the hood.

The little embroidered mat was a nice touch.  It didn't distract me from the trunk's lack of depth, though.

     A few shout-outs: Mitch Larkin at Covert Ford was a very friendly and accommodating salesman that let me fly this 'bird with him.  Go see him and find out if you fit into this car better than I did.  It's still for sale, here: http://covertford.com/Austin-TX/For-Sale/Used/Ford/Thunderbird/2005-50th-Anniversary--Car/15721164/.  All of the above photos are courtesy of CovertFord.com.

     Thanks to Media.Ford.com for some of the information used in this review.

     Finally, I must thank Autoblog.com and its Quick Spins for the design inspiration for this post.