autoblog posted:

You can forget baseball – it seems like Americans have a new favorite pastime on their hands. No, we're not talking about saddling up to the feeding trough at the local Golden Sizzlin'. Now more than ever, we love to argue. As a country, we'll leap into a debate half-cocked, half-informed and fully armed faster than you can say, "You're fired!"

In that grand tradition, the editors at Autoblog have dug in on which of our country's convertible muscle cars is the most American – the 2011 Ford Mustang GT Convertible or the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible. Motoring out across the Lady Liberty's wide open spaces in a topless muscle car is more patriotic than all the flag pins in Congress. They give our homecoming queens a perch from which to wave and make drive-in movies all the more magical.

In a twist of test fleet fate, two of us have been granted the keys to these beasts for the most American of holidays, Independence Day. Editor/Test Fleet Manager Steven J. Ewing has taken up the FoMoCo banner, leaving Associate Editor Zach Bowman to lead the Bowtie charge. Who will stand victorious?

Since it's the Fourth of July weekend and this is America, we'll leave that for the people to decide. Click past the jump to read the respective arguments for both cars and cast your vote.

2011 Ford Mustang GT Convertible:

What's that, Camaro? Ward's Auto didn't name your V8 as one of its Ten Best Engines last year? Oh, sorry, well, enjoy that ancient powertrain architecture. Enjoy that insufferable interior and Hot-Wheels-on-heroin appearance, too. The Camaro is an uncultured hillbilly compared to the Mustang's classic brilliance.

But the Camaro outright loses for one simple fact: It isn't made in America. That's right. General Motors manufacturers the Camaro at its Oshawa, Ontario, Canada plant, while Ford builds the Mustang in Flat Rock, Michigan. American workers building America's muscle car to support their American dreams. What's that sound? Oh, that's just the pride of a nation.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible:

Ewing can stuff all of that nonsense about the Ford Mustang being the first pony car. When it comes down to pure American badassery, The Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible is the head to which all other honchos should bow, and if you need proof, all you need to do is pop the hood. That pushrod 6.2-liter V8 can trace its roots all the way back to the very first 350 cubic-inch V8 ever minted by General Motors. The same engine architecture has powered everything from iconic muscle cars with names like Chevelle, Nova, Monte Carlo and Corvette to workhorse Bel Air wagons and C10 pickups.

This country was functionally built on the back of the mighty 350. It drove America's kids to school and their parents to work. It hauled material, chauffeured presidents and escorted astronauts. This engine should be immortalized on our currency and emblazoned on our flag. Dual-overhead cam 5.0? Yeah, that's fine. It should go great with your block housing and bread lines.

Oh, and before anyone gets all high and mighty about the Camaro being built in Canada, I urge us all to remember one very important fact: there's nothing more American than making another country manufacture our goods. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go do some burnouts while eating apple pie and rocking David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails' "I'm Afraid of Americans."

Echovoid52 posted:

This very well might be old. Never seen this video anywhere though. Can anyone confirm?

[www.youtube.com]

posted:

Today's this week in history features tragedy, baseball, music and more.

July 18: In 1984 a gunman kills 21 and injures 19 before police shoot him at a San Ysidro McDonald's restaurant. Relive a horrible day here.

July 19: In 1982 Tony Gwynn makes his major league debut with the Padres in center field against the Phillies. He goes 2-for-4 with an eighth-inning double and a ninth-inning single. Who knew then there'd be 3,139 more? Check out his incredible statistics here.

July 20: In 1991 the Lollapalooza tour comes to Southwestern College's Devore Stadium as X-Fest IV. The show includes Siouxsie & the Banshees, Nine Inch Nails, Ice-T, Living Colour, Henry Rollins and of course, headliners, Jane's Addiction. Relive a good day here.

July 21: In 1998 the $20 million Coors Amphitheatre in Chula Vista opens with a concert by Chicago and Hall & Oates. Oh, Coors Amp. An inside joke here.

July 22: In 1889 the San Diego Cable Railway incorporated. Mustaches were all the rage then. Check it out here.

July 23: In: 2004 the Ronald Reagan cruises into San Diego Bay to the cheers of thousands who welcomed the 1,092-foot-long carrier to its new berth at North Island Naval Air Station. Find out its motto and more here.

July 24: In 1984 160 runners carry the Olympic Torch from San Diego County's hills to its coastline en route to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The reaction here.

romeo_void posted:

Revolver posted:

Mistress Juliya is best known for her work on Fuse TV hosting such metal-themed shows as Uranium, Metal Asylum, Let It Rock, and Slave to the Metal. She has also made appearances at the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and Rock on the Range. She currently co-hosts the Top Twenty Countdown on Fuse premiering at 5 P.M. every Tuesday. Email your advice questions for her to AskJuliya[at]revolvermag.com and check back every Wednesday for her latest column.


I know I’m sure you get these questions all the time…. But what are your favorite five bands of all time and your favorite five movies of all time? I have been a fan for a while, and I think you are great!
—Zach

Dear Zach, these questions are always hard as there are so many…but here is what I came up with:

BANDS:
Guns N’ Roses
Pantera
Ministry
Type O Negative
Nine Inch Nails

MOVIES:
Dracula
Rosemary’s Baby
The Exorcist
The Godfather
Edward Scissorhands