Re: Odysseys and performance

["Paul Misencik" <paul@domain.elided>]

> Compare that old Jag to the modern S type, and don't bother bringing the
> Honda to the race. Or find a way to put proper wheels and tires under that
> E Type and stand back

I think somehow the point continues to be wildly missed here.  Obviously, if
you took an old car and brought it up to modern standards - be it with
sticky tires or suspension tuning or bigger brakes or whatever - it would be
more likely to "beat" a modern minivan in an autocross.  But that's not the
point of the article at all.

Everyone is harping on the tires, because the older cars were tested true to
the original specifications, just like the Odessey was, which again, is the
whole point.  I notice no one chimed in with a comment like: "Yeah, well
look at the brakes that Odessey has!  If you put 911 Turbo brakes on the
356, it would have done better."  or "The Odessey has variable valve timing!
That's not fair!  If you built a Jaguar engine with digital engine
management and VTEC, it would have creamed the minivan!"

Well of course.  But do you see why that is silly?  It's no different than
saying: "Load the 356 up with a DVD entertainment system, power seats, and
an automatic transmission and let's see how it does."

The point of the article was not to show what an awesome autocrosser the
Odessey is.  The whole point of the aricle was to compare performance cars
of yesterday with a MINIVAN of today!  The point was specifically to show
just how far technology has come!  The point was to show that technology -
tire technology, brake technology, engine technology, suspension
technology - has come so far that even a MINIVAN can beat an older Porsche
and Jaguar.

Paul Misencik
P. Roman Media
Huntersville, NC  28078
email: paul@domain.elided
www.paoloroman.com
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