Where the hell has MyFordDreams been? Don't worry folks, all 3 of you, I'm back...

As any regular reader will know, I'm not an Automotive Journalist by trade, although high horsepower, high rpm equipment is a regular part of my life. And I haven't posted anything since August 24th, but I'm back and I'll be posting more soon enough. Here's a brief glimpse into my life, I'm an Engineer, not like The Auto Prophet mind you, I'm more like the Casey Jones type of Engineer. And over the last few weeks I've been involved with a work project that will be ongoing over the next year or so, the redesign and retrofit of my powerplant. So, bear with me folks, life is complicated for those of us who don't get paid for this. For those that may be curious, that pic is me standing in front of a Steam Turbine, 600 hp that runs between 1500 and 48oo rpm, one of three we have in our plant.

I've also been trying to retrofit myself in a way. I've been on a diet and am quitting smoking, so no crap or I'll twist your head off and ... oh never mind, I'll be fine, no need to fear the blogger.

In September I did manage a little down time, even dragged my pastey butt to the beach. Damn kids kept trying to drag me back into the water, but what can you do.

I am happy to read all the good news about FoMoCo, the uptick in sales caused by Cash For Clunkers, the new product ramping up, the public perception improvement of the company, it's all been very promissing. Not so much over at Auburn Hills, Chrysler is in a world of hurt with no light at the end of the tunnel in my opinion. Guess that's what happens when you build truly boring mediocre cars and get bought by the taxpayers and Italy's house of crap.

It's my opinion the Chrysler won't last five years, the new Ram brand is obviously an attempt to position Dodge trucks for future sale. Jeep will get a new home also, but you can kiss Dodge and Chrysler goodbye. Another pair of "orphan brands" for the history books.

GM will survive, they'll even be fair competition for Ford, but they'll never be the giant they were. And looks like Japan's GM (Toyota) is in for a world of hurt as well. Of course all the Japanese are worried about Hyundai ( and their in house little buddy Kia )

But oveall I'm happy with the direction Ford is moving in although I see room for improvement ( that's sort of what I do .)

If FoMoCo wants of vehicles I'd like to drive next, here it is

Number 1 on the list is the new Fusion Hybrid. I'd love to see how the transition from electric to gasoline power is and if the batteries added weight upset the handling. Having never been a fan of the "Dave" look, I have to say the new Fusion's muscular flanks do impress me. So, if anyone at FoMoCo could arrange for MFD to drive this, send me an email myforddreams@aol.com

Number 2 is the Tranist Connect. Not a van fan here, but having driven commercial vehicles of various sizes over the years I'd like to see how real world useful this is. I'd also be interested in the power or lack of it with the 2.0 and automatic trans. In Europe this come with a torquey Diesel and manual transmission, but since I've walked around the Transit Connect at the New York Auto Show, I could guess that the Focus powertrain should be enough. I'm waiting for these to start popping up in Taxi fleets, the 22/24 mpg rating makes that a near no brainer to me.

You knew the Fiesta would be on the list. Do I need to remind you why? No, I didn't think so. This is probabl going to be my next new car.

And I'd love to test a new Taurus, a SHO would be nice, but even the 268 hp model would be acceptable. In my opinion, the Taurus seems to have outgrown it's midsize roots. As a former Crown Victoria owner I'd love to see how this fills those shoes as Ford's new Full Size sedan.

So, if anyone at Ford could contact me, I'd really love to have the Fiesta for my week in Cape Cod.

Can you identify this?

I'm still sort of amazed about this, so I decided to mention it again.

Yesterday, your humble blogger attended a product presentation with other members of the automotive media. And whiile sitting waiting for the shindig to get going, at a table of professional "automotive" journalists, I was fumbling with an object like the one pictured above.

When a one of the professionals asked me with a straight face, "what's that?"

I assumed somebody was having fun at the expense of the little blogger, so I smiled and responded that I thought it was there as an ashtray. When the blank stare confirmed that this person, a professional "automotive" journalists, really didn't know what I was holding in my hand I replied "it's a piston." It's over 24 hours later and I'm still gobsmacked.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are mechanics who could pull out obscure pieces from under a hood and I may scratch my head and guess, but a piston? Something every internal combustion engine, diesel or petrol, has had for over 100 years?

And this ladies and gentlemen is why traditional media, be it print or digital, fails us.

Because there are people who barely understand what they're looking at telling us what is good and what is trash. I'm not saying you have to be able to rebuild a Solex or Webber carburetor, but identifying a piston is so frigging basic.

Who Google searches this "78 Thunderbird mpg" ? Someone at FoMoCo that's who.

I've mentioned before that I sometimes look to see who's looking at my blog and I've been happy lately to see Livonia MI appear almost daily, because that's Ford Motor Company. And I can even see how they got here, a google search, a tweet or even just typing in http://www.myforddreams.com/ . But what struck me today was how odd this is.

Someone from Ford Motor Company landed on my blog after doing a Google search for 78 Thunderbird mpg ? Who looks up the mpg of a 31 year old car? And of course I've blogged about my 78 T-Bird and posted pictures of it many times, so of course if you do a weird Google search for Ford related items, I'm going to show up.

I get visitors from all over the globe, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the UK and of course all over the United States. I get people doing Google searches for Ford models like Orion, Ikon, Bantam, Courier, Everest, Ka and of course Ranger and Mustang.

I amuse myself to no end sometimes, but what really amuses me is how some folks find me.
Of course I hope they'll come back, but damn who Googles 78 T-Bird mpg?

New model roll out and unlike "real" automotive sites, this is the best MyFordDreams can do..

As I read all over the web, that other sites and of course print media are reviewing the new Ford products, this is the closest MyFordDreams can get to the action. An email from my local dealer anouncing a sneak preview of the 2010 Taurus, Mustang and Hybrid Fusion on June 27th.

I'd give your left arm, I need mine, for the chance to actually get a test of any of FoMoCo's new products, but as just a guy, that isn't likely to happen anytime soon. I remember, in better times, there were oportunities such as GM's Auto Show In Motion or Mazda's Zoom Zoom driving events, to do this. I know that Ford had a similar program, but never in the North East?

As just a blogger, I can't get press credentials or access to any vehicles or information.
I try and get to a dealership and test drive new cars, but after a while the salesmen know you're not serious about buying and don't want to let you drive anything.

Guess I'm just in a bad mood on a lazy Sunday.

Auto vs Stick? New Poll at MFD

I've done this before, just hoping this time I get bettter responses. You have until June 30th to vote.

Do you prefer to shift for yourself ? All 4 vehicles at the MFD Ranch are stick shifts, but here in the United States it seems that is the exception to the rule.

If I soud like a cheerleader for Ford sometimes, dig deeper

I realise that recently I've sounded quite a bit like a cheerleader for Ford Motor Company, but you should dig deeper if you think I'm just parroting good news. I've been a major critic as well.
But there's been a lot of good praiseworthy news about Ford lately.
I was going to post a snapshot of myself here, but then I saw just how gray the beard is getting. So, I took a page out of Bob Schultie's book and posted the above. Well, Bob probably gone for something with a bit of cleavage, but we at MFD try and keep it PG.

MyFordDreams has always been my personal blog where I discuss Ford Motor Company, history, global products and where I think the company can do better in the United States.

You need dig no deeper than MyFordDreams Classic to see I've given the company a tough time on many ocassions. I've griped about the latest Focus and why we should have gotten the same Focus the rest of the world has. There have been endless rants about the poor Ford Ranger, how FoMoCo let it deteriorate to near the point of extinction. I've been critcised for my rants on no IRS for the 2005 and forward Mustang.

Most famously I've stated that there were certain Fords I just wouldn't buy. Lets not forget that in 2006 I bought a Mazda 3 and even test drove the Dodge Caliber, rather than even look at the 06 Focus. I'm not a huge fan of Ford's naming scheme of the last decade, the "F-Bomb" pieces I've doen and the "E-Bombs" too. I've lamented on previous Lincoln offerings and Ford's over reliance on big SUVs and Full Size truck sales. I've pulled out the soap box on what I consider the waste of NASCAR.

So, I if I sound like a cheerleader lately, you'll have to realise just how far Ford has come and how far they're going in the future to understand the praise. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to rant on the Dave vs Kinetic design and the continued lack of IRS for the Mustang, and have no doubt I will, but just giving credit where credit is due.

Kudos for Fusion ( especially Hybrid) EcoBoost, Fiesta and upcoming Focus. I'm waiting for the Kuga ( rumored to replace the Escape) and Ranger.

Evolve or die they say, so MyFordDreams is evolving, getting into the 21st century

In April of 2005 when I started blogging MyFordDreams I was barely computer literate.
I knew how to turn it on and type ( if not well ) and not much more. Look at that filthy old monitor at it's "huge" 15" screen and it must have weighed close to 50 lbs. And over the years I learned a lot, some things that today many people take for granted, and I shared that learning process on my blog. I would post so that other would be bloggers would have an easier time learning to post pictures and links and videos. I highlighted free services and just some basic stuff. All of that is way back in the archives of MyFordDreams Classic . But I never seem to stay ahead of the curve. Unlike many bloggers, I have no background in Publishing, Web Design or Computers ( in any way). Like an old time boxer I went in face first and took the hits.

But like Darwin may have said, you evolve or you die. So, today I'm doing several "Social Networking" efforts, including Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

I've got my own Domain name and even with the graying of the beard I'm still learning.

If you're part of any of these networks look me up and I promise I won't cyberstalk you.

MyFordDreams.com!

MyFordDreams is now www.myforddreams.com please link to me!
And to all my blogging friends and associates could you at your convenience adjust links.
I know the old url will work, but I'm hoping to avoid confusion in the future.
Aslo this blog is now MyFordDreams, not MyFordDreams2. The old blog is now MyFordDreams Classic!

MyFordDreams and MyFordDreams Classic, think Coke and you'll get it

As part of changes going on here at MyFordDreams, one of the first is the renaming of my original blog to MyFordDreams Classic. I started blogging April 2005 over there and then moved over to this blog when I was having problems. I'm hoping that with other changes in the future this will help avoid confusion.

I'm going to be making other minor changes, that hopefully won't confuse things further.

MyFordDreams2 will be MyFordDreams from now on. There will be a new URL, but I'm staying here on Blogger, it's been a very reliable platform.

Busy weekend, but over the next week there'll be improvements that may not be visible at first.

And to prospective advertisers, email me at myforddreams@aol.com

Update! Now MyFordDreams.com this site now has it's own web address www.myforddreams.com !

Big Thanks to fellow bloggers!

Over the last few weeks as I've been resurecting MyFordDreams I've recieved advice and assistance from several of my fellow Automotive Bloggers, The Auto Prophet, Brian of RaecDriven.com and Gary of TheGarage and while I've sent individual thanks to them via e-mail, I'd like to take the time to publicly thank them and advise you to check their great blogs linked on the sidebar.

When I started in 2005 there was an explosion of Automotive bloggers, some who've fallen along the way. Today some of those guys are professionals at AutBlog, Cars.com and other mainstream sites. But even the mainstream writers would take a moment and help out the non-professional guys. Dave Thomas of Kicking Tires @ Cars.com started the Blog for Auto Bloggers and there were notables from Jalopnik and AutoBlog there as well. There was a real sense of community. And there was a thing called the Carnival of Cars, a weekly roundup of the Auto Blogging highlights. If I'm not mistaken this had been handled by various guys over the years, including Gary of The Garage, The Auto Prophet and Mark Tapscott.

There have been low points to blogging, like when "Splogs" would scrape content and repost it on sites designed to generate income with no original content. But there have been high points as well, such as when Bill Daschele, a graduate student did a survey and wrote about the auto blogging scene. And we've even been mentioned in a book on corporate blogging by John Case, which I mentioned a few days ago.

Some guys get paid to do this, many of us do this out of passion for the subject. I've recently started to attempt to monetize my blog, by accepting advertisements. I've even tested the waters of partnering with a professional site. There will be improvements to MyFordDreams and some minor changes ( maybe even some major changes) but it will still always be My Dreams and there will always be some level of personal passion about it.

Again I'd like to thank The Auto Prophet, Brian V and Gary G for their assistance and encourage you to check their pages as often as possible. And in a shameless plug for myself, tell all your friends about MyFordDreams.

I was mentioned in a book?

Strategies and Tools for Corporate Blogging By John Cass (Amazon link in title) mentions me and my blogs? I'm actually surprised. I remember several years ago helping a grad student who was doing a research paper on blogging, maybe it's the same guy? I read a Google Books preview and learned some things that I hadn't known. MyFordDreams predates TheCarConnection, LeftLaneNews and several other more famous blogs.

The Auto Prophet and Brian from RaceDriven.com are mentioned as well. And here we are all still plugging away. So while AutoBlog and Jalopnik are the heavyweights, it's still nice to know I've gotten noticed over the years.

What happened to all the regular guys that blogged about the auto industry?

When I started MyFordDreams in April of 2005, the landscape ( or blogsphere ) was lush with the "regular guys" that blogged about the auto industry. I remember one of the first I ever found was The Auto Prophet ( linked in title) the masked man of the auto blogging world.
But there was The Car Pundit, Rides Blog and many others. Some are still around, like the Prophet, Joe Sherlock of View Through The Windshield, Bob of CarsCars Cars and of course Gary of The Garage.

Jalopnik and AutoBlog have always been Pro sites, although many of those guys came up from the ranks of semi-pro blogging. I know it's been a rocky road for my blog. The first year I blogged so much it was fanatical. Then when I was having problems with my original blog I started up here at MyFordDreams2.

There was a real sense of community too. I remember when Dave Thomas, then was with MPH Online and now with Kicking Tires, started the blog for AutoBloggers and was really trying to herd us together. I think I have the honor of posting the last item over there back in 2007.

It's not easy doing this, guys like me don't get paid to do it. We do it out of passion, passion for the cars. I especially do it because of my passion for all things Ford. I'll be the first to admit I'm not on the level of the pros. Too many typos, poor grammar and sometimes too hot headed.
Many of my posts are inspried by what other sites write, but I don't just rehash someone else's work, I try and put personal color commentary and of course link to and refer to the original.

I always say, I love this and that I'm proud to have rubbed shoulders (well cyber shoulders) with some very talented and very nice folks. I want to thank TheAutoProphet for all of his help lately. He's been giving me advice and pointers. Over the years I've received that from many of my fellow bloggers.

I'll never forget the Carnival of Cars and how excited I would get if I was mentioned. That was always a point of pride. And when on those rare ocassions one of my posts would be mentioned by the pros like Jalopnik or Mark Tapscott.

Now that I'm blogging more actively, I'm hoping to rekindle those cyber relationships and grow new ones.

Some changes and hopefully improvements to blog

MyFordDreams has come a long way since April of 2005. It started on one page http://myforddreams.blogspot.com and sprouted spin offs like Star Trek, must not as succesful.

I've changed templates in the past and updated deleted links over the years. But now I'm catching up on some other items. For one, you'll notice labels/tags on each post and on the sidebar. This is to help you look at what else I may have posted on that subject.

I've also added a Blogs I read section, a reccomended sites section and ads.

There's a feature that lets you follow this blog as well.

More changes are in the pipeline, and I'm going to try and stay ontop of things around here.

Sure, I was quiet for a while, but I'm back and Ford is doing better, so it's time to "Dream" again.

MyFordDreams accepting solicitations for advertisements

When I started MyFordDreams ( and several other blogs ) back in 2005, I was against advertising. Over the years I have recieved offers of various schemes, including embeded links in posts. And I had always said no way, I wanted to keep MyFordDreams untouched by others.

Well, as you can imagine in these tough economic times, I've revisited the issue and have a few ads already on the site. I had signed up for Google's AdSense a while back as you can see. But now I'm willing to received proposals to advertise on my site (or sites ) if they are relavant and tasteful.

Anyone interested can e-mail me at myforddreams@aol.com