Lost In Transition!

One of the biggest fun factor back in Pune was the proximity of the mountain ranges. Enclosed by this hilly terrains Pune was a safe haven for its past rulers and also the locals. However now they beautifully serve to the recreational endeavors of all hikers. Trekking in those vast valleys of the mountains was just the right potion we seeked to challenge our audacity. Now looking at these vast barren plateaus in Texas I wonder when ill be back in the arms of Sahyadris and realise what I have Lost in Transition!

Vehicle Dynamics

The Legend of Ford Mustang!

The date was April 17, 1964. Intermediate sized muscle cars, with big block engines were gradually replacing the fullsized muscle car. Lee Iacocca, Ford's General Manager, had always invisioned a small sports car to be the next hot item in the street wars. Ford decided that instead of improving their lackluster intermediate, they would do the competition one better and introduce a whole new breed of automobile, the pony car. Originally designed as a two seater in the European tradition, Iacocca realized that true success depended on volume sales.The Mustang I was an experimental mid-engined, two seated sports car aimed at the Triumph/MG market.Since it was impossible to build a prototype very rapidly in Detroit, Ford contracted the job to specialist builder Trautman and Barnes in Los Angeles. Planned around a wheelbase of 85 - 90 inches, Mustang I had an engine of 1.5 - 2.0 litres in a steel tube frame covered by a stressed skin aluminium body. An integral rollbar and fixed seats added rigidity. Although the seats didn't adjust, the pedals and steering did, mounting on a sliding box member that allowed positioning to suit any driver.Roy Lunn (product planner) and Herb Misch (engineer) devised the Mustang I's four wheel independent suspension, then an uncommon feature in Detroit. All shocks and springs were adjustable for ride height and firmness. Steering was rack and pinion, just 2.9 turns lock-to-lock with a tight turning circle of 30 feet. It's engine was also unusual: a 60 degree V4 displacing 1927cc. For the Mustang I it was tuned up to 90 BHP at 6500 RPM, breathing through a single throat Solex carburettor. The competition version used two twin throat side draft Webber carbs and crossover manifold for over 100 BHP. Mustang I was fitted with a four speed transaxle, it's brakes were front disks with rear drums and it's 13 inch magnesium wheels from Lotus England were shod with Pirelli radial-ply tyres. Mustang I was 154 inches long (40 inches high with 5 inches road clearance), rode a 90 inch wheel base, and spanned front/rear tracks of 48/49 inches. A curb weight of under 1200 pounds meant thrilling performance despite the small engine: Top speed was approximately 120 MPH. A low sloping nose housing the spare tyre left little room for a radiator and ductwork, so a pair of diagonally mounted radiators flanked the engine, each with a thermostatically controlled fan. The 13 gallon aluminium fuel tank had a racing style 'Quick Fill' neck.The Mustang I made it's public debut at the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, New York on October 1962, where it was driven around the circuit by race driver Dan Gurney. Car and Driver' tested the car in 90 BHP form and found it's 0 - 60 MPH acceleration was about 10 seconds, yet fuel economy was high at 30 MPG. As expected of mid-engined cars, handling was excellent.Exciting as it was, the Mustang I was a false start. Enthusiasts raved, but Lee Iacocca carefully watched general reaction and shrugged. "All the car buffs said, 'Hey what a car!' but when I look at who's saying it - the offbeat crowd, the real buffs - I said 'That's sure not the car we want to build, because it can't be a volume car. It's too far out.'"Therefore the Ford Mustang was introduced as a 1965 model that was based on the compact Falcon to lower production costs. It came with an obligatory back seat and a multitude of options that would give the buyer an opportunity to customize their purchase, and generate extra profits for Ford. Plymouth faithful stress that their Baracuda beat the Ford Mustang to market by two weeks. But it was the Mustang, which racked up over 22,000 sales its first day and one million sales in its first two years, that turned the market and people's attention to the pony car. The pony car class that the Ford Mustang helped create is the only class of muscle car that still exists today.

Shubha Vivaha! !! 12.46 pm, January 25, 2006!!

Two hours to go...............I really didnt expect subhash to be free for me but was always worth a try. So i called and waited for papu to answer,prankish as i was thought of rattling him up with a few Texan vibes.........But it did'nt work,

Papu: Ha Mahesh Bol, are to ajun haldi samarambhaat aahe. (damn it , he had stored the number and there ws no way i cud fool him).

I: Ok, hows it all going on?

Papu: I'm OK, what abt u?

I: Me, Fine too! Me thodya welane call karto mugg, 1/2 n hr later may be?

Papu: Ho, Thats perfectly fine, to ardhya taasat free hoil.

I: Burr, What r u upto now-a -..........HE had already hung up!

Subhash, my senior in the colony back home is amongst the nicest guys around, An idealist as he is, never did i see him set a foot wrong on the morals and always discouraged me from doing so! Always guided me on different fronts whether i needed his advice or not. With Shubbi (as we all call him)there was always an perspective from the other side, as he never went with the crowd and mostly had opinions quite contrastBut why am i blabbering about him or what he is..............Today is his wedding and lets celebrate it!1/2 n hour after the comversation I dialled once again and waited for Papu to tell me "Its all clear"surprised i was to hear shubbi answering the calll--- i wud have loved for papu to answer and banter him for hanging up abruptly,

Subhash: Ha barik rao , bola!

I: Abhinandan, that u r getting married!

Subhash: Dhanyawaad!

I: Enjoy , mann, aaj tuza diwas aahe!Ho, fakta tuzeee uneev aahe,

I:Hmmm, kay karu, mee pann miss kartoy, This the first time I m not attending a friends wedding ....

Subhash: Tuza kasa chaallay,

I:Theek.me tula photo pathwailI:Ho , scan karun pathawbara, he dhar[what]oh , at the other end the receiver had exchanged hands and a familiar voice was asking me some thing,

Santosh: Mahesh, kasays?

I: Are ekdum theek...Kay chaallay?

I:Kahi nahi, pahili sem sampleee aahe, dusree nukteech suru......

Santosh: AAWAJ EKDUM CLEAR YETOY (as his voice faded away)what was that ? discussing reliance VOIP quality?*?*?*?******another familiar voice had started pouring in.

Mahesh Zende: Tendlya!!!!!! kay chaallay?

I:kahi nahi thee....

Mahesh Zende:houston laa aahe naa tu?

I:nahi, tithun 100 miles warr......Mahesh Zende:ha,haa, me tula maza navin Id pathawto!I:burrr......Full Stop NXT Voice---By now I had got a feel of whats it gonna be!

Prashant: Tedulll!! Kay chaallay? Theek naa?

I: Ho

By this time the tempo in the background had gained significantly! After all its a Great Indian wedding, and last minute commotions and accelerations are a must......I had been for more than 4 friends wedding and knew what the scenes wud be there......by the time i cud say anything to prashant the cell was back to papu.... We exchanged goodbyes and let him slide into the revelry which was about to start!I am sure the wedding went on smoothly!More on it later , Hopefully i'll have some pics to share!