The DeLorean Crash Test

"The DeLorean proved to be a very well designed vehicle in terms of allowing a relatively great amount of front end crush without adversely compromising the survival space in the compartment." -NHTSA

Here we go again! Yet another bonehead has found this old DeLorean crash-test video and I can't stop laughing. The authors' editorial on the impact and on the car itself is erroneous to the point of hilarity.

The comments are SO asinine I'm not even going to put the link to the article because this idiot should not be receiving more traffic. But if you're curious, it was posted January 10 on Bangshift.com. If this posting is indicative of the level of intelligence Bangshift.com employs, I urge you to stay far, far away.

Yes, yes, opinions! Everyone is entitled! Unfortunately many a DeLorean author has formed an opinion having never even set eyes on one. More often than not, they regurgitate incorrect specs and compare the DeLorean to modern cars rather than their 1981 counterparts. Always an amateur thing to do.

The video is old. A total geezer. It has been discussed for years. If you haven't seen it don't watch it like Brian did, full of hate. Watch objectively.

There is a lot of competition but the title, "...fold up like a wet cardboard box", is possibly the most foolish remark. I almost feel sorry for Brian, who doesn't understand crumple zones or, more likely, any sort of basic automotive engineering. I truly feel bad for this dunce who sees wet paper where most see the car crumpling as it was designed.

Because this is the higher 40-mph test it's difficult to compare to other early 80s crash-tests. Most are the more common 30 and 35 mph tests. Regardless, the NHTSA report declares the 40-mph test a success.

Here's the simple truth: the DeLorean was designed to crumple in a crash. By engineers. Engineers are generally considered to be pretty smart. Guys who write shit on the internet? Not so much (Look Mom! I'm on the internet. I'm writing in my blog! Look! MOM! LOOK AT ME!).

Amrut Indian Single Malt

"When I was a boy, just about every summer we'd take a vacation. And you know, in 18 years, we never had fun."
             -Clark Griswold.

Vacations are supposed to be fun. And I had a lot of fun in Paris back in 2012. One of the highlights was my visit to La Maison du Whisky, an incredible shop full of liquid treasure.

I purchased their very last bottle of 1975 Auchentoshan 35 year old. As a thank you they gave me a couple of minis for free. One of them was Amrut, no age statement. Amrut is distilled in Bangalore, India, which seems a tad odd considering whisky typically comes from Scotland, Ireland, the USA, Canada and Japan. However, Jim Murray gave the Amrut Fusion 97.5, his highest score to date. My mini though, is the entry level Amrut, aged probably less than 8 years, and comes in a weensie little cylindrical tin. Perfect for storing empty minis when you've finished!

On the nose I felt a warm, strange sweetness slightly like Irish whiskey. It does not give any hints to the 46% abv.

The taste was sweet and floral, like nothing I've tasted before. Exotic, like a zingy felt-tipped marker on my tongue. Ginger. There was a strange punch at the end, like rope. And peach pit. But not peaches.

The finish was gingery again, with a woody taste followed by the same zesty peach pit rope. Very unique, not long and not strong. I really had a hard time figuring this one out. Rope, rope, rope. That just can't be right.

This Indian whisky is like a modified DeLorean. Inside are strange seats and carbon fibre accents around an aftermarket stereo and shifter. The suspension is something you've never seen before, yet it still has that very familiar feel to it and you just know you want to drive it.

La Maison du Whisky: Free
50 ml
46% (92 proof)

www.amrutdistilleries.com