IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: Austin A90 Atlantic
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2021
- Today's video is on the rare, but simply wonderful, post-war Austin A90 Atlantic
IDRIVEACLASSIC is sponsored and insured by Adrian Flux - check them out for your insurance quote on the link below: www.adrianflux.co.uk/influenc...
The walk around text if you're hard of hearing like me :)
On paper, the Austin A90 Atlantic was a commercial failure selling only 8,000 units, but looking at it today, it’s one of the most stylish and stand out cars Austin ever made.
The A90 came out in 1949 and cost an eye watering £824, which to put things into perspective, the average house price in the UK in 1950 was £1,891 making this car an exceptionally well considered purchase for a very small sector of society.
However, despite the car being made at Longbridge, it was never intended for the home market, but instead went after the American market.
This wasn’t a commercial decision Austin perhaps wanted to take, because in the years after the war, the government controlled the steel supplies and any company failing to export was refused supplies. So really, businesses needed to come up with attractive models to compete.
With this, the A90 Atlantic was launched at the 1948 Earl’s Court Motor Show, which must’ve been an absolutely incredible event to go to, because it’s also the show which saw the launch of the Morris Minor.
The car, reportedly designed from a sketch by chairman of Austin, Leonard Lord, who was highly influenced by a Farina bodied Alfa 2500 spotted at a show in Geneva in 1946, was initially a convertible car designed with the 2,660cc 4 cylinder engine with an output of 88hp at 4,000 RPM.
In fact, the A90 was named as such due to the 88 brake horse power on that overhead valve engine, with the Atlantic name picked because it was aimed at uniting the UK market with the American buyer.
The performance was pretty good for the era, giving over 90mph as top speed with 0 to 60 in just under 18 seconds. This made it one of the fastest early post-war production cars.
The car was put into the American market to compete alongside American home grown models, but with it’s engine much smaller than it’s American counterpart and high price tag, it just failed to make an impact like it should’ve, with only 350 ever sold into the US.
It should’ve been the success Austin planned, because it hit all the right notes, it was simply let down by the 4 cylinder engine that whilst good for Britain and other non US export markets, just didn’t cut it with the American buyer who was sold on the notion of nothing compares to a V8.
The car instead found its audience in the UK, mainland Europe, Australia and New Zealand, but these markets just didn’t hold up the sales figures predicted within the US market to make the Atlantic the success it needed to be.
It must be mentioned however, that the car did break 63 stock car records at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in April 49, so whilst it might not have been the success Austin planned, it did hold its own against the V8 cars pitted against it.
Another interesting fact about this car, is the fact the indicators, being designed for an American market were flashing relay style. In the UK at time of launch, this wasn’t legal and wouldn’t be until 1956, because at the time it was simply non flashing trafficators which were put onto cars.
The brakes on the car were hydro-mechanical Girling drum brakes, with rod operated to rear. It shared parts with the A70 and this was done purely to ensure the Atlantic went into production on time. Later on, the hard top cars had fully hydraulic brakes.
Although we look at the cars as works of art today and see their true beauty, in the 60s and 70s the cars with their propensity to rot were scrapped quite rapidly with the introduction of the MOT test in 1960 and Healey owners who stripped the cars for their running car.
There are now only around 60 Atlantics left in the UK, with a further 100-ish across the rest of the world.
For the car once dubbed to have sports car performance with saloon car comfort, it seems a real shame the true value of these cars wasn’t realised sooner, although thankfully the Austin Counties Car Club really look out for these cars now and with values going skywards, they’re rarely scrapped nowadays. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
![โกหกเธอทั้งนั้น (Pinocchio) - SERIOUS BACON [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/P1HhTYwrR5A/mqdefault.jpg)
I recall reading that the XK-120 also debuted at Earles Court 1948. What a year!
And the first Land-Rover!
Again, the outfit matches the paintjob perfect today!!!
Haha I didn’t realise how well it would match until I arrived x
That's lovely. The interior is like a work of art and the colour scheme is fantastic. I also like the colour coded wheels.
The Austin Atlantic was the Car my late dad lusted after when he left the RAF and returned to Civvy life about the time it came out. There used to be a few about through the 50's and into the 60's and he would always say that he wished he'd bought one. He came close once I think, but new cars were hard to buy in the late 40's and it never happened. The next time he really fancied a car was the Jaguar XJ6 Mk 1 that was released first as a 2.8Litre. You couldn't buy them for love or money and he paid over the odds for one through a private sale. He had a 4.2 litre on Back order and when it eventually arrived the dealership simply swapped his 2 year old car for the new one (the trade in and forecourt price was higher than the new price as demand well outstripped supply. I drove the XJ6 on occasion and enjoyed doing so, but my "Austin Atlantic" was the Triumph Stag. I always fancied one, but never owned one, however, I did own a Triumph 2000 Mk2 for a while and that was a lovely car. Similar but not the same.
A really lovely looking car inside and out, a real credit to the owner. Must be a privilege to drive such a rarity. Great video really enjoyed it.
I was so lucky to be handed the keys
9:35 - I love the font used on those instruments. Well, I love the whole car - but the art deco instruments are the icing on the cake (or possibly the cherry on top).
That is the most sinfully gorgeous car I have ever seen! The interior is mouth-watering, the paint is enchanting and the engine note, is like the siren call of the Lorelei. I would trade Crown and Kingdom for that car any day. I especially love the chrome trim on the trunk which, reminds me of a tall, skyscraper. Congratulations to Allistair, his hard restoration work is remarkable. And to you, Steph, your review is an absolute triumph. Well done!
Literally just back from the Great British Car Journey that has one of these. Great museum, well worth a visit.
Thank you again young lady for taking me a ride with you in the UK in such a wonderful classic car. I could sit here for an hour as you drive me through England I so miss. You are an angel.
Ahh thank you x
Back in 1959 a school friend''s Dad owned one. Beautiful then and just the same now. Thanks for the drive, a great vid.
My father briefly owned an A90 and his brother-in-law, my uncle, also owned an A90 for many years. That A90 still exists now in the hands of a collector. Very famous car model nowadays although it's sales were poor. Regards from Australia.
Wow! It's fantastic to see you showing us a jaunt in something as rare as this. What a glorious folly the Austin Atlantic was, and this has brightened the whole week for me. Another spectacular video, Steph, and thank you (and Alastair!) for bringing us this bit of cheer.
Fascinating episode, Steph! I had no idea the A90 was so rare. On another note, perhaps they should have called it the “Austin Tatious...” ;-)
My Dad bought one and a half (spare engine, boot lid, steering wheel, wings) Atlantic's at auction in the mid 1970's for about £50. It was the saloon model, which me and my sister used to slide off the roof down the back of the car. The rear window was meant to wind down, but was broken. On long drives the tyres used to get hot and we would have to wait at the side of the road for them to cool down. (Heatwave didn't help). Sad to say the car was sold in early 1980's, but the spare parts only went early 1990's (scrapped), I kept the badge from the spare boot. Great car and a fantastic video. Thanks for bring back some happy memories.
Splendid folk like you should be automatically elevated to the House of Lords !
Arise Baroness Stephanie of Motor-Car.
What would a Sunday morning be without a classic car review by Steph in matching crimplene? Thanks again for the video. 😊
Thanks for watching ✨
This really brought back memories. My parents hired one of these to visit the Festival of Britain exhibition on London in 1951. A convertible, like this one, it was either pink or two tone blue and pink. We drove all the way there and back, from Bolton, Lancashire with the top down. My dad didn’t trust the power operated hood and was scared that it might stick part way up/down. I sat in the back with my Auntie Ella whilst her husband Uncle Norman followed in his pre-war Standard loaded with all the camping gear. The Standard was considered too dangerous for women and children to ride in. No MOT in those days. We camped on a campsite at Scratchwood, now a mobile home park. The golden dials and plastic trim on the dash took me right back. Thanks very much Steph.
This brings back so many memories. My uncle had a hard top version, black with a red roof, and he used to take me for days out. Thanks for a excellent video. 👍
I do love that third 'cyclops' headlight! This era of cars normally leaves me a bit cold but the design and artistry on show here gets through to even me. Those sleek curves and lines are just gorgeous and so at odds with what we see today.
Three headlights look like a snatch from Tatra 87.
Cyclops Lol
Great description 😂
I absolutely love this car . My dad had owned one before I was born. Some one rode a motor bike and sidecar into it and wrote it off . A friend of my dad's had told me that when he, my dad and some of their other mates went out . My dad used to leave them for dust . It was so quick for the time . I still have never came across one at any classic car shows I've been to around Norfolk. Beautiful car .
What a gorgeous car! Swoopy to the max, Bakelite switches, deco gauge font, and enough chrome strips on the bonnet and boot to qualify her as a Pontiac Silver Streak. Pushed all my buttons good and proper. The flying As on the fenders and the monogrammed exhaust tip sent my chrome loving heart atwitter. Your outfit was the crowning glory to this perfect video!
The Secretary of our local golf club Committee had one of these in 1954, in Western Australia. He was immensely proud of it, and I was delighted to be an occasional front seat passenger. I do believe he could fit his folding golf buggy and clubs in the boot. Rumour has it that a dozen 26 fld oz bottles of Swan Lager could be squeezed in too.
Haha that’s brilliant x
Swan lager .....sounds bloody awful !
@@Ivorbiggin Wine drinkers rarely appreciate a good beer. The history of the Swan Brewery goes back over 150 years, to a time when the water of the Swan River was very pure and ideal for beer making. There were several breweries at that site, near each other, and the Swan Brewery bought them out over the years. The Swan River was named after the famous Black Swans so abundant on the river, when the State of Western Australia was founded. It would serve you well to read a bit of Australian history.
I'd hope that he put the beer in the boot only in the winter. I don't think being in a car boot under the Western Australia summer sun for any length of time would do beer any good!
@@SeattleSoulFan My Dad was the resident caterer/bar manager, Mum ran the kitchen, and the whole family lived on-site. There was a corridor from the unloading ramp to the bar which was stacked with wooden beer crates at room temperature; the contents of which were progressively transferred to the refrigerators under and behind the bar as club members took their purchases home 🏡.
All beer consumed on-site was pumped out of steel beer kegs. Bottle sales were reserved for "take-out sales", a large part of the income into the Club's coffers, and usually members simply drove their purchases home, a journey of no more than half an hour in those days (1954 to 1960) of moderate traffic density. Thus no beer would have been damaged during the journey 😃.
Another lovely review! I love the history you give to each of the cars you feature - it really puts the cars into context.
What a beauty. Loving your channel Steph 😁 Look forward to your posts and makes my Sunday morning.
That is such a lovely car and I love your enthusiasm on every car you test , top work again Steph x
Thanks martin x
You look absolutely perfect in that car! Great to see such a stylish motor in such good condition and being well looked after. Glorious weather for it, looks like a good day out all round!
So excited that you gave us a review of the gorgeous A90. My grandad had one (a convertible) in the fifties that appears on quite a few of our family photographs. So jealous of you getting to drive such a lovely example.
My great grandad had one of these, my dad was only telling me the other week about it! My dad spent many a day in the back of it with his brother cruising along the front in Blackpool and St. Anne's in the late 60s.
Such a shame that these didn't sell well in America because from the first time I became aware of their existence I too have thought they are a beautiful car. I'd be so nervous driving a car where there are so few examples left and to repair any damage would be a nightmare if the worst should happen.
Another great video Steph! So glad you left in the bit where you lent on the horn! Cracked me up 🤣
What a great car and a great review as well. Also appreciating the colour coordination of your outfit Steph!
Love being able to learn about cars I've never seen before
Memories! Thank you for the test run. I had an Atlantic back in the mid 1960s (MWU 305). It was a foolish purchase but I was totally enamoured by them as a child in the 1950s when I had the light blue Dinky which I loved. Sadly, it was a "banger" and it spent most of its time off the road and in the workshop and I had to sell it for scrap as I couldn't afford to run it. If only I had the money and knowledge to restore it.
Beautiful car on a beautiful day. Thanks for such a great presentation.
Great car from a halcyon period of British automotive excellence......
Charming and knowledgeable presenter........
What a fantastic looking car. The gauges were exquisite.
It appears that the rev counter and speedo weren't working. Exceptionally rare to have a rev counter in those days
Stunningly vibrant, confident and beautiful. The A90 Atlantic looks sublime too.
Nice colour, beautiful upholstery, spotless engine bay and two Flying A s on the bonnet.
Well driven and excellently reviewed. This is definitely the Standard Bearer for I Drive a Classic. I would gladly drive this everyday.
Thanks for another wonderful video Steph! What a superb example of early post-war motoring and I second all the positive comments about your exquisite outfit. Thank you again.
Well worth the wait! Love your channel and love this car 👍
What a beautiful motor car! An absolute credit to the owner. How i would love to have a drive, but your video is the next best thing. I've never seen an Atlantic in the metal before, to say nothing of that gorgeous interior. This car has Style! Thanks for a Sunday treat!
Had a lift to school one rainy morning in one of these, lovely car for the day, very futuristic. 😀
One can definitely see certain "American" influences. I was surprised by the multiple pieces of chrome strips splitting the car bilaterally. The American "Pontiac" used two, splitting the car in three. American enthusiasts refer to the strips derisively as "suspenders," Pontiac being marketed to an older, and much more mature generation, like our grandparents. We were the younger generation. We wore belts. These "suspenders" were gone from Pontiac in the mid 1950s, as suddenly under "Bunkie" Knudsen and John DeLorean, Pontiac became the exciting "hot rod" division of GM. This is truly a beautiful car. Having a friend in my youth, who owned an Austin Healy 100-4, I can believed that they were salvaged for that more voluptuous bodied Healy. Still, quite sad, but us "modifiers" have been doing this sort of things for as long as vehicles have been around. You need to find one of your own, Steph, should you ever have the opportunity, as I have rarely heard you more excited driving a vehicle.
Great stuff Steph. Yet another classic car drive that so reminds me of the original Top Gear format and other shows that followed the same format. There was one of those cars around the corner from my home, I used to spot it on my way to school between 1965 and 1968, it bore the reg mark FJT 171. My brother saw one as recently as 1988 in the local area, it was driven by an elderly lady driver.
I was also struck by the A90 Atlantic the first time I saw one, and continue to be when I've seen them since. They have the presence of an American car, the proportions of a British car, and, I think, even some of the style of European cars of the period - the right bits of everything in one stunning package. I'm thrilled to learn how refined they are to drive. An excellent review Steph!
What a beauty, lovely colour 😍 love all the brightwork on her
This is utterly gorgeous Steph , one of my favourites . Was lucky enough to have a good look around one at Dover Transport Museum , but you are so lucky to be able to drive this stunner ! Superb vid
Fantastic as always, what a beautiful looking car. Thank you Steph, I look forward to seeing your reviews on a Sunday. I cove how you have coordinated your outfit to match in with the car. 👍
It’s such fun to see all those cars of my youth. I had so many of these in Dinky toys too.
I am not even a car enthusiast but a client recommended this. The car looks wonderful and greatly enhanced by a presenter who is knowledgeable and articulate. The drab BBC could learn a lot from both the presentation and content.
Great video Steph what an amazing car xx
Fantastic. What a wonderful car. So glad you got to share that with us Steph. Thanks to you and Alistair.
Thank you! Xx
I have only ever seen the Austin A90 Atlantic as photographs in reference books. So it was a pleasant surprise to see the real thing being test driven on TH-cam. The Austin A90 Atlantic is a very pretty car indeed.
Thanks for testing such a wonderful car!!
The design is absolutely mad - I love it! I might add I've never see one on video - just still photography from the last century.
Wow, what an amazing car. You'd never think that it was 70+ years old. Credit to Alastair for looking after it so well. Love your style of review; a great mixture of fact at the start and pure joy at the end.
Wonderful review Steph as usual! The Atlantic truly is an amazing example of late 40s styling!
Thank you!
great video Steph cant remember the last one of those i seen
Great review Steph. Wonderful test drive of a very rare car.
You should be endorsing the hairspray you use too. Great advertising opportunity for whatever brand you use.😁
What a absolutely stunning Car Steph, beautifal and as for that chrome exhaust piece with the Austin Logo on it that's a work of art.
I am sure a certain Mr Lloyd would have fallen in love with the interior.
What a simply stunning car. Your love for It shines through
What a magnificent car and a credit to its owner.! Thanks for reviewing.
Thanks for watching it William x
@@idriveaclassic It’s always a pleasure to watch your reviews, Steph.
What a great car Steph. Power windows and power roof, how futuristic for back then.
Now that's an interesting car. And thinking about it, quite advanced for 1949. Great video 👍...
Thank you. I agree, very advanced xx
fantastic Steph, lovely iconic car - Looks like the rest of the instrument panel is a work in progress too (Rev counter and speedo none functional at least) but it`ll get there ........ I can`t believe you got your outfit colour coded to 1949 Paint too ! Nice work ..
Terrific review of such a beautiful and rare car, and what a credit to the owner as it's in such superb condition. Love the colour too.
Thanks for watching ✨
Lovely car, lovely video. 👍 And matching dress and cardie, that's planning and preparation. 😊
I recall in the 1960's/70's seeing a green one of these in the Birmingham transport museum and being wowed by it (even though it was not a convertible). Thanks for bringing back fond memories. A great review of a great car!
Thank you Mark x
Just loved the video Steph would like to see it myself, think you've just found a new favorite car not heard of this always liked the A35 car & van.
Lovely looking car Steph very good review.
What a Great car. Loved the video Steph.
The A90 Atlantic is something so rare and special... I have a Dinky Toys model of the car.. this car has always haunted me! Splendid video Steph. Thanks.
My late father had the hard top version back in the 1950s in Canada. When he bought it, it was a light blue, but he had it spray-painted red for some reason.
A small piece of felt or velcro may help in keeping that left side glovebox door from rattling.
Such a lovely car, great video. Now all someone has to do a video on an A40 Farina and a Gypsy, that will make me happy
Great video Steph. Such a lovely car. I was pleased to see you wore an outfit that matched the colour of the car.
I do try xx
Superb art deco styling cues.
England was still struggling at the time of the introduction of the Atlanta.
Where I live there was a white one driven by an Anglophile many years ago. A rare sight in Australia. Having said that, there were plenty of contemporary Austins such as A40 Devon, A35 and so on ...even as late as the eighties, there were a few on our roads in Australia...
The local Austin dealer was called "Central Motors" and I've recently collected a large number of vintage advertisements from that dealer from the 1950's ..
Thanks for the excellent review of this rare beast .
Awsome video Steph
One of the most stunning roadsters I've seen. Beautiful
My dream car, great review, thank you.
Fantastic I've loved this review so much .Great British classic car and once again you are colour matched with the car 👍😎❤️❤️❤️
I always try! Xx
Great video. Love these cars.
I never knew flashing indicators had ever been illegal.
The geeky facts in my brain finally coming in handy x
@@idriveaclassic are you sure about that my father had a 1960 ford with only flashers fitted
‘Weren’t legal until 1956’ which makes your dads car legal if it’s a 1960.
@@idriveaclassic sorry misheard i thought you said 1966.
I too fell in love with the Austin Atlantic, as a 9 yr old, because at the time of it's introduction, it was so unique and modern looking. It was in bright RED, with cream interior. That sloping front, the streamline side panels that encompased the rear wheels. The single, central Headlight, was previously unknown. And, being open topped, looked sensational. My first glimpse, was from the top of a Bus, that had halted outside a main Austin Showroom, in South Birmingham, where I had a first rate view into it's interior. It was in prime position , and very well lit-up. It was mainly aimed at the American market. Sadly, it was not a success there, although apparently, to American standards, it was not powerful enough, which belied it's appearance. What it needed was , to be handed to the 'Performance boys', like Donald Healy.
Steph...one of my earliest memories is of riding in a cream A90 hard top which belonged to one of my Dad’s friends. He was a bit of a “rogue” and during the ride, that glovebox lid opened and out rolled a bottle of “Double Diamond” beer and a pair of ladies...ahem...knickers! Well it didn’t mean much to me at 6 years old but I do recall his panic to get it all back in and the door shut! I hope you drove that car at night as my other memory is of those lovely golden instruments glowing in the dark...they seemed like another World to me and I wanted an Atlantic for many years but of course rust killed them very quickly. Don’t forget that they were also used for a number of World Record Endurance tests and were very successful...mostly trying to capture the attention of US markets. A fine car but those Girling hydro mechanical brakes take some setting up..they can be very good indeed but rarely ever were. A special car and a nice review of a rare model!
I saw your BBC Breakfast interview last week...I hope it brought a few more subscribers for you! Well done...keep testing... 1935/37 Riley Blue Streak Kestrel would be an interesting drive...it might surprise you by being far better than you might expect! I don’t have one now by the Riley Owners Club might be able to help.😎😎😎😎
OH STEPH ! What a car ! Our neighbour had one of these - she upgraded from a Metropolitan. she used to take my sisters and I for a quick 'spin' up and down the road - must have been 1960 ish. Thanks for rekindling so many memories :-)
I’m dying to try a metropolitan
About time someone does a review video on wonder machine.
Fantastic car! It is rather "Tucker-esque" in style, and I esp. like the instrument layout...lovely drive in the countryside, too!
What a brilliant review of this car !
The reviewer showed, in so many ways, the pleasures of driving a really well-sorted example which showed that it is more than capable of being driven in modern day traffic.
But what about the looks of this beast? To me it is just fabulous, and it even has an ELECTRIC convertible roof and windows.
I'm off to find more of your car reviews ...
You get a real sense of how torquey that 2.6 lump is. And it sounds lovely! It'd be nice to back to back one with a Healey 100-4 to see how different in character they are.
Absolutely beautiful! It also shows how important it is to know the market , the Americans would never buy that sort of car for that money in 1949! History is full of ingenious cars that never catch on because the buyer can’t see the use of them and the sellers can’t explain why they should buy it.
Lovely Austin wonderful beauty and may I say Steph so do you next to the classic Austin good you had the sunshine out to. Makes every ones day your Sunday videos.
Great review Steph of one of my favourite cars .The detail is fantastic with great Art-Deco styling , notice even the exhaust tail pipe chrome deflector has the embossed ' winged A ' and the only car to have 2 ' winged A ' mascots !.The Ekco car radio was designed for the Atlantic only as an expensive option , most prestigeous cars had unique model radios .This particular car is very well known and in the perfect colour.Deeply envious !.
Was it a valve radio?
@@smudger671 It was indeed.Ekco and HMV were prolific companies making ' bespoke ' model radios for prestigeous cars, before the standard ' 7 x 2 ' standard aperture sets began to evolve in the 1960s.They required a separate ' vibrator ' unit , which you can see as Steph opens the bonnet, at the centre of the bulkhead , a black box connected to the dashboard display tuner unit.It was an inverter to step up the 12 volt battery supply to a voltage of around 120 volts ( high tension ) required for the valve technology of the time, before transistors , which had only just been invented in the States when the Atlantic was made !.
So rare . I had a dinky model one !!!!! Would love to have driven one . Great video as usual Steph.
Thank you x
The BEST video you have ever made !
The steering wheel is the same as in the Austin Sheerline. The Ford Pilot is also very similiar. The power windows and roof are actually electric hydraulic with rams in each door and in the rear. This is a very nice car. The engine is superb and far superior to anything made by Ford or even Daimler in the era. Indeed the engine was later raced at Le Mans in the big Healey which is fantastic because I can order any engine parts from the Healey suppliers in the UK or Australia. Handling is excellent but radials are a good idea as it has significant performance. A good number are preserved here in Australia and some members will take them on transcontinental journeys! We love ours and like most mad enthusiasts we collect them!
Thankyou for your lovely review. A lovely Ming Blue example. Indeed in 1948 the Atlantic were one of first cars made in an early metalic or irridescent paint. This was a very fine metallic finish. Ming Blue and Sea Foam Green were the most common. Sadly the paint didn't last especially here in Australia and most ended up being resprayed. But today with advances in paint chemistry the originals tones can be recreated. Happy motoring.
Great review of a car I didn’t even know existed. A 2,660 engine in an Austin was surely huge for the day and well beyond the pockets of the average British buyer. It vaguely reminds me of the early Porsche Speedster but with the ‘Tucker’ cyclops light.
Love her hair & outfits and how they go with the cars. Nice reviews!
Oh my Zeus! Where do I start?
I love these.
This is a Supreme example.
I do prefer the coupe.
I have never seen one that actually had the electric windows.
Great colour.
Stupid glovebox lids.
Inspired the styling of the A40 Somerset, which is my favorite A40-A50 design.
Steph, I am jealous. You go girl.
Nice to see you at Heritage Centre, Gaydon today. Wanted to say hello but you had so many admirers wanting selfies lol
It always amazes me how far that front bumper comes out, and it's far more noticeable "in the metal".