The lyrics:
The Kremlin flies forever
In the face of expectation
Like sunshine seen through rain
I see American cars converge
On Paris Central Station
I came to mock
I left to pray
Subject to interpretation… in these times [
]
Let’s start with some true automotive weirdness: the 1975-78 Mazda Roadpacer.







This is the only General Motors product fitted for production with a rotary (AKA Wankel) engine. The Roadpacer was the product of several business angles during OPEC I. GM needed engine tech – the rotary engine was being considered for future fuel efficient Corvettes, Mazda needed a flagship model, GM’s Australian unit Holden was in the neighborhood… but rotaries are not known for their torque production, and the rebadged, kitsch-laden Holden Statesman weighed around 3500 lbs/1587 kg. Yielding a fuel consumption rate in the single digits. The Japanese domestic market was not pleased.
But by all available accounts, the ride was buttery smooth…