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Hot Rod Garage series premieres with 700-hp big-block Jaguar XJ

Roadkill hosts Mike Finnegan and David Freiburger have broken up - kinda - to spin off a new show, Hot Rod Garage, that mostly gives up the driveway and parking lot wrench work for the confines of a garage. We say kinda because while Finnegan is the primary host for Hot Rod Garage, Freiburger plays guest host and the new show starts off by wrenching on the Roadkill Draguar project car.
What's the Draguar? It's a 1974 Jaguar XJ12 that's about to be force-fed a 383-cubic-inch Chevrolet long-block engine with tidbits like Holley carbs, a Weiand 6-71 roots blower and a "custom WillBlow transmission," all good for about 700 horsepower. After that Finnegan gets into swapping parts on his wife's El Camino and some TIG welding lessons.
You can check out the first episode below. And in case you're worried, no, Roadkill isn't going away.

Ford's J Mays feels vindicated by Fusion reception

It's hard to think back now, but the same man overseeing the design of the 2013 Ford Fusion also presided over a rather lackluster period in Ford design, highlighted by vehicles like the Five Hundred and Freestyle. With the redesigned Fusion receiving high praise, J Mays tells Automotive News that he feels vindicated from criticisms suggesting he's not a daring enough designer.
When Mays took over as lead of design in 1997, he admits to having quite an ego ("My head would barely fit through the door some days. I've long since gotten over myself") and the workload to match. With the Blue Oval's portfolio full of premium brands like Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo at that point, along with the bread-and-butter Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models, Mays certainly had quite the challenge.
It was in the mid-2000s that Mays took over just the premium brands, and took on the new title of Chief Creative Officer. At the time, Mays endured some criticism for looking backwards to retro styling, rather than setting a new standard for American car design - criticism that Mays says he is free from with the all-new Fusion.

Jaguar recalls 1,500 XJ sedans over brake issues

A problem with the hydraulic brakes on the flagship XJ sedan has prompted Jaguar to issue a recall. The issue, as publicized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the notice you can read below, revolves around the brake line junctions underneath the affected vehicles, which may leak fluid, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the braking system. The problem only affects an estimated 1,571 units from the 2014 and 2015 model years, manufactured between February 6 and July 23, 2014. Owners of those affected units are being notified to bring their vehicles in to their local Jaguar dealers to have the brake line junctions inspected and tightened. This issue appears to be unrelated to Jaguar's recent recall of several model lines, the XJ included, over a problem with the power steering system. RECALL Subject : Incorrect Torque of Brake Pipe Unions Report Receipt Date: NOV 19, 2014 NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V741000 Component(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,571 Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC SUMMARY: Jaguar Land Rover North America (Jaguar) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jaguar XJ vehicles manufactured February 6, 2014, to July 23, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the brake line junctions under the vehicle may leak brake fluid. CONSEQUENCE: A brake fluid leak may reduce the vehicle's braking ability, requiring additional distance to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Jaguar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake line junctions, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar's number for this recall is J048. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.