All Blog Posts (96)

I put together a bunch of pics of Jay Leno's MASSIVE car collection.  These are some amazing cars....would love to see this in person!!  It may take a minute to load because I uploaded 64 pictures of these amazing car's that Leno has.

 …

Customization on cars is a great thing. What people choose to do to their cars may not always be to every ones taste, or for that matter any ones but it doesn't matter. Anytime someone does something to their car, it is because they want something that makes it stand out from all of the others. In this day of cookie cutter car design or what I like to call “the beige” path, it is important for some people if for no other reason to do this just to prevent them from…

Ever since I was a kid, those asshats at all of the Future Science and Mechanics magazines have been promising me a flying car. As far back as I can remember, and as far as I can tell, back as my grandparents can remember too! In fact, according to the Futurezines, by the year 2000, I should have been able to go purchase one at my local Packard or DeSoto dealership as easily as I could go and pick up a loaf of bread! What the fuck happened? So far the world of the…

At the AMG driving event (GG post here) I finally got a chance to touch and feel the new SLS AMG.

LOOONG hood, short tail, functional side vents, big rims, seemingly even bigger ceramic…

No Surprise here...but the detailing of costs is interesting.

The 2011 Government allowed cost per mile for business is $.51 per mile, up from $.50 per mile available to claim on your 2010 tax return.  By the way..the government reimburses it's own employees at this rate, but also offers a separate $.48 per mile rate if you use a motorcycle in your government work.

AAA released the results of its…

AMG hosted a "driving experience" at Lone Star (horse) Race Track in the Dallas area this weekend. By-Invitation event just lined up the cars and let you push the AMG beasts  on a closed course set up near the horse track. 

Basically you sign in, then get in line to drive one of four available AMG models. You are accompanied by a pro driver that you can make use of to help you select the correct line, and give some quality encouragement... "FULL POWER", "HARD BRAKE", "GO GO GO".  Now…

 Automotive News reports in an interview with Hyundai Vice Chairman Shin Jong-Woon, there will be no separate brand identity for the upper-scale products from Hyundai that include the Genesis and recently introduced Equus.

Simply put, "There are no plans for Hyundai to make a separate brand," says the Vice Chairman

Frank Ahrens, a spokesperson for Hyundai elaborated a bit more according…

Over the years, I've been blessed to have had some wonderful cars, everything from restored 70's land yachts, zippy little Japanese sport coupes and oversized four wheel drives. The memories of those experiences warm my soul on chilly winter morning commutes. While those memories are good , I've also been cursed to have had an equal, if not larger number of horrible cars. The odd thing is, those are the cars that always bring a smile to my face when I think about…

March 31, 2011. From Torrance California.

Toyota announced MSRP increases for most 2011 Toyota, Scion and Lexus models. The Tacoma, Yaris Sedan, Scion TC Sports Coupe, Scion XB Urban Utility Vehicle, Lexus CT200H Hybrid Premium Compact and the 2012 LFA Super Car Remain Unchanged.

 Effective May 2011 production.

You can view the entire press release along with the list of price increases from the following file.

 …

On March 30th 2011, Toyota delivered this announcement.

"On behalf of everyone at Toyota, we want to thank you for your deep outpouring of concern and support regarding the tragedy in Japan.  While there have been no reported injuries at Toyota’s operations, the lives of many of our colleagues – and millions of others across Japan – have been affected greatly. "

Toyota launched a website this week as well…

Like it or not, the price of gasoline isn't likely to go anywhere but up in the foreseeable future. This in and of itself isn't news. The real debate is over how we are going to race them.

If you are an old fart like me, you may remember the wedge shaped glorified electric golf carts of the 70's and early 80's. They weren't very practical, but the sure dressed up background of many sci-fi…

Japan again shows it's resiliency.  This section of road was damaged by the large earthquake that hit Japan.  Six DAYS later, at least this section of road that was a complete disaster is completely repaired.   Note..this section, along with many of the roads in Japan is maintained by a private company, funded through tolls, not the government.

(Italics are google translated comments from the company that did the repairs. NEXCO  Nippon East Expressway Co.)

March 11…

This is a pretty cool video.

They’re in a standard issue WWII type Willys Jeep.

In the span of about 3 to 4 minutes they completely disassemble the vehicle and reassemble it and drive off in it fully operable! The idea being to show the genius that went into the making of the jeep and its basic simplicity.

Great stuff and fun to watch.  Keep an eye on the clock on your monitor.  It seems longer, but it is less than 4…

A Lamborghini owner in Qingdao announced that he would smash his Lamborghini car that was bought no more than six months ago in front of Qingdao 1919 International Building Material and Lamp Mall at 3:15pm on March 15 out of dissatisfaction with Lamborghini’s services.

Chinese Lamborghini Owner smashes his own car! 

  As the car appeared when he pulled up.…

Red Yellow Green,

Simple enough, but frustrating to most drivers.  How many toe-tapping drivers would have stress levels reduced if they just knew WHEN that light would change?

Here are some examples of traffic signals utilizing timers in use around the world.

Here are two  new designs being…

So, I just got back from Thailand (went many places around there) - and Bangkok is one CRAZY city.  Tuk Tuk's are one of the main forms of transportation for tourists.  These guys are CRAZY drivers.  In fact, most of Bangkok is filled with crazy drivers.  Lots of motorbikes (whereas we call them mopeds) that weave in and out.  The Tuk Tuk ride was so crazy that I took film and some pictures of the rides.  

If you are traveling to Bangkok - every Tuk Tuk driver will…

This seems like a natural and good use of peer-to-peer business plan. Basically they connect you with someone in your neighborhood that is willing to rent their car out on an hourly/daily basis.

Making your car available for rent in the pool could have the car pay for itself in rental fees.

Getaround has a master insurance policy that becomes primary for your car during the time of the rental, eliminating any extra charges or limitations on your policy. You can request a car…

The EniCycle.....

A one-wheel Segway?  This is an electrically powered unicycle with the gyroscopes used to keep it upright, much like the Segway.  Should they mass produce this?  (video after the continue link)

EniCycle works like the Segway, but it uses a single wheel versus the dual wheel standup positioning of the Segway.  This makes the EniCycle a good deal more portable than the…

I just finished an interesting article on mechanics suing over the "right to repair".  This is similar in tone to the "right to work" laws in some states. 

Applied to auto mechanics the issue is manufacturers requiring that only their dealership mechanics can "register" items to the cars computers…

Adam Glass has published a comprehensive guide to buying a used motorcycle.  He covers many areas and even includes representative photo's of what to look for (and lookOUT for) when evaluating a used bike.

• FIRST THINGS FIRST
  • Don't buy the first bike you see. Bring a friend & a…