Tesla issued a press release in February of 2007 stating that they will build their WhiteStar sedan in New Mexico.

Governor Richardson announced today that Tesla Motors will build a new automobile assembly facility in Albuquerque, bringing 400 high wage jobs and a total capital investment of $35 million. Construction on the 150,000 square foot plant will begin in April 2007, at the latest.

It’s the end of June 2008 and no electric car plants have been built. The state of California screwed New Mexico out of that opportunity.

Ze’ev Drori, CEO of Tesla Motors, and Governor Schwarzenegger announced today at a press conference at Tesla Motors headquarters that Tesla’s next product, a 4-door, 5-passenger sedan, will be manufactured at a facility in the state of California.

Previously it had been announced that the sedan manufacturing facility was planned for Albuquerque, New Mexico. After a thorough review of the program, Tesla decided that it would be highly advantageous to build manufacturing facilities in close proximity to the engineering and research and development functions in Tesla’s San Carlos headquarters. Tesla’s battery pack, a critical component of the Tesla Roadster, is currently manufactured in California. Final assembly of the Tesla Roadster is also currently in California.

That really sucks.

John Fleck posts today about a New York Times story on how the Saudis are afraid that by squeezing demand for oil they are going to put themselfs out of buisness.

While they are reaping record profits, the Saudis are concerned that today’s record prices might eventually damp economic growth and lead to lower oil demand, as is already happening in the United States and other developed countries. The current prices are also making alternative fuels more viable, threatening the long-term prospects of the oil-based economy.

It’s not your imagination, gas prices are higher than they were in 1918 when adjusted for inflation. Unless Saudis significantly reduce the price of gas and keep it down, the path is set to lessen our need and maybe one day eliminate our need for oil as a means of transportation.

My truck gets 15 MPG (when I’m lucky) and the last time I filled it up it cost me $68. When gas was about $2.50 a gallon, I looked at getting a Honda scooter that gets about 80MPG. Considering my truck is already paid off, the break even costs didn’t work out for the scooter nor is it likely to still work out to purchase a more efficient vehicle (I need to redo the math for current gas prices and I will publish it later). I still want to reduce my expenditures on gas so I’m going to burn fat instead of oil.

Assuming the weather cooperates, i will start riding my bike to work next week. I’m also working on resurrecting Project Maverick (my long languishing project car) and it will be electric. Both of these things I wouldn’t have done if it wasn’t for the high price of gas. Apparently I’m not the only one reducing my use of oil, Exxon is selling off it’s retail gas business because it can’t make enough money off it.

Finally my point is that once people get into these habits they are not going to fall out. The movement against oil has already started and will counter the oil producers greed.

A friend IM'ed me and asked if I heard about the bad gas. I said not really but I smelled and and had it all day long. That's not what they were talking about.

Inoue said the general managers at both Peerless Tyre and Costco told him that a Giant Industries tanker from a pipeline terminal in Moriarty on Tuesday delivered diesel to unleaded gasoline pumps at 10 stations in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and possibly points in between.

The screw up was actually by Western Refining Inc. The companies that gave out the bad gas are paying for repairs. I'm sure glad I didn't buy gas today.

Looks like I might have the chance to buy a new Delorean. The people who took over the Delorean Motor Company in Texas are considering starting production again. Right now they do frame up restorations that cost about $40,000.

With 200 of the original 2.8-liter V-6 engines still in stock and facing a dwindling supply of cars suitable for rebuilding, Espey figures that within a year or so they'll start making the cars from scratch. Their manufacturing plans are modest — maybe 20 or so cars a year. But it would be quite a comeback for a car that was given up for dead more than a quarter of a century ago.

In 1957 the State of Oklahoma buried a Plymouth Belvedere to celebrate state hood. The Plymouth was buried in a concrete time capsule, covered in plastic and goo to protect it. Over the last 50 years, the concrete tomb became filled with water and despite the plastic and goo it was pretty well rusted. Check out some pictures of the car while being placed into the time capsule and check out the unveiling of the rust bucket at Mark’s Madness!.

It also says something about my driving record as I've never had a speeding ticket in the 10 years I've lived here. Doesn't mean I haven't been lucky. I've been pulled over twice for not stopping at a stop sign. When I first moved here I had long hair and was driving around in the Maverick. I was pulled over by a cop that was two cars ahead of me for not wearing my seat belt. The Maverick only had lap belts and how could he see when he was two cars ahead of me? I never got a ticket for any of these incidences. I did have two speeding tickets when I lived in Arizona.

This weeks Photo Friday is "Futuristic". This is a 1964 Chrysler Turbine car. In the 1960's, a few hundred lucky people were given the privilege of beta testing this vehicle. From what I can tell, the turbine turned a driveshaft, so it wasn't pushed along by a jet engine. Still I would drive one, I guess these cars were ahead of their time.

This picture was taken at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit when I visited there in September of 2006.

Not exactly cheap at $130000, this Ford Model T Coupe is on Craigslist. It has lots of new stuff: New Kevlar transmission bands, New Modern Turbo clutch, New distributor, New brakes, New battery, New stop light, New tires.

Wow, a lot of old vehicles are showing up on craigslist lately. Or have they always showed up and I never noticed?

This 1949 Dodge Panel Van for $2500 is actually tempting. If it really does run good and is in good enough shape, $2500 isn't a bad price. At least to me, if I had money to buy it.

Yet another classic car shows up on craigslist. $9000 for a 1922 R23 Speedster in Grants, NM. Poster states it has it has new top and upholstery. Not sure who originally made them but looks nice.

The same poster also seems to have other cars like a 1923 Model "T" Touring Car - $13000 and a 1929 Roadster Pickup - $13000.

A couple from New York paid $3000 to ride a cab from NY to Sedona, AZ becasue they didnt want their cat to deal with the airlines.

A New York couple who wanted to spare their cats a trip in an airliner cargo hold during a cross-country move completed a 2,500-mile cab ride to northern Arizona on Monday.

The Matases, who are retiring in Arizona, met cabdriver Douglas Guldeniz when they hailed his taxi in Manhattan after a shopping trip three months ago and jokingly invited him to come along on their upcoming move.

A video of an accident caused when a freeway storm sewer explodes and send the huge man hole cover into the middle of the lane.

Via Fark

On Craigslist from Carlsbad, NM. Listed as "Very rare 1928 Studebaker Dictator. Partially restored, original 1928 upholstery. Does run! $7,500 obo." Looks great!

From loose bolts to gaps between ceiling plates, the number of potentially dangerous flaws in Boston's $15 billion "Big Dig" highway project keep rising, reaching 362 on Friday, after a fatal tunnel collapse.

Link

They are looking at everything but the real problem. What do they think, people are just sitting on the pot to avoid working? I've tried it, it gets old really quick. They should be happy their employees are healthy and regular.

In a memo that was distributed Tuesday to workers at Ford's Michigan Truck plant in Wayne, plant managers said too many of the factory's 3,500 hourly workers are spending more than the 48 minutes allotted per shift to use the bathroom. The extra-long breaks are slowing production of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicles that are built there, the company said.

This was was spotted at the local pub, Turtle Mountain. I don't recall what it's name is, but I do recall it gets 30-40 MPG.

Stupid camera phone, i need to figure out how to clean the internal components.

Update 09/05/05 4:41 AM: It's a BMW Isetta. Tons more picture of this car on Flickr.

Jalopnik is following the bullrun. It's essentially the real Cannonball Run, through the western US. Some exciting stuff, check out this entry.

Team Polizei resorted to a “duck under” strategy, whereby we accelerate to put as much distance as possible between us and the location of any civilian calls to 911. This worked as far as South Lake Tahoe, where we heard a helicopter somewhere over the canyon road up ahead. We soon spotted the helicopter and, certain that it was a police helicopter, slowed in case they’d spotted us. Ten minutes later we crested a hill at a modest 67mph only to see 7(!) police cruisers heading Eastbound at high speed, lights and sirens on. We’d accidentally stirred a hornets nest, and they were descending on our friends some 5 miles behind us. We called every phone number we had, and yet were unable to reach them.

Autoblog discusses the Ford Ranger from this Forbes article.

Ford sold 75,673 Rangers to Nissan’s 42,229 Frontiers in the first seven months of the year. Forbes brings up the dismal crash test scores and owner satisfaction. What is the explanation for this sales volume? American loyalty for domestic trucks, deep discounts, and the Ranger name are all cited. There are some serious discounts on this truck, even before the Ford Family Plan you could get $3000 in rebates. The Ranger nameplate still has some solid value, and Ford would be wise to heavily revise this vehicle before they totally destroy its goodwill.

I have a 1996 Ford Ranger, so I read these things with interest. The Ranger is a good truck but it's hardly changed. It would be cool if they came out with a hybrid version.

Growing up in Arizona, I never heard of these much. In Albuquerque, i see the signs all over that say "Jake Brakes Prohibited". What's the difference? Albuquerque has lots of hills and the Phoenix area is flat.

But so what? What is a jake brake? here's your explanation. Why is it banned? Because it's noisy.

Thanks Jalopnik

Wow, who would have thought that urea (aka piss, pee) would be the latest technology, helping cut now emissions in diesel engines. Though the EPA is a little worried that people wont get their urea refilled in their cars.

One of the main drawbacks of diesels is an increase in the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), one of the nastier pollutants and a result of the high temperatures and localized areas of lean combustion inherent to diesel operation. Urea injected into the exhaust stream of a diesel decomposes into ammonia, which then lends towards the breakdown of NOx into oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.

Apparently it doesn't take much to make the reaction work but it needs refilled ever 10K miles. This seems like a DIY job for sure.

My 4x4 Ford Ranger reached a milestone today when it reached a 100,000 miles. I'm happy to say I'm the original owner, purchasing it new in 1996 (it's a 1997 model) with something like 27 miles on it.

It's been a good truck, disproving to me that american cars can be well built. It's not without out it's share of problems. For the last few years I've had a terrible vibration in the vehicle. I've taken it to Don Chalmers Ford who diagnosed it with need tires and shocks. I agree that tires can cause some bad issues with it but they weren't the problems I was having. I could tell it was a front end problem especially since there was sever cupping in the front tires. I finally took it to Bob Turners who correctly diagnosed with needing front new springs. They weren't even able to properly align it, it's strange that Don Chalmers didn't figure that out, even though they charged me $90 for a vibration analysis.

I've not heard of spring going bad, but since they have replaced them the tires wear properly and it rides a thousand percent better. Perhaps more people need them and don't realize it.

I'm experiencing a breaking problem and I suspect the front right (and maybe left) rotors are warped and need replaced. It will be the first time that any such work as been done on this vehicle. Meanwhile my coworkers are telling me how their brand new Nissan need rotors right after they bought it. Other than that there's been a few minor things, some emissions related thing need replaced a few months ago and some and a few issues with a electronic 4 wheel drive switch.

The engine runs as strong as it did the day I bought it. It doesn't leak anything or burn anything it's not suppose to. And the gas mileage is about 15 mpg, not great but near what it did when I got it (and not bad for a 4x4). Thanks Dad for showing me how to take proper care of a vehicle. With luck, I will have it for another 100,000 miles!

Apparently the designated driver programs are not working out so well.

Publicity campaigns can produce small, fleeting increases in the number of designated drivers, but there is not enough evidence to show whether these programs decrease drunk driving, according to a new review of studies. Lead researcher Randy Elder and colleagues found few studies that measured the effectiveness of designated driver programs, despite their popularity in the United States and elsewhere since the 1980s. The report was produced by the U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services, an independent advisory panel of experts funded by the federal government and reported in the most recent American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Designated drivers are people who drink no alcohol at a bar, restaurant or other drinking establishment and agree to drive other members of their party home. In practice, according to Elder, only a few designated drivers completely abstain from alcohol.
%u201CIn some cases, the designated driver may be chosen based on who among the group is the least intoxicated,%u201D Elder says.

My favorite car designer, John DeLorean, has died after having a stroke. John DeLorean is most famous for the Delorean Motor Car that was used in "Back To The Future". He is also famous for starting the muscle car revolution by creating the GTO in 1964. Too bad about that whole drug dealing thing.

The DMC is one of my favorite cars, I hope to own one some day. About 10 years ago you could buy one for about $10,000. I've read they have increased in populatarity and are now going for double that.

A brown 1973 Ford Torino was my first car. The 73 model year wasn't what I would consider at the height of style for the Torinios (seems all of Ford's designs went for the worse starting with 1973). The 72 Torino had a much better looking front end, however Starsky and Hutch drove a 73.

You can see, my Torino was in bad shape. I don't recall but it may not have ran at all. But it was cheap! This is the type of car Adam Sandler sings about.

As a result we found this powered blue 1973 Ford Torino 4 door.

The idea was that it would be used as parts for the 2 door. The big difference between the two is that the 4 door ran, had all it's parts togther and it ran. I know what your saying, that 2 door is far sexier that that ugly 4 door, but did I mention it actually ran? Of course when I pushed on the accelerator it would actually accelerate about 2 seconds later. Made for some interesting left hand turns into traffic.

Thankfully the Maverick came long not too much longer.

169 photos from the 2005 Supernationals taken on 1/30/2005. I'm getting better with the camera, increased the exposure a bit too much so some of these are a little blurry. Overall I feel they came out better than the photos I took at the 2004 Supernationals. These photos are available at flickr (2005 Supernationals set) or watch the slideshow below.

The title of these photos are: Waiting to get into the 2005 supernationals, Hot Wheels Car, 1955 Chevy Pickup - Darrell & Tim Cimbanin, 1955 Chevy Pickup - Darrell & Tim Cimbanin, Motorcycles, 1964 Plymouth Road Runner, 1964 Plymouth Road Runner, 1955 Chevy - Jim & Barbara Canress, 1964 GTO, 1927 Ford Roadster - Ted & Betty Peirce, 1970 Chevy Truck, 1968 Chevy Camaro, 1957 Willys Jeep FC 180 - Troy & Michelle Fry, 1957 Willys Jeep FC 180 - Troy & Michelle Fry, 1957 Willys Jeep FC 180 - Troy & Michelle Fry, 1936 Chevrolet Standard Coach - Berry & Cheryl Lardsburg, 1936 Chevrolet Standard Coach - Berry & Cheryl Lardsburg, 1941 Willy's Coupe - Mark Manly, 1941 Willy's Coupe - Mark Manly, 1968 Chevy Camaro - Robert Martinez, 1913(?) Ford Hearse, 1913(?) Ford Hearse, 1913(?) Ford Hearse, 1932 Ford Roadster - Ron Ginn, 1932 Ford Roadster - Ron Ginn, 1955 Chevy Sedan Delivery - Jim & Ann Nelson, 1955 Chevy Sedan Delivery - Jim & Ann Nelson, 2002 Texas Chopper - Danny Hathaway, 1972 Chevyrolet Suburban - Porfie Maldanado, 1967 Camaro RS - George Bustamante, Ford new car booth, exciting stuff, Ford GT, Ford GT, 1972 Chevy Pickup, 1972 Chevy Pickup, 1972 Chevy Pickup, 1996 Toyota 4Runner, 1932 Ford frame & engine - Paul Blass, 1968 Chevy Camaro - Terry Card, 1968 Chevy Camaro - Terry Card, 1956 Chevy Hard Top - Richard Chavez, 1956 Chevy Hard Top - Richard Chavez, 1971 Chevy Nova - Vicky Marihugh, 1951 Mercury, 1951 Mercury, 1934 Chevrolet Phantom Sedan - Rich & Paige Hdell, 1934 Chevrolet Phantom Sedan - Rich & Paige Hdell, 1934 Chevrolet Phantom Sedan - Rich & Paige Hdell, Custom Motorcylce, 1957 Chevy Belair - Albert Benavides, 1957 Chevy Belair - Albert Benavides, 1964 Chevy Chevette - Albert Benavides, 1958 Chevy Truck - Bill Terrazas, 1958 Chevy Truck - Bill Terrazas, 2003 Campagne T-Rex - Bruce Loughridge, 2003 Campagne T-Rex - Bruce Loughridge, 1966 Chevy Nova "Johnny Rocket", I1966 Chevy Nova "Johnny Rocket", 1966 Chevy Nova "Johnny Rocket", 1966 Chevy Nova "Johnny Rocket", 1968 Chevy Truck - Eddie Aterio, 1968 Chevy Chevelle, 1972 Ford Mustang Mach1 - Jim Martinez, 1972 Ford Mustang Mach1 - Jim Martinez, 1955 Ford F100 - Lee Laner, IMG_4896.JPG, Mustang, Mustang, 1961 Chevy Wagon, 1961 Chevy Wagon, 1967 Ford F-100 1/2 Ton - Jim McCoy, 1967 Ford F-100 1/2 Ton - Jim McCoy, 1939 Ford Cabriolet, 1939 Ford Cabriolet, Tri-cycle, 1968 Chevy Camaro - Joseph Ortiz, 1959 Chevy Suburban, 1959 Chevy Suburban, 1969 Chevy Camaro - David & Jacob Graston, IMG_4881.JPG, 1969 Dodge Dart GTS - Bob Chavez, 1969 Dodge Dart GTS - Bob Chavez, 1929 Ford "A" - Wayne & Bonny Holly, 1957 Chevy Sport Coupe, 1976 Honda Civic 1500 - Bob O'Connell, 1976 Honda Civic 1500 - Bob O'Connell, 1976 Honda Civic 1500 - Bob O'Connell, 1954 Chevy - Amy Sanford, 1955 Pontiac Star Cheif - Richard & Debbie Figved, IMG_4865.JPG, GTX Hemi, GTX Hemi, 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, IMG_4858.JPG, IMG_4857.JPG, IMG_4856.JPG, IMG_4855.JPG, IMG_4854.JPG, IMG_4853.JPG, IMG_4852.JPG, IMG_4851.JPG, IMG_4850.JPG, IMG_4849.JPG, IMG_4848.JPG, IMG_4847.JPG, IMG_4846.JPG, IMG_4845.JPG, IMG_4844.JPG, IMG_4843.JPG, IMG_4842.JPG, IMG_4841.JPG, IMG_4840.JPG, IMG_4839.JPG, IMG_4838.JPG, IMG_4837.JPG, IMG_4836.JPG, IMG_4835.JPG, IMG_4834.JPG, IMG_4833.JPG, IMG_4832.JPG, IMG_4831.JPG, IMG_4830.JPG, IMG_4829.JPG, IMG_4828.JPG, IMG_4827.JPG, IMG_4826.JPG, IMG_4825.JPG, IMG_4824.JPG, IMG_4823.JPG, IMG_4822.JPG, IMG_4821.JPG, IMG_4820.JPG, IMG_4819.JPG, IMG_4818.JPG, IMG_4817.JPG, IMG_4816.JPG, IMG_4815.JPG, IMG_4814.JPG, IMG_4813.JPG, IMG_4812.JPG, IMG_4811.JPG, IMG_4810.JPG, IMG_4809.JPG, IMG_4808.JPG, IMG_4807.JPG, IMG_4806.JPG, IMG_4805.JPG, IMG_4804.JPG, IMG_4803.JPG, IMG_4802.JPG, IMG_4801.JPG, IMG_4800.JPG, 3 buidlings worth of cars, IMG_4798.JPG, IMG_4797.JPG, IMG_4796.JPG, IMG_4795.JPG, IMG_4794.JPG, IMG_4793.JPG, 1932 Ford, 1932 Ford, 1971 Ford Ranchero, 1965 Chevy El Camino - Darrel Yottn, 1965 Chevy El Camino - Darrel Yottn, 1965 Chevy El Camino - Darrel Yottn, 1965 Chevy El Camino - Darrel Yottn, IMG_4781.JPG, IMG_4780.JPG

You might think, what's the big deal, their just windshield wipers? Except the true story is that this man invented them and all the car makers use something that's very similar to what he invented. Doesn't he deserve credit and compensation for that? The car companies did't think so.

Robert Kerns died on February 9th. His life wasn't an easy one with considerable effort being put into suing the car companies. He won suits against Ford and Chrysler but that lasted years. By the time he got through with the rest of the companies his patents had expired.

Photo Credit: The Washington Post

General Motors isn't going to offer "Quadrasteer" on it's trucks anymore. It's disappointing because it was an actual innovation for pickups, but it was expensive.

An industry analyst who tracks suppliers and technology says the Quadrasteer system was excellent technology that worked well. But it faced several hurdles:

>>> Quadrasteer was priced too high. When it debuted in 2002, it was part of a $4,495 option package, which was too much money for one option for many buyers.

>>> Even when GM lowered Quadrasteer's price to $2,000, it still didn't sell because dealers failed to communicate to potential buyers the capability of the system, according to the analyst.

>>>Because GM wrangled an exclusive out of Delphi, the supplier was not able to market the system to other automakers. Had Delphi been able to sell Quadrasteer to more than one automaker, the component costs would have come down as Delphi realized savings from the economies of scale that come with higher production.

It's funny sad because it's true. I wonder if he would still think the same now?

17 September 2004 editorial published in the Daily Nebraskan and entitled "Individual Rights Buckle Under Seat Belt Laws," by Derek Kieper, a 21-year-old senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in which the writer inveighed against mandatory seat belt laws, opining that "Uncle Sam is not here to regulate every facet of life no matter the consequences," and that "Democrats and Republicans alike should stand together to stop these laws that are incongruous with the ideals of both parties." ... Evidently his words were far more prescient than any of us might have wanted, as an article in the 4 January 2005 Lincoln Journal Star reported that Mr. Kieper not only died in a car crash, but the tragic mishap that claimed his life was the very type of accident in which seat belts have proved so effective in saving lives ? preventing passengers from being ejected from vehicles.

(Thank's Autoblog.)

Isn't this the most bizzare, coolest looking thing to come from a American auto maker. It has two 5.7 liter Hemi engines, one in the back and one in the front, that can be used indepentatly or together with some super transaxle thingy. Plus it can turn it's wheels completey. Lots more pictures at AutoBlog.

It's so cool that they probably won't make it.

Chrysler is coming out with the Charger again in 2006, Autoweek has the scoop. The Charger is the same one use in the Dukes Of Hazzard. Shown here is a 1968 Dodge Charger.

You can see they tried to copy some of the lines of the original Charger, along the back over the rear wheels and somewhat over the hood. But it looks a lot more like the 300 than the original. Still the effect is not bad, especially when compared to the same attempt Chevy did with the first reincarnation of the Malibu.

This is Honda's first attempt to make a truck. It's called the Ridgline and is suppose to come out somewhere around March 2005. A friend of mine that recently bought a Honda Pilot pointed it out to me, knowing I will be in the market for a new truck in the next few years.

I kinda of like the look of it. To me, it's no so ugly as the Aztek, though I know there are those that disagree. At least this thing is pretty consistantly boxy, where as the the designers of the Aztek tried to put every angle possible on it. Though still, you know what they say about beauty. The concept vehilcle show on their website is apparently not exactly what the real thing will look like. There's been sightings that it has more "normal" looking headlights and not such strange tires.

What I'm really looking for in my next vehicle is innovation. Lets look at the specs on this thing:

• 3.5-liter V6 engine
• 5-speed automatic transmission
• Automatic 4-wheel drive system
• Anti-lock brake system
• Fully integrated, closed-box frame with unibody construction
• Half-ton payload capacity
• Five-foot bed with minimal wheel arch intrusion
• Five-passenger interior
• Side curtain airbags
• Vehicle Stability Assist

The specs compare pretty favorably to my current ride, a 1997 Ford Ranger. I do have a bigger engine but I suspect Honda has been able to get some more performance out of the 3.5L V6 that would compete pretty well to my 4.0L. My ranger has over 1/2 ton payload capacity (if my calculations are correct) but I've never come close to that. What amazes me the most is how little has changed in the specs of the ranger in the last 8 years. That is what I call a lack of innovation.

I like the auto 4x4 system, which is more like an automatic all wheel drive system. At least from what I've seen on my friends Pilot. It would sure beat this 4x4 system on my '97 Ranger, in which the motor, controlled by the electronic switch, has gone out twice (that's about $500 a pop for repairs). What's worse is you don't find out that it's out till your out i the middle of the snow. Not to mention the automatic system on the Honda doesn't require unlocking the hubs.

The interior on it looks pretty nice too. I like the way they have eliminted the carpet. When I custom ordered my current truck I tried to order it without carpeting but the wouldn't do it for my class of truck, only the low end gets that.

Another consideration I've had for my next vehicle is having 4 doors. The size of my Ranger is fine (I don't need a F350 like half the people in this state do) but it turns out I want to haul people around a lot more than I suspected. Who knew?

The big disadvantage that purchasing this vehicle has over my current Ranger is price. My truck is paid for, and has been for about 4 years. I love not having to make a payment and I would expect to pay between $25,000 to $30,000 for the Ridgeline. That will be a pretty hefty payment, one I don't look forward to paying.

Caught this via Fark, things more expensive than Gas. Although gas hasn't been $1.39 a gallon, even in Albuquerque, in a long time there's still lots of things more expensive than Gas. The problem is we don't consume most of those things as much as we do gas. I consumed 694.65 gallons in the last year (which comes out to about $0.12 a mile), not nearly as much as I consumed in Shampoo (I don't use Head & Shoulders but something close).

Oprah gave away 276 new cars as part of the opening of her new show. It's obviously a promotional stunt with Pontiac and their new G6 but it's a dam good one. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be on that show.

You know it's coming. Those black boxes they have in airplanes are coming to your automobile (some already have them). Technology like this cannot be stopped, it's to easy too implement and the "apparent" benefits are too great. The benefit is that law enforcement doesn't have to do as much work trying to figure how fast you were going before you hit that other car, just plug in and download. Crash data from a passenger airliner is considerably different, were talking about your personal property being potentially used against you. California has enacted a law to protect people from having this data used without them knowing it's there.

Most current devices only record a few seconds of data prior to a airbag deployment. It's very easy now to record hours and hours of data and it's only a matter of time before these black boxes can do the same.

But what if you could use that data to prove to your insurance company that your a good driver? Progressive Insurance is doing just such a thing. As I understand it here's how it works: the device plugs into your ODB interface. It records everything your vehicle does. You take the data from the device and review it on your computer. From there you decide if your driving was good enough for a discount, send it off to the insurance company (It's your choice). As a male living in New Mexico my insurance rates are pretty high. If this was offered to me I would do it, and when I drive down the road I would remember I can save a significant amount if I just obey the speed limit, stop at the red light, use my signal. If they can work out the eventual "where's my data going" issues it could work out for those that are really safe drivers. The almighty dollar may just speak enough to make some slow down.

Berkerly has some incredible galleries of what they call "transportation futuristics"

What is "transportation futuristics" Many of us are familiar with covers from Popular Science that depict commuters buzzing around in tiny aircraft and landing on rooftops, or fanciful drawings of vehicles that run on roads, float on water and also take to the air. The basic problem many of us face each day--how to get from Point A to Point B in the least amount of time with the least amount of trouble-- has inspired many to dream of marvelous ways to solve that problem.

Some of them are blueprints, some of them are illistrations, Ads and some are photos. Most of them are from the 1930 through 60's but there are some modern computer generated images. They are very cool to look at and will probably take some time to scan through.

95 Photos taken from the 2004 SuperNationals (12th Annual Custom Car Show) in Albuquerque, NM. I wasn't sure what the last 14 pictures were of so if you can fill in the blanks please leave a comments. For that matter if I screwed up any of the other cars let me know. All the photos are available on this flickr set, or watch the slideshow below.

These are the titles of the photos. 1939 Chevy Pickup, 1939 Ford Coupe, 1957 Chevy Belair, 1957 Chevy Belair, 1955 Chevy Belair, 1956 Chevy Belair, 1956 Chevy Belair, 1955 Chevy Belair, 1955 Chevy Belair, 1955 Chevy Belair, 1973 Dodge Challenger, Corvettes, I1940 Ford 2 door sedan, 1956 Ford Thunderbird, 1932 Ford Roadster, IMG_3965.JPG, 1958 Ford Pickup, 1958 Corvette, 19xx Charger R/T, 1969 Chevelle SS, 1951 Ford Coupe, 1951 Ford Coupe, 1932 Chevy Sport Coupe, 1932 Chevy Sport Coupe, 19xx GMC Pickup, 19xx GMC Pickup, IMG_3952.JPG, 1955 Chevy Sedan Delivery Truck, 1948 Chevy, 1948 Chevy, 1972 Lincoln Batmobile, 1972 Lincoln Batmobile, 1972 Lincoln Batmobile, 1972 Lincoln Batmobile, 1968 Ford Shelby, 1968 Ford Shelby, IMG_3943.JPG, IMG_3942.JPG, Low Rider Schwinn, IMG_3940.JPG, 1961 Rambler American Deluxe Station Wagon, 1965 Malibu SS, 1965 Malibu SS, IMG_3934.JPG, 1967 Plymouth Barracuda, 1966 Ford Mustang GT Converable, 1966 Ford Mustang GT, 1968 Chevy Camaro RS/SS, 1959 Chevy Suburban, 1959 Chevy Suburban, 1959 Chevy Suburban, 1955 Chevy Belair, 1954 Chevy Pickup, 1955 Chevy Milktruck, 1955 Chevy Milktruck, 1955 Chevy Milktruck, 1967 Camaro RS, 1953 Chevy Belair, 1953 Chevy Belair, 1957 Chevy Belair, 1965 Ford Mustang GT, 1965 Ford Mustang GT, 1955 Cadillac, 1953 Ford Victoria, 1972 Chevy Malibu, 1936 Chevy Town Sedan, 1968 Ford Galaxie, 1957 Chevy Belair, 1957 Chevy Belair, 1957 Chevy Belair, 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, 1968 Chevy Malibu SS, 1968 Chevy Malibu SS, 1967 Chevy Chevelle SS, 1967 Chevy Chevelle SS, 19xx Camaro Z28, 2002 Ford Pickup, 1975 Chevy Camaro, 1957 Chevy Belair, Cindy Williams (American Graffiti) |