increasing the size of the letters a little makes them easier to read from farther away, learned about it in Autoweek, August 6 2012 issue
Showing posts with label informative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label informative. Show all posts
Monday, August 13, 2012
Highway signs increasing visibilty 20% by changing their font slightly
increasing the size of the letters a little makes them easier to read from farther away, learned about it in Autoweek, August 6 2012 issue
the 'Ring is bankrupt. Nurburgring filed last Wednesday
The Rhineland Palatinate state government had asked the Commission to pump €13 million into the firm as part of a rescue package which would also seee the firm would defer payment on a €330 million loan from a state-owned bank.
But European competition authorities refused to approve the plan and the firm which owns the track will now go into administration. Administrators will then soon be responsible for all contracts, whether this be with Bernie Ecclestone for the Formula 1 races or with concert organiser Marek Lieberberg for the Rock am Ring festival.
European authorities are already in the midst of checking whether more than €500 million has been funnelled into the racetrack and leisure complex in contravention of competition rules.
The Rhein Zeitung said that tax payers should expect to pay heartily for the situation, as the entire complex is said to be only worth €126 million – according to a study compiled by Ernst & Young for the state.
The figures show the firm is €413 million in debt, including €330 million borrowed from the state-owned bank and €83 million to share-holders, the paper said. The state could end up sitting on debts of around €287 million.
http://www.thelocal.de/sport/20120718-43811.html
But European competition authorities refused to approve the plan and the firm which owns the track will now go into administration. Administrators will then soon be responsible for all contracts, whether this be with Bernie Ecclestone for the Formula 1 races or with concert organiser Marek Lieberberg for the Rock am Ring festival.
European authorities are already in the midst of checking whether more than €500 million has been funnelled into the racetrack and leisure complex in contravention of competition rules.
The Rhein Zeitung said that tax payers should expect to pay heartily for the situation, as the entire complex is said to be only worth €126 million – according to a study compiled by Ernst & Young for the state.
The figures show the firm is €413 million in debt, including €330 million borrowed from the state-owned bank and €83 million to share-holders, the paper said. The state could end up sitting on debts of around €287 million.
http://www.thelocal.de/sport/20120718-43811.html
Sunday, August 12, 2012
stats and analysis of supercar registration in the UK
Friday, August 10, 2012
"official vehicle of America(tiny little 3 over the last a)"
in 1992, Chevrolet sponsored the America's Cup yacht America3 and so were able to designate the Corvette the "official vehicle of America3 "
So it's a small little thing that might be overlooked when you read the big headline "Official vehicle of America". Nice advertising gimmick.
So it's a small little thing that might be overlooked when you read the big headline "Official vehicle of America". Nice advertising gimmick.
The technical process that made Corvettes lighter, stronger, and better side impact crash testing.. 1992
Hydro forming, it uses 7000 psi water to bend steel, and when you don't heat steel, you don't lose strength. So by using cold water, they were able to use thinner side rails to increase interior room, and make getting in and out of the Vette easier.
1987 Callaway Corvette, 20 thousand dollars plus buying a Vette from Chevy
Chev's marketing planning director, Don Runkle, gave the Chevy turbo development results to Callaway, who made a 345 hp car that went 177mph. Chevrolet made the Callaway Corvette a RPO (regular production option) code, B2K.
The Callaway Turbo Corvette was available to 20 Chevy dealerships to service and sell, and while they hoped to sell 50, they got orders and sold 188
The Callaway Turbo Corvette was available to 20 Chevy dealerships to service and sell, and while they hoped to sell 50, they got orders and sold 188
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Duntov Turbo Corvettes, Chevy didn't make them
Chevy never could get Turbos to work well before Duntov retired, and after he did, he worked with some company to market the Duntov 1980 Convertible Turbo Corvette. It wasn't smog legal in California
those damn Chevy engine reference codes I've never learned
L36 390 hp 427
L48
L68 400 hp 427
L71 435 hp 427
L72 425 hp 427
L78 425 hp 396
L79 350 hp 327
L88 480 to 560 hp 427 only 60 pounds heavier than the L79 (327) but with 130 more hp, it cost $950 more
L89 aluminum heads on the L88 only 16 sets made
the 36 gallon fuel tanks for the coupe were only made in 2 corvettes
L84 mechanical fuel injected 327 360 hp
LT1 370 hp 350 with solid lifters and a carb until 1972, then 255 hp
ZL1 was a special L88, in 1967 20 were made, in1968 80 were made, in 1969 116 were made. 69 went to Gibb Chevy for Camaros, and Duntov got 2 put into customers cars, 1 for his developement mule, and 3 in engineering cars
ZR1 stands for Zora Racer 1.0 (1970-71) this was a drivetrain package with the LT1 engine, M22 trans
ZR2 Zora Racer 2.0 (1972)
LS5 365 hp 454 (1970-71)
LS6 425 hp 454 (1970-71)
8 of the ZR1 LT1 packages were made
12 of the ZR2 LS6 packages were made
Both were heater and radio delete for racing
If anyone knows a source for more of these codes and what they meant in simple terms, please email me a llink at jbohjkl@yahoo.com
L48
L68 400 hp 427
L71 435 hp 427
L72 425 hp 427
L78 425 hp 396
L79 350 hp 327
L88 480 to 560 hp 427 only 60 pounds heavier than the L79 (327) but with 130 more hp, it cost $950 more
L89 aluminum heads on the L88 only 16 sets made
the 36 gallon fuel tanks for the coupe were only made in 2 corvettes
L84 mechanical fuel injected 327 360 hp
LT1 370 hp 350 with solid lifters and a carb until 1972, then 255 hp
ZL1 was a special L88, in 1967 20 were made, in1968 80 were made, in 1969 116 were made. 69 went to Gibb Chevy for Camaros, and Duntov got 2 put into customers cars, 1 for his developement mule, and 3 in engineering cars
ZR1 stands for Zora Racer 1.0 (1970-71) this was a drivetrain package with the LT1 engine, M22 trans
ZR2 Zora Racer 2.0 (1972)
LS5 365 hp 454 (1970-71)
LS6 425 hp 454 (1970-71)
8 of the ZR1 LT1 packages were made
12 of the ZR2 LS6 packages were made
Both were heater and radio delete for racing
If anyone knows a source for more of these codes and what they meant in simple terms, please email me a llink at jbohjkl@yahoo.com
A rare gem, shared by Dep-O Magazine... the NSU Prinz owners manual "tips"
The manual has proved to be an absolute gem. It belongs to a different age completely, one where manufacturers trusted their customers with their own cars. Where modern manuals will tell you how to operate the central locking and where to put the ignition key but will then gently infer that the warranty will be invalid and legal action will swiftly follow even half-hearted attempts to open the bonnet, the Prinz manual just stops short of telling you how to fully disassemble and re-assemble the whole car using just a spoon and a ball of hairy string. And it does it all with a superb sense of humour. It’s actually funny.
Tips From NSU, reproduced here for your enjoyment. Some still make perfect good sense, some would cause many in this Health & Safety obsessed world to choke on their decaf Frappucino. Which is no bad thing. Don’t miss tips No.2, 16, and 18. Strangely, apart from giving me a good chuckle, the manual and the attitude it conveys has made me warm to the car enormously. I like NSU more because of it, it makes me sorry that they’re not still around making their wonderfully over-engineered cars. And as if I needed it, gives me one more reason to get the orange beast back on the road.
Awesome find! read the entire NSU purchase situation, from which this was excerpted
http://www.dep-o.co.uk/features/in-manual-our-ebay-gem-of-the-month/
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
A special Auto Week issue this past week had incredible features covering the wounded military vets and how they are coping with lost limbs and driving
in San Antonio near Brooke Army Medical Center, Automotivation is a program that helps restore the spirits and skills of wounded American military members by getting them back into the garage and into an environment where they can reconnect with their automotive passions.
Created in 2006 by founder Janis Roznowski and her team at Operation Comfort, a nonprofit group that supports wounded military members, retired Army Sgt. Chris Leverkuhn runs the program and knows about cars, pain and healing. An avid wrench-turner as a teen Indiana, he joined the Army in 2003 and deployed to Iraq. In 2004, he was hit by a roadside bomb while driving a fuel truck and became one of the war's early amputees, losing his right leg below the knee while sustaining multiple burns.
This year, the program was forced to move unexpectedly from its previous donated shop. The group hopes to find a permanent home in a former General Motors warehouse in San Antonio if the funds can be raised to purchase the building and equipment donations are secured. The National Auto Body Council (NABC) has stepped up to lead the fundraising drive within the automotive industry. Sherwin-Williams has joined to help with the shop layout.
Read more http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120731/CARNEWS01/120739978
Operation Comfort was started by Janis Roznowski, an American Airlines flight attendant who was part of a team transporting soldiers to and from the Middle East. Janis says, "Having had the great experience of being in the presence of some of the bravest men and women I have eve met, makes me realize that we can never do enough for them. I believe that our military men and women are truly our nation’s National Treasure. Now that they are wounded, we must do what we can for them."
............................................................................................................................................
All of Keselowski's passengers had been instructed to clap their hands and say their names, to help with the editing of the in-car video that they'd get a copy of.
“Clap your hands and say your name loud, and we'll get going!” Keselowski said.
A brief pause. “I, uh, only have one hand,” Galloway said. Immediately, a crewman and Keselowski both held a hand up for Galloway to clap, and they were off for a 180-mph ride.
Galloway, an Army sergeant, was in Iraq on his second tour of duty in 2005. In the southern part of Baghdad, his Humvee ran over a trip wire, and an explosive device sent the Humvee into a canal, on its side, with Galloway unconscious. He lost his left arm and his left leg.
But on this weekend, Galloway and a half-dozen other wounded warriors not only got a ride around Talladega with Keselowski or Dodge teammate Parker Kligerman, they were at the track for the race, hosted like VIPs. “Instead of celebrating and having fun, he's back here on Monday to be with us,” Galloway said. “It's hard to express how much we appreciate that.”
Families were included, and those getting the ride around the track included one other person each wounded vet selected.
Race 2 Recovery is funded by Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation, which he started in 2010. It is dedicated largely to helping former military members in need. The program carries two Penske Dodges, outfitted with the latest speed and safety equipment, to give rides to wounded warriors selected by area Veterans Affairs offices. There are donors, and Penske Racing supplied the cars, but a lot of the funding comes out of Keselowski's pocket.
Besides Talladega, the Race 2 Recovery program hosts veterans for three-day programs at Michigan, Charlotte, Richmond and, in August, at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120711/NASCAR01/120719964
I'm renewing my subscription (that I just started to see if I'd like this magazine, and I do!) because they ran this special issue with these two articles, plus a couple others. Nuf said?
CNN did a story about the Race 2 Recovery program that Keselowski has, and with more info...
his foundation, run by former Navy Lt. Andrea Ross, work with local Veterans Affairs hospitals to bring vets and their families to the track for a VIP experience.
Hospital staff recommends the honorees -- many amputees or in wheelchairs -- as either deserving of special praise or being in need of a morale boost.
"A lot of our honorees haven't been out of the house in quite some time. So it's a great way to get them out and get them on their feet," Keselowski says.
The highlight of the program happens after the race's final lap. When the grandstands empty out and race crews have headed home, Keselowski gets back behind the wheel for an extra day to give his honorees a once-in-a-lifetime experience -- a high-speed joy ride around the track.
He gets help from his Penske Racing teammate Parker Kligerman. Kligerman drives a second car for honorees' family members who also might feel the need for speed.
"I hope they take a glimpse of what we do but almost at the same time a glimpse of getting away from some tumultuous experience they've had as a veteran of war," Kligerman says. "And hopefully racing is something that they can become a fan of through this experience and have something to look forward to week in and week out."
Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation was incorporated in late July of 2010 and received its 501(c)(3) status a few short months later. The Foundation strives to support those individuals who have sacrificed greatly for America, including military members, veterans, first-responders and their families, among others.
Since its inception, CFF has hosted or participated in events with the Wounded Warrior Project, the Armed Forces Foundation, The Paralyzed Veterans of America, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the Detroit F.I.R.E. benefit team and the federal Veterans Administration.
We will continue to aggressively seek out organizations and individuals who support America’s heroes and recognize them and their families for the sacrifices they’ve made through grants, special events and more. For more information, or to volunteer to help the CFF at events, please send a detailed e-mail info@checkeredflagfoundation.org expressing your needs or interests.
If you know of a story that needs some additional word spread to let people know, like these two, send it my way jbohjkl@yahoo.com . If you know of a program, association, club, or business that helps out the US military vets that didn't come back from the war with all the body parts that they brought to it... I want to let the other readers know about these good people, programs, etc etc. So email me about them too! jbohjkl@yahoo.com
How does your speed affect your MPG? Quick easy test described here
Find a flat straight long stretch of highway, because you don't want any deviation in your cars speed.
Drive in one direction at 55 mph, then return to your start location by the other side of the highway at 65
repeat at 75 going and 85 coming back (as long as you are aware that both of these are going to attract a speeding ticket that is ridiculously expensive) if that is the normal traffic speed there (like it is here in San Diego to Los Angeles and to Las Vegas)
While doing this, wait until you get to the speed, then turn on cruise control, and zero the MPG counter
Write down what the result is after 5 or 10 miles, and after doing this at each speed you are likely to be driving at for long periods of time, you;ll know whether or not you can save a time or money by driving faster or slower based on the difference in MPG
For example, if driving at 55 gets you 35 mpg, and driving at 65 gets you 35 mpg.. you might as well drive faster and save time.
If driving at 70 or 75 gets you 38 mpg and driving at 65 gets you 40 mpg... you might consider that the difference of how much you'll pay in gas at 75 isn't very much more than you'll pay at 65, and for hundreds of miles, you'll cut an hour or two off your trip. It's going to take some math to figure out specifics... but I figure this is a good way to see what is best for your time is money, but gas is expensive long trip drives.
Drive in one direction at 55 mph, then return to your start location by the other side of the highway at 65
repeat at 75 going and 85 coming back (as long as you are aware that both of these are going to attract a speeding ticket that is ridiculously expensive) if that is the normal traffic speed there (like it is here in San Diego to Los Angeles and to Las Vegas)
While doing this, wait until you get to the speed, then turn on cruise control, and zero the MPG counter
Write down what the result is after 5 or 10 miles, and after doing this at each speed you are likely to be driving at for long periods of time, you;ll know whether or not you can save a time or money by driving faster or slower based on the difference in MPG
For example, if driving at 55 gets you 35 mpg, and driving at 65 gets you 35 mpg.. you might as well drive faster and save time.
If driving at 70 or 75 gets you 38 mpg and driving at 65 gets you 40 mpg... you might consider that the difference of how much you'll pay in gas at 75 isn't very much more than you'll pay at 65, and for hundreds of miles, you'll cut an hour or two off your trip. It's going to take some math to figure out specifics... but I figure this is a good way to see what is best for your time is money, but gas is expensive long trip drives.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Corvette's hit the big 60 year anniversary next year... Petersen Museum is going to celebrate!
Friday, March 1
Corvette Values Seminar- What's your Corvette worth in today's market, and how will it perform as an investment in the future? Find out at this seminar from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ticket price: $25.
Corvette Racing Panel Discussion- Several iconic figures from Corvette racing history will talk about the car's illustrious racing heritage. 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ticket price $25.
Corvette 60th Anniversary Gala- Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails, dinner, memorabilia auction, and a panel discussion with some of the biggest names in Corvette history. Only 350 tickets to this special event are available. Ticket price: $125. This event will sell out!
Corvette Racing Panel Discussion- Several iconic figures from Corvette racing history will talk about the car's illustrious racing heritage. 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ticket price $25.
Corvette 60th Anniversary Gala- Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails, dinner, memorabilia auction, and a panel discussion with some of the biggest names in Corvette history. Only 350 tickets to this special event are available. Ticket price: $125. This event will sell out!
Saturday, March 2
Corvette Day Car Show-in the Petersen Parking Structure from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Space is limited to 500 Corvettes. Register early to guarantee a spot! Spectator admission to Corvette Day is included with Petersen Automotive Museum admission.
Corvette Restoration Seminar- Learn restoration tips and techniques from the pros. 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ticket price $25.
Corvette Restoration Seminar- Learn restoration tips and techniques from the pros. 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ticket price $25.
Corvette Exhibit- Twenty historic Corvettes will be on display in the museum. This not-to-be-missed Corvette exhibit runs February 27 through March 31, 2013.
These events have limited tickets available and will sell out! Buy your tickets early. All Corvette Day proceeds benefit the educational programming at the Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit educational institution. Event tickets and car show registration are available online or by filling out the attached form.
Petersen Automotive Museum
March 1 & 2, 2013
Monday, July 23, 2012
Disney California Adventure (in Anaheim, just south of Los Angeles) is a full day of cool stuff for car guys
Way cool... for the backstory of Condor Flats http://disneyology.blogspot.com/2010/05/backstories-condor-flats.html
to learn more about the Disney California Adventure, I strongly recommend that you look through http://land.allears.net/blogs/lauragilbreath/2012/05/ready_disney_california_advent_2.html and plan if you want to see the most character and street performers
you can learn a lot from bloggers about the Disney theme parks, like the hotels, discounts, etc etc from people like me that just share information so you can have a better idea of what to expect, where to look for stuff, and what we found most interesting or fun...
http://pixiepranks-panstinkerbell.blogspot.com/ has a lot of that
http://disneyology.blogspot.com/ gets into more intellectual things like how things are named, backstories to rides, stats like heights, and the variety of Disney parks, like Disneyland, Disney World, Euro Disney, and Disney Sea. I've never heard of that one before. Plus these blogs are loaded with photos, links to other Disney bloggers... good stuff!
What is very cool is that the top of the ticket they hand you can be marked with the area you are parked in, and then you'll be able to remember where to find your car much easier! I recommend the most Eastern area (smallest numbers) of the garage... you won't have to walk as far to find the escalator down to the trams, etc etc. This is the biggest parking garage I've ever seen. Serious. You can drive from one end to the other in about a minute, at about 10 mph. That is a lonnnngggg way to walk before you get to the park, and after you leave.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Feridinand Porsche... did you know he was a chauffer in the military?
He was the chauffeur for Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, after being drafted for military duty.
This was at a point in his life (age 27) when he was already making cars, significantly, the Lonher Porsche hybrid, and he'd been racing that in 1900... so the Archduke has some pull in the personnel dept... to get a race car driver as his Chauffer!
photos I've posted before http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/search?q=lohner
This was at a point in his life (age 27) when he was already making cars, significantly, the Lonher Porsche hybrid, and he'd been racing that in 1900... so the Archduke has some pull in the personnel dept... to get a race car driver as his Chauffer!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
the mystery of the BMW blue and white logo... what is the source?
In the movie Finding Forrester http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181536/ Sean Connery is the main character and teaches a young guy a lot, but specifically tells the guy what the blue and white badge was representing the blue sky and the white of a airplane propeller, because of BMW's airplane motors. Good movie by the way
This month's Automobile magazine has a pop quiz and says that is a mistake, and the real reason is the the flag of the Free State of Bavaria was a blue and white flag
So I tried to see what the internet had to say, it's the propeller according to http://www.etiziano.com/I_love_logo_design/secret_of_the_bmw_logo.html
Aircraft engines are the origin of the myth. People think that the BMW logo is based on a rotating airscrew. The origin of this interpretation is the cover of a BMW aircraft magazine. This picture (shown below) was taken in 1929, years after the logo first came into existence. Respect for the publicity department back then for the fact that the airscrew myth continues today. according to http://www.logodesignlove.com/bmw-logo-evolution who asked the BMW Group historian BMW chose the Bavarian national colours as a symbol,
So it all depends on who you ask
This month's Automobile magazine has a pop quiz and says that is a mistake, and the real reason is the the flag of the Free State of Bavaria was a blue and white flag
So I tried to see what the internet had to say, it's the propeller according to http://www.etiziano.com/I_love_logo_design/secret_of_the_bmw_logo.html
Aircraft engines are the origin of the myth. People think that the BMW logo is based on a rotating airscrew. The origin of this interpretation is the cover of a BMW aircraft magazine. This picture (shown below) was taken in 1929, years after the logo first came into existence. Respect for the publicity department back then for the fact that the airscrew myth continues today. according to http://www.logodesignlove.com/bmw-logo-evolution who asked the BMW Group historian BMW chose the Bavarian national colours as a symbol,
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