http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/autoshop/ en-us Fri, 2 Jan 2009 03:54:53 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2157465/posts When eccentric doctor and compulsive hoarder Harold Carr died at the age of 89, his relatives faced a daunting task to sort through his possessions. His home was packed with piles of medical machinery, 1,500 beer steins, thousands of receipts and even a World War Two spy drone. But all the effort became worth it when they opened the door of his garage - and struck gold. Inside they found a 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, one of only 17 ever made. The historic automobile with only 26,284 miles on the clock still has 99 per cent of its original... dailymail.co.uk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2157465/posts#comment Fri, 2 Jan 2009 03:54:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2115103/posts London, England (AHN) - Britain will out on Thursday the world's fastest car capable of zooming at 1,050 miles per hour. The Bloodhound SSC, designed by Richard Noble, is 42 feet long, 9 feet high and weighs 6.4 tons. Andy Green, a Royal Air Force pilot, will drive the vehicle. Noble and Green hold the world land speed title for their 766 MPH drive of the ThrustSSC, which accelerated to 600 mph upon start in 16 seconds, becoming the first vehicle to breach the sound barrier. A Eurojet EJ200 and a Falcon hybrid rocket power Bloodhound SSC. The Eurojet could... allheadlinenews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2115103/posts#comment Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:28:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2067131/posts Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks Many of the most important vehicles built in the United States since the end of World War II—cars that defined new style, pioneered new technology or just plain kept companies going—are overlooked to this day. The innovations implemented by these cars and trucks seemed at the time so minor that few realized they were, in fact, revolutionary. So, this Fourth of July weekend, we celebrate our favorite unsung American car heroes. By John Pearley Huffman Published on: July 3, 2008 1986 Ford TaurusBy the mid-1980s American buyers were fleeing traditional American family cars... Popular Mechanics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2067131/posts#comment Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:40:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2044931/posts Sunday, July 13, 2008This could be just a tad over the top, automotively speaking C&D has official photos and stats on the '09 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG "Black Series" -- a tricked out version of the already ludicrously fast SL65 AMG. The new series claims 661 horsepower. Top speed is electronically limited to around 199 mph. Torque output is unchanged at 738 pound-feet, although Mercedes says the engine is detuned from 885, likely to keep the heavy-duty five-speed automatic transmission alive. The Black Series’ transmission, however, adds a fourth transmission setting, M2 manual mode, which shifts a claimed 25 percent quicker... DirectorBlue http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2044931/posts#comment Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:01:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041212/posts BERLIN (AFP) - Sports car manufacturer Ferrari intends to cut its vehicles' greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half and is working on developing hybrid vehicles, the company president said Saturday. < > But he insisted that any future hybrid Ferrari would still be "fundamentally a Ferrari." < > AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041212/posts#comment Sat, 5 Jul 2008 20:25:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041142/posts The 'biggest American car show in the world' opened in Västerås in central Sweden on Thursday. More than 10,000 cars are expected for the Big Meet 2008 show. The annual event started 31 years ago and was founded by Kjell Gustafsson who has seen it grow from the humble beginnings of 40-80 cars in a parking lot in Anderstorp. "Just to keep the show going over three days costs 1.5 million kronor ($252,000). 160 officials work with this. That is around the same as the Hultsfred festival," Gustafsson said to Di.se. The Big Meet 2008 show will take place over... www.thelocal.se http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041142/posts#comment Sat, 5 Jul 2008 16:55:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034574/posts General Motors will den Chevrolet Volt schon 2010 für rund 30.000 Dollar auf den Markt bringen. Was wird ein Steckdosen-Smart kosten? General Motors intends to market the Chevrolet Volt as early as 2010 for around $30,000. How much will a plug-in Smart cost? Wir planen für das Jahr 2010 einen Elektro-Smart und für dasselbe Jahr auch ein Mercedes-Modell. Über den Preis ist noch nicht endgültig entschieden. Das hängt davon ab, ob wir die Autos mit den Batterien verkaufen oder ob die Batterien geleast werden. We are planning an Electro-Smart for the year 2010, and for the same year also a... Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034574/posts#comment Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:21:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031839/posts Johnathan Goodwin can get 100 mpg out of a Lincoln Continental, cut emissions by 80%, and double the horsepower. Does the car business have the guts to follow him? “Check it out. It's actually a jet engine," says Johnathan Goodwin, with a low whistle. "This thing is gonna be even cooler than I thought." We're hunched on the floor of Goodwin's gleaming workshop in Wichita, Kansas, surrounded by the shards of a wooden packing crate. Inside the wreckage sits his latest toy--a 1985-issue turbine engine originally designed for the military. It can spin at a blistering 60,000 rpm and... www.fastcompany.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031839/posts#comment Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:01:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030689/posts Jun. 13 - Japanese company Genepax presents its eco-friendly car that runs on nothing but water. The car has an energy generator that extracts hydrogen from water that is poured into the car's tank. The generator then releases electrons that produce electric power to run the car. Genepax, the company that invented the technology, aims to collaborate with Japanese manufacturers to mass produce it. Reuters (video) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030689/posts#comment Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:18:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030322/posts Honda FCX Clarity and Home Hydrogen Fueling Stations By Bill Siuru Honda’s decision to transition its FCX Clarity into limited production and lease some 50 of these hydrogen fuel cell cars to customers in Southern California is a groundbreaking move. Why Southern California? A small number of very expensive hydrogen fueling stations already exist here and more are in the planning stages. In tandem with this, Honda has also shown a longer term solution for refueling hydrogen vehicles in the form of its fourth generation Home Energy Station. Working with its technology partner Plug Power, Honda debuted the first Home... greencar.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030322/posts#comment Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:34:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2029075/posts They say beauty is only skin deep. Tell that to GINA. Instead of a metal or plastic body, BMW's latest concept, the GINA Light Visionary Model, drapes a flexible fabric material over a moveable wire mesh frame, creating a nearly seamless surface that can alter its form at the whim of the driver. Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2029075/posts#comment Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:55:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028957/posts To Southern Cal Freepers: Wanna See Some Electric Cars? (Vanity) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028957/posts#comment Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:29:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028440/posts Bentley Motors plans to unveil its $200,000 Continental Flying Spur Speed sedan in Boston today - apparently the first time any automaker has chosen the Hub for a worldwide product launch. Bentley has previously rolled out vehicles in Paris, Geneva and other posh locales. But the legendary British automaker chose Boston this time because Bentley plans to move its North American headquarters here from Detroit this fall. “We really wanted to use our new location as a showcase for the brand,” company spokesman David Reuter said. Bentley expects some 150 auto journalists from around the world to hit the Hub... Boston Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028440/posts#comment Mon, 9 Jun 2008 19:21:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025524/posts With all the changes in the automotive world, there's never a shortage of crazy ideas floating around. Fortunately for car enthusiasts, many of those wacky ideas actually see the light of day -- and we've got the 10 best for you right here. snip Siler says the hybrid and "green" car revolution is here to stay, but that the supercar market is a niche one and there'll always be someone willing to shell out big bucks for an exotic ride. With that in mind, here are 10 of the most outrageous, extravagant, or just plain cool autos to look for... Yahoo Finance http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025524/posts#comment Tue, 3 Jun 2008 22:54:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2018049/posts Nissan Motor Co., playing catch-up in fuel-efficient motoring, said Monday that it and NEC Corp. will invest 115 million dollars to mass produce new batteries for electric, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. The push into advanced lithium-ion batteries comes as Japanese automakers invest in an array of new environmentally friendly car technologies amid soaring prices at the pump. Nissan has been slower than rivals Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. to embrace petrol-electric hybrids, but it aims to become the industry leader in electric vehicles. "Our vision for a more sustainable future is clear," said Nissan's executive vice president Carlos... Breitbart.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2018049/posts#comment Mon, 19 May 2008 13:43:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2017518/posts During the 1950s, much of the world was quivering with anticipation over the exciting prospects of nuclear power. Atomic energy promised to churn out clean, safe electricity that would be "too cheap to meter." It seemed that there was no energy problem too large or too small for the mighty atom to tackle during the glorious and modern Atomic Age. It was during this honeymoon with nuclear energy– in 1957– that the Ford Motor Company unveiled the most ambitious project in their history: a concept vehicle which had a sleek futuristic look, emitted no harmful vapors, and offered incredible... DAMN INTERESTING http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2017518/posts#comment Sun, 18 May 2008 01:10:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010570/posts LOS ANGELES — It's safe to say Jeremy Snyder gets a charge out of the two-seat Tesla Roadster whenever he pulls one off the lot — and not because it's equipped with an all-electric engine. As he pulled one of the sleek new automobiles down a side street Thursday and put the pedal to the metal, its lithium-ion battery-powered engine didn't give off sparks. It just emitted a powerful hum, something like a much quieter version of a jet taking off. "Accelerate pretty good?" asked Snyder, head of client services for Tesla, who knew the answer. "I call it a... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010570/posts#comment Sat, 3 May 2008 03:58:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1943844/posts The skinny is that Tesla is having a difficult time developing a transmission strong enough to "survive the process of shifting gears while the motor remains at full torque", according to our own Sam Abuelsamid who has been following the Roadster's development from Day 1 and has actually rode shotgun in it. Two suppliers are currently working simultaneously to find a solution. Meanwhile, the company has gone ahead and built the first production model at the Lotus factory in Hethel, England. The first car belongs to Elon Musk, Chairman of the company and one of its initial investors. His car... autoblog.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1943844/posts#comment Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:01:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1873823/posts With Barely a Sound, Electric Dragsters Aim for Gas-Powered Records PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Straddling a 619-pound motorcycle, Scotty Pollacheck tucks in his knees and lowers his head as he waits for the green light. When he revs the engine, there's no roar. The bike moves so fast that within seconds all that's visible is a faint red taillight melting in the distance. Pollacheck crosses the quarter-mile marker doing 156 mph; he's traveled 1,320 feet in 8.22 seconds, faster than any of the gas-powered cars, trucks or motorcycles that have raced in the drag sprints on this weekend at Portland... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1873823/posts#comment Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:30:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1764195/posts DETROIT (Reuters) - Struggling auto giant General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM - news) on Sunday revived its once-failed idea of a mass-market electric car, unveiling a new "concept" car called the Volt designed to use little or no gasoline. Introduced at the North American International Auto Show here, the Chevrolet Volt will draw power exclusively from a next-generation battery pack recharged by a small onboard engine -- if the technology is ready in two or three years. "We have a thoroughly studied concept, but further battery development will define the critical path to start of production," said Jon Lauckner, a GM... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1764195/posts#comment Mon, 8 Jan 2007 17:55:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1764167/posts Ford has developed an electric-drive crossover concept car in conjunction with Airstream—the Ford Airstream Concept—that is powered by a hydrogen-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain—the HySeries Drive. The HySeries drive in the AirStream Concept combines a lithium-ion battery pack with a compact fuel cell system as a range extender—the fuel cell’s sole function is to recharge the lithium-ion battery pack as needed. (This series-hybrid electric drive design approach is similar to that taken by GM with its E-Flex family and the Chevrolet Volt. Earlier post.) The new fuel cell, supplied by Ford partner Ballard, operates in a steady state, allowing a... www.greencarcongress.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1764167/posts#comment Mon, 8 Jan 2007 16:56:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1750040/posts Peter Gilbert of Glendale, Wisconsin drove his 1989 Saab 900 SPG a little more than 1,001,385 miles, according to a Saab verification. Gilbert originally purchased the Saab new in November 1989 after the divorce of his wife. He says the car survived eight collisions with deer, one claiming the radiator of his car. Perhaps the success of Gilbert's ride can be attributed to his meticulous care regiment. For example, Gilbert only used premium synthetic oil in oil changes, and changed his tires every 45,000 miles. Not to mention, he strictly followed the maintenance schedule. Gilbert donated his prized possession to... WLTX http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1750040/posts#comment Thu, 7 Dec 2006 21:01:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1747532/posts 2006 Callaway C16 The look may be familiar, but the Callaway C16 is anything but just another Corvette. The latest in a long line of products from the well-regarded "tuner," the C16 makes some significant changes to Chevrolet's two-seater, including a complete redesign of its body by Canadian stylist Paul Deutschman. Under the sleek new skin, Callaway supercharges the base, 6.0-liter LS2 V-8 - the first time the tuner has used a blower, incidentally, rather than a turbocharger. The result is an engine making an impressive 616 horsepower and 582 lb-ft of torque, more than enough to launch the C16... thecarconnection.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1747532/posts#comment Sat, 2 Dec 2006 19:28:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1744658/posts It's Electric! The Tesla Roadster—a hotshot sports car that runs on batteries. By Paul Boutin Posted Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, at 6:57 AM ET Tesla Roadster. Click image to expand.Tesla Roadster A week ago, I went for a spin in the fastest, most fun car I've ever ridden in—and that includes the Aston Martin I tried to buy once. I was so excited, in fact, that I decided to take a few days to calm down before writing about it. Well, my waiting period is over, I'm thinking rationally, and I'm still unbelievably stoked about the Tesla. The Tesla Roadster... Slate http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1744658/posts#comment Mon, 27 Nov 2006 18:17:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1737380/posts Now that the Paris show is over, here's the rundown of what showed up and what didn't. As expected, the Chevrolet WTCC Ultra concept kicked things off with its take on what a European muscle car would look like. It was followed by the Opel Antara, which is almost identical to the 2008 Saturn Vue out next year. Volvo finally showed off its long-awaited C30 hatchback; not surprisingly, it looked just like the concept. On the more exotic side, Porsche rolled out the 911 Targa alongside the track-ready 911 GT3 RS. Both wore odd shades of orange, yet they both... Edmunds.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1737380/posts#comment Sun, 12 Nov 2006 19:22:03 GMT