Thu, 26 Jul 2007 11:00:57 GMT

Toyota Corona, Tomorrow's Collectible (If You Can Find One)

History will reveal that we North Americans sold-short Japanese cars as collector cars. Nothing is more indicative of this than the way we bought, then junked, the Corona, offered as a 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop coupe and 4-door wagon. I fell into this trap when referring, in an earlier Classical Drives blog, to an old friend's Corona coupe as a Celica. I should have known better because, as a car mag editor, I'd tested some of the first Toyotas to reach these shores.

The sub-$2,000 Corona became the first Toyota in the United States to surpass 10,000 units. In 1970 Toyota made subtle styling changes, including "Americanization" of the interior with a rectangular speedometer. that "the largely forgotten Corona was the cornerstone of the company's success in America. The third-generation was replaced by the Camry in the early 1980s. Cumulative sales passed 725,000, proof a generation of Americans had embraced Toyota."

Discover a Corolla in good or restoreable condition and you've found a future collectible at a bargain price. Posted by: Philip Powell      Read more     Source

July 25, 2007, 5:22 AM CT

Immediate license suspension for DWI saves 800 lives each year

State laws that require immediate suspension of the drivers license for failing an alcohol breath test have had a deterrent effect on drunk driving and saved 800 lives from fatal crashes each year, new research shows. However, laws that suspend licenses or impose fines or jail sentences after conviction have little noticeable deterrent effect, as per one of the most comprehensive studies on the impact of drunk driving laws in the United States.

The threat of immediate suspension of the drivers license is a larger deterrent than the threat of more severe penalties that may occur at a later date. It has reduced fatalities from car crashes involving light, moderate and heavy drinkers, as per study lead author Alexander C. Wagenaar, Ph.D., a professor of epidemiology at the University of Florida, College of Medicine.

Wagenaars study, reported in the August 2007 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundations Substance Abuse Research Program (SAPRP). The study looked at monthly fatal alcohol-related car crashes from January 1976 to December 2002 across 46 states that changed their laws on driving while intoxicated (DWI). The study compared effects on fatal crashes of immediate suspensions with post-conviction suspensions of drivers licenses......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 18:25:15 GMT

Clocking in at the Steamworks

As author of this site I'm privileged to inform you of the many world-class concours that occur in locales far from my humble computer. It's fun to read about these affairs and glimpse the magnificent classics on show, even if I do become envious of these who can afford to see them live. Thankfully, at this time of year a number of vintage car shows happen within a few miles of my Sidney, BC home base. Most are laid-back club events, however the season's highlight is Vancouver's annual Steamworks Concours d'Elegance, which for 2008 will feature 90 entrants, including vintage motorbikes, muscle cars, pre-1917 cars (domestic and foreign), and several classes of 1920-60's foreign and domestic cars. 1932 Fords, celebrating their 75th anniversary, will be a special feature.

Organised by restauranteur Eli Gershkovitch (owner of the Steamworks Restaurants in Gastown and West Vancouver and the new Transcontinental Restaurant in Gastown) the event gets its name from a 9-foot tall antique steam-powered clock, a major tourist attraction in downtown Vancouver. I'll have more on this event as the September 01 show date gets closer.

[Classic Packard, 2006 Steamworks Concours] Posted by: Philip Powell      Read more     Source

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 08:53:13 GMT

Porsche Super 90 Roadster: The Simple Life

A recent post linked to my About.com test of a 2007 Porsche 911 Targa 4S in which I complained that the technology, while impressive, took all the fun out of driving. "Just give me the simple life" were the final words in my review. What I had in mind was something like the Porsche 356B Roadster, which was a sports car, pure and simple. I knew it well, having owned and raced a coupe, and it was sheer joy to drive. Fast? Not in a straight line but who cared? Handling, cornering and steering were all that mattered.

magazine offers an interesting profile of the 356B in its July issue, reminding us of all the significant changes that occured from the 356A. Among them was the 90hp "Super 90," a welcome addition to the normal 60hp and 75hp variants. Those numbers, by the way, were obtained using the European "DIN" system of measurement; the American SAE method would have shown considerably higher power outputs. Only 2902 Roadsters were built from 1960 to 1962; they're the most-desired by collectors who are currently paying $65,000 to $70,000. In 1960 a Porsche Roadster would have set them back $3600. In those days I thought that was a lot of money. Posted by: Philip Powell      Read more     Source

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 00:28:02 GMT

Honda and Lexus to Introduce New Hybrids

Hybrid vehicles are hot these days. Factors like constantly rising fuel prices, a growing concern about the environment and fear of tighter emission norms around the globe have spurred the production and sales of hybrids. Powered by this interest, great strides have been made in the field of batteries and associated technologies. All this made the hybrids more user friendly and evolved greater consumer interest in these vehicles. Major brands are now seriously considering the launch of dedicated hybrids.

Brands now offer hybrid versions of some of their very popular gasoline models. The market interest, however, is going back in time. Honda and Lexus are considering the production of new vehicles that will be just hybrids. The first hybrids were dedicated design and offered only as hybrids, not mere hybrid versions of popular gasoline models.

Reports say Lexus is at work on a vehicle that will be marketed only as a hybrid. Lexus currently produces a wide range of hybrids including the RX 400h and its costliest car, the LS600hL. A point in case; Lexus hybrids are not mere fuel misers, the focus is more on performance and refinement.

With its new hybrid speculated to be launched in the D-segment, Lexus wants to address some problems that have dogged hybrids since long. The focus will be more on trunk space, interior space and quality rather than on styling and looks. This new dedicated hybrid is expected to enter the market by 2010.

Notwithstanding its recent hitches with the Insight and Accord hybrid, Honda is all set to work on its dedicated hybrid. Hondas hybrid will most likely target the entry-level segment. This hybrid will come as a family-car. Nearly 200,000 units of this car will come to the market each year. This vehicle is scheduled for a 2009 launch.

Going back to the dedicated hybrids is a good idea. Honda and Toyota pioneered the hybrid market years ago, but can they pull another revolution now?

Read Posted by: Harshpaul      Read more     Source

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:43:13 GMT

Rolls-Royce Provenance

Rolls-Royce has launched its first (under BMW) manufacturer-approved previously-owned sales scheme according to Autocar.

Similar to other certified used car schemes, buying a used Rolls under the "Provenance" plan will entitle the owner to own a chariot that's been "independently appraised" to meet Goodwood's standards and will come with a six year warranty that covers service, scheduled maintenance, and road-side assistance.

In London, there are two Provenance Rolls-Royce Phantoms for sale. According to Autocar the less expensive of the two is retailing for £179,950 ($368,000).

[Source: Autocar] Posted by: Gunnar Heinrich      Read more     Source

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:38:37 GMT

Kia Exceed Cabrio Concept

Does this one look like an Audi TT to you? Not to me, at least! Only thing common is Peter Schreyer, designer of TT who has worked on this project as well. Anyhow, the only thing to be taken into consideration is a signal by the Koreans to renounce their boxy image.


Schreyer believes in folding soft tops rather than folding hard tops. He believes that they appeal more to the drivers sentiments. Incidentally, the same were the points in the mind of Kias design boss. The technology has sophisticated them to the spot where soft tops are calm, superior and waterproof as compared to hard tops when raised.


There is an indication that go-ahead for the production is just around the corner. If so, it will be powered by a 1.6 liter or an optional 2.0 liter gasoline engine. For itself, though not exactly full of beans, the performance will be ample.

[Images:Cache, Auto-freude] Posted by: Parul      Read more     Source

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:30:28 GMT

Underwater Express the 127 mph submarine

Via Darpa - It's always been tough to make submarines go all that fast due to the drag they get when trying to plow through water. It's a lot heavier than air. But the smarties at the Pentagon might have figured out a way around that little problem.Their new speedster sub, dubbed the Underwater Express, can go 127 miles per hour as opposed to the standard sub's top speed of about 29 mph. Well, it separates itself from the water by encasing itself in a giant gas bubble. The bubble can move through the water quickly, with no drag on the sub itself. Technically, the process is known as super-cavitation.

Via Darpa Posted by: Zinzi      Read more     Source

July 12, 2007, 5:32 AM CT

Automated tailgating cuts pollution

An automated way of allowing cars to drive much closer to each other in heavy moving traffic, so-called platooning, could cut congestion, save fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions, as per research published recently in Inderscience's International Journal of the Environment and Pollution.

As populations grow and the number of vehicles on the roads in cities and motorways across Europe, North America and the developing world, rises, traditional ways of tackling the problem, such as simply building more roads or improving public transport are becoming less and less effective. "Automated highway systems are one of the a number of approaches that have been suggested to tackle the problems," says Mitra.

Traffic is a growing problem across the globe with the number of vehicles on the on the roads in Britain alone having risen from 26 million to almost 33 million in the last decade and that number set to rise by 25% over the next ten years. The problem is burgeoning in areas of enormous economic growth, such as China and India where countless new vehicles are pulling out and entering the traffic flow on newly built roads. With all that new traffic, of course, comes more pollution, and the need for ever more innovative approaches to tackling it.

Driving a lot closer than a safe stopping distance from the vehicle in front is not a sensible option. Learner drivers are taught from their first lesson on the road to keep their distance. As per Debojyoti Mitra and Asis Mazumdar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India, in heavy traffic these safe distances mean more tailgate turbulence and increased drag on individual vehicles, which means lower fuel efficiency......... Posted by: Jim      Read more         Source

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:21:54 GMT

2007 Lancia Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign

Blending is an art familiar to all but mastered by a few. To combine two things and produce something worthwhile is not always a guarantee however, the contrary is evident if both know their strengths and weaknesses at the same time. The contrary notion is palpable if the entities involved are of the caliber of the famous Italian manufacturers, Lancia and MomoDesign.

Their latest venture has seen them design a car for the younger generation, which despite being a diesel version has the capability of being recognized in the crowd. Dubbed the 2007 Lancia Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign, it produces 105 hp at 4,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 1750 rpm, courtesy its 1.3 Multijet 16 Valve Engine . Mated to a 5-speed gearbox the car produces a top speed of 177 Km/hr with a 0 to 60 miles timing of 10.7 seconds a touch slower than the BRABUS tuned Smart ForTwo.

Agreed the car doesnt have credentials to impress everyone but that norm out of which I always mention the car configuration no way means that you underestimate this car for giving the configuration was a necessity, but I want you people to concentrate more on the way this car has been designed. I would call this a decent car with high-class designing.

Ask me why and the answer would be; it has a usual engine that wont fly past you, but a look at the interior as well as the exterior will make you look at it again. In addition, the theme this car is based on is that of a sporty car that is elegant and most importantly affordable. Thus, both these facts will take care of your underestimation issues if there are any.

Talking on more descriptive terms, the car no way lacks in the equippings outfitted as it has; climate control , Dual-drive electric power steering , a radio-CD player remote control door opening and closing, pierced leather upholstery . On the exterior, the car comes packed with diamond effect polished 16-inch alloy wheels, complimented in sporty style with color-coded twin electric wing mirrors. Safety features like ABS, EBD, curtain airbags etc. also feature as a standard in this car.

The critique can take a back seat, if they wish to criticize it on the fact that the fuel that drives it is not appraisable amongst the experts for this car even comes in a petrol version that produces 95 hp, mated with an automatic six-speed .

I wont call it the perfect Italian job, for the Maseratis and the Alfa Romeos would eat me up , but a conscious effort to design something good whereby the youngsters feel superior but can fly only till a limit, which makes this car a great contender for the UK market , aint it .

Credit : Digiads
Posted by: Atul      Read more     Source