Sunday, 30 November 2008
A link I thank Dan for showing me.. Thanks Dan!
Click on state, province or territory below to view plates.
The Smithsonian Institute, historical marvel of the USA, it's both amazing and educational, in person or online
http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/exhibition/exhibition_8_2.html
For a terrific tutorial on how the worlds use of the car began, the many facets of incorporating the automobiles into our civilization and culture, the variety of exhibits is probably the finest in the world.
Drivers licenses, license plates, gas pumps, parking meters, radiator emblems, car safety features, road evolution, automakers transformed from agricultural implement makers, carriage builders to carrozzeria, traffic signs, road improvements, car repair tools, gas stations... and so on.
Radiator emblem collection in the Smithsonian
the Scooter was born about 90 years ago
a 1917 image via: http://www.shorpy.com/ had me look this up
Breakfast at Balboa will be on Dec 21st
Dec 21st 2008 at Balboa Park. Time: 7am - 9:30 am. We will be doing a toy drive. Please bring an unopened gift to our next event in efforts to bringing comfort and joy to less fortunate families in San Diego.
Bring your appetite. Hot pancake breakfast with sausage and bacon will be for sale, $5 per plate. Breakfast includes: 2 huge pancakes 2 pieces bacon 2 pcs of sausage. Hot coffee and juice available at no charge.
http://www.breakfastatbalboa.com/2008/11/20/next-event-date-dec-21st-at-balboa/
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Looking for a pre-war (1945) car?
I found an online central website that has about 200 makes, searchable by manufacturer, or year. It's amazing.
http://www.prewarcar.co.uk/searchbymake.asp
A lot I'd never heard about the Tucker car, and why it didn't make it
I never knew that Preston Tucker had worked in sales for Studebaker, then Stutz, Chrysler, and finally as regional manager for Pierce-Arrow.
The car was designed to have an engine that was air cooled, and could be replaced in 18 minutes by three service techs. The front and back seats were interchangeable so owners could periodically swap them for even wear of the cloth fabric.
The leased factory he was using was wanted by the National Housing Agency to be used to build pre-fab homes. Long court battle.
In order to raise investment capital, but not lose control of his corporation, he sold dealer franchises to dstribute the car, and even presold accessories to the car that hadn't yet been built... this had the Securities and Exchange Commission auditing him for years.
For an ad, business card, and photos:
http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/showroom/1948/tucker.html
A photo history of the Pontiac, from 1926 to 1970
http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/Pontiac/
He has some great links too, of just about every manufacturer or well known car.
From the online photos of the Museum of Speed
Friday, 28 November 2008
Brilliance from around the world, Via Drivercrhis
"Used from the 1940s to the 1970s in Australia these analogue traffic signals defuse driver impatience by displaying your waiting time. Critics might suggest that they'll turn every set of traffic lights into a potential drag race" Ya think?
A reason to watch the roads out there in the rainy season, total washout. Big surprise at 2 min 50 sec
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9b6_1224017180
Via: http://driverchris.blogspot.com/ good videos here!
New car jargon from Mini
Brewnesia n. The condition of forgetting your coffee on the roof of your car and driving off.
Careoke v. To sing while motoring.
Cartesy n. The generous act of letting another car merge into your lane.
Cashtray n. A car ashtray that's been repurposed as a coin holder.
Clutchuoso n. A talented driver of a car with a standard transmission. A rare breed.
Commutant n. Someone with a poor shave or makeup job as a result of doing it on the way to work.
Disflooriented adj. Feeling of confusion when you can't remember what level of the parking garage you're on.
Driversion n. Something that distracts a driver, such as a cell phone conversation, DVD player or PDA.
E-cellerate v. To drive with the emergency brake on.
Enigmark n. A dent or paint scrape to which the origin is unknown.
Farking Spot n. A seemingly open parking space that when you get closer, you discover a small car parked there.
Flashole n. That person who flashes you with their brights even though your brights aren't on.
Freeter n. A parking meter that already has time on it.
Foodabuster v. To speak slowly at the drive through window so you can stall for time while still making your decision.
Insectiride n. A vehicle that has just killed an extraordinary amount of bugs on its grille or windshield.
Interstucktion n. When multiple cars arrive at a stop sign and no one goes.
Notmeflex n. The involuntary act of hitting the brakes when you see a cop regardless of whether you're speeding or not.
Obstacar n. A slow moving vehicle that keeps you from going your desired speed.
Poorlainoia n. The fear that you're always in the slowest moving lane.
Potholevard n. A street with a large number of potholes on it.
Premature Co-pilotation v. To call "shotgun" too early.
Prohibiturn n. To perform a driving move you think might be illegal, yet you do it anyway.
Roverdrive v. The dangerous act of motoring with a dog on your lap. Not recommended.
Rockupied adj. When you're physically unable to leave the car until a song is over.
Seatus quo n. The normal position of your car seat. May be upset by valets and other new drivers.
Shoegitive n. The mysterious sneaker you always see on the side of the road.
Spalker n. A vehicle that follows shoppers in the parking lot in hopes of getting their spot.
Spumped adj. Condition that occurs when you get to the gas station but can't remember what side your tank is on.
Waltermonstale n. A bumper sticker for a presidential election long since passed.
Wiperfection n. The ideal wiper speed for the amount of rain currently falling.
Found on John Lee's website http://oleragtop.blogspot.com/
Adweek and http://www.adrants.com/ are two great websites for looking at fun new advertising.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
The best BMW restorer in America. Tim Stafford. I stumbled across his shop, and the Von Dutch painted BMW he's going to mechanically repair.
Click on the lower pic for FULL size legible size to read the whole thing. Or read from the same author on his website edition http://motos.home.att.net/stafford.htm
In 1967, the first year the IOM (Isle of Mann) had a production class this bike took 1st Bill Smith, 2nd Tommy Robb, and 6th with Kevin Cass. The bikes all used the over the counter race kits much like my bike. I however do not think they were the underdog for the 250cc production class but have not read much more. By the way, their average speed was 88.63 and 88.62 (1st and 2nd) for 3 laps of the 37 3/4 mile mountain circuit. This fact raised quite a stir at the time."