The Social Side of the Automobile

Monday, September 28, 2009
As people used automobiles for transportation, their way of life began to change. They traveled longer distances and took more trips than in the past. Social life began to include many more activities. Shopping habits changed. Education and health care improved.

On the Road
Good roads or bad, Iowans took to the highway venturing far from home in their automobiles. One family traveled to see relatives in New Hampshire; another went to visit a brother in South Dakota. Carloads of summer vacationers headed for Lake Okoboji and even to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, camping along the way and cooking their meals by the roadside. Most people had lived their whole lives within a few square miles, acquainted only with a few neighbors and those in the nearby town. These same people could now travel to visit faraway relatives. They could also travel to other areas of the country to see firsthand how others lived.

The choices seemed to end only at the ocean's shore. By the 1920s motor outings and vacations had become a national activity, and Iowans jumped into their autos right along with the other travelers.

Upcoming Bikes in India in 2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Yamaha R125

The most advanced 125 production super sport machine that Yamaha will launch in 2009 will be YZF-R125. This radical, high-revving, fuel-injected 125 is the work of the same engineers who created our legendary YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 super sport bikes.

Main Features of Yamaha R125:
  • -Liquid-cooled single-cylinder 4-stroke
  • -SOHC 4-valve cylinder head
  • -Wet-sump lubrication system
  • -Fuel injection
  • -Electric start
  • -6-speed transmission
  • -R6-style mid-ship muffler
  • -Dual catalysers
  • -Air Induction system

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14


Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 is created to do everything right from the beginning. Its aerodynamics reminds users that Kawasaki is indeed an aircraft maker. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 is based around Kawasaki motorcycles 1352cc four-stroke engine.
It is an advanced version of Kawasaki’s unique aluminum monocoque frame, lightweight and very strong.

Yamaha Gladiator 165

Yamaha's 165cc Gladiator will develop around 16.5 PS and complete a 0 – 60 sprint in less than 5 seconds and it believed that Yamaha has already sent the bike for homologation and will launch its mid Next Year. Bike was first displayed in last year’s Auto Expo.

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Displacement: 165cc
Engine: Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve
Maximum Power: 15 Bhp (Expected)
Maximum Torque: 14 Nm (Expected)
Gears: 5 Speed

DIMENSIONS
Length: 2065.00 mm
Width: 730.00 mm
Height: 1100.00 mm
Ground Clearance: 155.00 mm
Fuel Tank: 13.00 liters
Wheelbase: 1300.00 mm

Art Car Fest 08 Video - at "How Berkeley Can You Be" Parade



Art Car Fest is this weekend September 25-27th going on all over the SF bay area, and this video I shot from the inside of my mercedes pens art car during the last years event at the Berkeley Parade. I was a lot of fun as it is every year during this time and I believe this weekend will be a ton of fun as usual. Some of the cars in this video are: Glass Quilt, Golden Mean, Radio Flyer, The Lorax and the Mercedes Pens.If you can make it out to see us here is the schedule of events:

Friday, September 25
noon - 5pm Amoeba Music Caravan!
Keep your eyes open for our ArtCar caravan through San Francisco. We'll be touring such favorite sites as North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, The Castro, The Embarcadero, Golden Gate Park, and Ocean Beach. You can catch up with us at 3:30PM at Sports Basement at Crissy Field (in the Presidio.)

Saturday, September 26
Noon - 8pm Salsa Festival!
ArtCar Fest will dip into the sauce as we exhibit at the Redwood City Salsa Festival! Three stages of live music, great food, lots of family-friendly activities, and now ArtCars!

Sunday, September 27
11am - 7pm Berkeley's LAST SUNDAYS FEST
We'll hang all day with our friends at Amoeba Music on Telegraph in Berkeley at the new Last Sundays Festival.

New details on Ferrari’s upcoming small car

Monday, September 21, 2009

There seems to be no end to rumour of Ferrari building a small car to take on the likes of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Porsche 911. The new car, possibly carrying the Dino nameplate, will be priced under $150,000 and will boost Ferrari’s annual production well beyond its current rate; something purists fear will dilute the brand’s exclusivity.



Our previous report suggested that the new car would feature a folding metal roof and this latest rendering sourced from Autobild/Huckfeldt seems to support the rumour. Platform sharing with Maserati is a likely option with the Dino utilizing design work shared with the upcoming Coupe and Spyder replacements.



Previous reports have stated that the Dino will be a 2+2 seated, but this rendering clearly shows a strict 2 seater. Under the new sheet metal, the car will follow a front-engine rear drive layout with a 4.2L V8 as the power plant of choice, although there’s talk of a small capacity V6 engine also on the cards. Look for a conventional steel monocoque chassis with the engine placed well behind the front-axle for improved weight distribution.



TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Naturally aspirated mid-rear 90° V8, 4308 cc

Maximum power: 375.4 kW (510 hp) @ 8500 rpm

Maximum torque: 470 Nm (47.7 Kgm) @ 5250 rpm

Max engine speed: 8640 rpm (at limiter)

Compression ratio: 11.9:1

Bore and Stroke: 92 mm X 81 mm

Specific power output: 118.4 hp/liter





The Open-Source Green Car (VDS Vision)

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Two years ago, MIT whiz-kids Robyn Allen and Anna Jaffe set their sights on India, where a $2500 car is just the beginning. "Over the next 30 years they'll buy an extra 90 million cars," Jaffe says. "So our thought was, well, what if we could develop a vehicle that was much, much more efficient—that maybe hit 200 miles per gallon that plugged into a grid, which was really designed around Indian needs and expectations and wants."
The two organized the Vehicle Design Summit, a global consortium of students working in teams to build a better car from the ground up, leveraging the collective brainpower of a new generation of engineers and the massive resources of their respective educational institutions. This summer, teams will rendezvous in Torino, Italy, to flesh out a final prototype for the VDS Vision 100, a six-passenger electric car powered by a gas generator. It's expected to get 100 miles per gallon and could be production ready in 2009.

Caulk It Art Van by Nod Nal-Teews at Art Car Fest

Thursday, September 17, 2009
Caulk It Art Van by Nod Nal-Teews
Art Ark by Nod Nal-Teews
Photos by Bagel!

Nod D’Nal-Teews from Fort Worth, has been driving his "Caulk-It" van cross country for over 20 years now. His van is a 1979 Dodge Maxivan and matching trailer, dubbed the "Art Ark" with rooftop solar collectors that power appliances within the van, while a trailer serves as his studio. Most people use caulk to seal up cracks in their homes but he used about 300 tubes of the stuff to cover his art car spread with his fingers then painted over. He has also encompassed a variety of items in his design, from broom handles to rain gutters to pie tins. Nod will be at Art Car Fest weekend.

Danger Car By Reverend Charles Linville at Art Car Car Fest

Danger Car By Reverend Charles Linville

Art Car Fest 09 could be a dangerous event but this year the good Reverend Charles Linville in his Danger Car will be attending to make sure that nobody gets hurt. The purpose of Danger car is to serve as a warning to all of things that are potentially dangerous and worrisome;hence the outer coating of reflective stripes, twisted metal, broken mirrors, ripples, warning lights and police sirens. The interior is festooned with matchbook covers, warning tape and bullet casings. Cant wait to meet the Reverend, its should be a lot safer this year with the Danger Car up front.

"Aqua Mobile" by Don Ehlen - Art Car Fest

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

photo by Bagel!

The AQUA MOBILE is the creation of Don Ehlen, a Seattle-based entomologist and educator. The car is a great example of a simple concept art car, basically just a great paint job, although 3-D features have begun to creep in: a fully inflated plastic blowfish atop the radio antenna, a crab creeping out over the rear license plate, and a red plastic lobster at the front. Also at this years Art Car Fest.via

Photo Boof Art Car Captures Moment at Art Car Fest

Photo Boof Art Car at Burning Man
via Burncast

The Photo Boof art car is a mobile photobooth built by Wrybread onto the back of an Cushman parking patrol auto rickshaw. The Photo Boof has been to all kinds of events and is even available to rent and it will be appearing at this years Art Car Fest so come by and get your photo taken with your BFF. In the video Justin Credible is the spokesperson for Photo Boof giving us the story behind this really cool art. I got about nine days until Art Car Fest 09 starts and I need to get my Mercedes Pens art car ready and feature as many attending art cars on ACC as possible.

The Used Car Inspection Checklist For Avoiding Lemons

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Choosing a used car inspection before purchase can save consumers thousands of dollars by uncovering major mechanical, exterior and interior problems. Use this used car inspection checklist to avoid buying a lemon.

* Obtain Vehicle History Report – Get the vehicle identification number (VIN) and buy a vehicle history report. This shows any accident history, accident indicators (airbag deployments, etc.), title and registration, number of owners, frame/structural damage, flood or salvage history, odometer rollback, lemon history, service and repair information and more.

* Check VIN – The VIN appears in several locations – and all should match. Look on the dashboard, driver’s door jamb, on the engine, hood and other parts. Also check the VIN on the registration, title, and other documents.

* Verify Mileage – Check the car’s actual mileage against vehicle history. Ask about the vehicle’s gas mileage mpg or miles per gallon. A Honda Civic, for example, should get better fuel economy than a mid-size SUV. Similarly, Toyota car gas mileage as stated by the seller should match with estimates provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the model year, vehicle and engine/transmission.

* Do Complete Visual Inspection – Plan to spend at least a half hour going over the car’s exterior and interior during the used car inspection.

o Note any visible defects such as paint dents, chips, scratches, broken lenses, worn windshield wipers, missing wheel covers or hubcaps. Don’t buy a car with excessive corrosion or rust.

o Check to see vehicle lines are perfectly straight and note any gaps in body panels.

o Check paint quality for any ripples, differences in color, patches that are shinier than others.

o If the vehicle has a trailer hitch, it may mean excessive engine/transmission wear.

o Inspect tires. Look for uniform quality, brand names, no cuts, bubbles, cracks or uneven wear.

o Inside, check for excessive driver’s seat wear.

o Check all locks (windows, doors, trunks) and keyless entry.

o Check for any musty odors or excessive use of air fresheners.

o Look for any signs of flood/water damage.

* Test Operation

o Test all doors to ensure they open/close easily

o On the instrument panel, make sure all gauges work properly.

o Test all electrical accessories: power windows, locks, wipers, rear wiper/washer, sunroof, seat adjustments, mirrors, and stereo/CD.

o Verify heating and air conditioning controls work properly.

* Check Engine and Transmission – Obtain the car’s service records, if possible to see if it was maintained properly. Check under the hood to see if there’s any burned oil smell, corroded battery terminals, or oil leaks. Check the oil filler cap to see if there are thick or black deposits. Check the engine oil. If it’s very dirty or below the “Low” mark, steer clear of the car. Also check the transmission. The gears should move smoothly between Drive, Park, Neutral and Reverse, whether manual or automatic, with no hesitation.

* Take Test Drive – Be sure to test drive the vehicle. It should start easily, have no shakes, shimmies, or make excessive noise or smoke. Make sure the steering is responsive, no pulling to one side, no creaks or knocks when going over bumps, no pulsating when braking.

* Don’t Buy Until Satisfied – Don’t give any deposit or sign any contract until completely satisfied with the used car inspection.

Buying Certified and Reliable Used Car

No doubt you have made your mind up to buy a used car, after being sick of traveling on the bus everyday, to work or college, and you want to gain your independence. For whatever reason, you will want a car that will get you from one place to another and back again. More than likely, the route of getting a certified reliable used car will be the route that you want to go down.

There are many benefits to looking at certified used cars, and some people are opting to choose this type of car over buying a new model. Certified cars undergo rigorous testing, checking different parts of the car, to ensure that it is sound. They will check such things as the original engine parts and if any replacement parts have been added to the car since it was first registered – they will also check the wear and tear of these parts, to ensure that the car is consistent. The main things about this type of car is that is it will be more expensive than a typical car that you would buy from a friend or independent seller; if you are unsure of the inner workings of how a car works, then this could be a good option for you.

Certified cars also carry warranties, which means that previous work carried out on them, before it has been sold to you, will be of high quality and has to pass specified used car inspection, making this type of car more reliable. If you are looking to finance such a car from a dealership, or leasing company, then you will also find it a little easier for them to say yes to your deal, as they will be able to see that the car is going to last and has been given a suitable rating for it to last for the foreseeable future. More so, when you buy a used car with certification, you will be able to buy the make, model and color of car that you want without the immediate depreciating value that a new one would cost you once you have driven it off the fore-court. When you are looking at certified cars, be sure to understand what is included and what each individual dealer believes to be checked and included in a certified used car, as some will not include certain areas of the car, whereas others will.

The main question you will want to have at the back of your mind, when you walk into a dealership then, is whether the car is actually certified and to what extent does this certification cover the car for you when you buy it. For a car to be certified it must pass used car inspection check by an experienced and certified mechanic. However, you’ll find that many dealers will offer a 100 point inspection before selling the car to you.

When you are looking to buy a certified used car, you should remember some of the tips above and also know that you should go to a reliable dealership that has a good reputation for selling used cars. You should make sure that the information contained within the inspection you understand from each dealership, and that you are happy that such an inspection means that you shouldn’t have too many problems with your first used car

Battle Wagon Art Car - Another one for the Apocalypse

Sunday, September 13, 2009
Battle Wagon Art Car
Battle Wagon Art Car - Another one for the Apocalipse
Haz-Mat Hatch Art Car
Haz-Mat Hatch Art Car by Todd
Battle Wagon and Haz-Mat Hatch is another couple of those futuristic apocalypse mad-max art cars created by Todd up in there in Washington State. They might look ugly but they got it were it counts, two high-octane hi-carb Subaru wagons that hall out in a hurry when the mutants come chasing the day after. Todd said "this is the extent of my mid life crises" and "everyday is a parade in this car". Nice work Todd.

Patriotic Art Car

Friday, September 11, 2009
Patriotic Art Car in remembrance of 9/11 via Never Forget 9/11

When Driving Becomes Writing - The Making of iQ Font

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Ever use a car to create a font using fancy schmancy software like a bunch of dudes that are totally into fonts? These dudes did it and you need to watch this video if you are a font nerd like myself.

Ginormous Cork Truck Big Hit at Barcelona Wedding

Ginormous Cork Truck Big Hit at Barcelona Wedding
Photo by Emily
This ginormous antique Cork Truck photo was taken by Emily during her Barcelona visit last October where she attended Felipe and Silva's Wedding. Probably too much information but I do wish the young couple my best. Anyways Emilys trip was well worth it here at ACC because she brought back with her a little bit of art car history. Thanks Emily.

Gonzo Mutant Vehicle

Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Gonzo Mutant Vehicle
via
And just for fun, for the those of you who just got back from burning man this year, I bring you Gonzo the Mutant Vehicle. And for those of you who have not gone to Burning Man and never will because everyone and their mother has gone to Burning Man, I suggest you check out a nice alternative event at the same location called Burning Toast Man.

Camper Bike – Pedal-Powered RV For One

Camper Bike – Pedal-Powered RV For One
Photo via

This three wheeled pedal powered camper RV was designed by Boston-based artist Kevin Cyr, that is both a fully functioning RV and the subject of a number of Cyr’s amazing paintings.
The pedal powered camper was constructed in April 2008 and is built for one. Attached to a heavy duty tricycle frame made to haul goods, the cab-over easily sits on the back platform. Like a turtle shell this camper goes anywhere the owner can bike it. The camper’s interior features small and efficient appliances as well as a place to sleep and storage.

Kinetosis Kar by Glenn Garces

Kinetosis Kar by Glenn Garces

Kinetosis Kar is a 2006 Suzuki Aerio SX created by Glenn Garces. Currently, Kinetosis is predominately influenced by the De Stijl art movement. Glenn’s plans for Kinetosis include incorporating design elements from the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods. Glenn was born in New York City , and attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan , where he graduated with his B.F.A. in photography. His personality is deeply influenced by the megalopolis known as the Northeastern Seaboard. Kinetosis is an extension of Glenn’s other art mediums of printmaking, photography and theater arts. Glenn is currently living in Santa Rosa, Ca. with his fiancĂ©e, two dogs, and four cats. Glen will be attending Art Car Fest this month

Top 10 McGyver Wannabe Car Modifications

Friday, September 4, 2009
These Top 10 McGyver Wannabe Car Modifications were brought to you by a great website I just found called "There, I fixed it". This post is dedicated to all the McGyver wannabes out there who got the job DONE, but didn't quite manage to get the job done RIGHT.The creativity and good intentions were there but the delivery and execution was anything but.
1) Armor Plated Soccer Mom Van Mod
Armor Plated Soccer Mom Van Mod
2) Skate or Die Mod
Skate or Die Mod
3) CSI Car Mod
CSI Car Mod
4) Smaller Carbon Foot Print Car Mod
Smaller Carbon Foot Print Car Mod
5) Trailer Park Car Mod
Trailer Park Car Mod
6) Global Warming Car Mod
Global Warming Car Mod
7) Bi-Polar Car/Bike Mod
Bi-Polar Car/Bike Mod
8) Ambient Air Car Mod
Ambient Air Car Mod
9) Night Rider Car Mod
Night Rider Car Mod
10) Bank Job Getaway Car Mod
Bank Job Getaway Car Mod

The Man in a Van Project by - Art Car Covered in Recession stories

The Man in a Van Project - Needing a new water pump
The Man in a Van Project - Needing a new water pump
Participant writing her recession story on the art van
Participant writing her recession story on the van
Heartbreaking Recession Story
Heartbreaking Recession Story
photos by maninavan's photostream

Aaron Heideman is an artist competing at art prize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the largest art prize competition in the world. His art car piece is called The Man in a Van Project, and is traveling the country collecting stories from people whose lives have been affected by the recession. Most stories are written by participants on a large roll of Tyvek paper, and the best will written on the art van itself. He is currently on the road planning to visit 37 cities in 20 states, and finish in Grand Rapids on September 15, 2009. There is a section on his web site for support help Aaron complete his project and bring the stories to light. Good luck.

Tartanmobile Art Car by Megan Kilian

Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tartanmobile Art Car by Megan Kilian
Tartanmobile Art Car - Side View
Tartanmobile Art Car by Megan Kilian - Front View

The Tartanmobile art car a 86 Toyota Camry was just sent in by Megan Kilian who painted her car based on a family tartan. Here is what Megan had to say.

I had been thinking of painting a car plaid for several years, and had the opportunity when I moved back to San Francisco after several car-less years in Hong Kong and NYC. After studying all kinds of cool patterns, I chose this particular design because it is a Thompson family tartan, and I liked the idea of the pattern referring to my heritage instead of just being chosen randomly.

It began as a solid grey 1986 Toyota Camry that I purchased last October. At the time I bought it, the car had been owned for its entire life by one elderly Ukrainian man in San Francisco ’s Richmond district, who had put only 155,000 miles on it in 22 years, and had taken very good care of it. I’ve had a few minor issues: replaced the radiator and the water pump, but for the most part it has taken good care of me this year. I love that it was built while I was in junior high, and that the tape player still works, so I can play all my cassettes from high school while getting where I need to go.

I teach theatre classes in elementary schools around the Bay Area, and it has been fun to watch my students react to its progress as each layer of plaid was added. Kids love it—I’d like to think I’m triggering something in their brains that tells them they can express themselves creatively and uniquely. I finished the paint job over this summer and can’t wait to see their reactions once I begin teaching again this month!

Cheers, Megan Kilian
 

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