Alizium Auto Blogs: 2009

Rambler’s Amazing New Rotary Engine!

Автор: RaymondLilly | среда, 7 октября 2009 г.

Rambler's rotary (artist's concept)

Add this to the many ways we already witnessed connections between Renault and Rambler/American Motors. Of course, the former bought the latter in the 1980s, and Rambler provided the bodies for the IKA venture between Kaiser and Renault in Argentina, and now, via the October 1964 issue of Mechanix Illustrated, we see that Rambler worked with Renault to develop a rotary engine. It appears the project never got very far, and we can almost infer that from the article, which speculates wildly that Rambler might use it in a front-drive application – or maybe a rear-engine, rear-drive – and doesn’t offer up any proof that AMC had even built a running prototype by that point. Of course, AMC’s flirtation with rotary engines flared up again during the development of the Pacer almost a decade later; one has to wonder whether those were isolated incidents, or whether some engineer at AMC really wanted to see a rotary in production.

Thanks, Paul Bellefeuille, for discovering and sending us the magazine!

Rip Off: 2008 Nissan Nismo 350Z

Giovanine/Spurgin Roadster

Автор: RaymondLilly | вторник, 6 октября 2009 г.

I’m still on the road… We flew into Oklahoma City last night and as of this morning, I’m now in the car headed back to Austin. As such, I only have time for a quick post today. Luckily, Jimmy B did my work for me. In 1996, Curt Giovanine sat down with his dad, sister, and brother-in-law and pointed a modern video camera at the same wall in which an old 8mm video was playing. The result is some incredible footage of the Geovanine/Spurgin roadster matched up with a knowing voice over. It’s hard to watch just once.

………………

The Fifty-Year-Old Urge to Compete

Автор: RaymondLilly |

You may remember my friend LG—the guy I chided here for driving his Audi S4, now an S5, like a fixated hypermiler. Well, he and I go back a long way, some 50 years: We were both in grad school, and I helped crew in some of his SCCA meets. Anyway, he wanted to set the record straight about his driving techniques.

First, I employ few of the techniques practiced by the hybrid-driving lunatic described in yr blog. Essentially I always try to minimize the effects of inertia while not interfering w/ following traffic. This doesn’t amount to much more than (a) braking as little as possible, (b) getting into 5th or 6th gear as soon as feasible and staying there as long as possible (with the sophisticated refinements of current fuel injection, lugging isn’t a problem), (c) only speeding downhill, and (d) coasting through isolated or empty stop signs in 2nd or 3rd gear (the only tickets I’ve gotten in several years were for this maneuver).
My first race car was a used Austin-Healy Sprite. (I could almost run faster than it.) I took the SCCA competition license course at Wilmot, the little track cum ski resort across the state line in Wisconsin. The first year I raced there & at Meadowdale Raceway, I think, west of Chicago. I was a cautious if not cowardly driver that first season, & I remember being nerfed from behind in one race, by the class leader, Bob Somebody, as he lapped me coming around a corner. But I had one of the classier rigs at the track: a VW van to tow the Sprite on a custom-made trailer, and my friend’s Morgan as a chase car—all of them painted white w/ orange stripes & trim.
The second season I graduated to a Triumph TR3 that I bought from my friend Brooks Johnson, the sprinter, jazz promoter & U. of Chicago law school dropout (Si Hersh was his dropout classmate), and which I spent a long winter tearing down to its frame and then rebuilding for racing. All the clever trick work was done in our garage on 54th St. by Jim Hartman, who, a year later, took an identical TR3 to Road America and, eschewing belts or a harness because he had read that Stirling Moss disdained them, killed himself in a rollover on turn 11.
I don’t practice “hypermiling” out of any devotion to the environment (though I’m as Green as yr average sustainable citizen), or to save gas money (though I’m as close to insolvency as most American debtors), but only because I became transfixed by the mileage readout on my 2001 S4, and raising the numbers became a new expression of my congenital competitive instincts.
Yes, my driving style in the Audi S4 could hardly have been more extreme. My obsessive-compulsive capacities just overcame me, and squeezing another 1/10th of an mpg out of the display became the dominant purpose of my mobile life. But, the S5 has loosened me up. One example: In my regular 10-mile drive every day in Marin County, CA, I get on 101 at the bottom of a steep grade and I can’t resist standing on 360 hp and running through 6 gears as I drift over to the fast lane on my quick way to 90/100 mph (for an instant). So far none of the other Hot Wheels at that time & place have challenged me.
As for the 50 years, I’m aware of some diminution of my reflexes & I’m more cautious making certain moves, such as quickly changing lanes in traffic. Some of the ergonomics of the S5 are awkward, such as the large mirrors on the A pillars which obstruct my vision on certain turns, and I wonder if I would have been as distracted & irritated when I was younger. But the car seems very forgiving, the Quattro is super, and I can’t resist an occasional blast.

Is driving (for some of us) really all about competition? Leave us a comment.

—jgoods

SSC Ultimate Aero: Record Breaker For Sale

Автор: RaymondLilly | понедельник, 5 октября 2009 г.

Think your car is fast? Think again. Not even the 16 cylinders from the Bugatti Veyron or the Koenigsegg CCR, or any other production car for that matter, could keep up with the SSC Ultimate Aero. And now’s your chance to blow by everyone as this car, chassis number TT-02, the actual car that broke the Guinness World Record for speed for production car, is up for sale. What will you get for your million plus? Well, only a car that has 1183 horsepower which accelerates from 0 to 60 in 2.78 seconds, a commemorative watch, and the actual certificate from Guinness confirming the record. You’ll also get the original set of tires and rims used for the record breaking run if you feel like replicating the 257 mph the Shelby SuperCar achieved. $1,250,000.

Ducati Monster 1100 S: Lightness, Power, & Exclusivity

Автор: RaymondLilly | суббота, 3 октября 2009 г.

Indulge into your monstrous passion with the latest Ducati Monster 1100 S in minimum weight and maximum fun. It is an air-cooled legendary unit with a Desmodromic 1100cc engine with 95hp of a perfect Ducati character that ensures fantastic acceleration and a 9lb-ft of torque. The ‘S’ features a fully adjustable 43mm titanium nitride coated Öhlins forks and rising rate linkage Ölins rear shock absorber with adjustable pre-load and return damping with extremely lightweight 5-spoke wheels that help reduce unsprung weight. Let the Ducati Monster 1100 S get you excited with every twist of the throttle!

From Pond Goo to Alternative Fuel: Algae the Diesel of Tomorrow?

Автор: RaymondLilly |

The news of algae as a potential source for bio-fuels broke in 2006 and then again earlier this year. As the cost prohibitive and resource draining processes of coal-to-liquid fuel and corn-to-ethanol have reached long discussions on the national bureaucratic scene, algae-to-fuel has received its push toward market efficacy in the private sector. A lot of time has been spent on this site discussing alternative fuels, hybrids and other forums of fuel efficiency and restrained pollutants. It doesn’t seem likely that the topic will end here, either.

algae to bio fuel

Two small corporations are spearheading the push for this fuel source: Solix out of Ft. Collins, Colorado and GreenFuel Technologies Corporation out of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Both companies have developed prototype algae farms in cooperation with other industries. Solix has joined forces with the sustainability conscious New Belgium Brewery Company of Ft. Collins and GreenFuel is collaborating with NRG Energy Inc and their Big Cajun coal burning power plant in New Roads, Louisiana. The algae farms will be redirecting the off-gassing CO2 from their respective industry associate into their contained algae farms. Overnight the algae will feed and grow where it can be harvested almost daily for its oils.
algae to bio fuel The genius of the Algae farm approach is that it captures the CO2 emissions that are already being produced by most industrial complexes. The algae feed on the CO2, thus preventing the excesses gases from harming the environment. Since the Industrial workings are already in place (thank you, Industrial Revolution) and since the redirection of the CO2 emissions from those facilaties does not require any expensive retrofitting on site, it would seem logical (for both the environmentally conscience and the big business conservative) that algae farms might be the simple solution to a very complex and vexing problem. Now they just have to prove that this cottage industry is a viable and affordable decision. algae farming fuel

When the U.S. Department of Energy’s Aquatic Species Program completed its 18 years of research in 1996 it was deemed that the conversion of of algae to fuel was cost-inhibitive and could not compete against the low fuel prices of the 1990’s. Concerns about the environmental impact of the fossil fuels we were consuming then were still not in the mainstream subconscious, but as always would probably still play second fiddle to cheap yet polluting fossil fuels. Plus they were still relying on outdoor open ponds for their source of the algae for conversion. By partnering with Carbon producing industries and while the wave of concern over the sustainability of life of this planet is high, Algae as an alternative energy source may be sneaking to the fore front just in time (just without the fanfare and bureaucratic backing of Coal-to-liquid fuels). The other benefits of the conversion of Algae to fuel are also appealing.

In a fraction of the space required to grow other crops, such as corn, sugarcane, palm and soy, algae can be harvested day after day in one small area. Plus in the conversion process the byproducts that result can be used for other bio-friendly purposes. The proteins leftover from the processing of algae into fuel can be turned into feed for grazing animals; unlike the results of using corn and soy for ethanol which depletes those food sources for man and animal alike. This does not mean that research and development should be stopped on all ethanol refinaries that plan to use those crops. But such bio-refinaries could be facing some staunch competition from an energy producer that can recycle its own emissions and the carbon emissions of others to further feed its energy supply.

In the next post in this two part series I will examine algae farms and why other industrial recycling should be just as much a part of the Organizations of Industries as their final products are.

Source[PopularMechanics]
Source[Solix]
Source[NewBelgiumBrewery]
Source[NRG Energy Inc and GreenFuels Technology Corp]

2008 Land Rover LR2 HSE Announced...More Luxury for The Smallest Land Rover

Автор: RaymondLilly |

The new Land Rover LR2 has only been on our shores since this spring, but this November there will be a new version of the LR2, the LR2 HSE.

2008 Honda Fit/ Jazz Photos Show Up on the Internet

Автор: RaymondLilly |

The Temple of VTEC has posted magazine photos of the all-new 2008 Honda Fit/ Jazz before it is officially unveiled at the end of the month.

Diesel Cars Returning to the US Market

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Just as “video killed the radio star,” cheap gasoline in the 1980’s and 90’s killed diesel engines in the cars of the American market. While emissions limitations still made headlines in the larger cities, fuel efficiency and the economy of size took a back seat to horsepower and cup holder/occupancy capacity. Gone were the Fiesta’s and in were the Excursions. As fuel prices are now reaching all new highs so are the interests in gas mileage and emissions. Which makes it an ideal market place for the return of a highly efficient, low emissions diesel engine.

VW RABBIT DIESEL Although todays diesel engines are not that much further ahead in fuel efficiency from the old ones, they far exceed them in clean burning and emissions. The new diesels do not share the rattles, shakes and plumes of black smoke that the diesels we are still familiar with did. That is thanks in a large part to a European market that remained thirsty for the diesel engine while the American car market grew fat on cheap gas. With a strong demand leading the way many of the major automakers were still investing money into the research and development of better diesel engines. Thus bringing the diesel engine to its strongest point yet and primed for a re-emergence on the American car market.

VW TDI DIESEL ENGINE JETTA While the VW TDI engines have been in use in the GTI, Beetle and Jetta for years (if not decades), both Ford and Mercedez-Benz have been working on improving upon their diesels for expansions into the American market . Even Audi is looking to break into the diesel engine market after their success with their diesel racing engine at Sebring this year. And just recently Honda announced that it will no longer be making an Accord hybrid for the American market. To replace the hybrid Honda will be releasing in 2008 the Accord Diesel. Also debuting on the market in 2008 will be a Volvo XC70 with a diesel engine. bio-willie nelson diesel

As alternative fuels, bio-diesel and fuel efficiency grow predominately in the minds of some famous musicians and the American car buyers it now seems that diesels are poised to compete with the hybrid motors for their share of the automotive pie. The only concerns remaining will be whether tougher emissions regulations will bench the diesel engines before they begin and whether bio-diesel fuels will be in plentiful supply (not that bio-diesels are required for diesels approaching the market, but they do help to Green up the imagine even more). Ofcourse the biggest question mark for the diesel market will be whether or not enough American consumers will buy into diesel in the coming years.

Not a Band-Aid, a Transfusion

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Tgriffith makes three worthwhile points: 1. Mr. Bush did a complete flip-flop on the bankruptcy idea. In fact, he’s done several during the last two months. 2. The problem now is that the industry has only 90 days to “get viable.” 3. Bush in fact has kicked the reorganization can down the road to Obama.

Mrs. Henry Paulson Giving Transfusion to Happy GM Employee

But none of these points tells the real story. The whole mess started months ago and the real question is whether we are going to punish the companies and the UAW or help them get back on their feet. Do we want a “viable” (whatever the hell that means) U.S. auto industry or to watch them not only bleed to death but infect the rest of the economy through their demise—like the old Typhoid Mary story. Most every respected economist agrees that the standard Ch. 11 bankruptcy would be lengthy, very risky, with unknown and costly consequences, possibly triggering a Depression.

So what the bailout does, finally, is “manage” the bankruptcy and consequent reorganization, giving the companies a chance to do their restructuring without filing for bankruptcy or going through a protracted and messy liquidation. And that’s the only right way to do it. All those free-traders and defenders of instant bankruptcy and the foreign transplants want is to see their ideology triumph, kill the union, and permit the transplants to set wages and terms for the whole industry.

We are in the economic mess we’re in because of such people and the willingness of Chrysler and GM Boards to do nothing while their companies took the road of easy profit instead of thinking about where their businesses would be in 10 years. Yet I’m not willing to lay the entire blame on them for building dopey cars and not leading their market to reform itself. You tell me how to sell small fuel-efficient cars to the masses when gas is cheap.

Sure, it was easier to sell trucks and SUVs. Sure, the UAW got greedy. So did Wall Street and the banks. Their myopic greed (plus the administration’s total lack of oversight and blind commitment to laissez-faire policies) produced the current horrendous crisis that finally brought the auto companies to their knees. The companies need support, new blood and, most of all, time. I hope they have enough, and I hope the Obama team will help them, not spit on them.

You don’t shoot the horse you are riding.

Here’s your chance to vote on the bailout: Was it a necessary evil? Or just evil? Hit the comment line and tell us.

—jgoods

Unrusted Alfa Romeo 164L Heals The Sick, Restores Sight To The Blind In Minneapolis [Down On The Street Bonus Edition]

Автор: RaymondLilly | среда, 30 сентября 2009 г.

This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. With the '91 Alfa Romeo 164L we saw down on the Alameda street this morning, we might as look at a miraculous Alfa this afternoon? Why miraculous? Because this 1991 Alfa Romeo 164L lives down on the Minneapolis street, a street stained red from the ruined metal of cars that dare to park upon it. MBAcuraFan took some shots of this amazingly unrusty Pininfarina creation; make the jump to read his description.

I saw this neo-classic Alfa Romeo 164L sitting on Central Ave NE in North East Minneapolis. In its lack-luster condition, i dont see anyone buying it right away, but who knows? I sure wouldn't. Although it's fairly recent, i thought I would send it in and see if the you liked it. I took the liberty of blurring out the guys phone number, to avoid any prank calls.

DOTS FAQ

Frankfurt to see Bluetec Mercedes

Автор: RaymondLilly |

hybrid

With an increase in hybrid technology being introduced into the luxury car market, it seems that everyone wants to get onto the band wagon. Following in the footsteps of Lexus, and Honda, German luxury car maker Mercedes Benz has now decided to create their first hybrid vehicle, now you would assume that this would be in the lower models such as the A class, but no, Mercedes Benz has pulled out all the stops and are poised to launch the Mercedes S Class Diesel Hybrid.

hybrid

Built in partnership with GM, BMW and Daimler Chrysler, the new Hybrid will be ready for the Frankfurt Auto Show later on in the year. Of course the details are at best a bit sketchy, but they did have the Bluetec hybrid on show a while ago, which was powered by the 3.2 liter turbo diesel V6 engine, this is an obvious choice for the power plant, but you can never tell.

This is a very bold move for Mercedes but one that could pay off very well for them, as the market for hybrid luxury performance cars is growing as there is an image of being eco friendly while driving around in such a high end car.

The Frankfurt Auto Show will be the first that we will officially see the new car, but no doubt the spy cameras will be camped out around the Nurburgring waiting to get the shots.

Source [Cars]

2009 Hot Rod Revolution

Автор: RaymondLilly |

“We cling to our tried and trued. We are creatures of comfort. We find our patterns and we stick to what we know best… But there is a big wide beautiful world out there and for those that want it, it’s there for the taking. Some of us are just content with what has been here and what we still have.”

The 2009 Hot Rod Revolution was remarkable. It starts with the venue. There is just something about the old dusty baseball diamond in that tiny Northern California town that makes everything right. The seemingly strategically placed trees, the numerous old pergolas, the hap-hazard condition and shape of the field itself – all of the elements work together to create an environment that is perfectly suited for a small number of old hot rods to just… well, sit.

And typically, it’s the essence of a parked hot rod that drives me away from car shows. I like to see cars in motion. I like to hear them roar. I like to see them on their own, away from clutter, and in their natural element. But again, this venue changes the dynamic. The layout and location blocks out the rest of the world and as soon as you pull in, you are only influenced by what’s inside the confines of the old park.

This saturday, the park housed 130 to 140 of the best traditional hot rods in Northern California. It was as if some hot rod gods got together and decided to create a show that was suited and groomed to do one thing – make me happy. Just about every car in attendance shared a traditional commonality, but just as impressively, each also seemed to have something that set it apart as well. If you are a guy like me… a guy that loves the simple aesthetic and reasoning behind a car built with the late 1940’s and early 1950’s in mind, then this show just might have been the best show you’ve ever attended. It was certainly that and more for me. Glorious.

Of course, something like this doesn’t happen without a little luck and a whole lot of help from some seriously fine people. I don’t even know where to begin or end. I guess a list of “thanks” would be most appropriate. Don’t skip to the pictures… Read this list – the folks being thanked deserve it.

This show could not have happened without:

1. Keith and Mary Tardel. Marcie and I are so lucky to have family like the Tardels. It’s rare that two couples find each other’s company so perfect.

2. Vern Tardel. He’s not just Vern to me. He’s a legend, a visionary, and one hell of a great guy to look up to. He also cooks one mean cheeseburger.

3. Rolo. Man… talk about a volunteer. Rolo worked his ass off all day in an effort to make sure we all got fed and got a beer. He’s also a damn good friend to all of us.

4. Anita. This is the woman that gave you the free hat at the open house. She made the open house happen and we all owe her for the clean shop!

5. Dave DiFalco. You probably know him as the owner of one kick ass little yellow roadster. We, however, know him as the best damn burger flipper west of the Mississippi.

6. Brothers Bruce and Paul. These fellas are straight from the flathead ranch and like the rest of them, a huge help. It was great meeting them both and seeing their projects!

7. John. He didn’t know us from a Chinaman before the show, but that didn’t stop him from bustin’ ass all day long at the beer booth. Again… Pal.

8. Jason (Turbo442. AKA: Spiderman). He PM’ed me a few months ago offering help. I always hate accepting ‘cuz I feel like the hard work can hinder the experience, but Jason is now part of the group. He has to be there every year now because he fits in with the rest of us so well. Sorry, Jason… You’re screwed from now on.

9. Jay Ward. I realized something this weekend. I really look up to Jay. The man understands character.

10. Danielle McCabe. That gorgeous little girl that served you burgers and hot dogs all day long…

11. Clay from Santa Cruz. He organized a bunch of folks to make the drive up north. All of them were in cars that belonged.

12. Flip and Trish. Speaking of Santa Cruz… This couple is traditional to the Hot Rod Revolution, a huge help, and very good friends. Who doesn’t love Flip and Trish?

13. There were historically significant cars sprinkled throughout the park, but there are two guys I really want to point out. As many of you know, this was a very big weekend for my pal Ralph Whitworth. Even so, he made sure that his buddy Jim Watson got the Tom Cobb’s roadster to the Revolution. It’s first time the car has been seen in public in almost half a century and it was breathtaking. Thanks go out to both Jim and Ralph.

Along the same lines, Ken Fuhrman brought out his roadster as well. Ken built it in the late 1940’s and it has survived pretty much unchanged since then. The Revolution will be the last show for the car and we were honored to have it in attendance.

14. Everyone that attended and brought out their hot rods… Man, you guys made it happen.

15. Our Sponsors. There is no way in hell we could ever do this show without the support of some great companies. Pete & Jakes, Riley Automotive, Coker Tire, RediRad, and Porter Mufflers.