Author: kurt

Fred Heim builds models. In fact, Fred Heim has built models for most of his adult life; what sets him apart is the subject and scale of modeling. Not content to work from kits, Heim builds his models almost entirely of wood unless functionality calls for steel, aluminum or fiberglass. Featured below is part of his collection, currently up for sale on eBay.

His first subject was a Peterbilt tractor. After making a cardboard mockup to determine if he could actually get in and out of the cab, Heim began work build the tractor from wood and aluminum. It is driven by a water cooled, 26 horsepower diesel motor and features working windows, lights, gauges and air suspension. The rig also features a hydrostatic transmission and functional hydraulic brakes.

Next came the dump trailer, also built primarily of aluminum and wood.

Heim’s next project was a static replica of a Caterpillar D8R bulldozer. To haul the D8R, he constructed a half scale model of a Rogers low-boy trailer, built from aluminum with wooden decking.

A Caterpillar 345 excavator followed (shown on the low-boy trailer, above). Like the dozer, the Cat 345 is a static replica with a rotating cab.

No longer content to build just static models, Heim set his sights on a remote controlled model of a Caterpillar 980H wheel loader. Featuring a 6.5 horsepower motor, the Cat 980 features a lifting and turning bucket and forward and reverse gears.

If you’re interested in the collection, the auction is HERE.

The opening bid price is $100k, but that doesn’t cover the reserve. Expensive? Perhaps, but understandable when you factor in the hours spent in building these incredible replicas.

You say “dangerous”, I say “fun”. Maybe it was the good fortune of spending my formative driving and riding years strafing the canyons around Boulder, Colorado, but I can’t help getting worked up over mountain roads with plenty of switchbacks, blind corners and decreasing radius turns. I may prefer asphalt to dirt, but I’m no stranger to Jeep trails in the Rockies, either. I’ve learned the hard way why you never wash the mud from a rental Toyota 4Runner that you used to explore the Switzerland Trail (unless you really really like trying to buff out brush pinstriping).

This ARTICLE, posted on Waze, gives their take on the 19 most complex and dangerous roads in the world. Some are just interchanges; complex, but not particularly worthy as a vacation destination. Others may offer drama or sheer terror, but at such low speeds that it’s not worth the effort to get to them. Here’s my take on the best six and how I’d like to enjoy them:

Col de Turini, France – featured in Top Gear series 10 as one of the most exciting roads on the planet, Col de Turini is part of the WRC Monte Carlo Rally. My choice for the best way to enjoy it? I’ll take a KTM 990 Supermoto R, please.

Stelvio Pass, Italy – located in the Eastern Alps just below the Austrian border, the pass is the second highest paved road in the Alps. The amazing views make this a popular destination for motorcycle tours and magazine shoots. My ride for this one? An Ariel Atom, please.

Trollstigen, Norway – narrow and steep, this road (translated as “Troll’s Ladder) winds though one of Norway’s many fjords. Given the road’s popularity with tourists, I’d like a bike on this on. My old BMW R1100S will do nicely, thank you.

Los Caracoles Pass, Chile to Argentina – despite its steep inclines, annual snowfall, switchback corners and heavy commercial vehicle traffic, this road has a good safety record. To be on the safe side, I’d like something with AWD and lots of power for this one. Not too big, not too small, either. Make it a Ford RS200 Evolution.

Iroha-zaka, Japan – connecting Nikko and Oku-Nikko, the Iroha-zaka actually consists of two routes; one is used for descending, the other for ascending. Like most things Japanese, the road is steeeped in tradition; to honor this, make my ride a Skyline GT-R. Surprise me on the vintage.

Lysebotn Road, Norway – billed as “the most fun you can have on four wheels”, Lysebotn Road is also considered one of the most scenic spots in all of Europe. Since I opted for a bike on my last Norwegian pass, I’ll take a car this time – make it a BMW 135.

If you can’t afford the airfare and rental fees for these six, let’s not forget that there can be some spectacular drives closer to home. Let’s hear about your favorites.

Just in case you’ve had a bad day, the above video is proof that someone, somewhere, had it worse. The Camaro’s axle snapped during a burnout, sending the Camaro into parked traffic. There’s no word on the total damage, but I’m betting the owner’s winter project will now include replacing a fender, hood, door and rear quarter panel. Not to mention the check he’ll be writing to buy someone a new Taurus wagon.

Burnouts, boys and girls, are for racetracks. Or deserted streets.

Toyota Motor Company has announced a fix to the sticking gas pedal issue that’s been front page news for the past two weeks. Shown above, the Toyota recall fix involves a metal shim, called a “precision cut steel reinforcement bar” by Toyota, placed behind the accelerator assembly. The shim changes the angle of contact between two gears, reducing the friction and, presumably, the likelihood of binding.

I’m not an automotive engineer, but it seems like this is a band aid solution and not a long term fix. Looking at the above diagram, it appears that contact between the gear teeth is all but eliminated. Will this trade the problem of excess friction for one of premature wear? Partial meshing of gears is never a good thing, in my experience and generally leads to early component failure. Also, is anyone concerned that the shim stresses a part, likely made of plastic, in ways it was not designed to be stressed?

AOL Autos posted an excellent VIDEO last week, explaining their take on the sticking accelerator issue. Per their analysis, the issue is related to friction between the accelerator pivot and a bronze bushing the pivot rides in. Granted, Toyota has a lot more resource than AOL (and a lot more to lose by posting incorrect information), but the AOL piece does pose an interesting question: what if the pedal failure is caused by more than one problem with the design or manufacture?

In an interview on this morning’s Today show, Matt Lauer grilled Toyota America’s COO, Jim Lentz, on the issue. When pressed on the question, “Can you guarantee customers that the repaired cars will be 100% safe?”, Lentz twice avoided giving a direct answer (but admitted to being “confident” in the solution). Silence, it appears, may speak louder than words.

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In the motor sports underdog story of the year (so far), a team that made it’s first public appearance in December 2009 has won the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. Action Express Racing defeated perennial favorites Brumos Porsche and Ganassi Racing, with a well used Riley chassis running a bastardized privateer motor that began life in a Porsche Cayenne. Since Porsche neither builds the motor nor sanctions it for racing, they will not claim the win as a victory for Porsche.

Drivers Joao Barbosa, Terry Borcheller, Ryan Dalziel and Mike Rockenfeller led 316 of 755 laps and crossed the finish line fifty two seconds ahead of their closest competitor, the Ganassi BMW Riley driven by Scott Pruett. This year’s race featured plenty of drama, including a start under yellow for rain and the early retirement of the heavily favored second Ganassi BMW Riley, which led 144 laps before going out with a blown motor.

The GT class was won by Jonathan Bomarito, Nick Ham, David Haskell, and Sylvain Tremblay, driving a Mazda RX-8 for SpeedSource Racing

One of the best performance mods you can make for your vehicle is replacing the stock tires with a good set of aftermarket ones. Why? Because when choosing an OEM tire, manufacturers must balance handling, ride comfort, noise, wear and price. If you guessed that “price” was the single biggest consideration, you’d be right on the money. Upgrading to aftermarket tires allows you to choose the tires that best fit your needs and driving style.

If you’re going for better handling, you may want to purchase a wider tire than stock if it fits on the OEM wheel and doesn’t rub on suspension or bodywork. Changing from a 205/45-17 to a 225/40-17, for example, creates a slightly wider contact patch and should allow for better cornering grip. On the other hand, if you’re purchasing snow tires, a narrower tread will give you better grip on packed snow and ice by applying the vehicle’s weight to a smaller area.

Here’s the problem: the new tires will have a different circumference, which will change the accuracy of your speedometer. How much? This handy GUIDE, courtesy of the folks at Miata.net, will tell you. To use, simply select the stock tire size from the top set of pull down menus. Next, select the new tire size from the bottom pull down menus. The app calculates the difference in tire sizes, tells you speedometer error in percentage and gives an example of speedometer error at 60 mph.

In a move that could interpreted as “ballsy” or “utterly insane”, Tesla Motors has simultaneously announced an IPO and the end of Roadster production in 2011. Roadsters, built largely by Lotus at their plant in Hethel, England, share body structures with the Lotus Elise / Exige. Both the Elise and Exige are due to be replaced by new models, as yet unannounced by Lotus.

While Tesla Motors has begun development of the Model S sedan, they do not yet have a chassis supplier for this model. An optimistic projection is for production of the Model S to begin in 2012, which leaves a one to two year gap in sales revenue for the start up company. A new version of the Tesla Roadster is not expected before 2013.

I’m not an economist (nor do I play one on TV), but I’m guessing that announcing a two year absence of product isn’t the best way to raise $100 million in an IPO. Elon Musk, founder of Tesla Motors, has proven his critics wrong in the past, but he certainly has his work cut out for him this time around.

Since his chrome dubs were no longer getting him action, Tito resorted to desperate measures to attract the ladies.

Source: That Will Buff Out

Today’s eBay find is the flying car built for the “Electra Woman and Dyna Girl” TV show in 1978. Don’t remember the show? I don’t either, but apparently it did exist and they did drive a ‘flying’ car. It’s been updated, with the original electric motor yanked in favor of a flat four from a Porsche 356 powering the five blade propellor. Gone is the vintage 1970s paintjob, replaced by a tasteful (and sponsorship ready) white.

Meet new friends! Impress your neighbors!

Original paint, with Electra Woman and Dyna Girl at the helm

The builder claims that it was “designed to function as a car / boat / plane”, and advises that the craft is “not complete or currently running”. Which, in my opinion, is probably a good thing. I’m not risk averse, but there’s no way in hell you’d catch me behind the controls of that thing on land, sea or especially air.

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, researchers at the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) have determined that laws banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving do not reduce crash rates (press release here). Rather than utilizing real world accident data, the HLDI researchers studied “reductions in observed phone use following bans” to determine what the anticipated reduction in accidents should be. Presumably, by their math, observing 30% fewer drivers on handheld cell phones should produce 30% fewer accidents.

What-the-everloving-f*ck? By this logic, if I look out my window and don’t see a serial killer, I can presume that serial killers don’t exist. Likewise, if I see 30% fewer cars on Sunday, I can state that the number of cars in my city has decreased by 30%.

Let’s examine the facts. Handheld cell phone bans are as widely ignored as the old 55 mile per hour speed limit was. I’ve lived in states that have enacted bans, and have never seen a reduction in the number of drivers on cell phones, regardless of the law. In terms of enforcement, unless there’s a local campaign to target cell phone driving, you’re about as likely to get a ticket for cell phone use as you are for jaywalking.

Studies from as far back as 2005 and 2006 have documented that use of cell phones is as dangerous as driving drunk. Other studies seem to indicate that even “hands free” devices don’t solve the problem; the human brain is simply not wired to multitask this way.

A 2009 test by Car and Driver (admittedly less than 100% scientific) showed even more dramatic results from texting and driving; one test subject had double the reaction time while texting than he did while driving under the influence.

I don’t know about you, but I get all the proof I need every time I get behind the wheel.

Equipped with only a credit card to scrape the ice from his rental car, Frank suddenly realized it was going to be a long day. A very long day.

Source: That Will Buff Out

Coming on the heels of Toyota’s current recall debacle, Honda has announced a recall of Fit models sold in the U.S., the U.K. and Latin America. Per Honda’s official statement:

“Under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver’s window and reach the master power window switch, resulting in impaired function of the switch. If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the liquid intrusion, it may result in failure of the switch and overheating. An overheating switch may cause smoke, melting or, potentially, fire.”

Honda’s remedy will be to replace the switches if damage is found and to add additional waterproof skirting to prevent future water intrusion.

Valentino Rossi, five time MotoGP world champion and all around wunderkind, has tested a 2008 Ferrari F1 car at Italy’s Mugello circuit. Although done with no intent of Rossi switching from two wheels to four, his times were good enough to impress Ferrari. Good enough, in fact, for Ferrari to issue a press release on the matter. How good? His best time of the day was two tenths of a second slower than Kimi Raikkonen’s record for the same circuit and car.

Two tenths of a second slower than the man who won the F1 championship in 2007. Two tenths of a second slower the first time he’d driven the car, with only hours of seat time. Damn.

I like Rossi, I really do, but anyone who can turn in world-class performances in two distinctly different motor sports is simply not human. We test other athletes for performance enhancing drugs; I think it’s about time that we started testing Rossi for green blood and funky internal organs. One of these days he’s going to pull off the helmet and the fake face is coming with it. If he’s part of our new lizard overlords, we’ve got no chance of beating them on the racetrack.

Source: Autoblog

Here’s the first picture (credit to Autosport) of the 2010 McLaren MP4-25. Note the significant aerodynamic changes from the MP4-24, pictured below. The new car features down swept side pods and a sharper nose (presumably to reduce drag) and a pronounced vertical stabilizer running from the airbox to the rear wing.

The 2009 McLaren MP4-24, which finished third in 2009 Constructor’s Championship points.

McLaren has high hopes for the MP4-25, after a disappointing season in 2009. Former world champion Lewis Hamilton was able to score only a single victory in last year’s car, and former teammate Heikki Kovalainen finished no higher than fourth. Hamilton’s new teammate, Jenson Button, comes to McLaren as the 2009 F1 champion, after a spectacular season with Brawn.

In yesterday’s State of the Union address, President Obama made an important commitment to openness and transparency in government:

It’s time to require lobbyists to disclose each contact they make on behalf of a client with my Administration or Congress.

This is welcome news. For the past few years, EFF has been litigating a Freedom of Information Act case against the government, seeking the identities of lobbyists who contacted the Department of Justice and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on behalf of their telecommunications company clients in order to push for telecom immunity. With the help of lobbyists from AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, the FISA Amendments Act passed with an unconstitutional provision to retroactively grant immunity to the telecoms for collaborating with the warrantless wiretapping program.

So far, the Obama Administration has been fighting hard to stop the release of the names of these representatives, appealing a court order that required disclosure. Just last month, the Obama Administration argued to the appeals court that “there is no public interest in the compelled disclosure of the representatives’ identities.” To the contrary, the Administration argued, lobbyists had a “significant privacy interest in being able to communicate confidentially with the government.”

While it’s great to see Obama reverse his position in the State of the Union and acknowledge the strong public interest in disclosure of lobbying records, the Administration must do more than give speeches in order to fulfill its commitment to transparency. Instead, Obama must apply this policy to pending litigation, and release the identities of telecommunications representatives who lobbied for immunity for the their telecommunications carrier clients.

Mothers were sure to keep their kids indoors whenever the Crack wagon rolled into town.

Original high res image at Shorpy

Jimmie Johnson, defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, destroyed the number 99 Daytona prototype Gainsco/Bob Stalling Racing Riley Chevrolet in a crash during Thursday’s practice session. Unable to avoid a slower GT-class car, Johnson struck the vehicle at high speed.

The NASCAR and Rolex series veteran was treated for bruising and released from the Daytona International Speedway infield care center. The team will make every effort to rebuild the car in time for Saturday’s 3:30 PM race start, allowing Johnson to join teammates Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and Jimmy Vasser.

This video, created by ConsumerReports and posted to YouTube, could save your life. Automotive engineer Jake Fisher shows the actions you need to take if your vehicle begins to accelerate without your input.

The video is a good reminder for drivers of all skill levels. To summarize what Jake shows you:

1) First, don’t panic. This may be more difficult than you think when your car is closing in on another vehicle or a solid mass of concrete. The faster you react, the sooner you eliminate the danger.

2) Brake hard but don’t pump the brakes; doing so may deplete the vacuum reservoir that provides additional braking force. In certain cars (Volkswagens, for example) the brakes will override the throttle when applied simultaneously. Firm and constant pressure should be enough to stop vehicles like this; when stopped (safely off the road), simply turn off the ignition and shift the car into park.

3) If brake pressure isn’t sufficient to stop your vehicle, bump the shifter (on an automatic transmission vehicle) from drive into neutral. Generally speaking, neutral is located above drive, although you may need to move the shift lever several positions to enter neutral. Practice this in an empty parking lot to make sure you can select neutral from drive in your vehicle. If you drive a manual transmission equipped vehicle, depress the clutch and move the shifter to neutral.

4) With your foot still on the brake and the transmission in neutral, coast to a stop safely off the road and shut off the igntion. Put the car into park (auto transmission) or reverse (manual transmission).

5) Do not shut the ignition off when the car is still moving forward; doing so may lock the steering column and prevent you from turning the front wheels. Even if you don’t lock the steering column, cutting the ignition eliminates power braking and power steering. You’ll still have brakes and steering, but you’ll need to use a lot more effort to stop or turn.

6) If your vehicle is equipped with a push button starter, make sure you know how to shut the car off using it. In most cases, this requires the driver to press and hold the start button for a number of seconds. Read the owner’s manual to learn the procedure on your vehicle.

7) Once the vehicle is stopped, do not try to drive it further. You’ll need a tow truck and a good mechanic at this point.

For sale on eBay, for a reasonable “Buy It Now” price of $30,000, is this extensively modified 1951 Chevrolet pickup. Equipped with pontoon outriggers and a driveshaft-driven propeller, the truck is a replica of one used by escaping Cuban refugees in 2003. Not authentic enough for you? It’s built by the same guy who built the original.

Front view. How’d you like to see THAT looming behind you in traffic?

Side view, showing the included all-weather canopy. Authentically distressed pontoons add a nice element of realism.

The business end. Note the massive propeller, which probably makes the truck good for a steady 5 to 10 knots in the water.

You’re all but guaranteed to have the only one of these in your neighborhood, and the possible uses are endless. Start your own ferry service! Deliver beer to thirsty boaters! Start a charter fishing business! Terrorize snobbish yacht club types!

Here’s the best part: if the U.S. economy continues to get worse, you can always use it to sneak INTO Cuba. They’re only 90 miles south of Key West, and I’ll bet the truck is an easy sale in downtown Havana.

Ford Motor Company released 2009 earnings on Thursday, reporting an annual profit of $2.7 billion. This represents the automaker’s first trip out of the red since 2005 and is a dramatic turnaround from 2008, when Ford reported losses of $14.8 billion.

Ford F150, consistantly the best selling truck in the US.

Fourth quarter results between 2009 and 2008 were the most dramatic: in 2009, Ford earned $868 million, compared to a loss of $5.9 billion in Q4 2008.

Ford Fusion, their best selling passenger car in 2009.

Perhaps better news is their projection of profitability in 2010, which moves the company’s earlier projections of consistent profitability up by one full year.