WHAT'S COMING UP?

Avenue of the Giants Weekend Run - Sat. March 23, 2024

Saturday will be a very full day of cruising from Novato up through the Avenue of the Giants and ending at Eel River Brewing in Fortuna. Sun...

Goodbye Saturn

"'Scuse me while I kiss the Sky (the next US collectors' car)."[Source: New York Times]

What Do A Honda S600 And An Toyota Corolla GT-S Have In Common?


They are two of ten future Japanese collector cars according to Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard. Autoblog has a photo gallery of all ten picks.

Driving On Flower Power

gas 2.0 writes about seven non-food weeds that show promise as sources for automotive fuels.

GM Outlines Innovations On The Horizon


Alan Taub is the new head of R&D with GM. In a web chat on Tuesday he outlined some upcoming innovations he expects to see in GM vehicles. These include memory materials that will make bumper and body dings a thing of the past; fuel-cell vehicles; and limited autonomy driving on highways by 2015 enabled by a combination of lane-keeping and stop-and-go adaptive cruise control.

[Source: edmund's inside line]

October Is Fall Car Care Month

The Car Care Council has designated October as Fall Car Care Month. The Council wants you to take the opportunity to make sure that your vehicle is ready for winter and up-to-date on all maintenance. In celebration many shops across the country will be holding free vehicle check-up events. To see if an event is being held near you, visit the Event Finder on the Car Care Council's Web site at www.carcare.org/find-an-event.

[Source: via The Auto Channel]

How Your Insurance Company Determines Whether Your Vehicle Is Totalled

Ask Patty has posted an excellent article that tells how your insurance company should adjust your claim should your vehicle be damaged due to a covered event. Bottom line is this formula (but check out the article for negotiation tips):

Retail value minus Salvage value = Amount that could be used to repair the vehicle.

(Salvage value is the amount the insurer can sell a car for in its current damaged condition.)

Example: Retail value of $20,000 - Salvage value of $5,000 = $15,000 repair money available. If the repair were less than $15,000, then it would be less expensive to repair the car, but if the repair costs were closer to or more than the available repair money, then the insurance company would most likely total the vehicle. In many cases, there is still some room to negotiate. Some owners owe more on their car than the vehicle is worth and others have expensive add-ons that may be considered.

Creating Real-Time Google Maps

What's next? Google is experimenting with real-time Google Maps that make maps dynamic. Imagine being able to follow a vehicle in real-time on Google Maps or watching a specific person at a sporting event. It is truly Orwellian. Big Brother will put us on the map!

[Source: PopSci via Gizmodo]

Reckless Rudolph And Sensible Sam

Safe driving reminders circa 1935 from GM.

[Source: via The Truth About Cars]

The BMW "Jump For Joy" Advertising Campaign

Not quite sure about this advertising campaign. Something strange about having to do calisthenics to get in your car.

[Source: via BMWBlog]

What Do You Call A Honda VTEC Powered Mini Moke?

FROKE? It is one of SUPERFASTMINIS.

Bicycle Beats Helicopter In São Paulo, Brazil Rush Hour Traffic

The São Paulo Intermodal Challenge is simple. The goal is to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible – during rush hour – using the mode of transportation of your choice. At the recent Challenge contestants ranged from cars, bikes, motorbikes, and a helicopter to buses, metro, their own feet and even a wheelchair. A biker won the challenge, with a total time of 22 minutes – more than 10 minutes faster than the person on the helicopter, who spent a total of 33 minutes and 30 seconds between going to the heliport, waiting for takeoff clearance, flying and landing. The car came in with a total time of 1:22– slower than the runner, who took 1:06, the bus (1:11) and just 10 minutes faster than the person who chose to walk the whole path (1:32).

[Source: PSFK]

2001-2006 MINI Owners Check Your Oil Pan Gasket Frequently

MotoringFile reports that serious issues have arisen with 2001 through 2006 MINIs due to premature oil pan gasket failures that, if unchecked and unrepaired, can cause oil starvation and engine detonation. Read the article on what to look for, where to look for it and how much it will cost to repair if you find you have this problem.

Here's a video from White Roof Radio on how to check your oil - an essential step to preventing an oil pan gasket failure from causing damage to your MINI.

A Merry-Go-Round That Requires A Helmet

The Madagascar Institute, with the help of Popular Mechanics, fire up a jet-powered carousel

[Source: Gizmodo]

Your Chances Of Hitting A Deer Are Way Up


State Farm has published this map that shows, in California, a 22% increase in the number of deer-vehicle collisions from July 1, 2002-June 30, 2004 to July 1, 2007-June 30, 2009. The average increase over the US was 18% during the same period. However, a map of your chance of hitting a deer in California sets the probability at 1 in 1,488. Contrast that with West Virginia where the chance of a deer vehicle collision is 1 in 39.

Here are State Farm's tips for avoiding deer collisions:

Be aware of posted deer crossing signs. These are placed in active deer crossing areas.

Remember that deer are most active between 6 and 9 p.m.

Use high beam headlamps as much as possible at night to illuminate the areas from which deer will enter roadways.

Keep in mind that deer generally travel in herds - if you see one, there is a strong possibility others are nearby.

Do not rely on car-mounted deer whistles.

If a deer collision seems inevitable, attempting to swerve out of the way could cause you to lose control of your vehicle or place you in the path of an oncoming vehicle.

PLEASE DRIVE WITH CAUTION, Bambi will appreciate it and so will you.

[Source: via PRNewswire; Photo Credit: The Putnam Scoop]

What Is It Like Driving A MINI In Los Angeles?

Watch the adventures of CamBam & Betty and find out.

[Source: CamBamification @ YouTube]

Here's One Hot MINI Cooper

Some people just have too much time on their hands.

[Source: faintshadow10 @ YouTube]

Autos Chicas Con MINI

Presenting a photoshoot with model Priscila and a MINI from the Mexican show "Auto Chicas."

[Source: kiakhamodel2 @ YouTube]

Why? Oh, Why?

Who would do this to a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow?

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Electric Vehicles Are Nothing New

Check out seven electric vehicles that were created prior to 1900 at gas 2.0.

Analysis Of The MINI Speedster Concept

MotoringFile tells us where the Speedster fits in the MINI scheme of things and how much it is likely to cost.

Here Comes The Sideways Tour


The "Sideways Tour" is October 3-4, 2009. We will be stopping or driving past some of the locations in the Santa Ynez Valley depicted in the movie "Sideways." If you haven't seen the movie, NetFlix or run to Blockbuster this week and rent it. It is a lot of fun! We will also drive past one of the main gates at the "Neverland Ranch", where just a few weeks back, folks were still signing giant cards and hanging wreaths and flowers in memory of Michael Jackson.

After stopping at Fess Parker Winery (where you might recall the character "Miles" drank the entire "spit bucket"), we will stop for lunch at one of the delis in Los Olivos, or bring a picnic lunch as there is a little park in the middle of town. If time permits, we will also stop at the "Firestone Winery" before heading into Los Olivos and the Neverland Ranch. Afterward, we will head toward Solvang where everyone can spend time walking, shopping, or whatever else you desire. This website will give you ideas of other spots you might want to stop at on your own if you do not want to spend the time in Solvang.

Both the Fess Parker Winery and the Firestone Winery offer tasting at $10 each. I believe you can share a glass. If we are lucky, we might run in to Fess Parker. For those of us old enough to remember... Fess has one of the greatest Disney voices of all time, and is best remembered for his roles as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone.

For dinner we will be eating at AJ Spurs in Buellton, not far from our hotel, where there is a lot of space for a large group, plenty of parking, and a lot of good food! You may recall this location in the movie. This is where the "engaged" character "Jack" meets a young waitress and ends up going home with her, only to have her husband walk in on the two of them. He left "everything" behind and had to go back later to retrieve it all.

Meet up Saturday, October 3, 2009, at the Black Bear Diner in Gilroy (on the opposite of freeway from Gilroy Outlets). If you want breakfast, you should plan to arrive at the Black Bear Diner by 7 AM. We will depart the parking lot at the Black Bear Diner at 8 AM sharp!

From Gilroy, it will be a 3-1/2 to 4 hour drive down Hwy 101. Once we arrive in the Santa Maria area, we will exit to the right at Betteravia Road. We will then turn left onto S. Bradley where will enter the Home Depot parking lot. This will be our final gathering spot before we head back over the highway and on toward Foxen Canyon Rd enroute to the Fess Parker Winery.


The Days Inn in Buellton, if space is available should give latecomers the quoted club rate of $98.99 + tax.

Sunday, for those that want a scenic drive, you can head on over to Hwy 1 and enjoy the beauty of our California coastline or return up Highway 101.

This trip has something for everyone, including those who do not want to spend the entire day in a MINI.

Check Out What The MINI Club of Calgary Did For MINI's 50th Birthday

That Was One Psycho Crazy Run!!!!

Thank you to all of you who made NorCal MINIs' Psycho-Sarah's Run and Show a success. We hope your beautifully detailed vehicles are still beautiful and, again, detailed. If our adventure is any indication the MINI Crossover/Countryman is going to be one very able off-road vehicle.

Thank you to all who donated food that is destined for the Second Harvest Food Bank of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. The donations are appreciated as the need this year is so urgent.

We will see those of you who signed up for the NorCal MINIs' Sideways Tour this coming weekend. Meet up locations to be announced soon. If you are coming make sure you sign up here as a guest.

NorCal MINIs thanks Psycho Donuts - a great donut shop - for permitting us to take up their parking lot, and Sarah's Vineyard, for good wine, use of their gas BBQs and picnic area, and for their wonderful hospitality. We are sure to return!

Another Say It Ain't So Cash For Clunkers Moment

A 1997 Bentley Continental R — a car that when new sold for $250,000. The owner got $4,500. As Howard Krimko said, "The seats for the car would be worth more than that."

[Source: KickingTires]

With Equal Gas Mileage Which Would You Drive?

. . a MINI or a GMC SUV boat?

[Source: via OXYBLUECOOP @ NorthAmericanMotoring.com]

MINI Camden And Mayfair Options Added To MINI Configurator

MotoringFile advises that the MINIUSA Configurator now has the pricing and options for the MINI Mayfair and Camden.

Awesome Supercharged Classic Mini

MiniWorld reviews this 1399cc A-series body Mini cabrio classic with supercharger and NOS from Finland.

Need An App For Reading Text and Instant Messages While Driving?

Crackberry.com points us to this one - DriveSafe.ly - which reads them to you. It is a free download (although the free version has some sponsor ads that may become annoying. A pro version is available for a low fee that removes the sponsor ads.) You can download it here.

Self Praise Stinks

. . . that is what Grandma used to tell us. Here is an example of the cosmic karma one must pay for celebrating triumph too early.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Avoiding The Purchase Of Flood-Damaged Vehicles

CarMax, Inc. provides these tips on how to avoid the purchase of used flood-damaged cars:

1) Check for a moldy smell inside the car and feel the carpet for dampness

2) Be suspicious of an older car with a brand new interior or carpeting

3) Check for rust under the brake or gas pedals

4) Look for dirt or rust under the dashboard and floor mats

5) Inspect the bolts and screws under the seats for evidence of rust

6) Check the undercarriage for excessive rust

7) Check inside the trunk under the carpet and in the spare tire well area for rust, dirt or sand

8) Look for corrosion, water marks, or a thin brown line on the exterior of the vehicle

9) Check to see if the electrical system works

10) Check the VIN number with AutoCheck or Carfax to see whether a flood claim has been filed or a salvage title has been issued on the vehicle

[Source: via TheAutoChannel]

This TV Commercial Is Supposed To Sell Cars?

Maybe we lost something in the translation from Spanish, but, we don't get it. It is just plain bizarre.

[Source: via cnet CarTech Blog]

Free Peace, Love and Rock 'N Roll On October 25, 2009

Mark October 25, 2009, on your calendar for an all day FREE celebration of Woodstock's 40th Anniversary at WestFest at Speedway Meadows in Golden Gate Park. This enormous event features live performances by many great musicians from the 60's and 70's including Leslie West (Mountain);
Lester Chambers (the Chambers Brothers); Country Joe McDonald; Denny Laine (of Paul McCartney, Wings, Moody Blues); The Original Lowrider Band; Greg Errico, Jerry Martini, Cynthia Robinson (From Sly and the Family Stone); David and Linda La Flamme (It’s a Beautiful Day); Michael McClure (Beat Poet) and Ray Manzarek (from the Doors); Lydia Pense and Cold Blood; Terry Haggerty (from the Sons of Champlin); Annie Sampson and her band; Nick Gravenites Band; Harvey Mandel and the Snake Band; Barry “The Fish” Melton (of Country Joe and the Fish); Roy Blumenfeld - Blues Project/Seatrain; Alameda All Stars (Gregg Allman’s Band); Edwin Hawkins and The New Edwin Hawkins Singers (“Oh Happy Day”); David Denny (from Steve Miller) with Prairie Prince (of The Tubes); Diana Mangano (formerly of The Jefferson Starship); Jimmy McCarty (from Detroit Wheels); Peter Kaukonen (from Jefferson Airplane); John York (from the Byrds); Leigh Stevens (from Blue Cheer); and many, many more!!!! Some cannot even be announced until a few days before the event (and they are big names).

There will also be, at the Eco Dome, performers. speakers, world music and healing by AIM; the Global Peace Foundation; Chico Bag; Taiko Dojo; Good Vibrations Belly Dancers; Danza Mexika Yaocuauhtli Aztec Dance; and a host of others.

Bring your guitar and help set the Guinness World Record for most guitarists playing one song at one time - Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze." Sign Up Here to play, and be led by, Steve Roby an expert on Hendrix.

Guitars not Guns will be there so look for their booth.

The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please take public transportation. We look forward to seeing you all there!!!!

Maybe Small Cars Aren't For Everyone

Jared Gall of CarandDriver.com seems to prove the point in this video of all of his six foot six plus frame driving his vintage Fiat 500.

[Source: via Quattroruote]

Detailed Video Of The MINI Roadster Concept

[Source: TopSpeed]

Couch Potato Vroom


Wired reviews the Logitech G27 Racing Wheel - the perfect complement to the Hot Rod Chair.

Just Tell The Wedding Party You Couldn't Get It Started

The website divine caroline has posted a series of photographs from the winners of its photo contest of brides trashing their wedding dresses.

Sure We Can Make The Turn. He Did.

Officer, I think you have some explaining to do.

[Source: via viddler.com]

What Would You Pay For A 1934/37 MG K3 Magnette?

How about $372,000? That is what it went for at auction in the UK even though the original frame was replaced with an unnumbered frame supplied by the factory, as was the original 1,086cc straight-six engine, and the body was changed from two-seater to single-seater, and back again.

[Source: Hemmings e-Weekly]

Where US Oil Really Comes From

Jalopnik provides this map that shows the top ten vendor nations of oil to the US in thousands of barrels/day as reported in the Oil and Gas News via Cool Infographics. Interestingly, Venezuela, Iraq and Saudi Arabia combined provide less oil to the US than Canada and Mexico combined.

Get Psyched For The Psycho-Sarah's Run And Show

Get psyched!!! Be sure to sign up for, and come on, NorCal MINIs' Psycho-Sarah's Run and Show this Saturday, September 26, 2009.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!

We are starting at Psycho Donuts and ending at Sarah's Vineyard in Gilroy for live music and lunch. We will supply the chicken for the grill. You supply the sides and BBQ sauce. Oh, and don't forget canned goods to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank Of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.

Sign up by e-mailing us at info@norcalminis.com or by going to September 26, 2009, on NorCal MINIs' Calendar Of All Motoring Events and adding yourself as a guest. Don't miss it.

This run is open to all. It is shaping up to be one crazy run!

See you all on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at Psycho Donuts

2006 Winchester Blvd., Campbell, CA!!!

Sights & Sounds At Goodwood Revival 2009

[Source: FulviaFiend @ YouTube]

So This Is Why They Salt The Roads

UPI.com reports that, in Utah, a truck has overturned on an interstate ramp covering a lane of the roadway with French fries. Clean up crews are soon to arrive after stopping to purchase massive amounts of ketchup.

Exotic Say It Ain't So Cash For Clunkers Moments

Now that Cash for Clunkers is over Jalopnik provides a gallery of 10 exotic cars turned in to be destroyed or, as we call them, Say It Ain't So Moments. They include the pictured beautiful 1987 Excalibur Autos Phaeton.

Infrastructure Hurdles For The MINI-E

Jim O'Donnell, CEO of BMW of North America, discusses with cnet's CarTech blog the difficulties encountered due to utility regulations and local code approval requirements in bringing 240 volt electric vehicles to the U.S. that have been revealed by the MINI-E lease trial program.

A Garage For MINIs And Motorcycles Only

Found in Ontario, Canada.

[Source: Jalopnik]

More Home Furniture

To accompany the home automotive design of the hot rod chair and Cobra coffee table you can now add the Lamborghini Bed.

[Source: WSJ via MP via TheCarConnection.com]

MINI Thunder

On February 14-15, 2010 Redwood Empire Mini Enthusiasts, in conjunction with Thunderhill Raceway Park, will present the 1st “MINI Thunder.”

Starting Sunday afternoon/evening at the Colusa Resort Casino there will be a Car show with prizes, lounging about the pool, gaming, romantic dinner for 2, fun & dancing and a special MINI package price. There will also be a valet for all your gear for track day. The Casino will also offer a shuttle for “sleepy heads” – with no vehicle to the track on Monday.

On Monday it is off to Thunderhill Raceway Park for a day at the track that includes day long track time in four groups, lunch, event T-Shirts, lunch time parade laps, Coaching and Demo Rides, Raffles & prizes, beverages throughout the day, “The Newlywed Game”, vendor village.The track day special group price is $175.00 per car or $250.00 for shared cars (2 different run groups). There will also be plenty of fun and activities for those that do not wish to track their MINIs, including parade laps and Demo laps.

More details and registration forms will soon be made available. Please direct questions to Norman Nelson at norm@redwoodempiremini.com.

ALL MINIs Are Invited Regardless Of Club Affiliation.

Turbine Powered Helicopter Driven MINI

"It's like Viagra on wheels, sort of." Front wheels run on the MINI S engine - the rear wheels on a helicopter turbine. Wish we had a video of it in action. Here's a walkthrough.

[Source: ktbbam600 @ YouTube]

Which? Reviews The Oxford Twins

2003 San Francisco MINI Commercial

Piss Off Reminder Not To Drink And Drive

This creative don't drink and drive reminder has been posted in Romanian bar and pub bathrooms based on the premise that a man can't spend a night drinking without using (or trying to use) the urinals.

[Source: Copyranter via Jalopnik]

Psycho-Sarah's Run And Show This Saturday

Come show off this Saturday at Psycho-Sarah's Run & Show. We will meet at 9:00 a.m, at Psycho Donuts located at 2006 Winchester Blvd., Campbell, CA for a donut (or two). Then, we will run to Sarah's Vineyard at 4005 Hecker Pass Rd., Gilroy, CA where we will display our MINIs in places of honor at the Vineyard. There will be live music provided by Sarah's and BBQ Chicken provided by NorCal MINIs. Please bring some non-perishable foods for the Second Harvest Food Bank Of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. It really needs all of our help this year. Sign up by e-mailing us at info@norcalminis.com or by going to September 26, 2009, on NorCal MINIs' Calendar Of All Motoring Events and adding yourself as a guest.

Targa Newfoundland Final Standings


The top 5 positions were taken by classic cars easily outpacing new vehicles. Hopkins & Hughes came in first in the classic division in their 1969 BMW 2002. The GT division was taken by a BMW 325i. The classic Austin Mini Cooper of Bolger & Webb ended up 13th overall while the MINI Cooper S JCW of Mepham & Osborne came in 15th overall.

[Source: TheGarageBlog.com]

MINI "Countryman" Caught Testing At Nurburgring

BMWBlog has a few new spy pictures of testing of the crossover at the Nurburgring track. The vehicle is expected to be unveiled at a U.S. auto show early next year.

[Source: Autogespot]

Is That . . .? OMG!!!

You're on the freeway and this is what you see up ahead of you. If you weren't paying close attention it might be time to pull over and change your pants.

[Source: imgur via Jalopnik via Gizmodo]

A Nearly Silent Gathering

Autobloggreen has published pictures from the first gathering of MINI-E owners, about 20 of them, in Long Beach at Cisco Burger. Usually cars "roar" into town. What do MINI-E's do - "whisper" into town?

2009 Miss Tuning 2010 Calendar Shots


A new 2010 calendar featuring Miss Tuning 2009, Martina Ivezaj, is now available. The printed edition will be limited to just 1,500 copies.

[Source: worldcarfans]

Slip Sliding Away II

The nearer your destination the more your slip sliding away.

[Source: via Jalopnik]

The 2010 MINI Press Kit

MINI has published its 2010 Press Kit that describes each of MINI's 2010 automobile offerings and available accessories. You can read the official release at MotoringFile.

This Is One Reason Why You Have To Be A Defensive Driver

[Source: via Jalopnik]

First Speed, Then Red Light, Cameras. Now Oil Cameras!

Castrol will be placing "oil cameras" in and about London, UK. These cameras stationed by the side of the road will pick up a passing cars’ registration and match it to the correct make and model of car. A billboard message will then give the driver the correct oil recommendation for their car’s engine.

[Source: TheAutoChannel]

Spectacular MINI Challenge Crash

When you see driver Nico Bastian walk away unscathed from this crash you will want to go out and hug your MINI -

[Source: ZerCustoms]

How Much Would You Pay For This 1963 Pontiac LeMans Tempest?

This rust bucket has the original interior, but no motor or transmission, and includes dent and a trunk with its contents but no key. It was placed on eBay with a starting price of $500. What would be your bid?

The winning bid was $226,521 before auction fees! Seems the car turned out to be one of only six 1963 Pontiac LeMans Tempest Super Duty coupes ever made. It had been driven by Stan Antlocer and was the fastest drag car in 1963 before disappearing.

[Source: autoblog]

Transcript Of MINI’s Frankfurt Press Conference

You can read the entire trascript from MINI's Frankfurt Press Conference here at MotoringFile.

Electric Cars At The Frankfurt Motor Show

Electric concept cars were in abundance at the Frankfurt Motor Show. You can view 10 of these "fast and frugal" electrics, including the pictured BMW VisionED, at techradar.com.

Why Real Men Drive Manual Transmissions

Ask Men UK published this article on the top 10 reasons real men drive a manual stickshift. No. 1 reason - "Women like a guy who is good with his hands."

Become A Jetpack Test Pilot


With a starting bid of $30,000 at eBay, But, hurry, the auction ends September 24, 2009.

[Source: via Autopia]

Relying Too Much On Cell Phone GPS

[Source: Gizmodo]

MINI Cooper S vs. VW Scirocco Mk3

On Fifth Gear the MCS holds its own against the much more powerful VW Scirocco (not available in the US) -

[Source: via NicholasMOng @ YouTube]

Slip Sliding Away

. . . in a MINI Cooper JCW drifting on gravel -

[Source: Olivierns @ YouTube]

Dog Powered Cars

[Source: via autobloggreen]

Many Know They Are Lousy At Parallel Parking

The Los Angeles Times reports that an online Harris Interactive poll, commissioned by Ford, determined that 22% of men and 35% of women avoid parallel parking “whenever possible.” Other interesting statistics derived from the study are that about 43% of female drivers rate their parallel parking skills as “poor” or “fair,” compared with 21% of male drivers. Of course, 63% of male drivers surveyed rated women as “poor” or ”fair” parallel parkers, while only 25% of women gave men equivalent low marks. Another interesting statistic was 35% of West Coast drivers rated themselves as lousy parallel parkers, while 74% of Northeasterners rated their parking skills as “good” or “excellent,” the highest of any region.

While Ford and other automakers may use these statistics to market sales of their parking assist systems, we think they provide a strategy to preserve a nice car - parallel park on the street in front of lingerie stores, womens' clinics, beauty salons, dress shops, day spas, obstetricians and gynecologists since there is a greater chance a woman will not parallel park in front or back of you (but if she does there is also a greater chance she might hit you).

Goodwood Revival This Weekend

Considered "Mini heaven" by some, the annual UK Goodwood Revival is this weekend. During the event visitors are encouraged to dress in outfits of the 40s, 50s or 60s. There will be novel Minis on display and special Mini-only St Mary's Trophy races. Look for pictures at MiniWorld since tickets were by pre-order only.

Things Have Gotten Really Slooooow

It is projected that September 2009 automotive sales volume will dip to 8.8 million units, the lowest rate in nearly 28 years, tying the worst demand on record. With Cash for Clunkers over automotive purchasers sim[ply are not running to auto showrooms. Average dealer profit per vehicle has slipped to $1,033.00/unit. Looks like it is going to be a long, long, winter for the automotive industry.

[Source: Automotive News]

Office Chair Racing

[Source: via The CarConnection.com]

Bamboo Taxis That Run On Coconut

Made by local out-of-school youths in a small Philippine town, to provide a transportation alternative to the local pollution producing motorcycles, it is 90% bamboo and can run 8 hours on coconut biofuel in its 2-cylinder engine.

[Source: TopSpeed]

I'll Drink To That

Pop-top Can Cars of the 1980's are the subject of today's photo gallery at autoblog.

2009 Chevy Malibu vs. 1959 Chevy Bel Air In A Head-On Collision - Which Wins?

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety did exactly that at 40 mph to celebrate its 50th birthday. As you can see the 2009 Chevy Malibu won but it was not pretty.

[Source: via the New York Times]

DIY Racing Simulator

Jalopnik has the scoop on a do it yourself construction of this racing simulator for $500 plus electronics.