World's oldest car sells for $4.6 million - Oct. 10, 2011

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- A steam-powered car, billed as the oldest car in the world that still runs, was sold at a Hershey, Pa. auction late Friday for $4.6 million.

The auction company, RM Auctions, had estimated that the car would sell for about half that much. It represents the highest price ever paid for an early automobile at auction. The price includes a 10% "buyer's premium" which goes to the auction company.

The name of the buyer has not been made public.

The car was built in France in 1884, about a year before Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz of Germany, who went on to found the carmakers that would become Daimler (DDAIF), maker of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars, built their first experimental gasoline-powered cars. (The two were working independently of one another.) Henry Ford finished his first garage-built car 12 years after this one. He later went on to found the Ford Motor Company (F, Fortune 500) and incidentally, he also founded the carmaker that would ultimately become the Cadillac division of General Motors (GM,Fortune 500).

The four-wheeled De Dion-Bouton et Trepardoux, nicknamed "La Marquise," was originally built for the French Count De Dion, one of the founders of the company that built it.

Fueled by coal, wood and bits of paper, the car takes about a half-hour to work up enough steam to drive. Top speed is 38 miles per hour. The car came close to that speed during what has been billed as the world's first automobile race in 1887, according to RM Auctions.

The car had last been sold in 2007 for about $3.5 million at a Pebble Beach, Calif. auction. 

World's oldest car sells for $4.6 million - Oct. 10, 2011

Tron-Inspired Lightcycle Hits the Road

It looks like a video game that’s come to life, that because it is.

The Lightcycle from Parker Brothers Choppers was inspired by the movie “Tron: Legacy,” where virtual characters race on high speed bikes that behind deadly trails of light.

The Parker Brother’s version can’t do that last part, but is otherwise a near exact replica of the CGI rides in the movie and, best of all, you can actually buy one.

Despite the unconventional seating position and hubless wheels, the Lightcycle is far from a show bike. It is powered by electricity, can travel up to 80 miles per 35 minute charge and costs about $60,000.

But what’s most amazing about it is that Parker Brothers Choppers didn’t even exist a year ago.

Brothers Marc and Shannon used to build custom bikes as a hobby. Then they created a replica of the BatPod seen in the movie “The Dark Knight” which garnered a lot of attention and potential customers, so they set up shop.

They followed it up with a gasoline-powered version of the Lightcycle, that’s still available and featured in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog, but wanted to build something even closer to the “real” thing, so they went electric.

Marc says that despite its odd shape, the Lightcycle is more maneuverable than a lot of the choppers he’s ridden, and definitely ready for the road.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2011/10/08/tron-inspired-lightcycle-hits-road/?google_editors_picks=true#ixzz1aEbis59A

THE BRIGHT HOUSE 2011 CLEARWATER SUPER BOAT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

http://www.clearwatersuperboat.com/super-boat-class-racing-boats.html

Almost perfect conditions for race

First 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 goes for $250,000 at auction

By: Michelle Koueiter on 9/26/2011

Related Articles

• Formula One: Force India, RM Auctions to sell F1 'Art Car' in London

---

• Fans vote 1969 Camaro as best Chevrolet ever

---

• Chevrolet reveals more details of Camaro ZL1

---

• SEMA predicts 2011's hottest-car award winners

---

• Chevrolet Camaro video speeds through the car's special-edition history

---

• Video: Chevrolet engineer Oppenheiser talks 2012 Camaro ZL1

The first 2012 Camaro ZL1 put up for sale brought $250,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas on Sept. 24.

Fairway Chevrolet-Buick-GMC put the new ZL1 up for auction, with proceeds going toward the Southern Nevada YMCA. The car was bought by Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, who expects delivery in the first quarter of next year. His will be the only Chevy Camaro ZL1 coupe of the 2012 model year with a "carbon flash metallic" exterior. Also, it is the 69th ZL1 from the Oshawa Assembly Plant, in honor of the limited 69 production copies of the 1969 ZL1.

"Like the original, the 2012 Camaro ZL1 introduces a performance benchmark for the street and the track," Chevy spokesman Russ Clark said. "Offering the 69th Camaro ZL1 at auction was a fitting tribute to the 1969 model."

The 1969 ZL1 was the most elite Camaro ever produced, according to General Motors. The all-aluminum big-block engine used was originally developed for Corvette race cars in the late 1960s. It was similar to the Chevrolet L-88 427 engine, except the ZL1's aluminum block reduced the overall weight by more than 100 pounds. The 1969 ZL1 was rated at 430 hp, but GM says it was known to produce more than 500 hp.

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that delivers 580 hp and 556 lb-ft of torque.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110926/CARNEWS/110929908#ixzz1ZaE0Qf3R

Jaguar Steals the Show at Frankfurt

Stunning C-X16 concept combines gorgeous looks, cutting-edge technology.

By Richard Aucock of MSN Autos

Jaguar has stolen the show here at the Frankfurt Motor Show with its stunning C-X16 sports car concept, which points toward a future model that would take on thePorsche 911. It is not only gorgeous to look at, but packs in lots of cutting-edge technology.

The C-X16 concept is a gasoline-electric hybrid that offers both searing performance and incredible economy. Add the ability to drive in zero-tailpipe-emissions, all-electric mode and you have a segment buster

Read more

The Zero S electric supermotard

The latest in our series of video road tests is America's leading electric motorcycle: the Zero S, from California's Zero Motorcycles. Seventy-five miles per hour and 60 miles between charges are the big numbers here – but how does that translate to real life use? Also, since electricity costs so much less than petrol, can an electric motorcycle be viewed as an economical option? And what about the environment? When the carbon cost of electricity generation is taken into account, how green are electric vehicles? These questions and more, answered after the jump!

• 
• 
• 
• 

First up, watch the road test video to see how the Zero rides:

Now to the tricky bit – is the Zero S value for money, and how much better for the environment is it than an equivalent petrol bike?

Let's line it up against the Kawasaki KLX250F, a road-oriented single cylinder dirtbike of about the same weight and performance.

There's some pretty huge variables here, obviously, but we've done our best to come up with unbiased figures.

We figure the formula for cost of ownership goes something like this: Total cost of ownership = (purchase price) + (miles per energy unit X price per energy unit X miles) + (servicing costs).

We'll use 65,000 miles as our distance rating, because that's how long the Zero S will run before its battery takes a noticeable drop in performance and needs replacing.

So here we go:

Purchase Price

The Zero S costs US$10,000, not counting federal and state subsidies. The Kawasaki costs $5000. The Zero has a lot of catching up to do!

Read more from gizmag.com

Valentine Gift Ideas

One of my favorite holidays is Valentines Day. I love to go shopping for a valentines day gift and I always want my gift to be different, unique, and of course personal. I have been married for almost twenty-five years now and I still enjoy shopping for a Valentines Day gift for my husband. I use to go to our local mall, I would lock up and set my alarm (information home security)/ but it closed down years ago. So now I shop online for his Valentines Day gift.

I can usually find some really different and unique gifts online. This year I found a website that sells the most unique gifts I have ever seen. I never buy my husband an everyday item, it has to be unique. I am still undecided on what I am going to get him, but I have several things in mind. One might be a set of sexy valentine boxers with a t-shirt to match. I found a set that is quite inexpensive, yet very cute and personal. I highly enjoy shopping online for my husbands Valentines Day gift.

Premiere of GRAVEYARD CARZ on KoldCast

Graveyard Carz is an automotive reality show focusing on restoring Chrysler muscle cars. Not only are the cars wrecked, they are beyond repair. To fix a Graveyard Car, it can't just be restored, it has to be resurrected.

KoldCast's first one-hour series.

WATCH
- ShowPage: http://onkc.tv/6r
- Trailer: http://onkc.tv/6t
- Pilot: http://onkc.tv/6s

KoldCast.tv Show - Graveyard Carz

www.koldcast.tv

Ride along as lead tech, Mark Worman and his crew of Graveyard Ghouls restore the worst of muscle cars back to their former glory. The cars are brought back to

Share

Hot Sports Cars for 2011

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1579/hot-sports-cars-for-2011/

The 10 Most Iconic GM Models of All Time

The 10 Most Iconic GM Models of All Time

Used Truck Dealership Offers Greatest Two-for-One Deal Ever: Buy a Truck, Get an AK-47

The unemployment rate refuses to budge from 9.6%. President Obama failed to get the Chinese cooperation on monetary policy that could have boosted U.S. exports at the G20. Bristol Palin made it to the semifinals on “Dancing with the Stars.” It’s dark days like these when the shining city on a hill that is America seems to lose some of its glow, and we wonder if this country’s greatness is approaching a fizzling end.

Until, that is, a deal like this comes along to burnish America’s star. The greatest two-for-one scheme ever conceived: Buy a used truck, get an AK-47. 

This bit of American-style innovation comes from the patriots at Nations Trucks of Sanford, Florida, and the promotion runs from Veterans Day through the end of November. Nick Ginetta, general sales manager, says sales have more than doubled since it was announced.


Read more

Ken Block's Gymkhana THREE, Part 2; Ultimate Playground; l'Autodrome, France

The Z Store! Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts: 70-96 Z Home

The Z Store! Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts: 70-96 Z Home

My 1985 300ZX Z31 video

300ZX 1ST Gen Commercials Videos

Tampa Cars for $1,000 Ruben

My PuertoRican mechanic Ruben has several cars for around $1,000!

Call him @ 813-325-8144 and take a look.
8904 N. Highland Ave., Tampa, FL 33604

1996 Grand Cherokee Laredo

2002 Neon SXT Silver

2000 Chevy Blazer LT

1996 BMW 318i 5-Speed

Need a Truck? $5,100

1998 Ford E350 15' Box Truck

James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 car auction

If you have some spare money lying around you may want to consider buying a one-of-a-kind car.

James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 seen in the Goldfinger and Thunderball movies is being auctioned Thursday in London, England.

This is the car Sean Connery actually drove in the movie. It comes equipped with all of its spy gear including rotating license plate, machine guns, oil slick and smoke screen activators.

The car is expected to go for about $5 million. Bidding in person and online begins at 12:00 p.m. ET.

For more information on the auction, go to www.rmauctions.com/bond .

Automobile maintenance problems solved

In these trying economic times, the last thing you need is an automotive maintenance nightmare. Since information is power, and most car owners have used cars, here is the 21th century answer to the car maintenance estimate
problem.



My used 2001 Ford Escort was overheating and running roughly (sounds familiar?). I could take it to several car repair places in Phoenix and get estimates from several mechanics wasting at least one day, or I could use the Internet to research my options.

To find out what problems are peculiar to my car, I went to RepairPal.com
and searched for information on my Ford Escort. It looked like it could be that the water pump and the timing belt needed replacement.

Next I looked at Phoenix auto repair information. The estimates came back in a range, so I could budget how much it was going to cost me.

I found out that to replace a timing belt on a 2001 Ford Escort in Phoenix would cost $306 to $396 ($45 - $63 for the parts and $261 - $333 for labor).

To replace the water pump would cost $306 to $406 ($99 - $140 for the parts and $209 - $266 for labor).

Needless to say, this sure beat going from mechanic to mechanic getting
estimates and then choosing the lowest one! Beside time and money saved,
no mechanic could pull a "fast one" on me, since I had the information
before walking into the automobile repair business!

There are a few things though that I did like about repairpal.com. For instance, you don't need to register or anything to get an estimate. It's a very clean and simple site to use. I've seen some sites that make it almost impossible to do anything on. It also tells you what places are near you so you don't have to do a separate search on that.

Brought to you by another friend of repairpal.com.

Have you noticed how many anodynes there are laying around on the floor

Have you noticed how many anodynes there are laying around on the floor

Nissan Z History

the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide. "Nissan Z History" 19 November 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/nissan-z-history.htm> 19 October 2010.

the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide. "Nissan 300ZX Turbo" 05 June 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/nissan-300zx-turbo.htm> 19 October 2010.

More information on Sport Cars
the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide. "How Sports Cars Work" 01 June 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/sports-cars.htm> 19 October 2010.