Batmobile

Imagine an actual working, jet powered Batmobile like the version in the 1989 Batman movie. Why imagine? Why not build it? This article has photos and a few technical details. Here are a few videos (which are kind of short, though). The best part is that the car is street legal!

My Luck Is Exhausted

I had to get the exhaust fixed today as it was just too loud inside the car. Strangely, it wasn't so bad outside the car. Go figure.

The gasket between the pipe and the silencer inlet had broken. A $20 part cost almost $100 dollars in labour to replace because it required detaching and reattaching the exhaust in order to move it around. And it doesn't help that the exhaust kinks vertically over the rear axle so it's quite awkward to work on. It probably would have been the same amount of labour to replace the whole exhaust system.

My luck has definitely been exhausted. Sigh.

Bad Idea

Oh dear! How is this for a bad idea? Thankfully, it's only research for now but it's insane that they are even talking about the system as if it could ever be used safely under normal driving conditions. I don't care how good they think the software is, it'll never be able handle all the complex situations that a driver deals with everyday. I read somewhere that the most challenging part of the work day for most people, is the commute to and from work.

Computers In Cars

A few days ago I read this great commentary about the over use of embedded systems in cars, which I thought was spot on. Today I see this article and it makes me want to cry. The thing that the really bugs me, is the "will make driving safer and easier" part.

First, driving is hard. For most people the most challenging part of their day is the drive to and from work. Second, using technology to make driving easier does not, and cannot, make it safer. The only thing that makes driving safer is better driving skills.

What this type of head-up display will do, is distract drivers into looking at the wrong thing at the wrong time. I predict collisions would be more likely in cars equipped with these systems. But what do I know? If people at GM think a HUD system like this will sell more cars, you can bet it will appear in some models.

Classic Lotus Porn

With the Lotus name returning to Formula One, and for the benefit of those lucky enough (you know who you are ^^) to have owned a Lotus, here is some classic Lotus porn. However, what strikes me is how small the old F1 cars were. Use the driver's head for scale and compare with a modern F1 car. Those old cars were like scary 300 km/h go-karts. And the driver was about as exposed, too.

Hybrid Sportscars

Traditionally automotive technology flowed from the race trace, to high performance road cars, and finally to regular cars. Over the years that path has eroded. One example is anti-lock brakes, but that is a minor system compared to hybrid power trains, which is almost going in the reverse direction.

Formula 1's KERS wasn't as beneficial as expected but that hasn't stopped others from trying it in longer races where hybrid power might actually be more useful. Gumpert and Porsche have built hybrid entries for the 24 hours of Nurburgring.

And let us not forget the hybrid sport cars. Ferrari has a concept car and Porsche has a supercar ready sale. See, now hybrid cars are getting interesting.

Dymaxion Car

I never associated cars with the name R. Buckminster Fuller. But that was before I learned about the Dymaxion Car, which is a interesting bit of trivia for the historical car enthusiast.

Only three working prototypes were produced and each was actually driven by several owners. The cars were even involved a two accidents, one of which resulted in a fatality. Although no fault was found with the car, the negative publicity put the brakes on any further development.

There is a project underway to fully restore the only remaining example, which on display at a museum. A lack of accurate engineering information appears to be the main stumbling block.

Silly Ideas From Down Under

I'm sure my esteemed reader from Australia has seen this recent nonsense. Curiously, the system will have a override switch. I assume this supposed to be used when passing another vehicle, but isn't that like admitting there are times when driving fast is completely necessary? And if given the choice, why would anyone turn on the system at all? I certainly wouldn't.

More Car Repairs

I took the car in for service early this morning. I hoped the early start to the day would enable me to get more work done. It didn't. I was so tired for most of the morning that my productivity was hopeless. I'm just not a morning person.

During the inspection they found the clutch hydraulic assist cylinder is leaking. Not enough to be an immediate concern but they are certain it will fail eventually. The parts were not in stock so I decided to take care of it next year but I cannot put it off for too long. The joys of owning an older car.

But 9 1/2 years and almost 117800km is really not that old.