Just a Car Guy

Monday, November 30, 2009

Jay's tank car trivia

You probably already knew the Blastolene brothers put in an engine from a M47 patton tank, but I just read in the Nov. 2009 Mens Journal that it's first public debut was as a hidden driveable vehicle in Gran Turismo 4

A Pontiac might be the rarest muscle car in existence

a one-of-one Canadian built Pontiac Parisienne Safari six-passenger station wagon powered by a 425-horsepower dual quad 409. I read about it in the Dec 2009 Musclecar Enthusiast magazine, but the same info from that author is here: http://www.automotivetraveler.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=821&Itemid=345

Great movie line

"and now my friend, the firsta rule of Italian driving. Whatsa behind me, is not important" Raul Julia's character in Gumball Rally

Sunday, November 29, 2009

New photo coverage of Jay Leno's collection

his motorcycle collection: http://big-diesel.blogspot.com/2009/08/harem-of-leno.html

his car collection: http://www.mensjournal.com/jay-lenos-time-machines

a couple new cars in his garage, http://www.moparmagazine.com/2008/sept-oct/another_mopar_for_lenos_collection and http://fuel-efficient-vehicles.org/energy-news/?p=892

Visionaries and revolutionaries don't copy the paradigm, they break it. Putting the engine in the wheel

above via: http://tukker.blogspot.com/

above, 1922 Megola Sport

Via: Visual Gratification: http://big-diesel.blogspot.com/2009/08/megalo-concept-engine-on-wheel.html

In 1935 a group of five German engineers named Killinger and Freund from Munich started to design a more streamlined and modified version of the German Megola front-wheel drive motorcycle that had won many motorcycle races in the 1920s. The work took three years to complete but the result was impressive. The engine displacement stayed the same as the Megola at 600cc but was much lighter and more simplified than a standard 100cc motorcycle of the time.

The motorcycle featured a three cylinder two-stroke engine built right into the front wheel, transmission and clutch, with more comfortable front and rear suspension. Streamlining was important as aerodynamics was the first priority of the team who wanted all the moving parts covered, dirt and mud protection, and an elegant style. Other priorities were that the motorcycle be multi-cylinder and possess front-wheel-drive. Their design was a success.

http://greyfalcon.us/Killinger%20and%20Freund%20Motorcycle.htm
Also: http://thenewcaferacersociety.blogspot.com/2008/08/killinger-freund.html

the new movie, Planet 51, has revisioned what 1950's cars would look like as hover craft, very cool!

For a look at a couple in a clip: http://www.channels.com/episodes/show/7798866/Are-there-Alien-Zombies-Watch-this-Planet-51-Clip-#/episodes/show/7798866/Are-there-Alien-Zombies-Watch-this-Planet-51-Clip- several cars float by in the background and you can see Buicks, Chevys, Fords, Taxi's

Via: http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/planet51img1big.jpg

For trailers, posters, and images: http://planet-51-trailer.blogspot.com/

Inspection cars for railroad inspectors to look over the rails in style and comfort, Packards, Pontiacs, Buicks and more

Coolest new find in a railcar!: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/06/plaster-city-1947-but-what-heck-is.html

Above two are from http://www.sportschrono.com/

Above: a trio of DeSoto 4 doors and Below: A Willys

Saving the best for last, Nik just told me he'd posted a gallery from Life's archives of Alaska in the 1950's, and these were in his post: http://carrosantigos.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/life-photo-archive-parte-1/#comment-2770 Nik finds the coolest stuff!