Archive for the 'Etc.' Category

But Officer, I’m Hunting Whales: Most Unusual U.S. Traffic Laws

Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor

Thinking about hunting water-based game from your car in Tennessee, or carrying a sheep in your car without a chaperone in Oregon? You’d better think twice. CNN’s compiled some of the more unusual laws pertaining to motor vehicles across the United States - and they’re pretty out there.

Some, including not leaving children or pets inside of hot vehicles, or hazards imposed by driving too slow, are somewhat self-explanatory, but others - including an “invisible” stop line placed 10 feet out from where the “visible” line was - are a bit odd. Bizarre describes many other statutes, including California’s law that no vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 mph, while Tennessee’s mandate that you can’t hunt game other than whales from a moving vehicle.

We can’t help but think that some of these more ‘oddball’ laws aren’t enforced on a regular basis, so we’re asking - have you ever been nabbed for one? What’s the strangest traffic law you’ve had brought upon you by an officer of the law? Sound off in the comments section.

+ CNN: Do You Know Why I Pulled You Over?

Convertible Heels for the Woman on the Move

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As most women drivers can attest, driving while wearing a pair of high heel shoes can be a bit dicey, if not outright dangerous. While the option of just taking them off beforehand is always available, why should a woman have to sacrifice fashion for comfort?

Australian shoemaker Sheila’s Wheels has taken this problem to heart, and created a pair of stilettos that are able to flatten at the heel with just the push of a button. These rather racy pink and black numbers make traveling in style easier than ever, just in time for New Year’s Eve.

+ Trendhunter: Convertible Stiletto-Shoes - Sheila’s Heels For Women Who Drive

Here’s the GT-R Accessories Santa Didn’t Bring

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Japanese fans of Nissan’s GT-R have been able to buy these cool GT-R themed carbon fiber and leather trinkets for a few weeks now. The kit ranges from key chains to briefcases and hits all the important spots in between.

Sadly, the GT-R series of accessories isn’t designated for sale outside of Japan. That might not be a big deal since a basic T-shirt appears to run in the $100 range. I can’t imagine many U.S. fans being so enamored with the GT-R that they fork out the equivalent of a down payment to get dressed in GT-R garb or carry around the briefcase. Would you drop $100+ for a GT-R T-shirt? Let us know in comments.

+ Autoblog: The next best thing to a GT-R: luxury GT-R accessories

Video: Lego Assembly Line Automatically Builds Lego Cars

It’s not uncommon for someone to build a car out of Legos, but it’s quite unusual for someone to build a working car assembly line from the plastic blocks. Someone in Germany has built quite a large contraption entirely of Legos that autonomously builds little cars.

Sure, the car itself is highly simplified, but it’s amazing that apart from three button pushes (choosing what colors are used), the entire process is automated - and in some cases, quite true to life (e.g. body drop, end-of-line roll-off). In the end, it’s a mix of industrial engineering and Rube Goldberg that is utterly fascinating to watch.

+YouTube: Lego Mindstorms Autofabrik

Really Good Stuff: Go-Kart in a Suitcase

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Though there isn’t a great deal of information available to go along with these images, we can’t help but want this suitcase-bound go-kart, badly.

Already one of the world’s greatest pastimes, we can only imagine that karting on a whim is even more fun than having to plan it out. We’d be a little worried that this “suitcase” might weigh in at a little more than is comfortable to carry around for very long, or that there might be an issue with splashing gasoline, but those are really minor concerns.

Check out the gallery below for the ultimate in portable fun.

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+ Gizmodo: It’s a Go-Kart That Folds Into a Suitcase. Any Questions?

Big Brother Attempts to Limit Speed With Navigation Systems

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British drivers may have help reducing their speeds around London. Transit for London is taking bids on an Intelligent Speed Adaption system that would use satellite maps of the city that “know” the speed limits on every road. If a driver exceeds that speed, the system takes control of the accelerator and slows the vehicle.

The system will first be tested on TfL vehicles, but the bid specifies that the system must be easily adaptable for cars, vans, busses, and taxis—basically anything on the streets of London. A spokesperson assured Auto Express that the program is only a test for two years, but the long-term implications are obvious. Any state that tests such a system is looking to implement it as more than a test in the future.

We’ve already heard about the GT-R’s intelligent sat-nav system that allows top speed when the car is on a race track, but that’s a far cry from what TfL is proposing. Let us know if you’d be willing to have such a system installed in your vehicle in comments.

+ Auto Express: Now sat-nav slows speeders

Peel Out: UK Firm Builds Replicas of Vintage Micro Machines

Peels On Parade

We’re not exactly sure why you should ever want one, but should you ever want to cruise through your office’s hallways like Jeremy Clarkston, rest assured it’s possible without buying an original Peel microcar. Modern Microcars, a firm based out of England, specializes in building replicas of Goggomobil Darts, Messerschmitts, Scootacars, Isettas, and, of course, Peels.

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(Click through for more on the revived micro machines)

Modern Microcars suggests their replicas allow those so inclined (and sized) to enjoy vintage microcars without “the worries associated with using rare and sometimes fragile vehicles.” Hence, although they look identical to the originals, it’s not unusual to find some “modern” upgrades, notably in terms of electrical equipment or drivetrain, lying underhood.

Perhaps the biggest upgrade lies with the Messerschmitt Tiger replica fitted with a four-cylinder mill and a five-speed manual from a Renault 5. We’re not saying that’s state-of-the-art, but it would be a bit more pep than the original’s 494-cc twin-cylinder mill.

Granted, if you’re looking for a kit car with few creature comforts, we’d reccomend some form of a Lotus or Caterham 7, but if you insist upon attaining vehicular notoriety by parking in your colleague’s cubicle, you’ll want to order one - and likely a Peel. Pricing for either the P50 or Trident bodyshells start at £1,350 ($2,690); completed cars usually run around £9,995 ($19,920). Just don’t ask us to serve as your reverse gear.

+ Modern Microcars

Trade in the Cozy Coupe; Put Your Kid in A (Pedal-Powered) Alfa Romeo 8C

Alfa Romeo 8C Pedal Car

Just because your kids have been bugging you for a Power Wheels or pedal car doesn’t mean you have to have a plastic replica of a Jeep or Hummer sitting around your house. Thanks to the British Turbo Toys firm, the young’uns can now mosey around the yard in an Alfa Romeo 8C.

The kid-sized version of Alfa’s sensuous flagship is (sadly) crafted only in mere styrene, but is available in either foot- or electric-powered versions. Pricing is a bit steep; with pedal versions starting at £149 ($300) and motorized variants at £249 ($500), these are more likely to be found at an FAO Schwartz, not a local Toys R Us.

We’ll give Turbo Toys some credit - the car retains its good looks in spite of its plastic construction, and, true to life, there’s already a waiting list to get behind the wheel of either version. May we recommend a Maserati Spyder or a Mercedes-Benz SL500, instead?

+ TurboToys: Alfa Romeo 8C Pedal Car (via AutoBlog)




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