Friday, December 05, 2008

News update on the compressed air car

http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2008-11/mighty-wind-compressed-air-cars-planned-airport-test-us-launch

"Zero Pollution Motors' ambitious plan calls for production of up to 8,000 compressed-air vehicles a year beginning in 2011, with plants spread out among nearly every US state. That car, larger, more powerful and with a longer range than the AirPod (15-20 mph = 130+ miles), will cost in range of $20,000."

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/07/oil-may-lose-its-customer-base-when-we.html

UCSD has a class on musclecars! Asst. Prof Seth Cohen teaches it once a week for 10 weeks.


I can't find anything on the internet about the article in Muscle Car Review, Dec '08, pg 88-89 . So you might want to get ahold of a copy quick and read it for all the details. Robert Genat photographed and wrote the article of this May event.

Sometimes the internet is a let down when you are trying to find more info on an event.

Anyway, Asst. Prof. Seth Cohen http://checohen0.ucsd.edu/SethCohen.htm who is a '73 Mach 1 conv owner, (and knows more about chemistry than anyone I'll ever hear about,) took an opportunity the UCSD offered to come up with one unit seminar courses that would get fulltime freshman integrating with college life and faculty, and came up with a class on musclecars, the past era they personify, the retro swing of modern cars, the booming musclecar market, the similarities of the past and present musclecar eras and doubtlessly... other stuff.
http://sdmustangclub.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=423 mentions that the muscle car owners enjoyed interacting with the students too. Who wouldn't?

I received an email back (Thanks!) from Asst. Prof. Cohen and it's good and not-so-good news "Thanks for your kind comments. I probably will offer the class again, but not for another year or so (perhaps 2010, this is because I am on sabbatical this year)." and a the photos you see here of the 68 Road Runner and the Gt 351 Mustang ( I don't know either)

MoPar extra large photos so you can get print them into posters,use them for computer wall paper, or business card background...

All of these are as large as possible, click on them for full size, enjoy!























Full chain of events? Balboa Park car show had the most optioned out 28 model A http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/06/randalls-28-model-with-factory-extras.html I've come across, so I photographed it and talked to the owner, who invited me over to photograph his 30 Plymouth http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/06/1930-plymouth.html , and told me all about the street cars that are still hanging around as houses and a restaurant http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/06/survivors-of-era-i-doubt-anyone-else.html , and introduced me to friends of his whose wood work I'd admired at Balboa on a Chrysler Town and Country http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/06/chrysler-town-and-country-woody-brought.html , who has a 2 car garage where he restores them, and has a bookshelf and MoPar packaging that wouldn't get out of my head until I'd gotten better photos. http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/06/mopar-all-way.html

Yeah, I carry all that around in my head. Any wonder why I can't remember when the car council and Mopar Club meetings are?
If you think of any other cool things that these photos can be used for, please email me (jbohjkl@yahoo.com) or use the comment function please

1956 Piaggio Ape (ahh pay), resurected from a Casper, Wyoming neglected barn find

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piaggio_Ape Basically Vespa scooters fitted with twin rear wheels (chain driven) and a load platform above them
http://www.museopiaggio.it/en/piaggiostory.html








With a factory 6 volt electrical system, Paul decided something brighter was needed, and went with a 12volt hi-lo beam for the top spot light
This series of 5 photos follows the fuel tank filler, from the cream color gas cap above to the tank and how it fits into the cockpit


The below shows the customized pedal on the left that isn't part of the factory design... and the good looking rubber strips on the floorboard

Below the seat is mocked up in place, great diamond design, ( coincidentally? ) diamond plate is looking ready for work as the new rear platform

Friction shock absorbers



These shots are to show the suspension without the engine in the way.
Bought for $50, and the removal of it from the farm.
The Piaggio Ape is the answer to postwar transportation http://www.vespaclubofireland.com/vespa%20history.htm in a country of small roads and people who needed something small that would get the goods moved, and pass each other on the road. In view of the small roadside fresh produce stands, and small goods in farmers markets, an Ape will do the job very well and not be a gas hog. 4 speeds forward, and reverse.
Paul's brother Dave was told about the Ape by a friend, because Dave is a scooter freak, but after getting the Ape home and assessing the condition, he passed it on to Paul. It's come a long way..., there was only one 1/2 of a good side to the glove box.
Vespa and Piaggio links:
These two in yellow are of the museum of Piaggio's and Vespas
http://scootergoogle.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html has a full list of Vespa Serial Numbers By Year: 1946-1971 including Vespa serial numbers, by year, at the end are serial prefixes for Vespa models marketed in North America by Sears & Roebuck (primarily as the Allstate.)
If you have one to add to a registry: http://www.apevintage.com/indexe.htm