The car thread ...

[O Really]

It drives very different ...

And could very well have greater risk of driver error. Like when people were getting used to rear-engine cars and the different balance and turning behaviour. Lots of spin-outs.

[billy.pilgrim]

It drives very different ...

And could very well have greater risk of driver error. Like when people were getting used to rear-engine cars and the different balance and turning behaviour. Lots of spin-outs.

Most accidental acceleration ends as a he said, or she said determination. These cars are computers, I bet they can tell if the accelerator pedal was engaged.


Got a cool new feature on the last update; the regenerative braking was tweaked to take the car down to 0. At 0 the car goes into Hold Position until the accelerator is pressed - pressed ever so lightly. I can go for days without touching the brakes.
This new feature shouldn't be included in the above older problems, but may cause more operator accidents.

(oh, and for neo, when I take my foot off of the accelerator, the brake lights do flash. The cruise control is pretty damn cool and that's coming from someone who only drives standard transmissions. I set it at 63 to cross a toll bridge, the car slows to match the car in front. It's a bit of a tailgater but is way quick with the brakes. The first 3 times a car stopped in front of me at a red light, I chickened out and hit the brakes. The 4th time, it stopped and when the car in front pulled off, we did too, we would have followed that car over the edge of the earth as long as he was going our way at 63 mph or less.
Plus - right thumb adjusts cruise speed at steering wheel.

I've had two oh shit moments of the interstate where the car braked well before I could move my foot.)

[neoplacebo]

It drives very different ...

And could very well have greater risk of driver error. Like when people were getting used to rear-engine cars and the different balance and turning behaviour. Lots of spin-outs.

Most accidental acceleration ends as a he said, or she said determination. These cars are computers, I bet they can tell if the accelerator pedal was engaged.


Got a cool new feature on the last update; the regenerative braking was tweaked to take the car down to 0. At 0 the car goes into Hold Position until the accelerator is pressed - pressed ever so lightly. I can go for days without touching the brakes.
This new feature shouldn't be included in the above older problems, but may cause more operator accidents.

(oh, and for neo, when I take my foot off of the accelerator, the brake lights do flash. The cruise control is pretty damn cool and that's coming from someone who only drives standard transmissions. I set it at 63 to cross a toll bridge, the car slows to match the car in front. It's a bit of a tailgater but is way quick with the brakes. The first 3 times a car stopped in front of me at a red light, I chickened out and hit the brakes. The 4th time, it stopped and when the car in front pulled off, we did too, we would have followed that car over the edge of the earth as long as he was going our way at 63 mph or less.
Plus - right thumb adjusts cruise speed at steering wheel.

I've had two oh shit moments of the interstate where the car braked well before I could move my foot.)

How did you know I would question whether this automatic slowdown would give any indication (brake lights) the car was slowing down? I was going to do just that until I came to that part of your post. My six speed Camaro, when downshifting, gives no indication to anyone behind me that I am slowing down. This is why I generally heave out a couple of unopened cans of beer when downshifting from any speed over about 70. Depending on who's behind me, I may heave them straight over the back of my car straight into the path of the following motorist, or just heft them out the window after vigorously shaking them up so they explode in a spinning foaming fashion once they hit the pavement. Works every time.

[billy.pilgrim]

It drives very different ...

And could very well have greater risk of driver error. Like when people were getting used to rear-engine cars and the different balance and turning behaviour. Lots of spin-outs.

Most accidental acceleration ends as a he said, or she said determination. These cars are computers, I bet they can tell if the accelerator pedal was engaged.


Got a cool new feature on the last update; the regenerative braking was tweaked to take the car down to 0. At 0 the car goes into Hold Position until the accelerator is pressed - pressed ever so lightly. I can go for days without touching the brakes.
This new feature shouldn't be included in the above older problems, but may cause more operator accidents.

(oh, and for neo, when I take my foot off of the accelerator, the brake lights do flash. The cruise control is pretty damn cool and that's coming from someone who only drives standard transmissions. I set it at 63 to cross a toll bridge, the car slows to match the car in front. It's a bit of a tailgater but is way quick with the brakes. The first 3 times a car stopped in front of me at a red light, I chickened out and hit the brakes. The 4th time, it stopped and when the car in front pulled off, we did too, we would have followed that car over the edge of the earth as long as he was going our way at 63 mph or less.
Plus - right thumb adjusts cruise speed at steering wheel.

I've had two oh shit moments of the interstate where the car braked well before I could move my foot.)

How did you know I would question whether this automatic slowdown would give any indication (brake lights) the car was slowing down? I was going to do just that until I came to that part of your post. My six speed Camaro, when downshifting, gives no indication to anyone behind me that I am slowing down. This is why I generally heave out a couple of unopened cans of beer when downshifting from any speed over about 70. Depending on who's behind me, I may heave them straight over the back of my car straight into the path of the following motorist, or just heft them out the window after vigorously shaking them up so they explode in a spinning foaming fashion once they hit the pavement. Works every time.

Didn't you raise the question earlier?

Or I could be a mind reader

[neoplacebo]

It drives very different ...

And could very well have greater risk of driver error. Like when people were getting used to rear-engine cars and the different balance and turning behaviour. Lots of spin-outs.

Most accidental acceleration ends as a he said, or she said determination. These cars are computers, I bet they can tell if the accelerator pedal was engaged.


Got a cool new feature on the last update; the regenerative braking was tweaked to take the car down to 0. At 0 the car goes into Hold Position until the accelerator is pressed - pressed ever so lightly. I can go for days without touching the brakes.
This new feature shouldn't be included in the above older problems, but may cause more operator accidents.

(oh, and for neo, when I take my foot off of the accelerator, the brake lights do flash. The cruise control is pretty damn cool and that's coming from someone who only drives standard transmissions. I set it at 63 to cross a toll bridge, the car slows to match the car in front. It's a bit of a tailgater but is way quick with the brakes. The first 3 times a car stopped in front of me at a red light, I chickened out and hit the brakes. The 4th time, it stopped and when the car in front pulled off, we did too, we would have followed that car over the edge of the earth as long as he was going our way at 63 mph or less.
Plus - right thumb adjusts cruise speed at steering wheel.

I've had two oh shit moments of the interstate where the car braked well before I could move my foot.)

How did you know I would question whether this automatic slowdown would give any indication (brake lights) the car was slowing down? I was going to do just that until I came to that part of your post. My six speed Camaro, when downshifting, gives no indication to anyone behind me that I am slowing down. This is why I generally heave out a couple of unopened cans of beer when downshifting from any speed over about 70. Depending on who's behind me, I may heave them straight over the back of my car straight into the path of the following motorist, or just heft them out the window after vigorously shaking them up so they explode in a spinning foaming fashion once they hit the pavement. Works every time.

Didn't you raise the question earlier?

Or I could be a mind reader

I don't recall ever posting anything about brake lights on cars. So you must be a mind reader. Make sure and tell me if I ever face imminent disaster. Thanks.

[O Really]

Generally I love tech, but I also love to drive. I don't like cruise control; I don't like self-locking doors. It would take me a while to get used to a car braking by itself or pulling into a rest area because it sensed I needed to pee.

(slightly humorous note: spell-check wanted me to say "breaking" by itself. I told spell-check to fuck off - cars had been doing that for decades)

[neoplacebo]

Generally I love tech, but I also love to drive. I don't like cruise control; I don't like self-locking doors. It would take me a while to get used to a car braking by itself or pulling into a rest area because it sensed I needed to pee.

(slightly humorous note: spell-check wanted me to say "breaking" by itself. I told spell-check to fuck off - cars had been doing that for decades)

I agree; nothing like fine machinery. All this automatic driving and braking and automatic parallel parking to me is just something else that will "break" or not work right or rattle. If I wanted all that automatic stuff I'd hire a chauffeur. Home, James, and give it hell.

[neoplacebo]

This 48 Tucker is expected to bring two million at auction.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/rare ... 56680.html

[Vrede too]

This 48 Tucker is expected to bring two million at auction.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/rare ... 56680.html

Dayyum, I remember when a '48 was oldish but still just a car.

[neoplacebo]

This 48 Tucker is expected to bring two million at auction.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/rare ... 56680.html

Dayyum, I remember when a '48 was oldish but still just a car.

I always felt sorry for Tucker; he was ahead of his time. I think he even had seat belts in his cars.

[1 CAT FAN]

[neoplacebo]

1932 Bugatti expected to fetch over 9 million at auction.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/1932-je ... 02896.html

[Vrede too]

A dump trailer was elevated and then struck an overpass
SOURCE: Indiana State Police

[neoplacebo]

A dump trailer was elevated and then struck an overpass
SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Probably the best phallic highway wreckage I ever saw.

[Vrede too]

Plus, the second story details the most exciting thing to happen in Davis for at least 50 years.

Body found inside home after structure fire in Davis, officials say

I remember this one:
viewtopic.php?p=30025#p30025

John Pike, the storm trooper wannabe thug who pepper-sprayed passive UC Davis students, will be getting $38,000 in workers' compensation payments because the people's reaction hurt his feelings. That's more than his victims get in compensation.

Here are some additional facts that are remarkable.

• Pike was on paid leave during the university's investigation, which for some reason took eight months.

• The investigation found not only that Pike didn't need to use the spray, but that he used a spray not sanctioned by the department and he used it from an unsafe distance. Seems serious and willful to me.

• Pike was being paid—please be seated—at least $119,000 per year (another report says $121,680) plus benefits, to be a campus policeman in Davis, California.

• Though Pike was fired, he will still get his pension.

• The students he sprayed sued UC Davis for civil-rights violations. The university settled with them for $1 million (plus an apology). Under the settlement, the plaintiffs will each receive, at most, $30,000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AdDLhPwpp4

The pigs had to regain control of a section of sidewalk that anyone could and did just walk around.

[billy.pilgrim]

This 48 Tucker is expected to bring two million at auction.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/rare ... 56680.html

Dayyum, I remember when a '48 was oldish but still just a car.

I had a 49 Chevy pickup and a 53 panel truck

[O Really]

I have had a running/operating '50 Plymouth sedan for the past 25 years. Even commuted to San Jose in it for a while. These days I don't drive it much, but it's available for parties and dates.

Is that totally stock? Must be a real adventure to drive it in heavy traffic. Back in the 80's, I had a '50 Chevrolet that was a barn find. Only had 40K miles on it when I got it - original paint and upholstery. Against my better judgement, I went along with my dad's preference to go total restoration, without any modern upgrades. He had had a similar car when he was younger, and I guess it had fond memories. Anyway, we rebuilt the original 6-cylinder engine and it's one-barrel carb, three on tree tranny, and stock diff. Nothing new except wiring/hoses, etc. Kept the same brakes and steering, bought it some new wide-whitewall bias tires. Re-chromed the bumpers and trim, finished the body with 11 coats of black lacquer, got badly hosed on the upholstery, original replica. Finished, it looked like a 50 Chevrolet couple that rolled off the line.

Driving the beast was not so fun, though. Power steering (meaning it took a lot of power to steer it), and brakes that were like stopping a bus. 90-HP straight 6 pulling 3500 pounds uphill does not create happy motoring.

But if I had put in power steering, 4-wheel discs, a Chevy small-block V8 and decent tranny it would still look stock, but be a lot better drive.

(Not mine, but looked like this one)

[O Really]

My other restoration project after getting rid of the Chevy. 1962 Austin Healy Sprite. Notice, no roll-up windows, you got aluminum frames with plexi-glass windows that bolted to the door. Top that comes totally off and folds in the back. "Pretend" bumpers and seats that rode like real buckets. First year after the bug-eye, so it did come with a trunk.

Again, not actually my car, but it looked like this.

[neoplacebo]

Check out this supercar from the Swedish guys at Koenigsegg. I need one of these.
https://www.yahoo.com/autos/1677-hp-koe ... 00311.html

[neoplacebo]

Another story about those crazy Swedes and their little engine. If I had any money I would invest it with them. The story is about a 600hp three cylinder engine that has no camshaft.
https://www.yahoo.com/autos/koenigsegg- ... 00732.html