Tool contest could win you some cool stuff if you Facebook

Learned about it from http://fullerhotrods.com/ and the Facebook page for OTC is http://www.facebook.com/OTCTOOLS just head to the tab with "Tis the Season"

Contest ends tomorrow. Sorry, I only just learned about it

have an older vehicle that doesn't have the computer telling you the tire pressures, and want to know fast and easy if the tires are still correctly aired up?

TPMS sensors are pricey. A couple hundred each last time I saw one sold. And without a cars computer to interact with the sensor, the next best thing are these! Cool idea!

Found at SEMA. Best place to look though new gizmos, gadgets, and products fro vehicles

I rarely read about the auto industry, but noticed that wardsauto.com is a good place if you want to learn about news and analysis of the data, about countries, corporations, and the business in general

http://wardsauto.com/news-analysis-0

and a couple examples:

Ford currently has about 3,500 showrooms in its home market, down from 6,500 six years ago, Farley says.... Farley, who was promoted earlier this year to executive vice president of Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln.

Since 2006, Toyota’s share of the segment has fallen from 18% to 11% while Honda’s has dropped from 16% to 12%, Ford says. Overall, some 20% of new cars in the U.S. hail from B/C, up from 13% in 2004.

both excerpts are from http://wardsauto.com/blog/ford-s-farley-wants-cut-through-clutter

They also cover tradeshows, conferences, etc etc in addition to data collection and reports

Banned and or failed innovations in drag racing, Bang Shift put together one damn good list!

http://bangshift.com/blog/the-top-11-banned-or-failed-innovations-in-drag-racing.html

How a Differential gear works, a pretty cool 1950's tutorial by GM... and a Toyota tutorial on limited slip diffs

An excellent tutorial from the 1930's on the principles and development of the Differential Gear. Fast Forward to 1:50 if you want to skip the intro. the info is about over at minute 8:00

Thanks Jay!

the Superbird 8, that is what Plymouth actually called them

Just under that word "description"

Thanks to Jay for yet another incredible previously unknown bit of information that shows me how the things I thought I knew weren't as complete as I believed

Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, not only changed to a recognizable hat from the African ashente, but has a new video "I Gotsta Get Paid" with 4 hot rods... one is a So Cal Speedshop hot rod that I found at SEMA

from the gallery I just posted a couple days ago: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2012/11/nice-hot-rod-i-didnt-see-anything-on-it.html

the above is the "Whiskey Runner" that Billy had the So Cal Speedshop make

 images from the So Cal Speedshop via http://www.rodauthority.com/news/so-cal-speed-shop-building-zz-tops-billy-gibbons-wiskeyrunner/

This video got me wondering about what is new in the BFG car collection, and I came across an online magazine I've never heard of http://www.powerblocktv.com/mag/index.php where you can read a long interview with videos where they talk hot rods with the force behind the cars you already know, (Eliminator coupe, Cadzilla) and some you haven't learned of yet

http://www.powerblocktv.com/magazine/index.php?pub=81067

here is a look at the other incredible coverage that Power Block magazine has had http://www.powerblocktv.com/mag/index.php

This post wouldn't have happened without George's point out that the car I posted a couple days ago was in the music video... thanks to George of dWrenched.com! 

Pole Position Indoor Cart racing has a free run for military, past and present!

Veterans day is Nov 12, 2012, and Pole Position Raceway is offering one free race for all past and present military personnel. Proof of service is required and races are non-transferable.

 Proof of service includes: U.S. Uniformed Services ID Card, U.S. Uniformed Services Retired ID Card, current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization card (i.e. American Legion, VFW), photograph of yourself in uniform, wearing uniform, DD214 and citation or commendation.

Not valid in New York/Jersey City or Syracuse, NY.

http://www.polepositionraceway.com/p2r-news-and-updates/2012/11/11/military-personnel-race-free-on-veterans-day/

NFL team names and cars with the same names

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/04/sd-chgr-among-all-dodge-charger-fans.html
San Diego Charger
New England Patriots
Tennessee Titan
Jacksonville Jaguar
Los Angeles / Oakland Raider
Denver Bronco
Philiadelphia Eagle
Atlanta Falcon
Indianapolis Colt

And almost but not quite:
Green Bay Packard

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/12/green-bay-packard-now-thats-dedicated.html

McDonalds in railroad cars... might be the only one in the world that isn't in a building, but in freightcars. Barstow Station

It is empty in these photos because I got there about closing time.

From their website, a McDonalds in Barstow (California on route 66, at the intersection of Interstates 40 and 15)  was the biggest in the world in the 1970's, and a guy bought it, plus bought the railroad cars, and put together 17 cars. He made the combined cars connected to use as a multi restaurant establishment, and now it has a Panda Express, McDonalds, Greyhound Bus line, a liquor store and a ice cream store. http://www.barstowstation.net/

the Chuckwagon, evolved from a US Army surplus Studebaker wagon, invented by Charles Goodnight, 1866

Above image from http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2009/03/06/stacey-kayne-chuckwagon-more-than-a-cowboys-meal-on-wheels/  where you will find a brief article about cowboy cattle drives and the chuckwagon, but for a very indepth article about the inventor and the chuckwagon, http://wildwesthistory.blogspot.com/2012/08/charles-goodnight-and-his-famous.html#comment-form

above poster is not very good resolution because they are trying to sell them, but can be found at http://www.midwestbuggy.com/images/sale_wagonposter.jpg

'52 Peterbuilt COE, one of 20 built this way, restored impeccably, and wonderfully displayed at the Art Center College Car Classic 2012

I find this very cool, a COE which you long time readers know I have a fixation on, an old semi which I also get a kick out of, and a lot to learn that I hadn't known (last image) that ties together the Fageol and Peterbuilt truck companies

I like the way it's draped over this small hill, showing it's articulation. I might be in the minority on that...  but the implied motion versus a flat parking lot setting is something I prefer

Bumpers need extra protection in some cases nowadays, due to things like expensive back up sensors and fewer insured motorists along the Mexico border

Here in San Diego, being in a collision caused by an insured car owner is known as winning the lotto. That's how rare it is to have the other person be insured, and not a hit and run that will never be found by the cops

I learned about it, and got the above photo from Autowriters.com monthly newsletter this photo taken in front of the Castle of Carovigno (Castelo Dentice di Frasso) in the province of Brindisi, in the region of Puglia, Italy
Jeff Mohr is happy to pass along this photo from over seas for his Superbumper: "We have lots of employees getting rear ended on a regular basis. I am putting them on all our office vehicles. The 4” model on my personal vehicle has been “bumped” numerous times with no damage (to my vehicle at least)," Thad Osterhout, American Embassy, Dakar, Senegal, Africa.