a new take on the side of the road people drive on

found on http://twentytwowords.com/

Vivian Maier photo (upcoming movie about her soon) by accident captured a 1969 Coronet

what is the info on the hupcap center? I don't recognize it. 

She was born in New York City, she moved between the U.S. and France several times during her childhood, living with her mother near to her mother's relations. Her father seems to have left the family for unknown reasons by 1930. In the census that year, the head of the household was listed as award-winning portrait photographer Jeanne Bertrand

 In 1951, at the age of 25, Maier moved from France to New York, where she worked in a sweatshop. She made her way to the Chicago in 1956. and there, for approximately 40 years, she worked on and off as a nanny. For a brief period in the 1970s, Maier worked as a nanny for Phil Donahue's children.

 The families that employed her described her as very private and reported that she spent her days off walking the streets of Chicago and taking photographs, most often with a Rolleiflex camera.

She learned English by going to theaters, which she loved. ... She was constantly taking pictures, which she didn't show anyone. In 1959 and 1960, Maier took photographs in Los Angeles, Manila, Bangkok, Beijing, Egypt, Italy, and the American Southwest. The trip was probably financed by the sale of a family farm in France.

Toward the end of her life, Maier may have been homeless for some time. She lived on Social Security and may have had another source of income. The children she had cared for in the early 1950s bought her an apartment in the Rogers Park area of Chicago and paid her bills.

 In 2008, she slipped on ice and hit her head. She did not fully recover and died in 2009 at the age of 83. Maier's photographic legacy – in the form of some 100,000 negatives, many still undeveloped – was discovered by a 26-year-old real estate agent, John Maloof, who bought 30,000 prints and negatives from an auction house that had acquired the photographs from a storage locker that had been sold off when Maier was no longer able to pay her fees. After buying the first collection of Maier photographs in 2007, Maloof acquired more from another buyer at the same auction.

 Maloof soon discovered Maier's name, but was unable to find out more about her until the day after her death, when he found an obituary notice in the Chicago Tribune.

Photo from http://vivianmaier.blogspot.com/

Muhammad Ali was once a car investor/ middleman for a Suadi Arabia shiek and Brazialian car maker Puma

above from the book Puma  By Thomas H. Braun (google books)

Ali arrived in Brazil just by Rubens Maluf, entrepreneur who brought to Curitiba carmaker Puma at the end of 1986. Kevin Haines, Dealer in Houston (USA), the lawyer convinced the boxer - and model fan produced in Brazil - Richard Hirschfeld, visiting Paraná to negotiate.

Then retired for six years (and perhaps only less known in the sports world than Pelé) and financial condition to invest high, the boxer arrived in town with an engineer and a consultant in addition to the lawyer and friend.

In all three models of the Puma Al Fassi were produced by Muhammad Ali A was all closed, another had the convertible top, and the last, most expensive, had sophisticated finish, with white and red seats and sportier appearance.

Struck a deal worth U.S. $ 36 million for 1,440 units, which would later be completed in the U.S. with engines and gearboxes Porsche 911. The vehicles were sold in Saudi Arabia, whose prince was a friend of the boxer.
found on http://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/esportes/lutas/conteudo.phtml?tl=1&id=1373962&tit=Mito-do-boxe-foi-quase-anonimo-em-Curitiba-nos-anos-80

there was a magazine article
"What's A Puma?" by Dwayne T. Ray. Kit Car Illustrated, August 1992. 5 pages. Fairly comprehensive article with 9 photos. Contains several interesting anecdotes. One of these was a scheme involving Muhammad Ali and Saudi financiers to market a special Puma in the U.S. as the "Ali Stinger."
Found on http://wj2d.100megsdns.com/liter.html


MUHAMMAD ALI STARTS UP AUTO COMPANY AP , Associated Press Apr. 27, 1987
 RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (AP)
 Muhammad Ali, who used to sting opponents in the ring, is delivering his stings on wheels with the introduction of his new sports car, the Ali Stinger. ''The car will be as I was in the ring,'' the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper quoted the three-time world boxing champion as saying. ''It will flutter around like a butterfly and sting like a bee.''
The report Sunday said the 45-year-old Ali formed a new car company, the Ali Vehicle Industry, several months ago as a joint venture with two Brazilian companies, Brazilian Araucaria Vehicle Industry and Inter-American Ltd.
Ali Vehicles in Campinas, 290 miles southwest of Rio, already has produced 20 of the Brazilian-designed cars with Porsche engines, the report said. Ali was to test the first models today, when the company officially begins operations.
The company plans to export 500 coupes and convertibles each year to the United States, Middle East and Europe, the paper quoted Ali as saying. Ali could not be reached in his Rio hotel room for comment.
found on http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1987/Muhammad-Ali-Starts-Up-Auto-Company/id-2182a14ceac1d51de1a7af6602c56edb

Ford F series, the best selling vehicle in America for most of the past 3 dacades... why?

For most of the past three decades, the best-selling vehicle line in America has been, strangely enough, not a family sedan or SUV but a pickup. The holder of that prestigious title is Ford's F-Series. Granted, those sales figures include not only the F-150 but also the Super Duty rigs and even commercial-use chassis cabs.

Americans love choices, something not lost on Ford's product planners whose efforts have resulted in no fewer than 75 styles of the F-150

what it is like to be next to the track at a NASCAR race

Found on http://twentytwowords.com/

the cute little Jeep touches on a Wrangler Rubicon

Snowmobile is a tradmarked word, for Model T and Model A conversion kits

Virgil White, a Ford dealer in Ossipee, NH, perfected his Snowmobile in the late teens, and offered conversion kits to Ford dealers for installation.

White trademarked the name Snowmobile, a term that is still in common use today.

The factory in Ossipee produced many thousands of kits a year. Reproduction parts are currently being made that allow for the maintenance and conversion of any Model “T” Ford into an authentic Ford Snowmobile. For more information about then visit www.modeltfordsnowmobile.com

Found on http://theoldmotor.com/?p=114663

the SPA truck, Studebaker Pierce Arrow, 1929-1933

above is a 1931

SPA Truck Company (S-P-A) was a manufacturer of trucks, which was owned and operated by Studebaker Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Pierce-Arrow of Buffalo, New York.

The name SPA was based on Studebaker, Pierce and Arrow. SPA manufactured trucks from 1929 to 1933.

While the Studebaker industrial fortune had been made by building Conestoga wagons, Studebaker had been late in entering the modern truck market, doing so in 1929. While Studebaker plants were running at near capacity, executives planned on using Pierce-Arrow's unused excess capacity to handle truck production demand.

Studebaker attempted to acquire White Motor Company in 1932, a known manufacturer of heavy duty trucks based in Cleveland, Ohio. White backed out of the deal just before March 1933; Studebaker then sold Pierce Arrow to investors, which were forced into bankruptcy and liquidated the firm in 1938.

When Studebaker filed for receivership in March 1933, SPA was liquidated and Studebaker focused its attention on automobiles, producing a modest volume of trucks until the late 1930s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPA_Truck_Company images from http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?4793-Studebaker-truck-quiz and http://gwulo.com/node/8247

I finally learned about a beauty of an RV from the 1930's that I've only been able to find photos of in the past

1937 Hunt housecar, one of several very unique early housecars built by Hollywood cinematographer Roy Hunt between 1935 and 1945, considered to be the first mobile home with a working shower.

 Acclaimed Hollywood cinematographer J. Roy Hunt had to spend weeks on location shoots so in 1935, he added a bed, folding table and 110 volt generator to a Willys sedan delivery.

 Two years later, he bought a 1937 Ford truck chassis and, borrowing some aircraft techniques, designed a smooth fuselage body with a hatch-like flush door and a streamlined shape.

 A local auto-body shop did the fabrication and Hunt ended up putting the House Car into limited production, making about 50 of them over the next 10 years.

 Restored by David Woodworth of Tehachapi, California, today the Hunt House Car sits in a place of honor at the RV/MH Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana.

Found on http://sundayslacker.com/2013/01/19/1937-hunt-housecar/

Evolution of F1, in a cool animated way

Found on http://www.autoblog.com/2013/12/12/f1-evolution-video/

John Force Racing news and info

Castrol and Ford can't afford to remain sponsors any longer, and 2014 is the end for them

John won the 2013 NHRA Funny Car championship, his 16th world title

the team of John Force Racing (JFR) now has more championships than any other motor racing team, more than Ferrari, Kinser, Schumacher, Petty, Hendrick and Childress!

John set the low ET on the 1000ft course that has been the norm since mid 2008 on Feb 7 2014 of 3.966 at 324mph

http://www.johnforceracing.com/history.cfm

What a gear selector looks like in a new Mopar truck

a Ram 1500 or 2500

What a build sheet looks like in a new 2014 Mopar

The worlds cheapest new cars

From a recent issue of Car and Driver, or Automobile Magazine... I can't recall which

TIME has a "Dealer of the Year" award, the winner and finalists for 2013

image from https://www.timedealeroftheyear.com/

Jeff Teague of Teague Ford Lincoln in El Dorado, Ark. has been selected as the 2014 TIME Dealer of the Year. Here's why: http://allydealerheroes.com/winners/detail/337

Teague was selected from an elite group of 56 U.S. dealers who were recognized at the 97th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention and Exposition in New Orleans, La.

"This award recognizes the best of the nation's dealers, not only for their business successes, but for their extraordinary commitment in giving back to their local communities," said Tim Russi.

The three regional finalists for the 2014 TIME Dealer of the Year award are Greg Kaminsky of Toyota of El Cajon in El Cajon, Calif. (I'm pretty impressed with my local (15 minutes away) nominee, he earned the BBB award for workplace ethics (only dealership in San Diego to do so) and has his dealership hosts blood drives)

 David Luther of Luther Westside Volkswagen in St. Louis Park, Minn.(The Luther family has generously supported many organizations, including Mn Adult & Teen Challenge (addiction recovery), N.C. Little Memorial Hospice, Gilda's Club, Metro Hope Ministries (recovery center), Angel Foundation (aiding cancer patients), Make-A-Wish, Salvation Army, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and World Vision.)

 and Marisa Shockley of Shockley Honda in Frederick, Md. ( by hosting numerous events at her dealership, making financial contributions and serving in leadership roles for a host of charities and philanthropic groups. Examples of successful on-site events at the dealership include: Bras for a Cause which raised $16,000 for breast cancer research; on-site pet adoptions; free rabies and micro-chip clinics; free ASL classes; Toys for Tots drop-off; child safety seat inspection days; winter coat drive; and a holiday bazaar to showcase the works of local craftspeople.)

GMC's bank busted for racism, what was GMAC now has a new name, and was found guilty of ripping off minorities

In an investigation of lending practices in the year after April 2011, the government agencies determined that Ally Financial and Ally Bank charged roughly 235,000 Asian/Pacific Islander, Black and Hispanic borrowers higher interest rates than their credit profiles warranted and higher rates than whites were charged in equivalent situations. The result was that those borrowers paid $200 to $300 more in total interest for the loan.

Ally Financial has agreed to pay a $98-million fine to settle an investigation into unfair lending practices overseen by the Justice Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/12/27/ally-pay-98m-settle-ethnicity-based-discriminatory-lending/

The C.F.P.B. found that Ally “had not made sufficient efforts to ensure that it was complying with fair lending laws in its pricing of indirect auto loans,” Richard Cordray, the director of the C.F.P.B.


Those payments came in the form of “dealer markups,” or the percent that car dealerships can charge to arrange loans through banks like Ally.
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/12/20/ally-in-98-million-settlement-on-bias-in-auto-loans/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1

Ally Financial Inc. was founded in 1919 as the General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), a provider of financing to automotive customers.  http://www.ally.com/about/company-structure/history/

GMAC sold a majority stake to Cerebrus in 2006, the investment group that bought Chrysler, and in 2009 they changed the name to Ally Bank, then in 2010 Ally Financial

History of the Buick tri shield

Found on http://bangshift.com/blog/badges-we-need-those-stinkin-badges-history-of-the-most-familiar-logos-in-the-automotive-world.html

Ford Motor Company, 1926-1946

"It barely broke even"
"there were 10 college grads in the whole company"
"they didn't have a market research organization"

Bob McNamara, The Fog of War
1st president of Ford not a member of the Ford family, quit after 5 weeks to be JFK's Sec. of Defense

It's time to rethink the definition of foreign car maker

Honda exports more cars from the US than it imports to the US. Huh.

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/29/honda-first-japanese-carmaker-net-exporter-from-us/

can you judge a car company by it's museum attendance?

GM:$1.8 million is spent each year by the company to maintain an aging fleet of 600 production and concept cars.

Chrysler maintained a 300-vehicle archive on the grounds of its headquarters (shown above). Unlike GM's Heritage Collection, though, Chrysler closed its museum in 2012 when attendance fell, selling many of its vehicles.

 Japanese brands, meanwhile, have had their own troubles. In Nashville, Nissan maintains a fleet of concepts in the basement of the Lane Museum. It's not open for show. A larger, 280-vehicle archive of the brand's products sits in a more dedicated museum at its Zama, Japan battery factory. While it sees 5,000 visitors per year, guided about by 12 volunteers,

In Germany, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen all maintain mammoth collections of vehicles in artsy, high-dollar museums.

 AN reports that Porsche dropped $130 million to build a museum for 80 of its models in 2009. It now draws two-million visitors annually, each paying $11 for entry.

Mercedes, meanwhile, has a collection covering its 114 years of car building that has brought in over 5 million visitors.

info from http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/29/car-company-museum-collections-cost-big-maintenance-bucks/