Oh my … if you’re going beach combing, don’t slip.
😀
At least six cargo containers broke loose and fell into the sea in a storm off the coast from the Netherlands. A sailing blog (Litoralis) posted this photo which indicates at least one container must have broken open and spilled bananas from Cuba which are washing ashore. Interesting photo, but those barely submerged steel containers wouldn’t be something I’d want to run into while sailing.
If you live in Cleveland Ohio you might have noticed this fine looking 2 door BMW hatchback running around the east side, but if you are like most of the U.S., do not see BMW 325 TDS vehicles all that often. What makes it unique??? “Yes, Its a diesel”
This particular car belongs to Ray Holan and it is actually for sale. He had the 1995 BMW Florida car converted last year from gas to diesel with an imported UK engine. The engine, 5 speed and cluster were all upgraded to a 40 mpg Upsolute chipped diesel. The list of other improvements are available over at the TDIClub. I had a chance to drive this sweet little car and it handled well. If not for the fact it was missing air-conditioning, I might have considered buying it! Anyway … it is still available. LINK
Disappointing news from Volkswagen — the new ‘clean diesel’ 2.0 liter TDIs that were to be available in April 2008 are now going to be delayed until late summer 2008. (perhaps in time for the TDIFest OH-08?) The information comes from VWoA and was announced to the dealer network. The delay is due to a technical issue found in late stage durability testing according to the information.
There is still hope that promotional diesel vehicles will be brought into the U.S. and that the marketing efforts with the Dieselution tour will stimulate pre-orders while educating car buyers about the benefits of owning clean diesel cars. The new diesel products will be in high demand and so VWoA will work to speed up shipments of TDIs. The other models due to receive the new ‘clean diesel’ engines are said to be on track for their 2008 – 2009 deliveries.
EDIT: See Brandweek.
While driving through Columbus Ohio I often tune into check the traffic on AM radio 610 WTVN. The talk station does a pretty good job updating accidents and slowdowns as I transit through on my way to and from Northeastern Ohio. This week the Joel Riley mentioned an interesting blog post where blogger Johnny Virgil finds a 1977 JCPenney catalog. He posted a few photos and observations. Pretty funny … and from the string of comments he obviously triggered memories and laughs from a few others. Its amazing that the decade (hmm … the decade I grew up in) was arguably the most creative when it came to music, yet it seemed ‘far out’ (RIP John Denver)when it came to attractive decorating and dress?
The lobby group Republicans for Environmental Protection last month endorsed Senator John McCain for President as indicated again by REPs president Martha Marks. On Tuesday leading Democrat Senator Clinton made a move to look greener’ by proposing fuel economy targets of 55 mpg by 2030 for U.S. auto manufacturers. MSNBC interviewed Ms. Marks who commented about her party and their position on the environment. (below)
Once upon a time, protecting the environment was a feather in the cap of the Republican platform (Theodore Roosevelt), but nowadays they have allowed it to become their Achilles heel.
Each year fishermen in Japan coral pods of dolphins by the thousands and force them into a small cove for slaughter. The killing of these marine mammals is said to be part of the Japanese culture, but is disturbing to most civilized people outside of the fishing community. Several organizations including National Geographic are bring pressure to stop the slaughter, but to date have been unsuccessful. Groups of activists, including celebrities, have tried to stop the killing without success.
Although I’m not opposed to sportsmen hunting wildlife, there is something disturbing about the mass brutal killing of dolphins. (warning, the clip below shows graphic killing of dolphins)
All who have watched automotive videos on the web have probably run across Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame. His British humor and interesting car reviews have made him a legend worldwide, and my son’s favorite car show host. He is less than polite when it comes to belittling cars, their performance characteristics or their manufacturers … but he also has little problem belittling an entire nationality when it comes to automobiles. If you like French cars, don’t watch this … of course that would include about 2 people worldwide.
🙂
Our back porch project continues to slowly progress as the fireplace begins to take shape. I’m hoping the stone masons will show up this week and that the weather continues to remain dry.
The Volkswagen Sportwagen was highlighted in the VW Driver magazine this past month and offered a glimpse at what the stock new Jetta based wagon will be like. The two page spread was ‘slick’ (both magazine and car) although only a few features were detailed. From the specs and the photos it looks like a very attractive small wagon — especially the ‘clean diesel’ 2.0 liter TDI powered Sportwagen. (140HP/235lb-ft)
I don’t think I’m the only one who starts to salivate when looking at the photos and specs of the new 2009 Volkswagen TDI ‘clean diesel’ Sportwagen being displayed at the Las Vegas SEMA Show. It is a really attractive small/midsize car that has is bound to have significant interest from Volkwagen TDI advocates. For me, after years of seeing SUVs and Crossover SUVs, the new VW Sportwagen makes me like station wagons again — I’ve owned several in years past: Volvo 245, Chevrolet Caprice Classic wagon and even a ‘vinyl wood sided’ Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon!
😉
This particular Sportwagen is ‘soon to arrive’ in the spring of 2008 with a 2.0 liter 140 HP TDI diesel delivers 235 pound-feet of torque. (ask a diesel owner and he will tell you “it all about torque.”) Fuel economy should be near 50 mpg highway … something I miss dearly since selling my 2003 Jetta TDI. The show car is a bit dolled up but isn’t all that far from stock. It offers some ideas as to how one might customize the car, after all this is the Specialty Equipment Market Association show. The displayed TDI Sportwagen sports 19 inch Sportec alloy wheels, performance tires from Yokohama and a styling package. The 2009 model also has ‘blue’ Brembo brakes and H&R springs which lower the height All in all, I can’t wait to see this car!
While driving through Columbus Ohio I often tune into check the traffic on AM radio 
The lobby group 
Each year fishermen in Japan coral pods of dolphins by the thousands and force them into a small cove for slaughter. The killing of these marine mammals is said to be part of the Japanese culture, but is disturbing to most civilized people outside of the fishing community. Several organizations including 
All who have watched automotive videos on the web have probably run across 
