RichC | April 23, 2024
As a “non-artist,” I’ve always admired (or had someone on the CPP payroll) who have had the ability and training to create art. Here’s a social media video tip for those of us who would just like to draw a car. 😊
RichC | September 29, 2020
My mother’s birthday isn’t one that I mark with a blog post every year, but since I ran across this old photo of my mom in East Tawas Michigan, I set it aside (along with one from me in my new suede coat back in high school). I spotted the Kodachrome slide of Mom next […]
RichC | August 24, 2019
On Friday, with August temperatures abating a bit, I decided drive the “old girl,” as my best friend Jeff refers to my 1982 Mercedes Benz 300d Turbodiesel. It is not rare that I drive our “EMP car” since it was my daily driving for a couple years, but now I do it far less frequently […]
RichC | February 13, 2019
For those of us who grew up working on cars pre-Internet, the Haynes Manuals were one of the “go-to” sources on how to fix automobiles … or at least a particular brand and model of car. Last week John Haynes, the founder of the publishing company, passed away at 80 years old. Although I also […]
RichC | July 27, 2017
Hagerty (the classic car company) posted an article talking about essential tools to keep in your car that I wanted to archive. I’ve always kept tools in my car along with odds and ends and even fluids like antifreeze, oil and brake fluid. The problem I face is keeping the correct tool in the right […]
RichC | February 11, 2017
The BMW X5 35d has been having issues starting when cold which seems likely due to a new Exide FP-AGML5/49 Edge Group L-5/49 Flat Plate AGM battery. I’ve gone great lengths to rule out almost everything other than the battery, and decided it must be a weak cell or defect in the new battery itself. […]
RichC | September 24, 2016
We are humbled to call Tim Ellison of Mr. Godwrench our friend. A few years ago when he started his automotive repair business I knew his unabashed and outspoken Christian "modus vivendi" was attractive to me, so I quickly promoted his automotive services and did as much business with him as I could. Due to […]
RichC | October 6, 2015
Since I’m “all in” with a “spot in line” to purchase an Elio, it has me focused on following the progress towards building a production vehicle. I’m skeptical that this new company can achieve the high bar they have set (especially the $6800 price), but I’m enjoying the ride with them. This week a few […]
RichC | April 16, 2015
When I was in college I worked for a contractor who drove a car-based truck called the El Camino – it was usually seen hauling around a few missing items he had just picked up for the latest project. As I recall, it wasn’t the greatest car … or truck … but to me it […]
RichC | March 1, 2015
Really just love the above camera angle of the Elio … a new micro-car company making its public relation rounds and aggressively taking pre-orders. I’ve mentioned Elio previously and am anxious to see, drive and OWN the little commuter car. There are plenty of details to be concerned about since their targets are aggressive for […]
RichC | September 29, 2014
You might want to think twice before criticizing drivers in your neck of the woods … and be glad you are not driving in Russia (YouTube video below).
RichC | July 3, 2014
If you’re thinking about saving a few fuel dollars and are contemplating driving an electric-vehicle like the Nissan Leaf, be sure to factor the price of a new battery into your “energy savings” numbers. Nissan’s replacement battery for the popular EV Leaf is $5,499, which includes a $1000 credit for the old battery. That’s a […]
RichC | May 5, 2014
Sunday afternoon was a perfect time to take a couple of the Mercedes Benz repairs to the next step with AutomotiveTouchup.com paints. Although I’ve painted several cars back in the day we used enamel and lacquer single stage automotive paints, I’ve never used a base coat and clear coat. This was the perfect test. Rework […]
RichC | January 23, 2013
Getting the testing done and appropriate governmental safety and FAA approvals takes time, but the Terrafugia experimental airplane/car is continuing to make progress. The company has over 100 orders and has had few setbacks considering their undertaking in their goal of producing the first commercially viable flying car. The video PR makes it all look […]
RichC | July 2, 2012
I’ve posted a few times back in 2009 regarding the flying car from the MIT developers called the Terrafugia Transition and after phase one flight testing in New York it is one step closer to being ready for production. As we all know, here in the United States things are not as simple as they […]
RichC | May 5, 2012
I was busy driving to and fro this week and had my usual granola bars and peanuts in the center console. Unbeknownst to me, I picked up a traveler … probably while in New York opening up my father-in-law’s barn for the season. I left the rear hatch open on my Honda Pilot while accessing […]
RichC | October 11, 2011
Interested in a 1983 Ford Mustang Convertible? My mother-in-law has finally and reluctantly decided to sell her car knowing that a second car isn’t needed anymore. She has unfortunately put too many maintenance dollars into keeping this car in good shape, but it has spent most of the past decade parked in the garage. All […]
RichC | May 4, 2011
For those of us that regularly rent cars, we’ve always known that it is costly to bring a car back to the rental agency with less than a full tank. This lesson is doubly important with the higher prices at the pump nowadays. Some car companies are now charging over $9/gallon “if you bring the […]
RichC | January 6, 2011
We gave Katelyn’s friend Drew a multifunction “jumpstarter” which includes a small compressor to put in the trunk of his car this year for Christmas … who knew it would come in so handy so soon? Sorry to hear his new tires picked up a screw, but glad he found his Christmas gift […]
RichC | November 17, 2010
I’ve always enjoyed unique vehicles such as the AmphiCars of the past or the flying Super Sky Cycle motorcycle and Terrafugia Transition flying car, but didn’t realize how far the drive-able boat has come along. Some years ago I recall the Floating Cubans attempted to escape the grip of Fidel in a 1951 Chevy pickup […]
RichC | March 27, 2010
I’ve been pondering how we will eventually sell my wife’s 1998 Toyota RAV4 with a quarter million miles? I think this might work! 😀
RichC | August 20, 2009
One has to think twice before grimacing when seeing those tiny Smart ForTwo car(t)s rolling down the highway … especially if you’re in a bow-tied import like the Chevrolet Aveo (Daewoo Korean built Chevrolet). A recent report issued by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that the Smart ForTwo performed the best in […]
RichC | April 1, 2009
If you are in the market for a new car or truck this year, the IRS will assist by at least making the “sales tax” deductible. There are a few caveats, which includes a short window since the car, truck, motorhome or motorcycle needs to be purchase between February 16, 2009 and January 1, 2010 […]
RichC | January 23, 2009
The Transition is another one of those flying car “dream” ideas (or as Terrafugia calls it, “a roadable aircraft”) which seems to be really moving closer in bringing driving and flying together. According to a the company’s website, this concept car/plane was founded in 2006 by a group of MIT students. They have work diligently […]
RichC | January 25, 2008
How about an Exhaust Burger? I’ve cooked a meal under the hood before, but never heard of cooking with a grilling device like this using exhaust gas! Well the exhaust gas never hits the meat, but its probably hot enough to barbecue a hamburger — I wonder if I could fix a meal for two […]
RichC | July 19, 2006
A couple of days ago I commented that after donating our minivan to a family in need of a car and that we were need to replace it with something? I was not happy with my options since there were no commonsense ‘efficient’ diesels in vehicles with extra room; both my wife and I have […]
RichC | June 30, 2006
Although the Smart car has been around in Europe since 1998, Americans have been reluctant to accept it here in the US. (government, consumers and importers alike) When you look at it next to most car and trucks on American roads you understand why … its tiny! Most I have asked about it say its […]
RichC | February 9, 2006
A couple days ago I posted a commercial (Video Clip for Bird Lovers) and figure it only fair to return the politically incorrect post. This one is for cat lovers. 😉