47 posts tagged with vehicle.
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If You're Not Having Fun, You're Doing It Wrong!

James loves working on vehicles but hates spending money. Watch him repair, resurrect, and reimagine old vehicles and machinery with a delightful combination of dry wit, patience, and an impressive collection of junk. Welcome to Low-Buck Garage.
posted by Alvy Ampersand on May 30, 2024 - 3 comments

Cars: killing people since 1869

Who Was the First Person Ever to Die in a Car Crash? (Medium) [more inside]
posted by aniola on Aug 11, 2022 - 29 comments

gyro beat

1960s experimental gyroscopically stabilized vehicles.
posted by clavdivs on Jul 20, 2022 - 14 comments

The hype and heartbreak of the Antarctic Snow Cruiser

The Antarctic Snow Cruiser was a wheeled vehicle unlike any before or since. Built for Byrd's third Antarctic expedition, it was hailed as a modern marvel by the American press in 1939. Conceived more like a ship than a truck, it was designed to support a crew of four in insulated comfort for months at a time, cross crevasses with ease, and deploy a biplane stowed on top for reconnaissance and rescue. It left a trail of local news stories in its wake as it trundled its way from Chicago to Boston to be loaded onto a ship bound for Antarctica. But as midwest blog Orangebean recounts, the trip did not go entirely as planned.
posted by automatronic on Sep 8, 2021 - 37 comments

a collection of food-shaped vehicles

Paul F. Tompkins says: This is the place to let me know if any other food-shaped vehicles that you know of
posted by cortex on Jul 11, 2021 - 18 comments

It's like the 11' 8 Bridge, only wetter

Rufford Lane, about 20 miles north of Nottingham in England has a trap for the incautious driver: a very deep ford. It can be filled with fail. Sometimes vehicles get so close to getting through … but no.
posted by scruss on May 18, 2021 - 85 comments

it's called a cam shaft, not a cam't shaft

From Bartosz Ciechanowski, an extremely readable illustrated tutorial of the basics of an internal combustion engine, with interactive 3D illustrations of various parts and principles.
posted by cortex on May 1, 2021 - 12 comments

"Kharkovchanka" - The Colossal Soviet Antarctic Cruisers

"Kharkovchanka" were giant snow tracked vehicles built by the soviets for use in Antarctic exploration from the 1950s onwards. They were designed and assembled (in 3 months) to act in the manner of a giant tracked spaceships - housing crew and towing supplies. Following a successful initial overland journey to the South Pole they have been in successful deployment for decades since. Youtuber Calum tells their story. [more inside]
posted by rongorongo on Jul 2, 2020 - 17 comments

Of the 385,000 electric buses worldwide, 99% of them are in China

Bloomberg: Electric buses are hurting the oil industry. Buses consume 30x more fuel than cars, so 84% of the fuel displaced by electric vehicles so far has come from the usage of electric buses, compared to just 16% attributed to the use of electric passenger vehicles such as those produced by Tesla or Nissan. [more inside]
posted by xdvesper on Dec 13, 2018 - 56 comments

"I didn't expect it to be very driver friendly,"

Behold, the World's Fastest Log Car [Road and Track]
"THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE IT, your brain almost short circuits—nope, uh-uh, that's not real. But it is, and it is exactly what it looks like: a tree car. More specifically, it is a car made out of a western red cedar log with a concave mouth for a "grille", a wooden roll bar and wooden fenders, and a pair of turbines protruding from its rear. The thing looks ludicrous, like something a crazed Woody the Woodpecker would drive, or maybe a George Barris creation if he had ever gotten lost in the Pacific Northwest with an axe and a flask of whiskey. It gets better: The log car is rear-wheel drive, uses the mechanicals from a Mazda RX-7, and is powered by eight lithium-ion batteries. More than 500 pounds of them. Why? Why would someone do this, you might ask. And who? Who in the world would devote time to such a project? Also, what? What were they smoking? Must've been some potent stuff."
posted by Fizz on Feb 11, 2016 - 38 comments

\ō͡≡o˞̶

Max Verstappen drove his F1 car on a ski slope and didn't die. [YouTube]
We see Verstappen taking his Red Bull (of course) team race car and driving it up, down, and back up a ski slope. Somehow, the mix of studded tires, snow chains, and Verstappen's natural born talent keep the kid from flying off the mountain. (The super serious 9-minute one, seen directly above, is particularly full of beautiful, mind-boggling footage.) [The Verge]
posted by Fizz on Jan 14, 2016 - 47 comments

It spent all its money on whiskey and beer

Remember the prototype lunar rover that was believed to be scrapped but was recovered by a junkyard owner? It just failed to sell at auction, and could be yours if you have an amount of money more than $30000 burning a hole in your pocket.
posted by Artw on Nov 22, 2015 - 10 comments

Why drivers in China intentionally kill the pedestrians they hit.

Driven to Kill. The "hit-to-kill" phenomenon in China where a driver who has accidentally struck a pedestrian will stop to run over them again, or multiple times, to ensure they are dead. Trigger warning for text descriptions of gruesome vehicular murder. Lots of links to photos and videos in the article that you should click at your own discretion.
posted by allkindsoftime on Sep 9, 2015 - 81 comments

Jetsons, 2017

Ever wanted to buy a flying car? You only have a couple more years to wait, says a company that has built prototypes that can both drive and fly. (CBC link)
posted by Klaxon Aoooogah on Mar 15, 2015 - 46 comments

License Plate of the Future

South Carolina wants to switch to digital license plates that will display messages related to the driver's eligibility to operate a vehicle. In 2010, California considered using similar technology to display advertising.
posted by reenum on Jun 11, 2013 - 104 comments

On the slippery slope to Mecha-Mothra

Turns out moths are pretty good at operating small robotic vehicles.
posted by prize bull octorok on May 9, 2013 - 15 comments

Kittybus!

The Real Catbuses of Japan
posted by Artw on Apr 16, 2013 - 44 comments

How To Steal The Space Shuttle: A Step-By-Step Guide

How To Steal The Space Shuttle: A Step-By-Step Guide
posted by Egg Shen on Oct 5, 2012 - 33 comments

Truck crash landing

Recommended procedures in the event of being propelled through the windshield of your truck, exhibit A. Youtube.
posted by Anything on Sep 27, 2012 - 49 comments

"Cry Havoc! and let slip the dogs of war."

"Land Team...Ready for action!" [SLYT] [Via: Reddit]
posted by Fizz on Jul 21, 2012 - 12 comments

From Days of Long Ago...

"From days of long ago... from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend: the legend of Voltron, Defender of the Universe!" [more inside]
posted by zarq on Apr 2, 2012 - 30 comments

The luxury vehicle of choice... for the Apocalypse

The Knight XV from Conquest Vehicles: For when you absolutely, positively need a luxury ride that can withstand the Apocalypse. With a limited production run of only 100 vehicles, this luxury armored SUV - inspired by the Gurkha military vehicle - costs a paltry $310,000 USD; its nearest competitor, the Dartz Pombron, has no base price listed (estimated cost: $1.5 million USD). [more inside]
posted by Unicorn on the cob on Sep 19, 2011 - 55 comments

Traffic Drives Nigerians Nuts, but a Trip to a Shrink May Go Too Far

People often think that other drivers are nuts. The Nigerian authorities have taken things a step further, now requiring drivers accused of going the wrong way down a one way street to get psychiatric exams.
posted by reenum on Jul 27, 2011 - 22 comments

Yay! Free Candy!

Suspicious Vans
posted by BitterOldPunk on Jul 19, 2011 - 87 comments

Jet Assisted Plugin Hybrid

The Chevy Volt plug-in electric goes 40 miles on battery alone, yet can go up to 350 miles. Top speed 100mph. How can you top that?
How about an 80 miles on battery, 500 miles total, and a top speed of 150mph and 0-60 in 3.9 seconds? The gasoline engine is a turbine (also used in jet engines). The Capstone CMT380. Specs (PDF). [more inside]
posted by eye of newt on Jan 6, 2011 - 55 comments

Business in the Front, Party in the Back

After nixing the idea a year ago, Chevy is again toying with the idea of bringing back the El Camino in 2015. The car will be modeled after the Holden Ute, a popular vehicle in Australia.
posted by reenum on Dec 17, 2010 - 68 comments

Extreme Robotic Parking

Autonomous Car Learns To Powerslide Into Parking Spot. via IEEE Spectrum.
posted by GuyZero on May 10, 2010 - 49 comments

More Than a Best Friend

Are you using the full potential of your dog? Dog-powered cars, then and now. Dog-powered scooters, bikes, and skateboards (previously). Churn butter. Drive sewing machines. Turn roasting spits. Power your home or vehicle with dog poop biofuel. Pull a cart with your dog. Ride your dog. Monkey riding a dog.
posted by Chinese Jet Pilot on Mar 7, 2010 - 36 comments

How to start and operate a Ford Model T

How to start and drive a Model T
posted by loquacious on Jun 30, 2009 - 26 comments

Jesus registered my hotrod

"Jesus is to be mass-produced, imprinted on metal, given a reflective coat and sold for money." The Florida Senate is considering a bill to put Jesus Christ on a license plate. Governor Charlie ("No H.") Crist has come out in support of the bill (or at least in support of not vetoing it). [video]
posted by dersins on Apr 28, 2009 - 148 comments

Yes, I would like to purchase a 12-pack of radial tires please.

Ken Block Gymkhana Practice [video] (an obstacle course for cars)
posted by blue_beetle on Nov 12, 2008 - 34 comments

Screw it!

In soviet russia... screw drives you! (via)
posted by phrontist on Apr 15, 2008 - 44 comments

Lee press-on car

The Tata Nano (pic) is a car that costs less new than the amount I've spent on gas during single car trips, recently announced to the auto market in India. The Chery QQ ^, successful , widely exported, and recognized as the Hostage Taker's Vehicle of Choice by China Car Times, is the runner-up for the world's cheapest car but is still approximately twice as expensive. Yes indeed, the price of gas is not going to come back down. So much for my coast-to-coast road trips. [more inside]
posted by XMLicious on Feb 3, 2008 - 40 comments

What. The. F*ck. Clean Air Act (2005)?

The US Clean Air Act makes it illegal to sell highly environmentally-friendly cars in 42 states. Apparently.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 on Sep 4, 2007 - 35 comments

May those who curse days curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan

SUV sales are up. In spite of higher gas prices and concern about global warming, Americans still want bigger cars. It might not be enough to save the Hummer H2, though.
posted by 1f2frfbf on May 24, 2007 - 131 comments

Beyond monster trucks

Bagger 288 eats bulldozers. The largest land vehicle in the world (yes, bigger than the NASA crawler-transporter, with its storied history) looks like it escaped from a post apocalyptic thriller, featuring an excavating blade 22 meters in diameter. The world's biggest vehicle overall, meanwhile, is delivering Christmas presents, which seems less macho than strip mining 76,000 cubic meters of coal a day.
posted by blahblahblah on Nov 18, 2006 - 49 comments

So it's not about baseball after all?

Behold, the Terranaut. No, it's not another bloody truck, but rather a land vehicle for pilots not normally comfortable with such terrain. I, for one, welcome our...
posted by pompomtom on Sep 27, 2006 - 12 comments

Pimp My Killing Machine

Defensor Fortis: A Photo Set. A soldier in Iraq has been posting images of consumer vehicles modified and employed by "Civilian Security Contractors". [via] War has always seemed to instill the creative spirit in its participants, and we also have a detailed history of Military vehicles making a successful transition into the civilian marketplace. With the unprecedented rise in Mercenary Employment, it's hard to tell where the innovation is coming from - the top down, or the bottom up? Our favorite grease monkey seems to have missed out on all the hot welding action, but you can't blame him for not trying. At the very least, it seems they can all agree on something.
posted by prostyle on Jun 7, 2006 - 29 comments

rice U builds nano-car

The Nano-Road is paved with gold.

Rice University built these single-molecule vehicles which measure just 4x3 nanometers and have four buckyball wheels connected to four independently rotating axles and a organic chemical chassis. They're also building a "nanotruck" which uses nitrogen atoms to be able to carry a payload.
posted by TeamBilly on Mar 14, 2006 - 34 comments


The Bipedal Exo-Skeletal Robotic Vehicle

Buy your own fully functional Bipedal Exo-Skeletal Semi-Robotic Vehicle—or Mech—courtesy of Neogentronyx.
posted by jenleigh on Jul 15, 2005 - 18 comments

Canyonero!

Looking for a new RV? This baby's got every feature you could possibly want. Price range? "More than a Hummer and Less than a Boeing 777."
posted by Ironwolf on Jun 23, 2005 - 29 comments

Something has survived

Esuvee. From USA Today: A coalition of state attorneys general is launching an ad campaign Monday aimed at SUV safety and funded with money received from Ford Motor to settle a lawsuit that said its ads were deceptive. The campaign shows people riding on a large, hairy fictitious animal, dubbed the Esuvee, to illustrate the point that drivers need to treat SUVs differently than cars. SUVs sit higher than cars, making them more prone to roll over in an accident.
flash enabled site
posted by Hands of Manos on Feb 2, 2005 - 41 comments

The Only Expedition Class, AWD

4Sale. 2002 Recreation Vehicle. 40,000 miles. $400,000.
posted by stbalbach on Dec 7, 2004 - 29 comments

No ma'am, just a dolphin...

The Land Shark. Three wheels, three seats. 250 mph on land, 50 mph in the water. Yours for only £10-16,000, once they start building them. At least you can get a shirt now.
posted by gottabefunky on Apr 21, 2004 - 7 comments

Do you want this MTV?

These guys have something for sale here If we all went in on it together, what could we do with it? (Aside from arguing over it, of course.)
posted by trondant on Nov 14, 2003 - 8 comments

Build me a robot...

Grand Challenge The research arm of the US Department of Defense, DARPA, is sponsoring a $1 million winner take all contest to build a completely autonomous vehicle which can navigate a roughly 250 mile course in the desert between Los Angeles and Las Vegas in under 10 hours. Teams from Caltech and Carnegie Mellon have formed, though anyone is allowed to enter.
posted by split atom on May 13, 2003 - 8 comments

Right before you hit

Right before you hit you were doing... Looks like we're all getting black boxes in our cars. As a high speed crash survivor I have to admit a certain curiosity as to the forces involved my accident happened. But I'm not sure I want to know this badly...
posted by daver on Mar 19, 2001 - 10 comments

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