Mystery Steering Wheel

baran wheel overall

Al Baran, faithful Hemmings reader and the owner of the stunning MGA 1600 that was our featured car in the July 2006 Sports & Exotic Car MGA Roadster Buyer’s Guide, recently wrote us to share some images and ask if we could help him find some information.

I don’t know if you recall when you were at our house taking pictures of my MGA, I was working on a Spyder 550 replica. I had the stock banjo type steering wheel, which had a larger diameter. Because I am not as svelte as I used to be in my younger days, I was looking for a smaller diameter wood rimed wheel that would look like a period piece. While walking through the vendor section at the Lime Rock Vintage Festival, I spotted and bought a wheel that was exactly what I was looking for. It was 13.5 inches in diameter, with the right amount of patina on the rim to make it look authentic. The spokes were “T” shaped (which gave a clearer view of the gauges) and were 3 separate sections bolted to a ring in the center. The only marking on it says “Mark Donahue”. I can find no record of Donahue ever making a wheel like this. I cut the center section out of an old Grant wheel to fabricate the adapter.

Perhaps some of your readers can answer the mystery of the steering wheel.

He sent along these photos:

baran wheel above

And a closeup of the engraved signature:

baran wheel signature

We’re aware that Racemark made a Mark Donohue signature wheel that is sometimes seen in Porsche 911s, but it looks nothing like this unit.  We welcome any information, and we’ll pass it on to Al!



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Sara Brinsfield

Sara Brinsfield
Sara Brinsfield is a hottie that is half Caucasian and half Laotian as well. For those that don’t know, Laotian people come from a tiny country called Laos, which borders Thailand, and if Sara is any indication of the girls in Laos, we hope to see a whole lot more on the scene very soon.

Sara BrinsfieldSara BrinsfieldSara BrinsfieldSara BrinsfieldSara BrinsfieldSara BrinsfieldSara BrinsfieldSara BrinsfieldSara Brinsfield

Sara Brinsfield
Sara Brinsfield
Sara Brinsfield
Sara Brinsfield
Sara Brinsfield
Sara Brinsfield


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GM Recalls the 2009 HUMMER H3T to Prevent the Fuel Tank from Falling Off

2009_hummer_h3t_fuel.jpg
GM is recalling 1,738 2009 HUMMER H3T models to fix an issue with the fuel tank.

The front support strap that holds the fuel tank in place could fracture, which would mean that the tank would only be supported by the rear strap and the stone shield. If left in this condition the rear strap and stone shield could also break causing the fuel tank could fall off the truck.

Dealers have been instructed to install a new-design fuel tank front support strap, free of charge.



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Subaru Impreza WRX STI Carbon Concept (2010)

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Carbon Concept 2010 Car Pics

[Source: Subaru]



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New Jersey Company Converts Waste Products Into Biodiesel, Says Designer Accessories Beginning To Jam Gears


New Jersey raw waste, courtesy of GuidoFistPump.com

Newark, NJ-based Innovation Fuels has made headlines recently for spearheading the green energy movement in New Jersey. Capitalizing on New Jersey’s status as the nation’s leading exporter of animal, kitchen, and hair grease, Innovation Fuels has developed a successful method for mass converting large amounts of the raw material into biodiesel. Watch the Ledger Live video footage below to learn more.

Making biodiesel


[Source: NJ Ledger Live]



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2009 Dodge Ram Lone Star Edition, Still Less Egregious Than The Ford F450 Harley Davidson

Recently, Dodge has unveiled the 2009 Dodge Ram Lone Star Edition, which they have announced will only be sold exclusively in Texas. A Ram Crew 1500 SLT at its base, the Ram Lone Star Edition features several interior “Texas specials” as well as unique Lone Star badging on the rear tailgate. Available with either a front- or four-wheel drivetrian, the Dodge Ram Lone Star comes mated with a 5.7L HEMI V8 that produces 390-hp and 407 lb-ft of torque and a .40 Cd drag coefficient. In addition, the Ram Lone Star also features a [relatively] reasonable EPA fuel estimate of 20 mpg - which combined with its powerful technical specs make it the ideal vehicle for fleeing the police in your beer-stained undershirt when you’re wanted for domestic assault [I jest of course, you'll probably be shirtless].

View gallery after the jump

[Photo Source: TheTorqueReport.com]



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Not in Detroit: Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept

Here's another one from the world of unlimited conceptual design: the Cadillac World Thorium Fuel concept. Otherwise known as the Cadillac WTF. Created by Loren Kulesus, everything about the WTF has been created to last 100 years without maintenance. That's the reason for the element number ninety, thorium: to act as a nuclear fuel powering batteries that would power the car.

Elsewhere, every major system is redundant in case of a failure. And the wheels don't have individual tires - in fact, what's located at each corner is one combined unit made up of six individual wheels. That gives you 24 wheels in total, and each wheel has its own induction motor. Said Kulesus, "The vehicle would require the tires to be adjusted every five years, but no material would need to be added or subtracted." Here's to the future. While you wait for it, have a look at the Cadillac WTC in the gallery of high-res photos below.


[Source: Coroflot via Autoblog.nl]

Not in Detroit: Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read |  |  | 


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V8-Powered Honda S2000 Again Proves GM LS Engines Can Fit Any Car [Engine Swap]

The Honda S2000 is a competent, taut little street fighter, but markedly lacking in torque. What does any self-respecting gearhead do when faced with such a situation? Go totally overboard while shaving weight!

Almost becoming an expected swap for just about any vehicle, both rear and front wheel drive, GM's LSx engine architecture is a strong stalwart in the ever-increasing engine power arms race. Over a decade old now, it still offers a terribly potent mixture in a tiny aluminum box.

With no other reason besides bowing to the Gods of Speed, we bring you this ideal combination-in-progress of precision driving equipment. Brought together in holy matrimony, you've got a lithe Japanese roadster revered many times over for its great balance and poise implanted with a healthy dose of red-blooded American V8 torque-nasty power. May the oversteer be with you, amen.

[S2KI]



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VW Asks Chrysler to Stop Producing the Slow Selling Routan for a Month

2009_vw_routan_sales.jpg
Well it looks like VW's attempt at a badge engineered Chrysler minivan is not going over so well. According to The Windsor Star, Chrysler workers are going to stop building the Volkswagen Routan, which is based on the Chrysler Town & Country.

VW has asked Chrysler Canada to stop producing the Routan due to inventory build up for the month of February. Currently Chrysler has been producing 300 Routans a day with about 29,000 already shipped to dealerships.

VW has only managed to sell a few thousand Routans.



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One-Off ASC McLaren Diamonback Viper Up For Grabs [For Sale]

Big Dodge Viper Fan? Have $295,000 burning a hole in your pocket? Always wanted to own one of the fastest, rarest Vipers ever made? Well we've got the car for you.

The ASC built McLaren Diamondback Viper is now up for grabs on DodgeVipersForSale.com. Originally built for the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, the Diamondback Viper was a one-off concept based on the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe that showcased lighter weight components and a McLaren tuned 8.0-liter V10 good for 615 horsepower. It was originally rumored that the Diamondback was the precursor to the 2008 model, but unfortunately it was shelved to live its life as a concept study only.

The Diamondback Viper featured custom carbon fiber body panels, a special stainless steel quad outlet exhaust, a custom carbon fiber racing stripe with "Mclaren Orange" and "Viper Blue" accents as well as a custom in-hood trumpeted air intake system with individual port throttles.

It's estimated that it cost ASC and Dodge $750,000 to build the one-off Diamondback Viper, but it can be yours for the much lower price of $295,000. This may seem expensive to you and me, but considering the collectability of concept cars, this is one's a steal.

Diamondback Viper Startup

Original ASC Press Release:

THIS IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE VIPER
ASC (American Specialty Cars) has a long history of developing vehicle prototypes with innovations designed to showcase the company’s expertise in vehicle design and performance materials. ASC showed its expertise at the 2006 North American International Auto Show by unveiling a supercar made even more super by the addition of a mostly carbon-fiber body. A ‘snake’ with an all-new skin, the ASC Viper Diamondback is super-light and super-fast. It’s fitting that ASC, which helped the Chrysler Group bring the new Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe to life, would, with the aid of McLaren Performance Technologies, show how the Viper coupe might be taken to an all-new level of ‘extreme’.

The 2006 615-horsepower Diamandback Viper features a carbon fiber roof, deck lid, rockers, fascia inserts and body trim. It also sports a massive OmniCarbon™ hood that shows off ten unique trumpeted air intakes, with individual port throttles peeking through. This is a McLaren Performance Technologies feature, reminiscent of McLaren Can-Am engines of the past.

The hood is comprised of compression-molded carbon fiber, both painted and woven. It’s displayed beautifully, with a broad, clearcoated racing stripe down the Arctic White painted expanse, subtly outlined by “Viper Blue” and “McLaren Orange” pinstripes. In all, ASC removed about 85 lbs. from the vehicle — the hood alone weighs about half of the standard production model. Taken together with the performance modifications by McLaren, the resulting power-to-weight ratio is estimated to yield an incredible 0-60 time — in just 3.5 seconds!

ASC MODIFICATIONS:

* Custom McLaren Performance Technologies engine tuning, resulting in 615 Horsepower

* Exterior racing-type kill switch

* Custom ASC OmniCarbon™ hood, with carbon-fiber roof, hatch, front chin spoiler, rear fascia, side rockers, deck spoiler, side venting gills and interior accents

* Custom in-hood tumpeted air intakes,
with individual port throttles

* 1.25" lowered suspension

* 4-point racing harness

* Custom stainless-steel, quad outlet exhaust

* Custom carbon-fiber racing stripe, with "McLaren Orange" and "Viper Blue" accents

* "Arctic Ice Pearl" paint

* Custom 3-piece forged and painted 19" aluminum wheels

[Dodge Vipers For Sale via Motor Authority]



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VW Confirms that the VW Polo is Headed to the US


Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby has confirmed that VW is going to sell the small Polo in the US.

VW feels that following last summer's record gas prices, US consumers are more open to smaller more fuel efficient vehicles. Eventually gas prices are going to rise again, which would increase demand for a vehicle like the Polo.

The Polo fits in between the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit in terms of size.

Volkswagen development chief Ulrich Hackenberg recently told the Automotive News that "The small-car segment is the fastest growing segment in the U.S. and that Oil prices will rise again and that will drive small car sales up further.”

It's not known when the Polo will go on sale in the US, but production could take place at Volkswagen’s Puebla, Mexico plant.



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Senate Approves Energy Bill, $7,500 Tax Credit For Chevy Volt Buyers

Yesterday, the United States Senate passed a new bill that will provide tax credits for plug-in electric vehicles, allowing GM to successfully achieve their goal of obtaining a $7,500 tax credit for Chevy Volt buyers. According to the new piece of legislation, tax credits for plug-in buyers will start at $2,500 and extend all the up to $7,500 for light-duty vehicle - with Volt buyers being eligible for the maximum allowance. Unlike the tax credits already established for alternative energy/gasoline electric vehicles which orders the credits be phased out for customers of a company once that company sells more than 60,000 qualifying vehicles, credits for plug-in electric buyers won’t be phased out until sales total 250,000.

Although no official comment has been made by the Senate on the matter, Toyota has voiced strong objections to previous editions of the bill. Without specifically naming the Chevy Volt, Toyota suggested that the legislation would unfairly benefit only the customers of one particular plug-in hybrid vehicle. The new bill may have rectified the situation, but Senate has refrained from speaking on the matter. [Source: AutoNews.com]



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Automotive Cockpit Concept Punishes Bad Driving With Hasselhoff Tunes [Design]

If the designers of the Automotive Cockpit have their way, the next time you cut off your fellow traveler or turn without signaling, you'll be punished by a serenade from none other than the Hoff.

With the relentless integration of personalized music into car stereo systems in an effort to insulate the entire natural world from our senses, interesting opportunities for feedback on driving styles emerge. Since the youth market is so tuned into music that is their own, it's conceivable that playing other music when they behave badly behind the wheel will act as a deterrent for future poor driving. This is the concept behind the Automotive Cockpit.

Besides swiping the single bottom spoke design from Citroen and using chipper colors and gee-whiz techno-ideas, the Automotive cockpit will play your music happily when you're being good. When you make a low level mistake it'll play tunes by the great crooner David Hasselhoff, if you make a high level mistake, it plays something called "hüttenschlager," which, we assume is some mercilessly bad German traditional music totally uncool with the kids these days.

Of course, if this were released in Germany, it would have the opposite effect, with kids breaking the rules to hear the Hoff rock out in symphonic surround sound. [Design Launches]



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