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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