Bright Automotive is no more.

The Google backed hybrid delivery truck manufacturer is closing up shop very soon. After getting shot down by Department of Energy for a loan to produce its green delivery vehicles, Bright has decided that it cannot make it without the funds. Many say that the administration is skittish after the Solyndra debacle and is making potential companies jump through several hoops before ok’ing the funds. Bright has been trying to secure the loan for 4 years and despite the Dept. of energy never really saying they couldn’t have the money, Bright is crying uncle and calling it quits.

Source: Huffington Post

Are “barn finds” gone?

After so many years of people like you and me scouring the countryside fields, old barns and garages, you may tend to think that there are very few classic or collector cars left to find. Granted, the ultra rare cars that noone knew the whereabouts of, have been hunted down or tracked to their graves or restored, but that doesn’t mean there are no classics to be found out there. Here are some barn finds that were reported in 2011.

• 1955 Belair that had been sitting for over 20 years in northern MN. It had a built 283 and a 4 spd
• 1919 Model T that had not seen daylight since 1978. Very good shape.
• 1940 Ford drag car found in North Carolina.
• 1951 Fleetline 4 dr with no rust on the body
• 1966 Ford Fairlane GT Ragtop 390 FE
• 426 Hemi motor in the rafters of a barn.
• 1967 Cutlass convertible with 4 speed

Rest assured there will be plenty found in 2012 too, so keep those eyes open and don’t be afraid to ask. Good Luck!!

“You got a job to do…I got a job to do”

With all the tight spaces, traffic and bad drivers that bus drivers have to deal with every day, it probably makes sense that they may be a little on edge sometimes. Apparently this lady bus driver said, “I don’t care who or what you are, I’m gonna make my stop.”

 

Another Lambo Car B Que.

Here is another one that we can put under “what were they thinking?” At the Portland Auto Show people were excited that there was going to be a Lamborghini Gallardo on display owned by a private party. By fire code you cannot bring in a vehicle to the facility with more than a quarter tank of fuel. At check in they discovered the Gallardo was over the allowed limit. What to do, what to do? While me or you may think of siphoning some fuel out, or maybe going on a nice drive (after all, the car gets only 10 mpg)to burn the fuel off. Someone had the great idea of sitting and revving the snot out of it to burn some fuel. Soon that person got bored, so they went and found a board that they wedged between the gas pedal and the seat, pushing on the throttle. Somehow the engine stayed together, but eventually did overheat, causing the Lambo to catch fire. Sorry folks, no Gallardo this year!

Late snow = late snow feet

With so many parts of the country getting their snow so late this year, some of us are getting our snow feet a little later then normal. Here is a little reminder that, yes, snow is slippery and yes, you do have to watch your speed. Watch and learn.

Average age of light vehicles on the road increases to 10.8 years

An analysis from Polk Automotive research firm released today has said that the average age of “light ” vehicles, or basically cars, has increased to 10.8 years for 2011. Polk says they expect a rebound in new car sales over the next few months that will most likely slow the increased rate that the nations fleet is aging.

Want to be one of the first Scion FR-S owners?

Scion has announced at the Detroit Auto Show that if you would like to be one of the first 86 owners of the new Scion FR-S, you can head over to www.scionfirst86.com on Jan. 12th and sign up for a drawing in which 86 lucky people will get first delivery of the new rear drive sports coupe. Scion has said that there will also be some special gifts that come with the car for these first 86 orders.