Technically, it is a 1966 Shelby GT350 Fastback with an original stoplight red paint job and a high-performance motor designed by the father of the American muscle car movement.

But in reality, this car is much more: It’s the type of machine that car buffs thought existed only in bar-room babbling or in the grimy gossip of a gearhead garage.

“This is why car guys are forever chasing cars,” said Richard Sevenoaks, owner of Tulsa-based Leake Auction Co., which specializes in selling classic autos.

“If some guy says he has a Corvette out in the field, you have to go look at it. You are always looking for the Holy Grail, but for most guys it never pans out.”

Maybe fields aren’t the place to look. How about the garage of a Lawrence apartment complex? One off Four Wheel Drive, no less.

Read the rest of the story here.

If you think going 40 on a road is slow take a look at these original traffic safety rules! The Red Flag Act was the popular name for the Locomotive Act of 1865, in the UK which put severe restrictions on the steam carriages then being developed.

They were limited to 4 mph (6.4kph) in the country and 2 mph in towns, and they had to be preceded by someone on foot, at least 60 yards (55m) ahead, carrying a red flag.  See etching to the right.

Gotta love this junk car!  Anyone want to arrive at the prom in this baby?

Personally I didn’t know Mexico built cars but Mexico’s ambassador in London has written a nasty letter to BBC bosses complaining about “offensive and xenophobic” comments made by hosts of the popular TV motoring show “Top Gear.”

Ambassador Eduardo Medina Mora was infuriated by “insults“ made by presenters Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May during Sunday’s episode of the cult show, which has been sold to television channels around the world.

“Why would you want a Mexican car? Because cars reflect national characteristics don’t they?,” said Hammond as they discussed the Mexican sports car, the Mastretta.

“Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat.”

The three then described Mexican food as “refried sick“ before suggesting Mexicans spent all day asleep.

“That’s why we won’t get any complaints about this because at the Mexican embassy the ambassador’s going to be sitting there with a remote control like this,” said Clarkson, pretending to slump in a chair, snoring.

However, the ambassador did complain, demanding the BBC order the presenters to make a public apology.

“The presenters of the programme resorted to outrageous, vulgar and inexcusable insults to stir bigoted feelings against the Mexican people, their culture as well as their official representative in the united Kingdom,” he wrote.

“These offensive, xenophobic and humiliating remarks serve only to reinforce negative stereotypes and perpetuate prejudice against Mexico and its people.”

There was no immediate comment from the BBC about the complaint.

Top Gear is well-known for its edgy banter and its hosts are no strangers to controversy. Hundreds of viewers complained in 2008 about a joke made by Clarkson about murdering prostitutes.

The programme was also rapped by the BBC’s independent watchdog for showing the presenters drinking while driving a car in the Arctic.

“Although casual banter is an essential component of the programme’s appeal, humour never justifies xenophobia,” Medina wrote. “It is not a matter of taste but of basic principles.”

Ummm, looks like just a tad more than a ding!

If you lock your doors like this then it is time to get a free junk car pickup from MrCarJunk.com!

More good news from the auto manufacturing industry as General Motors, in another sign of its progress since a government-led bankruptcy, said Thursday it is withdrawing its application for $14.4 billion in federal loans it had sought to help build more fuel-efficient cars.

GM, which has posted three straight profitable financial quarters since its 2009 bankruptcy, said it no longer needed the loans because the company’s cash position has improved. GM applied for the loans in 2009 to modernize plants to build fuel-efficient vehicles.

“This decision is based on our confidence in GM’s overall progress and strong, global business performance,” said Chris Liddell, GM vice chairman and chief financial officer. Liddell said withdrawing the application was “consistent with our goal to carry minimal debt on our balance sheet.”

The $25 billion low-interest loan program is administered by the Energy Department. It was created by a 2007 law to help car companies retool older factories to build green cars.

Getting Ready to Boost Chevy Volt Production

Separately, GM said it would explore ways to increase production of the Chevrolet Volt rechargeable electric car. GM’s vice president of global design Ed Welburn said at the Washington Auto Show that GM would also accelerate its distribution of the Volt, making it available to dealers in 50 states by the end of the year.

GM sought bankruptcy protection in 2009 and accepted nearly $50 billion in government help. The new GM had an initial public offering of stock in November.

Several automakers and auto suppliers have applied for loans from the federal energy program. It is nice to see GM bounce back like this but I still am not  happy with my Grand Caravan.

New beach wear from your local mall, $65

A beach picnic consisting of Crackers, Cheese and two bottles of wine, $45

A night of cuddling drunk with that special someone, priceless.

Falling asleep in your SUV on the beach, COSTLY!

Although I can certainly understand the challenge auto makers will face in selling green cars I do feel over the next 5 years consumers will start to change their attitude towards these eco-friendly cars.  As the new green cars look nicer and have more luxuries I think people will come around.   We will also need to likely see governments getting involved in the short-term to help make these cars more affordable through rebates and other promotions.

Technology and services company Bosch’s survey entitled, ‘Driving Green Britain’ discovered only five per cent of motorists planning to buy a new car would consider green credentials.

When asked to rank what was the main influence behind their purchase decision, 63 per cent of motorists surveyed said that price was the most important factor, closely followed by 56 per cent who said vehicle size was also influential. Motorists ranked design, style, brand and safety ahead of a car’s environmental impact, saying that green vehicles are just too expensive.

read the full story here.

I think it is silly for the town of San Marcos to make them take away this really cool looking cactus planter but I also think it is a really big waste of time and money to try and take this to the Supreme Court.  Maybe a local petition would have been a better idea?

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday said it won’t review lower court rulings that upheld the banning of the Oldsmobile 88 — which in 2007 was converted into an artsy planter — as a violation of San Marcos’ junk car ordinance.

Since April, the car-planter, which features cacti growing in the dirt-filled, roofless passenger compartment, has been displayed at an Austin branch of the novelty store that has 11 Texas outlets.

Store owner Mike Kleinman and the two artists who painted the car — with images including Old Main at Texas State University and Ralph the Swimming Pig of Aquarena Springs fame — cast the dispute as an unconstitutional bid by the city to stifle artistic expression.

City officials say the code, which bans junked vehicles that are visible from public places, is designed to prevent blight and nuisances, and protect public health and safety.

Even before the high court’s decision, store workers had sought modifications to the city code to make allowances for inoperable vehicles used as advertising or art.

If city leaders aren’t amenable to changing the code, San Marcos Planet K Manager Joe Ptak said petitions will be circulated to put the amendments before voters as a referendum.  Like I said, I would like to see petitions before wasting Court resources.  Maybe they should have gotten a replica  made and used that?