Smiths’ car will be studied at NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center in East Liberty, OH

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Friday that it has purchased the Toyota-made Lexus ES350 formerly owned by Rhonda and Eddie Smith. The Smiths testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee this week about an unintended acceleration event that Rhonda Smith reported she experienced while driving the car in 2006.

The car was sold with 3,000 miles on it several years ago, and NHTSA has now acquired it with approximately 30,000 miles on the odometer. The Smiths’ former car is being taken to NHTSA’s Vehicle Research & Test Center (VRTC) in East Liberty, OH, where it will be thoroughly studied. (more…)

After early forays into building single-seater for Formula Junior and Formula 2, Alejandro de Tomaso joined the ranks of Italian sports car builders back in 1963. The first offering was the mid-engined Vallelunga which used a backbone chassis to which was bolted a 1600 cc Ford Cortina engine; this took all the rear suspension loads via arms on the transaxle bell housing. The theme was extended at the 1965 Turin Show with a sports racing car using a bigger backbone which carried a 271 bhp Ford Mustang engine; never raced, this formed the basis of the Mangusta using body styling by Giugiaro while he was working at Ghia.

Production started in 1967, the year that de Tomaso acquired Ghia – Ghia built the bodies in Turin and de Tomaso fitted the power train in Modena. The same year saw Ghia in production with the Giugiaro designed Maserati Ghibli. Meanwhile, Ford of America, having tried to buy Ferrari in the early ‘sixties, were still on the look-out for an Italian supercar to add to the Lincoln range.

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today unveiled sample legislation to be used as a starting point for states crafting new laws to prohibit texting while behind-the-wheel, the latest step in the campaign against distracted driving.

The sample state law, prepared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a cross-section of safety and industry organizations, would authorize law enforcement officers to stop a vehicle and issue a citation to drivers who are texting while driving.

“Texting while driving, like talking on cell phones while driving, is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening practice,” said Secretary LaHood. “This language, which we created with a variety of safety organizations, is another powerful tool in our arsenal to help the states combat this serious threat.” (more…)

One of California’s largest car shows starts today in Sacramento California. Once again the Sacramento Autorama (the 2nd longest running indoor car show) looks like it’s going to be a great show! Last year the show attracted hundreds of the finest classic, vintage and modified cars in the US.

Check out our Car Show calendar for more shows

These shows have more than just great cars, last years show also included guest appearances by stars like “Debbie Dunning”, Candy Clark, and “Jo Young”, Bo Hopkins, from “American Graffiti”, Super Model Sandra Taylor, and Catherine Bach as Daisy Duke. (more…)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced that it is using its statutory authority to obtain documents from Toyota to determine if the automaker conducted three of its recent recalls in a timely manner. Federal law requires all auto manufacturers to notify NHTSA within five days of determining that a safety defect exists and promptly conduct a recall.

“Safety recalls are very serious matters and automakers are required to quickly report defects,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The auto safety agency is requiring Toyota to provide documents showing when and how it learned of the defects affecting approximately 6 million vehicles in the U.S. alone. (more…)

The Viper sets out to be an anachronism. It is modern technology applied to an old fashioned concept of enjoyable open motoring; raw fun on four wheels. There are other cars with some of the same retro appeal, like the TVR Griffith, but the Viper has more in common with a 1965 Shelby Cobra than with Blackpool’s best. What sets it apart from this decade is the big, lazy engine, an 8 liter V-10 and the studied lack of creature comforts; you didn’t expect a quiet ride in a Cobra, or a snug fitting roof, but you did expect raucous high performance in any gear, just like the Viper. Against the Cobra it is 7 inches wider and 5 inches lower, a Cobra with a modern stance.

The common denominator is indeed Carroll Shelby, Shelby who put Ford V-8s into AC’s very British sports car and won a World Championship, the same Shelby who then worked over Chrysler saloons to transform their performance. And Shelby has been in the background of the Viper development. But the concept was Chrysler’s spurred on by President Bob Lutz, and arch enthusiast for the sheer fun of driving anything that challenges the driver.

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Safety is our number one priority at the Department of Transportation. We’re going to continue to hold Toyota accountable and continue to investigate every possible cause of these safety defects, to make sure there are no other problems. We’ll make sure Toyota is doing all it has promised to make its vehicles safe.
Toyota consumers should check the list of recalled vehicles below and be sure to pay close attention to their vehicles. If you are experiencing any problems with your Toyota vehicle, park your vehicle in a safe place and immediately call your Toyota dealer or Toyota’s North American headquarters at 1-800-331-4331.

CONSUMERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING ISSUES WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation learned today of a third Toyota recall involving 2010 Prius hybrids and Lexus HS 250h vehicles experiencing brake system problems. Some 2010 Camrys prone to brake fluid leaks have also been recalled.

“Last Thursday, NHTSA opened a formal investigation of 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles in response to consumer complaints about braking difficulties, and today, Toyota has acknowledged a safety defect,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “When I spoke with Toyota President Akio Toyoda last week, he assured me that his company takes U.S. safety concerns very seriously. The U.S. DOT will remain in constant communication with Toyota to hold them to that promise. In the meantime, if you are concerned about your car’s braking performance, contact your Toyota dealer.”

The DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced last week that the agency is opening a formal investigation of the 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid (more…)

A hybrid vehicle is that type of vehicle that uses two or more different types of power sources to move or drive it. In most cases people refer to them as the hybrid electric vehicles or the HEVs which are actually a combination of internal combustion engine and one or even more electric motors.

The powers sources for hybrid vehicles include use of onboard or out board rechargeable energy storage system that is abbreviated as RESS. The vehicle also uses gasoline or diesel fuel as well as hydrogen, compressed air, wind, electricity, wind and liquid nitrogen. The hybrid vehicles use as many sources of energy and power as possible.

The engine types also vary with the types of hybrid electric- petroleum vehicles. These are internal combustion engines using gasoline or diesel engines that re powered by variety of fuels and electric batteries to power motors. Hybrid vehicles are grouped into these classes that include the parallel, mild and power split hybrid series hybrid and so on.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in cooperation with Transport Canada and Dorel Juvenile Group announced a recall involving certain Maxi-Cosi Mico infant child restraint systems manufactured by Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG).

Dorel is recalling 22,850 of the restraint systems because of attachment difficulties between the infant carrier and the base. If the carrier is improperly mounted to the base, the child could be injured in the event of a crash.

The affected child restraints produced from February 18, 2008, through June 28, 2008, are models 22-371 HFL, JUC, LMD, PNG, and ORE; 22-372 TTH; and Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Child Restraint System – Base Only, model 22-515 BLK. The model number and the manufacture date are located on a label on the side of the car seat/carrier.
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