RideLust

Over the years technology has evolved and with that so have our beloved automobiles. Engineering, safety and efficiency have improved to levels never thought possible just 40 years ago. Even though the automobiles basic architecture has remained the same over the last 100 years, the gadgets both inside and out have grown by leaps and bounds. Standard features and options have increased thus bringing exciting new technology that has paved the way for a newer, smarter breed of automobile. What about the outdated technology though – what ever becomes of that? Look at the basic in-car stereo system for example. Twenty years ago things like CD players were big ticket items but now a basic player will run you next to nothing. Below is a listing of now defunct automotive options that when released, meant you were playing in the big leagues. Nowadays though they’re nothing more than a trip down memory lane.
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A big block Cobra. Not much needs changing here.

One of the perks of being an auto writer is that you get to drive a lot of new cars. Most are interesting in one way or another, and very few fall into either the “superior” or “epically bad” end of the spectrum. Jump into your own car after driving a new one, and you’ll be amazed at just how far technology has progressed in a few short years. The voice recognition in my wife’s 2006 Acura TSX is primitive, and saying “call home” is just as likely to dial a random number in the phone book as it is to actually call our home phone. My 2006 Mazda MX-5 doesn’t even have an audio in, which means no MP3 player in the car (in fact the audio system is so bad it usually stays off anyway). That said, I can’t help but think there’s some room for improvement in car design, and below are the top five things I’d like to see changed about new cars. Read More…

New cars have so many wonderful features don’t they. We’ve got everything from satellite navigation, to heated seats, to climate control systems that are more complex than the ones in our homes. Look at the list of standard features on today’s new cars and you’ll see that they are leaps and bounds above cars from just 10 years ago. Granted so are the prices, but in today’s world of dollars and cents, that shouldn’t surprise anyone. I would guess that in total I use about 80% of the features in my car, and or in the cars I’m testing. Things like the navigation system, power seats, stereo, climate controls and power windows get used all the time. But then there are things like that little pass-through compartment that goes from the trunk into the car, or the electric fold away mirrors… I never use those things. However if there is one sucker that I have never, EVER used, it’s the emergency latch in the trunk. Seriously, what am I smuggling in, illegals from across the border or something? In fact in the annals of automotive history, I bet that goes down as the single most unused item ever. I’m going to go on the assumption that most of you agree with me, but if you don’t, pipe up because I’d like to hear what you think.

I remember back in high school that if you had a car and wanted to make it look faster you’d simply slap on some white lettered tires and wallah – instant horsepower! White lettered tires back then were the equivalent of what big wings on imports are today. Sure they look good (well sometimes), but at the end of the day they end up doing less then nothing in terms of performance. I have to admit though that they do look good on certain vehicles. Muscle cars for example, with stock rally or steel wheels look great with the white lettered writing facing outward. Take this beauty of a Plymouth Road Runner for example… we’ve got stock 15-inch rally wheels and a great looking set of BF Goodrich Radial T/A’s. The entire combination just screams VINTAGE while enhancing the entire look of the car.
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In case you haven’t figured this out by now, I like to be prepared for any eventuality. My back up plans, in fact, have contingency plans, and I still don’t think that I’m prepared enough. As you’d probably guess, I have a checklist of things that I carry in each and every vehicle I own, either in the trunk, under the seats or in some other interior storage compartment. This tends to differ with the amount of storage space available to me, but I always carry some variation of the following items with me. I’ll use my FJ Cruiser as an example here, but you’ll find more of the same (in compact form) in my MX-5. Read More…

By this point it shouldn’t be a secret that my happy place is behind the wheel of a car traveling across the country. For me, it’s not only relaxing, but a way to blow off some steam, collect my thoughts and simply enjoy the beauty that is, the United States (except for maybe Kansas). I’ve crisscrossed this country so many times now that I’ve got it down to a science. In fact, not too toot my own horn or anything, but at this point I’m one hell of a long distance driver. One thing that being in the car for long periods of time does is give you the opportunity to try out some new gadgets. Granted some work better then others, but for the most part each one plays a part in making long distance runs enjoyable. Listed below are just a few things that will not only keep you out of trouble, but make you’re journey a little more fun.
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Recaro seats in the Cadillac CTS-V.

If you like Recaro seats in automobiles, I’ve got some good news for you: Autoblog is reporting that the automotive and specialty seating division of Recaro, specifically Keiper Recaro Group, has been sold to uber-conglomerate Johnson Controls. Even if you’ve never heard of Johnson Controls, chances are good you’ve done business with them in one way or another. The company makes everything from automotive seating through automotive batteries and interior headliners. The company also provides facility management to such big-league players as IBM and U.S. government facilities at Cape Canaveral.

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Jacobs Media Tech Survey American Car Features

Remember when a base model car, really was a base model car? In today’s car buying age even the cheapest cars sold have features that were considered options not too long ago. High ticket items like power windows, air conditioning and cruise control are now standard on all but the cheapest of the cheap. Automakers understand that in order to get consumers into showrooms that they must now pack their cars full of enticing standard options. For example, my first car was a 1980 Mercury Capri, and it came with such wonderful standard features as heat, roll-up windows, an AM radio and that was it. Pretty spartan by today’s standards, but then again I think the car sold for $4500 brand new.
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Us gear heads dream of Miuras wrapped in red bows, of split-window Vettes nestled under the Christmas tree. Sadly, we’ll have to make due with a gizmo that’ll turn our lifeless commuters into super cars, or a perfect scale model of that lusted-after ride. A RideLust Holiday Gift Guide is here!

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Let’s face it: there aren’t many of us who can write a check for $30 million, which is what a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic sold for last May. Designer Ralph Lauren already owns a Bugatti Atlantic, and he admires the car’s interior styling so much he’s created a watch influenced by it. The elm burl wood ring inside the watch face is based on the wood used in the car’s dashboard, while the matte black face and style of numbers matches the Atlantic’s instrumentation. The brushed steel case and exposed screws are influenced by the construction of the Bugatti, which emphasizes the style of hardware instead of just covering it up.

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