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Plug In, Plump Up
By Laura Meldrum | Published Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009
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The roofs over eight parking spaces at the McDonald’s restaurant on Garnet Avenue are covering soon-to-be-operational ChargePoint stations from Coulomb Technologies, Inc. (coulombtech.com). The charging stations will be open to all drivers of plug-in vehicles.
McDonald’s installed the first charging stations in July at a restaurant in Cary, North Carolina. A Coulomb Technologies press release issued at the time stated, “McDonald's will deliver yet another new facet of energy conservation by enabling EV drivers to have a place to recharge their vehicles while enjoying their meal.”
Have we gone insane?
By PistolPete 12:50 p.m., Oct 8, 2009 > Report it
Pete
???????????????
Isane because some people drive electric or insane because ronnie mcd wants to bribe people to eat there by offering a free charge?
Please elaborate.
On another note, we just got back from a trip so I haven't had the opportunity to inquire as to your opinion of MNF game this week. I know you are a Packer fan, but that not withstanding, what was your reaction to Favre's performance? Just curious.
By gardenparty 3:23 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
To answer the first issue,I personally have no problem with electric cars. If people want to look like douchebags,that's their business. I think McDonald's is nuts to look like the good guys with the crap they serve. Yes,I do eat that crap as well.
To answer the Favre question,I thought he did a good but not great job. It was half Favre,half defensive line that won that game. The Packers O-line looked like the Chargeless O-line Monday night. Swiss cheese! I knew that the 'queens were winning that game Monday. It's why I picked them. I'm no homer. I pick for pride. So far out of 6 other MySpace friends that pick with me,I'm in the lead with 43-19. Rodgers looked decent considering his O-line. That game didn't mean s*** in the grand scheme of things. It'll be the November 1st game at Lambeau Field that'll matter. I'm picking the Pack to win that game. When a scrub team like the Bears has one more win than the Packers this far in the season,it worries me. Overall,I'm not hitting the panic button just yet. I have to give the 'queens the credit they deserve though. I'm not like Chargeless fans. I give respect to my enemy.
By PistolPete 3:46 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
When GM had their EV electric car testing in 1994, they had a few of the cars here in San Diego, and I will never forget the first, last and only time I saw one on the road, it pulled up next to me at the light and there was not a single sound to it.
You heard NOTHING, and when the light turned green it took off and the same-no noise at all.
I thought that was so cool.
By SurfPuppy619 3:58 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
Seems boring to me. My dick still gets hard when I hear a Hurst shifter or a 454 floored. I'm a glass packs kind of greaser. Cars have become so mundane. Take the Nissan Cube for example. UUUUUUUUUGLY! The Edsel was a better lookin' car than more than 75% of the brand new roller skates and moles on the road. Cars are a source of pride to me. Take the new Camaro for example. So much better lookin' than a Charger or Challenger. Who's bright idea was it to turn the Charger into the family truckster anyway? I'm so pissed at environmentalists right now it ain't funny.
By PistolPete 4:03 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
"I personally have no problem with electric cars. If people want to look like douchebags,that's their business."
Why do people who drive electric cars look like douche bags? Is it the way they look, or do you mean the cars they drive.
And yes, 2 of our vehicles are electric, but I'm fairly confident they are nothing like you normally associate with electric vehicles. Nothing meant pejoratively here, just curious.
By gardenparty 4:22 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
C'mon man. People who buy electric cars are the very same people who bought pet rocks in the 70's. Want to do something good for the environment and feel good? Don't breed. There's enough humans on the planet already. Electric cars are a status symbol/fad. That's all. At the rate the United States moves,electric cars will be popular in.....oh.....say.....2674. Not to mention,what's the point of having an electric car that can't get to Las Vegas(or anyplace that far)? The Smart cars are the same thing. Sure,they get 44 mpg but will that matter when you hit a semi head on? Let's bring back that menacing 20 mpg Detroit steel and show the country how it's done. I'm almost glad I don't drive anymore. I feel less like a moron ridin' the bus than I would drivin' a car that looks like a cardboard box on wheels or a rat.
By PistolPete 4:32 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
I never bought a pet rock, and I can't wait to buy an electric car. Think how bitchin' music would sound in one of those.
By russl 4:47 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
LMAO!!!!!!! You'd go 3 miles before you ran out of juice! I'm not a big oil guy either. I just feel that the Japanese destroyed this country when they brought over the Corrola and pieces of crap like that. The Europeons weren't any better with their Saabs. Look at the cars from 1950 to 1974or5 and compare those with anything that came out the year I was born. Like night and day. Who approved this crap? The goddamn yuppies! Somewhere,there needs to be someone in a garage building Noah's f***in' Ark out of metal that get decent gas mileage. IT CAN BE DONE PEOPLE!!!! Electricity is for your toaster,NOT your car!
By PistolPete 4:54 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
Pete, I think you might like one of our cars, at least a little bit anyway. It's a 1969 Camaro Z/28 RS. Well, a clone of one actually. I picked up a 69 Camaro that was in good shape and spent about 2 yrs reworking it as a Z/28 RS....except for the motor. There's a guy in LA who has been doing conversions for a while, so once everything else was done, I took it to him. I guarantee that just looking at it, you can't tell. No rumble like a rat motor, but alot quicker. The other conversion is nothing special, just a 2001 Four Runner.
But If you like rumble, you'd love my baby. A 1970 Chevelle SS 454. The LS6 was not #'s matching and was kind of tired so I changed it out. My uncle somehow got ahold of a 40th anniversary ZL1 and for some reason decided not to use it. We drove up to his ranch in Montana, wrote him a REALLY big check and brought it home. 530 HP out of the crate ( a few mods now), thru a rock crusher into a 4.10 12 bolt posi. Remember the line from Stones Start Me Up...that's what my baby does.
By gardenparty 4:56 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
With the exception of the z/28 and the 4 Runner,NICE! To me,as the son of an old school mechanic,there's something sacrosanct about old muscle cars. The louder they are,the better they are. I understand the whole electric car thing from an economic POY though. It DOES make sense in that regard.
By PistolPete 5:04 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
When I think electric,I think of hybrid. There's just something about the Yaris and Prius that strike me as wrong.
When I think muscle,I think of these...
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/html/memb...
and these
http://www.oldride.com/classic_cars/chev...
By PistolPete 5:11 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
My last vehicle was a 2002 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab Stepside 4x4. Had the exact same engine as my father's 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. 4.0L and balls to the wall. The front of it sat about 4 inches lower than the back.
By PistolPete 5:15 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
I got my license on my 16th birthday in 1978. About 6 months later, I bought my first car, a 1967 Chevelle SS 396. 30 years later and, except for a month or 2 here and there, I have always owned a muscle car, it's always been a Chevy and it's always been a rat. My dad, granthfather and uncle helped my rebuild my motor when I first bought the 67 SS,so I know exactly how you feel.
As for the economics, well that really didn't have much to do with it. Even at $4.00 a gallon, we would have to drive about 400k miles to break even. In other words, it's expensive.It's just something we wanted to do and since we have the means, we did. Where we live, we have access to SCE for power, but we generate about 120% of our power needs from solar arrays and a couple of delta 2 vertical axis wind turbines.
Even the Chevy wasn't cheap. IF you could ge one, Chevy sold the ZL1 for about 25k. My uncle knew somebody who knew somebody who knew somebody; you get the idea. He sold it to us for what he paid and all I will say is it wasn't anywhere near Chevy's price. But worth ever damn penny. Im not a deadman, so you can imagine what it does to me. And even my girlfriend loves it.
By gardenparty 5:37 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
surfpuppy, so you must have seen the movie Who Killed the Electric Car?. Yor opinion??
We knew someone at the time who was featured in the movie and got to hear all about the cars. They were pretty cool.
By gardenparty 5:47 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
Very cool gardenparty. If I insulted you,I apologize. I see the world drowning in apathy. The cars just prove I'm right. ZZZZZZZZZZZ Boring. Staid. Apathetic. Downright deplorable in some cases. Cars used to be a thing of pride. Nowdays it's"Whatever. It's good on gas."
http://autos.aol.com/article/rachel-veit...
This woman is AWESOME!
By PistolPete 5:48 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
I remember that movie when it first came out. Haven't watched it yet. Hate to say it gardenparty but you're losing a very steep uphill battle.
By PistolPete 5:55 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
"There's just something about the Yaris and Prius that strike me as wrong."
Have you ever ridden in or driven a Prius, Pete? It is pretty fun. There are all kinds of features to make you a better driver, and it's pretty roomy for a regular-sized sedan.
By SDaniels 7:01 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
It's a 1969 Camaro Z/28 RS. Well, a clone of one actually. I picked up a 69 Camaro that was in good shape and spent about 2 yrs reworking it as a Z/28 RS....except for the motor.
==========================
The 69 Z28 was by far the best styled camero, IMO. The 302 was a very fast and high output motor.
I am more partial to the 65-68 Shelby Mustangs (GT 350) and the 69-73 Pointiac Trans Am's because of the much better handling packages that came with them (all TA's had high performance handling packages, but the early years are the best).
I have only seen parts of documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car" and I can tell from what little I saw that it was business as usuall for Detroit/GM, always doing the exact opposite of what they should have been doing-the most mismanaged companies of the last 30 years are the Big 3 automakers.
If GM had continuyed on the R&D with their electric car they may not have needed to file BK.
By SurfPuppy619 7:05 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
garden, if I understand you right, that you turned a 69 Camaro electric, I'm envious. I didn't even know that was possible. Sounds bitchin'.
Have you seen the new Tesla coupe that's coming out? It's sweet!
http://www.teslamotors.com/models/index....
By rickeysays 8:57 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
SD-I have riden in both the Yaris and Prius. I'll admit that although they are kind of cramped,they were nice on the inside. Granted,you don't drive/ride on the outside,to me,the beauty of the car is what other people see. When a new foriegn(and alot more domestic lately)car rolls by,my first thought is"Jesus Christ is that ugly!" Tesla's got the right idea. Environmentally friendly-contrary to popular belief,I'm not anti-environment-looks fun to drive and sharp as a tack.
By PistolPete 9:47 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
Pete, no need for apologies, man. I didn't feel insulted in any way. But honestly, even had you tried to insult me, you couldn't. This is just a comments section on a blog so I don't take anything I don't like personally. Your posts may not always be done with the most elegant of voice, no offense intended, but you clearly always speak your mind and say what you really think and whether I agree with what you say or not,I can respect that. I don't comment all that much, compared to some people, but when I do there is alot a diversity in the respones from people like you,daniels, ag, gringo and yes even the surfpup. And sometimes, it's more fun just to sit back and observe, kind of like a disfunctional family holiday, no offense to anyone I mentioned.
By gardenparty 10:09 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
"... kind of like a disfunctional family holiday, no offense to anyone I mentioned."
Hahahahaha! None taken on my part, gardenparty :)
By SDaniels 10:31 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
LMAO! Great way of puttin' it in real terms. ;-D
By PistolPete 10:31 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
"I never bought a pet rock, and I can't wait to buy an electric car. Think how bitchin' music would sound in one of those."
It DOES, russl--so quiet! Way better than with a pet rock :)
By SDaniels 10:32 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
garden, if I understand you right, that you turned a 69 Camaro electric, I'm envious. I didn't even know that was possible. Sounds bitchin'.
Have you seen the new Tesla coupe that's coming out? It's sweet!
http://www.teslamotors.com/models/index....
By rickeysays
========================
I think rickey is being sarcastic again.
Telsa, which is selling more cars than GM is today, is what GM could have been 10 years ago.
By SurfPuppy619 10:37 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
surfpup, I agree about the 302. It was built to compettion in the 305ci class in ssca trans am racing and designated for the Z28. Amazing to think you could get 450hp out of such a small engine. Gotta disagree with you on the handling aspect though, as far as the Camaro is concerned. Mark Donahue dominated in the ssca in 68 and 69 driving a Camaro. Ironically, the trans am was named after the series, but t/as have only won 7 races. You couldn't order a copo version of the ssca camaro, but if you knew someone at a dealer ship you could get a 69 camaro with a ZL1 and then order a bunch of suspension parts that Chey supplied to it's factory teams. Just my personal feeling, but then again Im a Chevy guy.
Btw my favorite mustang is the 1969 Boss 429. A friend of mine in college had one It was cool lookin and it was scary fast.
By gardenparty 10:40 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
rickey, it is ridiculously easy to convert a vehicle of that era. You can buy a kit and do it yourself, but I would not recommend it and it's expensive...25k+
By gardenparty 10:58 p.m., Oct 9, 2009 > Report it
I saw the singer of the Chili Peppers do that to an old muscle car on some reality show. It was cool. He also has his house done up with all these solar panels, and he actually sells energy back to the state.
Geez, all this car talk is making me tingly in my naughty parts.
My girlfriends favorite car is the Chevelle, so if anyone wants to sell me one. I'd like to surprise her for Christmas.
I think they're okay. I wouldn't kick one out of bed...err, the garage. But, I much prefer the Chargers, Camaro, Mustang, GTO, and so many other muscle cars before I get down to the Chevelle.
Of course, when I bought my dream car, I had to disappoint my dad and not go American. Sorry, I just love the XKE so much. A friend asked "Why'd you go buy a James Bond car?" I did that pretentious laugh people do when they know more than another on a subject, as I uttered "That's an Aston-Martin, you doofus."
By JoshBoard 1:15 a.m., Oct 10, 2009 > Report it
Surf you do me an injustice. I was completely sincere. To make it up to me you can buy me one of those Teslas for Christmas.
By rickeysays 12:08 a.m., Oct 11, 2009 > Report it
The Telsa is actually a fairly affordable car for the bang for your buck. They do have a waiting list for them.....soemthing no other American car maker can claim.
By SurfPuppy619 9:02 a.m., Oct 11, 2009 > Report it
Josh, Anthony Keidis had his done by the same guy who did mine. It wasn't really a muscle version of a Camaro, but it was a 69 convertible. I had mine done about 3 yrs ago. The episode his was done in aired last year, but I don't have any idea when it was actually done. It wasn't a reality show per say. It was a segment on a show called "The G Word" on one og the Discovery channels named Planet Green.
By gardenparty 12:19 p.m., Oct 11, 2009 > Report it
Gardenparty<i just found this while flipping through the news. Thought you might get a kick out of it. Guess I'm wrong about the old tanks... http://autos.aol.com/article/crash-1959-...
By PistolPete 11:26 p.m., Oct 18, 2009 > Report it
Gardenparty<i just found this while flipping through the news. Thought you might get a kick out of it. Guess I'm wrong about the old tanks.
By PistolPete
http://autos.aol.com/article/crash-1959-...
===========================
That was amazing.
I am shocked the newer car held up twice as good as the 59 Bel Air did. Never would have thought that would turn out the way it did.
By SurfPuppy619 11:59 a.m., Oct 19, 2009 > Report it
Neither did I.
By PistolPete 12:16 p.m., Oct 19, 2009 > Report it
Pete,
I actually saw this a couple weeks ago. It's interesting that I happened to see your post this morning. We came down to our daughter's place yesterday because we're going to the Angel's games this week and she is the one who sent it to me. After I got the new engine in the Chevelle, we drove it down on a couple of visits this summer. That video was her way of reminding me about how unsafe an "old " car is. She conveniently forgets that as a kid she loved to ride in it and that when she turned 17, we offered to let her take the money out of her trust so she could have a car her senior year and she said she would really rather drive my hot rod to school... the very same car.
Anyway a couple things about that video.
First, if you didn't realize it, that the IIHS is fuly funded by the insurance companies and I'm sure both you and surfpup would agree that they never do anything unless it furthers their agenda.
Secondly, I'm sure it's no accident they chose this car. MOst people who saw that video are probably not aware that car is constructed differently than most cars of that era. From 1958 thru 1964 or 65, a different frame was used on that class. The standard frame is what I refer to as a ladder frame. It has 2 parallel frame rails connected by perpendicular cross-members at various point. Those years of vehicles used an x frame. It basically looked like an elongated x. It had a center section with a tube for the drive shaft and a sort of wishbone shaped section extended from each end. best pic I could find:
http://image.superchevy.com/f/10374397/s...
This frame was a piece of krap which is why it got dumped after 5 years, I guess. When you put that design through an offset crash there is little structure besides the body panels to absorb the collision energy. It's no wonder that car crumpled up like it was made of newspaper. The design was considered somewhat unsafe even in its day and I once read that the original federal side impact regulations were created because of that design’s (accurately) perceived weakness.
Just goes to show, things aren't always what they seem.
By gardenparty 11:03 a.m., Oct 20, 2009 > Report it
I totally agree. I too noticed that it was a video by the IIHS and again,you're correct-the insurance companies hidden agenda had ALOT to do with choosing that car. I do think that the old"Detroit steel" is nearly equal to todays cars. I say this because the tanks from yesteryear were just that-tanks. The only advantage todays cars have over the old tanks is the engineered crumple zones and the ability to absorb more kinetic energy. It's almost as if it's an equalizer for todays smaller cars.
It's a double-edged sword for a lover of classics like myself. Cars of today are smaller and uglier but a bit more safer.
By PistolPete 11:32 a.m., Oct 20, 2009 > Report it
Anyway a couple things about that video.
First, if you didn't realize it, that the IIHS is fuly funded by the insurance companies and I'm sure both you and surfpup would agree that they never do anything unless it furthers their agenda.
Secondly, I'm sure it's no accident they chose this car. MOst people who saw that video are probably not aware that car is constructed differently than most cars of that era. From 1958 thru 1964 or 65, a different frame was used on that class. The standard frame is what I refer to as a ladder frame. It has 2 parallel frame rails connected by perpendicular cross-members at various point. Those years of vehicles used an x frame. It basically looked like an elongated x. It had a center section with a tube for the drive shaft and a sort of wishbone shaped section extended from each end. best pic I could find:
===================
I didn't notice who paid for the video!
And yes, that explanation certainly clears the air.
By SurfPuppy619 6:40 p.m., Oct 20, 2009 > Report it