Automobiles – Page 5 – The Kumachan

The H3 Tunnels on Oahu

Dave 2018-03-07

When driving the H3 across the island of Oahu will need to pass through the tunnels that go through the mountains. Here is the entrance to the tunnels on this elevated highway. The views are spectacular and the interesting thing is that the sun may be shining when you go into the tunnel and it may be raining on the other side so always be careful and slow down.

Southern California Style

Dave 2017-12-10

When it comes to Southern California there is a certain style about the cars most likely due to a large hispanic population. You can find anything from Chevy Imapala’s that are tricked out to cars like this Monte Carlo that has hydraulics and a pretty smooth paint job.

Border X Brewery Event

Dave 2017-11-07

Went to an event at the Border X Brewery in San Diego where there were cool cars, bikes, street artwork, and beauties. This event took place in a very predominant hispanic part of town in Barrio Logan. At this event I think I was the token white guy there. Here are some photos of the event.

Broken Belt on Vehicle

Dave 2017-10-25

I’ve had some real winners for vehicles throughout my lifetime, but I can’t say I ever had a belt break on a vehicle quite like this. After I heard a noise I looked under the hook just to find the source of the noise. Since I didn’t have the tools to fix the issue on hand I drove a couple of miles down the road with the belt like this. That definitely made me a bit nervous. I ended up making it there and getting the belt replaced, but it made for an exciting experience.

NGK Iridium Spark Plugs

Dave 2017-05-26

My vehicle was not performing great so I took my vehicle to the garage. They recommended that I replace the spark plugs. Here is what my spark plugs looked like after removing them from the vehicle.

When I went to buy new spark plugs I asked 5 or 6 places which they recommend and they all said the NGK Iridium spark plugs are the best. According to the box they claim to use less fuel, smoother idle, and have a longer life. Only time will tell how great they are, but immediately after installing them into my vehicle it does seem to idle smoother and there are no issues with starting the vehicle.

Bikes, Babes, and Beer…Oh My!

Dave 2016-09-07

Went to an event at Boarder X Brewery in San Diego, California that had bikes, models, and it was at a brewery so it had beer. Talk about an excellent combination. Here was one one the models that was posing in front of the vehicles.

West Coast Cars

Dave 2016-08-27

Went to an event tonight were there were some tricked out West Coast cars with hydraulics, low riders, and some motorcycles. It was my first time ever seeing anything like this so I tried to capture the cars in the best light. Here are some of my photos from the event.

100 Year Old Rolls Royce

Dave 2016-05-20

It was originally bought for $1,000 in 1912 (almost $93,000 in today’s money) but has now gone under the hammer for $4,705,500, making it the most expensive Rolls Royce ever sold at auction.

Unique: This 100-year-old Silver Ghost Rolls Royce has sold for a world-record price of $5 million after a furious bidding war at Bonham’s.

Through the roof: The lengthy auction saw two enthusiasts dueling for the pristine car as the bidding went up in increments of 100,000, smashing past the $2 million estimate.

In great nick: The six-cylinder, 7.3-litre car comes with perfect provenance and is still purring smoothly, doing about 15 miles to the gallon. What it lacks in gadgetry, the British-made classic more than compensates for with an extraordinary level of luxury that leaves its modern-day counterparts looking a little unsophisticated. Its gleaming interior fittings are made of silver and ivory, while the door panels are embroidered silk, with brocade tassels attached to silk window shades for privacy.

The passenger footrest hides a full picnic set for four, a China tea service, complete with an alcohol-fuelled burner and a kettle to heat the water, and a set of six decanters – three in sterling silver and three in leather-wrapped glass.

The sale took place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex on Friday. Auctioneers had expected it to sell for around $2 million and were astonished when the bidding between two rival collectors topped $4 million. James Knight, from Bonham’s auctioneers, said: “There were three bidders, then one of them dropped out at $2.3 million and we thought it would end there.”

Traveling in style: The design chosen by its original owner echoed the luxurious ‘ Pullman ‘ Railway carriages pioneered by American George Pullman.

Luxurious: The elegant passenger compartment (left) complete with 29 beveled glass windows and (right) the stylish steering wheel.
“But then another bidder entered and the bidders were dueling. It went up in increments of $50,000, and then $100,000, and then back down to $50,000. It went on and on and on and was the longest car sale I have ever witnessed.” It was pure theatre. Everyone was very respectful but when the price reached a milestone, like $3 million, there was an intake of breath. “The bidders were dueling and when the hammer came down there was spontaneous applause.” It was fitting because the car is celebrating her centenary.

The car was commissioned by Rolls Royce connoisseur John M. Stephens, who also bought the first Silver Ghost the luxury car-maker produced in 1906. The body was built by former royal carriage-maker Barker’s of Mayfair , which had previously built coaches for King George III and Queen Victoria.

Standing the test of time: The 7.3-litre, six-cylinder engine is still purring smoothly and is capable of doing around 15 miles to the gallon.

Mark of history: A plaque bearing the vehicle’s chassis number of 1907.

Touch of class: The original owner employed the services of the best coach-making company, Barker and Co. Ltd, to do the bodywork.

Classic designs: One of the car’s brake lights. The Rolls – Royce still had its headlights, carriage lights, rear lights and inflatable tires when it went up for sale. The car even had an early speedometer – an important addition given that a 20 mph speed limit was introduced in 1912.

Unlike most car enthusiasts of his time, Mr. Stephens, from Croydon, South London, asked the makers not to include a glass division window between the driver and the passengers as he wanted to drive it himself rather than rely on a chauffeur.

The car’s distinctive cream and green design echoed the luxury ˜Pullman Railway carriages of the time, and it was known as a Double Pullman Limousine. But it was nicknamed ˜the Corgi Silver Ghost in the 1960s after the toy-maker based its Silver Ghost toy car on this model.

Mr. Stephens’s car is believed to be the only one of its kind to survive with its full interior and bodywork, as many Rolls Royce from the era were converted into ambulances during the First World War.

Republican Truck

Dave 2016-05-09

I stopped by the Ford Dealership in Temecula yesterday, for a look at the new F-150 aluminum pickup. Just for fun, I took it out for a test drive. I wanted to sense that new truck “feel” before they become old.

The salesperson, a very nice looking black lady, wearing a “Hillary for President” lapel pin, sat in the passenger seat next to me, describing the truck and all its “wonderful” options. The seats were of particular interest.

She explained that the seats directed warm air to your butt in the winter and directed cool air to your butt in the summer heat.

I mentioned that this must be a Republican truck.

Looking a bit angry, she asked why I thought it was a Republican truck.

I explained that if it were a Hillary truck, the seats would just blow smoke up your ass year-round.

I had to walk back to the dealership. She obviously has no sense of humor.

Slices of Early History

Dave 2016-05-07

Here are some old photos that are wonderful slices of history. The descriptions are below each photo.

The rural kids in the 50’s rode bikes to school. You took whatever path was best for you. Bullet holes in the sign?

Camping out in 1918.

This was the 30’s, and this sharecropper’s son was working behind the plow, barefoot and all. You can bet there was a mule on the front of that plow.

This couple pose in an early version of American Gothic, with a groundhog killed on their Manchester farm…….It’s dinner! Note: Photo taken circa 1914, from a family photo album.

Standing over one of her many trophy mule deer, subsistence-and-sport huntress “Gusty” Wallihan appears every inch the frontier matron with her dressy bonnet, prairie-pattern cartridge belt, floral-embroidered gauntlets, hunting knife, and Remington-Hepburn rifle……1895

At least this one won’t be quite as dangerous as the old single wheeled models. Look in the trailer over the back wheel. “They have their baby in there!”

Ford Model T Street Light Maintenance Truck. This was the approved way to change the street lamps in 1910.

A single Paddy Wagon.

Here is an early motorhome, built in 1926.

Old school camper?

These are vintage treadmills in the 1920’s.

This is a 1920’s refrigerator. Only the elite could afford such a thing, and most still had the old ice boxes.

A hair dryer in the 1920 Salon. What a contraption!

Chester E. Macduffee next to his newly patented, 250 kilo diving suit, 1911.

A postcard from the 1800’s advertising a knife throwing act with the traveling circus.

A Strong-woman balances a piano and the pianist on her chest. 1920

London, in the 1920’s, this was a telephone engineer.

Two young girls in a West Germans street chat with their grandparents in the window of their home in the Eastern sector, separated only by a barbed wire barricade.It was a common occurrence for families, who had once only lived on the opposite side of the street from one another, to become separated by the ever growing Berlin Wall.

A Gibson Girl in her corset in the early 1900’s. Those poor women. This was one fad that really hurt a lot of women for life.

Lillian Russell. A plus size beauty in the late 1800s. She was around 200 lb at the peak of her career. She was considered “The American Beauty.”

Interesting Trucks

Dave 2016-01-12

Here are some old and interesting trucks of varying makes and models.

California Hippie Van

Dave 2015-08-22

A tell tale sign you’re in California. I was following behind this vehicle in traffic. This vehicle has hippie van written all over it. The guy who was driving it looked like he was a member of the Grateful Dead. If you can read the sticker on the back it says, “0-55 in 11 minutes.”

Speed Trap

Dave 2015-03-18

A motorist was unknowingly caught in an automated speed trap that measured his speed using radar and photographed his car. He later received in the mail a ticket for $40 and a photo of his car. Instead of payment, he sent the police department a photograph of $40. Several days later, he received a letter from the police that contained another picture, this time of handcuffs. He immediately mailed in his $40.

Japanese Car Window Art

Dave 2014-10-14

As I was stuck in traffic I was stuck behind this Toyota Voxy minivan and I thought it would be a nice photo to show some Japanese car window art. Here is that photo.

Things You Have Probably Never Seen

Dave 2014-07-14

Housing estate – Denmark

7,000 trees planted to form guitar on a farm in Argentina

India – As if one head wasn’t bad enough!

A Bugatti Veyron

Buttress tree roots – Costa Rica

Camouflaged mobile phone tower – U.S.A.

Carpet of flowers – Brussels, Belgium

Secondhand mobile phone market – China

Ship & tugboat – Corinth Canal, Greece

Statues bigger than you thought – Easter Island

El Penon de Guatape – 650 Ft stone – Colombia

Ferrari World – Abu Dhabi

Nature’s bridge – India

Golf course – Somewhere in Australia

Living on the edge

Magdeburg Water Bridge – Germany – 500 Million Euros, 6 Years to build, 918 Metres in length

Mandarin duck – China

Most beautiful horse in the world

Night Lights – Times Square, New York

Aerial view of Central Park, New York

Rooftop garden – New York

Niagara Falls – Canada

Supercell storm cloud – U.S.A.

Tibetan Mastiff Dog – Sold for 1.5 Million Dollars

Tosua Pool, Samoa

Window washers at Children’s Hospital – U.S.A.

Odakyu Train Line

Dave 2014-03-22

Japan is world renowned for public mass transit by moving millions of people every single day. The Japanese train lines are very good with being on schedule and clean. Here are some photos of the Odakyu Train line showing trains coming in both directions near Chuo-rinkan train station.

The Amazing WD-40

Dave 2014-01-05

I had a neighbor who bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason). I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do…probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open. Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I was impressed!

WD-40 (Water Displacement #40):
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953, by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a ‘Water Displacement’ Compound. They were finally successful for a formulation, with their fortieth attempt, thus WD-40. The ‘Convair Company’ bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.

When you read the ‘shower door’ part, try it. It’s the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as on glass. It’s a miracle!

Then try it on your stove-top. It will be shinier than it’s ever been. You’ll be amazed.

WD-40 Uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floor that ‘just-waxed’ sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps the flies off of Cows, Horses, and other Farm Critters, as well.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic / terracotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots. Works on plastic too.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on both home and vehicles doors.
18. Removes tar and scuff marks from the kitchen flooring. Don’t have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off.
19. Remove those nasty Bug guts that will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!
20. Gives a children’s playground gym slide a shine for a super-fast slide.
21. Lubricates gearshift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
22. Rids kids rocking chair and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes grease splatters from stove-tops.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida’s favorite use is: ‘cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.’
38. The favorite use in the state of New York, it protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. It is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray it on the marks and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Washed and dried a tube of lipstick with the laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash.
43. If you spray it inside a wet distributor cap, it will displace the moisture, allowing the engine to start.

…and the main basic ingredient in WD-40? Fish oil.

Sights Along the Drive From Tokyo to Nagano

Dave 2013-11-09

Took a drive in Japan from Tokyo to Nagano today and took some photos along the way. Some of the mountains that you can see are the Minami Alps. I got a couple shots of some cars. The views along the drive were very nice and so was the experience.

The New Italian Lamborghini Gallardo Police Car

Dave 2012-02-22

The new Italian Lamborghini Gallardo police car at its unveiling ceremony, one of two new high speed patrol cars in the Italian police force, needed to catch speeding drivers: