Lots of WINDING ROAD readers were excited to hear the news that BMW is looking at recreating the utterly unique Isetta. Though a modern take on the classic bubble car is fascinating, some of us are still interested in the original thing.
Found today on eBay Motors, is not only a super clean example of a 1957 Isetta, it also happens to have the rare “Z-mold trim.” The car is in beautiful running condition, with only 18,538 miles on the clock, and better off for having had one owner over the last 30 years.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch a gallery of Isetta images or through the jump to read more.)
This may seem like a no-brainer, but there has been some debate about the merits of the CVT around the WINDING ROAD offices lately.
One side of the table enjoys the improved fuel economy and a lack of harsh shifts. Then we’ve got other folks complaining about the engine always racing at stratospheric rpms to deliver peak power, and the the fact that CVTs just feel weird (not to mention that some newer transmissions with more ratios are realizing similar–or better–MPG numbers than their belted friends).
Where do you stand in the CVT debate? Explain your position to us in comments.
Evel Knievel, the daredevil with the perfect name who gained worldwide notoriety by jumping his motorcycle over buses, sharks, and canyons, died today at the age of 69.
Knievel, whose death was confirmed today by way of his granddaughter, had been in poor health for several years, suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, and diabetes.
Enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution as “America’s Legendary Daredevil,” Knievel often suffered defeat while striving for forever-greater glory. He was well known for the failed attempt at jumping Idaho’s Snake River Canyon on a rocket-fed motorcycle, and remembered for a breathtaking crash at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
But despite the setbacks that caused him over 40 broken bones by the time he retired in 1980, Knievel emblazoned a permanent mark on the American consciousness. The image of the daredevil as a be-caped, red white and blue aerialist is one that Knievel created, and one that has long survived his leaving the stage.
Said Knievel in a 2006 interview, “No king or prince has lived a better life.”
Still scheduled to hit the market as a 2008 model, Pontiac will call its Ute the G8 ST, with the ST standing for, you guessed it, sport truck. Pontiac will leave the V-6 version of the ST down under, offering the truck with only the 6.0-liter V-8. Pricing is expected to start at a pretty competitive $31,000, not a huge bill for that kind of displacement.
Look for specific details and loads of images when the G8 ST drops for real at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
This is the world’s smallest solar powered car, putting wheel to road whenever the sun shines down on its tiny solar cell. The photovoltaic panel turns the sunlight into electricity, which powers the motor and turns the wheels. Measuring a minuscule 3.3 x 2.2 centimeters, the car is a fun and working demonstration of how to harness the sun’s power.
At $20, it might be just the ticket for a science-minded child on your holiday shopping list, as long as they’re above the age of eating toys (small parts we’re told).
After officially launching its compact commercial van Nemo last month in Amsterdam, Citroen is using the Bologna Motor Show as the venue to show off the first Nemo concept, the Concetto.
(Click through the link to read more about the new Nemo including Citroen’s short press release.)
The new Toyota Land Cruiser continues its predecessor’s design theme of restrained anonymity. The name, “Land Cruiser,” conjures up visions of the great battlewagons in Star Wars and Mad Max, but the vehicle is actually quite demure. If Toyota’s new SUV flagship resembles anything, it is probably the RAV4. There’s nothing wrong with this design approach, and it may be dictated by the fact that North America is by no means the Land Cruiser’s most important market. More than 130,000 Land Cruisers are sold in 130 countries, most of them in the Middle East, where the term “off-road” has a special meaning, and where loads tend to be both heavy and unwieldy.
Though scheduled to make its official world debut at the Bologna Motor Show next week, Audi has gone ahead and put its new A3 Cabriolet on display at its Hungarian manufacturing plant.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch a gallery of A3 Cabriolet images or on the jump to read on about the car, including Audi’s official press release.)
Former chairman and chief executive office of General Motors, Roger B. Smith, died Thursday after a short illness at the age of 82.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, and graduate of the University of Michigan Business School, Smith started at GM in the capacity of general accounting clerk in 1949. He worked his way up through GM’s financial management team, becoming vice president of finance in 1971.
Smith went on to lead the company as CEO during the tumultuous years of 1981 through 1990, achieving during his tenure; the creation of the Saturn brand, the introduction of front-wheel-drive mid-size cars, and the acquisition of tech company Electronic Data Systems. It was during his time as CEO that Smith was famously the target of Michael Moore’s documentary Roger & Me, which detailed the closing of GM facilities in and around Flint, MI.
In a statement released by GM, Chairman Rick Wagoner said of Smith, “He was a leader who knew that we have to accept change, understand change, and learn to make it work for us.” (Click through the jump for GM’s full press release.)
Autoblog’s Sam Abuelsamid recently spoke with Erich Heuschele from Dodge’s SRT division and ask some pointed questions about the Caliber SRT-4.
While the interview wasn’t exactly penetrating, Abuelsamid was able to extract certain details about the high-po Caliber, including the mysterious omission of all-wheel-drive from its package.
(Click through the jump to read more about the Caliber SRT-4.)
With apologies to Lexus, BMW, and the wealthiest one-percent of the country, most of us won’t be giving or receiving a luxury vehicle as a gift this holiday season. Despite this, Lexus is running another “December to Remember” ad push this year, which focuses on the lavish joys of automotive giving.
While lots of us chuckle at the idea of an IS-F under the tree, Lexus maintains that people do shop its dealerships come Christmas time, with the automaker attributing ten-percent of its December sales to gift purchases. And now Lexus is going after an even more lucrative holiday target: the self-giver. A new commercial in the holiday series pushes potential buyers, unsatisfied with the more pedestrian gifts from their families, to go out and splurge on a car for themselves.
Not to be left out, BMW is joining the holiday game this year, with a series of commercials that tout The Ultimate Driving Machine as The Ultimate Gift. We should be so lucky.
Nissan Confirms Upcoming G37 Convertible, 'Mini SUV' 
Ford Readies 2009 Focus Coupe for American Idol Reveal
Ford Planning to Revive F-100?
Ferrari California Revealed!
Lamborghini Picks L.A. for U.S. Headquarters
