I've been taking a break from the forums for a bit to work a fair amount of overtime at my job in order to start a new hobby.
Team Hoonigan Ford Fiesta ST
Being part of the car culture is a fun and exciting way to express oneself and can be a great hobby. Building a project car involves purchasing a used car at a relatively low price and making it unique and personal.
Purchasing A Project Car: The first question one must ask is Japan, USA or Europe? Buying a project c
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BYD: The only Chinese Auto Manufacturer to successfully enter the United States is seeking to sell cars in the very near future. Currently BYD manufactures the BYD K9 Fully Electric Transit Bus and has received orders from several transit authorities.
Demand: Automotive Journalists have commented that Americans would be receptive to Chinese cars on sale in the US if the Chinese Manufacturers would improve design, safety and overall build quality. Cur
The United States has some of the strictest laws on the books governing the manufacture and sale of new vehicles. This is one reason many automakers have avoided attempting to either return to the United States or break into the market for the first time.
Overview: To understand the likelihood that a manufacturer will spend large amounts of money to enter the US market a set a factors must be assessed first. Demand, Profit, Ease of Entrance. US Regulations began to increase around the e
Three dreaded words that no owner of a fleet of trucks or buses ever wants to hear, Diesel Engine Runaway can cost thousands.
Runaway effects Diesel Electric Locomotives as well (Blown Turbo)
The Diesel Engine Cycle differs from the Otto 4 Stroke Cycle often found in cars. In cars fuel and air are mixed which creates controlled explosions in the combustion chambers. Diesel Engines differ in that they work primarily on the concept of high temperature compr
A brilliant PR move and a result of input from Dominos Employees, Customers and Automotive Designers, the DXP is the Ultimate Pizza Delivery Vehicle.
Dominos DXP Front Grille
Manufacturer Quick Facts:
Founded: 2007
Main Office: Phoenix, Arizona
Industry: Specialty Vehicles, Drones, 3-D Printed Vehicles
Notable Product: Dominos DXP, Rally Fighter
Dominos DXP
Model Quick Facts:
Vehicle Len
2015 24 Hours of Le Mans Poster
One of the oldest auto races in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been nicknamed "The Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency".
Porsche 919 Hybrid Le Mans Prototype
Series Overview: Born from an era of Grand Prix racing in the 1920s which involved racing from one city to another at high speeds Le Mans presents a different challenge. Grand Prix racing is all about which team can build the fastest car. Endurance racing focuses on
Turbo, one of the coolest words to put on the back of a sports car, Turbochargers work on a very basic principle of forced induction.
Porsche Panamera Turbo S
The Otto Cycle: Or 4 Stroke cycle of an engine involves Intake, where the engine draws air or "Breathes", Compression, compressing the air to a higher temperature, Ignition, the explosion, and Exhaust, expended high pressure air leaving or the engine "exhaling". Turbochargers focus on the last stage of this cycle
There are many different types ways to build an engine, each with distinct differences and qualities.
The Ford Focus RS uses Ford's Duratec Engines (Spring 2016 US Release)
Subaru Flat 4 Boxer Engine
Boxer Engines: Boxer Engines, also called "Flat Engines" because of their flat and usually compact profile, use Horizontally Opposed pistons which when moving looking like the gloves of two boxers in a match hence the name. Cars using Boxer Engines typi
Changing its name in 2014 from MetroTransit, Halifax Transit moves 27 million people a year as the largest transit operator in Atlantic Canada.
Halifax Transit New Flyer Xcelsior XD40
Type: Public
Union Representation: Halifax Transit Bus Operators are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508
Fleet Size: 302 Low-Floor Buses, 4 Ferries
Routes: 67
Manufacturer and Powerplant: Halifax Transit began to procure from New Flyer to phase ou
Known locally as D-Dot the Detroit Department of Transportation has existed in one form or another since 1922, previously running the city's streetcar network.
Detroit Department of Transportation New Flyer Xcelsior XDE60 Articulated
Type: Public/Private, Service contracted to private Transportation Company MV Transportation
Union Representation: All DDOT Bus Operators are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26
Fleet Size: 300 Low-Floor and Articul
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, branded as AC Transit serves Oakland, California as well as a portion of the East Bay area in San Francisco.
AC Transit Van Hool A330
Type: Public
Fleet Size: 586 Low-Floor and Articulated Transit Buses
Routes: 149
Manufacturer and Powerplant: AC Transit is known for procuring buses from Van Hool of Belgium. Van Hool is well known for its Highway Coach offerings but it has only seen moderate success with its line of
It is a common misconception that the vast majority of traffic and speed enforcement is done in the name of safety. It is however false and that profits have triumphed over safety and police officers have been ordered to pull over vehicles at random to achieve ticket quotas.
Radar Countermeasures fitted to the grille of a Subaru Outback
Purpose and Function: Radar Countermeasures are devices fitted to vehicles which detect, sensor and or block radar directed at the veh
"The World Cup of Motorsport", A1GP introduced a brand new concept into motorsports and was well received but failed due to improper management.
A1GP Promotional Demonstrator
Series Overview: The Concept of the A1GP Series was founded by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum of Dubai. The Concept featured a single make of cars each representing a Nation instead of a Team or Manufacturer. Racing Teams in each of the countries interested in participating would
Solaris Bus and Coach is a Polish heavy vehicle manufacturer well known for its bus offerings across Eastern Europe.
Solaris Urbino 18 CNG Factory Demonstrator
Manufacturer Quick Facts:
Founded: 2001
Main Office: Bolechowo, Poland
Notable Product: Urbino, Alpino, InterUrbino, Vacanza, Valletta, Tramino
Solaris is also known for building intercity Trams as well, building models for major cities in Eastern Europe.
The Greater Stockholm Local Transit Company or SL as it is locally known, organizes land based public transportation in Stockholm
SL MAN Lion's City decorated for LGBT Pride Week
Type: Public/Private Hybrid SL Buses are owned and operated by private companies, SL rail services use SL owned Rolling Stock but are operated by private companies.
Fleet Size: Undisclosed, vehicles are shifted around between various independent contractors and records are pr
(Happy New Year! Wewt Wewt)
Procurement is when Transit Agencies or Motor Carriers are looking to add new vehicles to their fleets or are looking to start operations and need to acquire vehicles.
Stages: The individuals in charge of purchasing new buses for transit fleets are often called "Procurement Officers/Specialists". They often report to a board of directors who run the transit agency.
Volvo 9700 Factory Demonstrator
Stage 1: The board of directors will
Known for her often bubbly personality, knowledge of motorsports and intense passion for racing Sabine Schmitz adds a flair of girl power to the male dominated following of motorsports.
Sabine Schmitz with the BMW M5 Ring Taxi
Driver Quick Facts:
Name: Sabine Schmitz
Birthday: May 14, 1969
Hometown: Adenau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Series: World Touring Car Championship
Team: Munnich Motorsport GmbH, Porsche, BMW M Sport
A Nascar Icon with a storied career Jeff Gordon has left a lasting impact on the organization paving the way for the current generation of drivers.
Jeff Gordon
Driver Quick Facts:
Name: Jeffrey Michael Gordon
Birthday: August 4, 1971
Hometown: Vallejo, California, United States
Series: Nascar
Team: Hendrick Motorsports #24 Chevrolet
Sponsorship: Dupont Paints (Renamed Axalta), Pepsi, AARP, 3M, Chevrolet
Workers in the Transportation Industry often face unfair treatment with regard to simple labor practices that in other industries are not an issue.
The Two Largest Representing Transportation Workers:
Amalgamated Transit Union
Founded: September 15, 1892
Main Office: Washington DC, United States
Affiliation: American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
(AFL-CIO)
Additional Councils: Canadian Council organized in 198
Simply known as the "T" by locals, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is the 4th largest transit network in the United States, averaging 1.3 million trips every weekday nearly 33% of people in the Boston area commute with public transportation.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority New Flyer Xcelsior XN40
Type: Public, Semi-Political Subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Union Representation: All MBTA Bus Operators are represented by A
Alexander Dennis is a British Manufacturer of transit buses and has expanded, acquiring market share internationally.
Alexander Dennis New Enviro 400 Factory Demonstrators
Manufacturer Quick Facts:
Founded: 2004
Main Office: Larbert, Scotland, United Kingdom
Notable Product: Enviro 400, Enviro 500, ALX400, Trident, Sabre, Dagger
Industry: Buses and Fire Engines
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service Alexander Dennis S
With a production lifespan of over 38 years, the RTS is certainly deserving a place in the Hall of Transit Greats.
NYCTA GMC RTS
Manufacturer Quick Facts:
Founded: 1901
Main Office: Detroit, Michigan
Industry: Trucks and Buses
Notable Product: GM New-Look, GM Old-Look, RTS. GMC Topkick, CCKW, DUKW, Sierra, Yukon, Terrain
This WMATA GMC RTS still exists today as part of the Historic Fleet
Model Quic
Issued by the State Department to foreign Diplomats, Ambassadors and Consul's, Diplomatic License Plates are a common sight here in Washington DC and New York City. Any city with major concentrations of Embassies and Consulates have a higher amount of their use.
Cadillac Deville on older Diplomatic License Plates (1985 Template) in NYC near the United Nations Building
Purpose and Function: Diplomatic License Plates are used on vehicles which are owned or used by Embas
The epitome of the word Taxi, The Checker Marathon has long been solidified in the hall of the Transit greats.
Checker Marathon Brochure
Manufacturer Quick Facts:
Founded: 1922
Main Office: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Industry: Large Family Sedans, Livery Vehicles, Ambulances
Notable Product: Marathon, Supurba, Aerobus
Privately Owned, Partially Restored Checker Marathon
Model Quick Facts:
Body: 4
Air Alliances are formed by public and private Airlines and act as a sort of Union acting as the voice of its members in the public arena. These alliances also agree on common fare practices as well as other aviation related matters.
These Alliances also dominate specific sections of air travel in certain parts of the world. An example of this would be American Airlines and British Airways (both OneWorld members) dominance of the Atlantic Ocean Air Travel.
The Largest 3 Are As Follows:
