Tell The EPA What You Think!

The EPA has posted some prototype fuel economy labels on their web site, and is asking for the public to comment. You can see them in their full detail here.There are two proposed designs. The first shows a large letter grade (also color coded), Green A, Yellow B, Orange C, and Red D. Apparently, everyone passes--F's are not allowed to go on sale?The second shows some Star Trek style sliding indicators,...

Help Name Ford's Iguana

Ford Motor is doing a Facebook poll to pick a name for their stow-away iguana.  I like "Henry" myself, for political reasons. Link to poll: http://www.facebook.com/ford/posts/154449744566760...

Illegal Immigrant Hides In Parts Shipment

I thought this was cute--an iguana managed to make it from southern Mexico to Ford's transmission plant in Sterling Heights, MI, hiding in a parts shipment. He's at the Detroit Zoo now.http://www.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/maynards-garage/2010/aug/25/new-ford-igua...

Pre-Cruise Friday Part 5: Best In Show

This, in my opinion, is the most beautiful vehicle at the Dream Cruise. Not because it has been restored to such great shape--though it has--but because of what it represents. This truck was restored to serve as a hearse for fallen firefighters who are being escorted to their last call. It was a work of love, funded by charity.The place of the hero.Click on the photo to read the whole st...

Pre-Cruise Friday Part 5: Emergency Vehicle Alley

The police and fire departments had a really neat display of emergency vehicles, right down the street from all the Mustangs. This was my favorite area of the Cruise so far.Old school vehicles.The "meat wagon", a Vietnam era ambulance.Inside the meat wagonThis Troy Police car was built with funds siezed in drug raids.Watering the kids.Paddy wagons, old and n...

Pre-Cruise Friday Part 4: Ferndale Stryker

The U.S. Army's TACOM set up this Stryker vehicle on the median in Ferndale. Several TACOM employees were there to answer questions. I asked about IED survivability, and they explained that while the Stryker was designed before the Iraq and Afghan wars, and was not equipped to handle roadside bombs, they are retrofitting them with a thick aluminum underhull, offset from the main hull, which can help...

Pre-Cruise Friday Part 3: Ford in Ferndale

Next I headed south to Ferndale, where Ford has set up "Mustang Alley".This Dewalt Superduty concept was pretty neat, and it was the only vehicle I saw at the Cruise that could probably cut itself up into little pieces.Police Mustang (the strobes are flashing, but it is hard to see)CSI Transit, lots of room for "samples"Mustang AlleyA mockup of the Taurus Police car. I don't think it is the real...

Pre-Cruise Friday, Part 1: Mopar Land

I started off Friday's quick tour at the corner of 13mile and Woodward, where Chrysler set up shop. A gorgeous Coronet. The Mopar guys bought this Honda at a junk yard and then squashed it. It still had baby toys and other junk inside of it.Some sort of custom Jeep truck concept, the "Nukizer". I'm not sure about the front end interpretation.Fiat 500Some old Mopar dragstersAn old 500?A Mopar golf...

Pre-Cruise Friday Part 2: On The Corner

Awesome color for a Mercedes -- Construction OrangeBarn Fresh GMCEastern European troop transport?Smooth wagonUnsure, looks BritishThe Valentine Vodka barrel truck (I'm not sure Vodka comes in oak barrels, though)Beat up DeLoreanVery high center of gravity on this one... probably won't do well at the track. Or offroad.Way chopped truckGrand Torino (no Hmong though)This Mustang came all the way from...