Intrepidation

So he couldn't shift it into neutral. This is critical, as it may explain why the that Lexus was able to stop. IIRC that Prius is under the floor mat recall, so I want to know what was going on with his floor mats. If they were not present or not in the way, this will blow the sudden acceleration cases wide open.

_ Out-of-Control Toyota Prius Stopped By California Patrol Car The driver of the runaway Toyota Prius, 61-year-old James Sikes called CHP while driving eastbound on Interstate 8 near San Diego around 1:30 PM PST, complaing about a stuck accelerator and being unable to shift the car into neutral. California Highway Patrol responded, putting a patrol car in front of the Prius, eventually stopping the car near La Posta Bridge. This high-profile incident comes on the same day Toyota made a similarly high-profile defense of its cars. Full story after the jump. Story courtesy of Jalopnik.

Mind blowing. Lucky for the man he was able to stop, and Toyota's about to get a huge $h!storm for this, and the Prius is not under the acceleration recalls is it?

This is the best one. EVER.

Thanks reg! They're 18" Mille Miglia Uno wheels.

Exactly, that is the much bigger issue here.

A clean and well maintained car is a happy car.

Well considering most cars have either a badge, stampings, or cheap plastic covers over the engine with the engine displacement, I guess most cars have Type R stickers.

Great article, thanks for sharing it.

Black is the worst...but I want to own a black car at some point. Silver doesn't show imperfections like darker colors do.

Steel Blue FTW

UNDATED -- A 96-year-old Florida man is recovering after an otter went on the attack. Morrie Denton said he was just out for a stroll when the animal struck. "I just looked down on the ground and I saw this little animal walking across and he walked real slow like," Denton said. Denton said without warning, near a wetland area, an otter clamped down on his ankle. Two good Samaritans came to the elderly man's aid, but the otter then turned its focus on them. "After he grabbed me by the foot and I fell, he was all over me, on this hand and then on this one,” Denton said. A good Samaritan stopped to help Denton, but struggled to pull the otter off. Passerby Chris Janssen arrived next, but the otter turned and bit him in the ankle. Janssen managed to kick the otter into the road. Stunned, it tried to crawl away, prompting a deputy to shoot it three times." "It's a crazy story isn't it? It's a crazy story. Whose ever heard of an attack otter. When you see an otter you go, ohhh. Morrie Denton says this marked his first and hopefully last encounter with an otter. "I thought well heck it's little. It doesn't feel like a very big animal, but oh, man is he a fighter," Denton said. Authorities eventually killed the otter after discovering it was rabid. (Copyright © 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Video after the jump http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/bizarre/BO137176/

BOSTON -- Energy researchers at M.I.T. are unveiling their latest masterpiece this weekend -- a race car powered by chocolate. Candy isn't the only tasty treat keeping the car together. The vehicle features a soybean seat and a steering wheel made of carrots. The engine is powered by beef, salmon and chocolate. The car’s U.K. creators said it’s the first sustainable Formula 3 race car. “We wanted to show some academic research in an unconventional manner. So putting together sustainability with motor racing isn’t a natural fit but we managed to do it,” said energy researcher Kerry Kairwan. The car can race speeds at up to 175 mph and runs about 30 miles per gallon. The fuel uses fat from waste foods and more and converts it to diesel. “The actual process for…turning waste fat to diesel is actually quite easy. But it’s how you get it optimized if you want to racing with it - that’s the tricky bit,” Kairwan said. Even though the brake pads are made of cashew nut liquid and the bodywork is made of potatoes, Kairwan said he doesn’t advise anyone to take a bite of the car. “You could if you wanted to – eat certain bits, but they wouldn’t taste very nice. They’ve changed somewhat from what they originally were like,” Kairwan said. The car is featured at the M.I.T. Energy Showcase being this weekend at the Boston Sheraton Hotel. (Copyright © 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Video after the jump http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/bizarre/BO137094/

I wouldn't feel cool. It's low on the list but I would like a leather wrapped 300M wheel at some point. I'd like to nab one with genuine walnut trim on it, but just to say I have it (they're rare), wouldn't go in the Intrepid.

I'm guessing the Sebring was a first gen for that price...or a 2nd gen with a blown 2.7... A LeBaron is a Shadow is a K car...easy to work on and plenty of interchangeable parts from various models of the era. Easy to work on besides getting at the waterpump...which is a PITA in those cars but 1000x easier than a timing driven pump.

I like it, because like I said, I think the LH wheel is a tad too skinny for my taste. Next time I may try out a leather wrapping kit...but it depends on how close the color matches.

I finally got around to getting my 3.5 HO badge on the plenum!

It's actually in good shape thanks in part to the steering wheel cover protecting it. You should see what the old cover looks like...that would have been my steering wheel. That, and I like the thicker diameter of the wheel with the cover on. When I hunt down a leather LH wheel it'll come off.

Now for the obligatory photos!

I adjusted the belt on the Intrepid before calling it a day. Spent a fair bit of time using a fine paint brush to clean out all of the crevices in the interior. Tomorrow is wash time. Major waxing will hold off until I get myself a Porter Cable buffer, and a driver's door. Also need to get a new set of lugnuts. The Gorilla locking nuts are fine but the two piece ones from AutoZone (which I will never, ever buy again) are junk, most of the caps have come off.

This weekend is/will be fantastic weather wise. Low to mid 50'a, sunshine, and a gentle breeze. Can't waste the whole weekend indoors that's for sure, so it's time to get a head start on spring cleaning for the cars. What's done: Vacuumed and cleaned the interiors of both cars Detailed the Intrepid's interior (vents, switches, cracks, etc.) Cleaned the dirty off of the door frames Cleaned the dirt and grime off of the lower inside edge of the doors Cleaned and organized the trunks Added P/S fluid to the Prizm Cleaned the gunk off of the P/S fluid reservoir What's on tap for tomorrow: Adjust the serpentine belt on the Intrepid Thoroughly wash and detail both cars Detail the Intrepid's wheels Finally put the "3.5 High Output" badge on the plenum...if I still know where it is. On Monday after my meeting I'd like to go to the junkyard and get a floor mat retainer or 3. Now that I now how the are assembled I want to add a second on on the driver's side floor mat so it stays securely in place. I hate how it moves around...so annoying. Might do it for the passenger side as well, though it's less of an issue since usually its just me in the car. So what about you? Is the weather nice where you live and if it is do you have an plans?