A Flying car? What Hell Is Going On Here?

Terrafugia Transition

As children of an exciting technological age, we are living in a science fiction utopia. 

In the late 70’s scientists talked about mobile phones, home computers and technologies of the future. Fast forward to the second decade of the 21^st century and we live in an era where using a mobile phone, SatNav and a computer is almost second nature, just like breathing and eating.

Even with 45 years under my belt, I never fail to be amazed at the technology that surrounds us and that makes up so much of our lives. Yet when you think about all of the everyday technologies that we interact with so naturally, it is easy to forget where we were twenty or thirty years ago. 

Although it is quite comical to see how scientists of yester-year talked about future Star Trek like technologies, what is truely fascinating is just how much this highlights how far we have come in such an exponentially little amount of time. The 21st Century has been witness to a treasure trove of new and innovative genius, which has advanced considerably to give us the kind of mind boggling science fiction-esq technologies like the iPhone, iPad, SatNav, every smaller computers - and don't even get me started on Augmented Reality!

The advances in technology don't just stop there. One only has to look at the military and galactical gap between where they were with early jet fighter machinery compared to Stealth technology and beyond.

So why is this so exciting and what's it got to do with cars? Well when I hear of a flying car being given the go ahead to don the skies in the country of our cousins across the water, then Biff Tannen isn't the only guy who's looking baffled and wondering what the hell is going on here. I also can't help but wonder how long it will be before the technology advances to the point where we're all just jumping in our cars, setting our route planner to check the traffic flow for SkyWay 21 on our iPhone, Smartphone, iPad, hand-held palm-top or SatNav and then casually flying off to the beach for the day.

If the history of our technological progress is anything to go by, it's not going to be that long.

We are increasingly living in tomorrows world, today.  

Couple attempt to reach Egypt in 1961 Mini Minor

A British couple are set to fulfil their dream by taking their classic used car to Egypt in just 35 days.

Nicky West and Rob Stacey of Hertfordshire will travel through ten different countries on their trip, including Italy Greece, Syria and Jordan.

Taking the pair on this journey of a lifetime is an unmodified 1961 MINI Minor classic used car, while they hope to raise £11,000 for the Willow Foundation, which helps seriously ill adults with special days out.

Ms West explained how the uprisings in the Middle East put the fundraising project in jeopardy, with many sponsors pulling out.

"However, thanks to support from companies such as swiftcover.com, all the money we raise will go directly to the charity we're supporting the Willow Foundation,' she added.

Amanda Edwards, senior marketing manager at swiftcover.com, said that the firm was thrilled to be helping the two adventurers with such as worthy cause.

Let us know about any motoring holidays or trips you've taken.

Top 10 Favourite Movie Cars

For all you movie buffs out there, here is a list of top 10 movie cars as listed by Screenjunkies.com;

1. The very stylish Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor in ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’: So much more interesting than Angelina Jolie. This was actually built for the film by the great Chip Foose - you may know him as the main guy from 'Overhaulin'.

2. The Batmobile in ‘Batman’ - the car from the 1990's films (even though the 60's car is now quite popular.

 



3. The absolutely gorgeous Ferrari 250GT California Spider  in ‘Ferris Bueller's Day Off’ and my personal second favourite car of all time. I just need about £5 million so that I can buy one!.

4. The much abused Ford LTD Country Squire Family Wagon in ‘National Lampoons Vacation - Uh. Really???!

5. The quintessentially cool 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback in ‘Bullit’.

6. The classic 1970 Dodge Charger in ‘The Fast and the Furious'. I love the new Dodge Charger in 'Transformed' also.

7. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from the popular kids film – and a good deal more convincing perfomance than Dick Van Dykes British accent – again.

8. The next car is an obscure choice and is the 1966 Alfa Romeo Spider in ‘The Graduate’. Funny, I’ve seen quite a few sunsets in my time on this planet, but if someone had asked me prior to this list what the car was in this film, I couldn't have told them – and I’ve seen it about four times.

9. The 1977 AMC Pacer in ‘Waynes World’. Just as popular for the head banging scene to Bohemian Rhapsody.

10. The DeLoreon in ‘Back To The Future’ is without doubt my favourite movie car of all time. I can't think of any other car that has been so iconic and remained so popular for so long.  In fact when you say DeLoreon, you think of Back To The Future - and when you think Back To The Future, you immediately think of the DeLoreon.

And if you're not convined, then park up next to a DeLoreon in any Porsche, Ferrari or Aston Martin (except a DB5 of course) and you'll soon feel like the unpopular kid at the school prom!

Let us know what are your favourite movie cars.

Did You Only Need One Driving Test Or Many?

 

 

 

  

 

Did You Pass Your Driving Test The First Time?

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Would you get into a car with a drink driver?

You may never think of drinking and driving, but do you ever get into a car being driven by someone who has been drinking?

A study from Direct Line shows that this is much more common than you might imagine. They found that more than a third of adults have got into a car whilst suspecting the driver has been over the drink-drive limit. Many of these occasions may have occurred when the passenger has also been drinking, which may lead to a rash decision being made.

The survey went on to find that despite any reservations, as many as 65% of car passengers decided to stay in the car. A half of all passengers who realise they are being driven by someone who has been drinking admit to acting as a 'look out', watching for speed cameras and police.

Should we ban smoking in cars if kids are onboard?

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health are calling for a ban on smoking in cars whilst children are passengers.

They argue that the UK falls behind many countries in terms of protection for children. Parts of Canada, Australia and the US have already banned smoking in cars if you are travelling with a child. Smoking has already been made extinct in an office environment and in pubs, in order to protect other adults, yet we can still smoke freely on the school run.

With many drivers seeing their car as an extension of their home they will no doubt feel that the 'nanny state' is taking a step too far. Opponents will also have major concerns as to how this will be policed.

We have talked before about the issues relating to smoking in cars and resell value, a more pressing concern is obviously a child's health and welfare.

Petrol to hit £1.15 per litre

Petrol prices have been steadily climbing over the past few weeks, and it looks like they could surge to £1.15 per litre before the end of summer. Diesel will climb also, with the figure £1.26 being likely.

The price hike is largely down to the city speculators forcing up the price of crude oil, as they gamble on its future value.

The current average price for Petrol is over a £1 per litre and is hitting motorists, who have already had the impact of the fuel tax rise and the increase in road tax.

Research is now showing that the increase in fuel prices is forcing drivers to use their cars much less, to help control spending. The study by AA/Populus, found that a quarter of the 15,000 drivers surveyed are using their cars less.

It is important to think about all the costs associated with a car when purchasing a car. The asking price for a vehicle should not be the only criteria you think about. At Carmony we display all cars with running costs. These running costs include: road tax, estimated service maintenance and repair costs, plus details on fuel expenditure (for which mileage can be dictated). This is to help you make a much more informed choice when deciding which approved car to purchase.

Spotify on your mobile!

Soon we will be able to link this to the car radio :)

Are you a flasher?

According to the Highway Code:

Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.

So when I flash my headlights to tell another user to go whilst at a crossroads, am I breaking the law? If so, is this something the police would pull me over for? I am not sure I know anyone or have seen anyone who actually uses this as a warning. Unless I have been reading this incorrectly and annoying drivers up and down the country.

Another misuse of car equipment is the car horn.

The Highway Code details:

The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn while stationary on the road or when driving in a built up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, except when another vehicle poses a danger.

Obviously these laws do not apply to taxi drivers or buses

Where the streets have no cars

A German town on the Swiss/French border has taken the decision to give up their cars. The town of Vauban has rule forbidding street parking, driveways and home garages.

Residents buy a large garage on the border of the town, for the sum of £25,000, and this keeps the streets car free. 57% of the Vauban residents sold a car before moving to the town and 70% do not own a car. Which probably means the 30% who do own a car are constantly being badgered for lifts.

I am not sure that I could take the leap of giving up my car, I like the freedom it gives me. I also like being able to park outside my home, so if this was taken away perhaps I would not be as keen to keep hold of my motor.

Also worth noting, Vauban will have no late night petrol stations - which would leave you at a loss as to where to go for a late night bottle of milk, or some dodgy flowers after an argument.

How the Glove Compartment got its name

All cars have one, some choose to keep their sat-nav stored here, others a bag of sweets (or a cat?). Very few use them as a storage compartment for their gloves. So why do we refer to this as a glove compartment/ glovebox?

I the early part of the 20th century, a female British Motor Racing driver named Dorothy Levitt was a pioneer in the sport, becoming the first woman to compete in a motor race back in 1904. She helped to pave the way for other female drivers: Kay Petre, Gwenda Hawkes, the Hon Mrs Victor Bruce (yes, me neither).



Dorothy Levitt drove around in her fur coat and gloves and was obviously looking for a place to store her gloves, no doubt when she pulled over for tea and cake!

She coined the phrase glove compartment referring to a draw beneath the seat in which female drivers could place their gloves. These did not start being added to cars until much later, and despite the move to the dashboard the name stuck.

Family Car

Car drivers with families are becoming increasingly more aware of the need for improved vehicle safety. When looking for a family car, choosing the right vehicle means that there are essential requirements that need to rank higher on the list of priorities.

However, this does not necessarily mean that a family car with better car safety is not going to be sexy, sporty or a real head turner?

Safety

Car Safety is a must for every car driver. Just how safe cars are, is a subject that requires a great deal of consideration when looking for a family car. In fact, since September 2006, ISOFIX standard child car seats have moved towards the top of the list of priorities for car drivers with children, in terms of child car safety.

The Which report is a fantastic source of information on this topic - and these guys are completely impartial.

Entertainment

As the comfort of the family car is moving much closer to the comfort of being at home, keeping the children entertained on journeys is becoming another key consideration when buying a family car. Many parents will have spent journeys playing games like I-Spy or spot the different colour cars - or maybe you will have played game like portable connect 4.

However, children today are much more demanding and want to have the latest in car entertainment available to them - and although they will happily sit in the back with their iPod on - they would much prefer to watch the adventures of Buzz Lightyear, or play the latest PlayStation game. This is a great way to keep the little ones occupied - and often bigger ones too.

Space

Driving with the family can mean anything from journeys to the seaside to dropping them off at one of their many activities - which at times makes you think they have a better social life than you. Space therefore becomes of particular importance, whether how to fit everyone inside the car or to how to make sure you can get the child buggy in the boot.

We have developed the lifestyle search to help you resolve this. Simply enter the number of seats you require, together with the items you will need to put in your boot. We will then show you the contenders that best match your requirements.

5 must have car gadgets

Part of my journey into work this morning included following a car which had cushions on the parcel shelf. I am totally up for making your car as comfortable and welcoming as possible, but cushions! My comfort includes moving my seat, having a drink near by and my ipod plugged in. Thankfully we are all different, I don't want cushions and you may not want any music playing.

This got us thinking of what gadgets are available for your car and we came up with:

5 great car gadgets available now

A rechargeable LED torch which plugs into your car lighter to charge



The Econav gives drivers the most fuel-efficient routes. Its makers claim it cuts carbon emissions by 30 per cent.



E Can with USB Socket 240 Volts form your cars Cigarette lighter, plug in a DVD player, your Playstation or even a hoover


The Perfect Palm Device to help you clean and wax your car



Parking Sensor System for anyone who has trouble parking

Best ever driving school names

This is a list of the top 5 driving school names in the UK:

1) In Worthing a driving school is called 'L Passo'

2) Accelr8 Driving School, London

3) AcciDon't, in Glasgow

4)In Manchester you can be taught by Crash Courses

and

5)L's Angels Driving School in Suffolk

Know any others?

Easter Traffic

Are you planning to get away from it all this Easter, with a little break in the UK? utilising the long weekend from work. If you are you will be joining around 10 million other drivers, so make sure you plan your time and route in advance.

It is estimated that 10% of this traffic will be made up of caravnners, helping to make this the busiest motoring weekend of the year.

The AA is already warning travelers to expect delays and to make sure they have enough petrol in the car. While many motorist may assume that the 'credit crunch' will keep other car users off the road, the AA believe this will result in more people choosing to holiday at home.

Traffic will be made up of those planning a weekend away (a third), day trippers (half) and the remainder taking longer breaks.

Obvious 'hotspots' include British seaside resorts (although the weather forecast is not looking great) and the major ferry ports. I would add to this traffic to your local B&Q outlet.

If you don't fancy sitting behind the wheel of your car, why not sit at home and eat enough Easter eggs so you can't fit behind the wheel of your car!

Car colours

What colour is the car you drive? Did you choose the colour for a reason or was it simply the colour of the car you found?

True, few car buyers’ start off with a colour (some do), but it is becoming an increasingly important factor in the essentials list for many. The reasons for choosing one colour over another are completely subjective; one person’s ultimate choice is another’s nightmare. Paris Hilton recently bought a Pink Bentley, which I am sure angered a number of those who drive this prestige model.

My first car was white, and after the effort I had to go through of constantly cleaning it, I swore never to drive a white car again. Since that time I have stuck to the safe colours of blue and black. One of the designers in the Carmony team has a yellow car (that’s creative types for you), and I am sure that he has little or no trouble finding it in the car park at Sainsbury’s.

Despite my objections white cars have made a comeback, and are more popular than ever. Carmakers are responsible for this uplift in interest and sales, as they have chosen to feature white cars in their advertising. These subliminal messages appear to be working and the white car comes back from its mid 80’s XR3i heights.

Great Car Ads

Car adverts on TV are rightly viewed as some of the finest adverts on television. Car manufacturers go all out to grab your attention and out do each other. Recent years have seen anything from dancing robots (Citroen C4) to the live Honda Skydive which was appointment TV.

However this has not always been the case. Here are some gems which you may remember, perhaps they are before your time or maybe you managed to wipe them from your memory.

Peugeot 305




From America a Mitsubishi ad with a jingle we know you will love:


Ford Cortina Advert from the 80's


Another winner, this time from Vauxhall with the Cavalier


And Finally an advert for the Nova


What are your favourites?