Tag Archives: living

Cars

Campervan Conversions: Affordable Options for Travelers

If you’re looking for an affordable campervan conversion, Oasis Campervans in Colorado has got you covered. They specialize in converting various types of minivans into comfortable living and sleeping spaces that you can bring on your road trips.

Their “Classic Conversion” option offers a cozy living area in the cabin, a kitchen accessible from the back of the van, and convenient stacked cushions that easily transform into a full-length bed for two. To maximize storage space, they also provide mounted cabinetry. Additionally, vinyl flooring and canvas curtains are included to ensure privacy during your travels.

While the base package offers these essential features, Oasis Campervans also offers a range of additional options. These include a power station, a cooler/freezer, solar panels, and more. However, keep in mind that these extra amenities require an additional cost. You have the flexibility to customize your campervan by adding these features individually, or you can opt for the “Classic Deluxe” package, which includes all the amenities in one bundle.

This campervan conversion is particularly suitable for those on a budget. You have the freedom to choose and pay only for the appliances and features you truly desire, rather than investing in everything upfront. The Classic Conversion starts at $11,290, but if you’re planning longer trips, you might want to consider adding the power station and cooler, which could increase the cost by a couple of thousand dollars.

News

From the archive: on this day in 1914

Although World War II is still fresh in our memories, World War I is now a matter of history. While everyone knows about popular vehicles like the Panzer and the Spitfire, the Minerva and the Taube have become relatively unknown. And while we have a good understanding of how it played out, our perspective is influenced by subsequent events.

Let’s go back 109 years to when Autocar assessed the role of automotive vehicles in this new kind of warfare.

Within days of Britain declaring war on Germany, we provided a form for readers to lend their cars to the army. By September, we were offering advice on how to maintain and prepare cars for this purpose.

We observed that Belgium was making the best use of requisitioned cars, using them to transport ammunition, food, and other supplies since they had a shortage of vans. They started removing car bodies and fitting the chassis with open-truck, ambulance, and armored ones.

One particular type of ambulance caught our attention. It had four stretchers mounted on a revolving wooden frame, ensuring that there was always an empty one behind the canvas-covered side entrance. This ingenious design was also used by the French.

The primary manufacturer of armored cars was Minerva of Antwerp, making Belgium the first country to deploy them in the war. They mounted a 5mm-thick steel body and a forward-facing light machine gun on a tourer chassis, creating “one of the most deadly weapons.” This vehicle’s speed and maneuverability allowed it to make quick rushes, launch short, sharp attacks, and retreat swiftly.

Minerva’s contact claimed that the extreme mobility of their armored cars compensated for the fact that the light armor was not bulletproof at close range. They believed their vehicles were superior to the “heavy-plated high-speed lorries” favored by neutral Italy.

Germany also had a considerable number of fighting cars, along with numerous lorries. Our correspondent encountered a large bullet-hole-ridden Mercedes that had been captured. He also recounted a story of German success: they had disguised themselves as Belgians, driven into Antwerp, and calmly left with valuable information.

Motorsport

Ferrari Hypercar Spotted With Microphones Next To Exhaust Tips

[UPDATE] A new spy video has been attached at the top of the page.

It seems that Ferrari fans are in for some surprises in the future. The new prototype of Ferrari’s upcoming hypercar was recently spotted in Italy. The car features high-voltage stickers, suggesting that it is most likely a plug-in hybrid. This raises speculation about the possibility of a smaller combustion engine accompanying the hybrid setup, as is often the case with plug-in hybrids.

One interesting feature of this prototype is its rear design. The two exhaust tips are accompanied by microphones. These microphones are positioned in the bumper, just below the provisional taillights, which seem to be borrowed from the SF90 Stradale. It is believed that these microphones are used to measure the car’s decibel levels, as road-going cars must not exceed certain noise thresholds. Additionally, Ferrari may be fine-tuning the sound of the combustion engine, possibly drawing inspiration from the 499P Le Mans endurance race car, which features a twin-turbo 3.0-liter unit derived from the 296 GTB and 296 GT3.


Cars

Ford’s Aussie Engine That Created Buzz: The Barra

In 2013, Ford Australia made the announcement that the Barra, along with the two cars it powered – Ford’s Falcon and Territory – were running out of time. By the autumn of 2016, the Barra was discontinued. Ford Australia President Bob Graziano cited high labor costs as the reason for this decision in a press statement. He mentioned that their costs were double that of Europe and nearly four times Ford in Asia. Graziano also noted that their locally-made products were unprofitable while their imported products were profitable.

In contrast to Toyota’s globally sold 2JZ inline-six-cylinder engine, the Barra was exclusively produced for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Therefore, support for these powerful engines is primarily available in that region. Not only is there a wide range of performance parts in the aftermarket, but there are also conversion kits available to install the Barra engine in various vehicles, including those made by General Motors subsidiary, Holden.

With the addition of a larger turbocharger and a customized tuning program, the Barra can be easily upgraded to generate up to 800 horsepower, using its stock internal components. By using stronger forged internal parts, the performance potential becomes limitless. Recently, Australian drag racer Maria Passo achieved a striking 2,048 horsepower from a Barra engine in her street-legal Ford Falcon XR6, utilizing methanol as fuel.

Interestingly, Ford Australia attempted to capitalize on the significant hype surrounding the Barra engine by marketing a V8 engine that was part of the same family. However, since there was nothing particularly exceptional about the 5.4-liter V8 engine manufactured in Canada, and due to potentially higher annual registration fees for eight-cylinder engines in Australia, the Barra V8 failed to gain traction.

Motorsport

Volvo Semi-Truck Camper Conversion For Sale For $6,500

This unique 1984 Volvo semi-truck has been converted into a motorhome and is now available for purchase on Craigslist in Parma, Ohio. It offers the perfect combination of comfortable living space and heavy-duty hauling capabilities. Motor1.com has contacted the owner to learn more about this fascinating build.

The base vehicle is a Volvo big rig equipped with a powerful turbodiesel inline-six engine. According to the listing, the truck is in great running condition and has been regularly serviced every year. It features a versatile hitch system that can accommodate gooseneck, bumper pull, or pintle hook trailers. As proof of its reliability, the truck successfully completed a trip from Maryland to South Carolina last year.


Motorsport

Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3: A Tire for All-Season Performance in North America

Living in a region with four seasons can make it difficult to find a tire that meets all your performance needs. However, Pirelli believes it has the answer with the P Zero AS Plus 3. This ultra high performance tire is designed to be capable of performing in all seasons. It is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the P Zero All Season Plus, as it has been completely redesigned for 2023.

Pirelli recognizes the importance of all-season tires in the North American market. According to the company, 94% of tires sold in this region are all-season tires. With this in mind, Pirelli focused on improving the AS Plus 3’s grip in all conditions, especially during braking. Additionally, since drivers in North America tend to cover long distances, Pirelli also worked on enhancing tire wear and reducing rolling resistance.

Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3

To achieve these improvements, the AS Plus 3 features a new tread pattern with 3D sipe technology. This technology enhances performance in wet and snowy conditions, with Pirelli claiming a 20% improvement in snow braking and a 10% improvement in wet braking compared to its predecessor. Additionally, dry braking performance is also enhanced by 4% compared to the older model.

However, the tread pattern is just one aspect of the AS Plus 3. Pirelli also utilized a new compound that enhances grip and tire wear. This results in a 25% improvement in wear and a 10% reduction in rolling resistance. Even when the tire is half-worn, Pirelli states that 99% of its overall performance remains intact. The AS Plus 3 comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty and retains 82% of its performance at the end of its life.

Despite Pirelli’s claims, real-world testing has also shown positive results. Jonathan Benson, a tire expert and head of Tyre Reviews, attended the AS Plus 3’s launch in June. He praised the tire’s steering response and conducted a comprehensive test comparing the new Pirelli tire to six competing ultra high performance all-season tires. The results were favorable for the P Zero AS Plus 3, with it ranking near or at the top in various categories. You can watch Benson’s video review embedded in this article.

Pirelli North American President and CEO Claudio Zanardo expressed confidence in the P Zero AS Plus 3’s ability to exceed customer expectations, providing an excellent driving experience and exceptional performance in all conditions. The tire is available in 31 sizes ranging from 17 to 20 inches and is currently on the market.

Motorsport

Living Vehicle HD24 Travel Trailer: Features a Washer and Dryer, Starting at $299,995

Living Vehicle is known for producing top-of-the-line travel trailers, and their latest addition is the HD24, a 24-foot model. Taking inspiration from the larger HD30 model, the HD24 offers the same luxurious amenities but in a more compact size. Prices for this model start at $299,995.

While the exterior design may appear boxy, there is an added convenience of a power-folding porch on one side. This allows occupants to enjoy delicious meals in the open air. Furthermore, the roof includes a cluster of solar panels that can store up to 72 kilowatt hours of energy. These panels are versatile and can be unfolded to provide shade like an awning.


News

GasGas Announces 2023 European Dates For United In Dirt Tour

GasGas has revealed its plans for the 2023 United in Dirt tour in Europe. The tour, which began in 2021, offers dirt bike enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the latest models in the GasGas lineup firsthand.

Like previous years, the GasGas United in Dirt tour will visit different countries across Europe. In 2023, the tour will make stops in Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Spain, where participants can check out the 2024 lineup and try out the bikes in various settings.

GasGas aims to offer riders a diverse experience during the tour. Riders may start the day on a motocross track and switch to exploring wooded areas in the afternoon, all while riding different bikes. In addition to the main lineup, GasGas will also bring along the SM 700 for riders to experience.

If you’re new to off-roading and interested in participating, GasGas assures that these events are designed for riders of all skill levels and are meant to be enjoyable for everyone.

Here are the dates for the 2023 United in Dirt tour:

  • September 8 and 9, 2023: AMC Genk, Belgium
  • September 23 and 24, 2023: Lookout Šiklův Mlýn, Czech Republic
  • October 7 and 8, 2023: Parcmotor Castelloli, Spain

Registration for the Belgium dates is already open as of August 7, 2023. For the other tour dates, registration forms will be available soon. The official signup page for all three events can be found in the Sources section. GasGas advises interested riders to sign up quickly, as spots tend to fill up fast.

News

Wayne Rainey Talks About Yamaha’s Role in Helping Him Ride Again in 2022

Wayne Rainey, a living MotoGP legend, made a surprise appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June 2022. Alongside racing legends Kenny Roberts, Kevin Schwantz, and Mick Doohan, Rainey rode his 1992 championship-winning Yamaha YZR500 at the event. This was a special moment not only for the racing fans but also for Rainey himself. He never expected to ride his championship-winning bike again. Thanks to Yamaha’s three-year project, his dream became a reality.

In this video, Rainey talks about the experience and the technical details that made this ride possible. Due to his paraplegia, Rainey can only feel the handlebars when he’s on the bike. To ride again, he needed hand-operated button controls to shift gears. Yamaha made modifications so that operating the clutch lever allows him to shift. It took some getting used to, but Rainey was thrilled to get back on the bike.

Other considerations included mountain bike-style pedal clips to secure his boots on the pegs and a special tank pad that provided support and improved his connection to the bike. These modifications ensured that Rainey’s legs stayed in the right position and gave him more control over the bike’s movements.

Although Rainey was used to having a dedicated pit crew and technical staff in professional racing, his appearance at Goodwood was not drastically different. The crew positioned the bike, and once Rainey was ready, he would signal to the person holding the bike, and they would step aside as he rode away.