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New Aussie Law: Smoke With A Kid In The Car, A $110 Fine

Australians do a lot of things right, and now they’ve added to the list with a progressive new law relating to cars, children and smoking.

Beginning April 1, people who smoke while children are in the same car can be fined.

Following a three-month grace period of a new law, police and tobacco control officers from the health department can issue “spot” fines of $110.

"I think most parents will take the message on board," said Lawson Ride of the Cancer Council. "I think the main problem is people who are not used to having the children in their cars, so you got to be careful here. "I think most people are used to looking after their own children. But perhaps they might forget if they get other peoples' kids in the car."

Ride does not believe there is any need for a "blitz" from authorities, because most people will comply.

"I don’t expect there'll be a lot of prosecutions because I think people are taking the message. It's a very important message and it looks after kids and everyone seems to be supporting it anyway."

XM, Sirius Merger: It's Driving Therapy For Satellite Radio Devotees

Satellite radio turns long road trips into driving itherapy. Tune in Deep Tracks (Channel 40) on XM or The Grateful Dead Channel (Channel 32) on Sirius and even the most mundane journey gets a whole bunch better.

Which makes the merger Monday of XM (XMSR) and Sirius (SIRI) and their combined 14 million subscribers seems like a good thing for anyone whol likes the diversity of satellite radio and the competition it brings to the FM and AM dials.

The U.S. Justice Department approved the merger more than a year after the two companies first announced their deal. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) still must approve the merger.

The Department of Justice determined that an XM-Sirius merger was not anti-competitive. The Justice Department argued other media companies such as Clear Channel, CBS or even Apple (iTunes, iPod) serve as alternate options for music and media customers.

XM and Sirius both currently charge a $12.95 per month subscription fee for basic packages. However, a less expensive option, in which subscribers can choose a limited number “package programs” has also been discussed.

So, bring on The Dead and “forgotten” Bob Dylan tracks and one-hit wonder bands and concert performancs and NPR and the BBC and all the rest. It’s all good for satellite radio fans.

What's In A Car Name? For The Thunderbird, Try A New Suit

Once again the automotive channel on America Online has come up some unique content. This time, it’s a piece on the naming of cars.

One prime example is cited at the beginning of the article. It details a contest won by designer Alden Giberson. In 1954, he proposed the name Thunderbird for a powerful new Ford product. Giberson won and was awarded a $95 suit and $42 pair of pants.

AOL reports a great new name for a car nowadays may cost a c manufacturer $50,000.

Those in the business of thinking up car names can earn $5,000 to $10,000 per letter — a hefty sum in any writing world.

Known as “naming consultants,” the current-day car namers of add a letter or two to proposed names like XT, XL or ZZ, into the deal

“In their extreme form, the results can look like untidy snippets of mutant gene code or meaningless debris from some Martian game of Scrabble,” writes AOL author.

Examples: Cadillac STS, the Pontiac G6, the Honda Civic Si Coupe, the BMW X3 SAV, Taurus X, Nissan Xterra.

It's as though consumers "are going to go on vacation to outer space," George Frazier, a partner at naming firm Idiom in San Francisco told AOL.

"If there's a pattern, it's to appeal to younger buyers. Xterra is clearly a part of the whole X Games phenomenon. If you go down the scale from cars to mountain bikes to snowboards and skateboards, the names get wackier and wackier."

But there's a far greater sin in car naming, as far as some experts are

Thunderbird, the creature responsible for wind and thunder in Native American mythology, seemed to imbue Ford's sports car with animate qualities.

Giberson was very familiar with the myth, and it's not hard to trace the exact bolt from the blue that led to the name: He had a coffee cup emblazoned with a thunderbird constantly sitting on his drafting table.

Bentley Bucks Automotive Industry Slump With '07 Sales Boost

Like other industries, auto manufacturers continue to slump in the downtrodden economy. But it’s seems no one told Bentley.

Owned by Volkswagen, Bentley had a global sales increase of 13 percent in sales in 2007 and for the first time in history sold more than 10,000 units.

North American sales increased by four percent, a small increase when compared to a 93 percent increase in China and 18 percent in the Asia-Pacific regions, both new markets.

Franz-Josef Paefgen, the Bentley chief operating officer, said Bentley expects further growth in 2008, particularly in new markets like China, India and Russia all robust.

"Last year was a milestone in the history of Bentley as we passed the 10,000 units for the first time,” said Paefgen. “Five years ago, we were selling only 1,000 units but the development of a strong product line has seen the company attract new customers in greater numbers.

“The year saw strong growth both in mature markets, such as Germany, the UK and the US, as well as in emerging markets, such as China."


Jaguar E-Type (XK-E) Named Most Beautiful Car In (London) Daily Telegraph Survey

Several friends have owned or currently own Chevrolet Corvettes. But given the choice, it might be the last car I’d select on The (London) Daily Telegraph's recently announced list of the “100 Most Beautiful Cars.”

I’ve just never been a Corvette guy. Among those who appreciate classic automobiles, I’m in the minority, however, particularly among respondents to the London newspaper’s recent survey.

Its readers picked the Corvette as the 15th Most Beautiful Car, two positions ahead of the Austin Healy 3000 and one position behind the Alfa Romeo P3 8C.

Still, there’s no doubt the Corvette is fascinating and legendary. And it holds its own on the newspaper readers’ top-20 list that includes four Ferrari and four Jaguar selections and three Aston Martin offerings.

Throw in a Bugatti, Mercedes Benz, Lamborghini and a fine-looking Citroen and the top-20 is a remarkable list of automobiles.

The WeeklyDriver.com has been counting down the newspaper’s top-100 in 20-car increments and it’s now time to announce the vehicle selected as the “Most Beautiful.”

Of course, it’s the Jaguar E-Type, often called the Jaguar XKE.

According to Telegraph editors, the Jaguar received four times as many votes as any other car. The Jaguar XKE is also the car, upon its debut in 1961, Enzo Ferrari called the “the most beautiful car ever made.”

Here are the top-20 cars on the Daily Telegraph’s “100 Most Beautiful Cars” list.

20. Ferrari GTO
19. Bugatti Type S7
18. Ferrari 250 GT SWB
17. Austin Healy 3000
16. AC Cobra
15. Chevrolet Corvette
14. Alfa Romeo P3 8C
13. Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing
12. Jaguar MKZ
11. Jaguar D-Type XK-SS
10. Ferrari 250 GTO
9. Lotus Espirit
8. Aston Martin D89
7. Aston Martin D84 GT Zagato
6. Aston Martin D84/5/6
5. Lamborghini Miura
4. Ferrari Dino 206/246 GT
3. Jaguar XK 120/140/150
2. Citroen DS
1. Jaguar E-Type (XK-E)

Stay tuned. The newspaper will soon reveal its readers' selections of the "100 Ugliest Cars."


Ferrari, Jaguar And VW Karmann Ghia (Really!) On London Telegraph's Top-100 Car List

My father liked the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and he recommended I purchase the one I owned for a few years nearly 30 years ago.

It was a 1966 edition, dark green with all chrome trim. The windshield wipers didn’t work well, nor did the heater. But the Ghia had its moments. I once drove it round-trip from Sacramento to Las Vegas and managed to maneuver through heavy rain, strong winds and followed a snow plow over a mountain pass on Interstate 50.

A few years into ownership, the Ghia was heavily vandalized and I sold it cheap.

Turns out my father had good taste, similar to readers of The (London) Daily Telegraph.

In its recently released list of the “100 Most Beautiful Cars,” the VW Karmann Ghia was voted No. 32, finishing better than some Ferraris and eight positions shy of the unique Talbot Lago T150C SS.

The London Daily Telegraph's comment on the Talbot Lago was great, succinct commentary: "Commonly known as the "Teardrop" — a reference to the elegant shape, rather than the eye-watering prices they fetch at auction today."

The WeeklyDriver.com is counting down the list in 20-car increments and here are the No. 40-21 vehicles on the list, selected among 367 vehicles receiving mentions among thousands of votes.

40. Lancia Stratos
39. Ford GT40
38. Ferrari 365
37. Ferrari 275 GTB
36. Citroen Traction Avant
35. Citroen SM
34. Bentley Continental S2/S3
33. Auburn Speedster
32. VW Karmann Ghia
31. Morgan Plus 4/Plus 8
30. MG-T Series
29. Lotus Elite
28. Jensen Interceptor
27. Jaguar XJ6
26. Iso Grifo
25. Ferrari 330 P4
24. Talbot Lago T150C SS
23. Alfa Romeo 8C Competitor
22. Cord 810/812 Roadster
21. Alfa Romeo

Stay tuned for the top-20 and an expanded report on the newspaper readers’ selection of the Most Beautiful Car.

Written and posted by www.theweeklydriver.com.

Ford Mustang, Bugatti Share Daily Telegraph's Most Beautiful Car Spotlight (No. 60-41)

Several years ago, a friend bought two handmade Bugatti replicas. They’re Bugatti blue, beautiful and pristine miniatures of the real deal. But by their craftsmanship, they’re also a real deal unto themselves and great collectors’ items.

Another friend is a Ford Mustang fancier. He bought a new Mustang a few years ago and treasured it. But he sold the car within its first year of purchase because he just wasn’t driving it often enough to justify the joy of ownership.

It’s not often the Bugatti and Ford Mustang are discussed in the same automotive conversation. My friends' tales provide one example. Another mixing of the two diverse cars occurred among readers of the Daily Telegraph, the London-based daily newspaper.

Its readers selected two Bugatti models and the Ford Mustang among “The 100 Most Beautiful Cars."  The Mustang is No. 58, the Bugatti Veyron is No. 55 and its sibling, the Bugatti T35, is No. 54 in the recently released poll.

The newspaper received thousands of entries representing 367 different cars.

ThWeeklyDriver.com is counting down the list, 20 cars per blog.

Here’s the list, No. 60-41.

60. Lancia Delta Integrale
59. Lamborghini Countach
58. Ford Mustang
57. Facel Vega II
56. Duesenberg SJ
55. Bugatti Veyron
54. Bugatti T35
53. Alvis TD/E/F21
52. Alfa Romeo Guila Sprint GT
51. Lincoln Continental
50. MGA
49. Mercedes-Benz SSK
48. Lancia Fulvia Coupe
47. Jaguar XJ-S
46. Fiat 130 Coupe
45. Bentler-Type Continental
44. Austin Healy 100
43. Aston Martin D87
42. Porsche 356
41. Maserati Ghibli

Stay tuned for the rest of the list.

Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, Chevrolet Bel Air Make Daily Telegraph's Beautiful Car List (Nos. 80-61)

Car aficionados likely know such unique cars as the NSU Ro80 or the Hispano-Suiza H6. But almost anyone who’s owned a car or whose parents owned a car has likely at least heard of the Chevrolet Bel Air or a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud.

All four of these cars were selected by the Daily Telegraph, the London newspaper that recentlly asked its readers to pick “The 100 Most Beautiful Cars.”

The Weekly Driver continues its countdown with the Nos. 80-61 vehicles, and what a diverse group. The newspapers’ readers sent in thousands of votes representing 367 different cars.

Each car is represented by a photo and short description. The accompanying text for the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud (No. 65) is typical of the newspaper’s clever style: “The Bentley S2/S3’s close cousin. Optional extras include a chauffeur.”

We’re nearly halfway through the list. Here’s Nos. 80-61:

80. Jaguar XJ 220
79. Hispano-Suiza H6
78. Ford Grnada MK1
77. Ferrari 250 GT California
76. Chevrolet Bel Air
75. Cadillac Eldorado
74. BMW 507
73. Audi R8
72. Audi Quattro
71. Alfa Romeo Montreal
70. Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider
69. Alfa Romeo Carabo
68. Sunbeam Talbot 90
67. SS 100
66. Rover SD1
65. Rolls Royce Silver Cloud
64. Porsche 911
63. NSU Ro80
62. McLaren F1
61. Mazda RX-7 FD

Volvo P1800 Begins Daily Telegraph's List Of "The 100 Most Beautiful Cars" (Nos. 100-81)

Two car enthusiasts within a few blocks of our home in East Sacramento both own Volvo P1800s. I don’t know the people, but I admire the cars they drive, and apparently lots of readers of the Daily Telegraph like to the car, too.

The London-based newspaper, which this week is unveiling its readers’ selections of “The 100 Most Beautiful Cars” selected the Volvo as No. 100.

The newspaper commented: "According to one reader, 'It looks even better when you remove its front and rear bumpers.' "

Here’s the start of the list, which the newspaper is publishing in 20-choice increments:

100. Volvo P1800
99. Triumph TR6
98. Triumph TR 4/5
97. Triumph Stag
96. Triumph Spitfire
95. Toyota 2000 GT
94. Peugeot 504 Coupe
93. Peugeot 406
92. Nissan 300 ZX
91. Mini
90. Mercedes-Benz Pagoda (W113)
89. Mercedes-Benz 500K/540K
88. Maserati 350 GT
87. Maserati 250F
86. Lotus Europa
85. Land Rover Defender
84. Lancia Aurelia B20
83. Lamborghini Espada
82. Lagonda Rapide
81. Jaguar XK

Stay tuned.

London Newspaper Selects 100-Most Beautiful Cars (Introduction)

Newspapers publish polls and reader surveys on all kinds of subjects — favorite recipes to family memories. Sustaining readership, enticing new subscribers and keeping advertisers happy is the name of the newspaper game.

In the automotive world, it’s possible nothing else could gain as much survey attention as asking readers to either tell mechanic nightmare stories or give their opinions on the most beautiful cars in the world.

I prefer the latter subject, and it’s what makes a recent survey in the Daily Telegraph in London, England, a marketing wonderment and a journalistic golden nugget. The newspaper simply asked readers to send it their choices for “The 100 Most Beautiful Cars.”

This week, the newspaper began counting down the results in reverse order. It’ll be a few more days before the readers’ top choice among thousands of votes for 367 specific models is published.

In the meantime, the multi-part article is a great read. A picture of each of vehicle is followed by a succinct assessment, some of which are profoundly elegant.

And The Weekly Driver can’t help but gush over the results, unveiled by Telegraph editors with an introduction that it part reads:

“A remarkably varied collection of curves and straight lines, old and new. If classic cars predominate, it is probably because like great art, it takes time for a design to escape the influence of fashion and to be fairly judged on its on merits.”

The Weekly Driver will blog about the results in 20-choice increments, but here’s a tease:

#85, Land Rover Defender. Telegraph Editor’s comment: “As beautiful as they come should you need to climb mountains, ford streams or follow rainbows.”

Stay tuned.
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