2010 California traffic ticket fines, they don't make sense relatively, but indicate that the state looks at these fines as revenue, not as a deterent

If you are looking for 2011 fines: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-california-traffic-laws-and-fines.html

Traffic Tickets Fines (01/06/2010)

Failure to notify DMV of address change within 10 dayd..................................... $214

Failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility (insurance) ....................$796

Failure to stop at a red signal. ..................................$436
Failure to stop at a stop sign. ....................................$214


Unsafe Speed, 1 to 15 miles over the limit.................$214
Unsafe Speed, 16 to 25 miles over the limit...............$328

Passing a school bus with flashing red signals............$616

Drive using wireless phone not hands free, First offense ....................$148

Drive using wireless phone not hands free, For each subsequent offense. ...............$256

Drive while wireless device to send, read or write text.........................$148

Minor drive using wireless phone.....................................$148

Parking in a bus loading area ...................$976

Violation of disabled parking provisions, first offense................$976

Violation of disabled parking provisions, second offense...............................$1876

Unlawful material on vehicle windows...........................$178

Adequate muffler required ................................$178

Mandatory use of seat belts...............................$148

Mandatory use of child passenger restraints.....................$436

Headsets/Earplugs over both ears.....................$178

Motorcycle safety helmet requirements.......................................$178

No evidence of current registration...................................................$256

Vehicles named after weapons

Pierce arrow, Dodge magnum, AMC Javelin, Sunbeam Rapier, Buick La Sabre

Via: http://forums.acdclub.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3711

Trivia, how was a quarter mile chosen as the length of a dragstrip?

From Wally Parks:

We took some new (1949 model) cars down, and as part of the the regular Motor Trend road test, we ran these experimental runs. The purpose of the thing was to find out just how far you could race the average car that was available at the time before you had to start getting stopped. We had a runway down there that I think was 4700 feet long. We had probably 20 different cars running, of all types, including some dry lakes cars; and we found that if we extended the acceleration distance more than a quarter mile, some of them couldn't get stopped at the other end. It was on that basis that we (later) established the quarter-mile as the official (NHRA) competition distance.
Hot Rod Magazine Nov. 1978

The lunar rover, only wheeled vehicle off the planet

Above image via: http://www.greyhandgang.com/

there were actually 3 deployed: http://luminosis.blogspot.com/2009/07/for-sale-one-lunar-rover.html
Above image via: http://www.solarviews.com/raw/apo/as17-147-22526.jpg

Above image via: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Apollo15LunarRover.jpg

Below inage via: http://apolloanomalies.com/images/ALSJ/AS17-137-20979HR.jpg

They are still working on the next generaton of lunar rover tires: http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/08/06/goodyear-and-nasa-develop-the-next-gen-lunar-rover-tire-its-springy/

I don't consider the toys on mars to be vehicles, since they have no ability to transport people

What is rare? A 426 max wedge in a Dodge truck as a factory install

The 426 Wedge was part of the $1300 High Performance Package and could be ordered on its own from the separate and distinct $235 Custom Sports Special trim package.

The HP Package was only “officially” offered in 1964 and 1965 on D100 and D200 LWB trucks. The Custom Sports Special trim package was offered from 1964 thru 1967 and could be had on D or W 100, 200 Sweptline, Utiline or chassis cab in LWB or SWB trucks.

Dodge management only authorized 50 trucks could be built with the 426 Street Wedge High Performance Package — according to former Dodge truck engineer Bruce Thomas of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum, who said that far fewer than 50 examples were actually produced. Currently the registry recognizes 31 trucks with these packages or combinations of them.

Info via: http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/ram-history.html

For a great story about them, and a family restoration: http://www.cssregistry.com/css/stevebell.html

V8 Trivia

1st to be modified specifically to set a record (1956 Boneville Salt Flats, 187.992)
1st small block with a GMC blower

These are not yet verified, and may never be, but it's pretty certain that with no documentation from the 1930's through 1970's like the way everything is documented now, it'll never be proven wrong even if it's never proven correct.

The engine? A prototype 265 cu in given to Stu Hilborn by GM in 1954, then sold to Tom Cobbs and installed in his 29 Ford on 34 rails

A profound quote about racing safety

"Gentlemen, just remember... blood is slippery"
Nick Cyret, pres. BRSCC 1959

trivia answer that I came across accidentally, why did the 1920 Locomobile have a scarfed and moustached guy as a factory (not resale) hood ornament?

In WWI, British infantry soldiers were referred to as Tommys because of the name used as example in the pay book- Tommy Atkins. British troops during the Great War were famous for their bravery, and for always keeping their heads when the action got hot. That’s why this Tommy is a fitting mascot for this 1920 Locomobile.

The reason a British soldier was the choice, well since this was just after WW1, and a lot of mutual respect was formed between Brish and American forces, I think that explains it. No one has such respect for allies anymore, unless maybe it is the respect between military guys in a unit. Crewmembers in a aricraft, submarine, tank unit etc have this kind of utter respect.

in 1908, George Robertson (wearing #16) took the win in this car, ahead of fellow Locomobile pilot Joe Florida in third, becoming the first United States-built car to win in international competition. This would be the high water mark for Locomobile racing, and they soon faded from the scene, though Orin Davis did score a win in the Los Angeles-Phoenix rally in 1913.. On the strength of this, Locomobile soon became known for well built and speedy luxury cars.

Via: http://hooniverse.com/blog/2009/11/03/last-call-tommy-keeps-his-cool/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomobile_Company_of_America

Boss 429 trivia

The carb on the Boss 302 was bigger than the Boss 429 carb. December 2009 Musclecar Review, page 32

Reason? Lowering the performance of the 429 to fool the insurance companies, because more people would buy the Boss 429 if they felt the insurance would be affordable, and then take the Boss 429 to a speed shop and have it rebuilt for maximum power.

Jay's tank car trivia

You probably already knew the Blastolene brothers put in an engine from a M47 patton tank, but I just read in the Nov. 2009 Mens Journal that it's first public debut was as a hidden driveable vehicle in Gran Turismo 4

If you have wondered what the largest factory displacement engine was, or if synthetic oil needs to be changed as often... here is an answer website

http://revback.com/
If you read the questions, and find there are some you know the answers to, it becomes addictive to help the people who asked them... yes, there are feedback reasons to reward you for your time and having the best answers

The 2nd biggest factory displacement engine was in the 1912 Benz 82 200, it had a 21.5 liter 4 cylinder. the biggest was the Beast from Turin, the Fiat that had 28 liters of displacement

World's largest car engine? Probably