2007 MINI vs 2006 MINI

The 2007 MINI is 6cm longer than the 2006, and all that extra length appears to be at the front of the car, which detracts from the MINI's wheel-at-each-corner styling theme.

It's most noticeable in profile photos. The front overhang has grown. On the 2006 MINI the bonnet quickly drops away in front of the front wheels. But on the 2007 MINI the bonnet juts forward in typical nose heavy FWD style. And the headlights now have a Marty Feldman appearance.

BMW say the change was necessary to meet European pedestrian impact rules. But I think the longer nose is the result of the new Peugeot engine which has the exhaust manifold at the front of the engine, versus the old Tritec engine which has the inlet at the front and the exhaust at the back, just like the original 1959 Mini.

Categories:Cars

Hercules on an Aircraft Carrier

No arresting cable. No assisted take-off.

In October 1963, the U.S. Navy landed a four-engine C-130 Hercules on the aircraft carrier Forrestal 500 miles off the coast of New Hampshire. Its' 132-foot wing span cleared the control tower by just 15 feet.

The US Navy concluded it would be possible to lift 25,000 pounds of cargo 2,500 miles and land it on a carrier. But ultimately the US Navy decided to use the smaller C-2 Greyhound in the COD (Carrier Onboard Delivery) role.

The Hercules was, and still is, the largest and heaviest aircraft to land on an aircraft carrier.

Thanks AviationVids.com

Magtack

This idea for a thumbtack that can hold a photograph or a document without making a hole in it came from designer Priscilla Barton. When not in use, the pin can be sheathed safely in the head of the pin.

$7 for eight pins from OXO.

Thanks SFGate
Categories:Design

Birdside Table

Sweet place to rest your book, specs, and glass of water.
£95 at Heal's.

A1GP Sprint Race Round 6 in Australia

Teams representing 25 nations compete in the "World Cup of Motor Sports".

All A1GP teams have identical Lola chassis and Zytek 3.4 Litre 520bhp V8 engines.

Categories:Cars Sports

Does It Blend?

SocketSite has all the details on these apartments at 1446 Jackson Street.

My concern is: Does it blend in with its' older neighbours?

The height of the building is about right, and the two columns of windows almost fit in with the bay windows of the other buildings.

But the ground level entrance is over sized. And worst of all, this building is too dark to integrate with the other buildings. SF Victorians are whimsical. This building takes itself seriously. I say it doesn't blend.

Categories:Architecture San Francisco

Bonnet Band Shell

I work in a car factory, and I wondered if it would be possible to construct buildings from the bonnets, roofs and boot lids of junked cars; to use the perfectly good painted sheet metal panels from broken cars as large tiles for the shell of a building.

The answer is yes. This band shell was assembled on the Panhandle for a few months last year. It's a clever idea, and it looked good.

The band shell will be reassembled on Treasure Island's Great Lawn next month.

Photos from Treehugger
Categories:Architecture Cars

Cinderblock Sugar Cubes

By John Truex and Audrey Russell of Brooklyn NY.

Thanks NOTCOT
Categories:Design

Overwhelmed

Image from Dark Roasted Blend
Categories:Art

Klein Update

I've started to swap parts over to my new bike. It now sports a Thompson seat post, Cane Creek seat post clamp, Specialized saddle, and Eggbeater pedals. Next will be the Easton handlebar and stem, Cane Creek brake levers, and Shimano XT brakes.

I need to count the teeth on the cog set. It might be 11-34, which is too wide for me. I might just swap the rear wheel from my old bike.

When I'm more fit I'll remove the front derailleur (but having said that, I must admit this is the first time I've ridden a bike where the front derailleur doesn't rub against the chain).

I had Roaring Mouse Cycles replace the Manitou Mars C fork with a used Rock Shox Sid I bought on eBay. The fork is good, but the damping needs to be tuned.

On Monday I rode over to Mill Valley and back. The bike performed well. I, however, did not perform well. It will be weeks before I get into shape.

Categories:Sports