Messages

https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-mercedes-metris-van-is-leaving-the-us-because-nobody-wanted-it

The MB Metris/Sprinter is on it's way out too.  GM full size (Chevy Express/GMC Savannah body-on frame "traditional") and Ford full size (Transit euro tall/regualer roof unibody) are still around.  Ford electric E Transit and Brightdrop (GM) Zevo 400/600 electric vans are available as well.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-ram-promaster-city-was-the-last-small-van-left-now-its-gone

No more small commercial vans.  Nissan ended vans in 2021.  The Chevy City Express (a Nissan made in Mexico) left in 2018.  The Promaster was a Fiat made in Turkey as well.

https://fordauthority.com/2022/08/next-gen-ford-transit-connect-canceled-will-exit-u-s-market-by-2024/

No more Transit Connect, in the US anyway.

Applying the VIN from one vehicle to another is illegal.  Changing a VIN to misrepresent the "true identity" of a vehicle is illegal.  Removing a VIN plate for repair or restoration, and re-installing it on the vehicle it was removed from, is legal in some states.  Modifying a vehicle (i.e. replacing the body) can be done legally in some states.  It can require special inspection, application of a state issued VIN, and issuance of a new title with the new VIN.  It doesn't sound like that was done wth the car in question.   

I had a 67 Grand Prix in college.  Last of the full size models.  Fun car; I'm lucky I'm alive.  Sold it for an 80 Pinto (geez) because I couldn't afford the $5 a day in gas to get to school. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNFDKm8F4hg

Yes, at about 1:53.  The guy running the bolts in.  lol

The best part of that film/video is the guy putting the left front fender on. 

Joe Dirt 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HOWSyG7t0M

OnStar can, and has been, used to disable a vehicle at the request of law enforcement in an emergency. I was personally involved in an incident where a subject stole a Silverado equipped with OnStar.  The vehicle was located by OnStar and a pursuit ensued.  The subject crashed the Silverado before it could be "shut off".  Conveniently for him, there was a pistol in the glovebox.  He used that to "carjack" a tractor trailer.  The TT was later stopped by shooting out the tires.

OnStar and Sync can provide telematics (generally after the fact, but in real time depending upon circumstances) including vehicle location, braking, seat belt usage, required maintenance, etc.  Fleet owners purchase the service to monitor drivers, etc.  OnStar is, generally, not used to rebut warranty claims as not all GM vehicles have OnStar activated and there is usually other evidence of abuse.  I would need to read the OnStar contract to see if it is prohibited.  Most GM vehicles have "embedded OnStar hardware", though not all vehicles have it activated.  OnStar has been in use for 25 years. 

Since 1998 all vehicles built and sold in the US have been required to have airbags.  The airbag module can record time of impact/airbag deployment, speed at impact, seat belt usage, braking, and steering input.  There is generally a short "buffer" recorded prior to deployment.  Most law enforcement can recover this information without assistance from the manufacturer.

Airbag module and telematic information can be obtained by law enforcement through use of a search warrant.  It isn't provided to LE, or anyone else, other than the vehicle owner, without appropriate paperwork (warrant, subpoena, etc). While it is often used for fatal crashes, murders, kidnappings, etc., it isn't used for summary traffic offenses due to the resources necessary to obtain the information.  In emergency situations the information can be provided without a warrant/subpoena, however, that usually follows after the fact before the information can be use for prosecution.

Most "push (button) to start" equipped vehicles have the capability now to have the engine stopped while maintaining (electric) power steering, brakes, etc.  2021 and newer GM vehicles do.   

Did it old school.  Philly to Zanesville, Zanesville to Indy.  Open track, parade laps, museum, evening program, etc.  Paid $6/gallon for 93 at the Sunoco across from the Mug and Bun.  Straight back to Philly. Guy next to me on one side at the open track drove his car from Detroit, on the other side was a rig from Ontario.  Probably $400-$500 in fuel.  Worth every penny.  A splendid time was had by all.   

Certain vehicles are built without VINs. Show vehicles, crash test vehicles, vehicles intended only for engineering purposes, in-house testing, etc. Once they serve their puprose they are destroyed.

https://www.tapkat.org/the-cobra-experience/NkXYM9/?promo=WEBSITE

Is that Carrol Baker?

       Roy

Google says Diana Dors at the 1967 12Hrs of Sebring.  Not sure why the guy driving has to wear a helmet. 

I don't think it's a Mustang.  The roof line (and "B pillar"??) don't seem correct.  Photoshop? Some sort of Charger with a Mustang emblem on the grille?

Dodge has said the current Challenger and Charger will go out of production by 2024 but hasn't announced an actual date.  Camaro is up in the air, but there haven't been any official announcements.  Mustang seems solid for now.