About Islander

Islander · ‎06-04-2022

I only owned regular cab 2-door trucks, 95% of the time just used one door for me and the hound so I'm with you on what you miss.

Islander · ‎10-03-2022

'perhaps the first entirely new car shape to come about strictly because of the switch to electric power.' I'll give the engineers a thumbs-up for that. They got creative and got a decent result for an urban mover. Unlike the Ford E F150 that still looks just like an F150 - dorks.

Islander · ‎08-03-2022

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Ars Gratia Artis!

Islander · ‎08-03-2022

So, spend 2 and a half years & $500,000 for a $10,000 prize and eternal glory (maybe) - I guess. It's quite a piece of work and maybe someone like Floyd Mayweather would and could buy it and actually drive it around. I stand in bewildered wonderment.

Islander · ‎05-03-2022

Never too late to learn a skill. I took a welding class once, all the instructor did was show us how to turn on the machine, make the adjustments and then turned us loose with scraps to practice on - that's it for basic welding -Practice!

Islander · ‎28-02-2022

Yeah, those were the days, that was a perfect storm, the heyday of Detroit muscle, SF in that era, and Mr. Cool doing the chase. Recall Robert Duvall in a bit part as a cabbie and the high-tech of sending an image over a land line. Good luck with this project

Islander · ‎16-02-2022

I'd be interested to see a few profiles on those that do this sort of high-end bidding. 'Seems more things have become investment commodities, real estate, NFT's and so forth. Are nifty cars part of this or what the flipped profits from other investments get spent on. A bit of both maybe.

Islander · ‎26-01-2022

First thing that came to mind reading the article, 'Looks like an unrefined,1st gen Corvair

Islander · ‎30-12-2021

'Not seeing Cheese Waffie's mentioned. Probably really unhealthy but they do hit the spot at certain times.

Islander · ‎07-12-2021

Yeah, I see it, with a couple of hounds in the back.

Islander · ‎09-11-2021

The hydrogen ICE does emit water. I imagine a slew of these on a cold morning rush hour, no smog but certainly fog. Anyway, a great concept but not new, the real challenge is how to carry that volatile fuel. There are other alternative fuels, like these guys, www.carbonrecycling.is, they make synthetic methanol that burns 90% cleaner than fossil fuel. Not zero emissions but pretty good, mostly used in ships so far. It's evolving and, I think, more promising than plug-ins.

Islander · ‎04-11-2021

The engineers seem to be stepping up but the designers are doing a face-plant, and the politicians are ignoring the fact that they're trading one problem for another - emissions for toxic waste and it all leaves a footprint of some size. The juice needs to get generated and any manufacturing must convert from raw material to finished product. Nothing is free. It hardly matters to me, the only time I'll drive a plug-in is if I have to rent one because that's all there is available. If I ever buy another car (and I may not), it will likely be 40 yrs old and will have an ICE. Someday car ownership won't be necessary, just click your device and a ride shows up.

Islander · ‎15-10-2021

I used to wonder why the Kaufman's gave away that famous piece of artistry, Falling Water. They initially wanted their home to have a view of that waterfall, not be part of it. Think for a moment, a concrete dwelling built on top of a waterfall, the owners referred to it as -Rising Mildew. Just did not work for them. 'Sure looks cool, but, as I understand it, a constant maintenance headache.

Islander · ‎21-07-2021

I have that problem, no mice but fairly severe moth ball stench. I plan to try the Meguiar's Air Re-Fresher. Unless someone has a better solution?

Islander · ‎02-06-2021

No, I don't hate anyone with more money than I will ever see (I do know lots of 'em and I even like most of 'em) I do like it when the process is doing some good somewhere. Stuff like this sale, just somehow obscene!

Islander · ‎02-06-2021

Macabre is not the word - It's shameful that anyone has that much cash to toss around for some junk connected to a tragic accident.

Islander · ‎31-05-2021

Reminds me of an Aztec with better proportions. Off topic, but for me, red is nearly always a poor color choice.

Islander · ‎20-05-2021

So, you're not buying gas, but the electric bill goes up (unless you sneak the juice somehow - boy think of all the scenarios with that). What do you think a charging station will charge per kW/hr?

Islander · ‎20-05-2021

How silly of me to think forward, I recall those first cell phones, basically a clone of the old wireless landline receivers, 'took awhile for the design to advance. When I drove trucks, it was just me 90% of the time, 'never needed more than two doors but I often did need the bed space. A vehicle cannot be all things to all people, especially an all electric pick-em up truck. I see a slick-looking cab sitting ahead of a flatbed with all sorts of clever toolbox options, no it won't look like an F150 E because it likely won't be a Ford anyway.

Islander · ‎20-05-2021

So, what's the average cost of a fill-up? I'm not impressed with the design. A trunk in the front? Make it cab forward (2 doors) with plenty of bed. Why design it to look like what it was, it's a new thing. It should come with a large fire blanket. When these batteries ignite smothering is the only way to deal with the situation and it takes at least two people.

Islander · ‎10-05-2021

Just think, one could build that car from parts and be way south of $5 M. I know that misses the point of selling rare automotive art to a billionaire collector, but for me a car needs to be reasonable enough to be driven.

Islander · ‎28-04-2021

That's exactly what I was thinking, plus an extra 700 lbs of toxic waste that might catch fire. Not like 4 wires and a carburetor in the olden times. I don't know, $40 K or so?? A bit steep

Islander · ‎19-04-2021

A bold statement. I will agree that the Offenhauser qualifies as an artwork, if not in the top 5, close to it.

Islander · ‎11-04-2021

The El Camino used the Malibu platform. I was just looking at the current version, might be possible - not sure how much bed there'd be, but still usable. 90% of the time, riding in those several pickups, it was just me and some gear, on occasion a hound at shotgun. The other 10%, another person, rarely 2 other people, any more and I'd use a car, sedan or wagon. A 4-door pickup just does not look right and seems a waste of potential cargo space.

Islander · ‎10-04-2021

I've driven pickups a good part of my life. 'Never had a need for more than 2 doors and preferred the shorter wheelbase units for maneuverability. A favorite was a plain-Jane '68 El Camino, 3 on the tree. 'Got plenty of use from that one. I'd like to see a new version of that one.

Islander · ‎02-04-2021

The notion that producing EVs will save the planet is a myth. The batteries, which at some future date will be a disposal problem, leave a huge footprint and the juice to charge them up is not carbon-free either. Too many suffer from tunnel-vision on the issue, the result of marketing and politics. There are better solutions out there.

Islander · ‎30-03-2021

Whoops, I meant 'hear, hear! And thanks to Elon, a Tesla can be bought with Bitcoin, another illusion that uses up juice like it was free, a bubble that, so far, refuses to burst.

Islander · ‎30-03-2021

Here, Here! and that virtuous behavior is faux, an illusion. Those half-ton (or more) batteries are toxic time bombs. Sure the claim is they will get recycled, repurposed, and so on, but the truth will be another problematic wasteland somewhere. EV production and Tesla in particular don't deserve to be subsidized, there's no virtue. Instead subsidize developing an ICE that doesn't pollute, that will run on alternative fuels - It's possible.

Islander · ‎23-03-2021

I was a bit dismayed to find out Dr. Porsche was a plagiarist. I always thought of him as a singular genius, which he no doubt is, but to not share the glory and give design credit where it is due is a bit shameful. That posthumous award of automotive designer of the century should acknowledge Ledwinka´s influence. In any case, I will still lust after a nice example of a 912.

Islander · ‎16-03-2021

A bit shorter in the wheelbase would do wonders for the look. That stretched profile really hits you in the face. What's that saying, long car short........?

Islander · ‎05-02-2021

OK, I skimmed through this report, it makes assumptions and admits the data is imperfect, and the spreads are rather wide. It's a tilted argument but makes a point about reduced emissions overall. The cost issue is still vague and it expects that to improve with time. It completely misses the fact that ICE engineering and technology will also improve. I smell politics.

Islander · ‎05-02-2021

Just haul around a gas powered generator.

Islander · ‎05-02-2021

'No word on cost yet' That tells me it is more than I care to pay. All this EV stuff omits what to expect for battery life which is most likely an expensive component. 'Not only the juice to charge it but the cost of unit itself factors in to the equation.

Islander · ‎01-02-2021

Yes, boneheads burn their bridges! Engineering and technology is just getting to where ICE's make sense for efficiency and minimal pollution. No plug-ins for me, the world is already overloaded with batteries that will eventually become toxic waste. 'Not even close to being cost -effective. For some reason politics pushes the EV and they may have a place but should not be the only option.

Islander · ‎09-01-2021

Lordy, what a fun way to blow a few million bucks. These units look like they will leave even the motorcycles in the dust. No trailer queens according to that video - blasting through salt water no less!

Islander · ‎08-01-2021

If you're old enough to remember the ads - 'It's a car AND a truck'

Islander · ‎29-12-2020

I can imagine that i8 without the weighty battery and motor, a light sporty ride with 200+ hp - fun transportation. What might have been, huh.

Islander · ‎17-12-2020

Sure, a plug-in can move about without polluting, but nothing is free, there's a half-ton or more of toxic waste in that battery that someday will leave a big footprint somewhere. I will bet it's possible to build an ICE that's pollution free, or nearly so. Please, leave out the flat screens, they're unsafe at any speed.

Islander · ‎12-12-2020

Too sissified, the flat screen and GOAT button ruin it. Off-roading should be done open-air with the windscreen folded down.

Islander · ‎13-11-2020

'Love that potato sack headliner in the Dodge, an artwork in itself!

Islander · ‎10-11-2020

If one has to ask 'how much', does that mean you can't afford it?

Islander · ‎21-10-2020

Kinda looks like the CAD program they used to design it - a tech look with zero personality. I don't know exactly why, but I do not get excited about plug-in vehicles. I am sure some clever group of engineers can build an ICE that's efficient and non-polluting, something that won't have a half-ton or more of battery that someday will turn into toxic waste

Islander · ‎15-10-2020

Modern engineering and technology has done wonders for performance and handling but the 'art' of automotive design has foundered - too dependent on computers, those CAD files can't compete with a talented designer from the '60's.

Islander · ‎06-10-2020

What does cross-pollinating gas engines mean? None of this makes sense, batteries are toxic, juice is not free of emissions. No one needs outrageous acceleration (once in awhile fun maybe, but unnecessary). If one is compelled to convert to something, go with an efficient ICE

Islander · ‎24-07-2020

Give me a plain Jane any day. I do have a '94 4runner with tolerably tasteful graphics, but these shown above are hideous