Author: Tabitha
If you have ever considered building your own hotrod from scratch, Brookville Roadster should be on your radar. The 30-year-old company specializes in all-steel recreations of 1928-’32 Ford models. This includes seven different body styles, including coupes, roadsters and pickups, with or without fenders. Brookville can supply just about every possible component you might need to bring your hotrod to completion, minus the drivetrain. Prices start in the $15,000 range for a basic package, and adding the various components to finish the job could significantly boost that amount. Go to www.brookvilleroadster.com to download the catalog.
Some older drivers and their passengers, as well as anyone with mobility issues, can have a difficult time getting into and out of a vehicle. As the name implies, the Swivel Seat from My Belief Supply allows you to back into the vehicle seat, then rotate your body without undue stress or strain. In the same fashion, the Swivel Seat helps when getting out of the vehicle. The manufacturer claims that the product’s slim design means it won’t be uncomfortable to sit on for long periods. Get a set of two Swivel Seats sells for $60 from www.mybeliefsupply.com.
The Sleuth confirms that Volvo’s premium division will begin selling vehicles here by mid-2019, starting with the all-wheel-drive Polestar 1, a 2+2-seat luxury coupe. The limited-edition car will use an “Electric Performance Hybrid Drivetrain,” consisting of a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the front wheels, plus an electric motor for each rear wheel. Combined output is pegged at 592 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque. The plug-in hybrid system is also expected to give the coupe a range of close to 100 miles on battery power alone. The carbon-fiber-bodied Polestar 1 — the first of three planned Polestar…
The late head of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is credited with turning around a struggling Chrysler. Without his no-nonsense leadership, the company might not have survived. But that doesn’t mean that it’s clear sailing ahead for former Jeep and Ram division head Michael Manley, who replaced Marchionne as FCA’s boss. It appears to the Sleuth that Chrysler and Dodge will play increasingly minor roles in the automaker’s plans, with perhaps no more than two models for each surviving past 2020. But the real problem child continues to be Fiat, the sales of which have headed sharply downward in the past few…
When it comes to wrenching in tight spots, KC LED Light Gloves can come in handy. The breathable, waterproof material and adjustable wrist closures are designed to provide a comfortable fit, while the built-in lithium-ion-powered lights on each glove have high and low settings to let you see exactly what you’re working on. The two “Metal Coin Cell” batteries (included) are good for up to 20 hours of continuous use. Both large and extra-large sizes are available in full finger and fingerless styles. Order a pair for $80 from www.ledlife.us.
Other than designing and manufacturing his line of clothing, fashion guru Ralph Lauren is known for collecting an exquisite array of classic automobiles. One of his prized rides is an ultra-rare 1938 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupe, which served as an inspiration for the Ralph Lauren Automotive Watch. This 39-millimeter-diameter self-winding timepiece features a steel case with a matte-black dial that’s encircled by inlaid burled elm and a sapphire-crystal cover. The watch is water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters (164 feet). The Automotive Watch sells for $5,100 through a select number of jewelry retailers listed at www.ralphlaurenwatches.com.
A source for the Spymaster indicates that the Korea-based automaker is planning an overhaul of its midsize sedan for the 2020 model year. Word has it that the next Sonata will be in part influenced by Hyundai’s Le Fil Rouge concept model that was shown to the public this past spring at the 2018 Geneva (Switzerland) auto show. That car’s extreme fastback shape and minimalist interior won’t be used, but at least some the design cues are expected to be part of the Sonata’s new look. There’s no official word on powerplant choices, but both non-turbo and turbocharged four-cylinder engines…
Reports from The Sleuth’s operatives indicate that the Britain-based automaker is looking to replace the XK-series coupes and convertibles, which were discontinued after the 2014 model-year, with a single model labeled the J-Type. It’s expected to be a mid-engine vehicle that’s positioned at the premium end of the lineup, and will likely use some form of electric propulsion. An all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid drivetrain using a supercharged V-6 plus two electric motors would be one possible scenario. As for the J-Type’s design, the automaker’s C-X75 electric concept (first shown in 2010) would be The Spy Guy’s pick. Jaguar probably has something…
As the world’s tire business looks for ways to shed its use of oil, Michelin says it will have a new tire within two years, the construction of which will be largely made up of wood. Wood will become the major ingredient for a sustainable future, predicts Britain’s Motoring magazine, which reported that in addition to wood as a tire ingredient, Michelin foresees a future in which 3-D printing of rubber will allow a vehicle to run just one set of tires over its lifetime. “It’s not a dream. We should have the first industry machine in 2020. And then…
A program testing the installation of public charging points in streetlamp posts is under way in the London, England. It could help remove a hurdle to mass electric-vehicle adoption in high-density and urban environments: lack of access to charge points. Charged Electric Vehicles Magazine reports London startup Char.gy is demonstrating its open-access charging technology. It plans to expand across other areas of London and over time, all of the United Kingdom. Char.gy said in a statement its charge points offer an easy-to-install option for municipal authorities that’s more cost effective than tearing up streets to install new infrastructure. “We want…