plus 1, Why Gullwing made its debut in U.S.A. - Times Colonist

Why Gullwing made its debut in U.S.A. - Times Colonist

Posted: 30 Jan 2010 02:35 AM PST

You Auto Know is a regular feature that examines auto-related facts and fiction, busts some common car myths and checks out weird and wonderful tidbits about the automotive industry.

Did you know...

- In February 1954, the Mercedes Gullwing sports car made its global debut?

That year, Mercedes-Benz held the international unveiling of its now-legendary 300SL Gullwing coupe at the New York Auto Show. An unusual event for an auto company that still unveils most of its new cars at European shows, the New York debut was proposed by entrepreneur and Mercedes-Benz distributor Max Hoffmann, who recognized the unique appeal of the 300SL in the North American market.

The debut of the 300SL coupe and a prototype of the 190SL roadster marked a flashy kickoff for the SL model line. The first of five generations of Mercedes sports cars, the 300SL coupe is best known for its eye-catching gullwing doors, which open skyward like a bird's wings. The 300SL featured then-innovative technology such as the world's first four-stroke gasoline engine with direct mechanical fuel injection, as well as independent suspension and a race-bred tubular space frame.

- In 1914, the first Nissan (née Datsun) was built. In 1937, the Datsun Type 15 became the first mass-produced vehicle in Japan. In 1958, the first Datsun sedan arrived in the U.S. with a 48-horsepower engine.

- In 1903, William S. Harley, 23, and Arthur Davidson, 22, made the first-ever Harley-Davidson motorcycle available to the public. The pair worked out of a tiny wooden shed in Milwaukee, Wis. with the words "Harley-Davidson Motor Company" crudely scrawled on the door.

When Harley-Davidson turned six years old, it introduced its first V-twin-powered motorcycle, which produced just seven horsepower.

Almost half of the Harley-Davidsons sold in 1918 were to the U.S. military for use in the First World War. One day after the signing of the Armistice on Nov. 11, 1918, Cpl. Roy Holtz of Chippewa Falls, Wis., was the first American to enter Germany. He was riding a Harley-Davidson.

By 1920, Harley-Davidson became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. It is now the third-largest. Honda has the top spot and Yamaha is the runner-up.

- In 1953, Indian Motorcycles went out of business. Harley-Davidson would remain the only American motorcycle manufacturer for the next 47 years.

- Filming the famous chase scene in the 1968 movie Bullitt took three weeks, but less than 10 minutes of footage was used in the final cut.

The movie crew was denied permission to film on the Golden Gate Bridge for safety concerns.

Frank Bullitt's reverse burnout in the chase scene wasn't in the script. Actor Steve McQueen just missed the turn he was supposed to take.

During the chase scene, the Dodge Charger loses more than four wheel covers. Also, when the Charger supposedly explodes in the gas station, it can actually still be seen in the background. In yet another Charger oopsie, it changes from a regular Charger to an R/T version during the chase. But none of this matters because it's still considered one of the greatest movie car chase scenes of all time.

- This year, BMW's plant in Landshut, Germany, will have the world's first foundry with emissions-free sand core production. Sand cores are used to make moulds for die-casting metal; in this case, engine components.

Conventional organic binders at the factory will be replaced by eco-friendly non-organic binders, which generate virtually no pollutant emissions. This production method will allow the light-alloy foundry to reduce its emissions of combustion residues by 98 per cent, the automaker says. BMW is poised to become the world's first manufacturer to use inorganic sand cores in volume production of all engine core components.

- Last year, to celebrate its centennial, Audi unveiled a giant Audi TT outside its headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany. The TT is 10.2 metres long, 4.5 metres wide, 3.25 metres high and weighs about 10 tons. It is made of glass-fibre laminate and Neopor foam, and it features 150 square metres of painted surface. It's not drivable, though.

- There have been 75 deaths on Germany's infamous Nürburgring circuit.

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Car Show Calendar - The Post and Courier

Posted: 30 Jan 2010 12:19 AM PST

Today

A cruise-in will be held 6-8 p.m. at Andolini's Pizza on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. The event is free and open to everyone. Contact Brad Lustig at (843) 367-1060 or bradlustig@earthlink.net for more information.

Tuesday

The Southern Mustang and Ford club will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at North Towne Grille, 2093 Eagle Landing Blvd. in North Charleston, across from Northwoods Mall. All owners of Ford Motor Co. vehicles are welcome. The group also extends a warm invitation to past Palmetto State Ford Club members.

Feb. 6

The 20th annual "Winter Warm Up" indoor car show will be held 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Gaillard Auditorium Exhibition Hall in Charleston. Space is limited; pre-register early. The event will include participant judging and People's Choice award. Open to all pre-1990 cars and trucks and to any special-interest vehicle or motorcycle. Show and vendor fees are $25 per space. Motorcycles are $15. Entry fees include two admissions. Vehicles may be offered for sale. Vendors may sell automotive-related items only such as parts, accessories, art and toys. General admission is $5, free for children younger than 6. Trophy sponsor is $30. All sponsors will be recognized during the show. For more information, call (843) 761-2558 between 4 and 9 p.m.

Feb. 7

Coastal Carolina Corvette Club will hold its monthly meeting at The Point Grill at 176 Patriots Point Road (Shriners Club) in Mount Pleasant. It will begin at 2:30 p.m. for socializing, with the club meeting to start at 3 p.m. Members and interested Corvette owners are invited to attend. For more information, visit the club's Web site www.4cccc.org.

Feb. 11

The Lowcountry Corvair Association will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 at Perkins Restaurant, 7542 Rivers Ave. in North Charleston. All Corvair owners and enthusiasts are invited. For further information, contact Donn Pittman at (843) 849-9007 or visit the club's Web site at www.lowcountrycorvair.com.

Feb. 14

East Cooper ABATE presents the seventh annual Oyster Roast of the Local Kind at 1:30 p.m. at Richard's Bar & Grill, 2237 U.S. Highway 17 North in Mount Pleasant. Events include People's Choice, Men's Only, Women's Only, and All Active-Duty Military bike shows. It's free to enter the shows. Prizes awarded for first, second and third place winners. Events include live music and a tattoo contest. General admission is $5 per person or $10 for all the oysters you can eat. Proceeds benefit motorcycle rights in South Carolina. Call Panhead Ron at (843) 345-3799 for more information or visit the group's Web site at www.abatesc.com. Rain date is Feb. 21 at 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 16

Street Rods Unlimited will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 at Bessinger's Bar-B-Q on Savannah Highway. Hot Rodders (pre-1980 rods, custom cars and trucks) are invited to attend. For more information, visit the club's Web site at streetrodsunlimited.org or contact Allen Welch at (843) 761-2201.

Feb. 27

The 18th annual Lowcountry Shine & Swapp will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Exchange Park Fairgrounds in Ladson. Anything on wheels is welcome to participate including cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, tractors, pedal cars and wagons. Ten trophies will be awarded to vehicles. Motorists are urged to clean out their garages and bring automotive memorabilia and parts to show off or sell in the swap meet area. There will also be a bake sale and prizes. The show is free. Donations will be accepted for Happy Days and Special Times. Contact Betty Harris at (843) 797-3246 or Stu Shortreed at (843) 688-5992 for more information.

March 12-13

Suncoast Cruisers will hold its annual Back to the Beach Car Show 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Ft. Fisher Recreation Area in Wilmington, N.C. Registration is $25. Cars are years 1985 and older. The event will be held rain or shine.

April 24

NC Stangs will hold its first Open Car Show at 10 a.m. at ISM Inc., 2a Huntsman Place across from Biltmore Iron & Metal in Asheville, N.C. There will be 10 judging classes as well as Best In Show. Members and nonmembers welcome. NC Stangs describes itself as a "family-oriented car club for Mustang enthusiasts." For more information or to register online, visit ncstangs.net.

Going to a car show this weekend? Submit your photos and videos at www.charleston.net/youreport. Send car show information to Car Show Calendar, The Post and Courier, 134 Columbus St., Charleston, S.C., 29403, fax it to 937-5463 or e-mail jparker@postandcourier.com.

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