Did You Know - SR-71 Blackbird Edition

29 Things You Didn't Know About the SR-71 Blackbird

1. The SR-71’s official speed record -- 2,193.13 mph -- has stood for nearly 40 years

• In July of 1976, the Blackbird celebrated the United States’ centennial by setting an outright speed record for a manned jet. This is that very plane landing after that record-setting run, and while a few pilots took their Blackbirds faster, they weren't on an official two-way record run.

11. To fly or even work on the plane, everybody was required to be married

• You not only had to be between 25 and 40 years old and something called “emotionally stable,” you had to be married to even be eligible for consideration to work on the plane, let alone fly the damn thing. Testing in the desert north of all those Las Vegas wedding chapels makes a lot of sense now, huh?

17. The Blackbird’s missile avoidance technique was a middle finger to would-be attackers

• During it’s decades of service, enemies with itchy trigger fingers fired in excess of 1,000 missiles in the hope of taking down the high flyer. The evasive maneuver used by most pilots? Hit the throttle and laugh, since missiles couldn’t go as fast. Not a single one was ever shot down.

Complete list (Thrillist.com)

Wow

(CarThrottle.com)

A Real Life Car Guy's Dream Garage, Jay Leno's

The Ultimate Hobby Shop: Jay Leno’s Garage

This is where all the magic happens. While Keith gave us a look at some of Jay’s favorite cars, I want to show you guys where the work gets done in the shop.

The difference between Jay’s garage and a car museum is that the cars and motorcycles here are kept in a way that they can be pulled out and driven on the street in a matter of minutes.

(SpeedHunters.com)

A Tough Life For Some

(CarThrottle.com)

She Does Exist

(CarThrottle.com)

A Pro Street 1970 Charger

(CarThrottle.com)

Just Another Day On The Internet

(CarThrottle.com)

And Also Pedestrians

(BroBible.com)

Now I Feel Old, Thanks

(BroBible.com)

This Is True

(BroBible.com)

It Is That Simple

(BroBible.com)

I Like This Goal

(BroBible.com)

Good Idea, But Market Value On These Has Gone Up A Lot Already

A Datsun 240Z should be your next classic car

Sadly, many of these first-generation 240Zs succumbed to neglect, rust, and the dreaded Small Block Chevy motor conversion. Thus, they ended up junked, crushed, or wrapped around trees. Fortunately, the cars that remain are often the ones that were well cared for. And they're finally beginning to get the attention they deserve, rising in value, like their contemporary competitors from Germany, England and Italy. But, like their design and engineering, this augmentation is arriving on a sort of 7/10 scale.

According to our friends at Hagerty, respected authorities in classic car valuation, pristine "Condition #1" examples of the 1970-1973 Z cars have appreciated by more than 50 percent over the past five years, ascending in price from about $33,000 to nearly $55,000. But less perfect "Condition #2" and "Condition #3" cars have not followed the outrageous path of the 911 and E-Type, and remain far more affordable. C2 cars have gone from $24,000 to $34,000, while C3 Zs have climbed from $15,400 to $17,000.

It's always best to buy the best car you can afford. But in this case, we'd probably settle for a really nice driver in slightly better than average condition and use it as much as possible in nice weather. Down the line, we might do a sympathetic restoration, as parts and support are readily available.

(AutoBlog.com)

It's Not The Car, It's Driver

A smarter gas pedal may help drivers save money at the pump

Bosch Says New Device Could Boost Fuel Economy By 7 Percent

Driving behavior can have as big an impact on gas mileage as the machinery. While the government has looked at automakers to do their part in weaning the nation from its oil dependency, nobody has told motorists its time lighten their lead foots.

Bosch developed a product to do just that. Engineers at the global automotive supplier have unveiled an "active" gas pedal that provides haptic feedback to drivers when they push too hard on the gas pedal and increase their fuel consumption at excessive rates. The signal comes right where it can make a difference – at a driver's foot. Bosch executives believe feedback could help drivers improve fuel economy by as much as 7 percent.

The pedal is networked with other automotive functions like the transmission to provide the indications, and it comes with the option of also letting them know when it's the best time to shift gear. "The pedal tells the driver when the economy and acceleration curves intersect," said Stefan Seiberth, president of Bosch's gasoline systems division.

On a car equipped with advanced safety features, the pedal might save a life as well as gas. Coupled with a camera that recognizes road signs, the gas pedal can deliver haptic feedback that warns drivers if they are approaching curves in the road at dangerous speeds. Linked to a navigation system, haptic warnings can alert drivers to traffic congestion ahead. For all functions, the signals drivers feel can vary in type and strength. In due time, Bosch says that drivers will have reflexive reactions to the vibrations.

(AutoBlog.com)

I Am Old & Don't Care

(CarThrottle.com)

I Like Big Butts & I Cannot Lie

(CarThrottle.com)