Ever Wonder How They Do That? (Movie Camera Cars)

I don't know about you -- but I had this image in my head of a couple of guys with a camera laying down on the hood of a car filming the people driving. (Don't stop too fast or we're going to lose the sound guy -- and be careful on those corners.)

And, of course, we all remember the classic movies, with the backdrop looking so obviously staged, and with the leading-lady's hair staying perfect -- even in a convertible.

Well...the folks at Autoblog must have been asking themselves the same question. The difference is -- they went out and got the answers. It turns out that it's not nearly as easy as you might think, and the vehicles used to make those great action driving scenes are quite elaborate.

From Herbie (The Love Bug) with a camera boom to a monster Hummer with a custom front end, the movie cars are pretty neat.

California Commuter 157MPG

Way back when in the 1980's Doug Malewicki built a car that was the milage king. The California Commuter gained entry into the Guiness Book of World Records with a gasoline run of 157MPG and a diesel record of 156MPG. These weren't perfect condition track runs either, but road runs on the highways of California. Read more, or buy plans for yourself -http://www.canosoarus.com/03CalifCommuter/CalCom01.htm

Racing Apes

Ape - the little delivery trucks are also involved in racing. Hot motorcycle engines and oversized tires can really get them moving around the track. For some three wheeling fun check out the site for racing Apes -

http://74.125.93.104/translate_c?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://batiquercoi.sunrise.it/apindex1.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522apecar%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26as_qdr%3Dall&usg=ALkJrhi_byqbTgI04HNUqtSRtGQam0wwdw

Messerschmitt Kabinenroller included in "Cold War Modern" Exhibit at London's Victoria & Albert Museum

In examples of how the Cold War influenced design, the Victoria & Albert Museum will have a Messerschmitt Kabinenroller and a P70 Coupe (described as an early version of the Trabant).

These cars will be in good company -- with designs by Paco Rabanne and Pierre Cardin, Eames furniture designs made of ‘modern’ materials such as fiberglass, and movies -- including; Goldfinger, The Ipcress File, Dr. Strangelove and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

"Modern life after 1945 seemed to promise both utopia and catastrophe. By 1949, both of the world’s superpowers had acquired the capacity to annihilate one another with nuclear weapons. Twenty years later, man had walked on the moon.

"Modernist artists and designers responded to this dual vision, searching for ways to build a new and hopeful future and deal with the anxieties of the present.

"This exhibition explores modern art, architecture, design and film in the period 1945-70, highlighting the ways in which artists and designers responded to the conditions of the Cold War."

Flip top chop Isetta

I don't know if what's under the hood (excuse me - sidepanel) of this Isetta is as hot as this flamin' paint job indicates, but what the heck. This custom job shows what you can do if you ever roll your Isetta.

Chrysler Announces New Microcar -- GEM Peapod

Chrysler officially announced a new GEM microcar on September 23, 2008. The "Peapod" will be the newest addition to the GEM line of electric vehicles.

A decade after its launch and with 38,000 zero-emission electric vehicles produced and in use, Chrysler's GEM brand has launched the first of its next-generation designs - the Peapod. Scheduled for production in 2009, the low-speed neighborhood commuter can cover up to 30 miles without recharging at a top speed of 25 mph. In keeping with the company's "lots of love" slogan, the new fully-enclosed pod design uses eco-friendly recycled and recyclable materials in its construction and should keep a lid on road rage by virtue of its smiling facade (both front and rear), as well as keeping those inside the car happy with new ergonomic mesh seating and a freshly designed center console featuring (the almost mandatory) iPod integration and hands-free iPhone support.

GEM cars are street legal in more than 40 states and currently there are six models: two, four and six-seater passenger cars plus three utility vehicles. All share a top speed of 25 miles per hour and a range of up to 30 miles per charge assisted by regenerative braking. Recharging is via a standard 110-volt outlet and takes around six to eight hours.

The new Peapod design will be the first in a series of product launches. “With this next generation GEM, we will broaden the market for this clean, emission-free technology,” said the company’s CEO Bruce Coventry. "In addition to the 2009 GEM Peapod neighborhood electric vehicle, GEM has plans to market a new light-duty, battery electric commercial truck and a larger city electric vehicle, with more range and performance. These vehicles are scheduled for production within the next year."

NO GAS. NO EMISSIONS. LOTS OF LOVE.

Eco-friendliness gets a fresh new face with the GEM Peapod. And GEM takes on new meaning as GreenEcoMobility. Building on 10 years of battery-powered innovation, the GEM Peapod brings groundbreaking style and modern functionality to a gas-free, emission-free vehicle.

The Peapod doesn't pollute and doesn't take up any more space than it needs to, making it the perfect way to get around your neighborhood or commute to school or work. Every inch of interior space is thoughtfully designed, too. The center console offers an iPod dock and allows for hands-free operation of your iPhone. The seating is both ergonomic and eco-friendly (made from recycled and recyclable materials).

GEM is already USA's number one zero-emission electric vehicle, with 38,000 of its six models in active use today. The Peapod will be available for purchase in 2009, with more redefining models to come from GEM soon.

The Politics of Cars

In this election season, it seemed like a good idea to look at the cars that all the candidates drive -- to try to figure out which one is most likely to be "microcar-friendly."

McCain:

It seems that the McCain's win in the contest of who owns the most cars. According to Newsweek, John McCain owns 13 cars. (Apparently 12 of the cars belong to Cindy McCain, while John only owns one.) The McCain cars include -- a Toyota Prius, a 2004 Cadillac STC, a 2005 Volkswagen convertible, a Lexus, a 2001 Honda sedan, a 2007 half-ton Ford pickup truck, two Jeeps, a 2000 Lincoln, a 2001 GMC SUV, and three GEM neighborhood electric vehicles.

Obama:

Obama has one car registered in his name -- a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. He went car shopping last year when his previous car, a Hemi powered Chrysler V-8 drew some criticism. The Ford Escape hybrid seems to be the unofficial political candidate car. It is driven by John Edwards, Sens. Christopher Dodd and Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Govs. Mitt Romney and Bill Richardson.

Palin:

It's probably not surprising to hear that Sarah Palin can often be seen driving a Chevrolet Suburban. It's hardly a microcar (or even a minicar, or a "politically-correct" hybrid), but it is the car the state of Alaska provides the governor. And with a family of seven in Alaska -- it may not be a bad choice. Her other vehicles include a VW Jetta TDI (42mpg -- not bad) and an Arctic Cat F6. If you aren't familiar with that last one, it's because it isn't a car . . . it's a snowmobile.

Biden:

Biden is the guy with the most interesting cars -- perhaps because he is the son of a car salesman. He was given a 1967 Corvette (in 1967) as a wedding gift from his father, and he still drives it. Despite having a classic Corvette (Bill Clinton preceded him as a classic car owner, with a 1967 Mustang), Biden's choice of rides doesn't seem to be as public as that of the other candidates -- although one posting cited him as also owning a classic pickup truck.

So...it's time to tally it up. Who is the best microcar candidate?

We certainly have to give McCain credit for his three GEM electric cars (even if they actually belong to his wife, Cindy). But we aren't a big fan of his "car of choice," the Cadillac CTS.

So, let's look at his running-mate, Sarah Palin. She gets one negative for the Suburban (sensible, perhaps...but not a very microcar-friendly choice), but she gets a positive for the Arctic Cat. It's not a car, but it is small -- and probably a lot of fun to drive.

On the other side we have Obama. His choice of a hybrid is a good thing, but he managed to pick one of biggest hybrids out there -- and it seems to be his second choice, after the Chrysler 300.

Barack's running-mate, Joe Biden wins on the coolness factor. (It's hard not to like a 1967 Corvette -- even if it's got a gas-guzzling V-8 under the hood.) But, between the Vette and a pickup, he doesn't seem to be driving small.

What's our conclusion?. . . a draw.

But we couldn't resist posting some photos of politicians doing what they do best -- looking foolish at the wheel.