Our Classic Cars: 1962 Alfa Romeo Guilia Spider

1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider

This Alfa has been lovingly restored by the craftsmen of the Knauz Body Shop. This model was only produced from 1962 - 1965, and in those three years, just over 10,000 vehicles were produced. Very few remain today. Mr. Knauz has always had a soft spot for the 1962 model.

Our Classic Cars: 1982 Alfa Romeo Spider

1982 Alfa Romeo Spider

This one is often referred to as the "Wedding Car". Back in 1982 when William Madden visited the Knauz Alfa Store in Lake Forest, a bride was not on the shopping list. Kim Knauz was his salesperson and not only sold him this car, but married him about a year later. When the car was traded back in almost 10 years ago, our body shop restored the vehicle, and William and Kim have been know to take it out on date nights.

Disney gives ride along through Radiator Springs on new Cars Land ride

Founded by a steam car named Stanley in 1909, Radiator Springs was once a bustling little fuel stop along Route 66 between Gallup, New Mexico and Kingman, Arizona. At least that's what the plot of Pixar's "Cars" says.

In actuality, the town is being founded right now in Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim. Fans of Mater, Fillmore, Guido, Lizzie and, of course, Lightning McQueen will be able to ride a custom-built six-passenger race car through the streets of Radiator Springs. All told, the $200 million project is the most expensive in the theme park's history.

The ride is currently being tested to get it ready for its June 15th public opening. Watch the video below to get a sneak peek at some of the sites you'll see.

Continue reading Disney gives ride along through Radiator Springs on new Cars Land ride

Disney gives ride along through Radiator Springs on new Cars Land ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/22/disney-gives-ride-along-through-radiator-springs-on-new-cars-lan/

Mini Clubvan concept gets green light, headed for U.S. showrooms

Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Work, Mini, Specialty

Color us unsurprised. Car and Driver reports that Mini officials have confirmed a production version of the company's Clubvan concept first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March. We expected as much - after all, parent BMW has demonstrated real adeptness at building a myriad of derivatives from the basic Mini Cooper architecture, and the boutique brand already markets more spinoffs than Law & Order, so what's one more?

Essentially a panel van version of the Clubman, C/D says the Clubvan will appear in U.S. showrooms this September as a 2013 model. It isn't immediately clear if the model will offer both the standard 121-horsepower four and the Clubman S' 181-horsepower turbo, but C/D says we shouldn't expect a John Cooper Works version.

Interestingly, it doesn't appear that Mini will weld in sheet steel where the Clubman's rear side windows normally go - instead, C/D reports the company will employ body-color foil on the outside and plastic and safety foil liners inside. Other changes will include a trimmed-out cargo hold with power sockets and tie-downs. As with the concept, a stainless-steel grille will be fitted to keep cargo from intruding on the passenger compartment.

No word yet on whether the loss of rear seats will make the Clubvan any lighter, but Mini says the vehicle will offer more cargo capacity than its passenger-minded brethren. No guidance yet on pricing, either, but we're guessing that like other Mini models, boutiques and delivery services will have to shell out a pretty penny to get their hands on this dutch-door cutie. Our only question now is... how long will it take for Mini to come out with a panelized version of its Countryman softroader?

Mini Clubvan concept gets green light, headed for U.S. showrooms originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/mini-clubvan-concept-gets-green-light-headed-for-u-s-showrooms/

Adopting an Older Dog

Last weekend I did an evaluation on a fantastic dog.  He is sweet, snuggly, well mannered and loves people.  It made me sad to think that he was very clearly a loved dog who for whatever reason no longer had a home.  The only "catch" on this dog, was that he was somewhere between the age range of 5-7, and for whatever reason, once dogs hit the ripe "old" age of five, people don't seem to want to adopt them anymore.  As I sit here, with quite possibly the worlds greatest foster, and my own wonderful seven year old shiba I struggle to see the logic in why someone wouldn't want an older dog.

Kenji

To a certain point, I get it - as dogs age there comes the potential for more problems.  As dogs age, there comes the potential for us to have less time with them.  As dogs age...etc, etc.  True, many of our rescue dogs have some quirks to work through. But many of them do regardless of their age. With adult dogs, more often than not, we are able to identify what those quirks are. There are other things that come about with an adult dog- and these other things are too often forgotten.

Jessie

As dogs age, they quit chewing on things, as dogs age they are less likely to destroy your house, as dogs age they are more likely to be potty trained, as dogs age they become more peaceful companions, as dogs age you know what you are getting personality wise, as dogs age they are still perfect and loveable pets. 

I get it, puppies are cute.  But having just come out of fostering a puppy I tell you that I will take this 6 year old gem of a shiba over the cutest of puppies, any day.  That cute and sweet adorable puppy did more damage in three days than any of the adult fosters I've had have done ever - combined.  And as much as I love paying to get my carpets cleaned...well, you get the point, lol.

Emma

I have no doubt that people shy away from adult dogs because they think that by getting a younger dog they may be able to postpone the inevitable.  I have a wonderful friend who opted to get new puppy (non-shiba) over a rescue dog she was looking at because the rescue dog was "old"...and by "old", I mean three.  Unfortunately, her puppy passed away of cancer at the age of four.  The rescue dog she was considering is still alive and doing well, we know this because her mother ended up adopting it a few months later.  My shiba is seven, I love him tremendously and hope to be able to have the privilege of enjoying another seven years with him.  Seven years is a long time, but when the time comes I know it won't seem like it was enough.  But it wouldn't if that time was today - or twenty years from now.  The fact of the matter is, that no matter what age of dog we get we will never have enough time with them. We will always have to say goodbye sooner than we are ready, and we are going to be sad. 

Diego?

However, these adult dogs have an amazing amount of love to give and they deserve to have a home and a family of their own to share it with.  Some of these "adult dogs" we take in are just learning how to live life.  My very first foster was a six year old mill release who had never even gone for a walk.  Watching him play with a toy for the first time and experience that glorious "squeak" each time he killed it remains to be one of the highlights of my rescue experience.  At that moment, he was not an "adult dog", he was a ten week old puppy who was just learning to play and he was loving it.  Four years later dog is still going for 2-3 long walks/day, he is healthy, happy, and still ripping squeakers out of toys.  He gets to sit on the couch and snuggle with his sister shiba.  He is loved, and he gives great love in return.

Yuuko

As a foster home, and an MSIR adopter, I encourage people to consider giving these older dogs a shot.  We love our own adult dogs, but I also look at Kenji and think that he is everything we want in a dog.  In all honesty, if we could have a third dog he may not be up for grabs.  He is healthy, he is sweet, he is kind, and most importantly, he'll happily snuggle on the couch with my toddler.  He'll "play" trains with her (ie lay on the floor with her while she plays trains and not chew up Thomas when she puts it in front of him), he'll sleep with her, he'll be her friend - her dog. Something she wants so badly from our other dogs.  But, we got them as young dogs and we didn't know that they would tolerate, but not necessarily love our future kids.  We wouldn't trade them in for anything, but it gives us something to think about for the future. 

Adult dogs are not necessarily set in their ways, but their temparments are more predicatable and they become more reliable. This is not a bad thing especially when considering adding a new dog to an existing household.  Of course adding a dog to your family is a personal decision, and it is not up to me or anyone else to decide which dog is right for you.  But I just ask you to think about this, and consider them.


Alison N.

http://shibarescue.blogspot.com/2012/04/adopting-older-dog.html

2014 BMW M3 Preview

Can the upcoming 2014 BMW M3 live up to the legend of its predecessors? We look at the early info to find out.
http://www.insideline.com/bmw/m3/2014/2014-bmw-m3-preview.html

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is the S-Class of SUVs

Filed under: New York Auto Show, SUV, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Everything has been thrown at the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class to make it not only the largest SUV Mercedes offers, but the equivalent of a jacked-up S-Class. It grows by an inch in length and gets fractionally wider and taller, with the extra size providing more head, shoulder and elbow room for all three rows of passengers. It is also loaded with new standard features like a "photo quality" color instrument display, self-leveling air suspension, Collision Prevention Assist and Crosswind Stabilization.

Three flavors are available: the V6 GL350 BlueTec, and the two twin-turbo V8s in the GL450 and GL550, each with more power than before. The GL350 gets 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet, up 30 hp and 55 lb-ft; the GL450 returns 362 hp and 406 lb-ft, a raise of 27 hp and 67 lb-ft; the kingly GL550 turns out 429 hp and 516 lb-ft, up by 47 hp and a not-inconsequential 127 lb-ft.

Of course, being Mercedes, the options list has expanded, too, with details such as the On- and Off-Road Package and Active Curve System to help you maintain steady control of the beast no matter the surroundings. Have a look at the press release below for all the details, and take a glance at it in the gallery of high-res photos above.

Continue reading 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is the S-Class of SUVs

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is the S-Class of SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/2013-mercedes-benz-gl-class-new-york-2012/