Autoblog

Naked Australians reportedly arrested at car wash

Noah Joseph — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:26:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Australia

Nudity? Car wash? Sounds pretty hot, right? That's what we thought too, until we read the full story.

According to reports from Down Under, a group of four men (two aged 19 and two aged 23) and their girlfriends pulled up on Sunday at the Smart Wash car wash in Biloela, Queensland, Australia. They paid for the service, left their cars outside, took off their clothes and soaped up in the station while their special lady friends snapped photos.

Police were called to the scene halfway through the "happening" and charged the men with indecent exposure and public nuisance - two charges which we just assumed didn't apply to Australians, whether at home or abroad. The four dudes are scheduled to explain themselves before the magistrate next month, but when you consider all that could've gone wrong with all those brushes and pressure washers in proximity to certain dangly bits, we'd think that would've been the least of their worries.

[Source: KCRA Sacramento | Image: Heather Faulkner/AFP/Getty]

Naked Australians reportedly arrested at car wash originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hero saves car wash attendant from being strangled by Golden Nozzle

Michael Harley — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety

Golden Nozzle car wash customer John A. O'Leary was riding through the car wash when he noticed something was terribly wrong. Yards away, fighting for her life inside the car wash was 19-year-old employee Stephanie Carpluk. The lone attendant had taken a short-cut through the car rails and her scarf had become ensnared in one of the wash's rotating mechanical brushes. The machinery had pulled the scarf tightly around her neck and was quickly strangling her. Unable to free herself, Carpluk passed out. Within seconds, O'Leary sprung from his car and pulled out a pocket knife that he was carrying and cut her free. Noticing she wasn't breathing, he began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until Carpluk could once again breath on her own... undeniably saving the young woman's life.

The courageous car wash customer is quite modest about his heroic act. He's been carrying the pocket knife since high school and he last took CPR training in the 1970s. "If she required anything more, she would have been in trouble because I didn't know anything more," said O'Leary after the incident. Carpluk, with a deep red welt around her neck and two black eyes, will spend a few days in the hospital but she is expected to recover fully. While she's apparently been wearing that scarf to work every day, we think she'll wisely leave it out of her wardrobe in the future. Thanks for the tip Edsel!

[Source: Masslive.com, Photo by Jeffrey Roberts / Daily Hampshire Gazette]

Hero saves car wash attendant from being strangled by Golden Nozzle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Washington county may ban car washing at home

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Green

If residents in several cities in Clark County, Washington want to get their cars clean, they could soon be forced to do it at retail car washes. According to an employee at the Washington state Department of Ecology, the state wants "people to make the connection of 'what goes on the street goes into the creek.'" And soapy car wash residue is something they don't want in the creek.

The state wants the cities to come up with a way to keep any water that isn't rain water from getting into the environment without being treated. The cities, about a dozen in all, say that's crazy, and have threatened to sue the state for trying to enact measures that exceed federal Clean Water Act.

The state suggests that if people still want to clean their cars, that they don't use soap with phosphorus, and wash their cars on gravel or grass where the water will be filtered by the soil. That's ironic, because part of the state's measure also requires sprinkler water to be captured and treated. Residents could always try the state's other option: don't use soap at all.

[Source: Next Autos, Photo CC | Credit: Koop]

Washington county may ban car washing at home originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Lamborghini gets a bath courtesy of city fountain

Chris Shunk — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Supercars, Lamborghini

Click above to view video after the jump

We received over a dozen tips about a hot video including a Lamborghini Gallardo (good start) and some aqueous material of the municipal kind, so we had to see the motion pictures for ourselves. We pictured a hot yellow Lambo crashing into a huge fountain, or some scantily clad young lady giving the Italian supercar a bath, but we got none of the above. What we did see is some guy using a blue bucket to transport water from a homely looking city fountain and dousing it on his prized Gallardo. To complicate the news-worthiness of the video, it looks like it was captured with a camera phone, it's shot from across the street, and the guy doesn't even seem very excited about saving $4 at the local car wash. But, you asked for it, so we've provided the video after the jump for your enjoyment (or indifference). Power to the people! Thanks for the tip, everyone!

[Source: Auto Market]

Continue reading VIDEO: Lamborghini gets a bath courtesy of city fountain

VIDEO: Lamborghini gets a bath courtesy of city fountain originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anna Kournikova can always fall back on car washing

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Contests, UK, Celebrities

Honestly, who cares if Anna Kournikova never won a Grand Slam title in single play? She seems to be doing just fine these days, buoyed by her budding modeling career. So, while certain statistics may cast a shadow over her professional tennis career, there is no doubting her physical beauty. According to a new survey by Motorpoint, men in the U.K. voted Kournikova 'Car Wash Belle,' making her the number one person that men would like to see washing their cars. We wouldn't argue with these results. Number two on the list is Cristina Aguilera, followed in the three-spot by Scarlet Johansson -- a fine choice indeed.

So, what about the guys? They weren't left out, as Johnny Depp got the official nod as 'Car Wash Hunk,' followed by George Clooney and Ewan McGregor. We've pasted both top ten lists after the break. Feel free to nominate your personal choices in the comments section, and remember to keep it clean... sorry, too easy.

[Source: Motorpoint, Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty]

Continue reading Anna Kournikova can always fall back on car washing

Anna Kournikova can always fall back on car washing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 May 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XXX car wash gets approval in Australia

Chris Shunk — Sat, 19 May 2007 17:54:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

A few months back, I paid $75 for a car wash. The young entrepreneur that took care of the cleaning service did a complete detailing job, including removing the front seats to properly clean the carpet, and beautifying the engine bay. The guy even painted the black lettering on the motor to make the engine cozy look brand new. Down Under at the Bubbles 'n' Babes car wash in Brisbane Australia, you can get a car wash from a naked woman and a lap dance, but it'll cost you a cool $82. If that's too much money for you, you can get the nude wash minus the up-close-and-personal element for $45. The establishment is owned by a strip club owner (shocking...we know), and it uses recycled water to keep in compliance with strict usage rules brought on by a prolonged drought.

It should come as no surprise that local government officials were against the nudie wash, but in the end, Brisbane's mayor decided that no rules were being broken. We don't know about you, but we have trouble ponying up the extra cash for high-grade motor oil or gasoline, and seriously, $45 for a basic car wash is pretty ridiculous, despite the "free" show that comes with it.

Thanks for the tip, BolderX!

XXX car wash gets approval in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 May 2007 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New owner welcomes Vauxhall VXR Astra with most comprehensive car wash ever

John Neff — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, GM

The arrival of a new car in your garage is a lot like returning home from your honeymoon. For the first month, you wash the car every other day to show off its hot body. A couple months go by and you're still washing it every weekend. After six months, you find the time for a wipe down once a month. After a year, though, you're happy when it rains and washes the salt off.

For this English gentleman and his new Vauxhall Astra VXR, however, the honeymoon will likely last longer than most. We have never seen a new car owner go to such incredible lengths to make sure his new ride is showing its best side. To say that he "detailed" the car would be a gross understatement. Most detail jobs don't involve washing the car with 100 litres of zero ppm RO water, inspecting the finish with a blue light gun for blemishes and applying a $7,118 wax job. We have to say though, after reading his thorough play-by-play of the process and viewing the before and after pics, it made a bigger difference to the car's appearance than we expected.

[Source: Corsasport.co.uk via GM Inside News]

New owner welcomes Vauxhall VXR Astra with most comprehensive car wash ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Car washes unfairly target Jeeps as dangerous

John Neff — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:10:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Daimler, Jeep

The Chrysler Group's Jason Vines is not one to bite his tongue when he discovers reports about his company that a lack a certain degree of truthiness. Today Vines has called out the International Carwash Association (ICA) on the company's media blog for alleging that Jeeps are more prone than other vehicles to suddenly accelerate as they move near the end of the car wash process.

No doubt the ICA is recalling the controversy surrounding the alleged tendency for certain Chrysler products to suddenly accelerate when being shifted into Reverse or Drive. In fact, its own internal investigation and inquiries made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that almost all reported cases of vehicles experiencing unintended acceleration were due to pedal misapplication rather than mechanical defects.

Of the 41 incidences of sudden acceleration reported to the NHTSA, the Jeep Grand Cherokee against which these allegations have been predominantly charged was involved in five. The Toyota Camry was also involved in five and many other makes and model comprise the remaining 31.

Despite finding no mechanical fault with its vehicles, DCX did offer to retrofit Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee models back in 1997 with a 'brake-park' shift interlock that would prevent pedal confusion while shifting.

Vines then turns the mirror towards the car wash industry itself, pointing out that its workforce is comprised mainly of unskilled laborers who often drive customers' vehicles wearing big boots with one ass cheek on the seat while hanging out the door. Clearly no vehicles are intended to be operated that way.

You can check out Vines' fulmination in full after the jump and make up your own mind.

[Source: DCX]

Continue reading Car washes unfairly target Jeeps as dangerous

Car washes unfairly target Jeeps as dangerous originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Unintended acceleration' allegations leveled against Jeep Grand Cherokee

Chris Paukert — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:03:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Audi, Jeep

In word that must have long-time Audi executives reaching for their Maalox by association, Connecticut officials are urging federal regulators to investigate allegations of 'unintended acceleration' in late-model Jeep Grand Cherokees.

The call comes after a 52-year-old man was run over and killed in a car wash in the state. In fact, the hubbub seems to be that something in that particular environment appears to make these episodes more likely - Connecticut bigwigs have logged a number of complaints about the vehicles suddenly picking up speed when drivers move the automatic transmission from 'neutral' to 'drive' while in car washes.

Car buffs may recall Audi's bout with 'unintended acceleration' way back in 1986, when news program 60 Minutes demonized the company's 5000 model sedan. The company's reputation and sales tanked, taking more than fifteen years to rebound. In that case, the syndrome was later judged to be the result of operator pedal misapplication.

If we had to put money on it, we'd be just as quick to cite wet shoes and slippery pedals.

[Source: CNNMoney.com]

'Unintended acceleration' allegations leveled against Jeep Grand Cherokee originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polishing your car soon to be passe'?

Joel Arellano — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, BMW

BMW is working on a new type of paint that will effectively make those weekend wash and wax chores obsolete. The technology was first introduced on the BMW M Coupe concept at last year's Frankfurt's show. Don't expect the technology to be available any time soon, though. Says Timo Gobel, project manager for the coupe, "It is a big technical challenge. There are many changes necessary, from the factory paintshop to caring for the finish. We have no idea yet on how we will be able to repair it." Currently, the paint is being tested to measure its resistance to such common irritants as tree sap to tar to fingerprints.

[Source: Herald Sun via CARSguide]

Polishing your car soon to be passe'? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jun 2006 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How about a $9,000 car wash?

Joel Arellano — Fri, 05 May 2006 08:48:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, Etc.

As another sign of just how different the wealthy live, Autoblog sibling Luxist posted a report from Guardian Unlimited about Paul Dalton and his car wash service, Miracle Detail.

Dalton, according to the news source, charges over a staggering $9,000 for his top-of-the line Pinnacle car wash. The near two-week, 52-step program includes citrus degreasing, filtered water, and many sponges and buckets. The car wax alone, at $13,000 a tube, costs more than the service itself. Dalton, however, points out that the service protects the car for a year.

(Hats off to Dhiram and Noah!)

[Source: Guardian Unlimited via New Launches; Luxist]

How about a $9,000 car wash? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 May 2006 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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