Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New reality series <i>Family Armor</i> combines vehicle bulletproofing and Mormons]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/new-reality-series-i-family-armor-i-combines-vehicle-bulletpr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/new-reality-series-i-family-armor-i-combines-vehicle-bulletpr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/new-reality-series-i-family-armor-i-combines-vehicle-bulletpr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We're not precisely sure how to treat this one, so we're going to go ahead and use the "jump in with both feet" method. TLC is launching a new reality show called Family Armor that follows the exploits of two Mormon brothers-in-law that build bulletproof cars for a living. That doesn't sounds so sexy. Try this quote from the press release on for size:
"When not at the factory, Trent is the father of six rowdy children and married to his live-wire of a wife, Courtney. Jason and his wife Lacy are first-time parents, working to catch up in the baby race. Trent and Jason devote their time to work, kin and religion...and along the way they get to shoot guns and blow things up."
Yeah! Much better, right? It's such a hairbrained, preposterous, stretch of an idea for a show that it just might work. Now, we know they're on different networks, but if Family Armor can somehow hook up with The Real Housewives of Atlanta, well, fireworks people - fireworks! Full press release after the jump.

[Source: TLC]

Continue reading New reality series Family Armor combines vehicle bulletproofing and Mormons

New reality series Family Armor combines vehicle bulletproofing and Mormons originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armored carArmoredCarBulletproofBulletproof CarBulletproof CarsBulletproofCarBulletproofCarscar armoryCarArmoryFamily ArmorFamilyArmorlearning channelLearningChannelmormonmormonismmormonsreality televisionReality TVRealityTelevisionRealityTvthe learning channelTheLearningChannelTLCSat, 14 Nov 2009 17:08:00 EST<![CDATA[New York City shops for next generation taxi at Detroit Auto Show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/19/new-york-city-shops-for-next-generation-taxi-at-detroit-auto-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/19/new-york-city-shops-for-next-generation-taxi-at-detroit-auto-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/19/new-york-city-shops-for-next-generation-taxi-at-detroit-auto-sho/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image for a gallery of the '07 Ford Escape Hybrid Taxi

As capable a taxi as the Ford Crown Vic has been for New York and other big cities, the big sedan is nearing the end of its run, and since it makes up the majority of NYC's taxi fleet, the Taxi and Limousine Commission is on the prowl, looking for a proper replacement. Ideally, they'd get a custom design that provides passenger space, ample cargo capacity, easy access for the disabled, reduced fuel consumption, and clean operation. Like London's iconic black cabs, the ideal NYC taxi would also have a unique, easily identifiable style.

You can't get something like that without help, however, so TLC chairman Matthew Daus headed to the Detroit Auto Show to begin lobbying automakers for a purpose-built NYC taxicab. The commission has enlisted the assistance of Ricardo to come up with a list of "dream cab" specifications that will be circulated among the various automakers. Whether any of them will step up and deliver an all-new taxi remains to be seen. A well-done fleet car like that would certainly have appeal in other major cities, too, so there would likely be buyers outside the Big Apple. We figured that the Escape Hybrid (above), which already has an established presence of its own in NYC's taxi fleet, would be a lock to replace the Crown Vic when the time comes. If no automakers go to bat for the TLC with a custom taxi, it still might. Ideally, however, we'd see a purpose-built cab that blends the utility of the Escape, the comfort of the Crown Vic, the green credentials of a modern hybrid, and the charm of a Checker Marathon. With jump seats, of course.

[Source: Automotive News-- sub. req'd]

Gallery: 2007 Ford Escape Taxi

New York City shops for next generation taxi at Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crown vicCrownViccustom taxiCustomTaxiMatthew DausMatthewDausnew ny taxiNewNyTaxitlcSat, 19 Jan 2008 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Your 15 minutes of fame await: Overhaulin' accepting apps]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/06/your-15-minutes-of-fame-await-overhaulin-accepting-apps/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/06/your-15-minutes-of-fame-await-overhaulin-accepting-apps/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/06/your-15-minutes-of-fame-await-overhaulin-accepting-apps/#commentsFiled under: ,

NOTE: DO NOT SENT REQUESTS TO GET ON OVERHAULIN' TO AUTOBLOG! We don't have anything to do with the show, so while we'd like to help you get your cars fixed up, we can't... Go to Chip Foose's website here http://www.chipfoose.com/OverhaulinApplication/ and fill out the application, and good luck to all of you!

Overhaulin', the car customization show that's less pimp and more ride, is looking for new cars to overhaul. If you know someone with a good clunker and a great story, you can help them get to the bright lights in the big smoke. This year, the show will accept applications from folks outside of Southern California, which means that a GTO rusting in a Michigan shed even has a chance at glory. The catch: you can't nominate yourself. Time to start calling in favors, eh?

[Source: Hemmings]

Your 15 minutes of fame await: Overhaulin' accepting apps originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritycustomizingoverhaulintlctv showsTvShowsThu, 06 Sep 2007 18:56:00 EST<![CDATA[NYC cabbies threaten September strike over GPS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/29/nyc-cabbies-threaten-september-strike-over-gps/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/29/nyc-cabbies-threaten-september-strike-over-gps/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/29/nyc-cabbies-threaten-september-strike-over-gps/#commentsFiled under:



With the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission's October 1 compliance date for installation of GPS-equipped information and payment systems in New York's 13,000 taxis, a driver's advocacy group is gearing up to strike in protest. The source of the controversy is the screen above. The system provides riders with useful info like news and weather, as well as credit card payment functionality and the ability to watch the route the taxi is taking to its destination in real-time. We tried it out during the New York Auto show and found it to be pretty cool and easy-to-use. For tourists, it's a nice setup. The only negative observation our driver made when we asked him his opinion of it was that the system didn't take well to fast inputs when in payment mode. Slower, deliberate taps on the touchscreen worked better.

According to the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, a non-union group representing drivers' interests, the GPS-based systems are a bad thing, and it claims that its 8,400 members will go on strike September 1 if the TLC doesn't put the kibosh on its fleetwide GPS plan. The organization claims that the systems overreach and are an invasion of drivers' privacy -- a sort of "Big Brother" that'll be used to track cabbies whereabouts at all times. The TLC notes that there are several benefits to drivers in addition to the added functionality it gives riders. Pick-ups and drop-offs are automatically recorded, eliminating the pencil-and-paper system used up until now. Also, drivers will be able to receive real-time traffic info and will gain a measure of protection against the criminals who sometimes prey upon taxi drivers. The GPS should help police track down cars in distress and nab the perpetrators in these situations. Lastly, the TLC says that drivers in cars equipped with the systems already make 18% more in tips. That tidbit has not been part the NYTWA's talking points. According to the TLC, most operators (73%) have already chosen a system ahead of the 10/1 date, anyway. Still, it looks like a showdown between the the TLC and Taxi Workers Alliance is imminent, as the TLC is very unlikely to back down. Whether or not the dustup will actually amount to anything significant remains to be seen.

[Sources: NY1, Newsday via Engadget]

NYC cabbies threaten September strike over GPS originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jul 2007 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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