Wednesday, June 19, 2024
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the preview for One Of One, a feature documentary filmed over five years about a family business established in 1952, of Tokyo car restorers, changing from the 2nd to the 3rd generation.
https://www.instagram.com/naitoengineering/
the Swinomish tribe in Washington was awarded nearly $400 million in court, because they proved BNSF Railway trains trespassed on the reservation with oil trains
the company intentionally trespassed when it repeatedly ran 100-car trains carrying crude oil across the tribe's reservation, violating the terms of a 1991 easement that allows trains to carry no more than 25 cars per day.
"This just reflects the enormous wrongful profits that BNSF gained by using the Tribe’s land day after day, week after week, year after year over our objections," Steve Edwards, chairman of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, said in a statement. "When there are these kinds of profits to be gained, the only way to deter future wrongdoing is to do exactly what the Court did today — make the trespasser give up the money it gained by trespassing.”
The tribe, which has about 1,400 members, sued in 2015 after BNSF dramatically increased, without the tribe’s consent, the number of cars it was running across the reservation so that it could ship crude oil from the Bakken Formation
The route crosses sensitive marine ecosystems along the coast, over water that connects with the Salish Sea, where the tribe has treaty-protected rights to fish.
Bakken oil is easier to refine into the fuels sold at the gas pump and ignites more easily. After train cars carrying Bakken crude oil exploded in Alabama, North Dakota and Quebec, a federal agency warned in 2014 that the oil has a higher degree of volatility than other crudes in the U.S.
Last year, two BNSF engines derailed on Swinomish land, leaking an estimated 3,100 gallons (11,700 liters) of diesel fuel near Padilla Bay.
The tribe pointed out that a corporate predecessor of BNSF laid the tracks in the late 19th century over its objections. The tribe sued in the 1970s, alleging decades of trespassing, and only in 1991 was that litigation settled, when the tribe granted an easement allowing limited use of the tracks.
The easement limited rail traffic to one train of 25 cars per day in each direction.
The route crosses sensitive marine ecosystems along the coast, over water that connects with the Salish Sea, where the tribe has treaty-protected rights to fish.
Bakken oil is easier to refine into the fuels sold at the gas pump and ignites more easily. After train cars carrying Bakken crude oil exploded in Alabama, North Dakota and Quebec, a federal agency warned in 2014 that the oil has a higher degree of volatility than other crudes in the U.S.
Last year, two BNSF engines derailed on Swinomish land, leaking an estimated 3,100 gallons (11,700 liters) of diesel fuel near Padilla Bay.
The tribe pointed out that a corporate predecessor of BNSF laid the tracks in the late 19th century over its objections. The tribe sued in the 1970s, alleging decades of trespassing, and only in 1991 was that litigation settled, when the tribe granted an easement allowing limited use of the tracks.
The easement limited rail traffic to one train of 25 cars per day in each direction.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Spotted today in PB (Pacific Beach part of San Diego) while heading out, and not with enough time to get photos, so, Google Street View to the rescue
I'm pretty sure this is a 64 Mercury Comet
According to Automotive News, Fisker has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S., a move that comes just a few weeks after the company’s Austrian unit – Fisker GmbH – filed for bankruptcy protection as well.
I didn't even know Fisker was still in business
Founded in 2007 by Henrik Fisker, a Danish automobile designer, the company received significant private and public investment, including a $529 million loan from the federal government. The company raised over $1 billion from private investors.
However, it repeatedly missed production deadlines, and production of the Fisker Karma was suspended in November 2012 with about 2,450 Karmas built since 2011 and just over 2,000 cars sold worldwide.
The company's federal loan was suspended in 2011; the government recovered some of the invested funds, but nevertheless took a $139 million loss.
In February 2014, Fisker Automotive's Karma vehicle design, tooling and a manufacturing facility in Delaware were purchased by Chinese auto parts conglomerate Wanxiang Group. In 2016, Wanxiang would rename the holding company for the assets of Fisker Automotive to Karma Automotive.
Following Fisker Automotive's structured bankruptcy auction in February 2014, Henrik Fisker retained the Fisker logo and trademarks. Wanxiang Group then transformed the assets of Fisker Automotive into a new company named Karma Automotive, thus launching the Karma Revero plug-in hybrid car based on the Fisker Karma. Henrik Fisker would later start another electric vehicle company named Fisker Inc. in 2016 with the Fisker logo and trademarks
Launched in 2016 and based in Manhattan Beach, California, Fisker Inc. is the successor to Fisker Automotive. In the summer of 2020, Fisker Inc. announced an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange through a merger with Spartan Energy Acquisition Corp, a SPAC backed by private equity firm Apollo Global Management. The company completed the reverse merger that autumn. Fisker Inc. developed the Fisker Ocean, an electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), which was released in 2023.
In early 2024, the company experienced intense financial difficulties, and its shares were delisted from the NYSE.[10] Fisker defaulted on a short term loan according to filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission[11] and has stated there is “substantial doubt” about being able to sustain ongoing operations.[12] It subsequently laid off most of its employees, closed its headquarters, and began substantially reducing prices on its stock.[13][14][15] By June, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in US court.
In March 2024, due to a net loss of over $463 million in 2023, Fisker announced that it was in financial trouble and did not have the necessary funds to remain in business through the coming year. Due to this, the company reduced its workforce by 15% and paused development of the Pear compact EV. Fisker subsequently entered talks with a major car manufacturer (suspected to be Nissan) regarding a $400 million cash injection (in order to generate cash or reduce costs) in exchange for access to the Fisker Alaska pick-up platform.[45][46] Several weeks later, The Wall Street Journal reported that Fisker hired financial adviser FTI Consulting and the law firm Davis Polk to work on a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. As a result, Fisker's stock plummeted approximately 47% shortly after the announcement. The next day, Fisker dismissed talks of a bankruptcy filing, describing plans to engage with its advisors to plan out a deal with another major carmaker.
Nevertheless, Fisker soon announced that it would suspend vehicle production for six weeks in an effort to align inventory levels and progress strategic and financing initiatives. The company warned that bankruptcy was imminent and could occur within weeks.
Founded in 2007 by Henrik Fisker, a Danish automobile designer, the company received significant private and public investment, including a $529 million loan from the federal government. The company raised over $1 billion from private investors.
However, it repeatedly missed production deadlines, and production of the Fisker Karma was suspended in November 2012 with about 2,450 Karmas built since 2011 and just over 2,000 cars sold worldwide.
The company's federal loan was suspended in 2011; the government recovered some of the invested funds, but nevertheless took a $139 million loss.
In February 2014, Fisker Automotive's Karma vehicle design, tooling and a manufacturing facility in Delaware were purchased by Chinese auto parts conglomerate Wanxiang Group. In 2016, Wanxiang would rename the holding company for the assets of Fisker Automotive to Karma Automotive.
Following Fisker Automotive's structured bankruptcy auction in February 2014, Henrik Fisker retained the Fisker logo and trademarks. Wanxiang Group then transformed the assets of Fisker Automotive into a new company named Karma Automotive, thus launching the Karma Revero plug-in hybrid car based on the Fisker Karma. Henrik Fisker would later start another electric vehicle company named Fisker Inc. in 2016 with the Fisker logo and trademarks
Launched in 2016 and based in Manhattan Beach, California, Fisker Inc. is the successor to Fisker Automotive. In the summer of 2020, Fisker Inc. announced an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange through a merger with Spartan Energy Acquisition Corp, a SPAC backed by private equity firm Apollo Global Management. The company completed the reverse merger that autumn. Fisker Inc. developed the Fisker Ocean, an electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), which was released in 2023.
In early 2024, the company experienced intense financial difficulties, and its shares were delisted from the NYSE.[10] Fisker defaulted on a short term loan according to filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission[11] and has stated there is “substantial doubt” about being able to sustain ongoing operations.[12] It subsequently laid off most of its employees, closed its headquarters, and began substantially reducing prices on its stock.[13][14][15] By June, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in US court.
In March 2024, due to a net loss of over $463 million in 2023, Fisker announced that it was in financial trouble and did not have the necessary funds to remain in business through the coming year. Due to this, the company reduced its workforce by 15% and paused development of the Pear compact EV. Fisker subsequently entered talks with a major car manufacturer (suspected to be Nissan) regarding a $400 million cash injection (in order to generate cash or reduce costs) in exchange for access to the Fisker Alaska pick-up platform.[45][46] Several weeks later, The Wall Street Journal reported that Fisker hired financial adviser FTI Consulting and the law firm Davis Polk to work on a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. As a result, Fisker's stock plummeted approximately 47% shortly after the announcement. The next day, Fisker dismissed talks of a bankruptcy filing, describing plans to engage with its advisors to plan out a deal with another major carmaker.
Nevertheless, Fisker soon announced that it would suspend vehicle production for six weeks in an effort to align inventory levels and progress strategic and financing initiatives. The company warned that bankruptcy was imminent and could occur within weeks.
One week later, on March 25, 2024, Fisker announced that the potential deal with the major carmaker had collapsed, and that the company was unable to meet a closing condition for a $150 million lifeline
In an article published on May 31, eight Fisker employees spoke to TechCrunch describing the dire situation at the company over the past few years.
In an article published on May 31, eight Fisker employees spoke to TechCrunch describing the dire situation at the company over the past few years.
The company lost track of payments made, taking months to complete an internal audit, with external auditor PwC receiving inadequate documentation from Fisker to compile their annual financial report.
Fisker CFO and COO, Geeta Gupta-Fisker attempted to run customer service using a digital chatbot rather than a call center, leading to customers struggling to get help with their cars. Fisker then hired a company to provide customer service, which later sued Fisker for failure to pay, alleging debts over $660,000. Gupta-Fisker also allegedly refused to build a stockpile of parts for service, in order to cut costs. The company did not set up a supplier quality team to audit suppliers, leading to substandard quality of parts on vehicles. In order to service cars, Fisker started "pinching" parts from their supplier Magna Steyr's production line in Austria, stripping down returned cars and cars used for marketing, as well as CEO Henrik Fisker's own Ocean. The supplier's employees were also asked to bring parts from Austria to the US in their luggage to solve the crisis.
Fisker CFO and COO, Geeta Gupta-Fisker attempted to run customer service using a digital chatbot rather than a call center, leading to customers struggling to get help with their cars. Fisker then hired a company to provide customer service, which later sued Fisker for failure to pay, alleging debts over $660,000. Gupta-Fisker also allegedly refused to build a stockpile of parts for service, in order to cut costs. The company did not set up a supplier quality team to audit suppliers, leading to substandard quality of parts on vehicles. In order to service cars, Fisker started "pinching" parts from their supplier Magna Steyr's production line in Austria, stripping down returned cars and cars used for marketing, as well as CEO Henrik Fisker's own Ocean. The supplier's employees were also asked to bring parts from Austria to the US in their luggage to solve the crisis.
An utter shit show, no one with any self respect would carry on like these last two paragraphs illustrate. Which was more of a debacle? The DeLorean, Fisker, or something I should be thinking of right now
A sleazeball used car lot dealership sold a car while it was in for repairs, and the story gets stranger after that...
Recently, Lindsey brought her Ford Taurus to Cherokee Auto Sales in North Knoxville, Tennessee – a used vehicle, “buy here pay here” sort of establishment – for service after experiencing some transmission issues.
“It is important to understand that when a customer has a lien on their vehicle they do not own the vehicle until it is completely paid off,” the post reads. “The lien holder, in this case Cherokee Auto, is the owner of the vehicle. The vehicle was looked at by a mechanic and was not able to be fixed. And was sold at our discretion at a dealer auction. The vehicle had a bad transmission, excessive mileage from the customers driving habits, and bullet holes in the engine we had previously fixed for the customer that happened while the vehicle was in her possession.”
https://fordauthority.com/2024/06/dealer-sells-customers-ford-taurus-while-its-in-for-repairs/#google_vignette
This made perfect sense given the fact that she also purchased that same Ford Taurus from the same dealer back in June 2023, along with a 12,000-mile two-year service contract. She had driven 17,000 miles.
However, just 10 days after dropping her Ford Taurus off for those repairs, Thompson returned to the dealer only to discover that her car had been sold at an auction.
She states that she never missed a payment, however, and when the news channel attempted to get some answers from the dealership, an employee called police instead. Thus, Thompson is speaking with a lawyer to explore her options after paying around $2,700 on the car, though Cherokee Auto Sales did respond to the case in a statement posted to Facebook.
She states that she never missed a payment, however, and when the news channel attempted to get some answers from the dealership, an employee called police instead. Thus, Thompson is speaking with a lawyer to explore her options after paying around $2,700 on the car, though Cherokee Auto Sales did respond to the case in a statement posted to Facebook.
“It is important to understand that when a customer has a lien on their vehicle they do not own the vehicle until it is completely paid off,” the post reads. “The lien holder, in this case Cherokee Auto, is the owner of the vehicle. The vehicle was looked at by a mechanic and was not able to be fixed. And was sold at our discretion at a dealer auction. The vehicle had a bad transmission, excessive mileage from the customers driving habits, and bullet holes in the engine we had previously fixed for the customer that happened while the vehicle was in her possession.”
Monday, June 17, 2024
I wonder, does it make sense to try and sell a 170k car on Ebay?
Ever see a hood stripe like this? I can't remember ever seeing a stripe on a Cougar
according to an analysis of 2.2 million one to five year-old used cars, in June 2023, average used EV prices were over 25% higher than used gas car prices, but by May 2024, used EVs were on average 8% lower than the average price for a used gasoline-powered car in U.S.
so, today was Monday, day 1 of my new job.
and it went great, and I had a Double Double after work and after running errands... and I was order #7.
Yup, today was good.
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Milk Wagon, 129 missions, no problems, great mission symbols!
It set a record for a Fortress in the 447th Bomb Group, as she racked up no fewer than 129 missions without suffering a single abort due to mechanical issues, a testament not only to the strength of the B-17, but also to the ground crews who kept her in the air.
There was a scrapyard for ex USAAF/USN/RNZAF aircraft in New Zealand after the war.
After WWII the USAAF and RNZAF flew aircraft into Rukuhia Airfield, Hamilton New Zealand. They just turned off the engines and walked away. A local got the contract to break the aircraft up. There was still fuel in the tanks, and in some cases ammunition in the weapons.
this video is just a series of photos
The Outsiders, 1984 (set in 1965)
Astonishing cast of future A listers and Oscar winners.
Diane Lane (plays Cherry), Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, Tom Waits
1927 Holt trailer is up for sale on Bring a Trailer... no reserve, and it's only at 8400. But it's immaculately restored, a real museum piece that's been in the Petersen, and has called the Murphy home for the last 5 years
The prototype was stored and remained in the ownership of Mr. Holt’s family through 2009 when it was acquired by a vintage travel trailer collector. It was then refurbished and displayed as part of a private museum in Santa Cruz, California, and was also briefly loaned to the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. It was finally donated to the Murphy Auto Museum in 2019.
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Saturday, June 15, 2024
was there ever a worse name than Vulture for an airplane? Or a better view out of one? The Breguet 460 Vulture
First flown in 1936, this still decently ugly bomber attained a speed of 250 mph thanks to it more powerful Gnome-Rhône 14NO radials.
It was not enough, just 3 were produced and next to nothing was achieved with them.
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