Smart Car passes safety crash tests; what did they use... a bicycle?

Call me crazy. Tell me I'm a skeptic. Let me know if you think I'm living in the past.

But will somebody please explain to me how the SmartCarfortwo got the blessings of national safety experts this week?

Somebody help me...please.

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety  gave the Smart Car a passing grade a few days ago, saying the tiny little two-seater that's become oh-so-popular in these tough fuel times is - well, safe. The IIHS reported that the vehicle's rigidity during impact crashes and its side airbags (quote) "contributed to the low injury recordings to the test dummy."

Test dummy? I know, I know, lighten up, you say.

But, did the IIHS use a full-size pickup for its crash findings? What about a VW Bug? Soap Box Derby racer? Bicycle? Has anybody actually asked the test dummy how it felt afterwards?

While I'm sure the manufacturers of the Smart Car have done everything possible to make sure the vehicle is safe for consumers, you just can't get over how little the thing is.

Call me crazy. I only wish my daddy was here to see this.

Does acetone really increase gas mileage? Depends on who you ask...

Let's get right to this: no funny lead-ins, no witty sayings.
Does acetone increase fuel efficiency?
Answer: no (just my opinion).

Regardless of what you've heard, no matter what the guy at the hardware store's cousin's mother's babysitter's gardener's friend told you... acetone will not increase gas mileage.

As a matter of fact, it could actually do a great deal of harm, depending how much you put in your tank. Don't forget this stuff dissolves paint. So just imagine what it might do to rubber components and composite materials, like O-rings and gaskets.

Now, depending on who you ask, you'll get everything from "acetone can't hurt your vehicle" to "Do not even think about putting it in your car!".

I'm not an expert, but I can tell you this: the stuff removes fingernail polish, ok?

Granted, it's the best thing since sliced bread for separating your kid's fingers after they go "Super Glue-happy" (cats however, aren't big fans of the odor ... I tested this theory personally).

Make no mistake, you'll always be able to tell the person who put some in their gas tank; they're easily identifiable-just look for the paint discoloration around the fuel door.

Less Than 4 Days Left to Bid on the Car "Spindle"

You really can find pretty much anything on eBay these days. Case and point is the newest automotive monument up for auction. It's a sculpture of 8 used cars piled on top of each other, currently located in a plaza in Berwyn, Illinois.

This roadside landmark, which many consider an eye sore, made a special appearance in 1992's "Wayne's World". It's being removed to make way for a Walgreens, which admittedly is probably a more practical use of real estate, but is not nearly as entertaining or quirky.

The bidding has less than 4 days left, and so far no one has surfaced that has been willing to pledge the starting price of 50K, plus the additional 100K in shipping. I'm convinced somewhere there is a town that is in desperate need of a "car kebab" sculpture like this. Or maybe there's someone out there who wants a lawn ornament to end all lawn ornaments. Can you imagine the neighbors' reactions?

To read more about the auction, check out this article in the Chicago Tribune.

New medical lingo? Pass the scalpel and 3/8 socket wrench.

One of the best stories I've heard recently was about a doctor named Alvaro Martinez.

Dr. Martinez, Chairman of Radiology Oncology for Beaumont Hospital System in Michigan, and noted researcher of 3-D imaging in treatment of certain cancers, was scheduled to address a conference of his peers on physics and medicine in the 1990s.

As the story goes, he wasn't far from the hotel where the conference was being held when he got caught in traffic. Not wanting to be late, he got out of his car, walked to the hotel and made it to the meeting on time.

Except it was the wrong meeting. Dr. Martinez had strayed into a conference of automotive engineers studying, coincidentally, 3-D imaging of micro-fractures in engine blocks. He stayed.

It seems Martinez felt the principle of 3-D imaging whether used in cancer treatment or studying car engines was strikingly similar. And, as quoted in a recent edition of Crain's Detroit Business, Martinez had what he called "a eureka moment."

His "eureka moment"-discovering that crossover technology between two totally different industries could be beneficial to both. And this will be the basis of an upcoming life science conference in April hosted by the Oakland (Michigan) County Department of Economic Development and Community Affairs.

The meeting will bring together auto suppliers and health care professionals to exchange ideas that have crossover implications. Medical personnel particularly want to pick auto supplier's brains for their experience in supplies management and logistics. Don't laugh. Stranger bedfellows have been made...

The Most Famous Cars in Cinematic History

With the Oscar Awards taking place this weekend, one journalist took time to pay homage to the most memorable cars that have appeared on the Silver Screen. Here is the top 10 biggest movie star-cars which were compiled by Craig Clough a staff writer for San Diego's 10News.com.

#	Year	Model	Movie	Comment
10.	1948 Ford	De Luxe Convertible	'Grease'	John Travolta... not hard to see why it made the list.
9.	1968 Ford	Mustang GT 390	'Bullitt'	Steve McQueen, plus one of the best chases in film history.
8.	1959 Cadillac	Ambulance	'Ghostbusters'	Who you gonna call? The souped up white caddy with the ghost logo of course.
7.	1932 Ford	Deuce Coupe	'American Graffiti'	George Lucas's 1973 movie where the "fastest car in the valley" drags with Harrison Ford.
6.	1955 Lincoln	Futura (The Batmobile)	"Batman"	Gotham technology for the winged hero restyled from the TV show's '55 Ford concept car.
5.	1964 Aston Martin	DB5	'Goldfinger'	Stylish, sophisticated and versatile enough to have oil slick spray and machine guns.
4.	1974 Dodge	Monaco	'The Blues Brothers'	Made for unforgettable car chases all over Chicago.
3.	1961 Ferrari	250 GT	'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'	Who can forget when the Ferrari slips and crashes? Or when the attendants take it out for a spin?
2.	1977 Pontiac	Trans Am	'Smokey and the Bandit'	This comedy built around Burt Reynold's car grossed more than Star Wars that year.
1.	1981 DeLorean	DMC-12	'Back to the Future'	Hit 88 mph in a stylish DeLorean and go back in time and meet your parents.

What is your favorite car on the list? Or did this list overlook one? Let us know what you think.

The New Aston Martin DBS Breaks A Guiness World Record in "Casino Royale"

A car stunt performed by Adam Kirley using the Aston Martin DBS in a sequence of "Casino Royale" was awarded a Guinness World Record for the most cannon rolls: seven and a half!

Originally, the racing specifications of the DBS implied that a regular ramp wouldn't be enough to make the car roll, so the Special Effects Team of "Casino Royale" installed an air-powered cannon behind the driver's seat. This cannon allowed the car to complete seven full rolls, beating the previous record of six accomplished in 2005 by "Top Gear".

This car roll sequence was shot in just one afternoon... and three Aston Martin DBS models at a new car price of $300,000 each were destroyed for it.

It's undoubtedly a sequence worth appreciating on the big screen.

For more details read "'Casino Royale' Car-roll Stunt Sets Guinness World Record" and "The Aston Martin."

Celebrity Car: Discover The Cars The Celebrities Drive

Female Hollywood celebrities drive with style. But while Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz drive a vehicle with the best MPG, Britney Spears combines fashion with speed, picking one of the cars with the highest horsepower. Take a peek at some of the sexiest, most glamorous female stars that drive some of the most expensive vehicles in the market, and get ready to spot the next celebrity car on the road:

   

Celebrities: Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz
Car Model: Toyota Prius
MSRP: $21,725

Celebrity: Charlize Theron
Car Model: Land Rover Range Rover
MSRP: $56,085

Celebrity: Tyra Banks
Car Model: Lexus SC
MSRP: $65,355

Celebrity: Lindsay Lohan
Car Model: Mercedes-Benz SL Class
MSRP: $ 125,000

Celebrity: Paris Hilton
Car Model: Bentley Continental GT
MSRP: $164,990

Celebrity: Madonna
Car Model: Maybach 57
MSRP: $335,250

Celebrity: Britney Spears
Car Model: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
MSRP: $450,000

Read more in: "Celebrity Cars: What The Stars Are Driving."

Car & Driver 10 Best New Cars: Guess & Win

Car and Driver magazine will be releasing its 10 best new cars of the year issue on December 5th.  Until then they have come up with a cool little contest that anyone can enter and the rules are simple.  From a list of this year's top 10 best new cars nominees you pick the 10 cool new cars that you think will make the final list and rank them 1-10.

Names will be taken of two lucky winners who identify all 10 cars correctly and they will receive a free 1 year lease on one of the vehicles from the list.  There will also be a second place prize awarded for a free one day lesson form the Skip Barber Driving School.  If you would like to participate in this challenge, you can visit this website to view the list of nominees and fill out an entry form.

Read more in "Car & Drivers '10 Best Cars' List."

President Clinton To Receive First Presidential Hybrid Technology Car

At a time when our country is really working to lower its gasoline consumption it is nice to see the country's leaders pitching in to help. Former President Clinton is soon to become the first US President to utilize hybrid technology in the car he uses.

Ford car dealers have announced that they will be presenting President Clinton with a Presidential Edition Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The car will feature a customized interior complete with LED lighting, 110-volt outlets, collapsible built in writing desks and even a mini-fridge.

The former President's hybrid will receive about 32mpg in the city and 29mpg on the highway.

Read more in "Clinton To Get Custom Hybrid SUV."

Alternative Fuel And Electric-Gas Hybrid Cars Set To Race Around The World

It has recently been decided that 2008 will see the "Great Race World, New York To Paris". The race is scheduled to begin in New York on Feb. 12th, 2008 and finish 80 days later in Paris. The event will put to the test many of the new electric-gas hybrid cars currently on the market as well as cutting edge alternative fuel and hybrid technology.

Almost anyone can enter the event. Many private teams, engineering firms and educational clubs are already signed up to compete. You can read about the race registration requirements and fees at www.greatrace.com