Top Five Early Flying Cars

These would be the ancestors of the new Terrafugia Transition flying car that’s grabbing headlines around the world.

1917 Curtiss Autoplane.

Fourteen years after the Wright brothers managed their historic flight, fellow American aircraft pioneer Glen Curtiss came up with the first-ever car that could fly. Sort of. With its wings removed, this aluminum-bodied hybrid could do 70km/h on the road, but unfortunately actual flight was a problem… a few short hops was all it could manage.

1937 Waterman Aerobile

This one actually flew. The high-wing monoplane on three wheels was powered by a 100bhp Studebaker engine could haul itself off the ground and buzz around thanks to a propeller attached to the rear of the vehicle. Understandably, there weren’t too many people willing to risk their lives in this contraption and a distinct lack of customers killed it off.

1946 Fulton Airphibian

Robert Fulton started from the other end. Instead of a car the flies, he designed an airplane that also drove. Apparently, once you’d landed, it only took five minutes to unscrew the prop and undo the tail before driving off at 80km/h. Significantly, this was the first-ever flying car to be certified by the USA’s Federal Aviation Authority.

1949 Taylor Aerocar

Flying cars enjoyed something of a golden age during the optimistic post-war years, but none enjoyed any commercial success. Except this one built by Moulton Taylor. After getting its FAA certification in 1956, Moulton built and sold six of these flying planes, with one still in the regularly flying as late as 2006. A man in Minneapolis, USA, is currently selling his 1954 Aerocar for R10.2-million if you’re interested.

1973 AVE Mizar

After a decade in the doldrums, the idea of a flying car again entered public consciousness with this effort. A true hybrid, mating the rear section of a Cessna Skymaster to a Ford Pinto, the Mizar (named after a star) showed some promise. Tragically, the prototype’s build quality wasn’t quite up to aviation standards and a failed wing strut caused a fiery crash that killed its creator Henry Smolinski.

As appeared in the Sept 2012 issue of the Kulula inflight mag.

Steve Davis, is that you?

On test... Honda Civic Hatch  1.8i-VTEC Elegance

Steve Davis. You may have heard of him. But probably not. The man from London is one of the all-time snooker greats. He’s won six world championships, was the world’s no. 1 for seven years, and has won 28 pro titles in a career that, at age 54, still continues. Stellar achievements by any standards.

So why haven’t you heard of him? Sure, snooker isn’t that big here in SA, but still, those achievements should have made him noteworthy enough to blip your radar, right? The problem with Steve… was Steve. He’s not what you’d call a compelling character. The words “flamboyant”, “exciting” and “charismatic” have, to date, never been used in the same sentence as “Steve Davis”. In fact, so dour is Steve’s demeanour that he’s actually known by the ironic nickname of “Interesting”… Steve “Interesting” Davis.

Which brings us to the Honda Civic. It has a similar reputation. The hatchback, with its futuristic styling, has tried hard to shuck the “sensible shoes of cars” reputation its sedan sibling has garnered. Somewhat unsuccessfully it must be said. You see, the hatch is like Steve Davis with a floral shirt and extra hair product.. he looks funkier, but you still know that underneath it all, it’s still Steve.

 And that’s a good thing. Because that means the Civic is a car you want to own. No really. It’s an automobile without any discernible weakness. It will sink the black ball every time. It’s the epitome of Get The Job Done. Let’s pot a few balls and tick a few boxes shall we…

Build quality. Hey. It’s a Honda and that means its bullet proof.

Engine. We tested the 1.8-litre petrol car (also available as a 2.2-litre diesel). It’s an upgraded four-cylinder i-VTEC engine good for 104 kW of power at 6500 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4300 rpm. Not the most powerful engine. But powerful enough.

Tech, It features Honda’s ECO Assist illuminated dashboard system to tell you how fuel efficient your driving is. It glows green for good, bad blue for bad. There’s also a green dash-mounted Econ switch which, when pushed, will activate the best throttle response and air-conditioning settings to save fuel.

Interior. It has the previous gen’s fighter pilot cockpit feel, but looks a step up in quality with soft-touch materials and leather in the exec model. It’s also learned a trick from its Jazz stablemate… a “magic seat” rear set up that offers near miraculous cargo space when configured.

Handling. We’ve saved the best for last … the new Civic manages a remarkable feat. Through the corners it manages to be both lithe and supple, without any discernible body roll. It’s sure-footed and precise sans the usual bone-shuddering suspension stiffness this requires.

It’s an Impressive car this. Exciting? No, but if you’re looking for a go-to vehicle that’s ultra-reliable, efficient, and immaculately screwed together, this is the one. It’s a bit like Steve Davis’ legendary perfect break back in 1982 – the first televised broadcast of someone consecutively potting every single ball (all 15 reds with 15 blacks, followed by all six colours) for a total of 147 points.It was helluva interesting to watch.

The Honda Civic Hatch range starts at R248 000

**review as appeared in the Sept issue of Khuluma, the Kulula in-flight magazine.

Top Five Six-Wheelers

Why have four-wheels when you can have six...

Pullman Six-wheeler ... 1906

The granddaddy of all the sixers, this experimental car also sported the most unusual layout. Pullman was a US maker of luxury cars between 1905 and 1917. They were moderately successful, though this car was a total disaster. And for obvious reasons too. Those evenly spaced axels meant it had the turning circle of a barge. The car crashed into pole within a year of its construction and was mercifully scrapped.

C6W ... 2004

Designed by Italian company, Corvini engineering, this rear-wheel drive prototype boasts some impressive bits – a 4.2-litre Audi V8 engine, a top speed of 295km/h, loads of carbonfibre and, of course, six wheels. Its rear-wheel drive with those front wheels designed to reduce drag and “increase air penetration”. The C6W was introduced at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show and has been “set for commercial production” ever since. Right.

Panther 6 ... 1976-77

This one actually made it into production. Yes. They made two. The Panther 6 however does deserve some credit… it was actually a pretty decent automobile. Its British manufacturers claimed it could crack the 200mph barrier (320km/h) and given its 600bhp twin-turbo 8.0-litre V8, that was entirely possible. Incidentally, the car also came with such futuristic gizmos as a phone and a TV. All as standard.

Citroën Cruise Crossser ... 2007

Swiss car designer Franco Sbarro thinks so far out the box that he and the box are pretty much in different postal codes. Which is why Citroen asked him to whip up a little something special based on their production C-Crosser SUV. What he came up with is a six-wheeled hybrid with a conventional diesel engine supplemented by an electric motor. Yes. Not Frankie’s finest hour.

Trekol 39294 ... 2012

Also known as the Amazing Floating Car, this Russian-made monster is, in fact, genuinely amazeballs. When they say it can go anywhere, they mean anywhere… even water. Thanks to its huge tubeless tyres and lightweight polystyrene-sandwiched-by-fibreglass body, this 6x6 is not only road legal, capable of withstanding temperatures from -60 to +60, but it has the ability to traverse water at a stately 10km/h.

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This car is incredible. They swear.

On Test… BMW 320d

  

They’re swearing in Germany. And not just at the Greeks either. In fact, the blame for this increase in expletives among its usually teutonically restrained citizens can be laid a lot closer to home. Two southern German cities, to be precise... Ingolstadt and Stuttgart. It’s here, echoing down to the surgically pristine assembly lines of Audi and Mercedes-Benz, that a slew of particularly colourful profanities have exploded from the frosted glass and aluminium boardrooms above.

The reason? The new BMW 3 Series… it’s a game changer. What was looking like a fairly even race among the A4, C-Class and the 3 Series – with personal preference being the only real differentiator – has turned into a no-brainer. The new 3 Series is simply that good. Of course it’s the whole package that makes a car, but one aspect of the new Beemer can proudly claim to be the reason for all that uncouth language.

The chassis...

It’s not often one gets into a car occupying a lofty niche like the “the small premium sedan segment” and immediately notices how different it feels to its competitors. But one really does with this. The balance, the precise turn-in, the predictability, and the poise around corners are all hugely impressive. And a large part of the secret is the Driving Experience Switch Control button nestled next to the gear lever. This electronic wizardry allows one to switch between Comfort. Sport, Sport + and Eco Pro mode with the difference being changes to the car’s suspension settings (if fitted with the optional adjustable system), throttle response and gear-shift patterns

The car on test – the 320d – is probably the sweetspot of the whole range segment. In terms of performance delivered vs fuel efficiency vs price paid, this turbo charged 1997cc diesel is the equivalent of that immensely satisfying , vibrationless thunk you feel when you and your 3-iron absolutely middle down the fairway. Its 135kw output might not blow you away, but the 380Nm of torque means plenty of power through most of the rev range, which is really what one needs in daily driving conditions.

It’s hard to argue against this new Beemer. Perhaps those headlights with what look like overtly long tearducts aren’t to everyone’s taste, but there is none-the-less an overall balance to the car’s exterior design. Inside of course, it’s as well screwed together as it gets. But that’s all incidental when compared what this car can do on the road. One always feels plugged into a BMW – driving dynamics is the impeachable brand promise – but never quite like this…

The BMW 3 series base prices range from R363 052 (320i) to R547 190 (335i). 
The 320d starts at R390 500

(Review published in the July issue of Khuluma, the Kulula in-flight magazine)

Top Five Police Cars From Around The World

Just because you’re a cop, doesn’t mean you have to drive a bakkie...

Hummer H2

USA

They’ve gone for a unique out-gangsta-the-gangsta approach in this Texan county. With a 7.0-litre supercharged V8 under the hood - and wheels rims that come up to your waist - any criminal with at least a modicum of common sense is going to put his Glock back in his pants and call it a night.

Lamborghini Gallardo

Italy

The Polizia first got one of these back in 2004 and unsurprisingly they liked it. So much so that they ordered a couple more – the latest being the LP560-4 capable of 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 325km/h. Just what one needs to flag down an over enthusiastic Ferrari driver. Si.

Holden VE SS Commodore

Australia

The bruce’s down in Oz have gone for what they know best – good old Aussie muscle in the shape of this beefy Holden… or as we know it here in SA, the Chev Lumina. It’s not all old skool brute force though, the 6.0-litre can also fire a GPS-embedded dart into suspect vehicles.

 

MINI Cooper

Germany

As pragmatic as ever, the Munich police have opted not for a sledgehammer Porsche, but this nippy little MINI Cooper. Why? Two reasons: 1. It’s perfect for zipping around the city’s tight streets; and 2. MINI is no longer the pride of Britain, but being owned by BMW, in fact a German machine.

Lotus Evora

United Kingdom

You do not want to be speeding through the West Midlands. Because they have new a Lotus and they are just itching to use it. Part of this iconic brand's big revival, the car will do 0-100km/h in a criminal-nabbing 4.9 seconds. Though exactly where they plan on putting said criminals once cuffed and arrested is a little hazy.

The Buckingham Palace Massive. Yo.

On test... Range Rover Autobiography V8 Supercharged

The Queen is not going to like this. Especially it being her Diamond Jubilee and everything.

Indeed, she… sorry… “We” will almost certainly not be amused when she sees what Land Rover have gone and done with their latest Range Rover. This, remember, is the car that has transported Her Royal Highness through the heath and bogs of her beloved Balmoral. It was the automotive equivalent of the Hunter wellies she wears when, together with her beloved corgies, she squelches across her beloved Scottish highlands.

At over R1000 a pair, those British-made Hunters might be jolly expensive, but they are functional, they’ve been keeping royal feet cosy for over 50 years, and they come in olive green. Just like the Queen’s old Range Rover. It too was jolly expensive and olive green, but it was also British-made and unless one chose those horrid German Gelandewagen things (and frankly both you and I know what iconic 4x4 they copied there), it was about as good as an off-roader gets. And quite posh inside too.

The new Range Rover is not like a pair of Hunter’s wellies. For one, it’s not olive green. Not our test car at least, though no doubt Range Rover would paint one olive green for one if one really wanted it. This is after all the top-of-the-range Rover and, at around R1.5-million, one can have any colour one wants. In all likelihood though, the Range Rover Autobiography is going to be ordered in black. With black tinted windows.

And that is because the Range Rover Autobiography is gangsta. Well gangsta, in fact.

Land Rover won’t admit it’s purposefully gangsta of course, but when they talk about it, the bespoke-suited gents over at their HQ in Gaydon (don’t laugh) use words like “luxury”, “craftsmanship”, “exclusivity”, and “premium”. Gangsta’s love that stuff. Gangstas also love to make sure know just how gangsta they are, which is why the Autobiography has a “Design Pack, which includes the supercharged grill, side vents and front bumper, plus 22 exclusive Autobiography exterior colours and unique Autobiography badging on the boot lid. (Here’s where you make the appropriate gangsta hand gesture).

                        

Inside of course, is a Gangstawonderland. Apart from some heavily-lacquered wood inlays here and there, leather covers everything. And we mean everything. Not just any leather either, but Semi Aniline Autobiography leather with contrasting stitching. And there’s a two-tone option too. But even that’s not the most gangsta thing. Not by a long way.

That you’ll find under the bonnet… in the shape of a brilliantly-engineered supercharged 5.0-litre V8 that will move three tons of SUV from standstill to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds. And that, I’m sure me Liz would agree, is wicked.

The base price of the V8 Supercharged Autobiography is R1 525 100 

Review as appeared in the July  issue of Kuluma, the Khulula in-flight mag.

Top Five Country Singer Car Deaths

First their lover left them… then their dog died… then so did they. In their car.

Hank Williams d 1953

The car: 1952 Cadillac convertible

Perhaps the most revered country musician of all, passed away in the back of a car while being driven to a gig in Charleston by a student ironically named Charles Carr. Cause of death, according to the coroner, was "acute right ventricular dilation"… or to put it another way… ole Hank died of a broken heart.

 Johnny Horton d 1960

The car: 1959 Cadillac

With his good looks and a 1960 Best Country & Western Song Grammy for "The Battle of New Orleans", fame and fortune beckoned Johnny. Unfortunately so did a certain Mr Death. The night Johnny died, he was driving his Cadillac home from the Austin Skylight Club. The Austin Skylight Club was also the last place Hank Williams played… Hank Williams also owned a Caddy… and Johnny had married Hank’s widow, Billie Jean Jones Eshlimar.

Dottie West d 1960

The car: 1982 Plymouth Reliant

Best known for her emotional country ballads with King Of The Emotional Country Ballads, Kenny Rogers, Dottie was killed when her 81-year-old neighbour lost control of the car he was driving Dottie to a show in. Dottie’s car – one given to her by Kenny – wouldn’t start and old Mr Thackton kindly offered her a lift…

Billy Walker d 2006

The car: Transit Van

Best known for his 1962 hit “(I’d Like To Be In) Charlie’s Shoes", Billy was a card-carrying Nashville legend with 24 albums during his 60-year career. Driving back to Nashville after a performance in Foley, Alabama, the van he was driving veered of Interstate 65 in the early hours of the morning killing Billy, his wife, and two other band members.

Betty Jack Davis Walker d 1953

The car: unknown

The Davis Sisters were best known for their confidently-titled 1953 hit, “I’ll Forget More Than You’ll Ever Know”. It was a song that Betty Jack and her identically-surnamed-but-unrelated musical partner Skeeter Davis sung to no.1 on the US country charts. Sadly, soon after the release of their hit, their car was involved in a head-on collision. Betty Jack was killed instantly but Skeeter survived with concussion and internal injuries