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The Joe Cell – Free Power If You Have the Patience

By Lloyd Frazier

In the late seventies, during the Carter administration and its energy policies, there were many new alternative energy technology companies springing up. Mostly due to the tax incentives that they brought. The private individual could benefit as well. Many folks were putting up solar panels and windmills to stave off some of their tax bill and put more money in their pockets. Shortly after Reagan came into office, the tax incentives were dropped and lot of those companies died on the vine. Lately, we have seen a resurgence of alternative methods to create energy sources. A sort of “Alternative Energy 2.0” wave is breaking. This time it is driven by market pressures due to oil prices spiraling upward. It is an exciting time to watch the automobile manufacturers scramble for the next greatest technological breakthrough that can win them more of the market share. Toyota is a prime example. The hugely successful Prius hybrid has kicked off a new generation of cars, trucks and SUV’s that all manufacturers are starting to bring to the table. General Motors and Honda are scrambling to be the leader and bring even more to the table with the promise of hydrogen powered vehicles. The use hydrogen technology has been around for over a century. The first practical application for hydrogen gas was for dirigibles–we know them as blimps.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. You would think civilization would have a handle on the mass application of it for powering automobiles by now. Well, it is not that easy. Hydrogen gas is highly flammable and safe containment is the biggest hurdle. Current technology is really starting to get a grasp on this. We should see mass produced hydrogen powered transportation in our lifetimes. In the meantime, you will always see backyard applications spring up. This is where the Joe Cell sprung up. You will find a plethora of websites and information touting its viability. Even conspiracies of people having had threats to their life due to the development of it. The Joe Cell is named after a fella by the name of Joe. I do not know the complete history of this gentleman, but you won’t have any trouble finding out “more about it” on the internet. Simply put, the Joe Cell can create energy much like what causes lightning to course through the skies. Its claim is not of producing hydroxy and oxygen gases, but some kind of mysterious static electrical charge from the Aether. All this from pure water and that’s it. Of course, there are other pieces to the puzzle but the main ingredient is water. Several people have claimed to run their carbureted vehicles from this cell. From the many videos I have viewed on You Tube, it looks very interesting. I highly recommend you read about it for yourself. Just Google the words “Joe Cell” to begin your adventure–OR click this>>http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Joe_Cells for a complete source from many places.

Happy web crawling…Lloyd, signing out!

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2008 Chevrolet Malibu – From the ground up

By Lloyd Frazier

The Malibu has been a mainstay for Chevrolet for over 43 years. The first model was introduced in 1964 as the Chevelle. The Malibu designation was the top trim level of the Chevelle line. The Chevelle name was dropped entirely after 1977. The Chevelle was one of the most successful cars in the GM line. Only topped by the Impala in total sales. There were three generations of the Malibu before that nameplate was dropped:

1964-1972
1973-1977
1978-1983

In 1984, the Chevrolet Celebrity and Corsica models replaced the Malibu in that model’s segment. The Mailibu was resurrected as a brand new model in 1997. It was built on the new front-wheel drive N platform that was shared by the Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Achieva and Alero, and the Pontiac Grand Am. The Malibu lived on this new platform through the 2003 model year.

1997-2003

In 2004 GM rolled out the new Epsilon platform. The prominent chrome bar that ran through the middle of the the front grille was supposed to resemble the Chevy trucks. It was not a very popular design. That was changed for 2006. An SS model was added that year.

2004-2007

The 6th generation, 2008 Chevrolet Mailbu, sets on a very much improved 2nd generation epsilon platform that it shares with the Saturn Aura and the Pontiac G6. GM will offer a Ecotec 164 hp, 2.4 L I4 and a 252 hp, 3.6 LV6 with variable valve timing. The trim levels stay the same: LS, LT and LTZ. This year will be different for transmission offerings. There will be a 6-speed automatic available on all trim levels that have the V6 engine. Only the 4-cylinder LTZ will offer the 6-speed. The other trim level 4-cylinders will have a 4-speed automatic. No manual transmission is available at this time. The V6 model will offer paddle shifters and dual chrome exhaust ports. EPA highway ratings should be around 26 mpg for the V6 and 31 mpg for the inline 4-cylinder. This gets the new Mailbu into the “over 30 mpg on the highway” club. A lot of great safety equipment is standard including head-curtain side airbags, front seat mounted thorax protection airbags, electronic stability control and panic brake assistance. What really sets this new Malibu apart from its past siblings is the upscale interior. The General is doing away with the low grade plastic parts and replacing it with a new ‘skin over form’ type technology. This promises a much better fit and finish, high quality tactile touch/feel to it. A two-tone scheme in several different color combinations are availble to really set-off the high class look of this great new vehicle.Take a look, below, at the pictures we captured at the Denver Auto Show. Notice the nicely done interior. I wish we were able to actually do a touchy feely with this car, but it was hands-off. I am not sure why since it appears to be ready for prime time. At least it should be since it will be released this October. The large bulging front end with the oversized headlight assembly gives the car a very distinctive look. The new Chevy theme with the single bar through the middle will be showing up on other models in the future. Cobalt and Aveo already sport the design. The rear end shows off the large, prominent taillight assembly. The round lamp design is all Chevy. If you look at the last picture close enough, you can see the Chevy bowtie right smack in the middle of the left lense piece. It is hard to see with the lower resolution pictures I have for this blog. In the high resolution pics you can see it. This car will definitely give Toyota and Honda pause. With the 2007 Ford Fusion and Chevy Malibu sharing space with them in this segment, it will definitely cause folks to seriously take a look at the domestics. Price, quality, reliability, mpg ratings, fit and finish are neck and neck with the Asian market now. Is this segment too crowded? Will it become more competitive? With gas prices continuing is upward spiral, this segment, along with the compacts, are probably going to see increased sales. Let us only hope. Go GM and Ford!!

Interior
Front
Rear
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Camaro Concept at the Denver Auto Show

By Lloyd Frazier

My first time out to the Denver Auto Show was a good experience. There was not a lot of concept vehicles. Only the domestics had concepts on display. There was quite a bit of buzz around the Camaro concept. It was a racy red color with smoked glass all around (which I suspect was hiding the interior since it probably hasn’t been finalized) and some awesome wheels and tires. The attractive General Motors info-babe, in the tight black pants and short waisted jacket, who was giving us the scoop on this great looking car, stated that it will be released in the 2nd quarter of 2008 as a 2009 model. That is just around the corner folks! Let me tell ya that men where weeping, women were fainting, and young boys were drooling over this car. American design

Frontal view:
Notice the ’69 influence in the egg crate grille. But that is where the old school design cues stop. The headlight fixtures are definitely new school. There is a crystal white LED glow surrounding the headlamp area. LED technology is also apparent with the amber section enveloping the same area. The menacing grimace on the front facia and grille remind you that you better not mess with this Camaro unless you expect to get yer tail whipped. The bugling hood hints that there is a large, rumbling, muscular presence hidden underneath to back up that grimace. I have seen plenty of pictures showing this car in a silver metallic that did not do it justice. The red really sets off the the details in this awesome car.
Rear view:
The concept shows with 18″ wheels in front and 20″ in rear. I don’t know how much of that design will actually make it into the final production release. From the rear view you can see that the bulging hind quarters perfectly envelop the large rear wheels. The picture below reveals the two exhaust ports handsomely outlined with chrome accents and inserted into a flat black rear piece to highlight it. The tail lamps are definitely Chevy. The dual light configuration brings back memories of the ’69, but with a semi-circle design that looks sorta like the Corvette, but not really. This gives it a distinctive appearance all of its own.

There are some other details that set this car off. Notice the vents in front of the rear wheels. I am not sure if these are actually functional rear brake vents or just for show.

The factory wheels are very nice indeed.

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Going to the Denver Auto Show!

by Lloyd Frazier

We are going to the Denver Auto Show today. I hope they have the Camaro concept. The AutoRamblings.com crew will be focussing on a few cars today–Chevrolet Malibu, Jeep Patriot, Saturn Aura, and the new Chevrolet Silverado. We will also be taking a close look at the new Ford and DaimlerChrysler offerings. Since we at AutoRamblings specifically focus on the domestic brands, we won’t have much for you in the way of Asian and European cars. However, we will be taking a close look to gauge just how far the domestics have gained ground in comparison. It promises to be an exiting time. See you there!

Lloyd…hittin’ the road to go to the show!

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It’s What Is On The Inside That Counts

by Lloyd Frazier

Usually when you read about car stuff it relates to design and performance. Sometimes it is the little things that everyday folk appreciate from a car manufacturer. There is nothing more frustrating then taking your family out for ice cream and more ice cream ends up on the upholstery and carpet then ends up in your kids mouths. Or what about the long, winding road trip to your favorite camping digs in your fresh, clean SUV. Inevitably, one of the kids end up hurling all over the back seat. We take it for granted that our vehicles are going to get us from point A to point B since modern day cars are more reliable than ever. We just expect that the upholstery and carpet is going to get a little rough looking way before the rest of the car.

Now there is hope. Milliken & Company, a company that has provided seating, flooring and safety solutions to the likes of Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler, Honda and Toyota for decades has developed a new line of products called YES Essentials. YES Essentials is a material that can withstand the toughest of spills and just wipe clean. They have three patented polymer technologies to fight stains, odors and reduce static electricity. They have a very clever video demonstration that is a must see – CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO at splatthemat.com. You can splat ketchup, blueberry pie, coffee, soil or the dreaded ice cream sundae onto the mat and they will demo how it comes out. When you click on one of the icons representing the spill you will get a little surprise. Its fun, check it out.

Lloyd…signing out.