I was stunned to see this little clip of video, showing Barack Obama’s limo stuck on a speed ramp as it tried to make its way out of the American Embassy in Dublin yesterday.
This is no ordinary car of course.
This £300k Cadillac is referred to as ‘The Beast’. That’s because this car is built like a tank – with armour-plated 8-inch thick doors, and reinforced 5-inch steel plate under the car. And a host of other measures to protect the President.
But yesterday all it needed was one little speed ramp to bring it to a complete halt.
Onlookers watched in stunned amazement as the limo tried to negotiate the ramp… only to be brought to a stop with an almighty ‘clunk’ as it moved forward. When it failed to move, the President’s driver got out of the car to take a look. Before quick-thinking police blocked all the activities from view using a small bus.
Videos on YouTube clearly show a buzz of activity for at least 6 minutes, all blocked from view by a strategically placed bus!
The Secret Service spokesman, Robert Novy, said on this occasion the President was not actually in the vehicle. I’d suggest that would have to be the ‘official line’.
Whether the President was in the car or not, it’s an embarrassing incident for the Secret Service. Let’s hope someone learns a valuable lesson… and gets it fixed.
Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Obama limo trapped by speed ramp
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
Does Kylie really drive a Lexus?
Monday, April 18th, 2011
You may have seen the advertising campaign for the new Lexus CT 200h, inviting the viewer to “join the quiet revolution”.
But what are we to make of the pop princess, Kylie Minogue smoldering into the camera with promises of concert tickets of we buy the Lexus?
Celebrity number plates and cars
This got me thinking about why car companies use celebrities in their advertising and how it is supposed to influence the buying public.
It has been pointed out recently in the media the number of car companies alienating much of their potential market by going with celebrity endorsement. For example, Audi is the proud sponsor of Manchester United football club. This may seem at first to be an excellent plan. Thousands of enthusiastic fans fill the stands at every match, famous players drive their cars, and the opportunities for advertising seem endless. However, they have failed to notice the millions upon millions of motorists that do not support Manchester United and indeed have no interest in being associated with their branding.
The same goes for the pint sized popstrel, Miss Minogue and her Lexus advertisement. Undoubtably, her familiar smiling face will draw in the fans, but how many of us associate her with the reliable family car that is a Lexus CT 200h? I am also in doubt about the possible prize of free tickets to a Kylie concert upon acquisition of your new Lexus. Surely if One were that desperate to see her, You could just go out and buy tickets rather than resorting to an all the more expensive purchase of a large, quiet car?
I feel that the most influential advertisement campaigns for cars are the ones that give us a good view of the vehicle in action and give us the facts, not leaving the viewer wondering if it was a pop video or the prelude to a football match. We need the specifics when it comes to making the considered purchase of a car, not to be left alienated by indulgent two minute mini-films. My advice to car companies? Keep it simple and smart and we’ll keep coming back.
Women car drivers and number plates
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
However many jokes are made about “women drivers” it has to be said that insurance companies have routinely charged women less for their insurance until this past week.
A book has recently been written about the female affinity with the road “Bedpans and Bobby Socks”, by Barbara Fox and Gwenda Gofton. The book relates the story of five British nurses as they take a road trip across 1950s America in a clapped out 1949 Ford.
And that got me thinking about women and motoring and how much things have changed.
It seems that motoring offered women a new type of freedom during and after World War II. Women were liberated to some extent by being able to travel without being reliant on men. They were no longer housebound and could hit the open road.
After the war, and as rationing ended, people were more affluent. And this saw a significant increase in the number of cars on the road… women were quick to become part of this phenomenon.
As the number of cars on the road increased, there was an increased demand for registration plates. So much so that the number plate combinations that had been available were running out and a new system had to be devised. In 1963, the number plate year identifier was introduced, which offered more registration number combinations as the number of cars increased. These were what are known as suffix style number plates.
Since then, of course, the number plate format has changed many times. And there are a lot of women drivers out there opting to accessorise their cars with a personalised number plate. The latest release of the 11 series of number plates introduced some great options for names such as Helen number plate or Emily number plate. Other combinations mean you can pay tribute to your favourite romantic heroine like a Bridget Jones number plate or an Emma number plate from the Jane Austen novel.
Invisible cars are not the stuff of fiction
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
Invisible cars have long been a feature in spy films and science fiction but may no longer be a flight of fancy if the latest military technology is anything to go by.
British military science buffs as part of the future protected vehicle program have planned to create invisible tanks that could be seen, or rather not, on battlefields in the next five years. It is believed that armored vehicles like tanks will use a new technology known as “e-camouflage” which uses a kind of “electronic ink” to make a vehicle appear invisible.
This astounding technology works through sensors which will project images of the surroundings onto the vehicle so that it can blend into the environment. It is very different to traditional forms of camouflage in that it will change constantly to match the surroundings making it extremely effective in avoiding attack and carrying out stealth missions. For example, vehicles will be able to patrol desert areas and areas of vegetation using the same technology and remain disguised in both environments.
The nature of the engineering means that more unmanned vehicles will be able to carry out more dangerous tasks such as clearing mine fields so the “e-camouflage” could also potentially save lives.
However would the same technology be applicable in everyday life? I for one cannot image seeing my personalized number plate floating down the road so perhaps this one will be kept just for the army . But if you do fancy your own nod to stealth and spies like our very own James Bond, how about a number plate to let people know who they’re working with?
All About Lucy
Friday, February 11th, 2011
Hi, I’m Lucy; I’m currently doing some work experience with www.comparenumberplates.co.uk. As I will be making a contribution to the blogs on this page, here is some information about me.
I am 22 years old and have recently graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in History. As a historian is it difficult not to notice the impact of cars and motoring on society and how people have become increasingly enthusiastic about adorning their vehicles and making a personal statement on them. I think that a personalised number plate is the perfect way to add that statement and I’m particularly fond of the classic style number plates and classic cars.
In the future I hope to have a classic car of my own, perhaps a Mustang or a VW camper for trips across Europe. But until then my other half drives me around in his speedy Subaru Impreza.
In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit whether it be running out in the open air or hitting my local gym for a spinning class or some relaxing Pilates.
I also love to read, anything from a quality publication like Heat magazine or delving into a classic tome such as Pride Prejudice.
As a newbie to the world of motoring enthusiasm, I hope to share my learning adventure with our readers, so you can find out all about personalised number plates and related topics from the perspective of someone like yourself.
Real-life superhero stops car thief
Thursday, February 3rd, 2011
New York was protected by Spiderman, Gotham was protected by Batman, and of course the whole world was protected by Superman. Now Seattle has it’s own self-proclaimed ‘real life’ super heroes, headed by Phoenix Jones.
The first case of crime fighting by one of these masked men was brought to the public eye when Phoenix Jones chased off a man trying to break into one his ‘fellow citizens’ cars earlier this month.
The victim known as ‘Dan’, was attempting to call 911 having seen that his car was being broken into when, as he describes, “a man ran out of the shadows wearing a rubber black and gold suit” (Phoenix Jones). Phoenix chased the failed car thief off into the night but reports say he was unsuccessful in catching him.
Armed with a tazer-night-stick, Mase, a bulletproof vest and knife plate Phoenix patrols the streets of Seattle at night looking to battle crime and protect the people. He can be seen patrolling alone or with his closest allies; Red Dragon and Buster Doe, referring to themselves as the Rain City Crime-fighting Superhero Movement… Quite a mouthful. They also wear what can only be described as…..well…..simply hilarious outfits.
They are reportedly driven around by a mysterious woman who refuses to be named…or to wear a costume. We’re not sure if its one of their partners…
So, is this a good idea? Will the efforts of homemade superhero’s like these and others alike really help stop crime, or will they make it worse? Phoenix claims that he and his comrades all have either martial arts or military backgrounds and know what they are doing.
However, news has recently been released that Phoenix has been held at gunpoint by one man while another kicked him in the face – breaking his nose. Phoenix says that this experience has not put him off fighting crime.
Police say they are worried that masked hero’s like this are putting themselves in serious danger and could do more harm than good. This may be a noble effort put up by these men and it certainly brings a smile to my face. But I fear the Seattle police may be right – if they continue for much longer, they may be seriously hurt, and nobody wants to see that. Phoenix also says that part of his job is giving out food to the poor while he patrols. Possibly he should just stick to that bit…?
Number plate stickers on 4×4s in the city
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
I read this morning that climate change activists have targeted 300 4×4 vehicles in London by sticking ‘CO2 K1LL5′ stickers over their current number plates. The stickers have strong glue and can only be removed by applying warm water.
Love them or hate them, 4×4s are fast filling up our cosmopolitan roads. Their originally purpose was for off-road driving, but more recent models seem to be geared towards luxury travel.
City-dwelling 4×4 drivers have often had to deal with banter and in some cases abuse about their choice of vehicle given their current surroundings. They are often referred to by critics as ‘Chelsea Tractors’.
Activists argue that if people drive in the city, they don’t really need 5 litre 4×4’s to tackle the speed bumps, occasional pot holes and Coca-cola cans in the road. After all if G-Wiz drivers and Boris Johnson on a bicycle can handle the rough terrain of inner city London, then maybe 4×4 drivers could make do with a VW Polo or even, just to get back in the good books , a more eco-friendly hybrid car???
But, should we have to conform to what others believe is best for the environment given that there is limited evidence as to how much humans are effecting climate change or should we be free to drive what we want depending on what we can afford and how we’re feeling?
There has to be a more sensible way of tackling the issue than putting stickers over people’s number plates. Drivers that didn’t notice their plates had been doctored risked a hefty fine from the DVLA.
My personal opinion is that a compromise has to be made between freedom of choice and what is ultimately best for everyone. Perhaps Gas-guzzling 4×4’s ARE a little excessive for city roads but…wait… I’ve got it… Toyota Prius…4×4’s! That’s it, the answer to all our problems! Come on Toyota, get creating!
Reliant Regal Van at Classic Motor Show
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010
The CompareNumberPlates.co.uk team decided to get out of the office, and spend the day talking to some car owners. So we headed off to the Classic Motor Show at the NEC. Officially, it was work… but we enjoyed it far too much.
One of the owners we met was Andrew.
Andrew, a member of the Reliant Owners Club, told us how he had restored the mechanics of a lovely yellow Reliant Regal, which he then sold to another member when he decided that he would prefer a Reliant Regal van.
Andrew chose the van because he describes it as being “more of a workhorse” and better for when he is moving large, heavy items from one place to another. Andrew also breeds Dutch rabbits that he regularly exhibits at shows. He’s looking forward to turning up to the shows in his vintage Reliant Regal van with his Dutch rabbits in the back… and guage the reaction from ‘the lads’.
Andrew’s Reliant Regal van is an immaculate and elegant relic of the UK’s automobile industry’s history. He reveals why he loves the Reliant, with stories of his childhood trips to ’sunny Brid’.
More interviews from the Classic Motor Show 2010:
Number plate fanatics
Monday, November 22nd, 2010
At comparenumberplates.co.uk we like to think we have quite a passion for number plates, but when we heard about Bob Cornelius from Ontario, Canada, whose collection reached 4000, we started to question just how passionate we are by comparison!
Mr Cornelius has been a devoted collector of number plates since 1948. He recites stories of how when he was a child, number plates had to be renewed each January and the old plates would be thrown away.
Mr Cornelius said that being a ‘young kid’ he couldn’t bare to see the number plate, that was still nice and shiny, being thrown away so he suggested to his dad that they hang it on the garage wall.
That was when his collection (spanning over half a century) began.
Number plate collecting may sound a peculiar hobby to some but it has become an international phenomenon. Collectors clubs have been set up all over the world. The Number Plate Collectors Club (NPCC) of Australia aims to “promote the hobby of collecting number plates and research their history.”
The Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) has been organising license plate meets in North America for decades. Mr Cornelius has slowed his collecting down over the years but still thoroughly enjoys events like these so that he can share his stories and passion with fellow collectors.
Don Goodfellow, a friend of Mr Cornelius’ and organiser for ALPCA is also a devoted collector boasting a collection of 1500 number plates. He says that people collect number plates in differing catagories – some like to collect plates from different years, some from different states and countries. Mr Goodfellow’s favourite is plates with foreign lettering.
Between the two of them Mr Cornelius and Mr Goodfellow own thousands of number plates, but they both confess to having the same favourite – a blue and white 1911 number plate made out of porcelain. Apparently that was the only year such a plate existed in Ontario. Understandably the porcelain plates were prone to chipping and now at 99 years old are quite a collector’s item.
Though it may not be for everyone, this interesting passtime certainly seems to have captured the interest of many across the world.
[Photo Courtesy of www.niagarathisweek.com]
In the news this week: the latest news from the car world
Friday, October 29th, 2010
There are literally millions of blog posts out there, each talking about cars, motorbikes and personalised number plates. And we read them.
Every single one.
So we thought it’d be easier for you if we provided a weekly blog post pointing out the best of the best – the news that you absolutely must read! So here’s what we’ve been talking about in the office this week…
We keep watching this teaser video from BMW over and over again. And, of course, visiting dontblogaboutthis.com the amazing new BMW microsite.
We’ve been drooling over the Renault DeZir concept.
There’s a live feed from the Nurburgring racetrack that we’ve been obsessively refreshing to catch a glimpse of who’s facing the challenge!
We also wondered who is that bothered about Facebook that they need to update their status from their car dashboard?
We’ve been scratching our heads at how the photo above happened…
