$9.99 Roadside Emergency KitRight down the block from the posh Car Craft offices stands one of L.A.'s innumerable 99-cent stores, where everything in the joint is priced under a buck. Jammed among the aisles of stale cat food, remaindered books, expired calendars, and four tons of Chinese imports, we found a decent stash of useful automotive-related products, so we spent a few minutes cruising the aisles and flinging stuff in our cart. When we got back to the office to sort it out, we were shocked to find we actually had a pretty decent roadside repair kit to throw in the trunk. Here's what we hauled away.-Matt King
A.Fix-A-Flat We were addicted to using this stuff to stop annoying slow leaks from bad valve stems and buggered-up beads until we realized that too much of it causes your tires to roll like a square wheel. But it beats changing a tire in the mud on the side of the road.B. Imitation Vise-Grips We're not even sure what the generic term for Vise Grips is (locking pliers?), but these Made in India knock-offs double as a full set of metric and SAE wrenches in a pinch.C. Roll of Duct Tape You don't get the good stuff for a buck a roll, but then again, we don't throw the good stuff in the trunk.D. Pack of Zip-Ties Nothing goes with duct tape like a pack of zip ties. It's like cookies and milk.E. Can of WD-40 It's officially licensed by NASCAR-and still only 99 cents for a 5-ounce can.F. Tub of Gojo Hand Cleaner Good for cleaning up after lunch.G. "Custom" 76 Straight 30W Motor Oil They blended it up special for us while we waited.H. Instant Gas Tank and Radiator Repair It's like Silly Putty on steroids.I.Handy Plastic Carrying Case You can put your weed in it, too.
Facts (No Rumors)Fact: The Jerry Springer Show is now a sponsor of Kevin Richard's Monte Carlo in the NASCAR Winston West series. This ought to help dispel NASCAR's image as a sport for white trash.
Fact: According to CCC Information Services, the most stolen car in America during 2002 was the '89 Camry. Maybe it's just the same Camry being stolen over and over and over again.
Fact: A bill before the Texas House would increase the penalties for street racing to a maximum $2,000 fine and six months in jail for a first offense.
Fact: A bill (A.B. 789) in the California Assembly would exempt registered non-operational vehicles from city and county public nuisance ordinances. The vehicle would have to be stored or parked in a legal manner on private property and not readily visible from the street. That's a good bill.
Fact: A bill (H.B. 5145) to increase the fine to $150 for violation of the state's exhaust-noise law has been introduced in the Connecticut General Assembly. Current Connecticut law prohibits "excessive, unusual, or unnecessary exhaust noise" but fails to define these terms. That's a bad bill.
0305/6-SCUP-H/OChrysler Takes Flite[Photos 116-0306.SCUP 5A through 5F on disc]According to everything coming from DaimlerChrysler, the five-door Airflite concept car shown by the company at March's Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland accurately reflects the styling themes that will become the hallmark of the company into the foreseeable future. But the real treat isn't the styling-it's the rear-drive chassis upon which the Airflite is built that will make or break the company.
The new LX chassis is DaimlerChrysler's first rear-drive platform since the old New Yorker left production after the '89 model year. In the Airflite, power comes from a heavily styled 3.5L V-6, but this platform is fully capable of supporting V-8s, and at least one Hemi-powered version will be in production for the 2005 model year. The high-performance Mopar musclecar could very well be back in full force by the middle of this decade.