Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

Most vehicles are good looking even if their looks become dated as time passes. Car manufacturers take great care in creating designs that will draw people in and make them want to own their car. That said, not all cars are pleasing to the eye while some are downright atrocious looking and bizarre. Such vehicles often make fellow drivers question the talent, skill, and sanity, of their designers. Aesthetically unpleasant cars exist in great number and aren't always "old" cars. Many new models can lay claim to the title "Ugliest Car In The World."

The Thing By Volkswagen


Even without seeing this vehicle it's name should raise an eyebrow or two. The name alone piques the curiosity of many if it doesn't raise a red flag. This car is boxy and looks as though it was assembled by by a kindergartner. The stock dull orange paint job only makes matters worse too. Those who've ridden in The Thing will tell you it's like driving in a cardboard box. The Thing is not only ugly but it's a rough ride to boot.

Image: dastank.com

The Tatra T603


When people talk about Czechoslovakia they normally don't talk about the cars that the country produces. The Tatra T603 is the one exception to this rule however. The car sports a look that some say looks as though someone put a 56 Chevy and an egg in a microwave together. While the car is hard on the eyes it was well respected for it's reliability and superb construction.
Image: wikipedia.org


The Bond Bug 

Though this car is often associated with Agent 007 it has nothing to do with James Bond. Reliant purchased the Bond Motor Company in the 1970's and sought to build a "fun" car. The Bond Bug features 3 wheels a pointed nose or front end, and short stubby doors. This car looks to be part boat and part car though it is not an amphibious automobile.
Image: wikipedia.org


The Corbin Sparrow



The Corbin Sparrow isn't just ugly. It's also small, odd, and very intimate. This car features two wheels up front and just one on it's rear. This vehicle allows just one person, it's operator, to ride and can only drive 150 miles per charge. This car is often called "The Jelly Bean" colloquially because it resembles a giant jelly bean.
Image: http://www.carcrushing.com

Monday, December 28, 2015

Automobile Renters Insurance

limousine experts
There have been jokes made about paying for the insurance that's offered when renting an automobile. The people who make and laugh at these jokes are the same people whom forgo auto renters insurance believing it either to be a scam or just wholly unnecessary. While it's certainly true that car rental and insurance companies make money from this type of insurance they do so only because automobile crashes, damage, and other issues are rare. Those who've driven off the rental lot without the extra insurance and gotten into accidents or seen their rental car sustain damage sing a very different tune. The out of pocket expenses associated with driving without extra renters insurance quickly skyrocket when an incident does occur.

Better To Have It...


...and need it than need it and not have it, or so the old saying goes. This is a wise piece of advice especially when you're talking about automobile renters insurance. While most car renters will drive and complete their rental without incident, those that run into even minor problems find themselves happy to have the extra insurance. While the basic insurance rental lots require an individual to carry cover basic collision and liability, the extra insurance covers everything else. Uninsured motorists, broken windshields, theft, and miscellaneous damages are all covered under this type of insurance. Drivers involved in incidents without the added coverage may find themselves in court, being sued by other motorists, and with negative marks on their credit reports.

All Cars Covered?



Some whom rent vehicles may be under the assumption that not all rentals are covered by additional insurance. Others pass on the coverage because they don't think the car they're renting is worth it. Whether a driver is renting a town car, riding in a limousine, or renting a high end sports car, it behooves them all to sign up for additional and more comprehensive coverage. Rental companies protect their vehicles and those who rent can protect themselves and their own finances by accepting this type of coverage. All companies that rent vehicles out offer supplemental insurance. There is no excuse not to take it. 

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

The KAZ Electric Limousine


Courtesy of www.topspeed.com
When talking strange limousines one must include the KAZ Electric Limo in the conversation. This Italian-Japanese vehicle is ambitious and really off the wall. This limousine isn't the longest or the most luxurious but it does dare to be different and is one of a kind. The car's six wheels are powered by 6 separate electric engines which produce 74 horse power each. The KAZ Electric Limousine looks like a Volkswagen Beetle on the outside and is streamlined and sleek on the inside.

Ambitious Construction


Japanese and Italian engineers came together to build this car and took a full 5 years to complete the project. Those involved in this project sought to create a limousine that was both on the cutting edge of technology and was unconventional. They succeeded in both aspects creating a car that looks futuristic and incorporates cutting edge vehicular technology. Even it's electric engines push this car from zero to sixty two miles per hour in just seven seconds. This type of power is rare among electric engines. The engineers of this limo poured over four million dollars into its creation and those who've ridden in this car will tell you it was worth every penny.

An Environmentally Friendly Limo



The KAZ Electric Limousine was also designed to be environmentally friendly. Not only does it not consume fossil fuels but it produces no waste or pollution whatsoever. It is listed by  automakers as a Keio Advanced Zero Emissions vehicle (KAZ) because it can be driven without damaging the environment nor does it ever need to be refueled. The vehicle's battery life is nearly 24 hours which means the car can be out for lengthy periods of time before it needs to be recharged.

Monday, December 14, 2015

The World's Ugly Limousines



Image Source: http://jalopnik.com/
There are a great number of ugly cars but when it comes to limousines car makers usually set out to make their limo's luxurious and aesthetically pleasing. That said there exists a number of ugly limousines. Some of these are just oddballs while others feature very curious design choices and amenities. Although there's no official "ugliest limousine" a car from the Ukraine can certainly lay claim to that title.

From Another Time


The best limo's in the world look fabulous in part because they incorporate contemporary designs and standards. The Ukrainian limousine in question looks as though it was built in the late 80's or early 90's. Even by the standards of that era this limo is still ugly. The Ukrainian limousine is an abrasive grey/sliver and features wheels that look like they where stolen from Honda's 1986 Accord assembly line. While most cars are built to look and be aerodynamic the designers of this car made some very odd decisions. The car is lumpy and some say it looks blocky as though it's a child's toy.

Ugly On The Inside Too


The old adage that says "don't judge a book by its cover" is normally sound advice but in this instance it isn't applicable. This limo's interior features a wrinkled and puffy leather that looks like crumpled paper. It also utilizes dark plastics and stained woods on its walls and its late 90's Audi dashboards.  It's seats feature more wrinkled though more rigid leather and it's carpet is a very cold and dull grey.

A Comfortable Ride



This Ukrainian limousine may be aesthetically deficient inside and out but no one can say that it's not a comfortable ride. Those who ride in this odd looking car will tell you that it feels more like floating than it does driving. Moreover it's interior has been updated to include modern amenities. Riders can enjoy television, movies, the internet, and music during their trip. There's even a small but fully functional bar that riders can take advantage of. You may not want to be seen riding in this car but you'll enjoy the time you spend in it.