What's the difference between the old gullwing Mercedes Benz and the new SLS AMG doors?

Problem:
The engineers were are not allowed to make gull wing doors like they did in the 50's... it's a kinder-softer-gentler time in the world of cars, and if a driver flipped a new gullwing on the roof, they wouldn't be able to get out.

Solution:
The SLS AMG has exploding bolts at the door hinges.

Source: Automobile Magazine April 2010 issue, Ezra Dyer article page 30

Why don't we buy American cars? Jeff analyzed the situation (excerpts)

GM has 42 SUVs and trucks, 18 sedans, 8 coupes, 4 convertibles, 2 wagons and 1 hatchback.

.... little choice of American hatches in a sea of VW GTI's/Golfs/Beetles, Mazda 3's, Honda Civic Si's and Mini Coopers.

As much as I like the Camaro, I probably would never buy one because of the price and sheer principal. The day of the muscle car was over 30 years ago. If I want a muscle car I'll go buy a '69 Camaro for the same price and have a piece of automotive history.

Within my price range I had the Mustang, Camaro, and Soltice/Sky to choose from in the American market. Get ready for the competition now...Audi TT(Germany), VW Eos(Germany), BMW 1-series(Germany), Honda Accord coupe/Civic coupe/S2000(Japan), Nissan Z/Altima coupe(Japan), Hyundia Tiburon/Genesis coupe(Korea), Mazda Miata/RX-8(Japan), Mitsubishi Eclipse(Japan), Scion tc(Japan).....If you increase the budget by $5k there are a mess load of other imported cars to choose from.

Why doesn't GM or Ford offer sporty little sedans?

What happened to cool American cars ?

Read all about it: http://motoriginal.blogspot.com/2009/11/why-wont-americans-buy-american-cars.html

Monument to Emile Levassor

Emile Levassor; Pioneering car inventor, racer, and victor of the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris 1895 enduring 48 continuous hours of virtually nonstop driving, a feat possibly not yet repeated. Ok, it was at an average of 15 mph, but that was incredible for 1895.

This monument (raised in 1907) is likely the most grandious tributes ever erected to an automobilist.

Monument to the car

On November 26, 1907, a stone monument was inaugurated square Parodi, boulevard de l'Amiral Buix in Paris XVI °, in honor of Emile Levassor and pioneers of the industry and motorsport. The sculptor Jules Dalou represented Levassor driving the car on which he had won the race Paris-Bordeaux-Paris. This monument, funded by public subscription, was presented to the City of Paris.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89mile_Levassor

(StillOutThere commented contrary, disagreeing about the monument... fact check before you post a disagreement on facts, I'm always wrong in my opinion, just ask my girlfriend... but rarely about facts StillOutThere... )

Car stats

California freeways:
75% of the cars on the freeways are newer than 1996.
1.2% are older than 1972

So why are the state politicians so focused on screwing with the emissions of the pre 1972 cars?

Disney doesn't allow the use of Segways at the Disney resorts

If you are an individual with a disability which substantially limits your ability to walk and you use a Segway as an assistive moblity device and intend to visit the Walt Disney World or Walt Disneyland Resorts the proposed settlement, if approved by the court, will allow Disney to continue to prohibit the use of Segways by those with disabilities.

You will be forever barred from contesting the fairness, reasonableness, or adequacy of the settlement or from pursuing any claims against Disney related to the use of Segways at the Disney Resorts.

United States Department of Justice

Joins DRAFT In Opposing Disney Settlement
The Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice files an amicus brief in a rare objection strongly opposing the proposed settlement as "fundamentally unfair" to people with disabilities.

Click on links below to view PDF's
DRAFT Press Release
DOJ Objections to Proposed Disney Settlement
DRAFT Objections to Proposed Disney Settlement
Disability Rights Advocates For Technology http://segs4vets.org/

How does this apply to you? Well, if you hapopen to be injured in a auto colliosion that is due to someone elses poor driving, you might need a wheelchair or a Segway for ambulkatory assistance. Wouldn't you like to use it if you went to Disney? Seems to me that if you use a wheeled chair, a seeing eye dog, or are married to, related to or become wheelchair bound, you might find this affects you too.