Thursday, March 29, 2012

More pictures from westec

Here are the rest of the pictues from Westec, the first two bikes where on disply randomly not in association with any company the booths did not even know where they came from. I did not think they were all that great, the purple one comes really close to cool but not quite. Again you will have to excuse my pictures and there focus this was right befor my camera broke.



 Now this bike on the other hand reallly got my attention and I wish I could have gotten some better pictures.
This roadster was made 90% percent custom on a program call Surf CAM, and of course you can not really see any thing because of my demon camera. Leason never buy a camera off of Ebay.


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

pictures from Westec 2012

Westec is a machining and manufacturing trade show that our school has an exhibit at to get more students. So the school gave us the option of going (if we wear our NTMA shits to do some advertising for them) instead of going to school that day. I took a few videos and would have taken more but the lenses on my camera went out.


This pipe bender was really cool it made all the bend you just had to turn it. the final product is a chair back.





Tuesday, March 27, 2012

LA day

Took a trip to LA today for the westec convention. Will post a few pics and clips later. Stopped off at pinks hot dogs for a strech chili cheese and bacon dog. Not bad aftet the 3 years of hype I have gotten about it. Right next door was Kat Von Dee's tatoo shop from LA Ink. Thats my adventure for the week.




Sunday, March 25, 2012

History of the Lexus LS part 3

A second-generation, 1995 LS 400 went on sale in November 15, 1994 with no increase in price. The engine was redesigned to produce more power and torque with better fuel efficiency. The suspension was refined along with the steering, producing a more driver-oriented vehicle. The exterior and interior were also completely redesigned to create more legroom.
Accompanied by the national advertising theme "Imagine Driving It,"the all-new 2001 LS 430, the third generation of the LS sedan, went on sale on October 12, 2000. The change in name referred to theLS’snew 290 horsepower, 4.3-liter V8 engine. New luxury features included: a Mark Levinson premium audio system; a DVD-based navigation system; Intuitive Parking Assist; Climate Control Seats with heating and cooling along with power-heated rear seats with memory and massage; and a beverage cooler.
On January 8, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show, Lexus announced the fourth-generation of its flagship sedan. The 2007 LS 460 goes on sale in the fall of 2006. The all-new sedan features a 4.6-liter 380 horsepower, V8 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission capable of going from zero-to-sixty in less then 5.5 seconds. The styling of the LS 460 reflects the brand’s new design philosophy, L-Finesse, which conveys simplicity and elegance with more emotional appeal.
New luxury features on the LS 460 include a heated steering wheel, and power closing rear doors and trunk. Active safety features likeElectronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, Electronic Power Steering (EPS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Antilock BrakingSystem (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) are coordinated by a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system.
For the first time in the 2007 model year, the LS line will expand to include long whelbase version, LS 460L, which adds 4.8 inches to the wheelbase and overall length. A hybrid version of the LS 460 will debut in early 2007.e
The LS has been one of the most lauded of all Toyota/Lexus models. It has won major awards for design, engineering, affordability, quality, and customer satisfaction every year since its introduction in 1989. Some of the highlights are:

•"Best Imported Car of the Year," Motoring Press Association, February 1990

•"Best Luxury Car,"MotorWeek’sDriver’s Choice Awards, March 1990

•Most problem-free vehicle, J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), May 1992

•"Best of What’s New,"
Popular Science, December 1994

•Most Appealing Luxury Car, J.D. Power and Associates APEAL Study, September 1998

•"2001 Design and Engineering Award,"
Popular Mechanics, September 2000

•"2002 Prestige Luxury Car," R.L. Polk & Co. Automotive Awards. January 2003

•"Best Overall Value"in Luxury Car Segment,IntelliChoice, February 2003
Article via Toyota.com

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Landcrusier



Tramimg gauge

Here is my latest project, because traming the mill is such pain with the tool they gave us in class. All you have to do is set both dial the same on the same spot and ajust till they read the same. Time saver. Total cost for the gauges $20 and time and materal which the school provided. Now I have to get caught up on the asigned projects.



Friday, March 23, 2012

History of the Lexus ls part 2






Lexus conducted 15 months of testing beginning in May 1986 on both the Autobahn in Germany and American roads. A year later, the finaldesign of the F1 was approved on the ninth presentation to management, far more then was customary at the time for new Toyota models. In May of 1988, the first production LS 400 rolled off the line at theTaharaplant in Japan.

 

On September 1, 1989, the Lexus LS 400 (and ES 250) sedan went on sale at 65-70 Lexus dealerships across the country. Equipped with a 4.0-liter, four-cam, 32-valve aluminum V8 engine with 250 horsepower, the 1990 LS 400 also included a long list of luxury features.



LS 400 also introduced over 300 engineering and “design firsts”to the world including: a standard four-speed automatic transmission with its own computer that “talked”to the engine’s computer to ensure smooth shifting; a Traction Control System for better control on slippery roads; use of sound dampening material combined with engineering details to minimize NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness); and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel combined with driver’s side airbag.


At the end of the first year of sales, Lexus faced what could have been a major set back for the new nameplate. After limited complaints about cruise control malfunction and stoplight house distortion, Lexus decided to recall all 8,000 of the LS 400 sedans sold in 1989. Turning the recall into a Special Service Campaign, Lexus used the opportunity to establish itself as the industry leader in customer service. Dealers contacted LS owners personally, picked up the cars from homes, fixed the problems, and quickly returned the vehicles freshly washed with full tanks of gas and, in some cases, provided small gifts to make up for the inconvenience.



In 1991, Lexus became the No. 1 luxury import in the U.S. for the first time, topping Mercedes Benz and BMW with over 70,000 units sold. Fifty-two percent of Lexus sales that year were LS 400 sedan.



Another example of the attention Lexus pays to customers was the freshened 1992 LS 400, which contained more than 50 changes, many of which were in direct response to dealer and customer requests.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

History of the Lexus Part 1



In a meeting with top management, strategists, and engineers in August 1983, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman,EijiToyoda posed a question to the group, "Can we create a luxury car to challenge the very best?"Their response was Lexus, starting with the LS 400 flagship sedan. From 1984-1988, the code name "F1"was used to refer to the new luxury model being designed. "F"for flagship and "1"for a sedan of the highest order. The designation LS 400 was revealedin November 1988 and stands for Luxury Sedan with a 4.0-liter engine. In its first month available to the public 3,439 units were sold outselling the Mercedes-Benz 300, 400 & 500 Series, S-class, 190, combined and the BMW 5,6, & 7 Series and 300 Series combined.

Designing the LS 400 required 450 running prototypes representing the work of 24 engineering teams, 1,400 engineers, 2,300 technicians, and 220 support workers.

A 1990 Consumer Reportscomparison test of LS 400, Infiniti Q45, BMW 535i, and Lincoln Continental noted, "LS 400 was simply the finest car the magazine has ever tested."

In 1990 the average LS 400 buyer had a median income of $160,000, was college educated, with 70% having attended post-graduate school. One-fifth of the owners listed their job title as President/CEO.

 
Toyota’s decision to enter the luxury market came as American buyers ofits most popular vehicles were maturing and growing more affluent. Most upscale vehicles made by Toyota were not offered in the United States, and the top of the line Cressida could not compete with luxury European and American models.
Chief EngineerShoiji Jimboand Ichiro Suzuki supervised the initial development of the LS. To better understand the needs and habits of the American luxury car market, Yuki Togo, President and Chief Executive Officer of TMS,USA urgedJimboto lead a study team that traveled America, conducting focus groups and interviewing dealers. Another team moved from Japan to Laguna Beach, CA to explore affluent lifestyles.

To name its vehicles, Lexus decided to use an alphanumeric designation in the tradition of European luxury makers. This focused name recognition on the Lexus brand rather then the individual model, thereby avoiding the challenge faced by Honda’s Acura division, which was less well known then its flagship Legend sedan.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Another sighting

While watching an episode of Once Upon a Time online with my wife I spotted another Celica in episode 2.
I am sure its part of a collection of cars that fill in background for tv show, but its cool that is in the collection.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Restore 1989 MR2 video

Thought I would share this video with you all. I tripped out just hearing the guy talk it is very intressing to hear what other parts are called in England. A fender is called a wing and of course the trunk a boot. best quote "Champaign Charlie for lemon-aid money”.



This video has tips on ignition replacement and wheel restoration very nice. check it out.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Celica in the 1985 Fright Night

I was watching Fright Night on the original from 1985 and what did I see but a gen 3 celica. It showed up about the 40 min mark when Charlie goes to meet Peter Vincent. I took some screen caps.

This would have been a brand new car this this film, I wonder if they had to pay for placement?

Gracie on the move

Here is my daughter she just got a walker today and we where taking it for a test drive.


One Serious Starlet

For any who do not know the Starlet is a RWD platfor car from Toyota similar to a civic hatch (eg) but with rear wheel drive. They are not that quick or fast or sporty just RWD, so for some one to take one of these....

and turn it in to a all out rallycross machine is kinda cool.


You can check out more video of this car in action at youtube on the rallycrossman chanel.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Rewards for exelence

For reward for a 4.0 and perfect attendace I got a niffty grey hat. So all shall look at me and go "wow there is a fella who is serious about his education."


Saturday, March 3, 2012

School update

They just posted the attendance and grades. So far I have an 4.0 perfect attendce.