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Articles Matching “lifestyle”

Old school Bentleys on the road

Fred Cox on July 1, 2009

It's not often you see a museum worthy car being driven at all, much less on the road where gawking drivers can run into them, but here are a couple of 80 year old Bentleys in all their glory.

I was lucky enough to come across these on Vancouver Island last week. They had just returned from an adventure up the West Coast of Canada and Alaska with other Bentleys of various vintages. According to the event's website, one of these cars had 13 tire changes, so it wasn't easy going by any means.

These were the days before almost any safety rules or equipment existed, so no bumpers, even. Active safety was the word of the day.

Read full article | Comments (1) | Filed under safety, speed, Classic, Bentley, lifestyle, tires, windshield, rubber, rims, maintenance, Vintage Motorsports, brakes, shock absorber, exhaust, headlights, antique, sports sedan, performance, muscle car, Cash for Clunkers
Furniture made from car parts

AshleyW on June 17, 2009

If you've ever thought about keeping a piece of a car you just couldn't part with, Jake's Chop Shop has the right idea in taking some of those parts and turning them into something new.

If you're looking to buy, beds start at $4,000 and the sofas start at $6,000

Remember those car beds you see advertised in a Sears catalogue for little kids, with the matching sheets and pillowcases? Jake's Chop Shop car beds are sort of like that but definitely for grown ups and you have to provide your own sheets. His designs appeal to car enthusiasts, who may want to take the front of a classic car and convert to the front of their bed or couch.

Even better, take the rear seat out of an old Chevy or Chrysler and you've got yourself a brand new sofa. Innovative and creative the beds, chairs, sofas and tables are one of a kind. The attention to detail in each piece is really amazing.

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Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Feature, Chrysler, lifestyle, Chevrolet, design, custom, accessories, furniture, car sofa
The BMW drive experience

AshleyW on June 5, 2009

When I first pulled up to the area of Downsview Park in Toronto, Canada, where this event would take place I saw all these BMWs — and I had no idea what to expect. Would I get to drive each and every one of them? Luckily for me and the many other people who attended, we pretty much did.

I really thought the Audi A4 would ace the track, and surprisingly, it didn't.

We were given an introduction by Saladin Karl, senior event marketing specialist, Driver Training for BMW Canada. He has been with BMW for fourteen years, and with BMW Canada for the last two years. He pointed out to us that we would get to experience driving BMW sports sedans and BMW sports sedan powered by diesel. He also said we would get to drive and compare three other cars that are in direct competition with BMW, a Mercedes, Audi and Lexus. Next was a very informative presentation by Chief Driving Instructor Pierre Savoy. He has held this role for the last eight years and has been putting on driving events with BMW for the last 17 years.

More…

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Lexus, driving, on ramp, interior, Audi, Feature, BMW, Diesel, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Convertible, Safety, lifestyle, Performance, design, interior, Z4, sports sedan
Evening bags made from recycled tires and hemp

AshleyW on June 2, 2009

For a night on the town, I like a small black bag because it usually goes with everything. I've discovered some ideal evening bags — but these ones happen to be made from recycled rubber.

Vulcana clutch

Vulcanabags is based in the U.S. and makes unique bags from recycled rubber. Found in landfills, this rubber is processed into large sheets that can end up as pretty much any style of bag. Their evening bag comes in a soft black or brown color with an inner zippered pocket, perfect for all my small accessories that won't fit. The price? Just over $70.

Read on…

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Feature, lifestyle, tires, rubber, accessories, handbags, bag
A car-free suburb in Germany

AshleyW on May 28, 2009

Imagine living in a community where cars are frowned upon? It exits in Germany…

[Photo via myauthorsite]

No garages, or parking on the street — and forget about an asphalt driveway — you won't find any of that in Vauban, Germany, located not to far way from the French and Swiss borders. Home to 5500 residents, most of the people who live here either don't own a vehicle or if they do it's parked in parking garages where a resident will buy a space for ~$40,000 USD along with a house. The emphasis in this community is to raise families without having to depend on a vehicle and to protect the environment at the same time. More…

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under convenience, Environment, Future, Green, News, Concept, lifestyle, family, design
Imola Race Resort to build exclusive country club in South Africa for enthusiasts

AshleyW on May 20, 2009

Imagine a country club specifically designed with a race track that you can drive your Ferrari F430 on without the worry of getting a ticket — and then when you're done, enjoy a high-class lunch.

The proposed track layout

This is what one can expect at the Imola Race Resort that will start construction in South Africa at the end of this year. The resort will be built near to the historical Vaal River about an hours drive from Johannesburg. The actual track will be based on the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit which is located in Midrand, South Africa. Read on…

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Luxury, driving, News, Feature, Ferrari, lifestyle, design, Imola, Kyalami, resort, South Africa
Wear your old car parts as jewellery?

AshleyW on May 15, 2009

Recycling and being green is more popular now than ever and a lot of individuals are finding creative ways to reuse materials. Even car parts are being reshaped and designed into some serious 'bling.

Rings made by Hi Octane Jewellery

Hi Octane Jewellery is an innovative company that makes earrings, rings, belt buckles, bracelets and necklaces either with car motifs or recycled car parts.

Their car grille rings are made of silver and some look like old school hot rods. Much of their jewellery can be custom made, like the silver 1957 Chevy Look Grille bracelet. The items made from emblems are really interesting. Hi Octane Jewellery has created necklaces, belt buckles and even cufflinks from car emblems. One of their belt buckles is a Cadillac emblem that was found on the inside of a door panel and cufflinks, also Cadillac emblems, were found on interior lights.

Perfect gifts for enthusiasts, click through to learn about Wired Jewellery.

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Green, Feature, lifestyle, shopping, design, custom, accessories, Jewelry
Luxury handbags made from tractor tire inner tubes

AshleyW on May 14, 2009

When I think of tractors, the images that come to mind are: wheat, tall grass, large fields, and corn. Never — ever — have I associated tractors with luxury bags, but that's about to change.

Passchal's "The Scrunch"

It all started in 1999. Angela Greene, an inventor, along with Ken Kobrick, a former welder decided to create bags made out of discarded tractor inner tube tires after Greene bought a backpack made out of inner tubes. Passchal was created soon after, and the variety of bags you can buy made out of inner tubes is fascinating. They launched Passchal in 2004 and have recycled 26 tons of inner tubes creating these innovative luxury bags.

Read more…

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Luxury, Environment, Green, Misc, lifestyle, design, rubber, custom, accessories, women, Passchal, handbags, bag
Products to keep your vehicle's electronic toys clean

AshleyW on May 11, 2009

Cleaning your car entirely inside and out is a lot of work, but definitely worth it once the job is complete and every angle sparkles. When it comes to your interior, removing fingerprints, spots, smudges and dust from your audio equipment has become easier.

For those with navigation systems or LCD screens in the rear for passengers, the screens can be easily cleaned with LCD-specific cleaners.

Click through for the rest of this article.

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under multi-purpose, interior, convenience, News, Advice , lifestyle, interior, stereo, audio, maintenance
Upcoming: #carchat 8

Banovsky on April 29, 2009

Tonight, on news of Pontiac's demise (it is Pontiac Death Week here on vLane, after all), we base our discussion around obsolete cars, trucks, and brands. Also, the company in charge of promoting BBC's Top Gear here in America has given us some Season 10 DVDs to give away, so check out the #carchat How-To, or click through for a #carchat widget. Anyone can join us at 8PM EST tonight, on Twitter.

Tune in for your chance to win.

This week:
So click through and read a few links related to tonight's discussion.

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Government, Future, Green, Mileage, Classic, Japan, History, Misc, Discussion, Social Media, carchat, lifestyle, Pontiac, design, Pontiac