Pneumatic tires. I'd also nominate Bela Barenyi's safety passenger cell and crush zones. Besides air-inflated tires, a lot of early technology, like overhead activated poppet valves, pressure lubrication (oil pumps were an innovation, early engines used splash lubrication like your lawnmower, or drip lubrication),…

Polaris filed for patents on the vehicle some time ago. The drawings show a couple of different body styles, and the technical drawing do look like a GM Ecotec motor.

1956 Continental Mark IIs are underpriced, so are 1955-56 Packards (except for the Caribbeans). I'd say the Lotus Elan belongs on the list too but good ones now can fetch $40K now that respected car guys like Gordon Murray and Jay Leno have sung their praises. Over time, though, I still think the Elan will appreciate…

A MIT spinoff called Levant Power has been working with ZF on regenerative shock absorbers with the brand name of GenShock that allow the implementation of active suspensions besides energy harvesting. Audi may be using those. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/08/zf-and…

I believe that the Trophy defense system is used on some American armored vehicles.

If there was a drop in GDP during a Republican administration does anyone doubt that Gawker would be mentioning, and blaming, the president?

I'd say that the seven slave labor factories that the SS set up for Auto Union's use, or other slave factories operated by German companies under the Reich probably belong on the list.

The satellite Bricklin factory in New Brunswick, where they made the cars' composite body panels, was run by Malcolm Bricklin's father, Albert who apparently knew nothing about running a factory.

Technically speaking, the win in the Sweepstakes car made it possible for him to start his second car company, the Henry Ford Company, which was taken over by his backers and turned into Cadillac by Henry Leland. Still, the win against Alexander Winton gave Ford credibility and it made Ford Motor Company possible.

At the very least, that's an exaggeration. Also, Chapman had his plate full at the time and it's not likely that Lotus would have had the resources to race in F1, develop the Europa road car, and build a LeMans racer for Ford all at the same time. I wrote a piece for TTAC about Ford and AMC engineer Roy Lunn, who…

Yeah, Lotus is definitely missing from the list: 7 F1 constructors' championships, a win at Indy that revolutionized the sport in the U.S., saloon car championships and rally wins with the Lotus Cortina, wins with the Elan 26R, plus a class win and Index of Performance award at LeMans. Certainly worthy of…

Lotus: 7 F1 world constructors' championships, they changed Indy forever with Jim Clark's car in 1965, they won numerous saloon car championships (plus a rally or two) with the Lotus Cortina and the Elan 26R didn't do badly either, along with a class win and Index of Performance award at LeMans in 1957.. If Saab and…

"Excuse me officer, why are you illegally and dangerously parked, in violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 257.603?", stated as respectfully as possible still gets attitude in response. Call out any cop for bad behavior and you get attitude, well if you're lucky they don't arrest you for contempt of cop, not really a…

"Act like an asshat and you will be treated as one." The same rules apply to cops.

On overtime and compensated for the use of their personal car, I'm sure.

And what vital governmental function was the president doing in Massachusetts yesterday?

For the same reason I'd leave the Chaparral 2F off the list. Jim Hall is one of the most influential people in motorsports history. Now if you're looking for a weird Chaparral, I'd pick the 2H, which was so aero that the driver had to almost lay down, and got in and out of the car via a tiny hatch in the side.

It's a good thing it wasn't a guy attacking his wife's car. Then we'd be hearing more about the bullshit "war on women".

I believe the term "selected" is more accurate. The UAW executive board picks the next president. There's a pro forma vote by delegates but I don't think there's ever been an opposing slate in my lifetime. Either way, UAW members don't get to vote for who runs their union. Theoretically, delegates will vote the wishes…

Nothing to do for car guys?