One of two notchback coupe Mustangs that both Ford Motor Company and Shelby American used as prototypes, the other being Little Red. Craig Jackson of Barrett-Jackson unveiled the newly restored Green Hornet at SEMA with Shell and Pennzoil. A one-of-two Shelby EXP500 prototype has made its just-off-a-restoration debut at SEMA 2019.The vehicle started life as a Lime Gold-painted testbed for Fords Mustang California Special, and featured a few distinct features that set it apart from the regular notchback coupe.Marchal fog lights were fitted to the grille; spin-and-click hood pins were installed on the vented hood; the rear tail panel had a larger spoiler; and the taillights were replaced with units from a 1965 Thunderbird.Once Ford had gotten its use out of the Mustang, they sent it over to Carroll Shelby to tinker with. Shelby immediately painted the vehicle in a wild metal-flake green paint and replaced the 390-cubic-inch V8 with a 428-c.i. unit with Conelec fuel injection. An in-house designed six-speed automatic and independent rear suspension was fitted to top it all off. All the changes meant the vehicle saw a zero-to-96-km/h time of just 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 252 km/h (157 miles per hour).Shelby American only built two notchback coupe versions of the GT500, and this green example is the twin to “Little Red,” a hardtop lost for years and just recently found.The cars name, incidentally, came from Bill Cosby the Billy Cosby. Cosby had been a long-time friend of Shelby, and when he first took a look at the Mustangs wild green colour, he dubbed it The Green Hornet, taking inspiration from the favourite superhero of the animated characters in Fat Albert.The vehicle was presented at SEMA 2019 by its owner, Craig Jackson, CEO of Barrett-Jackson auctions, and
Origin: Prototype Shelby ‘Green Hornet’ Mustang restored, unveiled at SEMA
Green
Green numberplates to be introduced for EVs
Green number-plates to be introduced for EVs A consultation has been launched to decide how they will look Electric vehicles are likely to soon feature green number-plates, easily distinguishing them from internal combustion engine models. The UK Government today (22nd October 2019) has launched a consultation to determine precisely how the plates will look and under what conditions they will apply. The aim by the Department for Transport is to help local authorities with a visual identifier to make the introduction of incentives driving up EV uptake simpler. These could include the use of bus lanes, free or discounted parking, and access to clean air zones. With a green number-plate, both the authorities and other road users will find identifying eligible electric vehicles easier. The consultation follows on from a similar scheme in Ontario, with EV drivers given free access to toll lanes and high-occupancy vehicle lanes. After implementation, the region saw an increase in EV registrations. The UK has recently see a record number of electric cars registered in one month, and continues to see growth in the market when overall sales are declining. This new move comes as part of the Road to Zero strategy. The consultation will look at potential designs for EV green plates, and also decide what vehicles are eligible for the new system. It is expected that only pure-electric models will receive the plates, but that is by no means decided. Retro-fitting existing eligible models is highly likely too, but again, nothing is fixed. The only set decision is that green plates would be rolled-out to the whole of the UK. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK is in the driving seat of global efforts to tackle vehicle emissions and climate change and improve air quality, but we want to accelerate our progress. “Green number plates are a really positive and exciting way to help everyone recognise the increasing number of electric vehicles on our roads. By increasing awareness of these vehicles and the benefits they bring to their drivers and our environment, we will turbo-charge the zero emission revolution.” Potential designs include a fully green plate with black lettering, the addition of a green band on the plate in a similar location to where the current EU country designation sits, or the addition of a green dot/symbol. The above image is a mock-up of what green number-plates might look like on an EV, whilst below are three possible designs put forward by the government.
Origin: Green numberplates to be introduced for EVs
UK government plans green number plates for EVs
The UK government has begun an official consultation on introducing green numbers plates to electric and zero emissions cars. The scheme, which was originally proposed last year, aims to raise awareness of electric and hydrogen vehicles, as well as ease the introduction and policing of low emission zones, vehicle lanes and parking spaces. It would see the UK join a growing number of countries that identify zero emissions cars separately from combustion-powered ones, including Norway, Canada and China. The consultation will be used to determine which vehicles would be eligible for the number plate, its design, and how such a scheme would be rolled out to existing EV and hydrogen car owners. Early design proposals include a fully green number plate with black lettering, the addition of a green flash on the plate, or the addition of a green dot or symbol. “The UK is in the driving seat of global efforts to tackle vehicle emissions and climate change and improve air quality, but we want to accelerate our progress,” Transport secretary Grant Shapps said of the announcement. “Green number plates are a really positive and exciting way to help everyone recognise the increasing number of electric vehicles on our roads.” It is the latest stage in the government’s Road to Zero strategy, a £1.5bn investment aimed at helping the UK reach net zero emissions by 2050. According to the department of transport, the UK has seen record numbers of zero emissions vehicles registered since its introduction last
Origin: UK government plans green number plates for EVs
Put on Your Judgy-Pants: A particular shade of green you’re waiting for?
A police truck pulls over a distracted driver in a Jeep in Burlington, Ontario in June 2019Halton Regional Police Most of us have done it. Mind wandering a little, a long light finally turns green, and we’re still sitting there, wondering what that plant is called or when the city moved that mailbox. Usually a terse blast of a horn behind you gets you moving.But these days, it’s more likely that stuck driver is checking their phone. That’s what happened with Constable Marc Taraso in Burlington, Ontario recently. He watched a driver sit at a green light for eleven seconds, apparently checking out a website. The officer was right beside the driver. Now, that’s some engrossing website.The location is a side street coming into a major arterial route. Those lights can take some time to change, and I’ll guess our driver lives in the area and sits at that light frequently. We get a little bored and comfortable close to home. On my way into court this morning; this driver was stopped at Walkers/Thomas Alton; the driver was too busy reading the phone to notice they were sitting at a green light; for 11 seconds; with me directly beside them. Charged with #DistractedDriving fail to proceed green light pic.twitter.com/9t3NM66u6Z Cst. Marc Taraso (@MT9345) June 25, 2019However, he’s now busted with distracted driving, as well as failure to proceed. The distracted charge alone will cost our pokey driver $615, three demerits and a three-day licence suspension. As always, there are three sides to every story. Put on your
Origin: Put on Your Judgy-Pants: A particular shade of green you’re waiting for?
News Roundup: Green Party leader parades in Viper, Hertz customers get arrested for renting and more
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May takes part in the 121st annual Victoria Day Parade in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, May 20, 2019.Chad Hipolito / Canadian Press Welcome to our weekly round-up of the biggest breaking stories on Driving.ca from this past week. Get caught up and ready to get on with the weekend, because it’s hard keeping pace in a digital traffic jam. Here’s what you missed while you were away. Green Party leader takes a parade lap in Dodge Viper, hears about it from Twitter Dodge Viper RT/10 Concept. Not a green car. FCA Green Party leader Elizabeth May is catching some flack for the car she recently appeared in during the Victoria Day Parade on Vancouver Island. Even though she was just “riding where parade organizers asked (her) to,” she should’ve known going anywhere in a 1994 Dodge Viper could lead to some unfavourable headlines. The first-gen Dodge Viper RT/10 uses an 8.0-litre V10 to make 400 horsepower and (usually) single-digit-MPG fuel economy—not exactly a green vehicle. They did drive with the top down while it was raining, though, so she gets a few cool points for that. Two dead buffalo, a totalled Camaro and no driver Drivers in the Northwest Territories had a weird morning last week when they came upon a car accident involving two dead bison, a crumpled Camaro with New Jersey plates and – here’s the creepy part – no driver in sight. A man driving the red Camaro with tinted windows and black American air force-inspired roundel decals on the side was seen gassing up at a nearby station the night before, and was warned to watch out for buffalo on the road. Police have yet to identify the driver and report that nobody was taken to hospital following the incident. Hertz reports rented vehicles as stolen and gets customers arrested In this May 9, 2011 file photo, customers wait in line at a Hertz rental car counter at San Jose International Airport in San Jose, Calif. Paul Sakuma, File / AP Photo Hertz has apparently been surprising some of its renters by incorrectly marking their vehicles as stolen and sicking the police after them. For some customers it’s just confusing, resulting in a slightly inconvenient and probably comical conversation with police. But for others it’s more than an inconvenience, landing some in the back seat of cop cars or even behind bars while the “glitch” is recognized. And it appears as though this type of thing happens somewhat regularly, with over thirty similar cases in the U.S. having been reported. Battle of the midsize pickup: 2019 Ford Ranger vs. GMC Canyon vs. Toyota Tacoma 2019 Ford Ranger vs. GMC Canyon vs. Toyota Tacoma Derek McNaughton / Driving How much truck is enough truck? For many, a midsize option like the 2019 Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma and GMC Canyon will be plenty of pickup. But which of the three stalwart North American trucks is best? The Canyon has the most power, the Ranger the best fuel economy and the Tacoma the best off-road capabilities, for starters, but after all the other pros and cons were weighed, our experts both chose the same winner. Read on to find out which it is. Couples’ ‘baby’ pics with Eaton turbo win the Internet A lot of people will claim their car is their baby, but few will go as far as this Utah couple who orchestrated a full-on “new arrival” photo shoot with their Eaton supercharger to prove it. “We would love to welcome this Supercharger into our household,” the proud father posted to Facebook alongside the gallery of images featuring the parents fawning over the piece of machinery. “It is going to be whining a lot but can’t wait for all of the fun!” The schtick was an elaborate way for the man – a photographer and owner of a 2007 Ford Mustang GT into which the blower will be set – to get back at his mom, who’d been bugging him for grandkids. Wonder if she’ll still want to babysit Man gets rear ended, reacts like a hero A classic Plymouth involved in a rear-end collision in Saskatchewan, caused by the 69-year-old driver’s collapse. Wayne Duquesne / CBC Saskatoon Getting into an accident is rarely a good thing, but for one Saskatchewan driver, rear-ending a couple in his 60’s Plymouth may very well have saved his life. And kudos to the driver of the vehicle that was struck, a former lifeguard named Wayne Duquesne, who noticed the man was slumped over the wheel, likely having suffered a heart attack, and reacted quickly to summon help and perform CPR. Take the poll in the link above and tell us how you’d react in this scenario. Ram recalls 63,000 trucks for tailgates that could fall open in traffic 2017 Ram 1500 FCA Over 63,000 Ram trucks in Canada and 410,000 in the U.S. are being called back by the brand due to a potential fault in the tailgate’s power-locking mechanism that could see tailgates popping open on the road. Only 1500, 2500 and 3500 trim-level trucks fitted with 8-foot cargo beds and the power-locking option are impacted, and of those, only the model
Origin: News Roundup: Green Party leader parades in Viper, Hertz customers get arrested for renting and more
Green Party leader cruises Victoria Day parade in Dodge Viper
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May takes part in the 121st annual Victoria Day Parade in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, May 20, 2019.Chad Hipolito / Canadian Press Gearheads like us can rhyme off the OG Dodge Viper RT/10’s stats with alarming ease: 8.0-litre V10 engine making 400 horsepower; rear-wheel drive; and it’ll only get double-digit-MPG fuel economy on a good day. It’s that latter spec that makes it a surprising choice as the Victoria Day parade ride for Green Party leader Elizabeth May. According to news sources in the area, May jumped aboard a 1994 Viper to participate in the Island Farms Victoria Day parade. The move drew some swift criticism for the leader of a political party founded on its commitment to the environment, and whose platform calls for Canadians to trade their internal-combustion cars for EVs. The first-gen Viper is the opposite of an EV in every way, shape and form. It was a rainy ride for sure, and not a Green vehicle. Local #yyj volunteer Pat Peron owns this 1994 Viper. I rode where parade organizers asked me to. 🙂 https://t.co/W9B0O5T15T Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay) May 21, 2019 In response to a citizen’s tweet poking at the gaffe, May explained the decision to ride in the bright red Viper was made by “parade organizers.” While a short ride in a Viper isn’t the end of the world – and while we personally dig the car very much – a better choice could have been made to improve the optics of the situation. It calls to mind the numerous vehicular blunders to have befallen Canadian politicians over the years, like when Stockwell Day showed up to a press conference on a WaveRunner. He could have at least used a Canadian Sea-Doo. It appears this isn’t the first time Ms. May has selected that same Viper, owned by a party volunteer, as her whip of choice for parade duty. The issue was called out by some media last year, who also posted photos of the leader in the red sports car. Check out video above from this year’s parade. The Viper, and Ms. May, show up at about the eight-and-a-half minute
Origin: Green Party leader cruises Victoria Day parade in Dodge Viper
All about car 