E3 Spark Plugs News

From Peter Lippman's "Paradise Parking" photograhic series

Every classic car buff loves a great barn find story. Tales of rummaging through cobweb-entangled masses of long-forgotten stuff, then catching a glint of sunlight shining on a dust-covered heap in the far back corner enthrall. Especially when pulling away the cover brings one face-to-face with a rare automotive gem – and even better when that gem is proven to have real restoration potential.

But not all abandoned rides are lucky enough to be hidden away in a decaying barn, garage or back-yard shed. Some are simply left outside, offered up to the elements like metal and glass table scraps. They’re often found in back yards of boarded-up homes or simply parked and left in fields or forests where a relentlessly hungry Mother Nature devours them little by little. Enter renowned photographer Peter Lippmann and the result is a series of eerily beautiful images that conjure up simultaneous feelings of awe and loss. Some no doubt were highway head-turners and who knows the restoration potential they might have had.

Lippman’s photographic series, Paradise Parking, is on display at the Gallery Sophie Maree in Amsterdam. But if a quick trip to the Netherlands is out of the question, you’re in luck. A book is set for release in October. And E3 Spark Plugs has a sneak peek (see gallery below).

Got a great story about an abandoned ride brought back to life? We want to hear it. Post your pics and stories on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

Scene inside Automania Studios, a longtime provider of picture cars and sets for the film and television industry

Okay, maybe that headline is taking our love for all-things-automotive a bit far. But do you ever wonder how filmmakers find all those great rides featured in period films like The Help, The Artist or Midnight in Paris, or gearhead-targeted films like Drive? E3 Spark Plugs introduces you to Automania Studios – one of the busiest providers of “picture cars” to the film and television industry.

Based in Oakland, California, Automania Studios has served the film industry since 1982. On the lot is a filmmaker’s dream collection of period cars, trucks and commercial vehicles from multiple eras. These include police cars, hearses, farm trucks, muscle cars, station wagons, a late 1960s catering truck, a boom truck, an antique farm tractor, old dump trucks, an 18,000-pound forklift and dozens of gorgeous tail finned classics. From beaters to beauties, if you’re a filmmaker or TV producer needing a period automobile for your next project, Automania Studios either has it already or can help you procure it.

Automania Studios also offers a range of interior and exterior sets plus props. Garages, vintage gas stations and an outdoor campground scene complete with a fully outfitted 1953 Spartanette travel trailer are among the multiple scene-setting possibilities. A sampling of the props include:

• Vintage furnishings and appliances
• Wood and metal caskets
• An assortment of canister vacuum cleaners
• Vintage gas pumps
• Several barber’s chairs
• Two rows of airplane seats
• A 1917 dentist’s chair
• Antique phonographs and records
• A life-size cigar store Indian
• Two old telephone booths
• Clawfoot bathtubs
• Parking meters
• Lots of vintage toys, luggage, and automobilia

Founder Bill Silveria, a bonafide gearhead, also has a real talent for creating eclectic art using discarded automotive and machinery parts including lots of spent spark plugs.

“Not only can I can authenticate the accuracy of your chosen picture car for your next shoot, but I can supply it as well,” Silveria says. “Whether it’s an awesome 12,000 square foot studio to shoot in, a period picture car for your next film or a unique prop for an upcoming production, I should without a doubt be on your list of people to call who can help you get it done.”

If you’re a gearhead and a film lover, be sure to watch for Automania Studios’ name in the credits of the next film you see. And if we here at E3 Spark Plugs had any say with the Academy, we’d grant Bill Silveria and Automania an honorary Oscar!

Imagine you and your lover behind the wheel of this for Valentine's Day! Photo credit: ben smith / Shutterstock

Hey slackers! Got your Valentine’s Day gifts yet? If not, E3 Spark Plugs has a few lovely ideas for the car buff who stole your heart. They range from the practical to the pricey, but they’re all a romantic little something that any auto enthusiast will love.

1. Gearshift bottle stopper: No doubt the wine and champagne will be flowing tonight. So this bottle stopper designed after a 5-speed gearshift will come in handy immediately. Made with stainless steel and a cherry wood knob, it’s available online from the Wine Enthusiast.
2. Seatbelt totes: If the car lover you love is also a lover of all things eco-friendly, he or she will love a selection from Harvey’s, maker of the Original Seatbeltbag. Purses, backpacks, laptop carriers, wallets, dopp kits, makeup cases, etc. are made from real recycled seatbelt material in shiny, vibrant hues. Available online and in stores nationwide.
3. Gift basket: This is a great way to load up your love with items that will keep him or her safe and in style on the road. Search online for pre-made baskets, or fill a basket or carwash bucket with items of your own choosing. A few suggestions: car wash and buffing products; books or magazines about classic, vintage or muscle cars; a tire gauge; jumper cables; a battery charger; a flashlight; a car-themed t-shirt or tank top; a GPS navigator; an MP3 FM transmitter; a remote starter system; and, of course, a set of E3 car spark plugs or truck spark plugs.
4. A driving adventure: Tickets to a favorite car show or museum allow for shared experience. But if you really want to rev the engines, opt for a driving adventure like the DFW Drive Your Dream supercar experience. For a price your love can get behind the wheel of an Audi R8, Lamborghini Murcielago or Ferrari. You’ll get a briefing on the nuances of driving an exotic car, then hit the road for a tour over a predetermined course. Ride-along tours allow the two of you to experience driving and riding in the car of your choice. DFW Drive Your Dream has five locations in Texas, but similar driving adventure companies dot the nation. Just do an online search.

From all of us here at E3, have a safe and happy Valentine’s Day!

A scene from the 1903 Chicago Auto Show. The event debuted in 1901 and is the nation's oldest auto show.

Heads up, Chicago-area fans. E3 Spark Plugs has its eye on the 2012 Chicago Auto Show running February 10-19. Did you know it’s the nation’s oldest?

The inaugural Chicago Auto Show revved up in 1901. General admission to the show was just 50 cents and patrons watched then new “horseless carriages” take spins on a wooden track that surrounded the Coliseum exposition hall’s main floor. The attraction’s main goal apparently was to help dispel public apprehensions and convince locals that motor vehicles were safe and easy to handle. At the helm was Sam Miles, editor of Motor Age magazine and the man who would become known as the father of the modern auto show.

The show ran once annually except during the 1930s and 1940s. Throughout the ’30s, it was held twice a year with shows staged during the spring and fall – an indirect request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who sought to boost demand for cars and, thus, jobs in auto plants. In a dramatic reversal, the show stopped production altogether from 1941-49 as plants redirected their efforts to meeting the country’s need for war vehicles and artillery rather than the consumer’s wants. Its 1950 return was a no-holds-barred celebration complete with beauty queens, Rockette-style dancers, a full orchestra, farm animals, 3-D exhibits depicting game hunting adventures in Africa and a massive box of dirt flown in from France so patrons could walk across it and “truthfully say they had stepped foot on foreign soil.”

Today’s Chicago Auto Show promises to be a little less weird, but every bit as entertaining. Blues Traveler opens the event with a concert and charity benefit tonight. Guests walk the red carpet and rub elbows with renowned artist Thomas Arvid. Members of the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Blackhawks make appearances throughout the week, as do NHRA drivers TJ Zizzo and Dale Creasy, Jr. Wednesday’s show takes a feminine turn with exhibits geared toward the fairer sex. Yoga sessions, manicures and a fashion show are on the schedule. And you’ll get chances to win cash prizes, an iPad2 or a 2012 Toyota Camry, among other items.

So do you plan to hit the Chicago Auto Show? Be sure to take pics of the coolest new cars and post them on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page. And stock your ride with E3 car spark plugs for show-worthy performance.

Got what it takes to join Team E3 Racing? Zoom over to the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page and find out.

If you’re an up-and-coming motorsports racer, why not put the power of E3 in your ride and on your back? Starting February 1, here’s your chance to be part of Team E3 Racing!

Over the next three months (Feb-April), we will award four WINNERS from each tier listed below a Race Sponsorship and load them up with Official Team E3 Racing Sponsorship Prizes!

• Tier 1: 12 Fans win $500 cash, 25 E3 Spark Plugs and Official E3 Race Day Gear/Decals
• Tier 2: 12 Fans win one (1) Set of up to 8 Plugs and Official E3 Race Day Gear/Decals
• Tier 3: 12 Fans win Official E3 Race Day Gear and Decals

In addition to being officially sponsored by E3 Spark plugs, being a part of Team E3 Racing means we can help you grow your fan base by following your standings throughout the 2012 racing season, posting your videos and pictures and featuring you on the E3 website and social media channels!

So how do you become part of Team E3 Racing? Zoom over to the E3 Spark Plugs’ Facebook fan page, “Like us” and sign up via the Team E3 Racing tab. Fill in your name, age, contact information and T-shirt size. Give us the lowdown on your racing career thus far, including your ride’s make and model and info on your current series, standings and significant winnings. And hit us with your best pitch as to why YOU should be part of Team E3. We’re expecting lots of entries, so you’d better be convincing!

E3 Spark Plugs’ patented DiamondFire technology means a stronger, smoother, cleaner ride. Developed with help from some of the nation’s top scientists and engineers, E3 spark plugs are proven to boost your engine’s performance, mileage and fuel efficiency without mucking up the environment. In fact, E3 is the ONLY spark plug to be included in a federal rule making for emission standards.. Just like the best motorsports racers on the podiums, E3 spark plugs are “Born to Burn.”

Legendary automotive designer Dean Jeffries gets a little distracted while repainting his first car, a 1947 Mercury convertible. Photo from the Dean Jeffries Collection for Matt Stone's new book, "My First Car."

Everybody remembers their first. Their first car, that is. In fact, not much conjures up sweet nostalgia like retelling a story of the set of wheels that marked the beginning of freedom. That’s why we here at E3 Spark Plugs so enjoyed reading Matt Stone’s My First Car, a 224-page hardbound book packed with 124 photos and stories that’ll make you laugh, cry and reminisce.

There’s probably no other rite of passage that teenagers look forward to more than holding the keys to their first car. In My First Car, Stone retells the automotive initiations of some of the world’s most recognized names. Hollywood actors, automotive industry giants, racing greats and pro athletes share both poignant stories and early photographs of their first rides. Among them is iconic actor and auto collector Steve McQueen, the original King of Cool. McQueen’s first motorized thing he could call his own was an Indian motorcycled outfitted with a sidecar.  But what he coveted was an MT TC. During a Columbus, Ohio stop for his off-Broadway play Time Out for Ginger, McQueen spotted a 1948 MG with a $750 price tag. But this was long before McQueen hit fame, and he had all of $450 in pay and poker winnings with him.

“I put down $450 … and I told the owner I’d send more money from each overnight stop we made,” McQueen tells Stone. “It was finally delivered to me in Chicago. That’s when I asked for a raise and got booted out of the play. So, I jumped into my MG and drove it all the way to New York.”

The love story didn’t last long. McQueen sold his MG after three axles broke and the spokes kept shredding out of the wire wheels. He decided to stick with cycles for a while. Fate at play, perhaps? Otherwise, we might not have that infamous Triumph TR6 Trophy getaway scene from The Great Escape.

Other samplings from My First Car:

• Hugh Hefner’s 1941 Chevy Coupe that “reminds [him] of the car Columbo used to drive” and that died in the middle of the road on the very day that Playboy first hit the stands.
• Andy Warhol’s used Rolls-Royce, in which he collided with a taxi while learning to drive at 56 years old.
• Mario Andretti’s 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop in bright red with a white top, which the family landed in part because a teenage Andretti convinced his father that the louder pipes helped save gas.
• Sir Sterling Moss’ three-wheeled 1936 Morgan, which he initially drove illegally (just shy of his 16th birthday – the legal driving age in England at the time) and mounted a box on the back for his pet ferret.

Moss is quick to point out the top enduring benefit for a young man with a great ride.

“The great thing about having a car was that you could pick up the crumpet [girls] a lot easier than if you had a bicycle, of course,” he says, though he admits that his first ride was a bit rudimentary. “It was quite useful from that standpoint.”

In all, 67 famous drivers share their stories. No doubt, this book also has prompted many a conversation about readers’ first cars. What’s your first car story? E3 Spark Plugs, makers of the most energy efficient and eco-friendly car spark plugs on the market, want to hear it. Post your story and photo on our Facebook fan page.

E3 Spark Plugs loves a beautiful car, whether it’s an old jalopy with serious restoration potential or a gleaming new sports coupe just off the assembly line. That’s a good thing, because we’re much more likely to score the former than one of these. Behold the world’s current most expensive cars.

1. Bugatti Veyron Super Sports, $2,400,000: Not only is it by far the priciest, it’s also the fastest road car in production. It boasts a 267.856 mph top speed, though it’s electronically limited to a paltry 257.91 mph, what with the tires possibly disintegrating and all. The car debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours de ‘Elegance in August 2010 and Bugatti says they’ll only make 30 of them. So, you’d better call in your credit card number now.

2. Pagani Zonda Clinque Roadster, $1,850,000: Only five of these were made and, alas, all five are spoken for. The Roadster can drop 0-60 in 3.4 seconds and has logged a top speed of 217 mph. Its six-speed sequential gearbox allows for gearshifts taking less than 100 milliseconds.

3. Lamborghini Reventón, $1,600,000: The priciest and most powerful Lamborghini ever built hits 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and is capable of speeds up to 211 mph. Only 20 were made for the road, with one additional car numbered 0/20 produced for the Lamborghini Museum. It’s named for the fighting bull famous for killing Mexican bullfighter Félix Guzmán. The word reventón is Spanish for “explosion” or “burst,” but also has come to refer to a large party or crazy night on the town. In automotive terms, it means “blowout,” as in a flat tire.

3. Koenigsegg Arera R, $1,600,000: Tying for third place in the money game, the Arera R beats the Reventón in the speed game. It can burn 0-60 in just 2.8 seconds and has hit 260 mph, though it’s electronically capped at 235. If you’re hearing Sammy Hagar’s voice in your head and just don’t think you can drive 235, the company will unlock the speed limit for one occasion – with the proper paperwork, that is. We don’t know just what that paperwork entails, but we’re pretty sure it has something to do with insurance liabilities.

4. McLaren F1, $970,000: the McLaren F1 originally was just a concept car conceived by renowned Formula One race car designer Gordon Murray until he convinced McLaren CEO Ron Dennis to pony up some cash. It’s lighter and has more streamlined structure than most modern rivals despite having an extra seat. The driver’s seat is situated in the front middle, slightly forward of passengers seated to the left and right. Speeds top out at 231 mph with the rev limiter on, and 242.95 with the rev limiter removed.

5. Ferrari Enzo, $670,000: The Enzo is widely considered the most popular supercar ever built, reaching 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and topping out at 217 mph. Named for founder Enzo Ferrari, the car was designed to commemorate the company’s first Formula One title in the new millennium. Because just 400 were built, they’re going for upwards of $1,000,000 at auto auctions.

Sticker-shock notwithstanding, which of these would you most like to drive home stocked with a set of E3 car spark plugs? Tell us about your dream car on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

Filmgoers and auto buffs, take note. 2012 offers up some great movie watching. And a few of the top-talked-about films of the year feature some beautiful rides, both real and conceptual. Here are a few films we here at E3 Spark Plugs are looking forward to if not for the edge-of-your-seat action, the cool story lines and the gorgeous leading ladies, then for the fabulous rides.

The Dark Knight Rises, July 20: That Bruce Wayne can be tough on cars. In 2008′s The Dark Knight, he crashed not only his day-drive, a new Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, during a car chase through Gotham City aka 15 blocks of Chicago’s Lake Street. As if he wasn’t having a bad enough day as it was, he also lost his Batmobile Tumbler to a bazooka-toting Joker. But in The Dark Knight Rises, Wayne is back behind the wheel in a gorgeous 2012 Lamborghini Aventador. At least, that’s according to paparazzi shots of the car on the set staged at Nottingham, England’s Wollaton Hall, which doubles as Wayne Manor. And it’s been confirmed that the Batmobile Tumbler, an undisputed fan favorite, is back.

The Great Gatsby, December 25: This adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 iconic novel of the same name is set for theatrical release Christmas Day and is sure to deliver the gift of some beautiful vintage auto-eye candy. Set in Long Island, NY (but filmed mostly in Australia), The Great Gatsby centers on Midwesterner Nick Carraway, who his lured into the lavish world of his nouveau riche millionaire neighbor Jay Gatsby with tragic consequences. While Tobey Macguire (as Carraway), Leonardo DiCaprio (as Gatsby) and Carey Mulligan (as Gatsby love interest Daisy Buchanan) are sure to impress, we’re most excited about the red and white 1929 Duesenberg Gatsby drives. Never mind that the story is set in 1922, seven years before this particular model was made. There’s no arguing against the cinematic aesthetics of a car driven by the likes of Clark Gable, Al Capone, Howard Hughes and Mae West.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation, June 29: When Cobra spy Zartan has most of the Joes assassinated, the remaining Joes band together to strike back. We promise this Dwayne Johnson and Channing Tatum-fronted film won’t be as cheesy as its 2009 predecessor, G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra. How is it that can we make such a promise? Because the official trailer shows Bruce Willis firing a giant gun from what appears to be the bed of a 1971 El Camino. ‘Nuff said.

Any 2012 movie you’re predicting to star great rides? E3 Spark Plugs wants to know. Post your thought on the E3 Facebook fan page. And remember to power your own film-worthy sports coupe with E3 performance spark plugs for a stronger, cleaner, smoother ride.

1954 Ford FX Atmos, a concept car designed for nuclear power and hands-free driving.

On New Year’s Day, TechCrunch.com posted an article that got E3 Spark Plugs thinking about the car of the future, with a little retro-tastic inspiration. The article took a look at the iconic TV cartoon The Jetsons, set in a Space Age utopia in the year 2062 – a century ahead at the time of the show’s first airing in 1962. At question was just how many of the show’s then-futuristic features have become everyday reality.

First, there’s RUDI, George’s Referential Universal Digital Indexer, which looks an awful lot like today’s PC. Remember George seeing and speaking with Jane or his boss, Mr. Spacely of Spacely Space Sprockets, via a monitor? Skype made that a reality. George read the day’s news from a screen in his home – much like our laptop screens. Even the Jetsons’ robot vacuum cleaner came to pass in iRobot’s Roomba vacuum cleaner.

But the one Jetsons’ item we still covet is that groovy ride – the flying family car. It appears Hanna-Barbera took inspiration for the design from the Ford FX-Atmos, which caused quite a stir with its debut at the 1954 Chicago Auto Show. The FX stood for “Future Experimental” and Ford officials touted it as a representation of “one of the many avenues which styling could take into the future.” Like George, the would-be driver of an FX Atmos would sit in the front center of the car and steer it with hand grips. A dash-mounted “radarscape” would help navigate by providing highway and aerial information and a clear dome roof could be lowered on a sunny, breezy day. Two needle-like protrusions from the front fender pods were jokingly referred to as “pedestrian spears” but actually were radio antennae designed to allow for collision-free auto piloting. Alas, since there was no motor, there also were no car spark plugs. Designers and engineers envisioned a car that could harness the power of the atom instead.

Fast-forward to 2012 and we may be a bit closer to a Jetsons-inspired automotive reality than many realize. Later this year, Terrafugia expects to make the first customer delivery of its Transition Roadable Aircraft, a revolutionary integration of the personal car and light-weight aircraft. The Transition can drive on any surface road, then deploy its stowed-away wings and take flight from the nearest airport – no hangar needed. It’s got all the essential automotive crash safety features and there’s even a cargo area for your golf clubs.

While it’s a bit bulky and lacks the groovy vintage vibe of the FX Atmos or the Jetson’s ride, we’ll take one – just as soon as we come up with the $194,000 asking price.

What’s your pick – Would you rather park a Transition or an FX Atmos in your driveway? Leave us a comment on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

Optimistic about 2012? E3 Spark Plugs has a few tips for New Year's resolutions that will keep both you and your ride healthy and happy.

Assuming the cataclysmic theories about Earth being sucked into a black hole, colliding with another planet or otherwise disintegrating on December 21 aren’t true, 2012 looks to be a promising year. The economy is starting (though ever so slowly) to mend, Jon Bon Jovi is still alive and, if the Toyota Fun-Vii ever comes to market, you’ll one day be driving around with a hologram hottie perched upon your dash board. Something to look forward to, indeed.

In the meantime, no doubt you’re busy building your list of New Year’s resolutions. E3 Spark Plugs offers a few suggestions to help keep you and your ride healthy, happy and on the road.

1. Resolve to keep your car in great shape with DIY checks and fixes including keeping your tires well inflated, changing or topping off your car’s fluids regularly, and ditching those worn-out windshield wiper blades BEFORE they start etching rainbow-shaped grooves into your glass.
2. Resolve to have the pros check out your car from fender-to-bumper twice a year including the brakes and the charging and electrical systems.
3. Resolve to get those new knocks, pings and groans checked out STAT so minor problems don’t turn into major repair bills.
4. Resolve to dig that auto owner’s manual out of the depths of your glove compartment and use it – especially when it comes to keeping track of and following through with recommended scheduled maintenance.
5. Resolve to keep your car and the air around it clean. All that sand from your last trip to the beach is wearing on your car’s upholstery, interior and paint job. And unless you’re using E3 car or truck spark plugs you’re likely mucking up your environment. E3′s patented technology is designed for a cleaner, stronger and more fuel-efficient burn.

From all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs – have a happy, prosperous and safe 2012!