The AstroVettes: Why So Many NASA Astronauts Drove Corvettes In The '60s
In the 1960s NASA astronauts became synonymous with Chevrolet Corvettes after a series of promotions. Alan Shepard bought a used ’53 Corvette, later received a brand‑new 1962 model from GM, and a dealership run by Indy 500 champion Jim Rathmann offered astronauts a $1‑per‑year lease on new Chevrolets. Most chose Corvettes, customizing them with performance options, while the Apollo 12 crew received black‑and‑gold ’69 Stingrays. The program ended in 1971 when NASA’s ethics rules barred active astronauts from such deals.
This Might Be Why Your Car Is Eating Through Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are essential engine components that wear out over time, with lifespan varying by material—copper lasts about 20,000 miles, while platinum and iridium can reach 60,000‑100,000 miles. Premature failure often stems from using the wrong plug type, low‑quality fuel,...
Here's How Much A 2021 Audi E-Tron Has Depreciated In 5 Years
The 2021 Audi e‑tron, Audi’s first mass‑market electric SUV, debuted at over $80,000 but now trades between $20,700 and $25,200, a drop of roughly 63% in just three years. Kelly Blue Book reports a current resale value of $19,450 and a trade‑in...
This Test Shows How Bullet Resistant Tires Can Be
Yee Yee Life YouTuber Parker Smith conducted a live‑fire test on five brand‑new 37‑inch Nitto Mud Grappler tires to see how ordinary consumer tires stand up to bullets. The experiment showed that small‑caliber rounds such as .22 and 9 mm can...
Can A Depreciated Fleet Vehicle Be A Wise Purchase?
Fleet vehicles account for over 16% of new‑car sales and flood the used market once they finish service. Because they are heavily depreciated, they can be bought for a fraction of the original price, often with a documented maintenance history....
2 Things To Know Before Removing The Badges From Your Car
Debadging—removing factory badges—offers a low‑cost way to give a vehicle a higher‑end look and simplify detailing, but it requires careful technique to avoid paint damage. There are no federal or state bans on badge removal, though tampering with VIN or...
Automakers Adopted Rack-And-Pinion Steering Because It Was Better Than Alternatives
Rack‑and‑pinion steering, introduced in the 1930s, overtook older systems to become the industry standard by the 1950s due to its low cost, compact packaging, and superior feel. Alternative designs like cam‑and‑lever and recirculating‑ball persist only in niche applications, primarily heavy...
Why Porsche Maintenance Tends To Be Pricey
Porsche ranks among the most expensive brands to maintain because its high‑performance parts and luxury materials carry premium price tags. Even routine components, such as a 2021 Boxster brake rotor, cost around $300, while carbon‑fiber rotors can top $10,000. The...
Oldsmobile Almost Became Muscle Car Tyrants With A 32-Valve 455 V8
Oldsmobile’s experimental W‑43 was a 455‑cubic‑inch V8 that featured four valves per cylinder and dual‑overhead cams, delivering a dyno‑verified 560 horsepower and 540 lb‑ft of torque. The engine was built on the Rocket 455 platform and was tested in a classic 442,...
Let Carlos Sainz And Lando Norris Show You How Far Go-Karts Have Come Since The 1950s
Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz filmed a side‑by‑side test of go‑karts from the 1950s through today, racing the same track on the same day. The 1950s kart posted a 59.6‑second lap, while the 2026 model cut the time roughly in half,...
Here's How (And How Often) To Inspect Your Vehicle's Tires
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises drivers to inspect all tires at least once a month and to check tire pressure weekly. Proper inflation not only extends tire life but can also improve fuel efficiency, especially when temperatures drop....
Why Car And Driver Hated The Now Legendary (And Valuable) Ford GT40 Mk III
In 1967 Ford introduced the street‑legal GT40 Mk III, a limited‑run version of its Le Mans‑winning race car, and Car and Driver promptly highlighted a litany of quality issues—from a shocking horn to a faulty clutch linkage. Despite the criticism, the magazine...
What Does A Compensator Do On A Harley-Davidson?
Harley‑Davidson’s compensator is a spring‑loaded sprocket that absorbs engine pulses, shielding the primary chain, clutch basket, and transmission from shock loads. It is standard on Big Twin engines, including modern Milwaukee‑Eight and older Twin Cam models, and even appears on...
What's The Difference Between Fuel Stabilizer And Fuel Treatment?
Fuel stabilizer and fuel treatment serve distinct roles in vehicle fuel‑system care. Stabilizers add chemicals that halt oxidation, moisture absorption, and gum formation, making them essential for cars that sit idle, especially during winter or when using ethanol‑rich blends. Fuel...
You've Seen That Seatbelt Loop, But Do You Know What It Does?
Modern three‑point seatbelts include a small stitched loop, known as an energy‑management (EM) loop, that can release extra slack during a high‑impact crash. The loop’s stitching is designed to rip, adding inches of give to absorb forces and potentially lessen...
The Mythical Cheap Tesla Could Hurt Already Ailing Margins At The Company
Tesla is rumored to be developing a sub‑$30,000 entry‑level EV that would sit below the Model 3 and Model Y. The car would be smaller, use a reduced‑capacity battery and a single motor, and could be produced first in China to counter...
These Car Brands Have The Longest Warranties In America
S&P Global Mobility reports the average age of U.S. vehicles rose to 12.8 years in 2025, intensifying owners’ need for robust warranty protection. A survey of automakers shows luxury marques Acura, Lexus, Lincoln and Infiniti provide 4‑year/50‑60k‑mile basic coverage, while mainstream...
A Comprehensive And Terrifying List Of Parts That Can Break If You Flat Tow An AWD Vehicle
Flat towing an all‑wheel‑drive (AWD) vehicle forces the drivetrain to spin without engine‑driven lubrication, leading to rapid overheating. Key components such as the automatic transmission, center differential, driveshafts, and electronic parking brakes can seize or fail. While a few AWD...
Did Toyota Capture The Camry's Magic In These SUVs?
Toyota positions its RAV4 and Highlander as the SUV equivalents of the long‑running Camry, leveraging the sedan’s record‑breaking 24‑year sales streak and top‑ranked reliability. The compact RAV4, America’s best‑selling SUV for nine straight years, mirrors the Camry’s fuel efficiency, safety...
Why Even The Corvette Had Such Pitiful Horsepower In 1975
The 1975 Chevrolet Corvette, once an icon, was reduced to a modest 165 hp V8, a stark drop driven by the Clean Air Act, mandatory catalytic converters, and a lower compression ratio. The 1973‑74 oil crisis forced GM to prioritize fuel...
Uber Wants To Slip Its Drivers A Cool $4,000 To Switch To EVs
Uber announced a $4,000 “Go Electric” grant for its Platinum and Diamond drivers who purchase a personal electric vehicle and complete 100 eligible rides by Dec. 31. The incentive, which replaces the $7,500 federal tax credit, is now open to drivers...
Ayrton Senna's First F1 Car Will Be Auctioned Off This Month
RM Sotheby's will auction Ayrton Senna’s first Formula 1 car, the Toleman TG183B‑05, in Monaco this month. The chassis, which raced in four Grands Prix in 1984 and still retains original features such as a misspelled footrest, is expected to fetch $3.25‑4.45 million....
Which Automaker Should Make A New Pickup Truck Next?
Jalopnik asks which automaker should launch the next U.S. pickup, noting that trucks remain the nation’s top-selling vehicle segment, with Ford alone moving over 828,000 F‑Series units last year. Recent announcements from Kia, Hyundai, Ford, and Ram show a flood...
At $6,500, Is This 1977 AMC Pacer Wagon A Big-Bootied Bargain?
The 1977 AMC Pacer D/L wagon is listed for $6,500 after a recent price cut from $8,000. The vehicle has only 53,849 miles, a 4.2‑liter six‑cylinder engine, and a three‑speed automatic, but requires a water pump, radiator, new tires and...
How Honda Pioneered Pre-Chamber Ignition Long Before Formula 1
Pre‑chamber ignition, a hallmark of modern Formula 1 power units, traces its roots to Honda’s 1975 Civic CVCC, which used a three‑valve carbureted system to meet EPA emission limits without a catalytic converter. While the CVCC’s design differed—employing a rich‑mix pre‑chamber...
![Recon EV Production Is Now Delayed Until Mid-2026, So How Did Jeep Sell 56 Of Them Last Year? [Update]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://www.jalopnik.com/img/gallery/jeep-recon-ev-delay-mid-2026-sales-mystery/l-intro-1775841053.jpg)
Recon EV Production Is Now Delayed Until Mid-2026, So How Did Jeep Sell 56 Of Them Last Year? [Update]
Jeep confirmed that its Recon electric SUV will not enter full production until mid‑2026, citing capacity constraints at the Toluca, Mexico plant where Cherokee output is being prioritized. The 56 units reported as sold in 2025 were actually internal test...
The Difference Between 4-Low And 4-High When Off-Roading On Rough Terrain
Four‑wheel‑drive vehicles offer two selectable ranges: 4‑high for normal‑speed traction on slick surfaces, and 4‑low for extreme off‑road conditions that demand maximum torque. 4‑high keeps the standard gear ratio while locking front and rear shafts, whereas 4‑low engages a low‑range...
California Might Help You If Your EV Battery Has Gone Bad
California has launched the Zero‑Emission Assurance Project (ZAP) to help owners of used electric vehicles whose batteries or fuel‑cell components fail outside warranty coverage. The program offers up to $7,500 for repairs and, if the battery cannot be salvaged, a...
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Steer-By-Wire Technology?
Steer‑by‑Wire (SbW) replaces the traditional mechanical steering column with sensors, electric motors and software, allowing the wheel to be a purely digital input device. The technology offers variable steering ratios, more interior packaging space and improved crash safety, while also...
SpaceX Starship Engine Test Is Successful In Every Way, Except For All Of The Exploding
SpaceX’s latest ground test of the Raptor 3 engine, slated for the Starship V3 launch vehicle, ended in a dramatic explosion that destroyed the test article. The test, conducted at the Starbase facility in Texas, was intended to verify the performance...
Does Cold Weather Affect Your Spark Plugs?
Cold weather challenges spark plugs by increasing air density, thickening oil, and slowing fuel vaporization, which all demand a stronger spark to ignite the mixture. Moisture, salt and ice accelerate corrosion and carbon fouling, especially on aging plugs. Repeated cold‑start...
Getting Dirty With A Grom Is More Fun Than You Can Handle
The Honda Grom, a low‑cost 125 cc bike, has earned a reputation for city fun, but recent tests by Canada’s Range Road Moto show a modestly modified Grom out‑performing Honda’s Trail 125 on most off‑road challenges. Swapping knobby tires and raising handlebars...
Why Michelin Started Putting RFID Tags In Its Tires
Michelin has embedded passive RFID tags in its tires to improve manufacturing, logistics, and end‑of‑life handling. The chips enable automatic scanning from the assembly line through distribution, inventory management at shops, and vehicle‑level identification linked to the VIN. Collected data...
Twin-Turbo Vs. Twin-Charged Engines: What's The Difference?
Twin‑turbo engines employ two turbochargers—either in a parallel layout, where each turbo feeds a bank of cylinders, or sequentially, pairing a small turbo for low‑rpm response with a larger unit for high‑rpm power. Twin‑charged powertrains combine a supercharger and a...
This Hillclimb Toyota Corolla Only Needs A One-Liter Engine To Melt Your Face Off
A Finnish team transformed a modest Toyota Corolla hatchback into a hill‑climb monster by installing a heavily turbocharged 1‑liter 1SZ‑FE engine that now produces roughly 400 horsepower. The rear‑wheel‑drive conversion and lightweight 1,873‑lb chassis propelled the car to an impressive...
Surely All 14 Previous Owners Took Special Care Of This $49,500 Nissan GT-R
Nissan has officially ended production of the R35 GT‑R, leaving the market to rely on used examples. A 2009 GT‑R with 122,000 miles and 14 prior owners is listed for $49,500, a price that reflects modest depreciation from its roughly...
McLaren Artura And Luxury SUVs Smashed In Thwarted NYC Parking Garage Heist
On Sunday morning in Manhattan, a group of thieves broke into a West 43rd Street parking garage and attempted to steal several high‑end vehicles, including a McLaren Artura, a Mercedes‑AMG G63, a Volvo XC60 and a Range Rover Sport. The...
Americans Killed Each Other On The Road A Little Less Often In 2025
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that U.S. traffic deaths fell to 36,640 in 2025, a 6.7% decline from 2024. Despite the drop in fatalities, Americans drove 0.9% more, covering 29.8 billion miles, which pushed the fatality rate down to...
Why Shaving Is The Secret To A Cheaper AWD Tire Replacement
All‑wheel‑drive (AWD) vehicles require tires of identical diameter because a new tire’s larger tread creates a speed differential that can stress the drivetrain. Replacing a single flat often forces owners to buy a full set, which can cost around $1,000...
Los Angeles Traffic Is So Bad The Fire Department Got New Electric Motorcycles To Quicken Response Time
The Los Angeles Fire Department has added 30 ERidePro electric motorcycles to its fleet, thanks to a donation from Google and YouTube. The two‑person bikes are equipped with basic medical gear and are fully integrated into LAFD dispatch. California’s lane‑splitting...
Jay Leno's Backing Another Bill To Exempt Classic Cars From Smog Checks
California lawmakers have re‑filed a classic‑car smog exemption as Senate Bill 1392, extending relief to vehicles model year 1986 and older. The bill, championed by Jay Leno, adds a stipulation that exempted cars cannot serve as the owner’s primary transportation, limiting use...
Road & Track Called This Kit Car The World's Most Beautiful Sports Car And They Were Right
In the mid‑1950s Jim Byers crafted the SR‑100, a hand‑laid fiberglass roadster that captured Road & Track’s imagination as the world’s most beautiful sports car. Only about 25 kits were produced between 1955 and 1963, each adaptable to a variety of...
Volkswagen's TSI Vs. TFSI Engines: The Main Differences Explained
Volkswagen’s TSI and Audi’s TFSI badges refer to the same turbocharged direct‑injection gasoline engines, with the extra “F” serving only as a branding cue for Audi’s premium positioning. Historically the names tracked different engine families—TFSI appeared on the EA113 and...
Why Harley-Davidson's Switch To V-Twins Was Harder Than Just Adding Another Cylinder
Harley‑Davidson’s 1909 5‑D Twin marked the company’s first V‑twin attempt, but its atmospheric intake‑over‑exhaust valves could not handle the doubled cylinder volume, resulting in poor suction and unreliable performance. The firm recalled and destroyed all 27 units rather than redesign...
We Can't Decide If James Brown's Lincoln Mark III Or His Learjet Has More '70s Swagger
James Brown’s 1966 purchase of a $713,000 Learjet 23—roughly $7.2 million today—made him the first Black private‑jet owner, turning the aircraft into a cultural milestone. Two years later he added a 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III, originally $6,741 (about $63,300 in 2026 dollars),...
10 Wickedly Cool Carroll Shelby Cars That Made The Man A Legend
Carroll Shelby reshaped automotive performance from the 1962 AC Cobra to the 1999 Shelby Series 1, creating ten iconic cars that blended lightweight chassis with high‑output engines. His early Cobra roadsters and the aerodynamic Daytona Coupe secured victories at Le Mans and Sebring,...
The Science Trick That Can Cool A Scorching Hot Car Interior In Seconds
A car parked in direct sun can reach 123 °F after an hour, turning the cabin into an oven. Professor Hannah Fry proposes a quick cooling trick: lower the passenger window, then repeatedly open and close the driver’s door to create...
Who Makes Costco's Kirkland Motor Oil?
Costco’s Kirkland Signature motor oil is produced by Highline Warren, a century‑old lubricant manufacturer that supplies over 400 brands. The private‑label oil meets API service ratings and has been validated by the Petroleum Quality Institute of America, positioning it alongside...
Here's How Much A 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Has Depreciated In 5 Years
The 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback depreciates only about 23% over five years, far below the industry average 42% and well under its rivals – the Honda Civic and Mazda3 hatchbacks, which lose roughly 41% in the same period. With an...
A Guide For When (And When Not) To Air Down Your Tires
Airing down tires lowers pressure to increase the contact patch, giving better traction on sand, mud, snow and during drag racing. The guide recommends minimum pressures of 12 PSI for sand, 18 PSI for mud, 20 PSI for snow and 25 PSI for loose...