Tag: hidden

Video: San Francisco garage is a hidden gem

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Videos

Unique hidden garage door
San Francisco hidden garage – Click above to view video after the jump

The only thing separating this urban San Francisco garage from true brilliance might be the gaudy “No Parking” sign plastered to it. While the sign is definitely useful for keeping pesky commuters from parking in front of your well-disguised garage, it kills just a little of the structure’s mystique.

That said, the garage door/facade arrangement’s double-hinge operation is nothing short of masterful, and we shudder to think how much time, money and blood sweat and tears the setup took to pull off. Once the door has swung out of the way, it reveals a surprisingly large amount of space, for any number of automotive shenanigans, without the threat of passerby getting a peak at your toys.

For privacy, a drool-worthy D.I.Y. ethic, and not scarring the street with another ugly garage door, this workspace is is right up there near the top of the heap. True, its practical purposes may be somewhat limited, but to those who appreciate this kind of engineering, that should be of little concern. See the garage in action after the jump. Thanks to all for the tips!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: San Francisco garage is a hidden gem

Video: San Francisco garage is a hidden gem originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DiRT 3 hidden games and party mode revealed

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games

DiRT 3

DiRT 3 screen shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

The release of DiRT 3 is nigh upon us and, as a final teaser, game maker Codemasters has revealed an intriguing three-game party mode. The party mode consists of mini games and will serve as an escape for those who get tired of sliding Ken Block’s WRC Ford Fiesta around gravel-strewn corners at breakneck speed. It also means there will be a welcome multiplayer mode to an already awesome racing title.

Party mode’s three mini games all sound like an excellent way to avoid homework, housework, taxes, lawn mowing or emotional interaction with other human beings. The first, called Invasion, has players driving around an open parking lot attempting to destroy cardboard robots while avoiding skyscrapers, which could turn out to also be robots.

The second game is Outbreak, where a glowing-green “infected” player tries to spread his car’s disease by crashing into opponents. Last man standing without the verdant infection leaves the game victorious.

The last game is Transporter, where players careen around in search of spontaneously-appearing flags. Once you claim a flag, you have to return it to your home base without being mugged by another player.

Essentially, party mode combines a Mario Party-style multiplayer mode with a straightforward rally-racing game. The marketability of that seems more than plausible, and the prospect of breaking up racing with some good, old-fashioned playground games sounds like a winner to us.

Gallery: DiRT 3 Screen Shots

[Source: Joystiq]

DiRT 3 hidden games and party mode revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to build your own hidden racing sim setup and keep your wife happy

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games

DIY Racing Cockpit Ottoman

DIY Racing Cockpit Ottoman – Click above for high-res image gallery

Two things have prevented us from installing a full-blown racing-wheel, pedals and seat in our living room for the likes of Gran Turismo 5 – the aggravation of having the hardware soak up space in the living room and the threat of endangering hard-earned household peace accords for such a folly. One enterprising soul over at OverClockers has come up with the perfect solution by genetically splicing attractive furniture and functional gaming hardware into one vastly superior being. Using a little MDF and some excellent upholstery work, user Lyshco has managed to create a racing cockpit that’s a little larger than your run-of-the-mill F1 throne, and he’s done so without shelling out nearly $7,000 for a convertible coffee table.

The trick is that the whole kit-and-caboodle folds up into a very attractive ottoman when not in use, saving everyone’s eyes from having to suffer through staring at the evidence of our dweeby past time. It turns out that old gem about necessity’s momma turns out to be true. Thanks for the tip, Bloop!

Gallery: Racing Wheel Ottoman

[Source: OverClockers]

How to build your own hidden racing sim setup and keep your wife happy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Preliminary round ruling against Toyota says safety evidence was hidden

Filed under: Government/Legal, Toyota

ToyotaToyota has run into some trouble in a lawsuit against a former employee. An independent arbitrator has found that the automaker can’t bar the release of certain documents by claiming attorney-client privilege in a countersuit by Dimitrios Biller.

Biller served as legal counsel to Toyota for four years from 2003 until 2007. When he resigned from the company, he was given a $3.7 million severance package, but last year was sued by Toyota for $33.5 million for taking internal documents and breaking the terms of his deal.

Biller turned around and countersued, and Toyota immediately attempted to use attorney-client privilege to keep Biller from releasing potentially incriminating documents. But on September 9, a retired federal judge found that Biller has enough evidence to show that Toyota hired a lawyer to hide or destroy some of the company’s safety records in an attempt to keep that information from vehicle owners injured in rollover accidents. In some cases, that information could have led to significantly higher settlements.

That lawyer was none other than Biller himself, who turned over 170 documents, including emails he sent that advised the company that settling cases early would be worth not having to turn over “books of knowledge” on the Toyota vehicle safety record.

[Source: Automotive News]

Report: Preliminary round ruling against Toyota says safety evidence was hidden originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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