RobiNZ Personal Blog

Casper, not a ghost

These eyes didn’t look quite so bright as they closed for the last time just 3 weeks before his 20th birthday. The end of a long & happy life. Read more →

The Red Bull Formula 1 Car Owners' Workshop Manual

Want to build, or maintain, a 2010 Formula 1 Championship winning car? This Haynes Manual would be a good start. The last/only Haynes Manual I owned was for a 1973 Fiat 127. Although the technology in this one is rather different the format is familiar. There are lots of cutaway illustrations, assembly diagrams and info on all the car components, systems and the technical rule requirements which drive the design. There is enough detail to satisfy a F1 fan, especially those who love the techo and design aspects of the sport, although not detailed enough to have McLaren heading for... Read more →

A question before you die...

Aardvark ask a question you probably don’t really want to think about, but should. After all, barring a dramatic medical breakthrough, it’s going to happen and somebody will have to deal with this. Before you die... - aardvark.co.nz If you get hit by a bus tomorrow, could your family access your computer and your essential online accounts so as to tidy up your affairs… The next question is where do you store these passwords? A physical record would invalidate many user agreements but would a digital record be any better? My bank offers a “Digital Vault” which can store non-banking... Read more →

Fiat Panda: design story - Car Body Design

This Car Body Design post has the design story of the new, 3rd generation, Fiat Panda. Although quite a few first generation Panda were sold in NZ the Japanese Used Car import boom killed that market. No chance a basic, if good, new car could compete with the loaded used imports. I have seen a couple of private import used Mk2 Panda, but that’s about all. The Panda was launched in 1980. How many models have been through just 3 evolutions in 30 years of production? Fiat Panda: design story - Car Body Design The design story, created by the... Read more →

The Ferrari Pinin Sedan Concept Car for sale (without my interior)

I was interested to see reports that the 1980 Ferrari Pinin Sedan concept is going to be sold. Ferrari Pinin Concept to be auctioned in London - www.eurocarblog.com 1980 Ferrari Pinin Concept, the one and only sedan with a Ferrari badge ever made, will soon be up for auction. This outstanding one-off was built to celebrate designer Pininfarina 50th anniversary… (continues with Ferrari Pinin Concept photo gallery) 1980 Ferrari Pinin Four-Door Sedan Concept up for Grabs – Carscoop The 1980 Ferrari Pinin will go under the hammer at the forthcoming RM Auction in London, England on October 26, where it... Read more →

Physicists Climate Change Hypocrites? I think not!

But viable Fusion Reactors would balance everything, forever and these are the people who will make it. Physicist Calls Out Other Physicists for Being Climate Change Hypocrites Physicists clock, on average, 23,000 air miles per year flying around the world to observatories, conferences and meetings, and generally use 130 KWh more energy per day than the average United States citizen…. Read more →

On Bob Nardelli's 'reign of error' at Chrysler and the Fiat turnaround

I laughed when I saw this quote from the former Chrysler chief: "I think Chrysler is where it is because of what we were able to do." Seems it provoked another reaction from the author of this article in The Detroit News: Bob Nardelli's 'reign of error' at Chrysler - The Detroit News Still recovering from the Michigan State-Ohio State game and Matt Millen-color-commentary-induced nausea, I picked up The Detroit News on Monday to read the lead story with Bob Nardelli, which instantly provoked projectile vomiting… The footnote states author “Jason Vines was vice president of communications at Chrysler under... Read more →

Traffic Light Thought — Is 80 the new 100 km/h?

I blame those “it’s not a target” adverts. Why are people dawdling along at limit –20 on the motorway when there is no reason to do so? It may not be a target but it should be a goal! Read more →