Car crashes in to Pennsylvania drivers license center.

Earlier today a vehicle crashed into a drivers license center in Collier Township, Pennsylvania. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt. No word on if the student taking their test passed. Likely no, however there must have been that really awkward moment after the student at the instructor confirmed they we ok.

Source: WTAE Channel 4 News.

COLLIER TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A car crashed through the entrance of a driver license center in Collier Township on Wednesday afternoon.A witness told Channel 4 Action News' Tara Edwards that a young driver appeared to be taking a test with an instructor when the car went through a window, sending glass shattering inside the center.Sky 4 flew over Chartiers Valley Shopping Center on Washington Pike as the car was removed from the driver license center and loaded onto a flatbed truck.A photo taken by a Channel 4 Action News viewer showed the vehicle sitting in the waiting area of the driver license center before it was removed.Emergency dispatchers said two people suffered minor injuries.Police have not said how the car ended up inside the building.

Are you the next VW Beetle?

While VW has made no official announcements of the replacement for the bow finished VW New Beetle. This interesting mule was recently spotted testing in (we assume) Germany. VW has remained very tight lipped in regards to the fate of the replacement Beetle other than they were in fact working on a car and that it would overcome the outgoing New Beetles flaws. Notably the cute look and lack of trunk/rear sear room. Also the new car would ride on an entirely new chassis from the previous car which still used the 4th generation Golf platform.

This new car has a more traditional Beetle look with a longer front hood, and the body appears to be stretched significantly, but that may be an illusion created by the lower roof line. VW did cunningly fix the outgoing Beetle's tail lights and both bumpers to this car to disguise it. But when you're dealing with the most recognized car in the world. It's a little hard to keep people guessing.

Look for a later feature on one of the last New Beetles produced soon from a recent test drive we did, along with a review of the new 2011 Jetta.

Source: Edmunds.

Fallout Motorbike, a tribute to classic chopper in a futuristic package

Designed as a tribute to the classic chopper, the “Fallout” by William Woods is a concept motorbike executed with the street-fighter ethos of function over form. Combining the single sided swingarm with the Bimota sourced frame, the futuristic motorcycle creates an exclusive hub-centered steering for a steaming yet smooth ride. Featuring short bo

Metalback Motorcycle Concept

Computer renderings of concept bikes are two-a-penny these days, but this one deserves more attention than most. Metalback comes from a leading automotive designer called Jordan Meadows, and it’s an attempt to marry the ethos of the traditional café racer with contemporary green credentials. “The concept is powered by a v4 engine running on bio diesel,” says Meadows. “Its frame and skin are crafted from recycled aluminum. This has the advantage of saving weight to enhance performance, while reclaiming pre-used material. In the manufacturing process, the alloy is treated to patina and age naturally without expensive and harmful paint applications. The net effect is a raw natural surface which suits the classic cafe racer, and recalls the romance and power of vintage WW2 fighter planes.” It’s an interesting approach and Meadows has the history to back it up: until last year he was Design Manager at Mazda’s North American Design Center, and his CV includes stints Volkwagen, Chrysler/Jeep and Ford. The big question is whether a mainstream motorcycle manufacturer would be prepared to go down this road—and is the public prepared to buy into it? [Image © Jordan Meadows Design.]

Seppster 2 Ice Racer

My folks live in England, and—like most people in Western Europe—they’ve spent the past few weeks buried under snow and ice in the most vicious winter for decades. Which led me to thinking about all the motorcycles locked up in garages and sheds, waiting for the roads to clear and tires to find grip. So when I happened across this extraordinary machine from TGS in Germany, I had to feature it. The bike was built by TGS’ owner Tobias Guckel for Sepp Schmidt, hence the name ‘Seppster’. And those huge Avon Cobra tires each have 120 spikes for maximum purchase on ice … Of course, it’s not an entirely practical bike, unlike the hugely popular ice speedway racers of Europe, but it’s a very interesting alternative to the usual ‘Hot Wheels’ style choppers. Power comes from a turbocharged S&S 93-ci motor, but virtually every other part of this machine was built in-house by TGS, from the radical single-sided front fork to the rigid frame and wheels. This bike came third at the 2008 World Championship of Bike Building; like Hot Dock’s StG Nautilus, it was overshadowed by Roger Goldammer’s paradigm-shifting ‘Goldmember’. In any other year, Ice Racer would have grabbed the spotlight, and rightly so.

The Indian Motorcycle Company

Indian was the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world during the early part of the 20th century, and the "Indian" brand was America's oldest motorcycle company, until its demise in 2003.

Zoom: 1906 Indian 'Camel Back' IOE Single

The company built its first production motorcycle in 1904, the diamond framed "Indian Single." The engine for the Indian Single was built by Aurora in Illinois. The Indian Single's deep red color became a signature of the brand. The single-cylinder motor was modeled after the de Dion-Bouton vélocipède engine, which produced 1.75-horsepower. The Indian Single could reach a top speed of 25 miles per hour.

1911 Indian 580cc TT Racer


1915 Indian Twin 1000cc with side car

Indian built its first V-twin engine in 1907. In 1916, Indian added the so-called "Powerplus" 1000 cc engine, which was a side-valve, 42 degree v-twin that was capable of a 60 mph top speed.

1914 Indian Twin 1000cc Motor


1914 Indian Model F Boardtrack Racer - 30.50ci IOE Engine

Both of the principles left the company early in its history. Oscar Hedström resigned in 1913 after disagreements with the Board of Directors, and George Hendee resigned three years later.

1914 Indian Twin Speedometer


1915 Indian Twin Speedometer


1915 Indian Twin Throttle Linkage - Zoom