Going Bats!

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Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Batmobile, Batmobile in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Dark Knight, Dennis McCarthy, Lincoln Futura, Patrick Tatopoulos, Robinson Batmobile

Since the announcement of the release date of Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, fans of the caped crusader are eagerly looking forward to seeing the iconic, gadget-loaded automobile – the Batmobile – in action again.

Designed especially for the film by Dennis McCarthy and Patrick Tatopoulos, this custom-made crime-fighting automobile is 20 feet long and 12 feet wide. Unlike its predecessors, this black beast can be raised and lowered using certain manoeuvres, thanks to beefed up control arms at the front and an upgraded suspension system. In short, much-needed additions to handle the Dark Knight’s action-packed missions.

Over the years, the Batmobile has had many renditions, every one of them in line with the style hallmark of automobiles of the day. In 2014, the 1960s version of the Batmobile came up for auction and sold for a whopping $4.2 million. Long thought to be the original Batmobile, this Lincoln Futura was customised by George Barris.

Last December, the first official Batmobile licensed by DC Comics went under the hammer at Heritage Auctions in the United States. This Batmobile is a buffed-up version of a 1956 Oldsmobile 88, and was created in 1960 by Forest Robinson, a New Hampshire resident. It resembled the 1940s Batmobile as it had a metal fin and prominent bat ears and nose, and matched the original concept art of the Batmobile envisioned by Batman’s creator Bob Kane. No wonder Batman purists and collectors point out that the ‘Robinson Batmobile’ is far more authentic than the $4.2 million dollar 1960s version.

Despite this, the Robinson Batmobile was forgotten and remained parked in a New Hampshire field for over 50 years before it was discovered and restored by the collectible company Toy Car Exchange, and eventually auctioned off for a mere $137,000.

– Tariq Ziad Khan

Distinguished Gentlemen In Action

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Ariels, British Matchless, Café Racers, Don Draper, F-11 Markaz, F-9 Markaz, Gulberg, John Hamm, Mad Men, Mall Road, Mark Hawwa, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Syed Wajeeh-ul-Hassan Naqvi, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, Triumphs, Vespas, vintage bikes, Zamzama Mall

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is a motorcycle parade that began in 2012. It was established by Mark Hawwa in Australia, and has so far been held across 406 cities in 79 countries. Next Sunday, on September 27, it will hit the roads in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad for the second consecutive year.

DGR aims to raise awareness for prostate cancer as well as change the negative stereotypes associated with heavy bikers; the latter is done by ensuring that all participants are dressed to impress. Interestingly enough, Hawwa’s inspiration to create DGR came from the series finale of the well-known TV show Mad Men, in which the protagonist, Don Draper (played by John Hamm), rides off on a Vintage Café Racer to join a hippie commune, wearing a crisp three piece suit.

Vehicle Rentals For Bakra Eid

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advance payment, Animal markets, Bakra Eid, Light-weight commercial pick-ups, Mid-size trucks, newspaper, online classifieds, rickshaws, sacrificial animal, transportation company, transporting sacrificial animals

For many people, the highlight of the days leading up to Bakra Eid is visiting animal markets to find just the right sacrificial animal. Larger animal markets, which provide greater variety – in terms of the breeds and better prices – are usually located on the outskirts of the cities. As a result, transporting sacrificial animals from the market to your home can be a time-consuming and costly process.

The types of vehicles usually used to transport animals include:

Rickshaws. This is a viable option if you have a single goat or sheep to transport. Although rickshaws may not be the safest option they are the most cost-effective one.
Rental range: Rs 500-1,500

Traffic Regulations To Be Enforced In Karachi

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(AIG), Additional Inspector General, banned qingqi rickshaws, City Commissioner, driving unregistered vehicles. exceeding speed limits, e-mail address, helmets, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Karachi Traffic Police tries to curb traffic violations, Khadim Hussain Bhatti, not allowing passengers to travel on the roof tops of buses, not using one-way thoroughfares as two-way roads, people driving without a license, report, seatbelts, Traffic Management Board, traffic regulations to be enforced forcefully in Karachi. traffic signals, traffic@sindhpolice.com.pk

Earlier this month, the Karachi Traffic Police, in an effort to curb traffic violations, announced that traffic regulations that are already in place will now be enforced forcefully; anyone violating them may now face jail time ranging between six months and two years. The regulations that the Traffic Police chose to focus include adherence to traffic signals, not using one-way thoroughfares as two-way roads and not allowing passengers to travel on the roof tops of buses.

These reforms are a continuation of the efforts by the Traffic Police which made it mandatory for motor cycle and pillion riders to wear helmets, car drivers to wear a seatbelts and banned qingqi rickshaws recently in an attempt to ensure road safety and prevent traffic jams. Another set of traffic regulations is expected to be enforced shortly, which will target people driving without a license, driving unregistered vehicles and exceeding speed limits.

Another development pertaining to Karachi’s chaotic traffic is the formation of a Traffic Management Board last month, which brought together representatives from the Karachi Traffic Police, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation as well as the City Commissioner. 

Prepare Your Car For The Monsoon

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Anti-corrosion treatment, diagnostic checks, Driving in the rain, Lights, Monsoon, prevent mechanical failures, tyres, visibility in the rain, warning lights, wiper blades, wipers

Although the monsoon brings much-needed respite from the intense heat wave that has gripped Pakistan of late, it is likely that your car may break down during heavy rains.

Here is how you can prevent mechanical failures during the rainy season:  

1. Tyres. Ensure that all tyres – including the spare – are properly inflated as low pressure tyres puncture easily, especially if you drive on pothole-ridden roads. Tyres that are not properly inflated are also likely to cause damage to the rim flanges (the protective layer that covers the wheel’s rim) which can result in a breakdown.

2. Wipers. Check the rubber on the wiper blades for cracks or any other damage. It is best to replace wipers at the slightest hint of damage as they are crucial to your visibility, whether it is during a light drizzle or a heavy downpour. Ensure that the water bottle (located in the bonnet) is always full and that the sprayers are working properly.

DIY Auto Repairs

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air filter unit, car acceleration, car mechanics, clogged air filters, coolant, Eid holidays, engine misfires, engine overheating, expansion tank, radiator, Romano Karim Yusuf, spark plugs

Car troubles have a tendency to crop up during the Eid holidays, when mechanics are hard to find, and if you do manage to find one, the chances are that he will charge exorbitant rates to fix even the most minor of problems.

Here is how you can save time and effort by fixing three of the most frequently occurring car problems by yourself.Problem 1: Your car is not accelerating properly and consumes more fuel.

Diagnosis: Clogged air filters.

Solution: Open the air filter unit (usually located at the front of the engine) by undoing the clips. Take the filter out and clean both sides using a vacuum cleaner. Experts recommend cleaning filters after a car has been driven for 10,000 kilometres, and replacing it after 20,000-30,000 kilometres.

Problem 2: Your car is not accelerating properly and the engine misfires.

Diagnosis: Spark plugs are malfunctioning.

Solution: Disconnect the leads that connect the plugs and unscrew the plugs with a spark plug socket. Pull out the plugs; clean by dipping them in a cup of kerosene for a few minutes, then clean the electrodes with a super soft wire brush. Replace plugs in their designated holes, tighten them gently, and then press the leads onto them until they fit. Copper plugs should be replaced after the car has been driven for 20,000 to 30,000 kilometres; platinum and iridium plugs can last for up to 100,000 kilometres.

Going Green With Hybrids

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Civic Hybrid, eco-friendly vehicles, Ferrari, Honda CR-Z, hybrid cars, hypercars, Jafer Khan, Lamborghini, McLaren, Toyota Prius

With an increased focus on environmentally-friendly vehicles, global car manufacturers are increasingly developing ‘hybrid cars’ which are powered by an electric motor and a standard combustion engine (also known as a hybrid engine). The electric motor does not require fuel and is powered by rechargeable batteries, while the hybrid engine is smaller and more fuel-efficient (compared to combustion engines offering similar power); this makes hybrids eco-friendly vehicles. As of this year, hybrid cars now account for approximately 10%* of the global vehicle market.

This move to go ‘green’ was not voluntary because of the higher cost of the equipment required during the design, research and performance testing of hybrid cars. Despite this, luxury automakers – including Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren – known for rolling out super and hypercars, are now focusing on hybrids. This is partially driven by the fact that an electric motor gives added horse power and torque.

Driving On Sunlight

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C-Max Solar Energi, Ford, Fresnel lenses, Haroon Rasheed, high-efficiency solar panels, renewable energy, solar-powered cars, solar-powered golf carts, spiralling energy costs, tracking system monitors

Concerns about depleting fuel reserves, their damaging impact on the environment and spiralling energy costs have led automobile manufacturers to explore the commercial potential of vehicles using renewable energy. Taking the lead is Ford which is focusing on making solar-powered cars financially viable for the general public with the launch of its concept sedan, the C-Max Solar Energi.

This concept car uses 15 to 20 small Fresnel lenses attached to tall metal structures (with large surface areas) which are placed on top of high-efficiency solar panels installed on the roof of the car. The lenses capture sunlight and act as magnifying glasses, thus increasing the amount of energy that the panels can generate by almost eight times. This allows the car’s battery to be completely charged within six hours of direct exposure to the sun, and can power the car for nearly 38 kilometres.

Women Trail Blazers

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Ashna Patel, Camille Du Gast, Cholistan Desert Rally, Danica Patrick, Donna Mae Mimms, Dorothy Levitt, International Women's Day, Janet Guthrie, ladies races, The Sports Car Club of America, women racers

Ever since the earliest automobile race was organised in Europe in 1887, a number of pioneering women drivers have struggled to stand shoulder to shoulder with their male compatriots in the racing circuits of the world.

This has been a complicated affair because although no law bars women from driving in competitive motorsports, it has been an uphill task to change the mindset of a number of institutions that have kept these sports male dominated. As far back as 1903, women like France’s Camille Du Gast and Britain’s Dorothy Levitt have challenged norms and began racing professionally.

Across the Atlantic, the struggle was no less arduous. The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) was formed in 1944 to promote motorsports and had an exclusively white male membership. As SCCA membership was given through references, women could only hope to enter the racing circuit either as navigators or eye-candy to prominent drivers. In the 1950s, the SCCA gave permission for “ladies races” which opened doors to women. This ultimately led to Donna Mae Mimms accomplishing the unthinkable in 1963 by winning the SCCA National Championship.

Show Your Car Some Love

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air-fresheners, Alfa Romeo, AV equipment, car, car body-shop, dents, dings, drive safely, floor mats, fluid top-up, I am in love with my car, legendary rock band Queen, nicks, oil change, radial tyres, seat covers, shiny rims, Tariq Ziad Khan, Triumph TR4, trusty automobiles, tune-up, tweeters, Valentine's Day, woofers

While a man’s love for a woman has long inspired prose, poetry and has led to at least one war, the trusty automobile comes a distant second with at least one song by the legendary rock band Queen. Although both the Alfa Romeo and the Triumph TR4 claim to have inspired the iconic song, I am in love with my car, the relationship between a man and his car is a long cherished union.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, show some loving not just to that special someone, but to your car as well for having maintained the momentum and logistics in all your relationships.

1. Come clean. Take your car to the body-shop to get rid of nicks, dings and dents. From a fresh coat of paint to heavy waxing and polishing, make sure your car looks as good as you feel.

2. Give it a makeover. Buy new seat covers, have the upholstery vacuumed, accessorise the interiors and add matching floor mats; go all out with shiny rims and radial tyres to match. You will be surprised at the effect. AV equipment for cars is cheaper than ever before. Set the mood with a system that adds to the ambience with woofers, tweeters and whatever else catches your fancy.

3. Go therapeutic. The value of a well-timed tune-up, oil change and fluid top-up cannot be over stressed. Break out the lubricant bottles to make this a memorable Valentine’s.

4. Scent-sationalise. Buy fragrant air-fresheners to clean up the stale air, so you can breathe easy as you drive.

5. Treat her right. Now that you have spent time, money and energy getting the basics right, be gentlemanly and let your conduct show. Drive safely, improve your behaviour on the road and you will ride into the sunset for a happily ever after.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 – Tariq Ziad Khan

First published in the Aduzzzzz Section of The DAWN National Weekend Advertiser on February 9, 2014.