http://www-cse.ucsd.edu/users/bowdidge/railroad/rail-home.html
A banquet of goodies for trainspotters, rail fans and locophiles. There's
maps, databases, mailing lists, transit information, links to and information
on other sources of railway interest. A super place to hang out when you
get home from Scouts.
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http://www.ford.com/
The ""worldwide"" bit in this instance includes
one page on the UK, explaining that we continue to make cars.
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http://www.volvo.se/
Standard issue stats and information from the safety conscious Swedes.
This isn't aimed wholeheartedly at consumers but it's fine as far as it
goes
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http://www.vw.com/
Clean, efficient, understated good looks - with all the personality
of Paula Hamilton. Web site made for the American market.
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http://www.challenger.iclnet.co.uk
Lottery loser and have-a-go-hero Richard Branson is off on one of his
jaunts again. Along with Per Lindstrand and Rory McCarthy he is embarking
on a record breaking non-stop attempt to circumnavigate the world in a hot
air balloon over a period of 18 days. In a smart piece of sponsorship, the
challenge is being backed by Phileas Fogg snacks and if you want news of
what's happening you just click on Mr Fogg himself. Inevitably it's a very
well-designed site, easy to get around and, information-wise, less is more.
Finally, if they set off as speedily as these pages load, then quite frankly
they can't fail.
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http://www.ftech.net/~vintage/vtsabout.htm
If you're after a Dunlop racing tyre or beaded edge wheel rims Ü
no problem! Being based at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, this company
has over 16,000 top vintage treads in stock. Apparently it has arguably
the largest stock of specialised tyres in the world, including wired-on
type, white wall and motorcycle, no less. So zoom over to the above URL
and sample superbly serviced classic motoring from now on.
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http://www.vauxhall.co.uk
It is now possible to navigate a Web site and the roads of the UK almost
simultaneously as Vauxhall have upgraded their site and made use of a more
informative version of the Trafficmaster real time traffic information service.
The new system named Traffic-Net highlights traffic congestion on UK Motorways
and A roads and stops drivers from getting involved in the snarl-ups. The
information is gathered from a network of Trafficmaster sensors on roads
throughout the UK and is processed at itâs control centre in Milton
Keynes. Using Shockwave, the Web pages no longer need to be reloaded to
receive news from the sensors. Updates appear on your screen every few seconds
as coloured, animated arrows indicating the speed of traffic in crucial
areas around the south of England. By zooming in on a specific area details
of any hold-ups are ticker-taped across the foot of the screen. To laugh
at drivers reduced to a crawl on the M25, and to plan your route accordingly
visit
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http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/
Car advertising is one of the most expensive, state of the art, surreal,
hard sells, but who's going to appreciate fully its subliminal, cinematic
messages cruising gently along the World Wide Web? Well, Vauxhall's site
is the benchmark for combining information with excitement and high production
values. This is a now famous, expertly designed, easily navigated site with
details on the Frontera and Vectra. It includes a dealer locator and, of
course, a screensaver. In addition Vauxhall offers uniquely updated traffic
information, accessed via a clickable map, with snarl-ups shown in red.
Full race day reports from the British Touring Car Championship are also
posted. Viva Vauxhall - it's a winner.
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http://www.toyota.com
Superb handling means this site outperforms all others because if offers
so much more than just self-publicity. Using the site's own Photobubble
software (available for Windows 3.1x, 95, Mac 68k and PowerPC) potential
buyers are furnished with a fish-eyed look at the interiors and exteriors
of all the latest models. The Web page option for those bored of standing
round in a draughty showroom is a dynamically engineered ezine called The
Hub. It covers style, fashion, sport and motoring with sections for both
men and women. The Web design in front is from Toyota - surely.
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http://gpu.srv.ualberta.ca/~ybeaudoi/Virtual_Railroad/home.htm#menu
An exhilarating introduction for would-be ferrophiliacs to the glamorous
pastime of train spotting. The Internet Steam Roster has terrific snaps
of Puffing Billys from as far away as China. Whatever isn't here is surely
pointed to or, perhaps, best avoided. CLOSED DOWN
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http://web.ukonline.co.uk/Members/d.joberns/contents.htm
David Joberns is a retired driving instructor. As well as including
pictures of himself and his wife and a list of cars he used to own (with
pictures) there are also his hints and tips for passing your test. This
man knows what he's talking about and tips range from responding to the
examiners attempts to chat and relax you, to tips on reverse parking. With
the new written driving examination already in place, David's help might
be sorely needed. A cheerful and genuinely helpful page.
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http://www.angel.co.uk/warwick/qe2/
Unofficial scrapbook of luxury liner facts Ü five resturants, two
cafÚs, three swimming pools and one pub. A short history, pictures,
a current itinerary and all the captains' names. This is rather sweet, personal
project on a historically important ship.
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http://www.germancarcompany.co.uk
VWmay be just another car to you and me, but to the people at the German
Car Company it's a way of life. The German Car Company is not in fact German,
but is instead based in Southend-on-Sea. However, don't be fooled, it's
more than an Arthur Daley ad site. There's reviews of VWshows and events,
plus a list of links to other VWfreaks all over the globe.
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http://www.theaa.co.uk/theaa/
Nothing unexpected about the AA's online information...a lot of membership
details, breakdown options, insurance services and some of the general information
the AA publishes on subjects like petrol pricing, motoring costs and child
safety. Once the traffic bulletins are up and running it'll prove more useful.
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http://www.saabusa.com/
A quirky, eccentric, individual approach to marketing with great illustrations,
prices and deals (American market only) and a range of motoring accessories
to browse. All in all, a nice run out.
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http://www.pcpages.co.uk/railuk/
With British Rail services now split up, sites like railUK could prove
handy for looking up train details for all the different companies on your
route. A terminal of links for passengers, rail operators and enthusiasts,
there's plenty to keep trainspotters happy, such as the photos of the Class
90 under construction at Crewe. For those going further afield, international
links take you to the World TravelNet and model railroad clubs in all corners
of the globe. The design is functional, but then so are most trains. Oh,
and you can also order anoraks and notepads online (just kidding).
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http://www.peugeot.com/
Minimal excitement, but practical roadholding is the key to Peugeot's
glossy, bumf-based site. There are lots of litre and valve references, bits
on boot capacity and headroom as well as a link to the financial affairs
of Peugeot Citroen. This site, though predominantly French, includes subtitles
in English and German. Perhaps a specifically targeted British version would
let the company show its claws. Special mention for a range of Peugeot leisurewear
- polo shirt, sports bag, parka and car coat.
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http://www.mg-cars.com/
This site was set up to coincide with the launch of the MGF earlier
this year, the first all-new MG since the MGB in 1981. At the moment it
is just a place where you can order a brochure. For a list of dealers, owners'
clubs, events and classifieds, access the more inviting MG Car Enthusiasts'
Club (http://www.mgcars.org.uk/). But remember, the average age of an MG
driver is 57 and the most popular colour is racing green.
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http://www.mercedes-benz.com/e/mbe1.htm
A good place for a spot of automobile history. The whole story on Gottlieb
Daimler and Herr Karl Benz. Usefully it includes a list of UK dealerships,
accessed via an excellent and fully functional image map.
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http://www.londontransport.co.uk
Housed in Covent Garden, The London Transport Museum gives you a hands-on
environment to tell the story of London's public transport system. Their
Web site operates in a similar vane, giving an insight into the system that
is used by 784 million passengers a year. Facts and figures fanatics will
lap up the mileage of track, average speeds and distances between stations.
Suddenly and quite unexpectedly you find yourself aching to learn that Leicester
Square to Covent Garden is the shortest tube journey, over 3.7 million journeys
are made on London's buses on a typical weekday and of course much much
more. There are few pictures to get in the way, making the site as quicker
than any of the modes of transport it talks about. So hop aboard steam train
FAQâs and prepare for a plethora of trivial information that will
impress and delight your friends. Iâve come to the inevitable conclusion
that I am either a bit of a saddo intrigued by a minefield of useless facts
or this is a damn fine site.
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http://www.jeepunpaved.com/
Mucho macho pickeroonies of sun-scarred sandblasted Badlands supply
the appropriately unreconstructed backdrop for America's most rugged vehicle.
No concession to sales outlets flogging aforementioned off roader in Surrey.
So it's bizarre then that the Jeep is Britain's most oft bought 4x4, beloved
of both aristocratic urbanites and rock hard hip hop deejays.
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http://www.jaguarvehicles.com/
Le Mans, leather gloves, Arthur Daley, an E-type and a sheepskin car
coat. Jaguar America has included some pretty predictable puff on elegance,
style and old times on its Web site. There are also some rather nice snaps
of the XJ Series Sedan. Information relevant to UK buyers is arriving soon.
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http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/1259/hfc.html
This is a site that bombards you with acronyms so it's a good idea to
know something about flying before getting started. It might also be an
idea for Horizon to have something like 'Want to learn how to fly?' on its
front page, otherwise you'd be forgiven for thinking it was a place for
keeping their committee meeting minutes. Just a small point! The club is
based near Ipswich and the section called Information is the bit to look
at if you want to get up in the air. If you fancy a trial lesson, then this
is the place to start.
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http://www.shell-ferrari.com
A good-looking site from this joint team of Shell and Ferrari. If you're
looking for mean machines to impress the boys (or girls) down the high street,
then you won't find them here, this is strictly for the big boys, concentrating
on the race for the Formula One title. Plenty of pictures of Ferrari's whizzing
round race tracks, plus information about the results from each Grand Prix,
and pictures of Michael Schumacher and his copious chin chuckling away at
the site when he surfed it in July. Not for Damon Hill fans.
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http://www.ferrari.it/ferrari/
Appropriately testosterone-fuelled front end that would have maverick
motoring yob Jeremy Clarkson offering platitudes on the theme of easy rides
and baby oil. It's sleek, reeks of old school sex appeal and, unsurprisingly,
everything comes in red. Along with a photo gallery, addresses for owners'
clubs and information on the brand new F50 supercar, there's a section on
the Formula One models the F50 was based on. , the site is bi-lingual, so
if you feel like brushing up on your Italian... go ahead.
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http://www.eurotruck.co.uk
If you were to need the services of any of the UK's major freight transport
bodies you can now contact them via the umbrella organisation, Eurofreight,
and its official Web site. Information on hauling ass in the goods department
is divided into air, shipping, rail and a separate section for Le Shuttle,
and is backed up with news, route information, job vacancies, sales and
legal advice. Quite exceptional and very useful for those of the 'trucking'
persuasion. Also included are recent press releases from the Department
of Transport for the latest policy updates.
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http://www.eauto.com/
A directory of motoring Web sites, newsgroups and mailing lists, eAuto
suffers from being too US-centric and for providing too many links with
too few explanations. Not only does it take two or three mouse clicks to
get where you're heading, it's by no means obvious what automotive components
are manufactured by the likes of 3M and Alumax. Car fanatics will read the
news and motorsport sections, but British buyers should visit Carsource
instead.
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http://www.jaguarvehicles.com/
Tailored to the American market this is a not-very-scintillating official
site for Jaguar cars. There's some predictable blurb about tradition, elegance
and style but not enough to conjure up an image of sleek La Mans-winning
sports cars, leather gloves, British toffs or even Arthur Daley, an E-type
and a sheepskin car coat. However, there are some rather nice XJ Series
Sedan snaps which will have to do instead.
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http://www.carsource.co.uk/
If you're thinking about buying a motor car, look here. That's it. Well,
I could tell you about the comprehensive search facility which brings up
full contact details of your local dealer, along with how far away they
are from your wallet. Want a test drive the car of your dreams? Simply submit
the online request form and the dealer will get back to you with an appointment.
The Web was made for pages like this.
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http://www.cardata.co.uk/
Cardata has been in the business of selling second hand cars for a while
now and first experiences of using its online service for flogging used
motors are all good. If you're selling then a once-only payment gets the
details into the database and from then on it stays on until it's sold.
You get no guarantees about what you're buying but that's par for the course.
In numerical terms the choice of vehicles is over 3000 from anywhere in
the country.
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http://www.lsl.net/BGA/
This is sort of like a glider starter pack as well as a centre for seat-of-the-pants
swoopy flying. The BGA looks after the mavericks who make do with no engines,
as opposed to other pilots who come under the jurisdiction of the CAA. Amongst
the jolly jargon to do with ridge-running, hill lifts, wafty thermals and
something called wave flying, there's meteorological information, a rogue's
gallery of current pilots (that Mike Young's a bit nice!), a list of member
clubs and expansive reminiscences of long distance flights. The Turning
Point Archive is also available via anonymous FTP.
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http://www.globalnet.co.uk/~bowlers/
This London-based chauffeured limo hire firm use the Net as a billboard.
OK they let you download Microsoft Explorer and search the world for limo
services from a Rolls in Dublin to one in British Columbia. Lots of links
but not much to entice the eye. This site needs a pit-stop.
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http://www.bmw.ca/
Based in Canada, rather than Germany, so don't bother searching for
your nearest sales outlet, this site simply saves you that initial trip
to your local Beemer dealer. From coupÚ to cabriole, all the series
and models are pictured, though quite small, and all the safety features
are mentioned. There's a look at the latest innovations, news in a special
BMW Webzine and, lastly, a look at classic cars over the years. Pretty practical
but lacking in a little flair.
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http://www.demon.co.uk/charities/bammot/bammot.htm
One-page site of the Birmingham and Midland Museum of Transport (or
Bammot as they call it in the Midlands). ñOur unique collection consists
of over 100 buses, coaches, and electric vehicles, mostly with a Midlands
connection,î and you can't say fairer than that! Nice snap of a red
bus, but apart from an email facility, that's all there is. No links, no
interesting titbits about the history of coach travel, no nothing. Zero,
zip, zilch! These guys obviously need an imagination transplant.
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http://www.avnet.co.uk/
To Internet it's an ordinary Web page. To people who are interested
in aviation it's the public face of a dialup access provider, offering connections
exclusively to those into aviation. It's also an online service, but for
anyone just browsing, it's a source of aircraft links. These can be found
in the Flightalogue and include anything from kit-building clubs, software
for pilot training, airlines, associations and museums, to pages on microlights,
insurance for flying and schools that'll get you up in the air.
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alt.fan.nicole-papa
If alt.fan.ford-probe can spend its time making jocular driving-related
remarks about having a ""probe"" up your arse then alt.fan.nicole-papa
counts as a legitimate auto-interest newsgroup. Shortly to be appearing
on a news server near you, alt.fan.nicole-papa is, in effect, a (parking)
space to discuss the relative merits of Renault Clio ad-actress Estelle
Skornik and and therefore promptly guaranteed plenty of passing traffic.
Proposed on alt.config in late May, it has appeared in several places. However,
recent discussions in rec.arts.tv.uk.misc have revolved around the new missy
in the Renault Megane commercial, Catherine. It appears she's also very
popular and even handles dialogue. Could she eclipse poor Nicole? Moving
on? Papa?
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http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/world.htm
From Cowley to Korea, the car industry listed online.
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http://www.netlink.co.uk/users/apex/
London's Apex Car Hire offers ñquality cars at reasonable prices.î
It says so on their page, so it must be true. Site needs some beep-beep,
but to soften the hard rock of commerciality, they also give you a couple
of online search facilities, (including the lovely What's New in the UK)
and provide a regularly updated Trouble Spots on UK Roads feature in which
you'll discover that Junction 47 of the M1 will be clogged with roadworks
'till August and Junction 15 of M8 ditto 'till November. Damn, now I'll
have to take the train.
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http://www.demon.co.uk/racing/index.html
If you like nothing better than to see the doors fly off a four-door
family car or to spend Sunday afternoon up to your knees in mud, then the
official Web site for the the Auto Trader RAC Touring Car Championship is
probably somewhere for you (at least it's out of the rain). All the rules,
rounds, circuits, teams and drivers you'll need to know.
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http://www.mbcis.co.uk/global/
Gets this month's vote for just being on the Internet Ü we buy
and sell second hand fork lift trucks.
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http://www.gm.com
GM must have ploughed as much money into this site as it does the average
car commercial. Well, the company's come a long way Ü ask a GM employee
(as featured on the Web site). Cadillac, Chevy, Pontiac and Buick are marques
to conjure with and, in consumer terms, the US owes much to the pioneering
mass production of the Motor City. But no such nostalgia here. This is a
modern day techno marvel, manoeuvring beautifully around the corners of
corporate Web design. Shockwave animations, Quicktime VR - visitors can
look over the latest line of cars and pick up trucks, inside and out. With
dizzying ease, an interior shot allows you to do a complete 360 degree swivel,
checking dashboard dials, headroom, leg space, seat covers etc. The exterior
view is for checking out the bodywork and taking the car for a spin.
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http://www.onid.com/car.events.uk
A vast labour-of-love listing for every championship car meeting, rally
cross, motor show, car auction, speed trial, autojumble, classic rally,
weekend jaunt in the country etc that's taking place in the UK in the next
12 months. Frequently updated and complete with addresses and telephone
numbers, an admirable project to be sure, but it raises just one question
Ü why?
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http://www.du.edu./~tomills/landrover.html
Supplying a refreshing antidote to the soul-less Espace-type people
movers and the posh urban family 4x4 brigade, lovers of the Land Rover will
adore what's on this site. From celebrity owners to films in which they
appear, it's a tribute to rugged performance in all weather terrain.
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http://catalog.com/hop/
Interesting mostly for its very existence, this introduction to jumping
freight tells you where to catch out, what cars to ride, what supplies to
take and, what's more, is a great jumping off point for the Hobo Times.
Warning: this is a well established but highly illegal and very dangerous
past-time. It is not a cue for some stupids kids to play chicken with the
third rail.
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http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/misc/uk/london/tube/index.html
Become a real city slicker by beating your friends when travelling by
tube. Put in your starting station and appointed destination on the London
Underground and this service comes up with the most direct route. It states
the number of times you'll have to change, the number of stops, and approximately
how long it should take. If these figures don't depress you then the journey
surely will!
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http://www.mpn.com/eol/car/
This is the online version of Car magazine and it offers a damn sight
more than Top Gear does, including news, features and links to other car-related
sites. However, the editor should take note a to-be-applauded plea: to moderate
the chat rooms and weed out all the dross.
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http://www.demon.co.uk/aeronet/
Bizarrely, a Webserver working on behalf of the commercial aviation
industry is far more interesting than it sounds. As well as links to all
the airline operators, there are profiles on several airports, including
aerial views and pictures of the aircraft that fly in and out. Not just
for plane spotters.
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http://www.rac.co.uk/
This is currently a rather unimpressive, very basic service and the
information is pretty much what you'd expect. However, the RAC is very anxious
to develop the site and there is a survey to complete that'll help it improve
what's there.
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http://www.rmif.co.uk
Not the most glamorous of trade associations, the RMI represents businesses
which distribute, service and repair new and used cars, commercial vehicles
and motorcycles, as well as petrol retailers and vehicle recovery operators.
For those of us not in the business but still ride bikes and drive cars,
the news and press releases hold some interest.
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http://www.demon.co.uk/aeronet/airbase/home01.html
Probably a site of limited use to those who don't own an airline, but
if you're looking for a Jumbo, or something similar in white with a few
go-faster stripes, then this is for you. Information on aircraft and engines
for sale and lease. Got a spare $35 million?
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http://expert.cc.purdue.edu/~jschaefe/
Lovingly-uploaded, phat pics of the coolest craze to hit Hispanic and
African-American culture ever. Dig those wheels, nuthin' like an old school
ride.
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http://www.uel.ac.uk/pers/1278/Rly-Pres
Something for steam enthusiasts: a guide to all preserved railways,
locomotives, societies and museums in the UK.
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http://www.hd-stamford.com/
It's not a bike, it's a way of life, and out on the information superhighway
everything Harley goes speeding by. New lines, advice on parts, a calendar
of events and Harleys in Quicktime action. Submit a picture of you and your
bike to win a T-shirt. This is the ultimate H.O.G. heaven.
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http://www.tecc.co.uk/topgear/
More of a Skoda Favorite than a Jeremy Clarkson-driven top range Jag.
Granted it's commercial suicide to provide all the Top Gear gloss for free,
but apart from a few pages of Fantasy Formula 1 and a nostalgic look back
at Le Mans, it's an ad for Top Gear the programme, the magazine and the
LP.
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http://www.demon.co.uk/proact/free/freehome.html
Essentially a one-page request form for Freewheelers, the national liftshare
agency. Let them know where you're going and they'll find someone you cadge
a lift off. When 80% of all car journeys still only carry one person, using
this economic eco-resource really makes sense.
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http://thrustssc.digital.co.uk/
Follow Richard Noble's attempt to break his own land speed record by
reaching 850 mph in a British built motor.
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http://www.goodyear.com
Find where to get the best tyres for your buggy, or attend the Tyre
School for a Masters in rubber technology. There are also driving tips,
troubleshooting lessons, and nuturing pointers for your vulcanised masterpieces.
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http://cyberactive-1.com/paramotor/html/para2.html
According to this source, paramotors are amongst the smallest and safest
of all aircraft. They require no licence, weigh less than 65 pounds, can
be lugged about in a backpack, assembled in under five minutes, and can
soar to heights of 10,000 feet at up to 500 feet per minute. At only $10,000
dollars, what are you waiting for?
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http://www.rtd.com/~mlevine/pickup.html
How could anyone not be charmed by this billboard of lovingly photographed
sporting supertrucks?
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http://www.sonic.net/aso/
Troubled by traffic? Rise above it, with something from this range of
new, used and charter aircraft. Even if you can't fly, you can sign up for
training or a flight simulator.
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http://198.238.212.10/
Rather than this being immediately usable, it's more interesting as
a model for what local government transport policy and information should
be like. Cycle routes, Amtrak schedules as well as traffic flow updates
and roadworks are available for anyone to access.
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http://www.dealernet.com
Would you buy a new car off any of these dealers? Unless you're in Washington
State, you're not likely to get the chance, but that doesn't stop you from
window shopping through the latest range of vehicles on sale stateside.
It plans to expand to more than 100 cities across the country, offering
online registration, sales and finance applications, by 1996. It's guaranteed
to bring out the car fanatic in you.
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http://mercurio.iet.unipi.it/home.html
This site has the usual timetables, news, locomotive pictures and related
links, but what makes it really special are the groovy liveries created
by ardent train chasers. Some are faithful reproductions depicting national
colour schemes while others are fantasy sketches conjuring up futuristic
engines you'd almost swap your carrier bag collection for.
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http://rzstud1.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/~ule3/railserv.html
Having access to all this European railroad information, with schedules,
pictures, prices and discounts, plus hints and links to sites all over Europe,
must make you feel smug.
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