Carroll Shelby has passed, and we are poorer for it. Modern American muscle has suffered since this nation’s first gasoline crisis of the early 1970′s. Throughout the ages, it struggled against government regulations and rising fuel prices.

Today’s muscle is high tech – melding the greenest energies and highest fuel economy numbers with some of the greatest horse power available, street legal, to the public.

Carroll Shelby, Head of Carroll Shelby International, knew this. He built his final run of Ford Mustang GT’s with performance and the environment in mind.

Carroll passed away last weekend at the age of 89, a good run in any race, and we tip our caps to him on this gloomy Spring day of 2012.

Photo: Esquire

Carroll Hall Shelby was born in Leesburg, TX on January 11th, 1923. After serving in the Air Force during WWII, Carroll went on to procure several careers, including oil field worker and chicken farming. When he was introduced to small MG roadsters by a friend, the gears in his head immediately started turning. Carroll went on to drive some of the most intense US-based races. Shelby also became the second American to conquer a 24-Hours of Le Mans event in 1959.

A heart ailment grounded Shelby in the early 1960′s, turning his attention to the design of high performance V8 engines. Some believe that everything happens for a reason, and if Carroll had not suffered from health issues, the world may never have had a Shelby Cobra.

Photo: Auto Week

The Shelby Cobra, a light-weight European-style roadster with V8 power under its hood, gave way to Shelby American Inc. and several famous enhanced vehicles over five decades. The most notable is probably Shelby’s Mustang GT500 KR (King of the Road).

In 1964, Ford CEO Lee Iacocca reached out to Carroll, asking his help in constructing a special edition of the little two door known as Mustang. Since then, countless Mustang variants have been transformed into pure muscle cars, like the Mustang GT350 and aforementioned GT500 KR.

Earlier this year, Shelby International released a 2012 Shelby Mustang 1000 at the New York Auto Show. This version produces an output ranging from 950 to 1100 horsepower, making it the fastest street legal vehicle available to the public. The output is thanks to a choice of either Kenne-Bell 3.6 liter or a Whipple 4.0 liter supercharged engines.

Photo: Mustang News

During his later years, Carroll started an automobile club and charity – The Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation. He never lost sight of his true passion, and continued overseeing the production of enhanced vehicles for Ford and Chrysler throughout his lifetime. A somber day for the auto industry, as one of its last true pioneers hits the fast lane for a final run.

It is with this I too say goodbye, to Automopedia. This blog will soon become the care of another writer, as I move to a new position elsewhere down the line. This is where things become bittersweet – the passing of Carroll Shelby, father of American muscle, will be my final post on this site.

“So long, and thanks for all the fish.”

- Eric M. Hoover, 5/14/2012

Sitting on the train in Manhattan this morning, I turn to the sports section of The New York Times and read his obituary: Carroll Shelby has died at 89.

It’s a somber listing, for a person who single handedly transformed the muscle car. I will speak more to the event Monday, but felt it was an important duty to wish the father of Mustang enhancement and American racing a deep and heart felt farewell.

The racer turned designer will be missed, though he had an amazing run. Stay in the fast lane, Carroll, and safe travels.

Dominique Brown is a UK-based 3D and Spacial designer, as well as an alternative living space enthusiast.

She’s remodeled other unique homes in the past, but for her own floating loft Ms. Brown reconditioned a 1970s narrow boat, parked in Bath on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

At 30 ft long and 6′ 2″ in width, Dominique’s living space was restored from a hollowed out vessel, completely from scratch.

She transformed the lay out from its original design, making it as open as possible. Adding larger windows and built-in wall storage units helps this effect. Areas are set up for multiple uses, adjusted easily thanks to sliding compartment in and out, or adjusting tables or seating, which are all on hinges.

The boat comes with combination living room/dining room/kitchen area, a small bedroom, bathroom and walkin-in wardrobe.

Dominique adds: “By maintaining a light, simple look throughout, the overall feel of the space is much larger than it truly is. With the ability to move where we please and whenever we feel, this economical yet designer way of living sets the scene for many young couples looking for a relaxed and serene alternative to city commuting.”

Sometime during the 1970′s, my father was involved in a car accident, between his late model VW Beetle and a Mack truck. The driver, unable to see due to a blind intersection crossing in Northern New Jersey, turned and plowed into the passenger section of my father’s car. The entire right hand side of the vehicle was destroyed – seat, door, and 8-track player (no joke).

My father, on the other hand, was perfectly fine, barely had a scratch. That is one of the reasons why my parents have never purchased American made automobiles.

The Volkswagen Beetle probably saved his life.

When I saw this post of “Beetle Wrecks: 1940 – 1970” it brought up memories of my dad’s survival story.

New York City is already going to be home to “The Taxi of Tomorrow” – a few thousand 2012 Nissan NV200 van’s. Those start rolling down the streets of Manhattan (replacing Ford’s iconic Crown Victoria) this October.

Nissan and NYC’s Taxi & Limo Commission will also launch a small pilot campaign this Spring – featuring several 2012 nissan Leaf EV cabs.

Six 2012 Nissan Leaf hatchbacks will enter service as a part of the city’s Electric Taxi Pilot Program.

These Leaf compact EVs will conduct normal service, using existing medallions in order to avoid causing worries of competition from other cabbies.

Hopefully, Leaf taxi cabs won’t have restrictions on areas they can cover, due to charge station availability. Tokyo, which utilizes electric taxis, sometimes limits areas of coverage or lengths of shifts. Cab overs there will use “quick-charging” devices to pump the lithium-ion battery packs up to 80% within an hour.

Source: Green Car Reports

Recently discovered on GM Authority – the auto maker’s media site, this poll shows interesting results on what model Chevrolet fans want next.

The Chevy Camaro Ute is a conversion of the latest line-up of Camaro vehicles, and is a popular variant throughout Australia. For years, Old School Chevrolet lovers have begged the auto maker to bring their classic El Camino back.

Back in 2008 (and again in ’09), GM execs and designers toyed with the idea of bringing back El Camino in Pontiac form. This plan never came to fruition, but GM’s poll sheds new light on how fans are in love with the idea of a pickup truck / sports car combination.

We want to know – would you drive a Chevy Ute / El Camino reborn?

Did You Accept The Challenge? Today was National Bike To Work Day, May 10th 2012. Here’s to making it an annual holiday. Don’t forget your helmets!

In this edition of Cars in Real Life – we feel the need for speed. The all new 2012 Hyundai Veloster, a quick little hatchback from the Korean auto maker, was spotted by Automopedia fans in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Veloster is powered by a 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder, producing 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque. Not a bad sprinter, but Veloster is also fuel efficient.

Hyundai’s six-speed manual delivers 28 mpg city, 40 highway. A DCT six-speed automatic achieves 29 mpg city, 38 highway.

A front-wheel-drive Hyundai Veloster in New York will start you off at $17,300, before extras are added.

Is there a concept car or new vehicle parked down the block? Snap a pic and send it to us: @automopedia

Another sighting of a 2012 Nissan in New York City – this time seen in the neighborhood of “cool” – Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Since its US introduction last year, we at Automopedia’s Brooklyn office have seen various conversions of the Nissan NV van on the streets. This NV3500 HD includes the auto maker’s extended roof, as well as powerful V8 engine producing 317 horses and 385 lb-ft of torque.

This might be a top trim NV3500 from Nissan, but the model still comes reasonably priced – $38,385 for the fully loaded workhorse. Inside, 234 cubic ft of space is available for all your storage needs.

As for mileage – 2012′s Nissan NV3500 reaches 12.1 combined mpg, though that’s with heavy city driving. Spotted a new ride or concept car on the street? Snap a pic and send it to us on Twitter: @automopedia!

Another find on the mean streets of New York City, a fully loaded Lotus Elise. This real life coupe was parked behind the New York City Supreme Court building downtown, around the corner from The Five Points and location shots of every Law & Order series.

Lotus Elise features a 1.6 liter DOHC 4 cylinder engine, with dual VVT-i and Valvematic 16 valve capable of hitting 0 – 60 mph in about 6 seconds. With a top speed of 127 mph, Lotus Elise reaches 26 mpg highway.

Find a cool new car or interesting concept on the streets of your home town? Drop us a pic – @automopedia