Our Other Storm Chase Vehicles

[Wayne Hlinicky]

Here is mine. This Cobra is much different than when I had it in Vietnam from 1972 thru 1973. I started looking for it a couple of years ago and even went to Mail Call to get "Gunny's" help but got no help. Another guy I flew with found it sitting in a hanger around Tyler, Tx. We flew with F Troop 8th Cav. The new owner put Marine markings on it, because he is a Marine but it still has the Army's data plate on it. Lets see your "other" storm chase vehicles.

 

[Maggie Kahman]

Waaaaaay back in the day, my grandpa use to do the thing where they flew in and out of hurricanes. So, i guess whatever they used to do that with. I dont have a picture of one. Would that count as chasing?

 

[Gerard Jebaily]

And just think of the great gas mileage ill get!!!

 

[Melissa Moon]

Oh my gosh...I want one of those Smart Cars so bad!!!

 

[Dan Robinson]

You'd never have to worry about getting a Smart Car stuck in a ditch while chasing. Just get out, pick it up and carry it back onto the road.

 

[Jeff Miller]

I want a Smart Car too! Melissa, I got dibs on that!!

I heard they were coming out on the US market in January. I suspect there will be quite a waiting period for it as demand is sure to be high.

 

[Brian Stertz]

I wouldn't risk my life in those matchbox cars. Is the whole car an airbag...if not...I can see the death tolls rise in those covered go carts.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

I'm trying to picture that car with a bunch of weather instruments on top of it. Of course it probably won't move if it did.

 

[Melissa Moon]

Those smart cars are awesome, though, for getting around in a big city if you don't take the highway much. Unfortunately, I need the highway to get around (even to work) so as much as I would like one it wouldn't be a good fit for me.

 

[Dennis Duck]

Smart car

I'm trying to picture that car with a bunch of weather instruments on top of it. Of course it probably won't move if it did.

Wouldn't that make it more of a sail-car?

 

[Joe Zemek]

The Smart Car is made by Mercedes, so I am sure it has top notch structural engineering re: collision safety. At least, normal city-driving collisions, as opposed to being made airborne by a strong RFD

As far as buying one in the US goes, I spied one last week here in Phoenix. If you have the 20K, no local dealer, and some cross country drive time on your hands, you can get one in Canada. In Ottawa at least, they are numerous.

 

[Joseph Tyree]

I'm trying to picture that car with a bunch of weather instruments on top of it. Of course it probably won't move if it did.

 

[Mark Sudduth]

Now there is a person with some skill in PhotoShop.

I was thinking of doing up a Segway with all that stuff on it. Imagine if you will a chaser convergence where everyone is on their own tripped-out Segway. Heck, even the TIV could be a Segway with enough ingenuity put in to it.

As gas continues to go up in price, we all might as well chase with horses- like they did in the Old West. Come on. You know that's why areas west of the Mississippi were settled- not for gold or oil but for the storms! History might come full circle and we will ride out to see the latest supercell via horseback.

 

[Jerry Prsha]

Here's a crash video of the smart car on YouTube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

Seems to hold up pretty well.

The one thing that hasn't been figured in is the ability of the Smart Car to drain any or all testosterone of the driver and occupants.

"Yes... I'd like one in bright pink please.. With yellow daisies if possible..."

 

[Patrick Martin]

The one thing that hasn't been figured in is the ability of the Smart Car to drain any or all testosterone of the driver and occupants.."

Here is the effort by Mercedes to sportify it
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/d...Id=123441?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.*

The car looks to of held up well in a crash, but did you notice how far back the steering column moved . Couple that with how high it jumped in the air and the violent post crash motion, I would not want to be in that car. Also, I think there is likelihood that if it was a direct head on, the smart would have sommersaulted over the concrete. Probably a great little car for metropolitan areas (you can park head on into a parallel space), but I think I'll hold onto my Accord.