Toyota Priapus goes 4 hours on a charge

Heroic driver enforces speed limit for everyone

Mars Rover fitted with new rims

VICTORIA CRATER, MARS - The Mars Exploration Rover received shiny new rims recently, as revealed by NASA and Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The extra "bling" is expected to enhance the Rover's status on the harsh, uninhabitable planet.

Project costs were not available at press time, although a NASA spokesperson emphasized a continuing commitment to "off-the-shelf" parts to save money. The rim size, however, is reportedly custom.

UPDATE - Mars Rover stripped in bad section of crater

This Day In History - 1981: Detroit unveils the Chrysler Credenza

HOW TO: Render a 1970 VW bus engine useless

[Part 1 in a series of about 38 ways to deprive yourself of transportation]

Step 1: Scan some books on how timing works. Ignore most of it, but zero in on a section that mentions how some sage mechanics can do it "by feel".

Step 2: Forget any admonitions you may have encountered. These will not propel you towards your goal.

Step 3: Adjust the timing wheel by hand. Timing lights are for nerds. Listen carefully as if you have a sixth sense with these things.

Step 4: Clean up (optional).

Step 5: Get in the bus and drive it at least 30 miles laden with all your music equipment (assuming you have a gig and that you are a musician).

Step 6: Step 5 was a trick entry, because at mile 22 on a steep climb the engine will make its last pathetic gasp.

Step 7: Have your drummer, who was following you in his 1980 Corolla, drive you to the next town and call a tow truck.

Step 8: Remember that you are a musician. You cannot afford a tow truck. Or repairs.

Step 9: Leave the bus, take the equipment and any contraband you may have lying about the vehicle.

Step 10: Ask around at the gig if anybody's got a AAA card.

Only steps 1 through 5 are really necessary to destroy the engine. True, there are other ways, but this one is road tested.