Curbside Classic Outtake: Bio-Cars

by Paul Niedermeyer

Published: January 12th, 2010

In the drippy, gray winters of the northwest, its hard keep things from growing, even on your car. Park it under a big fir tree, and the microscopic pollen sticks even to the paint. The greenish film attracts other species: lichen, moss, and even weeds and grass. That moss is pushing up through the holes on this vinyl roof like an alien invader. These are not junkers, but regular drivers. Even my ’05 xB has a bright green sheen on the outside bottom window seal. They were here first, and they’re determined to reclaim their territory.

#LichenOnCars #MosyCars #OrganicCars #StuffGrowingOnCars

Paul Niedermeyer

More by Paul Niedermeyer

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 24 comments

Obbop on Jan 13, 2010

We need "Roundup Ready" vehicle paint.

Like Reply
Sinistermisterman on Jan 13, 2010

I have a vague memory of being given a lift in an old Talbot driven by a a family friend. The back windscreen seal leaked and the back seats were missing most of their fabric. The resultant wet foam had got covered in some sort of seeds at one point and the tops of the seats sprouted what looked like cress which grew up in the direction of the light. Back then I thought it was funny, now I just feel slightly sick about what other kinds of mold would have been growing in that rot box of his.

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Lorenzo Yes, they can recover from the Ghosn-led corporate types who cheapened vehicles in the worst ways, including quality control. In the early to mid-1990s Nissan had efficient engines, and reliable drivetrains in well-assembled, fairly durable vehicles. They can do it again, but the Japanese government will have to help Nissan extricate itself from the "Alliance". It's too bad Japan didn't have a George Washington to warn about entangling alliances!
Slavuta Nissan + profitability = cheap crap
ToolGuy Why would they change the grille?
Oberkanone Nissan proved it can skillfully put new frosting on an old cake with Frontier and Z. Yet, Nissan dealers are so broken they are not good at selling the Frontier. Z production is so minimal I've yet to see one. Could Nissan boost sales? Sure. I've heard Nissan plans to regain share at the low end of the market. Kicks, Versa and lower priced trims of their mainstream SUV's. I just don't see dealerships being motivated to support this effort. Nissan is just about as exciting and compelling as a CVT.
ToolGuy Anyone who knows, is this the (preliminary) work of the Ford Skunk Works?