News

EU Bans Chrome Plating From 2024

According to recent news, the EU is considering banning the use of chromium from 2024. The reason for this decision could be the toxic emissions resulting from this process, which can lead to major health problems, including cancer.

The EU states that emissions from chrome production are hundreds of times more toxic than CO2 emissions from diesel engines. This could be reduced by using special substances, however, these substances are also toxic.

Although chrome is used less and less in the automotive industry, the decision to ban its production could pose a problem for owners and restorers of classic cars. Therefore, companies that still produce chrome parts will switch to trivalent chromium, another method of decorative chrome plating which is considered the environmentally friendly alternative to hexavalent chromium, which is not so toxic.

So far, there is no official confirmation of such a decision, nor when, if it is made, it will start to be applied. However, the ban on covering decorative parts will surely come into force soon. This will not be the first time that a government has banned the use of chrome. For example, in California, that measure was voted starting from 2027, while the ban on industrial use will be from 2039.

Source: Autocar

Auctions

1959 Porsche 356A Coupe is up for auction

In 1955, Porsche introduced the first version of the sports model 356, the “Type 1”, the first production car from the Stuttgart-based carmaker. It was produced until 1959, and about 15,500 cars left the production lines. One of them, a 1959 Porsche 356A Coupe is up for auction.

The Porsche 356A Coupe is powered by a replacement air-cooled 1,720cc flat-four engine from the 1965 Porsche 912. It is mated to a four-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. The engine was overhauled 12 years ago, and dual carburetors, mesh air cleaners, and a billet oil sump plate, Bosch ignition coil, and gray-finished fan shroud were installed.

The car is finished in silver and is in good condition. It is equipped with headlight guards, Mobil Pegasus decals, a left-side mirror, a rear luggage rack, dual exhaust outlets, and body-color bumpers with bright-finished overriders, front sway bar, and four-wheel brake drums. It sits on chrome-finished 15″ steel wheels wrapped in 165-series Vredestein Sprint Classic tires.

Inside, the seats are upholstered in red leather that covers the door panels and the upper part of the dashboard. In front of the driver is a two-spoke steering wheel behind which is a five-digit odometer reading 21,403 miles. Additional equipment includes gray carpets, rear luggage straps, a fire extinguisher, a Blaupunkt radio, and a flashlight stored in the glovebox.

The car comes with car show awards, refurbishment photos, and British Columbia registration.

The auction ends on August 2nd and the current highest bid is USD $75,000.

Source: Bring a Trailer

Gallery:

1959 Porsche 356A Coupe is up for auction
News

2023 Geneva International Motor Show Qatar

The Geneva International Motor Show is an annual auto show that will be held this year in Doha, Qatar, where 30 car manufacturers will participate. Those planning to come to the fair have something to look forward to, as ten new cars will be presented.

In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic canceled the Geneva International Motor Show. This was the reason for the organizers to look for an alternative, so they reached an agreement with the government of Qatar that, for the next two years (2021 and 2022), the biennial exhibitions will be held in Doha during the fourth quarter along with the annual exhibitions in Switzerland during the first quarter. That will happen this year as well.

“Excitement is building for the first edition of the Qatar show in Doha, which is only a few months away. We are on track to make this event the new, premier car show in the Middle East and to bridge the gap between the exciting automotive industries in the East and the West. One of our exhibitor has participated in every edition of the Geneva Motor Show since 1924 and will join us in Doha with the same enthusiasm,” said Sandro Mesquita, Director of the International Geneva Motor Show.

The event will begin with an exclusive opening ceremony on October 5, and two days later the general public will be able to visit the event. GIMS Qatar is scheduled to take place at the same time as the Formula 1 race weekend in Qatar (between October 6 and 8). In addition to the unveiling of the new cars, the Qatar National Museum will host a forum on the future of automotive design.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the next GIMS, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the focus will be on the development of mobility. “Geneva offers an opportunity to highlight the path of industry in the next century on this special anniversary. It will be a platform to showcase the outstanding research and development work of companies around the world,” concluded Mesquita.

Source: Geneva International Motor Show

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