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About Scott C. Benjamin
Scott C. Benjamin
No bones about it, Scott loves cars. And let's not forget about motorcycles, boats, trains and airplanes. When he’s not answering questions from his ever-inquisitive podcast co-host Ben Bowlin, he’s writing and editing auto articles for HowStuffWorks.com. Scott came to HowStuffWorks.com straight from the epicenter of the U.S. auto industry -- the Motor City -- Detroit, Mich. He lived there for nearly 25 years and at one point found himself working for each of the big three automakers. Whether it's through an article or a “High Speed Stuff” podcast (or both), Scott’s goal is to demystify these fascinating and amazing machines.
Most Recent: Scott C. Benjamin Postings
High Speed Stuff Wrap-up: Gymkhana and Motorcycle Sidecar Racing
November 20, 2009
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Let’s make this quick. Here’s what Ben and I have been up to on our High Speed Stuff podcast over the past few days…
Which new cars will be labeled as “classic” 50 years from now?
November 17, 2009
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In a nutshell, that was the question that High Speed Stuff listener, Will from Corpus Christi, Texas, asked me in an e-mail just a day or two ago. I thought it was a good question. Will also mentioned that he couldn’t really envision many current production cars withstanding the test of time to even make it to that point. Here’s how I answered:
High Speed Stuff Wrap-up: Buy vs. Lease and Car Dependence
November 13, 2009
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Looking for a little insider information regarding the topics Ben and I have been discussing on the High Speed Stuff podcast over the past week? Good news! I’ve got it for you. Here’s what we’ve been up to…
The Strongest Brakes You’ll Ever See — on a Mini Cooper
November 10, 2009
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I know that we typically spend a lot of time talking about some of the more popular forms of racing, like Formula One, IndyCar and NASCAR. However, today I want to share with you a very short video clip from a Gymkhana race. And no, I’m not talking about professional driver Ken Block this time, but rather a highly skilled amateur with a particularly well-prepared race car.
High Speed Stuff Wrap-up: Signs of Engine Trouble and the Bloodhound SSC
November 6, 2009
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I intend to keep it a little more brief than usual today, so here’s what Ben and I have been talking about on our High Speed Stuff podcast over the past week…
The 50 Ugliest Cars…Seriously?!?
November 5, 2009
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Good grief! Am I alone in thinking that the Ferrari Enzo DOES NOT belong on BusinessWeek’s list of the (supposedly) 50 ugliest cars of the past 50 years? Oh, but the madness doesn’t stop there. Several other questionable picks made the list, too.
Road Car vs. Rally Car vs. Formula One Car
November 3, 2009
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Are you ready for a real eye-opener? The short video clip that I want to share with you today provides a clear picture of just how fast a rally car is in comparison to a typical road car and how fast a Formula One car is when raced against both.
High Speed Stuff Wrap-up: Motorcycles and Helicopters
October 30, 2009
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Well, it’s time for another High Speed Stuff wrap-up. And here’s what Ben and I have been up to on our High Speed Stuff podcast over the past few days…
A Plastic Car Engine — You can’t do that, right?
October 29, 2009
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It all started with a single plastic piston that lasted just 20 minutes in a friend’s Austin Mini. But Matti Holtzberg, an engineer from New Jersey, knew that he was onto something big. And before you get the idea that this is an all-new leap in automotive technology, understand that Holtzberg has been building and testing plastic engine parts — and plastic engines — for about 40 years now.
Drunk Driving — In a Nitrous Oxide-fueled La-Z-Boy
October 27, 2009
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Now, be honest: Who among us hasn’t had about eight or nine beers, climbed into a lawnmower engine-powered, nitrous oxide-boosted La-Z-Boy chair and smashed into a parked car on the way home from the bar? What? You haven’t? Well, neither have I. But if I find this chair on eBay before you do, I just may have that “opportunity.”
