GOING THE DISTANCE
A W123 Mercedes 240D has been operating as a cab on Grand Canary Island, Spain, since 1988 and has racked up 4.35 million miles (7,000,646 kilometres). The 17.6-foot-long vehicle has been operating three-to-eight-hour shifts since it first began its career. with a mileage of 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometres) per week, the 240D requires up to 52 oil changes every year. The vehicle’s OM 616 engine is also thoroughly checked every 621,371 miles. The current engine is only the second unit in the vehicle, with a replacement available as needed. While efforts were made to retain as many original parts as possible, the vehicle’s seats had to be modernized as well as the steering wheel. The body of the vehicle was also reinforced to prevent fatigue fractures. Brakes were also taken from a more modern Mercedes.
A GLOWING HUE
Nissan has created an ultra-violet (UV) absorbing glow-in-the-dark automotive paint in partnership with STARPATH for its all-electric model Leaf. The automaker specifically worked with inventor Hamish Scott, creator of STARPATH, to design the paint coating that absorbs UV energy during the day and then releases this energy as light to glow-in-the-dark for between eight to ten hours. If you’re sick of ultra-bright headlights—or want your vehicle to be even brighter—or are part moth, then this glow-inthe- dark paint will surely make you beam.
