Auto Almanac

2017 Lamborghini Urus: This concept sport utility vehicle was so well received on the auto show circuit that Lamborghini has decided to actually make a production version. Since sales are at least three years off, there’s no word on specific content, but a twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V-8 making in excess of 500 horsepower (also found in other Volkswagen-owned makes such as Audi and Bentley) sounds about right. Of course, all-wheel-drive will be standard.

Auto Trivia

n The electric self-starter for automobile engines was first invented in 1911 by the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, a company known today as Delco.

n At the beginning of World War I in 1914, French troops halted the German army’s attack on Paris by quickly advancing to the front lines in 1,300 Renault taxicabs.

n By 1916, rearview mirrors had become standard equipment on most passenger cars.

n In 1904, the first speeding ticket in North America was issued in Dayton, Ohio. The offender was traveling 12 mph in a 10 mph zone.

Who am I?

To guess his secret identity, read the following clues.

1. He won the famed Pike’s Peak hill climb more than a dozen times.

2. His career racing open-wheeled Indy cars spanned three decades, including a controversial Indy 500 win in 1981.

3. His son Robby raced in the Indy Racing League.

4. Although he retired from racing in 1981, he spent many hours in the broadcast booth.

5. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994.

Still stumped?

You’ve probably guessed that his last name is Unser, but if you guessed Bobby, you’d be right!

What’s up, auto doc?

While there are certainly good deals to be had on used tires, you have to look at more than tread wear and patches and plugs to guide your purchase decision. The stuff that tires are made of — seldom rubber anymore, actually — deteriorates with age. But how old is too old? There appears to be no real consensus, but the British Rubber Manufacturer’s Association issued a statement that 10 years is the limit, regardless of how new the tires look and how much tread is left.

That seems like a long time, but, as an example, the Wheelbase Media garage has a promotional show vehicle that has seen just 250 miles since being fitted with new tires in 2003. The tread still has the little nubs, in fact, but they should be replaced … and they should not end up in a yard sale or online. But some manufactures of European sports cars say high-performance tires are only good for six years.

The real kicker is that a tire might sit for two years before being sold to you, which brings the life on your vehicle to just four years. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires a tire-identification number that includes date of manufacturer, so learn before buying.

eBay watch

1968 Dodge Charger, sold, $23,600: The second-generation Charger flaunted its wildly different “Coke-bottle” body styling and offered a range of V-8 engines. Although this example left the factory with a modest 230-horsepower 318-cubic-inch V-8, it was later exchanged for a 375-horse 440 V-8 that was available in R/T models. This Charger had also been treated to a cosmetic restoration and presented itself well. Had this been an original R/T, the selling price would likely have been double.

Top Gear

License-plate picture frame, about $55, www.camincstore.com: Camisasca Automotive Manufacturing Inc.’s picture frames are large enough to hold a 4-by-6 inch image and are available in a hand-polished mirror-bright finish and in black. The lens is made of nonbreakable polycarbonate and the accompanying matte-black backgrounds come in your choice of navy, black, red, hunter green or gray. In addition, the frames come with hinged easel support and metal wall hanger for easy display.