LM: Life

Tune in to see the RALLY FIGHTER and SANGHO KIM live - TODAY

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:23:00 +0000

We have a big surprise for Sangho Kim as he joins us at SEMA today.

Tune in at 2:30 (est, -5 UTC) to see what we we have in store.

The team at cardomain.com, streetfire.com and yoparts.com have come together to bring us a live feed of the SEMA show. Tune in for live coverage, and at 2:30 - tune in to see your Local Motors team, Sangho & the Rally Fighter!

Join the Rally FIghter Celebration in Vegas!

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:51:00 +0000

The Rally Fighter is a community effort, and a community accomplishment. Join us to celebrate the premier of our first vehicle - in Vegas.

Use code "rallyfighter" for 35% community discount.

Why go?

Meet your Team.
Meet Rally Fighter Designer Sangho Kim.
Musical stylings by Nemodesigns.
Meet one another.
Meet your RALLY FIGHTER.

What's Next? Rally Fighter Custom Car Skins Competition!

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:29:00 +0000

Rally Fighter owners are a special breed. They are car builders, they are design lovers, and they are adventure explorers.

This Rally Fighter Custom Car Skin Competition will challenge you to design vinyl skin designs for Rally Fighter owners - get crazy, or get classic.

The favorite designs could be made into Special Edition Skins, or Primary Design options.

Details will be posted to the Competition Page on October 21st, but the time to start seeking inspiration for your design entry is NOW.

2010 is the year of the Rally Fighter: Artwork Calendar Winners

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:07:00 +0000

Well done, artists! The top ten community-voted winners of the LM Artwork Competition are posted below.

Every one of the artwork entries is a celebration of all that we have accomplished in the past year. As a community we have developed a new car - a C.O.O.L. car - one that gets your blood pumping - one that will make you do a 180 when it passes by on the street or in the sand.

This is not your run of the mill grocery-getter, this is not a car for the masses, this is a car for desert racers and those who want to take transportation to the next chapter of evolution. It's sustainably built, it's efficient, and the design and performance are just what you want because you helped develop the Rally Fighter.

You should be proud.

2010 is the year of the Rally Fighter.

Here are your winners:

1st Place, Aradiel83's "Rally Fighter Artwork"

2nd Place, Maksym Shkinder's "Rally Fighter"

3rd Place, Vasilij Kourkoff's "Rally Fighter. Let you fly."

4th Place, Julian's "November Rain"

5th Place, vmartinek's "Rally Fighter Artwork"

6th Place, Ugo's "RF Artwork"

7th Place, Mr. Smith's "Faces of Fighters"

8th Place, Kekoev's "Autumn Leaves"

9th Place, Kekoev's "Winter in 88 Colors"

10th Place, Marek Rakucak's Autumn

Welcome Nyko!

noreply@blogger.com (Aurel.) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:29:00 +0000

Nyko (Idesigncars), Tim and Jay

I am proud to say that Nyko de Peyer, aka idesigncars, has been invited to join the Local Motors Team here in Wareham.

For those of you who often visit the Local Motors community this will come as no surprise. Nyko's participation has been an inspiration to all of us.

Nyko has taken the initiative to nurture the community in his own time. Here are a few things he's done, as a community member - not even a team member:

- Started an open Sketch Challenge to encourage progression of drawing technique within the LM community.

- Drove to Wareham, 5 hours both ways, to support Local Motors at the regular BCW (Burgers, Cars & Welding) event. He did this TWICE.

- Conceived the idea of Rally Fighter build to be broadcast through a live feed which would update every 60 seconds. In the end these recordings will create a step-by-step time lapse progression of the Rally Fighter Build Process.

- After conceiving the idea of the live feed, he brought his own recording equipment to the LM garage, and set it up.

- Since he will be traveling to Paris, Nyko offered to host the first-ever Paris Designer's Night. He even arranged for drink specials.

From his activity you would think that Nyko has been working on the team for months! We are so fortunate that he is available and willing to join us.

It is with great pride that we welcome Nyko to the Local Motors team where he will be an asset to community, website and design development.

Welcome, Nyko!

NB: This new design position within the team doesn't change the plans about the car design internship offer for Winter 2009-10.

Interview with Ugo Spagnolo - Designer of the San Francisco "Ethylik"

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:23:00 +0000

Interview with Ugo Spagnolo

Winner of Local Motors' San Francisco
Shooting-Brake Competition

AFC: What was your main influence as you created this concept?

US: I was very inspired by the American automobile codes, the muscle cars and the American users needs. I have made a project at school with friends and America was a part of the project, I have learned a lot of things that I have used in this work for LM. Of course the video interviews posted on your website made at San Francisco were very important in the first design step.

AFC: Which aspects of the San Francisco interviews were most useful?

US: Many things have inspired me in these interviews: Diversity, fun, high powered, sporty, performance, stylish, compact for parking, useful ...!!! I have tried to associate all this to obtain a car which pleases at most of people. I believe that I heard this "everybody needs a car" and for this project I did not want a specific target but just an answer to a general need.

For the style of the car I was influenced by American car. The muscle cars have a very strong identity and for this electric shooting brake I want a new identity. It's why I have associated to "the muscle cars inspiration" smooth shapes and curves. That express more aerodynamism, fluidity and lightness. I think it's a good way for an electric car.

AFC: What is your favorite feature of the vehicle?

US: I don't think there is a better feature. For me a good design is a complete design, in a car each aspect needs to be associated.

A vehicle must be coherent in its use and its aspect, it is necessary to think about the whole vehicle during the phases of researches. The inside and the outside are inseparable as well as the functions. Finally it is only my point of view that is why I can't answer to this question.

AFC: Would you support a different type of door design for the Ethylik? One of the concerns in this region is sharing the road with people on bikes. If you could create a door (suicide, butterfly, etc), that doesn't swing so wide, you could help save the lives of bikers.

US: Yes, of course it's not a problem, we can change the type of door ! I think that will not have big consequences on the design.

AFC: Did you find the advice of any community members to be particularly helpful as you developed the Ethylik?

US: Not really, I shall like to have the time to discuss during my research phase but I really had no time, I had only the evening to dedicate me completely to the project during a week, I really had no time to have a dialogue and ask advices. The time was very short for me!!

AFC: At some point in the future Local Motors wants to build a Micro-Factory in San Francisco. So far, this design is the top choice for the region. Given the opportunity, would you embrace the opportunity to see your design on the road?

US: Oh yes !! I really hope that you could develop this project. And I shall be very happy to participate in it.

AFC: Finally, what does the name "Ethylik" stand for? How did you come up with it?

US: I don't think really ! I would a name who express "lightness" and the "electric" way. "Ethylik" seems to me a good compromise. The sound express these two aspects ! But with my "Frenglish"! I don't know if you think that too ? But it's just a name !

Top Ten Car Designs for San Francisco

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:45:00 +0000

Congratulations to the top ten winners of the San Francisco Shooting-Brake Competition.

Competition was fiercer than ever as over 125 entries were approved for voting. Well done to all, and a special shout-out to your top ten favorites:

1st: Ethylik by Ugo

2nd: Kite Runner by BigInJapan

3rd: San Francisco Sky by fallingjetengine

4th: SYN by Me2

5th: Arrow Concept by Dzmitry

6th: SF Runner by Grant

7th: Embarc by Goodrich

8th: FYC by Eclips

9th: San Fran Prism by Mahdi

10th Local Motors Triton by T.Mann

Sticker Challenge Winner: The Schroeder Family

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:39:00 +0000

This week's Sticker Challenge Winner, or rather winners, is an entire family.

Pictured here is little Eva, a budding car nut/fashion model/adventurer/ninja (this point I know for a fact-she karate chopped me once).

Why is this win going to the entire family? The photo was taken by a lovely woman named Chrissy, sent in by Danny, features little Eva, and endorsed by Eva's father, Pete.

Though these folks are not all Schroeders, they do appear to be family. The tie that bonds them is certainly friendship and also membership in an incredibly cool car club called Right Coast Racing (RCR). If you are in the Boston area and love cars, then you should meet these folks. They can be found at LM's Burgers, Cars & Welding events, or in the forums of RCR.

Congrats to the Schroeder, or rather "RCR Family". So- who will get the T-Shirt? We'll make sure that each of you get an invite to Vegas (except perhaps, little Eva).

If you would like to take part in the Sticker Challenge and gain an invite to the Rally Fighter party in Vegas, email us at pics@local-motors.com to request a sticker.

The people of San Francisco

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Learn a bit more about the people of San Francisco. Watch these interviews to learn what the people in the Bay area desire and need in a vehicle:

Update: San Francisco Interviews Coming SOON!

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:20:00 +0000

Last week Jay was in San Francisco and interviewed several locals. He asked them questions about where they came from, how often they drive their car, and which features do they consider their top priorities?

Several different people were interviewed, including Drew Strauss who is pictured below.

Tomorrow you will be able to see the product of these interviews in a short video. I wanted you to know about the pending video introduction in case you wanted to see it prior to submitting your San Francisco Shooting Brake design entry.

So- hold tight. The video is coming soon.

Drew Strauss of San Francisco

This weeks sticker challenge winner!

noreply@blogger.com (John Domolky) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Carson Drake is this weeks sticker challenge winner! Carson hails from Lake Forest, Illinois and has now sent in several sticker pictures, incuding his Jaguar convertible and his Cadillac CTS-V. However, we decided the real winner was the pic he sent of an LM sticker on his 60' Viking Motor Yacht. Bravo Carson, keep'em coming.

Have you seen this? Video to help you design a car for San Francisco.

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:27:00 +0000

Nyko made a video to make the San Francisco Shooting Brake Competition requirements more clear:

If you found this helpful, be sure to thank him here on his profile wall.

To view the rest of the competition details, click here.

Submissions will be accepted starting Wednesday, August 26th at 00:00!

Our first International Sticker competition winner!

noreply@blogger.com (John Domolky) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:11:00 +0000

This week we have our first international LM sticker competition winner. Thomas Batty of the UK won with his VW Gulf GTI. Tom spent a year here in the United States studying and working in Real Estate. I'm sure he will wear his new LM T-shirt with pride.

To request a sticker, email your name and address to jdomolky@local-motors.com
All entries are posted our website. Past entries can be viewed at www.local-motors.com/RF just click "LM Stickers"

Here are some of this weeks runner ups:

Distraction!

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:00:00 +0000

As we are only one short week from officially launching our San Francisco Shooting Brake competition-you'd think I should blog about San Francisco. But in truth I find myself agog this morning as I review the outstanding quality of work featured in the Local Motors Community.

You may know that daily (or near daily) we choose one remarkable car design as our "Featured Design" which is displayed both on the homepage and studio home. This morning I can not make a choice! Well, it is likely that by the time you read this, I will have chosen-but trust, it wasn't easy.

So now, instead of using this space to talk about the "City by the Bay", I will use this space to celebrate our community in general. If I have not featured your work or the work you love best, you should make it a point to go to the site and click the "Nominate to Design Wall" link (found next to portfolio images) for your personal favorites. This is how we celebrate exciting work on a daily basis.

Now, here are a few of the designs which have been distracting me this morning, and which I have nominated to my personal favorites and "The Design Wall":

Marek Rakucek

Dan Ene

Pure Dzine (sandeep bhambra)

04326032 (Pasha)

If this is the quality of ingenuity and expertise we see in the San Francisco competition, you'd all better bring your 'A' game. I know you will. Good lord, I can just imagine my struggle with distraction next week as the Shooting Brake designs come in...

San Francisco Shooting-Brake: It's ON

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:16:00 +0000

Did you know that over 75% of Local Motors' competition winners use the "Checkup" critique feature? This allows designers to gain input and feedback on their creations prior to the competition deadline.

There are already several San Francisco Shooting-Brake designs in the works. Don't forget to leave your comment, and use the Checkup feature yourself!

LM SF Elec. Shooting Brake by Vling

Shooting Brake WIP by Sleepy

LM TransAmerica by Fogarasi

This weeks sticker challenge winner

noreply@blogger.com (John Domolky) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:15:00 +0000

This weeks sticker challenge winner goes to Brook Banham, aka Bro within the LM community. Brook's image clearly characterizes his love for cars and hints at his personality.

Here are some of this weeks runner ups:

To request a sticker send your name and address to jdomolky@local-motors.com or tweet @jdomolky.

The new age of the design process section.

noreply@blogger.com (Aurel.) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:49:00 +0000

Things are moving forward on the LM website!

New portfolios updated everyday, plenty of checkups, new competitions every month, a lively build story, (the RF is already at build entry 71!) and growing exchanges within the forum.

Everything works... except "design process".

This section has never really found its way within the community and the website, I guess for the following reasons:

- First, there is no schedule, no deadline and no real real stake in the current version of design process (DP). This is the main difference with the build section, which requires us to move forward step by step according to a specific validation process.

- Then, design process is supposed to be a collaborative effort on a long time period, whereas check-up is just based on immediate feedback. This creates a kind of contradiction for the original designer who manages his DP, between the roles of creator of the project / designer / contributor on one side and the roles of judge / leader / manager / motivator on the other side. Simply put, it is more difficult to manage your project in Design Process because the time table is unpredictable and unmanageable.

- People are often more motivated by working on their own designs than contributing to others' designs; this fact effects every aspect of Local Motors collaborative process.

- A project based only on the design (style) aspect without objective parameters (cost, customer's expectations, feasibility,...) often ends on a battle of subjective tastes and point of views. Potential progress is limited without specified objectives.

From these statements, we've decided to focus and develop the new design process approach on 3 specific kinds of projects:

1 - Educational / training projects:

They are based on one thematic and have for goal to develop skills, and techniques from an individual point of view, but also to promote a good relationship and knowledge exchange within the community

2 - "Pre-vehicle build" projects:

The selected projects are analyzed with the community to track possible prohibitory issues or necessary improvements (cost, customer's expectations, feasibility,...). This is a required step before any Build story.

3 - Group projects:

Group projects are very welcome as long as they are based on a clear orientation and schedule. Since style is something quite subjective, it will be important to integrate one or several complementary aspects (innovative concept, engineering approach,...)

Design process is neither a boring checkup, nor a poor build story. It is a Laboratory, YOUR laboratory and it has all the makings to be one of the most exciting features in our community.

My main satisfaction today concerns the history of the first Educational Design Process, which one has started as a checkup known as "The Local Motors SketchWall Challenge":

It has been created by a Community member (thanks Nyko - Idesigncars, and most recently MBW), for the Community and finally managed by a growing group of Community members. You should be proud of yourselves!

Thank you, Congratulations.

PS: Since Ex-Ta-C has been here for a while and represents a lot of work, it really deserves some extra time in the design process section. Don't hesitate to contribute!

San Francisco, Here We Come

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:04:00 +0000

The San Francisco Competition Details will be available starting Wednesday, August 12th! Only 6 short days from now.

In order to hit the ground running, I'll let you in on a few secrets:

1.) This will be a challenge to design a shooting-brake style vehicle for the city by the Bay.
2.) The vehicle will (more than likely) be electric.

What IS a shooting-brake you ask? Well, Wikipedia will explain:

"Shooting-brake is a 2-door car body style with a squared-off rear.^[1] They generally have hatchbacks although one or a pair of side-hinged doors is also sometimes seen.

The term originated with custom built 2-door luxury estate cars altered for use by hunters and other sportsmen such as golfers, riders, and polo players requiring easy access to larger storage areas than offered by the typical automobile boot.^[2]

An early manufacturer of shooting brakes was Albion Motors of Scotland. There are existing examples of custom-built Bentley S2, Mercedes 300, and also the Aston Martin DBS Shooting Brake.

VG, a small US coach builder, offers a model named VGD Shooting Brake.

Some modern manufacturers, such as Audi, have recently referred to some concept cars as shooting brakes. In French-speaking countries estate-bodied cars (including those with four doors) are often referred to as "break" models (note the different spelling), short for "break de chasse", or "hunting break"."

There are reasons for each of my premonitions. First, because Aurel & Jay have actually told me what I am sharing with you-and also, these two factors make complete sense for San Francisco.

Why a Shooting-Brake style vehicle? Because it can be both sexy and accommodating for the San Franciscan lifestyle. San Francisco has one of the most active and lively outdoor cultures. Bikes, hikes and water sports abound in this locale. Of course, if it was a mild 60-70 degrees for the majority of the year, I would be outside a lot more, too! With the option of 2-4 seats and versatile cargo space, a shooting-brake style vehicle is perfect for hauling adventure gear.

San Franciscans are daredevils in work and play. You will find many entrepreneurs live in this area, and much like the Detroit competition-they want to drive a vehicle which is a reflection of themselves. Of course, they will spend a LOT of time working and likely a LOT of time traveling-so the vehicle needs to be accommodating.

As a side note, both outdoor lovers and entrepreneurs will appreciate the accommodation of a shooting-brake style vehicle for tailgates at football games. Have you every noticed how many car lovers are also sports lovers? We noticed.

And, lastly, why electric? It seems the entire city, including the mayor, is demanding it. Gains in electric infrastructure have been made in recent years, and much more is to come. According to the Washington Times, the Bay Area (nickname for San Francisco) aims to be the electric vehicle capital of the United States.

So, what are you waiting for?

Get started already.

If you are from San Fran or have ideas, pictures, music or thoughts to contribute for inspiration, post it in the "San Francisco Competition Forum". Much obliged for contributions so far!

What does it really mean to build a car?

noreply@blogger.com (John Domolky) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:00:00 +0000

This past weekend I attended the Factory Five Build School at Mott Community college in Howell, MI. I set out hoping to learn about the assembly of a car and trying to gauge our build experience here at LM.

There is no feeling quite like seeing a car that you built actually driving. Over the course of three days we took a frame and stack of boxes and turned it into a complete car. I can now qualify myself as a true and true builder, and I must say it is a great feeling.

All things that are truly great require hard work. No pain no gain. I remember playing high school football, the practices were more physically demanding and tiring than anything I had previously experienced. I "hated" these practices but now...I miss them every single day. I miss the true camaraderie and team spirit that comes with accomplishing something great. I am still very close with many of the guys from the team and look back on my football experience with the fondest light.

The next closest thing to this was this weekend at the build school. Over the course of the three days I forged lasting bonds with the other builders, leaving I felt that I had a unique touch point with each of them. Dinners were never awkward because we all had something interesting to talk about...that we had built a car. Some of the people I build with will be friends for life. This is the kind of thing we will highlight with our build experience.

I'll be building Rally Fighter #3 and I can't wait to get back to building. I'm a driver at heart, I look forward more to driving than building, but as they say, you have to pay to play, and having to take part in the build of your car puts you in an elite club. You can't just buy your way in, you have to meet the requirements and make it happen. This is a great feeling once you accomplish it. That's why our customers don't just buy a Rally Fighter, they come in and build it. Hybrid, Supercar, Sports Car, and Sedan owners alike will wish they had experienced what our customers have.

Imagine this scenario, you pull up to a three lane stoplight in a Rally Fighter. On your left, a Toyota Prius, on your right a Ferrari F430. Two very different cars, yet both will envy you. Prius owners want to be ecomical and environmentally friendly, the Rally Fighter is both. Ferrari owners want to be unique, and drive a vehicle that draws attention while being capable of creating a true driving experience. The Ferrari owner will be equally envious, as the Rally Fighter is more unique and just as much of an experience. Not to mention that it costs 1/5 as much!

Build, Buy, Service: It's all going to happen at your local micro-factory.

$99 Gets you in line to find out what a automotive experience should be like. www.local-motors.com/RF

Interview with Winner, Filip Tejszerski - Creator of the RF Baja Light Kit

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:11:00 +0000

In one of his last Local Motors assignments, Alex Leopold, Engineering Intern, had the opportunity to ask Filip Tejszerski a few questions. Filip is a 2-time winner of Local Motors competitions, and most recently took home the prize for best Light Bar Design.

AL: How did you learn to use CAD software; was this easier since you are comfortable in digital design software?

FT: I learned to use Solidworks at my day job - had two weeks to start
generating 3d models for presentation of concepts from scratch, after
which they sent me to a solidworks course. It took me a further six
months to become comfortable with it. Before this I found dabbling in
any 3d software very interesting. Infini-D, Vellum 3D, 3D Studio Max
R3, Bryce, Lightwave, and Alias for example. Played around with them
non-professionally as I was concentrating on freelance designing -
manual sketching and 2d illustration. To be honest, I kept my distance
from properly learning and using CAD because I knew my clients would
classify me as a ''cad monkey" and throw me into a dark corner
computer forever.

Ending my freelance activities, and moving into full-time work forced
my skill base to change, ie. CAD became a part of my professional
life. My early experimentation and personal interest in 3D software
has shortened the time needed to learn CAD.

AL: How did having the Rally Fighter chassis data (ie. igs file) affect your design?

FT: It made it realistic. Having this data is like building a house on
rock. The mind does not wobble as much thinking of possibilities and
maybe's or maybe-nots if the geometry has fixed fundamentals to begin
with.

AL: Beyond the style of the Rally Fighter and the p-52 mustang, what were your inspirations?

FT: Paris-Dakar vehicles, Pikes Peak racers, Subaru Rally Team and even
the Maclaren F1. I looked at any example of where aerodynamics has
been dealt with around the roof section of a vehicle.

AL: As an industrial designer by training and a previous LM competition winner, how did you approach this engineering project and how is this approach similar and/or different to how you would approach a pure design project?

FT: By pure design project I assume you mean a pure stylistic
consideration to design. Because even if you set out to design a rough
concept for a car, you quickly succumb to the questions of reality -
how will this work ? So in any real design project, their is an
interplay between aesthetics and engineering. Even though it may be symbolic or
superficial at first, the engineering aspect is always inherent in the
thought process. So, my approach to this project was no different to a
more stylistically orientated project - I spent as much time on the
surfacing of the air scoop as I did figuring out the mechanical
geometry of the kit.

AL: Now, having perspective on both design and engineering, are their any learning takeaways for yourself or the community?

FT: Yes, I have learned again that it is not easy to win! There are many
good designers in this community that are better than me, inspire and
challenge me. I thought about the design at home in the bathroom, on
the scooter going over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and even after a few
beers. I felt that it was a project that needed a good idea to be
successful, because it was too boring to just bolt on a standard light
cluster on a roof like most Baja cars - the Rally Fighter deserves
better than that. Once the idea of an air scoop came into it, I saw an
opportunity to bring that infamous belly scoop shape back into the car
- in a situation fitting for its shape. The comments of the members
were 'driving the design' with questions that made me think of
solutions. The lesson learnt here is that receiving feedback is a
compulsory element in the designer's tool kit.

Sticker Challenge Update!

noreply@blogger.com (John Domolky) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:47:00 +0000

It should be noted that unlike most of our competitions, the LM Team chooses the winner each week for the sticker challenge. This is an interesting change of pace for us and is always lot's of fun for the team. While team members are encouraged to submit entries, they are not eligible to win the free t-shirt. Nevertheless, please view the video below to get an idea of what we are looking for from winning entries :)

New T-Shirt Winner

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:35:00 +0000

Congratulations to Hunter Sherman for winning this week's Sticker Challenge. It was a CLOSE call between several exciting pics. This one won because we could clearly see a bit of Hunter's personality & life through his stickers. He is from Boston, he's a sailor, clearly loves cars, and might even be a bit of a deadhead (or atleast, appreciates the Grateful Dead).

We applaud this type of unique pic, and want to encourage everyone to be creative! You can put the stickers on your cars, or anywhere else. Tell us a story in your pictures, and we will love it.

Hunter won an LM T-Shirt, and an invitation to our Rally Fighter party in Vegas this November. Everyone who sends in a sticker pic will get an invitation, but only a select few will earn an LM T-Shirt.

Thanks for the support, and for sending in your pic, Hunter!

To request stickers, email Jdomolky@local-motors.com (John Domolky). To email your unique sticker pics, send them to pics@local-motors.com

First Gratis LM Shirt goes out today!

noreply@blogger.com (John Domolky) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:37:00 +0000

We have chosen our first recipient of a free Local Motors t-shirt. Greg Macy aka Bentley Boy was chosen as the most creative LM sticker photo as of today. See his photo (above). Everyone who sends in a picture will receive an invite to our Rally Fighter introduction party in Las Vegas, NV. Every picture we get added to the competition. We will choose a winner every week as the sticker campaign continues, so request a sticker to join in the fun!

To request a sticker send your name and address to jdomolky@local-motors.com

Check out some of the Runner Ups:

To see more go to www.local-motors.com/rf

Aviary Scheduled Downtime

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:50:00 +0000

Friends & Designers, Aviary will be unavailable for 2 hours starting tomorrow, Thursday, July 23rd from 4am-6am (est, -4 UTC).

This is the note posted to Aviary's blog:

"Just a heads up. There will be a maintenance window from 4am - 6am EDT early Thursday morning while we upgrade our servers. Aviary will be unavailable for part or all of that time.

We apologize for the inconvenience to anyone this affects and will make it up to you by eating a delicious double-fudge chocolate sundae. Yum."

Double-fudge sundae or not, we understand that downtime and maintenance are necessary (though, personally, I could really go for a sundae right now).

Aviary is the tool we use to provide live photoshop-like editing and collaboration to images and designs within the Local Motors community.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, this post will give you a refresher.

Thanks for your understanding!

Voting Update: Help Choose the Rally Fighter Light Bar

aferreira@local-motors.com (Ari) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:41:00 +0000

About a month ago Jay hosted a live community chat to discuss the current voting construct, and how we could improve it. Here are the top 3 suggestions:

1.) Remove the "0" vote
2.) Include voting categories
3.) Without showing actual scores, allow voters to see how competition submissions are ranked.

Details of the conversation and suggested changes are posted here.

As you vote for your favorite light bar, you will notice that 2 of the 3 suggested changes have been implemented. The "0" vote has been removed, and as of midnight tonight you will be able to see the current rankings of competition designs. The ranks of each design may change as voting continues.

We are currently working to implement the suggested voting categories.

Your vote matters! To help choose the winning Light Bar design, place your vote before end of day on Monday, July 27th (23:59, est, -4 UTC).