3 items to splurge on this week
Tire diagnostics
Tire-pressure monitoring is commonplace for most new and relatively new vehicles. But that doesn’t mean the feature can’t be added to other vehicles. Mounted inside your current set of tires, the Cerebrum Smart Tire Sensors from Tire Stickers monitors pressure, temperature, tread depth and alignment variation. As a bonus, the sensors are reusable so they can be remounted when it’s time for new tires. A downloadable app for your mobile device gives you up-to-date info on your tires’ health at any time. Prices range from $50 to $75 (U.S.) per sensor from tirestickers.com.
Classic replica
For many Porsche buffs, the Holy Grail is the 356A Speedster. Produced in limited quantities in 1957 and 1958, these cars command big money today, making them unobtainable to the average buyer. A much-less-expensive alternative is to purchase a replica 356 from JPS motorsports. The company produces ready-to-drive fibreglassbodied replicas of the Speedster, as well as the 356 Coupe. The basic roadster kit is priced at $28,000 (U.S.) and includes an air-cooled 1.8-litre Volkswagen engine. Optional is a more powerful 2.5-litre four-cylinder Subaru engine that fits snugly inside the engine bay. All JPS Speedsters and other models can be viewed at jps-motorsports.com.
Back seat
Hey, 2005-2014 Mustang owners, when was the last time you had more than yourself and a passenger out for a ride? If the answer is hardly ever, why not consider lightening your ride by replacing the rear bench seat with a fibreglass Rear Seat Delete kit from TruFiber. This is also a good idea if you use your ’Stang on the race track and/or are planning to install a roll bar. All of the mounting holes have been pre-drilled and the one-piece panel can be painted to suit, or left in its natural state. The Rear Seat Delete kit weighs a paltry 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) and costs $250 (U.S.). You can also get the carbon fibre version for $770 (U.S.). Both are available from trufiber.com, which sells many other interior and exterior trim parts and pieces for modern Mustangs and other brands, such as the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, the Dodge Challenger and Charger, and the Jeep Cherokee.