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Ernie Adams with his wonderful dwarf 1940 Mercury 2 door sedan replica

K&N visited Adams’ Dwarf Car Museum in Maricopa, Arizona, and we can say with no small measure of certainty that there is nothing like it anywhere in the world. It is hard to imagine the hours of work and the limitless talent that have gone into the glimmering and sometimes whimsical creations that grace the Adams’ compound in the Arizona desert.

The cars are replicas of iconic American models built in smaller scale. When asked about the specific scale that he uses, Adams says that each car is based on 12-inch wheels (which are most often custom made) and the rest of the car is built to suit that rim size. In most cases, the scale becomes somewhere around 5/8 of full size.

Adams daughter-in-law shows how the home-built whitewall machine works

Building these dwarf customs means that Adams has had to be creative with his tools and techniques. Many of the metal bending tools, frame jigs, and various other custom pieces of equipment were designed and built by Adams.

Conventional metalworking equipment just didn’t work for Adams’ specialized builds. Adams’ daughter-in-law showed us a special jig that he designed to cut and paint whitewalls on tires that can’t be found in the vintage motif.

Adams also creates dwarf customs that reflect his sense of humor like his 'Hillbilly' Model A

Once completed, you might think that the cars become pampered showpieces. However, while his creations frequently win top prizes at leading car shows, Adams drives all of his cars. In fact, several of the street-legal dwarf cars have been driven cross-country to distant shows in places like Chicago, Illinois, and other states across the East and Midwest.

Creative badging and intricate trim finish Adams' amazing builds

Ernie's son Kevin has written a book on his father's life, cars, and the museum. 'Break Time at Ernie's' is filled with photos and great memories, and will soon be available to the public.

Ernie Adams and the rest of the family are welcoming, gregarious, and great fun to talk to. You will not regret a visit to the Dwarf Car Museum. As you peruse the photos, remember that each car is roughly the size of the one by which Adams is standing for scale.

The dwarf 1949 Mercury is one of Ernie's favorites. James Dean would be impressed

How cool is the 1934 Ford sedan with dwarf suicide doors?

Check out the detail on the back of Adams' dwarf 1954 Chevy Bel Air

Clearly, Adams' dwarf car creations are favorites at car shows

This dwarf hot rod and matching tiny speedboat are museum favorites

The cars look like full-size models without a person in the photo for scale

The substantial power plant on the Boulevard benefits from the airflow of the K&N SU-1409 filter

Of course, engines pushing that much displacement need air and lots of it. The Suzuki Boulevard is especially receptive to the added airflow that K&N filter technology delivers. The K&N SU-1409 direct replacement air filter is just the prescription to open up the lungs on several Boulevard models produced from 2009 – 2017.

It’s pretty simple. More air to an engine greatly increases the potential for more power. Restrictive stock filters limit the air available to the fuel injection system which, in turn, limits the bike's performance potential. K&N has been producing and refining free-flowing filters for over four decades.

Performance gains that a rider can feel is what K&N is all about. One of our astute customers, Sherwin H. from Union City, Georgia, was effusive in praising what the SU-1409 did for his 2009 Suzuki Boulevard M90.

“I noticed it idles a whole lot smoother,” said Sherwin. “[It] pulls stronger from a dead stop. Downshifting and passing had definitely improved. Can't beat that formula - more air, more power. Very, very pleased with this product.”

The SU-1409 filter uses K&N's oiled, cotton gauze filter media for performance and protection

The benefits of the SU-1409 don’t stop with more power and great filtration. The filter is also easy to install and is extremely cost efficient over its guaranteed lifespan. Again, our happy customer, Sherwin, may have put it best.

“Considering the fact that a new regular filter for this bike is about $85 for a single use, highly restrictive filter, this is actually a great deal,” Sherwin said. “If you have ever changed the air filter on your bike then you will have absolutely no problems installing this filter. Just read the instructions and you will be very happy with how easy it is to install.”

All you need to carry out the periodic filter maintenance is a K&N recharge kit like the 99-5000 filter care kit. The kit includes filter cleaning fluid and filter oil.

The SU-1409 filter fits the following models:

The SU-1409 filter for the Suzuki Boulevard 1500 comes ready for easy installation

The area under the cab of the Starship is completely flat in order to improve aerodynamic efficiency

But what’s the actual effect if one were to take an integrated approach to optimize all areas of the tractor-trailer that the wind passes over? That’s what Bob Sliwa has been pondering since he founded AirFlow Truck Company in 1983. After a misspent youth drag racing a 1965 GTO and then a 1966 L88 Chevelle SS he decided to start a trucking company, first as an owner-operator.

Fast forward to 2009 when AirFlow developed its first hyper-efficient Class 8 rig. Equipped with a K&N air filter and nicknamed the BulletTruck, its nose looked like a cross between a Shinkansen and an NHRA Pro Stocker.

The gap between cab and trailer is electonically-controlled while solar panels contribute power

For example, the drag-inducing space between cab and trailer is closed by an electronically-controlled gap sealer. The system monitors the position of the truck in relation to the trailer retracting the sealer so that tight turning maneuvers don’t damage the gap sealer but then moves it back into place at highway speeds.

The underside of both the truck and trailer is completely flat, which eliminates a great deal of turbulence-induced parasitic drag that the engine must overcome, especially at highway speeds. This both increases fuel consumption but also limits the revenue-generating load the truck can carry.

Even how the air exits from under the hood has been treated for aerodynamic efficiency

On the roof of the trailer is a 5000 watt solar array, while there’s a regenerative braking system on the trailer’s rear axle that collects otherwise lost energy on downhill runs. Power can be stored in a battery system like a Tesla, then used to drive the electrical systems of the truck (eliminating the drag of an alternator, thus achieving yet another improvement in engine efficiency).

The engine is an X15 high-efficiency diesel from Cummins, offering the highest fuel economy in the industry. Because of the aerodynamic efficiency of the Starship, it doesn’t need to push its engine as hard as conventional trucks. So instead of running at the advertised governed speed of 1800/2000 rpm, the StarShip will redline at 1100 rpm, contributing to significant fuel savings. The engine is fitted with a unique Eaton transmission modified specifically for the Starship.

Those fuel savings actually relate to the weight capacity of the truck as well. Instead of the standard 250-gallon fuel capacity, the Starship will be fitted with a 100-gallon fuel tank. At seven pounds per gallon for diesel fuel, that’s a weight savings of over a half a ton that can instead be used to carry revenue-generating cargo.

Even the trailer end has received an aerodynamic treatment to further reduce parasitic drag

Improvements in aerodynamics on the truck have netted a 50% reduction in drag versus current trailer-trailer combinations. But there are other areas, particularly those affected by friction, that are addressed on the Starship as well, including low viscosity synthetic lubricants, low rolling resistance tires whose inflation pressures are constantly monitored and maximized for economic operation and long wear.

If you’re going to be attending the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, from March 22 through March 24, be certain to stop by the Shell booth and take a first-hand look at the future of trucking as exemplified by the AirFlow Starship.

Matt Anderson's 1982 Harley-Davidson® FXRS custom is long, low, and unconventional

When the custom FXRS named ‘Hot Rod FXR’ rolled onto the red carpet of the Minneapolis, Minnesota staging of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS), something was clearly different than the other congregated custom Harleys.

Here at K&N, we love different. That’s why we sponsor three of the coolest classes at each stop of the J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. Anderson's custom won the K&N-sponsored Modified Retro Class in the third stop of the IMS.

Anderson's unique engine configuration makes for a smooth exhaust design

The reversed V-twin puts the intake on the left side where a side draft Weber carburetor sits aggressive and prominently in its unconventional location. Of course, if the intake is reversed, the exhaust must be unconventional as well. The front header emanates from the rear of the jug for a clean, if a bit unsettling look.

More stops of the J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show and IMS will commence in 2018

The frame is long and low and the aggressively raked forks emerge from a retro half fairing. The foot controls are mounted in an extreme forward position creating a classic chopper riding posture.

The Gilby’s Street Dept. custom makes unconventional ultra-cool. K&N congratulates Matt Anderson on a head-turning build. For his efforts, Anderson rolls away with a cash prize and a substantial K&N product award.

After a long break for the holidays, the Progressive International Motorcycle Show and the J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show will resume in the new year with stops in Cleveland, Dallas, Chicago, and Washington D.C.

A K&N cabin air filter captures dust, pollen, spores, and other allergens before they reach you

But there are times when open air motoring isn’t entirely pleasant, and we don’t mean during a rain storm. Regardless of whether you own a 2005 – 2018 Corvette convertible or coupe, whether the top is down or just the windows, unseen invaders are grabbing a ride in your car and they can make your trip miserable. Dust, pollen, spores, bacteria, and other allergens are entering the cockpit.

You can roll-up the windows and receive protection inside the closed cockpit by virtue of the fact that your Corvette is equipped with a cabin air filter. A cabin air filter is the first line of defense for what you breathe. Since it’s a filter, it’s an item that requires maintenance. You will find the recommended replacement interval in your factory owner’s manual, but there are a number of conditions that could shorten those intervals.

For example, if you drive in an area with sand or dust in the air, you might find that these particulates have collected on your filter and have reduced air flow through your HVAC system so that even when you turn the A/C to high you get more noise than cold air. Another is persistent bad odors that come from bacteria or mold growing on the filter in cars in operated in damp climates.

There is an option to replacing your disposable cabin air filter that will just end up in a landfill. K&N cabin air filters are the first of their kind designed to replace your vehicle's stock cabin air filter with a washable and reusable upgrade that cleans and freshens incoming air.

K&N cabin air filters are electrostatically-charged to grab and hold bothersome contaminants

K&N cabin air filters are easy to replace your Corvette's cabin air filter. Replacing the cabin air filter is a quick operation - it is as simple as exchanging the old, dirty filter for a new one. The housing for the filter is located under the hood, and the filter is accessed by removing a few clips.

A detailed installation instruction sheet is provided on the VF3018 product web page for the installation of the VF3018 cabin air filter in 2005-2018 Corvette coupes and convertibles. K&N cabin air filters are designed to fit your Corvette perfectly and seal tightly, thanks to the precision-engineered frame. In addition, each filter comes pre-treated and is ready to install straight out of the box. Besides the Corvettes already listed, the VF3018 also fits 2005-2009 Cadillac XLR, which was based on the Corvette C5.

The only maintenance required for a K&N cabin air filter is a service you can do yourself in no time at all. At intervals of 50,000 miles, using a K&N 99-6000 cabin air filter cleaning kit, you can easily renew and re-oil your air filter, which brings it back to brand-new condition and ready to protect your car’s cabin for another 50,000 miles.

Installtion is simple: open the hood, remove a few clips, and swap out cabin air filters

The K&N VF3018 is designed to fit the following vehicles:

2018 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2017 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2015 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 7.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 7.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 7.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2010 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2010 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 7.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2010 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 7.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2009 CADILLAC XLR 4.6L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2009 CADILLAC XLR 4.4L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 7.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2008 CADILLAC XLR 4.6L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2008 CADILLAC XLR 4.4L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 7.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2007 CADILLAC XLR 4.6L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2007 CADILLAC XLR 4.4L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 7.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2006 CADILLAC XLR 4.6L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2005 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.0L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2005 CADILLAC XLR 4.6L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models