Our Fleet
Safety Firsts That Debuted on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Crumple zones, ABS, airbags, ESP, Brake Assist, Pre-Safe and rear airbags — how the Mercedes S-Class introduced the safety tech now in almost every car.
3 min read
The Journal
The Black Car Journal
Luxury car history and technology, fleet guides, airport and travel tips, day trips and chauffeur advice for New York City and New Jersey.
Archive · page 18
Page 18
From the archive
Luxury Cars
Land Rover Defender History: From a Sketch in the Sand to the New Defender
The Land Rover began in 1948 as a farm vehicle sketched in the sand. How the Series Land Rover became the Defender, ended in 2016, and was reborn in 2020.
2 min read
Automotive History
The History of Lincoln: From Liberty Engines to Presidential Limousines
Lincoln was founded by Cadillac's Henry Leland in 1917 to build aircraft engines, bought by Ford in 1922 and became America's presidential car maker.
2 min read
Car Technology
Soft-Close and Automatic Doors: Why Luxury Car Doors Close Themselves
Soft-close doors pull themselves shut from the first latch position. Their origin on the 1991 S-Class, how they work, and today's fully automatic doors.
2 min read
Day Trips & Destinations
Ski Resorts Near NYC: Where to Ski Within a Few Hours
The closest ski resorts to NYC and North Jersey — Mountain Creek, Camelback, Hunter, Windham, Belleayre and more — with drive times and winter travel tips.
2 min read
Our Fleet
Why the Sprinter Was Sold as a Dodge and a Freightliner in America
Before it wore a Mercedes star in America, the Sprinter was sold as a Freightliner and a Dodge — and the chicken tax shaped how it was built.
3 min read
Luxury Cars
Lexus LM: The Luxury Minivan Built for Chauffeured Travel
The Lexus LM is a luxury minivan with a four-seat 'Ultra Luxury' layout, a 48-inch screen and a privacy partition. Why chauffeured vans are booming in Asia.
2 min read
Automotive History
The Long Island Expressway: History of the 'World's Longest Parking Lot'
The Long Island Expressway (I-495) runs from the Queens-Midtown Tunnel to Riverhead. How it was built, why it's famous for traffic, and tips for JFK trips.
2 min read
Car Technology
Super Cruise vs Autopilot vs BlueCruise: Hands-Free Driving Compared
GM Super Cruise, Tesla Autopilot/FSD and Ford BlueCruise compared: how they work, where they work, driver monitoring and why all are Level 2.
2 min read
Day Trips & Destinations
Sleepy Hollow in October: Halloween Events and Hudson Valley History
Visit Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown in October: the Old Dutch Church, Washington Irving's legend, the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, historic estates and tips.
2 min read
Our Fleet
How Many People and Bags Fit in a Sprinter Van? A Group Travel Guide
Planning group travel in a Mercedes Sprinter? How many passengers and suitcases fit, when you need a second vehicle, and tips for airport pickups and events.
3 min read
Luxury Cars
The Lexus LS 400 Story: How Toyota Shocked the Luxury World in 1989
The 1989 Lexus LS 400 took on Mercedes and BMW with a silent V8, the famous champagne-glass ad and legendary service. How Project F1 changed luxury cars.
3 min read
Automotive History
The History of Maybach: The Engineer Behind Mercedes, Zeppelins and Luxury Cars
Wilhelm Maybach designed the first Mercedes, then built Zeppelin engines and magnificent 1930s cars with his son Karl. The full Maybach story.
2 min read
Car Technology
The Three-Point Seat Belt: Volvo's 1959 Invention That Saved Millions
Nils Bohlin's three-point seat belt debuted in 1959 Volvos, and Volvo shared the patent freely. How it works and New York's first seat belt law.
2 min read
Day Trips & Destinations
Storm King Art Center: Visiting America's Great Outdoor Sculpture Park
Storm King Art Center displays monumental sculpture across 500 acres of Hudson Valley landscape. How to visit from NYC, tickets, timing and nearby stops.
2 min read
Our Fleet
The 1935 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall: How the First Suburban Began
In 1935 Chevrolet built an all-steel, eight-seat wagon on a truck chassis and called it the Suburban Carryall. How it started the SUV story.
3 min read
Luxury Cars
Lexus LX: The Land Cruiser-Based Luxury SUV Explained
The Lexus LX has been Lexus' flagship SUV since 1996, built on the Land Cruiser. Its generations, the Ultra Luxury four-seater and its durability.
2 min read
Automotive History
The History of Mercedes-Benz: From Daimler and Benz to Today
How two rival pioneers, Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler, created companies that merged in 1926 as Daimler-Benz — and how Mercedes-Benz evolved since.
2 min read
Car Technology
How Tires Affect Noise and Ride Comfort in Luxury Cars
Tires shape how quiet and smooth a car feels. Sidewall height, foam-lined 'acoustic' tires, pressure and winter tires explained for passengers.
2 min read
Day Trips & Destinations
New York to Washington, D.C., by Car Service: Is It Worth It?
Driving from New York to Washington, D.C., takes about four to five hours. When a car service beats Amtrak or flying, route, tolls and planning tips.
2 min read
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