You can contact 100mpg.ca by e-mail.

On Sunday, I decided at the last minute to head down to Kirkland WA for the public open house at The Green Car Company. With the arrival of 25 gasoline smart cars converted by G&K for Zap, I was wanting to get a test drive in, and see the response of those coming to see the cars for the first time.

I wasn’t let down! There were a variety of 2005 models on hand, and one older gem with scratch black panels. And the place was packed!

Upon arrival, I was invited immediately to bring my (diesel) fortwo over near the side entrance by owner Donald Fahnestock. I spoke with people about the car and my trip across Canada. People were certainly wishing to have a diesel version of the car after hearing I neared 100 miles per US gallon, reaching 94 mpg on a 300 mile stretch in Saskatchewan last September. (Which, BTW, is what the next version of the Prius is rumoured to be capable of. Read some discussion at fark.com. Incidently, 100mpg.ca was featured in a different discussion at the same site.)

I did get my test drive, BTW.

After chatting with folks for awhile, taking in some of the educational programs, and enjoying the complimentary lunch, I was able to start having a closer look at some of the obvious modifications done to the European cars.

The glass roof has to be covered with padding underneath.

The inside of the tridion is also padded.

New headlights.

Are these tail lights different? Or specific to the gasoline model?

Even the VIN #’s had to be altered, and just for our friend Mike T at Club smart car, here’s what they look like now:

The Green Car Company has a mission statement, and I can attest to their eagerness to live it out, through their service and ingenuity.

At The Green Car Company our goal is to bring awareness and educate the mainstream American population about how their transportation choices affect the environment. Our main focus is on CO2 reduction to combat global warming through the use of biofuels such as Biodiesel and Ethanol. We are also concerned about sustainability and resource depletion so we want to promote vehicles that are highly fuel efficient like the smart car. We will use our automotive expertise and knowledge to stay on the cutting edge of new green transportation and our resources to promote the cause of Biofuels, sustainability and environmental education.

Apart from the smart car, they also have embarked on converting older Volvo 240 wagons to diesel. Their first conversion looked stunning in the showroom. Their service department specializes in turbo-diesel maintenance and repair, and they also pump ‘B99′ biodiesel, and I was lucky to receive a full courtesy tank. (And yes, the car ran excellent on it, very smooth and quiet.)

I also received a gift package from Service Manager Susan Fahnestock-Draybuck, complete with t-shirts, and a biodiesel emblem I will be putting on my car as soon as I take the One-Tonne Challenge graphics off of it.

I had an awesome time Sunday, and was also able to give the owners a test drive in my car. They had not yet driven a smart cdi. I know Susan is looking forward to trying fasteddy’s 65hp remap. :-) We will have to plan a little trip down to Kirkland soon.

BTW - on my return trip via Whidbey Island, I was able to get 64 mpg (US) or 3.7 L/100km. Better than the government numbers for a Toyota Prius.

Interested in more US smart car travels? Check out Zap’s blog.

And for Sheldon, as promised:

(Yes, it is a diesel, VW Rabbit truck, aka a ‘Caddy‘.)