2009 NISSAN CUBE SET FOR SPRING U.S. DEBUT; NEW ENTRY-LEVEL COMPACT COMBINES FASHION WITH FUNCTIONALITY

– Small But Substantial, Spirited But Economical, All-New Third Generation Cube’s Asymmetrical Design and Lounge-Style Interior Provide Unexpected Charm and Utility –

Huey Lewis once sang “It’s hip to be square.” Few believed him. Mathletes wax poetic about the superior geometric efficiencies of a cube in terms of volume v. surface area. And get little respect. Cavemen discovered that a round stone rolls better than a square one. And, as a consequence, gave birth to the traffic jam. In 1998, Nissan introduced the original Cube, an aptly named box-on-wheels, to minor consumer interest. Perhaps, like homo erectus, the Cube was simply ahead of its time.

But times change, and so did the Cube. In 2002, an all-new second generation Nissan Cube was introduced in the Japanese market. More spacious inside, more glass outside, more power under the hood and, more importantly, a few more angles and curved surface details added to its compact, slab-sided exterior. Quintessentially Japanese, this new Cube took Tokyo by storm. A pocket-sized fun-and-function cocktail mixing the charm of Godzilla and the wit of Mothra, buyers were smitten. And so, it turns out, Huey was right after all.

Like the Nissan GT-R before it, the Nissan Cube soon found an audience outside of Japan – not in person, but through its exposure in fashion and automotive magazines, videos and on the Web.

Reboot to today, more than 10 years since its original appearance, and the Nissan Cube is ready to meet the world in person, coming to America in spring 2009 in an all-new, dramatically rethought third generation design that is clever, quirky, witty, fun and uniquely functional. And still totally square.

More than just unique geometry, however, the new 2009 Nissan Cube is also conceived as a totally different take on an automobile – a car that doesn’t want to be defined as car. “With its unique blend of fashion and function, Cube imagines a life less ordinary,” said Al Castignetti, vice president, Sales, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA). “Cube is as much of a Mobile Device as it is an automobile, something that enhances life like people’s digital devices do. Cube is a vehicle that people of all ages can fall in love with, even when they don’t love cars.”

Evocative Yet Rational
Though its uniquely styled, asymmetrical body makes a standout statement against the backdrop of today’s look-alike entry-level vehicles, Cube presents a range of strong rational arguments for purchase as well.

Along with its projected fuel economy of over 30 mph Highway (equipped with the CVT transmission, actual EPA estimates not available at this time), Cube offers an alphabet of standard safety equipment – including an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), six air bags (including front, side and curtain supplemental air bags) and front seat Active Head Restraints.

“The new Nissan Cube is not, by any measure, a pure ‘youth car,’ though it especially meets the needs of young adults’ lives in the sense that it is social, expressive and practical,” said Castignetti. “And like many entry-level vehicles, Cube will be purchased by young consumers with the help or influence of their parents. We believe the combination of value, fuel economy and safety will be especially reassuring to parents involved in such decisions.”

A “Bulldog in Sunglasses”
The all-new 2009 Nissan Cube builds on the previous generation Cube’s non-traditional design with an improved stance and an added sense of dynamic movement. With Cube’s long wheelbase relative to its overall length (a 99.6-inch wheelbase against a 156.7-inch overall length) and wide track, the wheels, in effect, are pushed out to each corner – providing exceptional space utilization and a confident-looking stance that has been compared to a “bulldog in sunglasses.”

“The designers, engineers and planners’ effort and passion in creating the next generation Cube was unheard of – perhaps only exceeded in recent memory by that of the Nissan GT-R development team,” said Castignetti. “They were constantly drawing, cartooning, adding thoughts and ideas, which is how the image of the bulldog emerged and evolved. This was not a traditional development process.”

Along with its stance, the “incognito canine” look is aided by the wide headlights and grille treatment, the small but substantial body proportions and the short “tail” section. In the rear, the bar-type taillights reinforce the wide, anchored feel. The Cube’s creators also sought to maintain a sense of “pure design,” reducing the number of character lines to give simplicity and freshness to the styling.

Another unique aspect of the Cube’s exterior is the greenhouse. The A-pillars are positioned far outward and relatively upright, giving a wider range of forward visibility. The front door windows utilize a “photo frame” design patterned after a personal photo frame, while the asymmetrical wraparound side/rear window creates enhanced rear diagonal visibility for lane changes and reverse parking.

“The ‘geometric circle shape in the square’ rear window is Cube’s signature,” said Castignetti. “Though there are D-pillars on both sides of the Cube, the visual effect of the narrower passenger-side pillar is quite remarkable in the overall appearance, a look aided by the asymmetrical back door.”

Unlike typical top-hinged or clamshell-style utility rear doors, Cube features an easy-access refrigerator-style opening, which makes it possible to open or close it even if parked tight against other cars in parallel parking spaces or when backed in against a wall or other obstacle.

The back door opens fully when space allows for loading groceries, luggage or large-sized objects – or to a limited-access position (about eight inches) when space is restricted for retrieving or loading a backpack or other small objects. The one-hand door handle operation is designed for easy use, even while carrying things in the other hand or arm.

The 2009 Nissan Cube is available in eight mild-to-wild exterior colors: Chrome Silver, Steel Grey, Bitter Chocolate, Scarlet Red, Caribbean Blue, Moss Green, Super Black and White Pearl.

A “Casual Lounge” Interior
The centerpiece of the new Cube’s universal appeal is its “social space” – the surprisingly roomy interior that offers room for five in a lounge-like comfort. “Cube is not wasteful in terms of its footprint, carbon or physical. It creates a third space, in addition to home and school, for interacting with friends. It’s a space that is highly changeable and adaptable to owners evolving lives, with plenty of room for personalization,” said Castignetti.

Cube’s clever, inspired and surprisingly open occupant space was conceived with a “Jacuzzi Curve” layout and “floating meter pod” driver’s area. It combines “casual lounge”-style passenger seating with a relaxed driving experience. The interactive interior is anchored by its curve-themed architecture, such as the subtle wavy shaping of the instrument panel, door panels, seat shapes, armrests and the iconic circular/oval shapes of elements ranging from air conditioning vents, door pulls and climate controls.

The comfortable Cube seating includes 6-way manual driver’s seat and 4-way manual front passenger’s seat, along with a “lounge sofa” style sliding rear bench seat.

The reclining rear seat can be adjusted to three positions – full rearward (providing ample legroom), mid-position (3.9 inches forward) or front position (6.0 inches forward). The rear seat also is positioned higher than the front seats, theater style, enhancing rear passenger comfort and visibility.

“In some ways, the Cube is like the big cardboard appliance boxes you used to play in as a kid – they could be clubhouses, race cars, forts, whatever your mood and imagination wanted at the time,” said Castignetti. “The new Cube’s interior leaves room for imagination and personalization, yet also starts with a solid functional purpose.”

Stress-Free Driving, Room For Personalization
Cube’s stress-free driving experience is the result of a number of factors: an extremely tight 32.8-foot curb-to-curb turning radius, a tall seating position made possible by the tall body height, an extremely short hood “invisible length” (the area of the hood panel that the driver is unable to see) and the good rear visibility for parking and backing up.

“Our studies show that one of the most stressful aspects for young or inexperienced drivers is parking, particularly parallel parking,” said Castignetti. “Cube is extremely adaptable to parking environments in terms of its compact exterior dimensions, good visibility and easy steering.”

Other interior features include the “floating pod” instrument panel with asymmetrical light blue and white gauges, which are designed to make it easier to distinguish between the speedometer and the tachometer. The gauge needles “sweep” when the engine is started to add a sense of flair, while the gradation effect gives a natural ambience similar to the glow of the white moon and the blue earth. Sub-gauges are concentrated for enhanced visibility. The three-spoke steering wheel is available with leather wrapping and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

Convenient storage spaces and cup/bottle holders are abundant throughout the Cube interior – including six cupholders (instrument panel, front center console and rear armrests) and five bottle holders (door panels and center console). There are also detachable multi-hooks for holding bags or hats, which can be moved from place to place – including the instrument panel and rear passenger doors.

The “shelf expression” concept features two “shelves” located on top center and passenger side of the instrument panel. Not designed for holding objects when the Cube is in motion, they provide convenient spaces for placing keys, cell phones or digital music players when the vehicle is parked. The shelves can be personalized with accessory wood-like trim or shag carpeting. Cube’s “Magic Rubber Bands,” another clever Cube accessory item, are colorful rubber straps (red, yellow, orange or silver) that slip into cutouts on the door armrests to secure items such as maps, nametags, photos, towels or small stuffed animals.

“The interior concept is really about the Cube conforming to the users’ needs, rather than the other way around – you can put your favorite items anywhere you want, not where the vehicle tells you to,” said Castignetti. “The designers demanded that every aspect of the Cube interior be delightful, as well as functional.”

The Cube interior design also incorporates a series of subtle “Water Drop” concentric circles, inspired by nature and the calming way that ripples move outward from a drop in water. The circles can be seen in items ranging from the roof headliner to the cupholders to the climate control design.

A Wide Range of Available Features
Cube’s heating and cooling system provides quiet, efficient operation with easy to recognize and use knobs and switches. Other standard equipment offered on the 2009 Nissan Cube includes power windows with driver’s side one-touch auto down feature, Remote Keyless Entry system, power door locks with auto-locking feature, variable intermittent windshield wipers and intermittent rear window wiper, rear window defroster with timer, cargo area courtesy light and hooks, 12-volt power outlet and adjustable front seat belt upper anchors.

Available Cube technology features include Nissan Intelligent KeyÔ with Push Button Ignition, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, Rockford Fosgate subwoofer with six speakers, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately), Interface System for iPod® and a rear sonar system.

The Cube interior is offered in two color environments, Wall Gray and Graphite. Wall Gray, available in a quilted suede-like fabric with special “natural wave” stitching only, is designed to create a relaxing contrast between the warm, light gray upholstery and warm off-black interior accents. The warm off-black Graphite interior, available in two cloth grades, provides a combination of relaxation and more traditional “driving enjoyment” attitude.

“The Cube interior is a great example of how an inexpensive, high value vehicle can be done well – quality design, quality materials and the features and equipment that the user needs with room for personalization, rather than forced customization,” said Castignetti.

Unexpected Power and Driving Ease
Just as Cube has its own unique take on styling and interior design, the engineering team took a fresh approach to performance – creating a vehicle that is easy to drive and easy to handle in traffic.

The emphasis for Cube’s performance credentials is squarely on fun-to-drive, rather than exhilaration. Cube combines an advanced 122-horsepower 1.8-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder with a new-generation Nissan Xtronic CVTÔ (Continuously Variable Transmission) for good acceleration response, smooth operation and fuel efficiency. Torque is rated at 127 lb-ft.

The MR18DE engine, also utilized in the popular Nissan Versa, is designed to be powerful and responsive, while also delivering excellent fuel economy. Fuel economy is projected to be over 30 miles per gallon Highway with the CVT transmission (actual EPA fuel economy unavailable at this time).

The Xtronic CVT, unlike conventional stepped gear automatics, operates as essentially “one gear” through use of a belt and two pulleys. By infinitely varying the working diameters of the two pulleys, the transmission eliminates the “steps” between gears, resulting in a smoother, more efficient operation by keeping the engine in its optimum power range under a variety of driving and load conditions.

Cube’s new generation CVT adopts a new CVT oil warmer for enhanced warm-up performance in cold conditions (reducing friction). It also includes an advanced Adaptive Shift Control (ASC), which detects the driving situation and style (economy, normal, sports) and communicates with the engine control – helping optimize both fuel economy and driving pleasure.

The 2009 Cube is also offered with a 6-speed manual transmission with a new shift control system, triple cone synchronizers (1st and 2nd gear) and reverse synchronizer system. The 6-speed manual is available with Cube 1.8 and Cube 1.8 S models.

“The Cube has a strong power-to-weight ratio, which combined with the advanced CVT, gives it a surprisingly spirited driving feel. Throw in the small turning radius, good outward visibility and the smooth suspension feel and you have the perfect formula for navigating through traffic with confidence and ease,” said Castignetti.

Cube’s suspension combines an independent MacPherson strut front design with stabilizer bar with a torsion beam rear with integrated stabilizer bar. Its comfortable, flat ride is a result, in part, of the “Ripple Control” shock absorbers and the high body stiffness. Other standard equipment includes vehicle-speed-sensitive electric power-assisted steering, power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes and 15-inch wheels with P195/60R15 tires.

Cube’s long list of standard safety features includes the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), seat-mounted driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental air bags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.

Cube also offers standard front-seat Active Head Restraints, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS), along with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

Three Well-Equipped Models
The 2009 Nissan Cube is offered in three well-equipped models: Cube 1.8, Cube 1.8 S and Cube 1.8 SL.

A full range of dealer accessories allows buyers to expand their Cube world with items such as an illumination kit with 20 selectable colors, illuminated kick plates, rear cargo organizer, pet blankets, wheels, aero kits and more.

“We know that self-expression is important to many potential Cube buyers, so we’ve provided the room and accessorize to help with personalization,” said Castignetti. “However, Cube is far from a blank or empty canvas that buyers must equip on their own. Cube is a different kind of box than other vehicles on the market, with an abundance of personality right off the assembly line.”

Smart Simplicity
“Economical, affordable, functional and adaptable, the 2009 Nissan Cube offers an unmatched sense of ‘smart simplicity.’ It builds on a Cube DNA of distinctive spirit and non-automotive style, and adds an enhanced level of humanistic charm and clever design,” said Castignetti. “If cars could talk, Cube would be likely to say, ‘Nice to meet you.’ Come this spring, America gets its chance.”

Thanks to a whole bunch of you for the tip! [eBay Motors]

Near Clybourn & Belmont, I discovered the front of a GMC truck mated to the back of Lincoln Premiere. Include a transformers theme, and you have one seriously bizarre car. A look under the car revealed well fab'd true dual straight pipes.

Basically, BMW wants to muscle-in on some Harley-style factory customization, selling customers not only an expensive bike, but also a smattering of overpriced accessories. It sort of makes sense. BMWs have always been more individualistic than Harleys, so why not package that individuality into something they can sell?

Expect to see a similar model, using BMW’s 1200cc horizontally-opposed twin, to reach showroom floors in about two year’s time.

Want more EICMA coverage? Head over to Hell For Leather.

The Group 2 package includes the following all designed and developed by Classic Design Concepts:

-Composite front fenders & "Billboard" graphic flares with restyled wheel arches to accommodate the increased tire width
-10" wide front and 11.5" wide rear three piece wheels with 275 and 315 series Pirelli tires
-Front aerodynamic canards
-stainless wire mesh
-Aluminum hood
-Classic Design Concepts Cold air "shaker" system
-Sequential tail lights

Classic Design Concepts will be bringing 2 Challengers, a Black SRT8 with a Vortech supercharger good for 560hp, Pypes performance exhaust and 15" Baer Brakes with 6 piston calipers at all four corners and KW suspension. The White R/T includes a Procharger Supercharger, Pypes Performance exhaust, Baer 15" rotors and 6 piston calipers at all four corners with GfG forged three piece wheels and KW suspension, interior by Aleah Leather Specialists, paint protection by CGM detroit and Rockford Fosgate subwoofers and Amplifiers.

Classic Design Concepts will be in the north hall of SEMA, booth #11919 www.classicdesignconcepts.com

[Source: Classic Design Concepts]

10.)
Ricer: You must tailgate at all times. If you are more than a foot away from the car in front of you, you are not trying hard enough.
Average Everyday Asshole: You must tailgate at all times. If you are more than a foot away from the car in front of you, you may actually be devoting half your brain to driving, or allowing another person to infringe on your God-given right to drive 56.3 MPH on that particular stretch of road.

9.)
Ricer: Never turn off your high beams. You get extra points if they are aimed up.
Average Everyday Asshole: Never turn off your fog lights. Not only did you pay for them, thus validating their use, but you’re not sure where the off switch is anyways.

8.)
Ricer: Signaling lets others know where you are going. Winning the race is easier if other cars can never be sure where you plan to go next.
Average Everyday Asshole: Signaling informs others of your God-given right to be in their lane. After all, if you signaled, you gave them fair warning to get out of your way.

7.)
Ricer: Always weave through traffic. Your car was built with extremely advanced suspension and handling. Use it.
Average Everyday Asshole: Since you have no idea where the performance limit of your vehicle — or anyone else’s — lies, you should take extreme offense to anyone driving slightly outside of the norm or, god forbid, trying to pass you while you’re sitting in the fast lane your lane. Call the police and exercise blocking maneuvers the second you see someone doing this. It’s your responsibility to fight terrorism.

6.)
Ricer: Speed limits are for suckers. Live a little.
Average Everyday Asshole: The unwritten 10 MPH over on the highway rule should not be broken by anyone, ever. See above. In neighborhoods, the 25 MPH limit is for suckers and should be ignored at all costs.

5.)
Ricer: Never check your mirrors when you are changing lanes. When you are traveling over 100 mph in a car with drum brakes, it is important to keep your eyes on the road at all times.
Average Everyday Asshole: Never check your mirrors when you are changing lanes. The huge SUV that it’s your God-given right to drive will pulverize anyone foolish enough to get in your way.

4.)
Ricer: Don’t talk on the phone. You have an unlimited texting plan. Use it.
Average Everyday Asshole: Talk on the phone at all times. Statistics that suggest doing so is more dangerous than drunk driving are a lie perpetrated by the devil liberals.

3.)
Ricer: Your parking brake is actually designed for handbrake turns. Make sure to practice on wet roads at high speeds. Good drifters are sideways at all times.
Average Everyday Asshole: What’s a parking brake? Your transmission wouldn’t have a ‘Park’ setting if you needed to do anything else when parking on a hill.

2.)
Ricer: Everybody loves the sound your car makes with your new exhaust. Share this sound with as many people as you can by driving through residential neighborhoods at wide open throttle no earlier than 2 a.m.
Average Everyday Asshole: Anything that’s loud must be a terrorist. Drown out their evil ways by blasting the Clear Channel radio station of your choice.

1.)
Ricer: Don’t upgrade your brakes when you buy bigger rims. Physics doesn’t apply to your car. Stopping distances don’t matter as much as looks anyway.
Average Everyday Asshole: Don’t ever bother learning how to use the full ability of your brakes. That Driver’s Ed course in high school is the only training an expert like you ever needs. Driving a really big SUV will mean that you’ll obliterate anyone foolish enough to get in your way anyways. Driving well is for suckers.

So what have we learned? Well, that asshole drivers are asshole drivers, regardless of whether they're driving a Civic, a Camaro or a Dodge Caravan. So don't stereotype that one or this one. Not when there's one group we can all agree is really in need of a talking to — old people in Florida with a driver's license.

[via The Daily Interweb]

2CV HERMÈS, A TASTE OF LUXURY

The 2CV celebrates its 60th birthday during the Paris Motor Show, on 7 October 2008. To celebrate the event, Hermes has designed a made-to-measure outfit that highlights the vehicle's ever-friendly and generous forms.

The 1989 2CV 6 Spécial, repainted in brown, gains a natural leather trim on the door facings, interior rearview mirror, gear knob, steering wheel and driver's sun visor. For an even more elegant finish, the two seats are upholstered in Hermès grey-beige cotton canvas and natural leather. As a finishing touch, the bonnet and interior trim at the rear of the vehicle also feature Hermès cotton canvas.

An exhibition celebrating the birthday of this legendary car opened at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris on 15 April and is scheduled to run until 30 November 2008.

[via Arkitip]

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Its creator had a bare, beat-to-hell shell sitting on one side of the garage… and a $100 '79 Ford Granada sitting on the other side. You can see where this is going, right? For a budget of less than a thousand bucks, he handcrafted most of the bodywork (including a grille made from a household wall-heater grate), dropped in the Granada drivetrain- dead-stock 302 engine, C4 transmission, driveshaft, rear end, with some $3 Honda Accord springs holding the back end up, then installed the Granada interior as well. Tilt steering wheel, green vinyl, speedometer, the works! The attention to detail- and obsession with building the whole project as cheaply as possible- is absolutely amazing. The fuel tank is made from a pair of 5-gallon jerry cans cut and welded together, for example, and the wood trim is made from baseboards salvaged out of an old house. This guy has 20 other cool cars, including the evil-looking machine parked next to this one, a show-quality '62 Corvette, etc., yet the Granada Rod is the one that gets the most miles. No, it doesn't have any skulls or vintage Pabst cans, and the owner isn't completely covered in ink, but we're going to give this Ford the Jalopnik Best Of Show Award, hands down.

Hi Murilee,

I've always had a thing for European cars with American V8's under the hood. Cobras, Intermeccanicas, Sunbeam Tigers, Panteras, Jensen Interceptors and Iso Rivoltas. My wife and I decided to take advantage of a rare sunny summer day in SF and took our daughter on a cable car ride. We walked back towards Aquatic Park down Polk Street when I spotted this beauty. I've never seen an Iso up close and certainly never a Fidia. This one had dents and bubbling paint on several panels and was in desperate need of a car wash. I couldn't get any decent shots of the interior due to the sun on the dirt on the windows. I only managed a few shots before my battery ran out. I love the vestigial bumpers in front and back. Being a family man and a drummer this car would be a close second for me to an Intermeccanica Murena (need to fit the drums in the back).

Here is some info on the Fidia.

I really enjoy DOTS BTW. I had no idea that there were so many cool cars just across the Bay. One day I will make a pilgrimage to Alameda just to scope out cars (and trucks).

Its builder, who at this point remains anonymous, apparently feels that a massively underperforming air-cooled Harley v-twin makes the perfect synonym for a smooth V12, while the raked out custom frame hidden underneath the plastic leaper should do a good job of eliminating the good handling more often associated with the brand. Of course, all this will be the last thing on its rider’s minds; they’ll be way too focused on the excruciating riding position created by the rear-axle-mounted foot pegs and way-forward bars. [T3 via Autoblog]

The Buick engine was gone, but otherwise the Mark Mist was in pretty good shape.

The gauges still have their 24-karat gold plating, and the upholstery has held up very well. In fact, all the car really needs is a new engine and a general mechanical going-over to be ready to roll again. This car is a time capsule!

It's a love-it-or-hate-it design; some will cringe at the Edsel-esque face, but there's no arguing with the quality of the fabrication and craftsmanship here. No body filler, everything handmade.

A Buick engine awaits installation, and the Mark I Mist should roar back to life soon. Dave will likely sell it and move on to the next project once it's finished- he's already got a '57 Ford project in the early stages- but not before he makes jaws drop at a few shows and cruises with this thought-to-be-gone-forever classic.

We're all accustomed to seeing ads for potential Hell Projects that describe rusted-out hulks that look like they've been stored for decades in boiling salt water as "easy restorations," and the statement "One of these just sold for $180,000!!!!" is often applied to a basket-case heap that's been used as a rifle-range target since 1973. That's why it's refreshing to see a seller who doesn't try to apply a smiley face to a tough project, as is the case with this 1953 Chevy (go here if the ad disappears). You really need to read the entire description, because it's a PCH masterpiece, full of bitterness ("I got screwed on the getting the wing vents replaced by the meth-head lying loser crook that runs Casey's Auto Restoration Here in Cawlville") and black humor ("It's only money after all. They print more of that worthless green paper everyday"). This '53 has a Chevy 350, which means you can make it go fast for cheap, and '79 Camaro underpinnings, which means you could probably make it handle and stop pretty well for a 55-year-old car... but it's going to take a lot of your blood and treasure to make that happen.

If you're going to have a custom early-50s Chevy, you might as well go with a radically modified body, right? And what better way than to buy someone else's half-finished project? But where to find such a car that hasn't been fitted with yet another small-block- or even big-block- Chevy V8? We suggest going to Van Nuys, where you can pick up this Jaguar six-powered '51 Chevy roadster. It runs and drives, and we think it looks great just as it sits; the Jaguar spinners really work on those custom wheels. However, with all the work that went into that Pontiac front sheetmeal and boattail rear, you'll be overcome with feelings of guilt if you don't finish the damn project, and you'll be cheating if you just drop the thing off at a hot-rod shop and have them finish the body and interior. No, you need to do everything yourself, including the addition of a supercharger to that sweet-sounding Jag 4.2. Thanks to Graverobber for the tip!

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The forward-control Ford Econoline vans of the 1961-67 period are great-looking little boxes, which makes us wonder why you hardly ever see one with the full in-the-weeds/custom-bodywork treatment. Why should VW Transporters have all the fun, know what I'm saying? Oh, sure, the force field created when Foghat albums met Acapulco Gold was powerful enough to draw in some flat-nose Econolines back in the 70s, but it's really time we started seeing modern interpretations applied to them. That's why you ought to gather together $2,150 (or whatever the reserve price might be) and hand it over for this lowrider '62 Econoline van. At first glance, it looks pretty good, but a few i's need to be dotted and some t's must be crossed before this van will be moving under its own power. First of all, the slammification process meant that the original I6 motor had to go and a V6 placed in its stead. "Placed" is the right word, because that's about all that's been done with the "rebuilt Buick" engine here. You'll need to figure out the rest of the driveline, too, and "some custom fabrication/sheetmetal work will be needed for doghouse, and to cover sections of floor that were cut to allow clearance of wheels, driveline, and rear axle." Easy!

Crusing down the ave in your Bajito y Sauvecito Econoline would be pure joy, but that joy will turn to panic when society collapses under its own stinking, corrupt weight. Yes, your slammed Econoline will be about as useful as tits on a boar hog when the cities are burning, the crazies are hunting for human meat, and you need to head to your fortified survival compound in the mountains. That's why your project Econoline should be this '66 with 4x4 conversion (go here if the ad disappears). It's got post-apocalyptic style galore as it sits, but you'll need to outfit it with armor plating, extra fuel tanks, and maybe some flamethrowers to keep the riffraff at a safe distance. The seller doesn't mention the running condition, but we're guessing this Econo can at least make noise with that 240 six-banger. More'n likely, you'll need to go through everything and fix some Field Expedient Engineering done during the drivetrain upgrade, and you'll definitely need to replace that slushbox with a manual.

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First, let's have the anthem!

Before you go lining up your airbrush artist and gold-plating shop, you need to get a starting point. Since we're going old-school traditional here, the obvious choice would have to be the '64 Chevy Impala coupe. Now, you could find yourself a nice original '64, but have you priced them lately? You won't be able to afford that huge mural depicting La Noche Triste across the hood if you blow your entire roll on Day One, and it's simply unacceptable to get a four-door or even a Biscayne. We've got the solution, though, and a fine one at that: This 1964 Impala Two-Door (go here if the ad disappears) has a totally reasonable price tag of only $1,800. There's rust, the engine and glass are missing, but the seller has "ALL THE DOORS AND FENDERS AND HOOD and trunk WHICH ARE SRAIGHT," plus "95%" of the trim. The seller really does want to sell the car, not like those other guys who spam their basket-case Impalas on Craigslist because they "just want the world to know that they own a Impala." The drivetrain will be easy and cheap, which means you'll have plenty of time and money left to take on... everything else!

Come on, doing a '64 Impala lowrider is like building yet another big-block '69 Camaro- sure, you'll love it... but you'll just be one of a very large crowd. How about going with an for an earlier era for your classic lowrider? Something just as iconic, but that would turn heads on Whittier Boulevard in 1955 just as readily as today? We're going back into time, back to a topsy-turvy world in which you could utter "Mercury" and "cool" in the same sentence and not have everyone avoid eye contact with you. Yes, 1949, when these three '49 Mercury coupes (go here if the ad disappears) were made! The seller claims one of the three is "THE BEST ONE" (though it's unclear how that was determined) and he or she "WOULD SELL ONE OR ALL." As an added bonus, the cars are located in the Flaming Lips' hometown of Norman, Oklahoma, which means you'll be humming "One Million Billionth of a Millisecond on a Sunday Morning" every time you look at your new project! It's not clear how many cars you get for $3,950, nor is it clear whether you get any drivetrain or interior components. Take heart, though, because you can see at least two unbroken pieces of glass in the photos! Once you've made one solid '49- hey, with three cars you've got a real shot- you can get started on applying many, many coats of hand-rubbed lacquer paint, put together a rumbly flathead engine, etc.

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Hey Jalops

User Crazygutgut here.
I was driving down 19th Ave (in San Francisco) on Saturday July 5th when I spotted the "Escachero." I wonder if the guy is a fan, cause he spraypainted Escachero on the doors.

Most of the car is a 90ish Ford escort. the back of the cab seems to be made from a 60's Chevy or Ford pickup. the fins I'm not sure what those came off of, they looked pretty rough, but he did have "Coupe de Ville" scripts on the fins.

I still gotta get picks of the 1977 Honda Civic-amino that is driving around my hood, too....

Here's what the seller has to say about this unique automobile:

Purchased new in 1959 by design and styling legend Raymond Loewy and shipped to his coachbuilder, Pichon-Parat of France. After it's transformation, it was painted in light blue/green metallic paint with a white roof and used by Loewy and his family forEuropean trips. It returned to New York, thereafter, to Loewy's principal residence and eventually was relocated to his Palm Springs, California residence. After clocking up approximately 41,000 kilometers, it was sold to his next door neighbor in January of 1971, and was stored until approximately 1989 when it was sold to it's third owner-a European collector. It has just been released from this collection and is now available for sale. Raymond Loewy last drove this vehicle, with the original mileage of approximately 41,000 kilometers still unchanged.

Some of you might recall seeing this Ford in the background of the photos of the pink '52 Dodge we saw last summer. Since that time, the Ford project has progressed enough for it to drive around under its own power and park on the street.


It had some rust problems (now fixed), and naturally it's been lowered about as far as possible.


The metalflake green roof pain looks pretty sharp, although I'm not sure what the rest of the paint job will look like after the bodywork is done. Or maybe this is the finished paint job!


Project or finished car, it's good to see a 58-year-old machine that lives on one of the busiest streets in town.

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If Jesse and his team are going to create a suped-up, mud-spitting off-road dragster, they're going to start it off right: with a 1973 Corvette whose engine is nothing other than a 454 Chevy big block. The cars moving parts include custom front and rear drive shafts. Sprockets for the chain drive were welded to output shaft and front-drive shaft. Additional machine parts included a 5-gallon aluminum fuel cell. Body modifications were done to the wheel wells by slightly enlarging them to accommodate the tires. The team's biggest challenge was creating a 4-wheel drive chassis that is as light as possible, yet strong enough to take a beating. THE TEAM: Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers, Long Beach, CA, John Best, Corvette mechanic, Brea, CA, Dave Collier, electrician/desert racer, San Marcos, CA, Chuck Courty Jr., national mud-bogging champ, Pittsburgh, PA, Dick Guldstrand, racecar racer/builder/designer and Corvette expert, Guldstrand Engineering, Burbank, CA, Bobby McCurdy, fabricator, Henderson, NV, Mike Stapleton, head mechanic, Wilson Motor Sports, Bellflower, CA, and Don Vierstra, freelance artist, Buena Park, CA. VEHICLE SPECS: Engine: 454 Chevy big block; Pistons: Chevy stock (eight); Camshaft: Edelbrock Performer from Jeg's; Induction: Edelbrock Performer carburetor/intake manifold from Jeg's; Ignition: HEI; Exhaust: Hooker flanges, zoomie headers by Jesse (chromed); Transmission: 400 Turbo; Converter: 2,200 rpm stall; Drive Shaft: custom fabricated with chain drive and jack shaft to front axle (4-wheel drive); Rear Axle: Ford 9"; Front Axle: 1984 Toyota 4Runner front end purchased from junkyard. Steering: original Corvette steering box turned 90 degrees to link up with Toyota front end. Front Suspension: racing air shocks from King Shocks, custom-fabricated linkage. Rear Suspension: racing air shocks from King Shocks, custom-fabricated four-link with panhard bar. Front Tires: Mickey Thompson Baja Claw 33x13.50-15LT; Rear Tires: Mickey Thompson Baja Claw 35x15.50-15LT; Wheels: Mickey Thompson Challenger 15x29. Interior: The bulk of the original interior was removed. A custom-fabricated roll cage was installed. Stock seats were replaced with Cobra racing seats from Subé Sports. A nitrous tank from Nitrous Express wa