Archive for October 2007

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Buying (4)

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    Twelve Observations Concerning The Lexus IS 350

    Last day of Japan Week, get it while it's hot! With the we-now-know 416 horsepower Lexus IS-F about to drop, we thought we'd take this opportunity to get one last look the previous Lexus performance champ, the IS 350. If you like bells and whistles and beeps (and $47,000 price tags) the IS 350 might just be the car you've been looking for, as our tester is two martinis past fully loaded. Seriously, it has radar. Though we are left wondering what it would be like with a manual and 500 pounds of

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    2008 Ford Focus Coupe, Part 3

    Why you should buy this car: You love the Sync system more than you love driving. Why you should not buy this car: You love driving more than you love the Sync system.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    2008 Ford Focus Coupe, Part 2

    Exterior Design: zero stars It's fugly. I feel like Ford asked three designers to work on separate designs for the 2008 Focus. Then the designers sat down with Ford's executive team and, rather than have to be mean to any one of the designers, they just used all of the designs. At once. We've awarded the 2008 Focus no stars and may God have mercy on Ford's soul. Interior Design: **** The front cockpit is plush and well-appointed when fully optioned out. The optional leather seats are fantasti

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    2008 Ford Focus Coupe, Part 1

    If Ford's "Hi, I'm Dave" design language has created a Gillette-like lineup of Ford products, then the new 2008 Ford Focus is the most disposable of the family. From the tip of the dual-bar chrome grille, along a set of faux side vents all the way to the high rear end and large badge letters spelling its name, the formerly plain and simple Focus has adopted an unspeakable tawdriness. Maybe that was why I spent my three days with the Focus largely in the driver's seat. Not that it's a bad place

    By Ray Wert Read More

Entertainment (1)

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    Top Gear Track, Episode Downloads Coming To Gran Turismo 5 And PS3

    We've just heard some amazing news about the greatest automotive show on Earth, Top Gear. In fact, it was so amazing that despite it being 2:00 AM here in Tokyo (where we're at this week for the Tokyo Motor Show), it literally made us blink, swear under our breath, get up out of the chair and do a little jig. Here's what we've just learned (Thanks to Top tipster Thaddeus):

    By Ray Wert Read More

News (297)

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    Unlike me, this guy actually understands the Baja 1000 and the importance of the two new Dodge Ram pickups. Plus, his pictures are better than ours. [PickupTruck.com]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: Existential Crisis Edition

    We're sure it will come as a shock to no one that Davey G and I routinely debate Fantasy Garage nominations deep into the early morn. Even less shocking was Mr. Johnson's reaction to the Facel Vega HK500, which I believe he called, "A motherfucker of a car." Then we got to arguing about the various merits and demerits of other French l'automobiles. We were both initially torn between the Citroen SM and the HK500, though I eventually sided with the Facel Vega. Davey meanwhile went a step further

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    PCH, Aussie Edition: Humber Hawk Or Morris Major?

    It's been a while since we last took a look at the Hell Projects available outside of the United States, but Project Car Hell is something we all have in common. Yes, whether you're beating your skull against a ZAZ in Mongolia or a Simca in Monrovia, you know the agony of having this seriously cool car that you can't possibly get working! And now that we've indulged our love for gratuitous italicization, let's take a look at some wonderful cars down Australia way, suggested by Aussie tipster an

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    LCD Rims: TV For The Tires

    Remember what we said about finding the tasteful stuff among the endless supply of aftermarket glitz here at SEMA? We lied. The above video clip indicates what can happen when technology meets the world of dumbass automotive accouterments. The idea is to use these TV rims as a new mode of over-the-road product messaging, though we'd imagine all sorts of uses, like displaying other cars' rims, Japanese tentacle-rape porn or random shots of vegetables. The possibilities are endless.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    2009 Toyota Corolla Unveiled

    The new 2009 Toyota Corolla and 2009 Toyota Matrix were just unveiled here at the SEMA show in Vegas. For some reason the folks from the super number one best awesome automaker from the land of the rising sun decided to show off one set of vehicles, un-pimped ones, to the press at the Hilton across the street. Fear not, the mighty Mike Bumbeck was covering those. But here at the convention center, we were "treated" to some heavily modded versions of the new Corolla and Matrix. That's what you se

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Low-End Torque Or High-RPM Power?

    Yesterday's QOTD was a really good one for multiple reasons. One of the many topics discussed was power vs. torque, a concept still not that well understood by petrolheads. To radically simplify the argument, push-rod mills have less reciprocating mass and are therefor able to generate oodles of twisting force down low in the rev range. They tend to burble rather than scream, need larger displacements and don't rev all that high. On the other hand, smaller overhead valve engines are able to whir

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Facel Vega HK500

    A man's work is nothing but this slow trek to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images in whose presence his heart first opened.

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Foose Flexes His Ford Muscles, Reveals Customized Ford Flex

    Just for SEMA, Ford's let two designers have their way with their new people mover, the Ford Flex. First up is none other than the star of "Foosical: The Musical," Chip Foose. He's put his personal touch on the Flex by dropping Foose Design 22-inch wheels on the feet, and Eibach springs customized for "a lower appearance," and a custom-mixed, tow-tone blue and cream pearl paint job. It's the Foose Flexy, kiddies — all the same "great" looks of the Flex, with absolutely no performance upgrades.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    GM To Export Cadillac SLS To Middle East

    Rich Saudi oil barons will now get the opportunity to add some Chinese-made Cadillac style to their car collections. The General's just announced the automaker plans to begin selling the Shanghai-built Cadillac SLS in the Middle East starting in the first quarter of 2008. The SLS is the extended-length version of the STS luxe sedan. Full press release after the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Project Car Hell Poster Child, Halloween Edition

    Seems that our Pontiac Versus Plymouth Ambulance Project Car Hell Poster Child poll (in which DCulberson edged out Plymsole in the voting) has inspired reader Dave to send in the tale of his Miller-Meteor Classic Duplex ambulance/hearse combo, based on a 1962 Cadillac. Take a look at the photos of this fine machine, then make the jump to hear Dave's story.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    SEMA 2007: 50 Cent's 500 HP Custom Pontiac G8

    Rapper 50 Cent took some time away from recording music and trying to grab a piece of Fast Lane Daily host Ashley Van Dyke, to customize a Pontiac G8. We're told he was absolutely instrumental in the design process — like when he said "I want a red car" and then "I want it to have a black stripe." Bingo, he got a "red car" with a "black stripe." Unfortunately, GM wouldn't let him use the rest of his "ideas" and left the remainder of the custom job on the 500 HP LSX 427-engined customized ride

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Dodge Avenger "Stormtrooper"

    Mopar revealed a total of eight customized vehicles here at SEMA, and we've already shown a few of them like the Jeep JT concept and the Hemi-fied Wrangler. Here's another. It's a tricked out Dodge Avenger the folks at The New Chrysler call the "Stormtrooper." Somehow we find that name to be a bit of a bad choice by the Penastar brand — haven't they heard of the "Stormtrooper Effect?" Maybe they should have painted it black and named it the "Vader." And another note to Mopar — probably not the

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    The Buick Enclave is a "win" for the General. General's reaction? Cut production to keep it hot. Oh look, someone's learning! [WSJ]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    1968 Plymouth Belvedere Station Wagon

    It's been over a month since we had a big Detroit station wagon in this series (the '77 Olds Custom Cruiser), and that's just too long! So here's a nice original '68 Plymouth Belvedere wagon I spotted parked just a block from my house. I'm a few years too young to have had a childhood filled start-to-finish with 60s wagons, and anyway my family had a van instead, but it's impossible for me not to love these things. Damned wagon-killing minivans and SUVs!

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: Ugly Stereotypes Edition

    Rush Limbaugh was described best to me as, "Your paranoid, self-loathing uncle who screams into his attic ham radio about imaginary injustices. Yet for some for some reason he's taken seriously." Before you slap me with the "Lib!" badge, I would ask you to spend an afternoon with my uncle. All of which brings us around nicely to today's winning Commenter. The problem with stereotypes is that they always fail miserably. Don't get me started about the gay Eskimo I knew who drove a gold Jag XJ-12.

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Dodge Baja Trucks

    Chrysler just revealed some Baja love with a couple of Dodge Ram pickups that'll be hitting the Baja trails. The first is a Mopar-sponsored Dodge Ram Off-Road Trophy Truck for Collins Motorsports to field in the SCORE International Off-Road Racing Series. The second's a stock 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 also for Baja truckin'. Full press release after the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    PCH, Force Majeure Edition: Fuego Turbo Or Biturbo?

    With our patriotic Chevyfied Monte Carlo Versus Camaro Potential Enduro Car PCH poll yesterday, we had some readers grumbling about the low-budget Detroitness of the choices. Well, we understand that freedom to dissent is what makes America great, so we're not going to execute any commenters just because they're clearly taking their marching orders from Kim Jong Il. Yet. In fact, today we're going to see about getting some forced-induction machinery straight from Europe. Real performance cars!

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Ford Boss 500 To Burn Nitro

    Ford and Force Racing unveiled the first new entry into the nitro burning hemi engine field in modern times. The crew developed the engine using space age analytical tools, beefing up the main bearing journals and surrounding webbing to help keep the crank and pistons from windowing the blue anodized block. Force Mustang Funny Car driver Mike Neff will be the first to huff the good stuff through the blower, with Robert Hight and Ashley Force phasing in the mill in their own Mustangs after nitro

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Honda Accord Coupe HF-S Concept

    Honda just revealed a "world debut" concept car here at SEMA, and it basically represents what you can do with a new 2008 Honda Accord if you really put your mind to it. Also, you've got to use up every option possible in the Honda Factory Performance catalog — from ten years from now. It's called the Honda Accord Coupe HF-S concept, and it's got every piece of Honda kit you'd never want and you couldn't even get — even a "Cadmium Orange Pearl" color coat, which we think may be what happens wh

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Popular Hot Rodding's Project X Car Unveiled

    It took them 40 years, but Popular Hot Rodding's finally done it — they've finished the rebuild of the '57 Chevy they first received back in 1965. The history's as storied as can be and just as boring. But, if for some reason you're interested in what a magazine from Primedia with merely a token web site has got going on under the hood of their taken-forever-to-build project car, there's a gallery below and the full release from the General below the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Ford Introduces Mustang FR500S For Make Great Success Competing In Glorious Miller Cup

    Ford Racing just introduced what they're calling a "new way to affordably race" with their reveal of the all-new 2008 Mustang FR500S. The Mustang variant will be the heart of an all-new Mustang spec series for the Miller Cup, which they'll be calling the Take The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge which will make its debut on tracks around North America in 2008. Wait, Ford Racing on "tracks?" Maybe "tracks" is just a euphemism for "drag strips." Hit the jump for the full press release from Ford. Oh

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Hummer H2 Safari Concept, Complete With Gun Rack

    Now that we've seen the new Hummer H2 Safari Off Road concept, we can now conclusively say that yes, the General was correct in its press release. The SUV concept does have a gun rack. A pretty serious gun rack we might add, sitting atop the trunk area with easy access through what would normally be the rear set of side windows. Mmm, the smell of rhino blood in the morning, smells like...something. Full release after the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Pontiac SD-290 Revealed!

    In addition to everything else we've seen over the last few days, the General just revealed their hot like the fires of a summer solstice one-seater Pontiac concept racer we showed a drawing of the other day, the SD-290, today at SEMA in Vegas. The SD-290's powered by a 2.0-liter Ecotec direct-injected and turbocharged engine generating 290 HP. It's lighter than the usual Solstice through weight reduction by installation of the driver-side only windscreen and, you know, elimination of the pass

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Cadillac CTS Sport Concept, Now With Live Photos

    Those press shots of the new sub-V class concept Cadillac CTS Sport? They just don't do this car justice. That's because the grille? It's just not attractive. Not in the least. It's actually the antithesis of attractive. I'd be happy to see a normal CTS with this engine, but as it currently stands, I'd rather gouge out my eyeballs than be seen driving this car around town. It's just that garish. Don't believe us? See for yourself in the shots below and check out the full press release after th

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Tulsa's Not That Far: Thrill Of The Road

    Tom Albrecht (front) and J.F. Musial, hosts of Thrill of the Road. I always felt at home when we entered Colorado, where the plains became arid, the rabbit bush prolific. (Occasionally we would take "the southern route," heading into the harsh rocks of northern Texas or New Mexico.) Our search was for elusive river beds—sometimes full only in the spring. In the shallow pools, we would seine—this is a type of net—for fish, to find what species still remained or were gone, extinct due to human f

    By Davey G. Johnson Read More
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    Workhorse Engine Of The Day: Jaguar XK

    When I got an email from B. Borrman (of QOTD Hell Jaguar fame) suggesting that the Jaguar XK engine deserved WEOTD status, I figured some of our readers might be on the skeptical side. Sure, we have no problem honoring a British engine, but a Jaguar? Oh, hell yes! How about a 44-year production run? Or five LeMans victories? Make the jump to hear Mr. Borrman's case for the engine and see some nice screaming-engine videos. [JagWeb]

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    SEMA 2007: The Inside Scoop On Jay Leno's Corvette C6RS

    We got some inside info on the C6RS from Kip Wasenko, GM's Director of Design, Performance Division after the reveal of that car tonight at the Wynn Hotel. We broke bread ... er ... watermelon ... with Kip and Marcelo Gaffoglio of Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters at the event, and if you're wondering why Marcelo's name sounds familiar, this may be why. But on to what we learned:

    By burstein Read More
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    Oops: New York Times Erroneously Reports Tesla Delays "Battery Related"

    OMG! Ann Coulter is right. Just like when Dale Sr. took one for the team and the New York Times failed to put it on the front page, once again the Gray Lady gets it all wrong when it comes to cars. Oh wait, the New York Times actually did run Earnhardt's death on the front page and Coulter is a freaky looking drag queen/performance artist. Exhale... Anyhow, in a profile on Silicon Valley "technologist" Shai Agassi, who is planning on sticking battery recharging stations everywhere, Times writer

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    1985 Peugeot 505 STI

    While we love us some crazy French cars (the Matra Bagheera and Citröen SM spring to mind), we still can't help but wonder what incomprehensible motivations led any American to purchase a brand-new 505 as a transportation car back in 1985. Sure, they were nice cars to drive, but... well, we all know the rest of this rant by heart.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Chevrolet HHR Panel SS Revealed Live, We Check Out The Big Red Rear End

    Check out the inside of the back end of the newly revealed Chevy HHR Panel SS custom concept. How bad of a case of the red-ass does this SuperSport have with all of that hot red leather? Yeah, that's right — that's all red leather covering the interior of the cargo bay from the waistline up. Because this HHR SS is for show, for go and for hauling. Or as one PR person for Chevy claimed, "if the HHR Panel Van is for the small businessman, the HHR Panel SS is for the sporty small businessman." Or

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: The Hemi-Powered SR-392 Roadster Gets Revealed A Wee Bit Early

    Just like last year we managed to find ourselves a way to sneak on to the show floor to snag some first-look shots of some of the sights, sounds and supremely over-powered wonderfulness on the SEMA showroom floor here in Vegas. First sight of the day was a vehicle we told you about just a few hours ago, the 392 Hemi crate engine-powered SR-392 Roadster, a product of Chrysler's Mopar Underground SEMA design team and Quality Metalcraft out of Livonia, MI. If you'll remember, Quality Metalcraft i

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Project Car Hell, Enduro Edition: Monte Carlo Or Camaro?

    Since our last Choose Your Eternity poll featured a 50.6% to 49.4% virtual dead heat at the time of this writing, with the 1976 De Tomaso Longchamp just barely ahead of the three Bitter SCs, and with the Jaloppers all fired up over the Pumkpin Smash enduro race, we figured it would be a good time to do a PCH featuring the two cars that seem to run neck-and-neck in the enduro world: the early Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the second-generation GM F-body. So put on your helmets and have the Sawzall,

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Ass-Kickin' Engine Of The Day: GMC Twin-Six V12

    After doing a little research on the GMC V6 in today's DOTS car (and recalling a reference to the Twin Six by commenter Paul_Y a while back), I find it necessary to pay homage to the mighty GMC Twin-Six engine. It wasn't two GMC V6s joined together- it had a unique block and crank, with four V6 cylinder heads bolted on. We're a little puzzled about why you'd use a gigantic gasoline engine for applications so obviously suited for a diesel, but who the hell cares? Look at this thing! Jump like a

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Toyota Tundra TRD Double Cab Off-Road Concept

    Looks like we may have gotten Toyota's goat enough with that shot of the Toyota Nastruck trailer getting hauled around by a diesel-powered Chevy Silverado Heavy-Duty that they've responded by building their own Tundra concept to show off here at SEMA. It's the Toyota Racing Development Tundra Double Cab Off-Road Concept truck and it's built with supposedly enough "umph" to carry a large car-hauler trailer. Although a car-hauler trailer's a start — we somehow think even with the supercharged V8

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Mother's Propane And Propane Accessories

    We know what you're thinking. Another Chevelle at SEMA. Wait now. This Chevelle kicks out 1000 horsepower without a blower, the bottle, or burning one drop of gasoline. How? Propane! The small block Chevy under the hood huffs down the same stuff folks use to heat up their Hamburger Helper. Since propane packs a 100+ octane rating, using high compression pistons is not an issue. We had a chance to hear this beast run at Mother's over the summer and it sounded much better than mean. This is the Ch

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    BobAsh Road Tests The 1965 Tatra 603

    Apparently, it wasn't enough for our Coronet 440-drivin' Czech friend BobAsh to tip us off about some vintage Tatra hoonage or help us out with a Czech Project Car Hell. Now he's gone and found a beautifully restored, Communist-bureaucrat-spec '65 Tatra 603 sedan, shot a ton of quality photographs, and then road-tested it for us. Make the jump to get the whole story in BobAsh's own words.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    SEMA 2007: 500 HP E85-Powered '34 Chevy Coupe

    1934 Chevy Coupe. 2.0-liter Ecotec engine running on E85. 500 HP. Need we say more? Actually, yes, we probably should, but with all of the GM SEMA nonsense running up in this here site all morning, frankly we're just getting sick of it. We mean fercrissakes, SEMA hasn't even started yet. Whatever. Full release after the jump. We're going to go find a hole to crawl in out here in Vegas.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Cadillac Escalade Sport Revealed, Shows Off 550 HP V8 Under Hood

    Aye, just what the Cadillac Escalade needed — more power and lower fuel economy. But hey, isn't that what "pimping" is all about? Well, other than being "not easy." And look, there's "special aero rockers" to provide this new and more sporty 'sclade "a distinctive look." You know, it kinda still looks like an Escalade to us — albeit an Escalade with a smiling grille. What say you? To find out what the General says, just hit the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Chrysler Hemi-Fied SR 392 Roadster Custom Concept

    In addition to the custom models of some of the current vehicular lineup from "The New Chrysler" there also looks to be a couple of not-so-current custom concepts we'll be seeing from the pentastar brand. Like this here SR 392 Roadster from the Mopar Underground SEMA design team at the Chrysler Tech Center in Auburn Hills, MI and the folks from Quality Metalcraft in Livonia, MI. Quality Metalcraft, the company that owns AEV, the makers of the mod-tastic Hemi-fied Wrangler Unlimited we dropped

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Chevrolet "Country Music" Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab Shows Off "Our Music?"

    So we guess pop music maven John "Chevy" Mellencamp may still be able to croon about this here truck's "Our Truck" coming from "Our Country," but we're unsure he's able to continue to say that the music he's singing "our music" anymore. At least that's our thought behind the thoughts he must be having after seeing this here Chevy Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab that's all about the country croonin'. Yup, it's the Chevy "Country Music" Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab — with a bed and tonneau cover that op

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Amazing Spam From... Kia?

    Ever since my buddy Matt Timmons wrote a book comprised entirely of weird spam he's received, I've been paying a bit more attention to what's in my junk mail folder than I should. Sure, we all want "3 m0re inches," but wouldn't you rather have £1,000,000 sterling and a Kia Picanto? Cause you could afford any number of penis augmentations with that much scrilla, plus you'd be able to transport yourself to and from the back alley fly-by-night clinic hospital in the comfort of your very own Picanto

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    1963 GMC Suburban Carryall

    I'm a little puzzled about where the "Carryall" name figured into the branding of the '63 Suburban (if this is, in fact, a '63; GMC experts, please weigh in if I'm off by a year or two), but there's no doubt in my mind that this is what an SUV should be. Yes, Detroit took a serious wrong turn when they convinced Americans that passenger vehicles built on truck chassis needed leather upholstery and TV sets, killing the appeal of both the station wagon and the plastic-rococo luxury barge in the p

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    DARPA Grand Challenge: Corporate Vs. Collegiate

    Three-and-a-half million in prizes is a pretty big deal, and this year, the DARPA Grand Challenge will be webcast live on Saturday, Nov 3 starting at 6:00 am (PT). The event is free for anyone willing to brave a trip to Victorville, California, a Mojave desert town 81 miles northeast of Los Angeles. With 35 semifinalist teams competing, the easiest way to split them up is by whether they're primarily corporate or collegiate, which gets a little tough because there is a fair amount of crossover.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Jay Leno's 600 HP E85-Powered Corvette C6RS Revealed Before SEMA Debut

    Jay Leno apparently was unwilling to wait for the new 2009 Corvette ZR1 and decided he needed to get his 600-HP swerve on a wee bit early. The humongously chinned one worked with the C6.R-builders at Pratt & Miller to design this — a C6RS — a Corvette inspired by both the Corvette Z06 as well as the racetrack-ready C6.R. To all this, Leno added his own little touch of corniness — the ability to run it on the ethanol-blended E85. Leno's alternative-fuel supercar is powered by a custom and giant

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Saturn Astra Tuner Concept

    The new Opel Saturn Astra's not even here in the United States yet and already the General's trying to get the tuner crowd all riled up for it. Enter the Saturn Astra Tuner Concept, with its lean, taught bodywork stretched over a long wheelbase and wide track, the all-new Saturn Astra has an undeniably sporty stance and...oh, wait, sorry...we just kind of broke out into press release talk there. Umm, yeah, if you want all that crap jive, hit the jump turkey.

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    SEMA 2007: Hummer H2 Safari Comes Complete With A Gun Rack

    We don't even own a gun, let alone many guns that would necessitate a gun rack — but that hasn't stopped Hummer from dropping one into their new Hummer H2 Safari Off-Road concept they'll be showing off here at SEMA. At least that's what it says in the press release — and you know we'll be snagging some pictures of it as soon as we find it on the show floor. In addition to the aforementioned holder of guns, it also comes equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and 20" wheels with Mickey Thompson

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    SEMA 2007: Chevrolet Major League Baseball Silverado 1500 Lets You Look Even More Silly When You Play Wii Baseball

    Oh look, it's another Chevy Silverado here at SEMA. This one's got a baseball paint theme incorporating every major league team logo just in time to celebrate the time of the season when only two teams are able to continue to play ball. Because when a baseball uber-fan thinks about what kind of truck they want to drive, they totally think driving around in a truck that's got not only your team's logo on it, but is also decked out in every other team's logos. But, there's other fun in here — li

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: The "Big Red" 2008 Chevy Silverado HD Crew Z71 Brings Long-Lasting Freshness

    Yes, just because you can't get the off-road Z71 package on the Silverado 2500HD doesn't mean you don't want it really really badly, especially if you're a fan of the big-boy HD trucks. So, the folks at GM Accessories and Chevy have combined forces to provide y'all with "Big Red" here, a concept that merges the popular package with the quite likable 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab and its 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine. Now that's a lot of off-roadin' torque power they've wrapped u

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Cadillac CTS Sport With 3.6-Liter 304 HP V6

    There's a new version of the still-new Cadillac CTS coming here to SEMA according to the folks at the General and it's got some more horses under the hood. That's the good news. The bad news? It's not the "V" series version. Instead, it's what the luxe brand's calling the "Sport" edition. This new angular beast gets a 3.6-liter 304 HP V6 under the hood and is the world's biggest tease since we heard there were nude shots of Angeline Jolie out there somewhere on the interwebs. Seriously, we sco

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Ferrari FXX Evoluzione

    Ferrari just revealed the newest stallion in the stable at the Ferrari World Finals at Italy's Mugello racetrack, and it's called the Ferrari FXX Evoluzione. Like the name suggests, it's a Ferrari designed to continue the "Evoluzione" of the FXX program. And just as befitting, it wouldn't be a track ready Ferrari these days without the prancing stallion calling on "the invaluable support of Michael Schumacher." Regardless of who helped them, the folks at Ferrari are claiming it's the most adva

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    2009 Chevy HHR SS Panel SEMA Concept

    In addition to the 2009 Chevy Cobalt SS we showed you earlier this weekend, the 'merican Revolution will also be showing off a concept panel van built off the 2008 HHR SS. It's one of those "concepts" in the loosest sense of the term as it "previews a forthcoming production model differing only slightly from the stylized SEMA concept." The Panel SS takes the production 2008 HHR SS's turbocharged powertrain that we showed you first during the Woodward Dream Cruise this past summer and rips off

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    DARPA Grand Challenge: A Battle Of Wits

    [Jalopnik's desert stringer Curtis Walker is following the DARPA Grand Challenge, an annual race of autonomous ground vehicles, with a serious case of the techies. We'll have his reports today on the National Qualifying Event semifinals, like this one, as soon as he can type them into his digital audio-visual receipt and transmission unit. - ed.] Among the numerous newcomers to this year's DARPA competition, Massachusetts Institute of Technology seems poised to win the imaginary award for most g

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    2009 Chevy Cobalt SS

    Looks like GM's bringing out yet another old mainstay to SEMA this year. Yup it's the 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS— yup, that's right — it's got an SS badge. Yay. Well, if we disregard the FWD platform and focus on the 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled Ecotec hitting 260 horses — we guess that extra 55 horses over the old n' busted supercharged Cobalt SS is something less to scoff at. The new Cobalt SuperSwervy's also got itself a short-throw shifter — only it's mated to the five-speed tranny rat

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Chrysler Workers Ratify UAW Contract

    UAW workers have voted to accept their four-year contract with Chrysler, but the ratification faced some serious opposition with only 56 percent of production workers and 51 percent of skilled trades workers approving the contract. From what we're told, many UAW members weren't happy about the new two-tier wage system that pays some manufacturing workers as little as $14 per hour and the lack of product commitment guarantees present in the GM contract. Still, they got it done. Got to give Chrys

    By tingwall Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Lowrider Camry Project Car Hits Flickr Ahead Of SEMA

    While not quite as big a project car reveal as say, Popular Hot Rodding's "Project X" car, we're fairly sure the folks at Lowrider were probably hoping to keep their project car off the radar until their big reveal of the pimped-out Camry come SEMA show-time. Who are we kidding, they totally would love the attention. Lucky for them, some shots managed to make their way on to Flickr, and then make their way here. So, here it is in a set of not-quite-ready for prime time shots below. [via Flickr

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: CDC '67 "Flashback" Ford Mustang, Now With Full Frontal Action!

    Ford plans on showing off four Mustangs here at the 2007 SEMA show, with two of the four coming from the classic customizers at Classic Design Concepts. One of the two CDC 'Stangs is a little dreamboat they're calling the '67 "Flashback" — it's actually CDC owner George Huisman's personal car. It's an all new revisioning of the '67 Mustang built from the ground up with new parts starting with a Dynacorn body authorized by Ford. Finished with a custom Metal flake Sherwin Williams Pearl Blue pai

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Project Car Hell: One Longchamp Or Three Bitters?

    We had our second two-thirds majority vote in a row for yesterday's Choose Your Eternity poll, with the Infiniti Q45 using its V8 to pound the V6-powered Mazda 929 into submission. We went Japanese yesterday because it's Japan Week here, and also because we needed to give you a little breather after the terrible punishment of an all-French L'enfer des Projets-Voitures. Today we're turning up the temperature a bit, with a return to the tried-and-true Hell Grab Bag option.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Small Block Chevy Quadracycle

    Featuring such luxury amenities as power rack and pinion steering and a 425 horsepower 383 cubic-inch Chevrolet small block is the Bourget's Shredder F-80 Quadracycle. This beast is designed to attract that group of the motorgoing public that wants to ride a motorcycle, but can't be bothered screwing around with just two wheels. A quick change rear differential puts the power to the ground through a pair of Porsche 930 constant velocity joints and what will certainly be a short-lived set of Avon

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    Who Shall Wear The Ambulance Hell Project Crown?

    Saab-O-Maniac SeanKHotay won our last PCHPC vote, but now dculberson has stepped up in an attempt to unseat Belvedere Adrian, owner of the '58 Plymouth Ambulance, to take the Ambulance Hell Project trophy for his own! He's got a '66 Pontiac Superior Consort that looks like a never-ending nightmare quite a refreshing challenge...

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Big Daddy And Mopar To Burn Nitro Again

    Big Daddy Don Garlits has always liked his Chryslers. He stuck with the hemispherical variety of engine even when the dark forces of moneyed sponsorship tried to convince him otherwise. Back in May we found out that he continues to enjoy stuffing hemis down into the framerails. The Swamp Rat XII is now finished and rolling out to SEMA from Florida. The vintage 6:71 blower looks better than bitchen raking down on top of the modern 392 mill. Release and specifications after the jump. [Big Daddy Do

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    The 24 Hours Of LeMons Winner: Black Iron Racing's BMW

    After all these posts on the cars of the 24 Hours of LeMons race at Altamont last weekend, we've overlooked a very important one: the winner! We know it's a BMW, we hear it's an '85, it looks sort of like a 5-Series-amino, and it blew away some very good drivers in some very quick cars to take the checkered flag. Good job, Black Iron Racing... and get ready to face the mighty Jalopnik Aztek at the next race! You can get a beater Aztek for under $500 now, right? Jump like an MR2 getting bounced

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Tokyo Motor Show: Mitsubishi Concept ZT

    The betting odds say the Mitsubishi Concept ZT shown here at the Tokyo Auto Show this week will be the next Mitsubishi Gallant. And with a high-po 2.2-liter diesel and some new looks, we're guessing Mitsubishi can't be thinking their doing too much wrong with this here concept-cum-prototype. Full press release from the tri-diamond brand below the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Toyota AE86

    Since the AE86 family of Toyotas tends to contain some of the most hacked-up, hot-rodded, and generally butchered cars you see in California, it's beyond my abilities to guess the exact year of this particular example. I can't check the state's Smog Test History site to get the year of the chassis because it's sporting Washington plates, and I can't see the VIN under its aftermarket dash mat. This one probably contains bits of a dozen cars from the 1984-87 period; we can only hope it has the ri

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Tokyo Motor Show: Custom Toyota Corolla Rumion/Scion xB By Kanji

    It's a color some call orange flake — a deep tangerine overlaid with metallic sparkles. Others call it Hysterical Blindness Chrome, though when applied to the JDM version of the new Scion xB, it looks rather fetching indeed. Japan's Kanto Auto Works decked out this model with all manner of SEMA-grade orangeness, and a folding roof of its own design. Understated it's not. And no, mom, those are Japanese maple leaves embossed on the side.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Tokyo Motor Show: Nissan Intima Concept

    We're about to be in the midst of the neo-classical phase of automobile design, led by Japanese automakers like Mazda, Toyota and, with its new Intima concept, Nissan. That means we'll be seeing a surge of panel surfaces that appear to have been carved by wind over centuries, rather than by short-sleeved guys in horn-rimmed glasses over a working week. Nonetheless, we're most likely looking at what US buyers will get as Infiniti's new S-Class competitor. The concept is powered by a diesel V6, wh

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: JDM Edition

    As Señor Loverman is off looking for a $150 WRX to run in next year's 24 Hours of LeMons race (we'll need the other $350 for a huge PA system that will blast death metal at the other drivers), I'm handling COTD duties today. Going by the Thomas Edison inspiration-to-perspiration-ratio maxim (yet eschewing the IV cocaine boost that gave Mr. Edison that extra zip for those all-nighters), I've decided to give today's award to a commenter who provided the perspiration via a ton of research legwork

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    PCH, Rear-Drive Japanese Luxury Edition: Q45 Or 929?

    Approximately two-thirds of you would rather reign in Hell with a '69 Citroën than with a '66 Renault R8 Gordini, according to yesterday's Choose Your Eternity poll (we can assume that those who would serve in Heaven with a brand-new Lexus didn't vote). That's great, but what if you want to feel like a Yakuza soldier collecting protection money from pachinko-parlor owners and noodle-stand proprietors while you drive your Hell Project? What then? Well, you definitely need a Japanese luxury machi

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Stop wondering whether or not GM will put its 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo four into the Cobalt SS, replacing the current model's supercharged mill. The SAE test spec says it all, that is, 262 horsepower at 5000 RPM and 261 lb-ft of torque at 2000 RPM. Telltale numbers, indeed. Now we just have to wait until 2008.5. Is that a leap year? [GM Inside News]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Tokyo Motor Show: Mazda Taiki Concept

    Mazda's latest in a string of radical concepts that express organic themes, the Taiki is more than just a highly stylized sheetmetal sculpture that'll never see production. It's also the forum for Mazda's next-generation Renesis rotary engine, introduced here in Tokyo. Facing down heightened emissions requirements and competition among engines that don't consume gas like we've been consuming cans of Japanese coffee — like the rotary does — Mazda made some changes to its venerable tri-corner mill

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    1977 Toyota Celica GT

    As we've already had a '77 Celica in this series, we're now looking at our first multi-DOTS car. But we have this entire island, with its 70,000 population and little off-street parking, and I can only find two early Celicas? You used to see two of them on every block! The Crusher probably fed exclusively on 70s Celicas for much of the mid-90s, as each one hit 200,000 miles and required some repair costing more than 50 bucks. And now Alameda is down to one somewhat straight blue '77 Celica and

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    SEMA 2007: AEV Hemi-Fies Wrangler Unlimited JK For SEMA!

    The boys at American Expedition Vehicles plan to show a custom Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JK in the Chrysler display at SEMA 2007. What's so trick about it? Well, our friends at the Michigan and Montana based custom shop took their experience performing hundreds of Hemi conversions on the Jeep Wrangler TJ to have some fun with the new four-door from "The New Chrysler." So, instead of the stock 3.8-liter V6 under the hood, the Mopar-mavens at AEV have shaved away enough room to wedge a 6.4-liter

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    SEMA 2007: Hyundai Reveals Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept

    SEMA's just a week away and Hyundai's just dropped the embargo sheet on their "Beach Cruiser" concept based on the upcoming five-door Elantra Touring at this year's festival of equipment and pimpage. The custom concept was customized by K-Daddyz Kustomz of Bakersfield, California with a whole load of toys and given a very unique color scheme of "Amazing Grape and Tango Orange." Who even knew oranges could dance? Full press release and official list of custom kit below the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Volkswagen Space Up! Concept

    Here in Tokyo yesterday, Volkswagen rolled out the latest small-car concept based on its new Up! platform. That is, a longer, taller version of the rear-engined Up! shown in Frankfurt, with more room for IKEA furniture, stuffed animals or assorted cartons of ethnic curries. It's the product of a design team led by VW/Audi's favorite Italian son, Walter d'Silva, who introduced the Space Up! with telltale Italian brogue. VW needs a hit in the mincar segment if it wants to beat Fiat in its own bid

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    It's "Ray" Day At Ford!

    We try to nap for just a short while and when we wake up the whole world's gone batty. We just found out some congrats are in order for Ray Day, who's just been appointed Veep of Communications for all of Ford all over the world. Let us be the first to congratulate Ray on his new role with Ford and to let folks know those of us here in the media all look forward to someday receiving lucrative jobs hearing from him just as much as we all heard from Charlie Holleran, the former holder of that pa

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    L'enfer Des Projets-Voitures: Citroën Grand R Or Renault Gordini?

    Allowing you to vote on two potential 24 Hours of LeMons race cars yesterday was fun (and the BMW no doubt deserved its victory in the poll), bu the problem was that Low Budget Race Car Hell just isn't difficult enough. You're tearing out most of the electrical stuff that would normally drive you crazy on the BMW, and CRX Hell is no big deal if you don't care how ugly the car turns out. Therefore, in order to balance out the Fun-To-Torture Ratio (FTTR) for the week thus far, we must now dive in

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    OK kids, it's now 4:30 AM here and although it's been fun, the night (or is it day shift — whatever, all one of me) has to retire for a few hours of shuteye. The rest of the team here in Tokyo should be waking up shortly to continue providing you all of your Tokyo Auto Show goodness. It's been a pleasure.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Toyota 2000GT

    Ever since Farago inaugurated the Fantasy Garage with the RUF RT12, you all have been clamoring for specific cars. "Where's the 250 GTO? (right here) Where's the E-type? (right here) Where's the Tumbler E39 M5?" (right here) And of course, "Where's the Toyota 2000GT?" As we grind down to the 50-car wire please be assured that there are certain no-brainer entries that will be put up to a vote. This being Japan Week, what better time than the present to (possibly) induct Japan's first supercar, th

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Tokyo Motor Show: Day One Round-Up

    In case you're wondering, it was a wild and wacky first day here at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Here's what you missed last night if you didn't stay up with us throughout our first day of coverage — or at least here's a round-up of what we thought were the top five stories: 1.) Godzilla is Back! Nissan revealed the new GT-R which supposedly is not only a Corvette Z06 killer, it's a Porsche 911 Turbo killer. We haven't driven it so we don't know for sure and we're kinda just going off the claim

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Tokyo Motor Show: Sleek Suzuki Biplane Revealed

    Wow. Just wow. Even if the execution of biplane inspiration is questionable, this thing is flipping gorgeous. I'm quite certain a twenty minute ride would have you begging for the sweet release of death, but you would look really cool during those twenty minutes. Just think of all the broken necks you'd cause in the unsuspecting streets. It's pretty, in ways that we couldn't have comprehended in the sneak pr

    By bwojdyla Read More
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    Crappy Newsletter Gets Us Pumped For Exciting Detroit Auto Show Unveils

    It's a wonder we were actually able to suck any information out of this newsletter from the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Despite the gratuitous use of overlapping words, photos and colored boxes, we were able to focus on the text long enough to figure out there's some info on the unveilings we can expect in Detroit. Click through to find out what Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Subaru have planned for Detroit.

    By tingwall Read More
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    1981 Datsun 210

    Since we've, like, spent all this money to send guys to Japan and stuff, I'm going to burn through my meager stash of Japanese DOTS cars like there's no tomorrow! So in a couple of weeks, when all you're seeing is Alameda's Deetroit and Yurpean stuff, you all will be entitled to some bitter complaints about my profligate squanderation of all the Japanese car photos (no doubt prompting me to run right out and shoot a bunch of '94 Sentras and '01 Odysseys). But for the moment we're going to live

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Tokyo Motor Show: Subaru WRX Impreza STI

    The good news is, the Subaru WRX STI looks way better than its lesser siblings in the 2008 Impreza lineup. That's mainly a function of the angular muscularity of the fender flares. The bad news is, those flamboyantly plasticular taillights likely won't look good on a darker colored car. The model again will provide homologation cover for the company's WRC rally car, though a model wearing the telltale midnight blue pearl was nowhere in attendence.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Tokyo Motor Show: Nissan GT-R Revealed

    UPDATE: Now we've got video of the new G-TR!Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn personally introduced the star of the Tokyo auto show, the long-awaited Porsche 911 Turbo challenger, the GT-R. Never have we seen such a crush of photographers angling to snag the first public offering of the new, maskless Nissan. It was like a public execution of Suri Cruise, not that we'd condone such a thing.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Tokyo Motor Show: Volkswagen Space Up! Concept Car

    Here in Tokyo, V-Dub's just revealed a new version of it's Up! concept car revealed last month during the Frankfurt Auto Show. Unlike the last one, a micro-car measuring a minuscule 3.45 meters, this one's giant. And by giant, we mean it's 3.68 meters long. Yes, yes, it's ginormous — exactly 23 centimeters longer than the last one. And like the last up! the gasoline, diesel and electric powertrains of this up! will always be located in the rear - just like on the Beetle. Full press release bel

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Tokyo Motor Show: Audi A1 Metroproject Quattro Concept Car Revealed

    Ben just snagged us some pictures of the live reveal of Audi's hybrid A1 Metroproject Quattro concept, just revealed here at the Tokyo Auto Show. If you'll remember from the press shots, the A1 concept was all about the dual-drive system — under the hood there's a 150 bhp 1.4-liter TFSI engine with power directed to the front wheels through an S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox. But wait, here's the cool part. There's a 41 HP electric motor right atop the rear axle delivering an additional load of to

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    We're on our way to the Makuhari Messe, so expect some hot Tokyo Auto Show action coming live from the show in just an hour or so.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: Mothra Edition

    Are you having as much fun with Japan Week as we are? Probably not, as we're actually getting paid to write about Mothra. Paid in peanuts, but paid nonetheless. One last time: Mothra. Moving on — I've been behind the wheel of a Toyota product for the last few hours and while there is much to love, the driving experience leaves even more to be desired. This seems to be a Toyota character trait, whereas Mazda, Subaru and even Honda all seem capable of injecting sportiness across their model line.

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Project Car Hell, LeMons Edition: CRX Or BMW?

    There's been a lot of talk among Los Jalops about the possibility of entering a car in the 24 Hours of LeMons race. Yes, we've been burning up the IM wires with our heated debates on the merits of various cars (a mid-80s Supra? A basket-case WRX available miraculously cheap? A P71 Crown Vic?), and you all even jumped in on the fun. But what it comes right down to is the fact that we want to win. And what dominated the track last weekend? Yes, BMWs and Honda CRXs. So, we've dug up one of each th

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Forza Motorsport 2: Twin Ring Motegi

    Yesterday, we sat down via the magic of telephone with Dan Greenawalt, Forza Motorsport 2's Game Director. We yammered for a quite a while about the trials and tribulations of game design; while I'm not much of a gamer myself, my inner designer's fascinated by what goes into putting together such a large-scale, detailed production like Forza, where the goal is to get the cars and tracks as true to life as possible while offering up an immersive gaming experience that moves units. On the 26th of

    By Davey G. Johnson Read More
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    Workhorse Engine Of The Day: Mitsubishi Astron

    From a distant galaxy of single overhead cam engines comes the Mitsubishi Astron series. The mighty Astron began life in 1972, and is still ticking away under the hoods of everything from Mitsubishi Starions to the panoply of Chrysler K-Car variants. In the beginning, the Flying Sikh himself pummeled an Astron equipped original Lancer to numerous rally victories. Patented silent shaft technology canceled out harmonics as the engine grew in displacement from 1.8 to 2.6 liters of four pot fury. Th

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    Stephen Colbert First To Recognize Importance Of Yellow To A Car's "P***y Magnetism"

    Anyone else remember when Stephen Colbert was just some guy searching for some other guy named Mr. Goodwrench? Yeah, we remember. But hey, who knew at the time he realized the importance of driving a ride with such "P***y magnetism?" So, despite the fact he'll most certainly lose the race with Kevin Harvick, he'll win the war with the women of the world. Ladies, be careful — watching this clip may make your panties drop. You've been warned.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    1969 Datsun Fairlady

    All right, this car wasn't sold as a Fairlady in the US (where it was the Sports 1600) but the home-country-market name is so much more fun than the export one, so I'm using it here. The Volvo Amazon is another example of a car where the home-market name is better than what we got, and the list goes on. Whatever you call it, what we have here is sort of a proto-Miata, a Japanese attempt to make a small British sports car that didn't break every few minutes.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: Chuck Bukowski Edition

    We're not naming any names, but rumor has it that one Jalop once attended grad school for poetry. This only lasted about three weeks. Still, we're not too macho to admit to digging a little bit of word play every now and again. Even if poetry isn't your bag, it's hard not to like Charles Bukowski. Here's a ditty he penned in one of his last books, Septuagenarian Stew:

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    GM SEMA Display To Include Solstice SD-290 Concept Racer, Jay Leno's E85-Powered Corvette Z06

    The folks at GM have just put out what we're to expect from the big automaker from Detroit at this year's SEMA show at the end of the month. For starters, there's the Pontiac Solstice SD-290 concept racer up top, that's certainly pretty looking from this Goodyear-like vantage point. In addition to the above concept that's building some excitement in our pants, they're also going to have the chinned one's not-as-exciting E85-powered Corvette Z06, a GMC Sierra "all-terrain concept," Hummer's "ra

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Project Car Hell: Summer Of Love Edition

    On Friday Murilee gave you another example of his own personal Project Car hell, a freebie his cousin left for him in Wyoming. Cry me a river, Mrs. Mr. Martin. Oh, your free car is hard to fix? Boo hoo. We're so sad. Real hell involves spending hard earned money. That way, even when you're down to your second to last knuckle, third wife and seventh torque wrench, you're certain that with just a little more lovin' your baby will be back on the streets in no time. Sure, it's been five years, but y

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Honda CB1100F Concept - Bringing Sexy Back

    We'd like to welcome the return of the big standards. It seems that the drought of standard bikes in favor of rockets is finally ending. Honda dipped its toe in with GB550 a decade ago, then Triumph, er... triumphantly returned to the market with the remade Bonnies; now that Ducati is donning the mantel all hell is about to break loose. Now it's Honda's turn to make some waves with the CB1100F Concept, which will seeing at its world premier here at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. You can smell the C

    By bwojdyla Read More
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    Fairfield County Gold Coast Concours d'Elegance

    Ahhh, the Gold Coast, that stretch of far Southwest Connecticut where the real estate is lapped gently by the salt water of Long Island Sound and residents' asses are lapped gently by exotic car dealers. In a place where income is as disposable as toenail clippings there's bound to be some hotness, and I'm not talking about Stepford wives and the Postfather's favorite lemon tarts. I mean cars that draw from grown men the same sounds Marcus Vindictus made at Empress Nympho. Falls ends the summer

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    The Top 44 Lemons Of 24 Hours Of LeMons!

    First of all, I'm sorry to disappoint anyone who interpreted the photo above as an indication that a late-70s Mercury Cougar and an early-70s AMC Hornet actually finished in the top 44 at the 24 Hours of LeMons race at Altamont over the weekend. They did not; I used this photo because I wish they had so triumphed. Second of all, I got plenty more photos to post of this Incredibly Jalop-Approved Event™, but it took me so long to prepare the ones you see below that you'll have to wait for later t

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    1979 Datsun Pickup

    Since the readers have spoken on the DOTS Pickup Truck question, we're going to look at another old truck today. And, since we're turning Japanese this week, we're going to make it a Japanese truck! And not one rebranded with some Detroit carmaker's name; no, this is a genuine 200-proof Datsun.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Ford's Custom Crossovers For SEMA

    Ford's SEMAfication continues, with a set of contract customs focusing on the company's trucks, SUVs and crossovers. It's just the latest example of the marketing juggernaut the massive Las Vegas aftermarket products show has become. Ford's latest include tuner-tart F-150s from ATS Design, K Daddyz Kustoms and its own Ford Vehicle Personalization team, a Lincoln MKX by Barry's Speed Shop, an Escape from FMS, and Edge from MRT-direct and a Lincoln Navigator L from DeBerti. The main event, at leas

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Jalopnik Weekend Motorsports Preview

    The race season is winding down and the auto show season is ramping up. But there's still plenty of exciting action on the track this weekend and we've got it all, from Formula 1 to the ZR1 Vettegasm at ALMS below the jump.

    By burstein Read More
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    Keep sending your shots of the "p***y magnet" in — we'll post them all, and remember, you'll still get a special t-shirt for you hard work. Perhaps it'll even be something in yellow.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    PCH, Personal Dilemma Edition: 1968 Ford Torino GT

    Since I decided against buying my friend's '65 Falcon Wagon in my first Personal Project Hell Dilemma, I've had to keep my eyes open for a project suitably cool/hellish enough. Fellow Jalop Ben Wojdyla went ahead and solved his personal dilemma- well, at least the initial part- by buying the '64 Continental of his dreams, Bumbeck has a project Starion and Starlet, and I'm still driving the ol' '97 Crown Vic and '92 Civic hatch. The peer pressure builds. Something must be done! But now my dilemm

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Vote For Our Next Project Car Hell Poster Child!

    Perhaps inspired by our last Project Car Hell Poster Child's truly nightmarish '58 Plymouth Ambulance, we've had a couple of readers send in their bids to win the coveted PCHPC Award. Since we now have of them vying for a single award, we must let the readers decide which candidate will win the honor! So, here are today's contestants:

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    M3 Post reports BMW's confirmed the M3 coupe will start production in 2007, with a retail launch of both coupe and sedan planned for Spring 2008. More good news: iDrive won't be standard. [M3 Post]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    The Post Where We Offer $1000 For Pictures Of The 2009 Corvette ZR1 At Laguna Seca

    UPDATE:We have a winner — sorta. OK, not really — but we do have video!We're pretty excited about the not-yet-revealed 2009 Chevy Corvette ZR1 doing some hot laps at the season-ending ALMS race at Laguna Seca this weekend. We'd really like to be there ourselves. Unfortunately none of us can make it due to the Tokyo Auto Show. So here's the deal — we're going to do something no blog's ever done before. Since we still want to see the 650-HP monster-Vette lap the track we're placing a bounty on t

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Happy Production Of Your One Millionth Allison A-Series Transmission, GM!

    GM's feting Allison Transmission's milestone achievement of one million Allison A-Series transmissions, a key piece of the GM trucks formerly known for being "Like A Rock." And, although it's not in the press release, we're assuming the General may have also apologized to Allison for selling their big tranny-maker to the Carlyle Group. Maybe even gotten her some chocolates...or some flowers. You know, something to show 'em they care. Full press release after the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    1969 Cadillac Calais

    We've been a little light on Cadillacs in this series, having seen only a '37, a '60, and a '78 so far. This wouldn't be a big deal, except for the fact that we've missed out on the Caddies from the era of maximum horsepower out of those great big 472- and 500-cube engines. So here's a 472-packin' 1969 Calais for this fine Friday morning.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Ring Of Fire: Pagani Zonda F Clubsport Takes The Nurburgring Fastest Lap

    What a difference two tenths of a second make. The Pagani Zonda F Clubsport recently made it around Germany's Nürburgring faster then the previous production-car record holder, the Porsche Carrera GT. The lightweight, super hi-po Zonda did the Green Hell's 14.2 miles in 7:27:82, edging out the Porsche's 7:28. The Mercedes 7.3-liter V12 powered Zonda's combination of massive power (641 hp), low weight (2700 lbs) and massive downforce conspired to give the Zonda a hair's breadth advantage. Yes, bu

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Identify This Mystery Car, Now With Fresh-Smelling Prize Potential!

    It took a couple long, agonizing days for our loyal readers to identify our last Mystery Car, a '54 Fiat 8V, so this time we're going with something a little less cruel; someone is going to start yelling "Ooh! Ooh!" and jumping up and down pretty soon after seeing this very distinctive component... we think. Better move fast if it's you, because we got us a righteous prize package for y'all this time!

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: Yarn Spinning Edition

    Today's Commenter wins because I began the DC Cab post with an anecdote about an evil cabbie, and weatherman followed suit. Upon closer inspection this weatherman cat seems to be from the Gizmodo side of the Gawker pool, but that's cool man, that's cool. To wit:

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Project Car Hell, Cheapskate Edition: Mercedes Or BMW?

    As we all know by now, the '65 Marlin stomped the '66 Charger like the NVA stomped the ARVN back in the day, according to yesterday's Choose Your Eternity poll. Of course, it just isn't fair to stack up an AMC against a homely pre-Bullitt Charger... but what really isn't fair is that we haven't had a PCH for the cheapskates for quite a while. As we keep meaning to say on a T-shirt, this is where Bondo is thick and wallets are thin! So count out 150 greasy one-dollar bills and break out every to

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Audi A1 Metroproject Quattro Concept Car

    UPDATE: Our gallery issue has been fixed. So check out that A1 again. Much of the speculation is now over as Audi's just let loose some details and a slew of pictures on their new A1 concept car for the Tokyo Auto Show. It's called the A1 Metroproject Quattro, and it's the same A1 plug-in hybrid concept car we told you we were expecting to see in Japan just a month or so ago. Under the hood is a 150 bhp 1.4-liter TFSI engine with power directed to the front wheels through an S-tronic dual-clut

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Honda Launches New Fit/Jazz For Japan

    The next incarnation of Honda's subcompact Fit (Jazz for you continental types) is going on sale in Japan this week. You've already seen the new design, by way of a recent anticlimax. Now the details on Honda's next-generation fit come on the heels of news the company's sales are off dramatically in Japan, giving the new Fit that much more pressure. A newly tweaked 1.3-liter four and CVT transaxle provide go to the base model, while a new Road Sailing (RS) version gets a 1.5-liter producing 20 e

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    My Favorite Mopar: Hemi 426 Or 440 Magnum?

    We were a little perplexed yesterday by the lack of cat scratching over engines when it came to the Charger/Challenger challenge. As we mentioned in the feature, our hands were up in the air and our shoulders shrugged. How do you choose? On the one hand you have mega-displacement in the form of the 440 Six Pack, which every pistonhead worth his salt knows there is no displacement for. On the other, what's 14 cubic inches? Besides that, like, Hemi! Besides sounding potent, all that complicated va

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Citroen C5, France's Mondeo Fighter

    Just as expected, the new Citroën C5 is a close as twins to the C5 Airscape Concept Citroën showed off in Frankfurt this year. That means it's both better looking and less distinctive than previous-generation models. Some might be tempted to describe the latters' distinctiveness as bare-buttocks ugly, though others call it brand DNA. Tamping down its avant-garde roots, Citroën's embued the new C5 with some modern clichés, like an ascending side crease such as that of the BMW 3 Series. In fact, f

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    The Truth About Cars are up to their old tricks. Not only that, but they just announced round one of the Ten Worst Automobiles Today awards. Things are not looking good for the Sebring. [TTAC]

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Mazda RX-7

    Here's another car for which I am unable to provide an exact model year; judging from the side moldings and air dam appearance, I can say it looks like a first-generation car from the 1981-83 period. Mazda rotary fanatics (are they known as Rotarians?), feel free to weigh in with your opinions on the topic. In any case, what we have here is a type of car that was once quite common but is now regrettably rare.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    DC Cabs To Get Meters Like The Rest Of The Country

    Years ago I made the rookie, post-collegiate mistake of taking a cab in Prague. Burning a hole in my pocket were 700 or so Czech crowns, the then equivalent of five bucks. I only had a mile or so to go, but the cabbie started driving all over the place, eventually taking me far up into the hills. As the meter clicked past 670 crowns, I showed him I only had 700. He stopped the cab, got out and chucked my backpack ten feet down the slope. As luck would have it, I had $50 US on me. Suddenly he sta

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    2008 Chevy Malibu Ad Campaign Also Wants To Show You How To Rob A Bank

    After first showing us the serious problem America has with blind joggers, the ad mavens for the General are now using the ad campaign for the new 2008 Chevy Malibu to show us the proper way to rob a bank. Apparently it has something to do with using a late 90's Oldsmobile as your getaway car — and — we're not really sure how that works.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Dan Neil wants you to know the 2008 Chyrsler Town & Country Limited just might be the sexiest vehicle a man could ever drive...even if it does have the styling of a cinder block. [LA Times]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Project Car Hell, Fastback Edition: Charger Or Marlin?

    You young whippersnappers with your turbo this and Japanese that... why, back when men were men, four-wheel drum brakes were Safe Enough, and it looked like we were winning the Vietnam War (i.e., pre-Tet Offensive), AMC and Chrysler came out with midsize sedans equipped with big engines, fastback rooflines, and lots of glass. And when you wanted forced induction back then, you didn't put no newfangledy turbowhatzits on the car- you cut a big goddamn hole in the hood and stuck a 6-71 on that tha

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Around The Country In 22 Days: The Orange Mix Tape

    After seeing all the excitement around the lunatic transcontinental driving record on Monday, I was reminded of a much slower (yet still a red-eyed marathon in its own way), much more low-tech circumnavigation of the United States I did with a friend back in 1995. Instead of a BMW, we had his beater '88 Toyota pickup. More to the point, I was reminded of the mix tape- yes, tape, well into the CD Era- that became the soundtrack for our journey. So, inspired by the Loverman's Ten Best Driving Alb

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Workhorse Engine Of The Day: Chrysler Slant Six

    Like the iconic Small-Block Chevrolet and Air-Cooled VW, the Slant Six is one of those engines that must be included in this series. It wasn't made for quite as many years as the other two (though it made it well past 40 years if you count engines sold in Mexico), but it established a well-deserved rep as a virtually indestructible powerplant. We all have stories; I've seen one that was filled to the brim with water (by an owner who got a bit confused about the difference between radiator cap a

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Bentley's Going Green

    More often associated with acres of Scotland's finest leather and enough walnut inlay to deforest most of France, Bentley is nevertheless serious about cleaning up its act. In an interview with Autocar, Bentley chief Franz-Josef Paefgan said, ""If we have to reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent, we will do it. But we have to satisfy our customers and build a proper Bentley." The magazine reports that plans could be underway to build a hybrid version of the company's venerable 6.75-liter V8. "M

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    Dodge Family Feud: Charger R/T Vs. Challenger R/T

    We know; today is going to be rough. Ever since the 1970 Buick GSX 455 robbed the Judge edged out the other the other three GM big blocks for a spot in our Fantasy Garage there have been howls for 440 Six Packs, 426 Hemis and general Mopar R/T madness. Well friends, today is your feast. As always, caveat emptor, for we only have 50 parking spots in this Garage of ours. As worthy as both these mad machines are, only one is getting in. Since our first introduction to each car was via celluloid, we

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    2008 Bitter Vero, A $173,000 Pontiac G8

    How much would you be prepared to pay for a long wheelbase Pontiac G8? Specialist coachbuilder Erich Bitter is hoping that answer is "lots." The Bitter Vero is based on the Holden Statesman, itself based on the Holden Commodore, which forms the platform for the 2008 Pontiac G8. The Vero uses the stock 6.0-liter, 362 bhp V8 and 5-speed automatic gearbox. Bitter has upgraded the suspension and interior appointments, but has left the exterior largely unchanged, only slightly altering the front and

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    Haha, Film School Rejects called the Transformers HD-DVD a Michael Bay-gasm. Haha-ha...ha...{sob}...why didn't we copyright blank-gasm when it was just our thing? [FSJ]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    We don't care how great the 3.0-liter version is, we're not spending a dime over $2,000,000 for a BMW Z4 and that's that. [AutoTrader]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Congrats to the Detroit News for finally bringing their web site up to date — now we'll get to see Danny Howes and the whole Auto Insiders team in something approaching current html standards. Who are we kidding — have you seen what our code looks like? [Detroit News]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    1947 Plymouth

    You know I was reaching for the camera in a hurry when this car loomed into my field of vision. This Plymouth is owned by the guy who has the Creamsicle '54 Ford we saw a while back, and I can say from firsthand experience that the copper paint job looks perfect when illuminated by streetlights after dark. The perfect mix of classic Detroit and postmodern irony. Something like that. Anyway, it looks very, very good, and it has suicide doors to boot!

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Mind your undercarriage. Thieves have been mining catalytic converters for shiny precious metals, including palladium, platinum and rhodium. If we were the cops, we'd be staking out hospital burn units. [Chicago Sun Times]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Target Transformers Special Edition DVD Unboxing And Transforming

    One of us was up late watching the Transformers live-action movie on DVD giving us the chance to finally have a robogasm in private. If you're not on the HD-DVD kick, we'd suggest heading out to Target like we did and snagging up one of the special edition two-disc DVD's that actually transform into a crappy Optimus Prime. Hey, it's better than just a plain plastic box we guess. The two-disc set gives you the movie in widescreen and you get a second DVD filled with all sorts of fun behind-the-

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    PCH, Japanese Turbo Edition: Piston Or Rotary?

    The 2TG-equipped Corolla cruised to a reasonably solid victory over the tubbed Nova in yesterday's Choose Your Eternity poll. And that's fine, but that Toyota makes us feel like doing an all-Japanese, all-torture selection for today. As always, the problem with Japanese Hell Projects is that the cars themselves start out being pretty reliable and well-built, and in most cases parts aren't very hard to find. That can mean only one thing: turbocharging!

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    KTM X-BOW

    Looks like the crotch-rocketing folks from KTM are serious about making the X-Bow track monster revealed in Geneva this year totally track-ready. One of Brenda Priddy's cadre of car spies caught this particular motor bike car at speed undergoing handling tests on the Nürburgring earlier today. The basic version of this orange roadster will be powered by Audi's two-liter four-cylinder engine with FSI direct injection and turbo, delivering 220 horses. Insiders state this will accelerate the ca

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Brazil's Felipe Massa extended his contract with Scuderia Ferrari until 2010, erasing speculation he'd be moving to Toyota. Now all he has to do is ride shotgun for Raikkonen on his home turf next week and they'll let him carry the champagne. [CNN]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

    What car best sums up Malaise Era so-called performance cars than the late-70s Trans Am? Sure, there's the whole Burt Reynolds thing adding some camp value and general notoriety, but this car would be a caricature of its time and place even if "Smokey and the Bandit" had never been made. The scoops! The flares! The great big engine that wheezed out less power than the base 4-bangers in today's boring econo-sedans! Yet still, just like America in the gloomy post-Watergate/Vietnam/oil-embargo per

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Could GM's new OnStar with special perp-stopping sauce be a threat to our civil liberties? Is it the beginning of a new era in external control? Will insurance companies one day be able to flip a mass slowdown switch? There oughta be a law. [The American Spectator]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    PCH, Roll Cage Edition: Nova Or Corolla?

    After watching the Borgward beat the 4x4 Checker in Friday's Choose Your Eternity poll, we figure the victory margin may have come from the (well-deserved) love we feel for station wagons, not the carefully reasoned factors we normally consider when choosing a Hell Project. So today we're going to have a common theme and a philosophical split. Do you go for the good ol' Detroit muscle or the pre-Boredom Era Japanese screamer? Both can be made insanely quick, both might be kludged together using

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Mach One: Happening Ten Time Years Ago Today

    Ten years ago a cadre of British paramilitary-industrialists came to America and set the world on its ear; for the first and only time, a man set an official supersonic Land Speed Record of Mach 1. That hot shoe was RAF pilot Andy Green, a taciturn speed demon who punched through the sonic wall in his twin jet-engined Thrust SSC, an accomplishment achieved with the help of team owner Richard Noble and engineers such as aerodynamicist Ron Ayers. This watershed was accomplished on the barren waste

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    Why The Transcontinental Driving Record Should Die

    Yes, I'm well aware I may be seen by some as a contrarian voice in the chorus here on Jalopnik today. But, despite the large number of posts, I know I'm not the only one of us who has expressed some misgivings over covering the topic of Alex Roy and Dave Maher's record-breaking sea-to-sea run of 31 hours, 4 minutes. However, after reading comments from some of our readers as well as those elsewhere on the internet, I felt the need to voice some of those thoughts a little more clearly than has

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day

    Lots and lots of good writing to choose from, but today's COTD had me at hello. Er, had me with his total and complete lack of irony. Though I guess this proves the maxim, "You can get used to anything." It also illustrates just how much of a subculture this whole car thing really is. Not that that needs documentation or proof or anything of the sort, but sometimes when you're on the inside looking out, you tend not to notice the madness. I'm rambling. Jump and enjoy.

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Alex Roy's Transcontinental Record: Gear Rundown

    What manner of electronic gear rests in the cockpit of Alex Roy's bicoastal Bimmer? Roll call: Lots of GPS stuff, scanners, detectors jammers, CBs, thermal camera and monitor and other knick knacks. We're not sure where he put the espresso machine or kitchen gear — but those beluga caviar canapes aren't going to make themselves. [32 Hours 7 Minutes]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    It's not so much Edmunds' hats we're thinking they've pulled this review out of. [Straightline]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    The Other Side Of The Wind: The Trials Of A Transcontinental Record

    Ahhh, the French champagne has always been celebrated for its excellence! Alex Roy doused with bubbly upon successful breaking of the transcontinental record. Orson Welles once spoke of "the confidence of ignorance" in terms of the beginning of both his stage and screen careers. Henry Rollins once remarked that he learned not long after he joined Black Flag that one could get away with a lot of shit if one merely acted as if it was all one knew how to do. Alex Roy simply wanted to make a lap of

    By Davey G. Johnson Read More
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    Alex Roy's Transcontinental Run: Witness To The Departure

    On the night of October 7, 2006, I'd headed out late, bound for the Manhattan Classic Car Club. Dashing south from the NYC suburbs in my loyal Toyota MR2 Spyder, joyously freezing with the top down, I cursed the sudden brake lights that signaled a command-presence of Westchester County police. Twenty minutes later, I exited at Canal Street in Lower Manhattan, and arced onto Hudson, just feet from the Holland Tunnel to New Jersey. The glare of video lights shown through the club's open garage doo

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    What's The Second-Generation Camaro Anthem?

    Sure, the Dead Milkmen references we all use when we're talking about the Chevy Camaro are fun and all, but "Bitchin' Camaro" is obviously about a third-generation Camaro. Recognizing that Friday's Tiny Bitchin' Camaro was modeled after a second-gen F-body, it becomes clear that what we really need to do is decide on the song that best speaks for the weltanschauung provided by the 1970-81 Camaro , particularly the later Malaise Era examples. So, we've selected some songs we think might be appro

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    1971 GMC 1500 Pickup

    Since 94% of the readers who voted on the Do Post-1955 Pickups Belong On DOTS? poll answered in the affirmative, I went right out and shot the first such truck I could find. I didn't have to go far, because Alameda is chock-full of 60s and 70s pickups; this '71 GMC is just the first of many you'll see here (and don't worry, Ford, Mopar, and Japanese pickup fans- you'll see plenty of stuff not made by The General).

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Alex Roy Reveals Transcontinental Run, Claims Record

    The statutes of limitation are up, and that means Alex Roy can release the media hounds, revealing a secret coast-to-coast run he says he and co-driver Dave Maher accomplished in a record-breaking 31 hours, 4 minutes last October. That revelation corresponds with a blitz including pieces in Wired and Esquire, and a memoir, The Driver: My Dangerous Pursuit of Speed and Truth in the Outlaw Racing World, HarperCollins will release this week. The numbers, Roy says, can be verified by a combination

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Round one of CHRR Chicago Style Funny Car action is a wrap. Randy Walls is OK after his Super Nova went fireball at half track. Terry Capp holds the number one spot with a 6.031 ET at 239.93 mile per hour assault. Full rundown of all the flopper action at Drag Race Central. [CHRR FC Action]

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    Fire And Rain And The Ridge Route Blues

    In a vain attempt to join Jalopnik stringer Bumbeck at Famoso Raceway yesterday morning for Day 2 of the California Hot Rod Reunion, yours truly loaded up the Chrysler with camera gear, sundry recording devices, the Fall box set, and a hot thermos of 80 weight Cafe Bustello. Ahhh.... the Cali Hot Rod Reunion, where period-perfect dragsters of antediluvian design and origins get up on the tire and blister the hides down the length of the quarter-mile.

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    Smirnoff Vodka And The Spirit(s) Of The Sixties

    I barely remember the days when Smirnoff vodka sponsored a AA/Fuel Dragster, and how gorgeous the car was in its original incarnation. But I do recall the car and that it was at one time shoed by the legendary dragster driver, Larry Dixon. What I really remember most is the stuff of family legend. Back in the day, my Uncle Phil drove a small-block Chevy Junior gas dragster ("Connelly & Coonce") at various strips in Southern California. In 1967 or '68, at one of Lions Drag Strip's "Professional D

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    Mopowered Shopping Cart

    Taking the big box philosophy one step too far are these drag race fans. It's always a good idea to bring a shopping cart to the California Hot Rod Reunion. Just make sure the cart is large enough to seat many, and make absolutely sure to stuff a Mopar V8 and TorqueFlite into it. Wing optional.

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    BMW 128i Spotted In California

    One of the first pre-production BMW 128i models was spotted earlier today on the 210 in Los Angeles, fairly near the Bumbeck compound. Apparently this car — or one exactly like it — has been seen in the area by at least one other forum member. BMW staff, or select others, are likely confirming the coupe's worthiness in the heart of LA's Freewaygarten. Don't worry, this isn't the last 1-Series that'll be spotted in El Lay. Not by a long shot. [1Addicts]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Jaguar to drop X-Type from its US lineup as soon as the XF arrives. The usual suspects of tough competition and the weakest US dollar ever are taking the blame. [Motor Authority]

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Famoso Raceway remains socked in with drizzle. Top Fuel qualifying is set to begin again at high noon, weather permitting. The swap meet and car show on the grove is in full effect. Race fans seem oblivious to the few raindrops, and celery stalks have been seen in the cups of many.

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    Project Car Hell: 4x4 Checker Or Borgward Wagon?

    Yesterday's Quattro versus Quattroporte Choose Your Eternity poll (in which the Audi emerged victorious over the Maserati) featured two fairly different types of vehicle, but there was still a unifying theme involved. Today we're going to go back to the format of the first few matchups, in which two very different avenues to Eternal Vehicular Torment are offered at the gates of Project Car Hell.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    It may never rain in Southern California, but it is certainly raining in Bakersfield at this moment. After some bitchin Top Fuel qualifying, the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion is on hold for the time being. The only thing on the track are the sweepers and dryers. Forecast calls for a clearing tomorrow and Top Fuel qualifying will resume at 10AM tomorrow. The Reunion is currently moving from Famoso to Bakersfield for the post race party.

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    Bonus: Food Or Car?

    Today's first QOTD is humming along rather nicely, with most people over the mental-age of 12 advising Turboner to buy a house, while those that are under (hello!) are telling him and his wife to go for a third car. However, this afternoon's Question is a bit more basic: drive or eat? LamerX writes:

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Weekend Race Preview

    We're taking your advice from last week and including a broader range of races for your reading pleasure. Although the pickins are kind of slim; the season is winding down, and there aren't any F1, Champ Car, or ALMS races this weekend. But here are some of the things we do have to look forward to:

    By burstein Read More
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    Down On The Czech Street: Skoda Spartak!

    Once again, our Czech tipster BobAsh has come through with the Skoda goods for us, this time in the form of a bunch of shots of a Skoda 440 (also known as the Spartak) from the mid-to-late 50s. Since BobAsh was kind enough to write a lot of description, thus sparing my lazy ass from having to, you know, do work, we'll hear the rest in his own words:

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    House Or Car?

    Today's Question comes from Turboner, and it's a humdinger. So we'll just let him over explain:

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Kick A Fantasy Out Of The Garage: Round Three

    Allow me to re-explain what is going on since a number of folks seem to have lost the plot. Yesterday morning you voted on the First Round of Fantasy Garage elimination. Sort of like a semi-final. And by "sort of like" I mean exactly like. Yesterday in the afternoon, you participated in the second of three semi-finals, i.e. Round Two. You are now taking part in Round Three. Monday is when the final takes place and the executioner's ax drops. Got it? Good. Today's vote is going to be messy intere

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Robosaurus To Be Auctioned Off At Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson

    Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! See the fire-breathing Robosaurus auctioned off in Scottsdale! See the 40-foot tall metal monster move crush the crowded throngs of auction-goers! See the 20-foot long flames of fire engulf the entire auction facility in an inferno of epic proportions!

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Volkswagen Touareg R50 V10 Diesel Officially Revealed

    We've now got specifics on the new Touareg R50. After being teased earlier this month, V-Dub has just revealed everything down under at the Sydney Auto Show. Powered by a V10 TDI, the R50 version of the T-reg's got 345 HP and 627 lb-ft of torque, the up-powered oil-burner sits on 21-inch wheels and an "air suspension sports chassis." Priced at 88,260 Euro, the Touareg R50 can be ordered in Germany beginning in November. Full press release after the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    San Francisco To Try Market Rates For Parking Spaces

    We should really title this, "SF DPT Invents New Way To Rob Citizenry." Most people have this idealized cable car, Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Chocolate vision of San Francisco. But as Ice T would say, shit ain't like that! Imagine coming home from work and there is nowhere to park. I don't mean that you had to park three-blocks away and lug your groceries up a hill. I mean there actually isn't a parking spot because you made the boneheaded mistake of getting caught on the Dumbarton Bridge

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    The Lowest Daily-Driven VW Transporter You Could Possibly Imagine

    Now, most of the time when I tell people I see a Type 2 driving around town with maybe two inches of ground clearance (if that), they assume the old bus has some sort of airbag suspension and can be raised up to clear driveways, speed bumps, lines painted on the road, etc. Nein! The utter madman who drives this Transporter- and drive it he does; I see it on the move all the time- has it set up to be this low at all times! Yes, you've seen Type 2s even lower than this... at car shows. East Bay r

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid To Get 25 MPG City, 32 MPG Highway

    The GM brand all about Saturnalia announced today the all-new 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid will have a fuel economy rating of 25 miles per gallon in city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. Those are numbers putting it in line with the Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid. In addition, Saturn's priced the hybrid version of the Vue at $24,795 — pricing that slots it lower than any other hybrid SUV on the market. Plus it gets those Opel-tastic good looks to boot. Full p

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Dramatic Prius Sales Video

    Orson Welles once said, "The best thing commercially, which is the worst thing artistically, by and large, is the most successful." He was referring to drama, a concept the seller of this highly modified Toyota Prius has employed to great effect, though its commercial success remains to be seen. If after seeing the above excerpt you must have more, you can see the full video here, including some tense script-in-the-shot moments and a more detailed examination of the interior. The car itself is a

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Moonlighting: Ferrari Signs A1 Grand Prix Deal

    It's called the World Cup of motorsport because teams represent their nations, not their constructors. It's A1GP, and officials just announced its engines will soon be burned with the prancing horse brand. Ferrari and A1GP signed a six-year deal that'll have Ferrari replacing Zytek as provider of V8 engines for the series, as well as consulting on chassis design, after the 2007/08 season. As part of the deal, the phrase 'Powered by Ferrari' will be added to A1GP merch starting in January 2008. I

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: Robocar 2057 Edition

    Today's runner up was a great one, but perhaps a bit too easy. From Laura's announcement that she's to appear on Maxim Radio, commenter B opined, "There's something wrong with the world if Ray is on TV and Laura is on the radio. That's just not right." Amen. Moving on, it's been like a Transformers movie around here today. Robocars are everywhere. Like anything, we found some of the designs to be ultra fantastic, while some left us frostbitten and depressed. One that caught our eye was Mercedes'

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Project Car Hell, Fourth Circle: Quattro Or Quattroporte?

    After listening to the Jack Astro & the Asscrackistanis hit single, we approach the results of yesterday's Mix-n-Match Engine Swap Hell poll with a new understanding. The Ferarri-powered Porsche 912 didn't win because the swap process itself might be slightly less hellish than, say, the Series 60 Morris. No, it won because the spirit behind the swap is most in line with our purist-offending sensibilities! Yes, that's it!

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Design Challenge, Robocar 2057: Volkswagen Concept Slipsream

    Yet another prediction of dense population and saturated roadways in 2057 guides Volkswagen's design brief for its Slipstream concept. V-dub's Design Los Angeles entry is a two-wheeled, teardrop shaped pod that can tilt upward to occupy one-fifth the space of a normal car. Most notably, the Slipstream will ride on a special freeway lane, allowing the solar-powered vehicle — resembling an electric toothbrush with the head detached — to reach speeds in excess of 250 mph. And, naturally, that means

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Design Challenge, Robocar 2057: Toyota Biomobile Mecha

    Just like Honda, Toyota's projecting a future of overcrowding. The year 2057, designers note, will transpire in an era of limited ground space and copious atmospheric pollutants. But don't despair. The Toyota Biomobile Mecha will not only be able to move vertically to reach ever-taller structures, but it'll do so by using pollution as an energy source. (Time to go long on particulate futures.) Four nanolaser wheels will do what nanolasers do best, that is impress the crap out of English majors.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Girl On Maxim

    Not to toot our own horn or anything, but the one of us who's non-male will be on Maxim Radio's DeVore and Diana show on Sirius tonight at 6 p.m. Pacific, 9 p.m. Eastern. Normally we're not all about the self-promotion — wait, who are we kidding here — doesn't one of us have a drinking game every time he's on TV? OK, now we don't feel so bad. According to the show's producer, they plan to ask us about "working with cars," and how to be "feminine and still hang with the boys in the garage." Rig

    By burstein Read More
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    Did Danny Howes just get demoted to the Ford beat over at the Detroit News or something? Why's he resorting to quoting press releases? [Detroit News]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Workhorse Engine Of The Day: Small-Block Chevrolet

    Let's face it: an engine that was in front-line service for 50 years, with more than ninety million built, reliable, cheap to build, and easy to modify for performance... well, do we even need to mention the small-block Chevy in this series, given that we all know it pretty much sets the Workhorse Engine standard? Sure we do! Yes, yes, we admit it had an oil-leakage problem (mostly solved by the valve-cover/rear main seal redesign of '87), but oil's cheap! So here's how we'll honor our old frie

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Another Jim Leaves Toyota, Farley Goes To Ford

    Toyota's lost another top American executive to Detroit. If you'll remember from way back in early September, Jim Press left Toyota as chief operating officer of North America for a gig at Chrysler as vice chairman in charge of knowing how to run an automaker. Now Toyota's lost their second Jim as twenty-year veteran marketing man Jim Farley (who is not at all related to Chris Farley actually is the cousin of Chris Farley — who knew?) is headed to Ford to become the automaker's first veep of mar

    By tingwall Read More
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    Hood Ornament Of The Day: Spirit Of Cincy!

    We've been getting some good photos from our readers lately, and now it's PlatformHoon's turn to share a wonderful vehicular discovery with us. While the handcrafted eagle-with-propeller hood ornament may not match the Indian-headed jet plane on the '50 Pontiac for surrealism points, it's definitely a winner.

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    Design Challenge, Robocar 2057: Nissan OneOne

    When do you know it's the year 2057? According to the Nissan designers who rendered the OneOne concept for Design Los Angeles, it's when cars become pet-like. Alternative kibble power, you ask? Well, no. But, to quote the intro text, the OneOne is a "friendly, helpful member of the family of the future." The name alludes to the way many Japanese describe the sound of a barking dog, and the car's apparently equal parts robot as passenger car. Guided by a real time GPS network, the OneOne is a veh

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Kick A Fantasy Out Of The Garage: Round Two

    Yowza, the petting voting was hot and heavy in Round One. As it currently stands, the poor Maybach Excelero is getting hammered on and most likely headed to the second round of our elimination challenge. Both the GNX and RUF RT12 aren't too far behind the "'Bach-toothed Benz" (cheers SeanKHotay). Round Two looks to be much tougher, as in this round you will find several of my our favorite cars, including both Ferrari GTOs, the Miura, the E-type, the SM and the Vantage V8. Member that old poster,

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Design Challenge, Robocar 2057: Mazda Motonari RX

    Now, this here is what we call next-level thinking. Imagine a car in which the driver is indistinguishable from his conveyance. Where the two entities merge to become some manner of cyborganic motoring organism that allows the driver to experience the feel of the road as if the car was an extension of his own cells. That's the idea of Mazda designer Matthew Cunningham, who named the Motonari RX concept in honor of a Japanese warrior. Controls are projected to be manipulated by way of a driving s

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    2008 Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson To Feature Only 1963 Ford Thunderbird 'Italien'

    The big B-J auction just dropped a release to let us know the 2008 Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale will feature the 1963 Ford Thunderbird 'Italien' concept car. While very nice looking, if we're gonna spend money on a Ford-built concept car — heck, any concept car — we'd still rather have this 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII. What can we say — we totally digg the roll-up doors. Full release after the jump. Picture Credit: Jay Leno

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    Personal Project Car: 1964 Lincoln Continental

    When Sir Murilee penned the PCH, Personal Dilemma Edition: 1964 Lincoln Continental post, I was certain that not only would the readership clamor to vote in the poll, but also attempt to deduce the J-lop mad enough to make such a poor decision. Surprisingly, Mad Science was the only commenter to venture at a guess of either Bumbeck or the venerable Murilee. Such is not the case. So it is with unsound mind and withering pocketbook that I announce that the unlucky owner of this most badass of luxo

    By bwojdyla Read More
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    New Chevy Ad Campaign To "Prove Malibu Competes With Camry, Accord"

    Now that pricing for the new Malibu is out, we've just received a missive from the General telling us the 'merican revolution's got a marketing campaign in a pot and cooking for the newly redesigned 2008 Chevy Malibu. The campaign is supposedly going to "prove the Malibu competes with" the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. How's it going to prove that? We've no idea — we haven't seen the creative yet. But we do know it'll supposedly feature the "biggest one-day digital takeover ever by a mark

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Design Challenge, Robocar 2057: Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow

    Fifty years from now, at least as projected in Mercedes-Benz's entry for this year's Design Los Angeles, parking won't be an issue for Merc drivers. That's because cars like the SilverFlow concept will be built from micro-metallic particles that can be assembled and disassembled by way of magnetic energy. That means instead of garages, we'll be able to park our cars in duffel bags. When drive-time comes, reassembly will be a matter of pushing a button on a smart key fob and getting the hell out

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Design Challenge, Robocar 2057: Honda One To The Power Of Four

    In 2057, according to Honda, the hybridization of automotive powerplants will encompass solar power, making designers' One to the Power of Four concept eligible to travel in the HOV lanes of the future (who knew they'd still be around?). Designers also project the 50-year population increase will require much more flexibility than current cars allow. That problem will be solved by advances in molecular engineering, which will allow the car's body panels to shape-shift as needed. The use of gyros

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Design Challenge, Robocar 2057: GM OnStar ANT

    With its entry in Design Los Angeles this year, GM's projecting the future of its OnStar service, on which the company just introduced new perp-thwarting gear. Apparently, in 2057, the telematics service will facilitate a vast network of embedded intelligence, enabling cars (i.e., foldable rolling pyramids) to communicate with each other. That, they say, will maximize traffic flow and prevent accidents, though some believe it may cause the formation of unhealthy attachments, a result of the futu

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Annoy Your Neighbors With The Project Car Hell Song!

    It occurred to us that what our beloved readers really need is a special song to play while they're snapping off bolt heads and adding new scar tissue to their knuckles during bouts of Project Car Hell punishment in the garage. Something that sounds just about right blaring from a treble-centric WD-40-spattered boombox in a shed lit by yellow bug lights and full of the scent of Bondo and burning money. So we dragooned our musician friend Jack Astro, rounded up Belvedere Adrian, and a new band w

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Design Challenge, Robocar 2057: Audi Virtuea

    That's right, being it's October going on November, it's time for Design Los Angeles, where car companies answer a call for futurism with sci-fi craziness. This year, the call went out for robocars from 2057. And we'll be posting the entries throughout the day. First up is the Audi Virtuea, a car Audi designers say "combines artificial intelligence with avenues of self expression." That means its design can change to suit a particular momentary proclivity. It does it by eliminating that pesky m

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Toyota I-REAL Concept Car...Chair...Thing

    Toyota's Tokyo Auto Show concept madness continues today with the i-Real "personal mobility vehicle" — it's a continuation of Toyota's whole personal mobility development that started with the PM, then following up with the i-unit and following through on the i-swing. The i-Real has three wheels and a short wheelbase in low-speed mode and lengthens the wheelbase at hgher speeds for more stability and we're assuming to lower wind resistance for the very strenuous speeds we're sure it will achie

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    1968 Ford Mustang

    We're in this series, and I haven't shown a single Mustang. At this point, I must admit that I'm not a big fan of Mustangs, first-gen Camaros, or Mopar E-bodies- sure, I appreciate them, but they just leave me a little cold. For that reason, I tend to say "Oh, I'll get back to that car later" when I see a 60s Mustang on Alameda's streets, particularly a six-cylinder example. However, from now on I'm going to give the hot-selling Falcon sibling its due, starting with this mean-looking '68 I spo

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Kick A Fantasy Out Of The Garage: Round One

    The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing had as much of a chance not getting in as America's children had of President Bush expanding their health care coverage. Meaning it's that time of the quarter when you, the little people, get to take into account all my hard work, due diligence and superb taste. Then spit all over it. We now have 30 Fantasies clogging up our Garage. One of them has to go! So we're going to work it like this: here in Round One, you vote on the first 10 cars. Then, this afternoon,

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Holden Reveals VE Commodore Sportwagon

    Make way, youse mugs. It's Holden's new Sportwagon. It's an Aussie station wagon with kung-fu grip the rear-drive underpinnings of Holden's zeta platform. Following a month of leakage, Holden introduced it this week at the Sydney auto show. The sport-oriented hauler on display was decked out with roof mounted DVD player, Bluetooth capability, multi-function driver information display system and zone-based front and rear park assist systems, which are standard issue on the VE Calais V-Series seda

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Chrysler Reports Strike Officially Over

    Glad Chrysler decided to jump into the "is it / isn't it" over fray. They're claiming it's official — the lamest strike ever is now officially over. Go back to the lines, boys — there's all sorts of platform-prostituted Jeep Patriot Jeep Compass Dodge Calibers for y'all to build. Full release from "The New Chrysler" after the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    UAW Ratifies GM Contract, Chrysler Strike Over...Probably

    According to the General, the UAW's just ratified the contract penned with GM just a couple of weeks back. That's good news for GM. So, what else? Well, you remember that Chrysler strike? Well, yeah, it looks like Reuters and Dow Jones are now in agreement with Forbes — the strike's over. So basically it looks like Joann Muller has the world's best sources ever. Or maybe Forbes forced the UAW's hand. Or maybe...OK, we're bored now. Who's next? Ford? Sure — works for us. Also, we're just please

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    PCH, Mix-N-Match Edition: Fun With Engine Swaps!

    After seeing the '49 Cadillac cruise to victory over the '68 Cad in yesterday's Project Ambulance Hell poll, we realized that we've been making the choices too easy lately. See, the whole point is to make you need the car, even with full open-eyed awareness that it will soon reduce you to a broken, weeping heap of misery crawling across the garage floor. And what better way to reach that goal than via a staggeringly difficult engine swap? We've picked two cars and four engines, giving you eight

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    2009 Subaru Exiga?!

    Remember that shot we saw that was supposedly the next-gen Subaru Forrester? We guess now it may not be. Spy mistress of the automotive masses Brenda Priddy claims she's snagged a working Subaru Exiga on her (or one of her minions) travails across the wilderness. Priddy claims we should see it as a 2009 model. Jeez — we haven't even seen this concept revealed yet — that's happening at the Tokyo Auto Show in just a few weeks — and already there's speculation it'll be built. Still, it's hard t

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Toyota Hi-CT Concept Car

    Toyota's onslaught of concept vehicles for the Tokyo Auto Show later this month continues. Next up is an odd one called Kool-Aid Man! Ecto cooler! the Hi-CT. It's aim is to "offer a new 'coolness' and new ways to have fun as a departure from conventional vehicles." Well, at least it got the "departure from conventional vehicles" part right. Full press release after the jump on this hybrid with a "deck for surfboards." Seriously, we can't even make this stuff up.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Daihatsu Mudmaster-C Concept

    Now this is a concept. It's a Daihatsu transporter decked out, Pinzgauer style, as a mountain-bike support vehicle. Unlike other, more bleeding-edge concepts, the Mudmaster-C (awesome name construction, check) is a body-on-frame mini van-roader, with significant ride hight and fat angle of approach by way of a "hub reduction system," which transfers drive power via gears mounted between the driveshaft and wheel hub. That means super stream-fording potential. Boris Vallejo airbrush job and chinch

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Ed "The Ace" McCulloch Grand Marshall Of California Hot Rod Reunion

    The Crew Chief of the Brut Racing but no longer by Faberge Funny Car driven by Ron Capps is coming back to Bakersfield this weekend as Grand Marshall of the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion. The Ace's qualifications for the job include hammering the Northwind Top Fuel dragster to the number one spot on the Drag News Mr. Eliminator list in the late '60s, and running the Revellution Plymouth Duster Funny Car to five out of seven finals victories in the '70s. The Ace hopes to have some good times in

    By Mike Bumbeck Read More
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    Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

    Last week, a whopping 93.5% of you agreed that the Jaguar E-type should be given a parking spot in our Fantasy Garage. To put that in perspective, the Ferrari 250 GTO, a car considered by many to be the greatest ever built, received a 95.2% positive vote. The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe? 93.9%. This week we're sponsoring a car for induction we bet will beat them all. That's right kids, it's Mercedes-Benz's postwar miracle, the 300 SL. Sometimes called the Widowmaker because of all the rich, (sudd

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Nissan NV200

    Imagine what'll happen when carmakers actually start producing the cars born as concepts designed to tap into the "youth market." We'll all be dodging newly licensed teens playing Xbox in traffic, wondering how the world's parents will afford such a scale of recreation gear to fit all the snowboard holders and surfboard stacks, or become envious of the lounging and nightclubbing happening inside space vans speeding down the 405. The latest is from Nissan Design Center in Japan and Nissan Design

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    UAW Strikes Chrysler!

    UAW workers just walked out of Chrysler assembly plants. Unfortunately, unlike the last walkout against GM earlier this strike season, this time we were too busy punditing to be on scene. We'll have more coverage up on it in a moment. For now, read the Freep story. We'll try to see if we can find anything interesting to talk about on this labor tizzie. [Freep]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Nissan Round Box Concept

    It's round, it's a box, it's neither of those things. It's the Nissan Round Box concept car for Tokyo, and it's a combination of tech and sprightly performance with an element of something we like to call "there's no roof on it." Some of its features include an interactive system that allows the driver and passengers to engage in something Nissan calls "Playing Catch," which seems to involve passing digital notes, entertainment and driving info. It also has low-to-the ground glass panels that pr

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Swingin' Pinto Wagon Has A Date With The Crusher!

    Life was tough on swingers back in the Malaise Era- say you needed to go to the next county for that Quaalude-fueled pool party, yet the goddamn price of gas was keeping your LTD Brougham (with the classy opera lights) firmly anchored in the driveway. What to do? Why, get yourself a snazzed-out Pinto wagon with the custom portholes and shag carpeting! And now, having served its purpose for three decades, this Pinto offers up its components that other Pintos (and Bobcats) may live.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Toyota 1/X Concept Car

    No, it's not the mulatto-mobile. This black-and-white four-door Prius-looking vehicle is the second concept car for the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show from the number one super best automaker from the land of the rising sun. It's called the 1/X and other than a name that also happens to have been the answer to a problem in the math section of the SAT (yes, we had the SAT way back then too), it's also pronounced 1/Xth — which we're told can be used as part of a sentence that goes: "The 1/X weighs 1/3 as

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Studebaker Avanti

    One great thing about Alameda is you never know what kind of cars you'll find parked on the street. We've seen everything from a 1937 Cadillac to a Unimog in this series, but this may just be my favorite find yet. Yes, it's a Studebaker Avanti. A primer Studebaker Avanti, no less. When I spotted that distinctive front end from a few blocks away, there was no mistaking what I'd found.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Toyota RiN Concept Car

    Toyota's revealed a bevy of press shots of their new concept cars in the wee hours of the morning today in preparation for their official reveals at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month. First of the litter up this morning is the very golf-cart-like Toyota RiN concept car. Which is good it looks like a golf cart considering it's supposed to "turn the [driver] attention to society and nature." And nothing says attention to nature and society like golf — or rather, nothing says it like relieving

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Vandenbrink Design To Build Coachworks Homage To The Ferrari 250 GTO

    Back in 2006, when Michiel van den Brink revealed his designs for a tribute to the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, Ferraristi were taken by its curvilinear sex appeal. So taken, that some offered their deep pockets in exchange for one in three dimensions. Now, it appears the designer's turned the spec project into a real, coachbuilding exercise. His company, Vandenbrink Design, announced today five of the GTOs will be built, each one based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. The price for the rebody job wil

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day

    Another day, another close one. Our runner up is quick, witty and to the point. From Tinachow talking 'bout old British steel:

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    OnStar Unveils New Stolen Vehicle Slowdown System

    We had an opportunity last Friday to play with the new "Stolen Vehicle Slowdown System" from OnStar. It's basically an additional feature the folks behind GM's little blue button have added to their already well-equipped utility belt for over 1.7 million 2008 GM vehicles. What happens is this — if you report your car as stolen, you can then call OnStar and have them work with law enforcement to use the car's GPS system to find where your vehicle's located. OnStar will then have the police make

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Project Car Hell, Caddy Ambulance Edition: '49 Or '68?

    In the agonizing choice between Italian style and American truckcar goodness, our readers tend to prefer an eternity spent with the three '59 El Caminos to one spent with three '73 Fiats, though the race was pretty close- more Dewey Versus Truman than Mondale Versus Reagan. Today, the choices are inspired by our friend Adrian, who is currently staring hopelessly at gearing up to restore a hopeless basket case of a fairly complete '57 Plymouth ambulance. Hey, it would rule to have a vintage ambu

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Rossion Q1: A Noble For Americans

    It's not that we dislike the faux-spyshot device as a rule. Volkswagen did it to some effect with its new Tiguan SUV. But it's a little trite for our taste. Nonetheless, it's the latest attention-getting strategy of new carmaker Rossion. That is, the US-based sports car builder (and Noble distributor) that's licensed the UK-born Noble M12 to rebadge for the US specialty market. It's looking to drum up support for the new Q1, which when fitted with a recommended 450-horsepower twin-turbocharged F

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Hatchback Hello: GM To Plug Astra With Test Drives To Win Friends

    Some skeptics say the hatchback will never return en mass to the states. Others say high gas prices will release demand for such odd-door models, just like during the great hatch invasion of the late-1970s. Of course, the new (for the US) Saturn Astra is no bargain-basement hatch; GM announced it'll start at nearly $16,000 and likely break 20 grand with not many swipes at the options list. To stack the odds in its favor, GM's taking the Astra on a coast-to-coast driveathon to win friends and inf

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    100 Cars Down On Alameda's Street!

    A milestone has been reached: today's Down On The Street car is the 100th street-parked Alameda car we've seen in this series! When I started shooting cars for DOTS, I knew Alameda had quite a few interesting old vehicles to be found, but I had no idea there would be so many... and I have plenty I haven't posted yet. So, in honor of #100, here's a list of links to the first 100 DOTS cars, arranged by model year. Note: In the handful of cases where we couldn't pin down an exact year, I just took

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    The latest rumor from GM's rear-drive pipeline pegs the Pontiac version of the new, zeta-platform Camaro as a Firebird, not a GTO as had been reported. This from a guy who knows a guy. For what that's worth. [GM Inside News]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    1975 Datsun B210

    Once again, I must rail against the sad fact that just about all the Malaise Era Japanese cars have been crushed by now, victims of their own utilitarian reliability and perceived lack of soul. Now that most of what we see from the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere are scientifically de-soul-ified transportation appliances, we realize too late what we lost when the genuinely quirky Japanese machinery got melted down to make... Avalons. We saw a '76 Civic here not long ago, but it's been tw

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Subaru EXIGA Concept Car

    Hot on the wheels of the WRX STi reveal last night, the folks at Subaru revealed their diabolical plans to rule the wagon segment at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month. The first non-production vehicle they'll be showing to complete this evil plan is a Touring concept called the EXIGA — a seven-seater combining a spacious interior with "exhilarating driving performance." Well, you know it's got to have "exhilarating driving performance" — because it certainly isn't going to survive on looks

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Honda CR-Z Concept Car

    While the first concept of what will end up being eighteen concepts to be revealed from Honda at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month was all warm and cuddly, the second concept Honda revealed last night is the CR-Z — a next-generation lightweight sports car concept that stands for "Compact Renaissance Zero" and meant to take all of us back to ground zero of an era where Coke was not only something that was "it" as a soft drink, but also as a recreational drug. That's right, the CR-Z small spo

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Honda PUYO Concept Car Has No Edges, Begs To Be Fondled

    Honda's showing this year why they're the leaders in development of concept cars with no discernible edges with this concept car built for this year's Tokyo Auto Show later this month. It's called the PUYO, a Japanese onomatopoeia expressing the sensation of — please don't laugh here — the design team worked very hard on it — "touching the vehicle's soft body." Seriously. The PUYO's meant to convey a warm, friendly impression and bring together 'clean', 'safe' and 'fun' functionality in an e

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Subaru Impreza WRX STI Revealed

    The e-mail arrived earlier this morning from Fuji Heavy. Yes the e-mail — the one with the first pics of the JDM Impreza WRX STI sans disguise. Subaru's still teasing, however. All we know is it'll come with a 2.0-liter boxer fitted with a twin-scroll turbocharger over six-speed manual. No official word on the 300+ horsepower, but the short paragraph of info says it comes with existing STI gear: SI-DRIVE, Drivers Control Center Differential (DCCD) all-wheel drive and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VD

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day

    Today was a close day. Lots of contenders vying for the temporary throne, but alas there can only be one. First runner up goes to the very handsome witty and difficult to type PETEJäYHAWK™ for his his double entendre interpretation of some PCH quotes:

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    PCH, Three Tines Of The Pitchfork Edition: Fiats Or El Caminos?

    It turns out that almost 60% of our readers prefer a drivetrain-free Lambo to a Ferrari with a fried engine, according to Friday's Choose Your Eternity poll. And that's as it should be, given the creative suggestions we got about the type of engine(s) best suited to Il Diablo. For this Monday, however, we've decided to return to Package Deal Hell. See, it's not really Hell unless your neighbors are enraged from the moment you create your Instant Junkyard, and thanks to eagle-eyed tipster JimmyT

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Group N Spec Mitsubishi Evo X: To Be Course Cars For WRC Japan

    Tis the season for the new Mitsubishi Evo X to invade our consciousness like a reoccurring yen for BBQ-flavored potato chips. Whatever your vice, Mitsubishi's latest news is its latest evo, in Group N rally spec, will be pressed into duty as course cars for the upcoming WRC rally stop in Hokkaido, Japan later this month. The cars are fitted with a full roll cage, purpose-built running gear, brakes and close-ratio gearbox from Ralliart. The new Evo will be properly homologated for FIA World Rally

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Furious French Ford Flathead Facel: Comete!

    Since we just brought up the Ford flathead V8 on Friday, it seems appropriate to share one of the best-looking flathead-Ford-powered cars ever built. Actually, Junkman tipped me off about this car, figuring that, given my love of the Simca Chambord, I'd want to jump right in on the bidding for this even prettier French machine. Sadly, it's way, way out of my price range. [eBay]

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    What's The Most Fun You've Ever Had Off Road?

    The Willys Jeep Station Wagon and Syncro de Mayo got us thinking. Man, we love going off road. And while we're all about our fast, turbocharged AWD wagon, we do miss our old jeeps. Many muddy adventures come to mind, but we'll just run down a few. Going up Wheeler Gorge at age 7 in a FJ55 Land Cruiser while Broncos, Scouts and Jeeps were literally sliding down the hill. Getting a pre-production first generation Ford Explorer stuck (and cracking the floor pan) before being towed to safety by a 19

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Screw CAFE, California Wants 43.7 MPG: Automakers To Appeal States-Rights Ruling

    As if automakers already didn't need blood-pressure meds from the gub'ment's proposed CAFE changes, the industry's now preparing to make another run at state exhaust regulations. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is appealing a district-court ruling this past September that upholds states' ability to regulate exhaust emissions. Automakers had argued that federal law pre-empted state rules, which they say are overly strict. California, for example, recently upped the ante with a required 3

    By tingwall Read More
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    1956 Willys Jeep Station Wagon

    I'm pretty sure this Willys station wagon is a '56, based on the helpful info at the CJ-3B page, which states that the three-bar grille with the middle bar close to the top was used only in that year. Even if it's not a '56, it's almost certainly from the 1950s, so I'm at least close. Willys experts, now is your moment to shine! Tell us what you know about this fine vehicle.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Oh My: Aprilia V4 Produces 220 Horsepower

    It's been the talk among kneedraggers since Aprilia announced its development last year. It's the moto maker's new, 1000 cc V4, and it's giving motorcycle- engine geeks a new reason to engage in cocktail-party speculation. The latest from Aprilia is that the V4 is undergoing durability testing in four tuning stages, from a spry 185 horsepower up to a hyperbole-defying 220. And the company says its first four banger will likely hit the track sometime in 2008. As for the street version, there's no

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    2008 BMW M3 Sedan, Now With Video!

    If you weren't around this weekend you may have missed the reveal of the official pictures and details on the new 2008 BMW M3 sedan (or saloon, depending on which you prefer). We found out the Euro-spec sedan's getting the same credentials as the coupe — a 4.0-liter V8 hitting 414 HP at 8,300 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at the 3,900 rpm mark on the tachometer. Now, however, we've got some driving video — so check out the new hotness from both the inside and the outside. We'll wait here with the

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    2009 Ford F-150

    Hot on the heels of Ford fan-boy Igor's take on what to expect from the 2009 Ford F-150, now we've got some new shots of both the re-designed interior and exterior of the new Ford F-150 pickup from the many minions of Brenda Priddy. While the truck's still pretty well covered, we're most certainly able to see a very Super Chief-like look peeking out from behind the grille netting. So Igor was right about that. The interior on the other hand is of the "Platinum" level 2009 Lincoln Mark LT and

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Project Car Hell, Italian Supercar Edition: Ferrari Or Lamborghini?

    After seeing how the Deutschland V12s went over in yesterday's Choose Your Eternity poll, with the 850i just barely beating the pair of 750iLs, we've learned that it's possible to raise the price of admission charged at the Fiery Gates of Vehicu-Hades and still have legions of madmen ambitious project lovers forking over the cash and diving into the flames. So get ready to whip out ever-thicker rolls of Benjamins, folks, because we're on a one-way trip to Dante Land today!

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    Lamborghini Countach Wagon

    We know nothing — nothing — about this car except that we are 87% certain it is not a photoshop. And that leads us to conclude there are some really sick individuals out there. On a technical basis, where on earth is the engine? On a philosophical basis, Nietzsche was so right. God is very, very dead.

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    According to our compatriots at Carscoop, Honda's set to unveil a compact coupe concept in Tokyo later this month. That car will likely hearken the rumored new CRX. We're holding out for the next Del Sol. [Carscoop]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Workhorse Engine Of The Day: Ford Flathead V8

    Since yesterday's Workhorse Engine of the Day, the Toyota R, inspired our readership to make so many good suggestions, we feel compelled to continue the series with today's engine. Suggested by commenter Joe_Bloe, the Flathead was built in the United States from 1932 through 1953 and beyond that in other nations, including France and the USSR. Since we've (arbitrarily) decided that "workhorse engine" means that the engine was built for at least 20 years and was exceptionally reliable and/or ver

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Jalopnik Weekend Motorsports Preview

    Starting this week we've asked our resident expert Girl on Cars to become a Race Girl on Cars and try her hand at a race preview we'll drop every Friday around noon, just in time for your weekend viewing pleasure. All of the upcoming hot weekend racing action can be found just after the jump. — Ed.

    By burstein Read More
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    Ferrari 456 Venice Vs. Audi RS4 Avant

    Frankly, we were a wee bit shocked at the overly enthusiastic response to the prancing horse station wagon. More than one of you lamented the fact that you're not a dragon. You also chose a BMW over a Ferrari in yesterday's QOTD. All of this means that y'all are the most sophisticated group of car nutz on teh internets. Or, simply mad. We're going to reserve judgment. Until you answer today's question. Yeah, the Prince Jefri special is pretty tits (oh wait, his yacht is named Tits; the Ferrari w

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Cruiser For A Bruiser: TLC's SCORE Baja 1000 Limited Edition

    The Baja 1000 off-road burn down that westernmost peninsula is in its 40th year. In honor, Van Nuys-based TLC is rolling out the SCORE Baja 1000 Limited Edition Icon. That's the company's repro Toyota Land Cruiser. The company's retro off-roaders start at $84,000, and the Baja edition will cost $145,000 as a turnkey Cruiser. It's powered by a hand-built LS6 V8 producing 450 horsepower, and sports a hand-brushed aluminum body with "black crocodile" trim, TLC coil suspension, five-point harnesses

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Way To Ruin Hello Kitty...Again

    So, we saw this a couple of days ago, but we've been taking some time to ponder our response to these aftermarket Hello Kitty wheels. Since one of us is a big Hello Kitty fan, people are always sending me links to all things HK, along with messages that say things like, "look how cute!" or, "I bet you'd love this!" The fact of the matter is, no, I do not like most of them. Sure enough, I got a similar message today when Kitty Hell posted a photo of the latest item to be butchered: A set of Hello

    By burstein Read More
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    1985 Volkswagen Quantum Wagon

    While out on a burrito-obtainment mission on Alameda's main drag, I caught sight of a small 80s station wagon that looked somehow... odd. At first I thought it was some sort of oddball version of the Camry or maybe even a Celebrity, but when I got close I realized I was experiencing a rare VW Quantum sighting. Well, such sightings are rare in the United States, anyway.

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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Nissan Pivo 2 Concept Car, Now With Video!

    It's adorable, it's blue — no, wait, it's adorable and blue! It's the Pivo 2, complete with robotic agent and powered by Lithium-ion batteries. Now, when we first revealed the new Pivo 2 concept car this morning, we saw it as nothing more than a more bubbly version of the old Pivo. Now that we've seen this video of the Pivo 2 swallowing its gal pal whole and then watching the robotic agent in action, we totally want one. If only so we can have highly enlightened conversations in both Japanese

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Nissan Pivo 2: 360 Degrees, No Reverse

    Nissan's worked up a new version of its Pivo concept — the electric-powered, 360-degree swiveler first shown in 2005. It's the Pivo 2. Like the first Pivo, its cabin rotates, eliminating the need for a reverse gear, though its in-wheel motors can propel it in any direction — even sideways. What's new in the Pivo 2 is its in-car Robotic Agent, a voice-recognition interface — in English or Japanese — to a valet application that can engage in a range of communications from basic vehicle functions t

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    AGROGAN on Project Car Hell: "For those that voted without jumping to look at the ads, I encourage you to rethink just how hellish owning not one, but two Idahoan-militia-type-brothers'-cars... more »

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Project Car Hell, V12 BMW Edition: One 850 Or Two 750s?

    With the Studebaker Weasel beating the bratwurst out of the Faun-Kraka in yesterday's poll, we've got the post-apocalyptic Hell Project thing pretty well sewn up for now. But what do you do if you're banking on the machinery of civilization continuing to grind on for the time being? You need to have a ride with style, so that you may drive it over the crushed bodies of your social inferiors on your journey to worship at the shrine of Mammon. You need a big, flashy BMW. In fact, you need a big f

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    2007 Toyota Vios Revealed

    Toyota just revealed the newest edition of the Vios, the four-door subcompact sedan developed for the Chinese and South East Asia market. It's basically the JDM Toyota Belta with a bit less (or maybe more) flourish. And by JDM Toyota Belta we also mean it's basically the Toyota Yaris with a bit more (or maybe less) flourish. OK, you got us — we don't know much about the new-for-2007 model that we didn't just read off of Paul Tan's website, but hey, Toyota certainly knows how to market it, don'

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Workhorse Engine Of The Day: Toyota R

    We all think of the ubiquitous small-block Chevy- or maybe its Ford counterpart- when we think of automotive engines that stay in front-line service for decade after decade, but plenty of other engines have achieved similar workhorse status. Today, we honor one such engine, the incredible Toyota R series. The R, in one form or another, was used in vehicles during five decades. You could get one with pushrods. You could get one with one or two overhead cams. You could get displacements ranging f

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    2008 Ford Mustang First-Ever Convertible To Get Five-Star Crash Rating

    The drop-top 2008 Ford Mustang just did what many have said was impossible — they became the first convertible (of any kind) to ever receive a five-star safety rating in all NHTSA NCAP tests. Who knew the Mustang was both a muscular equine stud and a safety stud? Now if only they can figure out how to get that turning thing down on the race courses and they'll be good to go. Full press release from Ford after the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    A Catholic college near Lowe's Motor Speedway launches a motorsports management program to attract students. Maybe St. Benedict will take up the cause of left-turn-induced carpel tunnel sufferers. [Wall Street Journal]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    BMW 850CSi Vs Ferrari 456 GT

    Today's question comes to you straight from Alex Roy's loft in the NYC. Though Mr. Roy himself has no knowledge of it. No, the house-crashing intrepid Davey G Johnson done thunk this one up. We were having one of our usual DAF vs. FAF type dialogs over IM, only this time it was about the merits (and demerits) of a Citroen SM vs. an 850CSi. Davey pointed out that the SM was built off the DS platform, had the Maserati engine and fell to the earth from an advanced alien civilization. My counterpoin

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Thomas Friedman Again Fires Shotgun Blast At Auto Industry, Hits Toyota, Everyone

    New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman is shaking a finger at the American automotive market again, and this time it's Toyota that he's ticked at. Friedman seems to have difficulty wrapping his head around the fact Toyota, with the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the market, has joined the automakers formerly known as the big three in fighting the Senate bill to increase combined corporate average fuel economy to 35 mpg by 2020. We thought it was pretty obvious that Toyota was, you know, a

    By tingwall Read More
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    Gemballa Mirage GT, Now With Glitter

    Gemballa's Mirage GT is just the thing for the Shikh who has everything. Seriously, everything. And that includes holdings in a glitter factory on the Ivory Coast. The paint on this particular specimen, one of 25 to be produced, either illustrates the possibilities for customization Gemballa offers, or reminds us that we should have bought that Meyers Manx dune buggy back in '74.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    1954 Ford

    We've seen 11 Alameda vehicles from the 1950s in this series, but not a single one of them was a Ford product. Well, that changes today! I spotted this heavily customized Ford when I was lured down an East End side street by a quick glimpse of a late-60s Dart, spotting this '54 in all its lowered orangitude just across from the Mopar (don't worry, Dart fans, you'll see that '69 pretty soon). There's no telling which model this car is, what with the utter absence of any sort of trim, but I'm hopi

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    VW Touareg R50 Looking To Take On Porsche Cayenne?

    Volkswagen just announced plans to release the new Touareg R50 — the third in VW's series of R-labeled vehicles — at the Australian Motor Show next week. We're told it'll come with a retuned V10 TDI capable of producing more than 313 HP and 553 lb-ft of torque. Although VW hasn't yet released specific power details, they do confirm power will be increased over the regular version. The words they're using? How about "a generous increase." Yeah, that's not so descriptive, is it? In addition to a

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Spence On The E-type: "This is my #1, my top pick, my first-post-lottery win purchase. This is pure auto-erotica. This is the Platonic ideal of "car". This is what god drives. This is the car that could cure cancer. This is a car that belongs on the Periodic Table of Elements. This is car as philosophy. This is what future archeologists will put in their museums. This is the best argument for an enlightened, democratic, progressive Western civilization ever made. This is hope in an age of despai

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    PCH, War Wagon Edition: Faun-Kraka Or Studebaker Weasel?

    Well, it looks like yesterdays Heap-O-Parts GM Convertible Challenge Poll has come out so close as to be a virtual tie. Today we're going to shift gears and go with a couple vehicles that- if running- could be just the thing for your post-apocalyptic survivalist compound in the woods. Yes, it's War Wagon Hell today!

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    2009 Acura TSX

    Enterprising young whipper-snapper of spy photos Chris Doane happened to snap up some shots of the next-generation 2009 Acura TSX right outside of Honda's US facilities. The new TSX is expected to take on a more "aggressive look" that will, we're sure, not include the duct tape on this test vehicle, but will probably take design cues from the SPORTS 4 concept car Honda's luxe brand showed at the 2005 Tokyo Auto Show. We're told we should expect to see a base model with a 2.4L i-VTEC 4 cylinder

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Bad Weld Job Gives Us Flashbacks To Donked On The Strip

    With great power, comes great responsibilities — like remembering to make sure those weld jobs are done right on that rear axle. There's not much more for us to say here other than we haven't laughed this hard since we saw a a 20-year-old GM product up on 30" wheels try to drag at night. We think they're still trying to catch that last tire.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Dragons Having Sex With Cars

    We’ve seen some pretty strange fetishes online, but this one takes the cake. It also wins points for doing exactly what it says on the tin, in very graphic detail. You really don’t want to open this link at work, home or anywhere else, so don’t say we didn’t warn you. Dragon Heart will never be the same to us again. Don’t click here

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    Jaguar E-Type

    The car that made the 60s swing... Once in a great while, a car comes along that redefines everything. Think Benz three-wheeler, Ford Model T, Willys MB Army Jeep, Volkswagen Beetle, Jeep Cherokee and even the Dodge Caravan. After these vehicles were unleashed upon the unsuspecting masses, there was no going back to the way things were. This isn't always a good thing. For example, the Jeep Cherokee — a solid vehicle by all rational standards — is the spiritual ancestor to hordes of ungainly SUVs

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Chevrolet Diggs Social Link-Sharing Sites So Much, They've Created A Couple Of Their Own

    We just received an e-mail from the folks at Campbell-Ewald about two new sites Chevy's just created called Silveradohub and Cobalthub. Apparently they're Digg-like sites for submission of "blog posts and articles" on the Chevy Silverado HD and the Chevy Cobalt. We actually were the first to drop a link up on SilveradoHub — and let me tell you, it was all the excitement of Digg, with none of the you know, excitement. Maybe it just needs more than one submission up there. We guess we'll just

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    PAL-V Flying Car Nearing Production! We're Totally Serious! No, Really!

    It's a Carver. Wait, it's a gyroscope. No, it's both. It's called the PAL-V and it stands for Personal Air and Land Vehicle and it's supposedly going to be built very soon by a company named PAL-V Europe BV. What we think is it looks like it's the next flying car nearing production we fear will never end up being built. Based on the Carver One tri-wheel car, the PAL-V supposedly will use the same Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC) system that keeps the Carver going straight and true in turns. That

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Buy Transformers DVD, Win A Chevy Camaro!

    Apparently when you buy the new Transformers DVD going on sale October 16th, you'll find a special insert inside with a website address from the folks at Chevrolet. At the website you'll be able to do the normal stuff like sign up for marketing information and probably even play the Build Your Own Chevybot game. But there'll also be one additional thing you'll be able to do. A tipster just informed us you'll also have the opportunity to register for a chance to win one of three actual produc

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    1966 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

    Even though we had a 60s VW on DOTS just last week, it's been quite a while since our last Beetle. I see 60s and 70s Type 1s all over town, but wasn't putting them up as DOTS cars prior to the Beetle Poll of late August. In any case, this vintage ragtop Beetle is rare enough to have entered this series on its own merits, poll or no poll.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Some publications try to put together top ten lists of the cars that are "most green." Here's a top ten list of the ones that aren't. Our favorite is the Gumball 3000 Lambo at the bottom. [Guardian.co.uk]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Lexus IS F For The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

    If it's October, it must be time to see what automotive finery will grace the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. This year ladies who lunch in West Palm, Dallas and Orange County had better hang on to their cocktail bags — it's the IS F Special Build Sedan. Neiman's $68,000 Lexus "fast" comes with an interior design of black with white accent stitching, a unique steering wheel with white leather accents, front headrests embossed with the F logo, hand-polished finish for the wheels and a sequentially

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Project Car Hell, GM Convertible Edition: Cutlass Or Grand Prix?

    It looks like our readers tend to prefer multiple projects over a single one, if we are to judge by the results of yesterday's Choose Your Eternity BMW Edition poll. We figure that's probably because you like car parts. Lots of car parts, scattered all over your garage, driveway, yard, bathtub, etc., and the BMW Grab Bag was the best way to get the most favorable Car Parts Per Dollar Ratio (CPP$R). With that in mind, and with the knowledge that winter is just around the corner, we've decided to

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    GM SEMA Display To Include 50 Cent's Pontiac G8, Jerome Williams-Designed "Urban CEO Edition" Buick Enclave

    Buick had a serious contingent of over-primped vehicles on display at last years SEMA show and our lack of enthusiasm over the display doesn't appear to be stopping them from doing the same this year. At least this time the Enclave's out and ready to be toyed with — so that's one good product more than they had last year. And it appears they're using it — we've just heard the highlight of GM's booth this year will be an "Urban CEO Edition" Buick Enclave (pictured above) designed by none othe

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    GM Shocks Yet Again With September Sales Up 3.8%!

    For a second straight month, the General went against the flow of pre-announcement expectations and saw an uptick in sales — September sales were up 3.8% over the same month last year. But what was really interesting was those numbers were up yet again on light truck sales. The pickup trucks were up 7.7% during September. Who knew GM could still sell trucks with construction, consumer confidence and the amount of gas you can buy for a dollar dropping like a rock? Full sales release after the j

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Ford's September sales were down 21%. But don't worry — it's all about retail sales. How were those? Oh — down 15%. [Reuters.co.uk]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Jalopnik Contributes To A Student's Beer Fund

    If new contributor Laura Burstein earns the tag of Jalopnik's "girl," I guess I'll claim the title of resident toddler. I'm Eric Tingwall, and I'm one of Jalopnik's new contributors. As a college student, my life seems eerily similar to that of many two-year-olds: Sleeping, eating and playing with cars. I'm currently earning degrees in mechanical engineering and journalism at Michigan State University. After explaining my choice of majors for the past three years, I'm counting on this to be the

    By tingwall Read More
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    What Was Your Very First Car?

    Ego surfing Flipping through the masthead of the 0-60 premiere issue I noticed that Fifth Gear's Tom Ford has a 1984 Pontiac Parisienne Safari Station Wagon that he is currently slamming into a low rider because it makes so little sense to do so in Olde Blighty. Well, my first car was a 1985 Pontiac Parisienne Safari Station Wagon with 187,000 miles on the 'meter before it got donated to charity. Somehow I cracked the block a little bit and one of the cylinders only compression tested to 14 psi.

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    New 2008 Pontiac G8 Pricing Starts At $27,595, V8 G8 GT To Start At $29,995

    Pontiac just revealed pricing today for the new rear-wheel-drive G8 sedan — built off of the same Holden platform as the upcoming Chevy Camaro. The G8 will start at $27,595 for the base model sedan and for the V8-engined G8 GT, the starting price will touch just shy of $30K at $29,995. Well, at least that means the up-powered G8 will sell for around the same price as the similarly equipped Hemi-powered Charger muscle sedan. Full release after the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Mitsubishi Evo X To Make Show Debut In Australia

    Following its launch in Japan this week, the new Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, to be dubbed Lancer Evolution in the states, will make its show debut in upside-down world. The new Evo will be unveiled at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney next week, alongside the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 and Lotus Exige Sport 240. Sorry, Tokyo, it's hoons for the win. [via World Car Fans]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    News Flash: Murilee Martin Is A Man!

    After the introduction of our newest writer, Laura Burstein, yesterday, some of our readers mentioned that they were confused about hearing that she's the first female to enter the formerly all-male Jalopnik clubhouse. "But... but... like, isn't Murilee a gurl?" they stammered, oblivious to every one of my hundreds of attempts to set the record straight on the matter since I made the jump from commenter to contributor back in February. So, to quote Mr. Henrietta Collins: We'll leave nothing to

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    The Other Schu(macher) Drops...off The Foot Of Team Toyota

    The Toyota F1 team confirmed reports Monday that Ralf Schumacher, the little brother of the seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, will leave the team at the end of the season. Someone sent me a link to the announcement earlier in the day along with a message that said "Schumacher's leaving Toyota." I was momentarily confused.

    By burstein Read More
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    BMW 3.0 CSi

    Since it's still BMW Week here at Jalopy HQ, I'm going to reach into my stockpile of Alameda car photos and grab something Bavarian for the occasion. The last Down On the Street BMW we saw was the '72 2002Tii of mid-August, so today we'll look at something from the same era. As is so often the case with German cars, I am unable to figure out the exact year of this E9; I'm pretty sure it's a '72 or a '73 model, but I'll need you rabid Bimmer fanciers out there to help out to pin it down.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    2008 Nissan Skyline Coupe Revealed...In Japan

    Nope, kids — hold your horses, it's not the new GT-R, that's still being revealed in Tokyo later this month. Almost like a tease, Nissan's just revealed the new 2008 Skyline coupe in Japan — it's the Nissan version of the Infiniti G37 coupe we saw revealed at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. That means this new-for-2008 model gets the same engine as the G37 — the powerful 3.7-liter V6 engine that delivers 330 horses in the Infiniti. The new Skyline somehow adds an extra three horses

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Mazda Taiki Design Concept

    Count one more styling concept among Mazda's latest series. It's the Taiki, and it's set for debut at this month's Tokyo auto show. Taiki is the fourth in a string of concept cars Mazda designers say represent a design theory inspired by organic shapes and patterns of natural motion — sand across a shoreline, water along the ocean floor and lava from a volcano, to cite three examples designers have mentioned in the past. The first three, Nagare, Ryuga and Hakaze, debuted at LA, Detroit and Genev

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Car und Driver took a pre-production Pontiac G8 for a spin. No, they didn't crash it. We'd like to link you to it, but they don't like to use their web site for displaying content so much. [Car & Driver via GMInsideNews]

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Project Car Hell, BMW Edition: Isetta Or Grab Bag?

    Our readership hath decreed that the as-yet-unidentified Jalop writer who just bought a '64 Continental shall rip out the MEL 462 and swap in a turbocharged 460 in its stead, with that option taking a whopping 41% of the total votes. We're disappointed that the Lord Humungus Apocalypto-Mobile option fared so poorly, of course, but voice of the people and all that. Anyway, it's a new week, which means new varieties of eternal wrenching torment. Since we've been on a BMW thing lately, it's time f

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    New Knight Rider TV Show To Be Transformers-Inspired?

    We've already talked a bit about the new "Knight Rider" TV show, but we've got a new detail from Variety magazine. According to the magazine all about having a great plethora of stuff, NBC's tapped Doug Liman to produce the new "Knight Rider" TV show. Liman's recent executive production exploits have included "The Bourne Ultimatum" as well as Fox's "Arrested Development." But what's reall interesting is Liman's being tapped to

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Porsche 911 Steering-Wheel Controller For PS3!

    What do you get for the vid-addicted fan of that arse-engined sports car that rhymes with Smorche? It's the Porsche 911 Turbo S steering-wheel controller, a fully licensed, to-spec reproduction of the leather-clad rudder that keeps new 911s on course. The force-feedback wheel is compatible with PCs and PS3s, and comes with sequential-action gear stick and wireless pedals, featuring a declining-resistance clutch and pressure-sensitive brake. It'll be available later this year at a price of $350.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Jalopnik Invites A Girl Over To Play

    My name is Laura and I love cars. I love cars so much the folks who run this site decided to break their long-standing, boys-only tradition and ask me to become a contributor and show off my obsession with the cult of cars. It all happened when Ray Wert (or "Wertz," as I like to call him, in honor of his man-crush on Bob Lutz) contacted me on Facebook. Facebook, of all places! Apparently he was looking for some sexy, model-type car enthusiast to start writing for the site. But when his search

    By burstein Read More
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    2009 Hyundai Genesis

    The spy shooters of Brenda Priddy & Co. snagged some shots of what they believe to be a very silver 2009 Hyundai Genesis. The new sedan — which saw a concept version debut at the New York Auto Show and have already seen quite a few spy shots of — built off of their new rear-wheel drive platform, a chassis we're expecting to see a number of new vehicles pop off of in the next 18 months or so including a new Tiburon replacement. The engine's going to be a screamer as well — Hyundai research and

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Suzuki X-HEAD Concept

    The Kamino-cloner car we showed you earlier is one of a few Suzuki concepts we'll be seeing first-hand later this month at the Tokyo Auto Show. A second concept car to see the sheets drop from atop it is the Suzuki X-HEAD concept car. its' like a mix between a Hummer, an El Camino and umm — a Tonka truck? We're at a loss for words here — but we're loving it. Full press release below the jump in all of its ESL glory and here is the high-res shot of the concept car/truck/SUV/El Camino.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Out Of The Park: The 'World Series By Renault' Clio Renault Sport Edition

    If ever there was a French specialty in the car market, it's this particular construct of hot hatchback: a taut, track-ready sort with a squat comportment and naturally aspirated four that pulls like a mid-80s Mustang GT. Renault's unveiled yet another version of its rapidly expanding Clio RS line; this one based on its damped-and-tamped Cup chassis. The 'World Series by Renault' Clio Renault Sport Edition small hatchback was officially presented to the public last weekend at France's Magny-Cour

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Look What Parked In Front Of My House: 1976 BMW 2002

    You can't escape BMW Week, you can only hope to contain it. When people ask me if I liked living in San Francisco I say, "No." When pressed, I will admit that I miss the burritos (El Farolito and Cancun FTW!). When pressed even more, I'll cop to loving that there were more BMW 2002s on the streets than there were krusty, homeless, single-issue, performance artists. Kidding on that last bit, but there were an awful lot of two ought-ought twos to be ogled. No big surprise that when I walked out t

    By Jonny Lieberman Read More
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    Ford Falcon XR Sedan, Ute Swoop In From Down Under

    Ford Australia just revealed details on the new Ford Falcon XR range before the new lineup's public reveal at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney next week. The newly revised XR sedan includes a new bodykit, revised mirrors and a bunch of other prettiness on the outside. In addition to the sedan, Ford's also dropped the sheet on a new limited edition Falcon XR ute — it's the "XR by Craig Lowndes" Falcon Ute special vehicle pack, available on XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8 Styleside Box m

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    1970 Chevrolet Impala

    This car might not actually be an Impala, since any emblems have long since departed. It could be a Caprice, or maybe a Biscayne or Bel Air. No matter; "Impala" is the generic term for early-70s big Chevy cars, and that's what I'm calling it here (I'm pretty sure the low-end big Chevrolets in '70 didn't have the wheel lip moldings we see on three of this car's four wheel openings, so it's probably not a Biscayne).

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Tokyo Auto Show Preview: The Suzuki PIXY + SSC Is A Concept Car For Cloners

    While it might look something straight off of the planet Kamino, it's actually the PIXY + SSC concept car set to be revealed by Suzuki this month at the Tokyo Auto Show. It's a mixture of personal pods, PIXY (one person riding), and pod-carrying mother ship, SSC (Suzuki sharing coach). The PIXY personal pods were designed for solitary motoring pleasure while the SSC coach car's meant to allow for the transports to be carried for longer-distance travel. All we know is these pastel and organic

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Launched In Japan

    Mitsubishi's made the long-awaited Evo X official in Japan, releasing a spec sheet on the JDM version of its Lancer of Lancers. With a new 2.0-liter MIVEC four and a new (or, in some cases, improved) set of AWD drivetrain components — including a new twin-clutch transmission (SST) — and running gear, the car that taught a generation of boy-racer types what "yaw" means will debut at the equivalent of $30,388 ($32,605 with twin-clutch SST transmission). A stripped-down, weight-reduced RS competiti

    By Mike Spinelli Read More

Technology (3)

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    Fuel Injector Tester

    Back when the dot-com boom fell apart and I got laid off from my cushy software tech-writing gig (at a company that had once promised a private chef, rock-climbing wall, and customized surfboards with the company logo for its employees), I fell back on a tried-and-true moneymaking scheme: buying towed San Francisco cars at the City Tow auctions, fixing them up, and selling them. It worked out great until I got a '90 Tercel that just wouldn't pass California's super-stringent smog test, no matte

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Banish Bad Belvedere Brakes!

    So I was hanging with Adrian, Plymouth Belvedere and Serro Scotty King the other day, and he mentioned that he has a trashed-but-running '65 Belvedere that he wants to run in next year's 24 Hours of LeMons. Did I feel like lending some driving and wrenching help? It sounded good, but those fade-o-riffic mid-60s drum brakes would be nonfunctional by the second lap and on fire by the third, meaning every disc-brake-equipped Tercel and Maxima would run circles around the old Plymouth. "Not to worr

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Warning: You May Get A Driveshaft Through Your Head!

    While most of you know me as the (now incredibly masculine) voice of Project Car Hell and Down On The Street, I have a day job at which I slave for The Man as a technical writer. These days, that means I write confusing instructions to lead users of software astray, but in the pre-Dot-Com Boom era it meant that I wrote confusing instructions to lead mechanics astray.

    By Murilee Martin Read More