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BMW's On-Board Computer Secrets
Ever looked at your BMW's computer and thought "Wow, I bet I can do more with this"? You actually can thanks to secret menus BMW hides from the consumer. Here's how to find them.
Read MoreArchive for October 2010
Back to Archive IndexBMW (1)
Brands (2)
The One Kia That Doesn't Suck
I wouldn't be caught dead in a Kia. If you find my body in one, have the decency to drag me out. But one Kia is a well-kept secret. Cheap, disposable and effective, the Sedona is a 244-horsepower spork.
Read MoreHoly Ferruccio! A Lamborghini Countach Safety Car
Surely this must classify as a warp event in ‘80s teenage bedroom poster physics. The only thing missing is Farrah Fawcett frolicking on the engine cover. Click for another picture!
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Buying (2)
Chevrolet Volt: First Drive
After four years of planning and three years of hype, we've finally driven a production Chevrolet Volt plug-in "hybrid." We expected some character from the most obsessively engineered vehicle in GM's history. We didn't expect so many personalities at once.
Read MoreThe Ultimate Weekend Car
So, it's the weekend. And you want to do… stuff. Lots of stuff. Interesting stuff. Outdoors-y stuff. Indoors-y stuff. Just stuff in general. Stuff that doesn't make you think of the office or the paycheck or the economy.
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Culture (57)
Candidates And The Cars They Drive
Everyone has their reasons to vote for a particular candidate. Their stance on an issue, their voting record, their latest vicious attack ad. Have you considered what car they drive? Here's 11 candidates and the cars they drive.
Read MoreMeet The Grown Men Paid To Set Hot Wheels On Fire
What do you get when you combine a nice set of Hot Wheels and fire? My childhood. But some grown men in Montana get paid to relive my childhood. Except their game might just save your life.
Read MoreThe Eight Best Scary Movie Cars
With Halloween upon us, DriverSide.com dug through America's most frightening horror movies for the eight best vehicles for scares from zombies, ghosts and Kurt Russell. —Ed.
Read MoreWhen Mazda Built A Racing Ferrari For Laughs
Last year, we were all drooling over the MX–5 Superlight at motor shows. It was actually a nine-year-old car. It was nothing but the Mazda Miata Mono-Posto from 2000 in new clothes.
Read MoreHyundai DUB Equus: Ain't Nothin' In Life But To Be Legit
Give Hyundai credit: they try hard and they spend lots of money. The new Hyundai Equus is giant, luxurious, and relatively cheap. The Equus DUB Concept, though, is simultaneously trying too hard and not trying at all.
Read MoreTen Great Sports Cars Not From The U.S., Europe Or Japan
Where do great cars come from? The U.S., Europe, and Japan have held a monopoly on sports cars for years, but with the help of our readers we've identified ten sports cars not from these regions.
Read More"Chevy Runs Deep" Is The Worst Ad Slogan Ever
Chevy's new marketing team has settled on a motto for the iconic American brand that's soon to show up in dozens of ads. The line is: "Chevy Runs Deep." That's what she said.
Read MoreTen Cars That Resemble Their Owners
People usually buy cars they like, but sometimes they buy cars they look like. With your help we've identified these ten cars that most resemble their owners.
Read MoreMy 1957 Plymouth Belvedere: A Story Of Irritation And Infatuation
Many love stories are tales of woe. Some are stories of trials and tribulations. Some have happy endings. The story of the object of my automotive infatuation has a little of all of the above.
Read MoreThe Evolution Of Automaker Logos
As time, style and technology advance, so too do the brand logos by which automakers have identified themselves. Some have remained the same and some are hardly recognizable from the originals. Here's a look at how 14 changed.
Read MoreThe Art Of Racing (Soap Box) In The Rain
NASCAR drivers go running for the garages like pansies the moment they see one spot of precipitation hit their windshields. Ten year old kids racing All American Soap Box Derby run rain or shine.
Read MoreChevrolet "Like A Rock" From The Mid-90s
Chevrolet's "Like a Rock" advertising campaign began in 1991 and lasted until 2004. Featuring the musical talent of Bob Seger, the whole campaign was excellent and a little ridiculous for what they fit in a 30 second advertisement.
Read MoreTen Cars Built For Burnouts
Burnouts shouldn't be hard, but we've seen some attempts end in catastrophic failure. So, with the help of our readers, we've selected these ten cars that are almost purpose-built for easy, tire-smoking burnouts.
Read MoreHow A Co-Ed Built The Van From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
There are custom vans, there are cartoon cars, and then there's 23-year-old Brittney Schneck's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles van, a '94 Dodge Caravan obsessively reworked into a life-size piece of turtle power realistic enough to call out Shredder.
Read MoreWhat's The Best Car For Doing Burnouts?
The video of that CTS-V coupe doing righteous drifting got us thinking about how much we love smoking the tires on a car. Specifically, we love burnouts. Big, vaporizing, cancer-causing burnouts. What's the best car for doing burnouts?
Read MoreTen Great Land Yachts
Remember when roads were as smooth as a calm sea, cars were long as boats, and you felt like the captain of your land yacht? We do. Here's ten great land yachts.
Read MoreWhat's Your Favorite Land Yacht?
In the era after America stretched its infrastructure out with horizon-less paths of smooth concrete, but before it had to deal with the consequences of doing so, we filled the space with glorious rolling steel. What's your favorite land yacht?
Read MoreThe Ten Worst Aftermarket Body Kits
This is Answers of the Day - where we take the best ten responses from the previous day's "Question Of The Day". It's by you and for you, the Jalopnik readers. Today: The Ten Worst Aftermarket Body Kits.
Read MoreAmerica's Most Elaborate Slot Car Track
The White Lake Formula 1 Ring is a slot car track, in a basement, built by someone with a lot of spare time. But check your bias at pit row, because this scale track is better than most real ones.
Read MoreJames Hunt Bedded 33 Flight Attendants In Two Weeks
A new biography of Formula One’s 1976 world champion makes Brett Favre and Tiger Woods sheepish schoolboys by comparison. It all begins with the 1976 title race—and 33 British Airways flight attendants.
Read MoreCharles Manson's Forgotten Getaway Truck
This Power Wagon has sat baking in the sun, broken down and abandoned for 41 years in the hills near Barker Ranch, the final hideout of Charles Manson and his crime family.
Read MoreBrazil's Hyper-Exclusive Gullwing Death Wedge
In the mid-seventies, an export crisis pushed Brazilian auto import tariffs to near 50%. However, taxes for locally-produced cars were in the single digits creating an explosion of Brazilian auto manufacturers. One of them produced this leather-soaked apocalyptic wedge above.
Read MoreHow Packard's Last Concept Shaped A Generation Of Car Design
You're looking at the seldom-remembered 1957 Packard Predictor concept, one of that company's last, futile attempts to stimulate interest in its products.
Read MoreNew York City's Forgotten Auto Plant
New York City is the nation's center for fashion, banking, and media. But history forgets the Big Apple was also home to one of America's first auto factories.
Read MoreThe Greatest Victory Of A '20s Motorcycle Daredevil, Caught On Film
Albert "Shrimp" Burns became one of the most popular motorcycle racers in the early 20th century for hurtling himself with abandon around board tracks nicknamed "murderdromes." Here is his daring 1921 Beverly HIlls victory on an Indian captured on film.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Italians Do It Better Edition
I studied the Italian language with the hopes of learning a different sort of Italian tongue for two years in college. It never happened and my grasp of the language is only cosi cosi. I did learn to appreciate the relaxed relationship Italians have with diet, time, and personal boundaries thanks to my authentic Italian professors, which doesn't explain my poor performance in class. At least I never failed a test as badly as this teen license hopeful. Oh well, mantaTM thinks those cool Italians
Read More"Remind Me Why I'm An Alfa Romeo Nut?"
Welcome back to Garage of Horror, where we share your worst wheeled experiences. Today's installment: Classic love stories about classic marques!
Read MoreBumblebee Smashes Cop Car In Yet Another Transformers 3 Accident
The star-crossed filming of Transformers 3 suffered another accident today when Bumblebee drove through an intersection and sideswiped a Washington D.C. Police SUV. The crash was not part of the script and the yellow Camaro was seriously damaged.
Read MoreI Stepped In A VW Beetle: Five Reasons It Sucks
Do you have a heartwarming Volkswagen Beetle story? Call someone who gives a crap. Cute? Sure. But dangerous, unreliable and jam-packed with technology that was outdated in 1938. I have major Beetle issues. Here are five of them.
Read MoreBugatti Veyron: Car Of The Decade
The roaring naughties was a decade of boom and bust and rapid technological advancement. It was a decade of superlatives which needed a car of superlatives to properly document the era of the automobile in museums of the future.
Read MoreMan Reunites With Long-Lost 1955 Pontiac
In 1974, Ed LaPointe sold his cherished 1955 Pontiac. 35 years later, he was reunited with it. This is his story.
Read More1975 Lancia: When Everything Wrong Sounds Right
I'm tired of people claiming to be uber-gearheads just because they own dumb cars. Spending way too long to do a simple service on your French or Italian auto doesn't make you a gearhead; it makes you an idiot.
Read MoreThe Crazy-Ass Finnish Sport Of Jokamiesluokka
Jokamiesluokka is a Finnish type of rally cross, done for shits and giggles, where you may be forced to sell the car you came in if someone else wants it.
Read MoreSpoiler Alert: A History Of Downforce
At one point or another, you have probably wondered why some cars have a big wing on the back. Is it for coolness, or is there a practical purpose? Who first decided to take advantage of downforce?
Read MoreHow To Survive A Car Meet
While you're safe at home, steaming hot cocoa in hand and wrapped in a Snuggie (or Slanket, if you prefer a denser, larger and higher quality blanket cocoon), rogue tribes brave the wild elements with a single passion.
Read More"As I Merged Uncontrollably Into Morning Traffic, I Recalled My Last Clutch Explosion"
Welcome back to Garage of Horror, where we share your worst wheeled experiences. Today's installment is something we hate to see in the Garage: A nice story with happy ending from a guy who knows what he's doing.
Read MoreA Mini Minivan?!
Auto Motor und Sport's joining others claiming BMW will bring a five-seater Mini Minivan to market in 2013. OK Mini, that's enough. Please step back from the sketch pad, put down the brand bastardization crack pipe and slowly walk away.
Read MoreThe Post Where We Welcome Car Magazine To Our Porsche 911 Variant Rant
Car, the self-evidently-named UK buff book, has joined our plea for Porsche to stop the overcomplication of the 911 range. With a Mustang-like 20 flavors available (22 in total), Porsche is beginning to look like Baskin-Robbins. Something must be done!
Read MoreExplaining Pickups To Foreigners And Immigrants
I immigrated to America in 2008 from the Netherlands, where a Corolla is a large car and gas prices ran double digits not too long ago. Needless to say, I got obsessed with pick-ups. But I had many misconceptions.
Read MoreWhy Old Cars Suck Are Awesome
A few months ago, Jalopnik wrote an article about why old cars suck, but they looked at old cars as daily drivers and nothing else. I think this is the wrong way to look at it.
Read MoreIs The CR-Z The New Type-R?
If Lefty had lived in Europe, he'd be very disappointed right now. He's still not getting upped. But, then again, Sonny Red isn't either. It's some new guy... a Mr. Green. Right, forget about it.
Read MoreScumball 3000: A Rally For Shameless Sleaze-Balls
Eleven insolent men, three decrepit machines, and one handsome bachelor stood between 450 miles of hardened opposition and a triumph of human spirit. Some will call it the greatest race on Earth. Most, however, will call it the Scumball 3000.
Read MoreTwo Brothers, A Monte Carlo And The Redneck Green Hell
As the alabaster 1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo sits on the dirt floor of our garage growing mold and many generations of spiders, my brother Dan and I doubt more and more it will ever move again.
Read MoreEzold's "Secret" Vintage Ford Garage
Traveling through the villages and hamlets of the Northeast, you'll often come across interesting roadside discoveries like Ezold's Model A Garage in Westfield, Massachusetts. If you stop by, chat up owner Frank Ezold. Then ask to see his "secret" garage.
Read MoreMiata: The Answer To Every Question
Ask any Jalop what the best small, inexpensive sports car is, and the answer will be Miata. But what is the best first car? Which is the safest? What is the best in the snow? The answer is still Miata.
Read MoreThe Other 10 Scariest Looking Cars Of All Time
Sure it's only early October, but let's be honest; the whole month is just a big lead up to Halloween. In that spirit, Lets reexamine the list of the Ten Scariest looking cars of all time.
Read MoreA 20-Year-Old's Dream: Interning At An Exotic Car Dealership For The Summer
I took matters into my own hands, put on my nicest button-down shirt, slid into a pair of J. Crew khakis, and walked into the Greenwich, Connecticut exotic car boutique that had ignored my five emails and three overly-friendly voicemails.
Read MoreAutomotives: What Your Car Says About You
There's little doubt that stereotypes are bad for our culture, but to say that they materialize out of thin air is somewhat naive. This applies just as much to car owners as it does to the rest of our society.
Read MoreIn Defense Of Donks
I have news for you, Matching Numbers Yenko Nova Guy: Donk enthusiasts are car lovers just like you. And they're funnier.
Read MoreAn American's Perspective Of Scottish Subaru Owners
I work in the U.S. Navy. We travel quite a bit and in a recent trip to Faslane, Scotland, I was adopted by members of a local Scottish Subaru club. Here's my story.
Read MoreCanada's Crap Contribution To Car Culture
Canada has given the world the pop-rock stylings of Bryan Adams, the transcendent comedy of Howie Mandel and the best pro sports league on the planet, the CFL. We get ripped on pretty bad for all three.
Read MoreWhen Cars Were Whales
When the new Chevrolet Caprice was introduced in 1991, Motor Trend called it a beached whale and named it Car of the Year. When my step-grandmother bequeathed to us this stranded cetacean, we named it the Spudmobile.
Read MoreWhy It Sucks To Be An American Car Enthusiast In 2010
When laws are suggested that are obviously and blatantly anti-gearhead, it's easy to fight it. Crushing classic cars or restrictions on modifying exhaust systems would be good examples. But it's hard to fight things that you don't even see coming.
Read MoreHollywood Horsepower: Nicole Richie And Her Mercedes G-Wagon
If you're gonna drive the wrong way down the 134 freeway, you best do it in a G-Wagon. And that's exactly what Nicole Richie did.
Read MoreAn Ode To The Beaded Seat Cover
Oh, beaded seat cover, how my back yearns for your nubbly embrace. You are the de-crapifier of seats, the ghetto body cooler and the sweet taxi driver fashion accessory all rolled into one.
Read MoreFord SVT Raptor, Designed For Men
Look at this truck and tell me what you see? Wrong. It's the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, a tough-as-nails he-man truck that wants to rip your arms off. Now look back again, what do you see? Wrong. It's a truck so manly it sweats, a truck you need to shave three times a day, a truck that will grow chest hair. This truck is dangerous, in the same way you are.
Read MoreDear Lord, I Saw A Mercedes 300SEL 6.3 For Real
You are obviously aware of the 6.3’s existence, but it’s hard to envision that such a punk Benz can really exist. I was skeptical myself. Until today.
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Crashes and Safety (7)
Celebrity Car Wrecks 2010: A Look Back
Sometimes life isn't fair. Celebrities can afford to buy beautiful new Maseratis and Range Rovers. And what do they do? This year, they seem to be having a lot of problems with mountains.
Read MoreTwin Turbo Lamborghini Crashes, Flips At Texas Mile
We've just heard Underground Racing's twin turbo Lamborghini Gallardo crashed and flipped yesterday at the Texas Mile under heavy crosswinds. The video below just misses the crash but other photogs supposedly may have better shots. Have them? Send them! UPDATE!
Read MoreMechanic Crashes Lamborghini On Test Drive, Owner Fights Back
A Quebec man's modified Lamborghini Gallardo got thrashed last week by a mechanic during a "test drive." Now the foot-dragging dealership that's responsible is learning a lesson: Don't wreck the exotic of an internet-savvy owner, because payback's a bitch.
Read MoreF-22 Raptor Engineer Prevents Crash By Causing One
Duane Innes was driving when he noticed a passed out pickup truck driver heading towards traffic. Innes, an engineer and Boeing's manager of the F-22 fighter-jet program, quickly did the math, sped up, and let the pickup crash into him.
Read MoreThe Ten Cars Insurance Companies Hate
Your insurance agent likely prefers you drive a Corvette instead of a Mitsubishi Lancer. That's because, according to the IIHS, Lancer owners report the highest relative insurance losses. Corvette owners? The lowest. Here are the ten biggest insurance losers.
Read MoreHow A Tuner Totaled A $200,000 Ford GT
Texas sports car tuner Ray Hofman sent a twin-turbo Ford GT to California tuner Bill Knobloch for some upgrades. Knobloch says he was taking the "gal" for a test drive when it went airborne. And that's only the beginning.
Read MoreA Frightful Accident On A Turkish Highway
This is an in-car clip of a serious-looking accident that happened in Turkey. The driver mistimes a lane change and flips his car—with neither the camera nor the stereo skipping a beat. Warning: NSFW
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Entertainment (7)
James May Buys The Ultimate Hipster Bike
James May just purchased this Grievous Angel custom cafe racer from hip Austrailian builder Deus Ex Machina. Based on the JDM Yamaha SR400, Captain Slow's new bike puts out 27 HP and costs around $20,000.
Read MoreTop Gear On 60 Minutes: What You Didn't See
If you missed last night's Top Gear segment on 60 Minutes — or jumped off something because of the unemployment segment — here's an American news magazine finally covering the most popular television show... in the world. Plus bonus footage!
Read MoreTop Gear USA: The Stig's New Track
When the U.S.-version of Top Gear debuts on HISTORY next month there will be an American Stig and he'll need a track. Here's the first images and details of The Stig's new American playground.
Read MoreProbe 16 From "A Clockwork Orange" Restored To Horrorshow New
This Probe 16, a.k.a. the Durango '95 driven in "A Clockwork Orange" that was last seen sitting in pieces under the glare of Top Gear's cameras has been restored to full guttiwuts-vibratey capacity.
Read MoreTop Gear USA Premieres November 21st, Debuts New Trailers
Amid the Lambos and Vipers, the trailer for the new American Top Gear shows off one of the last bits of information we wanted: the premiere date. Set your Tivos for Sunday, Novmeber 21st on History. Below, massive muscle-powered donuts.
Read MoreTop Gear Confirms American Stig, Suzuki SX4 As Small Car For Big Stars
Confirming our reports, there is an American Stig on the U.S. version of Top Gear. The producers also revealed the Suzuki SX4 Sportback is the small car for big stars and the "big stars" include Tim Allen and Kid Rock.
Read MoreBuzz Aldrin The Star In A Reasonably-Priced Car, U.S. Stig Is Rubens Barrichello?
The U.S. version of Top Gear on History starts filming in studio today, but key details are already leaking out about the Stig and the first three stars in a reasonably-priced car. Juicy rumors inside.
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Honda (1)
Ten Things Reviewers Didn't Tell You About The Honda CR-Z
We've read reviews claiming the Honda CR-Z is neither a fast sports car nor a super efficient, fuel-sipping hybrid and yet is a fun car to drive. But what they didn't tell you will shock you! It will set your pants on fire and have you screaming for your mommy!
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News (246)
Halloween Special: The Worst Superhero Vehicles
Every Halloween the streets fill with tiny Supermen, Batmen, Green Lanterns (not many Aquamen). There are some superheroes you must avoid. Can they fight bad guys? They can't even drive to where the bad guys are.
Read MoreWant To Take Your DeLorean Back In Time? You Have Options.
Who doesn't want to go back in time? (I, for one, could use a do-over on last week's "No Pants Day.") Tell Uncle Rico to fire up the Dodge van, we've got a football game to go win.
Read MoreiRadar Device And iPhone App Provide Easy 360 Degree Laser And Radar Detection
The iRadar smart detection system integrates with its free app to provide visual alerts and notifications for speed and redlight cameras, dangerous intersections, and known speed traps. It detects all radar and laser guns, so no nasty surprises on your road-trip.
Read MoreWestern Endurance Racing Championship Points Battle
Five of six rounds of the NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship (WERC) are in the history books and some of the class championship chases are very close. Here is the breakdown before the finale.
Read MoreThe Minivan Video Your Kids Shouldn't See. Ever.
Take one minivan mom, one slightly evil kid, add in a police officer and shake well.
Read MoreGM Security Flaw Lets Thieves Steal Cadillac Escalades In 14 Seconds
Thieves love late-model Cadillac Escalades enough for them to rank as the most likely-to-be stolen vehicle in America. Professionals can take one in 14 seconds. Why? Some experts say General Motors skimped on a few key parts.
Read More9 Futuristic Monorails... From The Past
Monorails used to be the vision of futuristic travel. Now, that mode of transit has been mostly reduced to inter-terminal airport travel and family theme parks. Take a step back in time and gander at these bullet-shaped babies in action.
Read MoreWhat's Your Most Successfully Recommended Car Purchase?
Even if they hardly ever listen, people always ask car geeks like you and I for purchasing advice. Sometimes they manage to avoid that $48,000 1-Series and follow our sage advice. What's your most successfully recommended car purchase?
Read MoreNo Criminal Can Escape...Lil' RoboCop
The year is 2010. Detroit is a crime-ridden carcass of the gleaming metropolis it once was. The city only has one hope. And he's 2 years old.
Read MoreVintage Monorail Gallery
The Bennie Railplane ran on a prototype track in Glasgow circa 1929. Technically, it's not a monorail because it has a guide rail at the bottom. [Oobject]
Read MoreTen Cars Lost In Their Predecessors Shadows
Some cars just never make it to the stage because their predecessor is hogging the entire spotlight. Here's your ten cars most overshadowed by their predecessor.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Needless Markups Edition
Was invited to a casual-sounding outdoor wedding in the Texas Hill Country and thought a nice pair of jeans, oxford, and slick gray sportcoat I picked up would fit the bill. And it did, mostly, though everyone else seemed to trend more business than casual. And then an old friend from high school appeared, the ex-Army Ranger, redolent with all the style I was attempting but suddenly realized I hadn't achieved. In addition to looking like a male model, he also worked at Neiman Marcus and so he ha
Read MoreThe Soviet VTOL Ekranoplan Bomber Designed By An Italian Communist
Learning about Russian military vehicles certainly raises one’s threshold for weird engineering. But when you come across the Bartini Beriev VVA–14, a forty-year-old VTOL seaplane-ekranoplan, everything goes all WTF again.
Read MoreTomorrow, The TSA Can Aggressively Pat Down Your Genitals
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration will update its pat-down methods at 450 U.S. airports on Friday to allow more aggressive touching, with inspectors instructed to touch travelers' personal do-not-fly zones if they refuse scanners. Who's ready for a road trip?
Read More"Happy 80th Birthday Bernie" From The People Who Secretly Hate You
The Red Bull Racing team had some fun with F1 emperor Bernie Ecclestone on his 80th birthday, giving him a walker tricked out with everything he'd need, including buttons for "nurse," "power," "money" and "tea."
Read MoreHow To Shoot An F1 Car In 3D
3D photography requires precision, tons of equipment, and heroic jury-rigging. Shooting a vintage Ferrari requires all of this plus serious balls. The Image Hunter shows us how it's done. —Ed.
Read MoreWhat Car Was Overshadowed By Its Predecessor?
The twin-turbo V8 Ferrari F40 is getting a lot of love today, but what of the Ferrari F50? It's often overlooked. It's time to remember the Jan Bradys of the world. What car was overshadowed by its predecessor?
Read MoreTen Heart-Pounding Cars
There are some cars that make us smile, make our heart beats redouble, and give us a tingling feeling in the pit of our stomachs. With the help of our readers, we've come up with the ten heart-pounding cars.
Read MoreYes, That's A Bear Chasing A Half-Mauled Bison Down A Yellowstone Road
Now that Yellowstone Park officials say this picture of a bear chasing a half-mauled bison down a Yellowstone Park road is authentic, imagine driving down the road toward this scene. Yeah, we're staying away from Yellowstone Park now too.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Not Every Actor Can Direct Edition
Orson Welles and Woody Allen are both writer/actors/performers appreciated by most for doing all three things well. Ben Affleck, surprisingly, isn't a bad director. Clint Eastwood manages to dabble in so many different genres it's almost freaky. But not every actor can direct. Proof? The film Men At Work, which was written and directed by Emilio Estevez (who also stars in the film). It's fairly shoddy film making, but it was on the USA Network once a day during my childhood so I've seen it a few
Read MoreChevy Plays Pac-Man With Real Cars
Chevy's Chinese arm staged an automotive version of Pac-Man set to the song "It's F*cking Rock and Roll" with real Chevy Cruze compact sedans for this commercial.
Read More$500 Craigslist Rally Car Goes To The Baja 1000
Bill Caswell and his $500 Craigslist rally car have a new challenge: the Baja 1000. Caswell's heading to SEMA, welding together a Baja E30, then heading to Mexico. He took a break from construction to share his plans with Jalopnik.
Read MoreSubaru-Powered, Jesus-Supporting Flying Car Gets FAA Approval
The I-Tec Maverick, a roadworthy dune buggy powered by a Subaru engine, has won the first certification from the Federal Aviation Administration for a flying car. Its first mission: Saving the Third World.
Read MoreThe American Sports Car Manifesto Of 1956
Explaining why the 1964 Mustang became a classic, Automobile's design guru Robert Cumberford shared this 1956 memo from ad exec Barney Clark to General Motors, arguing for a four-seat Corvette. It's a classic too, despite GM ignoring it. —Ed.
Read MoreChevy Thrusts Its New Ads Deep For Amerigasmic Payoff
We've really tried to not hit the easy joke from the bowtie brand's new tagline "Chevy Runs Deep." But when it's stuck on the tip of a phallic Camaro thrusting out in these new ads, how can anyone avoid it?
Read MoreWhat Car Makes Your Heart Race When You See It?
A WRX isn't aesthetically exciting, but you're dead inside if you don't crack a smile behind the wheel of one. Some cars can duplicate this feeling with just their presence. What car makes your heart race when you see it?
Read MoreThis Craigslist Ad Is Actually Commentary On Modern Existence
We've all read humorously macho and outright strange postings on Craigslist. But this ad for a well-worn vintage Mercedes is an essay that combines the spirit of Whitman with Kundera's brutal take on our own insignificance.
Read MoreGet The Corvette-Engined Truck Chevy Won't Build
GM never built a production version of the Ram SRT10-fighting Chevy Silverado 427 Concept. Four years after the truck's SEMA debut the wrench-turners at Houston's Fastlane have recreated the concept with their 500 hp, Corvette-powered 427SS Silverado.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Infinity Guitars Edition
Because I'm a quasi-hipster I sometimes have to explain to normal people why certain hipster trends are popular. But I'm not actually a hipster, I just look good in thick black-rimmed glasses and like to flaunt my education. I can't explain why hipsters like to wear jumpers or why hipster boys enjoy rocking ironic, rare jerseys other than, you know, who wouldn't want a Theo Ratliff Celtics jersey? The music I tend to get, though. Even if it's just at a visceral level. So when someone inquired
Read MoreMini Owners With Broken Fuel Pumps Ask: Where's Our Recall?
BMW's recall of fuel pumps on 130,000 turbo-powered vehicles left some Mini owners scratching their heads - since they've had the same kind of failure on their BMW-designed Cooper S models since 2007. Mini's reply? No recall here.
Read MoreThis Might Be The Best-Sounding M3 Ever
Take a moment to listen to the sonorous beauty that is the E46 BMW M3 owned by "Obioban" from M3Forum. Mmm, I think I just had an auralgasm. [via jyx]
Read MoreThe Best Ten Minutes Of Racing You'll See All Week
Veteran Holden driver Jamie Whincup tries to hold off rookie Shane Van Ginsbergern in a Ford during the closing laps of The Gold Coast 600. It's bumper-rubbing, corner-slicing V8 Supercar racing at its best.
Read MoreHennessey Venom GT Coming To SEMA
The insane $1 million Hennessey Venom GT's managed to sneak into Texas without setting off any USGS seismic sensors. The Lotus-bodied, 1,200-hp V8-powered Venom GT will debut at SEMA next week, where it will embarrass outrageously-painted Hyundai Tiburons.
Read MoreHow Fans Forced BMW To Fix This Faulty Fuel Pump
For the past four years, BMW owners have complained of frequently failing fuel pumps in BMW's twin-turbocharged engine sold in the 335i sedan and other models. With lawsuits and national attention growing, BMW's now forced to address the problem. UPDATE!
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Sexy Kitchen Appliances Edition
I'm not sure I'll ever own a candy apple red sports car. It's just not my aesthetic. I'd prefer to drive a brown Porsche or a sand-colored Mercedes. One object I don't mind owning in this racy color is the my Oster 6297 Convection Toaster Oven. I can toast six slices of toast on it one minutes, make a pizza the next, and then top it all off with a baked brie for desert. It's sexy, I must admit. So is the Lexus LFA, even if it comes from a company that makes more appliances than Oster. I'm thinki
Read MoreTrabant + BMW = Hitler
It’s the easiest mod ever. All you need is a white Trabi and a black BMW grille, and your touching tribute to German unification is ready to roll.
Read MoreHow An iPad Got A Guy Placed On The No-Fly List
Last night, I flew home from Chicago. As the plane taxied the runway, the guy next to me turned on his iPad. By the time we reached LaGuardia, cops were waiting to arrest him. He's now on the no-fly list.
Read MoreThe Camaroghini: A Mullet In Italian Loafers
Would you love a Lamborghini Gallardo? Can you only afford a 1994 Chevy Camaro? Well then, here's the Rev Angel — a car designed to solve this exact problem. Luckily for you, it's for sale on eBay.
Read MoreFord Doesn't Want To Build You A Capable Off-Roader
A post questioning the 2011 Ford Explorer's nonexistent off-road capability was all it took to confirm what many of us have suspected — the Raptor notwithstanding, Ford is no longer interested in making a capable off-road vehicle.
Read MoreWhats The Deal With The Mufflermobile?
The desire to make a car look like something else has been around almost as long as cars themselves. Although we may not always understand what compels people to do it, we can still enjoy the results. Like the Mufflermobile.
Read MoreGoogle Street View Cars Collected Emails And Passwords
Google announced today that the Wi-Fi snooping its Street View vans were engaged in was even worse than previously acknowledged. The company announced today that entire URLs, emails, and passwords were collected as well. And they still have it.
Read MoreTales From The Junkyard: The Gift Of Life
Junkyards. They're the unsung heroes of car lovers. They help us keep the cars we rely on running cheaply and rebuild the cars we love. Every car guy has a tale from the junkyard. Here's one of mine.
Read MoreThis Electric BMW E30 Is Fast And Green
BMW E30s — 3 series models made from 1982-1994 (for those who don't speak Bimmer) — are cool. E30s that run 12 second ¼ miles are cooler. Electric-powered E30s that run 12 second ¼ miles are very cool.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Unfortunate Halloween Choices Edition
With All Hallows Eve upon us, the scariest news I can report is this: The most popular Halloween accessory for sale online is this wig. I don't watch a lot of cable television, so I didn't realize Elvira had become popular again. Congrats to her! She's earned it. Speaking of misappropriating images, the rash of supercar wrecks by substitute drivers led E30Fernando to recall the time a mechanic played trick or treat with his cherished ride:
Read MoreA Once-Common French Family Car Turned Fall Beauty
There may only be one Renault 16 in America. The remaining 1,845,958 are scattered all over the world. This is one of them, standing proud in fallen leaves.
Read MoreWhat Cars Resemble Their Owners?
The vehicles we choose are a reflection of our values, our tastes, and ultimately ourselves. Sometimes, the similarities are almost creepy. What cars resemble their owners?
Read MoreBrothels Used As Hotels For Korean Grand Prix
Formula 1 booked journalists and even teams into Korea's famous "love hotel" rooms for this weekend's Korean Grand Prix. Some are complaining of used condoms under their beds and dildo-vending machines.
Read MoreAmerica's Next Top Car Blogger: And Your Finalists Are...
Our America's Next Top Car Blogger competition, a writing battle writ large for the chance to win a $10,000 six-month contract as weekend editor for Jalopnik, started with hundreds of competitors. Now we're down to the final two.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Grumpy Old Men Edition
I'd like to mention, even if Arizona State University has the Cronkite School of Journalism, the actual Walter Cronkite went to college at the University of Texas. And though he dropped out his Junior year to become one of the great American television journalists of all time (if not the greatest) he did the best college commercials you'll ever see for UT. They're called "We're Texas" and they have the great voice, humor, and spirit Cronkite had. So when you watch Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes as
Read MoreA Vehicular Appendix To "Zero History"
William Gibson's "Zero History" is a bridge between gearheads and sci-fi fans, offering both a glimpse into the other's world. From Ekranpolans to Hiluxes, here's a guide for both fans to the amazing vehicles in the final Bigend trilogy novel.
Read MoreP4/5 Competizione Announces Quartet Of Drivers
The P4/5 Competizione is ever closer to its Nurbürgring 24 Hours debut, with James Glickenhaus announcing their four drivers today: Mika Salo, Nicola Larini, Fabrizio Giovanardi, and Luca Cappellari. Just be careful, guys, the car's kind of rare. P4/5 Facebook]
Read MoreL.A. Design Challenge: Your Future Electric Rickshaw Awaits
For the annual design challenge at this year's L.A. Auto Show, nine automakers were challenged to design a four-passenger vehicle of the future weighing 1,000 lbs. or less. Here's the rickshaws automakers think next-gen light cars will look like.
Read MoreYes, Electric Car Owners Can Be Assholes Too
Wired's Chuck Squatriglia has been writing about life with the i-MiEV, Mitsubishi's pill-shaped electric car. Here he finds that the snubs from other electric vehicle drivers cut deepest. — Ed.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: The Bonds Of Blood Edition
In Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle we're presented with a quasi-socialist parable about the assignment of property and responsibility. It starts when the servant Grusha finds a child left behind by the Governor's wife of their Georgian-like state when she flees for her life. Grusha cares for the child in a way the Governor's wife never did. After some time the three are brought together again before the court and there's an argument over what is stronger: the bonds of blood or the bo
Read MoreDie In Ghana, Get A $600 Car Coffin
The Ga people of coastal Ghana have been making elaborate fantasy coffins since the 1950s. For your very last car ride, there really is no alternative.
Read MoreWild Chimp Goes Donkey Kong On A Police Car
A 300-pound chimp named "Sue" terrorized a Kansas City, Missouri neighborhood yesterday and attacked a cop car in true Donkey Kong fashion. She rolled a trash can up to its nose before smashing the windshield with a massive slap.
Read MoreThe Secret Behind The World's Fastest Ferrari
A Washington Ferrari collector set a world speed record for a Ferrari last week, with an average 275.4 mph in a 288 GTO. The secret to its speed? A 540-ci Chevy big block, boosted by twin turbos. Enzo, meet Louis.
Read MoreListen To The Ferrari 458 Challenge Lap Monza! Monza! Monza!
Watch the Ferrari 458 Challenge, the Italian automaker's latest gallopingly track-ready stallion, get mercilessly whipped like a rented mule around Monza. Remember to turn your speakers up to 11 for the full, gloriously sonorous engine experience.
Read MorePilot Who Refused Full-Body Scan Railed Against TSA For Months
ExpressJet pilot Michael Roberts' refusal of an airport full-body scan has drawn an outpouring of support among pilots. But it's a step Roberts has considered since July, when he railed against the Department of Homeland Security's "tyranny."
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Transcribed Edition
One of the most fascinating and awful intern jobs in all of journalism is transcribing interviews. A few people still manage to do interviews with recording devices while not simultaneously writing down what's being said (I try to do both) and make interns grab every word and pause and "uh" committed to tape or other media. This typically involves sitting at a desk and using foot pedals to scan back-and-forth. It's tedious and annoying but, if the interview subject is interesting, can make for a
Read MoreHot Rod Mags Pump Up Government Fears To Boost Advertisers
A chain of the country's most popular auto enthusiast magazines used at least 20 of its titles to run similar stories and covers this month, all asking "CAN THEY OUTLAW HOT RODDING?" It's less about street machines than political ones.
Read MoreDon't Fear The Pint-Size Soviet Police Car
At barely over 2,000 pounds, the Moskvitch 407 is definitely not the choice for connoisseurs of intimidating patrols. Other than that, it’s cute as a button.
Read MoreHow The RIAA Took My Vintage Mustang
When Shane Comegys was 16 he loved two things: his 1970 Mustang and illegally downloaded music. Given the choice, he'd happily take the car and delete the music, but the RIAA's lawyers didn't give him a choice. They took both.
Read MoreBrammo Enertia Plus: 80 Miles Of All-Electric Power
If you loved the original Brammo Enertia, you'll love the new-for-2011 Brammo Enertia Plus. Brammo's newest 'cycle doubles the original's range to 80 miles of all-electric riding for just $8,995.
Read MoreThe Piracy Lawsuit That Could Ground The CIA's Deadly Predator Drones
Al Qaeda and the Taliban haven't been able to bring down the CIA's Predator drones. But a new lawsuit alleging parts of their targeting software are pirated (and faulty) could.
Read MoreHow A Pilot Refused A Full Body Scan And Now May Lose His Job
A pilot for ExpressJet Airlines refused to submit to a full-body scan in Memphis on Saturday, saying the technology amounts to "virtual strip searching." Detained by airport security, he now may lose his job. Here's his heroic first-hand account.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Words With Friend Edition
Some insist a pun is the lowest form of humor. I disagree. Wordplay often requires a great grasp of the language, an eye for the absurd, and an appreciation of subtlety. Too many puns is annoying, I admit, but sharing a few joking words with friends is an enjoyable experience, as opposed to cramping too many people in the crowded HondaJet. Although, we'd like to get I.Heart.Cars and his friends making jokes like this in one of the planes.
Read MoreHow Allied Forces Used Tank Serial Numbers To Defeat The Germans
During World War II, Allied forces readily admitted that German tanks were superior to their own. The big question for Allied forces, then, was how many tanks Germany was producing. Here's how they reverse-engineered serial numbers to find out.
Read MoreMost Interesting Man In The World Buys A Stratos Replica
We anointed Pete Krehbiel the "Real Most Interesting Man In The World" after he managed to legally import a Ford Focus RS. Now an admittedly hungover Krebs emailed us details of his latest conquest: a basketcase Lancia Stratos replica.
Read MoreHondaJet: First Look Inside
Straight from the annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention, Honda 's providing us with this first look at the HondaJet's cabin and cockpit. More pictures below.
Read MoreThese Are DARPA's "Flying Humvee" Transformer Concepts
DARPA has now awarded the second of two Transformer "flying Humvee" study contracts to Lockheed Martin. We just want to know when we'll get to see both concepts fight in a desert death match. Let's get ready to rotor!
Read MoreWhat's Your Favorite Classic SUV?
The debut of another crossoverish luxochildbarge's elicited thousands of words of copy from those happy to be invited to be the "first" to tell you about it. It makes us nostalgic for simple, honest utes. What's your favorite classic SUV?
Read More2012 Nissan GT-R: 530 HP, 7:20 'Ring Time
An overnight spec-drop from the Land of the Rising Sun confirms the 2012 Nissan GT-R is the Car of the Rising Power with a 45 horsepower bump, which is enough to drop the Nurbürgring time to a Corvette ZR1-confounding 7:20.
Read MoreSend In The Clown... Car
The 1956 Fiat 600 Multipla is a precursor to the modern minivan. Recently, one was found in Michigan which had been transformed into a clown-car by local Shriners back in the sixties. Bozo’s back and he’s waiting in your nightmares.
Read MoreFrank Costin: The Man Behind The Legends
He worked with Lotus, Vanwall, and Maserati. He cofounded Marcos. He was first to use a NACA duct in a car. His shapes were uber slippery. But mention the name Frank Costin and you'll probably hear "who?"
Read MoreMilwaukee's Secret 90-Mile Portal
Back in 1979, a few enterprising Illinois Nazis discovered a very unusual secret on Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee: A portal to Chicago! We may all hate Illinois Nazis, but we should congratulate their amazing scientific discovery!
Read MoreStalin's Best Kept Secret: The Moscow Underground Metro 2
Stalin's "best kept" secret is like saying Toyota's most boring Camry, Bugatti's fastest Veyron SS or Nissan's ugliest Juke. There are no better kept secrets than Soviet secrets. Or are there?
Read MoreNSU Prinz TT: Keep It Like A Secret
After mentioning to friends I'm writing up the legendary NSU Prinz TT 1000, the response was a resounding O NOES! After all, why diminish our ownership chances by multiplying the Do Want levels? Because it's the Jalop thing to do.
Read MoreGenesis Of The $100 eBay Exhaust System
We've all done it. Looked on eBay for car parts. And we've all seen the $100 full exhaust in polished stainless steel that looks 99% the same as the $1200 exhaust offered by the big brand name company. How do they do it?
Read MoreThe Last International Harvester Dealership
Few people outside the Portland, Oregon area know that when International Harvester gave up on light duty trucks and SUVs in 1980 and closed up shop, one dealer franchisee stayed open. For 28 years.
Read MoreConnecticut's Ghost Parking Lot
In 1978, an artist half-buried and covered two dozen junker cars from the 60s and 70s with pavement in a suburban Connecticut mall parking lot. There the ghost cars sat for 25 years.
Read MoreThe Secret Of Supersonic Speed, Revealed
In the fall of 1997, two bands of engineers high on speed danced on the dry lake bed in Black Rock Desert, Nevada. One broke the sound barrier and the other didn't. We sat down with the team that didn't.
Read MoreThe World's Largest Secret Stash Of Daimler DS420 Limousines
Somewhere in a suburban office park hides a secret stash of Daimler DS420 limousines, restored to perfection. It's perhaps the largest stash of running Daimler limos anywhere in the world.
Read MoreHow To Build A FrankAubilllac-Amino (Kidding, Not-Amino)
The scene, a local cruise night: Another '69 Camaro, another '57 Chevy, another '66 GTO, a '29 FrankAubilllac, another '66 Mustang...wait, a '29 what? FrankAubillac? What the... I love it! How do you build one?
Read MoreSaab Friction Testers Pack Hidden Fifth-Wheel In Every Trunk
Imagine yourself sitting in a European airport, waiting for departure, when suddenly a neon yellow, beacon-encrusted Saab goes howling down the middle of the main runway at ludicrous speed. Too much Akvavit? Nope, just a Saab Friction Tester.
Read MoreLove Racing But Suck At Driving? Waaagh! You're On The Pit Crew
Automobile racing is a lot of fun, a very expensive, time consuming, amount of fun. But just because it can be ridiculously expensive doesn't mean you can't be involved in motorsports. Join a pit crew.
Read MoreBMW's 767: The Golden Fish That Got Away
Code named "Goldfish," the 767 — with an impressive 6.7-litre V16 engine — could have made BMW's greatest dream to utterly dominate Mercedes come true.
Read MoreThe Lost Ladas Of La Habana
When you visit Cuba, there are three things you notice: The heat, the Yank tanks, and the Ladas. While the ancient Americans get the media attention, their Russian relatives toil in the background. This is their story.
Read MoreYou Can't Recreate The Hangover In A Mercedes Minivan
When my friend Dan asked me to be the best man at his wedding, I asked for a silver Mercedes for the bachelor party. It was gonna be just like The Hangover... except they sent me an R350.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Toby Keith Maybe Isn't A Bad Guy Edition
I've actually met Toby Keith and he came off as kind of a cool guy. This isn't star-goggles as I've met plenty of famous people I didn't like (a horrible horrible person I'll just call Tatch Tadams, for instance). We made fun of him, a lot, but he seemed to take in stride and even posted a link on his website to us making fun of him. When we bumped into him at the Detroit Auto Show he, unlike most invited celebs (looking at you Brian Adams), just hung out to chat with people. So we do choose Ash
Read MoreNic Cage's New Drive Angry Trailer Delivers Explosions And Undead Sass
The latest trailer for Nic Cage's undead car movie, Drive Angry, is delivering a 3-D hatchet to your face. Watch Cage blow up cars and light things on fire, on a mission to save his grandkid from the devil.
Read MoreAmerica's Next Top Car Blogger: Your Semi-Finalists And What's Next
We've whittled more than 300 contestants for the $10,000 contract to be America's Next Top Car Blogger down to these 20 champion semi-finalists for you, our beloved commentariat, to choose from this weekend. Below, the names and "secret" topic.
Read MoreMonstrous Mining Machines Gallery
The MV 220 Continuous Miner has dual 3 pronged fan-like blades with giant studded teeth that tear through rock as they rotate. A central roller on top follows through like a ferocious car wash.[Oobject]
Read MoreThis Is Why People Think Lamborghini Drivers Are Asshats
Just kidding. There are actually many, many other reasons why people think Lamborghini Gallardo owners are asshats. [Imgur]
Read MoreHow We Helped Hungary's Toxic Sludge Victims
The morning after 35 million cubic feet of caustic waste devastated 15 square miles of Hungary, a group of petrolheads traveled to ground zero and set up a mobile kitchen. We lent a hand in a Ford Transit fire truck.
Read MoreWhat Car Would You Import To The U.S.?
Whether because of presumed American preferences or the anachronistic Chicken Tax, there are numerous vehicles like the 2011 Ford Ranger sold everywhere but the United States. Assuming magical bureaucracy-defying powers, what car would you import to the U.S.?
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Negroni Edition
The comments have been stellar, but a bit long-winded lately. So we're feeling like something simple, short, and sweet. The Negroni of comments. For those unfamiliar, a Negroni is one part gin, one part bitters, and one part sweet vermouth. It's a delicious and delicate drink, typically served on the rocks. Today's comment is wonderfully quick and tasy, and served under the rocks by TxBrumski.
Read MoreCar-Eating Rabbits Invade Denver Airport
Travelers parking their cars at the Denver International Airport are falling victim to something worse than high fees: rabbits. The rodents seem to love the delicious soy-based wiring compound in cars built after 2002.
Read MoreThis Violent Car Chase Is Like Grand Theft Auto In Real Life
Video games may not cause crime, but it's hard to watch this spectacularly violent Brazilian car chase and not wonder how much GTA this guy played to think he could drive over a bunch of cops and not get shot.
Read MoreWhat Was Your Childhood Family Car?
The crossover's replaced the SUV that replaced the minivan that replaced the station wagon that replaced the Conestoga wagon as the preferred method of family transportation. What was your childhood family car?
Read MoreWhy Porsche's Facebook Ban Is Stupid
Porsche, fearing industrial espionage, has banned their 13,000 employees worldwide from accessing Facebook and other social networks while at work. That's just stupid.
Read MoreRoad & Track's Peter Egan Is Secretly Selling His Lotus Elan
It's a rare occurrence when a 1964 Lotus Elan shows up on eBay. Rarer still is when it's in Stoughton, Wisconsin. More rare? When the eBay listing's phone number is for the wife of Road & Track's Peter Egan.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Top That Edition
The film Teen Witch isn't notable for much, other than being a poorly reworked version of the more popular film Teen Wolf. Yet it does contain one moment of brilliance when one of the characters is encouraged by the magical powers of the eponymous witch to a rap battle with the song "Top That," which commenter TroyQueef did today in the Porsche Cajun post. He topped it, and none of you topped him.
Read MoreNaked Man In PT Cruiser Goes On Shooting Rampage
The streets of East St. Louis were filled with screams and gunfire this morning as a naked man with an AK-47 went on a shooting rampage from behind the wheel of a stolen PT Cruiser Convertible.
Read MoreThe Rise And Fall Of America's Jet-Powered Car
We almost had jet-powered cars. Chrysler quietly developed a Jet-powered car in the 1960s. Steve Lehto's new book Chrysler's Turbine Car explains how bureaucracy killed one of Detroit's engineering triumphs. —Ed.
Read MoreGovernor Schwarzenegger And Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's First Date
Governor Arnold was so excited. The cutest boy in the G8, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, was coming to pick him up for a date. He even borrowed his dad's Chaika! Schwarzenegger was the happiest girl in the Russian Federation.
Read MoreChevy Volt: Lies, Damn Lies And Statistics
Let's clear up one thing. Yesterday's story on the Chevy Volt did not claim the Volt was a bad car.
Read MoreThis Is The Hangar Bay Of A US Navy Aircraft Supercarrier
This is the hangar bay of the USS George H. W. Bush, the last Nimitz-class aircraft supercarrier of the US Navy. I'm surprised to see all these F-18 combat jets parked it in this seemingly chaotic traffic jam.
Read MoreScion FR-S Is The New Toyota FT-86
The Toyota FT-86 may not be the vehicle to save Toyota from itself, as sources report the vehicle will be branded in the U.S. as the Scion FR-S, cost $25,000, and get a boring redesign. But wait, it's worse!
Read MoreHow GM "Lied" About The Electric Car
The Chevy Volt has been hailed as General Motors’ electric savior. Now, as GM officially rolls out the Volt this week for public consumption, we’re told the much-touted fuel economy was misstated and GM “lied” about the car being all-electric.
Read MoreWhat's Your Favorite Matchbox Car?
Unless you're the spawn of a Russian oligarch or heir to a Dubai fortune, the first and likely best garage you'll have is going to be made up of tiny metal cars with plastic/rubber wheels. What's your favorite matchbox car?
Read MoreAmerica's Top Car Blogger: Why You Didn't Make It
All of the first round contestants are finally up in our "Who Wants to Be America's Next Top Car Blogger." Don't see yours? Here's why.
Read MoreNissan's "Secret" Engine Museum
Years ago, thumbing through a magazine, I saw pictures of dozens of Nissan race cars in a Japanese warehouse. No address and it wasn't open to the public. But, after a friend's invitation to Japan, I set about finding it.
Read MoreThe Five Most Terrifying Automotive Recalls (That Aren't Toyota)
There have been some massive recalls, most recently Toyota's infamous unintended acceleration debacle. But what about all the other faulty cars out there? Let's give some dubious distincton to the rest of the crowd of exploding, flaming, and maiming cars.
Read MoreAn Open Letter To Automakers Regarding Concept Cars
As a child, I used to love the concept cars shown at auto shows because I always thought I’d be driving one someday. Now, as an adult, I hate them because I know they will never grace my driveway.
Read MoreWhat Is The Most American Car?
"Buying American" isn't as easy as it used to be. Foreign automaker assembly plants have sprung up across the country, and American car parts and assembly are being outsourced. Are there even any more American cars left?
Read MoreA Day In A Dream Car
A recent trip to Dad's hometown meant stopping to see one of his oldest friends. A grown man with more toys than a 4 year old. Not just more, better. How many four-year-olds have a ski boat?
Read MoreWhy Formula One Needs 4-Cylinder Turbos
Many of us are aware of the dripping wet bleeding edge technology that has always been present in motorsport's top rung: Formula One. This has been the case since the beginning of time, roughly 60 years ago.
Read MoreWhy We Should Tax Hybrids
Hybrid and electric car owners have long been the beneficiaries of well-intended but poorly rationalized subsidies. It's time to cut them out. Instead, these eco-drivers should be willing to pay a special tax for the privilege of being green.
Read MoreRain, Snow And A Slow Car At Watkins Glen
My buddy Mark in his affable New England accent said "Watkins Glen is the holy grail of road courses. Not some afterthought stuck on some existing oval". He was suggesting a Watkins Glen track day event.
Read MoreFormula SAE: Co-Ed Wrenching, Racing, And Parking Garage Drifting
Many Jalopnik commenters can wrench on their car, a few have participated in LeMons, but how many can say they helped design, build, and race a car? I can.
Read MoreI Don't Really Care How Much Gas Costs
The price of unleaded gasoline isn't currently the hot topic it was a few summers ago, but it does appear to be creeping back up, at least where I live. But you know what? I don't really care.
Read MoreIs The Porsche Boxster The Least Jalopnik Car?
What's the moment you most remember in a car? No, you perv, while driving the car. Let's talk about Turn 9 at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.
Read MoreHow To Make A Hemi-Powered Hot Rod From Spare Parts
Every car guy is a parts collector. The hard part is figuring out what to do with all those parts. You could do what Bob Leanzo and his son Chris did. Build a car out of whatever is lying around.
Read MoreToyota: Unintended Deceleration
Considering the majority of people in the U.S. know little to nothing about automobiles in general it is no surprise that Toyota has become the brand standard for quality.
Read MoreGlowing Rotors In The Night: Western Endurance Racing Championship Round 5
The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Western Endurance Racing Championship (WERC) held Round 5 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Drivers punished their brakes in the midst of a dark three hour on-track battle.
Read MoreThe Car Guy Is Dying
The enthusiasts of the future need to put down their controllers and take up a wrench. Car nuts, no matter what their calling in life are the last line of defense against the coming appliance-ification of the motor vehicle.
Read MoreGoogle Reveals Secret Project To Develop Driverless Cars
Google today revealed a secret project to develop driverless cars, saying its test vehicles had driven 140,000 miles using software, sensors and a human minder. Google CEO Eric Schmidt wasn't kidding; Google believes people shouldn't drive.
Read MoreDial M For Miura
Growing up in the 1980s and 90s, my inner gearhead was conceived by the exotic automobiles that defined a decade of conspicuous consumption. For me, one marque was the raddest of rad; coolest of cool; the Crocket beside Tubbs. Lamborghini.
Read MoreYour Saturn VUE Is Not An SUV
Long gone are the days when the term SUV commanded respect in the circles of people (like myself) who appreciated the beauty, poise and ridiculous combination of obscene power and balls-to-the-wall fun. Kids today have no idea what they're missing.
Read MoreThe Lotus Defense
I confess up front. I'm a Lotus fanatic. I have an unhealthy obsession with the small sports car company from the fields of eastern England. I have watched the Lotus website countdown since June wondering what the future would hold.
Read MoreRan When Parked... In 1979
All gearheads dream of this sort of thing. The undiscovered gem. The hidden beauty. The squirreled-away-for-someday cache. Two words have become the Holy Grail of classic car buffs: Barn Find!
Read MoreDear Ford, Lincoln's Broken. Please Fix It Now
AMC has two good shows and Lincoln has two good cars. Makes sense to tab a "Mad Men" star to push tin quickly. But will it work? Is it OK to have a belt of scotch before breakfast?
Read MoreA Wish For Brakes That Work
What's the easiest way to reduce accidents? Not get in one. It seems auto manufacturers are creating complex active safety systems that aid in preventing accidents rather than addressing the problem from the source. Simply put: our brakes suck.
Read MoreWho Will Be The U.S. Stig?
Over 14 seasons, Top Gear has made continuous deposits into my spank bank of auto-erotica (and no, not the David Carradine type of auto-erotica). Because If there's anything rivaling my affection for cars, it's television shows about cars.
Read MoreWho Killed The Sports Coupe?
Trends in the automotive market seem to come and go on a fairly short-term basis. At least in the American market, that is, where we've got the collective attention span of ADD-riddled 4th graders.
Read MoreHybrids Weren't Always So Boring
Toyota, Ford and others have invested huge funding into engineering and marketing hybrid cars to makes some green of looking green. They forget enthusiasts like Bob Hirohata had been building "hybrids" for years in the pursuit of copious power.
Read MoreWill Jaguar's Electric Jets Ever Happen?
Jaguar's C-X75 concept, an electric coupe with a 780hp gas turbine electric engine wowed us last week. Jaguar now claims they might produce the car, but could those miraculous-sounding gas micro-turbines eventually happen?
Read MoreNASCAR, Corn Syrup, And Lessons From Super GT
Are we done with the NASCAR yet? Now wait, I'm not saying NASCAR sucks. It's just really, really ubiquitous. Like Betty White. Or corn syrup. It's cheap, plentiful, and everywhere.
Read MoreAutomotive Compromise: You Can't Have It All
A friend recently went shopping for a vehicle with his list of "must haves". It read like Volkswagen boss Ferdinand Piëch's Phaeton requirements—only longer. I could only shake my head. In the automotive world we make compromises.
Read MoreI Haven't Washed My Car In Three Years
Clunkers of the world unite! Forget your concourse dreams and join me in celebrating the truly awful, rusted, and neglected! Continue to polish and wax and buff, I haven't washed my car in three years.
Read MoreWhy I Think GM Powertrain Has Been Taking Breaks With Chrysler Line Workers
Is it too much to ask that something new actually be improved?
Read MoreHow Jalopnik Are You?
Jalopnik readers live on the automotive fringe, free to indulge our car craziness with like-minded folk. It's a vibrant community. Some people embrace it more than others. Here's a handy guide to help you determine: How Jalopnik Are You?
Read MoreCalif. Officials Write Law By Overestimating Pollution 340%
The California Air Resources Board put tough restrictions on off-road trucks three years ago based on estimating such machines burned 1 million gallons of diesel a year. Its estimates were off 340%, and now CARB has to weaken its rules.
Read MoreDo You Suffer From Mistaken Model Syndrome?
Has this happened to you? Your ride looks worn and nondescript, and you know it needs sprucing up. Yet despite your best work, friends and family run in horror from the results. You may have mistaken model syndrome.
Read MoreWhat's Your Car That Got Away?
We all have one — the car we should have kept, should have loved more, should have taken better care of. And now it's gone. What's your car that got away?
Read MoreBollywood's Robot Is Transformers, Matrix, And Blade Runner... Combined
Robot, or Enthiran, is the most expensive Bollywood science fiction film ever created. It manages to combine features of the Matrix, Transformers, I, Robot and basically every other robot film you've ever seen into an explosive orgy of androids.
Read MoreTen Things Found In Charlotte Motor Speedway's Giant Sinkhole
Charlotte Motor Speedway's having some fun with the ginormous gaping sinkhole in the middle of their infield, putting out the following top ten list of things they've found in said earthly maw.
Read MoreU.S. Transportation Secretary Hates Facebook, Twitter While Driving
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's fatwa against distracted driving could grow to include a ban on all in-car cellphone use and new tech automakers have already rolled out. Distracted driving is dumb; so are over-reaching regulations buffaloed into existence.
Read MoreSteve Fossett's Spaceship-Like Land Speed Record Car For Sale
Before his death in 2007, adventurer Steve Fossett was readying an attempt to break the land speed record of 763 mph, using a vehicle from famed designer Craig Breedlove. Mothballed for two years, it's now up for sale.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Illustrated History Of Hot Dogs Edition
Perhaps because of its popularity, and not in spite of it, is the hot dog's provenance lost in the blur of history. Frankfurt and Vienna both claim their environs as the birthright of the handy sausage, already a popular food in the United States by the late 1800s thanks to German immigrants. "Dachshund" sausages on buns became sporting staples by the 1890s, but it's unclear whether the wiener's nickname originated from a New York newspaper cartoonist or Ivy League collegiate wordplay on the po
Read More'78 Ford Station Wagon Wins Rallycross #2
Tanner Foust took the podium in Rallycross #2's competitive AWD class, but it was Matthew Johnson in a 1978 Ford Fairmont Wagon that stole our hearts, managing a crazy win in the 2WD class. Pure, V8-powered awesome.
Read MoreSikorsky's Motorized Sleigh And Other Forgotten Soviet Snowmobiles
Russia's armed "aerosleds" may look like science fiction, but they're a real part of Russia's history. As invading armies tried merely to survive the intense Russian winters, the Russians thrived, due in large part to the bizarre, Star Wars-esque snowcraft.
Read MoreWhat Modern Car Will Be A Future Cult Classic?
Yesterday, the commentariat delivered some amazing current cult classics. Starions, and Imps, and 900's, OH MY! Now it's time to look into the future. What modern car will be a future cult classic?
Read MoreVolkswagen Eos Gets A Facelift For The People
Volkswagen's released photos of the new Eos sporting a more VW-like face. Moving on... [Autocar]
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Tell Them I Work At A Bank Edition
Being a cop isn't always easy. Like being a priest or a comedian, you're sort of always on. For that reason one of my family members who is also a police officer will pretend like he's got other jobs when in the company of strangers. It's just easier in some situations. For instance, when going out drinking with some of my college friends he told me to tell them he worked at a bank. No one asks questions. This turned out to be a wise move a few hours later when underage friends-of-friends I didn
Read MoreNorwegian Drift Wood: The Epic Gatebil Gallery
In Norway, the Gatebil auto festivals draw thousands of spectators every year for a mix of car show, parts bazaar and racing. Here's our gallery from this year's final Gatebil drift, enveloped in epic clouds of shredded tires.
Read MoreFired GM CEO Paid $59K Per Month For 20 Hours Of Work
Fritz Henderson, the GM CEO fired by a government-appointed board of directors last December, has been paid $59,090 a month for the last six months to consult the company five hours per week.
Read MoreMassive Sinkhole Threatens NASCAR Racetrack
A massive sinkhole at Charlotte Motor Speedway has swallowed up a large chunk of the infield. Speedway representatives say the sinkhole was likely caused by a combination of heavy rain and the track being built atop a landfill.
Read MoreA Brief Message From The Motorcycle Gods
Yeah, we’re not a motorcycle site. Then again, neither is the MV Agusta Brutale 1078 RR a motorcycle. What it is instead is an apparition from two-wheeled heaven.
Read MoreCrashed Russian Army Helicopter Stranded Atop Mountain Forever?
Two months ago, a Russian military helicopter crashed on Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest mountain. It's still there, because the Russian military lacks the resources to cart it down 15,700 feet. It may stay up there forever.
Read MoreWhat Car's A Cult Classic?
We're obsessed with the cult of cars, and while a 1964.5 'Stang convertible is an obvious classic there are cars appreciated by those truly immersed in the culture. The "it" cars sought by the in-the-know. What car's a cult classic?
Read MoreSmart To Sell Rebadged Nissan Micra In The U.S.
Speaking of not-so-smart small car brand bastardization... Smart's going to sell a rebadged Nissan Versa Micra in the U.S. [AutoWeek]
Read MoreThe Gray Sleeper Volvo For Side-Piped Speed Freak Granddads
Among the random cars on the internet I know nothing about, this surely ranks as the most intriguing. A giant sidepipe? A roll cage fit for Ellen Ripley’s exosuit cargo-loader? Oh yes.
Read MoreMurder Captured By Google Street View Car
Traveling through Google Brazil's Street View is an amazing trip of luxury and misery, even while one can't get into the favelas for risk of being killed. There's no need though. You can find death elsewhere. Warning: Strong images inside.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Edwin Booth Edition
Edwin Booth is considered one of the greatest American stage actors of all time, following in his family's footsteps. He's known especially for his performances as Shakespeare's sorrowful Prince Hamlet. He'd certainly be remembered in theatrical and historical circles for his performances, but we know him better now because his brother, actor John Wilkes Booth, assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Edwin was on the outs with his brother, and no radical, but still went into a self-imposed seclu
Read MoreThis Woman Was Arrested After Whistle-Blowing On Nissan
For over a year, one former consultant at Nissan's Tennessee headquarters has waged an online campaign accusing the automaker of discrimination and misspending government money. She's been arrested and even surrendered custody of her child "to keep fighting." UPDATE below.
Read MoreHow To Fry Beer, Butter, Pop Tarts And Your Mind
This weekend I risked heart failure and trans fat-poisoning at the Texas State Fair — the lard-fried mecca that invented corn dogs — to uncover the secret behind fried beer, fried butter and yes, even fried Pop Tarts.
Read MoreThis Is What Happens When You Give Australians American Fords
Australia's the land of hoontastic rear-wheel drive Fords like the Ford Falcon. Give them a crappy front-wheel drive American Ford like a 3G Taurus and bad things happen. It's like mixing baking soda, vinegar and LSD. (H/T to 7Shades!) [eBay]
Read MoreWhat Are The Worst Wheels Of All Time?
Wheels are the quickest and most dramatic swap a car owner can make. A sporty wheel says you're ready to race, while 25" chrome three-spokes say you're ready to be shot at. What are the worst wheels of all time?
Read More2011 Dodge Charger: First Photos
We were first to show you the 2011 Dodge Charger in Pursuit trim, but now take a gander at our first look at the civilian version and its large body-side scallops and 164-LED racetrack taillights.
Read MoreContinental Is Not The New Town Car
Last night we heard the rumor that Ford's Lincoln brand will receive a new Town Car-replacing flagship large sedan that harkens back to the Continental. However, according to our sources, it won't be called the Continental.
Read MoreTuesday Track Attack: Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch
It's Tuesday morning, so let's take a track run to start the day. Today's track? Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, home of the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School — the official Corvette driving school. Today's car? A Subaru WRX. Let's watch.
Read MoreWant To Know If The FBI Is Tracking You? Look For One Of These
Want to know if the government is really tracking you? If you find one of these tucked underneath your car, you can start freaking out.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Southern Idaho's News Source Edition
If you live in Southern Idaho's Magic Valley, it's possible you get your news from CBS 11/KMVT. One of the most trusted news sources in Twin Falls, Idaho, the news station is as famous for being tiny as it is for breaking news. The tiny station was the first to air the famous anti-IBM "1984" commercial from Apple. Why? Though the ad was meant for the Super Bowl, the producers realized to win a Clio advertising award the next year they needed to air the commercial in 1983. Thus, they played one a
Read More2011 Mediocrity: The Full Spectrum Of Beige
You've seen the spy photos. Now, here it is — the spectacularly ordinary 2011 Mediocrity, proving how boring, beige and milquetoast mid-size sedans can be mocked by something that could easily be real.
Read MoreDo You Have The Balls To Race Me At The Thunderdrome?
The post-apocalyptic wasteland of Detroit is set to host an epic tournament of mopeds and scooters on an abandoned velodrome. Many men will enter The Thunderdrome, but only one man will leave victorious. I hope Bob Lutz doesn't show up.
Read MoreAmerica's Next Top Car Blogger: Round One, Part One
We're halfway through unveiling our contestants for "America's Next Top Car Blogger." Take a look here — and vote for your favorite by sharing them with your friends. Don't have friends? Make some. Try here. More to come this weekend.
Read MoreWatch The Gory Ad Environmentalists Don't Want You To See
The 10:10 campaign wants you to cut your carbon emissions by 10% on 10/10/10. If you don't, according to their graphic commercial, they'll blow you up in a gory mess. They'll even kill Gillian Anderson. Watch the redacted ad below.
Read MoreA Brief History Of Everything
Trends are a funny thing, this weird circular progression, that at 29 years old, I am starting to see repeat. Oakley Frogskin glasses – I think I threw mine away in 1994, now they are a hipster's dream.
Read MoreThe Midget In The Crawlspace
Growing up, I kept hearing mention of a midget in my Grandpa's crawlspace. I pictured a little person eating scraps from the dinner table. Later, I found out it was actually a race car dating back to the 1940s.
Read MoreRemember When Gas Stations Gave Out Free Maps?
I LOVE maps! New maps, old maps, ancient maps. Atlases, road maps, physical maps, Google maps. I love ‘em all. So what brought this outpouring of emotion? I was going to write about a great road trip, but I came across this gem of a map, and in the grand tradition of writers everywhere, got side tracked. Luckily, my editors don't mind. I hope?
Read MoreThe Ecotec Diaries
Twirl the keys. Stop. Check the phone. Check the clock. Let out a sigh. Resume twirling keys. Stop. Check the phone. Check the clock. It's amazing how long a wait for one simple text can be.
Read MoreThere's Never Been A Better Time To Be A Car Nut
The current state of the automobile frankly sucks. It's hardly the age of yore, when cars weren't shaped like marshmallows and heavy as meteors. But that's precisely why it's the best time ever to be a car nut.
Read MoreIn Defense Of Turning Left
There's been a lot of hate for NASCAR over the years, a lot of well earned, warranted hate; but one thing that has always bothered me is the reliance of "have fun turning left, snore" as a kind of putdown.
Read MoreAuto Trade And eHarmony: Two Internet Lovers
Like any other automotive enthusiast, I am sure you hop online late at night, and always accidentally end up on Auto Trader after strictly promising yourself just a quick check of Car Town and then straight to bed.
Read MoreThe Hoonage Manifesto
Hoon (v): To show off in a dangerous manner, mostly with a vehicle or engine powered item.
Read MoreLessons From The Brazilian Hooniverse
It's 5000 miles away, with daredevil drivers and questionable driving environments, but can we learn anything from these tarmac heathens?
Read MoreThe Problem With Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Americans, gear heads, and my fellow Jalopniks, we have a problem. That problem is alternative fuel vehicles. And no, it's not range anxiety.
Read MoreThe Argument For Automotive Tourism
As I gathered my last signature and submitted my exchange application paperwork, my priorities were less scholastic and more centered on how I would scrape together enough money for an all-Aussie, ‘tyre' burning crap can and maybe some ramen.
Read MoreThe Plight Of The Dejected Car-Nut
To live in a constant state of automotive rejection. It hurts. I live it every day as I merely try to make connections with fellow enthusiasts. What follows is a detailed story/rant on rejection from the gearhead clan.
Read MoreThe Jesus Of Words Speaks To The Everyday Automobile Lover
This is what I hear the most, "Cars just get me from point A to B, I don't care about cars." How the hell on God's green earth can you call yourself a human, or even American and say this?
Read MoreAn Unlikely Old Friend
My dad was a car guy. Unfortunately for us both, he wasn't also a money guy.
Read MoreLimiting Teen Driving? Could Be The Biggest Mistake Of All
The great Minnesotan Brett Favre (no! Strike that.) Prince once said "You don't have to be cool to rule my world". I don't think he knew how wrong he was.
Read MoreBelieving In A Higher Horsepower
Hi. My name is Marcus and I'm a car-aholic. You and I, we're the same. We're friends of Ray. That's why I come here to my support group every day without fail. It's a ritual. The second of 12 steps....
Read MoreObjects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear, Because They Are Passing You!
If you're reading this site there's a good chance you've gone to or wanted to go to a race driving school. I can do that; mom says you can do anything you put your mind to.
Read MoreLets Get More People Into Their Garages
Recently I looked at purchasing PCs, HD TVs, and game systems. Then I made another decision, and I want to encourage others to do the same. I bought a used Miata with more miles than the distance to the moon.
Read MoreChoose Your Own Carventure
Occasionally in life, one is confronted certain choices with the potential of long-lasting ramifications. This is (hypothetically) one of them.
Read MoreSaving My Father's Auto Soul
I guess I really have to blame my mother. Yes, despite my father's best intentions for automotive excellence, she was the lowest common denominator.
Read MoreEven My Mom Can Do A Proper Burnout
Any time a failed burnout video is posted, I'm fondly reminded of when I decided I wanted my Mom to teach me how to drive manual. The year was 1999, I was 16 and sitting shotgun in a BMW M Coupe.
Read MoreWeekend Track Guy
I'm a weekend track guy. I know there are many more of you out there, spending the occasional night in a hotel for a few hours on the track. Maybe I'm better described as an occasional track-day-guy, but who's counting?
Read MoreArchetypes Of The Weekend Car Show And Other Ramblings Of A Car Snob
Myself and my friends are self proclaimed car snobs. We have found shelter in the Jalopnik way of life. Now I don't mean car snobs in way that says "Hey I'm an asshat who only drives one brand of car because all other cars are toilets." We're car snobs because having an all inclusive taste for everything that is awesome in automobila is simply a way better view point.
Read MoreThe Econosport Effect
Renaissance is a French word defined as a cultural movement. It is usually associated with art. Cars can't be art or so it has been said. But that shouldn't mean the car culture can have its own revolutions.
Read MoreUwe Gemballa Found Dead In South Africa
Uwe Gemballa — who ran a company featuring Porsche upgrades and disappeared soon after arriving in South Africa five months ago — has been found dead, shot execution-style in the head.
Read MoreIs The Lost Tucker Convertible A Fraud?
Justin Cole stands like a proud parent beside the car he shepherded through a meticulous restoration process, turning it into something it never was — a completed automobile. Or is it really a complete hoax?
Read MoreWhy You Should Never Get Pulled Over
I don't have the Fraternal Order of Police sticker on my car, nor do I have "friends" in the industry. I drive relatively fast, have been accused of beating on all my vehicles, and drive a Civic Si.
Read MoreYour Guide To Automotive Beardness
With Murilee speeding in his Hooptie towards the Alameda sunset and the addition of (gasp!) "a gurl," Jalopnik could use some re-moustachification. I propose a new vehicular metric to certify what we collectively cherish: I call it "beardness."
Read MoreThe Jalopnik Guide To Getting Married
There comes a time in a car man's life when he realizes it's time to give up the bachelor lifestyle. But how to tie the know without ending the days of howling engines, smoking tires and wind swept hair-dos?
Read MoreWill The Movie Do Ayrton Senna Justice?
My path to becoming an insufferable gearhead began when I saw footage of Ayrton Senna. It was 2005. I had just moved to San Jose, California from New England and I was suddenly surrounded by a wealth of exotic vehicles.
Read MoreThe V8 Is Dead
Just reading those words made you consider suicide didn't it? Well no tears, not quite yet. Nor does this author have any desire to watch this iconic symbol of automotive joy go down in flames.
Read MoreWhen We Have To Say Goodbye
It is always hard to say goodbye to a loved one, even if that loved one happens to be 12 feet long and weighs 1800lbs.
Read MoreAn Impassioned Plea To Expressway Drivers
Of all the things I learned while in driving school, one sentence stuck with me: "Driving is perhaps the most social experience you'll have in a given day."
Read MoreThe Obnoxious Yank's Guide To UK Motoring
Americans have one of the lowest passport holding rates in the developed world, often cited as an outward symbol of American xenophobia, ignorance, or fear of the unknown.
Read MoreMercedes C63 AMG: Unhinged Entertainment
The Mercedes C63 AMG is an entertaining and psychotic version of a normal car, just like how my friend Cole is an entertaining and psychotic version of a real person. Pray they never meet.
Read MoreLet Me Tell You A Story About A Russian Graveyard
My story begins on Super Bowl Sunday 2010. A friend of mine called about a Project Car Hell-worthy Citroen DS for $1900 that only needed a horrifically expensive transmission rebuild little TLC. Of course, the better solution was a Lada!
Read More"I Swear On My WRX We'll Be There In An Hour"
It's a cold July Morning (I'm talking about North Pole cold here) and I'm performing my morning rites at some seedy breakfast joint in town.
Read MoreA Guide To Choosing A Zombie Outbreak Response Vehicle
Ok, Susie Survivor, you've escaped the immediate situation of the undead rising and chasing hungrily after your intelligence-center meat. Now, what to drive?
Read MoreStand By Your Van
Over the years vans have helped entire cultures of people celebrate their unique place in the world, some for the better, and others for the worse.
Read MoreMotorsports Epiphany
Sooner or later, something happens that lets you know where you stand in the pecking order. For me, realizing my place in the motorsports world happened at Willow Springs Raceway in California's Mojave dessert. All without even driving.
Read MoreAn Ode To Royalty
Nothing is quite like the false sense of power as I drive down the street in my former Palm Beach county detective car. The dirty look of someone who figured out that I'm a fake, the soccer mom in the Honda Odyssey doing 5 under the speed limit Boy do I love her. She is a silver with black interior, 90,000 miles looker prime for a nice retirement .I told my wife that a 2003 P71 is safe, affordable and you can fit two strollers in the trunk with no problem, She replied "what's a P71? " . Ahh what
Read MoreHow To Eat A Burrito While Popping A Wheelie
Motorcycles are comparatively cheaper than cars, cost less to insure, are easier to park, and use less gasoline. But, some activities that while easy to perform in a car, seem impossible on a motorcycle. Here's my solutions to these difficulties.
Read MoreHow To Get An American Autobahn
Its been a dream of red-blooded American car guys (and ladies) for decades: unrestricted speeds on the highways of our great nation. Unfortunately in this age of nanny state, there might be only one real way to achieve that dream.
Read MoreA Visit To Caterham USA
One year ago, while on vacation in Colorado, I talked my family into a visit to Caterham's U.S. headquarters in Denver. I expected to be turned away as a nuisance, but was instead welcomed as a fellow enthusiast.
Read MoreChrysler Drops World's Largest Aerial Banner, Spooks FAA
Chrysler's attempt to fly a 53,000-square foot Ram-themed banner over the Texas State Fair to break a world record fell to Earth when the spooked helicopter pilot pulled the emergency release.
Read MoreTalking About Cars In Hollywood
I had dinner last night in a fancy Hollywood restaurant. The kind of place with a platoon of recent immigrants parking cars out front and no sign to announce that this is any kind of business open to the public.
Read MoreFormula Drift And The Future
Being only a few weeks away from the finale of Formula Drift at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, it seems like certain people have a view on how Formula Drift is getting away from it's core, grassroots drifters.
Read MoreSAAB Still Not Dead, Hooks Up With BMW, Become FWBs
Phoenix-like SAAB is reportedly going to get access to BMW engines, technology and possibly a crack at the Mini Clubman platform to serve as the basis for a reborn teardrop-shaped SAAB 92. No, seriously.
Read MoreHow To Wear Your Rubber
Performance alignment settings are great for the track, but they'll eat your tires alive on the street.
Read MoreWant A Supercar? Check Your Driveway.
Often times auto enthusiasts lust after cars unattainable by all but the most well-off. I'm writing from the perspective of the right now; that the best car to own may already be in your driveway.
Read MoreEl Mirage: Going Nowhere Really, Really Fast
It's a cool desert morning. Fog lingers in the air. Soon the temperature will hit 112° and an 80 year old man will drive 250 MPH down the lakebed in a ‘39 Ford Coupe shaped like a wedge of cheese.
Read MoreSave The Ponies!
The only memory I can recall from age three was a ride in my dad's 1967 Mustang convertible. That was also the last time it was ever driven.
Read MoreLife In The Slow Lane
Life in Los Angeles is hard without a car. Life in LA is almost as hard when your car is crap. Particularly if it's the automotive equivalent of a Hello Kitty purse: a Civic in the hyper-butch Camellia Red Pearl.
Read MoreMy Long-Awaited Chevrolet Volt Experience
Recently, I got the opportunity to spend some up close and personal time with the Chevrolet Volt. If you don't already know, I am an avid fan of the Volt and the technology being put into it. I decided to take a drive down to Gaithersburg, Maryland to check out the Volt during its "Freedom Drive." While there, I met with Tony Posawatz and Robert Peterson who are some of the head guys in the Volt program. Robert answered a few questions about the drive and vehicle more on that later.
Read MoreI Drive Fun Roads To See How Fun They Are... For A Living!
Whenever someone asks me what I do for a living, I get a bunny rabbit-in-the-headlights look. You see, there's no easy way to put it — I drive fun roads for a living to see how fun they are.
Read MoreThank God For Stricter Fuel Standards
I will be the first to admit I was all gloom and doom over stricter fuel standards. I thought for sure we were going to witness the death of the sports car. But every cloud has a sliver lining.
Read MoreThe Auto Industry Doesn't Get Generation Y
As I start this post I know where its going. It will start fine (but not as good as it could be), much like Batman with Michael Keaton, it will turn into an incongruent mess like Batman & Robinala George Clooney, and finally it will finish strong like Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Ok… maybe its an incongruent mess already.
Read MoreHow I Made Sure Top Gear USA Wouldn't Suck
I've always believed here's a certain quota of awesome that one person can have in their life. Filming a TV show? Awesome. Filming for Top Gear USA? Quota-filling awesome.
Read MoreI Love You, Slo-Z
You're a bitch. Don't get me wrong –- I mean that in the nicest possible way. It's just that you've cost me so much money — in tickets, in time, in heartache, but still, you're here.
Read MoreAmerica's Next Top Car Blogger, Round One: Vote With Your Eyeballs
This week at the Paris Motor Show, our America's Next Top Car Blogger contest was arrogantly pooh-poohed by the automotive press intelligentsia. They self-importantly told me we'd never cull amazing writers from Jalopnik's readership. Let's prove those egotistical pricks wrong.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: R. Lee Ermey Merchandizing Dept. Edition
If there's a single voice associated with the cadence of a Marine drill instructor, it belongs to Robert Lee Ermey. A retired Marine, Ermey served as an instructor during the Vietnam war, and took some small roles in films as a technical advisor after the war. But it was late director Stanley Kubrick's decision to cast Ermey as the sadistic Hartman in "Full Metal Jacket" that cemented Ermey's singular role in pop culture. Since then, Ermey hasn't stopped acting, and occasionally does parts that
Read More"At This Point, I'm Not Exactly Enthused With My Choice In Cars"
Welcome back to Garage of Horror, where we share your worst wheeled experiences. Today's installment: Is it really wise to put all your automotive eggs in the same brand basket?
Read MoreProof You Can Go Camping In A Porsche Boxster Spyder
The genius engineers of Porsche heard the chorus of complaints about the Spyder's ragtop and created an aftermarket solution inspired by the Pontiac Aztek. OK, it's not real - but we wouldn't put it past Porsche. [Michael Banovsky]
Read MoreReturn To America's Most Scenic Junkyard
For the past few years, photographer Troy Paiva has shot the Pearsonville junkyard in the Mojave Desert at night, using long exposures, flashlights and colored spotlights to "reanimate" piles of old American iron.
Read MoreHow Would You Modernize Lotus?
Yesterday five new Lotus models were unveiled. They're faster and undeniably impressive engineering achievements, but for some reason they feel a little me-too, a missed effort to do something extraordinary. How would you modernize Lotus?
Read More
Nice Price or No Dice (21)
For $8,000, Mmmmm, Coupe.
The Surf Punks famously derided wave riding interlopers in their song Locals Only. The seller of today's Fort Collins, CO-located Nice Price or Crack Pipe M Coupe exhibits a similar territorial limitation.
Read MoreFor $6,500, Girl, I'm Just A Jeepster For Your Love
Mark Bolan and T-Rex's Jeepster is a slippery, sexy ode to love. In contrast, today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Jeepster doesn't quite ooze the sex, but even so, you might find its price something to love.
Read MoreFor $6995, You Can Make This Bone Stock GS-R Integral To Your Life
Talk Like a Pirate Day, sadly comes but once a year. With today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Acura however, you can swashbuckle year round, as it's a GS-Arrrr.
Read MoreFor $6,000, This SBC-Powered Toyota Lets You Take A Quick Dump
When you were a kid, your Tonka® dump truck was powered by imagination and a good shove. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Toyota Dumper Mini-truck, on the other hand, is powered by a Chevy V8. Oh what a feeling!
Read MoreFor $79,500, Shoulda', Woulda', 'Cuda
Based on her high school basketball exploits, Alaska's former governor was given the nickname of Sarah Barracuda. Like Palin, today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Plymouth Barracuda may master the rebound, but will its price keep it in the backcourt?
Read MoreFor $5,500, Get A Wing Och En Bön
There's a reason the Swedes didn't invent Buffalo Wings, and you won't find a Hëutters in Stockholm. Despite that disconnect, today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Volvo sports a wing and is kind of hot, but is its price appetizing?
Read MoreFor $4,950, It's A Scorpion That Rocks
The Lancia Scorpion's greatest foible was that it wouldn't rock you like a hurricane. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Turbo brings a wind of change, but will its price have you saying there's no one like you?
Read MoreFor $6,500, Catch The CRX Du Soleil
Until replaced by the lugubrious Del Sol, Honda's CRX played the part of spunky younger brother to the Prelude as the company's sportsters. Today's turbocharged Nice Price or Crack Pipe CRX demonstrates that sibling rivalries can be a good thing.
Read MoreFor $9,000, Get A Light Sleeper
BMW is often touted as the Ultimate Driving Machine, while Ford's Mustang V8 is said to offer the biggest bang for the buck. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe 3-Series combines them both for what's maybe the Ultimate Banging Machine?
Read MoreFor $1,995, Wake Up Rip Van Wankel
Mickey's Malt Liquor is an acquired taste, but its wide-mouth bottle makes shotgunning them a snap. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe RX7 is a wide-body, but will its price and non-runner status leave a bad taste in your mouth?
Read MoreFor $9,500, You Could Drive Erik The White
Carlsson on the roof is the nickname given to Saab driver and two-time Monte Carlo Rally winner Erik Carlsson. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe 900 is named in his honor, but will you flip over its price?
Read MoreFor $11,500, Pick Up A Drop Top. . . Pick Up
In the Native American Lakota-Sioux dialect, Dakota means friend, or friendly. You might make some friends with today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Dakota convertible, especially with its non-native 360 V8.
Read MoreFor $16,000, Pick Up An Italian Hot Wing
Even though considered a budget exotic, the Pantera's wicked styling has always managed to turn heads. Today's be-winged Nice Price or Crack Pipe example might fit your budget, if you're able to turn a wrench.
Read MoreFor $5,000, Get Ready To Take Out The Euro Thrash
With Mercury moribund, not only does its slate of badge-engineered American cars fade into history, but also a series of Euro imports. That makes today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Merkur an orphan's orphan, and it's seeking a Daddy Warbucks.
Read MoreFor $6,500, Become A DAFt Punk
As far as eternal struggles go, DAF vs. FAF ranks right up there with good vs. evil and bong vs. blunt. DAF finally won that original fight, but will today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe 66 trucklet extend the streak?
Read MoreFor $17.00, Prepare To Get Grabbed
Indecisive home invader, Goldilocks always settled on the middle choice, after having befouled the other two. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Maverick sits in that median, between Pinto and Mustang, but for Goldi, this one may be too hot.
Read MoreFor $3,500, ???o ?? D?l? 'S??? P??? U?? No? ??
They say the two certainties in life are death and taxes. While the latter comes annually, the former's arrival is usually a mystery. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Samurai could certainly speed that up however.
Read MoreFor $3,295, This Porsche Is Hot, Black, Maroon And Chrome
It's a Porsche, it's a Volkswagen, It's a... If they ever make a movie out of Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe 914, Faye Dunaway could play the lead, and hopefully Jack Nicholson would driver her.
Read MoreFor $9,900, You're Still Not Tom Selleck
One of the Pontiac Fiero's touted features was a plastic body that could be changed for another. Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Fiero Mera has had its body switched for that of an italian, but is its price lira-cal?
Read MoreFor $7,999, This 2002tii Goes Topless So You Can Too
In the U.S., as Johnson gave way to Nixon, so did the last of BMW's microcars give way to cars like today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe 2002tii. But would you give away nearly eight large for it?
Read MoreFor $19,997, You Can Get A Hummer, Sort Of
A Hummer can represent the highlight of just about anybody's week. Should however that Hummer turn out, like today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe candidate, to be a knockoff, its price would likely determine if you're getting a happy ending.
Read More
QOTD (4)
Commenter Of The Day: Do-Mi-Do Duds Edition
The first rule of child movie fight club is there are no rules. Whatever limit parents set on their children's movie habits - such as viewing hours per day or off-limits material - fail rather quickly, out of fatigue, sharing from friends or sheer osmosis. Some parents introduce George Lucas at an early age, others fight him like the devil, but someday your child will know Jar-Jar Binks. The better strategy? Fight back with quality. Sure, you can put Pixar movies on an endless loop, but it's eve
Read MoreWhat's Your Favorite Automotive Doppelgänger?
In fiction, the appearance of a doppelgänger often implies the presence of an evil body double. In car design, it usually just indicates derivative, unoriginal, or coincidental design. What's your favorite automotive doppelgänger?
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Sticks And Stones Edition
It's been quite the busy day today, with a lot of name-calling back-and-forth over the Chevy Volt and the debate over what GM's been calling it this whole time. There's also been some debate over whether or not Vince Vaughn crossed the line in being portrayed as cool by using the world "gay" as a pejorative. Xequar takes the pen-is-mightier approach and uses logic to beat some learnin' into those who say it's no big deal.
Read MoreCommenter Of The Day: Dick Trickle's Smoke Break Edition
Fridays used to be the end of the week, but for many of us, work rarely takes a weekend off. Take the example of Nascar driver Dick Trickle, who had to be rarin' to go every Sunday for more than three decades. Trickle racked up more than one million miles with his hands on the wheel of a race car, and did so as a heavy smoker in the era before nicotine patches. What's an old hand to do but take a brief break when competition and the flag man grant it?
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Racing (1)
Six Ways To Go Racing For Less Than $500
Racing is for the rich. Or the smart. Right? Wrong. Here's six ways to get you on a track for 500 bucks or less.
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Reviews (2)
The Real Story Behind The Viper-Engined Chrysler 300 SRT10
The Viper-powered Chrysler 300 wasn't the work of enterprising Chrysler engineers or attention-starved tuners. It's the work of one guy with a V6-powered Chrysler, a junked V10 and a dream. Red Letter Dodge shares the story with us. — Ed.
Read MoreMy First Car Review
So I just graduated, got a job in California, and am moving into a house near the beach. And yet, I want to quit my job, move out, and drive cars, any car, around the country and become an automotive journalist for no reason other than I think it's the coolest conceivable job in the Universe.
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Spacelopnik (3)
NASA Wants A "100-Year Starship"
It may sound like science fiction, but after a loose-lipped scientist revealed a NASA/DARPA program to colonize other planets, NASA has confirmed. Some day, your great grandchildren might be driving cars on Mars.
Read MoreInside The Soviet's Secret Failed Moon Program
The Soviet lunar program was covered up, forgotten after failing to put a man on the moon. These rare photos from a lab inside the Moscow Aviation Institute show a junkyard of rarely-seen spacecraft, including a never-to-be-used Russian lunar lander.
Read MoreFace To Face With NASA's Lunar Rover Vehicle
It makes one horsepower. It’s the only car that’s ever been driven beyond Earth. The moon buggy was one of many great moments in Hungarian-American engineering and, for a day, it showed up in Budapest.
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Technology (2)
Are Google's Driverless Cars Legal?
Google's project to design driverless vehicles raised several questions about the future of driving. But it also raised a more topical question: Are Google's heavily-modified driverless vehicle prototypes even legal? We found out.
Read MoreVIDEO: Google's Secret Driverless Cars In Action
Yesterday we told you Google's secretly developing a driverless car and even logged over 140,000 miles on U.S. public roads. Today we've got video of a Google autonomous car driving normal California highways with nobody at the wheel. Eerie!
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Trucks (1)
Ten Great Non-American Trucks
Trucks are as American as freedom fries and apple pie, but around the world there are trucks with similar and even greater capabilities. With your help, we've come up with this list of ten great non-American trucks.
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Wrenching (3)
Top Ten Modifications For Your Daily Driver
On Driven Daily, Jesse O'Brien writes about efficiently using your time behind the wheel, including his own BMW with 200,000 miles. Here's his recommendations for the top ten performance and safety upgrades for the serious driver's daily driver.
Read MoreHow To Get Free Parts And Sponsorships For Your Project Car
Have you ever wondered how cars come to life for auto shows? A few years ago, thanks to the help of sponsors, I created such a build. This is the story of how an average college kid made his dream come true.
Read MoreHow To Build Your Own Dream Car On A Budget
The goal was simple — produce a car that had been in my head for more than few months and spend much less money than a single service trip with a Bugatti Veyron would cost (MUCH less).
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