Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hot Wheels kicks off U.S. tour to celebrate 40 years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/hot-wheels-kicks-off-u-s-tour-to-celebrate-40-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/hot-wheels-kicks-off-u-s-tour-to-celebrate-40-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/hot-wheels-kicks-off-u-s-tour-to-celebrate-40-years/#commentsFiled under: ,



Mattel created the Hot Wheels brand back in 1968, and the lives of several Autoblog writers (and readers as well) were changed forever. We're now halfway through the toy line's 40th birthday year, and, coincidentally, halfway through its Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary Road Trip.

Fans can see life-size editions of some of the most famous Hot Wheels cars, get autographs from Hot Wheels designers and, while supplies last, get a free 40th Anniversary Edition Custom Otto. You'll also be able to see that bejeweled monstrosity we told you about a few months ago that Mattel says is the most expensive Hot Wheels car ever made.

Earlier this month, the tour made stops in El Segundo, California; Wendover, Utah (pictured above); and Speed, Kansas. But there are still three chances for fans to catch the rolling birthday party. This Saturday, the Hall of Fame Museum at Indy will play host. Next Monday, the celebration is at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan and on Sept. 5, the trip ends at the Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen.

[Source: Hemmings Auto Blogs]

 

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]]>custom ottoCustomOttodiecastdiecast carDiecastCarhot wheelshot wheels anniversaryhot wheels anniversary tourhot wheels road tripHotWheelsHotWheelsAnniversaryHotWheelsAnniversaryTourHotWheelsRoadTriptoy carsToyCars2008-08-27T19:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Splinter wooden supercar in the fles... wood]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/splinter-wooden-supercar-in-the-fles-wood/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/splinter-wooden-supercar-in-the-fles-wood/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/splinter-wooden-supercar-in-the-fles-wood/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Splinter Wooden Supercar

You may remember our post on the Splinter wooden supercar late last year. At the time, the grad students behind the project being led by Joe Harmon only had renderings of what the Gaia-approved exotic would look like. They deserve extra credit, however, for having the actual car ready for the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta last week. While they've yet to reach the running prototype stage, they did marry the car's body to its all-wooden chassis. Renderings are one thing, but seeing photos of the actual car is inspiring. The body is comprised of basket-woven wood that's coated with resin in a mold, which we suppose makes it a different kind of carbon fiber altogether. Next up is actually fitting the drivetrain, which thankfully is not made of wood, and getting the Splinter moving under its own power. We may have doubted at the beginning that this project would ever be completed, let alone be this cool, but consider us converts.

Gallery: Splinter Wooden Supercar - the build


Gallery: Splinter Wooden Supercar


[Source: Building the Splinter via Jalopnik]

 

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]]>joe harmonJoeHarmonsplintersplinter wooden supercarSplinterWoodenSupercarwooden supercarWoodenSupercar2008-08-27T16:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[Put a Porsche in your driveway, well sort of...]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/put-a-porsche-in-your-driveway-well-sort-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/put-a-porsche-in-your-driveway-well-sort-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/put-a-porsche-in-your-driveway-well-sort-of/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you want to see how that new Porsche is going to look in your driveway (or you just need to impress the women who frequent your favorite online dating service), our friends in Stuttgart have given us all the tools we'll need. Well, in a sense at least. Point your favorite browser here, and click on the "picture it" link on the bottom. Upload your favorite driveway shot, and then you can put either the Cayman, Boxster, 911 Coupe, or Cayenne on your own personal pavement. Once done, you can save it as a JPEG (we had to add the file extension afterwards) to share with your friends. While Porsche is kind enough to put a sports car or SUV in your driveway without charge, they won't be sending you the keys. For that, you'll still need some serious coin.

[Source: Porsche]

 

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]]>build your ownBuildYourOwncustomizeDrivewayhomeJPEGPorscheuploadVirtual2008-08-27T15:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[Things that never were nor ever should be, Part II: the Dodge Caravan "CarCamel"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/things-that-never-were-nor-ever-should-be-part-ii-the-dodge-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/things-that-never-were-nor-ever-should-be-part-ii-the-dodge-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/things-that-never-were-nor-ever-should-be-part-ii-the-dodge-ca/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for gallery of the Car Camel

You need something to carry a car, but you don't want just any old pickup truck or SUV because anybody could do that. And since you do have that vintage Dodge Caravan lying around... why not grab the chainsaw and make something really special?

Allow us to officially introduce the Car Camel. Apparently plying the highways of Ontario, Canada, it's a shortened minivan with a car hauler stuck to its backside. It ain't pretty, and it probably ain't too fast, but we have to admit that it is pretty neat... if you're into that kind of thing. Have a look at the gallery of images below, but if any of you get the idea to make a Car Koala... please, don't. Thanks for the tip, Zak!

UPDATE: Jackpot! Autoblog reader Paul H found the owner's personal blog on which he explains how, and more importantly why, he built the Car Camel. Also check out more pics of the Car Camel, including it actually carrying a car, in the gallery below.

Gallery: Car Camel


[Source: Photobucket]

 

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]]>canadacar camelCarCamelconversiondodge caravanDodgeCaravanminivan2008-08-25T12:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Looks can deceive: 6.6L Duramax-powered Buick GNX clone]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/24/looks-can-deceive-6-6l-duramax-powered-buick-gnx-clone/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/24/looks-can-deceive-6-6l-duramax-powered-buick-gnx-clone/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/24/looks-can-deceive-6-6l-duramax-powered-buick-gnx-clone/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The car you see here is not a GNX. Hell, it's not even a Buick. You'd be forgiven if you thought it was, though, and it does sport a turbocharger underhood. David Morad was so enamored with the 6.6L LB7 Duramax diesel in his truck that he wanted to put it into something lighter and more fun. He decided to build a Grand National around the engine, and started buying up whatever applicable Buick body parts he could find -- right down to legit GNX dash plates. Next, he bought an '82 Buick Regal diesel that was to be the subject of the transformation. Unfortunately, that car literally self-immolated as he drove it home, sending Morad straight back to square one.

He subsequently found and bought an '81 Olds diesel and got to work. The car was cut in half so that a Regal rear end could be welded on, and then a laundry list of major modifications followed. To retain the stock Buick exterior appearance while incorporating the new powertrain, everything under the skin is is either extensively modified or custom fabricated in order to allow for the deception. Sure, it looks like a GNX, but this is really a scratch-built machine. Wilwood brakes lurk behind some absolutely wicked deep-dish Budnik wheels (dig those steamrollers in back), which nicely compliment the menacing black bodywork. Diesel Power magazine covers all the build's specifics in detail, and it's well worth a read.

If you're gonna masquerade as a GNX, you'd better bring some punch to the costume party, and Morad's car does. As of Diesel Power's publication, it ran an 8.25-second eighth of a mile, which they figure works out to somewhere in the 12s for the quarter. He'll be gunning for the 11s next, and additional performance upgrades are in store. Best of all? This is Morad's daily driver! He reports that it gets around 28 mpg in regular use and in the mid-30s on the highway. Not a bad combination: the looks of a GNX, the grunt of a big turbodiesel, and the fuel economy of cars that are a lot more boring. This thing had to cost a fortune to make, but Morad's clearly getting his money's worth on the fun scale.

[Source: Diesel Power via Next Autos]

 

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]]>6.6buickclonecustomdieselduramaxgm lb7GmLb7gnxgrand nationalGrandNationaloldsmobile2008-08-24T09:35:00+00:00<![CDATA[Horseman of the apocalypse gets an axe: Esteban-endorsed Camaro guitar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/horseman-of-the-apocalypse-gets-an-axe-esteban-endorsed-camaro/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/horseman-of-the-apocalypse-gets-an-axe-esteban-endorsed-camaro/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/horseman-of-the-apocalypse-gets-an-axe-esteban-endorsed-camaro/#commentsFiled under:



Just when we thought we'd seen the worst celebrity-endorsed product placement of the new Camaro, our new bestest friend Hernando delivers this gem: The Esteban Camaro Legend Limited Edition Guitar Package.

The self-proclaimed master of the six-stringed arts has assaulted late night viewers of the Home Shopping Network for years. And if his unnaturally coiffed hair and darkened sunglasses weren't enough to send a chill down your spine, this will. Whoever at General Motors signed off on this licensing deal needs to be drawn, quartered, fired on a spit and then served to a rabid pack of lemmings - for starters.

The kit includes the Camaro guitar coated in "Hugger Orange and twin Gun Metal sport stripes", a custom guitar strap, numbered certificate of authenticity and "is sleek, slick and ready to burn rubber with its heavy-hitting sound." Mullet sold separately.

Gallery: Esteban Camaro Guitar


[Source: HSN]

 

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]]>camarochevroletchevyestebanguitar2008-08-22T15:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Bermudavich Triangleski: inordinate number of accidents at Moscow intersection]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/bermudavich-triangleski-inordinate-number-of-accidents-at-mosco/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/bermudavich-triangleski-inordinate-number-of-accidents-at-mosco/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/bermudavich-triangleski-inordinate-number-of-accidents-at-mosco/#commentsFiled under:


Click above to see 15 crashes at the Moscow intersection

Every city has at least one: a badly designed intersection with poor visibility that's prone to car accidents. But this one looks like it was laid out by Rasputin. What you see here isn't a snapshot from the set of The Bourne Ultimatum. It's a junction in the increasingly over-populated streets of Moscow where passers-by regularly observe an inordinate amount of crashes. Fortunately, the accidents look like mostly fender-benders, but we'd think that the Supreme Soviet Russian authorities would want to centrally plan a redesign of the intersection, or at least consider revising the signalization, especially since they don't so much have to worry about confounding European armies marching through their capital these days. Until then, more cars are bound to pile up at these crossroads, which you can see from the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Crashes at Moscow intersection


[Source: English Russia via Jalopnik]

 

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]]>accidents moscow russiaAccidentsMoscowRussiabermuda triangleBermudaTrianglecar accidentsCarAccidentsmoscowmoscow crash intersectionmoscow intersectionmoscow russiaMoscowCrashIntersectionMoscowIntersectionMoscowRussiarussia2008-08-22T08:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Concrete chicane keeps drivers on the curvy and narrow in China]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/concrete-chicane-keeps-drivers-on-the-curvy-and-narrow-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/concrete-chicane-keeps-drivers-on-the-curvy-and-narrow-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/concrete-chicane-keeps-drivers-on-the-curvy-and-narrow-in-china/#commentsFiled under: ,



We don't have much information on this, but apparently this theme-park looking concrete chicane is in use on a roadway in China to keep speeds down. The Not So Great Wall of China is about two-feet high and one-hundred serpentine feet long.

We can't imagine what people were doing on this road to necessitate one-way traffic slowed to a crawl. Or maybe the authorities are just trying to protect the trees and fields from pilots like the amphibious Audi R8 driver, since there doesn't seem to be a mammal anywhere in the area. Or perhaps a new Olympic sport? If you have any better (more educated) ideas, please feel free to fill us in in the comments... Thanks for the tip, Gabriel!

[Source: Nate]

 

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]]>chinachinese roadsChineseRoadssafetyspeeding2008-08-22T07:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[Strand-Craft's Spectacular Swedish Stingray Speedboat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/strand-crafts-spectacular-swedish-stingray-speedboat/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/strand-crafts-spectacular-swedish-stingray-speedboat/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/strand-crafts-spectacular-swedish-stingray-speedboat/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for gallery of Strand-Craft's Stingray speedboat

The '63 Corvette Stingray split-window coupe may not have been quite as aerodynamic as GM would have us believe, but it does remain one of the most iconic designs of all time. So iconic, in fact, that one shipyard is considering taking it to the water to see if the shape is seaworthy.

Bo Zolland of Sweden's Strand-Craft shirks the minimalist design of his home country's most prolific furniture chain with the most exquisitely designed and crafted teak-decked retro runabout ever to grace the surface of water, with a little Corvette flair thrown in for good measure. The blueprints call for a carbon-fiber hull and a big block engine with competition prop drives (we see two engines powering the one above). Strand-Craft is taking orders for an untold limited number of Stingray speedboats to be made on special order according to the customer's speficifications, and we have a feeling there might be some Corvette aficionados who'd be eager to bring their passion out of land-lock and out onto the open water.

Gallery: Strand-Craft Stingray speedboat


[Source: Strand-Craft via All Cars, All the Time]

 

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]]>corvettecorvette boatCorvetteBoatstingray speedboatStingraySpeedboatstrand craftstrand-craftStrandCraft2008-08-21T18:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Frank's "Million Mile" Chevy Silverado]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/ebay-find-of-the-day-franks-million-mile-chevy-silverado/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/ebay-find-of-the-day-franks-million-mile-chevy-silverado/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/ebay-find-of-the-day-franks-million-mile-chevy-silverado/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



You've got thirty grand and you want a pickup truck, do you A) buy new, or B) hit eBay for a million-mile Silverado. Frank, who had a mild brush with celebrity when the odometer on his truck hit seven-figures recently, would like you to buy his truck. The 1991 Chevy Silverado 1500 is still on its original 350 small-block, though it's chewed up 5 trannies. Frank raves on and on about its remarkable engine and wants it to go to a collector who will appreciate it, but still go out for a ride from time to time. It is an impressive mileage total, but really, who's going to question that a small block V8 is one of the best engines ever? Maintenance has apparently been rather thorough, which is a help keeping any car alive, though we're surprised it hasn't been ravaged by the tinworm. Frank's auction ends in three days and so far hasn't moved beyond its starting bid of $29,999.99. With Employee Pricing back, however, you can get a brand new Chevy Silverado Regular Cab with a short box and zero miles for just $19,899.

Gallery: Million Mile Silverado


[Source: eBay]

 

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]]>ebay silveradoEbaySilveradomillion mile pickupmillion mile silverado ebaymillion mile truckmillion mile truck for saleMillionMilePickupMillionMileSilveradoEbayMillionMileTruckMillionMileTruckForSale2008-08-21T11:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[<strike>Class</strike> Clown: Lamborghini smoking accessories]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/strike-class-strike-clown-lamborghini-smoking-accessories/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/strike-class-strike-clown-lamborghini-smoking-accessories/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/strike-class-strike-clown-lamborghini-smoking-accessories/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Smoking cigars. It conjures images of wood-lined, quilted-leather private clubs and back-room deals brokered with a hand-shake between captains of industry and diplomats. Though tobacco may be taboo in modern society, cigars still have an air of class about them. At least until Lamborghini got involved.

While we're all for automotive-themed products, especially those of the finely-crafted variety, this seems to take things too far. Made by Tonino Lamborghini (think of it as Sant'Agata's Porsche Design), this range of lighters and cigar cutters, in our view, infuses the flashy, fast-paced Lamborghini image into a realm where it doesn't belong. Maybach can get away with slapping their badge on a smoker's set. Even Porsche Design manages to carry it off with a degree of class. But as much as we like Lamborghini's fantastic sportscars, when our first-born child arrives, we'll take a pass on these.

UPDATE: The good folks at Lamborghini have informed us that, despite using the same name and logo, Tonino Lamborghini is in fact no longer affiliated with Automobili Lamborghini. Our appologies for any confusion.

[Source: eLighters via CarScoop]

 

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]]>lamborghinilamborghini cigar cutterlamborghini lighterLamborghiniCigarCutterLamborghiniLightertonino lamborghiniToninoLamborghini2008-08-21T09:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[Spy Shots: 2010 Mazda3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/spy-shots-2010-mazda3/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/spy-shots-2010-mazda3/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/spy-shots-2010-mazda3/#commentsFiled under: , ,

New spy shots of the refreshed Mazda3 have surfaced, lending credence to the future-Mazda images we've seen oozing out of places like an EU harmonization office, and a Japanese toymaker. It looks like the doors remain largely unchanged, with the nose and tail receiving the bulk of the work. The front end will pick up new headlamps that mimic what big-brother 6 now wears. The black-tape ruse is not effective at disguising a C-Pillar that remains kinked forward, but the taillights are successfully obscured with adhesive applique. It won't be long before we see all the tape pulled off the refreshed 3 as the car show season heats up.

[Source: Car and Driver, Photo: Michael Cervantes/Priddy]


 

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]]>mazda 3mazda 3 leakmazda 3 renderingmazda 3 spy shotsMazda3Mazda3LeakMazda3RenderingMazda3SpyShots2008-08-21T08:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Navistar <i>not</i> going to buy GM's medium duty truck business]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/navistar-i-not-i-going-to-buy-gms-medium-duty-truck-business/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/navistar-i-not-i-going-to-buy-gms-medium-duty-truck-business/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/navistar-i-not-i-going-to-buy-gms-medium-duty-truck-business/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



It's an epic poem that could have been written by Byron: you suffered a nasty breakup and met a new girl, you dated for a while, things were looking outstanding, you proposed... and then the bottom dropped out of the medium-duty truck business. We've seen it all before. And now that it's happened, Navistar has backed away from it's non-binding commitment to purchase GM's medium-duty truck operations.

GM and Navistar only had a memorandum of understanding, so there appears to be no harm, no foul in Navistar getting icy feet. The brief announcement of the dissolution presents it as a mutual affair: "Due to significant marketplace and economic changes, GM and Navistar have decided not to renew the memorandum of understanding to purchase GM's medium duty truck business," but we imagine GM standing at the altar, watching its Navistar groom bolt from the church and hop in a taxi.>

GM is still talking to Navistar and looking at other ways to dump find a good home for its medium duty truck business. A shame, because they make some fine vehicles.

[Source: GM]

 

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]]>chevy kodiakChevyKodiakgmgmc topkickGmcTopkickinternationalinternational truckInternationalTruckmedium duty truckmedium duty trucksMediumDutyTruckMediumDutyTrucksnavistarnavistar truckNavistarTruck2008-08-20T14:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Lexus Nuaero Concept looks like Minority Report reject]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/lexus-nuaero-concept-looks-like-minority-report-reject/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/lexus-nuaero-concept-looks-like-minority-report-reject/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/lexus-nuaero-concept-looks-like-minority-report-reject/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Lexus Nuaero concept would look right at home running alongside its movie star sibling that appeared in Minority Report, though that concept vehicle got all the looks. Unfortunately, that's not saying much. Jon Radbrink has penned a futuristic blade of a car that comes out looking for all the world like a Stanley Pocket Surform. The forward thinking doesn't stop with the Hobie-Cat exterior, there's plenty of future-dreaming inside the Nuaero. Pedals have been banished for a steering wheel-based setup that operates sort of like an aircraft yoke. Radbrink thinks that people's hands are better for driving than our feet - something about accuracy. Mhm. John must ride the train a lot; we see plenty of inaccuracies happening out there by people using all four extremeties. While we're all dreaming, the Nuaero is intended to be rendered in lightweight materials, so it would theoretically offer the space of a larger vehicle while only pressing the scales with the equivalent weight of a SMART ForTwo. At least we now have a design for this years Pinewood Derby. Thanks for the tip, Ian!

Gallery: Lexus Nuaero concept


[Source: Gizmodo]

 

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]]>lexus conceptlexus concept minority reportlexus nuaerolexus nuaero conceptlexus nuaero minority reportLexusConceptLexusConceptMinorityReportLexusNuaeroLexusNuaeroConceptLexusNuaeroMinorityReportnuaero conceptnuaero minority reportNuaeroConceptNuaeroMinorityReport2008-08-19T11:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[Dodge Viper ACR possibly spotted at 'Ring, fangs bared]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/dodge-viper-acr-possibly-spotted-at-ring-fangs-bared/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/dodge-viper-acr-possibly-spotted-at-ring-fangs-bared/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/dodge-viper-acr-possibly-spotted-at-ring-fangs-bared/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It's got the preposterously huge wing, and race-burlesque stripe job; could this Viper spotted at the Nurburgring possibly be a Viper ACR? The red and black Viper was nabbed on one of the 'Ring's cameras, and there's also reports of a black Viper with graphite stripes tearing around the German racing venue. While the pictures showed up on the Viperclub forums, nobody's got any lap times, unfortunately. Could the ACR turn laps as fast as the scorching GT-R or ZR1? Who knows, but there's no doubt that it'll be fast. That big, silly wing is acceptable in this instance, as it will actually work to enhance downforce on the drive wheels. It'd be the first thing removed for street duty, were we the owners of a Viper GTS. Alas, we're not Viper ACR owners, though the idea of an astoundingly fast car that can kill you if you don't know what you're doing just seems right in these days of electronic safety nets. Cowboy attitude aside, we hope that this Viper owner managed to not stuff it into any hazards, and that his lap times eventually bubble to the surface. Thanks for the tip, Gustavo.

[Source: forums.viperclub.org]

 

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]]>dodge viper acrDodgeViperAcrring time viperRingTimeViperviper acrviper acr nurburgringviper acr ringViperAcrViperAcrNurburgringViperAcrRing2008-08-19T08:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[Trevor Creed retires from Chrysler, Ralph Gilles ascends]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/trevor-creed-retires-from-chrysler-ralph-gilles-ascends/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/trevor-creed-retires-from-chrysler-ralph-gilles-ascends/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/trevor-creed-retires-from-chrysler-ralph-gilles-ascends/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Trevor Creed has decided that being the capo di designi capo for such programs as the Chrysler 300, PT Cruiser, Dodge Challenger, Viper, and Ram, among others, is a satisfactory way to cap a career in design. Creed has spent the past 23 years at Chrysler, and his departure as Vice President of Design on August 31st opens up the slot for Ralph Gillies to step up. Gillies will start his new role as Design Veep September 1st, and he'll answer to Frank Klegon, Executive VP of Product Development.

Hey Frank, get rid of focus grouping, give Ralph a bit more leash to manage a staff that can design a car that actually looks good. As Design Vice President, Gillies will now oversee the Product Design Office, so one imagines that, given the opportunity, there may be a glimmer of hope for righting the horrid wrongs of the Sebring, as long as some of that 2009 Ram mojo is still around.

Once Gillies and team work sheetmetal magic, Andreas Schnell is the newly appointed Vice President of Electrical/Electronics Engineering Core, the people that come up with the electronics that not only run the vehicle, but entertain and delight, as well. Schnell will also be responsible for "voice of the customer" efforts, and the voice of the customer should be heard loud and clear saying "please build better cars."

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Trevor Creed retires from Chrysler, Ralph Gilles ascends

 

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]]>chrysler designChryslerDesignralph gillies chryslerRalphGilliesChryslertrevor creed chrysler design retiretrevor creed retireTrevorCreedChryslerDesignRetireTrevorCreedRetire2008-08-19T08:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Man claims prayer brought pump prices down]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/man-claims-prayer-brought-pump-prices-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/man-claims-prayer-brought-pump-prices-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/man-claims-prayer-brought-pump-prices-down/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In the book of Genesis, man was given dominion over all the plants and animals, so we're guessing that dead, liquified ones count, too. Since Rocky Twyman started his Pray At The Pump effort in April, average fuel prices have certainly fallen. Twyman believes that his groups' prayers have effected the change, and that no other factors like shifting consumer behavior, international conflict, or speculators has anything to do with it. Right.

The Pray At The Pump group is not just asking for divine fuel price intervention without also encouraging acts of sacrifice on behalf of man - Twyman's ministry strongly encourages car pooling and better organized trips to maximize conservation on a day to day basis. After all, committing the mortal sin of gluttony while asking for the Lord to make it easier on us all would ring kind of hollow. We suppose even the non-faithful can get behind Twyman's effort in that it's at least as effective as the various fuel-saving trinkum that internet scheisters are imploring us to buy (run your car on water? hydrogen "batteries"?), and it costs nothing, to boot. Combined with a regimen of proven fuel-saving behaviors, extra prayers certainly can't hurt in keeping the flow of car-sustaining manna trickling along at an affordable price.

[Source: BBC, AutoblogGreen, Photo: daylife.com]

 

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]]>fuel price prayerfuel pricesFuelPricePrayerFuelPricesgas price prayergas pricesGasPricePrayerGasPricesprayer fuelprayer gasPrayerFuelPrayerGasrocky twyman fuel priceRockyTwymanFuelPrice2008-08-18T18:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Dallas HOA prohibits parking F-150 in driveway; Lincoln Mark LT allowed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/dallas-hoa-prohibits-parking-f-150-in-driveway-lincoln-mark-lt/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/dallas-hoa-prohibits-parking-f-150-in-driveway-lincoln-mark-lt/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/dallas-hoa-prohibits-parking-f-150-in-driveway-lincoln-mark-lt/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Yet another example of a Homeowner's Association run amok... A Texas homeowner in Frisco (just north of Dallas) has been told by the Stonebriar HOA that his new Ford F-150 isn't allowed to be parked in his driveway. The Association, established to protect Jim Greenwood's interests (that's the theory at least), will allow his neighbor's Cadillac Escalades, Honda Ridgelines, and even a HUMMER or two, but his new pickup violates a rule that prohibits pickups in the driveway. When Mr. Greenwood inquired as to why a Lincoln Mark LT could park in the neighborhood, but his practically identical F-150 couldn't, the response from the HOA was, "'It's our belief that Lincoln markets to a different class of people." Doh! As of now, Mr. Greenwood's options are to get another vehicle, or move. If it were us, we'd replace the F-150 with a yellow Caterpillar 972H Wheel Loader. Yeah, that would get them to quickly change their mind... Thanks for the tip, Neil!

[Source: Dallas News]

 

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]]>FordGreenwoodHOAHomeowners AssociationHomeownersAssociationparkingPickupStonebriarTexas2008-08-18T17:03:00+00:00<![CDATA[Monterey 2008: Leno's Tank Car storms Pebble Beach]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/monterey-2008-lenos-tank-car-storms-pebble-beach/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/monterey-2008-lenos-tank-car-storms-pebble-beach/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/monterey-2008-lenos-tank-car-storms-pebble-beach/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of Jay's Tank Car in Monterey

We were as surprised as anyone to see Jay Leno's name on the entry list for this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Then we saw that he would be arriving in a 1953 Chrysler. As nice as 1953 Chryslers may be, Jay's is pretty special. It's an imposing custom hot rod that is powered by a 28.4-liter Chrysler built tank engine. Most people call it the Tank Car, and last year this time it was on display across the country at the Woodward Dream Cruise. The heart of the Tank Car is the 1792 cid V-12 Continental-designed, Chrsyler-built tank engine that in turbocharged form puts out something like 1,600 hp and 3,000 ft-lbs. of torque. The engine alone weighs 2,000 lbs and easily qualifies Jay's car in this year's featured 20+ liter class.

While performance isn't this car's main goal, it can scoot along pretty well with all of that power being routed through an Allison 6-speed transmission. Switching from the original 3-speed trans doubled Leno's gas mileage, which now stands at around 5 mpg. As bad as that might seem, it comes across as almost reasonable when you hear it guzzles 80 quarts of oil every time Jay swings through a Jiffy Lube. We have to admit that we were among the many fans who rushed to see the car as Jay entered the Pebble Beach fairway. It's really a spectacular sight, even at an event that is known to stop even seasoned auto afficianados in their tracks every few seconds.

Gallery: Jay Leno's Tank Car at Pebble


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

 

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]]>jay lenoJayLenopebble beachpebble beach 2008PebbleBeachPebbleBeach2008tank carTankCar2008-08-18T16:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Monterey 2008: All aboard the red Enzo/F1/Lambo-like failboat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/monterey-2008-all-aboard-the-red-enzo-f1-lambo-like-failboat/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/monterey-2008-all-aboard-the-red-enzo-f1-lambo-like-failboat/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/monterey-2008-all-aboard-the-red-enzo-f1-lambo-like-failboat/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Predator Xtreme.

Just when we thought we found the epitome of wretched excess in Monterey, this monstrosity reared its ugly head on our way down to the Concours. The initial idea probably didn't sound too bad after a case or two of Coors -- taking a few bits from the Enzo, the latest Lamborghinis and the seating arrangement of the McLaren F1 - but the horrid execution of the "Predator Xtreme" is only matched by its dubious build quality. The silver painted windshield trim is already showing signs of decay and while the Infiniti G35 taillights were a class choice on an otherwise classless design, not even the thickest rose-colored glasses could conceal the horrors that the Predator has inflicted on our eyes. Join in on the pain below.

Gallery: Monterey 2008: All aboard the red failboat

 

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