Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Laptop steering wheel desk is real. And real funny.]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/laptop-steering-wheel-desk-is-real-and-real-funny/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/laptop-steering-wheel-desk-is-real-and-real-funny/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/laptop-steering-wheel-desk-is-real-and-real-funny/#comments Filed under: , ,

Laptop DeskYou know, when we're driving along, eating buffalo wings and trying to manage a Super Slurpee while playing Cooking Dash on the iPhone, it sure would be helpful to have a place to keep all that stuff organized. Thankfully, there's the Laptop Steering Wheel Desk, which accomplishes all of the above AND finally gives us a place to keep our bleu cheese and celery sticks, to boot. (You see, our cupholders are already occupied by french fries.) This "Why didn't I think of that?" stroke of genius slides right around your steering wheel, which it uses as an anchor for your much-needed flat surface.

Listen, steering is overrated anyway, right? Actually, the official product description on Amazon.com says, "For safety reasons, never use this product while driving." But come on, we're excellent drivers. We're pretty sure we can handle this. Based on the user reviers, others have found this device to be exceedingly convenient. Some of the user-submitted photos suggest that the Laptop Steering Wheel Desk may indeed be troublesome in the hands of less experienced drivers, but we remain skeptical. We think we'll put one in the shopping cart with that Three Wolf Moon T-Shirt we've been eying. Then, when it arrives, we're hunting for a drive-thru pizzeria. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[Source: Amazon.com]

Laptop steering wheel desk is real. And real funny. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> buffalo wings are awesomeBuffaloWingsAreAwesomecompletely safeCompletelySafedistracted drivingDistractedDrivinglaptop steering wheel deskLaptopSteeringWheelDesksteering wheel deskSteeringWheelDesk Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST <![CDATA[SEMA 2009: What we didn't get to cover]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-what-we-didnt-get-to-cover/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-what-we-didnt-get-to-cover/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-what-we-didnt-get-to-cover/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , ,


2009 SEMA Show Las Vegas - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every year at SEMA, we fill the week with posts featuring special vehicles and products that we felt were important enough to share. Generally, they are the most newsworthy projects and new model introductions, but sometimes they are just things that caught our eye. When all is said and done, we think we've given all of you a good taste of what's on offer here in the desert.

Of course, there are always things we see and shoot that don't make it into the regular posts from the days we are here. We end up with a few hundred photos of random weirdness and cool stuff that just didn't make it into a dedicated post. That's what this post is for. It's basically a chance to dump some of that random wackiness and wonder that is SEMA into one big bowl and invite you all to take a sip. Click on the gallery below and you'll see race cars, hot rods, muscle cars, motorcycles, wheels and more. None are labeled, but all should provide a unique look at what we saw at SEMA 2009.


Gallery: SEMA 2009: Random sightings


Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2009: What we didn't get to cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> aftermarketcarcarscustomcustom carcustom carsCustomCarCustomCarslas vegasLasVegasSEMAsema 2009Sema showSema2009SemaShow Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST <![CDATA[Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ready for winter?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-ready-for-winter/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-ready-for-winter/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-ready-for-winter/#comments Filed under: , ,

Ready for Winter? Click above to watch the video after the break

As someone who happened to have grown up in snowy climes of the Great Lakes States for the first 25 years of life, this author knows exactly how nasty it can be in the morning to walk out of your nice, toasty house on a cold and blustery winter day. It's even worse when you need to drive somewhere and your car is covered in a hard-as-rock coating of ice and snow.

Having since moved to the sunny state of Arizona, however, dealing with the scenario particular situation isn't on this blogger's agenda any time soon.

That said, it is in the forecast for many Autoblog readers, and so we've decided to dig up this oldie-but-a-goody Statoil commercial to get you in the mood. Click past the break to watch the video and check out veryfunnyads.com for more gut-busting ads from around the world.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ready for winter?

Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ready for winter? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> funnyfunny carfunny car commercialfunny car commercial of the dayfunny car commercialsfunny commercialfunny commercialsFunnyCarFunnyCarCommercialFunnyCarCommercialOfTheDayFunnyCarCommercialsFunnyCommercialFunnyCommercialsstatoilvery funnyvery funny adsVeryFunnyVeryFunnyAds Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST <![CDATA[VIDEO: Ford press conference yields surprise $650 car announcement]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/video-ford-press-conference-yields-surprise-650-car-announceme/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/video-ford-press-conference-yields-surprise-650-car-announceme/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/video-ford-press-conference-yields-surprise-650-car-announceme/#comments Filed under: , ,

Ford makes surprise $650 car announcement - click above image to watch the video

Between the hysteria of this week's SEMA Show and Chrysler's never-ending (and partially baffling) revelations yesterday, a shocking announcement by Ford Motor Company has been nearly drowned out. But rest assured, your Autoblog team never rests (even after huffing down 9,000 calories apiece at Vegas' Wynn Buffet!) and have tracked down this astounding piece of news. Ford has taken a long, hard look at the state of the American automotive scene and has decided to do the (almost) unthinkable - sell us a car for $650.

Now, there are no doubt naysayers amongst you that will point to a $650 Ford and cry, "Malarkey!" And with good reason. After all, under cutting the Tata Nano by a full $1,350 is no easy feat. However, times are tough. And with a nearly 10% national unemployment rate, a $650 car makes sound, economic sense. But don't take our word for it. Make the jump to watch Ford VP Daniel Grossman introduce Ford's new entry level car.

[Source: O-SPAN6]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford press conference yields surprise $650 car announcement

VIDEO: Ford press conference yields surprise $650 car announcement originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> cheap carCheapCarFordFord TaurusFordTaurusPrimusTata nanoTataNanoTaurusThe OnionTheOnionused carsUsedCarsworlds cheapest carWorldsCheapestCar Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST <![CDATA[VIDEO: Fun, frolic and destruction with a dump truck at Detroit's Packard plant]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/video-fun-frolic-and-destruction-with-a-dump-truck-at-detroit/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/video-fun-frolic-and-destruction-with-a-dump-truck-at-detroit/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/video-fun-frolic-and-destruction-with-a-dump-truck-at-detroit/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

This dump truck is going to take a dive - Click above to watch the video

In future Detroit, pushing a junked dump truck out of a fourth floor window at the old Packard plant might result in a swarm of gen-1 Taurus police cars surrounding the building, and, if you're particularly unlucky, intervention by ED-209. ("You have 20 seconds to comply...").

In the present day, this creative bit of criminal mischief gets you featured on The Wall Street Journal website. Go figure! Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Continue reading VIDEO: Fun, frolic and destruction with a dump truck at Detroit's Packard plant

VIDEO: Fun, frolic and destruction with a dump truck at Detroit's Packard plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 4th floor window4thFloorWindowabandoned buildingabandoned buildingsabandoned detroitAbandonedBuildingAbandonedBuildingsAbandonedDetroitDetroitdump truckDumpTruckout the windowOutTheWindowPackardpackard plantPackardPlanturban spelunkingUrbanSpelunking Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST <![CDATA[Chrysler's 335-slide PowerPoint presentation and the weird stuff therein]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/chryslers-335-slide-powerpoint-presentation-and-the-weird-stuff/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/chryslers-335-slide-powerpoint-presentation-and-the-weird-stuff/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/chryslers-335-slide-powerpoint-presentation-and-the-weird-stuff/#comments Filed under: ,

Chrysler 5-year business plan... all of it - Click above to view gallery

So you're not an automotive journalist and couldn't spend seven hours (!) following along yesterday as Chrysler execs presented their 5-year business plan for the company. What you missed was a bladder-busting 335-slide PowerPoint presentation that we won't soon forget. Fear not, as we've obtained the entire presentation and uploaded into a gallery. Every slide is there, including some curious ones that deserve pointing out.
  • Slide #14: The crucial demographic that Dodge is targeting to increase sales: moms with tat sleeves.
  • Slide #32: Is this the next-gen Dodge Charger or just the Charger R/T Concept?
  • Slide #38: Look familiar? It does to us! Chrysler swiped a photo of the Dodge ACR shot by our own Drew Phillips (see original here).
  • Slide #144: Did you know? The word "Jeep" is used to help kids learn how to write the letter J, as is every other word with a J in it.
  • Slide #291: A brochure for the 2010 Chrysler 300 that shows a mystery grille. We've seen the brochure's contents, which instead show the model currently on sale.
  • Slide #303: The speaker onstage said the Viper would return in 2012, the slide says it's under consideration.
Now it's your turn. Let us know if you find anything strange, wrong or worth pointing out in the comments below.

Gallery: Chrysler's 5-Year Business Plan

Chrysler's 335-slide PowerPoint presentation and the weird stuff therein originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chryslerchrysler business planchrysler llcChryslerBusinessPlanChryslerLlc Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:29:00 EST <![CDATA[SEMA 2009: Who lives in an Impala, under the sea?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/sema-2009-who-lives-in-an-impala-under-the-sea/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/sema-2009-who-lives-in-an-impala-under-the-sea/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/sema-2009-who-lives-in-an-impala-under-the-sea/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,


SpongeBob SquarePants Impala by IMF Kustoms - Click above for high-res image gallery

We were cruising through the back part of the central hall at SEMA, on the prowl for Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers something interesting when we were stopped dead in our tracks by this masterful use of pigment, cleverly disguising a late-eighties Chevy Caprice. Looks like SpongeBob has traded his pineapple for a box. The graphics are really stunning up close and depict everyone's favorite sponge in a variety of vignettes. The whole SpongeBob gang is there -- Patrick, Gary, Mr. Krabs, Squidward and Plankton are all there. Classic. Just one of the beautifully airbrushed vehicles we hope to share with you this week. Oh, and although it's a bit hard to see from the pics, the interior was equally well adorned -- seats, dash, headliner, the whole nine yards. Check it in the gallery below.


Gallery: SEMA 2009: Sponge Bob Impala


Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2009: Who lives in an Impala, under the sea? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Chevrolet ImpalaChevroletImpalaChevy ImpalaChevyImpaladonkSEMAsema 2009Sema2009spongebobspongebob squarepantsSpongebobSquarepants Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:40:00 EST <![CDATA[VIDEO: Dogs like trucks. Leopards apparently prefer Audis.]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/video-dogs-like-trucks-leopards-apparently-prefer-audis/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/video-dogs-like-trucks-leopards-apparently-prefer-audis/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/video-dogs-like-trucks-leopards-apparently-prefer-audis/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

A leopard chills in his Audi TT - Click above to watch the video

You've pretty much achieved Tony Montana status when you can keep a big cat as a pet. But how do you transport Fluffy around when it's time to venture beyond that "The World Is Yours" statue at the homestead? Apparently, the preferred method of this particular leopard-owning baller is to simply load the kitty into the passenger seat of an Audi TT, roll down the window, and head out on the town. (Perhaps a Mercury Cougar would be more appropriate? Maybe a Jaguar?)

Leopards apparently like this as much as a yellow lab enjoys squinting into the wind from the bed of a pickup truck. Seriously. Follow the jump to see for yourselves. Thanks for the link, Charlie!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Dogs like trucks. Leopards apparently prefer Audis.

VIDEO: Dogs like trucks. Leopards apparently prefer Audis. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> audiaudi ttaudi videoAudiTtAudiVideobig catBigCatexotic petexotic petsExoticPetExoticPetsleopardleopard videoLeopardVideottvideo Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:32:00 EST <![CDATA[Make it stop: Bad landau tops]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/make-it-stop-bad-landau-tops/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/make-it-stop-bad-landau-tops/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/make-it-stop-bad-landau-tops/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


Silly landau tops - Click above image for high-res image gallery

Landau tops. Frankly, some are fine. Show us, say, a mid-to-late '70s Olds Cutlass or Lincoln Town Coupe gussied up accordingly from the factory, and we're liable to nod in approval and make one of those, "Ehh, not bad at all!" facial expressions in appreciation of the old barge. That said, most modern landau roof applications are dealer-installed, and commensurately disastrous and stupid.

My friend Scott had been telling me about two particularly egregious examples he regularly sees in his Brooklyn neighborhood. "Show me," I told him. So he remembered to tote his camera with him this week and sent me these. The Buick LeSabre isn't all that surprising, gauche though it may be. But the Ford Escort? Yeah, that's a good one. Gotta love those opera lights and the fading "Ghia" lettering, too. Will anything ever stop these people?

Your turn: What's the most terrible landau top application you've personally witnessed? We know you have stories. Share.

UPDATE: TTAC fires a salvo of its own. Fun!


Gallery: Bad Landau Tops


[Images courtesy of Scott Nyerges]

Make it stop: Bad landau tops originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bad landau topsBadLandauTopsbuickbuick lesabreBuickLesabreescortfordford escortFordEscortghialandau topsLandauTopslesabreopera lampsOperaLampssilly landau topsSillyLandauTops Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:51:00 EST <![CDATA[Happy Halloween from Autoblog]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/31/happy-halloween-from-autoblog/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/31/happy-halloween-from-autoblog/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/31/happy-halloween-from-autoblog/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Smashing a giant pumpkin with Grave Digger - Click above to watch the video

Those punk kids who TP your neighborhoods and smash pumpkins on mischief night? Rank amateurs. If you want to do something, do it right - an idea that Conan O'Brien clearly has a handle on. Hence, when it came time to smash a pumpkin on The Tonight Show, he procured the world's largest, and the blunt instrument he calls upon to do the smashing is Dennis Anderson's Grave Digger. You all know how this ends. The video's posted after the jump. Thanks to Shawn for the heads-up!

[Source: NBC via YouTube]

Continue reading Happy Halloween from Autoblog

Happy Halloween from Autoblog originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> conan obrienConanObriendennis andersonDennisAndersongrave diggerGraveDiggermischief nightMischiefNightpumpkin smashPumpkinSmashsmashing pumpkinsSmashingPumpkinsthe tonight showTheTonightShow Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:13:00 EST <![CDATA[Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Never judge a <strike>book</strike> mascot by its cover]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-never-judge-a-book-str/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-never-judge-a-book-str/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-never-judge-a-book-str/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Never judge a book mascot by its cover - Click above to watch the video after the break

Ever see those poor men and women out on a hot and sunny summer day dressed up in some ridiculous costume as some sort of promotion their employers are running? We truly feel for these people, but it seems not everyone is as kind and caring... probably those same jerks in middle school that used to knock the books out of our hands in the hallways.

Next time you happen to spot such a costumed worker, remember that you never know who - or, indeed, what - might be lurking under that unfortunate outfit. As you'll see in the video pasted after the break (which is only kinda sorta about the South African Ford Icon), it's not always what you might expect. Head on over to veryfunnyads.com for more hilarious commercials from around the world.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Never judge a book mascot by its cover

Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Never judge a book mascot by its cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> fordford iconFordIconfunny carfunny car commercialfunny car commercial of the dayfunny car commercialsfunny commercialfunny or dieFunnyCarFunnyCarCommercialFunnyCarCommercialOfTheDayFunnyCarCommercialsFunnyCommercialFunnyOrDievery funnyvery funny adsVeryFunnyVeryFunnyAds Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST <![CDATA[VIDEO: SHO vs. SHO on <i>The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien</i>]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/taurus-sho-conan-obrien-the-tonight-show/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/taurus-sho-conan-obrien-the-tonight-show/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/taurus-sho-conan-obrien-the-tonight-show/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


SHO vs. SHO - Click above to watch video after the jump

As we reported yesterday, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien last night. The comic host still owns and drives his beloved 1992 SHO, claiming it's the finest car ever built, so Ford invited him to Galpin Motors in Los Angeles to check out the new one. Amy Marentic from Ford is his tour guide and does a great job keeping up with the jokes, at one point refusing to massage Conan's neck where the multi-contoured massaging seats won't reach.

After trying out the new SHO, Conan shows Amy what's up with a tour of his own 1992 SHO - "The Beast" - that's parked right beside. We won't ruin all the laughs for you, suffice it to say that Ford got some sweet product placement in a skit that makes you chuckle more than it tries to sell you a car. Follow the jump to watch old SHO vs. new SHO for yourself.

[Source: NBC]

Continue reading VIDEO: SHO vs. SHO on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

VIDEO: SHO vs. SHO on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2010 ford taurus sho2010FordTaurusShoconan o-brienConanO-brienfordford taurusford taurus shoFordTaurusFordTaurusShoshotaurustaurus shoTaurusShothe tonight showTheTonightShow Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:57:00 EST <![CDATA[VIDEO: 100% NSFW Irish rally footage]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/video-100-nsfw-irish-rally-footage/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/video-100-nsfw-irish-rally-footage/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/video-100-nsfw-irish-rally-footage/#comments Filed under: , ,

Irish Rally Team - Click above to watch video after the jump

There are good rally videos, bad rally videos and ugly rally videos. There are even other totally unsafe for work Irish rally videos. But then there's this video. Now, we love swearing. It's like a form of meditation. Dirty yoga let's call it. Speaking of Eastern philosophies, there's an old Taoist saying, "When the student is ready the master appears." Well, we thinks we met our potty-mouthed master.

Meet the faceless navigator of this Irish rally team. Remember that scene from A Christmas Story when Ralphie is beating the snot out of Skut Farkus? I think the line goes something like this, "I have since heard of people under extreme duress speaking in strange tongues. I became conscious that a steady torrent of obscenities and swearing of all kinds was pouring out of me as I screamed." Well, that's about the half of it. And if you think it's a little tame for the first ninety seconds, may we suggest skipping ahead to 1:31? Colorfully NSFW video after the jump. Tip O'the bowler to Ramana!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: 100% NSFW Irish rally footage

VIDEO: 100% NSFW Irish rally footage originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> NSFWRallyRally CarRally NavigatorRallyCarRallyNavigator Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:31:00 EST <![CDATA[REPORT: Police auctioning off motorized La-Z-Boy used in DWI]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/police-auctioning-off-motorized-la-z-boy-used-in-dwi/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/police-auctioning-off-motorized-la-z-boy-used-in-dwi/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/police-auctioning-off-motorized-la-z-boy-used-in-dwi/#comments Filed under: , , ,

If you've ever had the urge to cruise your neighborhood in a self-propelled La-Z-Boy, your opportunity has arrived. Minnesota resident Dennis Anderson (no relation to the Gravedigger monster truck franchise - we think) has forfeited his notorious motorized, and over-the-top modified, recliner chair involved in his DWI incident and crash recently is going on the eBay auction block later this week.

To recap, this masterpiece of motorized furniture isn't your average run-of-the-mill family room napper. This particular innovative and highly customized chair is fitted with a nitrous-boosted lawnmower engine good for a top speed in the neighborhood of 20 mph (it is fitted with a parachute... apparently in case you happen to drive off a cliff). Dual headlights help guide you home from the late nights at the bar, while an integrated stereo sound system will make you everyone's envy at the stop lights (maybe from the curb, as we don't think it is technically street legal).

While Mr. Anderson got off with two years of probation for his antics, his prized possession is sadly being liquidated - sans reserve price - thanks to a Minnesota law allowing police to auction vehicles seized in drunk-driving cases. So, what do you think it will go for?

[Source: Engadget]

REPORT: Police auctioning off motorized La-Z-Boy used in DWI originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> auctionchairDennis AndersonDennisAndersonDrunk drivingDrunkDrivingDUIDWIeBayfor saleForSaleLa-z-boylazy boyLazyBoyloungeMinnesotarecliner Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST <![CDATA[VIDEO: Simply the Best - Clarkson shows Ferrari 348 much love on <i>Top Gear</i> circa 1991]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/video-simply-the-best-clarkson-shows-ferrari-348-much-love-on/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/video-simply-the-best-clarkson-shows-ferrari-348-much-love-on/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/video-simply-the-best-clarkson-shows-ferrari-348-much-love-on/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Grab yourself a Zima and click above to watch the video after the jump

The Sixties came back for a while. Then the Seventies returned for an encore performance. Now, even things from the Eighties are coming back into style. But we're praying to everything holy that the Nineties stay far, far behind us. Especially after taking this trip down memory lane to a 1991 episode of Top Gear.

Yes, in case you were wondering, Jeremy Clarkson was hosting the BBC car show even back then, having started in 1988. And yes, his Brit-fro was even bigger then, even when juxtaposed against his big-shouldered, blinged-out biker jacket and high-top sneakers.

As if to foreshadow how far Top Gear has come over the past couple of decades, Clarkson (Sideshow Bob wig and all) climbs behind the wheel of a Ferrari 348 - widely remembered as a low point in Maranello's history - and loved it. Hindsight being 20/20 and all, we did manage to extract one juicy nugget of Clarkson perspective that stands the test of time: namely, that driving a 160mph sportscar around town at 30 is every bit as justifiable as driving a four-seater by yourself. We'll just edit out the Tina Turner soundtrack the next time we pull that one out of the mental Rolodex. Follow the jump to see what we're prattling on about.

[Source: Top Gear via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Simply the Best - Clarkson shows Ferrari 348 much love on Top Gear circa 1991

VIDEO: Simply the Best - Clarkson shows Ferrari 348 much love on Top Gear circa 1991 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 1990s90sBBCFerrariferrari 348Ferrari348Jeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonninetiestop gearTopGearvideo Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST <![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> reports Stig arrested in both Dublin and Mojave Desert]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/top-gear-reports-stig-arrested-in-both-dublin-and-mojave/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/top-gear-reports-stig-arrested-in-both-dublin-and-mojave/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/top-gear-reports-stig-arrested-in-both-dublin-and-mojave/#comments Filed under: ,



Some say he has a problem with authority. Others say he's actually capable of being in two places at the same time, and getting arrested in both. All we know is that Top Gear is making less sense with every passing day.

One of the BBC car show's myriad blogs reports that the enigmatic test driver known to all as The Stig was "sensationally" arrested by police in Dublin for some unknown incident, possibly involving assault on a "hairy biker" or a swan. Not much else was said, other than that the arresting Garda officer was friendly and that the program's live action show is set to visit the Irish city in December.

Meanwhile, TG frontman Jeremy Clarkson disclosed in his regular column in The Sunday Times that the Stig was also detained in the Mojave Desert, where the crew was apparently filming another misadventure in America. According to Clarkson, "a lorry full of soldiers" mistook Stiggy for a Muslim since he's not fat. Right... For our part, we'll take both stories with a grain of salt as big as Stig's helmet while we wait for mug shots from either incident to surface.

[Sources: Top Gear Transmission and Times Online]

Top Gear reports Stig arrested in both Dublin and Mojave Desert originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> clarksondublinirelandjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonmojavemojave desertMojaveDesertstigthe stigTheStigtop geartop gear the stigTopGearTopGearTheStig Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST <![CDATA[Man charged with DWI while driving La-Z-Boy chair]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/man-charged-with-dwi-while-driving-la-z-boy-chair/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/man-charged-with-dwi-while-driving-la-z-boy-chair/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/man-charged-with-dwi-while-driving-la-z-boy-chair/#comments Filed under: ,

It's against the law to drink and drive. And as we've seen time and again, the police don't care if you're driving a Ferrari or a motorized scooter; over the limit means under arrest. There is now one more person in the world who knows this undeniable truth first-hand. Dennis LeRoy Anderson was convicted of Driving While Intoxicated after being caught piloting a La-Z-Boy that was modded with with lawn mower parts, a stereo and a cup holder. No word on what actually happened to be resting in that cup holder when the La-Z-Boy left the comforts of Anderson's living room that night.

Anderson was arrested in the northern Minnesota town of Proctor after he crashed his La-Z-Boy into a parked car. To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Anderson had a blood alcohol content of .29; over three times the legal limit. Sixth Judicial District Judge Heather Sweetland let Anderson off lightly, as she stayed the 180-day jail term in favor of two years probation. We're thinking the two years of probation pales in comparison to living the rest of one's life knowing that you were arrested for drinking and driving a recliner. Sad. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: The Seattle Times]

Man charged with DWI while driving La-Z-Boy chair originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> dennis leroy andersonDennisLeroyAndersondrinking and drivingDrinkingAndDrivingduidui arrestDuiArrestdwila-Z-Boyla-z-boy drinkingla-z-boy duila-z-boy dwiLa-z-boyDrinkingLa-z-boyDuiLa-z-boyDwimotorized scooterMotorizedScooter Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:01:00 EST <![CDATA[Funny Car Commercial of the Day - Meet the dogfish]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-meet-the-dogfish/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-meet-the-dogfish/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/funny-car-commercial-of-the-day-meet-the-dogfish/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Meet the dogfish - Click above to watch the video after the break

We've always been dog people. It's not so much that there's something wrong with cats, it's just that we can do more with our dogs... like teach them tricks, take them to the beach and play fetch. Apparently, Volkswagen of Argentina is full of dog people too. Well, dogfish people, at least.

Just like with their furry companions, it seems that dogfishes are so much more interesting and fun than catfish. We don't know of anyone that keeps a catfish as a pet, and even if they did, catfish don't like to go on walks or for car rides. Heck, catfish don't even want to get out of the water. Dogfishes do all of these things. What do they have to do with cars? We have no idea. Click past the break to watch the video and visit veryfunnyads.com for more offbeat commercials from around the world.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day - Meet the dogfish

Funny Car Commercial of the Day - Meet the dogfish originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> funnyfunny car adfunny car commercialfunny car commercial of the dayfunny car commercialsfunny car commerialFunnyCarAdFunnyCarCommercialFunnyCarCommercialOfTheDayFunnyCarCommercialsFunnyCarCommerialspacefoxvery funnyvery funny adsVeryFunnyVeryFunnyAdsvolkswagenvolkswagen spacefoxVolkswagenSpacefoxvwvw spacefoxVwSpacefox Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:59:00 EST <![CDATA[Porsche Panamera owners rewarded with USB drive shaped like... Panamera]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/porsche-panamera-owners-rewarded-with-usb-drive-shaped-like-p/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/porsche-panamera-owners-rewarded-with-usb-drive-shaped-like-p/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/porsche-panamera-owners-rewarded-with-usb-drive-shaped-like-p/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Porsche Panamera USB drive - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're a hardcore Porschephile, then you're going to love this post, because it's about Porsche minutiae that no one else really cares about.

Turns out that if you bought a Panamera, you may have gotten an extra gift from Porsche (besides the car). A tipster sent in pics of a package he received that included a knick knack looking just like his Panamera key fob, which itself is shaped like a Panamera. Lo and behold, the doo-dad was not an extra key fob (that would've been nice) but a USB flash drive. We've got no info on what the drive's capacity is or if the thingamajiggy does anything else, but we suspect it's just a marketing gimmick that cost Porsche little in the grand scheme of things.

It got us thinking, though. Since so many keys today are actually keyless, wouldn't it be a great idea for a keyless key fob to actually be a USB flash drive? Not only could you store tunes on it, but such a device could interface with your car's electronics, carry updated maps for your nav system and keep a record of any warning codes. Sure, any old USB flash drive could potentially do these things, but combining one with the key you carry around at all times just makes good sense. We've seen this done before in concept cars, but for some reason the USB key hasn't crossed over into reality yet. Well, our idea is free of charge for automakers to use, so make it happen. The next one, however, will cost ya. Thanks for the tip, Brad!


Gallery: Porsche Panamera USB drive

Porsche Panamera owners rewarded with USB drive shaped like... Panamera originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> panamerapanamera keypanamera key fobpanamera usb drivePanameraKeyPanameraKeyFobPanameraUsbDriveporscheporsche panameraPorschePanamera Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:58:00 EST <![CDATA[VIDEO: Helpful French people teach you how to change your Citroen's oil]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/video-helpful-french-people-teach-you-how-to-change-your-citroe/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/video-helpful-french-people-teach-you-how-to-change-your-citroe/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/video-helpful-french-people-teach-you-how-to-change-your-citroe/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,

Citroen SM Oil Change How To - click above image to watch the video

Assuming most of you are Citroen owners, we're confident you'll find the following video extremely helpful. Even if you just own a DS or CX and not a full blown SM, it's useful. Heck, even you 2CV owners might learn a thing or two. For the tiny minority of you out there that don't own Citroens, we will admit that yes, compared to an aircraft carrier a Chevelle, an SM is a little tricky to work on. But as long as you view the SM like an airplane -- meaning a series of subsystems -- rather than one, single insanely complex French-Italian mashup (the "M" in SM stands for "Maserati) you'll do just fine.

In fact, after consuming two bottles of Bordeaux and half a pack of Gallouses you'll be able to repeat the following (from the maintenance section of an SM website): "The backspacing of the crankshaft bore accepting the oil pump shaft is not controlled adequately. The oil pump drive shaft commonly falls into the crank and runs on a small area of its splines thus wearing rapidly. A simple fix is to add a compliant spacer (so as not to end-load the oil pump) in the splined hole in the crankshaft timing sprocket." And hey, so what if the AC compressor is driven by the timing chain and routinely rarely jams and grenades upsets the engine? With easy to follow maintenance videos like this one, you have nothing to fear but fear itself. And Citroen SMs.

Note: If you work in a brothel, mens' prison or the San Fernando Valley, the video after the jump is totally safe for work. Otherwise, consider it NSFW. And yeah, we wish the clip featured a European SM, and not the compromised, non-hydraulic headlight US version. Still, NSFW!

Continue reading VIDEO: Helpful French people teach you how to change your Citroen's oil

VIDEO: Helpful French people teach you how to change your Citroen's oil originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> CitroenCitroen DSCitroen SMCitroenDsCitroenSmSM Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:01:00 EST