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[eBay Find of the Day: The 'Nunrunner' V10-powered eight-door Dodge Dart Limowagon [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-the-nunrunner-v10-powered-eight-door-dodge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-the-nunrunner-v10-powered-eight-door-dodge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-the-nunrunner-v10-powered-eight-door-dodge/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


1962 Dodge Dart limo 'Nunrunner' - Click above for high-res image gallery

And now for something completely different. We can't recall ever seeing another vehicle quite like this 1962 Dodge Dart, which was converted into a limo wagon that was supposedly intended for the Vatican and later sold to a Catholic Church in Kentucky - and that's probably for the best.

As scary as the beast may be to look at, the team from Wicked Rides Inc. reports that it's actually a trouble-free driver thanks to the modern V10 engine yanked from a Dodge Ram and T56 six-speed manual transmission from a Viper it was blessed with when converted into The Nunrunner - reliable enough, in fact, to have taken part in the last Hot Rod Power Tour with nary a breakdown.

Underneath the rusty outer shell sits a chassis that's been fortified with the K-frame and suspension bits from a 2004 Corvette Z06, though we doubt it handles anything like the pilfered sportscar from which those bits came. To fully take in all that the Nunrunner has to offer, we suggest you amble through our photo gallery below and click past the break for a couple of drag racing videos where the eight-door contraption lines up against a Shelby Cobra (real or knockoff, we're not sure) for a trip down the 'ole 1320.

Interested in making this unique vehicle your own? Click here for the actual eBay auction. Current bid: $1,075 (reserve not yet met). Thanks for the tip, Richard!


Gallery: 1962 Dodge Dart limo 'Nunrunner'


[Source: eBay]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: The 'Nunrunner' V10-powered eight-door Dodge Dart Limowagon [w/VIDEO]

eBay Find of the Day: The 'Nunrunner' V10-powered eight-door Dodge Dart Limowagon [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1962 dodge dart1962 dodge dart nunrunner1962DodgeDart1962DodgeDartNunrunnerdodge dartdodge dart limododge ramdodge viperDodgeDartDodgeDartLimoDodgeRamDodgeViperdrag racedrag racingDragRaceDragRacinghot rod power tourHotRodPowerTournunrunnershelby cobraShelbyCobravaticanviperwicked ridesWickedRidesThu, 09 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[It's Miller Time: One-of-a-kind V16 racer on the block at RM Monterey]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/its-miller-time-one-of-a-kind-v16-racer-on-the-block-at-rm-mon/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/its-miller-time-one-of-a-kind-v16-racer-on-the-block-at-rm-mon/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/its-miller-time-one-of-a-kind-v16-racer-on-the-block-at-rm-mon/#commentsFiled under: ,


1931 Miller V16 racing car - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 wasn't even a distant dream in 1931. In fact, its father, Porsche family scion Ferdinand Piëch, wasn't even born yet. Bugatti was still racing and building cars under the watchful eye of its founder Ettore Bugatti. But on this side of the Atlantic, Bugatti's American counterpart Harry Miller was building some of the most influential racing machines in automotive history. Like the Bugatti Type 35 was to inter-war grand prix racing in Europe, Miller customer cars dominated Indy racing in America: in the mid-1920s, they accounted for over 80% of the Indy 500 field. Miller's cars won that famous race alone nine times, and his engine design - penned together with Fred Offenhauser - remained in use through the 1980s, it was so advanced. But what you see here is arguably the most advanced car Miller ever produced.

Bearing a 303-cubic-inch, 300-horsepower, sixteen-cylinder engine, the 1931 Miller V16 racing car was and remains today a unique piece of machinery. It competed in several runnings of the Indianapolis 500, and stands as the only sixteen-cylinder car that Miller ever made. It was reclaimed by one Chuck Davis in 1978, who painstakingly tracked down the original engine, which had been separated along the way from its chassis, and reunited the two ahead of an extensive restoration project. It's since been on display at Goodwood, Pebble Beach and Amelia Island, to say nothing of the numerous Miller Club events, and is now set to roll across the auction block at RM Auctions' event at Monterey next month. It's expected to fetch somewhere between $600,000 and $1 million. Check it out in our high-res image gallery below.


Gallery: 1931 Miller V16 racing car


[Source: RM Auctions]

It's Miller Time: One-of-a-kind V16 racer on the block at RM Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harry millerHarryMillermillermiller v16miller v16 racing carMillerV16MillerV16RacingCarmontereyoffenhauserpebble beachPebbleBeachrm auctionsrm auctions miller v16 montereyRmAuctionsRmAuctionsMillerV16Montereysixteenv16Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Influential Ferraris to be featured on Pebble Peach lawn]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/influential-ferraris-to-be-featured-on-pebble-peach-lawn/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/influential-ferraris-to-be-featured-on-pebble-peach-lawn/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/influential-ferraris-to-be-featured-on-pebble-peach-lawn/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


1959 Ferrari TR 59 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's just about that time of the year when we start gearing up for Monterey car week, and the various events have started to announce what exactly we can look forward to at all the shows, races, and auctions. The Pebble Beach Concours, the pinnacle of the week, has already pronounced Bentley and Bugatti as the featured marques for 2009, and it looks like quite a few historic Ferrari motorcars will be joining them on the 18th fairway.

The world's most prestigious car show will bring together some of the most influential Ferraris of all time including 10 of the 25 1949 166 MM Touring Barchettas and all four of the remaining Ferrari TR 59s. The 166 MM is perhaps the cornerstone of Ferrari's road racing heritage, winning the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1949. The 59 TR, an evolution of the legendary 250 TR, was also successful on track, capturing victory at its debut at Sebring in 1959 and at Le Mans a year later. Both cars have also inspired designs from Ferrari and other companies for the last several decades. You can learn more about both cars in the press release after the jump, and be sure to browse through our high-res gallery of the 59 TR below.


Gallery: 1959 Ferrari TR 59


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Pebble Beach Concours via 0-60]

Continue reading Influential Ferraris to be featured on Pebble Peach lawn

Influential Ferraris to be featured on Pebble Peach lawn originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1949 Ferrari 166 MM1949Ferrari166Mm2009 Pebble Beach Concours dElegance2009PebbleBeachConcoursDeleganceFerrariFerrari 166 MMFerrari TR 59Ferrari166MmFerrariTr59Monterey 2009Monterey2009Pebble Beach 2009Pebble Beach ConcoursPebble Beach Concours dElegancePebbleBeach2009PebbleBeachConcoursPebbleBeachConcoursDeleganceTue, 07 Jul 2009 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Robert McNamara, father of the Ford Falcon, dead at 93 [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/robert-mcnamara-father-of-the-ford-falcon-dead-at-93/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to watch video after the jump

Former Ford President Robert McNamara passed away in his sleep yesterday at the age of 93. McNamara joined the Blue Oval in 1946 and quickly ascended the ranks, becoming the General Manager of the Ford Division in 1955.

During McNamara's tenure, the Ford brand bested Chevrolet in U.S. sales for the first time in 22 years. McNamara's biggest success was the 1960 Ford Falcon, which sold 500,000 units in its first year. McNamara also made the decision to convert the sexy two seat Thunderbird into the less attractive but more salable four-seat version. As unattractive as that decision seemed at the time, Thunderbird sales increased four-fold after the change.

After only one month as President of Ford Motor Company, McNamara went to Washington to be the Secretary of Defense for John F. Kennedy. He held the position until 1968. After his time in politics, McNamara spent 12 years as the head of the World Bank. Hit the jump to watch a commercial touting the 1960 Ford lineup, including the introduction of the Falcon.

[Sources: Mustang Monthly; Autoweek]

Continue reading Robert McNamara, father of the Ford Falcon, dead at 93 [w/VIDEO]

Robert McNamara, father of the Ford Falcon, dead at 93 [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford falconFordFalconjohn f kennedyJohnFKennedymcnamararobert mcnamaraRobertMcnamarasecretary of defenseSecretaryOfDefensethunderbirdTue, 07 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: 1966 Batcycle with sidecar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/ebay-find-of-the-day-1966-batcycle-with-sidecar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/ebay-find-of-the-day-1966-batcycle-with-sidecar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/ebay-find-of-the-day-1966-batcycle-with-sidecar/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


1966 Batcycle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Where does Batman get those wonderful toys? We may finally have an answer for the Joker: Batman shops on eBay, just like the rest of us, and he apparently also sells off his unwanted bits and pieces after they've served their purpose. Such is the case with the classic 1966 Batcycle, which was ably replaced a few years back by the far more menacing Batpod.

The Caped Crusader must have finally decided the Batcycle would be better served fighting crime in the hands of a new hero than collecting dust in a remote corner of the Batcave, as it's just been sold on eBay with a final winning bid of $29,500. It seems that Batman had put just 8,245 miles on his Batcycle before retiring it for more advanced machinery.

According to the auction, the bike itself was designed and assembled by Kustomotive for the original 1966 Batman feature film and made subsequent appearances in the television series from the '60s. The seller notes that this Batcycle was based on a 250cc Yamaha Catalina with a custom sidecar featuring a removable go kart for Robin that was powered by its own 50cc engine. While it's clear that the Batcycle wasn't exactly a barnburner, it sure makes up for its lack of power with style.


Gallery: eBay Find of the Day: 1966 Batcycle


[Source: eBay via Tilted Horizons]

eBay Find of the Day: 1966 Batcycle with sidecar originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1966 yamaha catalina1966YamahaCatalinabatcyclebatmanbatman sidecarBatmanSidecarbatpodrobinrobin sidecarRobinSidecarFri, 03 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Tragic Irony - Vintage James Dean driving safety video]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/video-tragic-irony-vintage-james-dean-driving-safety-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/video-tragic-irony-vintage-james-dean-driving-safety-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/video-tragic-irony-vintage-james-dean-driving-safety-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to watch video after the jump

Most know how James Dean died; driving his Porsche 550 Spyder on Highway 466 in California. Dean even received a ticket earlier in the day, prompting many to assume that he was driving recklessly when the accident occurred. Later examination of the crash showed that the Hollywood icon was likely driving around 55 mph at the time of the crash; which was the legal limit at the time.

While Dean was shooting the film Giant (released posthumously in 1956), the Hollywood superstar shot a quick public service video for the program Warner Bros. Parents. The short was about the dangers of speeding on the highway, and Dean insisted that speeding was for the race track and not for public roads. Chillingly, he ends the interview saying "Take it easy drivin'... the life you might save might be mine." As Dean died soon after filming the short segment, it reportedly never aired. Hit the jump to view the two minute interview.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Tragic Irony - Vintage James Dean driving safety video

VIDEO: Tragic Irony - Vintage James Dean driving safety video originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>giant filmGiant movieGiantFilmGiantMoviejames deanJamesDeanPorsche 550Porsche550PSApublic service announcementPublicServiceAnnouncementFri, 03 Jul 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Norton Commando Transformer is more than meets the eye]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/video-norton-commando-transformer-is-more-than-meets-the-eye/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/video-norton-commando-transformer-is-more-than-meets-the-eye/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/video-norton-commando-transformer-is-more-than-meets-the-eye/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to watch video after the break

We didn't much care for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen when we went out and saw it on opening night, but we're still smitten by the concept of robots that transform into all manner of vehicular machinery. In Michael Bay's new flick, motorcycles may have taken a more prominent role than in the past, but we prefer the classic Norton Commando in the short clip after the break to the two-wheeled robotic movie machines.

Composed and rendered by Steve Twist, a student from Bournemouth University gunning for his undergraduate degree in Computer Visualisation and Animation, this eight-month project looks to be time well spent to our eyes. Better still, in our heads, this is exactly what an old Norton motorcycle would sound like if it could talk.

Perhaps Twist can get in touch with Bay to instill at least a modicum of realism for the inevitable Transformers 3? Nah, probably not. Click past the break to watch the video.

[Source: Motorcycle News]

Continue reading VIDEO: Norton Commando Transformer is more than meets the eye

VIDEO: Norton Commando Transformer is more than meets the eye originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>michael bayMichaelBaymorphnortonnorton commandonorton motorcyclenorton motorcyclesnorton transformerNortonCommandoNortonMotorcycleNortonMotorcyclesNortonTransformerRevenge of the FallenRevengeOfTheFallenTF2tf3transformer motorcycleTransformerMotorcycletransformerstransformers motorcycletransformers movieTransformersMotorcycleTransformersMovieThu, 02 Jul 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Mammoth 1930s Hariss steam-powered split-window prototype]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/ebay-find-of-the-day-mammoth-1930s-hariss-steam-powered-split-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/ebay-find-of-the-day-mammoth-1930s-hariss-steam-powered-split-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/ebay-find-of-the-day-mammoth-1930s-hariss-steam-powered-split-w/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Hariss Steam Car prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

Now here's just the thing to mix up with a heated-up Flattie, or better yet, a Rajo Model T powerplant, which would be perfectly authentic for the vintage. Oh sure, purists will argue that this artifact, which apparently started life as a Hariss Steam Car prototype carrying a Stanley Steamer power unit, should be returned to its original state. Good luck figuring out exactly what that was.

With a deft enough touch, you could pay homage to the 1930s craftsmanship in this vehicle without ruining it. Either way, if you're determined enough to buy this obviously Stout Scarab-inspired vehicle (it currently has one bid at $8,500) it will be yours to do whatever you choose, critics be damned. Going all Travels With Charley with this split-window behemoth, especially towing a homebuilt teardrop trailer, would be a fantastic summer diversion, and if you did go all external-combustion-engine on it, you'd always have a fire to sit around at night.


Gallery: Hariss Steamer


[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Mammoth 1930s Hariss steam-powered split-window prototype originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1930s car1930s project car1930sCar1930sProjectCarebay find of the dayEbayFindOfTheDayhariss steam carHarissSteamCarharris steam carHarrisSteamCarrat rodRatRodstanley steamerStanleySteamerstout scarabStoutScarabvintage ebayvintage ebay find of the dayVintageEbayVintageEbayFindOfTheDayThu, 02 Jul 2009 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: 1989 Mustang Dominator, straight off the cover of <i>Road & Track</i> [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/ebay-find-of-the-day-1989-mustang-dominator-straight-off-the-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/ebay-find-of-the-day-1989-mustang-dominator-straight-off-the-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/ebay-find-of-the-day-1989-mustang-dominator-straight-off-the-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


1989 JBA Dominator GTA Mustang - Click above for an image gallery

The Fox body was hardly a high point in the history of the Ford Mustang. But every kingdom must have a king, and in the late-'80s and early-'90s this was it: the JBA Dominator GTA. Commissioned from J Bittle American by Ford in 1989, the Dominator took the pony car to new heights, installing what was likely the first independent rear suspension on a Mustang along with a long list of features that differentiated this custom muscle car from stock. The Lightning 351 engine features the iron heads from the GT40 and the intake manifold from a Cobra. A custom exhaust and aircraft-derived fuel system kept it breathing, while 17-inch rims obscured race-spec disc brakes at all corners.

The list goes on and on, and during its reign, the Dominator received plenty of media attention. The Mustang was featured on the cover of Road & Track in November 1989 in a shoot-out against other factory-backed custom muscle cars and went on to star in various hot-rodding and Ford-specific magazines. The JBA even has its own website, which will transfer to the buyer willing to pony up the $34,500 asking price for this piece of Mustang tuning history. Check it out in the gallery below and the video after the jump, or follow the link to the eBay auction page to make an offer.


Gallery: 1989 JBA Dominator GTA Mustang


[Source: eBay Motors via BAT]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: 1989 Mustang Dominator, straight off the cover of Road & Track [w/VIDEO]

eBay Find of the Day: 1989 Mustang Dominator, straight off the cover of Road & Track [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dominatordominator gtaDominatorGtaebayebay find of the dayebay motorsEbayFindOfTheDayEbayMotorsfordford mustangFordMustangfox bodyfox mustangFoxBodyFoxMustangj bittle americanjba dominatorjba dominator gtaJbaDominatorJbaDominatorGtaJBittleAmericanmustangWed, 01 Jul 2009 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[In Tune With the Past: Arden re-issues limited-edition AJ18 XK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/in-tune-with-the-past-arden-re-issues-limited-edition-aj18-xk/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/in-tune-with-the-past-arden-re-issues-limited-edition-aj18-xk/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/in-tune-with-the-past-arden-re-issues-limited-edition-aj18-xk/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Arden AJ18 - Click above to view in high-res

The thing about limited editions is that there are bound to be at least a few customers disappointed that they couldn't get their hands on one. That's the whole point, keeping demand higher than supply and thus ensuring a high price. So it's a little unusual to see an automaker or aftermarket supplier going back and reopening the supply lines, especially if the model in question has already been replaced. But that's exactly what British tuning house Arden has done with the AJ18.

Based on the previous-generation XK, Arden debuted this limited-edition track-inspired Jag coupe nearly ten years ago at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show, pegging production at just 13 units. A decade gone by, Arden has announced the availability of an additional five examples, bringing the total run up to 18 pieces. What sets the AJ18 apart from the stock XK8 is the carbon-composite aero kit, custom grilles and bumpers, narrow wing mirrors, giant rear wing and 20-inch Sportline rims hiding 370mm brake discs with 6-piston calipers mounted to a lowered Bilstein suspension.

We'd just as soon go out and buy a new XK, dynamically superior as it is to its successor in just about every way, but if you've already got a previous-generation model in your driveway and still regret missing your chance to upgrade it to the Arden AJ18, this will probably be your last chance. Probably.

[Source: Carscoop]

In Tune With the Past: Arden re-issues limited-edition AJ18 XK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1961 Saab 95 commercial -- Click above to watch video

The Sixties really was a happier time - sleeping in the back of your car was such a fine thing to do that automakers even advertised their wares that were capable of accommodating their slumbering owners.

This 1961 commercial for the Saab's Ur-Sportcombi 95 - "Your new dream car" - has that going for it and so much more, including titchy cargo-area seats for the kids like the Tesla Model S. To see what life - and Saab - used to be like when "leech-like" handling was all the rage, follow the jump for to watch the video.

[Source: TurboNines]

Continue reading VIDEO: Vintage Saab 95 is a first-class hotel room with aircraft quality

VIDEO: Vintage Saab 95 is a first-class hotel room with aircraft quality originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1961 saab1961Saabadvertisementadvertisingcommercialsaabsaab 95saab wagonSaab95SaabWagonSportCombivideovintage carVintageCarTue, 30 Jun 2009 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[White-Wall Intertubes: RM launches first online car auction]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/white-wall-intertubes-rm-launches-first-online-car-auction/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/white-wall-intertubes-rm-launches-first-online-car-auction/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/white-wall-intertubes-rm-launches-first-online-car-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,



Online auctions make sense when you're looking for a digital camera or a replacement part for your car, but for buying an entire car? It's been working for years on eBay Motors, and now Canadian auction house RM Auctions is joining the fold.

Even those who don't closely follow classic car transactions may recognize RM as the auction house that set new records with the $10.8m ex-James Coburn 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder and then set 'em again with the $12.2m 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa at the annual Ferrari auction in Maranello. Ferrari has since launched an online benefit auction for research scholarships, and on August 9, RM will follow suit with its own premier online auction.

Registration starts July 10 and several enticing - albeit hardly record-worthy - vintage rides will be on offer, including a 1953 Cadillac convertible (pictured above) and a 1963 Corvette split-window coupe. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: RM Auctions]

Continue reading White-Wall Intertubes: RM launches first online car auction

White-Wall Intertubes: RM launches first online car auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauction houseAuctionHouseauctionsonline auctionOnlineAuctionrmrm auctionsRmAuctionsMon, 29 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: TAG Heuer names a winner in McQueen vs. Hamilton Duel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/video-tag-heuer-names-a-winner-in-mcqueen-vs-hamilton-duel/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/video-tag-heuer-names-a-winner-in-mcqueen-vs-hamilton-duel/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/video-tag-heuer-names-a-winner-in-mcqueen-vs-hamilton-duel/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

It's the stuff that dreams are made of. Gearhead dreams, anyway: Who would be the fastest between a racing icon of yesteryear and a champion of today? That's the question which Swiss watchmaker and longtime F1 sponsor TAG Heuer posed with its latest contest, The Duel.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the timeless Monaco wristwatch, TAG pitted two of its most famous brand ambassadors - the late great Steve McQueen and reigning Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton - against each other with trick video editing. Online contestants registered their bets on who would win the virtual race, and three winners received a Monaco wristwatch, Hamilton helmet or a test drive in an F1 car. Follow the jump to watch the video and see which of the two TAG Heuer crowned as all-time champion of our imaginations. Thanks for the tip, James!

[Source: TAG Heuer]

Continue reading VIDEO: TAG Heuer names a winner in McQueen vs. Hamilton Duel

VIDEO: TAG Heuer names a winner in McQueen vs. Hamilton Duel originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hamiltonhamilton v mcqueenHamiltonVMcqueenheuerlewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmcqueenmcqueen vs hamiltonMcqueenVsHamiltonsteve mcqueenSteveMcqueentagtag heuerTagHeuerFri, 26 Jun 2009 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Lights Out: Guerilla Drive-In uses BMW sidecar motorcycle to host secret movie screenings]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/lights-out-guerilla-drive-in-uses-bmw-sidecar-motorcycle-to-hos/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/lights-out-guerilla-drive-in-uses-bmw-sidecar-motorcycle-to-hos/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/lights-out-guerilla-drive-in-uses-bmw-sidecar-motorcycle-to-hos/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Che Guevarra's image has been transformed by the very capitalism he railed against into something non-threatening enough that the totem has been given a pair of 3-D spectacles and serves as a logo for a rebel band of film enthusiasts. Meet the Guerilla Drive-In.

In sharp contrast to what the retail-industrial complex tries to sell us, there are those that prefer the more organic charms of a beaten, scratched, oft-repaired and aged release print of a movie, ratty-sounding optical audio tracks and all. Guerilla Drive-In has outfitted a BMW motorcycle with a vintage Eiki 16MM film projector in a sort-of nod to The Motorcycle Diaries, and organizes clandestine movie showings at secret locations that are apropos to the plot or storyline of the film being shown.

Joining a band of South American rebels may have been easier than getting onto the Members List of Guerilla Drive-In, a fun-seeking endeavor dreamt up by website developer John Young. The first thing one needs to do if they want to watch Ghostbusters on the wall of a haunted fort is find the "MacGuffin." An AM transmitter housed in a bright orange Pelican case, the MacGuffin plays a continuous loop of a secret access code needed to join (very Spy Gear). Once the unit is found, you must email a picture of yourself with the transmitter and containing the access code to be notified of future showings. It sounds like a fun way to take in the charms of aged films with a coterie of similarly minded folks, tenacious enough to find that orange thing pumping out a signal at 1700 kilohertz and get on the list. If it seems like a lot of work for something you could just rent or download, we think that's sort of the point; the experience, more than the film, is the reward.

[Source: Guerilla Drive-In via PSFK.com | Image Source: Harold Ross, rossstudio.com]

Lights Out: Guerilla Drive-In uses BMW sidecar motorcycle to host secret movie screenings originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drive-indrive-in moviesdrive-in theaterDrive-inMoviesdrive-insDrive-inTheaterguerilla drive inguerilla drive-inGuerillaDrive-inGuerillaDriveInmotorcycle drive inmotorcycle film projectorMotorcycleDriveInMotorcycleFilmProjectorFri, 26 Jun 2009 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[A Different Kind of Clutch: Kim White makes handbags from old car interior fabrics]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/25/a-different-kind-of-clutch-kim-white-makes-handbags-from-old-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/25/a-different-kind-of-clutch-kim-white-makes-handbags-from-old-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/25/a-different-kind-of-clutch-kim-white-makes-handbags-from-old-ca/#commentsFiled under: ,


Kim White Special Edition Handbag - Click above for high-res image gallery

The annals of automotive history are full of great interior fabrics, especially from American automakers during the 1970s and early '80s. While our tastes in seating surfaces may have changed over the years, those colorful prints and durable fabrics still have lots of life left in them - at least according to Kim White, who offers a full line of handbags sewn up from vintage automotive fabrics starting from $95.

According to White, these handbags "have a widespread appeal, from trendy teens to stylish grandmothers and every woman in between," and they certainly good to our eyes, especially the killer Camaro Special Edition ($225 incl. tax and shipping to Continental U.S.). Concerned that a slew of bums have quite literally ridden around on your brand new handbag for the last few decades? Fret not. Says the company's website:
Kim White uses dead stock never-used textiles intended for use in American automobiles: cars, trucks and vans. She fortuitously unearthed an entire warehouse of automotive fabric, which may be the last existing stock anywhere in the US, and she is the sole owner of these amazing textiles.
There you have it. Not only are these handbags assembled right here in the US of A using all-new textiles, Kim White Handbags is apparently the only place in the world where you'll find them. Check out our gallery below for samples.


Gallery: Kim White Handbags


[Source: Kim White Handbags via vLane]

A Different Kind of Clutch: Kim White makes handbags from old car interior fabrics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automotive fabricsautomotive textilesAutomotiveFabricsAutomotiveTextilescamarocamaro handbagcamaro purseCamaroHandbagCamaroPursekim whitekim white handbagsKimWhiteKimWhiteHandbagsThu, 25 Jun 2009 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Lamborghini-Bizzarrini Targa one-off]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/ebay-find-of-the-day-lamborghini-bizzarrini-targa-one-off/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/ebay-find-of-the-day-lamborghini-bizzarrini-targa-one-off/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/ebay-find-of-the-day-lamborghini-bizzarrini-targa-one-off/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click the picture for a gallery of the Bizzarrini-Lamborghini

It's not much of a shock to find an automotive mash-up on eBay Motors. However, it's rare that one of those Frankencars is a combination of one vintage Italian exotic with an even rarer and more exotic body on top, all assembled by the genius responsible for much of the hardware in the first place.

Initially intended to be a Bizzarrini GT America, this striking red coupe has been assembled on top of a Lamborghini 400GT chassis carrying the very V12 Giotto Bizzarrini designed for the marque of the bull before striking out on his own. It's more than the melding of one man's portfolio of work, the seller says it's a true Bizzarini because the car was actually finished in Livorno, Italy by Giancarlo Reali, former coachwork chief for the Bizzarrini operation.

While the car is in need of some elbow grease to render it fully stunning, that doesn't make it a bargain at a $250,000 starting bid. Given that this car seems to have actual pedigree that's sorely lacking from most of the stock offered on eBay, that price may not be as outlandish as it first seems for a one-off put together from 40-year-old leftover parts.


Gallery: Bizzarrini-Lamborghini


[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: Lamborghini-Bizzarrini Targa one-off originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bizzarrinibizzarrini gtbizzarrini lamborghinibizzarrini p538BizzarriniGtBizzarriniLamborghiniBizzarriniP538ebay bizzarriniebay lamborghiniEbayBizzarriniEbayLamborghinigiottogiotto bizzarrinigiottobizzarriniWed, 24 Jun 2009 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/2009-greenwich-concours-delegance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/2009-greenwich-concours-delegance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/2009-greenwich-concours-delegance/#commentsFiled under: ,

2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Day 1 - Click above for a high-res gallery

The web is all about immediacy, and by that token, you should have seen these Greenwich Concours d'Elegance photos right after the event happened. Your humble correspondent, however, was juggling the Concours with his own family vacation preparations, and couldn't deliver in a timely fashion. However, like Dick Nixon, I'm now tanned, rested and ready, so follow the jump for several themed photo galleries and the annual rundown on what you missed if you weren't able to make the stop in Greenwich,

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading 2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Greenwich Concours dElegance2009GreenwichConcoursDeleganceconcours deleganceConcoursDelegancefeaturedgreenwichGreenwich ConcoursGreenwichConcoursSat, 20 Jun 2009 20:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Irony Police: '73 Dodge Polara Air Pollution Control replica]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/irony-police-73-dodge-polara-air-pollution-control-enforcement/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/irony-police-73-dodge-polara-air-pollution-control-enforcement/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/irony-police-73-dodge-polara-air-pollution-control-enforcement/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Over at Clunkbucket, Mike Bumbeck has an "odd rod" feature highlighting one of the more interesting law-enforcement vehicles we've ever come across. Back in the early 70s, the Bay Area Pollution Control District decided to form a Vehicle Patrol section to issue citations to emissions scofflaws. Officers used a chart that told them what color color smoke was "good" or "bad" to determine whether the exhaust spewing from cars' tailpipes was in compliance. Nowadays, this sort of endeavor would likely be carried out by humorless glorified metermaids in politically-correct Toyota Priuses. Back then, however, jauntily-dressed pollution-enforcement agents cruised the streets of San Francisco in specially-liveried Dodge Polara pursuit specials. Because, you know, when you think "clean air" you think "Dodge Polara." Head over to Clunkbucket for plenty more photos, some additional program history, and details on the excellent replica you see above.

[Source: Clunkbucket | Photo: Mike Bumbeck]

Irony Police: '73 Dodge Polara Air Pollution Control replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1973 dodge polara1973DodgePolaraBay Area Pollution Control DistrictBayAreaPollutionControlDistrictdodgepolarapollution patrolPollutionPatrolSat, 20 Jun 2009 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Archival footage reveals Preston Tucker's novel military Combat Car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/video-archival-footage-reveals-preston-tuckers-novel-military/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/video-archival-footage-reveals-preston-tuckers-novel-military/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/video-archival-footage-reveals-preston-tuckers-novel-military/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Tucker Combat Car - Click above to watch video after the jump

Preston Tucker was nothing if not an innovator. While best known for the failed automaker that bore his name and the 51 iconoclastic Tucker Torpedo sedans his venture managed to push out before shutting its doors for good in 1948, that company was not the entrepreneur's first foray into the transportation sector. Way back in the mid 1930s, Tucker and famed engine builder Harry Miller began designing race cars for the Indianapolis 500 before Miller's death in 1943.

Upon returning back home to Michigan, Preston Tucker commenced designing an armored Combat Car for the U.S. military. Though the design was ultimately rejected, the vehicle featured a number of innovations and eventually led to the successful manufacturing contract to produce Tucker Turrets for the U.S. Navy.

Hit the jump for some awesome archival footage of Tucker's Combat Car in action along with such innovations as same-size swappable bulletproof windows, separately adjustable headlights (not unlike those slated for the Torpedo), a bulletproof and multi-chambered radiator, individually-braked wheels and the ability to traverse rough terrain with a top speed of 115 mph.

[Source: YouTube | Photo: US Army via Warwheels.net]

Continue reading VIDEO: Archival footage reveals Preston Tucker's novel military Combat Car

VIDEO: Archival footage reveals Preston Tucker's novel military Combat Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armymilitarymilitary techmilitary vehicleMilitaryTechMilitaryVehiclepreston tuckerPrestonTuckertuckertucker armored cartucker combat cartucker military cartucker torpedotucker turretTuckerArmoredCarTuckerCombatCarTuckerMilitaryCarTuckerTorpedoTuckerTurretU.S. armyU.s.ArmyWed, 17 Jun 2009 19:55:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: <i>Back to the Future</i> DeLorean replica [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/ebay-find-of-the-day-i-back-to-the-future-i-delorean-replica/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/ebay-find-of-the-day-i-back-to-the-future-i-delorean-replica/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/ebay-find-of-the-day-i-back-to-the-future-i-delorean-replica/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


1981 DeLorean Time Machine - Click above for high-res image gallery

The way we see it, if you're going to build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style? Thankfully, Hollywood's Doc Brown agreed with us. In this case, style equals a 1981 DeLorean with 31,854 original miles and tons of Back to the Future props built in. We're not exactly experts on the subject or anything, but this particular DeLorean time machine replica looks pretty darn accurate to us.

The actual car bits are as you'd expect. Like the DeLorean used in the classic movie from 1985, this car is powered by a 2.8-liter V6 engine driving the rear wheels, albeit the power in this one flow through a three-speed automatic transmission. No surprises there. Of course, the car's coup de grâce is the "fully functional" flux capacitor and matching set of time circuits. You can even check out the car in action in a priceless Back to the Future video sendup after the jump, or check out the gallery below that's studded with b-list celebrity cameos.

Want to take the nearly complete Back to the Future Time Machine home with you? Now's your chance. Buy it Now price: $60,000. You've got just a few more hours before - ahem - time runs out.


Gallery: eBay FOTD: 1981 DeLorean Time Machine


[Source: eBay]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: Back to the Future DeLorean replica [w/VIDEO]

eBay Find of the Day: Back to the Future DeLorean replica [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1981 delorean1981 delorean time machine1981Delorean1981DeloreanTimeMachineback to the futureback to the future deloreanback to the future time machineBackToTheFutureBackToTheFutureDeloreanBackToTheFutureTimeMachineChristopher LloydChristopherLloyddeloreandelorean motor companydelorean time machineDeloreanMotorCompanyDeloreanTimeMachineDoc BrownDocBrownMichael J. FoxMichaelJ.FoxWed, 17 Jun 2009 14:57:00 EST