0
0
July 11, 2009
Fireball Dissects DeLorean!
By Fireball Tim
Movie Car Design Master
Yeah, I dig this car. Always have since Doc Brown ran her up to 88. Why? I mean, it doesn’t really drive all that well, kinda dorky lookin’, and only came in one color.
Well, because it was just damn cool. That’s all. And it deserved to be immortalized in film. (I did a tuned version below, but the original sketches are by Andy Probert) Lots of versions were done for the Back to the Future films, and all of them were cool. But a flying Delorean? THAT was sick. Every now and then I like to dissect a movie car because movie cars are like actors, only they don’t get insulted when you give them constructive criticism. They don’t pout when they get their lines wrong and they don’t throw tantrums… for absolutely no reason.
A little while ago I went to DMC and got a full on tour of the shindigs. yeah, DMC is back. You can get a brand new 1984 Delorean for only $50K. (Yeah, let me just whip that outta my ^$#”, yo.) But at any rate, Back to the Future or not, the car is rock n’ roll. Check out the episode below and tell me that you don’t want one. More photos after the jump.
Troy's Stang is the F4 Challenge June Finalist
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
Andy just sent me the June finalist for the F4 Challenge. The F4 guys were very impressed with the extensive custom fabrication work on Troy’s Stang. Want to be considered for July? Then enter the F4 Challenge rating category!
July 10, 2009
What a Lotus Sees During Nightmares
By John Coyle
Deputy Editor
Since I posted that Hertz is renting the Exige and the Elise in Italy, I’ve had Lotus on the brain, and when I saw this clip, I couldn’t help but think about the little track toys being thrown in with these behemoths. Now, because of their incredibly nimble handling, the Elise and the Exige can generally hang with the big boys at the track. But “big,” like “heavy” and “fast,” is a relative term, and semi racing is one class where the British micro machines would definitely be out of their league. I imagine this is the kind of thing that wakes them up out of a sound slumber…
More Details Emerge on MINI 4X4 Crossover
Automotive Traveler
While some websites have reported or speculated recently that MINI’s upcoming 4X4 crossover would be equipped with Clubman-style rear barn doors, the shooters from Automotive Traveler ended the discussion by catching the new cute-ute with its rear hatch opened. Although the guys from MINI apparently went through a lot of effort to give the appearance of side-opening doors—with rear door handle decals and a stripe down the rear window to give the illusion of doors—it was all for naught when one of the engineers had to get something out of the tightly packed cargo compartment in clear view of our shooter.
The MINI 4X4 crossover, as yet unnamed, is expected to make its production-spec appearance at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show in September with first North American deliveries expected in the second quarter of 2010.
For more details and full-view high-res photos visit Automotive Traveler.
Six Degrees of Automotive Separation: MG and Mercedes
By Dan Strohl
Hemmings
Up until now, we’ve avoided big-name companies in the Hemmings Six Degrees of Separation Challenge series simply because the bigger a company gets the more pies it has fingers in. But why not see how two big companies are connected? After all, as we’ve stipulated (and as you’ve so eagerly responded), the point of this little exercise is to come up with obscure links rather than to connect two companies in the shortest way possible. Continue reading at Hemmings.
Magnaflow has the Muscle!
By John Coyle
Deputy Editor
Before I even picked up my 2000 Suzuki TL1000R, I had the dealer swap the stock units for a set of D&D carbon fiber race cans, and though I never got around to changing the mufflers on my XJ6—I was totally happy with its exhaust note—when I get a new ride, the first thing I’m going to do is put a Magnaflow on it. Lately, the company has been busy developing units for all the new muscle cars, and its posted the results of its efforts over on StreetFire. You can check out how the ’09 Challenger sounds below, but there’s also plenty of of other audio-porn featuring the Mustang GT, Camaro SS, Corvette ZR1, Pontiac G8 and BMW M5 on its profile page. Head over and have a listen.
Cardomain Interview: Leona Chin Lyweoi
By Steve Neill
Steve Neill
After waking up and brushing myself off this morning (liquor late at night can really mess a person up, both visually and mentally) I stumbled out of bed and turned on my computer, and sat down. As I fiddled with the on/off button, I couldn’t help but go task by task in my head through what it was that I had to do today. Sleep was not on my list, and nor was relaxing. I had an interview to do, and this was it. A good friend of mine had dropped me an e-mail. Her name? Leona Chin. Her profession? Well you tell me… is she a model… or is she something more? Continue reading to find out!
Model Build: Tiny Russian UAZ
By John Coyle
Deputy Editor
If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you might remember seeing Pierre Scerri’s incredible, fully functional scale model of a Ferrari 312PB (if you don’t, check out the video over on StreetFire). And while this model of a Russian UAZ doesn’t have the maniacal accuracy of the tiny Cavallino—power comes from an electric motor, not a scale gas version—it’s still extremely impressive. I have to wonder what would happen if guys these talented turned their talents to full size machines. Check out a ton more pics over at English Russia.
Flush Audi TT2S
By Speedhunters
Car Culture At Large
Unfortunately all my AWD features got used up during VAG month, so I’m going to show a couple FF cars in the coming weeks, just to break things up a bit. This TT isn’t AWD as Rod originally thought, but it’s still worth a look, as it sports a unique one-off body kit. The body kit is made in full carbonfiber and is original from Audi. Wesley, 23 year old owner of this car, is the first and only person in the world with this OEM certificated kit. The carbon kit was painted in white and… Continue reading over at Speedhunters.
By Kevin Raekelboom
Ford Mustang Personality Test: Hemi Powered '69 Fastback or Brand New Shelby Super Snake?
By Brian Lohnes
BangShift.com
Ok, here’s a personality test. We made ourselves a nuisance at the chassis shop the other day only to find a pair of killer, but completely opposite Mustangs. One is a 1969 fastback sporting more than 600ci of rare Alan Root—headed Ford Hemi and the other is a blown, totally decked out 2009 Shelby Super Snake.
Which one would you prefer? The high-class modern guy with all the bells and whistles, or the ancient burly cave man who’d thump you with a stick if you stepped out of line? Check out all the photos after the jump and let your opinion be known.
