By Dan Strohl

Hemmings

It’s a little-known fact that George Barris tried to capitalize on the two-seater AMX’s like-no-other-car look by offering mildly customized versions of the AMC sports car. That effort apparently went nowhere, but Barris did enjoy quite a bit more publicity with another AMX customization, what AMCers now refer to as the Banacek AMX or the AMX-400.

Built for one episode of the early 1970s TV detective show Banacek, in which the title character investigates the disappearance of Project Phoenix, a prototype automobile, Barris not only chopped the roof of the 390-powered 1969 AMX by four and a half inches, but also lengthened the schnoz 15 inches and added a louvered grille and matching rear strakes.

We mention all this because the Banacek AMX will head to Mecum’s St. Charles, Illinois, auction early next month, crossing the block on October 3. No pre-auction estimate is listed. See more pics at Hemmings

By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

The other day we got an email from our buddy Ernie Manasala at NOS Energy Drink. Seeing how it’s BMW month, Ernie wanted to share a couple photos of some BMW’s built by his older brother Mike at E-Shift Performance in New Jersey. As you’ll note from the opening shot, these aren’t quite your typical “Euro” Bimmers. Continue reading at Speedhunters

By Ryan Porter

IN-N-OUT Editor

Unfortunately the term “tuner” now goes hand and hand with most Japanese sport cars, and even though guys like me want to grow out of it, guys like Rob never let us. In the past I’ve owned my fair share of Hondas and had what some consider the tuner dream car, the Subaru STI. All-in-all these cars have all been great, but at the end of the day a “tuner car” is a car that you’re a little nervous to pull up to the valet or to your family reunion. But I have to say that Nissan just got one step closer to taming the trend of bloated fenders here, canards there, and wings this tall.  I may not be shopping one, but I must admit I like the overall package!

Meet the Nissan 370Z NISMO. Admittedly it doesn’t one-up the STI or the EVO in performance, but for looks I will argue that this thing looks the best.

Continue reading after the jump!

Continue reading "The Nissan 370 NISMO – The Graduated Tuner Ride" »

By Alex Vickers

Katakuna

I couldn’t think of what I wanted to do with my Neon (more like my father wouldn’t let me destroy it), so I called up my Automotive Technology teacher and asked if he wanted another car for the class, and it turns out he was looking for a Neon for us to practice on anyway. I couldn’t give it away to someone who needed a car to drive because of that pesky little “no title can be issued for this vehicle” problem. I wanted so badly to demolish it, to use it like a 2,300 pound stress ball. But I knew if I did that, I would regret not giving it to a worthy cause. My teacher’s only stipulation was that it run and drive under its own power. It does, which is going to save two-hundred dollars for towing fees (it’s WAY out in the country). The only real issue I’m going to have is that it isn’t insured, nobody technically owns it, so somebody is going to have to be real careful driving. Might I also mention that this is going make a nice little tax write-off for my father? I’d call that a win-win. Do you think I should have done something else with it?

By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

Thinking back on this summer’s epic All Star Bash weekend, I’ve begun to come to the conclusion that it just might have been the best American grassroots drifting event that I’ve ever been to in my whole life. Now THAT is a pretty strong statement – especially when you’ve been to as many grassroots drifting events in different states as I have. Of course, one of the things that naturally attracts me to the All Star Bash is the presence of some pretty awesome cars, most of which are S13s and S14s.

However, there was a certain non S-chassis that caught my attention – it was a white R32 Nissan Skyline with license plates from Washington state. It wasn’t until the end of the last day of All Star Bash that I met the owner of this car – Jon Jaffe from Washington’s own Team Instant Party. When we spoke at Willow Springs, it was hot, so I just gave him props on his car and a couple stickers, and went on my way.

Fast forward about a month – on my way back from the Formula D Seattle trip, BN Sports Raymond and I found ourselves chillin out in Bothell, Washington with Instant Party driver Roland Gallagher and his dad. On the day I was supposed to return to Los Angeles, I asked Raymond if we could stop by Roland’s house on the way to the airport so I could check out his car really quick and say what’s up. Shortly after we arrived at Roland’s house, Jon took a break from his workday to come over and say hello. Perfect timing. I wanted to get a closer look at his Skyline anyway! Continue reading and view more photos at MotorMavens!

By David Wallens

Grassroots Motorsports

I admit that I’m not the neatest guy out there. I’m currently looking at an overflowing inbox, messy desk and piles of papers. However, at least the cars are clean. The Porsche and CRX both got some attention this week–the full Griot’s treatment for the 911, while the Honda got a down-and-dirty cleaner wax treatment. Either way, both cars now sparkle.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

I’m generally a fan of Car and Driver, but I thought their recent list of the best used cars for $20k was lame. No offense to people who own any of these cars, but with the exception of the EVO, none of their picks would be on my list of rides to look at for $20k or less. Here’s my list, which I cooked up in less than three minutes. I kept it to fairly late model stuff, otherwise you’d see a ’69 Road Runner on here. I also didn’t bother with any new cars (the Car and Driver list had two) or trucks or SUVs.

S197 Ford Mustang GT, Dodge Magnum SRT8, Chevy Corvette C5, Porsche 993, BMW e46 M3, Nissan 350Z, Infiniti G35, Subaru WRX STi, Mitsubishi EVO IX, Mazdaspeed3.

So what’s your list?

By Fireball Tim

Movie Car Design Master

Bummer…

By Brian Lohnes

BangShift.com

Captain Insano hits the road! This video comes from Hot Rod Drag Week racer Glen Sheeley in the Daily Driver class. There’s some good video of him racing his 11.80-second 2006 Corvette, but it’s the footage from the road trips that kills us. The guy in the fourth gen Camaro has his slicks strapped to the hatchback! It’s a must-see.

Road trip video 1:

Continue reading "First Videos from Drag Week 2009; Tires Strapped to the Roof!" »

By Ben Schaffer

The Real JDM

We recently picked up a brand new black on black 2010 GT-R to build which is in progress out here on the east coast (more on that in a couple of weeks), and we’re finishing up our white GT-R build which is well known as the GT-RR / Toyo Tires car.

Continue reading "GT-RR R35 Demo Car On The Dyno!" »