By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

Despite my inflated sense of self-importance, I have to admit that no one in the industry really knows who I am. But that’s okay. Even though I spent years working at some high-profile media companies, I’m at best remembered as “that one guy with the hat”. I’m flattered when people remember me enough to recognize the fact that I often enjoy wearing hats, but that’s neither here nor there. To be honest, I rather enjoy the anonymity; it keeps people’s expectations of me low. But for the one or two people who actually care about what I have to say, I would like to state here and now that I am absolutely addicted to minivans. Tricked-out JDM minivans, to be precise.

Back in 2008, I – the guy with no “steez” or a functioning media outlet – somehow convinced Toyota Japan’s corporate types to let me into the Toyota Technocraft facility in Yokohama to shoot the van you see here, the Toyota Mark X ZiO TGDA Concept. Toyota Technocraft, for those who may not be aware, is where Toyota Japan builds all its “specialty” vehicles. Everything from ambulances to JGTC cars, plus the Mark X ZiO TGDA Concept, is made at this top-secret facility, and Toyota let me in to run amok in the place. Continue reading and view more photos on MotorMavens.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Over the last 45 years, there have been myriad versions of the Mustang. But without Lee Iacocca, none would have ever come to be. So it’s only fitting that there be a special edition that bears his name. Only 45 of these Michael Leone designed, Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters built babies are going to be produced, so watching the driver drift in the tunnel made us want to remind him to be careful. I was going to describe the styling, but I think I’ll just let this clip do the talking…

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

The StreetFire user who uploaded this clip named it “136 mph jump.” So how was it determined that this Subaru Impreza rally car was going exactly 136MPH when it took flight? We don’t  know. And we don’t care. Because that’s really not important, is it? This jump is totally bad-ass, regardless.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Today marks the CarDomain blog’s third birthday, and since we figure internet and dog years are equivalent, that means our baby is legal to drink. But pouring champagne into the servers isn’t the best idea—hey, live and learn—so we needed another idea about how to celebrate properly, and after some quick brainstorming, Rob put Ryan and I back to work. Well, while watching a Top Gear clip, I randomly mentioned I’d never been to London—and that was all it took. Rob yelled “Friday blog birthday in London,” cranked up the Clash, and before I could even finish my beer, we were headed to the airport for a flight across the pond. Now, CarDomain has a huge following overseas, so putting all the party details on our MySpace page wasn’t the best idea. As you can see from the photo, it got way out of hand, and while Rob and I are only nursing Pacific-sized hangovers, Ryan is currently sobering up in the slammer—because real gangstas can’t run fast. Hopefully he’ll get out in time for our flight. Thanks for reading the blog, we wouldn’t be here without you!

By John Naderi

StreetFire.net

See this El Camino. It’s a 1968 SS model. While not exactly a Round Door Rolls it is somewhat of a coveted treasure among aficionados of muscle. The SS belongs to Tim Divers of Divers Street Rods and friends tell him it would be worth more if left unmolested. However because the Camino holds a special place in Tim’s heart (it served as a “tour vehicle” for his band and a college car for his daughter) he says he’d rather hack it up into a rod thus reducing its collectable value and removing the temptation to sell it.

I like the way Tim’s mind works. And what a mind it is. Tim Divers is part Tim Burton and part Sid Phillips yet his creations are not scissor-handed mutant toys but rather kinetic sculptures comprised of jewel-like fabrication and an attention to detail that would rival anything on the lawn at Pebble Beach. Hit the jump to see a StreetFire original production/Will Roegge Joint on Tim and his most infamous project – Ferrambo.

Continue reading "Video: Tim Divers and his Fresh Take on Hot Rods" »

By Chris Borrelli

Chris Borrelli

For everyone that has been upset by the Mustang GT’s current 4.6 litre engine and it’s lack of power cry no more! Ford has just released the engine specs for the 2011 base Mustang and Mustang GT. The base ‘Stang will get Ford’s current 3.7 litre V6 that is currently offered in some Lincoln models, but it will receive a bump in power to 315 HP (that’s 11 HP more than the V6 Camaro). Now for the best part, the 2011 Mustang GT will get a new 5.0 litre V8 stunting a whoppin’ 400 horsepower and a six speed manual transmission! Other news in the Mustang’s future are an aluminum block for the Shelby GT500,  and a return of the BOSS! And no the Ecoboost is not planned to be used in the Mustang. Via Left Lane News

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Congrats to Keith, the the latest winner of our “Castrol GTX How Do You Keep Your Car So Clean?” contest! Here’s what he had to say about his ride:

I touch every part, from bumper to bumper, inside and out. Every inch of my baby is taken a part, wash, detailed, and put back together again. Keep it clean, it will last forever. After a complete rebuild, from body to custom motor, Castrol GTX is the only oil for my ride. Stays clean & performs better than any other oils out on the market, even with a custom turbo set up, and spraying over a 250 shot of nitrous.

Well said, Keith! If you haven’t already entered this contest, do it now! It’s easy and free and you could win up to $1,000.

By David Belau

dartslantsix

How about a cheap way to get into drag racing? Bracket racing is the ticket and slant sixes are probably the cheapest engine to get the job done.

I had met a couple of the KillerBees guys down in Redding, CA last year and they convinced me to race with them at Champion Raceway in Medford, OR this year. I have done plenty of autocrosses but never a drag race (Kind of backwards for an old car guy I guess). I was curious what the Dart would run after my SuperSix intake conversion.

Continue reading after the jump!

Continue reading "KillerBees Slant Six Drag Racing" »

By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

Just found this cool shot of an R32, R33, R34 and last but not least an R35. My choice would be the R33 because I know that particular car. Which one would you choose?

By Jeroen Willemsen

By Brian Lohnes

BangShift.com

If the guys bootleggin’ moonshine back in the day got their mitts on Jim Sartori’s 1940 Ford, they never would have been caught. Thanks to power from an all-aluminum, 485ci Ford FE motor that made more than 600 horsepower on the dyno, the G-Men would have been a distant memory. This car is flat out amazing in every respect.

It’s an all-steel, 55,000-original-mile piece that came from Oklahoma, and the literally flawless black paint covers body modifications that are so slickly completed that you’d never know they were there if we didn’t tell you. Plus it runs low-10-second ETs at the strip, and Jim drives, and we mean drives, this car hard at the strip, and often.

Click here to see the photos and we’ll take you through the car from tip to stern and give you all the inside info that you’re dying to know. You can also watch the video below, and don’t forget that you can click the button next to the time counter to watch in full-screen mode.