By Ben Schaffer

The Real JDM

I’d like to introduce you to a concept car called the Splinter (I’d suggest that they use a sponsored name like “Viagra” as it is highly appropriate for the car and Pfizer might actually fund some of the development of the car if the name was used for marketing).

I saw this car this morning. It was impeccably timed after I was randomly thinking all morning about creative uses for wood accents in building another all out demo car. I’m always trying to push the creativity of my projects and concepts and wood seems like something I’d gravitate towards creatively using in innovative ways for accents. Although I’m not sure this car featured here will ever exist, I do think that it is inevitable that wood will make a comeback in the tuning scene. I have a few ideas myself but no project car to do it with at the moment. Maybe someday… Continue reading at The Real JDM

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

You guys seemed to like last week’s pic, so let’s stay with the nautical theme. You know the drill: Come up with a caption for the picture below by noon PST next Thursday. If you submit the funniest one, we’ll send you some CarDomain swag. Three entries per member max. Good luck!

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Almost exactly a year ago, we got tipped off that Underground Racing had built a twin turbo Gallardo, and CarDomain members went predictably bonkers over it. Well, Heffner Performance has upped the ante, and gone ahead and mounted a twin screw system to the Murcielago. Here’s a quote from the company regarding the set-up:

After several long months of development we have completed our twin turbo Murcielago. As of August 2009 we have tuned the car up to 1 bar of boost which resulted in just over 1100 at the wheels. For now we are playing around with the car at various boost levels and documenting the differences in performance with our trusty V Box. In 90 degree heat the car pulled off a 5.10 second 60-130 at around 950 RWHP. For reference a stock 580 horsepower Murcielago takes around 9.5 seconds to make the leap from 60 to 130.  With a little more boost it will dip into the 4 second range for sure.

While I realize some people think this kind of power is absolutely ridiculous, if I had the coin, I’d definitely hand my Raging Bull over to Heffner for a steroid injection. Listen to it scream on the dyno below, and head over to StreetFire for some in-car footage of the beast accelerating on the freeway.

By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

With VIP style cars so popular these days, it seems that everyone in Southern Cali always sees slammed Lexus GS and LS bodies with big wheels… It’s even common to see Infiniti Q45s with VIP treatment pretty frequently nowadays. However, it’s not often that we see a Y34 body style VIP Infiniti M45, which only came out between 2003 and 2005. The Y34 has got to be the coolest M45 ever made. Ever.

VIP originated with Japanese Yakuza members modifying their cars with dish rims, clean body kits, and limo tint. Anytime a Yakuza boss rolled down the street you would know to get out of the way! Justin Wu, the owner of this particular 2003 M45 may not be a Yakuza boss, but he definitely is gangster, and here’s why. Continue reading and view more photos on MotorMavens.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

When I was a kid, I’d spend hours playing with LEGOs, and while I eventually graduated from the space-themed sets to the more technical engineering style ones, I never put together anything close to this insane working V8 model. According to the description over on StreetFire, over 300 hours of work went into designing and building it, which is easy to believe. Just look at how the wires light up to simulate the firing order!  Next, I think the genius who built it should make a replica motor for the full-size Ferrari F1 car. Check out the video to watch it in action.

By Fireball Tim

Movie Car Design Master

You know, when you see a movie star, you immediately think of the roles they’ve played and the cool movies they’ve been in. But, you don’t think “Hey, that guy has to eat, right?” I mean, watching Tom Hanks or Cher walking down the dog food aisle at Ralph’s isn’t normal, you know what I’m saying? Or, is it?

The answer is a definite “yes.” These people have to eat, just like the rest of us shmo’s. Not all of them send “their people” to go shopping for food. They actually head to the store themselves in their cool rides and get what they need.

And that, makes them kinda regular people. Kinda. Well, some of them. The regulars are Dick Van Dyke, Hanks, Cruise, George C. Scott (when he wasn’t dead), Big Wave Surfer Laird Hamilton and a few others. The not so regular ones are Sly, Ryan O’Neill and his cracked out son …and Angelina. NOT NORMAL.

But, this is about cars. Cool cars at Ralph’s. I mean, where else are you gonna drive your Classic Rolls to get sardines and TP? Got a Thunderbird, get some bird food. Slammed Black Caddy? Pick up some licorice. Nissan Cube? Um… HOW’D THAT GET IN THERE!?

And me? What do I buy? Chocolate. Any and EVERY chance I get. Period. Check out some rides I’ve spotted while getting my fix after the jump.

Continue reading "Yes, the Rich Have to Eat. Kinda." »

By Brian Lohnes

BangShift.com

The Associated Press is reporting that three NASCAR crewmen have been suspended from competition due to violations of the substance abuse policy. The story seems to indicate the the three were caught actually using drugs or a banned substance at the track, which was Bristol. We thought those guys were thrashing all weekend. No wonder they are always so cheery.

The report also says that, with these three, the total number of crew-member suspension for the season is ten. As we all know, Jeremy Mayfield is the only driver who has been whacked by the new system.

Ten guys is a fair amount. It seems that the mentality that they’ll not get caught doing stupid or illegal things is still in the forefront of the offenders’ brains. Not surprising as it sounds like they have been cooking brain cells for a while.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

It probably shouldn’t bother me, but I tend to get kind of steamed when people tell me racing is boring. Seriously, there are people out there who will make that statement, and then in the next breath, start talking about how awesome watching soccer is. Obviously, these people are insane. But what really pisses me off is when folks start whining about how “wasteful” auto racing is, because the fact of the matter is that a lot of the technology that makes road cars safer and more efficient comes from lessons learned on the grid. Two quick cases in point? Well, the American Le Mans Series recently launched the Green Challenge, a set of rules designed to encourage the use of environmentally friendly technology, and NASCARs are already running on E85. For some great info on the future of earth-friendly racing, head over to Wired and read the great interview with Lord Drayson, the UK’s minister for science and innovation. He moonlights as a AMLS racer, and he’s got an awesome perspective.

By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

Another catch up post! This time we focus on the latest rounds of the British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill. Silverstone will follow tomorrow. The Knockhill rounds took place in mid August. A smaller field than normal as a couple of teams decided to skip this Scottish Round. After a few lack-luster results, Jason Plato dominated the first race of the day in his Chevrolet Lacetti from Pole Position. Local boy, Gordon Shedden was close behind, under pressure from the Airwaves BMWs. Continue reading at Speedhunters.

—By Andy Blackmore

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

This pic still cracks me up every time I look at it, so I wasn’t surprised that it netted nearly 400 comments. And while there were plenty of good ones—I got a particular kick out of all the variations on what Ford stands for—there can only be one winner. Of course, it doesn’t involve Polish people, dyslexics, women, or those inane “priceless” commercials, because all of those comments were tasteless. Stay classy, guys. This week’s winner is inner_logic, who came up with; “Yep, there it is. See, I told you if you put the tire under water you’d find the leak.” Bravo man, way to think outside the box. Tune in tomorrow for the next installment of our totally waterproof Caption Contest!