Tomorrow Jen, Ryan and I hop a plane to fly from Seattle to Vegas. Coyle and Naderi are driving the GTR up from LA, and Jim Brennan (AKA the Udman) is flying in from Connecticut. We’ll all be meeting up at the convention center early Sunday afternoon, so expect to see the blogs, pics and video start flowing on CarDomain and StreetFire by late Sunday afternoon.

This will be my fourth SEMA with CarDomain and I can’t wait. I love seeing all the crazy rides, meeting all the cool people and going to all the stupid parties. Expect to see all of the usual suspects from Topo to Brian Fox to Jonathan Ward to Myles Kovacs to the Grassroots Motorsports guys. And just like last year, we’ll let you vote on your favorite vehicles in ten categories for our Best of SEMA awards.

If you haven’t already, check out our SEMA coverage from last year, and if you have any feedback, or if there’s anything in particular you want to see this year, post in the comments below!

I was in the both the Loma Prieta earthquake in the SF Bay Area in 1989 (6.9 on the MMS) and in the Nisqually earthquake in Seattle in 2001 (6.8 on the MMS) and have to say the Seattle quake felt a lot more violent to me (I was roughly the same distance to the epicenter in each). So needless to say, I take earthquakes seriously. Not to mention the fact that just this weekend I had fish and chips right next to the red barn in the middle of this video. Anyway, we’re having a contentious mayoral race in Seattle right now and the two candidates are arguing about what to do with the viaduct. And then someone puts out this video showing some damage very reminiscent of the Interstate 880/Cypress Viaduct collapse during the Loma Prieta quake. Hmmm, coincidence? Anyway, watch and enjoy–those of you who don’t live in earthquake land (though I’ll take a quake over a hurricane or tornado any day).

Talk about slammed! More pics of the build here, and of course we’ll have more on this car next week at SEMA!

Continue reading "Status Customs Camaro Headed to SEMA" »

Yeah, I’ve got mixed feelings about the 2010 Mustang redesign–I want to love it, but with its melted contours and bubble-butt, it’s kind of been doing the opposite of growing on me. However, if anyone can make the best of Mustang design, it’d have to be Saleen. Fragmentary teaser pics of the revised S281 have been floating around for awhile now, but with just a few days to go before SEMA kicks off, full images of the hot new Mustang have found their way onto the internet–strategically, I’m guessing. It looks promising, and thankfully subtle–I’m digging the retro blackout treatment and the fastback-style solid C-pillars. We’ll be sure to get all the details for you at the show next week! See more pics below the jump.

Via MotorTrend.

Continue reading "2010 Saleen S281 “Leaked” Before SEMA Debut" »

It’s always great to see a forum catch a thief, and even better when the thief comes on and posts an apology. Just check out this thread at NASIOC.

Well, I just counted the votes in this week’s eBay Motors Showdown and this one is too close to call! Both the Veilside RX-7 and the Hakosuka Clone got a lot of love and respect. I’d definitely go with the old school Hakosuka, but that probably doesn’t surprise anyone. Anyway, we’ll probably skip the eBay Motors Showdown next week cause we’re gonna be buried at SEMA. But if you have any ideas or suggestions for the Showdown the following week, post ‘em in the comments below!

Ryan and I have been going crazy with Forza 3 at lunch, and it’s really been making us both want to get a track car and get out on the track. I just was deleting a bunch of old files from my laptop when I came across a bunch of pics I took at the first Grassroots Motorsports Ultimate Track Car Challenge at VIR two years ago. I don’t think any of these cars were in the event, but they were out on the track doing laps between heats. Take a look at the other three cars after the jump and let us know what your pick would be. You can probably guess mine.

Continue reading "Ultimate Track Toy?" »

Is this the stupidest idea of all time? It was built for the Portland 24 Hours of Lemons, but I doubt even those organizers will let this one anywhere near the track. Via Jalopnik

There were some great comments in my blog about Fiat’s plan for Chrysler. Apparently, the Sebring is getting the axe. Well, what about the 200C concept that was shown at NAIAS? Remember that? This is truly what the Sebring could/should be. I sure hope it doesn’t end up in the dustbin.

So we know the Hungerford Rocket Car still exists, and just this week, we got a call alerting us to the fact that the AMC AMVan (a concept vehicle highlighted in Pat Foster’s article in the September 2009 issue of Hemmings Classic Car on AMC’s Concept 80 cars) still exists. Joe Bortz, he of concept car collecting fame, said he got the AM Van from Chrysler when the company was going through AMC’s inventory shortly after the buyout in 1987. He notes that it’s just a fiberglass styling buck, not a functioning vehicle – so the wheels don’t turn, nor do the doors open. And, as you can see, AMC decided not to go with the bubble window for the cargo hatch, opting instead for full glass.

Even though Formula D has come to an end for the year and is a huge relief for many, the next five days are full of suspense, insanity and excitement for me, as I get ready to introduce my dream that will become a reality in a big way at SEMA. A new generation of Mustang will be introduced to the world - the Mustang RTR which will be a dealer-installed performance and appearance package available at select dealers in 2010. Official introduction to be posted here next Tuesday. If you will be at SEMA, be sure to check out the car in person at the K&N filters booth! Continue reading at Speedhunters

By Vaughn Gittin Jr.

This year at SEMA you’re not going to be able to take two steps in any direction without bumping into a 2010 Camaro, so you know we’re going to find you a lot of insanely sick ones on the show floor as builders compete to stand out from the herd. RealWheels Corporation is an aftermarket outfit whose lineup has traditionally focused on billet and stainless accessories for Jeeps and off-road trucks, but even they are jumping into the Camaro fray this year. Their supercharged, Maui Jim-themed Camaro (yup, the sunglasses) is going to be the centerpiece of the RealWheels booth. Personally, I think the front clip treatment is a little more aesthetic than the rear view, but maybe that’s just true of the Camaro in general. More pics and full press release after the jump!

Continue reading "Cool Shades Camaro Headed For SEMA" »

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 combining one of the best chassis designs to ever come from the German luxury sport manufacturer and the most sought after JDM engine in the world, you get one amazing performance package! Capable of awesome handling and super sleek sleeper-like performance, this BMW powered by Supra is a killer setup for the country club. Sneak up to the unsuspecting and surprise the ninth hole putters by unleashing 500 horsepower worth of JDM hidden under your stylish BMW embroidered hood. No one will expect the punch a Supra powered BMW M3 can deliver! Learn more about this awesome build at Tampa Sports Car Examiner!

Well it’s been a long time between drinks but I’ve finally made my way over to another local car event, this one being just an hour north of London.  The turnout was small, but there were still some lovely examples of rods and customs on display under the arena lights.  A particular favorite of mine and show highlight was a beautifully presented 33-34 hi-boy, finished off in the most gorgeous blue you could imagine! This rod, along with a choice selection of others, are after the jump!

Continue reading "Winter Warmer" »