By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Thanks to our buddies at PASMAG, we have pics from the Maryland Import Face-Off. Also be sure to check out the pics from Waterfest.

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

In keeping with the wtf theme of today’s blog, our photo is actually a photochop–showing what Bharnz’s 2001 Camaro “will look like in 25 years.” Snow on the ground in July makes it perfect–must be the nuclear winter!

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

So how do you guys feel about this? Good, bad, indifferent? From the auction:

The rumors are true! Someone did put a modified Buick Regal GNX motor in a Lotus Esprit and here it is! If you know anything about the 1987 Buick Regal GNX, then you just begin to understand what kind of power and reliability this exotic car has.

Start with a stock 3460 lb. 1987 Buick GNX with an automatic transmission running 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and the ¼ mile in 13.5 seconds (verified at howstuffworks.com) and delete everything but the motor. Then add many performance upgrades, a 5 speed upgraded manual transmission, and put it in a 2500 lb. exotic car (documented curb weight with the GNX motor). When you mash the accelerator, you either spill out uncontrollable expletives or think of the movie “Gladiator” just after Russell Crowe commands, “UNLEASH HELL”.

This is a low-mid 11-second ¼-mile rocket only limited by your level of fear and driving skill. Also thrilling is getting waves of admiration and thumbs up from other drivers. In addition to mind-blowing power and looks, another benefit of this car and its very light weight is the fuel-injected motor exceeds an average of 24 MPG when driven with respect. For the truly insane, only $1200 in modern performance Buick parts would add another 110 HP…

This car is a one of a kind work of art that absolutely embarrasses other Turbo Esprits from the period and costs substantially less to maintain. Everything works, right down to the clock, and not one component appears aged. Masterfully redone in 1987 and every detail both cosmetic and mechanical addressed, this vehicle is in exceptional condition.

The prior (original) owner spent over $75K in upgrades, with me adding more than $9K of my own. Professionally built and tuned by Buick racing legend Ken Duttweiler, the motor is stout to say the least. I have tons of receipts, the car’s registration was just renewed, and it is smogged and ready to go.

Read more and see all the pics at eBay.

By Brian Lohnes

BangShift.com

We’ve been looking high and low for information on what has to be the gaudiest, weirdest, most 1970′s style custom Camaro on Earth. From the zany Porsche-style “whale tail” spoiler on the trunk, the engraved, gold plated half shafts in the rear end, and the two Latham axial blowers bolted onto the motor, this car nearly defies description. Unfortunately, all we can do is describe it because there is zero information about the car. Lots of research has yielded us nothing either.

If something can be so awful that it’s cool, then this car is it. The interior is 70s kitsch to the max with a wooden dash, console, small black and white tv screen, and myriad of red buttons in the center. The back seat is a wrap around unit that appears to have been stolen from a restaurant and recovered in what looks to be suede.

Our favorite parts of the car and really the only thing swe would save if we bought this thing, are the twin Latham blowers on top of the engine. Reportedly only 50 of these were ever made and only a handful survive today. They were prohibitively expensive and very few were ever produced.

Hit the link below to see the photo galley and sales listing on AutoTraderClassics.

What’s your call? Is this car awesome or awful (or awfully awesome)?

Link: AutoTraderClassics.com — Custom 1970 Camaro

Link: FreeRevs.com — Additional Camaro photos

By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

“Racing isn’t just a hobby, it defines who I am.” These were words that were muttered by Ken Stouffer, owner and driver of this very S14, as we made our way to the shoot location at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was 8am –way later than any of us have slept in that week. We were both beaming with happiness for the fact that we woke up as the sun sat above the horizon. The excitement that exuded from Ken that morning was almost palpable because the following day would be the day that he would make this pink S14 fly up the the mountain at the 88th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Continue reading at Speedhunters

By Linhbergh

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

I hate trees. I’m not an anti-environmentalist maniac or a climate-change-denier or anything like that–trees have a place, and that place is out in the forest, far from anywhere that cars might wish to park or drive. But trees in urban areas? In mall parking lots? On “tree-lined streets”? Ugh. They were clearly put there by people who don’t give a crap about cars.

In addition to the more obvious and brutal ways in which trees win–as in, for example, when you collide with one, or when a storm tips one over onto your ride–the true insidiousness of their evil lies in their secretions. My least favorite kind of tree are those scrawny little sap-dripping deals that landscape designers seem intent on planting anywhere that large numbers of cars tend to congregate. Why are these trees installed in business parks and mall parking lots? They provide little or no shade, no sound deadening or privacy, and they’re sure as hell not scenic. They seem to exist primarily as full-time misting-machines for tree sap. How is this appealing, how does it benefit anyone? It’s like planting something that exists solely to dispense bird droppings–which trees, on occasion, do as well. Read more…

Photo from Bruce’s ride page.

Continue reading "Trees Always Win" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Thanks to Lucio at K&N for all the pics! See over 300 photos from the July 18 Long Beach show in our events section!

By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

From two or three meters, this Z4 looks awesome. Then I got closer. Vinyl wraps are a really good way to try out new looks on your car without the permanence or cost of new paint, but be wary when you buy–the quality of the wrap will determine how good it looks and how well it holds up. This wrap had a number of obvious seams in it, and the panels gaps were visible due to the bright blue paint underneath. And about how well is it holding up? Find out after the jump.

Continue reading "The Perils of Vinyl Wrap" »

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

We know how you all like to gripe and moan about all the sweet concept cars that’re unveiled every year at the auto shows but will never be available for purchase. Well guess what: they are now–as long as you don’t mind that they’re Lincolns. The 2004 Mark X concept below, the Lincoln version of Ford’s Thunderbird, will be among those put up for auction, along with (in order of appearance after the jump) the 2001 MK9 concept, the 2004 Aviator, the 2005 MKS, and (total hotness) the 2004 Navicross. The only problem: they’re not going to be able to be legally registered to drive in the US, which is really a shame. And I imagine that getting parts for at least some of them might present some problems. See more pics at Carscoop.

Continue reading "Lincoln To Auction Off Concept Vehicles" »

By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

What, if anything, was this guy thinking? What bothers me more than the fact of a Bentley Continental GT being wrecked is that someone had to drive it down a muddy road to get there in the first place. These cars have no business driving down muddy roads, they belong dune surfing in Dubai or delivering tea to the Queen of England. Read more about the Mad Ass-Hatter at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.