By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Bill Harrah, of Harrah's Hotel and Casino fame, once commissioned this Ferrari SUV after the manufacturer refused to build him a custom 4-wheel-drive adorned with the prancing horse. Yep, that's a 365 GT nose spliced onto a 1969 Jeep Wagoneer, and while it's currently running an AMC V8, the eBay listing says it could easily be converted to Ferrari V12 power. Hmmm, easy for them to say. With four days left to go, the Jerrari currently hovers at $13K-and-change—a bargain?

Via Jalopnik.

By John Coyle

Editor

The automotive press has been dying to see exactly what Ferrari's 2009 California will look like, and today, the first official photos were released. As expected, Maranello's new bambino will be a 2+2 powered by a 460 horsepower, 4.3L V8, and will feature the marque's first retractable hardtop. Is it just me, or does the fancy roof system seem a little out of place on a Prancing Horse? I'm not hating, I'm just saying. Two more pics and the full press release after the jump.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Want something more exotic for your next project? Call Eurospares! (If you don't live in the UK, shipping will probably be a bit steep.) I've always wanted a blue, carbureted 308, so maybe this is my chance. I have a few more pics after the jump, but be sure to check out their full inventory. Via Jalopnik.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

The best shots yet of the upcoming baby Ferrari surfaced today. It's still unclear what it's gonna be called--maybe Dino, maybe F149, maybe California GT. The front engine, rear drive car will reportedly be powered by a 480-500 hp 4.7 liter V8 and will be priced south of the F430. Two more pics at Jalopnik.

By John Coyle

Editor

Rob is out of the office today, so we've opened up the box wine a little early. We're still waiting to hear from Ad Sales about a Franzia sponsorship for the blog, but trust us, if it happens, you'll know. Here's the news:

• The General just announced a first quarter loss of 3.3 billion dollars. But look at the bright side. I'm sure there's one somewhere. Maybe? Please? MSNBC
• Rising gas prices have taken a serious bite out of the values of SUVs, so much so that some used car dealers are refusing to take them as trades. Could these modern-day codpieces be going the way of olden-day codpieces? US News and World Report
• Piero Ferrari—son of Enzo—will be buying shares of troubled Italian coach building firm Pininfarina, which seems like a no-brainer, given the firm's long association with Ferrari. Here's hoping the Pininfarina family will be able to retain control of the company. CarScoop
• Rick Suzuki, the Chairman of American Suzuki is stepping down because of the company's disappointing performance. But is he entirely to blame? Or did rising gas prices play a roll? Auto Observer

By John Coyle

Editor

Ferrari is keeping its lips sealed about the newest addition to its stable—code named F149—but some footage of it on the track has made its way to the web. The thoroughbred is slated to be a replacement for the Dino, and signs suggest it will be a 2+2, sport a V8, and feature a retractable hardtop. Specs aside, in this video, it sounds pretty dope. Enjoy. YouTube via Autoblog

By John Coyle

Editor

Since both places have drive-up windows, I'm going to go out on a limb and call the fact that Arby's just bought Wendy's car-related. Founder Dave Thomas opened the first restaurant in Ohio forty years ago, and one of his daughters described her family as "devastated" by the sale. All I'm saying is that Arby's better not mess with the menu at Wendy's—it's the best fast food out there. Anyway, here's the news:

• Don't be surprised if you hear some execs in Dearborn humming AC/DC today, as Ford just announced that—for the fiscal quarter at least—the company is back in the black. Given most analysts expected the Blue Oval to still be hemorrhaging cash, this is big news. Auto Observer
• Ferrari will open its first retail store in the UK later this year, which should come as a real relief to all the blokes looking for a great way to drop $50 on a ball cap. CarScoop
• Pininfarina has announced it plans to open a design center in India. Something tells me that in the next decade, India will be a major player in the automotive world. Stay tuned. World Car Fans
• VW is looking to build cars in the US, and the company has narrowed its search to three states. Who says having a devalued currency is so bad? Freep
• The American Axle strike is beginning to feel a lot like the Democratic primary. It's going on and on, with no end in site. Will we have a new President before those AA and the UAW reach a deal? Detroit  News
  

By John Coyle

Editor

My grandmother loved to drive. Way back in the '20s, she was the first woman on her street to get a license. But when she decided she wasn't safe behind the wheel, she sold her Buick, and everyone in the family was really proud of her. So I have to hand it to this English chap who just made the same decision.  You have to admit, 76 years without an accident is pretty impressive. And the wreck which prompted his retirement? Well, that was pretty impressive too. Here's the news:

• Oil is now $113 a barrel, which is a new record. Of course, the rising prices don't have as much to do with oil production as they do with the fact that the dollar is in the toilet. Auto Observer
• Ma Mopar is in talks with Fiat—which owns Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati—to produce Alfa-branded cars in US factories. So I know a cheap, Italian-designed, RWD, 2+2 is out of the question, but I that doesn't mean I'm going to stop begging for one. Automotive News
• In other Italian news, Ferrari race cars will no longer wear Marlborough livery, as it turns out there are only three countries—Bahrain, Monaco and China—that still allow tobacco ads on race cars. I have to wonder, how long will it be before tobacco companies become invisible? AutoWeek
• John McCain wants the Big Three to take care of themselves. If he becomes president, there won't be any bailout. Strange... it'd seem like someone so eager to go to war would want to keep some heavy industry Stateside. Detroit News
• The folks at Tesla are busy trying to shake the perception that the Roadster is vaporware—for the record, I think it's not—but that hasn't stopped them from suing Henrik Fisker. They say his ultra-gorgeous Karma is a direct competitor to the sedan he designed for the California company. Wired
  

By John Coyle

Editor

Generally, I'm pretty up on celebrity non-news, but somehow I managed to miss the fact that Jay-Z and Beyonce got married. While my best buddy told me that he gave her a new Phantom as a wedding gift, I couldn't confirm it. But he did get her a '59 Rolls-Royce for her birthday a couple of years back. Anyway, here's the news: 

• Schumacher may be retired from racing, but that doesn't mean he doesn't occasionally get behind the wheel of one Ferrari's thoroughbreds. Next week he'll test the 2009 car in Spain. World Car Fans
• Initially, there were concerns that there wouldn't be many cars entered in the Long Beach Grand Prix, but it turns out that 20 will be on the grid for next week's race. AutoWeek
• Russian cars have never really been known for their beauty, but this limo from the Ukraine is still pretty hideous. Yuck. English Russia
• Sure, they're a good set of tires and everything, but after 100,000 miles, it's probably good to replace them. Whether they need it or not. CarScoop
• For some reason, automakers really don't like the term "suicide doors." Wonder why?  Freep

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

In this case VIP stands for Vehicle Identification Passport. It's the book that Ferrari gives to new owners, and includes photos of their particular car as it works its way through the assembly line. Jalem included scans from his VIP book on his F430 ride page. You can see the rest of the pages of the book after the jump. Wouldn't it be cool if all manufacturers did this?

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

...what cars would you have? Now, I don't want to take anything about from Frank Ruppert and his awesome collection, but I don't think I'd have any Maybachs or McLarens. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I'd have any German cars at all. I'd probably focus on American muscle and Italian sports cars--primarily Mopars and Ferraris. I'd have one B-body for every year from 1963 and 1971, plus a Hemi Dart or two. There'd be a 246 Dino and a 512 Boxer and a Daytona and a 288 GTO. I'd definitely have an Alfa GTA. I'd want to have at least one Tri Five--probably a Nomad--and maybe a Chevelle or a 442 (don't tell any of my Mopar buddies, but I like GM muscle cars). I'd have to have at least one Mustang--a new FR500S sure would be fun at the track. And I'd definitely want a 300B like the one I saw at SEMA last year. Not sure what'd I'd use for a daily driver. Maybe the new Dodge Challenger. Or a Ferrari 599, with the paddle shifters in case I got stuck in traffic.

How about you guys?

By Mike Musto

AKA Mr. Angry

The alarm went off at 4:45 AM yesterday morning. Inside of eleven minutes the teeth were brushed, I was completely dressed and had managed to slap on some anti-stink before hitting the road. You see, it was Sunday morning and for us car guys, Sunday mornings mean one thing: you drive. And yesterday was the first real Sunday of '08 where there was no real salt on the roads and it was truly dry out. So this meant get up, get out and get movin' early. Apparently I wasn't the only one with this idea because when we met up there were about twenty of us, all ready for a nice little 200 mile jaunt.

We had a pretty cool mix for this days run as well: everything from highly modded BMW M5s and M6s to a 650hp Super Performance Cobra (this thing was FAST!) to my buddy Andre's jaw dropping Audi R8, to turbo Porsches of all years, and oh yeah, there was an Enzo there, too.

What you have to understand is this. Everyone on CarDomain is here because we love cars. They come in all shapes and sizes, make all sorts of different noises and evoke all kinds of emotions. They make us do strange things like get up before dawn, just so we can catch our favorite twisty roads before the traffic hits. We long for the early hours when the roads are empty enough to maybe open up the taps a little more than usual, and how about getting that wonderful breakfast at your favorite spot after the run? These are things in life that make a car guy's life worth living. And let me tell you something, yesterday, we lived life VERY VERY well. Four more pics after the jump.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

On Sunday I dropped by a little car show on the University of Washington campus put on by Mirrorworks Detail along with the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity as part of the 1st Annual SPE Karts Car Show benefiting YouthAids (there were also a bunch of soap box derby cars build by the sororities). The coolest car there was the Ford GT done up in the limited-edition blue and orange Gulf color scheme, but there were a smattering of Lambos, Ferraris, Loti and Porsches, and one or two street rods. A ton more pics after the jump.

What did you do this weekend?