By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

Thanks to all-wheel drive coupled to a 5.3 liter turbocharged V8 and some good driving, a Chevrolet Express van smoked a Corvette ZR1 on the quarter mile. I find it interesting that a 7,000 pound van modified with just a turbo and Z06 cam could actually beat the mighty ZR1. Something went wrong on the launch, maybe? Read more about the absurd race at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Charlotte is having its big annual car show next weekend, the Food Lion AutoFair. And it looks like there’s going to be some exciting oddities there, including this trio of nostalgic vans belonging to JR and Glenda Sammett of Florida. There will also be a swarm of those street legal bumper cars and some truly over-the-top tailgating rigs like this slammed Grumman delivery truck, and 1500 cars for sale in the car corral alone. If you’re anywhere near the Charlotte area next weekend, August 26-29, I’m guessing this show will be worth a look. See the rest of the pics from last year’s show at Charlotte Motor Speedway here!

Continue reading "Vannin’ At Charlotte Motor Speedway" »

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

It might not be as ghoulish as yesterday’s swamp Wagoneer, but this Craigslist Dodge panel truck has plenty of eyesore appeal. It’s pretty rad, but the skulls and chains on the hood are a little Everett–maybe they should’ve just left it at green photo-flames and called it good.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Who knew? See tons of pics of JDM Dodge vans at VWVortex

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Ron is definitely going for it with his 1991 Chevy Van. See all the pics on his ride page!

By Fireball Tim

Movie Car Design Master

Wow! Holy crap! It’s unbelievable! Sorry, none of these things. The A-Team van has been revealed and it’s… well, the A-Team Van.

Not really any different, this shot taken on set. But hey, you can’t mess with Mr.T. Oh wait, Mr. T isn’t in this. Neither is Starbuck, uh, I mean “what’s his name.” And George Peppard is sleeping with the fishes, so that leaves….. the A-Team Van?

YAYYYY!! The crew is back!! At least one of them. Ok, I’m done here.

(Source:SplashNews)

By Mike Musto

RideLust.com

A legend in Europe for decades, the Ford Transit van is just now making its way over to the States. I was pretty stoked to check this thing out and for good reason: I need a new van. When first viewing it there are a couple of things that you’ll notice immediately. For one, it’s very tall and narrow. And it appears to be based on an automotive platform as opposed to a truck platform. Continue reading after the jump.

Continue reading "NYIAS: Ford Transit Connect" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Photoshop? Or not? Courtesy of VWVortex.

Update: I have confirmed that it’s a photoshop done by a Danish member of the Road Runner Nest who posts as “Capsule.” I just did a follow up post with some of his other awesome chops.

By Austin Gaddis

1lowscort

My friend, Jason, happens to be an air-cooled VW nut. So he was the first person who came to mind when I received a text message last Friday from a friend saying that his co-worker had a VW Baja Bug and a split-window van that he was trying to get rid of.  He said the guy wanted $200 for the pair, so I got his phone number and then called him immediately to tell him I’d take the VWs. Right after that, I called my friend Jason and let him know that he’d just bought a splitty van and a baja bug for $200. He didn’t seem very interested in the bug, as he likes his Beetles to be original. I had gathered over the phone with the seller that the VW sale was kind a package deal–so, being the good friend I am, I split the cost of the pair and took the Beetle off his hands. We went for the 65-mile drive North to Ronan, Montana, to look at the cars on Saturday. The van was pretty rough and the bug was ok–at best. More…

Continue reading "Basketcase Rescue 2-for-1: 200 Bucks Takes Both" »

After AutoMotto posted this picture of a custom Phoenix van the other day, I had to investigate—what the hell was this thing, anyway? Turns out it’s a conversion kit that first became available nearly 20 years ago. The Phoenix isn’t any pre-fab Ikea unit—though you start with a VW van platform, it’s only the plans you can order. All of the construction, including the fabrication of fiberglass-covered urethane foam panels, is up to you, and assuming all goes well you end up with is a lightweight gull-winged "futuristic" camper vehicle with standing room for a 6′ adult. Think of it as an Aztek made out of surfboards, just way less safe and somehow more cool. Check out ordering info at RQRiley.

Continue reading "Phoenix: World's Weirdest Kit Car?" »