How Many Cars On Your Property?

I personally feel that yards festooned with junk cars are an important part of the American cultural landscape. I don’t necessarily mean stripped-out hulks up on cinder blocks, or rotting junk with the windshields caved in. But a residential property with a few serviceable project vehicles strewn around it always warms my heart–it says, this is a neighborhood where you can have a few cars and maybe even work on them in public without getting hassled by The Man. I’m looking at moving in the next few weeks, and seeing as it’s always easier to accumulate cars than to get rid of them, I can only hope I’ll be going someplace where the neighbors won’t mind me keeping a few extra vehicles around. So, just curious: how many rides do you keep at your place? And do you think you could get away with more?

Related posts:

• Mazda's New CX-5 Crossover may Share its Platform with the MX-5 (Miata)
• Kelly Blue Book Has Released its List of the Top Ten Coolest Vehicles Under $18K
• Auction of the Day: Mint 1984 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE for a good cause
• Top Ten Best Wedge Car Designs Of The 60s, 70s and 80s [Wedged Wonders]
• First-Ever Yugo Enters 24 Hours Of LeMons, Gets Shiny Side Down Soon After [24 Hours Of Lemons]

Related posts:

• Geneva 2008 Preview: Mitsubishi Prototype S Photos Leaked!
• How the man who’s arrived, arrives
• Toyota is Going to Cutback on Tundra and Sequoia Production Due to Slow Sales
• ABT AS8
• Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Unveiled with 552HP and Reaches 0-62mph in 3.7 secs!

Sam Shepard Snagged For DUI, Speeding In Normal, IL [Daily DUI]

Sam Shepard, playright, director and player-of-gruff-old-military-like-roles in films such as Black Hawk Down, was snagged for an alleged DUI and speeding. Shepard apparently blew 0.175, or around twice the legal limit.

Shepard was reportedly going 46 MPH in a residential zone in Normal, IL when he was pulled over by police. Oh, and by the way, he pulled over by parking his Chevy Tahoe on the curb.

Of course, that's not the most unheard of action while parking, given Shepard just officially became a senior citizen in November (turning 65). Ha! Old people jokes make us laugh! [via TMZ]

Related posts:

• MDI Introduces The Airpod, A Futuristic, Air-Powered Death Trap [MDI Air Car]
• Burt’s Roadrunner
• Showdown: First Cars

Related posts:

• Subterranean Lamborghini Garage Practically Made For Basement-Built Countach [Novelties]
• Gary and Pam Beineke’s Awesome 1971 One of None Superbird
• Sacramento Plymouth Arrow May Well Be Governor Schwarzenegger's Incognito Ride [Down On The Street Bonus Edition]
• The Complete Book of Dodge & Plymouth Muscle
• Murilee's Down On The Street Favorites For 2008 [Down On The Street]

New Jersey Turnpike, Highway To Hell

According to the Pantagraph, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority is having a devil of a time preventing the repeated theft of mile marker 66.6 along the Garden State Parkway. A spokesperson for the Turnpike Authority admitted that they have zero solid leads, but they suspect the culprits to be college students on the prowl for some unique dorm room decor.

Within the past two years, the 66.6 mile marker sign has been stolen at least four times, and the state is getting tired of shelling out the $50 replacement fee. Some officials have suggesting adding an extra non-demonic digit, like 66.61, which would effectively kill the novelty and hopefully stave off the thefts, but as of late, no formal plans have been made.

[News Source: Pantagraph.com]

Related posts:

• GM to Pontiac: No Firebird for You. And We are Scaling Back on the Excitement Too
• Cars of the Candidates: Who Drives What?
• Buick Invicta Concept Bows in Beijing...Best Looking Buick in Years?
• Unveiled! The Tesla Model S
• Cops Crash Cars For Training

Related posts:

• What is REVO EVOM?
• Ford find and lofty loan flashback
• Original Owners: Are there any older?
• Detroit 2009: Post-Bailout Booth Tour - GM
• The Top 10 Most and Least Expensive Cars to Insure

Paris Auto Show Teaser Video: BMW Concept X1

BMW X1 Spy Shot [Source: Motorbang.com]

Looking to generate some hype for the BMW Concept X1 that’s scheduled to premiere at the 2008 Paris Auto Show next week, BMW-web.tv uploaded video footage giving us a sneak peak of the new BMW Concept X1 that is strangely reminiscent of those 90’s-era slightly instructional videos I used to sit through in French class that always fell just short of identifying with the American teenage demographic.

At any rate, according to BMWblog, the BMW X1 will be available with either a rear- or front-wheel drivetrain, and its optional 4 or 6 cylinder engine offerings will be equipped to run on either diesel or standard fuel. Slated to make its first debut in the European market, the X1 is expected to be placed and priced somewhere between the BMW 3 Series Wagon and the BMW X3 - no word yet on how that would translate for a North American introduction.

Video after the jump

[Video Source: BMW-web.tv]

Related posts:

• IIHS: PT Cruiser Most Dangerous New Small Car In America [Iihs]
• Looking Back: July 2006
• We wholeheartedly endorse the government's initiatives through this investment ...
• Detroit 2009: Day 1 Wrap-up
• Two-in-One Luxury Camper allows you to take it all with you

Related posts:

• Taiwan Leading the LED Traffic Light Conversion
• Fuel sipping station wagons sold in Europe
• Pure Stock Muscle Car Drags: Day One
• Commenter Of The Day: Mandatory Minimums Edition [Commenter Of The Day]
• Tokyo will get first glimpse at Audi A1 with Hybrid Drive

PCH, Slot Car Handling On A Budget Edition: Turbo V6 Lotus Esprit or Fiat 124 Sport Coupe? [Project Car Hell]

Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! You want an inexpensive project car that sticks to the pavement like flypaper?

That's what we've got for you today! Now, when you're talking about a couple of rare European sports cars priced low even by collapse-of-global-economy standards, you've got to count on endless a few setbacks in the decade-long interval between the project's glorious arrival in your garage and the even more glorious day of project completion (which will require belief in an afterlife). Jump right in- the bubbling sulfur is fine!

These days, just about the only Fiat you can find in North America is the 124 Spider, with maybe an occasional X1/9 here and there. Fine cars, but they're just too commonplace to make for true Hell Project material. If only you could find a genuine Fiat 124 Sport Coupe… but it's just impossible to find an affordable one. Stop the presses, Giuseppe, because here's a 1974 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe (go here if the ad disappears) with an asking price of only two grand! In fact, the seller makes it clear that he'll sell it for much less, with the statement "The wife wants it gone . . . so I'll make you a good deal!" More good news: it's in rust-free New Mexico! Sure, sure, the thin air and harsh sun in Santa Fe makes for backyard conditions similar to those on the sun-facing side of the planet Mercury, and this car has had many years to get its upholstery and wiring thoroughly baked and/or gnawed on by hantavirus-infected rodentia: "It has been sitting still for quite a few years and is currently home to a family of mice." But come on, it's got a Fiat Twin cam, 5-speed, and four-wheel disc brakes, and you know you could turn it into a little Ferrari eater!

That 124 Sport Coupe could be pretty quick, that's for sure, but nothing breaks your heart handles like a Lotus! Wouldn't you love to have a Lotus Esprit Turbo to jab red-hot pokers in your eyes play with? Of course you would, but you'd be lucky to find a clapped-out Eclat anywhere near as cheap as that Fiat. Better buy a lottery ticket, my friend, because this is obviously a jackpot day for you! Would you believe a Lotus Esprit Turbo with a three-figure high bid on eBay? Really, this turbocharged 1978 Lotus Esprit could be yours for the kind of money that normally gets you a primered-out Chevy Celebrity! It's turbocharged and everything… although some of you more skeptical types may have noticed that the engine compartment doesn't quite look the way it did when the car left the assembly line. That's because it's got a Ford 3.8 liter V6 crudely strapped down with plumber's tape installed in place of the original four-cylinder, and what appears to be a draw-through-carbureted turbocharging setup. It probably runs great, once you work out several million a few bugs, and you shouldn't be scared away by such seller statements as "car needs a lot of electrical work due to the fact that the interior is not the original one......the dash board is out of an oldsmobile." An Oldsmobile dash! And the flip-up headlights have been replaced with grille-mounted units! Totally custom! You might want to budget geological amounts of some time to undo a few mistakes, because the seller states "the previous owner had alot of good concepts for the car but his quality of work was not the best." Still, an Esprit Turbo for pocket change!

Which glued-to-road European machine will it be?
( polls)

Project Car Hell's Greatest Hits

Related posts:

• Baby Blue Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano With Denim Interior
• MDI Introduces The Airpod, A Futuristic, Air-Powered Death Trap [MDI Air Car]
• What's Your Worst Gas Station Experience? [Question Of The Day]
• Acura NSX: Collectible or Forgettable?
• 2010 Corvette Grand Sport: Pricing Now Available

Related posts:

• The Cadillac DeVille, Filed Under “Super Fly”
• 12 Fastest Concept Cars In The World
• Attempted Murderer Attempts Escape In Semi, Fails Again [Stupid Criminals]
• Can the Enclave make Buick relevant in America again?
• 2009 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Canceled [Racing News]

2010 Porsche Panamera Pricing to Range from $89,800-$132,600

Porsche has announced the pricing for its upcoming 2010 Panamera four-door sedan. Pricing for the luxury sedan will range from $89,800 - $132,600 when it is released this fall.

The base rear-wheel-drive Panamera S with a 400-hp 4.8L V8 will start at $89,800. The all-wheel-drive Panamera 4S with the same 4.8L engine starts at $93,800. The all-wheel-drive Panamera Turbo with its 500-hp twin-turbo 4.8-liter V8 will start at $132,600.

The Panamera is expected in showrooms this October.

Related posts:

• Porsche: Company will be renamed
• Porsche 911 Targa 4S: Great gallery!
• Porsche 997 GT2: Nuerburgring video
• Top Ten Best Wedge Car Designs Of The 60s, 70s and 80s [Wedged Wonders]
• Porsche 911 GT3 RSC: Pictures galore!

Related posts:

• Cash for clunkers shutting down
• VW Golf Variant: New pictures and information
• Audi Clubsport quattro Speedster: Will it be the Audi TT S?
• Christie’s back in the car auction biz
• Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder: Also tuned by Edo

I-Way: The Ultra Luxe MotorSport Getaway for Businessmen

Say you’re a wealthy businessman with a penchant for motorsports. Hop on a plane and hit up Lyon, France for a few nights of Formula 1 simulation, drinks, and good times.

I-Way is a posh playground for men, with a fancy bar, a gym, and most importantly, high tech Formula 1 simulators. They have 3 plasma screen displays built into the chassis of actual racing vehicles, and are fitted with tons of complicated hydraulics which gives you the feeling of actually being on the track.

Check out the video and pictures after the jump:

Related posts:

• He didn’t ask for it and he wasn’t incredibly keen on accepting ...
• Spy Shots: Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 SV
• NHTSA: Drunk driving is down, but 16.3% of nighttime drivers are on drugs
• VW Passat: Bollocks commercial
• GM Looks To Sell ACDelco, Raise $15 Billion Through Year-End 2009 [They Need The Dues]

VIDEO: MINI Convertible Hits the Car Wash With its Top Down

We all know that you're supposed to put the top up on your convertible before you take it to the car wash. Nonetheless here's a video of four guys in a new MINI Cooper Convertible hitting the car wash with the top down.

We don't recommend trying this at home...

Related posts:

• Audi: Producing one more car in Hungary?
• Saleen S5S Raptor Concept Debuts in New York
• De Tomaso Panthera Concept Photos
• 2010 Porsche 911 GT3
• All-New 2008 Volvo V70

Related posts:

• (ew, ew, ew, ew).
• Wrightspeed X1 Electric Supercar
• Top Gear Russia 01×02
• Anyone Else in Awe of the Glorious Bentley?
• Another Mechanical Failure

CES 2009: Alpine keeps in touch with iPod users

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, CES

Alpine has had iPod compatibility for years, but the user interface has been decidedly un-Apple. Alpine hopes to rectify matter with its new touch-screen iXA-W404 unit works, which boasts a new interface, new features and all the connected goodies audiophiles on the move require.

iPod and iPhone owners will notice that the Alpine's 4.3-inch, touch-screen face displays album art of the current song, and the names of the next two and most recent songs played. Song selection can be made from an alphabetical list just as on the iPod Touch and iPhone or by flipping through the album art in an animation similar to Apple's Cover Flow. Alpine's newest unit also supports video playback from an iPhone or any 30-pin iPod. W404 owners can choose to display three of five "widgets" included with the unit, which include a clock, calendar and photo viewer. The unit can be upgraded by adding components from Alpine's lineup, ranging from GPS, HD Radio, rear-view camera and Bluetooth connectivity. The W404 head unit can even control video display on rear-seat monitors.

The 2DIN iXA-W404 will be available in April for a suggested retail of $550. Alpine's HD radio tuner is a $230 add-on, the rear-view camera system is $220, the Bluetooth module is $180, navigation capability is $350 and a dual seven-inch headrest monitor package is $750.

Gallery: CES 2009: Alpine keeps in touch with iPod users

Continue reading CES 2009: Alpine keeps in touch with iPod users

CES 2009: Alpine keeps in touch with iPod users originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read |  |  | 

Related posts:

• Porsche Cayenne Diesel Unveiled with 240HP and 25MPG
• Spyker C8 Spyder
• Automobile: The Guide To Wall Street Recession Rides [Carpocalypse Now]
• AutoblogGreen for 09.04.09
• Detroit 2009: Day 1 Wrap-up

Related posts:

• Range Rover: Legendary Performance
• Koenigsegg Quant: Harness The Sun
• Nissan Forum Concept Aims to Revolutionize the Family Transport
• Land Rover presents their Limited Special Edition Defender SVX
• Back to the 50s Weekend (part 2)

The E-Classamino Is Up For Sale... Again! [El Camino]

If you love German cars and pickup trucks you'd normally have to buy two vehicles, but it isn't a normal day when the E-Classamino is again up for sale!

This is actually the second time we've noticed the Mercedes E-Classamino up for sale but it's worth repeating the details. Based on an E320 Limo Chassis, it's claimed the E-Classamino was one of three custom built by Mercedes. Two of the three, not surprisingly, ended up in the United States. Why? Because occasionally people from Alabama win the lottery. With less than 8,605 miles on the odometer this is one clean E-Class. Unfortunately, there's no AMG-tweaked mill under the hood but rather a lowly V6. Still, when buying a Camino-ized vehicle it's all about what's out back and this überamino has a clean-looking bed made with German precision. It looks like Bruce's cousin Bryce is ready to start bidding and we hope he has some methlab money because the price has increased over the last two years from $30K to $49K. Apparently, not everything is cheaper. [AutoTrader via The Car Lounge]

Related posts:

• 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS Grand Edition
• Roewe Brings Modified 550s To Guangzhou [GIAS Is The New SEMA]
• Kelly Blue Book Has Released its List of the Top Ten Coolest Vehicles Under $18K
• Who Saved The Electric Car?
• Tesla may supply Mercedes-Benz with lithium-ion batteries

Related posts:

• LA Auto Show: Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe Unveiled!
• 2009 Lincoln MKS Officially Unveiled...Will Lincoln's New Design DNA Work?
• There are also some rumours that another S-class diesel version will be ...
• 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe: Spy Shots
• 2011 Hyundai Tucson: Tested On The Road

The Curse Of James Dean's “Little Bastard” [Porsche 550 Spyder]

When we think of the Porsche 550 Spyder, the first thing that comes to mind is James Dean. We suggest you stop thinking about it if you enjoy your health.

Since James Dean’s death in 1955, the Porsche 550 Spyder has become infamous as the car that killed him. As young Jalops we watched an Unsolved Mysteries episode on the curse of the James Dean Porsche. These stories not only made the famous car seem more like Christine than Porsche, they downright scared us. We decided to share some of the stories with you. Read on if you dare.

While filming Rebel Without A Cause, James Dean had upgraded from the 356 to the 550 Spyder and decided that he wanted to make it uniquely his. Dean called upon George Barris, of movie car fame, to customize the Porsche. He gave it tartan seats, two red stripes over the rear wheels and plastered the number ‘130’ on its doors, hood and engine cover. The name “Little Bastard” was given by Dean language coach, Bill Hickman, and was later painted on the car by master pin striper, Dean Jeffries. On September 23 of 1955, Dean met actor Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kebobi) outside of a restaurant and had him take a look at the Spyder. Guinness told Dean that the car had a “sinister” appearance and then told Dean: “If you get in that car, you will be found dead in it by this time next week.” Seven days later, Dean would be killed in his beloved “Little Bastard.” Cue the Unsolved Mysteries theme song.

That “Little Bastard” not only killed James Dean, but killed and maimed others who came in contact with it causing many to say that the damn thing was cursed. George Barris, who customized the 550 originally, bought the wrecked carcass of “Little Bastard” for $2500 and soon after it slipped off its trailer and broke a mechanics leg. Not long after Barris sold the engine and drivetrain to Troy McHenry and William Eschrid. While the two were both racing against one another in cars that had parts from the “Little Bastard,” McHenry lost control and hit a tree, killing him instantly and Eschrid was seriously injured when his car suddenly locked up and rolled over while going into a turn. Barris still had two tires from the 550 which were untouched in Dean’s accident. He sold them and not long after, both blew out simultaneously causing the new owner’s car to run off the road. Barris had kept the car in his possession sans the sold parts and it caught the attention of two would-be thieves. One of the thieves arms was torn open trying to steal the steering wheel while the other was injured trying to remove the bloodstained tartan seat.

Due to all the incidents involving “Little Bastard,” Barris decided to hide the car but was convinced by the California Highway Patrol to lend the cursed heap to a highway safety exhibit. The first exhibit was unsuccessful as the garage that housed the car caught fire and burned to the ground. Mysteriously the car suffered virtually no damage from the fire. The next exhibition at a local high school ended abruptly when the car fell off its display and broke a nearby student’s hip.

The curse continued when the “Little Bastard” was being transported when the truck carrying the car lost control which caused the driver to fall out and somehow get crushed by the car after it fell off the back. The car fell off of two more transport trucks while travelling on the freeway fortunately not injuring anyone. The CHP decided that it had had enough of the “Little Bastard” and while transporting the car to Barris, the car mysteriously vanished and has not been seen since.

There are stories of a single piece of “Little Bastard” residing at the Historic Auto Attractions museum in Illinois, but we’re not brave enough to find out.

[via UnderWorldTales]

Related posts:

• Is the Maserati Gran Turismo the end of an era?
• Carbon-Fiber Wheels - Not the Ultimate Performance Material
• Vivid Racing Opens Facility in Texas
• Hyper Power International Dyno Claims First Accurate Measurement Of Driveline Losses With Nissan GT-R [Nissan GT-R]
• Looking Back: July 2006

Related posts:

• Citroen Hypnos Concept 2008
• 2009 Nissan 370Z Revealed Live With Details [2009 Nissan 370z]
• Sadly, the engine, a 478 HP, 3.8 liter bi-turbo V6 is just as powerful ...
• Hyundai Veloster Concept
• The Multi-Displacement System paired to the engine shuts off four of the ...

Detroit 2009: Day 1 Wrap-up

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show

Day 1 of the 2009 Detroit Auto Show has ended, and we did our best to bring you the most complete coverage possible. In case you weren't able to keep up with the coverage on Sunday, we've compiled every production vehicle and concept car below for your Monday morning perusal. Enjoy and come back often on Monday and Tuesday for more coverage of Detroit 2009.

Audi
Audi Sportback Concept [w/VIDEO]
Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI [w/VIDEO]
Audi A3 TDI

Bentley
Bentley Continental GTC Speed

BMW
2010 BMW Z4

Chrysler LLC
Chrysler 200C Concept [w/VIDEO]
Dodge Circuit EV [w/VIDEO]
Dodge Patriot ER-EV [w/VIDEO]
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

Ford Motor Company
2010 Ford Taurus [w/VIDEO]
2010 Ford Shelby GT500 [w/VIDEO]
Ford ready to electrify the masses with EV car in 2012

General Motors
Cadillac Converj Concept [w/VIDEO]
Chevy Spark Concept [w/VIDEO]
Chevy Orlando Concept [w/VIDEO]
2010 Buick LaCrosse [w/VIDEO]
2010 Cadillac SRX [wVIDEO]
2010 Chevy Equinox [w/VIDEO]

Honda
First Drive: 2010 Honda Insight

Kia
Kia Soul'ster Concept

Lamborghini
Lamborghini Ad Personam personalization program

Lexus
Lexus HS250h

MINI
MINI Cooper Convertible

Subaru
Subary Legacy Concept

Volkswagen
Volkswagen Concept BlueSport

Volvo
Volvo S60 Concept

Detroit 2009: Day 1 Wrap-up originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 |  | 

Related posts:

• Nelly's On And Poppin' Custom Ford Flex To Be Revealed At SEMA [Sema]
• The 2009 Volvo S80: Svenskarna Är Pimps Too
• Carbon-Fiber Wheels - Not the Ultimate Performance Material
• Detroit 2009: Hyundai Genesis, Ford F-150 win North American Car and Truck of the Year
• Unveiled! The Tesla Model S

Related posts:

• Cadillac One: Details on president-elect Obama's new limo
• Cadillac is Working on a New 4-Cylinder Sedan for 2011
• 2009 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon: Not Available in Metallic Pea
• Cadillac DTS-L: A Longer Caddie for VIPs
• 2008 Cadillac CTS Wins Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" Award!