Autoblog

DDR launches McLaren F1-influenced Miami GT with Acura RSX or Chevy Corvette power

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Acura, Chevrolet, Specialty, MISC

The guys at DDR Motorsport have put their brand-new Miami GT kits on the market. The kits all sell for right around $20 grand, and can be set up to accept the four pot from either an Acura RSX or Toyota MR2 in Sport Prototype 4 form, or the LS Series small block from the Chevrolet Corvette in Sport Prototype 8 form. The idea, DDR says, is to put a truly affordable supercar on the market.

For your $20k, you get a full tube chassis, an unpainted fiberglass shell, lights, signals and all the glass. What you don't get is an engine or any running gear. Though they can't supply the drive trains, DDR will happily explain how to get your McLaren F1 lookalike up and running.

DDR launches McLaren F1-influenced Miami GT with Acura RSX or Chevy Corvette power originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: SixTen Sabre is part Morgan, part Mustang, and all head-scratcher

Aaron Richardson — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:19:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Auctions, Ford, Specialty, Design/Style, MISC

2011 SixTen Sabre - Click above to see high-res image gallery

The SixTen Sabre is just one of a seemingly endless supply of oddball kit cars available online. The Sabre, however, is unique among its bizarre brethren, with styling heavily derived from the Morgan Aero 8, with splashes of the Chrysler Atlantic concept and MG TC thrown in for good measure. With underpinnings from the SN95 Ford Mustang, the Sabre is a rolling identity crisis.

The result of this amalgamation of classic lines atop modern Ford architecture can only be described as odd. From the Morgan-style headlights and grille to the deeply strange custom taillights, this thing never seems to figure out exactly what it wants to be.

The good news is, all its mechanicals are from the Mustang, so its structure is infinitely upgradable, easily repaired and should be stone-cold reliable. SixTen claims the Sabre is available with anywhere from 215 to 550 horsepower. Keeping all that grunt moving in the desired direction is a fully-adjustable coilover suspension featuring unequal-length control arms.

The Sabre is designed to be assembled by the buyer, and includes all the epoxy and most of the fasteners you'll need to get the job done. To make the kit as DIY-friendly as possible, SixTen says the build doesn't require any cutting or welding, and comes with extensive documentation.

While SixTen's website doesn't have pricing info, the eBay Motors listing has a $10,900 Buy-It-Now option, not including the donor Mustang. To see more images of the SixTen Sabre and follow its build, check out SixTen's website.

Gallery: 2011 SixTen Sabre eBay listing

[Source: SixTen via eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: SixTen Sabre is part Morgan, part Mustang, and all head-scratcher originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kit Cat: Mercury Cougar makes perfect Bugatti Veyron substitute

Zach Bowman — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Bugatti, Mercury, Humor, Specialty

Bugatti Veyron kit car - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've got a pulse in your wrist and a snapping brain cell in your head, chances are you wouldn't mind parking a Bugatti Veyron in your garage. But for most mere mortals, scrounging up the cash for a physics-bending piece of 16-cylinder glory would require all sorts of unpalatable tasks. Fortunately for those who want to look the part without having to participate in human trafficking, the kit car universe has stepped in to save the day. All you need is a 1999-2002 Mercury Cougar, a boat load of fiberglass and a little patience.

Oh, and $89,000.

Is that cheaper than an actual Veyron? Sure. Is it $73,000 more than we'd pay for this car? Absolutely. For that low price you'll get all the looks of the Bug with a fraction of the actual performance. Buyers can look forward to a blistering 170 horsepower from a 2.5-liter V6 kicking at the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. Don't expect much else.

This particular machine is up for bid via eBay Motors, with four days left on the auction. Act now.

Gallery: Bugatti Veyron kit car

[Sources: PistonHeads, eBayMotors]

Kit Cat: Mercury Cougar makes perfect Bugatti Veyron substitute originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA releases 50-state guide to help you tag and title your hobby car

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Government/Legal

Obtaining a legal title and registration is oftentimes one of the most difficult procedures custom car builders will face on the long road to getting their beloved hobby cars out of the garage and into the parking lot at the local Friday night car show.

Good news, automotive hobbyists: the SEMA Action Network is here to help make the process just a wee bit easier with a handy-dandy 50-state guide that cuts through some red tape and outlines the various steps in order to make you legal.

SEMA is quick to point out that its guide is merely meant to be an informative supplement, and that it still may not be an easy process to get your hobby car on the road. Feel free to peruse your state's guidelines here.

[Source: SEMA Action Network]

SEMA releases 50-state guide to help you tag and title your hobby car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Galatea thinks Hyundai Tiburon is perfect platform for coachbuilt styling

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Hyundai, Design/Style

Galatea Revision - Click above for high-res image gallery

Examples of high-end coachwork usually draw long, wistful stares and high levels of admiration, with skilled craftsmen taking something beautiful and creating something stunning. An Aston Martin DB4 is a wonderful machine, but a 1960 DB4 GT Zagato looks so good it'll melt your face clean off. Same with the James Glickenhaus-owned Ferrari Enzo that evolved into the P4/5. The examples of high style and peerless engineering are as numerous as they are arresting. And then this showed up in our inbox.

This is the Galatea (pronounced: Gal-ah-tay-ah) Revision, a custom coupe built upon none other than the - you guessed it - Hyundai Tiburon. Says Galatea:

"Unlike many kit cars that are based on a fairly old donor car, the Galatea is a comparatively modern car with modern features...The kit is available for $5,180 in fiberglass and includes all lights, hardware, emblems, and a detailed instruction book to make installation easier. The parts included are a new hood, fenders, front bumper, headlights, rear bumper, and taillights."

While it's certainly not the worst custom Tiburon we've ever seen (you'll see far, far worse at any HIN show), it doesn't quite evoke the spirit of true coachbuilt styling. It's a body kit. An elaborate, ambitious and oddly proportioned body kit, but a body kit nonetheless. It seems strangely appropriate that Galatea has chosen this particular Hyundai coupe as a basis for the project, as the Tiburon itself was both widely criticised and lauded for deriving its styling from a much more exotic automobile - the Ferrari 456 GT.

If you own a last-gen Tibby or just want to see it in person for yourself, the Revision will be making its debut at the Alpine Invitational Car Show and Concorso d'Eleganza on October 10 in Palisades, NY.

Gallery: Galatea Revision

[Source: Galatea Automobiles]

Continue reading Galatea thinks Hyundai Tiburon is perfect platform for coachbuilt styling

Galatea thinks Hyundai Tiburon is perfect platform for coachbuilt styling originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Italianate 1991 Acura NSX

Zach Bowman — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Acura, Lamborghini, Design/Style

Acura NSX meets Lamborghini - Click above for high-res image gallery

Full Disclosure: We have loved the Acura NSX since long before we were all smelling like teen spirit. The car will always hold a special place in our hearts, so the car you see above is particularly blasphemous in our eyes. Someone, at some point in history, looked at their reliable, capable near-supercar from Honda and thought, "You know what this needs? A little more Lamborghini Diablo."

That person, then, evidently commenced to slather the lightweight Japanese hellion in enough fiberglass to convince your average passer-by that the car actually hails from Italy. As far as body kits go, this one is the real deal. The builder even went so far as to badge the brake calipers with Lamborghini script and plop a faux twelve-cylinder intake on top of the Japanese V6, even though it doesn't appear to be bolted to anything.

Is it bad? Well, outwardly at least, it appears far more convincing than one might reasonably expect. But would we have been less insulted if were a Pontiac Fiero under that orange skin? Undoubtedly - but the builder at least gets points for creativity, as this is evidently a one-of-one proposition. If you dig it, you can find this creation on eBay Motors with a Buy-It-Now price of $49,000 in Branson, Missouri. The seller is willing to entertain offers. Thanks for the tip, Jesse!

Gallery: Acura NSX-Lamborghini Mashup

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Italianate 1991 Acura NSX originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heynsdyk 2500SF puts that old Porsche 944 to good use

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:10:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe

Heynsdyk 2500SF - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another day, another kit car for your toupee-tousling amusement. This is the Heynsdyk 2500SF from Holland: a bespoke body placed over the engine, electronics, and drivetrain of a Porsche 944. The substantially lighter body, in galvanized steel, takes weight down to 900 kilograms (1,980 pounds) while maintaining 50/50 weight distribution. There are six engine choices, from a basic 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 163 horsepower, to a 2.5-liter four-pot S-motor with a turbo. That one will get you 250 horsepower, and from 0 to 60 in six seconds. Top speed is limited to 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles per hour).

You can buy the car as a kit or a finished product, and prices start at €14,750 ($20,798 U.S.) for the kit, or €36,995 ($52,158 U.S.) for a ready runner. Like its countrymate Spyker, what the car might lack in beauty it makes up for in unique and arresting looks. Have a look for yourselves in the gallery of high-res photos below. Hat tip to Anton!

Gallery: Heynsdyk Roadster

[Source: Heynsdyk (translated)]

Heynsdyk 2500SF puts that old Porsche 944 to good use originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Mythbusters tests skipping Lambo from Speed Zone, a.k.a. Cannonball Run 3

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Lamborghini, Pontiac

Mythbusters car skipping test -- Click above to watch video

In the movie Speed Zone, familiarly known as Cannonball Run 3 and ripe for an award for one of the most incredible ensemble casts ever, the opening sequence ends with a Lamborghini Countach eluding the police by skipping over a lake. You know, like a rock.

Mythbusters' new gearhead Kari Byron wanted to see if that could really be done, so they tested the stunt out on a scale model Lamborghini over an appropriately scaled body of water. Then they tested the stunt again with a full-sized car - Pontiac Fiero, not a Countach - over a real pond, and the results made us go something along the lines of "That's awesome."

Follow the jump for the videos, which are broken up into a couple of segments. The scale model Lamborghini segment is cut short - they want you to watch the show - but the final test of the Pontiac Fiero Water Skimmer Edition is at Mythbusters.

[Source: Mythbusters]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mythbusters tests skipping Lambo from Speed Zone, a.k.a. Cannonball Run 3

VIDEO: Mythbusters tests skipping Lambo from Speed Zone, a.k.a. Cannonball Run 3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Chevrolet C5 Corvette-based Saleen S7 replica roadster

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Etc., Chevrolet, Specialty, Design/Style

C5 Corvette based Saleen S7 replica - click above image for hi-res gallery

Steve Saleen's Saleen S7 is a totally bespoke, hand built superduper hypercar that in twin-turbo, 750 horsepower, 700 pound-feet of torque form could go about 250 mph. And it was capable of generating enough downforce to (theoretically) drive upside down. In competition, the S7R has been one of the most dominant vehicles ever fielded, having been "raced in over 264 events, with 218 Top Tens, 166 Podiums, 105 Wins, 86 Poles, 78 Fastest Laps and 9 GT Championships." Price when new was about $600,000, give or take.

Which makes the above car all the more special. Sayeth the seller, "We thought long and hard as to what chassis we would use for our replica. First of all we knew the 80's [sic] Fiero was not an option. its [sic] too old, underpowered, and not a safe frame." Oh man - the replica world has really changed if a Pontiac Fiero chassis is not good enough. But the auctioneer does inadvertently raise a good point, as the S7 is in fact a mid-engined car, and you just got to have that if you're building a replica, don't you? Apparently not.

"So we went with a C5 Corvette chassis. It offers all the driving comforts, with great brakes, Power, and a super strong frame. and we could retail the car for a reasonable price." But not only is it Chevrolet Corvette based, they made it a roadster! See, all those boring old S7s were stuffy mid-engined hardtops - this is the world's first and only front-engined roadster S7. Replica. We've got to say we're a little amazed there are only two bids.

Oh wait, no - we said that wrong. What we meant is that we're a little amazed there are two bids. Currently, the "replica" is sitting at $20,100 and ~~humorously~~ oddly, the reserve has not been met. Did we mention that it's an automatic? Also, dude, your check engine light is on. Videos after the jump. Happy bidding!

Gallery: C5 Corvette based Saleen S7 replica

[Source: eBay Motors]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: Chevrolet C5 Corvette-based Saleen S7 replica roadster

eBay Find of the Day: Chevrolet C5 Corvette-based Saleen S7 replica roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Super Replicas' Lamborghini Reventon clone isn't fooling anyone

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Lamborghini

Follow the jump to see footage of the Super Replica Lamborghini Reventon

Dictionary.com has two definitions for "replica": 1. a copy or reproduction of a work of art produced by the maker of the original or under his or her supervision; 2. any close or exact copy or reproduction. The work of Super Replicas barely falls under the second definition, and even then it helps if you're standing far away or -- better yet -- you've never seen the original in the first place.

While Super Replicas' Lamborghini Reventon won't fool anyone, in the company's defense (if that's possible), they only charge about $20,000 for their rides -- $1.58 million less than the real deal -- and they provide three-year, 75,000-mile warranties. Follow the jump to see the video (whose quality rivals the replica itself) and decide if that's close enough to a Reventon for your liking.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Super Replicas' Lamborghini Reventon clone isn't fooling anyone

VIDEO: Super Replicas' Lamborghini Reventon clone isn't fooling anyone originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retroforza gives Mazda Miata a Ferrari complex

Dan Roth — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Performance, Mazda

Click above for a gallery of the RetroForza Italia

If you've got an obsession with boomer culture, but don't have the budget to spring for a period-specific Ferrari, never fear, RetroForza makes it possible to be a nostalgic poseur. Sporting lines reminiscent of Ferrari's 275, RetroForza is claiming that its Italia bodywork kit for the Mazda MX-5 takes inspiration from vintage Lotus, Alfa, Jaguar and Cobra models. While It's not horrible, the proportions don't exactly work. There's too much front overhang, leading to a fierce underbite, but it avoids looking as stubby as it might on the MX-5's short wheelbase. The Mazda mechanicals mean that it'll be reliable and fun to drive, and with a coupe version supposedly available, there are worse ways to rebody your Miata.

Gallery: RetroForza Italia

[Source: RetroForza]

Retroforza gives Mazda Miata a Ferrari complex originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update: Bailey Blade hit hard in bad economy, adds green options

Chris Tutor — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:33:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Supercars

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Bailey Blade

For all of you who have kept up with Neal Bailey's quest to build his dream car, the man with the big plans has hit a snag. The very same snag that's hit the world's established automakers, along with the rest of us. The economy has tanked, and funding has dried up.

But anyone crazy enough to build their very own supercar better have the tenacity to stick with it through even the worst of times. And it seems Neal has just what it takes. Instead of throwing in the shop towel, Neal is innovating. And no, that doesn't mean he flew his corporate jet to DC for a government handout. Instead, he's asking for donations to keep the dream alive, as well as taking the project in some new, greener directions.

Visitors to the Bailey Blade website can keep help Neal with a little cash while reading about the newest trim levels of the exotic Blade. If all goes as planned, Neal hopes to not only offer the Blade XTR, a 750 hp, 5.4L, Roush-powered supercar, but also the Blade EVR and Blade HDR.

The EVR is an all-electric version of the Blade with dual electric motors feeding off lithium ion phosphate batteries. Neal claims "big block performance but all electric." The HDR would be a 600 hp Roush supercharged V8 with an on-demand hydrogen system. Theoretically, owners would see a 20% fuel-savings over a gasoline-only engine.

Donors to the Blade project will get their names posted on the Baily Blade Web site, as well as on displays accompanying the car at shows. They'll also be added to a newsletter list to get the latest news on the project's progress.

Gallery: Update: Baileyspeed Blade redesign

Gallery: Original Baileyspeed Blade

Update: Bailey Blade hit hard in bad economy, adds green options originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Factory Five modernizes the '33 Coupe

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Specialty

Click above for more shots of the '33 Hot Rod from Factory Five Racing

Factory Five currently sells the most popular Shelby Cobra kit by far. One of the reasons that more people build the FFR Cobra than all other Shelby kits combined is that it's the easiest one to finish, as it comes with everything needed minus a donor Mustang. That same philosophy is behind the new '33 Hot Rod kit from FFR. Any small block Ford V8 engine will fit, along with the buyers choice of transmission and a Ford rear end. The benefits to starting with a completely new foundation rather than an existing Ford product from the '30s are apparent when you take a look at that triangulated tube chassis and its in-board coil-over front suspension. Plus, with just 2110 pounds. to push around with its fiberglass body, this is one '33 that will have no problem getting out of its own way.

Want one? The kits are currently priced at just under $20K and are shipping now. A short wait 'till December will ensure that no parts are on back-order. That should give you plenty of time to source an appropriate engine, transmission and rear axle and rolling stock. Now, all you need to do is pick a color.

Gallery: Factory Five '33 Hot Rod

[Source: Factory Five Racing via NextAutos]

Factory Five modernizes the '33 Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: 1996 Porsche 959 Speedster

Noah Joseph — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Auctions, Porsche

Click above to view more of the Porsche 959 Speedster

Not all German supercars are the same. For instance, not every Teutonic exotic bred the plethora of derivatives that the Mercedes SLR McLaren has. Case in point, the Porsche 959. There was no 722 version, no roadster and certainly no chop-top speedster. But that's where the aftermarket comes into the picture. Well, sorta.

What you see here is not a 959 supercar with the roof hacked off. Nor is it an original 356, either. All it appears to be is a kit car combining the retro styling of the original Porsche with the front and rear ends of the 959. The hybrid concoction may have filled a niche for a modern throwback to the original 356 just as the first-generation Boxster was coming to market, but where that leaves this creation now is up to debate. While we can't say that the end result is a work of art, it certainly is... original.

Follow the link for the auction page, where the 959 Speedster is under reserve at $5,700 with a buy-it-now price a hair under $11k.

Gallery: Porsche 959 Speedster

[Source: eBay via PistonHeads]

eBay Find of the Day: 1996 Porsche 959 Speedster originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update: Baileyspeed Blade gets makeover, pricing

Chris Tutor — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Supercars

Back in November, we brought you the story of a real-life dream-to-reality car story. It was the tale of Neal Bailey, who was taking the best details of the cars he loved and creating his dream car.

Neal emailed us last week to say he had done some work on his self-branded supercar, the Bailey Blade, and was getting closer to putting it into limited production. The latest design changes were necessary to meet European headlight-height regulations with Viper-like, fender-hugging lamps in front. Neal took advantage of the required changes to incorporate some other design mods as well, like the slotted front intakes where the old headlights once were and the hood scoops now are covered instead of open. The car is also getting a newly redesigned front and rear independent suspension.

The leg-sizzling chrome sidepipes are, thankfully, still there, as are the Vette-like rear haunches and the 500-hp Roush V8 planned for the prototype.

Neal says he hopes to have a rolling prototype by the middle of this year with sales starting sometime next year, sooner if he can find an investor. As you have probably already guessed, Neal is hoping to sell a few in Europe, and he says he has designed the Blade to be easily constructed as a right-hand drive car.

If you want a Bailey Blade, Neal says plan on spending between $50,000 and $80,000 depending on options like the prototype's Roush 400IR, an $18,000 option.

Gallery: Update: Baileyspeed Blade redesign

Gallery: Original Baileyspeed Blade

Update: Baileyspeed Blade gets makeover, pricing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Miata-based BMW Z9

Erin Mays — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Auctions, BMW, Mazda

Click the image above if you really want to see more.

It's obvious that someone was champing at the bit to get a 1-series convertible before it makes its way to the U.S. This Miata-based BMW rip- off might not be a finished replica of the Z9 concept from a few years back, but the progress, is, ummm... progress?

The owner makes it clear that the car is still street legal, with its stock emissions systems left intact. So that side exit exhaust is merely for show, as is the plastic BMW engine cover.

Were you to part with your hard-earned cash for such a misshapen homage to Bavaria, you might be willing to spend some coin on a nice coat of silver metallic or midnight blue paint, and then take to the interior with a hacksaw and some vision.

Good luck, you'll need it.

[eBay via Carscoop]

Gallery: Miata-based BMW Z9 clone

eBay Find of the Day: Miata-based BMW Z9 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 May 2007 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kit Carnival: Odd bullet-nose Stude replica in NYC

Alex Nunez — Wed, 09 May 2007 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Etc.

Click for gallery

So there I was, exiting Madison Square Garden after watching my Rangers have their season ended at the hand of Chris Drury and the Buffalo Sabres. As I walked east on 33rd street, I couldn't help but notice the orange bullet-nosed Studebaker Business Coupe stopped at the corner. Only it wasn't a Studebaker. it was a kit, and from the looks of things, I believe that there might have been an older (Fox body?) Thunderbird somewhere underneath it all. The nose looked fine, but it it kinda became a disaster as you moved aft from there -- the proportions seem totally out of whack. My Google powers have failed me, as I haven't been able to dig up anything on the kit. Now I'm just curious. Feel free to weigh in with your own comments.

Gallery: Studebaker Bullet-Nose Kit in NYC

Kit Carnival: Odd bullet-nose Stude replica in NYC originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2007 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How many special edition Mustangs is too much? Meet the Miastang

John Neff — Wed, 02 May 2007 18:54:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Mazda

click above for more images of the M1Stang "Miastang"

One could argue that the Mazda Miata has become our generation's Pontiac Fiero. We've seen the Miata become the kit car du jour in the form of a BMW Z3 and Aston Martin, but this conversion may take the cake. Though we have dubbed this car the Miastang, it's real name is the M1Stang. Carscoop reports that the man behind this Miata-based Mustang replica is one Bill Carnes, who will take your Zoom Zoom roadster and approximately $12,999 plus tax in exchange for his strange concoction. Clearly, the entire body of the Miata save the windshield is replaced with all steel body panels that nicely mimic the Mustang of old. Unfortunately, the $13k base price doesn't include painting or updating the decidedly un-Mustang interior, but the conversion can be performed on any Miata from 1990-2005. Some may call it an abomination, but we think it's pretty amusing and actually a fairly faithful recreation.

[Source: M1Stang via Carscoop]

Gallery: M1Stang Miata Mustang conversion

How many special edition Mustangs is too much? Meet the Miastang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2007 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arkansas adopts SEMA custom car title legislation

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Trends, Government/Legal

We recently reported how SEMA had helped get new kit and custom car registration legislation passed in Virginia. Well, the razorbacks didn't want their Southern rivals to get too far ahead and recently passed a similar bill of their own. Arkansas made changes to their vehicle titling and registration classifications for street rods and created a new class for custom vehicles too. The bill was recently signed into law by Governor Mike Beebe after being approved by the Arkansas State Legislature. Arkansas now defines a street rod as "an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949" and a custom as "an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948." And like the Virginia law, kit cars and replicars will get tagged as being the same model year as the car they aim to replicate. So a freshly built '32 Ford would be a 1932 Ford, and a new Cobra would be a 1960's car on the books.

Arkansas' new law also allows non-original materials to be used, allocates special license plates for this class of vehicles, and lets builders use blue dot taillights. Street rods and customs will also be exempt from many of the standard equipment requirements and emissions controls. Things like catalysts and seatbelts will only have to meet period requirements. As is the case in Virginia as well, the kits and customs that are titled and registered this way will have mileage restrictions, but they tend to be limited use vehicles anyways.

[Source: Auto Spectator]

Arkansas adopts SEMA custom car title legislation originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virginia adds replica car category to title process

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Government/Legal

Beginning on July 1, kit/replica/component car buyers in Virginia will be able to title their vehicles in a different way. It seems the Virginia General Assembly has approved a new law allowing these vehicles to be registered as whatever model year the replica represents. The big advantage there lies in the fact that owners will be getting around those knuckle- and wallet-busting safety and emissions requirements for newly-built cars. This means Virginia will be joining Washington, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana and Rhode Island as states with similar titling laws on the books.

But lest you think this gives you carte blanche to build your own backyard burner and terrorize the local citizenry, know that there are some restrictions. First of all, the law defines a replica as "a vehicle not fully constructed by a licensed manufacturer but either constructed or assembled from components." Secondly, as a gesture of good will between thankful hobbyists and concerned officials, "replica vehicles titled under this law will be limited to no more than 5,000 miles per year as shown by the vehicle's odometer." So it has to be a true kit car, not a tuner, and you have to keep your driving down to about 100 miles per weekend or 400 miles a month.

In particular this will help manufacturers of cars like the Shelby Cobra kits we see all over the place. In fact, the Cobra clubs in Virginia were instrumental in getting this bill passed. Being heavily involved in the industry, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) was also part of the process. SEMA has actually been at the forefront in encouraging states to pass this kind of legislation. They are also working on similar initiatives in Florida, Arkansas, New York, Massachusetts and Nevada.

[Source: SEMA]

Virginia adds replica car category to title process originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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