Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[This is Mitt Romney]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/25/this-is-mitt-romney/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/25/this-is-mitt-romney/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/25/this-is-mitt-romney/#commentsFiled under: , ,

mitt romney and amc javelin

That's right, the potential Republican Potentate is an AMC muscle car; according to the Secret Service, anyway. The Republican race for the presidential nomination is getting serious, and National Public Radio reports that the the Secret Service is stepping in to offer its protective services to the potential nominees. When this happens, code names are given to the protectees; for example, President Reagan was called "Rawhide" by those watching out for him. Mitt's new Secret Service handle? Javelin.

The candidates are presented with the list of potential security handles, and Romney apparently thought a nod to the car company his old man ran suited him just fine. Does it say something about the way he sees himself? Kenosha, Wisconsin-based American Motors Corporation was ever the cash-strapped scrapper; a bit of a contrast from Romney's well-funded election machine, but he won't be the first person to romanticize the last independent.

The biggest question we have is which one he thinks he is? A Javelin SST with the optional Go-Pack would indicate he thinks he's a serious performer, while a Pierre Cardin edition might match up more with the tastes of a man accustomed to the finer things. In any case, it will be hard to look at a Javelin from now on and not see Mitt's well-coiffed, perfect-teeth grin.

This is Mitt Romney originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amcamc javelinamerican motorsamerican motors javelinjavelinjavelin secret servicemitt romneymitt romney javelinmitt romney javelin secret serviceromneySun, 25 Mar 2012 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20200571/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/25/this-is-mitt-romney/20200571/article-detail.xml 20200571 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/mittjavelin_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/mittjavelin.jpg <![CDATA[PopMech offers a video history of the automotive barrel roll]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/popmech-offers-a-video-history-of-the-automotive-barrel-roll/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/popmech-offers-a-video-history-of-the-automotive-barrel-roll/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/popmech-offers-a-video-history-of-the-automotive-barrel-roll/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Astro Spiral Jump

Rob Dyrdek's "kick flip" stunt in a Chevrolet Sonic effectively sealed his place in the hallowed halls of stunt driver lore. As it turns out, actually pulling off a 360-degree barrel roll in a vehicle is one of the most challenging stunts one can perform. Driving on two wheels? Cakewalk. Knocking down a series of buses stacked on their ends? As easy as sucking pea soup through a crazy straw. The barrel roll requires stacks of mathematical calculations to account for everything from the vehicle's weight to its speed and the exact rotation angle of each ramp.

But Dyrdek wasn't the first guy to successfully execute such a bit of insanity. He's one of a select few stunt drivers to do the deed, and Popular Mechanics has taken a look at those who have tackled the automotive barrel roll in the past. Dyrdek's stunt was actually an almost exact replica of the Astro Spiral Jump as performed in 1972 at the Houston Astrodome. That exercise used a significantly classier AMC Javelin, however. Head over to Popular Mechanics to check out the video series and click past the jump for a clip on the Astro Spiral Jump.

Continue reading PopMech offers a video history of the automotive barrel roll

PopMech offers a video history of the automotive barrel roll originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amcamc javelinastrodomebarrel rollchevroletchevrolet sonicjavelinkick fliprob dyrdeksonicstuntstunt driverstunt drivingstunt videovideoFri, 30 Dec 2011 12:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20137609/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/30/popmech-offers-a-video-history-of-the-automotive-barrel-roll/20137609/article-detail.xml 20137609 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/astro-spiral-jump-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/astro-spiral-jump-628.jpg <![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: The return of the AMX]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/rendered-speculation-the-return-of-the-amx/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/rendered-speculation-the-return-of-the-amx/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/rendered-speculation-the-return-of-the-amx/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for more renderings of revived AMC models

American Motors may have lost its way towards the end of its life in the '80s, but the little car company that could created some very cool vintage American iron. When the muscle car era was still in full swing, AMC was a player with its Javelin, which went up against some stiff competition in the form of the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Trans Am. Later, the Mopar boys introduced the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda into the mix, muddying the waters that much more. Though AMC had some success with its pony car, the AMX was quite possibly AMC's coolest production vehicle. Based on a shortened version of the Javelin's platform, the AMX had just two seats and was all about performance. The car turned into something of an icon for the automaker, and the name was subsequently used for a series of concepts throughout the '70s... right up until American Motors died.

AMC devotees have speculated on a possible return of the AMX, and though it seems extremely unlikely, we have no problem indulging in the fantasy. So-Cal AMC Club members commissioned Jeff Teague, a designer who just so happens to be the son of classic AMC designer Dick Teague, to come up with his ideas of Javelin and AMX revivals... and what AMC discussion would be complete without a mention of the Gremlin. See all of the renderings in our gallery below.

Gallery: Teague AMX Renderings


[Source: Hemmings Auto Blogs]

Rendered Speculation: The return of the AMX originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amcamc amxamc javelinAmcAmxAmcJavelinamerican motorsamerican motors amxamerican motors javelinAmericanMotorsAmericanMotorsAmxAmericanMotorsJavelinjavelinThu, 13 Nov 2008 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1371286/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/11/13/rendered-speculation-the-return-of-the-amx/1371286/article-detail.xml 1371286 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/teagueamx4_resized_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/teagueamx4_resized.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Richard Dreyfuss pitches the '70 AMC Javelin]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/video-richard-dreyfuss-pitches-the-70-amc-javelin/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/video-richard-dreyfuss-pitches-the-70-amc-javelin/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/video-richard-dreyfuss-pitches-the-70-amc-javelin/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We like Richard Dreyfuss. Whether it's the old-school Richard (Close Encounters, Jaws), the 80s Richard (Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Stakeout, Let it Ride), or the modern Richard (What About Bob?, Poseidon), Dreyfuss has demonstrated his formidable chops as a thespian many times over, often making us laugh along the way.

The laughs came again when we watched this TV spot for the '70 AMC Javelin, though we don't think they were exactly intentional. Dreyfuss is the "star" of the spot, in which he leads a very unintimidating band of hoods as they check out the coupe. Affecting a neo-Bugs Bunny accent with the cheese factor turned up to the max, he and his cohorts extoll the virtues of the Javelin while looking as if they could break into song -- West Side Story-style -- at any given moment.

Thankfully, they don't. Good thing. If we laughed any harder, someone would've had to call an ambulance. The overacting reaches Shatnerian levels, and the entertainment value is incalculable.

[Source: YouTube]

VIDEO: Richard Dreyfuss pitches the '70 AMC Javelin originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1970 amc javelin1970 amc javelin commercial1970AmcJavelin1970AmcJavelinCommercialamcamc javelinAmcJavelinrichard dreyfussRichardDreyfussTue, 17 Oct 2006 17:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/685393/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/10/17/video-richard-dreyfuss-pitches-the-70-amc-javelin/685393/article-detail.xml 685393 -1 2