Autoblog

This is Mitt Romney

Dan Roth — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Government/Legal

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.

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PopMech offers a video history of the automotive barrel roll

Zach Bowman — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Budget, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet

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.

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Pixar licenses Cars 2 AMC villains for a song thanks to Chrysler bankruptcy

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Chrysler, Celebrities, MISC

Joe Mantegna and Peter Jacobson from Pixar's CARS 2 - Click above for high-res gallery

Earlier this week, we spent the day at Pixar to get a sneak peak at Cars 2. And before you ask, here's what you want to know: The sequel is an order of magnitude more awesome than the original and chief creative honcho John Lasseter drives a Mercedes-Benz SL65. So with that out of the way...

While interviewing one of the feature's principles, we asked about vehicle licensing. When the flick hits theaters June 24, you'll see "Carified" (their term, not ours) versions of everything from Audi to Opel models, but the villains in the film are made up of what the Pixar team contends are the world's worst cars. So there's an assortment of unloved Eastern European metal mixed in with two main antagonists: an AMC Pacer ("Acer" - voiced by Peter Jacobson) and a Gremlin ("Grem" - voiced by Joe Mantegna).

Obviously, it would be a tough sell to go to an automaker and say "We need villains, and your cars are perfect representations for the most loathsome creations on wheels," but the Pixar people came to AMC's owners - Chrysler - at precisely the right time.

When Pixar approached the automaker about licensing the names and likenesses of two vehicles for the film, Chrysler was in the throes of bankruptcy, it was divorcing itself of Cerberus, and it wasn't sure who its next parent would be... if indeed it was to have one at all. Pixar - knowingly or otherwise - took advantage of the situation and managed to snag usage rights to the vehicles for the film just when the automaker was in turmoil and strapped for cash. The results are spectacular, but you'll have to wait for our full story and the animated feature to come to your local cineplex to find out why.

Gallery: CARS 2

Gallery: CARS 2 Characters

[Images: Pixar]

Pixar licenses Cars 2 AMC villains for a song thanks to Chrysler bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevy Vega development film yields priceless look at 1970s auto design

Dan Roth — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Vega Car & Track segment - Click above to view the video after the jump

"The goal is to be nifty." Quite a gem of a quote from Car & Track's look into the work behind bringing the Chevrolet Vega to market. C&T was among the first national television shows that covered both auto racing and road tested the cars of its day, and their videos remain fun to watch and offer a glimpse into the past to see cars that have become both famous and infamous in their original context.

Looking at the Vega's design, testing, engineering and construction, C&T calls it "the most precisely engineered car built in America." Uh-huh. Thankfully, 'precisely engineered' means something rather different today, and even if we don't lust after the Vega like other cars from its era, we can still enjoy a glimpse inside some of General Motors' vehicle development and testing methods from some forty years ago. Check out the video after the jump - and be sure to scroll down to see what C&T has to say about the one-and-only 1971 AMC Gremlin, too! Top tip, Tom!

[Source: Car & Track via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Chevy Vega development film yields priceless look at 1970s auto design

Video: Chevy Vega development film yields priceless look at 1970s auto design originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Hydrogen-powered 1972 AMC Gremlin by George Barris

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Etc., Technology, Hatchback

1972 hydrogen-powered AMC Gremlin - Click above for high-res image gallery

When one thinks of advanced technology, the AMC Gremlin rarely (if ever) pops to mind. In fact, these days, unless you happen to be watching re-runs of the first season of True Blood you likely wouldn't think of the Gremlin under any circumstances. Today's eBay Motors find is a very special hydrogen-powered Gremlin that we've never heard of before.

As the story goes, back in the early 1970s, 64 university teams built cars to compete in the Urban Vehicle Design Challenge, with this machine coming out of the labs at the University of California - Los Angeles. The Gremlin was donated to UCLA by American Motors and Ford provided a 351 Cleveland V8. The UCLA team worked with suppliers such as Hooker, Edelbrock, Union Carbide and none other than Kustom Kar King George Barris to get the supplies needed to convert the V8 to run on hydrogen and get the car competition ready. The Impco-provided hydrogen tanks in the back only gave the Gremlin a 68-mile range, but considering the lack of fuel injection and sophisticated electronics, that's not bad.

The wanton nostalgics among us aren't just drawn to the car's eccentric powertrain, but also to its period-appropriate mustard yellow paint, tire-tread bumpers, vintage Polyglas tires, and a couple of racing buckets that we'd like to mount on swivels and have in the Autoblog Living Room.

Incidentally, the Gremlin ultimately won the competition based on the fact that the steam emanating the from the tailpipe was cleaner than the air going into the carburetor. At this point, there are no bids on the car and it's not clear if it runs, but we'd stand we-hell back before firing it up for the first time.

Gallery: eBay find of the day: 1972 hydrogen AMC Gremlin

[Sources: eBay Motors, Wired]

eBay Find of the Day: Hydrogen-powered 1972 AMC Gremlin by George Barris originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 May 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 24 Hours of LeMons Ford Escort ZX2 flips out

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Ford

Rubbing is Racing - click above to watch the video

One of the common, angry refrains that veteran 24 Hours of LeMons teams voice is the fact that the $500 junker series keeps increasing the safety requirements, especially when it comes to roll cages. After all, their cage passed the tech inspection last time, no problem. Why the hassle, man?

It can be safely assumed however, that the driver of the Ford Escort ZX2 sees no problem with tighter, tougher (and yes, safer) LeMons roll cage requirements. First and foremost, the driver walked away from the wreck (it took place at last weekend's Gator-O-Rama 2010 race near Houston, TX) with zero injuries. Second of all, the following video is a very good lesson in why your wheels shouldn't stick out past your car's fenders. Sadly, the AMC Gremlin that the Escort climbed up isn't visible. However, you can see a little piece of its side wing airborne in the image above. Watch the video, after the jump. Thanks to DrWife for capturing the footage!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 24 Hours of LeMons Ford Escort ZX2 flips out

Video: 24 Hours of LeMons Ford Escort ZX2 flips out originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: The return of the AMX

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Rendered Speculation

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.

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What could have been - AMX/3

Dan Roth — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Etc., Supercars

UPDATE: It turns out there were actually some running and driving versions of this car, link in text below.

The fact that AMC never produced this car is probably part of the reason why they were able to hang on as the last independent automaker until the twilight of the 1980s. Looking at it now, though, makes us wish they'd gone after the mid-engined supercar segment with their iconoclastic flair. Sure, that'd mean an interior done up in noxious orange tartan, but look at that design! Richard Teague and crew managed to create a very muscular form evocative of what may have happened had a Toronado mated with Signor Miura. There were several development cars created, but no production version. What has recently surfaced is one of the "pushcars" used at events to show off the exterior styling. Pushcars were basically fiberglass bodies splashed from molds of the clay bucks. Underneath the exterior was a wooden framework and rudimentary axles front and rear.

Other pushcars from the same program have surfaced, one was even stuck atop a pole at a used car dealership before being rescued and restored (as a pushcar, that is.) The AMX/3, however, remained sealed away in Bruce Wayne's underground lair, it would seem, until earlier this year. The seller, second owner of the AMX/3, had intended on mounting the body to a Pantera chassis, but decided to sell it instead. New owner Tom Dulaney intends to restore the pushcar back to its original setup, but not before taking molds from the body to possibly create replica pieces. So, in the end, we may actually be able to own the sexiest AMC that never was, even if it is underpinned by a Fiero. Actually, there's no word on what would serve as a chassis, so let your imaginations run. We know what will be circling our heads as we fall asleep tonight.

[Source: Hemmings]

What could have been - AMX/3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gremlins, Pinto and Pacers to become the new auction darlings?

Dan Roth — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Trends, Etc.

Anyone worried about their legacy would do well to pay attention to the rise and fall of automotive punchlines. More like fall and rise. Cars that were once four-wheeled jokes are gaining in value, demonstrating that history usually plays out far differently than you'd planned. Insurance man McKeel Hagerty noticed that cars once sneered at were increasing in value. Hagerty's insurance company is the number one insurance provider for collector car owners, and the values of the vehicles were suddenly climbing. Hagerty polled his customers and asked them to vote on the worst car designs of all time; a way of researching what's primed to increase in value.

AMC was the big winner of the dubious honors. Consistently undercapitalized compared to the big three, AMC had to be very creative and clever with their resources. The company made it as long as they did by taking more risks, so it's not that much of a surprise to see the Pacer, Gremlin, and Matador honored. Ford's Pinto must be charming a new generation of buyers with its firey personality, because we can't imagine that rampant nostalgia has started to take hold of the rolling jokes yet. Then again, many Boomers might fondly regard what may have been their first car. Prices for musclecars have gotten stupid, are we going to see a three-million dollar Bobcat in the next five years?

[Source: Business Week via TTAC]

Gremlins, Pinto and Pacers to become the new auction darlings? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Classic: Eagle Premier

Dan Roth — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Daimler, Jeep, Renault

click image for more pics of the Eagle Premier

By the early 1980s, American Motors Corporation was on the ropes. Its car line was seriously geriatric - the Eagle, Concord, and Spirit models were derivatives of the Hornet developed in the Bronze Age. AMC had turned to Renault for an infusion of cash in return for an entré into the US market for the French brand. The Renault Alliance, Encore and Medallion were US versions of the French automaker's vehicles distributed by AMC/Jeep dealers, laying the groundwork for the Renault 25-derived Premier. Originally badged Renault Premier, and part of the AMC portfolio, the car became the Eagle Premier following Renault's desperate sale of its AMC stake to Chrysler. AMC had an established brand and operation, a brand new plant in Bramalea, Ontario, as well as the money-making Jeep division, which is what Chrysler really wanted. It's ironic that 20 years later, the Jeep brand is reprising its role as a jewel within a struggling automaker. It's also ironic that while Chrysler acquired AMC for the Jeep brand, the Premier ended up supporting the '90s renaissance at Auburn Hills.

Gallery: Eagle Premier

Continue reading Future Classic: Eagle Premier

Future Classic: Eagle Premier originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eulogy for the Pacer - a memorial tribute to organ-donating AMCs

Dan Roth — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc.

While it is perhaps not terribly far-fetched to think that there are folks who like the Pacer, this just seems like an unhealthy attachement. In the process of keeping his own very fine looking '76 alive, Curt Uhrin felt guilty about just stripping bits off those cars that gave their lives so that his may live on. Guilty enough, in fact, to create a website devoted to keeping their memories alive. Curt took pictures of the junkyard cars as they lay in state and wrote wistful descriptions that make us want to go cuddle their rounded little fenders and restore them to their AMC funk-shack glory daze.

While the Pacer wasn't a bad car, per se, it was really uniquely styled. This was probably the car's most off-putting feature, as the running gear was pretty solid stuff.. Enough time has passed to make this once hideous car look almost cool. Kind of like E.T. -- so homely it's cute. One thing is for sure, AMC lovers definitely have underdog complexes, and what better underdog to love than one that's not only quirky (all AMCs are quirky), but pug-faced, to boot?

[Source: Hemmings]

Eulogy for the Pacer - a memorial tribute to organ-donating AMCs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Dec 2006 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Richard Dreyfuss pitches the '70 AMC Javelin

Alex Nunez — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos

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.

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A brief history of Trans Am racing

Eric Bryant — Fri, 26 May 2006 17:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

With an apparent resurgence of muscle cars coming from Detroit, many are reminded of the "good ol' days" of Trans Am racing. This particular series mutated from the SCCA's B-Production Sedan class when the decision was made to award a manufacturer's title - a move that eventually dragged Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and AMC into a high-dollar factory-sponsored war for muscle car dominance.

The cars competing in Trans Am were built much like their circle-track "stock car" brethren of the day, with each race vehicle being built on a production-based unibody riding on essentially stock suspension components. Homologation was the rule of the day, and this lead to such street legends as the Camaro Z/28, Boss Mustang, AAR Cuda, and of course the Firebird Trans Am - all of which were equipped from the factory with a bone-jarring ride and oversquare V8s that would make today's high-performance four-cylinders seem downright docile in comparison. It was truly a case of "win it on Sunday and sell it on Monday", unlike today's Trans Am series that consists of tube-framed chassis wrapped with bodywork that barely resembles anything you'd find in a showroom. There were widespread rumors of cheating, which we'd rather think of as creative interpretation of the rules. Considering that Trans Am racing drew some of the more creative characters from NASCAR and drag racing, we have no doubt that stories of acid-dipped bodies, illegal non-factory engine components, and expanded fuel capacity are at least rooted in truth, even if a few decades of bench racing has allowed them to take on a life of their own.

When the manufacturers pulled out in 1971, the golden age of Trans Am racing drew to a close - much like the muscle-car era in general. Fast-forward 38 years or so, and maybe the conditions will be ripe for Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers to once again rub fenders in a big-league racing series. One thing is for certain - production-based racing has never failed to bring better vehicles to consumers, and so without a doubt we'd welcome the sound of uncorked small-block V8s on road courses around the country.

[Source: Car Craft]

A brief history of Trans Am racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 May 2006 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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