Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Aussie Envy: HSV E Series 2 lineup unveiled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/09/aussie-envy-hsv-e-series-2-lineup-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/09/aussie-envy-hsv-e-series-2-lineup-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/09/aussie-envy-hsv-e-series-2-lineup-unveiled/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The HSV E Series 2 lineup - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Just as wounds from the Pontiac G8 being ripped from us are beginning to scar over, HSV has torn them open anew by revealing version 2.0 of its Commodore-based E Series lineup. It's facelifts all around for the gang of Aussie stoplight brawlers, four of which - The GTS, Maloo R8, ClubSport R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer - even get the erstwhile Poncho's twin-scoop hood. The more luxurious Senator Signature and long-wheelbase Grange models have smooth hoods and less overall ornamentation. Either one would have made a sublime performance Buick, but oh well...

The most extreme looker of the bunch is the range-topping HSV GTS (front and center), which rocks a vicious Fu-Manchu blackout treatment on its new front fascia. All of the cars get new wheels, LED running lights, and new treatments out back as well. Every HSV machine also has an LS3 V8 pumping out 317 kW (425 hp), except the GTS - its LS3 makes 325 kW (435 hp). To further drive home the point, 317 or 325 badging is prominently displayed on the back of the GTS, Maloo, and the two ClubSports so that other drivers have a better understanding of why their doors just got blown off. The Corvette's new launch control system is on every manual gearbox-equipped car, and a manual is standard equipment on all of them but the Grange, which is only sold with a six-speed auto. Finally, new "SV Enhanced" options such as upgraded wheels, bi-modal exhaust, and, in the case of the GTS, 6-pot front brakes let drivers trick things out even further.

It's basically a massive laundry list of good stuff we'll probably never ever see in the U.S. now that GM leadership has put a bullet into the whole North American Zeta sedan idea once and for all. Obviously, this rots. Follow the jump for the official HSV press release and have a gander at the new cars in the gallery below. The photos are all labeled so you know which car is which. That way you'll know precisely what it is that we're missing out on.


Gallery: HSV E Series 2 Lineup

HSV E Series 2 LineupHSV GTSHSV Maloo R8HSV Senator SignatureHSV ClubSport R8 Touring

[Source: HSV]

Continue reading Aussie Envy: HSV E Series 2 lineup unveiled

Aussie Envy: HSV E Series 2 lineup unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesomeclubsport r8clubsport r8 touringClubsportR8ClubsportR8Touringgrangegtsholdenholden special vehiclesHoldenSpecialVehiclesHSVHSV E Series 2HsvESeries2maloomaloo r8MalooR8senator signatureSenatorSignatureuteWed, 09 Sep 2009 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ridiculous vintage JDM action! Roller-skating ninja vs. Bubu 501]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/video-ridiculous-vintage-jdm-action-roller-skating-ninja-vs-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/video-ridiculous-vintage-jdm-action-roller-skating-ninja-vs-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/video-ridiculous-vintage-jdm-action-roller-skating-ninja-vs-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Ninja vs. BuBu - Follow the jump to watch video

No need to belabor this - you really just need to watch. The three-wheeled hero car is a BuBu 501 by Mitsuoka, and yes, it's being chased and attacked by a group of ninja. On roller skates. Doing stunts. (Don't miss the absurd roller disco-style maneuver that has one ninja pull another through his legs for no discernible reason whatsoever.)

Even if you've seen this vintage Japanese footage before, you're going to want to revisit it, so follow the jump and let the awesome wash over you.

[Source: YouTube via Twitter]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ridiculous vintage JDM action! Roller-skating ninja vs. Bubu 501

VIDEO: Ridiculous vintage JDM action! Roller-skating ninja vs. Bubu 501 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>501awesomebubububu 501Bubu501martial artsMartialArtsmicrocarmitsuokaninjaninja movieNinjaMovieThu, 27 Aug 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Bookmark It: Mike Bumbeck launches Clunkbucket.com]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/reading-material-mike-bumbeck-launches-clunkbucket-com/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/reading-material-mike-bumbeck-launches-clunkbucket-com/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/reading-material-mike-bumbeck-launches-clunkbucket-com/#commentsFiled under: ,



Update your bookmarks, kids. Mike Bumbeck, erstwhile Jalop and all-around junkyard Ph.D., is back on the web with a brand new site: Clunkbucket. The focus is on the affordable, attainable, and interesting, with content that's both tasty and useful. Want to remove your door panel without damaging it? Mike's got your back, with photos to help you along. Maybe you need a vintage shop manual. Look no further for tips on how and where to find one. The "Odd Rod" category lives up to its name (dig that Toronado), and expect to see the Starion assume an important and recurring role. Mike's got another of his fellow ex-Jalops, Jonny Lieberman, contributing as well.

Things look like they're off to a solid start, so make sure you add Clunkbucket as a daily stop during your online automotive travels. If you're only hearing about Bumbeck's new project for the first time today, make sure you follow Autoblog on Twitter. If you had been, you would have already learned about Clunkbucket way back on Friday morning.

Good luck, Mike. We think Clunkbucket has... SUPER POTENTIAL!

[Source: Clunkbucket]

Bookmark It: Mike Bumbeck launches Clunkbucket.com originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Awesomebookmark itBookmarkItClunkbucketMike BumbeckMikeBumbeckodd rodOddRodstarionsuper potentialSuperPotentialSun, 22 Mar 2009 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Period Awesome: 1978 Cadillac Eldorado with power T-tops on eBay]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/10/period-awesome-1978-cadillac-eldorado-with-power-t-tops-on-ebay/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/10/period-awesome-1978-cadillac-eldorado-with-power-t-tops-on-ebay/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/10/period-awesome-1978-cadillac-eldorado-with-power-t-tops-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a gallery of the '78 Eldorado with power T-tops

Sometimes, you just have to stop, tip your cap, and accept what is awesome. This is one of those times. Better still, you can buy this example of awesomeness and put it in your garage. "It" is a 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. And it has power T-Tops. Let's repeat that, for those of you who weren't paying attention: POWER T-TOPS. And they work. Picked your jaw off the floor yet? Good. Apparently, only seven prototype cars were built with the ultra-rare, ASC-developed feature. Finished in Colonial Yellow with plush pillow-topped seating, this particular example has 66,775 miles on the clock and a top bid of $5,600 (reserve has not yet been met) as of this writing.

Frankly, the only way this car could be any better is if it were brown, and the stereo exclusively played theme music by Lalo Schifrin. Short of that, it'll do just fine. Now please excuse us, as we've got to see if we can dig several thousand dollars in loose change out of the couch so that we might have a shot at experiencing this (not so) little piece of period awesome. Or maybe it's just awesome. Period.









Gallery: 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz with power T-Tops



[Source: eBay]

Period Awesome: 1978 Cadillac Eldorado with power T-tops on eBay originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1978 Cadillac Eldorado1978CadillacEldoradoamerican sunroof companyAmericanSunroofCompanyASCawesomebiarritzpower t-topsPowerT-topsraret-topsTue, 10 Mar 2009 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[This <i>is</i> the ride you're looking for: Electric XP-34 Landspeeder replica]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/30/this-i-is-i-the-ride-youre-looking-for-electric-xp-34-lands/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/30/this-i-is-i-the-ride-youre-looking-for-electric-xp-34-lands/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/30/this-i-is-i-the-ride-youre-looking-for-electric-xp-34-lands/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for more photos of Daniel Deutsch's Landspeeder

Daniel Deutsch has been building robots and other such coolness for the entertainment industry for over 20 years, and we want what's in his garage. Deutsch, in addition to building R2-D2s, has a full-scale functional replica of Luke Skywalker's XP-34 landspeeder. Instead of a repulsorlift, this speeder is powered by an electric drive system that gives him a 25 mph top speed "several miles" of range off a single charge. We assume that's enough for him to go out and retrieve Artoo when he wanders away from the homestead. (Deutsch really should slap a restraining bolt on the little guy.) And as for his speeder? Never mind the GEM, that is the ultimate NEV. On the downside, ever since the XP-38 came out, the resale value on these things sucks.

[Source: Daniel Deutsch via AutoFiends]

This is the ride you're looking for: Electric XP-34 Landspeeder replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astromechawesomedaniel deutschDanielDeutschelectric landspeederElectricLandspeederevlandspeederluke skywalkerLukeSkywalkernevr2r2-d2r2d2sorosuubspeederstar warsStarWarsx-34x34xp-34xp34Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Washington Combine Demolition Derby: Proof that awesome crops are at record levels]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/washington-combine-demolition-derby-proof-that-awesome-crops-are/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/washington-combine-demolition-derby-proof-that-awesome-crops-are/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/washington-combine-demolition-derby-proof-that-awesome-crops-are/#commentsFiled under: ,


Follow the jump for video

What do you get when you bust out the Krylon and some stencils, add race liveries to combines, and then crash them into each other? You get the best freakin' demolition derby ever, in which the participants harvest record crops of awesome with every smash.

This, in a nutshell, is the thing of beauty otherwise known as the Washington Combine Demolition Derby. 2008's combine carnage is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, and we have never wanted to attend something more in our entire lives. Even if we don't go, at least we can still score ourselves a t-shirt or hat. How this hasn't yet been turned into a top-selling video game is beyond our comprehension -- we'd put down Prologue for this if it had online play. For a taste of the spectacle, follow the jump for video! Thanks for the tip, Scott!

[Source: GoSleepGo]

Continue reading Washington Combine Demolition Derby: Proof that awesome crops are at record levels

Washington Combine Demolition Derby: Proof that awesome crops are at record levels originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 May 2008 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesomecombinecombine demolition derbycombine harvesterCombineDemolitionDerbyCombineHarvesterdemolition derbyDemolitionDerbyWashington Combine Demolition DerbyWashingtonCombineDemolitionDerbyMon, 12 May 2008 16:56:00 EST