Autoblog

Video: Jay Leno's Garage welcomes the gonzo Blastolene Rocket II Trike

Zach Bowman — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Motorcycle, Celebrities

The Rocket II visits Jay Leno's Garage - Click above to watch video after the jump

It looks like Tim Cotterill finally got around to crossing paths with Jay Leno. It was only a matter of time before the sculptor-turned-gearhead brought his drop-dead gorgeous Rocket II Trike by Leno's Garage for a quick looksee. While we've seen the 1,000 horsepower Blastolene creation on the interwebs before, Jay has been kind enough to allow us to vicariously pour over every little detail. It turns out that the supercharged Hemi V8 is actually a dual-plug unit that still runs off of pump gas - lots and lots of pump gas. Cotterill is waging a one man war against every Toyota Prius on the road - trike manages around 3 mpg.

Even so, the guy says it's worth every penny, and we believe him. Surprisingly enough, Jay opts not to ride the thing, allowing Cotterill to wow us all with more hyper-drive style passes and tire-melting burnouts. Impressive, sure, but not nearly so amazing as the steering setup on the Rocket II. Take the time and geek out with the rest of us by watching the video after the jump. It's time well spent.

[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]

Continue reading Video: Jay Leno's Garage welcomes the gonzo Blastolene Rocket II Trike

Video: Jay Leno's Garage welcomes the gonzo Blastolene Rocket II Trike originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Frogman Rocket II Trike stars in short film, is our kind of crazy

Zach Bowman — Tue, 18 May 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Videos, Specialty

Frogman Rocket II - Click above to watch video after the jump

Early last year, our very own Drew Phillips spotted the Frogman Rocket II doing its best to blend in among the other, less-outrageous creations at the Grand National Roadster Show. At the time, he wondered what it must be like to throw a leg over a trike powered by a supercharged Hemi V8 with over 1,000 horsepower. Now we know. The owner is a kindly soul by the name of Tim Cotterill who decided to have a short film made about the creation.

The action focuses mainly on long, dreamy shots of the Rocket II doing what it does best - generating speed and shoveling bucketfuls of fuel down the engine's throat via two Holley double pumpers. The sound of this thing is beyond intoxicating, and the craftsmanship only helps to return us to our wide-eyed elementary school selves. Crafted by none other than the Blastolene - the same crew that's responsible for Jay Leno's tank car - the Rocket II wears the kind of over-the-top style that makes us downright giddy.

Hit the jump to see the 10-minute feature for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Brian!

Gallery: Blastolene Hemi Trike

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Frogman Rocket II Trike stars in short film, is our kind of crazy

Video: Frogman Rocket II Trike stars in short film, is our kind of crazy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 May 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson 2010: The Blastolene Indy Special

Drew Phillips — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions

Blastolene Indy Special - Click above for high-res image gallery

We said earlier that the Bonneville Boss Transporter with its Proud American land speed rocket was the most unique vehicle at the auction. Well...we might just have to take that back. Behold this "1952 Watson Roadster" (that's what it's registered as, at least) built by the Blastolene Brothers, better known as the Indy Special. You might remember some of the other Blastolene creations including Leno's tank car, the Hemi Trike, and Piss'd Off Pete.

The Indy Special is everything you'd expect from a Blastolene-built car. Like Leno's, it has a 1792ci M47 Patton tank engine, although naturally aspirated, producing 910 horsepower and 1500 lb-ft torque. At 270 inches long and a weight of 8400 lbs the sheer size is enough to impress just about anyone. Just about everything on the car being hand-built including the aluminum body, and we've heard it cost over $400,000 to make. That makes the final price of $280,500 actually seem reasonable.

Gallery: Barrett-Jackson 2010: Blastolene Indy Special

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2010: The Blastolene Indy Special

Barrett-Jackson 2010: The Blastolene Indy Special originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Brass Era American LaFrance firetruck speedster is a prehistoric Blastolene

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions

American LaFrance firetruck speedster - click above for high-res gallery

One of our favorite cars from 2009 is the Blastolene Peterbilt hot rod. You know the one with two (count 'em, two) superchargers bolted to its Detroit Diesel V12. Hubba hubba,. And if we had access to a time machine, our very favorite car from say 1933 might just be this firetruck speedster, that's quite possibly a direct ancestor of Blastolene. For certain the two are related in the chutzpah department. As the owner states, "You don't know what 'awesome' is until you drive this car."

Where to even start? First of all, brass era cars rule. Even if this particular American LaFrance bucket isn't exactly 100 percent of the period. The chassis is from 1921 type 14-6 short wheelbase firetruck. The motor is out of a 1918 type 31-6-75 front drive aerial ladder, while the aluminum cowl comes from another American LaFrance firetruck built between 1927 and 1930. The speedster just looks like it hails from 1915 (the year which it's coincidently registered). Pretty amazing, no?

Let's talk motor for just one moment. The six-cylinder powering this particular rat rod is a 14.5-liter inline-six (that's 820 cubic inches) good for 105 horsepower. Not oodles of power, but with twelve spark plugs (six off the distributor, six off the magneto) and all that displacement, you can bet this guy is torquey enough to pull stumps. Need more convincing? The differential takes 600 weight oil. Currently, the speedster's sitting at $50,000 (reserve not met) with a buy it now price of $149,000. Serious bidders only, and good luck!

Gallery: LaFrance Firetruck Speedster

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Brass Era American LaFrance firetruck speedster is a prehistoric Blastolene originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2009: Blastolene's twin-supercharged V12 Peterbilt hot rod

Drew Phillips — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style, Diesel

Blastolene Peterbilt Hot Rod - Click above for a high-res image gallery

We are amazed every time we see a new creation from the Blastolene Brothers, and this latest monster we spotted at last night's Jet Center party in Monterey made our jaws drop. Built by Randy Grubb, the same man responsible for designing and constructing Jay Leno's tank car, this rolling monster is comprised of a chopped Peterbilt model 351 cab and an 852ci two-stroke Detroit Diesel twin-supercharged V12 mated to an Allison 4-speed automatic transmission from a Greyhound bus. The engine produces 500 horsepower and nearly 1000 lb-ft torque with a redline of just 2,800 rpm. Other features include a custom boat-tail gas tank, Baer brakes, stitched leather seats made by a saddle maker and a customized rear end from a semi truck. Overall, Grubb spent over 3,000 man hours and 15 months to build this one off creation and has lovingly given it the nickname "Piss'd Off Pete." Check out all the incredible details in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Blastolene Peterbilt Hot Rod

Monterey 2009: Blastolene's twin-supercharged V12 Peterbilt hot rod originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Separated At Birth: We find the 2000 HP twin brother of Leno's tank car

Drew Phillips — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Etc., Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty

1946 Aero Packard Flyer "Dream Rod" - Click above for a high-res gallery

We thought a vehicle like Jay Leno's Tank Car would be a one-off. After all, how many hot rods out there are thirty feet long and have a 1792 cubic-inch turbocharged V12 underneath the hood putting out 1600 horsepower? Well, this bad boy that we spotted at the Los Angeles Concours this past weekend doesn't exactly have that powertrain, but as you can see from that massive engine poking out of its fuselage, it does have some rather impressive hardware. What is it, you ask? A 2500 cubic-inch Packard supercharged V12 originally used in a PT boat from WWII.

The 41-liter motor produces an astounding 2000 horsepower and 3000 lb-ft of torque. That's right, this thing is actually even more bad ass than Leno's tank car. Known as the "Dream Rod", it was constructed by Rodney Rucker, one of the three Blastolene Brothers also responsible for building the tank car and the insane Hemi Trike we spotted at the Grand National Roadster Show earlier this year. Check out our high-res photos in the gallery below.

Update - we've added a video of the Dream Rod starting up after the jump.

Gallery: 1946 Aero Packard Flyer Dream Rod

Continue reading Separated At Birth: We find the 2000 HP twin brother of Leno's tank car

Separated At Birth: We find the 2000 HP twin brother of Leno's tank car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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