Autoblog

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI Convertible

Chris Paukert — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Volkswagen, First Drives, Diesel

Top Down In North America's Only Diesel Convertible

Want proof that diesel is finally taking hold in North America? Look no further than this 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. For a while now, it's become easier to understand why more automakers are opting to pair their large-volume models with diesel, but it's only when a given technology or feature starts to infiltrate the industry's smaller segments that we can argue that something has truly taken hold. After an agonizingly slow buildup, we're prepared to say that the high-mileage fuel has finally come of age here, and the evidence is right under this VW's bulbous hood.

Consider this: Diesel has become so viable that it's trickled down to this car, a niche-within-a-niche-within-a-niche model. Niche number one? The Beetle is a retro-styled spinoff of VW's volume hatchback, the Golf. Niche number two? It's a convertible. It isn't until we get to niche number three that we even discuss its oil-burning nature. In fact, if you want to get even more stratified, the Tornado Red tester seen before you has a manual transmission, itself a lamentably narrow sliver of the marketplace. Yes, the outgoing New Beetle was offered here with TDI power, but its convertible variant never was. We've watched for years as Europe has played host to a whole mess of diesel droptops, but we simply can't remember the last time one was offered here.

That Volkswagen is bringing this triple-specific model to its North American dealers not only says a lot about the confidence it has in its TDI powertrains, it also says something about the company's relentless drive for volume, a fever pitch that seemingly cannot abide any white space left unfulfilled.

Continue reading 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI Convertible

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mexico finally stomping out its fleet of VW Bug taxis

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Government/Legal, Volkswagen

If you've ever wanted to flag down one of Mexico City's classic Volkswagen Bug taxis, you'd better book your travel now. The last of the iconic cabs will be decommissioned by the end of the year, according to the Associated Press.

VW hasn't built the classic Beetle since 2003, the same year that Mexico City began requiring that taxi operators switch to four-door vehicles. The last Bugs that entered service as cabs back in 2002 have already been given two extra years of service compared to most taxis, according to the report.

The cabs are considered particularly dangerous, not just because they are essentially 74-year-old cars, but also because cab drivers generally remove the front passenger seat to facilitate access to the cramped rear quarters of the Beetle. But the cars are cheap to operate and according to one former Mexico City cabbie, help make the streets safer.

"Today the cars are bigger, and they drive faster," Vera Perez told the AP, "Before, they drove more cautiously, because any accident would destroy them."

Mexico finally stomping out its fleet of VW Bug taxis originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hundreds of vintage VWs scrapped over Florida zoning [w/video]

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Government/Legal, Videos

We certainly understand the need to scrap older vehicles. Not only is it impractical to preserve every car that's ever been built, but why would you want to? That said, decisions to destroy old cars, whether under the auspices of a government program like Cash For Clunkers or by profit motive at an automotive recycler, should be made by informed individuals. That way, vehicles that may have potential as collectibles don't unnecessarily vanish.

That's why we find this story so frustrating. According to the Tampa Bay Times, one of the foremost "VW graveyards," Sunray Bugs of Dade City, FL, is headed the way of the Type 4. The giant, 10-acre Volkswagen salvage yard lost its legal battle over zoning with Pasco County, and officials have nearly completed cleanup of the site. Hundreds of cars have been crushed, though the octogenarian owner, "Corky" Yager, may have saved most of what was truly valuable, according to this long thread on TheSamba.com.

While the situation is certainly a complex one that's caused quite a few VW enthusiasts to take to their keyboards to voice their opinions - the aforementioned thread runs to eight pages - the bottom line is that some potentially useful old cars are no longer with us.

Click through the jump to see some video of Sunray Bugs before the zoning incident, including an interview with Corky.

Continue reading Hundreds of vintage VWs scrapped over Florida zoning [w/video]

Hundreds of vintage VWs scrapped over Florida zoning [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Newman's mid-engine V8 Beetle on sale for $250K

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Convertible, Volkswagen, Celebrities

This Volkswagen Beetle is priced to sell at $250,000. No, there's no typo in that figure. This 1963 VW Bug has celebrity ownership, as it once belonged to Mr. Paul Newman. Still not doing it for you at that price? Perhaps a peak under the hood will change your mind.

Paul Newman loved him some fast cars, and this '63 Beetle is no exception. Rather than stick with the old four-cylinder lump in the rear, Newman had IndyCar builder Jerry Eisert set out to turn the droptop bug into a super sleeper.

Eisert dropped a Ford 351 V8 into the middle of the Volkswagen. He added the five-speed ZF transmission (thought to have come from a Ford GT40), and the now-transformed Beetle was pushing out 300-horsepower. That's a whole lot of juice for this bantam-weight brawler. So much, in fact, that Newman's handlers advised him to sell the car before he got into serious trouble with it.

Paul Newman's Volkswagen Beetle Convertible sleeper is now up for sale, after receiving a full restoration. The seller wants $250,000 but is open to "serious offers." While we think 250 large is rather optimistic, there's no doubt this car has the potential to plaster permanent smiles on anyone who drives it. Check out OldBug.com for a look at the car's history.

Paul Newman's mid-engine V8 Beetle on sale for $250K originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: A look back at the history of the Volkswagen Beetle

Zach Bowman — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Budget, Videos, Volkswagen

A history of the Volkswagen Beetle - Click above to watch video after the jump

Our cohorts over at AOL Autos have gone through the trouble of creating a video to take a look at the history of the Volkswagen Beetle. With the People's Automaker pulling the covers off the 2012 Beetle at this year's New York Auto Show, there couldn't be a more fitting time to crack open the history books and dive into the car's past. Editor-in-Chief David Kiley narrates the informative clip and covers everything from the vehicle's unfortunate beginnings to its widespread popularity in Germany and around the world.

The video features plenty of classic footage of workers assembling the Bugs themselves as well as more than a few great vintage advertising spots. There's even an airborne Beetle for your viewing enjoyment.

Kiley helps remind us that the "New" Beetle was largely responsible for helping to save Volkswagen in America back when the brand was struggling to get a grasp on our market. Hit the jump to check out the clip for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: A look back at the history of the Volkswagen Beetle

Video: A look back at the history of the Volkswagen Beetle originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Boxster + vintage Volkswagen Bug = Bugster

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Porsche, Volkswagen, Specialty

1973 Volkswagen Bugster - Click above for high-res image gallery

This is a melding of two seemingly very different cars we can get behind. The melding of one car's running gear and another's body isn't a new practice, but so often it turns out terribly. Need an example? Check out the dozens of F-Body Chevrolet Camaro coupes with 4x4 running gear that haunt the depths of the world's internet forums.

This isn't a hack job, this is is the sort of hybrid we can throw our enthusiastic support behind. The body started life atop a humble 1973 Volkswagen Beetle chassis, while the running gear saw duty under a 2000 Porsche Boxster convertible's skin. The car was created by Siegfried Rudolf, who owns CarMaxx, an Austrian company that restores and customizes Porsche and Volkswagen cars.

Rudolf apparently got the idea after parking his restored Beetle next to his wife's Boxster and noted a striking similarity in their wheelbases. After countless hours with a measuring tape, a Sawzall and a welder, Rudolf had the Bugster, a mid-engined 270-horsepower 1973 VW Beetle.

From off, the car looks like a nicely restored, slightly modified Bug. Up close, though, the enormous side vents, 18-inch wheels and Porsche dashboard start to hint at this thing's dirty little secret. The car sports custom fenders to properly cover its wider track and wheels, and the whole set up rides on a fully-adjustable suspension. Delicious. Thanks for the tip, Rui!

Gallery: 1973 Volkswagen Bugster

[Source: Bugster via FirstSuperCars]

Porsche Boxster + vintage Volkswagen Bug = Bugster originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Etc., Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen New Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Men, take note: According to a new survey from research firm TrueCar, the Volkswagen New Beetle is (still) the ultimate car for women. Apparently, its combination of cute-as-a-button looks and affordable pricing make the reborn Bug a total hit with the fairer sex.

This data was determined not by some silly woman-on-the-street clipboard survey, but rather by looking at the registrations of more than 13 million vehicles over the past two years. We could have saved them quite a bit of work if they wanted to know that the New Beetle was a chick car, but whatever. There was some other interesting info gleaned from the research, including the revelation that 64% of all cars are registered by men despite the fact that there are more women (at 51% of the population, just a tad) than men in America.

Rounding out the top five vehicles that scored well with the mono-chromosomed gender were the Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, (saw this one coming) Volkswagen Eos and Volvo S40.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Volkswagen shows off "Final Edition" New Beetle models

Michael Harley — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Hatchback, Volkswagen

2010 Volkswagen New Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Signifying the end of what has been a long run, Volkswagen has introduced "Final Edition" models of the New Beetle coupe and convertible. Each will be limited to a run of just 1,500 units. Under the hood is VW's familiar 2.5-liter inline-fine (rated at 150 horsepower) sending power to the front wheels through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission - nothing new there. However, the German automaker has fitted a full sport suspension and unique 17-inch alloy wheels to each of the New Beetles to add a touch more driving excitement.

Cosmetically, the Final Edition models feature Aquarius Blue paint. The hardtop version breaks up the color with a black roof and integrated fog lights, while the convertible model has a two-tone Aquarius Blue/Campanella White paint scheme and a white top. Special badging is found on the front quarter panel and on the steering wheel. The hatchback version hits showrooms with a base MSRP of $20,240 and the convertible starts at $27,170. Press release after the jump.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2010 Volkswagen Beetle

Live photos copyright (C)2009 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading LA 2009: Volkswagen shows off "Final Edition" New Beetle models

LA 2009: Volkswagen shows off "Final Edition" New Beetle models originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Mechanically-inclined ninja blows our collective mind

Jonny Lieberman — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

You won't believe your eyes - Click above image to watch video after the jump

Years and years ago, we saw punk rock legend Mike Watt break an E-string on his bass during a fIREHOSE show. Without missing a beat, he yanked a new string from beside his amp, slid it through the bridge, tied it around the tuning peg and with a single twist his bass was back in tune. The whole shebang from snapped string to next note took perhaps three seconds and the song never stopped. It was amazing; truly one of the most impressive things we've ever seen. Until today.

You're just going to have watch this to believe it. However, we'd like to take this opportunity to tell you that if you happen to have an old VW Bug and a screwdriver sitting around, you should totally NOT try this at home, as odds are you'll lose a knuckle or three. Why? You sir, are not superhuman. This guy, however, is. Make the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Streetfire]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mechanically-inclined ninja blows our collective mind

VIDEO: Mechanically-inclined ninja blows our collective mind originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Next New Beetle will have bigger back seat

Chris Shunk — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Volkswagen

2009 Volkswagen New Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

The "New Beetle" was a smash hit when it debuted in 1998, and the cutesy little Bug immediately jumped to sales of 83,434 the next year. Over the next 10 years, however, Volkswagen left the spiritual successor to the original Beetle out to dry, and sales have steadily dropped down to near nothingness. AutoWeek is reporting that Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of VW of America, confirmed at a press event in Germany that a long overdue redesign of the New Beetle is coming in 2012, and packaging will be vastly improved.

The current back seat of the New Beetle is a real problem being far too small and uncomfortable for a vehicle in the small car segment. Jacoby says the next Beetle will have a larger rear quarters and better packaging, without growing much beyond its current dimensions. Jacoby says the Beetle will also be used by VW as a kind of low-cost halo car, showing that the German automaker has returned to its roots of building cars for the people.

It's great that VW is finally getting around to making the next New Beetle, but with 14 years between redesigns, we're thinking VW needs to knock the next little Bug out of the park if it once again wants to catch the eye of the car-buying public.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle

[Source: AutoWeek]

REPORT: Next New Beetle will have bigger back seat originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day is just in time for Easter

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Volkswagen, Celebrities, Humor

Click above for a gallery of the Funny Bunny

The Volo Classic Car Museum in Illinois has this pink treat from the movie Uncle Buck for sale. The Funny Bunny is a Volkswagen Bug that was turned into a mouse that, according to the Volo, has been turned into a bunny. Even though it's got a mouse nose, mouse whiskers, mouse eyes, and mouse ears, it has "a buck tooth bumper" and a white, poofy bunny tail -- but it still comes with the pink mouse tail in case you're really set on a rodent.

The car has been restored and is in great running condition, so sayeth the museum's eBay listing. And you don't have to worry about spending money on it, because "people will pay you to attend their events." If you're looking for attention or an "in" for your local Easter parade, look no further.

Gallery: Bunnymobile

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day is just in time for Easter originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Golden Oldie: 18-karat Vee-Dub in Bucharest

Noah Joseph — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc., Europe, Volkswagen

This isn't exactly what the recording industry had in mind when The Beatles went gold for the first time. But then, who would have predicted back then that the Iron Curtain would fall and that Eastern Europe would grow into one of the world's largest markets for tasteless luxury items.

This 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, unveiled at this year's Luxury Show in Bucharest, Romania, is covered in tiles made of glass and 18-karat gold. We'd say if you have to ask, you can't afford it, but it strikes us that the whole point of building or buying something this perversely ostentatious is to flaunt to the world just how much it's worth. In this case, the figure is actually just $88,000.

If you're thinking that eighty-eight grand will buy you a well-equipped Porsche 911, we're not far behind you. But then, whoever would even consider buying something this ridiculous probably has a couple of "ordinary" Porsches lying around the grounds already.

[Source: Luxurylaunches.com]

Golden Oldie: 18-karat Vee-Dub in Bucharest originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: To kill a Beetle bug: Hippie VW gets shredded

Chris Shunk — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Volkswagen

When people have a love of YouTube and a lot of free time on their hands, some pretty crazy things can happen. Someone with a spare first-generation VW Beetle and a car shredder decided to be creative in dismantling their hippie heirloom, so they slapped together a faux-comedy. The action saves this amateur video, though, as the helpless little bug is ruthlessly shredded in under two minutes. While we can't call this news, it's definitely entertaining, and you can watch it after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: To kill a Beetle bug: Hippie VW gets shredded

VIDEO: To kill a Beetle bug: Hippie VW gets shredded originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SCM counts down Top 10 eBay Motors auctions that shouldn't have happened

Dan Roth — Wed, 02 May 2007 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Auctions, Etc.

You see it all the time on eBay; resolute bidders refusing to pull out, even though they've driven the price up far beyond reason. Harder to find these days are the mythical screaming deals of yesteryear - things that go stupid-cheap to a shrewd buyer with an evil chuckle. Sports Car Market has been watching the wackiness as well, and they've put together a nifty slideshow of wallet tragedies and sales that equate to theft. Even still, in their list, there are more examples of fools and their money than there are killer deals. That said, the '34 Chevy Pickup dragster appears to have been a good buy if you're into vehicular inanity. We were shocked to discover that Excaliburs trade for such high dollar amounts, too. For true eBay amusement, we like to attempt reading the seller's description of the items in a single pass, without any "wtf?" moments. Drinking heavily usually helps us discover the true meaning.

[Source: Sports Car Market]

SCM counts down Top 10 eBay Motors auctions that shouldn't have happened originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2007 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Old Bug charm: limited edition New Beetle Triple White arrives

Chris Shunk — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:26:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Volkswagen

click above image to view addition high-res pics of the VW New Beetle Triple White

For those of you who really want to relive the past, VW is releasing a 1970's retro edition of it's already retro New Beetle. Beginning this week, only 3,000 Triple White New Beetles will be released into the wild, with a white trifecta for the paint job, seating surfaces, and convertible roof boot. To make all that white really stand out, VW added black to the roof, footwells, door panels, and dash. The limited edition Beetle hearkens back to days gone by in many ways, except price. The New Bug will set you back a much more modern $26,630.

The original Beetle didn't have "leatherette" seating surfaces or 17" Oktopus rims, but we sure do like the pricing of the old Super Beetle Convertible better than the new Triple White New Beetle. VW won't have too many problems finding 3,000 takers, though.

[Source: VW]

Gallery: 2007 VW New Beetle Triple White

Continue reading Old Bug charm: limited edition New Beetle Triple White arrives

Old Bug charm: limited edition New Beetle Triple White arrives originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Speculative sketchiness: The new New Beetle?

Chris Shunk — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Volkswagen

When Volkswagen unveiled the New Beetle in 1998, the buzz was considerable. A smitten public got on waiting lists to acquire the early Bugs, and the cars attracted attention wherever they went. It's now 2007, and over the intervening years, the car's retro styling has gotten a bit stale.

German buff mag auto motor und sport has presented sketches of what it believes the next-gen New Beetle might look like. We're rather fond of the cool-looking little three door with RX-8-like wheel flares shown at right. To these eyes, it blends a little Audi A3 with a touch of TT. It'll be very interesting to see if and how VW will evolve the retro-look of the current Beetle, and this wouldn't be a bad way to go at all. Click the picture to see the full image as well as a sketch of a ragtop version over at auto motor und sport.

[Source: auto motor und sport via German Car Blog]

Speculative sketchiness: The new New Beetle? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Feb 2007 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeep airs new ads: lizard show-down

Noah Joseph — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Jeep

Starting tomorrow (Monday, September 18), Jeep will air five new TV spots. The first clip to surface is this crazy "Lizard" ad, which shows a lizard in the desert, puffing up to challenge an old Wrangler. The Wrangler puffs up even bigger, scares off the lizard and settles down to the shape of the new Wrangler.

The ad reminds us of Jurassic Park, where a Jeep faced off against a similar lizard. Dennis Nedry (played by Wayne Knight, "Newman" from Seinfeld) only wishes his Jeep had stood its ground the same way.

The four other ads will feature two gorillas grooming, a bird hunting for bugs, an insect-like Wrangler rock-crawler and a hip-hop urban spot.

[Source: Carscoop]

Jeep airs new ads: lizard show-down originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Sep 2006 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Jet-powered VW New Beetle

John Neff — Wed, 03 May 2006 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Volkswagen

Astute readers of Autoblog will no doubt remember pics of the jet-powered Volkswagen New Beetle we posted a while back. Owner Ron Patrick was recently interviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle and fired up the fire-breathing Beetle on camera.

While Patrick admits the car was built more for show than go, the video of the Beetle's brakes straining to keep the car planted while the jet engine is spooled up to 25,000 rpm proves this Franken-bug is no show pony. Patrick also admits to having flipped the jet switch on the highway while doing 100 mph.

Patrick reveals a few interesting details about his bug in the interview like the fact that it swills kerosene at the rate of 15 gallons per mile(!) and the dash-mounted flower vase was removed because any blossom would be immediately sucked into the jet's air intake. Now that's some serious flower power.

[Source: San Francisco Gate via GermanCarBlog]

VIDEO: Jet-powered VW New Beetle originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 May 2006 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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