Autoblog

Chevrolet releases 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept. Again.

Noah Joseph — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept - Click above for a new high-res image gallery

It's perfectly common for an automaker to release details and photos of a concept car in the months or weeks ramping up to its official debut at a major auto show. Not so much several months later, though. So you can imagine our confusion as to why Chevrolet has revealed the 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept once again.

Also referred to as the Corvette Centennial, the show car debuted at the Chicago Auto Show this past February, and had a cameo as Sideswipe in the latest Transformers sequel, Revenge of the Fallen. Now several months later, General Motors has hit us again with a fresh batch of photos and a brief press release (posted after the jump) conspicuously short on details, only hinting that something's changed by stating that "a version of the model" previously debuted in Chicago, but saying little else. Do we care? Not really. Because rationale aside, the Stingray is pretty badass, as you can see from the photos in the gallery below. So let's throw reason out the window and enjoy.

Gallery: Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept revealed again

[Source: Chevrolet]

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Chevrolet releases 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi observes centennial with massive historical gallery and video

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Audi

Audi Centennial: Motorsport - Click above for a massive high-res image gallery

As devout gearheads you're undoubtedly aware today marks Audi's 100th anniversary, and in celebration of its centennial, one of Germany's most historic marques is kicking off the festivities with a star-studded event at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt, Germany.

The unveiling of the A5 Sportback was the first in a long line of events to take place over the coming days, but Audi also wanted to provide admirers a photographic glimpse into its past. And we're all too happy to oblige while snagging a few choice wallpapers in the process.

Make the jump for Audi's press release on the celebration, along with a video introduction by Chairman Rupert Stadler. And be sure to check out the four massive galleries we've put together, broken down into "Classic," "Motorsport," "Concept" and, of course, "Quattro."

Gallery: Audi Centennial - Motorsport

Continue reading Audi observes centennial with massive historical gallery and video

Audi observes centennial with massive historical gallery and video originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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High Performance: Audi designs a €100,000 Bosendorfer piano to celebrate centenary

Noah Joseph — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Audi, Lifestyle

Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano - Click above for high-res image gallery

There are some things you just don't mess with. Like the shape of a grand piano. They've been making them for centuries, and though to a trained ear, one might sound different over another or even feel different to a skilled musician, by and large, they all bear the same shape. Because there are some things you just don't mess with. But then on the other hand, rules are meant to be broken. And after 100 years in business, Audi doesn't appear very eager to follow conventions. So to celebrate its centenary, the German automaker's design studio - and by that we mean their automotive design team, not a merchandising division - has teamed up with renowned Austrian keyboard builders Bosendorfer to produce a uniquely beautiful grand piano.

Of course, the same general shape had to be retained for the sake of acoustics, but one look at Audi's Bosendorfer tells you this is no ordinary grand, and chief designer Wolfgang Egger says the process will help his design team take a fresh look at automotive design as well. The Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano will make its world debut at Audi's 100th anniversary celebration at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt on July 16, after which it will be available to the public for a princely €100,000 (about $140,000). At that price level, don't expect to see one in the window down at the local music shop, but you can check it out in the high-res gallery below along with the details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading High Performance: Audi designs a €100,000 Bosendorfer piano to celebrate centenary

High Performance: Audi designs a €100,000 Bosendorfer piano to celebrate centenary originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bugatti celebrates 100 years with four Centenaire specials at Villa d'Este

Noah Joseph — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Supercars, Bugatti, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty

Bugatti Veyron Centenaire editions - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Although decades have separated the modern Bugatti from its heritage, the Alsatian exotic marque is one that prides itself on its racing pedigree. So to bridge that gap and celebrate its 100th anniversary, Bugatti rolled in to the Villa d'Este auto show on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, as promised, with a quartet of special edition Veyrons.

Each of the four one-offs bares a different color to contrast with the chrome fenders, and each honors a different driver from Bugatti's glory days by taking their names. To more clearly emphasize the cars historical linkages, the four Veyrons arrived in Italy accompanied by matching historic Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix racers.

One of the most successful race cars in history, the Type 35 racked up some 2,000 race victories over the course of a decade of competition in the inter-war period. Thanks to its advanced lightweight construction and pioneering client-racer availability, the Type 35 was one of the most popular and indomitable racing machines of its day. Alongside its identically-colored historic counterpart, the Bugatti Veyron Jean-Pierre Wimille edition appeared in bright blue, the Achille Varzi in dark red, the Malcolm Campbell example in dark green and the Hermann zu Leiningen in off-white. No official word so far if these specials will be for sale or if they'll remain at Bugatti's headquarters in Molsheim, but if they do find their way to market, you can expect them to be marketed at a considerable premium.

The presentation at Villa d'Este is the second of many celebrations which Bugatti has lined up to celebrate its centenary this year, following the Bleu Centenaire edition presented at the Geneva show and ahead of Pebble Beach in August and the grand finale in Molsheim on September 12. So stay tuned, but in the meantime, check out the high-res images in the gallery below and the details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Bugatti Veyron Centenaire editions at Villa d'Este

[Source: Bugatti]

Continue reading Bugatti celebrates 100 years with four Centenaire specials at Villa d'Este

Bugatti celebrates 100 years with four Centenaire specials at Villa d'Este originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz celebrates iconic centennial with special CL550

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty

Mercedes-Benz CL550 "100 Years of Mercedes-Benz Edition" - Click above for a high-res image gallery

While so many other automakers have reinvented their logos over the years, Mercedes-Benz has stuck with the same one for 100 years now. One century ago, Daimler-Motoren-Gesselschaft went down to the local patent office and registered the Three-Pointed Star, the logo everyone knows and recognizes today. Just a few weeks later, August Benz & Cie did the same with their logo, the Benz name encircled by a wreath. These two icons later became integrated when the two companies banded together, but to celebrate the anniversary of their registration, Mercedes-Benz has announced a new special edition of one of its most upscale coupes.

The CL550 4Matic features a number of special Designo and AMG touches inside (light tan perforated leather with contrasting stitching and grey accents, gilded brass emblems on the center console) and out (special dark gray paint, new aero kit, and five-spoke 20-inch anthracite wheels with silver brake calipers) to differentiate itself from its more common counterparts. The special edition is available on either the rear-drive or all-wheel-drive 4Matic models around the globe, but since Benz made 4Matic standard equipment on the CL550 in the States, we'll only get the grips-at-all-paws variety.

No word on American-market pricing, but the package commands a hefty €17,850 ($23k USD) premium in Europe. Nobody said celebrating came cheap. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: "100 Years of Mercedes-Benz Edition" CL550

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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Mercedes-Benz celebrates iconic centennial with special CL550 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2009: GM finally rolls out Corvette Stingray Concept [w/VIDEO]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Performance, Etc., Supercars, Chevrolet, GM

Click above for high-res gallery of the Corvette Stingray Concept

General Motors used the Chicago Auto Show to introduce the world to its latest concept vehicle, the Corvette Stingray, which will be featured in the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie on June 26th. According to GM, the vehicle is nothing more than a styling buck that was influenced by the original 1959 Stingray racer when it was spotted by director Michael Bay while he was touring GM's operations looking for inspiration for the first Transformers movie. Don't expect this concept to spawn any sort of production vehicle, which, needless to say, is a shame.

In robot mode, the Corvette Stingray Concept will take the form of Sideswipe, who will reportedly be a skater with wheels for feet. The General doesn't have anything in the way of new product to show off here in Chicago, so it's using the blockbuster movie to drum up interest instead. It's working... sorta.

Hit the jump for a video of Ed Welburn discussing the design of the Corvette Centennial Concept, along with GM's press release.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: Corvette Stingray Concept LIVE

Gallery: Chicago 2009: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept

Continue reading Chicago 2009: GM finally rolls out Corvette Stingray Concept [w/VIDEO]

Chicago 2009: GM finally rolls out Corvette Stingray Concept [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transformers mystery car revealed as Corvette Centennial Design Concept

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:24:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Chevrolet, GM

Jalopnik's Auto Insider has gotten the scoop on the Corvette-like concept that's been floating around the set of the new Transformers flick, Revenge of the Fallen. According to their sources, the design study will debut sometime next year ahead of the Transformers sequel, but won't foretell the future of the next-generation C7 Corvette. Rather, it called the Corvette Centennial Design Concept and was developed to celebrate General Motors' 100-year celebration. The Corvette Centennial Design Concept takes cues from past 'Vettes - from the Stingray to today - and incorporates a Camaro-inspired grille, massive rear fenders and a quad-tip exhaust. All that said, the Centennial concept supposedly wont' influence future Corvettes - for better or worse.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Transformers mystery car revealed as Corvette Centennial Design Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pebble Beach Week 2007: The beasts of Brooklands shake up Pebble

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Misc. Auto Shows

Exactly five score years ago, 200,000 tons of gravel and cement were arranged in a 2.75 mile, high-banked, egg-shaped loop in the English countryside. The land was was called Brooklands, and the track laid on it -- the first purpose-built race track in the world -- would share the same name. The speed limit throughout the land at the time was 20 mph, and racing on public roads outside of things like hillclimbs was forbidden. When Brooklands was completed, in June of 1907, there was a place where drivers could -- and did -- go faster than 100 mph.

At Pebble Beach this year, there were some of the greatest racers that Brooklands has ever known, from the world record holding Napier-Railton pictured above to the world record holding Blitzen Benz. It was a fantastic display of ancient motoring monsters, some having airplane engines and capacities measured by dozens of liters. Click Read to get the full story.

Click the gallery to see hi-res images of the Brooklands Centenary race cars at Pebble Beach .

Continue reading Pebble Beach Week 2007: The beasts of Brooklands shake up Pebble

Pebble Beach Week 2007: The beasts of Brooklands shake up Pebble originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tulsarama time capsule a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere

John Neff — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 19:52:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc.

On June 15th, 1957 the residents of Tulsa, Oklahoma buried a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere beneath a downtown sidewalk in front of the Tulsa County Courthouse. At the time Tulsa has more cars per capita than any U.S. city besides Los Angeles and a fierce rivalry with Oklahoma city. The time capsule stunt was meant as a way to celebrate the city's love of the automobile and one-up Oklahoma City.

The car was filled with all sorts of 1957 mementos, including a case of Schlitz beer, 10 gallons of gasoline, 5 quarts of oil, the contents of a lady's purse, as well as photos and maps of the Tulsa area. No one knows what condition the Plymouth is in, but townsfolk from the era say city officials took every precaution to ensure the car would still be pristine when it was exhumed. That date will come next year during Tulsa's centennial on June 15th, 2007, fifty years to the day after the car was buried.

[Source: BuriedCar, ForwardLook.net]

Tulsarama time capsule a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Aug 2006 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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