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[Motor4Toys charity car show attracts Leno and his Turbine]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/motor4toys-charity-car-show-attracts-leno-and-his-turbine/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/motor4toys-charity-car-show-attracts-leno-and-his-turbine/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/motor4toys-charity-car-show-attracts-leno-and-his-turbine/#commentsFiled under:

6th Annual Motor4Toys charity car show - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the 6th year in a row, Dustin Troyan organized and hosted the Motor4Toys charity toy drive and car show in Southern California this past weekend. Every year this show continues to grow, gathering together several thousand car people and their exotic and collectible sports cars, race cars, muscle cars, tuner cars, and the like. All of them come to support the cause of making sure every child has a gift to unwrap during the holidays.

This show is unique in that it draws its participants entirely from the car community and since its inaugural year Motors4Toys has been the single largest donor of toys to any charitable toy donation program. Tens of thousands of toys have been collected by Motor4Toys and distributed to groups such as Toys for Tots and law enforcement charities, and while we're always happy to be a part of such a worthy cause, we have to admit that half the fun is the huge gathering of sweet rides.

Imagine seeing hundreds of cars lined up by make or model. It's like taking a peek inside the fence of your favorite manufacturer and seeing all of your dream cars lined up, ready to ship out for delivery. Whole rows of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette, Cobra, Mustang, Lotus, WRX, Evo, GTR, MINI, VW, Tesla, Camaro and Mazda greet the enthusiasts that come each year. And as if it needed any more cred, Jay Leno attends every year. This year Leno happened to drive over in his Chrysler Turbine car, which wowed the crowd. Click below to see our large gallery of pics from the event courtesy our friends at Speed and Motion.


Gallery: 6th Annual Motor4Toys charity car show


[Photos: SpeedandMotion.com]

Motor4Toys charity car show attracts Leno and his Turbine originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitycharity car showcharity eventCharityCarShowCharityEventDustin TroyanDustinTroyandusty TroyanDustyTroyanjay lenojay leno showjay lenos garageJayLenoJayLenosGarageJayLenoShowMotor 4 ToysMotor4Toystoys for totsToysForTotsWed, 09 Dec 2009 18:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Bentley does a double-decker bus for charity]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/bentley-does-a-double-decker-for-charity/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/bentley-does-a-double-decker-for-charity/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/bentley-does-a-double-decker-for-charity/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Luke, a London Routemaster bus retrofitted by Bentley for St Luke's hospice - Click above for high-res image gallery

We haven't met anyone who works in the Bentley factory. (At least, this writer hasn't.) But we like them already. Because while workers at other assembly plants go on strike or to Eminem concerts when they've got no more work, the crew from Crewe puts their energy and considerable talents into charitable endeavors. A couple of weeks ago we brought you a collection of artwork created by Bentley craftsmen, scheduled to be auctioned off to benefit cancer research. Now they've completed work on a bus for a hospice.

The decommissioned London Routemaster double-decker city bus affectionately named Luke was acquired by St Luke's hospice - a care facility for the terminally ill in Winsford, Cheshire - earlier this year. The goal was to use it as a sort of "community charity bus" to be used for fundraising, public awareness and as a "traveling shop" for college campuses. We don't know exactly what that entails, but the results, billed as the world's most luxurious charity bus, are impressive.

Very different in nature from rival Aston Martin's bus project, 59 Bentley workers from the woodshop, tool-room and maintenance departments volunteered some 2,000 man-hours to transform Luke from a mode of public transportation into what looks like an impeccably well-crafted vehicle for charitable work. See for yourself in the gallery below, and follow the jump for the full press release.


Gallery: Luke the bus outfitted by Bentley


[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Bentley does a double-decker bus for charity

Bentley does a double-decker bus for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleybentley charityBentleyCharitybuscharitydouble-deckerhospicelondonlondon buslondon routemasterLondonBusLondonRoutemasterlukeroutemasterst lukesStLukesMon, 30 Nov 2009 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[First Petty's Garage Challenger heading to Barrett-Jackson]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/first-pettys-garage-challenger-heading-to-barrett-jackson/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/first-pettys-garage-challenger-heading-to-barrett-jackson/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/first-pettys-garage-challenger-heading-to-barrett-jackson/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


2009 Petty's Garage Dodge Challenger - Click above for high-res image gallery

And with this official decree, let it be known that one custom 2009 Dodge Challenger, painted in a very familiar and regal blue shall be offered for sale to the highest bidder in Arizona in the year of our lord, 2010. The vehicle in question shall serve as a rolling tribute to Richard the 43rd. Long live the King!

Richard Petty was one of the winningest drivers in stock car history. With a record seven Daytona 500 trophies, 127 poles, 200 overall wins (including a record 27 -- and ten-in-a-row -- races in 1967), and seven championships in his 34-year, 1,185-race career, it's no wonder he's called The King. His legendary Chryslers, Fords and Plymouths bearing the number 43 were mostly built at his race shop in Level Cross, NC. Now all the king's men are working to build on his legacy under the newly formed banner of Petty's Garage.

The company plans to work on "museum-quality" restorations of vintage race cars, custom cars and high performance street machines. To kick off the new business, Petty's Garage has built a 2009 Challenger that will be sold in a Petty Family Foundation charity auction at B-J in January.

Painted in the trademark Petty Blue, it features a 585-hp Hemi 426, Pedders suspension upgrades, Brembo Gran Turismo brakes, a new center exit Corsa exhaust system, plus a Petty's Garage body kit consisting of custom front fascia, rear bumper cover, custom rocker panels and a rear spoiler. The inside gets the royal touch as well, with Petty's Garage branded seats and door panels. We saw the car at SEMA and it's a looker. You can read more details in the press release we've pasted in after the jump and check out the gallery from SEMA as well.


Gallery: Petty's Garage Dodge Challenger


Gallery: SEMA 2009: Petty's Garage Dodge Challenger

Continue reading First Petty's Garage Challenger heading to Barrett-Jackson

First Petty's Garage Challenger heading to Barrett-Jackson originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionBarrett Jacksonbarrett-jacksonBarrettJacksoncharitycharity auctionCharityAuctiondodgeDodge ChallengerDodgeChallengerLevel CrossLevelCrossPetty Family FoundationPettyFamilyFoundationPettys GaragePettysGarageRichard Pettyrichard petty dodge challengerRichardPettyRichardPettyDodgeChallengerWed, 11 Nov 2009 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Fine China: One-off porcelain-finish Ferrari 599 special to be auctioned for charity [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/fine-china-one-off-porcelain-finish-ferrari-599-special-to-be-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/fine-china-one-off-porcelain-finish-ferrari-599-special-to-be-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/fine-china-one-off-porcelain-finish-ferrari-599-special-to-be-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


One-of-a-kind Ferrari 599 in cracked porcelain by Lu Hao - Click above for UPDATED high-res image gallery

In a communist country, all Ferraris are equal, but some are more equal than others. Take the special-edition 599 that the Italian automaker debuted exclusively for the Chinese market. Only twelve of them will be made. And now, an even more exclusive version - as exclusive as they get, really - has been presented.

This one-of-a-kind special Ferrari has been further differentiated by Lu Hao, a Chinese artist who applied the special touches that make the China special edition, well...special. It's been decked out in the cracked glaze pattern of the coveted Song Dynasty-era Ge Liln porcelain, and signed by the artist. The unique supercar will be auctioned off for charity in Beijing on November 3, but you can see it for yourself in the gallery below and the video after the jump.

UPDATE: Two new images added to the gallery below, and official press release inserted under the video after the jump.


Gallery: Ferrari 599 in cracked porcelain by Lu Hao


[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Fine China: One-off porcelain-finish Ferrari 599 special to be auctioned for charity [w/VIDEO]

Fine China: One-off porcelain-finish Ferrari 599 special to be auctioned for charity [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>599599 gtb599 gtb fiorano599Gtb599GtbFioranocharitycharity auctionCharityAuctionchinachina specialchina special editionChinaSpecialChinaSpecialEditionferrariferrari 599 gtbferrari 599 hgteferrari 599 hgte china limited editionferrari chinaferrari fioranoFerrari599GtbFerrari599HgteFerrari599HgteChinaLimitedEditionFerrariChinaFerrariFioranofioranolu haoLuHaospecial editionSpecialEditionTue, 06 Oct 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Man driving around the globe in Bridget the Midget for charity ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/09/man-driving-around-the-globe-in-bridget-the-midget-for-charity/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/09/man-driving-around-the-globe-in-bridget-the-midget-for-charity/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/09/man-driving-around-the-globe-in-bridget-the-midget-for-charity/#commentsFiled under:



Fifty-two-year-old Briton Roy Locock decided to drive around the world to benefit charity. A circumnavigating spin behind the wheel is almost passe these days, but Locock's choice of wheels certainly isn't: a 1977 MG Midget. He bought the car -- named Bridget -- in 2006, and after taking it on a tour of Spain and Italy, began a restoration. Not long afterward he figured Bridget needed to get out and see some things.

He's been on the road now for well over a year, going from Oxford, England to Chennai, India, then taking a boat down to Australia for a drive entirely around that country, then hopping a boat to Argentina and driving due north, and now he's in Canada. His company all this time has been himself, five-days of emergency rations, two 20-liter gas cans, and a car with 3.5 inches of ground clearance. Oh, and fortitude. Lots of that.

Locock's driving to benefit UNICEF, and you can read all about the adventures on the blog he is still updating. Bridget does like to provide her own mechanical adventures -- she is an MG, after all -- but the fact that she has covered almost 30,000 miles so far has to count for something. Good luck on the rest of your trip, Mr. Locock.

[Source: Bridget the Midget via Google]

Man driving around the globe in Bridget the Midget for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charityetcroad tripRoadTriproy locockRoyLococktravelunicefWed, 09 Sep 2009 08:20:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Cash for Clunkers is costing charitable organizations donations]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/report-cash-for-clunkers-is-costing-charitable-organizations-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/report-cash-for-clunkers-is-costing-charitable-organizations-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/report-cash-for-clunkers-is-costing-charitable-organizations-in/#commentsFiled under: ,

Cash for Clunkers is good news for people looking to trade in their old cars for new ones. It's good news for America's troubled car dealers. It's good news for automakers. And it's good news for auto workers, some of whom have been called back to work on assembly lines ramping up to meet demand generated by the initiative.

But with every upside, there are downsides, both predictable and otherwise. That appears to be the case for America's needy citizens according to a new report by Reuters. Not because the poor, elderly and disabled war veterans are driving around in old cars, but because the charitable organizations that once relied on the donation of old cars to sustain their activities have seen a marked drop in the number of old clunkers being donated, as their owners are apparently opting for government-sponsored trade-ins instead.

One veteran's aid organization, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, estimates that the $3 billion allocated overall by the federal government towards the C4C program - known officials as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) - amounts to some 700,000 vehicles, which could cost charities like theirs some $105 million in donated vehicles. The lost income will mean that charities will have to cut services and perhaps even employees.

The organizations in question have yet to substantially change their approach to soliciting donations, however, a bill being proposed in Congress could allow patrons donating their cars to charitable organizations to declare tax deductions of $2500 or the car's appraised value - a significant jump over the current $500 (or auction price if the organization sells the car), but still a far cry from the $4500 many are receiving on trade-in under the Cash for Clunkers program.

[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Cash for Clunkers is costing charitable organizations donations originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c4ccar allowance rebate systemCarAllowanceRebateSystemcarscash for clunkersCashForClunkerscharitable donationsCharitableDonationscharityrebateMon, 17 Aug 2009 17:39:00 EST<![CDATA[First US-bound Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder raises $270k at charity auction]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/first-us-bound-lamborghini-gallardo-lp560-4-spyder-raises-270k/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/first-us-bound-lamborghini-gallardo-lp560-4-spyder-raises-270k/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/first-us-bound-lamborghini-gallardo-lp560-4-spyder-raises-270k/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder at 16th Annual Race to Erase MS gala - Click above to view in high-res

A new supercar is a cause good enough on its own; all the more so when the car in question is being auctioned off to raise funds for charity. In this case, the very first U.S.-bound Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder to roll off the assembly line in Sant'Agata Bolognese was auctioned off this past weekend to the highest bidder at the 16th Annual Race to Erase MS event in LA.

This particular Lambo Spyder was prepared especially for the charity event, in black with orange accents in the organization's colors. The winning bid of $270,000 (a good $50k or so over list) was placed together by Kymberly Gold of True Religion Jeans and music producer Victor Newman, who will apparently be sharing the two-seat roadster when it arrives at the beginning of U.S. delivery next month. Proceeds from the auction - part of the $2 million raised at this year's event - go to the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis, and the funds will be earmarked for MS research and public awareness campaigns. Details in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder


[Source: Lamborghini]

Continue reading First US-bound Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder raises $270k at charity auction

First US-bound Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder raises $270k at charity auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitycharity auctionCharityAuctionGallardo LP560-4Gallardo LP560-4 SpyderGallardoLp560-4GallardoLp560-4SpyderlambolamborghiniLamborghini Gallardo LP560-4Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 SpyderLamborghini SpyderLamborghiniGallardoLp560-4LamborghiniGallardoLp560-4SpyderLamborghiniSpyderLP560-4 SpyderLp560-4Spydermsmultiple sclerosisMultipleSclerosisnancy david foundationNancyDavidFoundationrace to erase msRaceToEraseMsMon, 11 May 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford adds charity benefit by giving $20 to cancer foundation for each customer test drive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/ford-adds-charity-benefit-to-test-drive-by-giving-20-to-cancer/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/ford-adds-charity-benefit-to-test-drive-by-giving-20-to-cancer/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/ford-adds-charity-benefit-to-test-drive-by-giving-20-to-cancer/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Ford is making the most of having a little bit of extra fat during these lean times by sharing its fortune with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. If you test drive a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury before June 1, Ford will give $20 to the foundation, up to $1,000,000. Dealers can match the contributions up to $1,000 per store, and you can choose which local Komen affiliate you would like to receive your donation.

There are two ways to take advantage of the charity offer: before you go for your test drive, log on to www.fordcares.com and print out the registration form. After your test drive, the dealer will give you a code to enter on the Ford Cares site, and that will activate the donation. Or, if you're in a Komen Foundation Race for the Cure, your race packet will have a registration form you can take to the dealer before your test drive. You can read the full press release after the jump, and now you have a great alibi reason to test drive that Shelby GT500...

Continue reading Ford adds charity benefit by giving $20 to cancer foundation for each customer test drive

Ford adds charity benefit by giving $20 to cancer foundation for each customer test drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breast cancerBreastCancercharityetcfordford advantageFordAdvantagelifestylesusan g komenSusanGKomentest driveTestDriveThu, 30 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Pledge Drive: Man to hit every state in continental U.S. behind the wheel of his '32 Ford replica]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/pledge-drive-man-to-hit-every-state-in-continental-u-s-behind/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/pledge-drive-man-to-hit-every-state-in-continental-u-s-behind/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/pledge-drive-man-to-hit-every-state-in-continental-u-s-behind/#commentsFiled under: ,



One 59-year-old man with a mission; one 19-year-old car that's a copy of a 77-year-old car; 64 cities in 49 states; nine days; 1,100 miles between sunrises; and more than 100 billion burgers sold -- those are the stats of Dave Schaub's trip across America to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Palo Alto, California.

Called Drivin' for the Kids, Schaub's trip is just as much for him as it is for the children who will benefit. Starting in Needles, California Schaub will take his '32 Ford replica (with a smallblock Chevy engine, GM transmission and 24 mpg) across the South, up to Maine, back across the north and midwest, and finish up in Hyder, Alaska. The trip begins on Tuesday, September 8, and If you'd like to donate or just check up on his progress via GPS head over to www.49in9.com. And to you, Mr. Schaub, good luck.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Pledge Drive: Man to hit every state in continental U.S. behind the wheel of his '32 Ford replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>49in9charitydave schaubDaveSchaubroad tripRoadTripronald mcdonaldRonaldMcdonaldWed, 29 Apr 2009 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit-area café hosting 240-hour-long concert for auto workers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/detroit-area-cafe-hosting-240-hour-long-concert-for-auto-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/detroit-area-cafe-hosting-240-hour-long-concert-for-auto-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/detroit-area-cafe-hosting-240-hour-long-concert-for-auto-workers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



In case you didn't know this was going on, Detroit is in the grips of the Assembly Line Concert, a 240-hour non-stop shebang that still has more than 100 hours to go. A. J. O'Neil, a Detroit-area coffee shop owner, decided to attempt a record-breaking charity event that would assist, support, and call attention to the American auto worker.

He's done it by trying to line up 240 acts -- from professional bands to politicians (no, really) to Detroiters who just want to play a ditty to show their love -- that will perform one hour sets for ten straight days. And even though the folks in the logo are obviously listening to Skynyrd, the Free Bird folks won't be appearing. So far there are 213 acts scheduled. There's still time to play if you've got the feeling, and if you just want to watch, you can head down any time of the day or check out the concert's live feed.

[Source: Assembly Line Concert]

Detroit-area café hosting 240-hour-long concert for auto workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assembly line concertAssemblyLineConcertcharitydetroiteventeventslifestyleuawunionSun, 22 Mar 2009 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Comic Relief to auction ridealong with Stig]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/17/comic-relief-to-auction-ridealong-with-stig/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/17/comic-relief-to-auction-ridealong-with-stig/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/17/comic-relief-to-auction-ridealong-with-stig/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



We still don't know who the White Stig is, and he could be replaced by the Black Stig, the Purple Stig, or the Rainbow Stig pretty soon. But before he goes, you can win a ride with him around the Top Gear test track. Red Nose Day is a fundraising event put on by the British charity Comic Relief, and it's practically a holiday in UK. One of the items being auctioned for this year's drive is a lap with the Stig, to take place some time on a Wednesday this Summer.

If you win, you'll need to make your own way to Surrey, where the Top Gear track is. There is no word on the car you'll be riding in, and since Top Gear filming is a little loosey-goosey, things might get postponed. But still, as of writing the bidding is only up to £3,600.00 (about $5,100 USD), which is a paltry sum for the chance to ride with the automotive equivalent of The Shadow. Bring a red nose...

[Source: Daily Telegraph]

Comic Relief to auction ridealong with Stig originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction actionAuctionActioncharityetceurofundraiserJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonRichard HammondRichardHammondStigthe stigTheStigtop gearTopGearukTue, 17 Feb 2009 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Trickle-down effect: GM Foundation slashes arts and cultural funding]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/trickle-down-effect-gm-foundation-slashes-arts-and-cultural-fun/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/trickle-down-effect-gm-foundation-slashes-arts-and-cultural-fun/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/trickle-down-effect-gm-foundation-slashes-arts-and-cultural-fun/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With an artistic industry driven by business, as enterprise goes, so goes art -- so when a prime mover goes down, it takes prime art with it. The reduction in General Motor's fortunes also means that Detroit's cultural institutions can collectively expect to lose more than $1 million in annual funding. In 2007, GM's worldwide giving amounted to $31.4 million dollars, with Michigan institutions alone receiving $12 million of that.

This year's giving will be nowhere near that amount. A final budget hasn't been established, but the GM Foundation has told groups like the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Michigan Opera Theater, and Mosaic, a youth group, not to expect any funding this year. An executive from the foundation said that bridge loan money won't be used for philanthropy -- that doesn't mean the arts won't get any funding; it just lets them know that they'll need to start looking elsewhere for alms.

[Source: Freep]

Trickle-down effect: GM Foundation slashes arts and cultural funding originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingartcharitycultureetcgmgm foundationGmFoundationlifestylemarketingphilanthropyThu, 15 Jan 2009 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Supercars make charity toy run in L.A.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/supercars-make-charity-toy-run-in-l-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/supercars-make-charity-toy-run-in-l-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/supercars-make-charity-toy-run-in-l-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Photos courtesy Speed and Motion
It's not often you see this many sports cars chasing a police cruiser, but this was for a good cause. To help get things kicked off for the 5th Annual Motor4Toys charity toy drive event, a bunch of participants followed a police escort over to a local Toys "R" Us to start buying toys for the December 7th event. The Motor4Toys group has been collecting gifts for needy children since 2004, and to date has donated more than 38,000 toys. The unique thing about this organization is that it is all centered around cars.

Motor4Toys taps into the Southern California car community and turns a huge car meet into one of the largest charity toy drives around. Car guys and gals from all over the Southwest show up with their sports cars, exotics, muscle cars, race cars and museum rides to help this worthy cause. Organizers expect to see over 5,000 cars at the event's new home this year, The Anthem Building in Woodland Hills. Entrance to the event is free for everyone, just bring along at least one new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more. If you're in the Los Angeles area that weekend, make sure you stop by between 9am and 1pm. And for those who can't make it, PayPal donations are also accepted. Hope to see you there, and remember, every kid deserves a toy! Complete details including maps to the new location and mandatory insurance waivers can be found on the Motor4Toys website. More photos of the drive can be found at Speed and Motion, who provided a video from last year's event that we have posted after the jump.

Continue reading VIDEO: Supercars make charity toy run in L.A.

VIDEO: Supercars make charity toy run in L.A. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitycharity eventCharityEventlos angelesLosAngelesmotor4toystoy driveToyDriveSat, 22 Nov 2008 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[The Garage419 Invitational: Autoblog's in, and we need your support!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/the-garage419-invitational-autoblogs-in-and-we-need-your-supp/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/the-garage419-invitational-autoblogs-in-and-we-need-your-supp/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/the-garage419-invitational-autoblogs-in-and-we-need-your-supp/#commentsFiled under: ,

Garage 419 InvitationalThe Garage419 Invitational is a pro-am-style charity kart race taking place on October 26 at Grand Prix New York in Mt. Kisco. All proceeds from the event benefit Racing 4 Research and the Children's Tumor Foundation, which are dedicated to raising awareness and finding a cure for neurofibromatosis, or NF, as it's more commonly known. (Last year, the local NBC affiliate here in NY did an informative piece that serves as a good primer on NF. You can watch it here.)

"I'd like you to be a part of this, it'll be fun." So said Mike Spinelli when he invited me to be one of the pros driving in the Invitational. I patiently explained to Mike that calling me a "pro" is akin to calling those dudes who play Madden in videogame tournaments "athletes", but he was undeterred. And because Spinelli is one of the best guys you'll ever meet, it's essentially impossible to say no to him, so here I am. He's right, too -- it should be fun. After all, there are worse ways to spend a Sunday afternoon than driving go-karts and hanging out with the likes of Spin, Matt Farah, Mike Musto (a.k.a. "Mr. Angry") and other fellow participants like Farnbacher Loles Racing's Bryce Miller and Jalopnik's Wes Siler. I've been paired with Garage419 fan Mike Duffy, and on behalf of my team, I'm here to ask for your help in the form of a donation to Racing 4 Research.

If you go to the online donation form, you can support the Alex Nunez/Mike Duffy duo (or any of the other participants, for that matter) by pledging a traditional fixed-dollar amount or an amount for each lap that we complete at the Invitational. All major credit cards are accepted and your donation is tax deductible. While I'll do my best to represent Autoblog well at the event, I'm asking you readers to help us put on a good show on the fundraising end of things. No donation is too small, and your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Click here to donate

The Garage419 Invitational: Autoblog's in, and we need your support! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click the image above for more high-res pics of the CTS-V

If you had your heart set on dropping big-time coin to own the first next-gen Cadillac CTS-V, you're already too late. CTS-V numero uno was auctioned off Thursday at a charity benefiting prostate cancer, and amazingly the 550 hp monogrammed sledgehammer was actually a bit of a bargain. Cigar entrepreneur Cano Ozgener dropped a reasonable $75,000 to become the winning bidder, which is likely a bit more than the CTS-V will cost at the dealership, but a heck of a lot less than other serial number ones that have sold over the past couple years. Hit the jump for more details on the auction in GM's press release.

Gallery: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V


[Source: GM]

Continue reading First Cadillac CTS-V auctioned off for charity

First Cadillac CTS-V auctioned off for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Barrett-Jackson auctions have seen no shortage celebrity cars cross the block, but is the sale of a pair of KITTs at the upcoming Palm Beach event a sign that the series has already succumbed to its crushing craptasticality? Given the movie's ratings, that's unlikely. It seems, rather, that we're going to be stuck with NBC's awful retread of a not-very-good original, and these auctions appear to have been in the works for a while. The proceeds from the sale of auction lots 665 and 665.1 -- a "normal" and an Attack Mode KITT -- will benefit Ford's Salute to Education charity. While we can all hope that the new Knight Rider either gets better - at least to be as bad as the original would be laudable - or is put down mercifully, Ford's scholarship program will be the big winner when someone ponies up for these ponycars.

[Source: CarsPlusMovies]

Auction Action: GT500KR KITTs already on the block originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fines in NASCAR are a common occurrence, and the amounts billed to these bad boy oval racers can be very large. All that money used to pad the deep pockets of the NASCAR gods, but the racing series has announced that all those greenbacks will henceforth go right to the NASCAR Foundation. The NASCAR Foundation is a charitable juggernaut that doles out cash to many different worthwhile causes, some of which are already in the NASCAR family. Now if Jimmy Johnson or Kurt Busch cheats or flips off the crowd, all that money leaving their pockets could go right back into their own charitable organizations. This decision was a good PR move by NASCAR, and though it's not our money to distribute as we please, other racing organizations should follow suit. We wonder if the knowledge that charities will benefit from their indiscretions will encourage NASCAR drivers to break the rules even more.

[Source: NASCAR]

Continue reading Fines for NASCAR troublemakers will now go to charity

Fines for NASCAR troublemakers will now go to charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So many people view the Dalai Lama as a symbol of peace, humanity and compassion, and if those qualities aren't worthy of recognition, we don't know which ones are. Who knew he was an off-roader or closet car enthusiast, though? We recently discovered that the Dalai Lama Foundation has listed the 1966 Land Rover once used as transportation for the holy figure on eBay. The sale of the completely restored vehicle will go 100% towards the organization and its cause. The auction winner not only gets the immaculate vehicle, but also a three-day Buddhism study session with the Dalai Lama himself and a meeting with Sharon Stone. We hope the winner asks Ms. Stone what she was thinking making Basic Instinct 2... oh yeah, and enjoys his or her enlightening time spent with the Dalai Lama. We hear he's the Dalai-est of Lamas of ever.

[Source: eBay]

Gallery: Dalai Lama's 1966 Land Rover

eBay Find of the Day: Dalai Lama Land Rover originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's getting to be that time of year again. The auto show circuit is kicking into gear and SEMA is looming on the horizon. That means the holidays are just around the corner, and Turbobuick.com certainly knows how to get into the spirit. The crew over there has put together a Toys for Tots charity drive in which a $5 donation gets you in the running to win a 1987 Buick Regal T-Type Turbo. Thanks to donated parts and labor, the car will be a package worthy of GM High-Tech Performance Magazine once it's completed. 100% of the proceeds will go towards the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, so you can be sure future gearheads will also be inspired by the Hot Wheels and Legos your donations buy for them.

Thanks for the tip Jay!

[Source: Turbobuick.com]

Support Toys for Tots, win a turbo Buick originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BuickCharityRegalToys for TotsToysForTotsTurboFri, 19 Oct 2007 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[First three production Dodge Challengers to be auctioned off]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/first-three-production-dodge-challengers-to-be-auctioned-off/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/first-three-production-dodge-challengers-to-be-auctioned-off/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/first-three-production-dodge-challengers-to-be-auctioned-off/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click above image for more high-res pics of the Dodge Challenger

The production Dodge Challenger won't arrive until next year, but Dodge is already planning on how it's going to get the most out of those first three examples, which are all scheduled to be top of the line SRT-8 models with HEMI Orange paint, hood stripes and the 6.1L V8 engine. Car No. 1 that leaves the Brampton, Ontario assembly plant will go to the winning bidder of an auction to be held at the famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, AZ, which runs from January 12-20 of next year. We'll be there to watch the gavel fall, and when it does, all proceeds from the sale are going straight to notMYkid, an organization that promotes understanding of youth behavioral issues. The right to own Car No. 2 will be decided by an auction that starts earlier on Sept. 26th, 2007, though this one will be a private auction just for Dodge dealers. All proceeds from the sale of the second car will go to the United Way of Southeastern Michigan. Car No. 3, meanwhile, will be auctioned off on eBay, though Dodge reports it will have more details on that auction later.

[Source: Chrysler LLC]

Gallery: Dodge Challenger Concept

Continue reading First three production Dodge Challengers to be auctioned off

First three production Dodge Challengers to be auctioned off originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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