Autoblog

Tokyo 2009: Where's the history?

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST

Historic cars of Tokyo -- Click above for high-res image gallery

We were frankly astounded that the prospect of a gutted Tokyo Motor Show didn't get any maker, save one, to trot out some of their historical home runs. Even if they didn't want to go in for a nostalgia-fest, a few brands could have at least peppered the show with some of Japan's seminal machinery. After all, if you're not going to give us anything really new and exciting, you could at least let us have some fun with the past.

But no. The only historic machine at an automaker's booth was a vintage Suzuki Alto near the new Alto Concept. Otherwise, nada. The other vintage machinery - a 1917 Mitsubishi A, a Toyota GT HYBD (a Sports 800 gas-turbine hybrid), and a Honda Accord CVCC - were in the "motor lounge" seating area. A big, fat raspberry is all we have to say to that. So for your viewing pleasure, feast your eyes on the historic cars of the Tokyo Motor Show in the high-res gallery below. All four of them.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: The Historics

Tokyo 2009: Where's the history? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, First Drive, Specialty, Quick Spin

Superformance GT40 MkI - Click above for high-res image gallery

As much as we enjoy piloting modern machinery, there's something special about vintage vehicles, and that something is the pure, unvarnished connection between man and machine. But it's not always good. Things get dicey when the driving experience is a little too vintage. Despite our supreme adoration of the racing greats of yesteryear, clawing at the wheel, pulverizing the brake pedal, dumping buckets of sweat onto the leather seat and having our sphincter perform kegels isn't always our preferred flavor of fun. Some days, we're just not that hardcore. So the vintage vehicles we've come to love most aren't genuinely vintage at all - they're classic bodies wrapped around modern mechanicals. The Rizk RA is a prime example, and now there's this: the Superformance GT40 MkI, a car so raw that if it were edible, they'd slap "organic" on it and sell it at Whole Foods.

Gallery: Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 Mk1

Continue reading Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious

Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What a Way to Go: Oldest reported Pontiac found as brand rides off into the sunset

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, GM, Pontiac

As it turns out, "old GM" still matters to someone -- and in this case, we mean really old. The Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance in Westport, Connecticut wanted to include Pontiac in this year's showing, so it went looking for the most ancient example it could find. Of the 12 Pontiacs they tracked down from 1926, the brand's inaugural year, the very oldest resided in Minnetonka, Minnesota: a 1926 two-door coach.

Co-owned by a father and son, Roy and Paul Jaszczak, the Series 6-27 is in good running condition and has apparently made it this far in life without a major restoration: a clean-up, a valve job, and replacing the Lindbergh-era tires is all the Jaszczak's have needed to do.

For their munificent stewardship of the oldest Pontiac, the car will be shipped to the Concours and the Jaszczak's will be flown to New York and put up in swank digs. Then they'll drive the car up to Westport and revel in the kind of East Coast attention that probably hasn't been showered on Minnesotans since Fargo. It's a fitting showcase for the end of the "We build excitement" era, and to the Jaszczak's we say: nice work.

[Source: Star Tribune]

What a Way to Go: Oldest reported Pontiac found as brand rides off into the sunset originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pebble Preview: Gooding tests the market with Phil Hill's Packard and a prince's Duesenberg

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Sedan, Auctions, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari, Luxury

Gooding & Company star cars for Pebble Beach 2009 -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Pebble Beach regular Gooding & Company will be bringing three special cars to this year's auction and the vintage rides are said to carry not only the requisite pedigree, but are expected to be barometers of the classic car market at a time when values are, at best, variable.

Included are a 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan owned and restored by the late, great racer Phil Hill and being auctioned by his estate. It won Best of Pebble in 1977 and has never been auctioned before. Joining it will be a 1935 Duesenberg SJ Roadster (pictured) that was a gift from an heiress to a Georgian nobleman (Soviet Georgia, that is). Finally there's a car we can't help but love: a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider. We don't care if it has a story or not. We want it. Desperately.

If you dig classic auctions and can't make it to Pebble, there will be a live webcast on the Gooding site at www.goodingco.com. Yet even though David Gooding said "Today's records become tomorrow's bargains," we don't expect to see any bargains at this year's show. You can read about all the cars after the jump and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Gooding & Co Pebble Preview '09

[Source: Gooding & Co | Photo credit: Gooding & Company]

Continue reading Pebble Preview: Gooding tests the market with Phil Hill's Packard and a prince's Duesenberg

Pebble Preview: Gooding tests the market with Phil Hill's Packard and a prince's Duesenberg originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phil Hill's race-winning Jaguar C-Type on the block at Pebble Beach

Noah Joseph — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Auctions, Jaguar

Phil Hill's 1952 Jaguar C-Type - Click above for high-res image gallery

The upcoming auctions at Pebble Beach are shaping up to be the stuff of legends. Which should come as no big surprise as legends are exactly what will be up for grabs. In addition to the highly anticipated launch of the new "Grand Bentley" amidst the field of lust-worthy machinery on display, auctioneers will be putting such notable classics on the block as Ettore Buggati's own Type 57C, the one-of-a-kind Miller V16 racing car, and this historic 1952 Jaguar C-Type.

The first C-Type Jaguar to be imported into the United States, model XKC-007 was sent straight to the race track where it was driven by no less a talent than the legendary Phil Hill. The World-Champion-to-be took this particular C-Type to three victories at Elkhart Lake, Torrey Pines and Watkins Glen, the former scoring as the first victory for the iconic C-Type in its storied history. After being retired from active duty, XKC-007 passed through several collections before undergoing a full restoration in 1986, after which it won numerous awards on the vintage concours circuit - including a reunion date with Phil Hill to commemorate Jaguar's 50th anniversary in 2002. XKC-007 will be up for auction at RM's three-day Sports & Classics of Monterey event from August 13-15. Details in the press release after the jump and images in the gallery below.

Gallery: 1952 Jaguar C-Type #XKC-007 ex-Phil Hill

[Source: RM Auctions]

Continue reading Phil Hill's race-winning Jaguar C-Type on the block at Pebble Beach

Phil Hill's race-winning Jaguar C-Type on the block at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar to headline this year's Mille Miglia

Noah Joseph — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Jaguar

1953 Jaguar D-Type (above), 2009 Jaguar XKR and XFR (below right) - Click on either image to view in high resolution

The Mille Miglia is one of those iconic races that, even though it's not run anymore as a contemporary competitive race, is still celebrated every year with a retrospective historic rally along the original route through the Italian countryside. Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and Maseratis typically make up a healthy portion of the field, but this year Jaguar will be out in full force with a factory-backed contingent.

The Jaguar Heritage Trust is bringing out a fleet of some of its most iconic classics, including a long-nose D-Type (pictured above), the C-Type which raced the 1953 Mille Miglia, plus three more vintage C-Types and a Mark VII saloon. Jaguar will also be sending a fleet of new XKRs and XFRs (pictured right) to support the event, but classic Jag racing lovers will undoubtedly be looking forward just as much to seeing Norman Dewis, the legendary Jaguar factory test driver who co-drove with Sterling Moss at the event in 1952. Altogether an impressive array of classic Jaguar workhorses to celebrate the marque's heritage.

[Source: Octane]

Jaguar to headline this year's Mille Miglia originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google StreetView uncovers split-window Corvette "barn find"

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Chevrolet

This is no way to treat a 1963 Corvette split-window coupe. Found in Washington by one of Google StreetView's drones, there's actually no barn to this barn find, just a car left sitting in the gray mist that folks in the Pacific Northwest call "weather."

This Corvette had a 12-year shelf life, and then according to the owner, it's "been veggin' on the spot since '75." If you are interested, it's one of the fuel injected models and comes with an extra engine and other parts. Of course, if it's been sitting there for 34 years, it could fall to pieces when you try to move it... and you'll probably find more than a few dead (or perturbed) animals lurking thereabouts. But that wouldn't stop you, would it? Check out the gallery below of this forlorn '63 Vette.

Gallery: Abandoned 1963 Corvette

[Source: Corvette Blogger]

Google StreetView uncovers split-window Corvette "barn find" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic launches today at $34,005

Alex Nunez — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Dodge

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic

If you liked that Dodge Challenger R/T Classic package we profiled earlier this week from the Detroit Auto Show, you can now go place an order for one of your very own. In addition to the model-specific wheels and spiffy retro badging and stripes, Challengers with the R/T Classic package also feature functional hood scoops to help out with engine cooling. We recommend opting for the 6-speed manual, which also nets you the Track Pack, a few extra horses, and a 3.92 rear.

~~Only three~~ Six colors are available, including HEMI Orange, TorRed, and the killer-looking B5 Blue (which, until now, had only been offered on that special Richard Petty auction car). Get that and you have yourself one extremely bitchin' muscle cruiser. Don't believe us? Look here. Oh, when you go to the dealer, prepare to part with something in the neighborhood of $34,005 before options.

We'd hoped to add some sweet new PR shots of the R/T Classic to our existing gallery, but Chrysler simply faked it this time, shooting the orange car on the floor of the Detroit show and then adding a pair of Photoshopped backgrounds. Photo shoots are expensive, you know.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Dodge Challenger R/T Classic

Live photos copyright (C)2009 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic launches today at $34,005

2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic launches today at $34,005 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Dodge Challenger R/T Classic

Alex Nunez — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Dodge

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic

For the most part, the lineup at the Chrysler stand here in Detroit is like an advertisement for Zoloft. There are a few exceptions, however. The blue Ram R/T is one, and here's another: the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic. As appearance packages go, this one's a winner. 20-inch Torq-Thrust replicas fill the wheel wells, old-school R/T stripes run down the flanks, and best of all, the classic script Challenger badge adorns each fender. Hey Chrysler -- they should all get this treatment. As you can see, the one parked on the Detroit floor is painted HEMI Orange. We'd order the B5 Blue. Ultimately, it's cool either way.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Dodge Challenger R/T Classic

Detroit 2009: Dodge Challenger R/T Classic originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barn Find of the Decade: 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante

Noah Joseph — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Auctions, Bugatti

Click above for image gallery of this rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante

Close your eyes and imagine opening a deserted garage door, only to find a forgotten four-wheeled treasure sitting there in perfect condition. What would it be? We have a feeling we'll get all sorts of answers in the comments section, but for many enthusiasts, the answer would be, without hesitation, the Bugatti Type 57S Atalante. And that's exactly what the children of the late (and appropriately named) Dr. Harold Carr found in their father's garage.

The Atalante is among the most beautiful, the most coveted and the most iconic of Bugattis ever produced. Not to be confused with the even rarer Atlantic, of which only two of the original three remain in existence, the 57S Atalante was made in a limited run of 17 examples, and a quarter of them are housed in a museum in rural France. This one went missing half a century ago, only now to be found again. It was originally owned by Earl Howe, first president of the British Racing Drivers' Club, and changed hands several times before the reclusive Dr. Carr mothballed it. Estimated values for the car are all over the map, with values as high as £6 million (about $8.8M USD) being discussed. Naturally, as rare as it is for a classic like this to change hands, its real value will be determined by how much a well-heeled collector is willing to pay for it when it rolls onto the block in February at Bonhams' "Retromobile" auction in Paris. Follow the jump for all the details.

Gallery: 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante

[Source: UK Telegraph; Bonhams]

Continue reading Barn Find of the Decade: 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante

Barn Find of the Decade: 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steve McQueen's stolen Cadillac recovered

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Cadillac, Celebrities

A busted car theft ring has turned up a vintage Cadillac once owned by one of the Magnificent Seven. The five-finger-discount drivers out of Colorado, headed by Jeffrey Earle Piper, would steal expensive rental cars, change their VIN numbers and "sell" them. The new "owner", who was in on the whole thing, would then report "his" car stolen and collect on the insurance policy. One of the cars found among the loot: a $133,000 1959 Cadillac - looks like a Series 62 convertible - that once belonged to Steve McQueen. It's other claim to fame: a guest spot on the TV show MacGuyver. The mystery we're still trying to solve is which one of its owners put the Yeti pelt over the driver's seat? Hat tip to Derek!

[Source: Denver Post]

Steve McQueen's stolen Cadillac recovered originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Weekend Entertainment: "Susie the Little Blue Coupe"

Alex Nunez — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:37:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Videos

Follow the jump to watch the short

Thanks to frequent commenter and tipster "catgirlshyla" for sending in a link to Walt Disney's Susie the Little Blue Coupe, an animated short that originally debuted theatrically in 1952. As you can plainly see, the Disney/Pixar gang used Susie as the inspiration for how to give life to the rides in 2006's Cars -- eyes in the windshield; grilles and bumpers forming mouths. It's just as effective and charming (perhaps even more so) in decades-old hand-drawn animation as it is in 21st-century CGI. The story's very straightforward -- it chronicles Susie's life cycle from new car to used car to junk heap. Don't worry, there's still a happy ending -- it's vintage Disney, remember. Anyway, this is good stuff. Follow the jump and enjoy.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Weekend Entertainment: "Susie the Little Blue Coupe"

Weekend Entertainment: "Susie the Little Blue Coupe" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'09 Challenger brochure hits the web, retro overload ensues

Alex Nunez — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Dodge

Click above image for the 2009 Dodge Challenger brochure

In the gallery below, you'll find the full brochure for the 2009 Dodge Challenger, and yeah, there's some good stuff to be found in there. We're particularly fond of the R/T Classic package (above), which gets a coat of B5 Blue, 20" torq-thrust lookalikes, throwback R/T stripes, and the old-school script Challenger badge on the front fender. Unfortunately, while Chrysler was cooking up the retro badging, they neglected to order up some nouveau Fratzogs to really finish off the look, so the Ram-head shield sits on the hood, instead. Too bad. As for the rest of the car? Badass. There are some pretty cool stripe and wheel options to be had regardless of trim level, plus what's sure to be a bevy of aftermarket parts from Mopar and other third parties. Finally, Chrysler's offering a factory R/T Track Pack that, in its most aggressive form, combines the 6-speed Tremec with 20" wheels and a 3.91 rear axle ratio. Bring money for tires. Ford is the king of leveraging its heritage to keep the Mustang interesting. Chrysler has a shot at doing the same thing here with the Challenger. From the looks of things, it's off to a good start. That R/T Classic? Yeah, we could roll like that. Thanks to Challenger64HEMI for the heads-up!

Gallery: 2009 Dodge Challenger brochure

[Source: Flickr user mnhotrod]

'09 Challenger brochure hits the web, retro overload ensues originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McQueen's LeMans Porsche may fetch $2m at Bonhams

Michael Harley — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Motorsports, Porsche, Celebrities

One of Steve McQueen's co-stars in the 1971 documentary-style film Le Mans, a Porsche racing car, is up for action this August in Carmel Valley, California. The car is a 1969-1970 Porsche 908/2 Spyder. It features a 3.0-liter air/oil-cooled flat-8 engine rated at 350 hp @ 8500 rpm. While many of today's production cars are making that type of power, with a fiberglass body on a tubular aluminum spaceframe, the Porsche 908/2 tips the scales at just under 1,322 pounds. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox giving the racer a top speed of 200 mph. This particular vehicle was mounted with two cameras and raced in the French city of Le Mans to create footage for the racing film (the car is said to have competed in the event five times). The classic Porsche sounds like a ton of fun to toss around a track, but the winning bidder may have second thoughts if the car fetches anywhere near its pre-auction estimate of $2 million -- not entirely unlikely as another one of McQueen's cars, a Ferrari Lusso, grabbed $2.31 million at an auction last year.

[Source: Bloomberg]

McQueen's LeMans Porsche may fetch $2m at Bonhams originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 May 2008 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Better than a moose head on the wall: Classic Car shelves

Dan Roth — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Classics, Etc., Toys/Games

Now you don't have to leave the lovely visage of your favorite ponycar languishing in the dark of the garage anymore. California Car Cover Company is offering shelves that pay homage to Shoebox Chevies, '59 Caddies, C3 Corvettes and '65 Mustangs, so you now have a boomeriffic place to stash various and sundry little bits that would otherwise clutter a more pedestrian shelf. Prices range from $19.99 to $79.99, far less than even a set of sparkplugs for the old clunker that's spent the last decade and a half leaking on your driveway, and we bet that it'll take less time to mount one of these to the wall than it will to get that old Quadrabog rebuilt and tuned.

[Source: CalCarCover]

Better than a moose head on the wall: Classic Car shelves originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2007: 1936 Mercedes-Benz 290 Roadster Special

Noah Joseph — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:12:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Mercedes-Benz

Click on the image above to view in high-resolution

The SLR wasn't the only attention-grabbing roadster Daimler-Benz had on display at this year's LA show. Sitting front and center in between all the latest machinery from Mercedes was this unique classic, the 290 Special Roadster.

On loan from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA, the bright orange convertible was a one-off drophead version of the 290-series flagship sedan that debuted in February 1933 at the Berlin Motor Show. Taking the place in Benz's 30's line-up where the S-Class sits today, the 290 came in short- and long-wheelbase versions (for personal or chauffeured use) and adopted the company's then-new swing axle technology.

This convertible is one-of-a-kind, built in 1936. It packs a 68hp 2.8-liter straight six driving through a 3-speed transmission and wrapped in some truly classic sheetmetal that gives you an idea for where the guys at Wiesmann may have drawn their inspiration. Check out the gallery below for all the elegant curves and details.

Gallery: LA 2007: Mercedes 290 Special Roadster

LA 2007: 1936 Mercedes-Benz 290 Roadster Special originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Duesenberg revival delayed

Dan Roth — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing

August has come and gone, and yet, there's been no new Duesenberg II Torpedo Coupe. The Mercedes CL500-based revival of what could arguably be described as the ne plus ultra of American automakers has had its introduction pushed back to mid 2008. Duesenburg Custom Coach LLC is undertaking the effort, and rather than rush a half-baked car to market, they've moved the goalpost so that the new Duesy doesn't turn into an embarrassment. The Torpedo coupe will have two powertrain options, one conventional, and the other a type of rotating engine called the Cylindrical Engine Model. The CEM appears to be based on pumps produced by EP Industries, and can deliver 300 horsepower while returning consumption as low as 70 mpg.

Joining the Torpedo Coupe is a revived Murphy Roadster fitted with a V10 powerplant and underpinned by Ford hardware. When the cars are finally ready for sale, you'll be able to buy them exclusively from Old Yesterday Classic Autos in San Diego. You've got to give them credit for insisting that it's done right, and in the meantime, you can visit their website and purchase collectibles and apparelwhile you await your chance to roll in Roaring-Twenties style.

[Source: Hemmings]

Duesenberg revival delayed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top 7 for 007: Rating Bond's rides

Noah Joseph — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:08:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars, Aston Martin

Some were better than others, but the Bond flicks get us going back to the theater every time. There's just something irreplicably stylish and enchanting about the entire series, and 007's rides make up a big part of that allure... at least for hopeless car nuts like us. But just like the acting and storyline vary with each production, so does the coolness of Bond's cars. So where does each one rank? Just prior to the launch of the latest installment with Daniel Craig in Casino Royale, the pundits at Cars.com convened two specialists to rank the top 7 of 007's cars.

Earning top honors was the classic '64 Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger (which we also got to see in its cameo encore appearance in Casino Royale), ahead of the '75 Lotus Esprit featured in The Spy Who Loved Me. Surprisingly, the '97 BMW 750iL from Tomorrow Never Dies started from the second row, out-qualifying the '85 Aston Martin Volante from The Living Daylights, the 1930's Bentley Mark IV (From Russia With Love), the 2002 Aston Martin Vanquish (Die Another Day), and the '99 BMW Z8 (The World is Not Enough). The experts also gave honorable mention to the markedly more affordable '61 Sunbeam Alpine from Dr. No.

For our part, we'd certainly have placed the Vanquish ahead of the 7-Series, and ahead of the '85 Volante, but the real question is where the specially-made Aston Martin DBS would slot into the list. (And for that matter, what will Bond drive in the next episode?)

[Source: Cars.com]

Top 7 for 007: Rating Bond's rides originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pitt Bullitt: classic McQueen remake to begin production

Noah Joseph — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

UPDATE: Don't fret all you Steve McQueen fans. After reading our post, Ford got in touch Brad Pitt's management, who don't know anything about the remake or Pitt's involvement. The credibility of this rumor's source, Monsters and Critics, was also called into question. Still, with all the positive buzz GM has earned for its involvement with Transformers, you'd think Ford would be all over a remake the stars Brad Pitt next to a recently released Bullitt Mustang.

Not unlike the retro styling and resurrection of old nameplates sweeping the car industry, some film critics bemoan the lack of originality inherent in the Hollywood trend of remaking old films, while others relish the opportunity to refresh classics for younger generations. One way or another, the latest Hollywood announcement has us frothing at the mouth, as the green-light has been given to start production on a remake of the most iconic of gearhead films of all time: the Steve McQueen classic "Bullitt".

Endeavoring to fill the legendary McQueen's pedals will be none other than Brad Pitt, who will take on the role of Lt. Frank Bullitt of the San Francisco Police Department, hunting down the hitman who killed his fellow officers. Pitt's co-stars have not yet been announced, but with the anticipated launch of the new Bullitt Mustang, the smart product-placement money would be on its inclusion in the new movie along with the Dodge Charger R/T, the two cars that made the famous race scene in the original.

This should be interesting.

[Source: Monsters and Critics via Mustangblog]

Pitt Bullitt: classic McQueen remake to begin production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vintage replicas, new management

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:02:00 EST

A bunch of guys are sitting around at the local watering hole, throwing back a couple cold ones, and they get to talking. It's the usual, familiar scene. 'If I had my own sports car company, I'd do it all different.' 'That Russian kid who bought TVR doesn't know what he's doing.' 'Why can't anyone make a decent roadster like the Porsche 356?' The difference in this case was that the guys had the money to make it happen, and have put it right where their mouths are.

The result was the formation of Tygan Motor Company and its acquisition of Chesil, a company that successfully produces and markets replicas of Porsche 356 Speedsters based on VW Beetle components. Tygan is gearing up to offer variants with a customer's choice of 1.8- or 2.0-liter, air-cooled, four-cylinder, Volkswagen-sourced, twin-carb boxer engines. To back it up with competent handing, Tygan is fitting an independent rear suspension, and to back up its reliability, a one-year warranty. Buyers can chose a two-seater or - shock! - a 2+2 configuration, at a projected cost of £28,750 in the UK.

After acquiring Chesil Motor Company's assets, Tygan expanded the production facilities to double output, while retaining Chesil's staff. Tygan is aiming to become the UK's and Europe's biggest producer of classic sportscar replicas, and with an injection of capital and a driven new management, they stand more than a half-decent chance.

[Source: PistonHeads]

Vintage replicas, new management originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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