Autoblog

Gran Turismo Awards crowns Best of Show from SEMA, will include in game

George Kennedy — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 09:16:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Volkswagen, Design/Style

Part of the blinged-out pomp and circumstance that surrounds SEMA is the presentation of the Gran Turismo Awards, which recognizes best car design and innovations in six categories, as well as an overall Best in Show. This year's winner was David Eckert and his 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 40, which also won the award for Best Hot Rod.

Other winners included the Toyota DragQuoia for Best Truck/SUV, the 2013 Ford Mustang RTR for Best Domestic Car, the Scion Evasive FR-S for Best Asian Import and the 500-horsepower VWVortex Super Beetle won for best European Import.

But it was the Mach 40 that apparently captured the interest of judges, which included Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi. David Eckert's team created a clever combination of Mustang Mach 1 styling and massive power, using the powertrain from the Ford GT. That means this 'Stang was fitted with a mid-mounted supercharged 5.4-liter V8, producing 600 to 850 horsepower, modulated using an "adjustable horsepower dial." Interestingly, the custom project rides on a C6 Corvette suspension.

The notoriety of the Mach 40 will last well after this year's show, as the car is being included in the Gran Turismo franchise, and will be seen by the millions that play the popular driving simulator. You may never get to drive the Mach 40, but now you may know what driving this car feels like in virtual reality, which for the David Eckert's team, must feel pretty darn cool.

Gran Turismo Awards crowns Best of Show from SEMA, will include in game originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Street Smarts, customizable puddle lamps project your class

George Kennedy — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Technology

Ah, SEMA. Always a bastion of terrific ideas and entirely tasteful modifications. The latest innovation to come from the show that brought you this, and that is a product called Street Stamps. Building off of the previous popularity of underglow lights, Street Stamps project a customizable image on the ground from your vehicle. The image can be rendered in white, blue, red, green, yellow or a custom color at the owner's request.

To install, all you need is to drill a 3/4-inch hole into your side view mirror or another strategic location. From there, you are all set to broadcast to the world your hatred for all things Bowtie or your disdain for import vehicles (popular options, according to the video).

Similar implementations of this technology is found in the Ford Mustang and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, where the exterior courtesy lighting (sometimes called "puddle lamps") feature brand-specific designs. These OEM systems shut off when the vehicle is in motion - it's not readily apparent if Street Stamps do the same. If, in fact, the image can be projected while the vehicle is in motion, there would seem to be some obvious legal issues.

Click below to check out the video. We'd hate to imagine one drilling into a side mirror on one of the pair of Lamborghini's in this vid, but what price can you put on personal expression, right? Obligatory warning for some foul language. Let us know what you think about this product in the comments below.

Continue reading Street Smarts, customizable puddle lamps project your class

Street Smarts, customizable puddle lamps project your class originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Koenigsegg shows off customization chops with Agera R BLT

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, China, Specialty, Design/Style, Luxury, MISC

The 1,185-horsepower Koenigsegg Agera R costs $2 million. Still, those who enter the seven-figure club are known to spend far more than mere MSRP because they can't risk their multimillion-dollar car being just like someone else's multimillion-dollar car. That's why Koenigsegg has a customization division called BLT. We don't know what that stands for, but are fairly certain it has nothing to do with delicious sandwiches.

To showcase the level of available customization, we present this Koenigsegg Agera R BLT. Built for a customer in China, its carbon body is tinted blue and set off with red pinstriping. Inside, there's lots of blue leather and blue cross-stitching to go with "many other unique features chosen by its owner."

We love the bodywork, but for a company that charges $28,000 for a Thule rooftop cargo box and $11,700 for winter wheels and tires for the Agera R, the price for this kind of personalization must be stupefying. Luckily, having a good look at it in our image gallery is free.

Koenigsegg shows off customization chops with Agera R BLT originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: '64 Ford Falcon "Tiki Taxi"

Alex Nunez — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Wagon, Auctions, Ford, Design/Style

All summer, I make it a point to hit the local cruise nights, and while there are plenty of regulars on hand week to week, a few cars make just one appearance and vanish. Way back in May, the car you see above, a surf-themed 1964 Ford Falcon Squire dubbed "Tiki Taxi", showed up. Immediately smitten, I snapped a bunch of photos, all of which are now gallerized here. Good thing, because the car never materialized again.

Fast-forward to today. Turns out, the "Tiki Taxi" is for sale. The coolest '64 Falcon station wagon in the known universe has a 289, three on the floor, and a JVC cassette deck to play your Martin Denny tapes during the ride to Trader Vic's. Current high bid (as of post time) is $6,600, and you still have two days to get in on the action. Check out the photo gallery to see just how beautifully turned out this wagon really is. You can also download full-resolution shots here.

eBay Find of the Day: '64 Ford Falcon "Tiki Taxi" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Twin jet-engine board track Harley-Davidson

Zach Bowman — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Motorcycle, Specialty

If hopping on a motorcycle isn't thrilling or deadly enough for you anymore, you may want to point your browser toward eBay Motors. The world's first and only twin-pulse-jet-engine motorcycle is officially up for auction. The machine was originally constructed by Robert Maddox for a customer who wanted to try his hand at slipping into the 200-mph club. It's not clear whether the owner had a brief flash of sanity or if he simply found an easier way get his jollies, but the bike is now up for sale with a buy-it-now price of just $25,000.

That's plenty cheap in our eyes. If we had money bleeding out of our ears, we'd snap up the wild machine, which is supposedly based on a 1929 Harley-Davidson flat-track racer (we imagine that might just mean modeled after...), and park it in our living room. The seller says the bike rides straight and, not surprisingly, is plenty quick. Head over to eBay Motors to check out the auction for yourself.

eBay Find of the Day: Twin jet-engine board track Harley-Davidson originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce goes out to lunch with custom orders

Noah Joseph — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Rolls-Royce, Design/Style, Luxury

Rolls-Royce Bespoke Picnic Set - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rolls-Royce has announced the availability of - wait for it - a new picnic set! What, not excited? Did we mention that it's made from polished aluminum, leather and wood veneers? Well that's just fine. We'll enjoy our champagne and caviar on the green without you. But that's not even the point - the popularity of customizing a new Rolls-Royce motorcar is.

On the Phantom family alone - discounting the popularity of the new Ghost - custom orders from Rolls-Royce have skyrocketed in the past few years in markets around the world. In the Middle East, for example, about 90 percent of Phantoms ordered last year had something off the usual options list ordered. That's up from 75 percent in 2005, the level at which all of Rolls-Royce markets worldwide are holding at in terms of customization, up from 50 percent in 2005.

Rolls-Royce's Bespoke design and engineering department can fulfill a variety of special orders, from the customer's name on the sill plates and special veneers to custom luggage and picnic sets like this one. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Bespoke Picnic Set

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Continue reading Rolls-Royce goes out to lunch with custom orders

Rolls-Royce goes out to lunch with custom orders originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford custom vinyl graphics now available for F-150, Mustang

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Ford

Ford Custom Vinyl Graphics - Click above for high-res image gallery

With the launch of the 2011 Fiesta, Ford's put an emphasis on customization, primarily in the form of interior amenities and infotainment. But as we learned during our First Drive, the range of modifications won't be limited to the inside - Ford's making exterior graphics packages available for its new B-segment player, and the Fiesta won't be the only model from the Blue Oval to don custom vinyl.

Ford's added the Mustang and F-150 to the range of vehicles you can coat in a custom wrap, with over 50 available designs ranging from the predictable flames and matte black racing stripes to the decidedly more feminine flowers and bubbles.

If you click on over to FordCustomGraphics.com you can start creating your own 3M Scotchprint wraps, and within the next few months the entire Ford line-up can be had with multi-colored vinyl to suit every available taste. So if your black-on-white Flex isn't standing out from the crowd at the soccer field, you can add a smattering of camo and a dash of "faux diamond plate aluminum look" to spruce things up. All of it will be available at a fraction of the cost of a custom paint job and will carry a three-year/36,000-mile warranty when it's installed by a certified Ford dealership. Hit the jump for the details and check out the gallery below for a few designs.

Gallery: Ford Custom Vinyl Graphics

Continue reading Ford custom vinyl graphics now available for F-150, Mustang

Ford custom vinyl graphics now available for F-150, Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: What we didn't get to cover

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Etc., Motorcycle, Humor, Specialty, Design/Style, Off-Road

2009 SEMA Show Las Vegas - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every year at SEMA, we fill the week with posts featuring special vehicles and products that we felt were important enough to share. Generally, they are the most newsworthy projects and new model introductions, but sometimes they are just things that caught our eye. When all is said and done, we think we've given all of you a good taste of what's on offer here in the desert.

Of course, there are always things we see and shoot that don't make it into the regular posts from the days we are here. We end up with a few hundred photos of random weirdness and cool stuff that just didn't make it into a dedicated post. That's what this post is for. It's basically a chance to dump some of that random wackiness and wonder that is SEMA into one big bowl and invite you all to take a sip. Click on the gallery below and you'll see race cars, hot rods, muscle cars, motorcycles, wheels and more. None are labeled, but all should provide a unique look at what we saw at SEMA 2009.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Random sightings

SEMA 2009: What we didn't get to cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unique Autosports South gets crazy custom-built automotive pool table

Noah Joseph — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games

Unique Autosports pool table by Hurricane Custom Billiards - Click above for high-res image gallery

We see plenty of automotive-inspired products roll through our tip line, and most of them are pretty subtle: A logo here, a racing stripe there, a touch of carbon fiber or vulcanized rubber.... But "subtle" won't cut it for Unique Autosports, purveyors of blinged-out whips for the rich and famous. So for Unique's Miami showroom, they turned to Hurricane Custom Billiards of St. Petersburg, Florida, to create the one-of-a-kind pool table you see here.

The Unique Autosports pool table is built on a chromed steel frame and mounted on four giant shiny rims coated in ultra low-profile rubber, while the table top is covered in tournament-quality black felt and trimmed in black leather. It's even got a light kit installed capable of 1,000 different colors, in case the table would otherwise go unnoticed. Eight-Ball shifter, eat your heart out. Check it out in the gallery below, with our thanks to Keith for the tip.

Gallery: Unique Autosports pool table by Hurricane Custom Billiards

[Source: Hurricane Billiards]

Unique Autosports South gets crazy custom-built automotive pool table originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"Marquis DeSoto" wins NY Times' Collectible Car of the Year award

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Mercury, Specialty

Click above for a gallery of the Marquis DeSoto

It is neither a Mercury Grand Marquis nor a DeSoto, but perhaps it could be considered a kind of royalty. Furniture maker Steve Heller wanted to build a car of his own design, and possessed of a love of Fifties car details, he swiped the things he liked and built what he calls the "Marquis de Soto." It can also be called the New York Times Collectible Car of the Year.

The Marquis is based on a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis. The Marquis' wings have been poached from the rear of a 1957 DeSoto, along with 1959 Cadillac taillights, the front fenders and lights from a 1958 Lincoln, 1955 Cadillac bumpers, a 1965 Buick Skylark hood, chrome from a 1957 Buick, and a grille glommed built from two 1957 Corvette pieces.

Heller spent 20 years collecting all the parts - he makes furniture using vintage car doodads - and spent four months building the car in back of his furniture shop. We dig it... but we dig it even more when it was just wearing primer. It has The Riddler written all over it. For more on the Marquis DeSoto, you can watch a great Heller-narrated slideshow or check out the gallery of photos below. Hat tip to Avinash

Gallery: Marquis deSoto

[Source: New York Times]

"Marquis DeSoto" wins NY Times' Collectible Car of the Year award originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Because the Chevy Aveo5 doesn't suck enough as is...

Alex Nunez — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Lifestyle

Click above for more customized Chevy Aveo5

Water's wet, fire burns, and the Chevy Aveo5 sucks. Drivers in the Middle East who voluntarily subject themselves to this tragedy now have a way to ensure that onlookers stop, point and laugh at their expense, thanks to GM's new factory ~~humiliation~~ customization program. Basically, the sky's the limit in terms of poor taste, as exhibited by this example, tricked out by a dealer in Abu Dhabi. Hey, are those quilted pleather seats? Why yes, we believe they are. Think you can do worse? Visit totallystreet.com to plumb the depths for yourselves. Just be ready for your gag reflex to kick in. An entirely over-enthusiastic press release follows the jump. Seriously: "Earn Street Cred?" Put that hookah down, now!

Gallery: Chevy Aveo5 Factory Customization (Middle East)

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Because the Chevy Aveo5 doesn't suck enough as is...

Because the Chevy Aveo5 doesn't suck enough as is... originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks can deceive: 6.6L Duramax-powered Buick GNX clone

Alex Nunez — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:35:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Buick, GM

The car you see here is not a GNX. Hell, it's not even a Buick. You'd be forgiven if you thought it was, though, and it does sport a turbocharger underhood. David Morad was so enamored with the 6.6L LB7 Duramax diesel in his truck that he wanted to put it into something lighter and more fun. He decided to build a Grand National around the engine, and started buying up whatever applicable Buick body parts he could find -- right down to legit GNX dash plates. Next, he bought an '82 Buick Regal diesel that was to be the subject of the transformation. Unfortunately, that car literally self-immolated as he drove it home, sending Morad straight back to square one.

He subsequently found and bought an '81 Olds diesel and got to work. The car was cut in half so that a Regal rear end could be welded on, and then a laundry list of major modifications followed. To retain the stock Buick exterior appearance while incorporating the new powertrain, everything under the skin is is either extensively modified or custom fabricated in order to allow for the deception. Sure, it looks like a GNX, but this is really a scratch-built machine. Wilwood brakes lurk behind some absolutely wicked deep-dish Budnik wheels (dig those steamrollers in back), which nicely compliment the menacing black bodywork. Diesel Power magazine covers all the build's specifics in detail, and it's well worth a read.

If you're gonna masquerade as a GNX, you'd better bring some punch to the costume party, and Morad's car does. As of Diesel Power's publication, it ran an 8.25-second eighth of a mile, which they figure works out to somewhere in the 12s for the quarter. He'll be gunning for the 11s next, and additional performance upgrades are in store. Best of all? This is Morad's daily driver! He reports that it gets around 28 mpg in regular use and in the mid-30s on the highway. Not a bad combination: the looks of a GNX, the grunt of a big turbodiesel, and the fuel economy of cars that are a lot more boring. This thing had to cost a fortune to make, but Morad's clearly getting his money's worth on the fun scale.

[Source: Diesel Power via Next Autos]

Looks can deceive: 6.6L Duramax-powered Buick GNX clone originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Talon Performance creates a quad only a mother could love

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games, Motorcycle

Talon Performance is where "Innovation meets the street." That combination apparently yields results like the Talon Street Quad, a body-kitted 4-wheeler based on the Kawasaki KFX700. We think it looks like the innovation and the street got in a big argument, attacked a manatee with bats, and then threw paint on it. Then put it on wheels. Nice, rims, though...

Part quad, part Cars movie extra, part dada, the Talon Street Quad is supposedly street legal. We don't know where these streets are (in America), because quads have been shown the hand by all 50 states when it comes to road duty. Yet according to Talon, "you can even take it on your next road trip."

It'll also save you money at the pump, which is lately the god of all things. So if you want it, but you're not sure about that two-tone paint job, do not fear: you can get it in a single tone for "shear and simple beauty." Or you could just buy the Quadrazuma. And check out the gallery of pics below.

Gallery: Talon Performance Street Quad

[Source: Jalopnik]

Talon Performance creates a quad only a mother could love originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW brings back Golf GTI Pirelli in the UK

Michael Harley — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Click above for high-res gallery of the Golf GTI Pirelli

The Golf GTI Pirelli is back (but only in the UK right now). Celebrating its arrival after a 25-year absence, the Pirelli-themed Volkswagen hatchback features an enhanced version of the 2.0-liter T-FSI powerplant boosted to 230 PS (about 227 hp). Power is sent to the front wheels through a traditional 6-speed manual, or VW's very nice twin-clutch DSG gearbox. The added 30 horses over the stock VW GTI drops the sprint time to 60 down to just 6.8 seconds and raises the hatchback's maximum speed to 152 mph.

Differentiating itself from the standard GTI, the Pirelli version features a front splitter, side skirts, smoked rear lenses and tinted windows. Of course, it also gets 18-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels wrapped in, you guessed it, Pirelli P-Zero tires. The Pirelli theme is carried to the interior with custom yellow-stitched sport seats and tire-tread imprints in all four seating positions. With a few added mechanical upgrades, several exterior enhancements, and a lot of interior branding, the GTI Pirelli package appears to be a slick package. That is, assuming you don't tire of it. (Oh, come on, we just had to say that.)

After checking our archives, we noticed that Volkswagen actually previewed the GTI Pirelli at the Wörthersee show last year, and we're happy to report that the spokes on each wheel are still exaggerated versions of the letter 'P'.

Gallery: Volkswagen GTI Pirelli

Gallery: VW Golf GTI Pirelli

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW brings back Golf GTI Pirelli in the UK

VW brings back Golf GTI Pirelli in the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Build your own big rig: International launches configurator for LoneStar

Dan Roth — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chicago Auto Show, Etc., Work

Truckers are like motorcycle riders in the way that they invariably customize their rides. It's probably just as challenging to find a bone stock tractor as it is an unembellished Fat Boy. When you're plying the roads as much as the big rigs do, why not have some fun and stand apart from the rest of the crowd and their mudflaps decorated with conformist chrome silhouettes of questionable taste? International's new LoneStar truck will be factory trickable with a new line of Navistar accessories called DoubleSix Customs. While the Autoblog Garage isn't quite big enough to hold an 18-wheeler, we did dedicate the better part of an hour to International's website designing the perfect vehicle for hauling our tricked out fleet of Zastavas.

With International's online configurator, you can start with a basic truck and add a splash of color, a dollop of flames, lots of chrome, and nearly as many lights as Vegas. The DoubleSix name takes its inspiration from the mother road, Route 66, which International is hoping still resonates with those who keep our economy rolling. Our only problem? Lack of the proper license. Try it yourself, you can even upload logos and graphics to design your perfect LoneStar. Press release after the jump.

[Source: International]

Continue reading Build your own big rig: International launches configurator for LoneStar

Build your own big rig: International launches configurator for LoneStar originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kid Kustoms offers tins and fins for the jogging stroller

Michael Harley — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games, Lifestyle

Kid Kustoms, offering "Vintage Tins and Fins for your Tots," has brought a serious touch of class to the boring jogging stroller. It's time to ditch the ho-hum toddler hauler in exchange for one of these custom, and collapsible, composite lightweight strollers. Whether you choose the Classic, Signature or Kustom series, each design is available with unique fins, fenders and pin striping (Flame or Primer versions are optional) in an array of vibrant colors that harken back to a different kind of cruising. And these baby strollers aren't just quick chop jobs. The quality and craftsmanship, from their seamless welds to polished chrome, appears to be first-rate. Of course, a product of this caliber will command a premium price. To surround your little bundle of joy in something the other moms (and dads!) can't help but envy will set you back between $2,000 and $3,500. Oh, the cost of being cool...

Gallery: Kid Kustoms Strollers

[Source: Kid Kustoms]

Kid Kustoms offers tins and fins for the jogging stroller originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM making sure Camaro accessories are ready

Dan Roth — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

click the picture to view the video

Genuine GM Accessories are as obsessively tested as the rest of the car during the design and prototype stage. When the production tweaks are being given to the basic car, the Accessories wizards are in there too, mocking up and trying out different creative ways to offer some pizazz at the parts counter. What we're most excited about in this video is the appearance of the new Camaro with some extra goodies. You don't get to see much, but the shroud of Auburn Hills gets pulled back just enough to show off ground effects done up in clay. The rear spoiler also appears to be different, though it's never actually shown. If customized Camaros of the past are any indication, we expect the hottest item will be the big peeing "Calvin" for the rear window and those ridiculous blackout head and taillight covers - this time, they'll be available with a GM part number, w00t! Top tippage, Tim!

[Source: 5thgen.org]

Continue reading GM making sure Camaro accessories are ready

GM making sure Camaro accessories are ready originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Truckticular implants: The Stretch Truck

Dan Roth — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Ford

Is a 20-foot long, four-door longbed pickup still too small for your needs? Whether it's ego or an overabundance of backsides to seat, size definitely matters to Stretch Truck. The Denver based customizer will add extra length to your hauler (they've got a thing for Fords, it seems) with a seamless factory look. It's easy to take potshots about how these trucks are the panacea for insecurity, but they fill a niche that's too narrow for the automakers to fill themselves. One of their six-door Excursions would carry at least half of the Autoblog team with all our gear tossed in back. Stretch Truck's fine work costs accordingly, running in the $20,000 range, but you don't give up much. We expect that the turning circle is large enough to require a harbor pilot, and the extra wheelbase might make it difficult to crawl the Rubicon, but if you've got a need to carry a brood and a burden, these extra-long trucks might be just right.

Gallery: Stretch Trucks

[Source: Stretch Truck via Winding Road]

Truckticular implants: The Stretch Truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For Sale: Zagato Caddy

Dan Roth — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Auctions, Etc., Europe, Cadillac, Ferrari

Say "Italian-styled Cadillac" and any car person will shoot back "Allante." It does appear, though, that Zagato executed coachwork on top of a fourth-generation Eldorado before Cadillac ever thought of shipping its wares to and from Pininfarina. This Eldo looks a lot like a Ferrari, and there's a reason for that, according to the seller. The bodywork on this car was reportedly designed by Luigi Chinetti, Ferrari racer and the first Ferrari agent in the United States. Chinetti went on to found the North American Racing Team, also an official Ferrari venture, and that might explain why this car has NART prominently displayed on its nose.

The NART badging is the only thing this custom Caddy shares with the Ferraris under Mr. Chinetti's umbrella, though. The success of his Prancing Horse franchise is likely why this prototype, which was displayed at the Turin and New York auto shows in 1971, never went anywhere. Currently, the car is in Brussels Belgium, and potential buyers are invited to make offers. If the provenance holds up, we doubt it'll be a small selling price. At least you'll get 1970's Italian style with the inexpensive upkeep of 1970's American running gear.

Gallery: Zagato Eldorado

[Source: Hemmings]

For Sale: Zagato Caddy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find Of The Day: Challenger wagon

Dan Roth — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Wagon, Auctions, Chrysler, Dodge

It's always dangerous to get excited about a car that looks halfway decent in pictures. This creative body project that was born from a very rare 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T SE is just such a car. Yes, the value of this car has been pretty well erased by the addition of an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser roof, and that could cause some outbursts from purists. The thing is, the stupid values that cars of this era have been reaching at auction are a recent phenomenon. This particular Challenger was just a two year old car when someone went at it with the nibbler back in 1973. From what we can see, this is a 50/50 car - the closeups tell a story that's a little rougher than the more distant snaps. If you've got $28,000, you can enter a starting bid. The seller points out that it'll need some work, and that'll likely cost you at least another 30-large for a full proper restoration. Nobody has thrown cash at the auction yet, so that's a good sign for bidders. With less than a day to go, you may be able to snag this vintage metal shop Frankenstein without a bidder war.

Thanks for the tip, Tobias!

Gallery: Challenger Wagon

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find Of The Day: Challenger wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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