Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Optimus Prime hiding in plain sight [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/ebay-find-of-the-day-optimus-prime-hiding-in-plain-sight-w-vid/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/ebay-find-of-the-day-optimus-prime-hiding-in-plain-sight-w-vid/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/ebay-find-of-the-day-optimus-prime-hiding-in-plain-sight-w-vid/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


1997 Peterbilt dressed as Optimus Prime - Click above for image gallery

With Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen holding the number box office spot for two weeks, there couldn't be a better time for this ardent Autobot fan to be flogging his truck on eBay. Done up thoroughly enough to qualify as an Optimus Prime replica, this 1997 Peterbilt 379 wears custom PPG paint and clearcoat, along with hand-applied pinstripes.

If you do actually want to haul things, under that extended hood - just like Prime has - there's a 475 horsepower Caterpillar running through a ten-speed Eaton Fuller transmission. Bidding is up to $20,300 at time of writing, but you've got nine days left to get your bid in and make room in your back yard... and then you can retrieve the Allspark.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Optimus has been showing up all sorts of odd places lately, including a guest appearance on The Light Show With David Letterman last night. The booming Autobot leader led his vocal talents to the program's trademark Top 10 list, and you can check out how he did by watching the video after the jump. Hat tip to 94 Taurus owner!


Gallery: Optimus Prime Peterbilt 379


[Sources: eBay; YouTube]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: Optimus Prime hiding in plain sight [w/VIDEO]

eBay Find of the Day: Optimus Prime hiding in plain sight [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction actionAuctionActiondavid lettermanDavidLettermanebayLate ShowLateShowlettermanmoviesOptimusoptimus primeOptimusPrimepeterbiltTop 10Top10transformerstransformers 2transformers revenge of the fallenTransformers2TransformersRevengeOfTheFallentrucksTue, 07 Jul 2009 19:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19089032/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/07/ebay-find-of-the-day-optimus-prime-hiding-in-plain-sight-w-vid/19089032/article-detail.xml 19089032 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/optimus_peterbilt_ebay_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/optimus_peterbilt_ebay.jpg <![CDATA[GM CEO ranks #2 on Letterman's list of Top Ten Worst Summer Jobs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/gm-ceo-ranks-2-on-lettermans-list-of-top-ten-worst-summer-jobs/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/gm-ceo-ranks-2-on-lettermans-list-of-top-ten-worst-summer-jobs/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/gm-ceo-ranks-2-on-lettermans-list-of-top-ten-worst-summer-jobs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



There's no question that there have been better summers to be the chief executive officer of General Motors. Bankruptcy hearings, plant closings, job cuts and a near certain pay cut will no doubt put a damper on Fritz Henderson's backyard barbecues. The CEO job is so undesirable that it cracked Late Show host David Letterman's Top 10 Worst Summer Jobs list this week. In fact, GM CEO was deemed worse than being the Octomom's babysitter, Susan Boyle's groomer, or even Dick Cheney hunting partner. Ouch. At least it beat out George Bush memoir proof reader.

[Source: CBS Late Show]

GM CEO ranks #2 on Letterman's list of Top Ten Worst Summer Jobs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david lettermanDavidLettermanfritz hendersonFritzHendersongm ceoGmCeolate showLateShowtop 10Top10Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19062297/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/06/10/gm-ceo-ranks-2-on-lettermans-list-of-top-ten-worst-summer-jobs/19062297/article-detail.xml 19062297 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/lettermangmceo_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/lettermangmceo_opt.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Letterman gives ground on Volt, asks Lutz for first production model]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/21/video-letterman-gives-ground-on-volt-asks-lutz-for-first-produ/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/21/video-letterman-gives-ground-on-volt-asks-lutz-for-first-produ/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/21/video-letterman-gives-ground-on-volt-asks-lutz-for-first-produ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above to view the video after the jump

Last night, General Motors' outgoing Car Czar, Bob Lutz, went to New York City to rebut the thrashing David Letterman gave the Chevy Volt a few weeks ago during an interview. That comedian's criticism came during the an "interview" with Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk (details here). The more forceful Lutz certainly didn't allow Letterman to control the discussion the way he did when dominating Musk. Lutz actually expressed himself well, even praising Tesla's accomplishments along the way. In the process of doing that, however, he explained that a big reason the Tesla Roadster costs over $100,000 is its battery pack with 6,831 laptop cells.

Observers were probably far less satisfied with Lutz's defense of the end of the EV1 program and his argument that the "batteries were not ready" and the company "couldn't sell" the EV1. He should have just said that the batteries were not ready for a mainstream vehicle and the car couldn't be sold profitably at a price people would actually pay.

When it came to the Volt, Lutz did a much better job of explaining the differences in the way it works compared to current parallel hybrid vehicles that drivers are used to. Ultimately, Letterman asked if he could get the first production Volt before reprising his electrocution schtick from the Musk episode. Follow the jump to watch the interview for yourself.

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Letterman gives ground on Volt, asks Lutz for first production model

VIDEO: Letterman gives ground on Volt, asks Lutz for first production model originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 May 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzbob lutz voltBobLutzBobLutzVoltchevroletchevrolet voltChevroletVoltchevychevy voltChevyVoltdavid lettermanDavidLettermanThu, 21 May 2009 14:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1552964/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/21/video-letterman-gives-ground-on-volt-asks-lutz-for-first-produ/1552964/article-detail.xml 1552964 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/05/letterman-lutz-volt_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/05/letterman-lutz-volt.png <![CDATA[Bob Lutz will appear on Letterman next week to refute Volt claims]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/15/bob-lutz-will-appear-on-letterman-next-week-to-refute-volt-claim/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/15/bob-lutz-will-appear-on-letterman-next-week-to-refute-volt-claim/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/15/bob-lutz-will-appear-on-letterman-next-week-to-refute-volt-claim/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Two weeks after late night comedian David Letterman lashed out at the Chevy Volt's 40-mile EV range during an interview with Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, General Motors is counter-attacking with former Vice Chairman Bob Lutz. Next Wednesday night, Lutz will appear on Letterman's Late Show with the Volt show car. Lutz is generally pretty good at holding his own in interviews, but it will be very interesting to see how he rebukes Letterman on his own turf. The latter generally keeps a pretty tight rein and controls the action, just as he did with Musk. If Lutz is smart, he'll emphasize that he brought the show car instead of one of the Cruze-based mules because those are being intensively tested back in Michigan getting ready for a production launch next year. The Tesla Model S that Musk brought with him is also little more than a show car at this point, and most development has been suspended until Tesla raises more money.

Clarification: When I say most Model S development is on hold, I mean most, not all. When I spoke with CEO Elon Musk in January he acknowledged that spending on Model S had been cut from 30 percent of Tesla's resources to only 10 percent. Before leaving the company, last former SVP Darryl Siry told us that essentially all work other powertrain development had come to halt. Some work is ongoing since they did finish the show car, but the bulk of it depends on raising cash. Meanwhile GM tells us that the Volt program is essentially the only one at the company that has not seen any significant cuts.

[Source: General Motors, Source Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty]

Bob Lutz will appear on Letterman next week to refute Volt claims originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 May 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzBobLutzchevroletchevrolet voltChevroletVoltchevy voltChevyVoltdavid lettermanDavidLettermanFri, 15 May 2009 12:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1547321/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/15/bob-lutz-will-appear-on-letterman-next-week-to-refute-volt-claim/1547321/article-detail.xml 1547321 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/83308939_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/83308939_opt.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Letterman meet Musk, Musk meet Letterman. Got it? Good. Let's all hate on Chevrolet's Volt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/video-letterman-meet-musk-musk-meet-letterman-got-it-good-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/video-letterman-meet-musk-musk-meet-letterman-got-it-good-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/video-letterman-meet-musk-musk-meet-letterman-got-it-good-l/#comments
Click on the image above to watch the video

Elon Musk brought out the Tesla Model S for its big New York debut last night, and Late Night talk show host David Letterman got a real "charge" out of it. Musk appeared on the Late Show and it was kind of strange to watch. Letterman had some kind of throat ailment that left his voice sounding remarkably like Bob Lutz. In spite of that, Dave's trademark style left him showing little sympathy for any automakers when discussing why after more than 100 years no one has really developed the electric car.

Dave didn't spare any kind words for efforts to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology, but he really ripped into General Motors and its baby, the Chevrolet Volt. Apparently the idea of being able to go a mere 40 miles on a charge is not appealing to him, and to his discredit, he didn't bother to mention the range extender. For his part, Musk does nothing to correct this oversight.

Check out the video after the jump for as long as it stays live on YouTube.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Letterman meet Musk, Musk meet Letterman. Got it? Good. Let's all hate on Chevrolet's Volt

VIDEO: Letterman meet Musk, Musk meet Letterman. Got it? Good. Let's all hate on Chevrolet's Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david lettermanDavidLettermanelon muskElonMusklate show with david lettermanLateShowWithDavidLettermanlettermantesla model stesla motorstesla sedanTeslaModelSTeslaMotorsTeslaSedanThu, 30 Apr 2009 13:08:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1532908/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/30/video-letterman-meet-musk-musk-meet-letterman-got-it-good-l/1532908/article-detail.xml 1532908 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/dave-and-elon_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/dave-and-elon.png <![CDATA[Letterman remembers Paul Newman...and their V8 Volvos]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/05/letterman-remembers-paul-newman-and-their-v8-volvos/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/05/letterman-remembers-paul-newman-and-their-v8-volvos/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/05/letterman-remembers-paul-newman-and-their-v8-volvos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



In the wake of Paul Newman's passing just over a week ago, we've seen countless, wonderful tributes to the man written from different points of view. He's remembered as an actor, a colleague, a racer, and most importantly, a towering philanthropist. One of the best non-written remembrances, however, comes from the mouth of David Letterman, who paid respect to Newman in one of his monologues on The Late Show last week.

The whole thing's worth watching, but at around 3:45 in, Dave gets to the story about when Newman called him up one day and talked him into buying a custom Volvo wagon (a 960) with a supercharged Ford V8 underhood. You see, Newman was having one made and was very pumped up about it, so he asked if Dave wanted one, too. And you know, how do you say no to Paul Newman? Dave recounts the whole affair beautifully, and of course, it's also funny.

Volvo 960 V8 ConversionAfter you watch the clip, head over to Swedespeed, where in 2003 they profiled a third car just like the ones built for Newman and Letterman, with even more background about Newman's car and what went into the build. This is the very definition of "sleeper."

[Source: The Sheila Variations]

Letterman remembers Paul Newman...and their V8 Volvos originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david lettermanDavidLettermanpaul newmanPaulNewmanv8 volvoV8Volvovolvovolvo wagonVolvoWagonSun, 05 Oct 2008 08:50:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1333267/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/10/05/letterman-remembers-paul-newman-and-their-v8-volvos/1333267/article-detail.xml 1333267 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/swedespeed_-volvo_960v8_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/swedespeed_-volvo_960v8.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Alex Roy on the Late Show with Letterman]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/11/video-alex-roy-on-the-late-show-with-letterman/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/11/video-alex-roy-on-the-late-show-with-letterman/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/11/video-alex-roy-on-the-late-show-with-letterman/#commentsFiled under:



You may remember Alex Roy as a member of Team Polizei, which drove a BMW M3 across the continental U.S. in the unofficial record time of 31 hours and 4 minutes in late 2006. The record is unofficial because maintaining an average speed of over 90 MPH for a day and a half isn't exactly... legal. You can read about the monumental effort required of Roy and his team in his book The Driver, or you could watch the video after the jump of Roy's appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman last Tuesday. Having met Roy, the amazing thing about him is that he's fully aware of how dangerous and crazy his endeavor was, and on some level agrees with those who take offense with what he did. It's a disarming quality that makes him easy to talk to even if you're one those who disagree with his need for speed. That comes through in his interview with David Letterman, who belabors the illegality of Roy's record run a bit too vociferously in our opinion. Roy takes it like a champ and we think, by the end, wins Dave over. And once you've got Dave, you've got Paul, too. Check out the video after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Chris!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Alex Roy on the Late Show with Letterman

VIDEO: Alex Roy on the Late Show with Letterman originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex royalex roy interviewAlexRoyAlexRoyInterviewdavid lettermanDavidLettermanthe late showTheLateShowFri, 11 Jan 2008 12:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1084261/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/01/11/video-alex-roy-on-the-late-show-with-letterman/1084261/article-detail.xml 1084261 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/royletterman_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/royletterman_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Letterman drops safe on Buick LeSabre]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/letterman-drops-safe-on-buick-lesabre/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/letterman-drops-safe-on-buick-lesabre/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/letterman-drops-safe-on-buick-lesabre/#commentsFiled under: , ,




David Letterman is at it again. And this time we're taking it personally. Long a fan of Dave and his destruction of household items for our amusement, we have to draw the line somewhere. In his latest shtick, Letterman has his crew drop a safe from the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater in which his show is taped. The 300-pound hunk of metal is unceremoniously dumped from the roof and plummets towards the street below, coming to a cushiony halt atop a Buick LeSabre's rear seat.

Not a particularly big fan of the Buick, but it did appear to be in good working order and we can think of more than a few people who could use some wheels to get themselves to work, so this seems especially wasteful.

Aww, we're just joshin'. This is hilarious! One only has to watch to marvel at the "precision" with which this stunt was arranged. It seems a miracle they even hit the car and didn't make a crater in the sidewalk. The suspension of the Buick appears to take the impact with aplomb and we actually discussed whether or not the car might still be drivable. Certainly the safe looks no worse for the fall. We're pretty sure there will be complaints about the vehicle's untimely demise, but laughter has been said to be the best medicine, so that and a chill pill should help everybody get over themselves it.

[Source: The Daily Reel]

Letterman drops safe on Buick LeSabre originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Dec 2006 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Buick LeSabreBuickLesabreDavid LettermanDavidLettermansafe dropSafeDropMon, 11 Dec 2006 14:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/716265/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/12/11/letterman-drops-safe-on-buick-lesabre/716265/article-detail.xml 716265 -1 2