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[SEMA 2009: 1951 Henry J gasser is a 7-second blast from the past]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-1951-henry-j-gasser-is-a-7-second-blast-from-the-past/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-1951-henry-j-gasser-is-a-7-second-blast-from-the-past/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-1951-henry-j-gasser-is-a-7-second-blast-from-the-past/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


1951 Kaiser Henry J - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here's another black beauty that caught our attention in the halls of SEMA 2009. It's a 1951 Kaiser Henry J owned and raced by Chris Beanes of California.

Running in A/Gas, this gloss-free gasser can storm the quarter in the mid-7s at better than 174 MPH. We read somewhere that it's powered by a Chevy 400 that's backed by a four-speed transmission, but other than that we don't have a lot more details. What we do have are a few pics in the gallery below that hopefully capture the magic of this nostalgic dragster.


Gallery: SEMA 2009: 1951 Henry J gasser


Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2009: 1951 Henry J gasser is a 7-second blast from the past originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1951 Henry J1951 Kaiser1951 Kaiser Henry J1951HenryJ1951Kaiser1951KaiserHenryJAGasChris BeanesChrisBeanesdrag racerdrag racingDragRacerDragRacingdragstergasserHenry JHenryJkaiserKaiser Henry JKaiserHenryJnostalgiaSEMASEMA 2009:sema showSema2009:SemaShowFri, 06 Nov 2009 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: 700-HP Saab 99 Quattro Turbo is like missing Koenigsegg ancestor]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-700-hp-saab-99-quattro-turbo-is-like-missing-koenigsegg-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-700-hp-saab-99-quattro-turbo-is-like-missing-koenigsegg-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-700-hp-saab-99-quattro-turbo-is-like-missing-koenigsegg-a/#commentsFiled under: , ,

700-hp 1969 Saab 99 Quattro Turbo - Click above to watch video

Sweden has just over nine million people - that's an entire country whose population is just a little bigger than New York City - and we'd believe it if someone told us they exclusively devoted their time to blessing the world with peculiar automotive concoctions. We'd file this latest one under "quirky," but it's far too powerful: a 1969 Saab 99 given the Audi Quattro treatment and a turbocharging to the tune of 700 horsepower. And then left to look rather stock.

The brainchild of a man named Gustav, it's development is recorded on Savar Turbo for those of you who speak Swedish (translated, if you don't). It runs sub-10-second quarter-miles with ease, which includes a few tenths lost for wheelspin and manually shifting gears. And we like it. We like it a lot. And we want whatever he's been drinking - we're guessing drums of aquavit. Follow the jump for videos of this stealthy Swede's quarter-mile runs and have a look at what's under the hood in the gallery of high-res images below.


Gallery: 700-HP Saab 99 Quattro Turbo


[Source: Savar Turbo via Car Throttle]

Continue reading VIDEO: 700-HP Saab 99 Quattro Turbo is like missing Koenigsegg ancestor

VIDEO: 700-HP Saab 99 Quattro Turbo is like missing Koenigsegg ancestor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audi quattroAudiQuattrodrag cardrag racingDragCarDragRacingdragstereuropeKoenigseggquattrosaabsaab 99saab 99 turboSaab99Saab99TurbosleeperswedenvideoThu, 05 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[22-year-old sheik spending $10M a year to become the Yankees of drag racing?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/22-year-old-sheik-spending-10m-a-year-to-become-the-yankees-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/22-year-old-sheik-spending-10m-a-year-to-become-the-yankees-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/22-year-old-sheik-spending-10m-a-year-to-become-the-yankees-of/#commentsFiled under: ,



There are a number of parallels with an all-American tale of racing fan turned team owner: Man loves drag racing since boyhood, comes from a region crazy for the sport, started off in racing's little league, and races to win even in the big leagues. Yet the differences are enough to inform us that this is a Yankees tale, not an Oakland A's tale: the team owner in question is Qatari native Sheik Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani, all of 22 years old, with a bank account that would make Croesus blush.

When Al-Thani was ready to start a top-level drag racing team after owning outfits in the lower grades, he called Alan Johnson, who had run the five-time championship-winning Army dragster team. With the aim of turning Qatar into a dragster's paradise and an estimated $10 million per year budget for a two-car team (top fuel dragster and funny car), Johnson signed up for the challenge.

A top team spends about $4 million and up for the NHRA series, which could put Al-Thani even above the U.S. Army team's expenditure. Both teams are sixth in the standings right now, with Larry Dixon (dragster) and Del Worsham (funny car) behind the wheels, but with Al-Thani committed to doing - and spending - what it takes, he might just be the Steinbrenner of drag racing before long, for better or worse.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

22-year-old sheik spending $10M a year to become the Yankees of drag racing? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Al-Thanialan johnson racingAlanJohnsonRacingdrag racingDragRacingdragsterfunny carFunnyCarmiddle eastMiddleEastmotorsportsqataryankeesWed, 29 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Garage 419 pits GT-R against rented Hertz Corvette... with nitrous]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/19/video-garage-419-pits-gt-r-against-rented-hertz-corvette-wit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/19/video-garage-419-pits-gt-r-against-rented-hertz-corvette-wit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/19/video-garage-419-pits-gt-r-against-rented-hertz-corvette-wit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Click the image above to view the gassed 'Vette take on the Nissan GT-R after the jump

The Garage 419 team is anything but conventional, so when they say they're going to race a Nissan GT-R against a $500 competitor, you know it's going to be entertaining. Host Matt Farah had the easy task of rolling to the strip in the Godzilla of street racers, with 478 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and launch control at his beck and call. Editor Gene Sanchez had the tougher task of obtaining a $500 car to challenge his co-worker. Sanchez had a couple tricks up his sleeve, though, as he rented a $200-per-day LS3 Corvette from the Hertz Fun Collection and added a bargain-basement $300 nitrous system. Unfortunately, the 'Vette was burdened with lousy run-flat tires and a six-speed slush box, but at least the yellow underdog had the crowd on its side. Does a juiced up Corvette have a chance in Hell of besting a bone-stock GT-R on a one-eighth mile drag strip? The only way to find out is by hitting the jump to see the race for yourself.

Continue reading VIDEO: Garage 419 pits GT-R against rented Hertz Corvette... with nitrous

VIDEO: Garage 419 pits GT-R against rented Hertz Corvette... with nitrous originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChevroletCorvettedrag racedrag racingDragRaceDragRacingdragsterfun collectionFunCollectiongarage 419Garage419HertzLS3N02NissanNissan GT-RNissanGt-rnitrousNitrous OxideNitrousOxideNOSrent-a-racerFri, 19 Dec 2008 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Liability in Hammond crash falls on dragster maker, BBC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/25/liability-in-hammond-crash-falls-on-dragster-maker-bbc/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/25/liability-in-hammond-crash-falls-on-dragster-maker-bbc/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/25/liability-in-hammond-crash-falls-on-dragster-maker-bbc/#commentsFiled under: ,

Britain's Health and Safety Executive faulted both the BBC and the makers of the Vampire dragster, Primetime Landspeed Engineering, for Richard Hammond's dastardly crash. The HSE said that the risk assessment that Primetime gave to the BBC didn't take into account that Hammond didn't have the necessary skills to pilot the car in an emergency. So the BBC, according to the HSE, should have given Hammond enough time to learn how to drive the car and also should have challenged the risk assessment it was given, but it did not.

Hammond crashed the dragster at 288 mph and spent five weeks in the hospital with brain injuries. He has since fully recovered. Neither the BBC nor Primetime, though, will be prosecuted.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Liability in Hammond crash falls on dragster maker, BBC originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbccrashdragstergearhammondrichardtopvampireMon, 25 Jun 2007 14:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Out-of-control dragster kills six in Tennessee]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/17/out-of-control-dragster-kills-six-in-tennessee/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/17/out-of-control-dragster-kills-six-in-tennessee/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/17/out-of-control-dragster-kills-six-in-tennessee/#commentsFiled under:

Selmer, TN crashA tragic accident at a charity drag race Saturday night in Selmer, Tenn. has claimed the lives of at least six people, including a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, and injured as many as 18 others. An Associated Press report on CNN has witnesses saying the car was participating in an exhibition burnout when it went out of control, slammed into a utility pole and careened through the crowd. Apparently the car was on a public street lined with spectators and no guard rails.

Ironically, the event was organized to raise money for Cars for Kids, which was set up by Larry Price after his son recovered from a life-threatening bike accident in 1990. Cars for Kids posted this statement on its Web site...

We as a Cars For Kids organization would like to extend our deepest regrets and sympathy to all the victims and their families who were involved in yesterday's tragedy. This organization began to help children all across the world because of an almost fatal accident 18 years ago. Our intention has always been to help as many children and their families as we possibly could. As an organization we want everyone to know the loss is deep within our hearts and we will carry the scars of each loss forever. At this time the future of Cars For Kids is undecided.

According to the AP, the car is usually driven by Troy Critchley of Wylie, Texas, but no one could say if he was the driver at the time of the crash. Critchley's official Web site only displays a "not available," but can be seen in Google archives.

Amateur video of the crash as well as TV news video is available at WMCTV, but is in WMP format only, so good luck with it. AP has video coverage of the emergency response available to all.

UPDATE: Troy Critchley has been officially identified as the driver of the car at the time of the incident. Updated CNN.com coverage at the "Read" link.

Thanks for the tip, Chris P.

[Sources: The Associated Press, CNN, WMCTV, The Jackson Sun]

Out-of-control dragster kills six in Tennessee originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drag racingdrag racing tragedyDragRacingDragRacingTragedydragsterselmerselmer drag racingselmer dragsterselmer, tenn.Selmer,Tenn.SelmerDragRacingSelmerDragstertroy critchleytroy critchley selmerTroyCritchleyTroyCritchleySelmerSun, 17 Jun 2007 18:26:00 EST<![CDATA[SCM counts down Top 10 eBay Motors auctions that shouldn't have happened]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/scm-counts-down-top-10-ebay-motors-auctions-that-shouldnt-have/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/scm-counts-down-top-10-ebay-motors-auctions-that-shouldnt-have/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/scm-counts-down-top-10-ebay-motors-auctions-that-shouldnt-have/#commentsFiled under: , ,



You see it all the time on eBay; resolute bidders refusing to pull out, even though they've driven the price up far beyond reason. Harder to find these days are the mythical screaming deals of yesteryear - things that go stupid-cheap to a shrewd buyer with an evil chuckle. Sports Car Market has been watching the wackiness as well, and they've put together a nifty slideshow of wallet tragedies and sales that equate to theft. Even still, in their list, there are more examples of fools and their money than there are killer deals. That said, the '34 Chevy Pickup dragster appears to have been a good buy if you're into vehicular inanity. We were shocked to discover that Excaliburs trade for such high dollar amounts, too. For true eBay amusement, we like to attempt reading the seller's description of the items in a single pass, without any "wtf?" moments. Drinking heavily usually helps us discover the true meaning.

[Source: Sports Car Market]

SCM counts down Top 10 eBay Motors auctions that shouldn't have happened originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2007 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionbeetlebugcrazycustomdragstereBayexcaliburfabricatorgatsbyjeepscmsillysports car marketSportsCarMarketstupidvolkswagenwackyWed, 02 May 2007 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Hamster dragster crash footage!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/09/video-hamster-dragster-crash-footage/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/09/video-hamster-dragster-crash-footage/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/09/video-hamster-dragster-crash-footage/#commentsFiled under: ,

As we reported earlier, Richard Hammond was volunteering, if not lobbying from his bedside, for the BBC to show the footage of his 300-mph dragster crash that put him in the hospital and Top Gear on hiatus.

Meanwhile, here at Autoblog we've been happy to report that the Hamster is on the fast road to recovery and that the BBC has resumed filming of the show in anticipation of Richard's immanent return, and may show the crash footage. But we wouldn't want to keep our dedicated readers waiting.

Now anyone who's ever seen the show knows that Richard has a brilliant sense of humor. So with all this in mind, we bring you this video. Enjoy!

Related posts:

  • Set the TiVo: Hammond crash will be made into show
  • BBC won't sTop Gear: show resumes filming
  • Hammond Watch: the grueling road ahead
  • Hammond to BBC: show the crash and me in the hospital
  • Top Gear fights for survival as BBC postpones show indefinitely
  • Hammond Update: "Was I driving like a tw*t?"

  • Thanks for the tip, Yosef!

    [Source: DragsterCrash.com]

    • VIDEO: Hamster dragster crash footage! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Oct 2006 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>    accidentcrashdragsterfootagehammondhamstervideoMon, 09 Oct 2006 13:27:00 EST    <![CDATA[Set the TiVo: Hammond crash will be made into show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/set-the-tivo-hammond-crash-will-be-made-into-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/set-the-tivo-hammond-crash-will-be-made-into-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/set-the-tivo-hammond-crash-will-be-made-into-show/#commentsFiled under:

    Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond's crash that came at the hands of a jet-powered dragster going 300 mph may find its way onto a tellie near you (or halfway around the world if you live in the U.S.). The BBC would like to air a special that shows not only footage of the crash, but also the preparation that went into the stunt and examine what may have went wrong that led to the Hamster in the hospital. Only one catch: Hammond has to agree to the idea. Word around the net is that Hammond does want the footage shown, so we should be expecting the show to air when the Hamster has fully recovered, which his neurosurgeon says should be in about six months. We have to admit feeling guilty for wanting to see the crash, but if Hammond's cool with it then we'll have our bittorrent client at the ready.

    [Source: Guardian.co.uk]

    Related posts:


    Set the TiVo: Hammond crash will be made into show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>    accidentBBCcrashdragsterhospitalrichard hammondRichardHammondshowspecialtop gearTopGearFri, 06 Oct 2006 11:27:00 EST    <![CDATA[Teen driver loses life in jet dragster accident]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/03/teen-driver-loses-life-in-jet-dragster-accident/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/03/teen-driver-loses-life-in-jet-dragster-accident/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/03/teen-driver-loses-life-in-jet-dragster-accident/#commentsFiled under:

    In a tragic accident on Sunday, 17-year-old Canadian drag-racing protégé Kendall Hebert died when her jet-powered dragster crashed into a wall at Toronto Motorsport Park in the suburb of Cayuga, outside Hamilton, Ontario.

    The accident occurred during a demonstration, not a race. The young Hebert had just finished a quarter-mile sprint down the track, reaching over 480 km/h (just under 300 mph) when the car inexplicably hit a concrete wall, sending the vehicle rolling and throwing its driver out of the cockpit. To make matters even worse, Kendall's family was in attendance and saw the crash that took their young daughter's life. According to provincial police, the event was also being broadcast over the internet.

    (For those who have been following the news and might be wondering what made this accident fatal, while Top Gear's Richard Hammond is alive and recovering after a similar accident, the difference may lie in Kendall sadly having hit a wall directly, while Hammond rolled over grass, lessening the impact.)

    Kendall came from a racing family; her father and sister both race competitively, and Kendall was looking forward to joining them after her 18th birthday, which she sadly never reached. Our condolences to the bereaved Hebert family.

    (Our gratitude to Kevin for having sent us the sad news.)

    [Source: the Toronto Sun]

    Teen driver loses life in jet dragster accident originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Oct 2006 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>    accidentcanadacayugacrashdragdragsterhamiltonhebertkendallontarioracingteentorontoTue, 03 Oct 2006 17:58:00 EST    <![CDATA[Top Gear fights for survival as BBC postpones show indefinitely]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/top-gear-fights-for-survival-as-bbc-postpones-show-indefinitely/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/top-gear-fights-for-survival-as-bbc-postpones-show-indefinitely/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/top-gear-fights-for-survival-as-bbc-postpones-show-indefinitely/#commentsFiled under:

    As Top Gear host Richard Hammond recovers from his 300-mph crash, the show's future remains in limbo. The crash occurred while filming a segment for the upcoming series, but with Hammond still in hospital with the full scope of his injuries still unknown, the new season is being postponed indefinitely.

    That doesn't mean it's being cancelled. Not yet, at least. The BBC is simply putting it off until Richard's back to his usual smiling self and the team can together decide how to proceed. A strong indication came from co-host Jeremy Clarkson, who boldly declared, "Next week I intend to be down on the track driving faster than ever", and from the show's producer Andy Wilman, who said he'll quit if they have any restrictions placed on the show.

    With simultaneous investigations underway by the police and highway safety departments, and a mounting campaign to take the show off the air (or at least curtail the extent of their high-speed shenanigans), the Top Gear team is fighting hard to keep the show, and keep its integrity.

    Do you think Top Gear should continue its unrelenting quest for the best in automotive adventures, or have they gone one rev too far? Leave your opinion in our comments section.

    Related posts:

  • [Source: Reuters]

    • Top Gear fights for survival as BBC postpones show indefinitely originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>    bbccrashdragsterhammondjetrecoveryrichardtop gearTopGearMon, 25 Sep 2006 10:04:00 EST    <![CDATA[Hammond Update: "Was I driving like a tw*t?"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/hammond-update-was-i-driving-like-a-tw-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/hammond-update-was-i-driving-like-a-tw-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/hammond-update-was-i-driving-like-a-tw-t/#commentsFiled under:

    Here at Autoblog we've been inundated with comments and news updates from well-wishers praying for Richard Hammond's full and speedy recovery following his shocking 300-mph crash this past Wednesday. And so we're pleased to report that the Hamster's condition is improving dramatically.

    According to Hammond's Top Gear co-star Jeremy Clarkson, little more than a day after the crash, Richard spontaneously sat up in his hospital bed, asked what happened, joked around a bit, then got out of bed and walked to the washroom.

    Of course these may seem like fairly ordinary functions, but not when you consider that Hammond was subjected to as much as 100g's of force as his jet-powered car rolled and left him unconscious and buried head-first in the dirt, initially classified in critical condition.

    The crash was apparently caused by a burst tire. Follow the link to Clarkson's article in The Sun for a riveting account of the day of the crash, the events that lead to it, Hammond's miraculous progress on the road to full recovery, and the battle that lay ahead to keep Top Gear on the air.

    Related posts:

    Hammond Update: "Was I driving like a tw*t?" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>    accidentconditioncrashdragsterhammondjetprogressrichardtop gearTopGearupdateMon, 25 Sep 2006 09:08:00 EST    <![CDATA[UPDATE: Details on Richard Hammond crash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/20/update-details-on-richard-hammond-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/20/update-details-on-richard-hammond-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/20/update-details-on-richard-hammond-crash/#commentsFiled under:

    Sky News is reporting more details on the circumstances surrounding the crash involving Top Gear host Richard Hammond. Apparently Hammond was making an attempt at the British land speed record in the Thule Vampire, a 30-foot Rolls-Royce jet-powered dragster made in Sweden capable of reaching 272 mph in six seconds en route to a theoretical top speed of 370. The crash took place at over 280 mph.

    Hammond is being treated at Leeds General Infirmary. According to one of the firefighters on the scene, Hammond was speaking (and therefore presumably conscious) as he was being rescued from the overturned vehicle.

    [Source: Sky News via Jalopnik]

    UPDATE: Details on Richard Hammond crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Sep 2006 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>    bbccrashdragsterhammondleedsrecordrichardsky newsSkyNewsspeedtop gearTopGearvampireWed, 20 Sep 2006 17:50:00 EST    <![CDATA[Find of the Day: 1959 BMW Isetta drag racer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/08/find-of-the-day-1959-bmw-isetta-drag-racer/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/08/find-of-the-day-1959-bmw-isetta-drag-racer/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/08/find-of-the-day-1959-bmw-isetta-drag-racer/#commentsFiled under: , ,



    Browsing the inventory of The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum, we ran across this little beast. Based on BMW's Isetta 3-wheeler, a car barely able to get out of its own way, Weiner's Isetta "Whatta Drag" is, um, considerably quicker than the original model.

    A case of life imitating art (or in this case, imitating toys), the Isetta thrill-ride is inspired by a Hot Wheels toy of the same name. Powered by a blown Chevy 502 cubic inch V8 putting out an estimated 730 hp, and weighing all of 1520 lb., we can assume that the demon Isetta has inspiring acceleration capabilities. Although the museum doesn't cite performance figures for the car, it's described as "very very fast" and "very very loud," and we believe it. Top speed is listed as "unknown," which could well mean that the museum has yet to find anyone willing to fully explore the car's performance envelope.

    The Whatta Drag Isetta is described as able to "smoke any other microcar out there," and we don't doubt it for a moment. And with 730 hp driving just one 285/35 rear tire, we're betting that "smoke" would be the operative word... And of course, where there's smoke there's fire - the car is fitted with a switch that lets the driver throw flames out about 4 feet on each side.

    More pics after the jump! Follow the link to browse the museum's collection - it's an amazing place.

    [Source: The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum]

    Continue reading Find of the Day: 1959 BMW Isetta drag racer

    Find of the Day: 1959 BMW Isetta drag racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Aug 2006 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>    bmw isettaBmwIsettabubblecardrag racerdragsterhot rodHotRodisettamicrocarwhatta dragwhattadragTue, 08 Aug 2006 15:57:00 EST    <![CDATA[VIDEO: Drag racing tires in slow-mo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/09/video-drag-racing-tires-in-slow-mo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/09/video-drag-racing-tires-in-slow-mo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/09/video-drag-racing-tires-in-slow-mo/#commentsFiled under: ,



    We always assumed that every component of a top-fuel dragster or funny car undergoes an unthinkable amount of stress on each run, but this high-quality, slow-motion video shows exactly how a drag racing tire reacts to the extreme amount of abuse it takes each time down the track. As substantial as these rubber doughnuts are, the power of a dragster's motor has no trouble making them quiver like Jell-O.

    [Source: YouTube]

    VIDEO: Drag racing tires in slow-mo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Jul 2006 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>    drag racingDragRacingdragstertiretirestop fuelTopFuelyoutubeSun, 09 Jul 2006 14:16:00 EST