Autoblog

We may or may not have already passed peak oil. All we know is that the post-apocalyptic vision wrought in Mad Max films may someday become reality, and then we're all gonna wish we had Interceptors. AutoArt Models recently came out with a 1:18 die cast Interceptor model recently, but it doesn't come filthy enough for some fans. Detail-man extrodinaire Paul Miller decided to do something about it and built his own insanely detailed diorama complete with lots of dirt and dust (and some fuel drips!), Max himself, and other well chosen accessories for the scene. We're way behind building our own Edsel model for the Autoblog Garage, but Paul's work is at a level we'll never achieve. We're inspired to try, though, after seeing his work! Paul will also build you a custom model or diorama with this insane level of detail, provided you're willing to part with some money. He charges between $400 and $700 for his dioramas and his contact info can be found at Hemmings via source link below. You'll also find more pics of his Mad Max masterpiece there, and you can check out what a squeaky clean Interceptor model looks like right out of the box in our gallery below.


[Source: Hemmings]

While cruising along in Southern California one morning this week, we spied what could pass for a new hero car in the next installment of the "Mad Max" movie franchise. Just check out those rows of steel studs along the hood, roof and trunk. Perhaps bouyed by the historic executive branch runs of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, the newest chapter of this apocalyptic anecdote could see the Mad Max reins being handed over to a woman. Spotted proudly piloting this studded silver V6 'Stang, we've dubbed her "Mad Maxine." Just like the car, the driver transformation hadn't been completed yet, but she definitely looked the part with her steely gaze and guard dog companion. Whatever it is, we got a kick out of this personalized pony. One word of advice though -- if you see this in your rearview mirror, kindly move aside. Come to think of it, it doesn't look too pedestrian-friendly either...

Click on the image above for more high-res shots of the Luber Stilet

Looking like it just time-warped from the set of Mad Max into the Motobike Salon in Moscow, Russia, is the Luber Custom Stilet trike. What looks like rusty metal body panels is really just an airbrushed effect; the body is molded from fiberglass. Powered by a 300 horsepower 5.7 liter V8 and automatic tranny of unmentioned origin (probably a Chevy 350), we imagine that this trike has no problem getting out of its own way.

Not into the post-apocalyptic look? No problem, Luber appears happy to paint the machine to suit your preferences, all for the price of $50 grand. This is one machine that will definitely stand apart from the crowd, whether at a bike show or your local hangout... which is more than we can say for the majority of bikes rolling out of the custom shops these days. Thanks for the tip, Greg!


[Source: cardesign.ru / Luber Custom)

According to a study by the Energy Watch Group (EWG), all of you Mad Max fans out there might get the chance to live the movie if oil production continues to decline. The oil industry believes Earth's oil reserves can last about another 42 years at current pumping rates. Energy Watch, basing its conclusions on actual rates of production, says that oil production has declined since 2006 and will continue to do so -- by 2030, oil production could be half of what it is today.

The situation we're headed for -- and that some predict as soon as next year -- is called "peak oil." That means that although plenty of oil is still being pumped and sold, there isn't enough of it to go around. And that means the possibility of "widespread blackouts, the virtual collapse of transportation infrastructure in industrialized countries and a shortage of petroleum-based chemical fertilizers necessary to grow most of our food." And that means war, famine, pestilence, and hunger. A situation that is otherwise known as "deep doo-doo."

Of course, the caveat to all of this is that no really knows how this is going to play out. Long-range predictions have a way of being false as often as they're true (paperless office anyone?). We aren't suggesting that EWG is wrong, and we aren't saying that we don't need to be a lot smarter about our resources... but a lot is going to change between now and 2030. Who knows -- if a $30,000 Volt arrives in 2010, we could get another hundred years out of our oil supplies. Nevertheless, in case a Road Warrior future is in store, you might want to start practicing your lines now. Say it with us: You can run, but you can't hide!

[Source: Green Daily]

Two slightly bigger pics can be seen by clicking above.

The only info we have on this badass big rig is from the website where we found the pics: "I've seen a lot of photos of USA or Japan trucks looking very stylish after some big work of decorating. But this one looks different. And it can be met on roads of Russia - it's not from some art gallery." So it's Russian, it's called the Dragon Tank Truck, and it's on the road, not in some art gallery. Oh, and it's awesome. Some sort of Mad Max wannabe? A locomotive enthusiast's dream semi? A Transformer sequel star? A future Cars follow-up bad guy? An SPCA scare tactic? Your guess is as good as (actually, frequently, much better than) ours.

Whatever it is, we love it. Like some cartoon nightmare come to life. As one AB Editor put it, "[this truck] should have a bumper sticker on the back that reads 'Lightning McQueen can bite my ass'."

[Source: English Russia]

While perusing Autoblog Latino and brushing up on my Spanglish, I noticed this post that led me to a site called Paper Inside. Its simple tagline – Paper Models are Paper Inside – hints at what you'll find below the fold. The site offers numerous free downloads of paper models that arrive in your printer tray as 2D sheets awaiting entry into the third dimension. We chose the Ecto 1 model to highlight above because it's pretty intricate, but you'll also find the DeLorean from Back to the Future, the General Lee, Speed Racer's Mach-5, the Tumbler from Batman Begins, Mad Max's Interceptor and a McLaren MP4-22 race car. That's not to mention the numerous crafts from Star Wars and Start Trek that are also available. If you poke around, you'll also find links out to other paper model sites where even more vehicles are available.

We downloaded a few models in PDF, and were immediately stumped. The assembly instructions for most consist of dozens of pictures, each lacking any verbiage save for the name of a particular paper piece and an arrow showing where it goes. We'll sit down soon with a pair of child-proof scissors and see if we can't crank one out, but we expect this project will quickly turn into a contest of whose paper airplane can fly the farthest.

[Source: Paper Inside via Autoblog Latino]

Perennial open-wheel and sports car fan favorite Massimiliano (Mad Max) Papis will become the first Italian in NASCAR's modern era to compete in NASCAR when he pilots the Furniture Row Racing entry at the Watkins Glen NEXTEL Cup road course event August 13.

Papis is having quite a year, racing at the Daytona 24 Hours, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indy 500, and a host of other races, including NASCAR's IROC series. Papis has seemingly raced in nearly everything with four wheels, with an extensive Formula 1, Champ Car, and sports cars resume.

Regular viewers of the Rolex Sports Car series will know that Max is no stranger to NASCAR-style beatin' and bangin' - he should fit right in!

Denver-based Furniture Row Racing is new to NEXTEL Cup this year. Watkins Glen will mark the team's first road course race. Papis and the team recently completed a right turn/left turn test session at Virginia Interational Raceway.

[Source: Furniture Row Racing]