Autoblog

Metropolis II diecast kinetic art installation gets the mini documentary treatment

Zach Bowman — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Videos, Toys/Games

For us, one of the few nice parts about commercial flight is being able to look out of the window shortly after takeoff and see just how small and genuinely insignificant we all appear from just a few thousand feet in the air.

One glance can swallow the whole of a thousand families and all of their innumerable multitudes of problems. It's the difference between trying to make sense of a photograph by the pixel and stepping back to appreciate the whole. That and the fact that all of the cars and trucks look like Matchbox toys.

You may recall the kinetic sculpture Metropolis II by Chris Burden. The work, which took four years to complete, features 1,500 Hot Wheels diecast cars and a host of electric trains all bustling around a matrix of steel and plastic. If that sounds like a snapshot of your morning commute, you're not alone.

Burden recently sat down with directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman for a quick chat on what's behind Metropolis II and what it means to the artist. Those of you in Southern California may be able to see the exhibit in person at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in the fall of 2011. For the rest of us, the mini documentary is well worth checking out and can be seen after the jump.

Continue reading Metropolis II diecast kinetic art installation gets the mini documentary treatment

Metropolis II diecast kinetic art installation gets the mini documentary treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Stratos GT2 racer reportedly in the works

Noah Joseph — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Toys/Games, Design/Style, Lancia, Racing

New Stratos GT2 by Amalgam - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're looking for the bragging rights with four wheels, getting your hands on any of a number of exotic supercars - most of them hailing from Italy - will undoubtedly do the trick. But if every kid on the block already has one, you'll need to go with a coachbuilt custom. Still not enough bragging rights? Then a racing version is in order.

That's what Jim Glickenhaus did with his custom Ferrari P4/5, commissioning a second Competition model to follow the road car. Now Michael Stotschek is following the same route with his new take on Lancia's fabled Stratos. The Pininfarina-designed New Stratos road car just made its debut at France's Paul Richard HTTT circuit, and already reports of a racing version are popping up online.

While the original Stratos cut its teeth on the rally stage, the new model is reportedly being prepared for circuit racing in accordance with GT2 specifications. The work is reportedly being carried out by Danisi Engineering, which has previously worked with the likes of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Iveco and Pininfarina on a variety of racing machinery, from touring cars to Dakar trucks.

Few details are available at this point, but high-end model studio Amalgam has already got a 1:8 scale diecast model on its way, and as you can see from the images in the gallery below, some serious aero modifications are apparently in the works for the racing Stratos. Thanks for the tip, Chris!

Gallery: New Lancia Stratos GT2 by Amalgam

[Sources: Italiaspeed, Amalgam]

New Stratos GT2 racer reportedly in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Diecast rush hour is the art of our childhood dreams

Zach Bowman — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toys/Games, Design/Style

Chris Burden's Metropolis 2 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Like most normal Americans, thoughts of exactly what we'd do if we had all the money in the world and not a care to burden us occupy a fair portion of our mental capacity each day. Chances are that if we slept on a bed of Benjamins, our daylight hours would be spent crafting a mechanized achievement akin to the contraption in the video after the jump. In one fell swoop, the creators have combined two our true passions: diecast cars and convoluted, yet pointless machinery.

The diecast traffic jam is fittingly called "Metropolis 2," and it was created by artist Chris Burden. Built using 1,500 Hot Wheels, the installation is headed to LACMA for a long-term loan in the near future. Art and toy fans alike can catch the mesmerizing miniature action at the museum soon. Hit the jump for a mesmerizing preview.

[Sources: Unframed, YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Diecast rush hour is the art of our childhood dreams

Video: Diecast rush hour is the art of our childhood dreams originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diecast Warfare: Tomica reportedly returning to U.S. to take on Hot Wheels, Matchbox

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games

Finally, something from our youth returns in a good way, not another Incredible Hulk reboot or power balled Cure cover. Tomica (or Tomy), which left the U.S. in the Eighties after some financial troubles, is coming back next month - and almost just like it was before. A line of miniature diecast cars will be sliding into an as-yet-unnamed retailer next month on their little plastic wheels. They'll be sold alongside playset combinations like the Hypercity Gas Station, pictured, so your child can learn to spend his or her money just like you did.

There will be models such as the Daihatsu Mira and Mitsubishi i-MiEV from which to choose, as well as the eternally popular Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Queen bus. They'll be paired with a mat that has roads and buildings drawn onto it. Step up to the floor-hogging world of the Hypercity, Super Big Set and Mega Station, though, and you'll find more familiar models like the Subaru Legacy sedan, Mazda's Axela/Mazda3, and Toyota's Harrier/Lexus RX. Non-Japanese models may come in the future, but come September, it'll be JDM-only dreamtime, at $4.99 and up. Here's hoping they bring over the Mitsuoka Orochi (right).

[Source: Hemmings | Image: Sir09 via CC 2.0]

Diecast Warfare: Tomica reportedly returning to U.S. to take on Hot Wheels, Matchbox originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Worth the Paper Cuts: Cardboard Honda NSX racer assembly shots are awesome

Zach Bowman — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Honda, Design/Style, Racing

Epson papercraft Honda NSX build - Click either image for high-res gallery

We were never the kinds of kids who could sit down and crank out a plastic model with any sort of aplomb. In fact, we have a stack of half-finished kits in the hall closet that fire disapproving glares at us every time we go for a fresh towel. Paper models, on the other hand, we can do. Few things are more entertaining that transmuting a flat piece of heavy stock paper into a 3D interpretation of, say, a Honda/Acura NSX racer.

You may recall that the printing gurus at Epson rolled out a full-scale cardboard replica of the Honda halo beast at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year. Now a gaggle of photos detailing the construction process have surfaced via the web-scouring folk over at Jalopnik.

Now, here's the really cool part. The whole build process is nearly identical to what you'd expect out of stitching together a much smaller papercraft model. How identical? Printer company Epson was kind enough to supply 1:24 scale design plans so that the rest of the world can crank out its own version of the car. Now if you'll excuse us, it's time to bust out the X-Acto knife.

Gallery: Epson Papercraft NSX Racer

[Source: Epson via Jalopnik]

Worth the Paper Cuts: Cardboard Honda NSX racer assembly shots are awesome originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg revealed in diecast form?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen

Between patent offices, surreptitious shipping company videos, and Marussias being left uncovered on the back of a truck in a traffic jam, lately we've been coming across all manner of ways for new cars to be accidentally revealed ahead-of-schedule. Here's another: a German model car company has let slip images of what looks like the next Volkswagen Touareg, which is actually meant to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.

The box is labeled "VW Touareg 2010," but the supplementary text mentions the fourth quarter of this year, and a quick look at the front of the SUV makes it plain that this isn't the current off-roader. In fact, it looks just like the naked spy shots of the 2011 model taken not too long ago.

The model makes the front end look dramatically reduced in a way we hadn't picked up from Touareg spy shots, but saw clearly in the spy shots of its sister, the Porsche Cayenne. We're hoping for plenty of weight loss there to compensate for the loss of those diesel V10 and W12 engines. We'll see the final thing and take its measure from Geneva in about six weeks.

[Source: AutoWeek.nl (translated)]

Spy Shots: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg revealed in diecast form? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Sickest model car lighting kits ever

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toys/Games

Modell-Lichtsystem die-cast model lighting kits - Click above to watch video

That's not a real Audi R8 pictured above. That's a 1:18-scale Kyosho die-cast model, fitted with a Modell-Lichtsystem (ML) illumination kit. The ML light packages can turn a model car with photo-realistic detail into something that's almost a smaller version of the real thing. On the BMW M3's lighting, for instance, the cornering lights illuminate when the model car's wheels are turned, and if you stomp on the tiny brake pedal, the taillamps light up.

We can't tell much from the company's website, which is strangely devoid of useful information, but there are more examples on Modell's YouTube channel. If you're looking for the ultimate in verisimilitude for your die-cast endeavors, this is surely it. Follow the jump to see a brace of impressive lighting jobs in 1:18 scale, including the R8, a pair of BMW models (M3 and M5) and a Lamborghini Murciélago. Hat tip to David!

[Source: Modell-Lichtsystem]

Continue reading Video: Sickest model car lighting kits ever

Video: Sickest model car lighting kits ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Childhood Redeemed: Lego artist creates jaw-dropping four-wheeled creations

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games

Firas Abu-Jaber's Lego cars - click above for a high-res gallery

This is how you tell the master from the journeyman: Give them a common task, place the same tools in each of their hands, and while journeyman's results will be acceptable, the master's results will be amazing. Firas Abu-Jaber has a way with Legos that certainly qualifies him as a master in the medium when it comes to building cars.

By his own admission, having played with Legos since he started eating cereal, he is now proficient enough with the regular blocks - not the specialized sets - to create all manner of realistic vehicles and interiors. His work speaks for itself, so have a look at the gallery below to see what passion can do with a set of Legos.

Gallery: Abu-Jaber Lego Cars

[Source: MOC Pages (via Jalopnik)]

Childhood Redeemed: Lego artist creates jaw-dropping four-wheeled creations originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 May 2009 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wooden wheels for the guy who doesn't have everything

Dan Roth — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:59:00 EST

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

Sure, you could take the easy way out and just go buy a boxed replica, smelted in some far off land and stamped out as nondescriptly as a tube of toothpaste, but that's not so much gift-giving as it is proxy-buying. Vehicle models made of wood are something different entirely. Juxtaposing the mechanical nature of automobiles by rendering scale models in fine woods might seem odd at first blush. What, no paint on the quarter panels? No plated plastic bumpers? But then, laying eyes on the expert craftsmanship that's gone into the models over at Wooden Classic Wheels will remove any doubt that the medium works perfectly for the subject matter. Of course, the replicas will also remove vast amounts of padding from your bank balance, but true art isn't about the money... it just costs that way. Thanks for the tip, William!

Gallery: Wooden Vehicle Models

[Source: WoodenClassicWheels.com]

Wooden wheels for the guy who doesn't have everything originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Auto Art: little cars meet their little ends at little trees

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:51:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games, Lifestyle

So we've told you about slow motion car crashes, a Warhol painting of pictures of a car crash that sold for $71 million, and of course there's always Lindsay Lohan creating her own life-sized crash-themed art. Now we present John Rooney, a Boston artist who creates set pieces of small, intricately detailed cars that have met their ends at the trunks of Bonsai trees.

It's called Crash Bonsai (or "art," take your pick), and Rooney doesn't spare any time in their creation. The cars aren't simply hurtled into Bonsais -- oh no -- "each model is unique, and individually disassembled, cut, melted, filed, smash, then reassembled to replicate a real fender bender." What's also cool is their versatility, as the little vehicles also "look great on coffee tables, kitchen counters, smashing into lamps and toasters." (However, as a Bostonite, Rooney should know what a "fender bender" is... and he should know a car plowing into a tree doesn't really qualify.)

There's a variety of cars to choose from, from a 1940 BMW 328 to a PT Cruiser, or you can commission your own. Prices start at $50 (minus the Bonsai or other immovable object of your choice). As much as we want to raise our eyebrows, we have to admit that it's... kinda like watching... a car crash... and we just can't turn away. Remember when they used to show these kinds of things in driver's ed videos as something you wanted to avoid? Yeah. Now it's merchandise. Vive la revolucion.

[Source: Winding Road]

Auto Art: little cars meet their little ends at little trees originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celebrating cars in 1:1 scale

John Neff — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc.

Here at Autoblog we like to highlight any ~~connection~~ automotive connections that reach back across the ages to our youth. For some of us that's fawning over pics of Optimus Prime in toy form, while for others it's reaching even farther back to recall the painstaking assembly of plastic toy model cars on the coffee table of your family's living room.

Some Ford flathead fans at FlatheadV8.org have created an incredible tribute to their wayward youths by constructing a gigantic 1:1 scale display of an old 1940 Ford model car kit, complete with faithfully replicated cardboard packaging, a giant paint brush, three-foot tall bottles of Testors model paint, a large and lethal X-acto knife, and even a recreation of those metallic plastic frames that carried the chrome bits like bumpers and hubcaps. It's truly an amazing display, though we're not sure when and where it was available to view. Hemmings guesses it was probably shown at a World of Wheels show somewhere, though if anyone has more information on this project, let the rest of us know in the comments.

Check out more pics of the display by clicking on the Read link.

[Source: FlatheadV8.com via Hemmings]

Celebrating cars in 1:1 scale originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jellio hearts Autoblog - offers 25% off on Drive In just for you

John Neff — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

There were a lot of positive responses to our past two posts on Jellio's special brand of wall art. The latest is called Drive In and features scaled up model parts from a chrome-heavy hot rod. Most readers responded that they'd love to terrorize the Mrs. with this thing on their living room wall, but at the $3,000 price we reported, little Sally wouldn't get her braces and dear old Dad would be sleeping on the couch for many nights to come.

It turns out that the folks at Jellio are car fans as well as addicted Autoblog readers. They heard your cries and contacted us to offer a Christmas deal just for our readers. The wall art is currently listed on their site for $2,500, but Jellio is offering any Autoblog reader 25% off on the Drive In, a savings of $625 for a new price of $1,875. That's $1,100 less than what we originally reported the cost to be, and could be in your price range for some campy wall art to decorate the rec room. Jellio's offer to Autoblog readers will go until the stroke of midnight on December 31st, so you'll still have time to return all the presents you didn't want and get this instead.

Follow the jump for details on how to purchase a Drive In at the special Autoblog price, and if other companies are interested in giving big discounts to Autoblog readers (we're looking at you automakers), feel free to contact us.

Continue reading Jellio hearts Autoblog - offers 25% off on Drive In just for you

Jellio hearts Autoblog - offers 25% off on Drive In just for you originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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