Autoblog

Watch Grave Digger kick a man when he's down, monster truck-style

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Specialty

Our automotive leanings generally favor cars that sit down close to the ground, with low-profile tires and suspension travel measured in the inches. Still, a good helping of Monster Jam never hurts, and it can be fun to watch machines with mondo-size rubber and a few generous feet worth of springs and shocks jumping hither and thither off platforms, ramps and, of course, other cars.

If nothing else, monster truck drivers know how to put on a good show. Evidence supporting this fact can be seen down below, where Grave Digger is freestyling a dirt course with all the expected obstacles, plus one: another truck that goes by the name Maximum Destruction. For those unaware, these two outfits are longtime rivals that have been lining up against each other for the last decade or so.

Wanna see how Grave Digger treats his mortal enemy, even after it has fallen in battle? Scroll down below to watch the video.

Continue reading Watch Grave Digger kick a man when he's down, monster truck-style

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Watch the world's first all-electric monster truck quietly crush some cars

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Ford

One of the best parts about watching a monster truck show is hearing (and feeling) the engines roar to life, but one of the sport's most iconic trucks is proving that car-crushing fun doesn't have to involve burning even a drop of gasoline (or alcohol, as the case may be). Odyssey Battery and Bigfoot have teamed up to create what they are claiming to be the world's first electric monster truck.

EnerSys, parent company of Odyssey Battery, supplied 36 drycell batteries (upgraded versions of a standard car battery) to provide juice to a specially designed motor that produces 350 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque - far less than the 1,000+ hp produced by today's average monster truck. Instead of roaring to life, the electric Bigfoot No. 20 quietly whirs around the parking, which in the video makes it sound like a life-sized Power Wheels, before laying waste to a couple of down-and-out Ford Taurus sedans. Like the monster trucks you can see at just about any stadium around the country, this Bigfoot has tires that make crushing cars easy and four-wheel steering for better maneuverability. In all, the truck's 36 batteries add an extra 1,375 pounds, and while the system includes on-board battery chargers, there is no word on how long such a job would take.

Scroll down to watch the all-electric Ford Super Duty Bigfoot become a silent destroyer, just don't expect this truck to be in competition anytime soon as it's just expected to be a display or parade vehicle for the time being.

Continue reading Watch the world's first all-electric monster truck quietly crush some cars

Watch the world's first all-electric monster truck quietly crush some cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat Panda, Italian for Monster Truck [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Budget, Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Humor, Off-Road

No, this is not some creation from the backwoods of Georgia. Fiat actually partnered with Mercurio Cinematografica to wed a Panda 4x4 with a Jeep CJ7. The result is the plucky face of the Panda astride a set of 59-inch tractor tires. The whole contraption sits 12.8 feet tall and took just over two weeks to build from start to finish.

We imagine driving this thing is a bit like trying to coax a jello mold down the road. There's no word on whether engineers kept the Panda's engine and transmission or abandoned them for the AMC bits. Our money's on the latter. Fiat says the hardest part was getting the brakes, steering, clutch and accelerator controls to cooperate with the archaic bones below.

So, why build it? Fiat is currently in the midst of an advertising campaign that highlight's the Panda's attributes, and building a Big Foot version of the little hatchback was the easiest way to show off the vehicle's off-road prowess. You can watch it play in the snow in the video below.

Continue reading Fiat Panda, Italian for Monster Truck [w/video]

Fiat Panda, Italian for Monster Truck [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Dec 2012 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Off-road race truck crashes into Oregon crowd, injures 3 [w/video]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Etc., Ford, Off-Road, Racing

The grainy image above is a shot from a video taken just seconds before a truck barreled into a crowd during an off-road racing event in Harrisburg, Ore. on Saturday. With about 1,000 people in attendance at Monster Air 2012, this jacked-up 1970s Ford pickup lost control and veered off course into the nearby crowd injuring three adults.

According to The Register-Guard of Eugene, Ore., fans were separated from the track by a dirt barrier at least eight-feet tall, and after the truck lost control, it went over this barrier and into the area where spectators were watching from folding chairs. Fortunately, the truck had slowed to just 10 mph by the time it made contact with the three victims, none of whom had serious life-threatening injuries. There has been no official word as to what caused the accident, but one witness said he heard something on the truck break just before it headed for the fans.

The accident happened just 30 minutes after the event started on Saturday, but the rest of the three-day Labor Day weekend events continued on as planned. Some reports referred to the truck as a monster truck, but it appears to be just a normal truck with a big lift. The Register-Guard is reporting it was a 1975 F-Series truck with a 950-horsepower engine, and CNN says that it was riding on 48-inch tires. No mention was made of the driver's condition, but he was apparently uninjured as CNN reports he got out of the truck after the accident to check on those who were injured.

One person happened to record the incident on his cell phone so the video quality is low, but it does capture most of the frightening incident. Scroll down to watch the grainy and jumpy video.

Continue reading Off-road race truck crashes into Oregon crowd, injures 3 [w/video]

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Car and Driver dissects the physics of monster trucks

George Kennedy — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Truck, Off-Road

It doesn't really matter what age you are, we can all agree that monster trucks are awesome. How can you argue with a 20-foot tall tube-frame harbinger of destruction, mowing down row after row derelict cars and trucks? Every "SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!," somewhere in America, a dirt-filled arena is hosting this spectacle of high-horsepower automotive carnage.

For the more mathematically inclined, monster trucks are a also feat of engineering, sending over 10,000 pounds hurtling through the air at 30+ mph. To this end, Car and Driver has put together a little breakdown of the physics behind these beasts. For instance, a monster truck needs 1,500 horsepower, developed from a supercharged, alcohol-fueled V8 to rocket into the air at a 45-degree angle at 40 miles per hour. The likes of Bigfoot and Gravedigger reach a peak altitude of 32.5 feet, moving through the air at 32 miles per hour.

When a monster truck makes its descent, things get interesting. A direct landing can come down with the force of 25,500 pounds. That's enough to turn a Crown Victoria or Oldsmobile 88 into a doormat.

Some other fun facts: two-thirds or roughly 7,000 pounds of a monster truck is unsprung weight. In the main, that means the wheels, axles and rubber. The tires themselves are about 66 inches tall.

C/D explains that with the four-wheel steering systems on these behemoths, these trucks can maintain spins in a nearly inverted turning radius. As their speed rises, the center of gravity pushes to the outer wheels, and the truck can topple over.

Hold on to your corn dogs.

Car and Driver dissects the physics of monster trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monster truck driver pays for crushing teen's first car

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Stay with us on this, because the scene above is one big misunderstanding. It's a little hard to make out in the YouTube video below, but Norman Nowling is backing his Ford Econoline monster van over the top of a Toyota ~~Corolla~~ Camry When he finished his brutal work, the ~~Corolla~~ Camry wouldn't be going anywhere that didn't involve the words "flatbed" and "chains." So imagine the shock when the Toyota's 16-year-old owner returned to it in the wee hours, noticeably flatter than we she left it.

The incident happened at the Redneck Yacht Club, a mudding and swamp trails park in Punta Gorda, Florida. The teen attended a concert at the park during "Swamp Cabbage Weekend" and apparently left her car parked near "the mud hole," a park location that obviously attracts monster trucks. She went mudding elsewhere in the park, didn't return to her car right after the concert, and at some point the assembled group of monster truckers decided they were going to run over it.

Nowling's taken the heat because it's him on the video, but he's not the bad guy everyone's made him out to be. See, Nowling was the last guy to the mud hole party, and before he got there at least two other trucks had tried to run over the Corolla and failed. Folks cheered Norman on to do the honors, but before he did he repeatedly asked security if it was all right, and according to his police statement, security told him it was fine, that the Toyota was abandoned. Also, according to Nowling, the fire department and the police were there as he was doing it. And as you can see in the video, Norman didn't act alone: Another truck holds the ~~Corolla~~ Camry in place while Nowling prepares to back over it.

Nowling was eventually arrested for felony Criminal Mischief and released on bond. Then he held a press conference to tell his side of what happened, and during the conference handed the teen's stepfather a check for $6,500 to replace her car. Why? "I have a daughter, and it is the right thing to do," he said. "I need to go to sleep every night with a clear conscience." He's apparently been banned from the RYC, but he's hoping the other truck owners involved will also come forward.

Follow the jump for video of the incident, as well as a press conference held by the crusher and an interview with the teenage crushee.

Continue reading Monster truck driver pays for crushing teen's first car

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Monster truck long distance jump record an addiction for Joe Sylvester

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:23:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

Joe Sylvester is a determined man. Keeping his right foot planted while a 1,200-horsepower, 512-cubic-inch supercharged engine wails in his ear and a dirt ramp rapidly fills up his vision takes guts. It requires supreme confidence in your machine and your team. Joe Sylvester is a determined man because he wants to do something which no one else has done. Mr. Sylvester's goal is to take a monster truck... and make it fly.

Lots of folks in this country remember a time when they attended a monster truck event. It's an American rite of passage no matter which part of this country you live in. These events turn an average Sunday into a Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY! The vendors charge for the whole seat but as kids we only needed the edge. The sights and sounds stirred emotions in one's soul, which created lasting effects into adulthood.

The monster truck world may have peaked in September of 1999, when Dan Runte drove the iconic Big Foot off a ramp and over a Boeing 747. That jump put him in the record books when his tires touched down 202 feet from where they left the Earth. Joe was 15 years old when he watched a truck turn into a plane and it made a lasting impression.

Now 26, Sylvester is an adult employed in the monster truck industry. He started working with the beasts in 2005 and by 2006 had his own team. He is now the youngest independent driver and owner in the professional monster truck world. Joe is a fortunate man who gets to live out his dream. He travels the country, and often the globe, with his skilled team and his monster truck known as Bad Habit.

Living the dream is not simply enough for this adrenaline junkie. Joe is a determined man and he has an idea scratching at his brain. It's been 11 years since the world saw a man make the impossible happen and Joe Sylvester was ready to change that. That idea itching away at him? Take Bad Habit and break Big Foot's long distance jump record.

Gallery: Bad Habit World Record Jump

Continue reading Monster truck long distance jump record an addiction for Joe Sylvester

Monster truck long distance jump record an addiction for Joe Sylvester originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Bad Habit monster truck breaks longest jump record

Zach Bowman — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Truck, Off-Road

Bad Habit breaks a world record - Click above for image gallery

You know what they say; if at first you crash your monster truck in the pursuit of a world record, try, try again. Joe Sylvester, the owner and driver of the Bad Habit monster truck, has officially nabbed the world record for flying contraptions of that variety, sailing 208 feet through the stratosphere before touching ground on the other side. After the truck went nose first into the dirt during a test jump, Sylvester and his team put in 17 hours worth of work a day until the rig was back together and operational.

On his second attempt, Sylvester hit the home-built ramp at 75 mph and landed 197 feet down range. On his second attempt, the Bad Habit truck made a pass at 79 mph and touched down after flying 208 feet through the air. The jump officially surpasses the former world record of 202 feet set by the infamous Big Foot. Hit the gallery for a look at the high-flying action.

Gallery: Bad Habit World Record Jump

[Source: Bad Habit]

Followup: Bad Habit monster truck breaks longest jump record originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Bad Habits' monster truck world record practice session doesn't go as planned

Zach Bowman — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Videos, Off-Road, Racing

Bad Habits takes a dive - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Few realms of motorsport live the "Go big or go home" mantra to the fullest quite as well as the monster truck world. Aside from one of the largest voiceovers in the industry ("Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!!"), the guys who wrangle the epic horsepower, rear-wheel steering beasts of the Monster Jam circuit also boast some of the biggest egos. You know, the kind of sheer will of character that it takes to look at Bigfoot's 202-foot, record-setting jump over a jetliner and think, "Nah, I can do better." Such is the case with Joe Sylvester, the 26-year-old driver of the Bad Habits truck.

Sylvester has got it into his mind that he can embarrass the Bigfoot record, and has set about building a truck and a ramp to do just that. Only thing is, things didn't go so swell during a practice session this week. After nailing his homemade ramp, the Bad Habits truck promptly began to turn its nose back toward terra firma, and it wasn't long before the machine evaporated into a cloud of giant tires and red clay. Sylvester was unharmed in the accident and plans to officially attempt to break the record at this weekend's Cornfield 500 at Columbus, PA's Miller Farm. If you can't make it, don't worry - the folks at DirtVision plan a live webcast of this Sunday's attempt.

Either way, we wish Sylvester the best of luck. You may want to do the same after hitting the jump and watching his failed practice attempt for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Shawn!

[Sources: YouTube, Cornfield500, DirtVision]

Continue reading Video: Bad Habits' monster truck world record practice session doesn't go as planned

Video: Bad Habits' monster truck world record practice session doesn't go as planned originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bigfoot monster truck defects from Ford to Chevy after more than 35 years

Zach Bowman — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Truck, Chevrolet, Ford, Celebrities, Off-Road

2010 Bigfoot Chevrolet Silverado - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's true: there really is nothing sacred. In a move that, for us, is on the same level as painting a Hitler mustache on the Statue of Liberty, Bigfoot has abandoned its Ford pickup body for a new Chevrolet Silverado skin. If you listen very, very closely, there are angels in cutoff jean shorts and camouflage hats weeping softly. We know it would hurt less if we told you that George Washington was a closet communist or that Porsche was switching to an all front-wheel drive portfolio, but there it is. For 35 years, Bigfoot was synonymous with the Blue Oval, but no more.

The truck helped launch monster trucks into the public eye, but Ford dropped its sponsorship of the team in 2007. That left Firestone tires as the main sponsor, and since the company also throws plenty of cash at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, it's aching for some cross-promotion. Since Chevrolet also sponsors the event, Big Foot will be wearing new duds and a heart transplant when it rolls out for the first time in public on July 7 in Anaheim, Florida. Yup, the truck will get its power from a General Motors mill, too. *Sigh.*

Gallery: 2010 Bigfoot Chevrolet Silverado Monster Truck

[Source: General Motors via PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading Bigfoot monster truck defects from Ford to Chevy after more than 35 years

Bigfoot monster truck defects from Ford to Chevy after more than 35 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Monster truck backflip a first for the sport

Chris Shunk — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Click above to watch the video after the jump

If you watched the Winter Olympics over the past few weeks, you likely witnessed some amazing flips and tricks by skiers and snowboarders alike. Pretty impressive, right? We think so, but if you're a monster truck fan you might be even more awestruck by what we have post-jump.

You may remember last year when Travis Pastrana tried unsuccessfully to do a backflip in the Nitro Circus monster truck. Fast forward one year and Pastrana's buddy Cam McQueen has succeeded where the famous daredevil has failed. Hit the jump to watch video proof of McQueen's accomplishment. The video is only 18 seconds long and it's short on production skills, but it ends with a bang as the multi-ton truck nails a near perfect backflip in front of thousands of monster truck fans.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Monster truck backflip a first for the sport

Video: Monster truck backflip a first for the sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Bigfoot still a crowd favorite, 35 years later

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Classics, Truck, Ford, Off-Road

Bigfoot #1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We distinctly remember 3rd grade. Specifically, sitting in the library once a month during recess. Why would we give up dodgeball and four-square to sit inside and read? Because the new issues of Off Road and 4Wheeler had just dropped and they had stories about Bigfoot! Bearfoot too, and Carzilla - but mostly Bigfoot! Happy days, happy days. And here at this year's SEMA Show, both the original 1975 Bigfoot #1 (the world's first monster truck) and the new-for-2009 Bigfoot (#12 of fifteen Bigfoots) showed up to terrorize the Las Vegas Convention Center's parking lot.

Well, not terrorize - because people love the Bigfoots (Bigfeets?) so very much. But lordy, are these some hella intimidating trucks, even all these years later. Perhaps most notable is that the new Bigfoot is actually a 2008 Ford F-250 body cut to look like a 1979 F-250. Also cool is the 35-year gulf in technology between the two beasts. We could have spent a couple hours standing underneath (no, really!) Bigfoot #12 just admiring the headers. And the gas bypass shocks. And the supercharger, etc. Sadly, the duo of Bigfoots won't be crushing any cars this week. Let's make that double sadly, as this year's SEMA show features many deserving candidates. For more (and better) details, check out pickuptrucks.com's Bigfoot post.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Bigfoot

SEMA 2009: Bigfoot still a crowd favorite, 35 years later originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Announcer killed at Wisconsin monster truck show

Chris Paukert — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Safety

It has been less than ten days since a tragic accident at a Tacoma, Washingon monster truck show killed a six-year old spectator. Now comes word that a promoter/announcer at a Madison, Wisconsin Monster Nationals event has been killed at a similar event run by a different promoter.

According to reports, George Eisenhart Jr., 41, was hit by a monster truck called Samson during competition. Evidently, Eisenhart was standing in a well that feeds out onto the Alliant Energy Center's floor when he was struck. He was subsequently taken to the University of Wisconsin Hospital, but did not survive.

Unlike last weekend's event, the show in Wisconsin was immediately halted and the subsequent Saturday afternoon show was canceled as well.

Early investigation shows that applicable safety regulations were adhered to during the event, and that neither Eisenhart nor Samson's driver, Daniel Patrick, saw each other in the moments leading up to the accident. County investigators and Madison's Occupational Health and Safety officials are looking in to the matter, but early reports suggest that they have yet to find "any obvious safety issues." Associated Press video coverage available after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Jim.

[Source: Channel3000; Associated Press]

Continue reading Announcer killed at Wisconsin monster truck show

Announcer killed at Wisconsin monster truck show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monster truck debris kills 6-year old boy at Tacoma Dome

Chris Paukert — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Safety

Debris from a Friday night Tacoma, Washington monster truck show flew into the crowd, killing a six-year old boy. The tragic accident happened during the Monster Jam at the Tacoma Dome while trucks were competing in the event's freestyle competition.

Evidently, something on the monster truck Natural High (seen above) broke and became airborn while the truck was doing donuts, and the debris flew over a safety barrier and into the crowd of 10,000. The debris, described as a "metal ring weighing 7 to 12 pounds," hit Sebastian Hizey (above, left) in the head while he was watching the show with his family. Hizey died early Saturday morning from the injury. At least one other spectator was injured, but their condition and identity has not yet been released.

Despite cries from the audience to stop the show, the show continued while medical attention was administered to the boy and the other injured party. An investigation into the accident is underway.

[Sources: Associated Press (via Yahoo); News Tribune; Newsday]

Monster truck debris kills 6-year old boy at Tacoma Dome originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hard times means some Icelanders can't keep on truckin'

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Toys/Games, Lifestyle

In Iceland, the leviathan you see in the picture above is called a "jeep." Here in the U.S., it would be called a massively tricked out F-350 Super Duty, or probably just "monster truck." The 6,000 members of Iceland's 4x4 club use them to explore the barely reachable sections of the island nation, trusting 4-foot-high studded tires and a bevy of custom modifications to get them back to civilization.

The problem is that Icelanders are having their own currency issues, with a free-fall even worse than the dollar's being just the start. When gas is almost $8 per gallon, that puts a fill-up somewhere around the $500 mark. And that puts a hurting on everything -- especially when you have to spend even more money getting your truck hauled out of the ice it just fell through. Not that any of this really stops them, because, well, there isn't much else to do in Iceland. So follow the link and check out the trucks in the slideshow. It's big-wheel badness.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Hard times means some Icelanders can't keep on truckin' originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 May 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ah, steering's overrated anyway...

Alex Nunez — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Etc., Dodge

If we had this puppy, we'd make a CD that was an endless loop of monster truck rally radio commercials. What better soundtrack to blare out the window of this bitchin', rust-enhanced Dodge Ramcharger sporting 52" tires. Billed as an "attention getter" that "steers for the most part," this machine of undoubtedly confidence-inspiring handling can be yours for just $3,000. You know you want it.

"SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!..."

Thanks for the tip, Jake!

[Source: Craigslist]

Ah, steering's overrated anyway... originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Deer Camp Truck: Sightseeing in style

John Neff — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

click above image for more pics of the Deer Camp Truck and its amenities

We don't know much about the monster truck you see above, like who owns it, what it's actually used for, etc., but the pictures in the gallery below tell us all we need to know. Named the Deer Camp Truck, it appears to be a vehicle used for sightseeing, and judging by the its sheer size, we can only assume it comes from Texas.

If you're traveling in (on?) the Deer Camp Truck, your trip begins by ascending a ladder to reach the vehicle's shaded main deck. Once aboard, you and your dozen or so friends take a seat on the wraparound bench and pull up to the poker table for some Texas Hold 'Em. Never mind the beautiful scenery that's being passed on your right. The onboard wet bar and refrigerator, meanwhile, will supply the libations you consume while taking in the wild country from the safe confines of this monster truck with a view.

While we don't know what powers the Deer Camp Truck, an independent suspension is visible that could articulate itself over a decent sized pebble or two. The front end is also tipped with a brush guard that's likely designed to knock over old and stubborn deciduous trees in your path.

On a serious note, if you can tell us any more info about the Deer Camp Truck, enlighten us in the comments.

Thanks for the tip, Celly!

[Source: Maggie's Farm]

Gallery: The Deer Camp Truck

The Deer Camp Truck: Sightseeing in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridiculous ride height on a Ford Galaxie 500

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Trends, Etc., Ford

Some will certainly look at this lifted Galaxie 500 and ask, "Why?" But to the people who build such things, the better question is always, "Why not?" Featured in the gallery at King of the Street, this massively raised Galaxie 500 is one of the most extreme examples of a growing trend in the aftermarket world, big rides. And that's what King of the Street is all about. Self-described as "The first and only publication catering to this fast growing Lifestyle: "RYDING BIG".

When 20s, 22s and 24s get to be too mundane, upsize the ryde instead. Starting out with a boat of a car like the Galaxie makes some sense, though. Offering what appears to be two feet of ground clearance, driving this bad boy through flooded streets will be a piece of cake, and the body will look just perfect atop the waves lapping at its fenders. Far be it from us to cast judgment on these enterprising young artists, but the monster truck look for the street really doesn't grab us. Check out King of the Street for even more ride height wackiness and click here for the full gallery.

Thanks for the tip, Rob!

[Source: King of the Street]

Ridiculous ride height on a Ford Galaxie 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Oct 2006 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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smart forfun2 a monster good time

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:49:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Etc., Europe, Work, Crossover, Hatchback, Daimler

With the recent announcement that Roger Penske's UnitedAuto Group will be offering SMART FourTwos in the US in 2008, DaimlerChrysler has decided to have a little fun and show people what the SMART brand is all about. To that end they have married a SMART car to a Unimog chassis developed by Greek rally racer Stefan Attart. Although similar to a vehicle created in 2005, known as the forfun, the forfun2 has a much higher stance and manages to be cute and imposing at the same time.

OK, so it's no Smartuki, but it's still wacky enough to be entertaining. While the Smartuki replaced the SMART 3-cylinder with a Suzuki GSXR1000 mill that had been massaged to 180 hp, this beast is Unimog powered. Although only capable of 84 hp, the torque is impressive at 191 ft-lbs. The quarter-mile might be a challenge, but rocks, sand and MINIs should be no problem: full press release and additional photos after the jump.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Continue reading smart forfun2 a monster good time

smart forfun2 a monster good time originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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