Autoblog

Are you the next BMW X5?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:41:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

Who knew that diecast model makers could be such a good source of leaks? Less than a month after a diecast model 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA in China, someone overseas at Diecast Empire or Jadi Modelcraft could get a bath in boiling oil for leaking uncamouflaged images of the next-generation BMW X5.

Naturally, that assumes that this image from a brochure from a Jadi brochure is indeed the F15 BMW X5 - it was posted to Diecast Empire's Facebook page. In its favor, the lines all add up if we compare it to the most revealing spy shots we have of the coming crossover - the headlight corners, the metal trim separating the kidney grille from the opening just above the license plate, the cut of the swage line, and the fact that the model picture reveals all of the most important character pieces that BMW has kept covered.

There's something written on the door of the model image that isn't in the spy shots, but that could be an xDrive badge. We will see the genuine article soon enough and we'll know for sure. For now, we might have already seen its facsimile in miniature.

Are you the next BMW X5? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Le Mans-winning Aston Martin DBR1/2 offered for sale at princely sum

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:44:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Convertible, Auctions, Aston Martin, Racing

If you're well-off your interest might have been piqued a few weeks ago by Evanta's 1:1 scale model of the Le Mans-winning Aston Martin DBR1/2. The AirFix-like art work, 20.8 feet long, 11.3 feet high and weighing over half a ton, will be auctioned during the Goodwood Revival Weekend with pre-sale estimates as high as £30,000 ($46,929 U.S.).

If you're wealthy - like Goldman Sachs has you on speed dial, wealthy - you might be interested in the real thing and not the model. Talacrest, a British concern that focuses on classic Ferraris, is selling the genuine DBR1/2 on the open market and asking £20 million ($32M U.S.).

Valued by Talacrest as one of the top five cars in the world, receipt of the asking price would definitely put the DBR1/2 among the top five public sales in the world and make it the most valuable Aston Martin ever sold. And since this isn't an auction, you don't need to wait for the privilege; you can give Talacrest a call from the 24-karat gold throne in the office at the back of your bullion vault, at your leisure.

Le Mans-winning Aston Martin DBR1/2 offered for sale at princely sum originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1:1 scale model parts tree of Aston Martin's 1959 Le Mans winner is stunning

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:31:00 EST

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

Every once in a while, we come across an automotive tchotchke that makes us go, "Oh. Wow." This is one of them. A work of art produced by Evanta Motor Company - the same that produces the arrestingly gorgeous DB4GT rebody. It's a model of the Aston Martin DBR1/2 that Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori drove to a Le Mans win in 1959. The awesomeness: it is a 1:1 scale model on a parts tree. Yes, as in a life-sized, 20.8-feet long and 11.3-feet high, weighing between 1,100 and 1,320 pounds.

Totally handmade in the style of an AirFix kit, the entire DBR1 bodyshell is included, as well as bits such as accurately upholstered seats, four 16-inch wire wheels with Aston Martin knock-offs, a Mota Lita steering wheel and a cap signed by Shelby and Salvadori. Each part is labeled and has an AirFix-like guide number attached as if you were were really going to pore over the instruction sheet for assembly.

There is only one of them and it is headed to auction during Goodwood Revival weekend at the Goodwood circuit in the UK. While we think almost any price would be acceptable, the auction guide price is $20,000-£30,000 ($31,286-$46,929 U.S.). That's got us wondering how much of our own junk we can sell to satisfy a desire bordering on can't-live-without. Read more about it in the press release below and check out the beauty in the gallery of Richard Pardon high-res photos.

Continue reading 1:1 scale model parts tree of Aston Martin's 1959 Le Mans winner is stunning

1:1 scale model parts tree of Aston Martin's 1959 Le Mans winner is stunning originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a 1/4-scale R/C big rig sleigh

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toys/Games

That there's a Santa Claus and an "elf" riding some sort of contraption behind a miniature big rig is intriguing enough. In reality, the downsized big rig is the story. Built by model maker Luca Bordin, the 1/4-scale Peterbilt 359 isn't a kit, it's made from scratch.

As best we can tell from Google Translate, Bordin found detailed plans of the 359, then fabricated the body out of fiberglass, including the cabin, and attached it via springs to a twin-rail frame made of iron. The differential steering mechanism was lifted from go-karts, the diesel tanks are plumbing pipe, a nightclub smoke machine blows white clouds from chrome stacks, a 12v compressor powers two truck-sounding horns, and the engine is from an electric jack "with lots of torque."

What's more: when Santa's not riding out back, Bordin fabricated a fiberglass trailer to go with the tractor. It's impressive, and we're hoping Santa drives it straight under our tree. There's video of it after the jump.

Continue reading Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a 1/4-scale R/C big rig sleigh

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a 1/4-scale R/C big rig sleigh originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Thieves derail James May's bid for toy train record

Chris Shunk — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games, UK, Celebrities

Railroad enthusiasts are a pretty passionate bunch. They're not auto enthusiast crazy, but they're close. Top Gear presenter James May fed off that steam-powered energy by working with 400 volunteers to build the longest ever toy train track for his new BBC series James May's Toy Stories. The track was to travel 10 miles from Barnstaple to Bideford, North Devon in the UK, and the Guinness book of World Records was on hand to record the feat for prosperity in the event that it succeeded.

As the Telegraph tells it, the ambitious toy track likely would have been a record setting effort were it not for some vandals who decided to sabotage the attempt. Sections of the track - which were laid with assistance from the British version of the Boy Scouts - were stolen, and two pence coins were dropped on the track to disrupt power and blow the train's battery. The cowardly acts of a few idiots ultimately resulted in James May and his gang of volunteers missing the opportunity to be added to the Guinness Book of World Records, but organizers decided to stay positive and call the event a success due to the fact that all 10 miles of the track were linked at one point.

We're guessing May will get another shot at Guinness with planned stunts like building a life-size Lego house or a life-size Meccano bridge, but it would have been nice if a few jerks didn't ruin the fun of hundreds of toy train ~~geeks~~ aficionados.

[Source: Telegraph | Image: Dave Hogan/Getty]

REPORT: Thieves derail James May's bid for toy train record originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Ferrari motorcycle? Only in our 1:12 scale dreams

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Ferrari, Toys/Games, Motorcycle

Click on the image above for more high-res shots of the Ferrari Motorcycle model

There are plenty of awe-inspiring Italian motorcycles for us to dream about, but still, a Ferrari motorcycle would surely be a welcome addition to the sportbike ranks. Just what might a superbike designed by Ferrari look like? We can imagine a carbon fiber frame for starters, and surely there would need to be plenty of red bodywork. As a matter of fact, we think that a Ferrari motorcycle would look quite a bit like the scale model you see above. Scale Auto Magazine member andybmw7272 started of his project with a Yamaha kit from Tamiya, but everything has been modified to suit the project. We're sure you'll agree that it was extremely well done, and it gives us something to think about should Maranello ever decide to venture into the two-wheeled market.

Gallery: 1:12 Scale Ferrari Motorcycle

[Source: Scale Auto Magazine via Hell for Leather Magazine]

A Ferrari motorcycle? Only in our 1:12 scale dreams originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All we want for Christmas is a Ford GT

Dan Roth — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Supercars, Ford, Toys/Games

The Ford GT has always been badass. When it went into production in 2003, all of those kit cars from back in the day suddenly paled in comparison to a genuine GT40-inspired supercar. It was a relative bargain, too. Of course, when we say relative bargain, we mean expensive. Always willing to settle, we've found a way to claim with a straight face that we own a GT. It's still not cheap, but it's hundreds, not hundreds of thousands. Winding Road has pointed us to the 1:6 scale remote control Ford GT over at wowzzers.com. Equipped with a 23cc engine, this three-plus foot long vehicle can buzz around at a maximum speed around 60 mph. Christmas is coming, and it's only $650.

[Source: Winding Road]

All we want for Christmas is a Ford GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Volvo's RC mini-XC90

John Neff — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:04:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Volvo

click image above to play video

Volvo has created four 1:5 scale mini XC90 SUVs for a very specific task. These true baby utes were built for the European Athletics Championship in Gothemnburg and will be used to transport javelins, hammers and discusses from wherever they land on the field back to the throwers. Each one was hand built by Volvo and feautres an open roof through which discusses and hammers can be placed inside and a special javelin rack up top that is unlikely to see produciton on full-scale XC90s. The radio-controlled Volvos are powered by 2 hp electric motors and can ferry four discusses, three javelins or two hammers back to competitors. Though Volvo has no plans to produce them, we're sure some Volvo engineers will have some fun lunch hours after these RC XC90s finish their tour of duty.

[Source: Volvo]

VIDEO: Volvo's RC mini-XC90 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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