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[VIDEO: Ford fools people into telling the truth]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/07/video-ford-fools-people-into-telling-the-truth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/07/video-ford-fools-people-into-telling-the-truth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/07/video-ford-fools-people-into-telling-the-truth/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A lot of air has escaped Ford's balloon, and it's launching a new advertising campaign to spread the word about its lineup. Instead of some gimmicky pitchman like Honda's dreadful and annoyingly drawn "Mr. Opportunity," or the mustachioed Dr. Z of the company formerly known as DaimlerChrysler, Ford's using the endorsements of regular folks to shill their wares. Testimonials carry weight, and Ford wanted to get unvarnished opinions without interfering. A fake market research firm was set up to act as a go-between and collect reactions from people who traded in for a week the car they'd just bought for a new Ford vehicle. Needless to say, the commercials are enthusiastic endorsements of Dearborn's offerings.

Alan Mulally reportedly took a lead role in getting Ford's new "Swap My Ride" campaign underway, and has kept an eye on Ford's advertising since arriving. It's not enough to whip the actual product into shape, but customers have to be made aware that the automaker's been making an effort. Sure, much of the magic of thirty-second spots is made in editing, but as I sit here watching one of the spots, they're well done (not that I'd expect anything less from powerhouse agency JWT), and Ford's current lineup is strong enough to warrant a look. Hey, a ruse is no worse than that Lexus narrator guy who sounds addled on quaaludes, or Land Rover's breathy Taiko drum extravaganzas.

Hit the jump for the press release and watch the campaign's launch spot

[Source: NYTimes]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford fools people into telling the truth

VIDEO: Ford fools people into telling the truth originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingchallengecommercialfordfordchallengeswapswap your rideSwapYourRidevideoFri, 07 Sep 2007 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Boxy, but quick - twin-turbo Supra engined Volvo 244]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/boxy-but-quick-twin-turbo-supra-engined-volvo-244/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/boxy-but-quick-twin-turbo-supra-engined-volvo-244/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/boxy-but-quick-twin-turbo-supra-engined-volvo-244/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



If such a thing is possible, Volvo 240s have an even mustier image in Australia than they do in the United States. That's good for those of us who know that they're anvil tough and respond well to modifications. Being front engine, rear wheel drive and European, the ingredients for a stormer are there, if you care to do some work. Additionally, 240s are super easy to work on, and there's a decent enthusiast base, especially now with the interweb tubes in full swing.

Engine swaps into RWD Volvos are nothing new, Converse Engineering and Jags That Run have been selling kits to provide your "Brick" with a small-block heart transplant for years. A particularly determined Aussie has swapped in a twin-turbo Toyota Supra engine good for 284 horsepower. Sure, the V8s will bump out that pony count all day, but they won't have that inline-six wail. Of course, there's something equally alluring about the rhythm of a V8 doing its work, too. Decisions, decisions. Guess we'd just have to get a few and go swap-crazy. Good thing old Volvos are cheap!

The dyno run video is posted after the jump.

Gallery: Supra powered Volvo



[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading Boxy, but quick - twin-turbo Supra engined Volvo 244

Boxy, but quick - twin-turbo Supra engined Volvo 244 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One of the goals of the Autoblog Project Garage posts is to give our readers some insight into the scope of various projects, including a sense of the amount of time it might take to complete a job given our usual variety of distractions. As a case in point, the first post concerning a rear-disc conversion on a 1996 Buick Roadmaster (don't laugh - it's much faster than it appears) took place nearly two and a half months ago, and we're just now wrapping things up with the install of an axle that we rebuilt (see the second and third posts for more info).

So, with that being said, let's crawl underneath the car, remove the old drum-brake axle, and slide in the freshened Impala SS rear axle with its 12" disc brakes, lower gearing, and limited slip diff.

Continue reading Autoblog Project Garage: Axle swap, Part IV

Autoblog Project Garage: Axle swap, Part IV originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10-boltaxlebrakesdiscsGarageGMImpalaProjectRoadmasterswapThu, 09 Nov 2006 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Project Garage: Axle swap, Part II]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/20/autoblog-project-garage-axle-swap-part-ii/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/20/autoblog-project-garage-axle-swap-part-ii/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/20/autoblog-project-garage-axle-swap-part-ii/#commentsFiled under: ,


With the axle disassembled in the previous installment of this project, it is now time to start putting things back together with fresh parts as needed.

One surprise that we encountered during the tear-down of the axle was a significant amount of debris; namely, there was a lot of dirt inside the axle. Yet, the internals were in good shape, so we do not believe that the axle was operated with contamination. Our guess is that either it came from a flood car (not exactly a stretch, considering last year's events), or was submerged at some point during the salvage process.

Continue reading Autoblog Project Garage: Axle swap, Part II

Autoblog Project Garage: Axle swap, Part II originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Sep 2006 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>axlebrakesdiscericgaragegearsimpalalimited slipposiprojectrearroadmasterswapWed, 20 Sep 2006 12:56:00 EST<![CDATA[A 4th-gen Prelude, converted to RWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/30/a-4th-gen-prelude-converted-to-rwd/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/30/a-4th-gen-prelude-converted-to-rwd/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/30/a-4th-gen-prelude-converted-to-rwd/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We've performed a few drivetrain swaps in our time, but nothing quite measures up to Honda-tech.com's "preluderacecar" and his 1993 Honda Prelude. Apparently not satisfied with the stock H22 or its orientation in the vehicle, it was yanked and replaced with the ubiquitous GM LS1 (quickly becoming the go-to choice for engine swaps due to its size, weight, and aftermarket support). It's backed by a T56 six-speed manual, which hides in a custom-fabricated tunnel. He also fabricated an independent rear suspension setup from RX7 components. Up front, the steering rack was relocated in front of the axle centerline and replaced with a Cavalier part, along with some 5th-gen Prelude components.

The sheer volume of fabrication required for this project is awesome, and is even more impressive considering that the guy is only 21 years old. Sure, there will be some folks who will be compelled to pile on the hate, but we're guessing none of them would ever have the guts to attempt a project of similar magnitude.

[Source: Honda-tech.com; a hat tip to Autoblog alumni Dave Ko]

A 4th-gen Prelude, converted to RWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Jul 2006 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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