Autoblog

Even older dashcam footage from 1907

Zach Bowman — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST

Let the dashcam navel-gazing continue. As the story goes, Australia's National Film and Sound Archive dug up some camera footage in 2008 originally thought to hail from Hobart, Australia. A closer look revealed the images were actually of Vancouver, Canada. In 1907, Seattle filmmaker William Harbeck took his hand-cranked camera aboard one of the city's streetcars and began capturing life as viewed from the streets. The 106-year-old film shows bustling neighborhoods filled with pedestrians, stray dogs and men on bicycles all darting around town. The clip is an interesting glimpse at a life gone by, and predates the claimed oldest dashcam video we showed you before by an impressive 19 years (although obviously it's using a streetcar and not a conventional automobile).

Sadly, chronicler Harbeck met an untimely end. When he was 44 years old, he was commissioned to document the launch of a world-famous ocean liner, a ship that wound up on the bottom of the Atlantic. The name of the vessel? The Titanic. Take a look at Hartbeck's look at Vancouver below.

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Even older dashcam footage from 1907 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alleged car thief foiled after posting cap-busting footage of himself on YouTube [w/video]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Videos

When are people going to learn that posting videos of themselves on YouTube doing something illegal ~~is impossibly stupid~~ can be used against them in a court of law? Motorcycles carelessly speeding through traffic at triple-digit speeds are one thing, but driving around in the suburbs randomly shooting a handgun out of the window is every bit as asinine.

This is the predicament that Ronnie Michael Wynn of Vancouver, Washington finds himself in after police discovered a video that the 23-year-old posted of himself on YouTube and Facebook. On July 16, Wynn had been arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, but when police found the video online during the course of their investigation, his problems had only just begun. An article on our sister site Huffington Post reports that Wynn had stolen the .45 handgun - as well as an Airsoft rifle, a watch and some checks - from his uncle. Wynn then had a teenage girl in the passenger seat record him driving around in a Chevrolet Malibu showing off the gun and firing it wildly out the window.

According to reports, Wynn, who calls himself "Ron Gotti," has outstanding warrants and faces charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, second-degree possession of stolen property, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license and making false statements to police. While incarcerated, Wynn has also been accused of everything from second-degree identity theft and forgery to financial fraud. He is slated to go to trial on September 17.

Scroll down to see the video for yourself (Warning: music in the second video includes explicit language).

Continue reading Alleged car thief foiled after posting cap-busting footage of himself on YouTube [w/video]

Alleged car thief foiled after posting cap-busting footage of himself on YouTube [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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185-mph Vancouver joyrider's motorcycle impounded [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, Motorcycle, Canada

We're losing track of how many top gunners post high-speed-run videos on public roads on YouTube and then get busted. Police take that tomfoolery personally, and you'd think they put the entire department on the case judging by how quickly the perps get caught.

Latest on the list is a Canadian motorcyclist who took his Yamaha on the Trans-Canada Highway and ran it to about 300 kph. CBC News now reports that the unidentified rider in question is 25 years old, unlicensed, riding an uninsured Yamaha R1 registered in his mother's name. Then there's the small matter of his 25 previous infractions.

Police wasted no time tracking down YouTube poster "Joe Blow," but he's been uncooperative up to now. We have no idea why he wasn't in jail already after 25 violations, but we're guessing his Internet handle will soon be changed to "Three Hots and a Cot." Scroll down to refresh your memory with a video demonstration of his stupidity.

Continue reading 185-mph Vancouver joyrider's motorcycle impounded [w/video]

185-mph Vancouver joyrider's motorcycle impounded [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vancouver motorcyclist's 185-MPH ride has cops' attention

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Videos, Motorcycle

In the pantheon of bad ideas and even worse ideas, capturing yourself on video gratuitously breaking the law and later flaunting your indiscretions to the local constabulary ranks right between sticking your face into a diesel truck's tailpipe and standing atop a motorcycle shooting off a gun on city streets.

In other words, it's dumb.

Funny thing is, people seem to make this egregious mistake rather often. Exhibit A: This motorcyclist in Moscow. Exhibit B: The video you'll see below.

First off, it's seriously stupid and irresponsible to risk your own life and the lives of others by riding at speeds of up to 185 miles per hour while weaving your way through traffic. But it takes even fewer brain cells to share video evidence on YouTube, especially considering that we can all see that you're riding what appears to be a 2006 Yamaha R1 painted up in factory blue.

According to CBC News, Vancouver Island police are trying to track down the rider in this clip. Scroll down below to see the video for yourself.

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Vancouver motorcyclist's 185-MPH ride has cops' attention originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vancouver authorities sieze $2M in cars for street racing

Zach Bowman — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Government/Legal, Audi, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Canada, Luxury

Authorities in Vancouver have impounded a total of 13 exotic cars valued at more than $2 million after the drivers were spotted reportedly street racing. Amongst others, the collection included a pair of Maserati models and a pair of Mercedes-Benz coupes, a few examples of the mighty Nissan GT-R, an Audi R8, one Ferrari and a stack of Lamborghini models. Here's the full list:

2007 Ferrari 599
2010 Lamborghini Gallardo
2010 Lamborghini Gallardo
2009 Lamborghini Gallardo
2009 Audi R8
2012 Nissan GT-R
2010 Nissan GT-R
2010 Nissan GT-R
2010 Maserati GranTurismo
2010 Maserati GranTurismo
2011 Mercedes SL63 AMG
2011 Mercedes SLS AMG
2005 Aston Martin DB9

The vehicles were spotted rolling along at around 125 miles per hour with two drivers holding up traffic to give the other exotics some space to stretch their legs. Police eventually cornered the racers and began impounding their vehicles. Each driver was cited for driving without due consideration of others.

If all of this weren't strange enough for you, The Vancouver Sun reports that all of the cited drivers were under 20 years old, with most displaying N, or Novice licenses. Summer jobs must pay considerably more than they used to. The vehicles will all be impounded for seven days and the drivers will face a fine of $196 each. Check out our image gallery, then head over to TheProvince.com for a look at a gallery of the cars being towed off into the sunset.

Vancouver authorities sieze $2M in cars for street racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Owner left with bill for burnt BMW after Vancouver riots

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:25:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., BMW

The Vancouver riot was a disgraceful act that played out in an otherwise wonderful Canadian city. Violent rage filled the streets, and misguided idiots turned their furious attention to local property in the form of store fronts and automobiles. One particular automobile was a black BMW M5 belonging to Jazmin Perez, who fought hard to try and keep the masses away from her German super sedan. Unfortunately for Perez, the ruthless mob didn't relent and her expensive machine burnt to the ground. Her saga doesn't end there, however, because Jazmin Perez is now on the hook for thousands of dollars worth of damages.

The BMW M5 in question was leased to Perez, who had insurance to cover the market value of the car. With her car now torched and ruined, Perez now needs to pay the difference between the insurance payout (fair market value) and the remaining balance she owes on her lease. The total she owes is reportedly in the thousands of dollars. Her insurance company and the leasing company both say they understand this was not her fault, yet contracts are contracts and Perez is the one who signed on the dotted line.

We feel for Perez in this situation. Mostly because she now owes thousands on a car that was destroyed by idiots, but especially because that car was a BMW M5.

Head over to CBC News for video of Jazmin Perez discussing her situation.

Owner left with bill for burnt BMW after Vancouver riots originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cash Cab accident kills pedestrian in Vancouver

Zach Bowman — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Canada

A 61-year-old pedestrian has died in Vancouver as a result of being struck by a fake taxi owned by the Canadian version of the popular reality game show Cash Cab. According to Forbes, the incident occurred on Friday night after filming. The fake cab was returning from a shoot and celebrity host Adam Growe (above) was not behind the wheel at the time. The vehicle was being driven by one of the show's producers. The victim was transported to a local hospital before dying of his injuries. According to the Vancouver Sun, the victim was a resident of Surrey, though no other details have been released at the request of the man's family.

Those reports also indicate that there were no witnesses in the incident and that local law enforcement have yet to file charges.

Castlewood Productions films Cash Cab for the Discovery Channel. President Andrew Burnstein said that the company's thoughts and prayers are with the deceased's family and friends as well as the driver of the cab.

Cash Cab accident kills pedestrian in Vancouver originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Woman valiantly defends BMW M5 against Vancouver rioters

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, BMW, Canada

Canuck mob takes out frustration on hapless BMW M5 - Click above to watch videos after the jump

Sure, Canadians might seem tame and pacifist. But not when it comes to hockey. Once the skates go on, the gloves come off. And that combative attitude has been known to spill over into the streets, particularly when the local team has been handed a tough defeat in a pivotal game. Like last week's seventh-round decider in the Stanley Cup Finals between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks.

After the Bruins (belated spoiler alert!) nabbed the title in the last game at Vancouver's home-turf Rogers Arena, local fans spilled into the streets in a riot you'd more likely expect to see in south-central LA. Disappointment turned into mob mentality as fans broke windows and lit dumpsters on fire. Which is a shame enough for the storefronts and sanitation workers, but for the love of God, people, leave cars out of it. Only they didn't.

As you'll see from the videos after the jump, rioters started overturning cars and lighting them on fire, leaving one girl to defend a BMW M5 (presumably her own) against the menacing hoards. She and a friend appear to have fought valiantly on behalf of one of Europe's finest pieces of engineering, but there's unfortunately little to be done in the face of disheartened - and inebriated - Canadian hockey fans.

Follow the jump for a pair of videos - the first a shorter report from the local news affiliate and another slightly longer depicting various scenes from the riots.

Continue reading Woman valiantly defends BMW M5 against Vancouver rioters

Woman valiantly defends BMW M5 against Vancouver rioters originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scion officially opens its doors for business in Canada

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Scion, Toyota, Canada

2011 Scion tC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Scion is a youth-oriented brand that was developed by Toyota to capture a younger North American demographic. By "North America," Scion was referring to the United States - until now. Happy Youth-Oriented Car Day, Canada! Scion has just announced that the brand is hopping the border and ready to be purchased by "young, style-conscious Canadian drivers."

The initial roll-out is set to take place in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Scions will be available through 45 dealerships spread between those cities. As the brand builds strength in the country, more dealerships and locations will be springing up.

A full list of the original 45 dealers can be found at ScionNation.ca/scion/dealers. The full 2011 lineup is available, including the recently-driven 2011 Scion tC. Thanks for the tip, Paul!

Gallery: 2011 Scion tC: First Drive

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Scion officially opens its doors for business in Canada originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Street View takes to the slopes of Whistler [w/video + map]

Noah Joseph — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Canada

Google Street View Snowmobile - Click above to see what it caught in the video and interactive map after the jump

Google may have grounded its Street View fleet, but that doesn't mean there isn't still plenty to see on the search engine giant's most immersive of online tools. We've recently brought you news of the Street View team taking to the Woodward Dream Cruise, the Lotus test track and Laguna Seca, to name just a few. But as the proprietors of countless unsecured networks can tell you, Google's reach extends far beyond pavement.

In the ramp-up to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, just a few months ago, Google strapped its cameras to snowmobiles to map out the extensive winter sport playground at Whistler. Still feeling the Olympic fever? Planning a trip to Canada's West Coast? Just plain curious? Check it out in the video after the jump.

[Source: Google]

Continue reading Google Street View takes to the slopes of Whistler [w/video + map]

Google Street View takes to the slopes of Whistler [w/video + map] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini goes retail, launches third boutique in Vancouver

Noah Joseph — Fri, 14 May 2010 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Lamborghini, Canada

Automobili Lamborghini Boutique opens in Vancouver, BC, Canada - Click above for high-res image

Lamborghini has opened a new store in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Only the retail location doesn't sell sportscars. Nor tractors, for that matter. The new boutique is the third of its kind and focuses strictly on the Collezione Automobili Lamborghini, Sant'Agata's fashion line.

The Vancouver location was opened this past Saturday by no less stylish (or important) an executive than Stephan Winkelmann, the rakish president and chief executive of Lamborghini. Situated at the city's swanky Aberdeen Centre, the Vancouver store follows those opened late last year in LA and Beijing. (Talk about a bull in a China shop. Ha! We'll be here all week.) With the Collezione, the Raging Bull brand is attempting to muscle in on Ferrari's well-worn territory with a line of merchandise sold through an expanding chain of dedicated stores. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Lamborghini]

Continue reading Lamborghini goes retail, launches third boutique in Vancouver

Lamborghini goes retail, launches third boutique in Vancouver originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 May 2010 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You had us at "Wheels." SR Auto Group's Lamborghini Reventon

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:41:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Lamborghini, Canada, Luxury

SR Auto Group's custom Lamborghini Reventón wheels - Click above for high-res image gallery

This post here is only about two things: Car pr0n and wheels. Vancouver's SR Auto Group has Lamborghini Reventón number three out of 20, and they've been charged with making it even more special. The first thing they did was work with wheelmaker ADV.1 to develop the ADV05, a gunmetal five-spoker with a matte black lip. It worked. After that, they sent us high-res photos. The rest we leave up to up you...

Gallery: SR Auto Group Reventon wheels

[Source: SR Auto]

You had us at "Wheels." SR Auto Group's Lamborghini Reventon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM Olympic fleet vehicles will all find their way to Canadian dealers

Michael Harley — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Canada

They won't make you ski, skate or snowboard with any additional talent or zest, but the "official" Olympic-branded vehicles used during the 2010 Winter Games are going up for sale in Canada later this month. Each of the General Motors supplied cars and trucks spent time in Vancouver and Whistler shuttling athletes, officials, VIPs and dignitaries to and from the competitions and related events. Now, with the Winter Olympics written in the history books and the Paralympic Winter Games closing at the end of the month, more than 4,600 lightly-used vehicles will find their way to dealerships across the vast country. The fleet includes:

Chevrolet Equinox, Malibu (Hybrid), Impala, Traverse, Suburban & Tahoe
Buick Lucerne & Enclave
Cadillac DTS, CTS Sport Sedan & Sport Wagon, Escalade (Hybrid) & SRX
GMC Acadia, Terrain, Yukon (Hybrid models available) & Yukon XL

Differentiating the "Olympic" vehicles from the standard GM offerings are the commemorative (and "permanent") Vancouver 2010 medallions adorned with the iconic Inukshuk symbol and Olympic rings on each model. That, and fact that the vehicles are all "specially-priced," says GM. If you are interested, contact your local GM retailer ASAP as the first cars and trucks will be available for purchase in just a couple weeks. The official press release is available after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM Olympic fleet vehicles will all find their way to Canadian dealers

GM Olympic fleet vehicles will all find their way to Canadian dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi's 'Truth in Motion' documentary available for free on iTunes

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Audi, Canada

Audi's got a thing going with its Truth in Motion films. The first installment took a lush, slow-motion look at what it took to win the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans, and this second installment charts the U.S. ski team's snow-and-drama-covered run to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Like that first doc, it is now available free in iTunes in both regular and HD resolutions. You can read Audi's press release after the jump, or better yet, click the link and get straight to downloading.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi's 'Truth in Motion' documentary available for free on iTunes

Audi's 'Truth in Motion' documentary available for free on iTunes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi announces Truth in Motion documentary about U.S. ski team [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Canada

Truth in Motion announcement trailer -- Click above to watch the video

Following last year's Truth in 24, Audi is turning its keen lenswork to the U.S. Ski Team with a documentary called Truth in Motion: The Road to Vancouver. With multiple subjects this time, and less about domination than revelation, the film will showcase the stories of team athletes as they prepare for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

It will air for the first time at the end of January, about two weeks before the Olympic cauldron is lit on February 12. You can read all about and check out the trailer after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi announces Truth in Motion documentary about U.S. ski team [w/VIDEO]

Audi announces Truth in Motion documentary about U.S. ski team [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Street View confirms Elephantitis strikes deer population in Canada

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Humor

Let's all collectively thank the glorious bit of technology that is Google Street View for letting the world know about the rare and mostly undocumented breakout of Elephantitis in Canada's deer population. Unlike the human form of the disease which is generally characterized by the swelling of a single body part, deer Elephantitis apparently morphs the hapless affected creatures into real-life elephants. If you're driving in the area, extra caution is advisable.

It seems that this street sign was spotted by a Google Street View camera car somewhere in Vancouver. We're not sure how it got there or if it's nothing more than a funny prank, but it is most definitely real. Oh, and for the record, the proper medical term is really Elephantiasis (thanks, Wikipedia!).

[Source: Google Street View via Jalopnik]

Google Street View confirms Elephantitis strikes deer population in Canada originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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