Autoblog

Blackprints Kickstarter campaign looks to put profiles on your wall [w/video]

John Neff — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:15:00 EST

UPDATE: This Kickstarter campaign has been shut down due to copyright disputes over the original images used to create the Blackprints.

We enjoy highlighting artists who turn their brushes, lenses or whatever medium they fancy towards the four-wheeled things in life. San Francisco-based artist Sabrina Chun has done just that with her series called Blackprints: Car Designs Reimagined, which is currently enjoying an overabundance of funding on Kickstarter.

In the series, Chun has taken eight iconic autos and created inverse black-and-white profile views of each. The cars include the Porsche 911, '67 Mustang GT500, Shelby Cobra, Lamborghini Countach, Volkswagen Microbus, Ford Model T and pop culture icons like the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters and the DeLorean from Back to the Future.

The prints will be available in two sizes, mini (6x9 inches) and jumbo (24x38 inches), and they're printed on 80-pound card stock made of recycled paper using environmentally friendly soybean-based ink and solvent. What's more, this is some very reasonably priced art; a pledge of just $34 or more will get you all eight mini prints, while a pledge of $139 or more scores you all eight jumbos.

If you'll indulge us donning our art critic hats for a moment, what we like about Chun's Blackprints is not only the fact that she's chosen eight excellent cars to feature, but the works will hang equally well on the wall of a garage or living room. They seem so simple, but you'll soon lose track of time staring at features you've never noticed before that only reveal themselves in the light of Chun's negative spaces.

Take a closer look in our gallery above or in the video below.

Continue reading Blackprints Kickstarter campaign looks to put profiles on your wall [w/video]

Blackprints Kickstarter campaign looks to put profiles on your wall [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: VW design chief says new Microbus is in the cards

Dan Roth — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Minivan/Van, Volkswagen, Rumormill

2001 Volkswagen Microbus Concept - click for a hi-res image gallery

It's time to dust off the periodic dream of a new Volkswagen Microbus. The UK's Auto Express reports that Klaus Bischoff, chief designer for the Volkswagen brand, thinks a new version of the classic Camper is a fundamental part of his job. This rumor has come around before, and the New Beetle's ten-year run might help underscore the business case for a revival.

There were plans to offer a production version of the 2001 Microbus concept that made a splash at that year's Detroit Motor Show, but cost considerations put an end to that project. A new Microbus is back on, according to Bischoff, and Volkswagen is trying to figure out how conventional or creative to go. VW's design offices across the globe are being asked for their input to develop a vehicle with wide influence, and platforms and powertrains are up in the air. If this rumor sticks, we're likely to see a concept in 2012.

Gallery: 2001 VW Microbus Concept

[Source: Auto Express]

Report: VW design chief says new Microbus is in the cards originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Life Bus in Pictures: The Volkswagen Bus turns 60 *Updated

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Minivan/Van, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Bus turns 60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Many automakers will build cars for decades and never create a product that can truly be considered a cultural icon. Few that do produce multiple such models. One of those is Volkswagen.The original Beetle/Bug/Type 1 is recognizable almost anywhere and even by people that know nothing about cars. The Beetle itself spawned another icon in the form of the Type 2 (or Microbus), a vehicle that is celebrating its diamond anniversary in 2010.

Like the original Bug, the Microbus had an air-cooled flat-four cylinder engine hanging off the back of the rear axle. The front seats were moved up over the front axle creating a format that was eventually copied by Ford, Dodge, General Motors and countless Japanese automakers.

Over sixty years, the bus became the ride of choice for surfers, hippies and iconoclasts everywhere. Many surviving examples from the 1960s are still hauling surfboards and Deadheads today. In the 1980s, the third-generation bus morphed into the still-loved but less iconic Vanagon, with emissions standards forcing the adoption of water cooling in 1983. The last of the rear-engined VW vans ceased production in 1992. A tip of the hat to Brooks!

*UPDATED: New photos added and official VW press release available after the jump

Gallery: Volkswagen Bus Turns 60!

[Sources: Volkswagen, Life]

Continue reading A ~~Life~~ Bus in Pictures: The Volkswagen Bus turns 60 *Updated

A ~~Life~~ Bus in Pictures: The Volkswagen Bus turns 60 *Updated originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Worst crash test ever will definitely leave a mark

Chris Shunk — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Videos

Click above to watch video after the jump

We've shown you crash test footage that we thought was the worst we've ever seen, but anything seen here in the past has nothing on the crash of what appears to be a 1978 Holden Commodore VB. After the jump is video of said sedan hitting a cement barrier and collapsing like an accordion. The Commodore was reportedly crashed at 62 mph back in 1992 to to test the vehicle's drive system, and not the car itself.

For the record, most of America's crash tests are performed at closer to 35 mph, so if the 62 mph figure is correct, the speed of this test collision is far greater than what we're used to seeing. Regardless, the carnage of the accident is far to great not to see.

Just for fun, we have also added post-jump footage of a Volkswagen T3 combi hitting a cement barrier at an unknown and presumably high rate of speed. The crash was so severe that the chances of anything larger than a cockroach surviving is pretty much zero. Which impact is worse? You be the judge by watching them both after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via TTAC]

Continue reading VIDEO: Worst crash test ever will definitely leave a mark

VIDEO: Worst crash test ever will definitely leave a mark originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen considering a Microbus revival?

Merritt Johnson — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Volkswagen

Volkswagen is one of those brands that evokes a lot of nostalgia. The Who is an iconic band from the 60's. That's why when Volkswagen decided to revisit the Microbus concept they looked to members of The Who for guidance. While not only playing a song titled Magic Bus, The Who also used a VW Camper for touring in their early years of existence. They encouraged Volkswagen by expressing interest in a more economical and safer update of the Camper.

The new Camper concept being researched at Volkswagen is nicknamed Bulli. As with many current design trends, the Bulli will have a stripped out retro appearance. The aim is to appeal to more frugal consumers. The possibility is there if they can achieve demand for enough units. We just hope they keep them off the racetrack and inside the paddock.

[Source: Auto Express]

Volkswagen considering a Microbus revival? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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24 Hours of Le Mons adding $800 VW Microbus for rule enforcement

John Neff — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Volkswagen

You may remember our post on the 24 Hours of LeMons last October, but if not we'll refresh your memory. The 24 Hours of LeMons (pronounced like "lemons" if you didn't get the joke yet) is an endurance race of cars purchased and prepped for $500 bucks or less. The entire event is perhaps the greatest automotive parody we've ever encountered, with the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans being the subject of its satire.

While past races included a People's Choice award for drivers voted the biggest jerks on the track (last year's recipient was Car and Driver, whose prize was the unceremonious destruction of their $500 Oldsmobile Aurora), organizers of the event have invested in a new piece of equipment to help enforce the rules of the road course. According to Automotiveblogger.net, a 1973 Volkswagen Microbus has been purchased for $800 and is intended to "make life miserable on the track for drivers who aren't obeying the track rules."

While the author of the blog post appears to be in with the organizers of LeMons in some way, he didn't want to spoil the surprise and reveal exactly how they would wield the Microbus as a weapon against rule breakers. The $800 Microbus apparently tops at around 30 mph, however, so we don't imagine it will be chasing down violators in the turns. Perhaps a penalty box? We'll have to wait until at least the "Championship Race" in early July to find out what the organizers of LeMons have planned.

24 Hours of Le Mons adding $800 VW Microbus for rule enforcement originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cartalk names Top 10 Scariest Cars

Chris Tutor — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety

What do the 1980 Chevy Monza and the 1973 VW Microbus have in common? They are among Car Talk hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi's Top 10 Scariest Cars list. Of the Monza they say, " Whenever one of these beauties reared its ugly grille in front of the garage, every mechanic with more than six weeks' experience would go running for the men's room and lock the door." Another car on the list, the 1987 Ford Festiva, gets this derision from the brothers: "We once got in trouble for saying this car came right from the factory with a funeral wreath on the grille."

If these cars aren't scary enough, submit your own nomination.

The whole list after the jump.

[Source: cartalk.com]

Continue reading Cartalk names Top 10 Scariest Cars

Cartalk names Top 10 Scariest Cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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