суббота, 31 июля 2010 г.
1967 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova
пятница, 30 июля 2010 г.
Aussie Cops Crush Hoon's Holden, Paul Hogan Sheds Single Tear
Remember thatHolden Commodore confiscatedunder Australia'santi-hoon laws? Watch the Victoria police put it in the crusher, turn it into a metal pancake, and record the destruction for posterity. If you can.
Remember that
(Thanks for the tip, Oliver!)
среда, 28 июля 2010 г.
For $750, There’s Waldo
Getting around— regardless of foul weather, moonscape roads, or having to deal with a truculent Waldo— is the forté of yesterday'sIsuzu Vehicross. Its high-tech TOD drivetrain and scrumptious sundae of a V6 with a supercharger cherry on top could get you out of nearly any challenge, while its rugged body on frame construction and sassy plastic cladding would mean running Waldo over wouldn't present much of a risk to you. However, none of that made a bit of difference to the 58% of you who found the seller's ten grand asking price nearly as nuts as an unassuaged Waldo seeker.
Not so nuts, perhaps, is this$750 Fiesta. Ford of Europe gave us the spritely little Fiesta for only three years back in the seventies, and then, like an outed spy, it was forced to leave the country. Its place in the Ford line up was taken by the larger and lamentably Americanized Escort. The Blue Oval brigade is making a deal right now about bringing the Fiesta back to our shores, but that car is bigger, heavier and like a gazillion times more expensive than this 1980 edition.
Powered by Ford's economical andDave Bean-able kent 1600, this one claims to stall when cold, maybe requiring a new choke, or perhaps an entire rebuild of the 2BBL carb. The first-gen Fiesta was truly a continental affair with major assembly for the U.S. Version handled by the nicely scented workers at Ford's Cologne Germany plant, while engines were sourced from Valencia Spain, and transaxles from Bordeaux France. One wonders if you could tell the source of the gearbox oil by its terroir?
The engine, when new, put out a willing 66-bhp, but with only 1,800 pound to tote around, the car felt quicker than its 11-second zero to sixty time would let on. Today's car is probably tired, and that carb definitely needs to be dealt with, but the 711M Kent engine was used in thousands of Pintos as well, and has made a comeback inFormula Fords, so parts aren't that hard to find.
This BRG Fiesta rocks a slutty red interior, and, while the seller attempts to make amends for it - including making claims of having the materials but not the time - the rear seat is currently covered in what looks like Waldo's trademark red and white striped turtleneck. Other than that, the seats, dash and door panels look okay for 30 years and a 360 of the odo, although it appears a radio is not included in the bargain basement price.
Outside, another major change has been the removal of the aluminum battering rams, and I for one say good riddance. Aside from that, the paint on this Tom Tjaarda-styled hatch is original and shows the speckling and fade that not even Oil of Olay can mask. The roof looks like somebody tried to knock a vampire or something off of it as there are a series of vampire fingernail-esque gouges across its entire width. You'll also need a stick if you want to keep the hatch from closing on your fingers, but that's easily remedied, and the most important body consideration - rust - doesn't seem to be a factor here. That's pretty strange as it's an Oregon car, and so maybe a trip around it with a magnet may be called for should you be seriously considering the purchase.
If you did consider the purchase, it could potentially be made with the loose change behind the sofa cushions as the starving student seller is asking but $750 for this festive Ford. That's only $250 north of LeMons country, although this apparently solid citizen may be worth doing more with than a south of the border-themed race entry.
So what do you think about this tidy little Fiesta and its $750 price? Is that a good price for someone to havedriven a Ford lately? Or, does that price make this one Fiesta that no one should be party to?
You decide!
Nice Price or Crack Pipe: 1980 Ford Fiesta for $750.survey software
Portland, OR Craigslistor gohereif the ad disappears.
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вторник, 27 июля 2010 г.
Those Are Some Big-Ass Jacks
понедельник, 26 июля 2010 г.
Ford CEO Lovingly Hugs Chrysler CEO From Behind
There appears to be a budding romance between Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne and Ford CEO Alan Mullaly. Ford's main man sneaked up behind his Italian counterpart at an awards ceremony this weekend. It was weird. And sweet. But mostly weird.
There appears to be a budding romance between Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne and Ford CEO Alan Mullaly. Ford's main man sneaked up behind his Italian counterpart at an awards ceremony this weekend. It was weird. And sweet. But mostly weird.Mulally's well known as being pretty touchy-feely. Wert talks about the time Mulally came up behind him and caressed his arm once. That sounded awkward.
Mulally's well known as being pretty touchy-feely. Wert talks about the time Mulally came up behind him and caressed his arm once. That sounded awkward.Any other auto journalists out there have a good story to tell about Mulally touching them awkwardly? Let us know in the comments. Maybe we'll post a picture of an anatomically-correct doll. Just point and tell us where the CEO touched you. {Chrysler Blog}
воскресенье, 25 июля 2010 г.
How Did Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz Fare On Top Gear's Track?
Tom Cruiseand Cameron Diaz on BBC2'sTop Gearhas always kind of been a joke for the producers and talent when they came up with the idea of"star in a reasonably priced car."Until now.
Be warned— there be spoilers below.
It turns out they performed frickin' spectacular actually. Cameron Diaz lapped the track in an astonishing 1:45.2— becoming the fastest star in a reasonably-priced car in the new Kia Cee'd. Tom Cruise wasn't taking it lying down... he did it in 1:44.2 to easily eclipse Diaz on the show's fastest lap time board. USA! USA! USA!
суббота, 24 июля 2010 г.
Very Long Day of Racing Over, BMW 528e Leads
The lead switched back and forth between the Near Orbital Space Monkeys 528e and the Team Pro-Crass-Duh-Nation Alfa Romeo Milano all day long, but then the Milano fried a wheel bearing and the BMW ended up with a healthy 7-lap lead. Still, laps are short at this track— say, around 30 seconds for the quickest cars— and a lot can happen on Sunday. I'm too tired to go into much detail here— 95 degree temperature and 100% humidity have a way of making the LeMons Penalty Box an exhausting job— so you'll have to check in tomorrow to get more LeMons action.
Disclosure: Murilee Martin gets crazy baksheesh for his work on the LeMons Supreme Court.
четверг, 22 июля 2010 г.
GM Buys AmeriCredit To Offer More Low Credit Auto Loans
GMACAlly Bankits captive finance armby buying AmeriCredit for $3.5 billion to increase leasing to low credit and at-risk car buyers. Wait, isn't this part of what got the U.S. into this whole mess? {GM}
среда, 21 июля 2010 г.
For $6,000, Here Comes The Sun-bird
While looking like the World's most high-tech suppository, yesterday'sRabid Renaultproved itself as popular a French Canadian as thatfreecreditreport.com guy, taking home a 60% Nice Price win for its ennuis. Today however, as my Canadian isn't getting any better, we're going to bid adieu to our neighbors to the North, and take a trip south to see a candidate that's so American, it's red, white and blown. You can't get much more American than Texas, or so say the Texans, and that's where this1980 Pontiac Sunbirdhas been residing for the past few years. While there, it hasn't been spending its time readingAlamo Monthly, it's been getting pumped!
Back in 1980, the Pontiac Sunbird was a physical manifestation of General Motors broad animosity toward the car-buying public. By that year, the emasculated V8 edition had been mercifully taken out behind the shed and given a double barrel to the two barrel, while the Iron Duke remained to torment Sunbird drivers with its penchant for plodding performance and village idiot-level refinement. For those who enjoyed that kind of banality, but were looking for a couple more cylinders to abuse them, Buick's wheezy 3.8-litre was also made available. That 1980 range-topper produced its anemic 110 horsepower in the same way a dog shits a peach pit.
This Sunbird isn't powered by either of those wretched expresses.
Instead, it's sporting what the seller says is a NASCAR-spec Chevy 4.3-litre fitted with a massive 75mm BW S400SX turbo. Bowtie heads, a 4"drainpipe for exhaust, and an E85-chugging carb help this monster pump out a claimed 629 horsepower at the wheels, along with 578 foot pounds of torqemada in the same general locale.
Can I get a Gawdayum?
The turbo and its related plumbing pops through the hood like the chest baby inAlien, and that, along with the plain jane appearance of the rest of the car makes the whole thing awesome. No flames, no lambo doors, or JEGS stickers here, just some massive pipe and a purple popoff to let your opponents know that this Sunbird could possibly fly, and that they better stay the hell out of your way.
Fly this Sunbird supposedly does, the seller speculating that in its current guise it may be capable of 9's in the quarter. The interior has been caged, and underneath it's been treated to 5-lug S10 hubs and upgraded brakes, in case those 9's turn ugly. Like, Mike Tyson ugly.
The way the Craigslist ad is worded -TURBO LS1 MONZA CAMARO MUSTANG? Seriously? O RLY? WTF?- may make you think the seller has tourette's or something. However, if you read through the build process on thisTurbo Forums postyou'll see the seller (shoebox1.1) really seems to be a decent guy, so we should cut him some slack for his weak Craigslist skillz.
Poor copywriting aside, he is able to get across the most salient points in the car's favor, and one that you'll have to determine to be to its advantage or not. That would be the $6,000 asking price, which he says is driven by the need to get the car out of what will soon be the Nursery. What do you think about that - the price, not the baby - is that a screamin' deal for a nine-second Sunbird? Or, do you think it's a drag?
You decide!
Nice Price or Crack Pipe: Pro-Stock 1980 Pontiac Sunbird for $6,000.customer surveys
Dallas Craigslistor gohereif the ad disappears.
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вторник, 20 июля 2010 г.
For $16,900 Canadian, It’s a Renault GT-Eh
Our friends to the North are putting some interesting iron on the block this week. Yesterday it was a Canuck-builtSubaru STI wagonthat called Toronto home and couldn't decide in which year it was born. Exciting as that may have been, even a favorable exchange rate and a sassy attitude couldn't heat up enough love for that hot hatch's price, dunning it to a 78% Crack Pipe loss.
Today we're sticking with Toronto, but are trading in our maple flavored sushi rolls for Labatt's infused escargot. This1988 Renault GTA turbois described by its seller as being in as-new condition, in addition to being ONE OF A KIND. What it is that differentiates this great white from the North from the other 4,659 GTAs (Grand Tourismo Alpine) is never clearly defined, but regardless, with only 36,000 miles on its clock, it's a stunningly clean example of the breed.
Alpine started as an independent maker of race and rally cars in 1955. Founded by Jean Rédélé, who was a Renault dealer by day, andmasked mime fighterrally driver by night (and some days), Alpine proved very successful with their Renault-based racers. Eventually Renault absorbed the tuner and the initial result of that assimilation debuted at the 1985 Geneva Motor Show. The GTA took many of its styling cues, as well as its layout and suspension setup from the precedent A310, itself a derivation of the legendary A110. One significant departure from the earlier car was the availability of a turbocharged version of the 2,458 cc Renault Z7U V6. Developed in the early‘70s by the joint venture of Peugeot, Volvo and Renault, the 90-degree V6 found a home in such disparate places as the Volvo Bertone Coupe, and the Delorean.
Here in this '88 GTA, the Turbo helps the SOHC six pump out a reasonably healthy 200 horsepower. That, along with the five-speed gearbox from the Renault 25, helps push the 2623 lb 2+2 to sixty in a claimed 6.9 seconds. While enjoying that performance, you'll also be reveling in leather-clad thrones that look like they were taken straight from your dentist's office. Between those is an inordinately high center sill out of which sprouts an oddly-shaped gear knob, and playing host to the power window switches and heater controls. A three-spoke wheel - fatter at 9 and 3 - sits in front of an‘80s futuristic dashboard, in the middle of which is a stereo stack with more buttons than your prom date's dress, but still lacking the ability to connect to your iPod. Behind the deeply bucketed back seats is a vertical panel of glass that allows a good view to all the plumbing atop the little six. That forced induction engine is claimed to have a number of new parts here, including a rebuilt Garrett T3.
The shape of the GTA has held up well over the years, and pictures don't do the car justice in demonstrating just how low it is. Unlike the similarly rear-engined Porsche 911, the GTA has rear seats that are actually usable for short distances, and a generous hatch through which to admire and effect repairs on the six cylinder engine. Headlamps up front are covered, and all the windows are flush-mounted for a wind-cheating CD of only .30. And yes, it shares its tail lights with the lamented Lotus Elan.
Unique, eclectic and desirable to be sure, the question remains, is it worth $16,900 in Maple Money? And if it is, would it be worth it to spend that, plus whatever else it takes to let it R-O-C-K in the U-S-A?
This 36K GTA represents a rare opportunity. That being said, when people come and ask you what it is, you'll get a lot of blank stares and consternate responses from those for whom Renault means tissue paper Alliances and Le Cars. But you wouldn't be buying it for them, you'd want this for yourself, and as such you'd want to get the finest example you can as parts and repairs for these things will be dear. This is just such an example, and as such it's time to decide if you think its $16,900 price tickles your toque, or if that's just Grand Theft Auto.
You decide!
Nice Price or Crack Pipe: 1988 Renault GTA for 16,900 loonies.survey software
eBay, eh,or gohereif the ad disappears.A tip of the toque to Mrb00st for the link!
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понедельник, 19 июля 2010 г.
For $25,500 Canadian, This Franken-STI is All Aboot the Back
The Subaru Impreza STI (Subaru Tecnica International), and competing Mistubishi EVO, re-wrote the book on performance cars by taking plebeian sedans and dumping every bit of horsepower and handling that each company's WRC-jonsing engineers could cram into them. The results, unlike the cool, calculating Bond-like killer that is, say a BMW M3, are cars that are like rabid pitbulls ready to tear your nuts off to use as their hors d'oeuvres.
The second generation rally-bred STI (then still the WRX STi) featured a body that was torsionally much stiffer than the first, making them less spastic through the corners and able to tickle the higher limits of their performance envelope. On the downside, the GD STIs are also a lot fatter - 400+ pounds heavier to be precise. That extra weight may have been why Subaru didn't offer an STI version of the GD Impreza wagon, itself having adoes this hatch make my ass look bigadditional poundage challenge over the trunk-ated version.
But that didn't stop one crazy Canuck. Today'scandidatestarted life as a 2002 Impreza TS wagon - the white bread of the Impreza line. Trying to perk it up a bit, he has plugged the front clip from an '05 car (which is thankfully not the bug-eyed version that looked like those disturbing goldfish), along with the wide-body fender flares. But all that show without the accompanying go is like dating Jenna Jameson without making a delivery at the back door, and so he's also popped the hood and popped its cherry to the tune of a 2.5-litre EJ257.
Add to that 293-bhp turbo flat four the STI 6-speed, STI seats out of an '07, STI subframes, STI LSD, Brembos and more, and what you have is a freakin' GD STI wagon. The seller claims that, less the headlights, shift knob and coil-overs, this car is all OEM STI, right down to the spark plugs.
The photos paint a picture of a car that's pretty much exactly what you'd expect, lacking only the little pink STI stickers on the front light plates. Despite that, the seller drones on about the particulars like a happy drunk, and takes a Sergio Leone approach to deliniating the car's pros and cons with a Good and Bad, only leaving out the Ugly. Under good, he rightfully notes the EJ257, and makes the claim that it doesn't burn oil, limiting its appeal to BP's efforts in the Gulf. He also, somewhat strangely, says that it's aclear car, that has not been molested during its swapwhich I guess means that it can still wear white to its wedding.
Under bad, he takes kind of an odd approach to his sales pitch by noting that the car is. . . a wagon. Um, yeah, that's what you just spent the last five years making it, dude, If anybody finds that fact too heinous they've already surfed over tosubiesedansonly.com.
You know, not to get off track or anything, but the creation of this car is really like that Frankenstein story, only with axles instead of entrails. Regardless, it's still the story of somebody who said,this doesn't exist, and so I will create it, thus filling that void. In Frankenstein's case, it was freakishly large homicidal maniacs that seemed in short supply, here it was 2nd Gen STI wagons.
Sorry, moving on.
Other bad stuff noted on the car are poor fitting inside door handles and an A/C system that the seller claims he hasn't had time to fill. As refrigerant acts as a heat transfer medium as well as a lubricant and seal preservative, he might want to make the time, and hopefully he didn't pay the same lackadaisical attention to the cooling system.
This is yet another one of those one of a kind vehicles that are the result of one person's vision and passion, and it will take someone with equal passion, but lacking the intestinal fortitude to undertake such a project, to take it off the seller's hands. It will also take $25,500 Canadian. The seller is willing to consider trades, and expresses an interest in the Lexus IS350, which may mean he wants to transition from Ricer to Poseur Ricer, orPricer.
Since none of us have one of those to trade, let's stick with the cash, and consider whether that $25,500 (Canadian) is an equitable exchange for thisgreatest hits of the NaughtiesSTI wagon. What do you think, is that a good price for this one car stitched from so many? Or, does that price make this STI and STD?
You decide!
Nice Price or Crack Pipe: 2002, 05, 06, 07 Subaru STI Wagon for $25,500 Canadian.online surveys
Toronto Kijijior gohereif the ad disappears.A tip of the toque to CanuckChinaman for the hook up, eh!
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воскресенье, 18 июля 2010 г.
What's the Most Reliable Car Built Since 1980?
So, of all the cars— no, trucks don't count, Toyota Hilux fanatics— built during the last 30 years, which one do you think has the best-deserved reputation forreliability? Based on my personal experience, I'm going to nominate the 1983-86 Toyota Tercel, although the diesel Mercedes-Benz W116 (which was built through the 1980 model year) is probably more deserving.
суббота, 17 июля 2010 г.
What's The Most Unreliable Car Made Since 1980?
We're sure, however, that plenty ofeven more horribleheaps have been built during the last 30 years. Which one is your personal winner?
Austin Metro photo source:Austin Rover Online; Pontiac Phoenix photo source:Old Car Brochures
пятница, 16 июля 2010 г.
For $7,500, This E30 is One Strange Bedfellow
Sadly, an overwhelming 63% of you took matters into your own hands yesterday and decided that the price of the'89 Toyota Vanwas way too high for you to go Space Truckin'. That Van's Van Works conversion enhanced its utility and livability, and while today's contender isn't an official conversion, it's also more utilitarian than before, but could you live with it?
This1990 BMW 3 Seriesis theChaz Bonoof small Bimmers. According to the VIN, it was born a 325i convertible with the 169-bhp version of the M20 six. After what were likely several surgeries and some soul searching, it's now a targa-roofed two-seater that has sprouted a pickup bed and a 1.8-litre four in place of its silky six. You win some, you lose some.
The bed conversion includes a working tailgate, although its incorporation of the tail lights means you won't be driving it gate-down around the Po-Po. Typically, the ad is short on details, but does divulge that this has been an ongoing project that has fallen by the wayside due to business obligations. Regardless, the pictures indicate a pretty complete car, although there's no mention of whether there's anything to fill the space above the seats should the weather turn inclement.
If not, this should be considered a fair weather friend as the remaining interior looks very nice, incorporating a pair of two-tone sport seats and what looks like a crack-free dash. Behind the seats, the bed is separated from the cabin by a bulkhead into which a sliding back window has been installed, although missing is a rack for your FABARMs. As the car is based on the all ready strengthened structure of the droptop, and the fact that there is that mid-car stiffening structure, it's probably unlikely that it would fold itself in half at the first rail road crossing. Probably.
With all that has been done to it, it seems like the 124,296 miles under its tires is less than relevant - sort of like askingCaroline Cosseyhow many girls she poked before getting her equipment reconfigured from plug to receptacle.
Despite its reassignment surgery, this 3 Series still has a clutch pedal dangling down under its dash, and a five-speed stick to accompany it. Whether it's still the Getrag 260 that came with the car originally is unknown, however.
Also unknown is the reason behind the replacement of the six with a 1.8-litre four. The seller isn't even letting on as to which four it is, whether the M10, M40 or M42. Either way, as this was originally a 325i, and has all the stronger components of that car, it would only make sense to drop a six back under the hood.
Dropping a six will only add to the price, and right now eBay'sBuy It Nowfor the car indicates you'd have to drop $7,500 on it before you could start dropping things into either the engine bay or the bed.
So what's your take on this BMW with a bed? Would you drop that $7,500 to bed down with it? Or, would paying that price keep you up at night?
Nice Price or Crack Pipe: 1990 BMW 3-Series Pickup for $7,500.online survey
eBayor gohereif the ad gets reassigned.H/T to Bagel Oversteer for the hook up
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You decide!
четверг, 15 июля 2010 г.
For $4,500, Your Space Wart Awaits
With Ferrari, we all know that the most expensive cars are usually those with the cheapest prices out of the gate. Yesterday's'97 550 Maranellolooked at first glance like a screamin' deal, but a dark cloud hung over the car in the shape of an insurance and bank account-busting salvage title. The explained reason of a minor accident didn't jive for most of you, and who knows if that accident meant a fender-bender or an ebola monkey shitting in the glove box, both of which could have deleterious effects on the car's future drivability and collectibility.
Despite all that, the Maranello's siren song couldn't be overcome and it salvaged a 60% Nice Price win for its markdown price and itsI want to make sexy time with itlooks. Different stokes, as they say.
Today's contender is about as different a stroke from that Ferrari as you could imagine, and while that Italian beauty could be generally considered fap-worthy, this jacked-up Toyota people mover is most likely something only a vinyl-wearing box dweller would pop a Cialis® over. Well, maybe that's being too unkind, but regardless, it's time to wake up the Gimp and take a look at Toyota's first salvo in the minivan wars.
Officially called the‘Van' in the U.S., Toyota's cab-over sported the more unfortunate moniker of ‘Master Ace' in Japan. That name sounds a little too much likeMaster Race, orMasturbates, so Van, while uninspired, was probably a better choice here. This1989 conversion editionfeatures not only the 102-bhp 2.3-litre four between the seats, but also Toyota's smooth 4-speed auto box and 4-wheel drive. Mods made for the 4x4 version included skid plates for the pricy bits and a two-speed transfer case for when things got dicy. The 4WD Van also sits at a stream-forging height which exacerbates its already concerning tendency to turn turtle in aggressive maneuvers.
But this Van isn't about gymkhana lap times, and with the Van Works Inc. conversion, what it's really all about is business - or getting busy, actually. The conversion includes a raised roof, privacy curtain-equipped windows, and a set of rear seats that fold down into a lumpy, but serviceable bed.
With 4-wheel drive, you'd be able to take yourvictimconsort to remote, romantic hideaways where theirscreamsshrieks of delight wouldn't be heard by anyone. Drawing the curtains willhide the blood spattersshield you from prying eyes, and the seatbelt-equipped bed will ensure thatthey don't wriggle too much while you eat their spleeneveryone is safely secured, no matter what the activity.
With 189,000 miles under its belt, you might think this Van's best days are behind it, but these things seem pretty bulletproof and some owners claim that they continue to go strong with almost half a million showing on the clock.
The Van's burgundy exterior is a little less subdued than you might like, but the claims of recent maintenance - including head gasket, water pump, radiator, tires, etc - should ensure reasonable reliability should you need to be on the road for a prolonged period of time.
You might not want to do that however, as the short wheelbase of the Toyota Van makes for a pretty unsettling ride, although it does afford a tight 15-foot turning radius, which could be advantageous should you need to quickly change direction in light of obstacles such aspolice roadblocksunexpected road closures.
So what does such a versatile vehicle cost? Well, in this case the seller is asking $4,500, and says that he doesn't have time anymore to use it for what he envisioned- taking it on climbing expeditions. Whatever you're thinking its use could be, what do you think about that price? Is $4,500 a deal, or does that price scare you off faster than a hand-scrawledFree Candysign taped to the window?
You decide!
Nice Price or Crack Pipe: 1989 Toyota Conversion Van for $4,500.online survey
Chattanooga Craigslistor gohereif the ad goesto jailaway. Also, lots-o-pictures may be foundhere.
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