Browse by Tags
All Tags » Classic ( RSS)
-
|
Respected tuning house Lingenfelter Performance Engineering ( LPE ) unveiled a back-to-the-future muscle car with its T/A concept at the 2009 SEMA show . Certain to turn heads, the reborn Trans Am applies classic Pontiac cues to a 2010 Camaro , then cranks up the volume with abundant performance upgrades. The result is a clear example of what could have been, where it not for the auto industry crisis . Inspired by the 1969 original, the exterior makeover features a new front fascia with custom headlamps, grille, and turn signals. The car's fender has a functional side extractor scoop and the rear quarter has a leading edge wheel flair. The rear corners of the car have been extended nearly four inches and are finished with a wrapped down stand-up spoiler. Custom-created taillight housings complete the body work. The rolling stock is custom 20-inch honeycomb wheels wrapping in 275/40ZR20 front and 315/35ZR20 rear Nitto tires. Inside, the cockpit is dressed with bright blue woven vinyl seat inserts and metal turned instrument panel accents. As with any LPE project, there is serious underhood alchemy with the T/A concept. The engine is built around a custom Racing Head Service (RHS...
|
-
|
It's the week ending September 18, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. ...
|
-
|
It's the kind of story from which dreams are made: A young entrepreneur sells his prized Bumblebee-striped black-and-gold 1971 1/2 Chevy Camaro Z28 to begin a small business. More than 25 years later, the company has become a flourishing nationwide pizza chain, and the now-successful businessman uses it as a search platform to help him find the car he once cherished. After finding said vehicle, the businessman pays the owner of the vehicle $250,000 and repays his loyal customers with free pizza. Now back to reality: To celebrate being reunited with the dream car of his youth, Papa John's Pizza will give a free large one-topping pizza to any Camaro owner who visits a store on Wednesday, August 26th. That's today: one free one-topping pizza per Camaro, and one Camaro per visit. While spending the summer of 2009 traveling across country to celebrate his pizza company's 25th anniversary, John Schnatter kept his eyes peeled in hopes of finding the beloved 1971 1/2 Z28 Camaro he sold to help his dad's tavern stay afloat and ultimately launch Papa John's Pizza Company. The search was chronicled online at www.papasroadtrip.com , where thousands of pizza-loving people...
|
-
|
It's the week ending August 14, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. This weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the year for car fans, with the Wooodward Avenue Dream cruise in Detroit, and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey. No matter whether you prefer classic American musclecars or the most beautiful and rarest historic automobiles these two events are certain to indulge your wildest automotive fantasies. AutoBlog has more than a few stories on the West Coast's Pebble Beach activities so take your pick: You can choose to check out this 2010 Morgan Aero SuperSport , peruse the debut of the new Porsche Panamera or wish for a woodie from the Nick Alexander Woodie Collection. The New York Times has several features on Woodward, including a happy, sentimental feature on a true love story that began more than 50 years ago in a Ford Model A on Woodward Avenue , a gastronomical observation on participation in the nostalgic event , as well as an economical observation of the event's financial importance . At the beginning of the week, General Motors announced the EPA...
|
-
|
It's the week ending August 7, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. The biggest news this week continues to be discussion of Obama's Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program, as websites discussed the outcome of the program's first week, as well as plans for its next installment. Thanks to AutoBlogGreen for the latest update clarifying the mysterious status of the Car Allowance Rebate System legislation, telling us it looks set to continue for at least another month. Apparently, the Senate confirmed the House's $2 billion funding of the incredibly popular program yesterday in a 60-37 vote, Obama is expected to sign it into law soon, and the money should last through Labor Day. Note: If you're considering making a purchase based on CARS rebates, don't delay, as it's not expected to be extended again. A report at Edmunds Auto Observer , which was heavily based on information obtained from a Hyundai press release, states that these new purchases could result in a 59-percent fuel economy improvement between the new and old vehicle of the early clunker trades. In...
|
-
|
It's the week ending July 25, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. News this week was slow (for a change), with no monumental announcements regarding the state of the automotive industry....
|
-
|
It isn’t just you. The entire American population is aging, with a dramatic shift toward more seniors as Baby Boomers coast into their gray years. This will create myriad social challenges, as service needs and consumer demands move the economy. In the next 20 years, the 65-plus set will set its ranks swell from 39 million to 69 million. And with that transition, that group will jump from representing 15 percent of motorists to 25 percent. States are wrestling with how to test and monitor these drivers, striving for the delicate balance between ensuring greater public safety and not stifling freedom in the golden years. Some states currently do not require retesting once a person is issued their initial driver’s license. About 18 states require the elderly to renew their licenses more frequently and two necessitate road tests. The powerful AARP continues to challenge efforts to impose tighter monitoring and requirements for older drivers, despite a number of dramatic car accidents that have made the national news of late. Regardless of which side the age line you fall on, it is clear that we will need to address this population shift nationally and locally. While it is a sensitive issue...
|
-
|
The world lost a legendary entertainer with Michael Jackson ’s passing. He leaves behind a music catalog that will be familiar for decades, a home that was more like a theme park, three sad children, a mountain of bills, and a fleet of cars. While his last ride was in a Ford E-Series ambulance, he rolled in style on his better days, with gilded limos and an opulent tour bus. FoxNews.com discovered in papers from his 2000 divorce from Debbie Rowe that Jackson at the time owned 75 cars, including Roll Royces and a fire truck. Clearly, selling 61 million albums in the United States alone creates a deep car fund. His eclectic car collection was to be auctioned off with the Neverland Ranch to help pay his massive debt, thought the sale never happened. AutoTrader UK has a slide show with several of his cars, including gold-trimmed limos, two-level tour bus, police motorcycle, conversion van, and primer-gray GMC SUV. Perhaps the strangest thing with this collection is that it isn’t more exciting. Collectors take note: It is safe to assume that Jackson’s vehicles will be offered for sale eventually. If you had Jackson’s earnings, what would your car collection look like?
|
-
|
Chevrolet has pushed the Corvette to its highest levels of performance, comfort, and quality with the C6. The base car stands tall against anything in the storied five decade history. Then there is the mighty 505-hp Z06 and downright exotic 638-hp ZR-1. And now, Chevy will resurrect another legendary moniker: Grand Sport. Grand Sport history Back in the Sixties, the Ford-powered Shelby Cobra was just beginning to dominate road-course racing. In retaliation, GM engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov took the then-new Corvette Sting Ray and whacked 1,000 pounds off the car, throwing everything that didn't contribute to speed into the dumpster. He employed a tubular chassis with aluminum reinforcements, and was rewarded with the Grand Sport, a Corvette that quickly proved to be a Mongoose capable of eating a Cobra—alive. Even though there were plans for 100 more Grand Sports, GM management scrapped the program, and the five originals disappeared from the track, melting into private hands. Learn more about classic Corvette Grand Sports and how to build your own replica . Modern Grand Sports Last seen in 1996 to mark the close to the fourth-generation Corvette, the Grand Sport name denoted special...
|
-
|
April 17th marks the 45th anniversary of the iconic Ford Mustang . For 45 years, the Mustang has been an American icon, embodying youth, performance, and freedom. To celebrate, Ford and the Mustang Club of America are commemorating the historical event this weekend with a four-day celebration at the Barber Motorsports Park . The event is expected to draw more than 2,500 Mustang enthusiasts and their beloved steeds, as well as hundreds of thousands of spectators. For those pony car enthusiasts who can’t attend, rest assured there are local events scheduled across the country for celebrating the famous Ford. Plus, from the comfort of your computer, you can browse through our Mustang reviews and historical features, starting with our review of the all-new, and mighty impressive, 2010 Ford Mustang . As you'll see from the list, and the passion of the stories, autoMedia has long loved the Mustang and welcomes any opportunity to get behind the wheel, spin the tires, and recapture our youth. 2010 Ford Mustang Full steed ahead 2008 Ford Mustang GT Purebred performance 2007 Ford Mustang GT Steed demon 2006 Ford Mustang GT Pony expressionism 2005 Ford Mustang GT Coupe Quarter horse 2004 Ford...
|
-
|
The so-called “ Cars for Clunkers ” initiatives have be on the table and off as Congress wrestles to find ways to restart the automotive market. It is back on, with a more patriotic slant that may give it the momentum needed to pass. The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act gives consumer purchase incentives for turning in vehicles that are eight years or older to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles or to obtain a transit voucher. "The CARS Act will achieve many goals: consumers will finally get a break to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles; we will all benefit from a reduction of CO2; and the auto industry will get a jumpstart to spur sales," said Representative Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) "This legislation will help consumers, stimulate our economy, improve our environment, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help our domestic auto and related industries, upon which millions of American families depend upon for employment." The proposed legislation would provide consumers a $3,000 to $5,000 incentive to buy more fuel-efficient cars, trucks or use mass transit. The bill would apply to the purchase of just vehicles assembled in North America and that...
|
-
|
No question, the chief appeal for the new wave of muscle coupes is nostalgia. The Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger , and Ford Mustang all play it to the hilt, as the modern embodiment of boyhood performance fantasies. Given a slight head start, Dodge will kick its retro fix up a notch with a new “R/T Classic” package. A high-powered time capsule, the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic features dual throwback A-line body-side R/T stripes, 'Challenger' fender badging in classic script, large 20-inch polished-chrome heritage wheels with all-season performance tires (OK, that’s not really retro), classic egg-crate grille with heritage 'R/T' badge, body-color rear spoiler, and chromed fuel-filler door. Based on the powerful 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, the Classic features the updated 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine with 376 horsepower. When paired with the Tremec six-speed manual transmission, the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic features the performance-minded Track Pak's precision-shift "pistol-grip" shifter, bright pedals, stability control with defeatable traction control, Hill Start Assist (HSA), four-wheel disc performance braking system, and an anti-spin 3.92:1...
|
-
|
The wait is over, Chevrolet has revealed the official details about the 2010 Camaro, and it is even more exciting than our preview report revealed. Let’s cut to the chase; the base engine is a 300-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 with 273 lb.-ft. of torque. Despite the heady output, this all-aluminum “high-feature” V-6 runs on regular gasoline. As the fourth-generation Camaro drove into the history books, the LS1 V-8 in the Z28 produced 305 horsepower (though admittedly with much more torque), making the new LT and LS trim levels hardly seem like the sacrifice buying a base Camaro once was. The SS has been the performance model, and the moniker returns with a 6.2-liter V-8. When paired with a six-speed manual transmission, the SS is fitted an LS3 V-8 churning out 422 horsepower and 408 lb.-ft. of torque. Choose the six-speed automatic transmission and the SS is stuffed with an L99 V-8 featuring fuel-saving cylinder deactivation and a hint less grunt at 400 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque. Chevrolet cites 26 mpg highway for the V-6 and 23 mpg highway for the V-8. City figures were not released. Despite the prodigious horsepower, the Camaro promises to be both agile and well-mannered thanks...
|
-
|
When we last reported on the imminent birth of the next legendary Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, we spilled the core horsepower and torque figures . Now, we’ve got more numbers to share, and again, they are big. First off, the ZR1 price starts at $103,300. And yes, that does include destination charges, though not the $1,700 gas-guzzler tax. There is a single, $10,000 option package that adds power-adjustable, heated and leather-trimmed sport seats (embroidered with the ZR1 logo); side air bags; Bose premium audio system; navigation system; Bluetooth connectivity; power telescoping steering column; and leather-wrapped interior available in four colors. While we can appreciate some performance purists may want to hold off on the nav system, really, at $100,000-plus, we’d expect side air bags to be standard. The lone a la carte option is chrome wheels at $2,000. Another big figure is the top speed at 205 mph, making it the fastest Corvette ever produced and ranking it among the world's finest super cars. In the small number category, Chevrolet claims: 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds 0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds Quarter-mile time of 11.3 seconds at 131 mph 14 mpg city / 20 mpg highway Compared against...
|
-
|
At the 2008 New York auto show, the Saleen booth overflowed with news and excitement, with both the S5S Raptor supercar concept (the first ground-up vehicle to be conceived by the new Saleen management team) and Gurney Signature Edition Mustang. Just a few short weeks later and the Gurney Mustang is on sale at Saleen dealers . This latest Saleen tribute to a legend follows on the Parnelli Jones pony car with 300 special-edition coupes honoring rival Dan Gurney. Dressed to resemble the 1969 Trans Am series Mustang, the Gurney Mustang features a supercharged 465-horsepower, 281-cubic-inch engine, commanded by a short-throw shifter, and routing power through a 3.73:1 rear axle. The chassis is fortified with a specially tuned Racecraft suspension, generation-II Watts-link rear end, and Pirelli Corsa tires. This is the first application of the suspension combination on a Saleen vehicle, and it received the personal stamp of approval from Dan Gurney himself. Inside, the cabin features two-tone seats that feature either blue or red Alcantara inserts, plus obligatory badging. In honor of Gurney’s “All American Racer” persona the cars will be offered in only three colors: Torch Red, Performance...
|
More Posts Next page »
|