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Video: BMW V8-powered Ford Model A is the definition of Hot Rod

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Performance, Truck, Videos, BMW, Ford, Specialty

BMW V8-powered Ford Model A - video screencap

Today, hotrodding has a pretty staid definition. Take one classic American car, add one classic American V8, sprinkle with tire smoke and you pretty much have every hot rod to roll out of a shop in the last 40 years. Mike Borroughs knows it wasn’t always this way. Once upon a time, getting your bucket to go faster meant grabbing whatever parts were lazing about the yard, bolting them together with a bit of ingenuity and laughing your way down the quarter mile. It’s in that spirit that Burroughs built his 1928 Ford Model A.

Rather than turn to the tired flathead or the common Chevrolet small block, Burroughs plucked a 4.0-liter V8 from a 1995 BMW 7 Series. With 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, the engine has no trouble shuffling the old A around town. He had to build a custom chassis to get everything to cooperate, but the result is a 1,500-pound heathen that looks built to harass dry lake beds. You can check it out in the video below. Be warned, the soundtrack by Hanni el Khatib may not be safe for work – awesomeness of this caliber rarely is.

Continue reading BMW V8-powered Ford Model A is the definition of Hot Rod

BMW V8-powered Ford Model A is the definition of Hot Rod originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jun 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Korres Project 4 is an on- and off-road Corvette-powered juggernaut [w/video]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Specialty, Off-Road

Korres Project 4

It looks as if the Local Motors Rally Fighter will soon have some competition. The Korres Project 4 boasts a 7.0-liter LS7 V8 lifted from the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. With 505 horsepower shoved into a 3,527-pound package, the creation should have no trouble covering ground very quickly. Dimitris Korres, the Greek architect behind the Project 4, says his creation can clip to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186. That’s all par for the course, but it’s the machine’s innovative suspension that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Capable of increasing or decreasing its ride height as necessary, the Project 4 can cover all sorts of terrain at speed. With locking differentials front, center and rear, the creation has the potential to be very impressive. You can check out a pair of videos below for a better look. Note that the photos in the gallery show the bruiser with its body panels removed for a better look at its innovative suspension and bare aluminum chassis, and check out this link for more.

Continue reading Korres Project 4 is an on- and off-road Corvette-powered juggernaut [w/video]

Korres Project 4 is an on- and off-road Corvette-powered juggernaut [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: GM responds to Nissan Leaf “Gas Powered Everything” ad [w/video]

Nissan’s “Gas Powered Everything” ad – Click above to watch video after the jump

Nissan’s latest Leaf-related ad asks: “What would the world be like if gas powered everything?”

Well, according to the spot, a middle-aged man would wake up for work to the burning whistle of his gas-powered alarm clock, and with a few fierce tugs at his coffee maker’s rip cord, he’d manage to fire up the gas-gulping machine. That same man, while at the office, would walk up to a miniature gas pump to refuel his laptop computer.

Oh, and the owner of a Chevrolet Volt, while standing at the gas pump refueling his plug-in hybrid, would watch in envy as another man across the street unplugs his Nissan Leaf and drives off.

Well, as you may have guessed, some General Motors execs aren’t too thrilled that Nissan has taken a public shot at the Volt. Autoevolution says that in a “rare, but delicious unofficial reply on Twitter,” GM’s Executive Director of Product and Technology Communications, Jason Laird, tweeted:

“A carmaker poking gentle fun at our product ignores tow trucks they need and rental cars they recommend as backup to their product.“

On the other hand, GM spokesman Rob Peterson, called the commercial “cute,” but says that it’s “misleading and damaging to the electric vehicle movement,” according to Autoevolution.

Hit the jump to watch Nissan’s now-controversial “Gas Powered Everything” clip.

Continue reading GM responds to Nissan Leaf “Gas Powered Everything” ad [w/video]

GM responds to Nissan Leaf “Gas Powered Everything” ad [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Dacia unleashes 850-hp GT-R-powered Duster “No Limit” Pikes Peak challenger

Filed under: Motorsports, Crossover, Renault, Off-Road, Racing

Dacia Duster

Dacia Duster “No Limit” – Click above for high-res image gallery

Dacia sends its racing team out in winters to drift across ice and snow for the Andros Trophy. But when the summer rolls around, even the snow on the French Alps begins to thaw. What’s an ice racing team to do? Why, head to Pikes Peak, of course.

The international hill climb event is coming around again next month, and when it does, the likes of Monster Tajima and Rhys Millen will have an interesting new challenger on its hands. And after months of reports and teasers, you’re looking at the finish product.

A joint effort between Dacia, Renaultsport, a number of independent firms and driver Jean-Phillipe Dayraut who brought them all together, the Dacia Duster “No Limit” was built for the Unlimited class at Pikes Peak, where (contrary to just about any other form of motorsport) there are essentially no restrictions placed on a car’s specifications. As a result, the purpose-built racer packs the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 from a Nissan GT-R (tuned to 850 horsepower), which is mounted amidships behind the cabin and mated to a six-speed sequential racing gearbox. All of that mechanical chutzpah is kept down by the most aggressive aerodynamics package this side of an F-35 Lightning.

It’s a beast of a car, and we can’t wait to see Dayraut – the reigning three-time Andros Trophy champion – take its wheel at the Peak on June 26. In the meantime, check out the extensive high-res image gallery for a closer look and follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Dacia unleashes 850-hp GT-R-powered Duster “No Limit” Pikes Peak challenger

Dacia unleashes 850-hp GT-R-powered Duster “No Limit” Pikes Peak challenger originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hennessey supercharges Hemi-powered Ram

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Truck, Videos, Dodge

2009 Hennessey HPE 500 Dodge Ram 1500

2009 Hennessey HPE 500 Dodge Ram 1500 – Click above to view videos after the jump

The lunatics in John Hennessey’s Texas hoon asylum have run amok yet again, this time bolting a supercharger to a Hemi-packing four-door Ram 1500. The result is a 500-hp mulch hauler that will get you and your whole weekend DIY crew to Lowe’s and back faster than a leaky water heater can flood your basement.

The power boost comes courtesy of the Hennessey HPE 500 upgrade package, which relies on a TVS2300 blower to open the 5.7-liter Hemi’s lungs just a little wider. The standard kit also includes a revised intake, new fuel injectors, a cat-back exhaust and revised engine management. The resulting 505 horses can be hitched to any 2009-and-up Ram 1500 Hemi.

Options include a full long-tube header exhaust, high-flow cats, a premium wheel and tire package, and your choice of a lowered or raised suspension. Whether you go for the wheel/tire upgrade is up to you, but with all that power under your right foot, it seems like a fine idea. Click past the jump to see the Hennessey HPE 500 Ram 1500 in action on the street and on the dyno.

[Source: Hennessey via YouTube | Image: Hennessey]

Continue reading Hennessey supercharges Hemi-powered Ram

Hennessey supercharges Hemi-powered Ram originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Turbine-powered golf cart is the quickest way to the clubhouse

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Videos, Humor

Jet-powered golf cart

Jet-powered golf cart – Click above to watch video after the jump

There are plenty of fine reasons to play golf. Everyone needs an excuse to get outside and stretch their legs, and smacking the life out of a little white ball is a socially acceptable way to relieve stress with a club. But for many of us, the only reason to get on the green is to get behind the wheel of a golf cart. Our short game may be the living definition of embarrassing, but we’d like to imagine we could execute a fine handbrake turn behind the wheel of an electric rental.

If that’s not entertaining enough to wet your whistle, you can always add the thrill of a turbine engine to the mix. We’re not exactly sure where the gentleman in the video after the jump got the idea to strap a small jet engine to the back of his custom golf cart, but we like where his head’s at. Odds are the other players may have a small problem with the racket that his contraption makes, but that’s their problem, right?. Hit the jump to check it out.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Turbine-powered golf cart is the quickest way to the clubhouse

Video: Turbine-powered golf cart is the quickest way to the clubhouse originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lotus to phase out Toyota-powered Elise and Exige with special Final Editions

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Lotus, Specialty

2009 Lotus Exige S260

2009 Lotus Exige S260 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus’s supply of Toyota 2ZZ-GE engines has finally run out, meaning production of the company’s highly popular Exige and Elise will come to an abrupt halt in July. To commemorate its track-day superstars’ success, Lotus will send the cars off with an extremely limited number of Final Editions. With Lotus up to its axles in financial uncertainty, this may represent your last chance to get your hands on a new Lotus Elise or Exige.

There are two trim levels planned for the Exige’s parting-shot model. Lotus says it will build 30 examples of the Exige S260 Final Edition for North America, with Lotus’ Track Pack, Tour Pack and LSD as standard. If that’s not special enough for you, Lotus is offering 25 customers the chance to have their S260 painted matte black. Price for the “standard” S260 is $67,500, with the matte-black version ringing the register at $69,900.

American and Canadian fans of the Elise have fewer options, with only 15 examples of the 2011 Lotus Elise SC Final Edition planned. Lotus says the car will get the buyer’s choice of four color schemes based on the Europe-only Elise Club Racer. To sweeten the deal, the Elise SC Final Edition will come loaded to the gunnels with options. Price for the last Elise is $57,500. If you’re hoping to get your hands on a Final Edition, get in line now.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Lotus Exige S 260

Gallery: Geneva 2010: 2011 Lotus Elise

[Source: GGLotus]

Report: Lotus to phase out Toyota-powered Elise and Exige with special Final Editions originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: LS1-powered Suzuki Mighty Boy does insane snarly donuts

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Videos, Suzuki

suzuki mighty boy

Suzuki Mighty Boy with LS1 V8 power – Click above to watch the videos after the jump

The JDM kei-sized Suzuki Mighty Boy from the 1980s weighed about 1,100 pounds and typically packed no more than 30 horsepower. What happens, then, when the only extra weight you add to the mix are a pair of fat rear tires and a General Motors LS1 V8? A lot of smoky burnouts, that’s for sure.

Beyond the jump are three videos of the Mighty Boy crop-dusting fans in the stands. They may not be the newest, but we’ve never seen them before, and hopefully you haven’t either. The first clip is a minute long and every ounce of the Mighty Boy’s massive rear tires is shredded clear off the wheels. The second clip is two minutes, and you can expect more burnouts with a bunch of donuts mixed in. The last clip is only 27 seconds long, but six tire-smoking burnouts in that time-frame look like they’re taking place in a video game. We can almost smell the rubber from here. Hit the jump to watch for yourself.

[Source: YouTube via Carscoop]

Continue reading Videos: LS1-powered Suzuki Mighty Boy does insane snarly donuts

Videos: LS1-powered Suzuki Mighty Boy does insane snarly donuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GT Academy winner Lucas Ordoñez races Nissan-powered LMP2 car at Sebring

Lucas Ordoñez – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lucas Ordoñez, the Spaniard who won the inaugural Nissan GT Academy, is racing in the 12 Hours of Sebring today in Sebring, Florida. Ordoñez is at the wheel of a Nissan-powered LMP2 machine entered by Signatech.

This is Ordoñez’s first trip to the big time, and won’t be his last, with a full LeMans Cup schedule ahead of him this year, including the 24 Hours of LeMans in June. After singling himself out of a field of 25,000 GT Academy contestants, Ordoñez’s first race was at the 2009 Dubai 24 Hours, where he drove a Nissan 350Z.

This may not be Ordoñez’s first endurance racing rodeo, but LMP2 is a completely different beast than GT cars. We’ll keep you updated on his status.

Gallery: Nissan GT Academy winner Lucas Ordoñez

Nissan GT Academy winner Lucas Ordoez

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading GT Academy winner Lucas Ordoñez races Nissan-powered LMP2 car at Sebring

GT Academy winner Lucas Ordoñez races Nissan-powered LMP2 car at Sebring originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You can design Factory Five’s new mid-engine, WRX-powered kit car

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Subaru, Specialty, Design/Style

Massachusetts-based Factory Five, the builder of some exceptional Shelby Cobra replicas and the GTM race car, has announced a new project vehicle. Starting with a Subaru WRX donor car, the Factory Five team says it will be able to produce a mid-engined two-seater for under $15,000… and you can help design it.

Factory Five is teaming up with Grassroots Motorsports Magazine to run a public design contest. The goal for the this as-yet unamed sports car will be to feature the WRX running car and weigh in at just 1,800 pounds. It will have a removable top, 95-inch wheelbase and the Subie engine will power the rear wheels.

Stay tuned for more details on this crowdsourced design contest as they emerge. Submissions will be accepted beginning March 1, so the official contest rules should be along shortly. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: Factory Five]

You can design Factory Five’s new mid-engine, WRX-powered kit car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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