Damox's Car Blog

Competition For The Tesla Roadster

2008-03-12T16:46:00.000-07:00

By davewashere
The Tesla Roadster is no longer the only electric supercar in town. A British company has designed a new electric sports car called the Lightning GT. It features 4 electric engines drawing power from 4 powerful batteries that combine to make 700 horsepower. It'll reach 60 miles per hour in less than 4 seconds with a top speed of around 130 miles per hour, which is faster than the Tesla Roadster.

Did I mention that this is a zero carbon emissions sports car that will take you over 220 miles on a single 10 minute charge? Yeah, I think this car is going to be hot, and may even start a electric sports car arms race among the major manufacturers.

Hot Rod Legend Boyd Coddington Passes Away

2008-02-27T15:53:00.000-08:00

Early this morning, the hot rod world lost one of its masters, the legendary Boyd Coddington. Boyd has always been a well-known figure in the custom hot rod world, designing custom cars for rich and famous car nuts like ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Alice Cooper, but he became famous to the rest of the world just a few years ago with his reality tv show "American Hot Rod". He was seen as the sometimes hot-headed owner of the custom car company he started decades ago. He has also starred in commercials that have aired nationwide, including one during the Super Bowl.

Top 10 Car Movies

2008-02-10T17:46:00.000-08:00

A true car movie should put a significant focus on cars, whether they be past, present, or future models. Not all of the following movies are about cars, but they all depict the thrill of driving, whether it be a race, chase, or just cruising.

10. The Gumball Rally
An illegal cross-country road race featuring some of the fastest production cars of the day (the film was released in 1976). It spawned sequels and rip-offs, most of which featured hammy acting and cheesy storylines, but the original is still a road-racing masterpiece.

9. Death Race 2000
Set in a dystopian future world with some oddball car designs, Death Race 2000 depicts cars being used as weapons. Points are awarded for running down people, and these cars are customized for just that task.

8. Gone in 60 Seconds
While the modern Gone in Sixty Seconds remake with Nicolas Cage was a showcase for, well, Nicolas Cage, the original Gone in 60 Seconds was a true car movie, made by a true car nut. H.B. Halicki (aka "The Car Crash King") made this masterpiece with almost no money and a lot of help from his friends. No one in this movie is a professional actor, and it shows. That's not really the point, because the star of this film is the cars. When they ran out story, they just filled the final 40 minutes with one of the most elaborate car chases ever.

7. Grand Prix
A stylistic masterpiece, Grand Prix often feels like a documentary as it shows the golden age of Grand Prix racing. James Garner stars in this Formula 1 epic.

6. Vanishing Point
A drug addict named Speed tries to evade police across hundreds of miles as locals cheer him on. This cult classic could have easily been a 90 minute commercial for the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T.

5. Bullitt
More of a cop film than a car movie, Steve McQueen pushes a 1968 Ford Mustang to the limit against a 1968 Dodge Charger in what many people consider the top car chase scene of all-time.

4. Smokey and the Bandit
Like some other car movies, Smokey and the Bandit would spawn sequels that were pure trash, but the original remains a fantastic showcase of a heroic car. The 1977 Pontiac Trans Am became an instant hit after this movie reached theaters, although I doubt many could handle as well as the one Burt Reynolds drove... or fly over broken bridges.

3. Dazed and Confused
Perhaps the only movie on the list that doesn't seem to care about cars, but still manages to feature them in a beautiful light. All the hit cars of the early-to-mid 1970's were here, from the Chevelle SS to the Trans AM SD455. 70's boozin' & cruisin is epitomized in this nostalgia trip.

2. American Graffiti
Where were you in '62? That's what the press for American Graffiti was asking in 1973. Although it was filmed just a decade after the year in which the movie was set, it seemed like a different century. The early 60's was the official cruising era, when gas prices were low and the main strips seemed to go on forever. People drove without a need to go anywhere, and "hanging out" was done at 15 miles per hour. The race between John Milner's Deuce Coupe and Bob Falfa's 1955 Chevy is the peak of automotive cinema.

1. Two-Lane Blacktop
Although Dennis Wilson (from The Beach Boys, also Brian's brother) and James Taylor's names were on the poster, the star of this movie was the 1955 Chevy Bel-Air. The car was such a hit that it would be used again a few year's later as Bob Falfa's car in American Graffiti (although it received a fresh paint job). Two-Lane Blacktop is an existential car movie featuring both the art and philosophy of automobilia. The plot involves a race to Washington D.C., and there are several drag race scenes, but it's not a race movie. It's more like a filmed version of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, except with cars.

Top 10 Most Expensive Cars 2007 - 2008 Video Edition

2008-02-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

It's time for another car video list. Last time, I did the worst cars ever, so I think I'll choose a slightly less-dreary topic this time: the most expensive cars in the world. These are the cars that most of us will never be able to afford, but thanks to the power of YouTube we can at least watch videos of the rich bastards who do get to enjoy them.

10. Maybach 57 S
Retail price: $367,000
I don't care what anyone says, these Maybachs look like large Hyundais to me. They look smooth and luxurious, but nothing about them says "I need to make up for my own insecurities by being seen driving a car worth more than your house."

9. Maybach 62
Retail price: $385,250
Once again, this is a Hyundai mating with a Mercedes. I'm really not sure what the appeal of these cars is, other than uber-luxury features on the interior.

8. Porsche Carrera GT
Retail price: $440,000
Now we're talking. The only modern Porsche supercar, the Carrera GT has a top speed of nearly 210 mph.

7. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Retail price: $457,250
Despite the fact that this was a car preferred by the likes of Paris Hilton, I like the SLR McLaren. It's a little quicker than the Carrera GT, but with a slightly lower top speed. The stance on this car is second to none, perhaps one of the best-looking cars ever built.

6. Koenigsegg CCX
Retail price: $545,568
Some may not like the curved box design of the CCX, but this isn't a car made to be seen. The CCX is built for pure speed. It can do 250 miles per hour, which will help you get away from your angry wife when she finds out you blew half a million dollars on a car.

5. Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
Retail price: $555,000
It's the 4th fastest car in the world, and one of the best-looking to boot. The Saleen S7 is quick and fast, and it's cool enough to be featured in movies like Bruce Almighty.

4. LeBlanc Mirabeau
Retail price: $645,084
You don't hear much about this car, likely because it lacks any luxury features. This is a pure race car, although it is street legal.

3. SSC Ultimate Aero
Retail price $654,400
This is the fastest street legal car in the world. It reaches a top speed above 257 miles per hour. It's quick too, with a 0 to 60 time of 2.7 seconds. Only about 25 of them have been produced so far, but each one can beat the Bugatti Veyron.

2. Pagani Zonda C12 F
Retail price: $667,321
It's not the fastest car, but it's not slow either. It can reach speeds above 215 miles per hour. What I really like about the Pagani Zonda is the design. From the quad exhaust that is positioned in a circle in the middle of the rear to the lights, mesh screens, and carbon fiber touches, this is a car that looks like it took a millennium to engineer.

1. Bugatti Veyron
Retail price: $1,192,057
The Bugatti Veyron is a monster of a supercar. It combines design, speed, and luxury in a car that many consider to be the best ever. With a top speed above 253 miles per hour, it's one of the fastest street legal cars, and it comes loaded with performance features to help it corner and stop quickly.

Top 8 Worst Cars Ever - Now With Craptastic Videos!

2008-01-29T19:10:00.000-08:00

8. Chevrolet Chevette
The name is a combination of Chevrolet and Corvette. Get it? Neither do I. I can see where it has the build quality of a late-70's/early-80's Chevrolet, but what does this car have to do with a Corvette? Oh right, it breaks down every 50 miles. In the following commercial, the Chevette will bounce through the mud and drive under a Ford Escort. After filming this ad, the stunt driver threw himself under a Ford Escort to avoid the embarrassment of seeing himself driving a Chevette on TV every day.

7. AMC Pacer
What is it about the owners of the AMC Pacer wagon that sets them apart? They are all mongoloids, but their parents/owners taught them at a very early age to tell everyone they are "smart" (this word must be said quickly with a perky voice). The Pacer came from the factory pre-rusted. Evangelicals used to buy their sons Pacers because it would ensure no pre-marital hanky-panky despite the ample room in the back.

6. Chevrolet Citation
My family once owned one of these cars. What more can be said about this car. Besides the rust problem and the engine so weak it couldn't be measured in horsepower (it was rated at 3 midgets, which it turns out was exactly what was in there, running around little exercise wheels), the Citation was terribly unsafe. I tragically lost 4 older siblings in various Citation fender-benders, although my parents have since claimed I just imagined them. Did I mention that you could literally grab the paint and tear it off? That's because the exterior panels were made out of recycled cardboard.

5. Ford Pinto
The Pinto was advertised as "a little care-free car." That's good and all, but you probably should care when someone rams your bumper from behind, because it means you've got about 10 seconds of life left. As you can see from the second video below, the gas tank would explode in a rather impressive inferno. What you can't see is the poorly-engineered door lock system trapping any passengers inside this death box. The cute little pony from the first video below was destroyed during filming when it rubbed a little too close to the rear bumper. The film crew ate well that day.

4. Volkswagen Thing
The name Volkswagen literally translates into English as "people's car." I don't know German, but I'm pretty sure the Volkswagen Thing means "ugly people's car" in English. It was VW's attempt to make an offroad utility vehicle while using no more than $5 worth of materials. They succeeded, but the car was a hideous beast. Many owners claimed that the car became self-aware of its ugliness and would drive itself around at night, feeding on puppies.

3. Yugo
Let me tell you a story from my childhood involving a Yugo. I was in the middle of my street, riding my Fisher-Price foot-powered plastic car, when I was struck by a drunk driver in a Yugo. That drunk idiot was tragically crushed to death by my red and yellow toy car. The Yugo was slow, but that was only to allow buyers the chance to enjoy the 63 miles these cars lasted before breaking down for the final time.

2. AMC Gremlin
The Gremlin was the piece-of-crap car for people who couldn't afford the larger piece-of-crap Pacer. They openly bragged in commercials that the Gremlin was better than the Ford Pinto. That's like me saying I've got a sexier body than Mickey Rooney. The Gremlin would make a comeback in the 1980's as a ugly little race of creatures that were somehow far more beautiful than they were in their car form.

1. Chevrolet Vega
I hate to keep picking on Chevy, but they made some awful cars back in the 1970's. Once again, I'm not a linguist, but I've been told "vega" means "does not go" in Spanish. Chevy rushed these cars to showrooms - literally. These cars were falling apart the moment they were completed at the factory. Some of them rusted and split in half while running, creating a dangerous situation for drivers and a hilarious situation for anyone watching from a distance. If they survived the first year, most drivers would resort to "Flintstoning" their Vega, as the floorboards would have completely fallen out by that time. I could not find any old Vega ads, so the featured video is actually a Vega that was re-engineered by some redneck with a 4th grade education... and it's 100x better than the original product from Chevrolet's team of college-educated idiots. Note that even at 100x better than the original, it's still being towed.

Source(s): Car Info, Pictures, and Parts

Very First Corvette ZR1 Sells For A Cool $1,000,000

2008-01-23T18:47:00.000-08:00

The Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona ended last week, and there weren't any blockbuster sellers as in years past. One interesting sale of note is the first Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. The benefits from this sale went to charity, and the winning bidder paid $1 million for the privilege to be the very first ZR1 owner.

Dave Ressler is the proud new owners of this car, and the rich bastard also happens to own the third 1953 Corvette roadster to roll off the line - the oldest surviving Corvette, among the 28 Corvettes that currently make up his collection. What's the matter Dave, can't afford one from every year?

Audi R8 To Get V12 Engine

2008-01-20T18:52:00.000-08:00

There is speculation that Audi is about to introduce a V12 engine for their R8 supercar. The diesel engine can do 0 - 62 mph in 4.2 seconds while at the same time achieving an average 28 miles per gallon. The huge engine will probably limit luggage space, which will make it harder for your wife to come along on those long road trips, so you win on both ends.

2007 H&R Volkswagen GTI

2007-08-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

As if the VW GTI needed any more good press, check out the awesome mod created by H&R. The turbocharged I4 is still a powerhouse for such a small car, but the performance upgrades make this car race and show-ready right off the lot (if you could buy one off the lot, which you can't). The DSG transmission launches this car through 6 gears, with second gear producing the kind of launch that'll turn even those bookworm chicks at the library into car crazy slutes(sic).

Ford Makes A Profit

2007-07-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company posted a profit for the 2nd Quarter of this year, according to reporting statements released today. The company does not expect to return to full profitability for a couple years, but they did post a profit of 31 cents per share in the past 3 months. Compare that to a loss of 17 cents per share a year ago.

This only goes to show that job cuts are the answer for the struggling American auto industry. It's a hard pill to swallow, but hanging on to thousands of employees making cars that nobody wants is not a good long-term plan.
Ford Surprises Wall St. With 2Q Profit

Why Chinese Buicks Are Better Than American Buicks

2007-07-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

Did you know that GM sells Buicks in China? They've been doing so since 1912. If you're American, you probably hear the brand name Buick and think "crappy car for old people." In China, the name means luxury. So the Chinese must be so used to poor quality that even a Buick seems nice to them, right?

Wrong. Buicks in China are revered for their quality because they actually are high-quality cars. The Buicks in that market are made to higher standards than American Buicks, and the difference can be seen by any novice taking a test drive. From ride quality to interior fit and finish, everything about the Chinese Buicks is better than the car your grandmother drives.

Why would General Motors do such a thing to Americans? Well, we actually did it to ourselves. By continuing to buy Buicks despite low build quality, we gave GM no other choice than to sell us junk. GM, after all, has shareholders to answer to. If they passed up an opportunity for high profit margins, how could they justify that to the people who own the company? In China, junk Buicks would ruin the brand name and sales would dry up, so GM makes better Buicks for that market and makes less profit on each vehicle sold.

Next time you want to blame someone for poor quality Buicks, try calling grandma.
Bringing Home a Good Lesson Learned in China - washingtonpost.com

Shelby GT500 Super Snake Can Will Sell For Price Of $72,000

2007-06-05T18:53:00.000-07:00

A lot of people have been looked at the 500 horsepower Shelby GT500 coming out this year and said, "that's not enough horsepower for me." Alright, so I haven't heard anyone actually say that. For the muscle car nuts out there who need more, the Ford / Shelby will be coming out with a beefier (and more expensive) option. The GT500 Super Snake will be a $27,995 option on the $45,000 GT500. Horsepower will be boosted to 725 with the help of an upgraded Shelby supercharger and a Borla cat-back exhaust. Handling will also be improved, and various other options will be upgraded as well.

Although I love this car, I think this is a terrible move for Ford / Shelby. The new car cannibalizes the Shelby GT500 brand, because people want to buy the best. If someone has $45,000, they could buy a GT500 and have a really nice car, but it won't be as nice as his neighbor's Super Snake. That will decrease sales of the standard GT500, and the market just isn't there for huge sales of the Super Snake. People will decide on a Corvette or perhaps a really nicely upgraded Subaru Impreza WRX STi to get their sports car fix instead.

The Super Snake is in the same price league as the Viper, which is tough competition considering the Viper's recognition and established appeal. Speed junkies will love the power of the Mustang-on-steroids, but vanity drivers will be put off by the fact that the average person (and by "person" I mean chicks stumbling out of bars) can't tell the difference between a Super Snake and a $16,000 bare-bones Mustang.

Rear-wheel-drive Pontiac G6 due in 2010

2007-06-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

The Pontiac G6 will be switching to a rear wheel drive platform for the 2011 model year. I'm actually a little surprised that General Motors has planned something this far ahead. This will be one of several cars to use the GM Alpha platform, which was shown off with the Holden Torana concept car all the way back in 2004. Hey, it's GM, they move slowly with anything new.
Report: Rear-wheel-drive Pontiac G6 due in 2010

Delorean With A 300 Horsepower 3 Rotor Wankel

2007-05-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

What happens when you swap out the weak PVR engine in a stock Delorean for a 300 horsepower Wankel rotary engine? You get to 88 mph a lot faster. This engine is from an Eunos Cosmo, which was sold in Japan.

Here's a rather corny video of this rotary-powered Delorean:

Chrysler Imperial Goes From Concept To Production

2007-05-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

Chrysler is trying to revive its brand name with the new Imperial luxury car. There was a time when Chrysler was known for its luxury cars, although never at the high prices as a Cadillac. The Imperial is a step up from the Chrysler 300, and I think it looks terrific. This car is clearly a Rolls-Royce / Bentley imitation, but it looks tasteful and it will cost about a quarter of the price of those British luxury cars. Analysts predict that the Imperial will sell for $5,000 to $7,000 above the 300.

Chrysler, which was sold to a private equity firm earlier this week, will invest $700 million to produce the Imperial.

VW Golf GTI W12 650 concept - Autoblog

2007-05-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

Holy crap! Volkswagen must have been on speed when they decided to soup up a VW Golf GTI. Those cars are pretty quick when stock, but some of the engineers at VW were not satisfied. They dropped an enormous 6.0L biturbo W12 engine behind the front seats. The top speed they've achieved with this concept is 201 mph, but I think I'm even more impressed with the 3.7 second 0-62mph time. This car is both quick and fast, too much so to ever make it into production, even in limited numbers. No, not even Volkswagen has the money to pay lawyers to cover their behinds on lawsuits from a beast of a car like this one.

Saab Aero X Concept Car

2007-05-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

I'm enamored with the new Saab Aero X concept car. This is what a Saab should be. It has a look that evokes Saab's aviation heritage, but at the same time might remind some of the Jaguar roadsters of the 1960's and 70's.

While some people might be intrigued by the use of glass in this car, with what appears to be a wrap-around windshield, my favorite feature is the exterior shape. This car looks sleek and fast, even when standing still. Let's face it, the glass features will never make it to market, for a variety of reasons (mostly cost and safety). Let's hope Saab is inspired to bring this shape to its cars in the near future.

Toyota Unveils $124,000 Hybrid

2007-05-17T14:26:00.000-07:00

I bet some of you thought you'd have to sacrifice luxury to get into a hybrid vehicle. We see Leonardo DiCaprio and other celebs in their tiny little Toyota Prius' and we wonder why they believe in their cause so much that they're willing to drive around in a clown car. Toyota has finally stepped up to the plate and built a luxury hybrid car for all those wealthy, environmentally-conscious celebrities out there.

The Lexus LS hybrid sedan has a retail price of $124,000, and Toyota expects to sell 7,000 of the cars this year at that price. I hope they reach that number, because lower demand for gasoline is something that could help us all, but especially me (because my wallet is the only one I care about).
Toyota Unveils Its Priciest Hybrid

The Obsessive-Compulsive Gas Sipper

2007-04-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

If you thought hybrid cars could get impressive gas mileage, wait until you hear about people getting 59 miles per gallon on a regular gas engine without modifications.

Wayne Hobbit is clearly a bit of a quack. He drives a Honda Accord, a car that is economical with its gas but certainly isn't in the same league as a Civic Hybrid or a Toyota Prius. Or is it? As it turns out, it's not what you drive, but how you drive it. Hobbit does some very unusual things when he's driving his car that allows him to travel nearly 60 miles for each gallon of gas.

For starters, Hobbit doesn't even turn the car on until it's already rolling. He puts it in neutral and rolls down the hill that happens to be right below where he parks his car at night. He avoids gas guzzling activities like accelerating, speeding, and idling whenever possible.

Although I would not recommend going to the extremes of Hobbit, who has to push his car and jump in it while rolling to get the desired rolling start, we can learn a lot from his driving techniques. We waste a lot of gas by driving in a way that we don't have to. Anyone can implement a few of Hobbit's techniques and gain at least a few miles per gallon.
This Guy Can Get 59 MPG in a Plain Old Accord.

2007 FORD SHELBY GT500 Red Stripe Appearance Package

2007-04-20T16:12:00.000-07:00

Ford is looking at unprecedented demand for the Shelby GT500 Mustang, but that's not stopping them from making more limited-edition versions of their hot car. The Red Stripe Appearance Package is the same basic GT500 but with white paint and red stripes. I know it's just a sales gimmick, but this car looks amazing.

2009 Audi R8 V10 Edition

2007-04-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

I found this spy shot of the next Audi R8. The V10 version of the R8 will be coming out next year as a 2009 model. I'm sure you'll be reading a lot more about this car in the future, as it looks to be a top contender among supercars, especially considering it's relatively low price when compared to competitors from Ferrari and Lamborghini.

2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe

2007-04-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe made its debut at the New York International Auto Show this week. It improves on the original G Coupe with a bigger V6 engine, four wheel Active Steer System, and a refined interior. It's not as compact as before, but it does offer very sporty performance for a luxury car. Expect it to compete well with cars from BMW and Mercedes.
Fast-Autos.net | 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe - Information, Pictures, and Specifications

Rolls-Royce Phantom Armoured

2007-04-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

Rolls Royce has come out with their latest armored Phantom. These cars are designed for people who are not only fabulously rich, but also so important that they need to be protected from poor people trying to attack them.

It's only a matter of time before rich oil executives in the Middle East start driving these around, making them as common as a Pontiac Firebird in a trailer park.
Drive Line: Rolls-Royce Phantom Armoured

Honda S2000 CR - Club Racer

2007-04-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

The Honda S2000 CR is a track-worthy special edition of the popular Honda roadster. Efforts were made to drop weight and increase performance, especially when turning and braking. Stiffer springs and dampers, larger sway bars, and a faster steering rack will all help make this the best Honda for getting around a track.

This Club Racer Edition of the S2000 will go on sale this fall, but production will likely be very limited.

The Next X-Prize: 100 MPG Car

2007-04-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

The next X-Prize, which carries a monetary award of more than $10 million, will go to the first person/team who can develop a car that can get 100 miles on a gallon of gasoline. There is one catch: the car must be commercially viable. That means no complicated materials that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and none of those silly one-person pod cars that are unsafe and undesirable.

This type of prize could be just the thing to get the every-day hobbyist into engine research. Improving the efficiency for all cars is the goal of this type of contest. Let's hope somebody out there is smart enough to win the prize and perhaps save our oil supply.
Seeking a Car That Gets 100 Miles a Gallon - New York Times

More Pics of the Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan

2007-04-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

I've got another picture of the next Subaru Impreza WRX sedan hatchback, and I've got to say, this is a remarkably ugly car. I love the way the current WRX looks, and it would be very disappointing if they turn it into this monstrosity. Where the ricer taillights really necessary?