In case you don’t keep an eye on your WINDING ROAD Automatic, or the main page of our site, our new issue is live and ready for viewing. We’ll post other previews of this month’s issue on the news site over the next few days, but here’s something that you’ll find interesting: a walkaround with the 2007 Chaparral 2E, with company co-owner Jim Musser. Our James Morse produced three videos in conjuction with the story. Here’s one of them (above).
Seen testing in warmer climes earlier this year, Hyundai’s flagship Equus rear-wheel drive sedan is out and about in Detroit. We caught this white prototype yesterday on M-14 West and I-275 North, traveling in a pack with two other family vehicles — a Kia Sorento and Hyundai Azera.
Not to get all Us Weekly on you, but we found this item to be of sufficient interest to pass along: Supermodel Niki Taylor and NASCAR shoe Burney Lamar got hitched on Wednesday.
The former CoverGirl model, 31, apparently has a thing for sporting men, having been married to former NFLer Matt Martinez for two years in the mid-Nineties. She also has two kids, who attended the ceremony. Taylor and Lamar were married in La Jolla’s Grande Colonial Hotel in front of sixty guests, including the model’s twin boys.
Not familiar with Lamar? He campaigned the #77 Dollar General Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS in 2006, finishing second in the Busch Series rookie points standings (and 17th overall).
In the December 13 print edition of Autocar (hey, international mail is a little slow, and this little chestnut isn’t on their website), the UK publication posits that Lancia is mulling introducing a neo-Monte Carlo.
The mid-engined coupe was originally known as the Scorpion in the U.S., thanks to a certain Chevrolet by the same name.
If built, the model would be an integral part of the brand’s strategy to shift 300,000 units by 2010 (the automaker pushed 120,000 cars out the door in 2006). For those of you North American Lancia fans out there, however, we wouldn’t hold our breath.
+ Autocar: Confidential – The stories behind the news
From the “No Wonder The Brand Died” file comes this 30-second spot for Oldsmobile’s Alero featuring Gary Numan’s iconic techno ditty “Cars.” Great song, wrong brand, wrong car, in other words. Is it just us, or does it look like this marketing effort was designed to plug clothing (Gap likeness, anyone?) or perhaps hair gel?
The advertisement looks to be from the year 2000, although as none of us remember seeing it run, we can’t confirm if it ever aired, or is even official. Great song, wrong brand, wrong car.
In the latest issue of Grassroots Motorsports, Florida super car mogul Warren Mosler and his Old Dixie Highway posse are looking for help, and have taken the unusual step of taking out a full-color, full-page want ad in the magazine:
Want to build supercars in south Florida? We are looking for skilled and eager people to help us with body fitment, mechanical assembly, electrical, and carbon-fiber lamination. Experience is valued, but not necessary. We’re looking for honest, reliable people with good manual dexterity and a passion for cars. Please contact 561-842-2492 or fax resume to 561-845-3237.
Admittedly, we’re a little concerned about the idea of (previously) unskilled workers screwing together expensive 200 mile-per-hour projectiles, but we imagine Mosler gives new employees adequate training.
If any WINDING ROAD readers out there end up filling out a W-4 Form with Warren’s people, drop us a line.
Whelp, chalk up another premature coming out party for this year’s North American International Auto Show. The violation of the moment appears to be Motor Trend’s divulging of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu in their February issue.
General Motors’ new sedan looks quite a bit more assertive than the current car, what with its more interesting front end and Infiniti M35/45-esque taillamps. We wouldn’t exactly call it pretty, mind… but it’s definitely got a bit more styling chutzpah than the rent-me/beat-me persona of the current ‘Bu.
(Click through to the jump for more details and tons of additional photos!)
According to a new report in the Asahi Shimbun (a Japanese daily newspaper), Toyota is readying a new line of hybrid-only models for 2009.
The model is said to be a midsize sedan that will employ an engine between 2.5 and 3.0-liters. The company is also considering additional variants, including a minivan and a station wagon in order to garner additional sales for the technology and reach their sales goal of one million units by early next decade.
This is not to be confused with the next-generation Prius, which will likely stick with a displacement around the size of its current 1.5-liter engine. Both models should receive the third-generation system that Toyota is working on, however.
We know that the buff books have subscriptions that are heavily subsidized by their advertising, but this is downright ridiculous. Much to my amusement, I received this subscription renewal invoice from European Car a few months ago at my previous residence, but only stumbled upon it again recently (the address has been removed).
In light of the stupefying deal they’re offering, I’m particularly fond of how the hook on my “Insider’s Rate” card warns: “What’s that sound? — It’s the sound of subscription prices increasing” as well as how I qualify for “instant credit” because I’ve mysteriously been branded as an “insider.”
Of course, it could just all be a gorgeous mistake…
(Click through to the jump for a look at the full subscription come-on)
At the rate we’re going, nobody will even need to bother attending the North American International Auto Show, because plenty of embargoed photos and information will have already leaked about everything that’s going to be there.This latest violation stems from a premature February issue of Motor Trend which divulges Jeep’s nifty Trailhawk Concept. Based on the new Jeep Wrangler’s architecture, the Trailhawk has a stretched 116-inch long wheelbase to lend it a more disciplined ride, and a torque-happy 3.0-liter Bluetec diesel that gives 215 horsepower and 376 pound-feet. It’s also got a very trick roof that has removable glass paneling above the seats, as well as the cargo compartment.
We like the Trail-Rated concept oodles, and hope its chiseled looks and off-road credibility presages the next Grand Cherokee.
(Click through to the jump for tons of additional photographs, plus Jeep’s official press release)
Vintage Morgan three-wheeler fan, but can’t afford to splurge? Volkswagen buff put off by the company’s decision to abort the bonkers GX3 trike? Want more car, less bike than will be offered by Bombardier/Can-Am’s upcoming tri-cycle? Why not try to build a VW-engined Blackjack Zero?
The oddly-compelling kit car appears to be well-engineered and finished, and with just a 450kg dry weight (under 1000 lbs.), it ought to be fun, too. Motivated by a VW Type 1 air-cooled engine and gearbox, the (very) front-engined teardrop shape looks more than a bit like a fighter plane with its wings clipped.
Click through to the jump for more photos, information, and a link to the company’s website.
According to a new report in the Asahi Shimbun (a Japanese daily newspaper), Toyota is readying a new line of hybrid-only models for 2009.
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So Long Super Aguri: Financial Woes Cause Formula One Team to Call it A Day
