A car’s name, while mostly immaterial to the merits of the car itself, often goes a long way towards determining how customers view the vehicle. So we ask you; what are the best and worst car names of all time? Give us your favorites and the ones you just can’t stand, in comments.
Though the relationship seems a bit convoluted, this fetching 1969 MV Agusta café style motorcycle was apparently built as a tribute to Enzo Ferrari under authorization of Ferrari SPA itself. That sanctioning, along with there only being two of these in existence, is what supposedly justifies the incendiary price tag of $120,000.
Though we perhaps don’t understand the breeding well enough to comprehend its value, there’s no doubting that this MV by British builder Dave Kay is pretty hot. The slinky bodywork is all hand-beaten aluminum, and the practically unused engine has exotic magnesium castings. The sellers claim that that bike runs like a “Swiss Watch” though it has only covered six miles since its completion. A rare treat for a rich specialist, have a look at the lovely MV in our gallery below.
World renowned customizer, hot rodder, and star of TV’s Overhaulin’, Chip Foose is coming out to our neck of the woods this weekend to help celebrate the grand opening of a pair of Detroit area Ridemakerz stores.
For those readers who might have missed it, we’ve had a lot of fun with the Ridemakerz concept in the past, actually getting the chance to pimp out our own Scion xB at last year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas. We’ve got a few one-off Mustang-based Ridez banging around the office as well.
Thanks to the grand openings we’re going to have the chance to chat with Mr. Foose and we thought we would take the opportunity to pass along some questions from WINDING ROAD readers as well. Got a burning query for the TLC star? Want to know what’s next for Foose Design? Give us all of your most pressing questions for Chip, in comments.
Nissan released a statement today regarding the company’s financial position for 2007, as well as outlining a corporate plan for the next five years. In between reporting on the company’s great success in Europe last year (sales up 17.9 percent) and bold declarations for its future products (a leading zero-emissions vehicle by 2012), the release managed to sneak in some broad hints about vehicles we can expect in the coming year.
While some new products like the not-for-North America Qashqai+2, the new Z, and the Cube were already on our radar, Nissan was nice enough to confirm a few rumored vehicles as well. The Infiniti G37 Convertible is said to be a go, though it’s unclear if it’s destined to be a retractable hard top or something more conventional. More intriguing still is the “mini SUV” item, which may be the recently reported “1-series fighter” we’ve been hearing about. Check out the full Nissan press release below the jump and tell us what you think of the five-year plan, in comments.
What do you get when you mix the style and personality of a French icon, with the spirit and muscle of an American hot rod? If you’re Jeff Meyer of Windsor, California you get this ridiculously cool, slammed 1966 Citroen ID19 Pro Touring car.
The car is a Citroen by appearance only at this point, having been almost completely modified from stock under the skin. The biggest change was the replacement of the Maserati-sourced four-cylinder engine with a slightly brawnier LS1 V-8. The General Motors powerplant has been gently tuned to make around 400 horsepower and hooked up to a sturdier GM automatic transmission as well. That also means that the former front-driver is now powered by the rear wheels and sports a rather large transmission tunnel where none used to be.
While Gallic purists will certainly take issue with the mechanical retrofit, it’s harder to argue with the finished product, which is meaner and more sporting than Citroen had ever intended. Likewise the Teal Tease paint may not be right for everyone, but we think the color is at least well-suited to the boldness of the hot rod. Take a closer look at the ’66 Citroen in our gallery below and then tell us how the car strikes you, in comments.
+ Hot Rod: Jeff Meyer’s Pro Touring 1966 Citron ID19
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Ostensibly recorded from the vantage point of a police cruiser, we’re not entirely sure this hilarious YouTube video is 100 percent legit, but that could be a result of the absolutely spot-on soundtrack. If it is real it certainly speaks volumes to the load space of your average minivan. Enjoy.
+YouTube: bailout - very funny police stop
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Die-cast model makers Minichamps appear to be working on some kind of infant sports car project, as these unbearably cute images have surfaced with the toymaker’s logo affixed. Sure to be a hit with the tween and girlfriend set, (you remember the Muppet Babies phenomenon right?) we’re going to speculate that the new toy cars have bubble-like wheels, and over-sized headlights that look a lot like puppy dog eyes. Enjoy the cute logo gallery below.
+ Jalopnik: Awwww, Brand Logos When They Were Babies
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Ford has released images of its new 2009 Focus coupe along with an announcement that it plans to show off the car to the wider American public during tomorrow’s episode of the hugely popular American Idol. The Ford brass should cross its fingers that Paula doesn’t accidentally call it a Chevy.
The new coupe version of the surprisingly popular Focus offers most prominently a restyle, inspired in part by Ford customer feedback. Thankfully the ungainly chrome fender vents from the standard Focus have been eighty-sixed, with the coupe offering a less cluttered, if slightly slab-sided profile. There’s also a new front fascia, a pair of fog lamps, and a set of really nice 17-inch “Dark Chrome” wheels.
Under the hood the Focus coupe will offer drivers a bit more power thanks to a sport-tuned exhaust. That boost with a new final drive ratio (in the SES automatic) will make the coupe faster to 60 mph from a standstill, while still being rated for 35 miles per gallon. Have a look at the new car in our gallery below or click through the jump to read the Ford press release.
With Ford’s Ranger compact pickup truck on its way out the door and Americans quickly moving away from the immoderately thirsty full-size truck segment, the news that The Blue Oval is looking at a “baby” F-Series may not be a surprise to many.
New reports say that Ford may be looking to reanimate the F-100 nameplate, last used by the company way back in 1983, for a medium-size pickup based on the future F-150’s body-on-frame platform. This new, smaller truck will reportedly be about nine-tenths the size of an F-150 and share platform components with its larger sibling, something the Ranger really didn’t do.
The F-100 would offer substantial weight savings over the F-150 by using thinner gauge, high strength steel in its frame rails, and aluminum in its hood and tailgate. Engines on offer are likely to include a couple of V-6 options, naturally aspirated and twin-turbo flavors, as well as one V-8. No word yet on whether Ford will let buyers spec the box-fresh light duty 4.4-liter diesel motor.
+ PickupTrucks.com: Rumors That Ford Is Thinking Smaller With New F-100 Pickup, Based on the F-150
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Perhaps even stranger than Superman on the subway, is this Euro’s method of saving on fuel bills. Give the photo your best shot at a caption, in comments.
(Click through the jump to see yesterday’s photo with Jeff’s winning caption.)
Ferrari has added yet another chapter to its sporting saga today by revealing the latest in the line of “new generation” cars, the Ferrari California.
The California, or F149, is the Italian automaker’s first retractable hard top convertible and puts an effectively modern spin on the California rag top models of the past. Fittingly then, the California takes it styling cues from not only some of the marque’s current range (we see a bit of 612 around the edges), but also from the convertible models that have helped to make Ferrari one of the most lusted after brands on the planet.
(Click on the thumbnails below to browse a Ferrari California gallery or through the jump to read more, including the official press release.)
True gear heads are often as likely to stuff their bookshelves will automotive goodness as they are their garages. Toys, books, videos, road signs, racing paraphernalia, and of course magazines are all great items to store up and treasure. So what automobilia do you collect? Tell us about your obsession, in comments.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Nissan Confirms Upcoming G37 Convertible, 'Mini SUV' Ford Readies 2009 Focus Coupe for American Idol RevealFord Planning to Revive F-100?Ferrari California Revealed!
Lamborghini Picks L.A. for U.S. Headquarters
