Filed under: Etc.

Click above for more photos of Daniel Deutsch’s Landspeeder

Daniel Deutsch is a former Lucasfilm employee, and we want what’s in his garage. Deutsch, in addition to building R2-D2s, has a full-scale functional replica of Luke Skywalker’s XP-34 landspeeder. Instead of a repulsorlift, Deutsch’s speeder is powered by an electric drive system that gives him a 25 mph top speed “several miles” of range off a single charge. We assume that’s enough for him to go out and retrieve Artoo when he wanders away from the homestead. (Deutsch really should slap a restraining bolt on the little guy.) And as for his speeder? Never mind the GEM, that is the ultimate NEV. On the downside, ever since the XP-38 came out, the resale value on these things sucks.

[Source: Daniel Deutsch via AutoFiends]

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Filed under: Motorcycles, Celebrities

For those of you who just can’t get enough Jesse James in your life, we have good news. The rest of you, commence eye-rolling. The tattooed chopper builder will soon be back on the small screen, this time on Spike TV. His new vehicle is called Jesse James is a Dead Man, which isn’t totally accurate unless you’re referring to his namesake forbear. The world needs another “reality” TV show like we need a festering case of hemorrhoids, but TV producer’s don’t care. This series will focus not on James’ welding-torch-wielding antics, but will instead follow Mr. Bullock as he moves from one supposedly dangerous activity to another. Great. Seriously, how bad will this show be? Our guess: Fear Factor bad. We can smell the impending suckage from here… like a steaming hot pile of rotting cabbage.

Just when you thought that the reality TV explosion couldn’t possibly get any more far-fetched and ridiculous, the execs go and do something like this… and completely redeem themselves!

[Source: Motorcycle.com]

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Filed under: Time Warp, Videos

Follow the jump to watch the short

Thanks to frequent commenter and tipster “catgirlshyla” for sending in a link to Walt Disney’s Susie the Little Blue Coupe, an animated short that originally debuted theatrically in 1952. As you can plainly see, the Disney/Pixar gang used Susie as the inspiration for how to give life to the rides in 2006’s Cars — eyes in the windshield; grilles and bumpers forming mouths. It’s just as effective and charming (perhaps even more so) in decades-old hand-drawn animation as it is in 21st-century CGI. The story’s very straightforward — it chronicles Susie’s life cycle from new car to used car to junk heap. Don’t worry, there’s still a happy ending — it’s vintage Disney, remember. Anyway, this is good stuff. Follow the jump and enjoy.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Weekend Entertainment: “Susie the Little Blue Coupe”

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Filed under: Time Warp, Etc., Euro

It didn’t start off as a way for readers of England’s Telegraph newspaper to engage in the popular pastime of bashing American cars, but it wound up that way. To be fair, there are plenty of odd and ugly vehicles from all over the place on the Telegraph’s list of the 100 ugliest cars of all time, and the voters didn’t beat up on the colonies too badly. With so much homegrown hideousness to choose from, we can see how they’d be reluctant to throw stones.

The usual suspects are accounted for, of course. The Pacer is there, as are the Cayenne, BMW’s 1 and 7 Series, though we thought the Rolls Royce Camargue was conspicuously low on the list. C’mon, guys, stop going easy on it just because you’ve got hometown pride. The Camargue really was horrid, no matter how well it sold. There are also vehicles that don’t belong; cars that aren’t even remotely ugly. The Boxster, XJS, TR7, and Chrysler 300 don’t strike us as repulsive. The readers were almost spot-on, though, voting the Fiat Multipla into the second place slot. Number one is a car that everyone loves to hate, but it doesn’t strike us as uglier than the Multipla. That vehicle? Aztek. Seriously.

[Source: Telegraph.co.uk via Hemmings]

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Filed under: Time Warp

Click the 1948 Tucker above for more from the San Diego Auto Museum

While on a recent trip to San Diego to ride some dirtbikes, we decided to check out some the sights that the city had to offer. Of course, being the car-obsessed nerds individuals that we are, it didn’t take too long for us to end up at the San Diego Automobile Museum. Tomorrow, we’ll bring you the best of what we saw on two wheels, but today is devoted to the cars. From some of the earliest four-wheelers (and three-wheelers) right on through to some Italian exotics from the ’60s, ’70s and ’90s, there was plenty there to keep our interest. Our favorite has to be the rear-enginedTucker from 1948 — very cool. We’ve assembled a gallery of pics below and have captioned them where appropriate. Enjoy!

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Filed under: Euro, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, SEAT

Click above for a high-res gallery of the SEAT Ibiza Cupra.

In Europe, budget-minded pistonheads have a treasure trove of hot hatches to choose from, and SEAT will be adding another model to the mix later this year.

The Ibiza Cupra will be officially unveiled in Paris, but Seat has dropped the first few images and a handful of specs ahead of its official unveiling in the City of Light this October. The Cupra is packing a twin-turbocharged, 1.4-liter TSI four underhood, sending 178 hp to the front wheels through a seven-speed DSG gearbox. Traction control and ESP are part of the package, along with a stiffer suspension, 17-inch wheels and bolstered buckets. The exterior benefits from a new fascia incorporating massive grilles and tiny fog lamps, side skirts and a new rear bumper.

Prices and performance stats haven’t been released yet, but the Renaultsport Clio 197 competitor should be priced around £16,000 when it hits dealers in Europe in December.

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

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Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Dodge

Pro motor sports may draw immense crowds, but on the boob tube, the football is king. That could be the reason Team Mopar and BFGoodrich utilized the pigskin in its latest TV ad showcasing controlled drifting. Hit the jump to see Samuel Hubinette pilot the Mopar drift Charger to and through a tee’d-up football as the rear quarter panel plays placekicker. Though not as cool as the commercial that shows Hubinette sliding the Charger through an aircraft hanger, it’s definitely worth a look.

[Source: Streetfire]

Continue reading VIDEO: Hubinette’s BFG Charger kicks like a mule

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Female driver come in for their fair share of criticism from men on the road. They are apparently dangerous and drive way to slowly but that, of course, is a definite male perspective. Car insurance companies actually take the exact opposite view. They actively encourage women to take up their womens car insurance policies because they tend to be safer on the road. There are many reasons why this is the case, but on a like for like basis, women save money every time.

However, it is necessary to look into the financial and practical reasons as to why car insurance quotes are cheaper for women than men. The former can best be explained by the case of Mr and Mrs Bickley from a small village in the West Midlands. Their brand new Ford Focus needed insuring and so they both set about getting quotes.

They are both aged 29, with Mrs Bickley being older by three months. They live in a rural, low crime area and have a secure garage attached to their home. The only difference, apart from gender, is the fact that Mr Bickley had 4 years no claims bonus instead of the 3 that Mrs Bickley had.

The Bickleys went to E-Sure and CIS directly to get individual car insurance quotes as well as a couples one to compare the prices. Mr Bickley, having a years more no claims bonus, should have had lower quotes, but Mrs Bickleys quote was 107 less instead, all because she is a woman!

Female car insurance quotes tend to be lower primarily because the statistics prove that men have more accidents on the road, and higher serious accidents as well as general ones. As such, men make more claims than women and cost insurers their higher profit margins every year!

Speed is also an issue because men do tend to drive at higher speeds than women, which is a proven fact given that more men get in trouble with the police for driving related offences. They also tend to get distracted much more easily.

The choice of car is also a big part of why male car insurance premiums are higher. Men have a habit of buying faster and more powerful vehicles because women think practically rather than living out their fantasies. If anything happens to the powerful cars, whether stolen or in an accident, it costs more to fix or replace them, which contributes to the premiums as well.

Womens car insurance can also be found for a cheaper overall price because there are specialist providers for the female drivers out there. These insurers are exclusive. As such, women get more affordable cover over their male counterparts.

Today, buying car is not just simply buying a car. This is because when a person wants to buy a car, there are many additional services that tag along. One great example of these so-called “extras” is the auto service contract.

Nearly all automobile traders don’t needfully demand an auto service contract from their buyers even though virtually all automobile buyers are tempted in one way or the other to acquire one to keep them protected from unexpected conditions such as expensive automobile repairs.

Generally, auto service contracts are pledges made by the agency, usually the car dealer, responsible to provide the necessary services or repairs that the buyer or the contract holder is entitled for.

The problem with some people is that they categorize auto service contract as the same with extended car warranties. What they do not know is that car warranties are normally included in the price of the new car bought while auto service contracts can be obtained any time even if the person did not buy a new car. Moreover, auto service contracts are always an additional cost for the car buyer meaning he may or may not obtain an auto service contract.

Even so, just like the additional fiscal decisions that have to be made, a well thought out advisement is vitally important prior to constituting some conclusions. this is due to the inequality of most auto service contracts.

Outlined below is a list of the elements that necessitate ones reasons of acquiring an auto service contract.

1. Buyers should be very mindful of the full terms of the auto service contract.

In every agency or company that provides auto service contracts, each has its own terms and conditions. Hence, it is important for every buyer to know first the terms as stipulated in the contract so as to know what kinds of details are included and what are those that are not included.

2. Buyers should know the specific entity who will perform the required services.

In this manner, the buyer would be informed on exactly what transpires when a certain service is required. In this manner, the agreement bearer would be experienced on where to demand for the repairs and to whom they ought to ask for the required services.

3. Be familiar with the history of those who offer the auto service contracts.

It is extremely important to know how long the company or the dealer has been in the business. Along with it comes the reputation that has been built for so many years of reliable services and performances that the customers were able to testify.

The crucial thing here is that people ought to be mindful of what they are purchasing. Subsequently, its their money that is at risk.

I’m one of those people who have a hard time accepting something new and different. I don’t have a hard time accepting it for other people; they’re free to do as they choose. And I don’t have a hard time accepting its presence in my world. I just have a hard time accepting that it may apply to me or be appropriate for me personally because according to my personal history I never needed it before. So why would I need it now?

That might make sense to you, but more than likely you think it’s definitely unreasonable. And you’re probably right. The vast majority agrees with you! Take the car industry…I know designers say they come out with new and exciting products all the time, but usually it’s what is expected. It’s pretty similar to the year before with some improvements, etc. The evolution towards “future car” is quite slow and predictable.

But sometimes evolution jumps ahead and the car designers throw something out that is so different from the other offerings that it’s shocking! My initial reaction to these “shockers” is to dislike them instantly. (Again…the issues with change in general). Sometimes my instant dislike is followed eventually by a general, acceptable dislike based upon actual qualities of the vehicle. But sometimes I’m wrong. Can you believe that?

And I can admit when I’m wrong; no problem! So to prove it I’m here to note two vehicles that initially garnered my instant, knee jerk, negative reaction that are still around and still going strong: the Ridgeline and the Element. Both are manufactured by Honda and have developed quite a following!

At first I couldn’t place the Ridgeline…car or truck? But as time went on I realized that even thought it went against the grain to accept it; most people don’t have a great need for a truck in their lives. They might like the idea of a truck. They might like the traditional look of a truck. They might like to be able to throw a piece of furniture in the back now and then and cart it home from the store. But on the whole, on a day to day basis, they spent all their time in the cab. So the evolution of the truck offered by the Ridgeline is perfect for many. You get the opportunity to access the “bed of the truck” but you don’t feel like you’re driving in one for the rest of the time. It’s perfect for many.

The Element was just so visually different from the other designs out that I found it disruptive. The curvy, sexy designs covering the road were pushed out of the way by the strong, boxy Element. But since when does a vehicle get punished for standing out from the crowd? That’s a fabulous thing! And I’m ready to admit it.

Both the Ridgeline and the Element are examples of seeing what’s out there and coming up with something new and fresh. The ideas have obviously been embraced by the drivers of America as you see the vehicles traversing our city streets and highways at regular intervals. So even though I typically hang onto the traditional…I have to admit that the edgy and new can really get under your skin and solve a lot of your problems before you even realize they were there. And that’s something I can definitely appreciate.