Jalopnik
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news
Chinese Bridge Collapse Kills Nine, Incites Local Outrage
A 600 ft section of bridge collapsed in Zhuzhou, China, crushing 24 vehicles and killing nine. The condemned bridge remained standing after unsuccessful explosive demolition and traffic continued underneath. Outrage towards government officials has been swift. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by Skunky: In soviet China...no, no I can't...not gonna go there. 31 Responses | Other threads
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news
Ferrari Outruns Clumsy Canadian Police
A police officer in Port Moody, British Columbia, spotted a red Ferrari speeding across a highway at top speed this morning and gave chase. Ferrari against Crown Victoria? We wonder how that one turned out... More »
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Comment by Jagvar: Why is it that 90 percent of Ferraris are red, anyway? I've always liked "Grigio Ingrid" myself. 30 Responses | Other threads
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police cars
Carbon Motors E7 Stops, Searches CNBC
The Carbon Motors E7 police car appeared on CNBC this morning after ringing in the opening bell at NASDAQ. More »
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By Wes SilerComment by zeeboid: yippie, the more we automate police work, the more we can pay taxes for things like:Backing into a parking spot... 7 Responses | Other threads
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LOLCars
UPDATE: Michigan Car Wash Vacuum Molester Gets 90 Days In Jail
Remember when a Michigan man was arrested after police caught him making sexy time with a car wash vacuum cleaner? Well his name is Jason LeRoy Savage and he just got 90 days in jail. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by Daniel Horney: I used to work with a guy whose sister worked in an emergency room. I guess they have all sorts... 10 Responses | Other threads
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fiesta movement
Jalopnik Contributor Reveals His Ford Fiesta-Sized Movement
We couldn't let the Fiesta Movement contest go without submitting an entry and since it'd be unfair for Jalopnik to enter one, I decided to enter one on my own. Guess what? You can help! More »
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Comment by Schm wishes he could bring back the funny. .: I heart vampire weekend. Like a lot. 7 Responses | Other threads
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government
Detroit Lawmaker Proposes Texting-While-Driving Ban, Angers Youth
A Detroit legislator is trying for the second time to put a stop to texting while driving in Michigan, pursuing legislation levying a misdemeanor and hefty fine on perpetrators. More »
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Comment by something_unique_and_descriptive: Okay, first of all, I'm 23 and in IT, so I'm not some old, out of touch, neophyte... but could... 6 Responses | Other threads
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Carpocalypse
2010 British Motor Show Canceled On Account Of Carpocalypse
Autocar is reporting the 2009 British Motor Show has been canceled due to the Carpocalypse. Whatever. We know it was really because of the bland food, crummy weather and threat of ghost-of-Lucas-related electrical fires. More » -
industry news
Mercedes Confirms Permanent Michigan-Based Hybrid Research Facility
Mercedes has confirmed a new $9.9 million hybrid and alternative propulsion research facility will be based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The facility will create as many as 454 new jobs in the area. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by aSoundofSleep: This is the best news Michigan has had since .... when was the last time Michigan had any good news? 15 Responses | Other threads
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contests
Big Video Contest: Show Us Your Jalopnik, Win Fabulous Roush Prizes!
After snagging some hot swag from today's 2010 Roush Mustang reveal, we figure it's time for another contest. Below, how to win some Jack Roush-signed paraphernalia and what you need do to earn it. More » -
Carpocalypse
Rumors Of Crane Cams' Demise May Be Greatly Exaggerated
A couple weeks ago we heard Crane Cams would be shuttering after 56 years of operation. Crane Cams now claims it plans to reorganize under bankruptcy and restart operations this month. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by CPO Alfisted: Crane Cams will make it through. All they need is a little lift. 11 Responses | Other threads
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Carpocalypse Now
Crane Cams Closes After 56 Years Of Awesomness
Friends, speed-freaks, grease-monkeys, lend me your ears; We come to bury Crane Cams, the latest victim of the Carpocalypse. The noble Crane, which delivered roller rockers and glorious lumpy idles, now falls silent. More » -
offbeat news
Beijing Teen Hotwires City Bus, Goes On Destructive Rampage
A 13-year-old Beijing boy managed to slip into a parked city bus and take it on a massively destructive joyride through the city after swiftly hot wiring the ignition. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by aSoundofSleep: How dense does one have to be to do this in China, of all places??I mean really? They have a... 9 Responses | Other threads
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Carpocalypse Now
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero Tears Into Fox News Over Bailout Double Standards
Virgil "Virg" Bernero is the mayor of Lansing, Michigan and he's a little hot under the collar from the bad wrap that the UAW workers are receiving and lays it all out for Fox News. More » -
offbeat news
Austrian Uses VW Golf To Mooove Calves
Shocked motorists have spotted an Austrian softie who uses his tiny VW to relocate his beloved calves wherever they might need to go. More »
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Comment by pauljones: QOTD: How may dead calves can you fit in your car? 9 Responses | Other threads
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speed cameras
Victory! Arizona County Ditches Speed Camera Program
Success was had on Wednesday in the fight against robotic roadway policing, the harbinger of Skynet, when a small Arizona county struck down their failing speed camera van program. More »
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Comment by mechimike: Unfortunately, (or fortunately) this just shows the primary motivation for thes cameras is revenue. While I support Capitalism, I firmly... 25 Responses | Other threads
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ricardo montalban
Ricardo Montalban, Chrysler Cordoba Spokesman, Dead At 88
Much of the Country knew Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán Merino as "Khan" or "the guy from Fantasy Island," but car freaks the world over knew him as the man who gave us Soft Corinthian Leather. More »
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Comment by Elvis left the building but I'm still sitting here...: At the end, his face looked like fine Corinthian leather. 4 Responses | Other threads
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offbeat news
Australian Grandma Banned From Roads For 1000 Years
It takes a certain kind of bad driver to be banned from the road for almost 1000 years, but 84-year-old Luba Relic of Warriewood, New South Wales, Australia has managed to be just that dangerous. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by rognbrow: OMG, what's her skin made out of? 10 Responses | Other threads
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Carpocalypse Now
GM December Sales Down 31.4%, Still US Sales Champ
GM's reporting 221,983 US sales in December, 2008, down 31% compared with a year ago. GM kept the title of US sales leader, with a market share remaining steady at just above 22%. -
news
Bloomberg Cuts New York City Municipal Car Fleet
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered city agencies to cut their municipal vehicle fleets by 10%. The move will eliminate 700 cars and put $20 million into coffers over two years.
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By Ben WojdylaComment by johnfritz: OK, let's do a little 2nd grade math here. $20,000,000.00/700 cars/2 years/12 months = $1190.50 per car per month. That's what it... 5 Responses | Other threads
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news
French Hooligans Burn 1,147 Cars To Celebrate New Year
Sacré bleu! The French Interior Ministry is reporting the country's emerging New Year's Eve pastime of burning cars for fun has resulted in 1,147 torched automobiles, up 30.64% from last year.
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By Ben WojdylaComment by DoctorNine's D9 Cat: It's kind of a demographic inevitability. Modern muslim families, desiring a better economic future for their families, can't do... 3 Responses | Other threads
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breaking
Ford River Rouge Plant Roof Collapses?
We're told the roof of the Severstal Steel building at Ford's River Rouge Complex has collapsed due to snow. No injuries believed at this time.
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By Ben WojdylaComment by scottmonty: It's not true (you should really check your Twitter replies, Ben). A roof on an abandoned building on the Severstahl site... 11 Responses | Other threads
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mad libs
While New York Slept: A Mad Lib NYT Op-Ed By Friedman Thomas
Thomas Friedman's obscenely transparent attempt to sell books with yet another rant against "Detroit" has pushed us to ask our own Friedman Thomas to respond with a Mad Lib rant of his own.
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Highway 99 Accident
California Highway 99 Crippled By 53 Vehicle Pileup
Dense Wednesday morning fog along California Highway 99 near Caldwell led to a mangled wreckage of 49 cars and four tractor trailers.
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By Ben WojdylaComment by layabout returns: I thought Americans weren't keen on the Focus & want the Euro Focus.The Focus' pictured look pretty much the same... 25 Responses | Other threads
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24 hours of lemons
24 Hours Of LeMons Coming To Buttonwillow, Reno-Fernley, Nelson Ledges In 2009!
As the economy continues to take kidney punches, more and more once-exclusive tracks have decided that it's OK to allow the caddies into the pool, and thus it has come to pass that Nelsen Ledges in Ohio, Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Southern California, and Reno-Fernley Raceway in Nevada will be holding 24 Hours Of LeMons races in 2009! Jump away for the full schedule.
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Comment by Graverobber: Buttonwillow in August. At least it's a dry heat. 15 Responses | Other threads
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news
ExxonMobil Posts Largest Profit In US History, Makes $1,865.69 A Second
ExxonMobil has announced third-quarter profits of $14.83 billion, the largest profit ever recorded in US history. That number is up from the company's last record profit — in the second quarter — of only $11.68 billion. Let's put this into perspective; ExxonMobil could buy every Ferrari Enzo ever built, every 38 hours, and they'd still be profitable. Obviously this means additional tax incentives are needed to hasten oil exploration off the coastal shelf, to develop oil shale fields that'll be useless when a barrel of crude costs less than a movie ticket, and to create techniques to mine the souls of treehuggers for industrial uses. [CNN Money]
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By Ben WojdylaComment by justsomereportingguy: WHAT THE FUCK????? WTF??? WTF?? The entire planet is scrambling to keep finances afloat and an OIL COMPANY makes record breaking... 5 Responses | Other threads
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offbeat news
Wild Dog Pack Destroys Aussie Ute, Owner Poses For Hilarious Photo
"Doggone it! That's a bit ruff." That's the response Clayton Dwyer, a landscaper from Darwin Australia, gave when he discovered a pack of wild dogs had torn off the front bumper of his work ute and gnawed it to pieces. According to Dwyer, the dogs had been terrorizing the neighborhood for some time and had savaged his girlfriends car to a similar effect. The dogs are so problematic, the neighbors have taken to throwing mangoes at them to get them to go away. This story proves once again that Australia is a considerably more interesting place to live than your average country (as if more proof was needed). [You should head over to NT NEws because Dwyer has a lot of good one liners]
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By Ben WojdylaComment by combat chuck: ...the neighbors have taken to throwing mangoes at them to get them to go away. Is there a reason why they... 6 Responses | Other threads
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offbeat news
Police Arrest Michigan Man For Car Wash Vacuum Sexy-Time
On October 18th, Police apprehended an unnamed Michigan man in the act of coitus with his chosen mistress of the night, a car wash vacuum cleaner. Police were alerted to the unnatural activities by eye witnesses and approached on foot around 6:45 AM finding the man in the act, disturbing as that thought might be. When commenting on the situation, Sgt. Gary Breidinger said "I've seen some strange things, but this is the weirdest thing I've ever heard." We're wondering how many quarters that kind of thing costs. [AP]
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By Ben WojdylaComment by Ash78: J. Edgar the Hoover is on the case! /he's the one on the left in the pic 4 Responses | Other threads
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caterham
Caterham RS Levante Sold Out; All Eight Of Them
Remember the Caterham RS Levante? It's a fire-breathing version of the lightweight Catherham SV, with a supercharged 2.4-liter V8 making 500 HP. With that kind of power sent to street tires in a car that only weighs a few feathers over 1100 lbs, the RS Levante is the kind of ride that would make even the Stig's pants turn yellow. Not surprisingly, they've sold all of them. Sure, they only made eight, but that just means there's eight people who have purchased a $198,000 suicide kit. At least they'll go out smiling. More »
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By Mark ArnoldComment by diskreet: Am I the only one who is really sick of this design. It was great a few decades ago, but... 6 Responses | Other threads
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top gear
Clarkson Decides Not All American Cars Are Rubbish, Would Take Cadillac CTS-V Over BMW M5
We had some outrage from the readers when that Jeremy Clarkson fella (who recently crashed and is not at all dead) from across the water done made the Chrysler Sebring convertible one of them- whaddya call it- metaphors for the entire United States and dissed 'em both. Well, you disgruntled types can go ahead and regruntle yourselves, because now The Stig is shopping for a 4-door saloon and Clarkson thinks the Cadillac CTS-V looks like a helluva lot better deal than the BMW M5. His logic goes something like this: 1) The Cad is £19,000 cheaper than the M5, 2) The CTS-V is faster around the Nürburgring, and 3) The Stig won't worry about the insatiable thirst of the CTS-V, because he saved so much money buying it in the first place. More »
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Comment by weatherman: The British have an inferiority complex that colors their view of everything American, which stems no doubt from having their... 14 Responses | Other threads
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news
Austrian Politician Jörg Haider Killed In Phaeton Crash, Driving Twice Speed Limit
Far-right politicians from Austria tend to get a lot of scrutiny from the rest of the world, for really obvious historical reasons, and Jörg Haider, long-time leader of Austria's nationalist Freedom Party, definitely made plenty of headlines. That's all over now, as the anti-immigrant Haider perished on Saturday when his 3-month-old VW Phaeton hit a concrete pillar in Klagenfort at 88 MPH, on a stretch of road with a 42 MPH speed limit. [Times of London]
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Comment by ciscokidinsf: @dtremit: Hey! WTF do you mean? I drive a Phaeton. If I don't pay attention on the highway, I can... 3 Responses | Other threads
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teen drivers
Ford "Nanny Key" For Teen Drivers Limits Vehicle Speed, Radio Volume
Ford has announced a new feature available on many 2010 models called "My Key," consisting of a programmable computer chip imbedded in the key that limits vehicle speed to 80 MPH. Designed for parents of teen drivers, the My Key system will also limit the stereo volume settings and sound a constant chime if seat belts are not fastened; a chime can also be programmed to sound if the car exceeds 45, 55 or 65 MPH. So how is Ford countering the predictable teen driver PR backlash? By telling kids that the My Key system might get them behind the wheel more often. More »
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By Andrew StoyComment by Deartháir - Now with more Unemployment™!: I love it, and I think it's fantastic. And I'm not even old enough to sit on my porch and... 4 Responses | Other threads
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news
Chevy Dealer Dominoes Keep Falling: Alameda's Good Chevrolet Closes Without Warning
Even as mega-dealerships keep going under, the older urban car dealerships that had managed to stave off the edge-city auto malls clung to life somehow… but all the personalized customer service and convenient locations in the world couldn't save Good Chevrolet in Alameda, which had operated out of the same downtown location since 1950. Day before yesterday, the axe fell, for Good as well as two other Bay Area Chevrolet dealerships, as gas prices and credit woes administered a cruel bumper-jack beating to new Chevrolet sales. I went by and took some photos of the suddenly-defunct dealership yesterday; make the jump to see them all. More »
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Comment by htrodblder: Man that just sucks..... When you think about the overall impact any local car dealer provides, purchases from local businesses, employment... 4 Responses | Other threads
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offbeat news
Jeremy Clarkson's Most Hated Car Fails As Armored-Car Heist Getaway Vehicle
The three robbers in Saujana Impian, Malaysia, had almost all the details worked out for the perfect crime. Almost. They did pretty well with the part involving the hijacking of an armored Toyota van carrying cash for ATMs. And the getaway? Flawless! Then, however, the weak link in their scheme made itself known; their Perodua Kelisa proved too small to fit all the loot, and they had to leave nearly half the cash behind in the van. The Kelisa, you may recall, is the car Jeremy Clarkson described as being "made in a jungle clearing by someone who went to work on an ox," enraging the Malaysian Parliament. Make the jump to see the Kelisa's famous appearances on Top Gear. More »
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Comment by so I goes to the landlady...: I'm still trying to figure out why, based on what I've learned about used car pricing in the UK, anyone... 6 Responses | Other threads
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offbeat news
Deadly Truck Accident Spills Millions Of Nickels On Florida's I95
Last night on Florida's I95 freeway a US Treasury truck carrying four million nickels was southbound on its way from Philadelphia to Miami when it collided with another southbound truck, spilling $187,000 worth of coins all over the scene. The passenger in the Treasury truck died as a result of the accident and Florida police are currently investigating the scene. Also on hand are Treasury officials attempting to clean up the mess and eager citizens trying to grab some coins and not get slapped with a Federal robbery charge. [Local6]
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By Ben WojdylaComment by Herbie3Rivers: I guess that it would be safe to assume that this is the worlds most expensive accident. 2 Responses | Other threads
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alternative energy
T. Boone Pickens Has Secondary Motivation For Wind Farm Push: The Ogallala Aquifer
We've been wondering to ourselves over the last month or so, why has oil-baron-turned-environmentalist T. Boone Pickens been pimping his wind farm idea so hard, even including direct ads to the US public? It's just a bunch of big-ass windmills after all; it's not like rocket science. It had to be, we thought, that he wanted tax breaks or green incentives to help defray the cost. Well, that may be the case, but a second, less-publicized motivation has emerged other than getting us off of foreign oil (and by foreign we mean mostly Canadian). The DC Examiner dug in and found out it's not just electricity T. Boone is after: It's the water in them thar hills. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by blue-coupe: I'm from that part of texas, and this isn't much of a secret to the people up there. Neither... 1 Responses | Other threads
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news
California Continues Its War On Vitamin Pb: Lead Wheel Weights To Be Banned After 2009
First they came for the lead in your paint. Then they came for the lead in your gasoline. Then birdshot. Now, following the European Union's ban in 2005, lead wheel weights are to be phased out in California, thanks to a lawsuit by the Oakland-based Center For Environmental Health. It's like these do-gooders think lead is bad for you or something! Seems that 500,000 pounds of wheel weights fall off each year, with much of the lead ending up in drinking water supplies, so it'll be steel or zinc weights for those of us in the Golden State. [Los Angeles Times]
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Comment by Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: @SigmundTheSeaMonster: Sounds like yet another excellent reason to patch potholes and get rid of jarring bumps on the... more » | Other threads
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news
Peoples Republic Of Los Angeles Doubles Rolling-Right Fine, Tickets Via Camera
Across the greater Los Angeles area, rolling right-hand turns — failing to come to a complete stop when turning right at a red light — will now be recorded using traffic cameras. As many as 32 camera-equipped intersections across the city will be ready to automatically dole out a $381unrepresented taxfine for the offense. Dubbed "California stops" by the police, the new program will double the existing fine, which happens to be levied in eight of ten traffic tickets in LA. We're certain this will be a successful way toraise city revenuesimprove traffic flow and safety in Los Angeles. [LATimes]
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By Ben WojdylaComment by bynddrvn: With the massive budget shortfall in LA, I think we will see a lot more traffic enforcement. In LA, fines... more » | Other threads
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Motor City Blues
In Detroit, The Arab Ice Cream Man Cometh
If you hear the familiar ring of the ice cream man's bell along Bellevue Street or any other thoroughfare in Metro Detroit, the purveyor of that ice cream cone is likely to be a Muslim Arab immigrant. According to a profile by Charlie LeDeuff in this morning's Detroit News, the life of the average Detroit ice cream truck driver manages to merge the experiences of the average immigrant (living with other immigrant men in an attempt to make money) and the average Detroit working class resident (not making much money). At the very least, they've found a job that's not likely to get outsourced. More »
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Comment by Novaload Misses Murilee: @Ash78: Dude, welcome back. There's a running joke on B3ta about kids being told by their parents that the ice cream... more » | Other threads
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offbeat news
Weather Radar Picks Up Car Doing 130 MPH
An atmospheric phenomenon this morning allowed the Doppler weather radar in the Chicago area to pick up cars driving down a pair of interstate highways, including one vehicle that appears to be doing 130 mph. Weather radar isn't that dissimilar from what cops use to bust speeders, as both project beams to gauge the speed of something moving away from a point. Typically, the radar is measuring the density of droplets of water in clouds, but a layer of warm air in the atmosphere deflected the weather radar's beams towards the road. So how did they know how fast the car was going? More »
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Comment by SigmundTheSeaMonster: When I get lonely, and I'm sure I've had enough She sends her comfort, comin' in from above Don't need no radio... more » | Other threads
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video games
Georgia Teens Firebomb Three Cars, Blame Grand Theft Auto
One of three teenagers arrested in Milton, Georgia after firebombing two Mercedes and a Honda Accord mentioned learning how to make Molotov Cocktails from the video game Grand Theft Auto. Obviously, the local police chief then went on the expected blustering, red-faced tirade on violent video games. Makes sense, because the information on how to make a Molotov cocktail can't be found anywhere else. Though we don't imagine that violent video games help, nor do we support firebombing cars, we think that blame more than likely rests primarily with the parents. Also, whatever store sold teenage boys rags, lantern fuel and glass bottles of Sprite. [WSBTV via Kotaku]
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Comment by LandofMinos, I took the O out of Cuntry: I bought a tu-tu, fish-net stockings and a matching tiara and it wore out one night it in a dusty... more » | Other threads
news
Detroit, 4:01 AM
Fri Jul 10
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