Jalopnik: Michigan

This Co-Ed Entrepreneur Launched A "Walk Of Shame" Shuttle Service

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST

It's St. Valentine's Day, which means couples eating heart-shaped pizzas at home and lonely people hooking up like sweaty electromagnets. For the former there's Tums, for the latter at The University of Michigan there's Senior Kellyann Wargo, who just launched a Walk of Shame Shuttle to ferry the lovesick and hungover home on February 15th. More »

Proof meth cooks run around in their undies like in Breaking Bad

Patrick Frawley — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:01:00 EST

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The Blackman-Leoni Township Department of Public Safety is more than a little embarrassed after an under-dressed chemist took one of the Department's Chevy Tahoes on a scorchingly fast three-county Interstate run before colliding with traffic at a police blockade. More »

Watch a criminal stop at Taco Bell in the middle of a police chase

Raphael Orlove — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST

A 21-year-old Michigander fleeing a minor speeding ticket managed to outrun the police in a high speed chase, but not before stopping at Taco Bell. He totaled his car, but he got away and is still on the lam. More »

87-year-old caught with 228 pounds of cocaine in truck

Patrick Frawley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EDT

An 87-year-old horticulturist from Indiana was pulled over on 1-94 west of Ann Arbor, Mich., last Friday for tailgating. And then things got weird. When it was over, the senior citizen and $2.9 million worth of cocaine were in police custody. More »

Drunk dad uses nine-year-old daughter as designated driver

Justin Hyde — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:30:00 EDT

Shawn Weimer needed a trip to a Detroit area gas station and convenience store at 3 a.m. last week, but knew he was too drunk to drive his GMC Safari. So he enlisted the nearest designated driver: His 9-year-old daughter, who used a booster seat to see and steer. More »

Car bomb assassination attempt stuns Michigan town

Justin Hyde — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:45:00 EDT

A Michigan man and his two sons survived what authorities are calling an assassination attempt after someone planted a bomb in their car Tuesday night. Law enforcement agencies appear to be investigating whether the bomber has ties to the victim's law practice. More »

How did a Ford GT driver survive this fiery crash?

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EDT

The driver of this $140,000 Ford GT was traveling through Norton Shores, Mich., when he swerved to avoid a car heading into a driveway. The GT lost control and was split-in-half and roasted by a utility pole like a giant, V8-powered sunflower seed. The passenger and the driver somehow survived the crash, though the extent of their injuries are unknown. More »

Seven-year-old boy in pajamas stopped after 20-mile drive

Justin Hyde — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EDT

A seven-year-old Michigan boy who wanted to see his biological father took his mother's Pontiac Sunfire for a 20-mile drive Monday, hitting 50 mph before police boxed him in. Never has a Sunfire felt so wanted. H/T to Donald! More »

Watch the high flying way to destroy a new Chevy Silverado in two seconds

Tom Joslin — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EDT

What is the best way to cap off a Memorial Day celebration on the sand dunes of Michigan's Silver Lake Park? If you said destroy your almost new to brand new Chevy Silverado in an amazing display of high flying hoonage, you are not alone. One Chevy Truck driver had the same thought last weekend and this video is the awesome result. More »

2011 Dodge Charger Pursuits get ready to bust you

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EDT

A field of 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit black-and-whites were spotted by resident Detroit-area sharpshooter Danny outside a shop that specializes in conversions for local and state law enforcement. If you're in the area don't say we didn't warn you. More »

Lamborghini Espada explodes in flames

Ray Wert — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EDT

An explosion and massive fire in the 700 block of Waddington in Bloomfield Township, MI — just a mile from my ancestral home in Bloomfield Hills, MI — destroyed a vintage 1974 Lamborghini Espada earlier today. Here's a shot of the burned-out Lamborghini. More »

The Secret Of The Classiest Parking Lot Of All Time

Ray Wert — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST

Generations of Detroiters used to park themselves under the jaw-dropping ornate plasterwork and opulence of a downtown movie palace called the Michigan Theater. Today, it's where they park their cars. Ironic, considering it was built atop Henry Ford's first workshop. More »

America's Most Elaborate Slot Car Track

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:30:00 EDT

The White Lake Formula 1 Ring is a slot car track, in a basement, built by someone with a lot of spare time. But check your bias at pit row, because this scale track is better than most real ones. More »

How The Midwest Is Changing Gears From Cars To Stars

Ray Wert — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:45:00 EDT

How the Midwest is going from automakers imploding to a film industry explosion. So, basically — from cars to stars. [Changing Gears] More »

How Henry Ford And Thomas Edison Killed The Electric Car

Daniel Strohl — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EDT

The electric car is nothing new. Ninety years ago, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, two of America's greatest innovators, tried building one and failed. Daniel Strohl of Hemmings Blog tells us how they killed the electric car. —Ed. More »

And The Real Winner Is...

Murilee Martin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:50:00 EDT

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Is it possible for a $300 Volkswagen Quantum Syncro to survive all weekend in a road-course endurance race? No. How about taking 9th place overall, in front of E30s, RX-7s, Integras, and other allegedly faster cars? Again, and emphatically, no. More »

And the American Irony 24 Hours of LeMons Winner Is...

Murilee Martin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:45:00 EDT

A Honda Civic has taken the win on laps at a 24 Hours of LeMons race before, but the Civic's two-seater cousin had never accomplished this feat... until today. More »

Day One Of Racing Finished, Ectomobile Volvo Wagon In Top Ten

Murilee Martin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:30:00 EDT

After a long, cold, windy day of Michigan-style endurance racing, we've got a CRX in the lead, a Neon in second... and a Merkur XR4Ti and Ghostbusters Volvo wagon in the top ten. More »

Audis, Saudis, and a Twin-Turbo GMC Van: BS Inspections of American Irony LeMons

Murilee Martin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:01:00 EDT

With only about 57 entries showing up to the first-ever LeMons event at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, Michigan, the LeMons Supreme Court was able to scrutinize each entry with extra suspicion. More »

Travis Pastrana Wins 2010 Sno*Drift Rally, Hearts of Northern Michigan

Sam Smith — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

Travis Pastrana won Rally America's season-opening Sno*Drift Rally this weekend. It was single-digit cold, the roads were covered in a thick sheet of ice, and Ken Block's brand-new Ford Fiesta broke. Sound like fun? Of course it does. More »

Detroit Treasures Down On The Michigan Junkyard

Murilee Martin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST

I like to go shoot photographs at self-service junkyards, but the trade-off you get from a rapid turnover of inventory tends to be excessive regimentation of the cars. No trees growing through engine compartments, and so on. More »

Hippie Legislators Try Adding Green Lessons To Drivers Ed

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

Two Democrats in Michigan's State House put together legislation to mandate classroom time on "the importance of carpooling and using public transportation, identifying the attributes of a fuel-efficient vehicle," and "recycling vehicle parts and fluids." Hippies. [Detroit News] More »

Rust And Smoke, The Heater's Broke, The Door Just Flew Away: Da Yoopers' Rusty Chevrolet

Murilee Martin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EDT

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You know why it costs so much more to live in California than in the Upper Peninsula? That's right! More »

Report: Fiat May Build 500 In Mexico, Engines In Michigan

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EDT

Fiat may build the Fiat 500 at a Chrysler plant in Mexico (where it's on sale) and the car's engine at a plant in Trenton, Michigan. Also possible is a higher caliber Fiat-based compact for the U.S. [WSJ] More »

Carpocalypse Deals Especially Harsh Blow To American Black Middle Class

Murilee Martin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EDT

The Second Great Migration sent millions of African-Americans from the South to the Midwest, where good jobs in the automotive industry helped them join the ranks of the middle class. What happens now? More »

Red Bull Air Race Slips Caffeine Into Detroit River This Weekend

The Auto Insider — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EDT

Red Bull's caffeine-injected Air Race thrillfest is coming to Detroit/Windsor this weekend for round 3 of the 2009 season. With a course set along the Detroit River, it promises to be a Planelopnik-packed weekend. Here's a preview. More »

Detroit Suburbs Lure Fiat With Promises Of Expensive Shoes

Wes Siler — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:15:00 EDT

Business owners in economically-depressed Metro Detroit suburbs, eager to do business with wives of Italian Fiat executives, are prettying-up their shops, discounting their $1,595 high-heeled sandals and learning Italian, all in a bid to earn some valuable Lira. More »

Michigan Township Replaces Lawnmower With Sheep, Donkey

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Rather than pay for professional-grade lawnmowers, Delhi Township in Michigan bought six sheep to eat their grass, a dog to herd the sheep and an anti-predator donkey. Total savings? $10,000. [Lansing State Journal] More »

Battery Makers Announce $1.7B Michigan Investment

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EDT

Quartet of battery-makers announce a $1.7B manufacturing investment in Michigan. Green-collar economy not vaporware? [CrainsDetroit] More »

Roush Mustang Design Study: Hey, They Got Some Camaro On That Mustang!

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EDT

A while ago, we brought you the 435 HP Roush 427R Mustang, now we know what didn't quite make it into that car, bits an pieces put together for a Roush Mustang design study. More »

A Family Leaves Michigan Every 12 Minutes

Ray Wert — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:45:00 EDT

Bad News: A family leaves Michigan every twelve minutes. Worse News: In a Toyota. [DetroitNews] More »

Detroit Lawmaker Proposes Texting-While-Driving Ban, Angers Youth

Andrew Didorosi — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EDT

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 »

Honda Fit Meets Amtrak Train, Sparks Fly

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EDT

We've always lauded the Honda Fit for its high build-quality. Proof? One took down an Amtrak train in Chelsea, Michigan last night. More »

2010 ROUSH 427R Mustang: Live Unveil Of The New 435 HP Boy Racer!

Andrew Didorosi — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:50:00 EDT

We're live-blogging the 2010 ROUSH Mustang 427R reveal here in Livonia, Michigan. Hit the jump for the first pictures of this svelte new boy racer. More »

2009 Yamaha FX Nytro RTX SE: First Ride

Andrew Didorosi — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EDT

The RTX SE is to Yamaha what the F-150 SVT Raptor is to Ford: a civilian version of its top-of-the-line off-road racer. Although in this case that racing is Snocross. More »

Jay Leno To Give Free Show To Unemployed Auto Workers

Ray Wert — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:30:00 EDT

Upside to auto job losses? Auto-buff Jay Leno announced on his late-night show Monday he'll give a free show in Auburn Hills, Michigan, singling out the state's 11.6% unemployment rate as the reason. [Detroit News] More »

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero Tears Into Fox News Over Bailout Double Standards

The Auto Insider — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:30:00 EST

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 »

EXCLUSIVE: Sno*Drift Pastrana, Block In-Car Rally Video

Andrew Didorosi — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST

It's impossible to imagine what it's like to blast down limited access roads in a full race rally car at far above paralegal speeds, but the exclusive video below will get you close. More »

2009 Sno*Drift Rally: Michigan's Great Motorsport Secret

Andrew Didorosi — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:15:00 EST

Up in Northern Michigan, the rally action is as furious as ever. Join us below for our mega gallery of what can only be described as Michigan's great motorsport secret. More »