Jalopnik
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Car Stars
Depeche Mode "Wrong" Music Video Has Right Taste In Cars
We're so used to seeing donked Gallardos in music videos now, we were convinced the video for Depeche Mode's "Wrong" couldn't be the right one. It is, and it's full of cool cars. More »
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By Wes SilerComment by wrx-tyrannosaurusWrx is out of town for a week trying to find a computer: I'm just going to say it: The Ford Crown Victoria is the best car. Ever. My dad still have a 98 with... 18 Responses | Other threads
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24 hours of lemons
24 Hours Of LeMons Arse Freeze-A-Palooza Ãœber Gallery: Furious Fords
Ford was the second-most-numerous marque seen at the Arse Freeze-A-Palooza, with 14 vehicles (versus 18 BMWs), and two Fords in the Top 10 (not to mention the quickest lap time of the whole race) is grounds for Blue Oval pride. The important question is: when are we going to see a Jeffrey Lebowski Torino in the race? More » -
24 hours of lemons
LeMons Arse Freeze-A-Palooza People's Curse Winner: The Blues Brothers Ford Crown Victoria!
At every 24 Hours Of LeMons race, the teams vote on the car they'd like to see destroyed… and they get their wish! This time it was the manual-trans-equipped Crown Vic of Blues Brothers Racing.
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Comment by TheDanMan,Prefers Kilowatts to Horsepower: In the photo above look at the difference between #E24,which looks like an E34 Torana(you have to be an Aussie)and... 4 Responses | Other threads
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classic ad watch
1984 Ford LTD: The Family Car Bob Bondurant Likes To Hoon
The Fox-based '84 Ford LTD really did handle pretty well… if you checked the boxes for all the suspension options that came on the cop version when you bought one, that is, and for some reason that bit of info doesn't get much play in this ad. This ad would have been far more entertaining had Mr. Bondurant taken the base version out for some door-handle-scraping racetrack action. Why, some madmen even autocross the Fox LTD!
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Comment by jpech: I spent much of my childhood riding around in a white 84 Marquis, that's Marquis NOT Grand Marquis. White... 2 Responses | Other threads
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By Andrew StoyComment by mofoturbo-RIP Harry Kalas: Interesting MySpace handle: "[ZipperHead's MySpace Page]" Vietnam: FUCK YE...oh, wait. more » | Other threads
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classic ad watch
Derive More Pleasure From Owning And Using The 1955 Ford!
When was the last time you saw a car ad with some geeky intellectual explaining how the styling builds the "feeling of motion" into the shape of the car? It's impossible to imagine a present-day Ford being pitched with the line "When the design of a car expresses its function forcefully and imaginatively, of course we derive more pleasure from owning and using it!" The '55 Ford really was a good-looking car, and it sold in greater numbers than its Chevrolet rival... but which one starred in Two Lane Blacktop?
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Comment by RobertZeigler: @Novaload: Yes, Ford sold safety and Chevrolet sold cars. The high revving small block Chevies were fast, the leaky, squeaky ... more » | Other threads
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transmission swap
Want A 5-Speed Crown Victoria?
We all thought transplanting the drivetrain from a Lightning F-150 into a 2000 Ford Crown Vic was pretty cool, but some Panther owners might want to take on a less ambitious project that still makes our cars a lot more fun to drive. Say, grabbing the T-45 transmission out of a Mustang and installing it in a Panther, for example. Ford never saw fit to put a manual in the Panther, so it's not a straight bolt-in; that's why it's great to have the scoop from someone who's already solved all the problems involved with such a project. We've seen a very good how-to for those wishing to de-slushbox-ize their GM G-bodies, and now dRock96Marquis has put together a comprehensively documented and illustrated guide to doing the same with a 2003 Crown Victoria. [CrownVic.net]
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Comment by 78_elky: I've always loved the idea of a stick shift in these big boats, hell I've always wanted to do ti... more » | Other threads
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offbeat news
Scarfing, Cellphone-Blabbing Driver Hits Cop Car, Surprised To Get Ticket
Justin D. Grill, 19, was just minding his own business, taking his '87 Crown Vic out for a little spin in Chippewa Falls. Oh sure, he had a sandwich in one hand and a cellphone in the other (no doubt delivering one of those riveting monologues that goes like "And so I MFFGP SMOFF told that sumbitch GLOOMPH NARF GLRMPH he could kiss my SPLRMPH GRUNCH..." and makes you wonder whether the unseen spirit of Miss Manners had a hand in subsequent events) when he sideswiped an oncoming police car on a bridge, but you really couldn't say that was his fault, right? His reaction? "I'm getting a ticket? For what?" [Chippewa.com]
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Comment by LandofMinos, I took the O out of Cuntry: @POLAЯ PAPAL EDITION: Scenic route in Canada? That's every bloody road in Canada isn't it? more » | Other threads
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novelties
Bearded Genius Creates Tric-Vic To Slow Speeders
Jim Hunt has channeled the power of the beard for good. Miffed at speeding motorists in front of his home in Summerville, South Carolina, Jim decided to build what has come to be known as the "Tric-Vic", a fake-out cop car which he says works to slow down the speeders. The clever lawn ornament is constructed of expanded metal and reflectors in such a way as to mimic the iconic look of a Ford Police Interceptor parked roadside. Why do we have the sinking feeling this is going to be the next "lady bending over showing her bloomers while working in the garden"?[via Youtube]
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By Ben WojdylaComment by Dave on bass: Not impersonating an officer. Hell, even the guy in Nevada who painted his real Mustang up exactly like... more » | Other threads
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offbeat news
Google Street View Dishes Up Another Fascinating Slice-O-Life
Now, we can't say for sure what sort of transaction was captured on film by the Google Street View photography vehicle; perhaps the Illinois gentleman with the roll of bills is negotiating for the purchase of an 80s Ford LTD. Whatever it is, we're seeing free enterprise in glorious effect here. Take that, Commies! Thanks to LTDScott aka Porcubimmer_4_Lyfe for the tip! [Google Maps]
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Comment by nyoh-ohio Wants a Jalopnik App for the iPhone: yeah its gone, but not from all angles (or at least not yet, go to the north end of the... more » | Other threads
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thunderhill lemons
North Las Vegas Barbie Ready For LeMons Action
Even though an 80s Ford Crown Victoria with a 302 under the hood probably doesn't stand much of a chance of beating the nimbler cars, we're still rooting for Team Sin City LeMons. That's because they've got North Las Vegas Barbie riding on the bumper, a fur-covered roll cage, and some other nice features... More »
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Comment by biminitwst: @LTDScott: [QUOTE]Sorry guys… the problem with the live in-car webcast was that we couldn't get a decent internet connection. When... more » | Other threads
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choose your eternity
PCH, Personal Dilemma Edition: Love (And Fear) The One You're With
This series got its start- and continues to be so much fun for me- as a result of my own search for just the right personal Project Car Hell; I came close to buying the 20R-powered Austin Healey Sprite in the very first PCH, and I've been searching ever since. I considered and rejected the '65 Falcon wagon, and now it looks like my cousin might take on the '68 Torino GT himself. But then I realize that I have two machines with Super Sleeper Potential right under my nose: my daily-driver 1992 Honda Civic DX and 1997 Ford Crown Victoria P71! Why, I could turn either one into a ragin' dragstrip monster with easily-obtained hop-up gear right off the shelf! Gadzooks! More »
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Comment by Mrb00st: P71, obviously. Forget the Honduh, keep it as the reliable inexpensive thrifty DD and go nuts on the P71.... more » | Other threads
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classic ad watch
Imagine a Mercury Grand Marquis Universe!
What if you were to turn on your TV in 1997 to find that every facet of reality had been changed to have some connection with the Mercury Grand Marquis? We're a little puzzled about the cops pulling over a Grand Marquis so they could drive it- do the Mercury badges really make it differ that much from the Crown Vic?
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Comment by ionosphere: I'm living the reality, baby! 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, cruising the American highway. more » | Other threads
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engine swap
Engine Swap of the Day: Lightning-Engined Crown Vic
Now that we've seen a couple of Ford Crown Victorias getting into the 13s with a little nitrous oxide assistance, how about a 2000 civilian-spec Vic with the supercharged Triton 5.4 out of the Ford Lightning truck? Oh yes, and don't forget the Tremec 5-speed and 4.10 rear gears. Make the jump to see some burnout footage. [SuperMotors] More »
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Comment by SRekauqh: Bad. Ass. Sounds great too! I rock it in a heartbeat. more » | Other threads
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drag racing
Administer Laughing Gas To Your Police Interceptor?
As the owner of a P71 Crown Vic, I can say it's not exactly a quick car (though I'm still bummed that Ford is axing the civilian version). Oh, sure, the 4.6 has decent torque and moves two tons of steel well enough to get the job done... but what happens when you say "Damn the transmission, full speed ahead!" and jolt your Crown Vic's engine with a healthy shot of En Two Oh? Good stuff, that's what happens. Watch the before-and-after runs of drivers Kellydood and Quickvic to see (and hear) what I mean. Yes, this does give me ideas...
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Comment by MrEvil: If you're a savvy auction buyer you can pick up a low mileage P71 for under $3000 easily. I bought... more » | Other threads
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gossip
Say It Ain't So: Ford to Axe Crown Vic, Report Says
No matter that its dated appearance at Ford's auto show displays made it look like someone's grandfather was visiting — and had parked his car in the living room. The Crown Victoria is the last expression of a construct dating to the Eisenhower administration, and according to Ward's Auto, one soon to be mothballed. Ford's large, rear-drive municipal cruiser — Ward's sources say — will be eliminated from consumer lots the 2008 model year. Word is, it'll still be sold as a fleet car after that, though no word on whether it'll get a rumored style freshening. Send all condolences to The Society for The Preservation of 1979. (Thanks to Dave for the tip.) [Ward's Auto]
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Comment by FP - pass the stars, please: @LTDScott: Damn dude, love that Fox-LTD. Always liked the lines of those (and yes, I forgot about them until Vice... more » | Other threads
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police non-truck
Michigan Cops Debate V6 Cruisers
The year we spent in Austin, Texas, was our first exposure to a proliferation of law-enforcement vehicles that weren't V8/RWD, unless you count Europe. And we have to say, that German officer who broke up our barbeque in the park didn't seem all that threatening in his Opel. Neither did the ATX PD in their Impalas. The Authority is just not there. Sure, badge, gun, travel, etc. And the fact remains that one doesn't necessarily need a Vic for most patrol duties. But there's something symbolic in such a vehicle. Wayne County, Michigan switched a couple of years ago. Oakland County's doing it now. But Macomb County top cop Mark Hackel has reservations, and the best observation: "It may be the politically correct thing. But it's not just about gas mileage." [Freep]
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Comment by PinkPanther: Does anyone have info on a police dept now or in the past using foreign made or non popular american... more » | Other threads
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fairies wear boots
Cowboy Boots + Police Car = Wrecked Convenience Store
Leather boots may still be in style for manly footwear in Muskogee, but police officers in Trenton, Florida, will no longer be allowed to wear smooth-soled cowboy boots on the job. Sure, such boots give the wearer added authority, but they tend to slip off the brake pedal of a Crown Vic... which is what happened to Officer Michael Herko when he plowed his Police Interceptor into front doors of al Smokers Express convenience store. [Gainesville.com]
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Comment by JayXJ: Drive thru window... Sorry, somebody HAD to say it, just getting it out of the way. more » | Other threads
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spy photos
2008 Ford Crown Victoria Special Edition
According to some shots procured by Popular Mechanics' Jim Dunne (he's still alive? Really — who knew?), Ford's gone Dave-alicious to the 2008 model of Ford's cop-car. That's right, the three-bar grille that screams "Hi, I'm An American" is the extent to which FoMoCo's changed the exterior of the 2008 Crown Vic. Oh wait, no, they've also dropped a special "Special Edition" chevron on the side of the front quarter panel and an odd little strip of chrome below the Dave look. We're going to go and vomit in our mouths a little bit. [Popular Mechanics] -
taxi town usa
American City With Most Taxis Per Capita?
Yep, it's Bethel, Alaska! With 70 taxis serving a population of 5,900, Bethel's 1:84 cab/resident ratio blows away New York City's miserable 1:149 figure. The reason? Bethel is inaccessible by road, so all vehicles must be flown or barged in; add to that the $5/gallon cost of gas and it just makes sense to call a cab. We just hope the drivers look out for moose. [Seattle Times]
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Comment by TechnoDestructo: @SexCpotatoes: Yeah, no kidding. You can drive sideways, and turn the car around in one motion in barely more... more » | Other threads
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calling all cars!
If you see a Carrollton, TX police car where it shouldn't be, or one that looks suspicious, call this number: 972-466-3333. It very well may be a fully loaded 2007 Crown Vic stolen off a Dallas-Fort Worth dealer lot on Friday. [Fox 4 News]
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By Ray WertComment by mcguirev10: Ten bucks says by Wednesday morning it'll have a new primer white paint job and a tag registered to a... more » | Other threads
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you talkin' to me?
The Economics of Driving a New York City Taxi
Here's an interesting article that breaks down the profit-loss tightrope that New York cabbies must balance to have the numbers come out black at the end of the day. Annual gas expense for that yellow Crown Vic? $18,000.00. Most profitable fares? Midday airport runs. Cost of a NYC taxi medallion? Don't ask. And much as we like Crown Vics, it's time to bring back the Checker Marathon! More »
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Comment by Turboner: Anybody remember "Doobie's Taxiola" from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles? That's my kind of taxi. more » | Other threads
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junkyard
Junkyard Finds: 1984 LTD Crown Victoria
The days of junkyards bursting at the seams with rear-drive cars packing big V8s are long gone, but you can still go into most self-service yards and find a couple of big 80s Fords with complete 351 Windsors... More »
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Comment by old1: My 84 2 door crown vic has some of the same things as that one (would you part it out... more » | Other threads
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new york auto show
Skyscraper Taxi Rolling Out RIDES
The New York taxi as we know it has been around for 100 years as of this Wednesday. Some of the Crown Vics in the medallion fleet look as if they've been around for twice that long. Not this one. The crew at RIDES have built a skyscraper cab to celebrate this historic anniversary. The Donk-o-Cab will be on display at the New York Auto Show, and may be pressed into service post-show as a genuine New York City medallion was part of the build up. Just don't let the 30-inch spinners hypnotize you into paying too much fare, especially if the Mooninites are driving. Full press release after the jump. More » -
news
Beware The Long Arm Of The Fake, Molesting Law
Adding more evidence to our ongoing belief that only criminals, miscreants or Jalopnik writers drive decommissioned police cruisers, a priest and alleged child molester in Bloomfield, Connecticut has been cruising around town in one (not pictured). According to reports, this is similar to other vehicles that the priest used (going back to the 1970s) to pick up young boys, feed them liquor and then... you know. Because he was a chaplain for several local police/fire agencies, he's been able to acquire cars equipped with full police packages. Some are calling for an investigation into how he got the cars, which seems like the least they can do. More »
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Comment by TorkLugnutz: And if you've got a thing for readheads named Opie, this car might be just the thing: 1960 Fairlane "Mayberry" Police... more » | Other threads
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novelty
Buy P71 Crown Vic, Get Cop Stuff!
When you buy a towed-away car from a city auction, you get all the stuff in the car that wasn't ripped off by various city employees prior to the auction. But I figured, when heading to the government-vehicle auction, that the County Sheriffs would do a pretty good job of clearing out their crap from their cars before they let them go. Not so; my Crown Victoria came with a trunk full of police stuff, including big stacks of police paperwork plus the following... More »
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Comment by dculberson: I think I figured out the pricing of the Ohio highway patrol vehicles. I know for sure that the... more » | Other threads
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news
Po-Po Crown Vic Recall: FoMoCo and the Wheels of Steel
The Blue Oval is staring down the barrel of a recall involving 109,664 '03-05 Crown Victoria Police Interceptors due to possibly faulty welds in the cop-spec steel wheels that can lead to rapid deflation during hot pursuit. Two crashes have resulted due to failure of the welds, although Ford's disputing the claims, as the officers involved in the wrecks weren't injured. Apparently, the recall only extends to active-duty police vehicles; ex-police Vics aren't covered, as their owners are expected to refrain from high-speed hoonage. Hear that, Murilee? More »
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Comment by bryante: Am I to understand that there's another automotive blogger out there with a retired cop car? I'm smelling a P71... more » | Other threads
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feature
If You Can't Buy It, Build It: Wanky The Safety Cat
When I got my first beater car as a proto-hoon of 16, my dad had some excellent advice, straight from the Midwestern heartland where he learned about wrenching: "Son," he said, squinting at my barely-running Corona, popping the top on his can of Old Milwaukee, and taking a mighty swig, "You need to get yourself a JC Whitney catalog!" He knew the address by heart: JC Whitney, Chicago, Illinois, so that's what I wrote on the postcard requesting my first catalog. Soon the first of many wonderful pulp-paper treasures appeared in my mailbox, straight from the City Of The Big Shoulders... More » -
news
12,700 NYC Taxis To Get Cheerful Floral Designs
What's the best way for New York City to celebrate 100 years of motorized taxis? Why, put flowery stickers all over every yellow Crown Vic in town, of course! The application of the decals, "symbolizing life, beauty, hope, joy, inspiration and healing," will not be mandatory, but it is hoped that cab owners will leap into the program with great enthusiasm. World peace to follow. More » -
crime
Cop Impersonator Has Own Police Station
My daily driver is an ex-cop P71 Crown Victoria, so the reactions of other drivers (not to mention the gentlemen who tend to hang around East Oakland corner liquor stores) let me know that it's pretty easy to resemble a member of the law enforcement community without even trying. However, this Long Island man was trying, and not just with the police vehicle or even the mail-order badges- he set himself up in his own police station. And it goes without saying that he was willing to accept fines for traffic violations on the spot- in cash, natch- plus he needed that guy's SUV for his 'police investigation.' Busted. More »
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Comment by dculberson: And actually, I'm willing to bet the cops are pleased as punch at that side effect. So it's not... more » | Other threads
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news
Ohio One-Seven Want Their Crown Vics Fire-Suppressed
The union representing Ohio's state troopers has taken to pounding tables and calling out, "Thus, for the Albigensians!" Or, er, they're calling for fire-suppression systems on all of their patrol Crown Victorias, after a cruiser collided with a civilian vehicle and the roller's gas tank ruptured, leading to a fire that killed two officers and the driver of the truck they ran into. While the state has purchased two Vics with fire-suppression systems for evaluation purposes, the rest of the nigh-on thousand cars the law-enforcement agency uses daily go without active anti-flamb protection. A spokeswoman from Ford maintains that the vehicles are safe and that given the circumstances of the accident, the outcome wasn't unreasonable. The union, understandably, thinks otherwise. More »
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Comment by gerrychevy: I live in Ohio and remember reading about the accident where 2 troopers in their Crown Vic hit a patch... more » | Other threads
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news
One Adam Twelve: Ford Crown Vic Due for Freshening in 2009
According to Law and Order magazine, those who thought the defender of the old guard — the Panther platform'd, body-on-frame Ford Crown Victoria — was on its way into mothballs should think another think. A slightly freshened Vicky is reportedly in the works for 2009. That's bad news for Dodge, which is making a major play for the police market with its Charger cruiser, but good news for the boys in blue who don't want to give up their CVPIs (Crown Victoria Police Interceptors) and for those Fordies who hang around the auctions waving fistfuls of sawbucks. [Thanks to Sajeev for the tip.] More »
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Comment by JasmineMarstuno: Hell yes, I give a ...whatever. Where else can you own a 10 year old car that looks almost... more » | Other threads
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alternative fuel
Kickin' The (Oil) Habit In Vegas: More On Mark's Corny Ride
Our cross-country adventurin' boy in the alcoholic car, Mark Pike, has his first update from the road for us. It's short and sweeter than summer corn: More » -
news
Tripping The Ethanol Fantastic: Mark Pike's Corny Cross-Country Ride
The video above is what happens when you have Senator Barack Obama introduce some college kids with a lot of time on their hands and a lot of hatred of oil dependence in their hearts. Watch as Obama uses simplistic and ill-prepared talking points to explain how three college kids plan to strap themselves into a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria Flex-Fuel in Washington DC with a game plan of reaching LA and stopping only at gas stations pumping sweet light corn-flavored ethanol. So what you end up getting is the cross-country "Kick The Oil Habit" road trip. It's an idea that although great — would probably be easier with more stations than just the 750 or so currently stocking the yellow blend. But, wait — we feel like that's what Mark Pike, the leader of this zany adventure, wants to get across to us, the teeming, sweat-soaked masses. Maybe there's something we can do to get more stations serving corn-flavored fuel, even if it's less efficient, it still helps the US of A towards energy less-than-dependence — if only we knew how to help. More » -
news
Insurance Institute Hits Them From the Side; Resulting Headlines Top List of Most Obvious
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety apparently likes it like we do — releasing the results over the weekend of the 2006 side impact crashworthiness (we didn't even make that word up!) tests, and now we're treated to 75 articles in papers across the country all saying "Study: Side Air Bags Improve Safety." Well — umm — yeah, that's true, and thank you Associated Press for your hard work in making it clear to the whole world it's better to smack your head into a pillowy cushion of air than a piece of hard industra-plasti-vinyl with metal underneath. Geez. More » -
custom cars/hot rods
Cabamino! Taxichero?
Our man in the Trans Am with a beer in his hand, Guy Overfelt kicked down this image of a pickup-taxi on the streets of San Francisco. His succinct statement was "WTF?" Our pithy analysis? "Totally. Fucking. Ruling." More »
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Comment by Peter Reynolds: That's 'National' Cab colors. I'm guessing a company mechanic built it in their bodyshop to use for parts pickup.... more » | Other threads
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