Jalopnik
Jet Truck
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sema
2008 Cobra Jet Mustang Brings The Noise At SEMA
In addition to the Raptor pickup, Ford will be unveiling its latest purpose-built drag racer, the 2008 Mustang Cobra Jet. The Cobra Jet, also known as the FR500CJ, is an attempt by the Dearborn, MI-based automaker to expand its offerings of racing pony cars. The Cobra Jet gets a beefed up 5.4-liter V8 with a cold air intake, A/C delete, 9-inch rear end, a six speed manual or three speed auto, a roll hoop and a specialized suspension. While no horsepower figure is given yet, Ford is calling it a car any drag racer can get in and immediately be able to compete with ten second cars. Not too bad for a factory racer, sounds like it'll do the Cobra Jet name justice. Details in the press release below.
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custom cars
Desert Runs In A Turbine-Powered Datsun 280Z
While the turbine-powered Porsche 928 we found on eBay was admittedly pretty neat (and ended up selling for a measly $7,150), the accompanying video didn't really prove the car's kerosene-guzzling potential to us. Not so with this turbine-enhanced Datsun 280Z. This baby proves its mettle with Knight Rider-esque high-speed desert runs. Over and over again. Aside from the repetitive cinematography, we do get a glimpse of some rad digital gauges straight out of the turbo-boost era along with a glorious turbine symphony. Mmmmmm, high RPM goodness. [Youtube] -
custom cars
Bell Jet Ranger-Powered Dax Rush
Jet. Powered. Se7en. The Dax Rush is a pretty well respected kit se7en to begin with, but somebody has gone and built an homage to mad-scientist manliness with a Bell Jet Ranger powered Dax Rush. We're reminded of the Home Improvement episode where our hero straps the same motor into his riding lawnmower to comedic effect and we can only imagine what this thing can do on the street.
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retro
New York Central's M-497 Jet Powered Train
We have no idea how this didn't pop up when researching France's Aérotrain but during the 1960's, New York Central was up to its own gee-whiz tricks in the form of the M-497 experimental. Searching for ways to attract passengers in the post-freeway era of dwindling train ridership, Central was investing in several projects, including high speed rail. One of the questions that hung over the prospect was the whether or not the existing rails could handle high speeds. To answer that question, they built a high speed train - on the cheap.
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novelties
Honda Goldwing Jet Mod Can Fly, Maybe...
Don't let this slow-speaking man confuse you. He did the impossible and turned a Honda Goldwing, which was previously only a good towing machine, into a freaking fighter jet. The video may be a little long and drawn out, but near the end the inventor lets us into a little secret: he thinks it can fly. He says if you take it up to 80 or 85 on the highway and get in a sticky situation steering, it can get airborne. More » -
top gear
Bugatti Veyron vs. RAF EuroFighter
Bugatti Veyron - check. Shiny new Eurofighter - check. Empty airstrip - check. Sounds like the wishlist of every nine year old in the world but Top Gear put the Hamster up to the task of doing a down and back drag race against the RAF's finest. This is simply amazing in its audacity. We're not going to spill the beans on the finish, but we think the pilot was holding back a bit. Next up, Caparo T1 v. Saturn V rocket. -
novelties
But Will it Fly? X-Wing Fighter Madness in the Desert
If you don't have a girlfriend, you know it as the Incom T-65. Else, it's the X-Wing Starfighter, pride of the Rebel Alliance's strike fleet. Here's the backstory. A gang of aerospace hobbyists created a workable model of the X-Wing out of plywood, fiberglassed foam and whatnot. Then they hooked it up with booster rockets and RC gear, and hauled it out the desert, where they proceeded to send it on its maiden voyage. You have no idea how hard it is not to give away the ending. [Gizmodo] -
found on craigslist
Calling All Hoons! Cheap Jet Engine Alert!
You've made all sorts of jokes about Impalas with JATO power assist and so on, and maybe you've even jumped a Sprint. But what would you do with a real jet engine for your next project? 5000 frogskins and this fine General Electric J47 can be all yours! The J47 powered the B-47, F-86... and now your car! The seller is pretty stern about the "As Is" part, but it turns over- hell, a few twists of the wrench and it'll probably fire right up! [Craigslist]
You want to vote on possible recipients for this motor? Sure you do! Jump like a Toyopet on afterburner for the poll! More » -
novelties
eBay Find: Sweet Firey Geronimo! Jet Powered Go Kart!
I'm wondering if you can hear that. That funny noise? Yeah, that's me foaming at the mouth from whatever distance it is from you to Detroit. Are you freakin' SERIOUS? Jet powered go kart?! Phew... Phew.... let me take a little breather here. Okay there, now that the blood is returning to my brain, this little number is pretty slick and I'll tell you why. Any Joe Blow can stretch a go kart body and slap a snazzy engine on it, but it takes an artist to built an engine like this. Everyone knows turbos are really great at adding power to anything that makes your heart skip a beat, but did you also know that turbos can be retooled to act as jet engines? Indeed it's true. If you consider ... More »
