DETROIT, 11:38 PM, SUN JUL 6 | 2 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@jalopnik.com | RSS
Posts Tagged “

Off-Road

”
custom cars

Lada Oka Transformed Into Mini Monster

The standard Lada Oka is your typical eastern European econobox; humble transportation that makes a Tata Nano feel macho. But apparently there are some Russians who look at the poor little thing and see the perfect starting point for an all-terrain monster. We have no idea what the thought process was that led up to the creation of such an awesome machine. Given the choice between this and a Jeep or a Hummer, we'd take this every time. Check out the gallery below and see what it originally looked like here. [English Russia]


2:15 PM on Tue Apr 1 2008
By Mark Arnold
3,006 views, 34 comments

Latest by felis_concolor: Darnit, I don't need to see more fun ideas like that. When the ground is no longer solid enough to support a human foot, that is an elegant mobility solution. Argh, a profile view of the screw drive has superimposed more »

autorama

V8 Citroen 2CV For Safari Hoons

Amidst the sea of high-dollar muscle cars and carnauba-soaked hot rods, the last car you'd expect to see on the main floor of Autorama is a small French car. Any sort of Citroën 2CV would be distinct, but when it's one sporting safari survival equipment, off-road suspension, and a small block V8 under the hood, it looks fantastically wacky. Drivetrain and suspension bits come from an old Suzuki Samurai, hence this car's name: "Le Sami." No House of Kolor pearl ghost flames here; Le Sami has been painted coated with a thick layer of spray-on bedliner— yes, the stuff for pickup truck beds. That coating not only makes the car scratch-resistant, but also adds a degree of rigidity to the weak Citroën structure. So while most of the other cars on the show floor will only be driven off of trailers and over mirrors, this 2CV will be driven not just on the road, but off the beaten path as well.

5:03 PM on Mon Mar 10 2008
By Mark Arnold
3,618 views, 30 comments

Latest by Buzz Killington: Finally a non-douchemobile at a custom car show, and a down to earth owner! Sweet! more »

novelties

In Russia, Monster Van Saves YOU!

It's said that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Clearly this is the philosophy behind these new ambulances designated for unforgiving rural byways of Russia. Who needs paved roads? Heck, who needs roads at all? And why stop there? By the looks of it, these things could ford a river with ease. So really, you don't even need dry land to drive on. If we happen to be vacationing at our dacha and, while out for a spot of motoring, see one these beasts approaching in our rear-view mirror, we're definitely getting out of the way, no siren or flashing lights needed. More »

3:15 PM on Wed Feb 13 2008
By Mark Arnold
2,233 views, 33 comments

Latest by n/a: @smokeydog001: Hahaha. That reminds me of one time, I said something (Almost certainly car related) to my dad. I said, "well, atleast in my humple opinion." He glared at me blankly for about 20 seconds, and finally said "What's humble about your more »

chicago auto show

Chicago Auto Show: Jalopnik Rides The Jeep

With the vast amount of floor space at McCormick Place for the Chicago Auto Show, Chrysler decided to put some of it to good use by setting up their "Trail Rated" challenge. Wert, Wojdyla and I piled into a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and proceeded through the course, bashing our heads against the roll-bars. The Wrangler made quick work of the rocks, logs, and steep hills ramps. Wanting a bit more of a challenge, we asked if we could get a ride in a Compass (or even an 18-1 Patriot) on the trail... but we think they must not have heard us. Oh well. Hmm... wonder how those DUB Chryslers would fair?

Feature

9:30 AM on Sat Feb 9 2008
By Mark Arnold
2,901 views, 27 comments

Latest by Bucket UncleBo Head: Just testing on an old thread. Please excuse the interruption. All is well. more »

off-road

UNICAT All-Terrain "Land Yacht" Will Take You Anywhere, Do Anything

Mahalo Daily got a little face time with the UNICAT, an all-terrain, go-anywhere RV. This is really the love child of an RV and a tank. It comes with a 16-speed ZF gearbox, 480hp engine, queen-size bed, attachable "escape vehicle," deployable motorized raft, air conditioning, electric generator, full range of kitchen appliances, GPS out the wazoo, two 120-gallon gas tanks and more. All for the low, low price of $600,000. There's 8-12 month waiting list to get one. Something for the survivalist who craves comfort and mobility, perhaps? Or that die-hard fan of "Ark II?" Click to see Mahalo's video tour of the UNICAT. It may not be all that pretty on the outside, but when you have a vehicle of this magnitude, who gives a damn?[Mahalo Daily]

2:00 PM on Thu Feb 7 2008
By Travis Hudson
2,485 views, 29 comments

Latest by carless: @elhigh: Oh, you mean this? It just sold at the Barrett Jackson for $440k. Rest assured they lost alot of money on it. I actually got to stand around inside this thing and fantasize. Here's the link for full size action. [www.barrett-jackson.com] Especially more »

novelties

Tomcar Light Armored Vehicle: For When You're Under Fire And In A Hurry

Whether you're patrolling the DMZ or just hunting with a bunch of drunk rednecks, an extreme off-roader with NIJ Level III bulletproof glass and armored plates isn't a bad idea. Throw in a liquid-cooled 1197 cc, 4-stroke Subaru three-cylinder engine and you'll be able to get away from the bad guys or Big Earl before something unpleasant happens. That's just what Tomcar, maker of a host of light off-road commercial and recreation vehicles, is offering up for security firms and governments. Though small, this capable dirt devil can carry approximately 440 pounds of ammo or gear in its cargo box.

More »

8:45 AM on Wed Jan 30 2008
By Matt Hardigree
2,262 views, 56 comments

Latest by danio3834: With at least 1000cc more engine, and a wider stance, id say this thing is ideal. more »

baja 1000

First Finishers Hit Cabo in Baja 1000

Despite our best laid plans conceived in March, we never quite make it to the Baja Peninsula in November for the most testis-outward off-road race on this continent. It's the Baja 1000, a thousand-mile-plus jaunt from Ensenada, Mexico down to the rich-gringo playground of Cabo San Lucas. It's largely an affair of the unlimited-class trucks, buggies and motorcycles into which most corporate dollars pour, though anyone with a Volkswagen and a dream can attempt the combination of searing heat, talcum-grade dust, quicksand, blazing speed and free beer that is the Baja (see the brilliant Dust to Glory for more). Yesterday, the first finishers crossed the line, and Baja watchers know them as the somewhat usual unlimited-class suspects. In the TrophyTruck class (the pickups), it was Riviera Racing's Mark Post, Rob MacCachren and Carl Renezeder in a modified Ford F-150; in motorcycles it was the Honda factory team of Robby Bell, Johnny Campbell, Steve Hengeveld and Kendall Norman. Next year, we're going for sure. Click through for current results (ends Friday). (Photo: Getty Images) More »

7:59 AM on Thu Nov 15 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,036 views, 11 comments

Latest by Gabe Balch: We timed out just shy of Check Point 8 (RM 1015) when the transmission housing split in two. A few time consuming issues earlier in the race made us too close on time to get it back together. Thanks again more »

off-road

Land Rover on the Range: Driving the Bowler Nemesis

What would happen if you took the running gear from a Range Rover Sport, crossed it with the running gear from a Land Rover Defender? You'd get the off-road rallying version of a Land Rover Sport. It's a vehicle that reminds us of the Range Stormer of 2004 concept, only with less pretense and more actual gruntability. It's the product of Bowler Off-Road, an off-road racing manufacturer from Derbyshire, best known for its Wildcat off-road rally car, which won the privateer category in the past two Dakar Rallies. The two-seater shares 40 percent of its parts with the Range Rover Sport, but is is shorter and lower, and rides on a purpose-built spaceframe chassis. The body is but a shell of glass-reinforced polyurethane. Under the bonnet (that's hood), there's the familiar 4.2-liter V8, converted to run on E85 bio-ethanol, computer-remapped to achieve 510 horsepower, instead of the stock 385. It's a Dakar bargain at £120,000, and the company says a roadgoing version is on the way. Lock up your cactuses. [Car]

11:15 AM on Mon Oct 8 2007
By Mike Spinelli
2,905 views, 13 comments

Latest by X-Zambian: I just love the wail of the blower when the beast is coming towards your, and the loud baritone roar as it departs. I suspect that the sound recording doesn't match real life, as there is no way in hell a more »

off-road

Maximum Hoonage: Syncro de Mayo

When I was about 10-years-old I went camping at Pismo Beach in a Volkswagen Vanagan Syncro Westphalia. My friend's father was an editor at Trailer Life magazine and VW had given him a 4x4 van to play with. For those who have never been, you're allowed to drive cars on the beach at Pismo. I'll never forget taking the Syncro on the sand and deliberately trying to get it stuck. Couldn't do it, despite my buddy's dad's worst efforts. That viscous coupling was something else. The camping was a blast, too. I can only imagine how much fun these dudes had beating the snot out of their Syncros. Why, they look like they're having as much fun as Se7en owners. You owe it to yourself to check out the gallery. Tip of the Green Bay Packers starter cap to eltonito for the hook up. Cabo Tahoe, dude. [roadhaus.com]

9:45 AM on Mon Oct 8 2007
By Jonny Lieberman
1,471 views, 14 comments

Latest by n/a: I actaully owned a 1986 Syncro, the thing was a tank, like the guy said, I could not get it stuck ever. I remember driving up to Baker Ski area at night in a couple of feet of fresh snow, more »

ad watch

New 2008 Jeep Liberty Is Afraid Of Cameras, Goes "On Road, Off Road"


When we first saw the new 2008 Jeep Liberty at a pre-New York Auto Show briefing session we can't help but feel very sad. One of us has been a proud owner of a Jeep Liberty and truly enjoys taking his little baby bug off the beaten path whenever possible. While we're not at all impugning the capabilities of this new small SUV all about lettin' freedom ring, we were a little bit disappointed that it in many ways looks like and feels like (the interior) a re-badged Dodge Nitro. Still, in this new commercial for Jeep, the boys n' girls at BBDO (we think they've still got the account — who knows these days?) are trying to show off the off-road capabilities of "The New Small SUV" from "The New Chrysler" by watching as it can't seem to stay on the road. We know that feeling all too well.

9:45 AM on Thu Sep 27 2007
By Ray Wert
3,622 views, 25 comments

Latest by n/a: this commercial is really cool. I like the one with the Austrailian guy with the giant sledge hammer who smashes his own agency, ...oh, wait that's not a commercial. more »

hey sisyphus, push this!

Hoon of the Day: Sand Dune V8 Madness

The lure of the LS1 is not lost on the hoons of Saudi Arabia, who shoehorn them into old Nissans and wood it up the side of near vertical sand dunes. Watch as Othman Al Tayyar executes a perfect three-point turn in his LS1-powered Nissan Patrol. There's more of this sort of bad craziness here. (Thanks to Andy for the tip)

1:00 PM on Tue Aug 28 2007
By Mike Bumbeck
30,929 views, 27 comments

Latest by NICKNICK: @KingRoyale: "hoonami." "hoonami." it *IS* fun to say! how's your hoonami? good, thank you. young man more »

not entirely bruce, but entirely bruce

Bruce's Baja Bug!



A man had or has a cousin named Bruce. In the 1970s, Bruce built a Baja Bug, apparently before the style became somewhat codified as a classic icon of Californian backyard engineering. It features a wacky cue or six, but after growing up surrounded by custom Beetles, the fact that we see fewer and fewer on the road these days makes us nostalgic for the days when any nutball with a wrench would cut up a Bug and make it his own. Here's to you, Bruce.

6:45 PM on Tue Jul 17 2007
By Davey G. Johnson
502 views, 8 comments

Latest by Tomsk: VW did a Baja-inspired New Beetle concept called the Dune some years back. Why they didn't put it into production (inventing the sport-utility rebodied-econobox segment in the process) will remain one of the universe's great mysteries... more »

time to rock climb

Off-Road Clocks Galore

I am so getting this, putting it on a chain around my neck and going out for coffee singing, "I can't do nothing for you, man. Flavor Flav's got problems of his own." That's actually a normal morning for me, minus the 10-inch Suzuki Samurai wall clock. One AA battery not included.

[4x4 Clocks on eBay]

2:30 PM on Mon Jul 16 2007
By Jonny Lieberman
405 views, 11 comments

you call that an suv?

Catch of the Day: Toyota HJ45 Diesel Troopy Land Crusier

Some good friends of ours decided to play "hoon and the hill" with our WRX this weekend. Translation: $1400 for a new clutch. That is sadly not the only financial reason we're not all over this righteous example of Toyota's fully realized Australian potential. A few quick facts: this Troopy is right hand drive, it seats 11 in bench seat comfort and someone dropped a diesel into it so the seller is claiming 20 mpg. Bidding is sitting at $12,000. Get it whiles its hot.

HJ45 Diesel Troopy 20 MPG Clean Landcruiser on eBay

1:00 PM on Mon Jul 16 2007
By Jonny Lieberman
1,763 views, 10 comments

Latest by brandonvalentine: Dude, why isn't your friend paying for the new clutch? You burn it, you buy it. Or by friends do you mean you? I'm with XMAN. It's not much work to put a clutch in a Subie. more »

extra quattro

Roudi Rodded Audi on eBay

This vehicle obviously was built to do two things: chew bubble gum and kick ass. And it's all out of bubble gum. A Ford truck chassis, Audi 5000 body, a crazy man from South Carolina, a 390 and a custom-perforated front skidplate all hatched a plot to make something outrageously badical. And the bidding's only at fifteen-hunnert! Can't beat that! Can't beat that with a stick! [Thanks to Haller for the tip.] – Davey G. Johnson More »

8:00 PM on Mon Jun 11 2007
By Davey G. Johnson
1,191 views, 20 comments

down on the street

You Wish Your Hummer Could Do This: Pinzgauer!

So far, all the Down On The Alameda Street cars have been, well, cars. But old trucks are cool, too, and it goes without saying that we approve of any street-driven vehicle with six-wheel-drive... More »

9:30 AM on Tue May 29 2007
By Murilee Martin
9,236 views, 21 comments

retro

Sun Valley Harvester Scout Traveler

Peppered among the Sun Valley, California industrial buildings, refuse transfer stations, and donut shops are a few junkyards we frequent. Motoring along the way between home and junkyards are a couple of used car dealerships. Always on the lookout for a Citation X-11 or Hang Ten Duster on-the-cheap, we scan the lots on our way down into the valley. Sitting there where Glenoaks and Sunland come together for quite a while has been this fine Inernational Scout - complete with slot mags and sun-baked Southwestern style vinyl package. We would pick it up but it's still a bit too soon to put on the tinfoil hat and implement the move to the high desert hideout. – Mike Bumbeck More »

3:30 PM on Fri Apr 13 2007
By Mike Bumbeck
680 views, 8 comments

Latest by danio3834: @Harvey Mushman: That website is cool. It reminds me that you can never be too ready to Bug Out! lol more »

news

Verdict Reached Re: Mickey Thompson Murders, Appeal Imminent

This case has been brewing for sixteen years and today, a jury has finally come down with its decision. Supercross godfather Mike Goodwin has been found guilty for the deaths of Mickey and Trudy Thompson. The jury also agreed with the special circumstance charges of lying in wait and multiple murder, although the prosecution has chosen not to seek the death penalty in the case. Predictably, there will be an appeal. According to public defender Elena Saris, "We don't believe justice was served. We believe passion controlled and there was a Hollywood version of events." [Thanks to Scott for the tip.] – Davey G. Johnson More »

7:00 PM on Thu Jan 4 2007
By Davey G. Johnson
265 views, 2 comments

Latest by Punkey: I did a lot of reading on this right when the trial started, and unfortunately, there's a non-zero chance that the appeal might go through. His sister may have done a lot to get this moved to trial and provided more »

next »