Jalopnik: Replicas

Transformers Mustang Cop Car Replica Not Police Approved

Travis Hudson — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:40:00 EDT

A man by the name of Jesse Vigil has decked out a 2007 Mustang to look like Barricade the Saleen Mustang from Transformers and not surprisingly, the local cops don't approve. Much to the delight of Transformers fans everywhere, including Vigil's son and the inspiration for the mod, the cops can't do a damn thing as long as Vigil isn't impersonating the police.

Despite not being a Saleen, the car is a fairly solid replica. It include the slogan "To punish and enslave and more. It does also include a non-functional siren bar. The police shouldn't bust Vigil's chops too much. He did the replica for his son after returning from Iraq. It should be illegal to bust the chops of somebody with those credentials. [AP; YouTube] (Image)

Street Legal Cheetah Replicas To Hunt Cobras

Mark Arnold — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EDT

There's no question that Cobras are cool, even in fiberglass kit form. But you've got to admit that the fiberglass snakes are becoming somewhat common now with all the companies ~~being sued by Carroll Shelby~~ making their own versions of the V8 roadster. So for those seeking an alternative, Ruth Engineering & Racing will be producing kits for streetable Cheetah replicas. The coupes can be fitted with any Chevy powertrain of your choice; this particular one with a 383 stroker. Suspension bits come from a donor C4 Corvette, but the leaf springs have been replaced by independent coil-overs. That means the new Cheetah should be able to tear up a road course, making this not just a cool cruiser, but a tactical trackday toy too. We'll take ours with an LS9. [RER - AmericanCheetahRacing.com]

Buy a 1:32 Die Cast Chevy Volt Because You'll Never Own the Real Deal

Travis Hudson — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:15:00 EST

It pains me to continue to speculate on this thing, but here we go again. Now there is a limited edition 1:32 die cast of the Volt that can be purchased. Part of me wants to think that Chevy is testing the waters to see how many people would be, um, die hard enough Volt fans to warrant a purchase of a die cast replica of the non-existent 'lectric sedan. Only 7,500 models were made by Bburago, and each unit has a very collector's edition $14 price tag. Anybody out there interested? Anybody? Come on Lutz, tell me that you have bought one. [Product Page via AMG]

Cruiser for a Bruiser: TLC's SCORE Baja 1000 Limited Edition

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:00:30 EDT

The Baja 1000 off-road burn down that westernmost peninsula is in its 40th year. In honor, Van Nuys-based TLC is rolling out the SCORE Baja 1000 Limited Edition Icon. That's the company's repro Toyota Land Cruiser. The company's retro off-roaders start at $84,000, and the Baja edition will cost $145,000 as a turnkey Cruiser. It's powered by a hand-built LS6 V8 producing 450 horsepower, and sports a hand-brushed aluminum body with "black crocodile" trim, TLC coil suspension, five-point harnesses and Racepack instruments. All of that sits on 17-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires, though hardcore off-roaders can get non-street-legal 35-inch Baja meats. And there's more than just an arbitrary connection with the big race; a Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser won its first Baja in 1973. We'll see it in person at the SEMA show in Las Vegas later this month. [via Edmunds]

Vintage JDM Mod: Making a Miata Look Like a Toyota 2000GT

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:15:02 EDT

Mister Carscoop and Los Jalopniks were like ships passing in the Frankfurt fog. While we never did affect an intercontinental pow-wow, we did get this bit from his site. It's a Toyota 2000GT. No, it's a Mazda Miata wearing a 2000GT getup. With Halloween approaching fast, we're betting this kit from Japan's Hiroshi will fly off the shelves. Those who follow vintage Japanese iron know the 2000GT as Toyota's first world-class GT. Only 361 2000GTs were built between 1967 and 1970, in contrast with eleventy gajillion Miatas. Pent-up demand does funny things to people. [via Carscoop]

Anyone? Anyone? Motive?: New Online Mag Riffs on Ferris Bueller Ferrari

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:15:00 EDT

What happens when the VW Vortex guys collide with the now defunct MPH A-squad? You get Motive, a new online magazine that can toss off pop-media references with the best ironic referrers, while getting elbow-deep into modern car stuff. In their premiere week, Motive takes a Ferrari 250 GTO replica to the high school from Ferris Bueller's Day Off to see if Principal Rooney truly is a man of warmth and compassion, and if having a roof (unlike the original Ferrari 250GT California fakie) makes playing hooky in downtown Chicago more or less of an event than it was in 1986. Then again, Mia Sara is married to a Connery now, so you really can't go back. [Motive]

What Have they Done? A Toyota MR2 Ferrari 360

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 09:23:14 EDT

Snipe at me all you want for keeping one of these (at least the underlying model) in the Jalopnik Reality Garage(TM), but apparently dignity has levels. [Thanks to Ben for the tip.] – Mike Spinelli

A New Icon: More On TLC's New Replica FJ40

Ray Wert — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 09:13:13 EST

Although we've talked about TLC's Replica Land Cruiser before, the company's released some new photos, and we're still impressed. You see, some thought the original FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser had character, simplicity and genuine utility, while others considered it a clear rip-off of Jeep's CJ series. Nonetheless, purists have few options these days, considering most SUVs are mere soccer-ball carriers with few of the rock-climbing capabilities of old. Most wouldn't be caught dead on backcountry switchback in a Hummer H3. That's why the folks at TLC (no, not the network) created the Icon — a handcrafted remake of the original FJ40. The Icon's got a few things going for it the original never had, but many Cruiserheads considered de rigeur. The engine's a GM Ram Jet 5.7-liter V8 providing 350 hp and 400 ft-lb of torque. Also, check out those custom Westach gauges. Yeah, it's only for show — and starts at $88,000 — but you wouldn't want your off-road beastie looking like someone's baby bus, would you? – Ray Wert

TLC Icon [TLC]

More Replicas from Duesen Bayern

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:33:20 EST

If you thought those Japanese Europhiles at Duesen Bayern stopped at Fiat 500s, you'd be missing out on the company's premier properties. Owners of BMW Z3s can choose from two retro-Teutonic guises, a modded Mercedes 190 SL (the Mystar) and a similar variant (Agnes). The body kits are made from reinforced plastic and fiberglass, and will fit on any of the BMW roadsters up to the 3.0i model. Goggles and tweed cap optional. – Mike Spinelli

Related:
Cinquecento Bento: The Duesen Bayern Ritz [internal]

Cinquecento Bento: The Duesen Bayern Ritz

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:17:47 EST

If you find yourself in Japan, bored with the look of your Nissan Micra, just call Duesen Bayern. Don't worry, it's a local call. The Japanese company builds replicas of European iron from other hardware. Such is the company's the Ritz model, for example, for which the company refits a Micra with sheetmetal add-ons to bring out its inner Fiat 500. Sure the dimensions aren't perfect, but they'd still be a hit at the Venetian in Las Vegas. – Mike Spinelli

Fiat 500? Relax, it's just a Japanese replica based on the Nissan Micra; More on Japan's Mini VW Bus Replicas [Carscoop]

Barbarella Le Mans: Piper GTR Replica

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 08:56:49 EST

Le Mans history geeks will recall the Piper GTR as a sort of ungainly space-age prototype — built from a sandwich of plywood and fiberglass — that failed to qualify for the 24 Hours in 1969. The Lotus-engined original has given way to a replica by Piper Cars. The doppelganger's made from glass fiber-reinforced polyester (GRP), with polycarbonate windows, over a tubular space frame chassis. The company's planning two versions, a street model and a track-day variant, both of which will take standard Ford Duratec engines and related transmissions, and both are fitted with centrally mounted aluminum fuel tanks. The race-tuned model will offer more flexiblity to accept a range of engine and brake setups based on championship or series entered. A roller will cost from 28,000. Having a car that reminds everyone of the Durango 95 from "A Clockwork Orange": Priceless. – Mike Spinelli

[Piper Racing Cars]

Chromed Cobra

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 17:44:44 EST

So what if this chromed Shelby Cobra replica was mere eye candy in a garage-floor supplier's SEMA booth. Someone had to strip and high-polish the thing, and make sure the plastic parts were properly mocked and coated for maximum effect. Maybe it's not even close to tasteful, and would likely be wanted for murder on South Florida highway in August. But radness comes in all sizes, shapes and level of retina threat.

Related:
MTM's Polished Audi A8 [internal]

Sebring 1962 Redux: Chesil to Unveil Porsche RS60 Spyder Replica in the UK

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 10:02:29 EDT

It's not like there's never been a Porsche RS60 Spyder replica before. Lots of hand-built specimens with double-digit horsepower are out there, some stitting rather pretty atop a VW Beetle chassis. But if the replicists at Chesil Motor Company remain true to form, the Chesil RS60 could be at the head of the class. Sporting a spaceframe chassis and an air-cooled flat four expected to produce 180 hp, the fiberglass-bodied replicar (sorry, reproduction model) of the Sebring-winning Porsche 718 RS 60 could have us on a plane to Blighty faster than you can say "Bob's not really your uncle, he mommy's special friend." The unveiling will take place on September 20 in Cotswold.

Chesil to launch racer-alike this month [PistonHeads]

Related:
Steve Terrien's 550A Spyder [internal]

The Chamonix Spyder: Li'l Bastard for Less

Davey G. Johnson — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 03:08:07 EST

You know, to be honest, we prefer the 550 Coupe to the Spyder. Especially when it's all Panamericana'd out. We just 'bout choke on our tongue over those cars. Reader Alex, offended (and rightfully so) by the 356 custom job we posted yesterday tipped us off to the Chamonix Spyder, which features a 'glass body built on a tube frame with a variety of VW-based mills to choose from. Plus, as Alex points out, "And if you want to paint it turqoise, fill it with dalmatians and chop in in half, at least no one will wince at the loss of automotive history." Somebody needs to get on that.

Spyder.nl

Building an Icon: TLC's Toyota Land Cruiser Replica

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 15:24:10 EST

Though Toyota is launching its new, retro-inspired FJ Cruiser to rekindle the flame of the original Land Cruiser FJ40, affection for the original Japanese jeep has never really waned. TLC of Van Nuys, California has built a business around restoring old Cruisers and keeping customers' workaday models running. Now, the company is launching a nearly bang-on replica of the original FJ40. Dubbed the Icon, the modern take on the classic is hand built and is powered by a GM 350ci crate motor producing 350 hp and 400 ft.-lbs of torque. mated to a Venture 4500 five-speed tranny. Click through for more pics. [Thanks to Doug for the tip.]

TLC Icon [TLC]

Related:
Toyota s FJ Cruiser on Its Way

A Rebel Machine, Yes. A Rambler Derivative, No. X-Wing for Sale on eBay

Davey G. Johnson — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 16:00:24 EDT

We debated with ourselves whether to post this or not when we saw it at Double Viking this morning, but after a reader wrote in with the link we figured, oh what the heck, it's kind of a flying car. The Incom T-65 is a single-seat starfighter with a provision for an astromech droid such as an R2 unit. Armed with laser cannons and proton torpedoes, the T-65, or "X-Wing" is a fast, maneuverable, tough spacecraft, yet its controls are derived from the civilian T-16 Skyhopper pleasure and utility craft, making for an easy transition where novice fighter pilots are concerned. Buy it now for $85,000.
-Davey G. Johnson

Full Size X-Wing Model On eBay [eBay]

Star Wars Landspeeder Replica for Sale on eBay [Internal]

More on Japan's Mini VW Bus Replicas

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 13:26:38 EST

A reader based in Japan sent us more info on the current proclivity in that country to turn little vans into VW Microbus replicas. The vans are actually made by Subaru; apparently the company's Sumber is Japan's answer to the Chevy Astrovan in sheer numbers and cheapitude (if not size). "Keep in Mind," Pierre-Laurant, our ad-hoc Japan correspondent, told us, "that all those little tikes are powered by a 660 cc engine and can almost fit on the flatbed of a pickup truck." Mini micros, indeed. Read on.

Body kits for the little truckettes are plentiful in Japan (like this one for about $1,000), and not confined to old VWs either. Kits are also available to turn a Subaru Sumber into an elderly Citroen van...

...or a Suzuki Lapin into a Renault 4, circa 1975:

Of course, we have transformative body kits in the states, but most emulate sports cars, not dowdy utility wagons. Still, we'd heartily endorse more of this kind of oddball car shit, which seems to be missing over here, despite kit makers' best efforts. What about a kit to turn a Suzuki Samuari into a Mini 1968 Ford Bronco? How about one to convert a Honda Civic into a mid-1980s Ford Escort? Any other ideas? Send 'em to tips@jalopnik.com.

Related:
Japan s Mini VW Micro Bus Replicas [internal]

Japan's Mini VW Micro Bus Replicas

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 16:25:17 EST

We don't have many details on this cool VW microbus replica, other than it's probably built out of a little Suzuki van, and is part of a wider movement of enthusiasts, who've been busy creating similar VW-looking vans. Like many elements of Japanese pop culture, there doesn't seem to be a parallel here. Click through for more pics.

More here.

Mini Bus Fan [Geocities]