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Offbeat News

Saturn Teams With Bon Jovi And Habitat For Humanity For Detroit Neighborhood Build

On Detroit's northeast side on Monday, Saturn joined its Detroit dealers, U-SNAP-BAC, and Jon Bon Jovi with his Soul Charitable Foundation to announce the kickoff of a five-house sponsorship for Habitat for Humanity. Since 2005, Habitat has been back-filling new homes in the MorningSide neighborhood. The project had been going smoothly until recently, when funding began to thin out as the economic slowdown hit local sponsors. The new corporate sponsorship from Saturn was largely driven by local dealers looking to reinvest in a community which has driven Saturn sales in the area up 40% in the last few years.

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8:00 AM on Wed Jul 9 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
48 views, 8 comments

Latest by Rican5.0: Are the houses gonna be as craptacularly built as Saturns? 'Cause then they ain't doing anyone any favors... more »

Offbeat News

For Sale: Clean Mazda Miata, Slight Water Damage

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Industry News

BMW, Fiat Join Forces, Create Next-Gen Mini Platform

BMW and Fiat have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop the next-generation platform underpinning three different small cars — the Mini, the Alfa Romeo Mi.To, and the Fiat Grande Punto (which is desperately in need of help based on our experience). To borrow a phrase, the auto industry works in mysterious ways. More »

6:20 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,124 views, 24 comments

Commenter Of The Day

Commenter Of The Day: Moving Day Edition

There's nothing more enjoyable than getting invited over to a friend's house only to discover a U-Haul van, cheap gloves, boxes, packing tape and the promise of a quantity of pizza and beer that is, typically, unequal to the calories expended moving someone else's possessions. It happens all the time, unfortunately. That's why there's one Mitch Hedberg monologue, of the many, that's rolling around in the back of our heads today:

The other day I helped my friend stay put, I just sat around all day making sure he did not load shit into a truck

We were thinking of this today because, as midwestkel suggested, SUV's do serve a purpose other than refuge camp when driven. More »

6:00 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,578 views, 29 comments

Latest by Amscram: One of the (few) nice things about growing older is that you reach a point where most of your friends are able to afford movers when they move. They also move less. I have a pickup and it's been more »

Project Car Hell

Project Car Hell: Goggomobil Or Grand Nationalmino?

In our Star-Spangled Project Car Hell Edition last Friday, the Rambler American (OK, fine, it's actually a Rambler Six) outpolled the Austin America by a 60:40 ratio. Was it a case of rust triumphing over Joe Lucas, or the patriotic appeal of wholesome, corn-fed Kenosha over the sinister English town of Longbridge. Today we've decided to ditch the common-theme idea and grab two totally different- yet oddly compelling- Hell Projects for your purgatorial pleasure.
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5:30 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Murilee Martin
1,653 views, 71 comments

Latest by softredvelour: Just think of the amazing equivalent gas mileage in the Goggo because 25% of the fuel you're buring is oil! more »

Industry News

Chery To Volvo: Let's Roll

Reports from China indicate that Chery is trying to raise the capital necessary (about $4.4 billion) to purchase Volvo, despite industry experts doubting the possibility of such a takeover. The purchase would be a major coup for the Chinese auto industry, since Volvo would represent the first major Western brand to be purchased by the country. Ford continues to deny that the Swedish automaker is for sale despite continuous rumors to the contrary. So what's really going on? Jalopnik snap analysis after the jump. More »

5:00 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Wes Siler
1,069 views, 40 comments

Latest by Stoatmaster: @Sanfam: How old can they go? Return of the Amazon! more »

Novelties

Guide To F1 Victory Champagne: An Innuendo-Laden List Of How It's Done

Blasting giant bottles of champagne has been a Formula One tradition almost as long as the swig of milk taken on the stand at the Indianapolis 500. So, of course, there are certain stylistically unique ways of celebrating victory, or at least near-victory. GridCrasher has come up with a clever list of 13 types of post-race podium pandemonium that includes peal necklaces, ninjas, and Mexican stand-offs — just as any decent list mentioning Michael Schumacher should. [GridCrasher]

4:40 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,001 views, 22 comments

custom cars

This Is A Bad Idea: Goldstriker 24-Karat Gold Accessories

Let's say you have a ~~Lincoln LS~~ Jaguar S-Type and you're looking to tart it up a bit. You could go with any number of body kits, lowering components, flashy grilles and billet wheels, but you want to set yourself apart from the crowd. Do something, you know, classy. This is where Goldstriker comes at ya with 24 blingtastic karats of pure gold-plated luxury. Not only do they offer all the shiny bits for a Jag, but they've also got stuff for your Audi, Chrysler 300C, BMW, Benzie and more. Oh, and at such reasonable prices. More »

4:20 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,505 views, 30 comments

Latest by Hello_Newman: It's just a matter of time before they partner with Strut grill kits and everyone is pimping their rides. I might order that gold Mercedes hood ornament to put on a nice, thick chain. Nothing says first class quite like more »

I Feel Gassy

Polling Confirms Americans Will Not Drive 55, Also They Don't Understand Energy Policy

Lacking a call-center or professional statisticians, we asked you what you thought the national speed limit should be. Apparently Rasmussen Reports don't trust us, and since they have both of those things, they decided to ask pretty much the same question. They found 59% oppose one, 34% support one and 7% aren't sure. What the poll also found — as well as our own version of the poll — after the jump. More »

4:00 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,843 views, 101 comments

2009 Veritas RS III

2009 Veritas RS III has 600HP, No Traction Control

The antithesis of current performance car thinking, the 2009 Veritas RS III eschews electronic driving aids for lightweight and high power. Its creators, Vermot AG wanted to give it "true race feeling." Hence the name, which means 'truth' in Latin. A production run of 50 models is now commencing, with a coupe and a GT model following next year. More info and a video of the Veritas on the Nurburgring follow the jump.
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3:40 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Wes Siler
1,259 views, 24 comments

Latest by YankBoffin: Don't look so surprised, you are indeed a car. more »

garage 419

Garage 419 Debates ZR1 Vs. GT-R, Nurburgring Times Faked?

In the wake of the 2009 Corvette ZR1's record lap of the Nurburgring, some people are arguing whether the claims made manufacturers are legit. Matt Farah over at Garage419 has sources who claim the tires may have been shaved for more grip. But how much do Nurburgring lap times really matter? If you were choosing between a ZR1 and a GT-R, would you care about 'Ring times? These questions and more, as Matt and cross-continental racer Alex Roy debate the hot topics on Garage419. Video below the jump. More »

3:20 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Mark Arnold
2,415 views, 59 comments

Latest by spuy767: Keep in mind folks, Jan hasn't driven the vette yet. The current time was posted by Jim Mero, an engineer. more »

Gadgets

Sudden Stop Helps Prevent Rear-End Accidents

Getting rear-ended may never be your fault, but that doesn't mean it's not a pain in the ass to get a busted bumper fixed. One way to help avoid such situations is with a product like Sudden Stop, an array of ultra-bright LED lights that reside on the left and right sides of your license plate. Sudden Stop works by detecting G-forces, meaning it doesn't hook into your existing brake lighting system. If it senses a certain level of G-forces from you slamming on your brakes, the bright LED lights will flash and warn the driver behind; assuming they're not busy texting, it could provide enough advance warning to prevent a collision. The Sudden Stop is battery-powered and available for $30. [Product Page via TRFJ]

3:00 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Travis Hudson
840 views, 44 comments

Latest by Naturally Exasperated?: this is a waste of money. the only thing worth having is Wanky the Safety Cat. more »

custom cars

Ferrari To Rich Customers: You Give Us Money, We Build You A One-Off

Formalizing a long history of coach-built specials for super-crazy-rich customers (remember the James Glickenhaus Ferrari P4/5?), Ferrari has confirmed to Car magazine that they'll build you just about any car you want if you're prepared to pay for it. We're not talking about the Scaglietti personalization program here either; the only limitations are no SUVs, station wagons or sedans, and you have to use the chassis and airbags of an existing model. So, how many zeroes are involved? More »

2:40 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Wes Siler
2,679 views, 46 comments

Latest by Turboner: @Ash78: That's 1 MegaPi. MPi for short. more »

Accessories

A Look Back At Digital Gauges

Whether you're a fan of digital gauges or not, you no doubt remember their prevalence during the glorious 1980s. Everything from the Dodge Daytona Shelby Z to the Nissan 300ZX Turbo to the Chevy C4 Corvette complemented the era's best futuristic vehicle design with digital gauges. Motive Magazine highlighted some of the best, with accompanying videos to demonstrate the awesomeness. Our favorite? Definitely the Buick Riviera with iPhone-rivaling touchscreen media controls. [Motive Mag]

2:20 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Travis Hudson
3,311 views, 68 comments

max mosley

Max Mosley Tells Judge He Hearts S&M... Seriously

Oh Max Mosley, you creepy weirdo. After being caught in what the tabloid News Of The World described as a Nazi-style sex orgy, Mosley has been forced to cop to the fact that he loves sadomasochistic group sex. But not Nazi sex. No sir. Mosley said he couldn't imagine anything less erotic than Nazi sex, but because he's Max Mosley, he followed up with yet another bizarre revelation. More »

2:00 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Matt Hardigree
2,657 views, 26 comments

El Camino

Innovative Swede Builds Tuff Willys Caprichero!

JanTheMan has found this 1980 Ford Capri that's been upgraded to full-on "Tuff Willys" status. We especially like the beautifully crafted custom fender flares, and the cowcatcher in front is a definite keeper. Stock up a few cases of akvavit to keep in the bed and you'll be ready to hoon your way through that long Scandinavian winter in style. If you don't speak Swedish, you can try the Google Language Tools version, which seems to indicate that a "well known rally driver" was involved in the construction of this fine customized motor vehicle. [Blocket.se]

1:40 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Murilee Martin
781 views, 34 comments

Latest by Mike the Dog: @JB_Finesse: I figured as much, but I couldn't resist... more »

Spy Photos

Diesel Chevrolet LUV Cruising Around Detroit Suburbs

We spotted a manufacturer-plated Chevrolet LUV pickup cruising around town a month ago on our way to our brother's graduation from Oakland University, but didn't think much of it because frankly, a re-badged Isuzu D-MAX (or Chevy Colorado depending on how you look at it) doesn't really get us going. That is until we took a closer look at the shots last night and noticed that it was a diesel-powered Chevy LUV truck. My, my, my — is GM perhaps looking to create a competitor for the Mahindra Scorpio / Appalachian / Whatever pickup? Maybe some oil-slicked Thai truck action?

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1:20 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Ray Wert
3,321 views, 49 comments

Latest by suzq044: ok, this thing is a canyon/colorado with a "silverado-ish" nose, and an S10 ass. I like the current version better, tyvm. Maybe slapping the "luv" namesake on it is trying to provoke more sales. It looks huge, look at the more »

Jalopnik

Ten Things To Do With An SUV That Don't Involve Driving

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