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In the early 1970s, Nissan (then branded as Datsun) sold a truly remarkable car in its showrooms. Few families purchasing the Datsun 510 shopped it for its racing pedigree (1971 and 1972 Trans Am champion) or independent rear suspension; instead, they shopped it because it was economical and fuel efficient. Even into the late 1980s, Datsun 510s were seemingly everywhere, and SCCA Solo and Improved Touring ranks were filled with fast examples. Then, seemingly overnight, the supply of Datsun 510s seemed to vanish into thin air. Like all Japanese cars of the day, the tinworm was the 510s mortal...
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Touring Superleggera Disco Volante To Enter Production
One of the most intriguing cars at last year’s Geneva Motor Show was a modern interpretation of the 1952 Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante, originally crafted by a firm called Carrozzeria Touring, which has evolved into a company called Touring Superleggera. Touring Superleggera’s modern...
Kurt Ernst -
Porsche Purchases Andial Name
If you’ve followed Porsche’s racing efforts in North America over the years, chances are good you’ve run across the Andial name. Porsche models prepared by Andial won the 24 Hours of Daytona from 1983-87, and again in 1989. If that’s not impressive enough, the first five...
Kurt Ernst -
George Barris' 'Asteroid' Corvette To Make Carlisle Appearance
The C2 Corvette, introduced for the 1963 model year, was already a radical and futuristic departure from the styling of the previous car. That wasn’t enough for some buyers, who wanted a personalized creation that was even more over-the-top. One such customer was speedboat racer Bob Nordskog...
Kurt Ernst -
Gullwing America Back With Another Retro Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
For those unfamiliar with Gullwing America, the company is a custom coachbuilder based in Germany whose claim to fame is building some delicious retro cars based on modern mechanicals. In the past, we’ve seen Gullwing come up with cars inspired by the original Mercedes-Benz 300SL and Ferrari...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Lotus F1 Owner Buys Into RUF Automobile
Genii Capital, owner of the Lotus F1 Team, is branching out its holdings to include a stake in specialist constructor RUF, long known for building over-the-top Porsche-based supercars. Though some would call RUF a tuner, the German government actually considers the firm a manufacturer, with a...
Kurt Ernst -
Land Rover specialist A. Kahn Design finally gets its hands on the 2013 Range Rover.
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Nissan’s Project 370Z Throws Down Against Its Fans: Video
Last year, Nissan solicited social media feedback to build the ultimate track-day 370Z, an event it dubbed “Project 370Z.” The idea was to gather the knowledge of Nissan Z owners and fans, then use readily-available aftermarket parts to construct a seriously fast 370Z. To bump output...
Kurt Ernst -
Limited Edition Mopar ’13 Dodge Dart Debuts In Chicago
Chrysler’s parts and accessories division, Mopar, sells a dizzying array of products for all of the Chysler Group vehicles, and each year the Mopar division works its magic on one limited-production vehicle. At this year’s Chicago Auto Show, the Chrysler Group rolled out the Mopar...
Kurt Ernst -
Saudi Arabian Gumball 3000 Team Teases New Supercar
From the same team building its very own Tumbler Batmobile for this year’s Gumball 3000 rally, comes this new teaser image for a custom supercar the team is also working on for the rally. That team is Saudi Arabia’s Team Galag, which has released the first image of its new supercar, the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Ken Block-Influenced Ford Focus TrackSTer Set For Chicago Debut
Tuner fifteen52 knows a thing or two about making cars go faster. While its early business centered on products from VW and Audi, more recent projects have included collaborations with Ford and shoe-mogul-turned-gymkhana-and-rally-star Ken Block. That makes fifteen52 an ideal choice for Project ST...
Kurt Ernst -
Fans Design Round Tail-Light Kit For 2014 Chevrolet Corvette
It was only a matter of time until some inventive person or company came up with a kit for the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray that swaps the car’s square-shaped lamps to something Corvette fans are a little more accustomed to: four separate round tail-lights. While the design of the new...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
We’ve seen a lot of crazy automotive creations over the years, some of which worked and some of which didn’t. We’re no fans of the Smart ForTwo, but cram a Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle engine in a Smart and we’ll arm-wrestle you for the keys to the SmartBusa. We’ve long lusted after cars like the Renault R5 Turbo and the Ford SHOgun, knowing full well that we weren’t crazy enough to park one in our own garage. One question that’s never crossed our minds, however, is, “what would happen if you mated a BMW Isetta micro car with a dragster?”...
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Is Audi Planning A More Powerful RS 6 Plus?
In Audi-speak, its S models are somewhat of an equal blend of performance and luxury, while its RS models favor acceleration and handling above all else. Only the R designator (currently reserved for the Audi R8) sits above the RS models on Audi’s pyramid of performance, but a refreshed...
Kurt Ernst -
Forbidden Fruit: Subaru BRZ RA Racing
If you believe that Europe and Japan get all the cool cars while we’re relegated to sloppy seconds, the newly-announced Subaru BRZ RA Racing probably won’t make you any happier. Like stripped tuner and racing versions already announced by Toyota and Subaru, the Subaru BRZ RA Racing...
Kurt Ernst -
Team Building Its Own Tumbler Batmobile For Gumball 3000
It’s hard to believe but the Gumball 3000, an annual cross-country rally filled with madness, fury and comedy, as well as a bunch of supercars and celebs, is now in its 15th year. To mark the occasion, organizers have planned a very special route for their latest rally, which will take...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Ford Gives Away Its Third ‘Mustang Customizer’ Car: Video
So far, Ford has delivered a Mustang GT and a Mustang Shelby GT500 to winners of its “Mustang Customizer” contest. To refresh your memory on the contest details, the Mustang Customizer website allowed fans to build a unique car, then throw down against others to accumulate points. For...
Kurt Ernst -
Lincoln Considers Borrowing From MINI’s Customization Playbook
Part of MINI’s success in the United States is due to the fact that the brand doesn’t market its cars to consumers as much as it markets the MINI lifestyle. In that regard, a MINI Cooper (or one of its many variants) is as much a fashion accessory as it is a mode of transportation. Buy...
Kurt Ernst -
Volvos have a long-standing reputation as safe, practical and somewhat boring cars, with the possible exception of the old Volvo Turbo wagons. Sure, the S60 T6 R-Design sedan does what it can to liven things up, but its turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six only puts out 325 horsepower, to all four wheels, via a six-speed automatic transmission. It may be quick for a Volvo, turning 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds, but that’s not exactly BMW M3 or Audi S4 territory. Thanks to Volvo specialist Polestar, however, you may soon be able to take steps to ensure that neither the BMW nor the Audi kick sand...
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Shelby GT500 Cobra Tribute Car Only Musters $200k At Auction
A one-off Mustang built as a tribute to the late Carroll Shelby only managed to sell for $200,000 at auction.
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Early Look At Nissan GT-R From Fast And The Furious 6: Video
After making a brief cameo in the fifth installment of the Fast and the Furious film series, Fast Five, the latest version of the Nissan GT-R, the R35, has been confirmed for a prominent role in the sixth installment, Fast and Furious 6, due out on May 24, 2013. But it won’t just be any old...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Shelby Goes Small With Custom Ford Focus ST: 2013 Detroit Auto Show
It’s not quite the EcoBoosted Shelby we were expecting, but the legendary American tuner formed by the late Carroll Shelby has stayed true to its word, unveiling at this week’s 2013 Detroit Auto Show a new product powered by one of Ford’s fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines. That new...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Gazoo Racing Reveals Its Scion FR-S-Based Sports FR Concept: Video
This weekend plays host to the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon, and one of the stars of the event has just been revealed, the GRMN Sports FR Concept Platinum from Gazoo Racing. Gazoo Racing is one of Toyota’s most successful motorsport partners, competing in the likes of the Nürburgring 24 Hours...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Shelby American To Present Two New Models At 2013 Detroit Auto Show
We recently brought you a story about Shelby American preparing for the reveal of a new EcoBoost-powered model at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The story was based on comments made by Shelby American vice president of operations Gary Patterson, himself citing the company’s late founder, Carroll...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran