You Like Legos? You Like VW Buses? Well Then You Like This!

Jeremy Nutt 4 Comments

Over the last few weeks, I have spent a fair amount of time wrenching on an early 1970’s 1600cc air cooled Volkswagen engine. Before I acquired this relic, it had been sitting for oh… maybe… 20 years or so. Needless to say, it needed a teeny bit o’ lovin’ before hitting the streets again. In the days ahead, I will be tossing it into the back of a 1969 Karmann Ghia, so that my mom & dad will be able to attend Broke Down 2011.  Yes, you read that right.  Anyway… with the VW juices at an all time high this week, it was an absolute pleasure to lay my eyes upon this video posted up on Jalopnik. It instantly reminded me of two things. The first is just how much I loved Legos when I was younger, and secondly, I probably have a TON of Legos buried somewhere in my attic. Hmm. Regardless, whether it is built of fine metals or fresh Legos, watching a vehicle assembled from nothing is always a pleasure to me.  I hope that you thoroughly enjoy the video, as I surely did.

Can’t see the video?  Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xn4VMCEB3A

Wait, They Are Making Zimmer’s Out Of Mustangs Now?

Jeremy Nutt 6 Comments

Every now and then I catch a tiny glimpse of a classic luxury vehicle whizzing by. I quickly react by whipping my head around, and instantly realize that I have been tricked again by a Zimmer. So… Many… Times… Zimmer. Since their beginnings in the late 1970’s, they have been based on Cadillacs, Buicks, Oldsmobiles, and other large American rear wheel drive cars. Factory body work is removed from the donor vehicle, and the new Zimmer body is grafted on.  Before long, you’ve got a super long, low, “modern” classic.

Fast forward to today, and I notice this eBay Listing.  It’s a relatively new Zimmer that is based on a Mustang GT fastback. What the what?  I can’t say whether I’m impressed or depressed about it, but I know it surprised me.  See for yourself and let me know what you think.  Love it?  Hate it?  Buy it?

Images Borrowed from eBay Item Number: 270826616829

New Aftermarket vs. Old OEM Headlights Comparison

Jeremy Nutt 11 Comments

Working at 1A Auto, I often find myself discussing the differences between OEM vs. Aftermarket auto parts. Today we have a little bit of that, along with an old vs. new part comparison.  It comes to you in the form of 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan “non-quad” headlights.

A neighbor and friend of mine came to me recently after her van failed inspection for having headlights that light cannot possibly pass through.  The inspector planted a big “R” sticker on the windshield and sent her on her way.  Last year, her husband had tried using the headlight polishing magic in a bottle, which did worked temporarily, but as you can see, it was not a long term solution.  This year, the only good option was to toss the sand blasted, yellowed, 12 year old OEM headlights into the trash, and bolt on a fresh new set.

As you can see, the new lights are identical shapes and sizes as the originals, but they also included the leveling bubbles to help you aim the headlights once they are installed.  Fancy right?  Other than that, it was a simple switcharoo. Pull the old ones out, put the new ones in, and finally see the light.   The End.

These Big Rigs Might Be Faster Than You

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So we’re at the track a few weeks ago for a “street night”, and these two big rigs nonchalantly pull up to the starting line.  One is a giant, yellow and chrome, super ridiculously clean, semi that blows fire.  The other, well it’s an equally spotless, sort of sleepy looking, blue dump truck.  My friends and I were in the audience, perplexed.  The two of them stroll through the water box and proceed to absolutely obliterate their duallys past the 60 foot mark.  What the heck were we watching? The battle of the decepticons? They both reversed back to the starting line and staged like they had done this before. When the light turned green, they tore down the track like Sam Witwicky had just stolen their cube again.  Diesel was feverishly burned, boost was made, blow off valves honked, and major fun was had.  The craziest part you ask?  Well, that was the blue dump truck’s slowest pass of the night.  It was running mid 14’s consistently down the 1320 until they shut the lights off.  The rumor in the crowd was that it had over 1000 horsepower, and we’re betting its torque was fairly decent as well.

Can’t see the video? Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GwPY_3vPmA

Special Thanks to Chad S. for the great video footage as always!

Little Cars Don’t Need 4 Wheels On The Ground To Be Faster Than You

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Recently, I was wandering the streets of Reddit/Autos, and saw an awesome video that “DrunkOnUnleaded” posted up. It’s a couple years old, but I was so thoroughly impressed that I figured I would share it on here as well.  In the midst of a heated track battle, one car begins sliding, which inevitably leads to an amazing automotive stunt that you haven’t witnessed since the 1930’s… Unless of course you race Fiat’s. Maybe it’s more common in the Fiat world than I think.  Either way, enjoy the video. I sure did.

Can’t see the video?  Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2ZbmQVTjHw