| Batman, The Joker, Vagrant Story, The Pirates of Dark Water fandom asylums |
[07 Nov 2009|04:14am] |
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mood |
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octopon - Pirates of DarkWater fandom asylum. Completed!
gotham_gazetteCompleted!</i>
vagrant_story - Vagrant Story fandom asylum. WIP; will be deleted unless more interest is shown.
And,
Please feel free to join commedia; a personal project of mine, aiming to review and analyze comics (and other selected media) that feature DC Comics' The Joker.
It is currently a WIP because I am still going through my 500+ hardcopy!issues collection. I do not download torrents/scans.
I'd like to point out that currently I have two polls up for debate, as can be seen here explaining two routes the asylum's project can take. IE: spoiler free reviews, spoilerific reviews, and whatnot. =) Otherwise, the FAQ and The Rules are already up. The tags/memory post is still a WIP.
I am also open to affiliating with other comic book and/or Batman related asylums, except for RPGs.
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| SEMA 2009: Booth Professionals are anything but stock |
[06 Nov 2009|08:00pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/z1WRRfZlHKU/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-booth-professionals-are-anything-but-stock/ Filed under: SEMA Show, Etc.
Lisa Angeline, aka Catwoman - Click above for high-res image gallery
This year's SEMA show in Las Vegas didn't have quite the gravitas of years past, as the state of the economy and the automotive industry in particular seemed to be a wet blanket over the whole proceedings. Thank goodness there were plenty of friendly faces throughout the halls to keep our spirits up.
One smiling face especially caught our eye, although we weren't sure why. The eyes and smile were familiar but we couldn't quite put our finger on where we had seen them before. And then it hit us, it was our beloved Catwoman (a.k.a. Lisa Angeline) from last year's BatSmart gallery! We hardly recognized her stripped of her catsuit. We saw her in the Vertical Doors booth. We know this with great certainty because the name of the company was written in very strategic locations - like on the banner above her head and (*ahem*) elsewhere. Smart folks behind that BatSmart. But to be honest, we weren't really paying too much attention to the cars there, so perhaps this strategy is flawed.
This happened quite a bit during the week. We'd go down to shoot a certain car, and an hour later, we'd be scratching our heads wondering what we had come down for in the first place. Take a look at the gallery and you'll probably agree - down year or no, the distractions were quite spectacular.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.SEMA 2009: Booth Professionals are anything but stock originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| SEMA 2009: What we didn't get to cover |
[06 Nov 2009|07:30pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/bvtxSfOb70c/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-what-we-didnt-get-to-cover/ Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Etc., Motorcycle, Humor, Specialty, Design/Style, Off-Road
2009 SEMA Show Las Vegas - Click above for high-res image gallery
Every year at SEMA, we fill the week with posts featuring special vehicles and products that we felt were important enough to share. Generally, they are the most newsworthy projects and new model introductions, but sometimes they are just things that caught our eye. When all is said and done, we think we've given all of you a good taste of what's on offer here in the desert. Of course, there are always things we see and shoot that don't make it into the regular posts from the days we are here. We end up with a few hundred photos of random weirdness and cool stuff that just didn't make it into a dedicated post. That's what this post is for. It's basically a chance to dump some of that random wackiness and wonder that is SEMA into one big bowl and invite you all to take a sip. Click on the gallery below and you'll see race cars, hot rods, muscle cars, motorcycles, wheels and more. None are labeled, but all should provide a unique look at what we saw at SEMA 2009. Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.SEMA 2009: What we didn't get to cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy |
[06 Nov 2009|07:00pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/l8Ddsl-DOUA/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ Filed under: Truck, Work, Chrysler, Autoline on Autoblog CHRYSLER CONSIDERS GETTING BACK INTO BIG RIGS
One of the more intriguing tidbits that dribbled out of Chrysler's grueling 8-hour press conference on Wednesday is that the company is considering getting back into the heavy truck business. They're not talking about heavy duty pick-ups, they're talking about 18-wheelers.
Up until the early 1970's Dodge sold heavy trucks, including semi-tractors. In fact, Dodge trucks were famous the world over. But like GM and Ford, the Chrysler Corporation decided to get out of that business at a time when the commercial truck sector was under pressure.
When times are good heavy trucks generate a significant amount of profits. Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Renault, Toyota (Hino), Nissan and Mitsubishi (Fuso) are still in the business. But it takes a lot of capital investment to get into and stay in the highly cyclical heavy truck segment, which is why the American car companies abandoned that market years ago.
In this case, the idea to get Chrysler back into the heavy truck market is Fiat's, not Chrysler's. And that is precisely why this could actually happen.
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John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.
____________________________________________________________________________________Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| Quieter Spirit: Rolls reportedly planning hybrid Ghost for 15% better economy |
[06 Nov 2009|06:30pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/pPgDVGRYUgk/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/quieter-spirit-rolls-reportedly-planning-hybrid-ghost-for-15-b/ Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce Ghost - Click above for high-res image gallery
If you've been pondering getting on the list for a Rolls-Royce Ghost but you're hesitant because of the negative environmental impact (and social standing) of the big, beautiful boat's V12 engine, we've got good news for you. British site Autocar is reporting that a hybrid version of the Ghost is in the works. It's rumored to be based off the mild hybrid system of the BMW ActiveHybrid 7, which makes sense considering that the two luxury sleds utilize the same platform. The nearly 18-foot long Ghost will likely still sport a 6.2-liter V12, but the brutish powerplant will be aided and abetted by a 20kW electric motor capable of an extra 15 hp and 155 lb-ft fitted into the baby Rolls' eight speed ZF auto transmission. Battery power will reportedly come courtesy of a .6 W/h lithium-ion battery pack fitted to the Ghost's substantial trunk. The reported hybrid Ghost won't have the ability to run on battery power alone, but the luxury barge will employ start/stop tech and due to the battery's presence it won't need an alternator, either. The net result of the of the (relative) greenification of the Ghost will reportedly be a 15% bump in fuel economy. A 15% efficiency bump probably won't do much to improve the Ghost's likely miserable fuel economy figures, but the added twist from the Ghost's electric motor may help it hit 60 mph more quickly than the gasoline-only 4.8 seconds (U.S. spec).
Sure, if this hybrid Rolls ever sees the light of day it'd make the already massive Ghost even heavier and more costly, but the negatives pale in comparison to the gratification of telling other rich people that your chauffeur drives a hybrid. [Source: Autocar]Quieter Spirit: Rolls reportedly planning hybrid Ghost for 15% better economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| SEMA 2009: Galpin builds custom '69 Mustang right on the show floor |
[06 Nov 2009|04:57pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/PTqf4CoElIw/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-galpin-builds-custom-69-mustang-right-on-the-show-fl/ Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Ford Galpin Auto Sports '69 Mustang build - Click above for high-res image gallery
While those of us in the media walked around the show floor at SEMA looking for the cool, the crazy, and the just plain awesome, there were people doing actual work. Real work. No, we're not talking about the security people that wouldn't let us in the show before 9:00am no matter how we tried to convince them, nor the food vendors charging $40 for a lousy pizza. We're talking about the guys at Galpin Auto Sports who spent each day of the show building a custom 1969 Ford Mustang from scratch. The Mustang started off at the start of the show in literally thousands of pieces, and every time we walked by, we could see that the car was just a little bit closer to completion. The 427ci V8 was already in the Mustang the last time we saw it, and while we left before we could see the car completed, everyone at GAS seemed pretty confident that it would be finished by the time the show ended this afternoon. From the looks of all of the individual pieces, the end product should be pretty cool looking. Check out our high-res gallery below to see just how many parts it takes to build a '69 Mustang. Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.SEMA 2009: Galpin builds custom '69 Mustang right on the show floor originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| SEMA 2009: Knee-high tri-axle pickup by Air-Zenith is down and (not so) dirty |
[06 Nov 2009|04:39pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/tzRH8rGfYPU/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-knee-high-tri-axle-pickup-by-air-zenith-is-down-and/ Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Convertible, Truck, Specialty 
Air-Zenith custom pickup - Click above for high-res image gallery
We're not exactly sure what this used to be in its former life, but it all kinds of cool in its current iteration. Just knee-high to a Hobbit, this six-wheel convertible was parked in the shadow of Bigfoot and we almost tripped over it.
We were able to locate an Air-Zenith banner on the windshield, however, we couldn't find any other info. But really, what else do you need to know? Air-Zenith is the same group that dropped the drag pickup we saw at SEMA 2008. That one might have been quicker, but this one has a cool bike in the bed! Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.SEMA 2009: Knee-high tri-axle pickup by Air-Zenith is down and (not so) dirty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| VIDEO: With F1 program scrapped, where will Toyota Motorsports land next? |
[06 Nov 2009|04:00pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/-euhIOja5qQ/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/video-with-f1-program-scrapped-where-will-toyota-motorsports-l/ Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Earnings/Financials  Toyota GT-One - Click above for high-res image gallery
As Toyota president Akio Toyoda announced the withdrawal of his company from the Formula One World Championship, he reiterated Toyota's commitment to motorsport competition. But while this may have been pure lip-service, the Japanese automaker has a long history in racing, leading to speculation over where Toyota could land next. According to Toyoda:
Motor sports remain an important means of personalizing the automobile in the eyes of customers. Motor sports also remain an important means of cultivating human resources and our R&D operations. ... We will rethink our motor-sports activities with an eye to maximizing those benefits while addressing economic realities.
Even in the absence of a renewed F1 program, Toyota continues to compete in series as diverse as Formula Nippon, NHRA, Grand Am, Super GT and NASCAR. While the beancounters in Tokyo could continue to rely solely on these and other existing programs - or worse, start pulling out of more - sources point to potential racing programs at Le Mans, in the new FIA GT1 World Championship or possibly in the shifting World Rally Championship. Any of these categories would give Toyota a more direct tie-in to its road-going products, but which - if any - the Japanese motor giant will ultimately choose remains to be seen. In the meantime, enjoy the short clip after the jump highlighting the company's history and continued involvement in motor racing worldwide. [Source: PistonHeads]Continue reading VIDEO: With F1 program scrapped, where will Toyota Motorsports land next? VIDEO: With F1 program scrapped, where will Toyota Motorsports land next? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| SEMA 2009: The rest of the best at the Ford display |
[06 Nov 2009|03:39pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/eKIGjwxJHm4/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-the-rest-of-the-best-at-the-ford-display/ Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Ford
The rest of the Ford display - Click above for high-res image gallery
SEMA is an interesting show. We go in knowing full well that 60-75% of the cars we'll be walking past and/or covering are just trash. Sorry if this bombshell offends anyone, but your Chrysler 300C doesn't need 26-inch hoops, nor seventy gallons of sparkle orange paint. Or diamonds. But, as Doyle Brunson might say if he covered cars instead of being the Godfather of Texas Hold 'Em, that's SEMA.
We mention this in the "other Fords" post because some of these custom FoMoCos look fantastic, or at least pretty good. But 60-75% of them, well, we're not entirely sold. Let's start with the good. Despite the two-tone paint job, we're pretty darn smitten with the Fusion T4 by MRT above. More cars need big old intercoolers taking up the whole lower fascia. And while they might be an inch (or three) too big, the wheels are nice. And that white Lincoln MKS? Nice.
But then you got the other cars contained in this here gallery, and... um.... we like the Lincoln MKT, because well, we just like MKTs. But we're not sold on the Focus upgrades, especially since Ford saw fit to bring a Euro Focus RS to the show. Game, set, outmatched. And don't even get us started on the Edge they've cooked up here. Specifically, the wing on the back. No really - see for yourself.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.SEMA 2009: The rest of the best at the Ford display originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 5 |
[06 Nov 2009|03:20pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/rMuCwjnAlrQ/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-sweeps-win-one-of-five-sony-psp-gran-turismo-bundles-day/ 
We've made it to the last day of our SEMA Sweeps! We've given away four limited-edition PSP/Gran Turismo bundles, but we've got one left. Yesterday's winner has been randomly selected and contacted, so here's how you can win today.
We're doing this in honor of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and with it, the Seventh Annual GT Awards, so take advantage of our generosity and follow the directions below for your chance to win.
For the last prize, we want to know which car you think should be the cover car of Gran Turismo 5. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG? Corvette ZR1? Something else? This is your last chance to win, so make sure to follow the directions below and enter for your chance to win!
Entering is easy. All you have to do is:
- Leave a comment in this post telling us what vehicle you think should be the cover car of Gran Turismo 5.
- You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec, désolé!)
- Limit 1 entry per person per day
- This entry period ends at 3:00PM EST on Saturday, November 7
- At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one PSP/GT bundle (ARV $199.99) that includes a Mystic Silver PSP-3000 system, Gran Turismo PSP game on UMD, a PlayStation Network downloadable voucher for a white Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher (title TBD) and Sony MusicPass voucher good for 10 downloadable songs.
- For a list of complete rules, click here
That's it - it's free and easy. Good luck!SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| SEMA 2009: The Chevrolet Camaro 'splosion!!! |
[06 Nov 2009|03:20pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/jK8fnUWyfoU/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-the-chevrolet-camaro-splosion/ Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet
Every 2010 Chevrolet Camaro we could find at SEMA - Click above for high-res image gallery
In past years at SEMA, there has always been a single vehicle that seems to be the most popular at the show. Last year, it was the Dodge Challenger and Nissan GTR, but there weren't enough to be overwhelming.
This year, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro came and infested the Las Vegas convention center like a muscle car cockroach. We couldn't seem to take ten steps without running into one, and by the end of the day, we had witnessed just about every way a Camaro could be customized. You want Lambo doors? You got 'em. How about slammed? Sure. Green? Yellow? Gold? Matte Blue? How about a convertible? Make it two. How about wide? Or ever wider. Engine swaps? Don't get us started. Try an LS7 or even an LS9. If forced induction is your thing, there were both turbocharged and supercharged Camaros. If you'd rather have a Pontiac, there were not one but two different Trans-Am conversions. Tuners like Callaway, Lingenfelter, Hurst, and Hennessey all brought out turnkey versions. There were pace car Camaros, drifter Camaros, movie theme Camaros, anniversary edition Camaros and charity auction Camaros.
To say the least, we've had our fill of Camaros for a long time. Still, we couldn't leave Las Vegas without sharing it all with you, so enjoy through the 100+ shot photo gallery below of every 2010 Camaro saw at SEMA.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.SEMA 2009: The Chevrolet Camaro 'splosion!!! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| Introduction to Karting - Part 6 |
[06 Nov 2009|02:58pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/XKbG0Qov-EU/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/introduction-to-karting-part-6/ Filed under: Motorsports, Etc. RACE DAY
It's taken a long time to get here, many months accelerated through the magic of the internet, but now it's finally time to hit the track in anger, to fight for position, to make some daring passes - or at least to try and avoid getting lapped more than once. Learning all about karting was interesting, shopping was a chore, hitting the track to practice was a blast, but it was all about wheel-to-wheel competition. In this installment of the series we'll take you through our first race day and our first time turning a wheel on fresh rubber, an experience we shall not soon forget. Oh, and we've given our kart a bit of a make-over too. Click on through to see how it looks, and how we managed under our first green flag.
Continue reading Introduction to Karting - Part 6 Introduction to Karting - Part 6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| BMW unleashes 2010 R 1200 GS with DOHC boxer engine |
[06 Nov 2009|02:40pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/ddT5bMucv88/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/bmw-unleashes-2010-r-1200-gs-with-dohc-boxer-engine/ Filed under: BMW, Motorcycle
2010 BMW R 1200 GS - Click above for high-res image gallery
Anyone who follows motorcycling would likely tell you that BMW's R 1200 GS sets the standard when it comes to building a proper adventure touring motorcycle - and with good reason. As we found out when we threw a leg over the 2009 edition, BMW's big air-cooled mule can pretty much go anywhere the rider points it, and it'll tackle gnarly off-road conditions with just as much aplomb as it attacks paved back roads and long stretches of superslab.
Still, nothing is perfect (we actually sorta prefer the little brother F 800 GS off the road), and BMW saw fit to update its best-seller for the 2010 model year with a revised boxer engine that now sports dual-overhead cams. That's a major modification and it allowed BMW to locate five-percent more horsepower than the previous mill. Those 110 galloping ponies join 88 lb-ft of torque that BMW says is spread more evenly throughout the rev range than before. We'll take it - more power is always a good thing, right?
As you'd expect, there's also an upgraded R 1200 GS Adventure model for those who truly need the most capable bike they can get their grubby mitts on. Updates over the standard model include spoked (not cast) wheels, greater suspension travel and a monster 8.7-gallon fuel tank. See both new models in all their glory in our image galleries below.
[Source: BMW]BMW unleashes 2010 R 1200 GS with DOHC boxer engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| SEMA 2009: Pinkee's ignites lust for a Pontiac Firebird |
[06 Nov 2009|02:20pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/yLYbPiwM6So/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-pinkees-ignites-lust-for-a-firebird/ Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac
1977 Pontiac FireBird by Pinkee's Rod Shop - Click above for high-res image gallery
This year's SEMA show might have been a bit smaller than in years past, but there were certainly some heavy hitters in the crowd that proved the old "quality, not quantity" adage. Take, for instance, this super-clean, super-fine 1977 Pontiac Firebird. Like the Ringbrothers "Afterburner" Fairlane and the Goodguys Street Machine of the Year 1962 Corvette C1-RS, the look is modern, yet definitely retro. Dreamed up by hot rod artist Jimmy Smith, it was crafted to life by Pinkee's Rod Shop of Windsor, Colorado.
It has a smooth-as-glass appearance with its gloss black paint dripping off its shaved and streamlined form. Elegantly simple billet wheels, naked headlamps and a restyled rear complete the exterior look. The interior hasn't been forgotten either, as it is fully custom and equally straightforward. The same can be said for the engine bay, which looks like a surgical O.R., with its LS7 engine resting neatly in a fully customized bay. It was easily one of our favorite cars at this year's show.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2009: Pinkee's ignites lust for a Pontiac Firebird originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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| SEMA 2009: Blackout Bentley balances the bad |
[06 Nov 2009|01:59pm] |
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http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/52NImMpNEs0/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-blackout-bentley-balances-the-bad/ Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Bentley 
2008 Bentley Continental custom - Click above for high-res image gallery
It seems that matte black is the new black this year at SEMA, especially if you broaden if to gray and slip bare carbon fiber into the category. This particular application of said coloring resides on a sinister looking Bentley Continental GT.
Besides the satin paint, it's wearing a Premier 4509 Limited Widebody kit that, to this blogger's eyes at least, might have been a better choice for Bentley's own SuperSports. The interior has a nicely contrasting saddle and black design, with diamond-stitched suede inserts on the seats. It's a very cool looking car, but just as fun is the sign on the booth: "Nutek Wheels -- We make private label wheels... and we speak English!" Not exactly politically correct, but eye-catching to say the least.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.SEMA 2009: Blackout Bentley balances the bad originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments


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