’65 Corvette Restomod Makes Strong Case For LS Swapping The World

If a picture is worth a thousand words then these shots are worth all the words and this custom ’65 Chevrolet Corvette is worth all the monies.

Admittedly, a bit of a bias here towards restomod cars, but c’mon! What more does one need to be sold. Soundly within the second-generation Corvette run the styling cues we associate with the Corvette to this day were firmly being defined and done so beautifully. This coupe underwent a frame off restoration and kept most of the ’65 styling setting it off with Atomic Orange paint. Under the hood, well, that’s a different story.

Long gone is the original engine and in its place sits a 2001 LS6 fuel-injected 5.7-liter V8 engine riding on an upgraded C5 suspension and SR3 Motorsports chassis. Z06 disc brakes bring the 17-inch fronts and 18-inch rears to a stop while Hooker headers and custom exhaust make it growl on the go. Additional upgrades include C4 Dana 44 rear with 4.10 gears, air conditioning and power steering, the latter of which make for driving this beast with a comfort to match its power.

This near perfect example of a restomod will head to auction in two weeks at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach.

[Photography courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.]

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Sleeper Cars Set To Battle High-End Exotics In ‘Fastest Car’

If you’ve ever read the comments on a Mega Race post you’d realize that Gas Monkey fans and trolls all have some strong opinions on racing. The car, the driver, the track and on and on and on…and dare I say on, well, now there is a show for them and you and the car person in all of us, Fastest Car.

The aptly named show will premiere on Netflix April 6 and is described by the subscription service as featuring in every hour-long episode, “three souped-up ‘sleeper’ cars, tinkered with and lovingly labored on, go head-to-head with one of the world’s most sought-after supercars in the new Unscripted series, Fastest Car.”

Sounds like a good time to us! And keep an eye out for friend of the Garage and photographer Pepper Yandell who will be a part of the series.

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A Rare Mint 21-Window Samba Made Rarer On ‘That 70’s Show’

TV and film memorabilia is always rad as it usually represents a piece of our childhood or just our daily escape from the real world, but when it comes to TV and film cars they are often terrible cars. Reason being that they’re built for chase scenes, camera placement and then after the fact often ruined by actors signatures; however, this 1967 Volkswagen 21-Window Samba Bus is a whale of a different story.

Owned on the show by Ashton Kutcher’s character it was known as his “Love Bus,” but in reality the title contains the name of co-creator Mark Brazill. The bus was more of a prop than a star meaning that it wasn’t modified for filming needs, but remains a true collectors car. Additionally, the brakes and engine were just serviced so the 1600cc 4-cylinder engine and 4-speed manual transmission are still running like new. Hagerty currently values the Concours restoration of this final year 21-window Samba at around $125,000, but given its ties to such a long running TV show it’s anyone’s guess as to whether that hurts or helps the value. Our guess is that you’re gonna see a pretty penny paid for this classic at Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction.

[Photography courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.]

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Retro MINI Gets Futuristic Upgrade

Welp, the next Italian Job movie’s chase scenes just got a lot longer thanks to MINI’s all-electric version of the classic having its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show.

Don’t go getting you checkbooks out just yet, though, as it stands this will remain a one-off model with its motor acting as a sort of test for future MINI, BMW and other BMW Group cars. That being said, the brand’s first all-electric vehicle will becoming in 2019. Until then, bask in the beauty of this brilliant red MINI with characteristic white top and racing stripe with the only tell to its futuristic insides being the brand’s electric emblem on the hubcaps and near the charging port.

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RoadM8 Concept Debuts At NY Auto Show, Nicer Than Many NY Apartments

It makes perfect sense that hotel chain Super 8 would use a car for promotion. In fact, now thinking about the premise, it seems downright weird you don’t see more hotels or visitor’s bureaus doing the same considering cars are a major part of how we get from A to B. However, that’s not the point. The point is that Super 8 built a pretty interesting Jeep Wrangler concept dubbed “RoadM8” to debut at the New York International Auto Show.

The RoadM8 is not only a commendable play on words, but a pretty cool Jeep designed to showcase the new direction of Super 8. The interior pulls design elements from the hotel’s rooms, as you can see in the pictures below, and the technology is aimed at keeping everyone in the car from singing, “99 bottles of beer on the wall.” Technology which includes a mini fridge, coffee maker and Samsung tablets.

Needless to say it caught our eye as we know all to well auto customization for brands, *cough* Shiner truck *cough*.

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A Look At What We’re Most Excited About From The New York Auto Show

The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) is just that, international. Not to say auto shows around the world don’t see a hybrid (pun intended) of foreign and domestic cars, but traditionally New York isn’t as prestigious for global brands as other shows and it’s no Detroit when it comes to US domestic creating a sometimes odd assortment of debuts. And while there are many cars making U.S. debuts we’d love to see i.e. the $3 million Bugatti Chiron Sport, it’s the Cadillac CT6 V-Sport that has us the most amped.

Cadillac V-Performance model cars under any other manufacturers name would be killing it; unfortunately, it is the Cadillac stereotypes that tend to hamper sales performance. Trust us though in knowing that cars like the CTS-V, ATS-V and, we safely assume, the CT6 V-Sport are all about performance.

The first performance model for the company’s top-sedan will also get an all-new 4.2L Twin Turbo V-8 Cadillac with 550hp and a monstrous 627 lb.-ft. of torque. Additionally, the sedan will feature all the bells and whistles of modern Cadillacs from 1080p screens to next-gen wireless charging and a plethora, and I mean plethora of advanced safety features:

Via Cadillac:

The full suite of available active safety features includes Forward Collision Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward/Reverse Automatic Braking, and Safety Alert Seat

Available Surround Vision provides a 360-degree camera view around the vehicle, displayed on the Cadillac user experience screen, helping the driver avoid nearby objects during low-speed maneuvering

Available industry-first Surround Vision Recorder video recording system can record front and rear views while driving, and 360 degrees of recording if the vehicle’s security system is activated.

Night Vision helps identify people and large animals via heat signatures on a display in the driver information center.

Available Automatic Parking Assist with Braking steers the vehicle and applies the brakes at idle speed to help park in parallel or perpendicular spaces while the driver follows text commands, selects gear, and overrides braking and acceleration as needed.

Available Front Pedestrian Braking provides pedestrian detection indications, alerts and automatic braking to help avoid collisions or reduce the harm caused by one.

New available Rear Pedestrian Detection alerts the driver, when in Reverse, of an imminent collision with a pedestrian by providing visual notification on rear view camera display.

More details regarding pricing, availability and final numbers to come following its NYIAS premiere.

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‘Fast And The Furious’ Stunt Driver To Take On Pikes Peak In Bentley SUV

At one computer somewhere in the world sits a lone person screaming internally, “his name is Rhys Millen!” It certainly is, but you most likely know Rhys by his action sequences in films like Fast and the Furious, Dukes of Hazzard and numerous commercials more than you know his name.

However, you don’t just become a premiere Hollywood stunt driver without being, well, a pretty kickass driver. Rhys has twice before taken the Pikes Peak Hill Climb title himself and his father three times before him. This time Rhys hopes to accomplish the feat June 24th in a Bentley Bentayga to break the existing production record of 12:35.61. A task which in order to accomplish he will need to average at least 60mph through the 156-corner course with his unmodified 608hp, 664lb.-ft. of torque Bentayga.

For reference here is Ken Block taking on Pikes Peak in his 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2!

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First-Gen Cadillac Eldorado Destined For New Owner

The most famous name in Cadillac’s long lineage, the Eldorado, began in 1953 with just 532 units being produced. In fact, despite an absurd price tag of $7,750, $65,000 in today’s dollar, the car was not only the most expensive Cadillac of the time, but an instant hit.

Today, the 1953 Eldorado remains in high-demand due to its first-generation status, low numbers and the styling of Harvey Earl. A name which General Motors fans should know all too well due his involvement in numerous GM designs for decades through the 30s to 50s, including the Corvette and the first-ever tail fins on a Cadillac.

This rare and important 1953 Cadillac Eldorado will cross the block at RM Sotheby’s Fort Lauderdale, FL auction the first weekend in April and is projected to bring in anywhere from $220,000-$270,000.

[Photography courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.]

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Where Are They Now: Hsueh ‘Mike’ Miao Chen from CSULA to General Motors

Mike Chen, 23, came to Cal State LA and completed his Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in May 2017. He is now a Brake Component Development Engineer with General Motors. Mike grew up in Taiwan where he says vehicles were considered a luxury item. When the opportunity presented itself for him to display his engineering skills and work in the auto industry, he was highly motivated to pursue his passion by joining the EcoCAR 3 team. EcoCAR 3 can often mimic the life of a real engineering job, and therefore, offered him the training needed before entering the automotive industry.

As a part of the GM Brake Development group, Mike aids in validating brake designs and analyzing failure causes to ensure quality products and safety. According to Mike, “My EcoCAR 3 experience helped me develop CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) skills that are going to be beneficial in my career. EcoCAR 3 also pushed me to become a team player which aided me to integrate into my current group with ease.”

During his freshman year at Cal State LA, Mike joined the EcoCAR 2 team. Over the course of his college career, he gained knowledge and leadership skills through his school work and training at EcoCAR. All of Mike’s accomplishments, effort, and hard work led him to take on the role of Engineering Manager of EcoCAR 3. The role of Engineering Manager that Mike took on in his final years at EcoCAR3 was vital in helping him know how to keep a team motivated and on task.

Cal State LA, alumni play a vital role on the team even after they graduate. At the end of the 2018 school year, three team members will join Mike at GM.  Several still manage to keep in touch with the team and continue to guide team members through their journey as EcoCAR students. They inspire team members to work hard to achieve their goals in the hopes that it will pay off in the form of an exciting engineering career. We thank Mike for the hard work and dedication he and all of the Cal State LA, AVTC alumni have provided to the team throughout the years. We wish Mike the best of luck in the rest of his career!

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1 of 20 1967 Corvette L88 Coupes, Only In Sunfire Yellow To Auction

Mecum Indy should be on your radar, if it’s not already. The annual event has become one of the nation’s best car auctions and this 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe is evidence to that.

Already a sought after 1967 ‘Vette this specific one becomes rarer twice over thanks to the fact it’s a 1 of 20 1967 L88s and the only known Sunfire Yellow to be built during the models three year run. Having been restored the car, which has been in the same collection since 1991 is predominantly original. According to the listing it features, “the original chassis, L88 engine, M22 transmission, power brakes and master cylinder, suspension and trim were all retained; the other components sourced to complete the restoration were new old stock. During the restoration, body components from another 1967 427 Corvette were sourced to complete the project.”

Though exceptionally rare, as noted, it is also just one of 216 L88 Corvettes to be built which alone makes it prime for any Corvette Collector. The coupe will be a part of Mecum’s Indy auction May 15-19.

[Photography courtesy of Mecum Auctions.]

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The Official Truck Of Churchill Downs Gets Limited Derby Edition

Traditionally, if you had to associate a car with the Kentucky Derby you’d think the Mustang, but I suppose given we don’t yet have any ram racing, that I’m familiar with anyway, Ram had to settle for horses.

Marking the 144th running of America’s most iconic horse race, Ram has unveiled a commemorative 2019 Ram 1500. Serving as the Official Truck of Churchill Downs for the ninth year the Ram 1500 Limited Kentucky Derby Edition will be based of the Limited trim, the brand’s top trim, and feature “Run for the Roses” fender graphics.

Additionally, the limited edition 1500 will also be the first available in Ivory White Tri Coat paint and if white isn’t you thing you will also have the choice of Delmonico Red, Diamond Black Crystal, Granite Crystal, Max Steel or Patriot Blue. The package is on sale now and limited to a 2,000 unit run at a price of $53,190.

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Go In-Depth On Our Historic 1975 Datsun 280Z Build

If you’re here I can only assume you watch Fast N’ Loud on Discovery (Which is much appreciated!). As I’m sure you now know, Richard purchased the 1975 Datsun 280Z for $8,000 and brought in tuner builder ‘Big Mike’ in to help with the design of the build. Once completed, the team took it to SEMA 2017 where it proceeded to be a show stealer.

With An SR20 engine producing 400 HP, Gas Monkey Garage’s tuner is one fast and loud ride that tears through the streets of Dallas. Although the build is now sold and off to a new home we wanted to give you an in-depth look at the 280Z beyond what you saw on TV!

With that, we present our newest digital series, “AutoFocus!”

This episode of AutoFocus highlights the 1975 Datsun 280Z 2+2 that was featured in Discovery’s Fast N Loud. Gas Monkey Garage’s own Charles Cimino walks you through the ins and outs of our build and takes Richard Rawlings for one hell of a ride.

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Win Richard’s ’74 Mercury Comet On Today!

Time may have forgotten the Mercury Comet, but not Richard. He never forgot his first car from back in the late 1980s. Though he wasn’t able to track down his actual car he did find a similar ‘74 Comet he challenged the Monkeys to restore and update in just three weeks…That was over a year ago and this is now…

To enter for your chance to win click, here or here, or anywhere in this sentence because we want to make this painless for you. Now that you’ve done that all you have to do is fill out a form on Today’s website and make a 60-second video about your fondest car memory…And keep it clean for them!…DM us the dirty ones!

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This Collection Of Custom Motorcycles Is Wild

Collector Rick Smith’s collection will become about 60 vehicles lighter following Mecum’s Houston auction where all are set to be offered at no reserve. While all 60 are worth checking out here, it’s a safe bet that his collection of motorcycles give you the best sense of the man behind the lot…Or as his customizer would say, “Rick, your imagination is my limitation.”

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