Apparently the Dodge Viper isn’t the only car we’ll have to say good-bye to soon. The Volkswagen New Beetle will be replaced by a new one soon, and Volkswagen have decided that the Beetle needs a good bye, just like the Viper. So they’ve released a special edition called the Final Edition at the LA Auto Show.

Truth be told, this isn’t really as special an edition as, say, the 1:33 edition of the Viper ACR. Nonetheless, Volkswagen will try to impress buyers with a selection of things. It’s available in both coupe and convertible forms. Only 1,500 of each will be made. Under the hood, they’ve placed a 2.5L inline-5 rated at 150hp. The power will be sent to the front wheels through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox. Now, this is available on normal Beetles, so nothing special here. The more important bit is that they’ve fitted the car with full sports suspension and special 17-inch alloy wheels.

The coupe gets Aquarius Blue paint while the convertible gets a two-tone paintjob, combining Aquarius Blue and Campanella White. The roof is all white. The coupe also gets a black roof and integrated fog lights. Both will get special badging on the front quarter panel and steering wheel. Each car will get its individual number printed on the steering wheel along with the badge.

The coupe will have a base price of $20,240 while the convertible starts at $27,170.

More details can be found in Volkswagen’s press release below:

Volkswagen Announces the 2010 New Beetle Coupe and New Beetle Convertible Final Editions

Only 1,500 of Each Model Will Be Available At U.S. Dealerships

LOS ANGELES, CA — December 2, 2009 – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the 2010 New Beetle and New Beetle convertible Final Editions, which will mark the last of Volkswagen’s current generation of the iconic models. Available in U.S. dealer showrooms beginning in the Spring of 2010, the Final Editions will be limited to only 1,500 units each. The Final Editions will receive a host of unique upgrades and touches that will truly set them apart from others cruising across the country.

“Since its launch in 1998, the New Beetle – and the New Beetle convertible that later followed – have connected generations of fans that love the cars’ totally unique styling and characteristics that are simply unmatched,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The Final Editions combine all of the elements that best represent what people love the most about the New Beetle, and that have created the car’s legacy, which will live on in generations to come.”

On the outside, the Final Editions come dressed in special Aquarius Blue paint with a painted black roof on the coupe, and a two-tone Aquarius Blue and Campanella White paint scheme with a white top on the convertible. Final Edition exterior badges help these models stand out from the crowd wherever they go. The coupe also adds individually numbered badges outside, and fog lights that are integrated into the front bumper. Both the coupe and the convertible have a full sport suspension and special 17-inch alloy wheels that provide a more fun-to-drive stance, and make getting from point A to point B even more exciting.

Inside, drivers are welcomed with an individually numbered, Final Edition steering wheel. The convertible entices with a sumptuous white interior that matches the top, and the special exterior paint scheme. Under the hood of both models is Volkswagen’s 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder gasoline engine, with its ready-to-go 150 horsepower, and 170 lbs.-ft. of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic® puts the power to the pavement, and can change gears on its own, or let the driver select each gear by tapping the selector up or down. With the automatic transmission, the New Beetle can achieve an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, and 29 mpg on the highway.

Like all 2010 Volkswagen models, the New Beetle and New Beetle convertible Final Editions come standard-equipped with the Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP), for safe driving in most any conditions, as well as Volkswagen’s Carefree Maintenance Program. With this program, there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance described in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet over the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty – three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

The 2010 New Beetle Coupe and New Beetle Convertible Final Editions will be available for $20,240 and $27,170 respectively.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Golf, GTI, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, Passat, Passat Wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2010 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

Source: Autoblog and AutoWeek

The Dodge Viper, production lap record holder for Laguna Seca and among the best at the Nordschleife, will be no more by 2011. To give it a good farewell, Dodge will be updating it for the last year and releasing some special editions.

The standard Viper SRT-10 will be receiving two new exterior colours: Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver metallic clear coat. The fifth gear ratio has been shortened to improve high speed acceleration. Only 500 2010 Vipers will be produced.

The ACR gets a new short-throw shifter, as well as aerodynamic tweaks to the rear wing to reduce drag while increasing downforce.

So far, Dodge has announced two special editions of the Viper, but they promise to get some more done before we say our final good-bye. One of these is the Viper SRT10 ACR 1:33 Edition. It was made to pay tribute to the record-breaking run at Laguna Seca recently, when the SRT10 ACR broke the production lap record there. It has a reversed version of the ACR’s paintjob, with the large stripe and the very small stripe being black, and everything else being red. Inside, it gets piano black console bezels with red gauge highlights and red stitching on the seats. Only 33 will be made.

The second special edition is the Vooodoo-Edition Viper SRT10 ACR. It gets a Black Clear Coat exterior with a Graphite stripe outlined in red.  The unique striping is also on the steering wheel. Only 10 of these will be manufactured.

It’s sad that the Viper will have to go, but maybe it will be replaced by something even better. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

More details on the updated Viper and the special edition can be found in the press release:

Dodge Viper SRT10® Lives On As The Ultimate American Sports Car

• Last model year for current generation Dodge Viper
• More exclusive than ever before with more than 7,600 possible appearance combinations available for limited production run of 500 cars
• Two new exterior colors, including Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat
• New wider, dual racing stripe pattern
• Revised fifth gear ratio
• New wing endplate and revised wing profile on American Club Racer (ACR) model
• Short-throw shifter on ACR model
• Various special, limited-edition models available across 2010 lineup

Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 2, 2009 -

To celebrate the final production year of the current generation Dodge Viper SRT10, Dodge plans to deliver a vehicle lineup like no other since the introduction of the iconic American sports car in 1992.

At the heart of the 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains the venerable 8.4-liter (510 cu. in.) V-10 engine that produces 600 (450 kW) horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. (760 N•m) of torque. Benchmark performance numbers, including 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat, and a top speed of 202 mph, continue to prove how the serious, race-inspired, street-legal two-seater performs without apology.

Body style offerings remain unchanged with the availability of Roadster and Coupe models along with the ACR (American Club Racer) package. Approximately 500 vehicles will be built for the 2010 model year.

With the introduction of two new exterior colors–Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat–Dodge Viper SRT10 is now available in 12 different colors – the most regularly available choices in one model year. And with six stripe options in the new wider configuration, five different interior color combinations, four different wheel choices and three available interior bezels; the 2010 Viper SRT10 will be available in more than 7,600 combinations–the most for any one model year–significantly adding to the exclusivity of each car like never before.

New across the Viper lineup is a shorter fifth gear ratio (changing from 0.74 to 0.80) for improved high-speed acceleration and higher straightaway speeds. Acceleration from 0-200 mph has improved by 14 seconds. This improvement is a direct result of the Chrysler Group LLC Street and Racing Technology team’s experience at the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany where during the lap-record run in 2008, it was found that a revised gear ratio would have resulted in higher top gear acceleration and a quicker lap time.

The Viper SRT10 channels its power through a ZF Sachs twin-disc clutch that reduces rotating inertia by 18 percent, reduces clutch-pedal effort and improves engagement feel. Transferring power to the rear wheels is a heavy-duty six-speed manual transmission.

Stopping power is another carefully developed part of the Viper SRT10 equation, with 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual-opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual-opposing calipers in the rear. This system results in world-class braking performance of 60-0 mph in less than 100 feet.

Interior color options for 2010 include: standard black, two-tone black and red with red accent stitching, two-tone black and blue with blue accent stitching, two-tone black and medium slate grey with medium slate grey accent stitching and the two-tone black and natural tan with premium tan Nappa leather seats, tan center console, lower instrument panel and door panels introduced for the 2009 model year. On the Roadster model, the black and tan package includes a matching tan cloth convertible top.

Viper SRT10 ACR

The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR receives a new short-throw shifter in 2010 for enhanced driver experience and better performance. The rear wing profile and end plates are redesigned to further optimize the vehicle aerodynamics and improve rear yaw downforce. These changes combined with the new fifth gear ratio result in an increased top speed of 4 mph (to 184 mph for the ACR model).

The enhanced four-wheel independent suspension features high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, KW suspension with two-way adjustable competition coil-over shock absorbers with remote reservoirs.

The aerodynamic package features a carbon fiber “fanged” splitter in front and adjustable carbon-fiber wing with seven-position stanchions that allow up to an amazing 1,000 lbs. of downforce at 150 mph. Lightweight wheels, two-piece slotted StopTech brake rotors and Michelin PS Cup tires round out the Dodge Viper ACR package.

New Special, Limited-edition Models

Numerous special, limited-edition models are planned for the 2010 model year, including the Dodge Viper ACR 1:33 Edition, which will pay tribute to the new production car lap record set on Nov. 24 at Laguna Seca raceway. The unique two-tone Black Clear Coat/Red Clear Coat exterior color scheme on this model is the opposite form of the original Viper ACR. Interior highlights include piano black console bezels with red gauge highlights complemented with red accent stitching in the seats. Only 33 cars will be produced as 1:33 Edition Viper ACR models.

The 2010 Vooodoo-edition Viper ACR will feature an all Black Clear Coat exterior with a Graphite Driver’s Stripe outlined in red. Only 10 cars will be produced with the unique striping on both the exterior, as well as on the steering wheel.

Additional special edition models will be announced closer to their individual introductions. Pricing on the 2010 Dodge Viper lineup also will be announced at a later date.

Source: Autoblog

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Dec 2nd 2009 at 12:48PM

The 2010 model year marks the last run of the 600-hp Dodge Viper. To keep performance (and consumer interest) high for the next 12 months, the automaker is adding new colors, enhancing performance and releasing several limited-edition models.

Standard Viper SRT10 models receive two new exterior colors: Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat. A new shorter fifth gear ratio (changing from .74 to .80) improves high speed acceleration (the 0-200 mph run drops by 14 seconds). The track-bred ACR models get a new short-throw shifter, and new aerodynamic tweaks to the rear wing lower drag while improving downforce (top speed bumps up to 184 mph on the ACR model).

As of today, the automaker has announced the first two special variants of the Viper, and they promise more will come. The Dodge Viper ACR 1:33 Edition, paying tribute to the record-setting run at Laguna Seca, is identified by its unique two-tone Black Clear Coat/Red Clear Coat exterior color (the opposite of the original Viper ACR color). Other cosmetic enhancements include piano black console bezels with red gauge highlights and red stitching on the seats. The Vooodoo-edition Viper ACR gets an all Black Clear Coat exterior with a Graphite stripe outlined in red. Talk about exclusivity – only 10 cars will be produced with the unique striping on both the exterior and steering wheel. You can check out both limited edition models in our live gallery below and read Dodge’s press release after the jump.

(autoblog) press release [Source: Dodge]

Dodge Viper SRT10® Lives On As The Ultimate American Sports Car

• Last model year for current generation Dodge Viper
• More exclusive than ever before with more than 7,600 possible appearance combinations available for limited production run of 500 cars
• Two new exterior colors, including Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat
• New wider, dual racing stripe pattern
• Revised fifth gear ratio
• New wing endplate and revised wing profile on American Club Racer (ACR) model
• Short-throw shifter on ACR model
• Various special, limited-edition models available across 2010 lineup

Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 2, 2009 -

To celebrate the final production year of the current generation Dodge Viper SRT10, Dodge plans to deliver a vehicle lineup like no other since the introduction of the iconic American sports car in 1992.

At the heart of the 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains the venerable 8.4-liter (510 cu. in.) V-10 engine that produces 600 (450 kW) horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. (760 N•m) of torque. Benchmark performance numbers, including 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat, and a top speed of 202 mph, continue to prove how the serious, race-inspired, street-legal two-seater performs without apology.

Body style offerings remain unchanged with the availability of Roadster and Coupe models along with the ACR (American Club Racer) package. Approximately 500 vehicles will be built for the 2010 model year.

With the introduction of two new exterior colors–Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat–Dodge Viper SRT10 is now available in 12 different colors – the most regularly available choices in one model year. And with six stripe options in the new wider configuration, five different interior color combinations, four different wheel choices and three available interior bezels; the 2010 Viper SRT10 will be available in more than 7,600 combinations–the most for any one model year–significantly adding to the exclusivity of each car like never before.

New across the Viper lineup is a shorter fifth gear ratio (changing from 0.74 to 0.80) for improved high-speed acceleration and higher straightaway speeds. Acceleration from 0-200 mph has improved by 14 seconds. This improvement is a direct result of the Chrysler Group LLC Street and Racing Technology team’s experience at the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany where during the lap-record run in 2008, it was found that a revised gear ratio would have resulted in higher top gear acceleration and a quicker lap time.

The Viper SRT10 channels its power through a ZF Sachs twin-disc clutch that reduces rotating inertia by 18 percent, reduces clutch-pedal effort and improves engagement feel. Transferring power to the rear wheels is a heavy-duty six-speed manual transmission.

Stopping power is another carefully developed part of the Viper SRT10 equation, with 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual-opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual-opposing calipers in the rear. This system results in world-class braking performance of 60-0 mph in less than 100 feet.

Interior color options for 2010 include: standard black, two-tone black and red with red accent stitching, two-tone black and blue with blue accent stitching, two-tone black and medium slate grey with medium slate grey accent stitching and the two-tone black and natural tan with premium tan Nappa leather seats, tan center console, lower instrument panel and door panels introduced for the 2009 model year. On the Roadster model, the black and tan package includes a matching tan cloth convertible top.

Viper SRT10 ACR

The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR receives a new short-throw shifter in 2010 for enhanced driver experience and better performance. The rear wing profile and end plates are redesigned to further optimize the vehicle aerodynamics and improve rear yaw downforce. These changes combined with the new fifth gear ratio result in an increased top speed of 4 mph (to 184 mph for the ACR model).

The enhanced four-wheel independent suspension features high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, KW suspension with two-way adjustable competition coil-over shock absorbers with remote reservoirs.

The aerodynamic package features a carbon fiber “fanged” splitter in front and adjustable carbon-fiber wing with seven-position stanchions that allow up to an amazing 1,000 lbs. of downforce at 150 mph. Lightweight wheels, two-piece slotted StopTech brake rotors and Michelin PS Cup tires round out the Dodge Viper ACR package.

New Special, Limited-edition Models

Numerous special, limited-edition models are planned for the 2010 model year, including the Dodge Viper ACR 1:33 Edition, which will pay tribute to the new production car lap record set on Nov. 24 at Laguna Seca raceway. The unique two-tone Black Clear Coat/Red Clear Coat exterior color scheme on this model is the opposite form of the original Viper ACR. Interior highlights include piano black console bezels with red gauge highlights complemented with red accent stitching in the seats. Only 33 cars will be produced as 1:33 Edition Viper ACR models.

The 2010 Vooodoo-edition Viper ACR will feature an all Black Clear Coat exterior with a Graphite Driver’s Stripe outlined in red. Only 10 cars will be produced with the unique striping on both the exterior, as well as on the steering wheel.

Additional special edition models will be announced closer to their individual introductions. Pricing on the 2010 Dodge Viper lineup also will be announced at a later date.

As the dust settles around the Fiat and Chrysler alliance and the recently revealed plans for the US carmaker’s future, rumours that Ferrari will play a role in the development of the next generation Viper have begun to surface.

Dodge brand chief Ralph Gilles confirmed this week that while the next generation Viper may benefit from Maranello’s knowledge and experience, no platforms or technology will be shared between the two.

Gilles added fuel to the fire earlier this week when, in a statement following a record Laguna Seca lap by the Dodge Viper ACR, he said “When we have partners across the ocean who are known as the best sports-car makers in the world, the future opportunities are huge.”

In a later talk with US magazine Auto Week, Gilles qualified Dodge’s position.

“They really know sports cars. We just want some advice,” Gilles said. “Ferrari is Ferrari, Viper is Viper. Please don’t go there.”

The current generation Viper is due to be retired around the middle of next year, and a replacement is not expected until later in 2012.

My brother snapped this pic on his way to work the other day.  Wow.

Upside Down Dodge Viper Logo Totally Looks Like Daffy Duck

From Totally Looks Like

In the last few weeks I have came across a few eye catching models and bought them. Here are my latest Hot Wheels, Matchbox and Johnny Lightning Pick Ups.

A JL Error with an 1969 Camaro RS/SS in a 1959 Chevy Impala IMPALA package.

Well, it has been proven yet again that Dodge Viper owners are nothing but a bunch of pussies who have boners for big horsepower and big money, but they can’t drive their cars to save their lives.

If you have heard of the SPEED Channel show Pass Time, just understand that they aired an all Viper episode this evening and you’ll begin to get what I’m saying.  For the unfamiliar, Pass Time is a game show where contestants attempt to guess the Elapsed Time that it will take a car to race down a 1/4 mile drag strip from a standing start.  Simple premise, great idea, why wasn’t this a show 25 years ago?

With that out of the way, this most recent episode of Pass Time was the Dodge Viper episode where all cars that ran down the track were – you guessed it – Dodge Vipers.  Now, it has always been said that it if you see a parking lot full of Dodge Vipers you can safely assume that the owners collectively have a 10″ cock between them.  I’d always kind of figured this was just other car owners doing the car owner thing and talking trash, but this particular episode affirmed every piece of trash ever talked by a Corvette owner anywhere.

Almost every guy who raced his Dodge Viper down the drag strip – missed a shift, or launched way too hard and spun the tires all of which equal up to $75,000+ cars, with another $50,000 in modifications running the times of a stock Corvette with an average driver.  For example, multiple 1000 hp Dodge Vipers ripped off mighty 11.5 – 12 second passes.  Right about what a new Corvette does stock with an average driver.

I understand that a high power car is going to have traction issues, but there is no replacement for a good driver.  A good driver can control wheel spin, and an average driver at the least is going to manage to shift the car properly going down the track.  So, next time you see a twin turbo Dodge Viper on TV or the internet, remember that the short bald white guy who owns it has a dick that barely reaches his zipper and some tiny little balls to match it – IF any at all.

The Viper is typically a sports car manufactured by Dodge. The size of this American sports car is very large and also has a stylish look. This sports car was introduced in 1991.

The Viper has undergone several changes since its introduction in 1991. We had the First generation RT 10 during its introduction. Then came the GTS model in the Second generation. The Third generation model was the SRT 10 which was introduced in 2003 and presently we have the Fourth generation Vipers.The Viper not only looks aggressive but it is an amazing performer too. The SRT 10 touches 100kph in 3.5 seconds and it claims a top speed of over 325 kph!! Several variations of the Viper are available in different countries. The Vipers are also very famous in the racing scene winning several races.

Hey!
Today is the Top 5 North America Cars. In the next couple days will be European and Asian made cars.

#5
The Ford Taurus SHO

<a
This car is FAST, I have only seen one in real life though

#4
The Chevrolet Corvette

<a
This is a pretty sweet car, saw one while at a car dealership and have a picture of it on my phone

#3
The Ford Mustang

<a
I have seen so many of these and they always look awesome!

#2
The Chevrolet Camero

This is my favorite muscle car, and I have seen 2, one in a light blue WTF

#1
The Dodge Viper

This car is AMAZING! You won’t get it if you haven’t seen it up close in person, this car is sweet.

-Storm

From/De: EA

Need for Speed SHIFT Console Demo Available October 1

Taste the True Driver’s Experience in This Year’s Most Critically Acclaimed Racing Game

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that the console demo of the highly-rated Need for Speed SHIFT will be available for download on October 1 on PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE. The demo gives players a chance to see for themselves just how SHIFT delivers on the Need for Speed promise of speed, adrenaline and precision racing. Need for Speed SHIFT has been commended by AOL GameDaily as “one of 2009’s best racing games” and as “outstanding” by IGN.

Players will sample this year’s most intense authentic racing game by pushing one of four cars to its limits on the world-famous Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and the tight city circuit of London River. Players that dominate each track and collect enough stars will also unlock the ultimate racing machine; the Pagani Zonda F.

Jump into the cockpit of one of these five cars and find out how Need for Speed SHIFT combines real-world physics with perception based G-forces to deliver a supercharged on-the-track experience.

1. BMW M3 (E46)
2. 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10
3. 2006 Lotus Elise 111R
4. 2008 Nissan GT-R
5. 2006 Pagani Zonda F (unlockable)

The PC demo is currently available for download at www.needforspeed.com.

The game introduces a brutal first-person crash dynamic that creates an unparalleled immersive experience. The signature cockpit view delivers a true driver’s experience. Need for Speed SHIFT further personalizes the experience through the all-new driver profile — a unique persona based on the driving skill and style of each player. Need for Speed SHIFT is the most realistic and intensive authentic racing game ever.

With a perfect score from GameSpy.com and G4TV.com, and 90+ scores from IGN.com, Official Xbox Magazine, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, Team Xbox.com, Game Daily.com, Gametrailers.com and more, Need for Speed SHIFT is the highest rated Need for Speed game in years.

Need for Speed SHIFT is now available on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PC, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, mobile and coming soon on the iPhone™. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com or follow us on Twitter at NeedforSpeed.

Press can download assets at http://info.ea.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA MobileTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile, POGO and Need for Speed are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. The names, designs, and logos of all products are the property of their respective owners and used by permission. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. “PlayStation” and “PSP” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Mustang Sally, guess you better slow your Mustang down…
(She makes the Indy 500 look like a Roman chariot race now)
Get a grip on my boy racer roll bar, such a thrill when your radials squeal!
Oh Lord won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends…

Went to the rather small but lots of fun car show in Mattituck, NY today by myself and had a real blast.

Now I must say that I think my car is the absolute best for me, but I love cars. Especially older sports cars. Though I haven’t been able to exactly afford one. Doesn’t matter. So I must pay homage to my 2009 MX 5 PRHT 6 speed before I move on to a few pictures from the show.

Many American Classic Cars.

T birds, Road Runners, GTO’s, ‘Cudas, Corvettes, Firebirds and the older Model A/B Rumble Seats (I don’t know very much about the different models of 1930’s cars). So much fun to look at!
Of course there were Mustangs…

Oh, oh, oh my God the Shelby Cobra was beautiful… as was of course the Dodge Viper. Bless Carroll Shelby. Bless him. Bless him…

(Does anyone have a spare Dodge Viper hanging around their garage… No? How about a ‘64 Mustang or a ‘56 Corvette? Yea, I know the answer to that…)

When I was in high school many years ago, I wasn’t permitted to take Auto Shop… no, us girls had to take “Home Economics” (something I’m still uninterested in and lousy at). Of course now things are different in that respect. Wish my husband’s father had been around that I could have learned more and helped him with backyard car projects but he lost his dad when he was around 19. I only met him briefly a few times but from all accounts he was a terrific auto mechanic by trade.

Unfortunately my cell phone powered down on me and didn’t save the last few pictures I took and then died all together (I really need to break down and order a new one) : (

I love to look at the engines. More precisely how they’ve been restored or modified. The older purer cars had beautiful simple engines. I had a Chevy Nova sedan straight 6 that was a delight in it’s straight forward-ness to work on. Not like today where you can’t even get to the oil filter without disassembling half the car or having a lift… and that’s not mentioning all the computer chip s**t. Ah well, eh?
I even had a push button automatic 1960 (or 62 can’t remember) AMC Rambler complete with sweet tail fins… Now I wish I still had that one but alas it threw a rod. I needed a car and got the Nova. Always wondered what happened to the Rambler, body was nice. I hope someone out there restored it.

Sadly though I’m not a big fuzzy dice fan.
Lots and lots of fuzzy dice there in many different sizes and colors.
They scare me a little when so many are in one place at the same time because I believe the fuzzy dice are like those critters from Star Trek that proliferated out of control in the “Trouble with Tribbles” episode. Ha.

G’night all,
I’m going to go to bed and dream of cars for sure tonight.

Other activities Faith and I pursued over the summer were puzzles and model cars. We bought a 1000 piece puzzle from Wal-mart and a Dodge Viper model car kit from a toy store in Chapel Hill. The puzzle got us hooked immediately. I worked on the puzzle as much as I could in the morning before I had to go to class. Faith worked on the puzzle whenever I was at the gym. The feeling of getting a piece of the puzzle to fit is extremely uplifting and the best part is that since there are 1000 pieces, there theoretically are 999 chances to experience that sensation. We eventually framed the finished puzzle.

The model car kit was also fun to build. We constructed and painted the Viper in a few days. It’s a great way to spend time with your girlfriend (as long as she’s into it). And once you’re done, you have a sharp-looking car to decorate the apartment with.

Amerykanie lubią sportowe auta. Problem może stanowić fakt, że albo samochody te są zbyt mocne, albo zbyt słabe. A i tak największą bolączką jest skręcanie. Ale nie tym razem. Devon GTX, samochód niewielkiej firmy Davon Motorworks został zaprezentowany na Concurs d’Elegance w Pebble Beach. Pojazd bazujący na Dodge Viperze, jest napędzany mocarnym silnikiem V10 o pojemności ośmiu i czterech dziesiątych litra. Aluminiowy potwór generuje 650 koni mechanicznych przy 6100 obrotach na minutę. Carbonowe nadwozie prezentuje się interesująco na 18 calowych kołach. Jeśli nawet ten rozmiar okaże się za mały można zamówić 19 calowe obręcze. Dwie bliźniacze końcówki układu wydechowego, pokryte chromem  umieszczone koło siebie zachwycają dużą średnicą. Niezależne zawieszenie Devon’a wykonane z aluminium jest regulowane oraz posiada 27 milimetrowe stabilizatory. Aby pojazd był szybki nie tylko na prostych zamontowano trzystaosiemdziesięcio milimetrowe sześciotłoczkowe tarcze przy przedniej osi oraz nieco mniejsze 355 mm na tylniej. Można również znaleźć na niej mechanizm dyferencjału o ograniczonym uślizgu. We wnętrzu zostaniemy oczarowani mieszanką nowoczesności oraz tradycji. W Devonie GTX nie znajdziemy klasycznych zegarów, lecz wyświetlacz LCD. Wszystkie przełączniki wewnątrz auta budzą skojarzenia z „epoką wielkich pokręteł”. Pojazd posiada również niezły sprzęt grający od Haas Entertainment. Cena auta wynosi około pól miliona dolarów.

Ach, przedwczesna była radość narodu polskiego. Ach, przedwczesna. Jak pisaliśmy już jakiś czas temu jeden z symboli, a nawet rzekłbym jeden z owianych sławą amerykańskich rydwanów nie będzie produkowany w naszej ojczyźnie. Strata toć wielka, acz przedwczesne były informacje dotyczące Dodga Vipera. Najwyższe kierownictwo podjęło decyzją że nie jest zainteresowane sprzedażą linii produkcyjnej Żmiji. Tym bardziej za śmiesznie niską cenę jaką poznaliśmy gdy na dworze zaczęło robić się cieplej – ok. dziesięciu milionów dolarów. Powodem tej deklaracji są słowa dyrektora generalnego Dodge’a dotyczące faktu, że koncern Chryslera jest główniekojarzony z modelem zaprezentowanym w 1989 roku.

Produkcja mimo ogłoszenia upadłości będzie kontynuowana. I chwała im za to.

Dodge President and CEO, Mike Accavitti, announced that production of the Dodge Viper SRT10 will continue!

This car was originally introduced as a concept at the 1989 International Auto Show. Orders were being made before the show was even over. The first production Viper was made in 1991. Dodge has sold over 25,000 Vipers since then.

We were still hard at work here at the BangShift.com news desk Friday night, and that’s a good thing because that’s when Chrysler laid a press release in our paws which says they will not be selling the Viper brand and will continue production of the iconic bruising sports car. Hope springs eternal! Read the full press release after the jump.

Chrysler Group LLC announced today that production will continue for the legendary Dodge Viper SRT10.

Originally slated to cease production in December 2009, the Chrysler Group Connor Avenue Assembly Plant — the exclusive home of Dodge Viper production since 1995 — will continue to build the V-10 powered sports car. Chrysler Group is no longer pursuing a sale of the Viper business assets.

“The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe,” said Mike Accavitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Brand. “We’re extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand. ”

Introduced as a concept car in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Dodge Viper was designed and engineered to test public reaction to the concept of a back-to-basics, high-performance, limited production sports car.

The reaction was so overwhelming that customer orders began to flow in even before the auto show was over. Chrysler Corporation immediately decided to determine the production feasibility on transforming the crowd-pleasing Dodge Viper show car into a limited-production sports car in no more than three years.

In May 1990, after months of intensive study and testing, Chrysler Corporation announced that the Dodge Viper, powered by an aluminum V-10 was a “go.”

Dodge Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Viper V-10 engine production transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001. In 2008, Dodge introduced the all-new, fourth generation Dodge Viper SRT10. With more horsepower, more torque and more than 30 exterior and interior color combinations, the latest Viper gives enthusiasts the performance they expect on the track and off, with more factory customization options than before.

For 2009, the Dodge Viper SRT10 offers outrageous power, with an 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower (450 kW) V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than four seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), setting an American sports car benchmark.

With the Fiat alliance completed and the company emerged from bankruptcy, the Viper has experienced alot of rumor and speculation. First there were talks of it being phased out then it emerged on the auction block for sale. Now, Chrysler Group LLC has announced that the Viper will live on!  Press release after the break.

Chrysler Group LLC announced today that production will continue for the legendary Dodge Viper SRT10. 

Originally slated to cease production in December 2009, the Chrysler Group Connor Avenue Assembly Plant — the exclusive home of Dodge Viper production since 1995 — will continue to build the V-10 powered sports car. Chrysler Group is no longer pursuing a sale of the Viper business assets.

“The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe,” said Mike Accavitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Brand. “We’re extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand. “

Introduced as a concept car in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Dodge Viper was designed and engineered to test public reaction to the concept of a back-to-basics, high-performance, limited production sports car.

The reaction was so overwhelming that customer orders began to flow in even before the auto show was over. Chrysler Corporation immediately decided to determine the production feasibility on transforming the crowd-pleasing Dodge Viper show car into a limited-production sports car in no more than three years.

In May 1990, after months of intensive study and testing, Chrysler Corporation announced that the Dodge Viper, powered by an aluminum V-10 was a “go.”

Dodge Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Viper V-10 engine production transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001. In 2008, Dodge introduced the all-new, fourth generation Dodge Viper SRT10. With more horsepower, more torque and more than 30 exterior and interior color combinations, the latest Viper gives enthusiasts the performance they expect on the track and off, with more factory customization options than before.

For 2009, the Dodge Viper SRT10 offers outrageous power, with an 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower (450 kW) V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than four seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), setting an American sports car benchmark.

To date, more than 25,000 Dodge Vipers have been built