Autos
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RM Sotheby’s to Auction Two Extremely Rare Mercedes-Benz CLK GTRs
RM Sotheby’s is set to host one of its most significant Mercedes-Benz auctions this year, featuring a 1999 CLK GTR Coupe and a 2002 CLK GTR Roadster -- with a combined estimate as high as $22,000,000 USD.These rare vehicles represent towering achievements in automotive design and engineering, symbols of a time when Mercedes-Benz reigned supreme in the GT1 racing class.Notably, the 1999 CLK GTR Coupe, limited to only 20 examples, represents the pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz’s innovation -- born out of a whirlwind 128-day development period, it won back-to-back FIA GT1 Championships in 1997 and 1998 and also played a part in the demise of the motorsport series it was designed for due to its overwhelming dominance.For many enthusiasts, the vehicle represents a significant part of automotive histo...
These Are Some of the Best Cars We Saw at SEMA 2023
SEMA has stood as one of the most important shows and conventions for automotive enthusiasts, because of the education, announcements and unveilings the car brands and manufacturers bring out each year. For 2023, the spectacle and presentation was as strong as ever, and it showed heavily with the cars and builds we saw. While there's no way to document each and every car at the show, 2023's edition of SEMA (short for Speed Equipment Manufacturing Association) highlighted a good mix of traditional tuning and built vehicles with new-aged techniques in design and modification. Overall, the show brought roughly 160k people to the Las Vegas Convention Center grounds with more than 2,200 vendors across 140 different countries – record numbers for the show, according to a SEMA representative. Ano...
Toyota Unveils the FJ Bruiser a SEMA Special Project Vehicle
Following the highly anticipated and well-received return of the Toyota Land Cruiser to the U.S. Toyota decided they would bring something special to this year's SEMA show and it wasn't the electrified Land Cruiser SE Concept. Instead, the automaker revealed a NASCAR engine-powered beast dubbed the "FJ Bruiser."The Bruiser, originally named "The Unstoppable FJ," was a vision brought to life under the guidance of Marty Schwerter, the captain at the helm of the Toyota Motorsports garage team, with support from Toyota Racing Development in Costa Mesa, California.With the return of the Land Cruiser to the U.S. market, Schwerter said "It only made sense to build a rock crawler, so this is our take on a 1966 Toyota FJ45 Pickup Truck."At the heart of the modern rendition is a modified TRD, 358 cu...
Mercedes-Benz Unveils Updated V8 Models for AMG GT 4-Door Coupé
Mercedes-Benz has revealed an update to its Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, specifically its V8 models. The updated models are available in a variety of iterations, from the GT 63 4MATIC+ 4-door coupé to the more performance-focused GT 63 S 4MATIC+ 4-door coupé.Notable updates include those made to the front facade, inspired by the new AMG GT Coupé, with the V8 models now boasting a larger air inlet below the AMG-specific radiator trim. Additional updates include the integration of vertical air ducts on the exterior of the front apron enhances its sporty look.Performance-wise, the revised models come with the standard AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission, fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive and AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension equipped with adaptive adjustable damping. Other...
Aston Martin and J.Laverack Partner to Offer Highly Customizable .1R Bicycle
Aston Martin is teaming up with British titanium bicycle leader J.Laverack to offer a highly bespoke .1R, a road bicycle meticulously crafted with insights from high-performance automotive designers.The .1R is described as the most bespoke, advanced and engineered bicycle to date, represented through a blend of 3D-printed titanium lugs and sculpted carbon fiber tubes -- created for elevated responsiveness and comfort.Oliver Laverack, Co-founder of J.Laverack Bicycles, shared "Working with the team at Aston Martin has unlocked new ideas and innovations, the application of which has created a bicycle more advanced than anything currently available on the market. Working in collaboration with Aston Martin we have not only taken our titanium bicycles to new heights but have also unlocked true ...
Aston Martin and J.Laverack Partner to Offer Highly Customizable .1R Bicycle
Aston Martin is teaming up with British titanium bicycle leader J.Laverack to offer a highly bespoke .1R, a road bicycle meticulously crafted with insights from high-performance automotive designers.The .1R is described as the most bespoke, advanced and engineered bicycle to date, represented through a blend of 3D-printed titanium lugs and sculpted carbon fiber tubes -- created for elevated responsiveness and comfort.Oliver Laverack, Co-founder of J.Laverack Bicycles, shared "Working with the team at Aston Martin has unlocked new ideas and innovations, the application of which has created a bicycle more advanced than anything currently available on the market. Working in collaboration with Aston Martin we have not only taken our titanium bicycles to new heights but have also unlocked true ...
Ringbrothers Reveal Hellephant-Powered 1969 Dodge Charger “TUSK”
Known for their American muscle builds, Jim and Mike Ring, the co-founders of Ringbrothers, have unveiled their latest custom work -- a 1969 Dodge Charger fitted with a 1,000 HP Mopar Hellephant engine, a vehicle they're calling the "TUSK."The TUSK represents a meticulously engineered reimagination of the classic Charger, with the Wisconsin-based builders taking special care to showcase a blend of vintage style with modern-day automotive technology and performance prowess.At the heart of TUSK lies Mopar's Hellephant engine, a 1,000 HP powerhouse, notably limited to just 100 units and the key factor that propels this classic muscle car into the modern era. The engine's immense power is harnessed through a six-speed Bowler TREMEC T-56 Magnum manual transmission and delivered to the rear whee...
‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ Lamborghini Countach Hero Car Heads to Auction
The primary 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary edition, used in the filming of The Wolf of Wall Street, is headed to auction. The sale will take place at the inaugural "On the Grid: The Abu Dhabi Auction," on November 25, 2023, with curation by Bonhams Cars.While two cars were used in Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street, the vehicle in question is the one that took on the brunt of the action, including Jordan Belfort's (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) Quaalude-fueled drive -- which is quite obvious based on the extensive damage to the vehicle.In the film, the 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary, painted in a sleek Bianco Polo finish, emerged as a symbol of opulence and excess, a true-to-period detail that accentuated the era’s lavish debauchery on Wall Street.Notably, the...
Satisfy and Osprey Collaborate for Limited-Edition Backpack Collection
In an effort to fuse sustainability with innovation, fashion-facing running brand Satisfy and renowned custom-fit backpack brand Osprey have collaborated to create a unique product, the "SATISFY Osprey Talon Mineral backpack."The collection consists of ten distinct colorways, utilizing natural mineral pigments, marking a continued stride toward eco-conscious production in the realm of outdoor gear.Celebrated for its exceptional fit and dynamic functionality, the Osprey Talon bag expresses traits that blend harmoniously with Satisfy's mission of minimal distraction and maximal quality.The collaboration highlights both brands' commitment to sustainable and mindful practices, illustrated by the Talon Mineral 22's bluesign product designation -- a label that signifies the gear’s adherence to s...
Inside the Hidden World of RWB With Akira Nakai and eBay Motors
Akira Nakai is a legendary Japanese car designer and owner of famed Porsche tuner garage RAUH-Welt BEGRIFF (RWB). While he’s globally renowned for his iconic RWB wide-body kit modifications on classic Porsche models, he’s also respected in Japan’s car tuner scene, racing and drifting his custom Toyota AE86. Nakai’s signature design is his knack for lowered body profiles alongside super-sized arches and wheels. Throughout his career redesigning cars at body shops, Nakai developed a deep interest in classic Porsche 911 models.Just this August, Nakai traveled to Canada to work on a special Porsche 911 for a lucky customer – it was the first commissioned 997 project Nakai built outside of Japan. In addition to applying his signature wide-body RWB kit to the Porsche 911 (997.1), the car was ma...
Nissan Pays Homage to Rally Racing Heritage with “Safari Rally Z Tribute”
Revealed at this year's SEMA show, Nissan has effectively turned back the clock but with a modern twist, as it introduced the Safari Rally Z Tribute. The vehicle, designed by Tommy Pike Customs, is an homage to the brand's motorsport heritage -- specifically drawing on inspirations from the Datsun 240Z Safari rally car.Based on the seventh-generation Nissan Z, the Tribute takes several cues from the Datsun 240Z, the champion of the 1971 East African Safari Rally. It also includes a variety of modern engineering updates, including a suspension upgrade that's increased its ride height by 2 inches, using custom KW Safari and NISMO suspension parts. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with 17 x 7.5-inch prototype NISMO Safari wheels wrapped in Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 tires.Other modern m...
16-Mile Example BMW x Jeff Koons M850i xDrive Gran Coupe Heads to Auction
A 2023 BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, one of only 99 created in a special collaboration with pop artist Jeff Koons, is currently sitting on the Bring A Trailer auction block. This unique vehicle, dubbed "THE 8 x JEFF KOONS," showcases a distinctive exterior and interior design crafted by the artist and blends M Performance prowess with avant-garde artistry.Under the hood, the M850i houses a twin-turbo 4.4L V8 engine coupled with an eight-speed M Sport automatic transmission. Its driving capabilities are enhanced by the inclusion of the Driving Assistance and Driving Assistance Pro packages, along with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system, an M Sport limited-slip differential and the Adaptive M Suspension Pro.The car's exterior features a graphic design by Koons that is said to have required 2...
