eBay Find of the Day: Parnelli Jones 1971 "Big Oly" Ford Bronco tribute [w/video]

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Big Oly Tribute Bronco

We see tribute vehicles come and go. Most of the lot are slaves to every last detail of the original, offering little more than a few engine upgrades to the mix. Then there are beasts like the one above. Built as an homage to Parnelli Jones' 1971 "Big Oly" Ford Bronco Baja 1,000 bruiser, this machine uses a modern trophy truck chassis wrapped in larger-than life fiberglass first-generation Bronco body. With 723 horsepower on tap, the truck is fully capable of bashing the desert into submission. Owner Marshall Mardruga originally built the machine to tackle the Baja 1,000, but decided to turn it into a show truck instead.

Every visible component was then plated in brass or nickel and protected with a clear powder coat in preparation for SEMA 2011. If you like what you see, this machine can be yours for a heady sum. Available in San Diego, California via eBay Motors, the street-legal tribute commands a $535,000 Buy It Now price. You can see the auction here or scroll below to check out a few videos.

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: Parnelli Jones 1971 "Big Oly" Ford Bronco tribute [w/video]

eBay Find of the Day: Parnelli Jones 1971 "Big Oly" Ford Bronco tribute [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The life and death of Ford’s SEMA show booth

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Ford SEMA Booth video

As writers, we're treated to an interesting view of the auto show circuit. We kick in the doors, cram in as many press conferences and interviews as possible, then bolt from the scene as fast as we can. In doing so, we often take for granted the incredible amount of work manufacturers put into their displays. Set up and tear down often takes days, with hundreds of hours of planning and design work leading up to both processes. Ford has released a time-lapse video from this year's SEMA show depicting the long build-up and tear-down slog.

Using a smattering of RePlay XD1080 cameras strewn all around the booth site, it's possible to get a look at the forklifts, lighting, carpeting and cars as they trickle in to create a seamless booth packed with drool-worthy customs. Hit the jump to check out the clip for yourself.

Continue reading The life and death of Ford's SEMA show booth

The life and death of Ford's SEMA show booth originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ID Agency and Michael Chacon show off Ford Focus build

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ID Agency Ford Focus

Now that the dust has begun to settle after the SEMA explosion, we're discovering a handful of awesome videos that shed a little more light on some of our favorite cars from the show. That includes the ID Agency Ford Focus worked up with professional fixed-gear bike rider Michael Chacon. The hatch wears some seriously sexy BASF paint, and with a body kit drawn up by design guru Jon Sibal and a Wraptivo carbon fiber roof, the Focus has some serious attitude. An AEM cold-air intake and a Magnaflow exhaust help bump up the power, while a Brembo big brake kit is responsible for bringing the machine down from speed.

Inside sits a set of some of the most beautiful seats we've ever laid eyes on. The Sportster thrones were worked up by Recaro and feature two-tone leather and plenty of custom stitching. Do want.

The video after the jump spends plenty of time speaking with Chacon about his inspirations and what it's like to see SEMA from the outside. The clip is set to some pretty snappy tunes, including M83's "Midnight City." Hit the jump to check it out for yourself.

Continue reading ID Agency and Michael Chacon show off Ford Focus build

ID Agency and Michael Chacon show off Ford Focus build originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Matchbox 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Superlift suspensions is one hot fire truck

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Matchbox 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty Fire Truck

We have little interest in running into burning buildings, but we can imagine being a firefighter has its perks. For starters, those guys and girls get the chance to pilot some seriously incredible machinery. Superlift, Matchbox and Ford got together to create what could very possibly be the world's most bad-ass brush truck using a 2011 F-350 Super Duty as the base chassis. The truck wears an astonishing 10-inch lift and 41-inch Interko IROK tires. A full tube exo-cage helps protect the PPG "Oh So Orange" paint, and a smattering of lights and sirens ensure that everyone will see this emergency vehicle coming.

A full fire-fighting utility bed, complete with water tanks, pumps and hoses, sits ready to take on brush fires and the like, and a front-mounted water canon means that the Matchbox brush truck can tackle flames going and coming. We dig it.

Matchbox 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty by Superlift suspensions is one hot fire truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ring Brothers 1970 Chevrolet Camaro "Diversion"

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Ring Brothers 1970 Chevrolet Camaro

Every year at SEMA we enjoy seeing the latest creations from the talented Ring Brothers. Last year they debuted an incredible 1970 Mustang, and their latest project is this 1970 Camaro nicknamed "Diversion."

Ring Brothers specializes in producing unique cars, and "Diversion" is no exception. The Camaro sits on a custom-built chassis with a specially fabricated body featuring extended rockers painted with BASF Mineral Gray paint. We're always impressed with the unique billet details of their cars, and this Camaro has them in spades - hood hinges, door handles, taillight bezels and more. The car also features custom Forgeline three-piece wheels, Baer brakes and Flowmaster 44 Series mufflers. Under he hood is a GM LS7 massaged to over 650 horsepower running through a Tremec TKO-600 five-speed transmission.

You can see the Ring Brothers 1970 Camaro "Diversion" in detail in the high-res gallery above.

Ring Brothers 1970 Chevrolet Camaro "Diversion" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Honda Accord Coupe V6 Concept goes supercharged

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Honda Accord supercharged prototype

Honda showed off a gaggle of wild concepts for SEMA 2011, but the most interesting of the bunch may very well be a demure 2011 Accord Coupe V6. The two-door has been worked over by the go-fast fiends at Honda Factory Performance and boasts a range of bolt-on goodies that include a HFP suspension and body kit. More importantly, the Accord Coupe V6 Concept is laden with a smattering of prototype engine components. Engineers crafted a prototype supercharger, intake and exhaust systems just for the vehicle, and the end result is a very respectable 335 horsepower 285 pound-feet of torque.

Those figures mark an increase of 64 ponies and 34 lb-ft of twist over the stock 3.5-liter V6, which should do plenty to make the Accord a more interesting piece of metal. Right now, Honda says that the concept was built purely to gauge public interest and determine whether or not Accord Coupe buyers would actually be interested in a hotter version of the vehicle. We say extra horsepower is always a good thing, especially when it comes with a factory warranty.

2011 Honda Accord Coupe V6 Concept goes supercharged originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Viper-powered 1944 Mack fire truck is one wild ride

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While we generally spend most of our time at SEMA walking through the halls of the convention center, there's some pretty impressive cars outside, as well. Take this wild 1944 Mack fire truck, for example.

Built by Tom Stark of Precision Designs, the truck has been fitted with a 2005 Viper SRT10 V10 engine mated to a Dodge 48RE automatic transmission. The stock Mack axle remains up front, but the rear suspension and axle from a 2008 Ram truck resides out back. Other features include Dodge Ram SRT10 brakes, 24-inch American Force wheels and custom leather seating.

Lest you think this is just a show truck, Stark tells us that the owner plans to actually drive the thing. He is even going to make the trek from his home in Kansas City to the Goodguys Nationals in Columbus, Ohio come July.

You can see the Viper-powered 1944 Mack fire truck in detail in the gallery above.

Viper-powered 1944 Mack fire truck is one wild ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Corvette ZR59 mixes classic styling with ZR1 power

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Chevrolet Corvette ZR59

It takes a lot to stand out at SEMA, but while we were walking through the endless halls of the Las Vegas convention center this 1959 Chevrolet Corvette easily caught our eye.

Dubbed the Corvette ZR59, the car has been given a complete Pro-Touring makeover with a custom Art Morrison chassis and a hand-built metal and fiber glass body. Under the hood is a Corvette ZR1 LS9 V8 producing 750 horsepower, and additional modern components include a Corvette C6 suspension, Wilwood disc brakes and Tremec T56 six-speed transmission. The interior is just as impressive with a hand-fabricated dash, center console and gauge cluster.

You can check out the Corvette ZR59 in detail in the high-res gallery above.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR59 mixes classic styling with ZR1 power originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xtreme Outfitters Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Call of Duty: Black Ops is charitably awesome

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Xtreme Outfitters Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Call of Duty: Black Ops

The standard Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 Special Edition is an impressive piece of machinery by any standard, but if you're looking for something with a little more bite, Xtreme Outfitters may have what you're looking for. The company has created a custom Wrangler just for the Army Rangers. The stock drivetrain was pulled in favor of a Burnsville 5.7-liter Hemi V8 conversion paired to a five-speed automatic transmission while the standard axles were scrapped for a Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear from Dynatrac. A TeraFlex four-inch long arm kit with provides a little extra lift, while Fox 2.0 performance shocks ensure that this Wrangler can soak up whatever terrain you decided to conquer.

Smittybilt provided a set of XRC armor fenders, an SRC stinger bumper and a rear XRC bumper with an adjustable tire mount, some of which have been decorated with shots from a 9mm pistol. Xtreme Outfitters also worked with BMF for a set of pre-production Novakane 17x9-inch wheels.

Inside, the Wrangler uses custom lighting from Rigid Lighting and Katzkin custom two-tone leather seats embroidered with the Ranger logo. Xtreme Outfitters has donated the Wrangler to the Army Rangers to be auctioned off to benefit veteran Rangers. Raffle tickets are $25 a piece, and you can enter as many times as you like. Xtreme Outfitters says that the total build tallies up to around $150,000, though all of the decommissioned firearms spread around the cabin aren't part of the deal. Head over to the Rangers site for more information.

Xtreme Outfitters Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Call of Duty: Black Ops is charitably awesome originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sibal wins Scion Tuner Challenge, walks away with $10K

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Rendering wizard and friend of Autoblog Jon Sibal (above left) managed to beat out a race-prepped iQ and a mid-engine version of the ultra-compact to take the win at this year's Scion Tuner Challenge at SEMA.

Sibal, who's brought a range of vehicles to Vegas in the past, partnered up with Veilside and Mike Vu (above right) to create one particularly insane creation fitted with a $7,000 prototype Veilside body kit, a special brew of matte bronze 3M paint and a 32-inch flatscreen fitted to a motorized mount that allows it to fit flush in the trunk. And there's apparently still room for groceries.

Sibal and Vu had been pushing for a partnership for some time and this iQ is the fruit of two months' worth of labor. Sibal and his team snagged a piston trophy for their efforts and a check for $10,000, which should help pay off the build. Or at least part of it...

Sibal wins Scion Tuner Challenge, walks away with $10K originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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