Link Love From The Car Connection: Win A One-Off Corvette, Danica Patrick’s Moustache, And Jesse James Is Still Kicking
Intervention time -- Sad fact: one of your TCC staffers has a 1977 AMC Pacer sitting in his garage. Also sad: the engine hasn't turned over since 1997, and it only has three tires, but he still can't bear to sell the damn thing. Worst of all: now he can blame his addiction on a hormone imbalance. [TimesOfLondon via Jalopnik]
Still standing -- So, Jesse James has a new TV show in which he does car and motorcycle stunts. It's called Jesse James is a Dead Man. Quoth JJ, "I'm not doing this for respect. I'm doing this because I'm dumb." And...well, that's pretty much all we need to know, right? [AutoWeek]
Win-win -- General Motors has built a special, one-off Corvette called the ZR1 "Hero Edition". Not only does it feature a badass paint job and a 638hp V8, but it's being put to good use, raising money for the Kids Wish Network. And it can be yours for a $3 raffle ticket. SERIOUSLY. Get on it. [WinTheVettes via WorldCarFans]
There oughta be a law -- Speaking of paint jobs: have you ever seen a Rolls Royce gussied up by a douchebag? Or possibly by one of those ladies who purchases "designer" handbags from street vendors? No? Well, look to your left. [Carscoop]
Strong bones -- Yes, that's Danica Patrick you see up top. Yes, she's doing the "Got Milk?" campaign. Yes, she looks smokin'. Yes, there's a "making of" clip in which she looks smokin' in video form. Hello, Monday. [egmCarTech]
Jet boy, jet girl -- Good news: the future is finally here, thanks to commercially available jet packs that top out at 60 mph on regular unleaded. Bad news: there's only ten of 'em. That, and they're $100,000, and they don't require any kind of license. Sounds like a recipe for asshat disaster. [AutoMotto]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Link Love From The Car Connection: Thursday Edition
Much of the world's attention is focused on the glitz and glamour of the Detroit Auto Show, but that doesn't mean there's not other news afoot:
- Nigeria's bikers put faith in pumpkins: The Nigerian government recently instituted a helmet law for motorcycle riders, but the public ain't happy about it--especially the taxi trivers. Motorcycle taxis are popular in Nigeria, and the new law naturally requires helmets for both drivers and passengers. However, drivers complain that passengers often steal the helmets or curse them with juju, so many have begun wearing dried pumpkins instead. They're easy to replace, sure, but the craniums underneath? Not so much. [BBC]
- Battery trap successful: Remember when we told you about Michigan's new law offering tax breaks to battery makers? Less than a month after passing, it's gotten its first taker! [Freep]
- Ten useless car gadgets: Somehow I missed AskMen's top ten list of useless car gadgets. I agree on most of their choices--especially the leather-trimmed a/c vents--but couldn't they have made some room for the deluxe mini-fridge? [AskMen]
- Truck sales don't buck any trends: Love charts? Hate surprises? Then the sad stats on 2008 pickup sales should be right up your alley. [PickupTrucks]
- Mickey Rourke fixes life, sells Mini: Part-time motorcyclist and full-time plastic surgery enthusiast Mickey Rourke is on the rise. His performance in the indie flick, The Wrestler, has garnered a Golden Globe nomination, and he's got his sights set on the Oscar. But what's he been doing the last decade or so? "I had this really nice 1963 Mini Cooper that I bought and kitted up really nicely. I sunk a lot of money into it then sold it for a third of what I spent on it. It was things like that I did to get by." Now that's a dedicated gearhead. [TheSun]
--Richard Read
---
Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
