Mike Ryan drifts a 200,000-pound dump truck

Some vehicles are better suited for drifting than others. Light weight, rear-wheel drive and a manual transmission make for a good hoonage platform, but that doesn't mean you couldn't get an all-wheel drive, automatic family sedan like, say, my mom's Passat into a four-wheel drift (which this writer definitely did not attempt back in college). But what about a 200,000-pound dump truck built for mining? That's what one tech company set out to do in this promo clip.

Seeking to align itself with the notions of "scale" and "agility," data protection firm EMC took a Caterpillar 789 dump truck - a piece of mining equipment with a 78-liter V16 diesel engine, a 200-ton payload capacity and around 2,000 horsepower on tap - out to a slab of concrete in Kentucky coal-mining country and set up a little slalom course with some data servers, a fish tank and a cluster of sports cars including a BMW M1, a classic Corvette and what we hope is a replica Shelby Cobra. Then they put Mike Ryan up the ladder and behind the wheel.

Now for those unfamiliar with Mike Ryan's exploits, what you need to know is that he's probably one of the best stunt drivers ever to steer a semi truck. He's drifted 'em Gymkhana-style, jumped 'em over mind-blowing ramps and raced them up Mt. Washington and Pikes Peak. So if there's anyone who could drift a 200,000-pound truck that's designed to scale open-pit mines, surely he's the man for the job.
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eBay Find of the Day: 1993 Chevy Highlander is a Body Glove-era concept

Oh, the early '90s. Gas was cheap; Seinfeld was at its peak, and apparently neon green and purple paint were appropriate for a concept car. The retina-burning Chevrolet Highlander concept is currently for sale on eBay, and it personifies the look of its era perfectly.

With a combination of bright green, gray plastic and purple trim, the Highlander certainly draws the eye. According to the Chicago Auto Show's history page, the concept was on display there in 1993 as a preview for the 1994 S-10 extended cab pickup. It was meant to show off an off-road ready truck and featured a tool compartment and adjustable roll bar. According to the current seller, the Chevy also has a fabric top that rolls down when the bar is up and a power rear window that can fold flat to access the bed. Power comes from a 4.3-liter V6 with an automatic shuffling those ponies to all four wheels. It carries a Buy It Now price of $17,000.

If you need this in your garage, keep in mind driving it could be tough. The seller does say that it runs and drives, but like most automotive concepts, there is no VIN or title, just a bill of sale. That makes getting it registered very difficult. The next owner is basically buying the Highlander based on its '90s looks, which means they had better feel awfully nostalgic for that particular era.
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GM updating fullsize pickups for 2015

 

As Ford prepares to hit the market with its x-factor, aluminum-intensive F-150 and Ram sales stand tall enough to meet General Motors truck sales eye-to-eye, GM is putting the word out that it's going to add more features to its trucks and do so more regularly. An executive engineer for pickups told reporters that "a whole array" of changes are on the way as soon as the 2015 model year and then would likely come "the year after that, the year after that, the year after that."

Only GM knows the way it plans to go with its fullsize trucks, with almost everyone else - including its dealers - griping about market share at the same time as they applaud profits and hope for clarity and growth. GM raised prices on the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra not long after launch even as it was losing market share and getting called "the least successful large pickup launch over the last 15 years," further upsetting dealers, then Ram outsold the Silverado in March of this year and led GM to increase incentives. But transaction prices rose with the premium; in the first quarter of this year more than 37 percent of the trucks costing more than $40,000 were the Silverado and Sierra, leading one dealer to say of the Sierra, "You can't sell a cheap one," and the analyst who made that "least successful launch" comment to opine, "GM may have made the right call to go for price over share."

We won't know for a few months what any of these updates will be, but the rumored changes for the Silverado and Sierra appear to cover all the bases, including appearance, capability and fuel economy. Rumors run to higher gear counts, stop-start technology and diesel engines before brand-new pickups come for the 2019 model year, those next-generation models supposedly to be engineered with a lot more aluminum.
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2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

Judging by your continued enthusiastic response to configurator notices, dear reader, you enjoy speccing out new cars as much as we do. Better still, there tends to be even more ways to personalize, configure and bloat theoretical MSRPs on full-size trucks as there are with more ordinary passenger cars. In addition to trim level, engine and transmission choices, truck buyers usually have to specify items like cab configuration, bed length, number of driven axles, tow packages, gear ratios and all sorts of bits and bobs.

That's why we're pleased to see the DIY specification utility for the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado come alive so soon after this week's Detroit Auto Show debut. While the configurator lacks pricing (General Motors hasn't announced numbers yet) and full options, you can still spec out your half-ton rig, and even print it out or email it to your friends. Beyond the configurator, the new model-specific site is pretty cool, too, with various videos and closer looks at the truck's new features.

The new Chevrolet pickup range won't be on dealer lots until sometime this summer, so whether you're a building contractor, an avid sportsman or just a guy or gal that loves full-size trucks, you might want to check out the link below to keep your appetite whetted. If you're more of a Sierra fan, well, it looks like you're going to have to wait a while – GMC hasn't updated its site yet.

News Source: Chevrolet

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Auctions: George W. Bush's 2009 Ford F-150 fizzles with $300,000 bid at Barrett-Jackson

Despite some truly impassioned pleading from Jay Leno himself – including calling on Arizona's notoriously Republican-rich voters to beat the $600,000 level set the last time Leno sold a vehicle for this particular charity... in California – bidding for George Bush's 2009 Ford F-150 pickup truck stalled at $300,000.

Barrett-Jackson Lot: 3017 - 2009 FORD F-150 KING RANCH SUPER CREW PICKUP

President Bush has used this stunning white F-150 at his Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, TX since shortly after he left the White House in 2009. With a 5.4 Liter V8 engine commanding 310 horsepower, this impressive truck has a luxurious adobe King Ranch premium leather interior. President Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush have since used the truck to work around their ranch; entertain friends, family, and dignitaries and to give tours of their Crawford property. This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of presidential automotive history. Owned continuously by President bush since he ordered it new. The title is in the former President's name and will be transferred directly to the buyer. Additionally, the right airbag panel features President Bush's signature and a copy of a video showing him autographing the truck and driving it around his ranch in Crawford, TX will be included with the purchase. "I haven't driven on a street in many, many years, but I have been able to drive this truck on my ranch," said President Bush. "I want to thank all those who are supporting the Fisher House. In supporting the Fisher house, you're supporting our veterans. And in supporting our veterans, you're helping America." **ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION** **WILL BE SOLD DIRECTLY FOLLOWING LOT 5052 ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2013**

News Source: autoblog

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Chip Foose custom 1953 Ford F-100 sells for $170K at Barrett-Jackson

There may not be a more recognizable name in the world of custom cars than Chip Foose, and those star-struck (and well-healed) fans of Foose just had the opportunity to purchase one of the designer's custom creations for their very own garage. This 1953 Ford F-100 pickup was created to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the one item just about everybody has in their toolbox: WD-40.

Way back when, WD-40 was sold by the Rocket Chemical Company, and the vintage artwork on the door highlights that little bit of trivia. Under the truck's massive flowing hood sits an original 239-cubic-inch flathead V8 engine, with appropriately modern updates, naturally. A set of one-off Foose wheels wearing Pirelli P Zero tires completes the aesthetic.

All proceeds from the vehicle sale will benefit two charities: Childhelp and Victory Junction.

1953 FORD F-100 CUSTOM PICKUP

Designed by legendary Hot-Rod designer and TV star Chip Foose, the WD-40/SEMA Cares Foose '53 Ford F-100 commemorates the 60th anniversary of WD-40 multi-use product. With a vintage "shop truck" look, updated drivetrain and suspension, and custom paint, this special pickup looks similar to the truck used to deliver the first case of the product in the early 50s, back when WD-40 Company was called Rocket Chemical Company. Features of the vehicle include: an original flathead engine from Edelbrock, speed equipment from Egge, BASF paint, one-off custom "vintage look" Foose wheels from MHT wheels, Pirelli P Zero tires, restoration parts from LMC Truck, a custom MagnaFlow exhaust, and more. Other companies that pitched in on the vehicle include: Street Scene Equipment, L&R Engine, American Autowire, Painless Performance, Quiet Ride Solutions, K&N, and McGard. All proceeds from the auctioned vehicle will benefit two SEMA Cares charities, Childhelp, an organization that provides services to abused and neglected children and Victory Junction, which provides life changing camping experiences to special needs and chronically ill children. **ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT SEMA CARES** **WILL BE SOLD AT APPROXIMATELY 7:00PM ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2013**

News Source: Barrett-Jackson, Speed

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El Camino revival hopes scuttled by Aussie dollar?

Could Chevrolet sell a reborn El Camino in the United States? Let's ask an expert, General Motors International Operations boss Tim Lee, what he thinks. Speaking to the Aussies at CarPoint.com.au, Lee had this to say: "I think here in the US that vehicle has a tremendous amount of cache so if we could [import it] we would if it makes sense."

Great! So, we'll be getting a pickup car within the year, right? Well, not so much. Lee continues, "You tell me about what the Aussie dollar is going to do over the next 12 to 24 months and I'll tell you the export potential of cars like that." Obviously, nobody can say with certainty what the exchange rate between the US and Australia will be in two years, but as of right now, the Aussie dollar is worth a nickel more than a US dollar.

To quote Mr. Lee once again, "You can't make a business case of something like that." Indeed you cannot.

But what about the Chevrolet Caprice PPV, isn't that built in Australia? Indeed it is, and the upcoming Chevy SS performance sedan will be important from Oz as well. Thing is, Mr. Lee says the SS "will have to take a very premium price position" in order to be sold in the States, and that's apparently not in the cards for an El Camino.

Also not an option: Building the Australian Zeta-chassis machines in the US. Being that we've quoted Lee so many times already, here's one more to close out the discussion: "We will not be investing one penny to implement the Zeta architecture in the United States. I am the chief manufacturing officer of the company – that is written in stone." 

News Source: CarPoint.com.au

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