Remember the Eagle Talon? Essentially a reskinned Mitsubishi Eclipse from the early Nineties, it is turn out to be a cult basic on the planet of America tuner tradition. Even if you happen to’ve by no means heard of the Talon, you will be a lot aware of it after studying this put up — particularly this one, able to beating a McLaren 765LT in a drag race.
Don’t be fooled by this McLaren’s flashy sticker equipment — it is bone inventory. That means 755 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged V8 engine. With a superb driver and a grippy floor, it could possibly attain 60 mph in lower than three seconds and switch a 10-second quarter-mile, placing it among the many quickest manufacturing vehicles on sale at present.
Then there’s the Eagle. This explicit automotive is a 1990 mannequin, courting again to the Diamond Star period when Chrysler and Mitsubishi had been pals and Eagle was nonetheless alive. In prime trim, the Talon used the identical turbocharged Mitsubishi 4G63 engine and all-wheel-drive system because the Eclipse. This explicit Talon is decidedly not inventory, with the proprietor claiming roughly 800 horsepower on the wheels courtesy of a totally constructed engine. There’s a roll cage within the in any other case stripped inside, and sure, there is a parachute on the again.
The McLaren driver discovers why that parachute is important within the very first race. It was imagined to be a heads-up race, however the 765LT jumped the gun. That would not matter, because the Eagle digs itself into the tarmac and takes off. The automotive will get a contact sideways whereas furiously passing the McLaren, charging forward to a victory by two automotive lengths.
Here’s the place it will get fascinating. To steadiness issues out, the McLaren will get a automotive size benefit and the hit off the beginning for the subsequent race. But it nonetheless would not matter. The Talon driver’s response time is nearly good, and he rips down the observe to a different two-car-length win. And simply to flex, he pulls his parachute to decelerate.
Tthis is not an apples-to-apples race, clearly. But it is good to see an outdated Eagle Talon getting some consideration. Often overshadowed by the Eclipse, these vehicles had been stout performers again within the day. Clearly, this one nonetheless has plenty of mojo regardless of its age.
Once upon a time, the black and white door you see right here was a part of a late Nineties Mazda Protege. In truth, perusing the pictures at Julien’s Auctions the place this door might be offered, you’ll be able to see a Mazda sticker on the within of the window together with the unique tan inside panel. But the magic takes place outdoors, the place avenue artist Banksy painted an outline of an individual trying skyward, amongst different issues.
Now, the door could possibly be price excess of your complete automobile from which it got here. The public sale home lists an estimate of $100,000 to $200,000 for the door, however we can’t know the precise worth till February 15 when the bidding wraps up. It’s a part of Julien’s avenue artwork occasion going down in Beverly Hills, although on-line bidding is open proper now. It’s unclear if there are any bids presently, however the motion begins at $25,000. For the file, that is significantly greater than the Protege’s as-new sticker worth again within the day.
The door is only a portion of Banksy’s unique creation. Called “Crazy Horse,” your complete Mazda and the facet of a field truck had been painted to depict a fairly spooky conflict scene. The automobile featured individuals trying up on the truck, which had horses carrying night time imaginative and prescient goggles bearing down on them. Per the public sale description, the scene included a telephone quantity that, when dialed, performed audio clips of a 2007 airstrike in Iraq. The Apache helicopter concerned apparently had a code title of Crazy Horse 18, offering the inspiration for this work.
We could not dig up something official concerning the whereabouts of the remainder of the piece, however a Banksy-focused weblog claims the car and truck were removed just days after going up in October 2013. The truck and automobile – lacking each driver-side doorways – had been allegedly loaded onto a truck and hauled away.
Any guesses as to what the ultimate bid worth might be? Jump into the feedback and tell us your ideas.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, street trucks were all the rage. These customized pickups featured low-to-the-ground suspensions, large wheels, and eye-catching custom paint jobs. Toyota is tapping into this trend with its new concept vehicle, the 2024 Tacoma X-Runner Concept, which will debut at the 2023 SEMA Show.
Toyota already offers tough versions of the 2024 Tacoma, such as the Trailhunter and TRD Pro trims, which are known for their off-road capabilities. However, for this year’s SEMA build, Toyota’s research and design teams wanted to explore a different direction. By introducing a sporty pickup, they hope to gauge consumer interest in reviving the street truck concept.
Honda has been a pioneer in hybrid cars since the 1990s, but it has been slow to fully embrace electric vehicles. However, the company is gearing up to release its first serious electric vehicle next year – the 2024 Honda Prologue. This crossover, about the size of a Passport, is expected to have a range of 300 miles.
The Honda Prologue will share the Ultium platform and battery with GM’s electric vehicles, including the Chevrolet Blazer EV. However, Honda is confident that its unique suspension tuning, styling, and cabin will differentiate the Prologue and attract repeat customers. The Prologue will be equipped with an 85.0-kilowatt hour battery, allowing the most efficient versions of the vehicle to achieve an estimated range of 300 miles. The crossover EV will be offered in both single- and dual-motor variants. While specific powertrain details have not been disclosed, the all-wheel-drive version is expected to deliver 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque.
In the 1990s, Ford’s Special Vehicle Team had ambitious plans for performance vehicles. One of their ideas was an SVT Crown Victoria, featuring a five-speed manual transmission and an engine from a Mustang Cobra. Although this car was never produced, Roush took inspiration from the concept and built 18 “Cobra Vics” for the Bob Bondurant driving school in Arizona. Now, one of these rare vehicles is up for sale.
The Ford Crown Victoria is currently listed on Bring A Trailer. As of September 21, the highest bid stands at $23,000, with less than a day remaining in the auction. According to the listing, the car was purchased from the Bondurant estate in 2022 and still bears faded Bondurant markings. Although parts of the vehicle have been repainted, the description notes that the clearcoat is cracked, and there are faded areas.
Despite being 23 years old, this Ford Crown Victoria has only 600 miles on the odometer. This figure is impressive, especially considering the car’s large size. These miles were likely accumulated during its time at the driving school’s race track. The vehicle is in running condition, as seen in the accompanying walkaround video. The “Cobra Vic” still drives like a new car.
The Cizeta V16T was a supercar from the 1990s with a V-16 engine and retro styling.
Only nine examples of the V-16 supercar were produced, making them highly sought-after and valued at over half a million dollars.
The Cizeta V16T had meticulous craftsmanship, with a hand-crafted body and a powerful 540 horsepower engine.
When we think of supercars from the 1990s, names like Lamborghini Diablo and Ferrari Testarossa come to mind. However, there was another rival that almost posed a threat to these giants – the Cizeta V16T.
The Cizeta V16T, previously known as the Cizeta Moroder V16T, made a dazzling debut in the mid-1990s. It pushed the boundaries set by Ferrari and Lamborghini and showcased retro, exuberant styling. The V16T was the only production car at the time with a V-16 engine and claimed a top speed of over 200 MPH.
Despite facing financial challenges, the short-lived automaker managed to produce only nine examples of the V-16 supercar. Today, these models are highly sought-after and can fetch prices upwards of half a million dollars. Most of these remaining models are locked away in various automotive museums, including the only convertible Cizeta V16T ever produced.
Academy Award-Winning Composer And Lamborghini Engineers
The creation of the Cizeta V16T involved a collaboration between multi-Oscar/Academy Award-winning music producer Giorgio Moroder, Lamborghini engineers, and a wealthy Italian supercar connoisseur.
Claudio Zampolli, the creator and co-founder, began production on the Cizeta Moroder V16T in 1990. Supported by Giorgio Moroder’s financial backing and the engineering expertise of Marcello Gandini from Lamborghini, Zampolli showcased the V16T prototype at car shows and events. The supercar received endorsements from TV personality Jay Leno before its official launch.
Unfortunately, Zampolli and Moroder had a falling out, leading to the removal of “Moroder” from the emblem design. The financial instability caused by this disagreement resulted in only nine V-16 supercars leaving the production line.
The V-16 Supercar To Challenge Testarossa And Diablo
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The Cizeta V16T showcased exceptional craftsmanship with its hand-crafted body, wide wheelbase, and powerful 540 horsepower engine.
It rivaled the Lamborghini Diablo and Ferrari Testarossa with claims of exceeding 200 MPH. The V-16 engine produced 540 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, making it a formidable competitor.
The Cizeta V16T paid attention to stopping power with its Brembo racing rotors, twin-pot calipers, and Pirelli P Zero performance tires. The suspension featured a unique design with unequal-length control arms and rising-rate suspension for improved articulation.
Cizeta Moroder V16T Original Prototype Restoration By Canera
Canera, a renowned restoration service and sales specialist firm, undertook the restoration of the original Cizeta V16T prototype (VIN 001).
This particular V16T is unique as it carries the original production badge featuring Giorgio Moroder’s name, which was removed from subsequent models. Canera invested over 1000 hours in the restoration, resulting in a perfectly running V16T.
Only four of the nine V16Ts produced are considered roadworthy today, making them highly exclusive. The Cizeta V16T remains a one-of-a-kind automobile, praised by experts for its attention to detail and advancements ahead of its time.
In the late 1990s, General Motors (GM) was facing serious financial difficulties and decided to eliminate certain models and brands from its lineup. In 1996, the GM North American Strategy Board adopted a vehicle market and brand positioning assessment called BrandScape in order to address the issue. According to Smith, a member of the board, BrandScape was necessary to eliminate overlapping between divisions, optimize the use of GM’s resources, and hopefully create more unique and profitable products.
However, as BrandScape reduced GM’s offerings, it also narrowed the company’s overall vision. Luckily, the growing demand for SUVs in the American market provided an opportunity for Smith to create a vehicle that would save the struggling Cadillac brand. Smith, along with his colleague Terry Henline, started their work by using the GMC Yukon as a starting point for the new vehicle’s exterior and interior design. They made a few small changes, such as replacing the GMC logo on the front grille with the Cadillac wreath and crest, but the first Escalade was essentially just a rebranded version of the Yukon.
The Eccentrica, a prototype restomod based on the 1990s Lamborghini Diablo, was unveiled in Milan today. Initiated by entrepreneur and Lamborghini collector Emanuel Colombini, it combines the work of the BorromeodeSilva design firm, a team of engineers and technicians who worked on the prototype’s development, and premium brands like Pirelli, Brembo, Marantz, Capristo, and Alcantara participating as partners.
The Eccentrica prototype maintains the essence of the original Diablo while offering a more modern driving experience through numerous technological and design upgrades. It retains the original car’s bold proportions while utilizing composite materials and a reinforced and hardened steel tubular chassis. The interior blends 1990s minimalism with state-of-the-art mechanics.
As the 1990s began, MG was facing a difficult situation. The new owner, British Aerospace, had finally allocated the budget to create a new roadster that the public had been eagerly awaiting. However, the new model, known as the F, would not be ready until 1995. Meanwhile, Mazda was experiencing tremendous success with its new MX-5, and TVR was set to revitalize its roadster.
In response to these challenges, MG decided to restart production of its iconic B model. Despite being discontinued for over a decade and originally dating back to the 1960s, the B was given a few modern upgrades on a limited budget. British Motor Heritage provided the B shell for classic restorations, and MG added new bumpers, wider tracks, new dampers, Rover’s 190bhp 3.9-litre V8 engine, and a more sophisticated wood and leather interior.
MG openly acknowledged that the new RV8 was “a recreational pursuit that just happens to take the form of a motor car.” In our review, we noted that the RV8 would not appeal to buyers looking for dynamic performance in a British sports car. Despite giving the RV8 only two stars due to its outdated feel, we acknowledged that it could be suitable for a particular type of driver. We compared it to TVR’s new Chimaera, which offered better performance, a larger boot, a roomier cabin, and less wind noise for just £800 more.
In the end, only 330 RV8s were sold in the UK, highlighting its limited success in the market.
Asian royals spending billions on hoarding rare cars
After gaining independence in 1984, Brunei experienced an economic boom, and its royals indulged in a lavish lifestyle. Sultan Hassanal and Prince Jefri secretly amassed a massive collection of luxury cars, many of which were custom-made. In 1993, reports indicated that the Brunei royals owned over 100 Rolls-Royce vehicles, a similar number of Ferraris (including five F40s), three out of the seven Cizeta V16Ts ever built, and a staggering 63 new Mercedes-Benz 600 SECs, which were given as gifts to dinner guests. Although the Bruneian embassy downplayed the size of the collection, evidence and rumors continued to surface in the following years.
In the 1990s, there were some interesting automotive brands that are now defunct. One such brand was Eagle, which was introduced by Chrysler in 1988 as an enthusiast brand aimed at a younger customer base. The lineup mainly consisted of rebranded models from Mitsubishi, Plymouth, and Chrysler, but the brand had its own identity and charm. However, stock examples of Eagle cars are now hard to find.
Recently, the WD Detailing team discovered an original Eagle Talon TSi that had been abandoned for 12 years. The Talon TSi had a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. As seen in the video, the car is missing some parts, with the main issue being the lack of an engine under the hood. Finding the original turbocharged four-cylinder engine for the Talon is becoming increasingly difficult.
The specific engine in question is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with around 195 horsepower in the all-wheel drive configuration. The front-wheel drive Talon had a slightly lower rating of 190 horsepower due to its more restrictive exhaust system. Models equipped with a four-speed manual transmission had 180 horsepower due to a different turbo setup.
The Talon was essentially a rebadged and slightly redesigned version of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, which was also sold under the Plymouth brand. While they were mechanically identical, the three coupes had their own design elements such as different bumpers, taillights, and wheels. All three cars were manufactured by DSM (a joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi) at their plant in Normal, Illinois.
In its current condition, this black Eagle Talon TSi has potential, despite being far from its factory condition. Not only is it a rare turbocharged all-wheel drive model, but it also doesn’t have significant rust spots on its body. If you owned this vehicle, would you choose to restore it to its original condition or install a more powerful and modern engine? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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