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Motorcycles

What Made The Kawasaki Z1 Important To Japanese Motorcycle History

The Z1 ended up being an ideal storm of affordability, reliability, and the speediest available on the market. Tests confirmed not solely was the bike quicker than any of its contemporaries, but it surely was additionally quieter due to the four-stroke engine. Although accelerating as much as 135 miles per hour is not one thing the typical rider was ever going to do, it definitely proved to be a serious promoting level. Getting 43 miles per gallon was nothing to scoff at, both.

Part of what makes this bike fascinating is that nothing was cutting-edge about it when it comes to expertise. There wasn’t a selected main development that led Kawasaki to make the Z1, and future iterations simply revised the design till its alternative. Those revisions constantly improved on the Z1’s excellence — we ranked the later Z1000 with the 10 best Kawasaki motorcycles ever made. The design of the Z1 and its descendants simply had every part in sync: nice efficiency, quiet pipes, and a clean journey regardless of the massive high velocity and 903cc engine.

Motorsport

This 1991 Honda CRX Si Sure Doesn’t Look Like It Has 316,000 Miles

Update: The public sale has ended and this clear, high-mile CRX Si bought for $11,500. Was that an excessive amount of? Not sufficient? Jump into the feedback and tell us.

When was the final time you noticed a Honda with over 300,000 miles? Okay, that occurs on a regular basis, however what a few blissful 1991 CRX Si? That’s what now we have right here on this Cars & Bids auction – 316,553.3 to be precise per images within the itemizing. That’s sufficient mileage to achieve the moon, circle the darkish facet, and canopy a superb chunk of the return journey earlier than splashdown. But this iconic scorching hatch appears to be like prefer it by no means left the ambiance.

Before going additional, you higher act quick if you wish to place a bid. We caught this itemizing close to the top of the cycle with slightly below 4 hours left within the public sale as we publish. If you are seeing this someday after 1:30 pm Eastern on Friday, you may need to e mail the brand new proprietor to state your case. And you may doubtless must pay greater than the $6,600 excessive bid we at present see.

1991 Honda CRX Si With 316,000 Miles
1991 Honda CRX Si With 316,000 Miles
1991 Honda CRX Si With 316,000 Miles

That’s as a result of this CRX is remarkably clear. This would look nice for a 100,000-mile automobile, by no means thoughts 3 times that quantity. The public sale description states it has been a California automobile all its life, which explains the absence of rust. It has some upkeep information, together with work final October masking some key engine bits just like the timing belt. Photos had been snapped in the course of the course of, exhibiting a really clear 16-valve head atop the block. A couple of of the 108 horses would possibly’ve escaped over time, however the CRX Si weighs lower than 2,000 kilos. The driver seat additionally received some new upholstery round that point, however the remainder of the inside seems authentic and it appears to be like superb.

What concerning the mechanicals? A grinding noise within the transmission is reported in first gear between 2,000 and three,000 rpm, however it apparently nonetheless drives nicely. A gaggle of suspension work was executed in November, and the catalytic converter was repaired in 2020. Other upkeep features a repaint method again in 1999, however the automobile’s authentic (and superior) shade of Tahitian Green Pearl was retained.


News

Autocar’s 2023 motorsport assessment

Carlos Sainz Jr ended the consecutive run, and what had appeared like a doable unbeaten Invincibles’ season for Red Bull, with a fantastically judged win in Singapore. Lewis Hamilton, in the meantime, batted away discuss of retirement to point out he is nonetheless bought a file eighth world title in him – so long as his staff can rediscover its mojo.

The 38-year-old comprehensively outperformed team-mate George Russell, too, even when he was accountable for his or her awkward Turn 1 collision in Qatar. But essentially the most stunning and spectacular narrative arc of the season needed to be McLaren’s, which began the season by admitting how gradual it will be. So it proved, technical director James Key paying the value as he headed again from whence he got here to Sauber-Alfa Romeo.

But beneath the regular hand of latest staff principal Andrea Stella, McLaren pulled off a mid-season Lazarus act, following a big aerodynamic improve launched on the Austrian GP.

Lando Norris and completed rookie Oscar Piastri main Verstappen on the British GP (earlier than bowing to the inevitable) was no flash within the pan. Norris displayed his A-list credentials all through, whereas Piastri scored a dash race win in Qatar as McLaren bounded previous Aston Martin to re-establish itself as Fl’s fourth-best staff. 

World Rally Championship

World champion: Kalle Rovanpera, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT – The WRC is at his mercy–for as lengthy as he stays motivated to rack up extra titles 

Kalle Rovanpera took a while to seek out his groove in 2023. The earlier season, the Finn gained six occasions at simply 22 years outdated to grow to be by far the WRC’s youngest champion.

But this time he was discovering himself overshadowed by Toyota team-mate and eight-time champion Sébastien Ogier, regardless of the 38-year-old insisting on rallying solely part-time.

Still, with Ogier resisting a bid to equal Sébastien Loeb’s file of 9 titles, it all the time felt solely a matter of time earlier than Rovanperä discovered his rhythm – as he did together with his first win of the season, in Portugal, the fifth spherical of the collection. He by no means relinquished prime spot, even it he added solely two extra victories.

Cars

Do You Remember Oldsmobile’s Strange Luxury Minivan, The Silhouette?

The Oldsmobile Silhouette was an experiment that in the end did not pay out for General Motors, so it ended manufacturing of the first-generation mannequin in 1996. The second-generation Silhouette arrived in 1997 and fully deserted its predecessor’s futuristic search for one thing way more restrained and inoffensive.

It was a a lot better and safer automobile in each approach, however it had a generic look, nearly like a Japanese automotive from the entrance. It additionally seemed extra just like the profitable minivans Chrysler was manufacturing, displaying that GM was nonetheless making an attempt to mimic its rival’s success.

GM made it a bit narrower and smaller total for the second era, making it a greater match for roads exterior North America. The first era noticed some gross sales success in Europe (because the Pontiac Trans Sport), and GM hoped that the second-generation mannequin’s extra standard styling would assist it discover extra European consumers, too.

The second-generation Silhouette has no likelihood of changing into a future basic exactly as a result of it appears to be like like each different automotive. However, a well-looked-after first-generation instance would possibly develop into a prized basic sooner or later due to its daring Dustbuster design.

Motorsport

The Most Important Ferrari GTO Ever Just Sold For A Record $51.7 Million

Update: The auction has ended, and dare we say, this may have been quite a deal. The final hammer price of $47 million is well below original estimates of $60M for this exceedingly rare 250 GTO. With fees added in, the final price climbs to $51.7M, a record for any Ferrari selling at auction.

The previous record holder was a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO also sold by RM Sotheby’s. That car, one of four upgraded by Scaglietti, fetched $48.4M with fees included.

Peruse our original article below to learn more about what makes this particular GTO so special.

Today at 5:00 PM EST, there’s a possibility that a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO could set a new record for the most expensive car to ever sell at auction. To achieve that goal, it must top the astounding $143 million commanded by a Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe during a closed-door auction in 2022. You can watch all the action live, right here at Motor1.

All 250 GTOs are exceptional, but this one is particularly important as it was the only Tipo 1962 campaigned by the factory racing team. The machine even scored a first-in-class finish at the 1962 Nürburgring 1,000 Kilometers. However, it failed to complete that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans due to overheating issues.


Motorsport

Alleged Thief Surrenders to Police in Embarrassing Incident After High-Speed Car Chase

An alleged criminal in Los Angeles experienced an embarrassing turn of events following a high-speed chase in the city. As the suspect attempted to exit the vehicle through the driver’s window, he became stuck in traffic and his pants fell around his knees. To free himself, he had to perform a somersault out of the stopped sedan.

According to KTLA, the chase began at around 3:00 PM local time and the driver started exiting the vehicle at approximately 4:15 PM. It took law enforcement several more minutes to apprehend the suspect.

Reports from Fox 11 suggest that the driver was suspected of armed robbery and had allegedly stolen the car involved in the chase. The vehicle appeared to be a 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, based on its general appearance and taillight design. Additionally, the driver had a colorful flag or banner protruding from the sunroof.

During the pursuit, the driver allegedly threw a firearm out of the vehicle. According to Fox 11, the police also confiscated a second gun.

As the chase neared its end, the driver reached congested Crenshaw Boulevard. In an attempt to bypass the traffic, the alleged criminal drove onto the sidewalk. However, due to the heavy traffic, a person in a pickup truck successfully blocked the Mercedes, enabling the police to apprehend the suspect.

Here, the Mercedes driver encountered his embarrassing moment. Instead of opening the driver’s door and exiting the vehicle, he tried to climb out of the window, which was significantly smaller. In the process, his pants got caught, causing them to fall to his knees as he crawled out of the car, as seen in the video.

There were no reported injuries during the chase. In some videos, it appears that the driver collided with a silver Nissan, while a bystander driving a silver truck rammed into the alleged stolen Mercedes, forcing the vehicle to stop.

Motorsport

Owner Converts Honda Element into Camper with Rooftop Tent

The Honda Element may no longer be in production, but that hasn’t stopped enthusiasts from turning it into a versatile camper. One particular owner has taken it a step further by adding a rooftop tent to their 2008 Honda Element EX AWD, creating a compact and functional camping setup.

The Ursa Minor ECamper rooftop tent, which starts at $7,500, is made of lightweight composite construction to keep the weight down. It features a seven-by-four-foot mattress and has low-current interior LED lighting. With gas springs for easy opening and closing and zippered screen windows on all four sides, the tent offers panoramic views.

Inside the Element, the owner has fully utilized its boxy design. The rear seats have been removed, and swivel front seats have been added to create a comfortable living space. The owner has also incorporated accessories such as the Fifth Element center console ($795), the Lagun swivel table ($199), and a wall-mounted cabinet from Fifth Element ($2,195) for additional storage.

A large table with storage underneath is installed at the back of the interior space. The lower portion of the Element’s hatch provides extra storage for tools and other items. The hitch holds a modified Yakima bike carrier that serves as a convenient cooking space.

The 2008 Element EX originally came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. However, the owner has swapped it with a more powerful 2.4-liter engine from an Acura TSX, increasing the estimated horsepower to 225-230.

The rooftop tent also features a roof rack with a 100-watt solar panel, a Pelican V700 case, and a lightweight awning. Toyo Open Country tires provide traction on all four corners. The owner has also upgraded the suspension and installed the brakes from the Acura TSX to improve the Element’s stopping power.

Although the Honda Element may not be the largest vehicle for overlanding, its spacious design and reliable Honda package make it a popular choice among camping enthusiasts. For those looking for a more affordable camping option, Honda offers an OEM tent that attaches to the hatch, available online for around $300.

Motorsport

Toyota Land Cruiser 200-Series Excels on Challenging Moab Trails

In 2021, Toyota discontinued the Land Cruiser model in North America. However, the iconic SUV will soon make a comeback with a smaller version. While we wait for its return, let’s revisit why the Land Cruiser is beloved by off-roading enthusiasts.

YouTuber Matthew Geer provides us with two reminders of the Land Cruiser’s capabilities. On his channel, you can find numerous Land Cruiser videos, including recent clips from a 2021 trip to Moab. These videos showcase the SUV conquering a difficult section known as Wipeout Hill. The top clip reveals the treacherous descent with steep drops and moments when the rear tires seem barely touching the ground. With the assistance of a spotter and skilled driving, the Toyota safely reaches the bottom.

If you were gripping your seat while watching the outside-view video, brace yourself for a ride down Wipeout Hill from the inside. The video above showcases the same challenging off-road stretch and highlights the importance of having a competent spotter to guide the driver through tricky sections. With steep break-over angles, even the slightest mistake could result in a wipeout.

The exact year of this Land Cruiser is unknown, but it appears to be a model from 2013 or later based on the front fascia of the first 200-Series facelift. As for modifications, we are not provided with any details. However, it’s evident that the SUV isn’t significantly lifted, but it features noticeable fat off-road tires and a snorkel. Additionally, Land Cruisers from this era come well-equipped from the factory with features like heated leather seats and DVD entertainment systems, making it a stylish choice for overlanding adventures.


Motorsport

2024 Ford Puma Facelift Spotted Covered in Camouflage

Ford is turning its attention to the Puma, its crossover sibling, after recently ending production of the Fiesta. The subcompact model is set to undergo significant changes with a mid-cycle facelift scheduled for 2024, coinciding with the launch of a fully electric version. Unlike the Explorer, which is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB architecture, the electric Puma will utilize the same platform as the internal combustion engine model.

Following the recent sighting of the spicy Puma ST by car paparazzi, new spy photos have surfaced, revealing the regular model. Despite being a mid-cycle facelift, the vehicle is heavily camouflaged. However, some notable design tweaks can still be observed. The Blue Oval logo now sits on a grille with a different pattern, while the lower intake appears to have a slightly modified design, integrated into a restyled bumper that has a cleaner look by eliminating separate fog lights.