Valentino Balboni has been ripping around in Lamborghini’s since the late 1960’s. He’s driven every model there is and his input to the factory has helped make the raging bull what they are today. You see Balboni has the greatest job in history as he is Lamborghini’s top test pilot. Maybe thats why the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 is such an amazing automobile. Lamborghini went back to basics by offering only rear wheel drive as an option, a proper 6-speed manual and an engine that sounds like a symphony. This is something that the guys at Motortrend Magazine found out first hand when they had the chance to take this new bull for a spin.
Some cars are quick, others are fast and some are just downright ridiculous. Take Eddie Bello’s Porsche 911 Turbo for example. This puppy just set the record for a Porsche running the standing mile. Bello was running Ignite Racing Fuel which is two parts HOLY SHIT and one part WHOOP ASS!
I’m not going to get into the technical aspects about why the V8 engine was, is and always will be the king mill amongst car guys. What I’d rather do is simply explain why these big lumps of iron draw respect and admiration from the millions and millions of people who have owned them. There are those of you that after reading this, are going to comment and tell me that I’m wrong, that I have no basis for my comments or that you have some 4, 6, 10 or 12 cylinder plants that can blow the doors off of everything… and that’s fine. It’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it. I’m writing this article because I simply felt the need to tell you mine.
Not long ago we put up some posts about Nissan’s first true electric car, the Leaf. We also sighted that Nissan said the car was going to be priced around that of a typical family sedan, which in my estimation was around $25,000 – $30,000. My estimates seem to be a bit off as the online rumor mill is now saying that the Leaf will be priced around $45,000. Maybe it’s me, but why the hell would I pay 45k for a car that has a range of 100 miles and is the size of a Tic-Tac box.
For those of you who don’t know who Big Willie Robinson was, let me give you a quick introduction. Big Willie was a SoCal street racer and Vietnam Veteran with the Army Special Forces who, in the late 1960’s formed the Brotherhood of Street Racers. This was an organization that catered to all forms of gearheads and it mattered not what color you were or what car you drove. Willie was the Brotherhood’s president and was known for running a wicked 1969 Dodge Daytona.
The 2010 One Lap of America is rapidly approaching which means I’ve got a crap load of work to do on the old Charger. Yesterday was a good day as I got most of my parts, but now comes the exciting part of installing everything. The Charger as a whole is in pretty good shape but definitely needs some TLC before we leave for the event on April 28th. Over the past 6 years I beat this car to death mercilessly on racetracks, on the auto cross and on the street… in short, I drive the crap out of this thing. What this means is that parts wear out, things sometimes leak and performance drops. This cannot happen on an event like the One Lap of America.
A few weeks ago I brought you a quick taste of Tanner Foust’s new video where he drifts around Mulholland Drive in California. For those of you who don’t know about this wicked road it follows the ridge line of the Santa Monica mountains. I’ve been here and have driven it with both two and four wheeled vehicles and to say that this stretch of curves is EPIC would be an understatement. It’s tight, twisty and technical and if you don’t know your way around you could do some serious harm to yourself. Tanner Foust is a stunt driver, TV host and Formula Drift champion and when the opportunity came up to drift Mulholland I can only imagine that he was as giddy as a 4 year old boy. Check out the above video and enjoy.
Now this is what I like to see! People reading and taking action to further their love for the automobile. Yesterday I posted up a piece on “What’s Your Favorite Photo? ” and honk my hooter if the masses haven’t started to respond. You see, this is why I love my job…
• John William’s 1998 Ford Ranger:
“I attached a picture of my baby, it’s a 98′ Ranger with nothing on it but a CD player. I still love it though. I drove almost an hour to a small cliff near Malibu, California to take this photo. I made the sunset just in time.”
Dude, I’m totally jealous you live in CA… NY sucks right now so enjoy that weather.
Sandy Sanderson (yes, that’s his real name) is just one more person whose talents I am envious of. Granted his skill set is something of the unique variety, but nonetheless it is very cool. You see Sandy makes cars… out of beer cans, and if you think they’re just little aluminum mock-ups then you’d be dead wrong. The detail that Sandy puts into his recycled creations is simply staggering. Leaf springs, framed out windows, mag-wheels and HEMI engines are just a few of his trademarks.
How far would you go for the love of the brand? Would you put a sticker on you’re back window, possibly buy a t-shirt with their logo on it, or would you perhaps show them the ultimate sign of loyalty and get them tattooed on your body. That is what the following group of boneheads decided to do. Some tattoos are actually pretty damn good and show style, while others are simply painful to look at.
Rpmgo.com was kind enough to compile a list of some of the best automotive tattoos on the net and post them for your viewing pleasure. We’ve grabbed a couple just to wet you’re appetite, but make sure you click on the link below to check out the full gallery.
