helmet time

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THAT LASTED 5 DAYS

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2011 was supposed to be my year of fiscal responsibility, hard work, and self-denial. I was off to a good start, too, having sold my XBox and committed to a solid 4-week budget. Things were looking good - that is, before I discovered the Luxist blog and was reminded me of a simple truth: I want expensive things.

The expensive thing getting my attention today is the limited-edition TAG Heuer helmet up there, which includes the bitchin' fly screen and features racing stripes matched to the colors on Steve McQueen's driving gear from the movie Le Mans.

At about 650 USD, it's not that expensive of a helmet, really - but not really an improvement over the 200 USD Snell-rated brain bucket I wear now.

:: sighs ::

Maybe next year.

awesome 80's benzos | part iii

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From Gas 2.0 ...

What you see above (center) is one of the most well-engineered “Franken-cars” of all time: a factory-modified 1980’s era Mercedes-Benz 190 diesel, stuffed with the company’s latest BlueEFFICIENCY CDI engine, which makes more than double the horsepower and nearly three times the torque of the original 1988 D.

How far we’ve come in 20 years!

More photos, and MBUSA’s own comprehensive press release, after the jump.

That's the opening prelude to my most recent post for the Gas 2.0 blog, but there's much more going on "behind the scenes" on some very similar projects a bit closer to home - but that will have to wait.

In the meantime, CLICK HERE for the goods on that wicked-sikk 190 D up there (0-60 in 6 seconds! 155 mph top speed! 48 mpg!), and stay tuned for more Awesome 80's Benzo news from sunny South Florida!

sunshine theme week | godzilla | part ii

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Sure, you WANT an R35 "Godzilla" GTR, but let's face it: the most technologically advanced supercar in the history of technologically advanced supercars doesn't exactly lend itself to enthusiasts who find themselves saddled with a wife, a dog, and 2.5 kids.

What to do?

For all you Godzillas running around with a few little Minyas of your own, it's time to round up one of Nissan's Stagea wagons and take it over to Japanese drift-masters Kids Heart.

Really.

Kids Heart will turn that Stagea into a pretty respectable-looking R35 Godzilla wagon. Dr. Jones (der Wagonmeister) would be proud.

CLICK HERE for the original post on the GTR blog, which links over to the Nagoya Auto Trends site and more J-pop than anyone should ever be exposed to.

Enjoy!