THE AUTO INSIDER

Watch: 2012 Camaro ZL1 Tackles the ‘Ring in...

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:34:47 -0400

Watch: 2012 Camaro ZL1 Tackles the ‘Ring in 7.41:27

Finally, some video proof. Turn your speakers up:

You’ll Want To Make Sexy Time With These Forza 4 Muscle...

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:51:22 -0400

You’ll Want To Make Sexy Time With These Forza 4 Muscle Cars.

If you pre-ordered the Forza Motorsport 4 Limited Edition pack like me, you’re in for a real treat with the first (included) downloadable add-on: The American Muscle Car Pack.

Check out the so-damn-clean-you-could-lick-it paint finish of these beauties in Turn 10’s just-launched preview trailer:

Snap of the Day 26: Move Bitch, Get Out Tha Way. – via

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:55:05 -0400

Snap of the Day 26: Move Bitch, Get Out Tha Way.

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Snap of the Day 25: Miata Drivers Get Mad Pussy. – via

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:50:05 -0400

Snap of the Day 25: Miata Drivers Get Mad Pussy.

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Snap of the Day 24: BBiBBiR Fever. – via

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:58:05 -0400

Snap of the Day 24: BBiBBiR Fever.

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Watch: 580bhp 2012 Camaro ZL1 Wrung Round...

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:51:00 -0400

Watch: 580bhp 2012 Camaro ZL1 Wrung Round ‘Ring.

Listen to the supercharged whine of the Camaro ZL1’s 580bhp and 556 lb-ft LSA V8 as it’s flogged around the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife:

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BBH Retools British Airways with Poetic New :90 Spot. Take a...

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:06:15 -0400

BBH Retools British Airways with Poetic New :90 Spot.

Take a peak at British Airways’ adventurous new advert from the fine folks at BBH London. Also new is the tagline taken from carrier’s coat of arms: To Fly. To Serve.

Below you’ll see some of BA’s vintage aircraft including some lovely shots of the Concorde:

Lamborghini Aventador NYC Rooftop Launch Party. As hinted...

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:33:00 -0400

Lamborghini Aventador NYC Rooftop Launch Party.

As hinted yesterday, I was part of a fortunate group of attendees invited to Manhattan Motorcars’ exclusive Lamborghini Aventador rooftop launch party. Thanks in no small part to my kickass creative director.

Fashionably late, we pulled up in Wyatt’s Porsche 928, quickly checked in, and sauntered into the showroom’s massive elevator. After a short ride the attendant raised the massive cage door to reveal our evening’s festivities: custom-suited socialites and tightly-wrapped models, hand-rolled cigars and Blancpain watches, five Gallardos, two Murcielagos, and the main event sitting ominously in the midst of it all.

She sat there silently, subtly hinting at her 325lb carbon fiber monocoque, her longitudinal-posterior 690bhp V12, and her jaw-dropping $379,700 price tag. Wasting little time, we made our way through the gathering crowd, acquiring what would best be referred to as a king’s ransom of free libations.

With me in my Gulf Racing jacket and Wyatt in a brown leather bomber, we stood out like a sore thumb, but without the suited camouflage of the rest of the attendees, it wasn’t such a bad thing. We were quickly approached by two young ladies—one blonde midwest type, the other asian and fumbling with her camera phone. I offered to help. As I aimed her Blackberry and she struck her most sultry pose, the music halted and our evening’s host got on the mic, much to her (and my) dismay.

Stumbling through a spec sheet that, for ninety percent of the guests, could have been written in Cryrillic, the direction was given to remove the silken black cover. Awestruck, the crowd audibly gasped—most had never seen or even heard of the Aventador.

With the New York City skyline casting a diffused glow upon the Nero Nemesis matte finish, the Frecci Tricolori-styled LED lamps radiating cool blue up front and searing red out back, and the unmistakeable scissor doors swung open, the Aventador’s New York Shitty debut was nothing if not dramatic.

I had to get closer. Squeezing through the crowd of beautiful people I managed to lower myself into the Aventador’s cockpit imagining my first time in the new bull to be full of amazement. Instead, I was met with slight disappointment. Not because it wasn’t cool, but maybe because it was too cool. There’s so much going on, so many buttons, and too many goddamn angular surfaces.

But I digress, it’s a complaint I could definitely live with. I mean, it’s a Lamborghini for fuck’s sake. Of course I’d manage to live with it. And so would you.

A big thanks to Wyatt, Kleinfeld Men, Blancpain, and Manhattan Motorcars.

Raging Bull on a Hot Tin Roof. The Lamborghini Aventador NYC...

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:06:00 -0400

Raging Bull on a Hot Tin Roof.

The Lamborghini Aventador NYC rooftop launch party is going down tonight at Lamborghini Manhattan.

Yours truly will be in attendance, thanks to my super generous creative director — Look for images from the event tomorrow.

Update: Here’s the full story.

My Grandfather’s Dealership, Circa 1966: Ken O’Keefe...

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 23:37:50 -0400

My Grandfather’s Dealership, Circa 1966: Ken O’Keefe Ford

My Grandfather passed away two weeks ago, and as I sit here hours before my flight back to Detroit for his memorial, I thought there’d be no better time than now to share a couple images I recently came across from his earlier years as a Kentucky-based Ford dealer.

The above images depict his first dealership, Ken O’Keefe Ford, which he opened around 1965-66 at 4071 Shelbyville Rd., St. Matthews, Kentucky—a small suburb of Louisville. My Grandfather was a man extremely proud of his heritage and wanted you to know it too. Note the huge green shamrock-adorned sign.

And these two images (above & below) were taken at the Battle of the Thunderbolts at US 60 dragway in Hardinsburg, KY. My Grandfather sponsored Walt Derringer’s Thunderbolt during the time he owned his dealership. Not quite sure how successful he was, but it’s pretty neat to me nonetheless.

At eighty-years young, he was an amazing man, and without a doubt, the one I learned from the most. I just wish I’d have had more time with him. If you’d have known him, you’d have loved him. We all did.

Onboard the Glorious 1974 Kremer 911 RSR at the...

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:34:00 -0400

Onboard the Glorious 1974 Kremer 911 RSR at the ‘Ring.

Watch below as Wolfgang Pohl tames the thirty-seven year old 3.0-liter RSR around the Nordschleife’s 154 turns.

See How This Edo Competition Enzo FXX Got So Damn Wet. The ...

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:38:00 -0400

See How This Edo Competition Enzo FXX Got So Damn Wet.

The heavily modified Ferrari Enzo lost control thanks to a crest and some loose gravel, causing it to slide backwards and into the drink.

Watch the $1.5 million crash below:

NYC Street Spot The second of the NYPD’s fleet of...

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:50:48 -0400

NYC Street Spot

The second of the NYPD’s fleet of Chevrolet Volts I’ve seen, but first I’ve been able to capture on “film.” Spotted at W. 14th and 7th Ave on my way back from getting my hairs did at Freemans.

New Mustang Customizer Improves on Perfection. NYC-based digital...

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:33:07 -0400

New Mustang Customizer Improves on Perfection.

NYC-based digital shop, Firstborn celebrates Mustang lovers by re-launching their Mustang Customizer for 2012. The completely redesigned flash-based tool lets you build and customize your very own 2012 Mustang. Whether you’re into the V6 rental sweetheart, Shelby GT500, the track-ready BOSS 302, or any model in-between, there’s something for every gearhead to tweak and massage.

Build one to your unique specifications, then challenge a friend via Facebook to claim bragging rights to the ultimate 2012 Mustang.

I built the nice 5.0-based street fighter below:

This environment is the A&W Drive-In in Clawson, MI off of 14 Mile Rd and Main St. Right near my house before moving to NYC.

Think you can do better? Customize your own 2012 Mustang, then post it up in the comments below.

NYC Street Spot Brand-new Nero Nemesis Lamborghini Aventador...

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:51:34 -0400

NYC Street Spot

Brand-new Nero Nemesis Lamborghini Aventador from Manhattan Motor Cars on delivery to Harlem. Spotted at 110 & Amsterdam in front of St. John the Divine Cathedral.

Fuel Magazine Interviews Ford Chief Designer, Craig...

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:11:09 -0400

Fuel Magazine Interviews Ford Chief Designer, Craig Metros.

Melbourne-based, Detroit-raised Metros shares his passion for hot rods, motorcycles, and art with us in Fuel’s video below:

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Snap of the Day 23: Thirty-Seven Years of Raging Hard-ons. – via

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:02:47 -0400

Snap of the Day 23: Thirty-Seven Years of Raging Hard-ons.

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The Land Rover DC100 Gets Even Nastier, Takes Off Top. You...

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:02:35 -0400

The Land Rover DC100 Gets Even Nastier, Takes Off Top.

You didn’t think Land Rover would bring just one DC100 Concept to Frankfurt, did you? Supplementing the ruggedly handsome 2015 Defender-previewing DC100 is the topless and spunky DC100 Sport.

“Dude.” “Bro.”

Land Rover DC100 Gets Dirty, Finally Shows Off Dat Ass. Making...

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:47:37 -0400

Land Rover DC100 Gets Dirty, Finally Shows Off Dat Ass.

Making its real-world debut today at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Land Rover DC100 Concept is developed to preview the next Defender, likely to debut as a 2015 model. We’d previously seen a few views of the DC100’s rugged good looks, but this is the first time we’re seeing its ass. And what a fine ass it is.

The DC100 continues to evolve Land Rover’s four design mantras:

Functionality - a fresh approach demonstrated through the harmony of design and capability, as well as modularity and clever features such as flexible seating and novel stowage solutions.
Sustainability - with the use of lightweight and recycled materials and also a long-life ethos that ensures engineering as well as design longevity.
Premium Durability - achieved through attention to detail, ‘fit for purpose’ design solutions, material choices and engineering integrity.
Desirability - born out of the knowledge that these vehicles will deliver an ownership experience beyond all your expectations.

Piss off Evoque, I’ll take this instead.

Snap of the Day 22: Sparks. – via

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:48:18 -0400

Snap of the Day 22: Sparks.

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