Performance oil company Royal Purple, Porter, Texas, named Mike Mead of Springfield, Mo., and his 1970 Dodge Coronet convertible the winner of a photo contest on the Royal Purple fan page.

Mead was awarded the opportunity to go on the 2013 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour, June 1-7

Royal Purple will cover his tour registration expenses and provide a $500 Visa gift card to defray travel costs and provide a space in the Royal Purple booth on tour for his car.

“I never dreamed this old car would do the things it has done and put me the places it has,” said Mead after learning of his selection.

1981 Yamaha Maxim 650 with a Hairdryer?

"TurboMax"

Including parts from Harley Davidson. Moto Guzzi. Triumph. Yamaha. Suzuki and stuff I don't what its off of.

Everything was powdercoated by me at home. Black Wrinkle. Silver Vein. Satin Black and Gloss Black.

The Turbocharger will boost 15psi on the 650cc Carbureted Yamaha inline 4. 5 speed transmission and shaft drive. Controls are from VMax along with some suspension and differential. Stock maxim Wheels. Single Disc up front and drum in the rear. Yep, gonna NOT want top stop. LOL!  Instrumentation: Garmin Nuvi GPS Speedometer. Autometer boost gauge.

New York, New York (21 May 2013) - This year's Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, 1 and 2 June at Roger
Sherman Baldwin Park will feature an interesting car that defies identification
at first - or second or third - glance, baffling even knowledgeable collectors.
Its smooth lines, lustrous red paint and Carrozzeria Ghia crest confirm its
Italian heritage, but what, exactly, is it?

The poster car of the 2013
Greenwich Concours d'Elegance is a 1955 Jaguar XK140MC, with a custom aluminum
body by Carrozzeria Ghia of Turin, Italy. Photo by Bruce Wennerstrom

Selected as the Poster Car
for the 2013 Greenwich Concours it is a 1955
Jaguar XK140MC, with a custom aluminum body by Ghia of Turin,
Italy. The MC suffix signifies that the engine was upgraded to produce 20 more
horsepower, for a total of 220 hp. It was built for Marge and Gower Champion,
the Hollywood musical stars, who later sold it to fellow actor, Ricardo
Montalban; it is currently owned by Greenwich-collector Michael Schudroff.
Thanks to its hand-made aluminum body, the coupe is substantially lighter than
a stock XK140. Its greenhouse has slender roof pillars and greater glass area for
a bright and airy interior. The greatest owner satisfaction though, comes from
the exclusivity and the stir it creates wherever it appears at a gathering of
car enthusiasts.

Consumer Reports said the Samsung Galaxy S4, is now it top-rated smartphone, dethroning the LG Optimus G, which has enjoyed the top slot for the past several months.

The S4 took the honors due to its “excellent” 5 inch, 1080p display, its many sensor-based functions and the fact that the touch screen display can be operated even with gloves on.

Another big plus for the phone is it lets you run two apps at the same time on a split-screen view so you can watch a video and check email simultaneously.

Kenwood said it will ship in June a 7-inch WiFi tablet announced in January that is intended as a “second” screen for the rear seat when used with either of two Kenwood WiFi Connected Car Radios.

The tablet works over a WiFi networked connection to the Kenwood DNN 990HD and DNN 770HD to share movies, videos and photos between devices or between a connected smartphone.  It is not offered as a standard tablet, although it is an Android tablet that may be used outside of the car as it  runs on a USB powered rechargeable battery.

Kenwood says its LZ-T700 tablet gives new meaning to the term “dual zone,” allowing the kids in the back to view apps while mom or dad listens to music or navigates to a destination.

An Ultimate Service Provider to Win an Ultimate Service Truck in Federated Car Care Sweepstakes

STAUNTON, Virginia – May 21, 2013 – Federated will award one of its Car Care Center members with the ultimate grand prize in the Federated Ultimate Service Truck Sweepstakes. This is not just any truck; it has been designed by renowned motorsports artist Sam Bass and modified by Matt Steele and Bruno Massel, hosts of the SPEED show Truck U.

The grand prize winner of the Federated Ultimate Service Truck Sweepstakes will also receive an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas for the 2013 Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) where they will claim their truck. In addition, hundreds of other terrific prizes will be awarded to Federated Car Care Center members throughout the country.

In May 1913, James Radley set off from Brown’s Hotel in London’s  Mayfair for a famous motoring adventure – the 1913 Alpine Trial.  A  century later, the same Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost driven by this  pioneer, aviator and adventurer has returned to Brown’s Hotel, ready  to depart for a re-enactment of the event.

Radley’s account of his departure in 1913 reflects the spirit of  those early days of motoring:
“We must have a bottle to christen her. Here, John, just fetch    a bottle of ‘The Widow’, will you? And there outside Brown’s was    duly christened, and a glass of champagne was poured into my radiator.”

Forming the modern-day Rolls-Royce Works Team, Radley’s car will  join a contemporary pioneer, a 2013 Alpine Trial Centenary Collection  Rolls-Royce Ghost on a faithful re-enactment of the rally in June this year.

Lamborghinis can be challenging cars even for experienced drivers, let alone amateurs who aren’t familiar with how quickly 552 hp can break loose whatever traction the tires have and turn the bull into an unguided missile. The latest toreador to get stabbed by the bull? A Chinese journalist who totaled this new Gallardo 560-4 during a media drive.

According to reports from China, the 30-something journalist had tried to pass a slower car just beyond a toll road on wet pavement near Hangzhou when he lost control, slamming the front of the car into the highway barrier, then bounced across the road into another guardrail. No one was injured in the crack-up, and the driver was only stunned, but Lamborghini’s Chinese arm will apparently have to total one of their Gallardos, which carries a sticker price of more than $500,000 in that country.

For years, Tim DeFoor had seen a red 1969 Camaro Z28 driving around his neighborhood in Macon, Georgia. Although the car was already an eye-catcher with its blown 454 big-block engine and turbo 400 transmission, DeFoor was dying to get his hands on it and make it his own.

Eventually, DeFoor had the opportunity to purchase the car and brought it to Pratt & Miller Restorations in New Hudson, Michigan, a shop that had built three other cars for him. Originally, DeFoor was only looking to give the car some minor updates, but once he started working with the team at the shop, the build quickly escalated.

By Ashley Majeski Smissen

Photos by Erin Henk

“It ended up being a full-blown restoration with ground-pounding performance and beauty all in one,” says Mike Atkins, the shop’s program manager for restorations. “Tim couldn’t stop once we got started.”

DETROIT – The Buick brand celebrates its 110^th birthday this weekend. After a few years of experimenting with automobiles built at his home in Detroit, David Dunbar Buick – a former plumbing inventor and businessman – incorporated the Buick Motor Company on May 19, 1903. A State of Michigan historic site marker outside General Motors Global Headquarters at the Renaissance Center commemorates the day.

The first production vehicle, the Buick Model B, was offered to retail customers the following year. Today, Buick produces a range of luxury vehicles including the Encore and Enclave crossovers and the LaCrosse, Regal and Verano sedans.

The 1965 330GT 2+2 Coupé was bought by the Beatles singer for £6,500 on the day he passed his driving test. It is estimated to realise between £180,000 and £220,000 at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 12 ^th July 2013

The Ferrari personally selected by Beatles singer/songwriter John Lennon as his first car is the latest important motor car to join the line-up for the Bonhams auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Chichester, UK, on Friday 12^th July.

In February 1965 The Beatles recorded Ticket to Ride – a song that would become one of their biggest hits, topping both the UK and US singles charts. By happy coincidence, that same month, the news that Lennon had passed his driving test made headlines across the country. Within hours, the road outside the security gates of his Kenwood home in Weybridge, Surrey, was jammed with Maseratis, Aston Martins, and the Jaguar E-type, as luxury car dealerships – hungry for business – spotted an opportunity to secure a high-profile client.

• New crew cab model to compete in premium pickup segment
• Unique exterior appearance, saddle brown interior
• Standard 5.3L V-8 with 355 horsepower, up to 23 mpg highway

SAN ANTONIO – The 2014 Silverado High Country will further broaden Chevrolet’s portfolio in the premium pickup segment when it joins the LTZ and Z71 models in the Silverado lineup this fall.

Silverado High Country is distinguished by a unique chrome grille with horizontal chrome bars, halogen projector headlamps and body-color front and rear bumpers. Unique 20-inch chrome wheels with P275/55R20 all-season tires are standard, as are chrome body side moldings, door handles and mirrors.

Inside, Silverado High Country features an exclusive saddle brown interior, with authentic materials throughout. Features include heated and cooled perforated premium leather front bucket seats with High Country logos on the headrests, Chevrolet MyLink connectivity with an 8-inch touch screen, Bose premium audio and front and rear park assist

DETROIT – Cadillac is blending fashion and automotive design with the launch of “Style Driven,” a four-part video vignette offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the life of fashion stylist Erin Walsh, as she curates outfits for guests attending the famous Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Walsh’s keen eye for the beautiful and unique within fashion has propelled her to be one of the most sought-after stylists, and has already consulted the likes of Kristen Wiig, Kerry Washington and Gwyneth Paltrow. This year, Walsh styles actress Greta Gerwig for the Met Gala.

The video series follows Walsh as she makes her way through New York City in a Cadillac SRX picking dresses and jewelry for Gerwig. Throughout the series, Walsh offers insights into her process, the importance of the Met Gala and how Cadillac helps her make everything possible.

All Riders Invited to Join H.O.G. in Celebrating 110 Years of Great Riding

Milwaukee (May 6, 2013) – Let’s ride. The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) invites Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders from around the world to join its members in celebrating the 110^th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the 30^th Anniversary of H.O.G. as they enjoy the freedom of the open road during the 2013 Harley-Davidson World Ride on June 23-24

.

“Harley-Davidson is celebrating two big anniversaries this year, and the World Ride is a great way for riders around the world to celebrate them with us,” said Harley Owners Group Director Ken Knuteson. “For these two days in June, our members will join together to celebrate 110 years of great riding and share the special bond that unites all Harley riders.”

The number one emerging technology sought in new cars, if you own a smartphone, is the ability to link it to the car radio, says a new study from J.D. Power & Associates.

The feature beat out natural voice control, and even demand for a next-gen heads up display.

82 percent of smartphone owners want their device to communicate with the car, which is 4 percent higher than last year..  Even early baby boomers born between 1947 and 1953 are showing a sizeable increase in demand for smartphone integration.

J.D. Power says more than 67 percent of car owners now have a smartphone.

COMP Cams^® has teamed up with Goodguys to bring you a discount on admission to any Goodguys event. Celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of Goodguys with cool cars, cool people and good times by attending an event this season. Buy tickets online at www.good-guys.com using the promotion code: COMPCams, or simply download the coupon and bring it to the gate for a $3 discount off general admission.

The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association promotes and produces some of the world's most dynamic automotive events. Founded by lifelong hot rodder Gary Meadors in 1983, Goodguys is the world's largest hot rodding association with over 70,000 active members worldwide.

– GOJO Industries today announced a special Tough Soils markets promotion that provides opportunities for customers to win a great trip or valuable prizes.

Named “GOJO Tough Job. Sweet Deal. Giveaway,” the contest and sweepstakes starts today. Tough Job – Sweet Deal is designed to appeal especially to those who work in tough jobs and regularly use industrial and automotive hand degreaser and other hand cleaning and conditioning products.

Today marks the UK debut of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ latest model,  Wraith. The most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce in history will be  showcased in the window display of luxury department store Harrods in  Knightsbridge, London for one week.

At launch in Geneva this March, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, remarked that “Wraith promises the sense of  adventure and speed that drove our founding forefather. But of course,  Wraith’s starting point is luxury, refinement and quality, traits that  remain as important to Rolls-Royce customers today as they were more  than a century ago.”

It is these traits of luxury, refinement and quality that made  Harrods the natural choice for Wraith’s UK debut. Renowned globally as  purveyors of the world’s finest goods, both Harrods and Rolls-Royce  have exceeded client expectations for over a century.

DETROIT – Development of “Super Cruise,” Cadillac’s semi-automated driving system, is advancing to the next stage of development, including real-world driving assessment and trials. Cadillac projects this technology could make its way into production models later this decade.

Research and development in active safety has already resulted in advancements on the road today in Cadillac’s new 2013 models, including the innovative Safety Alert Seat and Driver Awareness and Driver Assist features.

Cadillac "Super Cruise"

In this next phase of development, engineers will drive Super Cruise vehicles in more and more challenging driving situations to test the system in a wide variety of environments to help refine it.

In the 1970's Massachusetts had some of the highest car theft rates in the country, it's estimated that 1 out of every 35 cars in the state had been reported stolen.  The Bay State used to be notorious for vehicle theft, but over the past few decades changes in technology have helped change that.

According to the Lowell Sun, car thefts have dropped 88% in the state of Massachusetts since the mid-1970s.  In 2012 Boston only had 1,575 reports of stolen vehicles, which pales in comparison to the 28,000 that were reported stolen in 1975.  Many people will be surprised to learn that car thefts haven't been on a gradual decline since the 70s, theft numbers didn't really start decreasing until 2001.