Winning a new car is not an everyday event, so you can imagine the level of excitement Barney was feeling when his Pitch Black Dodge Challenger R/T was delivered today. Especially since this is Barney’s first time as a prize winner — ever.
Another “first” for Barney is owning a sports car. In the past Barney has always opted for more practical transportation. Adding to the excitement is a 375 horsepower 5.7-liter V8 HEMI engine packing some serious muscle under the hood. Certainly a big step over his 160 horsepower 2003 Honda Element.
Barney’s first drive in the Challenger was to visit his mom who works at a preschool nearby. Who wouldn’t want to show off their brand new car to mom? And mom won’t be the only person to spy Barney behind the wheel of his new prize. Warm summer nights are ideal for cruising up and down Pensacola Beach Blvd and Pensacola Beach offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. As a Florida resident, there’s no doubt that Barney’s favorite destination this summer will include numerous drives to the beach.
In anticipation of his prize, the 28 year-old computer technician and independent contractor from Florida is already browsing eBay Motors for trick mods and accessories. Barney has always been a “car” guy and no stranger around Mopar products. His first upgrade will be a stainless steel exhaust kit that roars louder than a P-51 Mustang.
Speed and power aren’t the only things Barney likes about the Challenger R/T. Being a big guy, the Challenger offers lots of room and comfort – something Barney’s girlfriend can appreciate. Thank goodness Barney didn’t win a Scion iQ.
Excited, shocked, and also very appreciative. Barney expresses his sincere gratitude to eBay Motors and everyone who was involved with getting the keys to the Dodge Challenger into his hands.
From the eBay Motors Team, “Happy motoring, Barney!”
With $1 million prize money up for grabs, pit strategy and winning at least one of the early race segments may be the deciding factor towards capturing the checkered flag in this year’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
The field will consist of race winners in 2011 and 2012, active Sprint Cup champions and All-Star Race winners from 2002 to 2011, and the top two finishers in Saturday’s Sprint Showdown warm-up. A 23rd and final spot will be awarded to one driver selected via fan voting. The fan favorite, as of today, seems to be Dale Earnhardt Jr.
This year, race officials have added a 5th race segment to make things more interesting. The last race segment will be a 10-lap sprint preceded by a mandatory pit stop.
Saturday schedule (EDT):
7:30 PM – Sprint Showdown which is two segments of 20 laps each; top two finishers transfer to All-Star Race
Approximately 9 PM – Sprint All-Star Race which is 5 race segments consisting of four 20-lap segments and a 10-lap shootout.
Advantage goes to the four segment winners because they get to line up at the front of the field coming to pit lane for the final pit stop before the final shootout (which is mandatory).
“It’s just going to be how everybody sets themselves up for that last pit stop,” said Steve Addington, crew chief for Tony Stewart. “The big key is going to be that segment win, so you can be at the front.”
Many of today’s green cars are stingy on fuel, and speedy on the road. But nobody could have imagined combing fuel-efficiency and brisk acceleration when this Honda N600 was sold new in 1971. The N600 boasted fuel efficiency up to 40 miles per gallon. But when tested by Britain’s Motor magazine, they reported traveling from zero-to-60 mph in a leisurely 19 seconds.
Also, few people would have foreseen that American roadways would be filled with small fuel-efficient cars from Japan. After all, the N600 was Honda’s first import to the U.S. Diminutive N600 sedans and Z600 coupes were sold by side-by-side at Honda motorcycle dealerships. The 36-horsepower minicar was dwarfed by typical American cars at the time. It measures just over 10 feet long, and weighs approximately 1,300 pounds. About 30,000 to 40,000 of the models were sold through 1972. According to web reports, only about 300 or 400 are still operational—making this one for sale on eBay a true collector’s item. The Honda N600 was replaced in 1972 by the first-generation Honda Civic, which has been a top-selling compact car in America for generations.
The N600 featured a number of technological innovations for its day: an all-alloy engine, front power disc brakes, and four-speed all-synchro transmission. But mostly, it’s regarded for its extraordinary packaging. “With only 122.8 inches, Honda couldn’t waste any space and expect passengers to be the least bit comfortable, so they went to front-wheel-drive,” wrote Motor Trend in a 1972 review. “They wrapped the whole engine and transmission unit in one piece with a common crankcase. The compact drive unit, plus the lack of drive shaft and rear end assembly made for maximum space inside. They then put a wheel on each corner and wrapped the affair in a rigid unitized body.” Reducing size and weight continues to be a key fuel efficiency strategy of today’s cars.
Honda used the N600’s small size as the chief selling point of the 1971 television commercial that introduced it to Americans. Because it was the first and only Honda on the road at the time, the ad tagline was simply, “Honda, the new little car that’s already perfect for your town.” Maybe this cute-as-hell Honda N600 is perfect for your driveway as well. It doesn’t take up much room.
by Tony Piff and SCM on May 18, 2012 · 1 comment
Split-window Bugs are rare, and finding one that’s never been restored is unheard of. This European ’52 reportedly came out of a Belgian museum twelve years ago, which helps explain its unmolested state. The faded blue paint looks great against the dull chrome, and its glass and floor mats are original. In addition to fun and funky trafficators, the car sports quirky add-on rear reflectors and brake lights, per Belgian regulations.
Unlike most cars, Beetles have a reputation for not deteriorating under the stress of long storage, and it sounds like this one left the museum no worse for wear. The seller says, “everything on the car works” and calls it “a pleasure to drive.” Recent service items include a N.O.S. muffler, new correct tires and new battery. Tool roll, jack and English owner’s manual are included, along with the original French owner’s manual and dealer case.
Just 32 1938-1952 Volkswagen Beetles sold on eBay Motors in the past three years, with the best examples averaging $17k, compared with 4,834 later Beetles sold during the same period (and an average high of $10k). See the listing for this one here.
