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Optima Ultimate SC Invitational is a Must-Attend (Gallery/Video)

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

 

Note: Let’s call this Sunday reading. It’s a bit long but there’s pretty pictures, even one that moves! It’s Sunday, take some time for the story I spent hours on yourself.

 

SEMA was over. The AdultCon of car shows had packed up, making way for the AdultCon of people; AdultCon. Hundreds of thousands of people stared at thousands of cars, parts, dudes in company polo shirts, failed strippers promo models, obstructing the way for depressed humanoids trying to gamble. Everyone went home on Friday…and missed the best show of the entire week: The Optima Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational

 

You should have gone, because this event is the shit. Matt was invited to compete in his 1998 C5 Corvette. We figured between the car’s lightweight, power and suspension and Matt knowing Spring Mountain like the palm of his hand, he might do pretty well. However we were not prepared for what showed up early on Saturday morning. Make the jump for the story and massive gallery. (more…)

18.12.2011 News, Photos, Uncategorized, Video No Comments

Read Matt’s BMW X6M and Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review in the December Issue of Road Lanes!

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

There is rarely enough time in one of our 7-minute films to say everything that needs to be said about a car. You get in the moment, you forget things here and there, and you go home at the end of the day wishing you had said this or that. Well, in between filming and writing for The Smoking Tire, I review cars for other publications as well, which gives me an opportunity to write a completely different take on the same cars we film with. Introducing Road Lanes Magazine, a new online automotive magazine that you can download for free and view offline as well as online. In last month’s issue, I reviewed the Dodge Durango and Corvette ZR1. This month, check out the new issue of Road Lanes for my reviews of the Mercedes CLS63 AMG and BMW X6M.

So as not to disappoint our loyal fans here at The Smoking Tire, we have also made films with the Corvette ZR1 and BMW X6M, which you will see on the site and our various video outlets soon. Until then, click here to see the latest issue of Road Lanes!

 

 

07.12.2011 News No Comments

Video: 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT 392 Review

Monday, August 8th, 2011

We know it’s been a little quiet around here recently. Those of you who follow Matt on Facebook or Twitter know that The Car Show on Speed just wrapped and Matt just had back surgery, so between TV and recovery we haven’t been making many videos. But good news TST fans: The Car Show is done for the season and Matt’s all fixed up now so we’re back! And we’ll have many more videos in the coming months. And here’s the first one, the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT 392, the newly updated version of the Dodge Challenger SRT8. With 470 ponies on tap, this baby was born to drag race, and as pretty and comfortable as it is, has just gotta be road tripped. Hit the jump for the video.

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08.08.2011 News, Reviews, Video 16 Comments

Saab 9-3 to Viper: “I Wanna Be on You”

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

 

Before installing any 600hp supercar drivetrain into your Saab 9-3, it’s important to take it for a 5 mile test drive. If it doesn’t have a body, just spin the wheels in your lot for an equivalent distance. Make the jump for the story on the coolest super vagen ever.

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17.05.2011 News, Video, Viewer Submission 5 Comments

Bizarre Roadside Sightings: You, Sir, Are a Douche

Saturday, November 27th, 2010

Spotted on the Pacific Coast Highway in Manhattan Beach, CA today. An otherwise bone-stock Dodge Avenger sedan with a center-exit aftermarket exhaust that sounds like the kind of farts you let out after eating several dozen deviled eggs. I wish I could make a joke here, but the car itself is such an embarrassment that I honestly couldn’t do a better job than the owner’s done himself.

(sorry about the crap cell phone pictures. I swear I’m getting a new phone this week).

27.11.2010 News, Photos 1 Comment

TST Gets Mentioned in Hemmings Magazine!

Friday, October 29th, 2010

Last week, we posted about our good friend Mr. Angry’s 1969 Dodge Daytona winning Hemmings Muscle Machines “Muscle Machine of the Year” Award. That’s after taking it for a little spin ourselves. Well, even though we don’t have an affiliation with Hemmings Magazine, they were kind enough to mention The Smoking Tire in their article announcing the winner. We encourage everyone to buy the magazine, but since it mentions us, we thought we’d take the liberty of posting just the Mr. Angry piece in its entirety on our site.

29.10.2010 News, Photos No Comments

Bizarre Roadside Sightings: Confiscated Ricer Edition

Monday, October 25th, 2010

I’ll admit it: I chuckle a bit when I see a car that has clearly been confiscated by the cops and turned into some sort of Police vehicle. In Rye, NY, my hometown, there is a 1996 Dodge Viper that has been turned into a D.A.R.E. promotional vehicle, ironic because it’s far easier to die in a Viper than it is from doing drugs. Here we have a confiscated Dodge Neon SRT-4, complete with cheap-looking aftermarket rims and a loud exhaust, and it’s turned into a FUNERAL ESCORT vehicle! Tom and I spotted this gem in Arizona, where, apparently, grieving families like to follow the single worst sounding car ever produced while on the way to bury their loved ones. My condolences.

25.10.2010 News, Photos 6 Comments

Project Angrier Wins Muscle Machine of the Year

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

A few weeks ago Matt went out to NY to drive Mr. Angry’s intimidating 1969 Dodge Daytona. Mr. Angry loves road rallies, and he also loves muscle cars. Usually these two things mix as well as Glen Beck and Bonaroo. Often the suspension is soft, the engine has rough spots (we call that “charm”) and without air conditioning the romance of driving a classic car across the country gets old as soon as you see the sign for Death Valley. But he showed us with the right plan and parts, you can build a hot rod that’s just as good on a road trip as anything out of Stuttgart.

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22.10.2010 News, Photos, Viewer Submission 16 Comments

Video: The 180 MPH 1969 Dodge Daytona – “Project Angrier”

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

After testing the Art Morrison 1955 Chevy Bel Air, we’ve taken a liking to older muscle cars that actually perform like new. That’s why we went to the Hamptons, NY to visit our friend Mr. Angry and take his incredible 1969 Dodge Daytona for a little “spin.” After doing road rallies for years in muscle cars, Mr. Angry wanted the ultimate long-distance, high-speed Pro Touring machine, and he may just have built what it takes to earn the crown of “Hemmings Muscle Car of the Year.” Hit the jump for the epic video.

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21.09.2010 News, Video 13 Comments

2011 Dodge Durango Revealed – Surprise! It’s Not Heinous….

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Chrysler has revealed images and information about the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango, and while this site doesn’t normally write about new SUV launches, it’s worth mentioning for one reason: It’s not heinous.

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02.09.2010 News, Photos 10 Comments

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