Cars

1949 Land Rover Series I

The off-roader that launched it all started in 1948 in a post-war era was introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show and simply dubbed Land Rover. Later termed the Series I could be considered war-ready though officially Land Rover Series I was designed to be used on farms and light industrial work sites. It featured an aluminum body wrapped around a steel box section chassis, a drivetrain consisting of nearly 50HP four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed and the earliest predecessor of a full-time four-wheel-drive system. Soon after it’s release the public wanted more than spartan industrial interior’s so for the second model year a coachbuilder familiar with Rolls-Royce and Lagonda’s was contracted with increasing the truck’s popularity among common folk.

Today’s eBay find is a 1949 Land Rover Series I formally belonging to a “war department.” This fine example of British engineering completed a frame-off restoration in the late 90′s near Birmingham, England and has won many awards to attest to the quality of the restoration job. Parts replaced include the seats, canvas parts, fuel tank and pump, the steel frame was galvanized, rebuilt engine and the wiring harness replaced and wrapped in period-correct cloth flek wrapping.

Each body panel was repainted the original color, a beautiful army green that really mimics British racing green. Located in Houston, Texas and listed with an opening bid of $18,500 but considering, based on reported mileage, its completed less than 100 miles a year since it rolled off the factory line this 1949 Land Rover Series I may be your best chance to own a fine piece of post-war Britain.

[wordbay]land rover series[/wordbay]

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2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

The legendary Porsche Cayenne Turbo returns for the 2011 model year; everyone’s favorite “love it or hate it” SUV has come back for an encore. After its 2002 unveiling and subsequent 7 year production run, including a mid-cycle mild refresh, the Cayenne has sold like hotcakes allowing Porsche to focus on its core products (i.e. the 911 range). Obviously, acceptance for a Porsche SUV has gained some ground ironically causing Porsche to soften the most utility attributes out of the venerable SUV.

For 2011, the Cayenne Turbo model offers a carry-over engine choice from 2010 matching the 500 HP from the 4.8L V8. However, new for 2011 is a 23% increase in fuel economy thanks largely to the 8-speed transmission built to replace lowest of ranges of a transfer case. Porsche claims the 8-speed slush box offers substantial weight savings and is capable of propelling the 2011 Cayenne Turbo to 60 MPH in 4.4 seconds, though Porsche performance figures are usually conservative.

Today’s eBay Find is a 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo finished in silver with sport bucket seats wrapped in black leather throughout. Not much else is known about this Cayenne other than its one of the first, if not _the_ first 2011 Cayenne on eBay. With only 8 miles on the odometer and located in Bend, Oregon bidding for this truck starts at $121,850 but thats a small price to pay to be the first on your block with the shiniest of Cayennes!

[wordbay](2010, 2011) cayenne (gts, turbo)[/wordbay]

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

The Raptor SVT by Ford was originally engineered as a test bed for Ford’s “Hurricane” V8 and was Ford’s first truck built primarily to go off-road (in its 100+ year history no less). While Ford has always celebrated the success of the many other models of F150 no one knew the Raptor SVT would become so popular, garnering over 5000 orders in its first year of production alone quickly surpassing the last SVT truck, the 1999 Lightening SVT. However, the Raptor SVT was released before the Hurricane V8 was available for road use. That is until now.

After much ado, a whirlwind from the Rumor Mill, repeated “spy shots” and to the chagrin of early adopters Ford has finally come to market with the F-150 Raptor SVT 6.2 fuel hog. This (optional) engine pumps out 411 HP and over 430 Ft/Lb’s of torque in SVT trim and shaves almost a second off the truck’s already stellar (for its weight, calm down) 0-60 run. Still only avalble (for the time being at least) in extended-cab form, Ford’s betting the SVT suspension and body work combined with the new engine make a fantastic couple.

• Automobile Mag (Review)
• Car and Driver (First Drive)
• Motor Trend (First Drive)
• Popular Mechanics (Test Drive)
• Four Wheeler (Review)
• Edmunds (First Drive)
• Autoblog (blog, First Drive)

A true symbol of 1980′s decadence today’s featured rare car was unofficially known as the “Rambo Lambo.” The Lamborghini LM002 shows exactly how far Lamborghini, one of the most audacious car companies in the world, could stretch the envelope by developing an SUV with a V12, a 76 gallon fuel capacity and a thirst to match. Being an SUV from a performance car company sounds extreme but to be fair it was originally developed as a military vehicle (a predecessor to the Hummer H1) and never considered a performance vehicle. However, after hopes dwindled that Lamborghini could lure the U.S. military into a large-scale contract most of the 301 LM002′s that were produced were outfitted for civilian use.

Located in Washington state with just 2000 miles on the odometer (since 1988!), today’s silver on gray Lamborghini LM002 is probably one of the finest examples remaining of  this Rambo Lambo. Featuring a 5.2L six-times carburretted DOHC 4-valve V12 pushing 450HP and of course, a manual transmission, custom sound system and an upgraded exhaust. So if you don’t mind a $220 fill-up, happen to be a Rockefeller, or just want to show H1 owners how its done click here. Bidding starts at $108,888 or make an offer.