Yes, high gas prices suck--so bad that even the Dodge "HEMI Guy" is dumping his pickup in the name of charity.
Jon Reep's the "HEMI Guy"--the dude who leaned out of his truck in TV commercials from the Chrysler Group, uttering the redneck idiom/mantra of our times, "That thing got a HEMI?"
Like everyone else, Reep's probably tired of paying $100 a shot to fill up his truck, so he's listing it on eBay to cash in on the remaining portion of his allotted 15 minutes. At least the standup guy's doing the standup thing, and donating a portion of the proceeds to the American Diabetes Association.
The truck has 8,200 miles on it, and it's said to be in good condition. The 2006 Black Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie of course, has the HEMI, but it also has Sirius, navigation, a sliding rear window, and heated front seats.
The eBay auction winner also gets a bunch of signed merch and free tickets to a gig of Reep's somewhere in country, maybe even at the Comedy Store. Bid away--if you can afford it.
We won't hold you responsible - the few million people who watched NBC's resurrected Knight Rider in enough numbers to give the pilot a slot in the network's fall lineup. We blame entropy.
Yep, you heard it right: NBC's confirmed the show will have a permanent spot in its lineup. It'll air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. Central). This time around they're calling it a drama series -- where clearly, the last edition was funnier than Diff'rent Strokes if only for the Hoff's uni-dimensional acting. (Then again, you try engaging in the Strasberg method with the dash of an early-1980s F-car.)
Instead of glorifying the endless remaking of D-list Hollywood bilge, we're shuffling you off to youTube and bringing you more quality Mythbusters clips -- this time, the episode where The Guys debunk the classic Knight Rider stunt of driving onto the ramp of a moving 18-wheeler:
It’s true--the most incredible things can be found on eBay. For instance, if you're a Hardcastle & McCormick fan and survived middle school despite the fact, you may just want to take a look at eBay with a relative or some close friend nearby to catch your fall. The original and only Coyote stunt/jump car from the show is for sale -- fully restored, under the original TV show preparation guidelines, too.
This piece of TV history comes with all the goodies, including an autographed script from Stephen Cannell Productions of the episode “The Birthday Present,” where the car was heavily featured. The car has the original wheels with “landing” marks on the inside, the original seat with a five-point Bell racing harness, and all the accoutrements are in working condition. The seller claims the car “runs as good as it looks.”
Doubting the authenticity of the vehicle? Take a look at the auction documents from Walt Disney Attractions that confirm the car's authenticity, as well as a letter from David Dines, who restored the car. It comes complete with photos of the restoration and all documents for display. Alas, there's no official stuff from the stars, Brian Keith (who passed away in 1997) or Daniel Hugh Kelley, not even a lock of Kelly's 'fro.
Everyone is welcome to bid on this auction--that includes you overseas readers. However, if you are from outside the continental U.S. you will be required to arrange for export and handle all docs and fees.
While we think the car of the future will continue to be powered by gas, diesel and ethanol, a whole range of alternative fuel options are being studied in board rooms and laboratories around the world. And now, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS--yes, the home of Antiques Roadshow) is exploring the future of the car in a new special narrated by John Lithgow. The special, which airs on April 22, will delve deep into the worlds of hydrogen, electric, and ethanol-powered cars with the “Car Talk” brothers, Tom and Ray Magliozzi. PBS promises a light-hearted look at the topic--and yet we’re betting there won’t be any wicked fireballs or any guest spots by Vin Diesel. Set your TiVo for April 22, at 8 p.m. ET, or cruise over to the NOVA site at PBS.org for more information.
Audi’s returning to Super Bowl advertising, and it’s making the NFL and FOX an offer they can’t refuse--a commercial that lifts themes from the Godfather movies and stars the R8 supercar.
The point of the commercial, Audi says, is to point out Audi’s assault on the traditional luxury brands, like Mercedes and BMW. The Godfather triptych inspired the commercial, Audi says, “ because the film expresses the idea of a new power rising in an established hierarchy.”
Sounds heavy as lead--until you get to the star and centerpiece of the 60-second ad, the new R8 sportscar. A best-of winner for the 2008 model year and the recent star of Audi’s Detroit auto show display in diesel guise, the R8 is the halo car for a resurgent brand that sold 93,506 vehicles in the U.S. last year, a nearly 4-percent rise over 2006.
The ad was created by Audi’s ad agency, Venables Bell & Partners, and the spot will run in the first quarter of the game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.
In case you’re planning on avoiding the big game--live from Glendale, Arizona!--on February 3, 2008, on FOX, you can tune into the Audi Web site to catch the ad.
And while we’ve got your attention...who’s going to win the big game? Tell us in a comment below!
Veteran auto journalist Marty Padgett gives you news and opinions on the latest, hottest, greenest and fastest new vehicles on the market--and what's coming down the road.
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Yes, high gas prices suck--so bad that even the Dodge "HEMI Guy" is dumping his pickup in the name of charity.;)
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