Auto Industry News: Montreal Cops Duped, Detroit Auto Show Developments, and Bullitt Time
Sometimes even we’re shocked. Montreal cops were duped by a snow sculpture, Detroit Auto Show highlights prove to be extraordinary, and we get the scoop about a 40-year-old secret that involves Bullitt.
Montreal Snow Sculpture Ticket
Montreal police believed they were answering an ordinary call, acting accordingly to a parking offense. Pretty basic stuff: a Toyota Supra parked in a space had not moved because it was covered in snow. It was an unfortunate circumstance, but the cops were obligated to write them a ticket. Little did they know, the ticket was already void, as they had been duped. The car did not exist. Some pranksters forged a convincing look-a-like car sculpture out of ice in a street parking space. The police, in accordance with every Canadian stereotype, laughed off the brilliant prank, saying it “made [their] day.” Well played, Canada, well played.
Detroit Auto Show Week 1 Highlights
The cars at the Detroit Auto Show, however, are real, and they’re fantastic… Let’s take a look at what week one had in store.
2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
The G-Class, a model that is perennially easy on the eyes, came out swinging again. The boxy body is equipped with independent A-arms, front suspension the G-Class is more than capable enough for those brave enough to take it out of the garage. It has a more rigid rear axle and features “G-Mode” that adjusts the damping of the chassis. What else should we come to expect from Mercedes?
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the movie Bullitt, Ford produced a beautiful ‘Stang. Finished with a Dark Highland Green paint job, it looks spectacular. A Shadow Black version will be available in the summer as well. Plenty of goodies inside with a 12.0-inch LCD instrument cluster. Under the hood’s not to shabby either: a 5.0-liter V-8 engine generating 475 HP, (15 more than the regular GT).
But nothing compares to the original, right? For Sean Kiernan of LKQ Corporation, it’s time to share the 40 year family secret. A clip is included below, but read the full story here.
“For 44 years, our family has owned the Bullitt movie Mustang – serial number ‘559. There were two Bullitt movie cars. The ‘558 car was the heavily damaged “jump car” which was recently discovered in Mexico. Our ‘559 “hero car” was the vehicle that McQueen drove in many of the movie scenes. For decades, our car has been the subject of numerous rumors, myths and dead-end searches. These stories evolved and took on a life of their own and the car became something of a holy grail in the old car world – waiting to be rediscovered,” said Kiernan.
2019 Audi A7 Sportback
And not to be outdone, Audi flexed in Detroit before Week 1 was through. The A7 Sportback is pure decadence and sexy power. It has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6. And in an effort into crossing over into the EV reality the Sportback has a 48-volt hybrid system. It will arrive this summer, so giddyup if you’ve got $70K.
Workhorse W-15 Electric Pickup
Preorders for the much anticipated W-15 Electric pickup truck are now open to the public. Not expected to be such a smash hit out of the gate, it was initially only open to pre-order in fleets. But thanks to the public’s demand, now the average Joe can get her hands on one. Democracy at work. The expected starting price of the W-15 is $52,500, and that’s before EV tax credit, now that Congress’ reconciliation has saved the bill from extinction. It has an 80 mile driving range, 450 horsepower and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. With specs like that, folks will be sure to stifle their laughs when the blue-collar movement goes green.
’95 Mustang – Not Bullitt, But a Cool Build
But before we become too preoccupied with the future, let’s look into the past. This now classic ’95 employs a ballsy Procharger/IRS Swap to up the ante on power. The Mustang’s owner, Dan, went all business inside. The cutout switch remains with a 98 console. He installed a Ridetech kit to modernize the suspension and upped the brakes, too. He has Wilwood 6 piston W6A/14″ brakes in the front and 4 piston SL4/13″ brakes in the back. Sometimes the pretty just get prettier. Check the build out here!
Around the Circuit
It seems that Danica Patrick can’t stay out of the headlines (for various reasons). But as her career comes to a close, the trailblazer will be sure to make a few more. It was announced over the weekend, that a reunion is in the works. Patrick will team up again with GoDaddy for her final Daytona 500.
The racing community has seen its share of losses of legends in the past few months. And to honor the recently deceased Robert Yates, NASCAR posthumously inducted into him into their Hall of Fame. A transcript of Yates’ acceptance speech was read at the ceremony as his peers and the generations he inspired listened in. The legendary engine builder and team owner was 74.
