The US, and in fact the entire civilized world, is knee deep in a financial meltdown. However, crashing stock markets and crumbling banking institutions have led to one pleasant side effect. The price of gas is dropping faster than the NASDAQ. A quick trip through south-east Michigan shows that gas prices have dropped below the $3.00 threshold, and tumbling crude prices show that even cheaper petrol is on the way. A barrel of oil now costs $77.70, which is in stark contrast to the $147 per barrel crude in July that lead to $4.25 per gallon gasoline. That’s a drop of nearly $9.00 today alone, and OPEC has scheduled an emergency meeting to try to halt the precipitous drop of black gold. And since we’re paying under $3.00 per gallon for oil that was purchased last month, that means we won’t bear the fruit of the recent drop in crude until November.

While many of you were with us in praying for this drop, it’s coming at a huge price. Gas is becoming more affordable because a set of Texas-sized Brembos put the brakes on energy use, but at least it’s cheaper. At this rate, if the get depressed about the economy, we can afford to go for a quick ride without having to take out another loan on our crashing mortgages.

[Source: CNN Money]

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Filed under: Toys

Automoblox, maker of heirloom quality toy cars, is on an upward trajectory that hasn’t slowed since we first encountered them a few years ago. In fact, while birthday shopping for my three-year-old nephew recently, I encountered Automoblox on the shelf of a local toy store for the first time, and then again at the little rug-rat’s birthday party where a family friend bought him the X9 sport utility to go along with the S9 sedan I got him when he was born.

Times are so good for Automoblox that it’s bucking the trend by unveiling a brand new model, the A9-S convertible. Based on the A9 compact, the A9-S is the first open-air Automoblox model ever and the first to feature a new white color palette for its speedster windshield, rear wing and rubber tires. The wheels are jet black with three fat spokes each and the two plastic passengers even have their hair swept back. Like all Automoblox cars, the German beech wood body of the A9-S can be taken apart and its parts and accessories mixed and matched with other cars to create new vehicles.

Christmas is right around the corner, and it’s a safe bet we’ll be buying the A9-S, which retails for $38 at the Automoblox Store, to add to our own growing collection that includes the X9, X9-X, C9-R and a trio of Automoblox Minis. We’ve also been told there’s another hot version of the C9 in development, and have a teaser pic to prove it.

[Source: Automoblox]
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Filed under: Ford

Ford Chief Financial Officer Don Leclair has decided to hang up his spreadsheets after an illustrious career at the Blue Oval. Leclair worked at Ford for 32 years and has held the top financial post there since 2003. Succeeding Leclair will be Ford of Europe President Lewis Booth. Booth has helped lead Ford’s positive transformation in Europe and grow Mazda’s success around the world, which are probably Ford’s two largest successes of the past decade. Excruciatingly tough times in North America await Booth upon his arrival Stateside, and team Ford needs some of that same magic he had in Europe to pull the 105-year-old automaker out of its current situation. Leclair and Booth will be working together over the next few weeks to ensure that no balls drop during the transfer of power.

We’re sure Mr. Leclair would have loved to leave the Blue Oval during happier times, and we hope his retirement is a long and enjoyable one. If stocks are part of his exit package, though, it may be some time before he has a chance to relax.

[Source: Ford, Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty]

Continue reading Ford CFO Don Leclair retiring, Ford Europe’s Booth will replace him

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia, FPV, Special/Limited Editions

Ford Performance Vehicles, otherwise known as FPV, is celebrating its fifth birthday as being the sharp end of Ford Australia’s performance stick. FPV presented itself with a gift at this week’s Australian International Motor Show in the form of a special edition FPV 5th Anniversary model. Only 200 units will be produced of the rear-wheel-drive Falcon-based birthday present, ensuring instant collector car status for the discerning Aussie buyer. The car features Alpine Silver 19-inch multi-spoke wheels, 6-piston Brembo brakes, sports seats upholstered in Nudo leather and special “5th Anniversary” decals on the trunk, ahead of the rear wheels, embossed on the front headrests and on the floormats. The FPV 5th Anniversary model will be available in Lightning Strike or Silhouette, both with striping, and starts at $71,890 in Australian dollars, which FPV says equates to $9,600 worth of extra goodies for only $5,300 more than the FPV GT sedan. So happy birthday to FPV, and we hope that Ford invites us to your rear-wheel-drive performance sedan party some time soon.

[Source: FPV]

Continue reading FPV GT 5th Anniversary edition unveiled in Sydney

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Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

This past weekend Grassroots Motorsports welcomed 51 vehicles to Gainsville, FL for their $2008 Challenge. Constrained by the limited vehicle build budget, the entry list was chalked full of the popular weekend racer, the Mazda Miata. A few first generation Mazda RX-7s also filled out the list, most likely due to cheap availability and past Challenge success. The Honda CRX was another popular choice, with its proven reputation as a solid budget racer. While tiny, nimble chassis were the building block of choice, many did not stick with their vehicle’s original power plant. A Miata and 240SX came equipped with Japanese and American V8 power respectively. An RX-7 even opted for BMW’s inline-six over the original oil smoking rotary. The guys at GRM kept a live blog of the event, so we won’t spoil the details. Just follow the read link to find out the results, or wait for the magazine to hit newsstands.

For those on the West Coast itching to get in the game, Grassroots Motorsports has teamed up with SDRev.com to bring a new event series to San Diego in 2009. The San Diego Grand Challenge will be a seven event series of one concourse and three autocross and drag race competitions. It is a concept similar to the annual GRM Challenge, but with a built budget limited to a mere $1000.

[Source: Grassroots Motorsports]

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