Akatuki4

Go into any toy store and the odds of you finding LEGO play sets are pretty damn good. These little blocks have been around since 1932 and in that time they’ve helped expand the imaginations of both children and adults alike. Some people stick solely to the kits, however there are those who not only think outside the box, but blow the lid wide-f*ckin-open! Youtube user Sheepo’s Garage is one such person. He recently completed a LEGO Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with an attention to detail that is simply astonishing. Check it out after the jump.

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If you live where winter means snow, now is about the time of year you should be thinking about a switch from summer tires or all season radials to dedicated winter tires. The video below does a good job of illustrating why, but it has one fatal flaw: it compares “summer only” tires, which shouldn’t ever be driven on snow and ice, to dedicated winter tires, which optimize grip on snow and ice, and in low temperatures. Read More…

The National Insurance Crime Bureau keeps tab on things like car theft by state without regard to a vehicles insured status. That’s significant, because it looks at ALL car thefts, not just those that were reported to an insurance company. Each year, the NICB publishes a list of the most stolen vehicles in the United States, and the top 10 may come as a surprise.

There aren’t any exotics or luxury cars on the list, and the most valuable car in the top 10 probably doesn’t crack the $10,000 barrier. These aren’t cars stolen to order by gangs who specialize in shipping containers of hot cars to South America; instead, they’re cars that get snatched because they’re easy to steal, or have parts common to a wide range of other vehicles. Read More…

May 21, 2011? Ruh-roh... Image: Eli the Bearded

In case you haven’t watched the news lately, the end of the world (at least according to some) is scheduled for this Saturday, May 21. Like most Akatuki4 readers, I don’t think I’ll be sucked to the pearly gates on a pillar of light; instead, I’m planning a rather full weekend of looting and drunken debauchery. That said, now is probably a good time to pass along some car-related tips for the coming rapture. We’re all new to this end-of-the-world business, but it’s my job to think about things like this and pass my knowledge on to our diehard fans. You don’t think you’ll find this stuff on Jalopnik, do you? Read More…

I’ll be honest, there is a very distinct possibility that I’ve posted this before, but quite honestly I don’t care because this video should be watched by anyone who drives a car. Rear differentials for some reason seem to confuse and mystify people as to what they do and how they function. Sure you hear people talk about them, but in reality few individuals actually understand them. The basic jist of a rear differential is to modulate the speed of the rear wheels so that an even rotation occurs between the tires when your automobile goes around a corner. This video not only shows, but explains exactly how a differential works in a manner that’s clear, concise and easy to understand. Wouldn’t it be great if everything could be explained this easily? Click through for the video.
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In Florida, there's a 1 in 4 chance she doesn't have insurance.

Let’s face it – car insurance is one of those things you drop money on but hope to never use. When it comes to insurance, especially in today’s litigation-happy society, there really is no such thing as “too much coverage”; the problem comes with balancing what you’ll need for a worst case scenario versus what you can afford based on your own personal budget. A lot of factors go into determining what companies charge you for insurance, and age, sex and driving record are no longer the sole factors in determining what you’re likely to pay. In fact, your credit record and credit history is a lot more likely to set your rates these days than a ticket for five miles per hour over the speed limit. Want to know what the most expensive states are for car insurance? Read on to find out. Read More…

Yuck.  Photo courtesy of .

There are few things in life more frustratingly debilitating for an auto enthusiast than motion sickness.  This mercilessly vile condition is caused by a disconnect between motion sensed by your inner ear and a lack of motion perceived by your eyes (often due to reading).  This confuses the brain which causes many of us to go green in the gills and then inevitably become the subject of an embarrassing story.

Motion sickness is especially, and understandably, tough on rally co-drivers who are responsible for navigating a car from their pace notes in daytime and at night, through twists and turns, and across jumps, gravel and other gut-churning terrain.  And even some of the on this planet are susceptible to the need, the need to heave.

Sadly, motion sickness can strike at any time, as people who could usually write a dissertation in a speeding Caterham Seven can suddenly and surprisingly become deathly ill while reading a map of the interstate.  But don’t let a weak stomach hold you back from your competitive dreams – fear not, I have you covered.  Whether you’re just starting out as a co-driver in a stage rally, competing in a TSD, or are the designated navigator on a lengthy road trip, these tips from experienced rally co-drivers will help you keep the bile down.

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I never thought I’d be doing this, but yesterday I found myself trying to hyper-mileage my 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8. There I was in a 425 hp, 170 mph hot rod wagon trying to shift before the tachometer reached 2500 rpm. It’s ridiculous I know, but after paying just over $60.00 for a premium tank of fuel just a few minutes earlier, my thought was that I wanted it to last. At the station by my house premium fuel was $4.01 per gallon, and I’ll be honest, it’s getting to the point where it’s starting to hurt. I’m also finding myself doing things that I’ve never done before. For instance, I just purchased new tires for my Maggie, but instead of going with a full-on max performance summer tire with a low tread rating, I instead opted for a max-performance all season, with a treadwear rating of 540AA or 50,000 miles. First off there’s less rolling resistance and secondly, they won’t be bologna skins after 15,000 miles.
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I’ve traversed the United States from coast to coast more times then I care to remember. I’ve logged thousands upon thousands of miles on my cars, stayed in some of the best (and worst) hotels, and dined in greasy spoon diners that served food that was sometimes unrecognizable. If you drive and I mean really drive, than this comes with the territory. Throughout my travels though one thing has always remained constant – a good selection of road trip food. You see when I’m motoring down the super-slabs and back roads of America I don’t like to stop. I mean sure, there are times one must make that emergency pit stop, but for the most part I only stop when I run low on fuel or break down, which is about every 4 hours depending on the car. Regardless, one thing that I always bring with me to fuel my body is a nice selection of road trip food. Keep in mind that at this point in my career I consider myself to be a professional (at what is still up for debate, but whatever) and because of this I’ve put together a road trip menu that should get everyone out there from one coast to the next safely with their bowels intact.
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Unless it's part of a Halloween costume, pass.

Nowhere on earth does the old cliche “you get what you pay for” ring truer than when it comes to motorcycle helmets. There are safe motorcycle helmets, there are cheap motorcycle helmets and there are comfortable motorcycle helmets, so go ahead and pick any two of those three choices. Want one that’s safe, comfortable and affordable? Good luck with that, because in all my years of riding, I haven’t found one.

I’m going to start with some advice (and a disclaimer) up front. First, I don’t recommend anything other than a full face helmet. They’re structurally stronger than an open face helmet, and if you should happen to find yourself skipping across pavement face first (like I did), you’ll come to appreciate the wisdom of your choice. Are they uncomfortable in the summer heat? Not if you spend the money on a helmet that vents properly, and even a little sweat is a whole lot more pleasant than skin grafts. Call me weird, but I don’t want a plastic surgeon making me a new chin or nose from ass skin. Read More…