Latest news with #BackfireNews
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Classic Chrysler Proves It's Tougher Than Modern Cars
Read the full story on Backfire News A classic Chrysler New Yorker that was rear-ended by a modern car demonstrated they don't make them like they used to. The owner took to social media to share the aftermath of the crash, which shows the front end of the newer vehicle demolished and the classic taking seemingly no the old Chrysler lost its rear license plate and the plastic holder. But the bumper and everything else on it looks just fine. But the other car, which is something like a Dodge Dart or Toyota Corolla – it's really hard to tell at this point – had its front end crumpled like an accordion. We know newer vehicles are designed with crumple zones, so the modern sedan did what it was supposed to. That keeps the energy from the impact reaching the people inside the vehicle, at least to a point, reducing the likelihood of injuries. But the owner of the Chrysler doesn't mention even a sore neck or back from the collision. Instead, the Facebook post about the crash reads as follows: 'So, how's your day going ? I was just driving home from company picnic… Cop said 'they don't make them like they used to..' when he saw the 'damage' on my 1973 Chrysler New Yorker : the license plate fell off.' People had plenty of jokey replies to the post about the Chrysler 'eating' the other vehicle or the modern car being the New Yorker's crumple zone. However, some believe the photos are some sort of 'setup' to make it look like the classic car wasn't damaged in the crash that creamed the other ride. We suppose they believe this is some conspiracy of the classic automobile industry or some such nonsense. But we know from experience the right modern trucks and SUVs would've held up similarly to the classic Chrysler. Part of it has to do with how the vehicle is constructed. If you know, you know. Images via Detroit's Forgotten Wheels/Facebook
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR Driver's Home Sale Sets A Record
Read the full story on Backfire News Everyone knows NASCAR drivers often live large, thanks to their famously robust annual earnings. But even for Charlotte, North Carolina, the recent sale of a NASCAR driver's estate that's been owned by two other drivers in the past is enough to set a record for that surprisingly, the driver who's been living like Ricky Bobby is none other than Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The man is in his prime, competing in the Cup Series and obviously doing great financially. The home in question sold for a whopping $12.2 million in June, making it the most expensive house sold in the region ever, reports It must be rough to be #47. Originally, Stenhouse bought the house, which is actually a ranch spread out over 140 acres, back in 2014. Joe Nemechek owned it before him and he purchased it from Ernie Irvan, another NASCAR driver, who built the current 9,100 square foot house on the lot back in 2001. In total, there are five bedrooms and seven full bathrooms, plus a guest house with another bedroom, and one more in the stable house. It sounds like quite the arrangement for entertaining or hosting multiple guests from out of town. The drivers have each unwound at the vanishing-edge pool, enjoyed some time in the rather nice and large outdoor kitchen with fireplace, plus hit some balls on the putting green. Stenhouse used the massive land to support his personal hobby of raising livestock like longhorn cattle and donkeys. Nemechek reportedly used all that land for equestrian activities, including a huge stable and covered riding area. We can't wait to see how the house and all that land is used by the new owner. It's not known who bought the property, but considering the lofty price and its history, we're going to guess it was yet another NASCAR driver. Images via
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
1986 Pontiac F50 Listed For $30,000
Read the full story on Backfire News We did a serious double-take after running across this 1986 Pontiac 'F50' listed for $30,000. There's a lot to take in with this interesting build and the ad that lists it for sale. Overall, we wonder who would pop out that kind of cash to own such a unique this is yet another Pontiac Fiero made to look like a Ferrari. While it doesn't nail the F50's proportions perfectly, it does a better job than other conversions we've seen in the past. If you're wondering what's so bad about driving a Fiero that looks like what it is, this thing obviously isn't for you. More likely, this car is for someone who just really wants to own a Ferrari F50 but doesn't have a substantial income or savings. Call it pathetic to live this fantasy this way, there are obviously a fair number of people who like this sort of thing. The seller says all the bespoke work cost over $60,000 to perform, and that's just parts and materials. It sounds like the guy did all the bodywork himself, spending over 7,000 hours toiling away on this thing. While we can appreciate this was likely a labor of love, we wonder if the market will value it to the tune of $30,000. While it apparently has won awards at shows, the thing is a little rough. Sure, the modified engine only has 11,000 miles on it, but the seller admits the car has been pretty much sitting for the past eleven years. He doesn't get specific, but says the Pontiac F50 'requires some TLC to get it in 'best-in-show' condition.' That could mean all sorts of things, but we bet if you're really interested in this ride the seller would be more than happy to explain in detail. But would you spend $30,000 on this build? Would you talk the guy down some? Or is this a hard pass? Check out this car's listing here. Images via Tom Donahue/Facebook Marketplace
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Race Tracks vs Real Estate: How Developers Are Buying Out American Motorsports
Read the full story on Backfire News If you've noticed more shopping centers where burnout boxes used to be, you're not hallucinating. Across the U.S., drag strips, dirt ovals, and road courses are quietly vanishing—not because fans stopped showing up, but because developers showed up with fatter wallets. American motorsports is being squeezed out by a monster far more ruthless than any top-fueler: real estate. Let's cut the nostalgia for a second and talk hard numbers. Many tracks sit on massive plots of flat, conveniently zoned land near suburban growth corridors. To a developer, that's not a venue—it's a blank check. In cities where housing is in 'crisis,' any large plot of land not being used to cram in condos or strip malls is a missed opportunity. Take Atlanta Dragway. NHRA sold the 318-acre facility in 2021 after more than 60 years of operation. The buyer? A development firm reportedly planning an industrial complex. 'It's just business,' said NHRA brass, likely while swimming through a pool of cash like Scrooge McDuck. Every time a racetrack closes, you'll hear the same refrain: 'residential complaints.' And sure, there's some truth there. Nobody likes sleeping next to a nitro-methane symphony. But let's be honest—those complaints don't usually surface until after the developer builds a neighborhood right next to the track. In some cases, this is strategic. Develop the land, build the homes, let the homeowners complain, and pressure the local government to revoke permits or restrict operations. Then the track gets strangled by noise ordinances, and guess who's waiting with a 'fair market value' offer? You'd think local officials might protect venues that bring tourism, revenue, and culture to a community. Think again. Politicians love ribbon cuttings. It's a lot more glamorous to announce a new distribution center or suburban tech campus than to stand next to a tire wall and talk about heritage. Motorsports rarely gets tax breaks or incentives. Developers do. So when it comes time to 'revitalize' an area, the track is the first thing on the chopping block. The big winners? Developers, obviously. National chains. Corporate landlords. Maybe the town gets some new property tax revenue, maybe not. The racers? They get nothing but a longer drive to the next legal track—if there even is one. And the fans? We're just supposed to get over it. Trade the scent of burnt rubber for faux artisan coffee and yet another Planet Fitness. This isn't just about nostalgia. It's about infrastructure. Take away legal venues, and people will find alternatives. Uncontrolled ones. Street takeovers are skyrocketing, and media outlets love to lump every car enthusiast into the same crowd. But they're not the same—and part of the reason chaos is winning is because structure is losing. Kind of. Maybe. But it requires effort. Tracks need to own their land, rally their communities, and make themselves politically valuable. Fans need to show up, not just comment angrily when a closure is announced. And local governments? They need to stop chasing every shiny development deal like it's the last golden ticket. Until then, the real race isn't on the quarter mile. It's between bulldozers and burnout boxes—and we're losing.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota Features Its Electric Car In Superman Movie
Read the full story on Backfire News As excitement builds for the release of the new Superman movie, Toyota is using the film to promote its electric car. That might sound ridiculous, and in a way it is, but it's also an established industry marketing technique. We do question just how effective it vehicle in question is the Toyota bZ, which used to be the bZX4. If you still don't know what that is, you're not even close to alone. That might be why Toyota is putting the thing in a movie, because most people don't even know it exists. But the bZ doesn't look sexy, not even a little. We learn from a new promotional piece put out by Toyota that the little EV is owned by Lois Lane. Two employees of the Daily Planet, which is where Lois works, are using her car to drive around and gather info about an ongoing monster attack. It's a dumb premise, but boy some people on YouTube are just showering the cheesy commercial with praise. 'Best Toyota Ad and glad that they are supporting evs,' wrote one. 'This is definitely my favorite commercial of all time,' said another. 'Toyota is Back (sic),' said another. We wonder where he thought the automaker went. Our favorite comment is this one: 'Wait up Godzilla. I gotta charge my car lol.' Like we said before, other automakers have done this sort of thing plenty of times. For example, in Batman Vs Superman, Bruce Wayne drives a Jeep Renegade as he tries saving people in the early part of that movie. Many of the early Marvel movies featured SHIELD agents driving Acuras. Black Widow shows up in a new C7 Corvette Stingray in Captain America: Winter Soldier. We could go on, but you probably get the idea. Will anyone actually buy a Toyota bZ because they saw it in the Superman movie? We think this sort of thing might work when the car is really cool, but with a ride like the bZ we just don't see it helping much, if at all. Remember, the Renegade still flopped after Bruce Wayne drove it. Check out the Toyota commercial here. Image via Toyota
