Pictures from an American Junkyard Part I

Working at an auto salvage yard is an interesting experience. You meet a lot of strange people and you see a lot of strange things. Here is just a partial pictorial history of the past few years I had at Jimmie’s Auto Parts in Philadelphia, Pa:

This is Johnny, he strips down cars. He also calls Mitsubishi’s,”EetsyBeetsys”.

This is one of the lots, after it’s filled, we would wait anywhere from 30 to 90 days, then crush all the cars in the lot to make room for new ones.

Cars next in line to be crushed

Seven cars on top of each other, ready to be taken away to the scrap metal buyer

There are also racks and trailers filled with auto parts like wheels and auto glass

Some parts have been in the inventory for a very long time

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Ralph Gilles Is Bringing Sexy Back To Chrysler LLC, From The Inside Out

Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept

Ralph Gilles, Chrysler LLC’s new design chief, announced that he plans to lead Chrysler in a more “organic” direction. Steering [sorry] away from the blunt edges and raw masculinity of vehicles like the Dodge “Man Wagon” Magnum and the Dodge Nitro, Gilles says consumers can look towards the Dodge Zeo and Chrysler ecoVoyager for future design cues.

Dodge Zeo Electric Concept Car

Prior to assuming the role of design chief, Gilles sat at the helm of Chrysler’s interior design team. Admittedly, one of his first priorities is distancing Chrysler from their reputation for bland, plastic interiors. With the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, Gilles believes he has successfully taken the first step in the right direction.

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Photo Gallery after jump

In addition to the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, both the 2009 Jeep Compass and 2009 Jeep Patriot can also serve as a sneak peak of the cosmetic overhaul that is to come. Besides upgrading interior quality, another top priority of Gilles will be to bring a sleeker, subtler styling to the Chrysler line as a whole. According to Gilles, their main goal will be “getting our cars to be sexy again.”

[Source: Automotive News]

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Hot Girls and Cars: A RideLust MythBuster

I was doing a little bit of browsing on eBay motors today [I wasn't joking when I said it's highly addicting] and I came across the photo pictured above of a 2002 BMW M3. The girls in the picture made me laugh, especially the one on the left who appears to be absolutely enraptured with the BMW logo. 

The picture reminded me of a few pretty sizable misconceptions that men who drive luxury and/or sports cars have. So, as an import car model myself, and a girl who is admittedly attracted to hot cars [ipso facto the guys that drive them], there are a few myths I’d like to debunk for the sports car enthusiast population [read: guys].

Myth #1: You Have a Hot Car, You Will Attract Hot Girls

This is actually only partially a myth inasmuch if you have a hot car, you probably will attract hot girls - the myth is that you’ll keep them interested. A hot car is the bait, your knowledge of the car is what’ll reel them in. If a girl asks ”What kind of pound per weight ratio does this bad boy have,” or “So where does this thing redline at?” YOU NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWER. There is no bigger turn off than a guy with a sick ride who doesn’t know jackshit about it.

Myth #2: Corvette’s Are Fail-Proof Chick Magnets

If you are over 40, the only thing your Corvette will communicate - even if it’s an absolutely babied Z06 - is: “I am single with waning sexual function.” I know that sounds harsh, but seriously, that is the conclusion girls, especially auto show/model girls, tend to draw.

Myth #3: Ferrari’s Are Fail-Proof Chick Magnets

With most girls, Italian models cars in general are iffy-territory becase there appears to be a rather sizable number of men who drive them that would prefer Steven to Stephanie, if you catch my drift.

Myth #4: The More Expensive The Car, The Better

Having a Lust-able ride does not necessarily mean dropping more than the gross national product of some countries to get it. I mean yeah, a Porsche Carrera GT is pretty damn impressive, but so is a fully-restored 1971 Chevrolet El Camino. It’s all about the devotion.

The same rules that apply to cars also apply to motorcycles, although I will admit outright that any guy on a Ducati Monster makes me weak in the knees.

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