vLane Blog

Articles Matching “LOL”

• Upcoming: #carchat 35; November 4 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on November 4, 2009

  This week: Chrysler's restructuring plan, the new Chrysler logo, and SEMA…Oh, and how the Dodge Viper logo looks like Daffy Duck!

  If you'd like to participate, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8 PM EST November 4, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics and questions for the discussion, please leave a comment below, tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat," or email me at michael [at] banovsky.com.

  Topics:

  • Discussion: New Chrysler logo…thoughts?
  • Discussion: Chrysler LLC restructuring
  • Discussion: SEMA Show recap + Are custom vehicles passé?

  So click through and read a few links, and see some photos related to the discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Industry, WTF, This week, Chrysler, Discussion, Social Media, carchat, Twitter, LOL, Jalopnik, Original

• Viral video victim gets new Hyundai

  Banovsky on November 4, 2009

  YouTube users: don't try this at home. Canadian Hyundai Elantra owner Todd Jamison exited his local gym after (presumably) a rigorous workout — only to find his car completely smashed, trashed, and inoperable.

  

  The video of the incident and Hyundai's response is after the jump

  As the resulting video (after the jump!) proves, he was a victim of both a terrible parking job and a soon-to-explode Internet meme. Within hours of the incident, the video was uploaded to YouTube — and to date, 1.6 million people have watched the carnage unfold over Todd's beloved car.

  What to do? Well, Hyundai Canada's marketing agency saw the video and pitched Hyundai: Why not be a good corporation and give this guy a brand-new car?

  As you'll see after the jump, that's exactly what happened. Bravo, Hyundai Canada.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Video, WTF, Wagon, Hyundai, Advertising, collision, community, LOL, Elantra

• Worst ad ever: Sting and the Jaguar S-Type

  Banovsky on October 26, 2009

  The Jaguar S-Type never really lived up to expectations. Sure, it looked all right — but unfortunately, it was a victim of the late-90s "retro" craze that quickly died off, along with its sales figures.

  

  Wake up, Sting! You're in a commercial!

  Here, for your amusement, is an ad for the S-Type featuring legendary rocker pop star Sting. And here are some things to look out for:

  • 0:20 — Sting has his eyes closed on stage because he's "dreaming" about being in a Jaguar S-Type. Shows how exciting the song is.
  • 0:23 — Caption: "What do rock stars dream of?" Well, they apparently don't dream about women, money, or success.
  • 0:31 — A very quick shot of Sting in the back seat of the S-Type. Is is that boring to drive?
  • 0:35 — The Jaguar splashes through water, its electrical system seemingly still works. This must be fiction.
  • 0:42 — Sting is awake now, still in the back seat, looking out a half-open window. "I wish I could remember what type of cream cheese I had on my bagel this morning…"
  • 0:52 — Back on stage, Sting is awake and throwing his arm in the air. Just one, like he's blessing his fans.
  • 0:55 — Narcoleptic Sting is asleep again. Somebody check his blood sugar levels.

  Click through for the awful-ness.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under WTF, Advertising, Jaguar, LOL, Original, Worst Ad Ever, Sting, S-Type

• Video: Lada Canada stunt team

  Banovsky on October 21, 2009

  We're just as surprised as you are. Sure Russian manufacturer Lada sold cars in Canada, but we don't remember any stunt driving demonstrations!

  

  Yes, they removed the wheels…

  This short video is pretty tame by modern standards — and I'm sure the vehicles were "strengthened" in many key areas — but really…stunts with cars are always awesome!

  Without further adieu, click through for the video!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Classic, Video, WTF, Europe, LOL, stunts, Lada

• The secret world of cars and tents

  Banovsky on October 16, 2009

  It started with the photo you see below. A Sunday morning browse of Chrysler's press photo archive turned up a photo of the "Magic Camper" package, available on the 1985 Plymouth Voyager. "Hmm…" I wondered, "How many car companies offer tents for their vehicles?" The results may surprise you.

  

  1985 Plymouth Voyager "Magic Camper" package

  If I'm honest, I gave up searching for OEM tent packages. There are simply too many. From laughing at the Chervrolet Nova 6 "Hutch" package (that turns an open hatchback into a three-sided cheese slice tent), to marvelling at the ingenuity of the Honda Element's available "curtains" — it seems outdoorsy people work at nearly every car company.

  So without further adieu, click through for a gallery of my favourites.

  Read full article | Comments (6) | Filed under Classic, Feature, WTF, Saab, Misc, Toyota, Ford, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, Dodge, LOL, GMC, From the web, Original, Camping, outdoors, Weird

• Silly old ad: This Jeep has two business ends

  Banovsky on October 15, 2009

  I love campy old ads. This one, for the Willys-Overland 'Jeep' — yes, from before AMC and Chrysler ownership — touts the practicalities of the military-bred machine for farm use and chores.

  

  Click through for the ad!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Classic, WTF, Truck, Advertising, Jeep, LOL, Pic

• Recap: #carchat 31; October 7 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on October 8, 2009

  Social media is such a cool thing that we're constantly evolving how we communicate. Take #carchat: the first few originated out of a spirited conversation.

  
  Anyone can join us each week at 8PM EST on Twitter. And if you'd like to suggest topics, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."
  
  
  
  
  

  We had:

  • Discussion: Chevrolet's return to police cars
  • Discussion: Toyota is going to make sports cars again…
  • Discussion: Mark LaNeve to leave GM…How would you turn sales around?
  • Help-a-shopper: Phil Herlihy

  So? What are you waiting for? Click through to the recap.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under General Motors, Toyota, This week, Discussion, Social Media, carchat, Twitter, vLane, police, LOL

• Toyota's floor mat fix

  Banovsky on October 8, 2009

  Yes, 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus products have been recalled because of floor mats that can catch under the gas pedal and result in a runaway vehicle. (Only if you're not paying attention – Ed.) We were holding off posting about it until we saw how Toyota would be fixing the affected cars.

  

  Photo: Jalopnik. We added Red Green.

  Yes. That's a zip tie. As we discussed on #carchat, a better situation is to not panic, put the vehicle into neutral, turn on the hazard lights, and use the handbrake to safely pull to the side of the road. Easy. You won't only look smarter, your floor mats won't look like they were attacked by Red Green.

  Jalopnik has a full run-down of the fix, including scans of the service document.

  Click through for a bonus Red Green clip where he makes two K-Cars into one all-wheel-drive one…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under News, Video, WTF, Technology, Toyota, LOL, Jalopnik, Recall, Red Green

• Silly old ad: The Toyota Cavalier

  Banovsky on September 28, 2009

  Yes, Toyota sold a rebadged Chevrolet Cavalier in Japan. But was it a "new form of luxury" as the ads claim?

  

  A strong candidate for an "LOL WTF" award…

  Thanks to Flickr member for uploading this ad. Click through to see it…and two commercials!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under WTF, Sedan, Japan, Toyota, Advertising, Coupe, Chevrolet, LOL, Commercial, Silly old commercial, Cavalier, Original

• Silly old ad: Subaru 360 in America

  Banovsky on September 22, 2009

  Malcolm Bricklin is an interesting guy. After making enough capital from the family Handyman business, he decided to import Subarus into North America. Then, the created his own sports car, the Bricklin SV-1. Now, he's still trying to bring a low-cost car into the U.S. market.

  

  Click to see the whole ad!

  Until that happens, though, we can look at some of the ads he used to entice Americans to open up Subaru franchises of their own. Yes, they're campy. Yes, they're cheesy. And yes, you can win a trip to Japan!

  Thanks to Flickr member Hugo90 for uploading these ads. Click through to see them!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Classic, WTF, Advertising, Subaru, LOL, Silly old commercial, Original