It Came from eBay Hell: Camaro Meets Batmobile

Fancying a GM classic with a little more, ahem, pizazz than your run-of-the-mill F-Body Chevrolet Camaro? Welcome to the wonderful world of eBay and the DreamRyder (that's how the owner spells the name of the car).

The DreamRyder is the creation of one Bill Logan who used a V8-powered 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible as a base. Logan says he spent 13 years to complete all the customizations, which include a fiberglass body said to be inspired by a number of animals such as the bat ray and the eagle.

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Video: The TIV-2 is a 14,000-Pound Armored Dodge Ram Storm Chaser

A tornado is a force of nature that almost nothing can withstand. Therefore, when Sean Casey decided to see what was going inside a tornado, he had to build a very special kind of vehicle. And that’s how the original TIV (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) was born back in 2003.

In 2008, and after the TIV made it on prime time television in a series called Storm Chasers that began airing on the Discovery Channel in October 2007, Casey and his team built the TIV-2 using a Dodge Ram 3500 as a base.

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Frankfurt Preview: Irmscher Sports up the New Opel Astra GTC

Well-known Opel tuner, Irmscher, is one of the first to get its hands on the new generation of the Astra GTC revealing details on its customazation program ahead of the car's world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The upgrade starts with a performance package for the Astra GTC with the 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. A stage 1 kit lifts output from 180-horses and 230Nm to 212HP and 274 Nm (202 lb-ft).

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Light ECU Tune for Ford Fiesta Zetec S

ECU tuning specialist Superchips has released a new software upgrade for the UK market Ford Fiesta Zetec S. In factory tune, the Ford's 1.6-liter Ti-VCT twin independent cam timing engine delivers 120-horsepower.

After Superchip's engineers optimize the engine control unit (ECU), the four-cylinder powerplant gains an additional 10 bhp at 5,986 rpm and 13 Nm of torque at 4,390rpm.

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Bulgarian Design Studio Vilner Revisits Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT600

The Hennessey-prepped Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT600 is once again in the center of attention of the Bulgarian design firm Vilner. Back in October 2010, the company had launched its first take on the Hennessey Grand Cherokee SRT600 that packs a modified V8 engine fitted with a "Vortech" turbo system for an output of 600-horses.

For its second go on the Jeep, Vilner completely revamped the interior with red and black Alcantara combined with black leather trimmed in red seams. The company says it also designed a new flat-bottom steering wheel with its shape customized to fit the owner's personal preferences.

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It Came From eBay Hell: 2012 Faresi Concept Car

Grab onto to something before you read this, but if the eBay seller of this car is to be believed, Edson Faresi is a name soon to be held in the same high regard as Ettore Bugatti and Enzo Ferrari.

What makes this all the more funny is when one looks at his 2007 Pontiac Solstice-based Faresi Concept Car that’s currently advertised on eBay. The seller expects this Frankenstein monster of a car to “be very collectable in the future, maybe even worth millions.”

Mr. Faresi, who’s unknown to the internet except in this ad, has been designing cars for donkey’s years and is such an automotive heavyweight that his, “first cars are very collectable and are in Museums and have auction off [sic] for over $12,000,000.”

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Imperium to Craft One-Off Bentley Continental GT Special

Given the price of a Bentley Continental GT, it should not come to a surprise that some tuners prefer to offer their clients a more personal service when it comes to customizing their cars.

UK-based design house Imperium is one such example developing a one-off Continental GT at the request of an unnamed entrepreneur from Britain. Previewed here in a pair of renderings, we see that the tailored made coupe will feature bespoke bodywork with uniquely designed front and rear aprons, carbon exposed side skirts, a subtle boot lip spoiler and rear carbon fibre diffuser.

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It Came from eBay Hell: Porsche 959 Replica Based on a…Porsche 356 Replica

Two of the most egregious of Porsche replicas to be found on eBay are those of the 356 of the 1950s and ‘60s and the 959 of the late 1980s. Both these cars were legends of their times and are rightly regarded as classics today.

So it’s no surprise that replicas are especially widespread and varying in quality from the very good to the very bad. On the latter end of this very broad spectrum is this 959 replica, which is evidently based on a –hold on- a…Porsche 356 replica.

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MTM Drops Some Power Upgrades to Audi A7 Sportback TDI

After Senner Tuning's recent take on the Audi A7 Sportback TDI, MTM is next in line to offer its services to the diesel-powered model.

In regular factory trim, the A7's 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged diesel engine churns out 245-horses and 500Nm (369 lb-ft) of peak torque. The German tuning firm offers buyers two different options, the first pushing output to 285HP and peak torque to 580Nm (427.8 lb-ft), and the second to 300-horsepower and 600Nm (442.5 lb-ft) respectively.

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Honda Mugen CR-Z RR Study: New Photos

Here's a new set of photos of the Honda CR-Z Mugen RR competition study that made its debut alongside the more production ready CR-Z Mugen Concept at the beginning of July in the Moving Motor Show area at Goodwood Festival of Speed.

While the CR-Z Mugen was designed and built by "MUGEN EURO" based in the UK, the more hardcore RR model is the work of the firm's Japanese division.

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Battle of the Beasts: Tuned Dodge Viper ACR vs Koenigsegg CCXR

The Dodge Viper ACR is one of the fastest production cars around packing an 8.4-liter V10 with 600HP and 560 lb/ft (760 Nm) of torque that allows it to accelerate from 0-60 mph (96km/h) in less than 4.0 seconds. It has also proved its mettle by breaking lap records in famous and difficult tracks such as Laguna Seca and the Nürburgring.

But it's one thing going against a Corvette and totally different story when you're challenged by the likes of Koenigsegg and its CCXR that boasts a twin-supercharged V8 delivering close to 1,100-horsepower.

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Audi R8 Tries Out Gulf Oil Livery

Joining our long list of cars of all sizes and sorts wearing the classic racing colors of Gulf Oil is this Audi R8 coupe, which was spotted at the Mediterranean town of Marbella in Spain.

While it's still no Porsche 917, the famed baby-blue and orange scheme looks much better on the Audi R8 than on some of the more recent Gulf Oil editions we've seen lately including the Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG DTM Edition.

For more photos of the Audi R8, follow the break to check out the gallery.

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How to Trick Out a Scion tC in 6 Hours

In its never ending to reach out to a hipper, younger audience, Scion joined forces with tuning shop Auto Werks of Northbrook and Chicago-based radio station B96, to trick out one of their listeners car during the B96 Pepsi Summerbash concert.

The winner of the Scion sweepstake was young lady named Becky who owns a tC coupe. Her two-door model was upgraded with lowering springs, blacked-out wheels, LED light kits, body kit, graphics, a high-end audio system, and more, with the entire process taking around 6 hours.

You can watch the Auto Werks team in action in the time lapse video after the break.

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Anderson Germany Brings Maserati GranTurismo S over to the Dark Side

Tuning outfit Anderson Germany has a new proposal for current owners of the Maserati GranTurismo S. The German workshop has developed a line of performance and styling upgrades under the name Superior Black Edition.

Under the bonnet, the 4.7-liter V8 engine is boosted from 440-horses to 492HP via a software optimization program and a new custom exhaust system.

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CoverEFX Revisits MINI Cooper S R53

The second generation of the new MINI from the BMW Group has been with us since 2007 but the tuning industry has yet to let go of the Mk1 hatch and especially the Cooper S model with the R53 designation.

German tuning house CoverEFX has just launched a new package for the MINI Cooper S Mk1 that includes both cosmetic and performance modifications.

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Mopar Launches More than 150 Accessories for U.S. Market Fiat 500

Fiat says there's already more than 500,000 ways to modify the 500 city car between paint finishes, graphics, and seat colors, but for those that would like a few more customization options, the Chrysler Group's Mopar brand is adding more than 150 different accessories to the range.

The available parts range in price and style from a simple $21 locking gas cap to a spicy $1,400 body kit. In between options include custom key covers priced at $48, a $399 roof rack and $409 body-stripe graphics.

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It Came From eBay Hell: Maserati Quattroporte Limo

The current generation Maserati Quattroporte measures 200 inches (5,080 mm) bumper to bumper. Why anyone would think such a car needed any more length, let alone 140 inches (3,556 mm) of it, is beyond me but here we are.

This Maserati Quattroporte Limo was found for sale on eBay and comes complete with Silver Pearl paint, seating for 10, three TV’s and...wait for it...illuminated champagne holders!

I haven’t been this excited about a limousine since that airport limo funeral car a few weeks back.

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ABT Sportsline has 2012 VW Tiguan SUV on its Sights

The recently refreshed for the 2012 model year Volkswagen Tiguan is next up on ABT Sportline's tuning menu.

While still on the works, the German tuning house released the first renderings and information on the upgrades that will be available for VW's compact model. Beginning with the performance modifications, ABT Sportline will offer a variety of power kits for the entire range of the European model's engines.

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It Came from eBay Hell: BMW 745i All Donked up

Many will claim the E65 7-Series was Chris Bangle’s most controversial design during his time at the helm of BMW's styling division. And they could be right. Even though close to a decade has passed since the presentation of the E65, its styling has yet to grow on many fans of the brand.

But if you think that the regular 7-Series looked odd, then wait until you get a glimpse of this stud found –where else- on eBay: a 2003 745i sporting a two-tone black and silver paintjob, high-riding on massive 24-inch chrome wheels and decorated with more chrome bits than a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado.

If you want to see more photos, follow the jump for the complete gallery.

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Senner Tunes Out the Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI

Are you an owner of the diesel-powered Audi A7 Sportback? Do you need more power than what the standard 245HP 3.0-liter TDI V6 has to offer? Well, suffice to say, you probably should have considered the 300HP 3.0-liter TSI petrol model instead…

Nevertheless, for those of you that fit the description, German firm Senner Tuning has released a new performance package for the A7 3.0 TDI. The makeover of the V6 diesel engine takes output up from 245-horses and 500Nm of torque to 306-horses and 620Nm (457.2 lb-ft) respectively, nudging top speed to 280km/h (174mph).

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