BMW 325i Convertible E30 8-Series PHOTO GALLERY

While there's only a single digit gap between the E30 and E31 codenames, in reality, these two BMW models couldn't be more different from each other.

The E30, a.k.a. the 1983-1991 3-Series, represented the firm's entry-level family car in the 1980s, while the E31, more widely known as the 8-Series, was the brand's flagship GT coupe in the 1990s.

But one German owner had the bright idea of taking a 1989 325i Convertible (albeit with pre-1987 tail lamps) and fusing the front end of an 850i Coupe on its nose. Of course, there was a slight problem with the width of the 8-Series fascia that was solved by…removing one of the BMW kidney grilles.

Aside from the bespoke front end, it also gets puffed up wheel arches to fit the wider tires, a different rear bumper and a Momo steering wheel.

The modded 325i Convertible comes equipped with the standard 2.5-liter inline-six producing 170-horses and is said to have clocked just 99,750km (62k miles).

Even if do you find the...825i's looks alluring, the €6,990 (US$9,900) price tag on Autohaus Bryjak is less than tempting as it is a bit too close for comfort to the lower-end prices (~€10k) for a real, early 1990s 8-Series model in Germany.

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Steve Jobs, AMG, gadgets, Mercedes, Mercedes SL, Offbeat News

Steve Jobs, the charismatic founder of Apple and Pixar, was a man who changed not only the way computers are made and marketed, but also popularized a number of novel products, such as the iPhone and the iPad, which made buyers form long lines outside Apple stores and the competition always play catch-up.

Sadly, Jobs passed away on October 5 at the age of 56. After his death, one of the rumors circulating the web was that of his car’s number plate – or rather its absence.

Some said that he didn’t care about paying the fines, as he surely could afford to, while others claimed that he had somehow obtained a special permit to drive without one.

Jon Callas, who had worked in various security positions at Apple, dismissed all those rumors and revealed the truth to iTWire.

Despite his ingenious inventions, in his personal life, Jobs liked to stick with certain things, like his famous black turtleneck, jeans and sneakers. The same thing applied to his ride: he was always seen driving a silver Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG with no number plates.

Callas said that either Jobs himself or someone close to him discovered a loophole in the California law that gave anyone with a brand-new car a period of six months to put the number plate on the vehicle.

Apparently, Jobs had made an arrangement with the leasing company in which he would change cars every six months, giving back the silver SL 55 AMG and receiving an identical new one.

In classic Jobs style, no one knew the truth or noticed the difference. Presumably, it was a sweet deal for the leasing company as well: every six months, it could put up for sale a barely used silver SL 55 AMG that had been owned by none other than Steve Jobs himself.

So hats off to Steve Jobs who discovered another clever solution even though, he didn’t give it any publicity. May he rest in peace.

WikiLeaks Truck Towed by NYPD During Occupy Wall Street

A truck bearing the logo of the whistleblower website WikiLeaks was captured on film as it was being towed away by the New York Police City Police Department [NYPD] at the Occupy Wall Street protests at Zuccotti Park in the Big Apple.

The white colored vehicle had "Free Bradley Manning" [he's the soldier that was arrested in 2010 for passing restricted material to the site], "Top Secret" and "Mobile Information Collection Unit" signs all over its sides.

This is not the first time the WikiLeaks truck has been caught on video. A clip from mid-September shows a NY police officer pulling it over for an investigatory stop.

We don't know the reason why the police towed away the truck, nor if its directly associated with the website.

2012 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca PHOTO GALLERY

Melvin Betancourt is a Ford designer who 11 years ago, suffered a serious heart problem. Betancourt is now 49 years old and in good health, thanks to the doctors at Henry Ford Hospital who performed a very difficult open-heart surgery and saved his life.

Wanting to give something back, a grateful Betancourt decided to design a one-off 2012 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca that will be auctioned off to benefit the cardiovascular care, research and education departments at the Henry Ford Health System.

“There are gifted people out there who have been given the ability to do what they do,” said Betancourt. “I’m here because of them. We’re all here for a purpose, and maybe my purpose is to help people through my skills. One of the things I do very well is vehicle customization – taking a car that already exists and enhancing it to make it a one-of-a-kind vehicle.”

The one-off Mustang is Betancourt’s modern version of the 1970 Boss 302 with which Parnelli Jones won the 1970 Trans-Am Championship. It is painted in the iconic “school bus” yellow color at the AutoAlliance International plant, where all Mustangs are built.

Instead of using 1970's-style racing decals, Betancourt decided to paint the black stripes and the number 15 on the doors. “I approached the project from a car collector’s perspective”, he says. “I asked myself, what would happen if they put me back in 1970 and asked me to design a car for Parnelli Jones.”

The Mustang was auctioned off on Saturday, October 15, at the “Get Your Heart Racing” event and Parnelli Jones signed the car making this collector’s item even more special.

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Jeepster was produced from 1948 to 1950. PHOTO GALLERY

Now here’s something you don't see very often: a 1967 Jeep Jeepster Commando Convertible that has been listed for sale on eBay. But how about a little history before we see what the "deal" with this eBay find is?

Willys-Overland Motors introduced the Jeepster nameplate after the end of WWII as the company attempted to create a vehicle that would bridge the gap between trucks and passenger vehicles. The original Jeepster was produced from 1948 to 1950.

After Kaiser absorbed Willys-Overland Motors in the mid-1950s, the company re-introduced the nameplate in 1966 with the new Jeepster Commando that proved to be more successful than the original model. It was eventually offered in three body styles including pickup truck, convertible and wagon.

The Jeepster remained in production even after Kaiser's acquisition by American Motors Corporation (AMC) in 1970, though the latter shortened its name to Commando from 1972 to 1973 when it was replaced by the full size Cherokee.

This particular Jeepster Commando is a 1967 convertible model from the Kaiser era. It combines the optional 225-cubic inch “Dauntless V6" producing 160HP instead of the base "Hurricane" inline-four that generated a measly 75-ponies, with an all-wheel drive system.

According to the seller, the vehicle features matching chassis and engine numbers and has been fully restored to its original condition including the Teal and White Exterior paint over a Teal interior. It also comes with the original folding top with glass rear window as well as the optional “Continental” spare tire with cover, and hubcaps.

The buy it now price on eBay motors is US$16,880.

Story References: eBay Motors/Catsexotics

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