Weekend Car Culture Roundup January 06, 2024

Here we present our weekly Jalopnik series that recaps the latest in car culture. We’ve showcased our most read offerings as well as some you may have missed.

No One Knows What Happened To The Mercedes-Benz Truck Trapped In Chernobyl

Screenshot: That Chernobyl Guy/YouTube

No matter how well you think you know a story, there’s always more details to discover. Like trying to map out a coast line, the real devil is in the details. So when YouTube creator That Chernobyl Guy came out with a video about a red Mercedes-Benz truck at the heart of the 1986 disaster, I knew I had to share it with you. – Erin Marquis Read More

These Are America’s Saddest Attempts To Compete With Imports As Reviewed By MotorWeek

I just got over a week-long cold and I spent a lot of that week watching old MotorWeek Retro Reviews on YouTube. I was kept thoroughly entertained by the appalling performance, quality and design of many classic American cars, and was spurred to remind everyone to be grateful that we’ve emerged from the darkness of the Malaise Era, even as we face new challenges as the world transitions to electric cars. – Logan Carter Read More

Watch The Terrifying Jeep Death Wobble Up Close

Jeep owners know and fear the mythic Death Wobble — a shaking, jittering sensation in the front wheels that’s plagued seven-slat vehicles across time. Drivers fear it, engineers hate it, and Stellantis has had to settle suits based on the problem’s prevalence within the Jeep brand. – Steve DaSilva Read More

You Can Own The World’s Smallest Production Car, And It’s Even Street Legal

Photo: Bring A Trailer

The Peel P50 was introduced to modern audiences when Jeremy Clarkson drove one through the BBC offices on an episode of “Top Gear,” after which it was declared the smallest production car ever made by Guinness World Records in 2010. The P50’s original production run was from 1962 to 1965 and only about 50 cars were ever built, but production was restarted after Peel co-owners went on “Dragons’ Den” and got funding to start reproducing them in 2011. This electric 2017 Peel P50 Continuation is up for auction on Bring a Trailer right now. – Logan Carter Read More

This 2,500 HP Audi R8 Proves The Turbos Are Bigger In Texas

Screenshot: Top Gear

There’s something in the water in Texas. That’s the only thing that can explain it. The gearheads down there in the section of America that used to be Mexico really know how to take fast shit and make it faster shit. Audi’s second-generation R8 is already impressive with a 533 horsepower V10 and a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds, thanks to its standard all-wheel drive. But what if you wanted to more than quadruple its power output? You’d go to Texas. – Bradley Brownell Read More

If You Aren’t Following This Cyberpunk Miata Build, You’re Missing Out

Screenshot: Tofu Auto Works on YouTube

There are many facets to car culture that prove just what a diverse group of humans car enthusiasts can be. We don’t all have to like the same thing, and it’s that mixture of different facets of car culture that really makes all of this worth it. I love seeing cars that are unlike anything else out there, and this MX-5 certainly fits that bill. I’ve seen the car floating around on Instagram for the last year or so, and the progress being made is intense and interesting to follow. It’s an NA Miata with a motorcycle muffler that looks like it belongs in Akira, what’s not to like? – Bradley Brownell Read More

Happy New Year, Your New EV Is Even More Expensive Now

Photo: Brandon Bell (Getty Images)

Happy Tuesday! It’s January 2, 2024, and this is The Morning Shift — your daily roundup of the top automotive headlines from around the world, all in one place. Here are the important stories you need to know. – Steve DaSilva Read More

Failed ‘Fast And Furious-Style’ Train Heist Leaves Chevy And GMC Trucks Destroyed In Mexico

Police thwarted a train robbery targeting GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado pickups on December 29 in the Mexican state of Durango. The botched heist left two brand-new midsize trucks from GM nearly destroyed in a rural rail yard as thieves retreated at the sight of the Mexican authorities, according to the Drive. – José Rodríguez Jr. Read More

Jon Cryer’s First Car Came From A Film Set

Jon Cryer’s First Car Came From A Film Set

The star of the NBC show, Extended Family chats about buying a Maserati Biturbo used on the set of his 80s film, Hiding Out.

These Are The Weirdest Car Windows Ever Built

Screenshot: Doug DeMuro/ YouTube

Windows are clearly a very important aspect of cars, but not all windows are created equally. All of the window designs in this slideshow bring a unique twist to the car window status quo. Contain your excitement folks– this might not be a Bugatti Chiron review, but it’s definitely the next best thing. – Logan Carter Read More