If you ever are in the need of a move to Australia from the States and want your auto to come along, don’t go about the process alone.   Find an expert firm like BASI to guide you through the process.

The Eos is a hard top convertible with a sunroof. Putting the top up and down is a show in itself. One touch of a button activates a flurry of activity reminiscent of a certain type of transforming robot from a certain recent hit movie (or two).  The top slides and opens, compartments appear and disappear, and the top slides smoothly into its hiding place in the trunk while a small crowd gathers to gawk.

The trunk is surprisingly roomy for such a small car, especially when you consider the amount of space reserved for the top.  The Eos also features an “Adaptive Front Lighting System”, which is German for “headlights that turn to help you see around corners.”  The 2.0 liter TSI engine pumps out impressive power for a 4-cylinder.  The Eos also features some innovative wind deflection screens, which allow you to drive with the top down at highway speeds without getting completely wind-blown.

Overall, the car is quite impressive, as long as you’re not looking for a way to haul your six kids to school every day. This is a fun car with great pick up and incredible visual appeal.  And because it’s a Volkswagen, it is very well put together with safety and longevity in mind.

If you’ve got the means, the Volkswagen Eos is a fun, sporty car to drive.  It’s almost as much fun to watch as it is to drive.  You’ll always be able to draw a crowd when you put the top up or down.

Do you have pictures of gorgeous sports cars all over your walls or decorating your office area? Then listen up, because you’ll love this.

Rinspeed, auto designer of some of the most beautiful concept cars in existence, has recently announced a new line of art up for grabs. The canvas style prints will come in all shapes and sizes and feature some of the most unique concept designs offered by the manufacturer.

The prints will be available in five different collections, originating from five different concept cars: the iChange, the sQuba, the eXasis, the zaZen and the Bedouin concept designs. Additional art will be offered to fans of E2 Fiat concept cars and their new models, which fall under a unique “Futurism” concept.

All prints will include art paper stretched onto canvas, fully protected by plexiglass, and each art piece will be available in different sizes. As always, to commemorate the release, Rinspeed is offering limited and collector’s edition versions with a special water-mark symbol on the back, which will allow art dealers to verify the authenticity of the prints.

Rinspeed is very well known for unique concept designs, such as the revolutionary iChange, which is a space module shaped auto that has no doors included in the body structure (it slightly resembles the exterior of a Maserati). Other unique concept designs include the Senso convertible type vehicle, the Splash water/land vehicle, the Presto electric vehicle and the Rone single manned sports auto.

To peruse some of the unique concept models look here.

What did Elvis rock ‘n roll in back in the day? What about Miley Cyrus or the Jonas Brothers?

The ‘Rock Stars’ Cars and Guitars 2′ exhibit opens up May 16 at the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, Michigan and will run until September 7. As it’s the sequel, the return exhibit used the original Rock Stars’ Cars and Guitars’ success to boost the featured memorabilia and now offers more.

Because of the first show’s success more rock artists were willing to donate “artifacts” for display.

Tom Varitek, senior manager of the Henry Ford Museum commented, “We literally have all 60 years of rock ’n’ roll represented.”

Some of the “artifacts” or vehicles on display include Janis Joplin’s 1965 Porsche, Miley Cyrus’s 2008 smart car (which debuted on the Nickelodean Kids’ Choice Awards), Mike Ness’ (of Total Distortion) 1940 Ford Coupe and 1964 Gretsch guitar side by side, Sheryl Crow’s Ford Mustang Fastback, Elvis Presley’s Custom Cadillac Eldorado coupe, James Hetfield’s 1953 purple Buick Skylark and many more.

Several other rock-related items, including costumes, guitars and even Alice Cooper’s stage-featured Guillotine, are on exclusive display for visitors.

Tickets for the Henry Ford museum start at $15.00 for adults and $11.00 for youth (5-12), children under 5 years old are always free. Of course, if you don’t live nearby, you’ll have to check out your local plane ticket listings.

Additional special events includeperforming artists: Hot Rocks (a Rolling Stones cover band), Wanda Jackson, rock comedian Charles Phoenix, and artist Mark Arminski’s poster art (which was used for many famous musician’s cd covers- Grateful Dead, Black Crowes).

The official link for the event can be found here.

The Nissan GT-R has a stock 480 horsepower rating, which still makes for a decent ride. However, Switzer Performance Innovation (located in Oberlin, Ohio), felt that 480hp wasn’t nearly enough and boosted the rating up to 700hp.

Switzer tuned the car by adding new turbochargers, custom compressor wheels, a Monster inter-cooler and a completely remapped engine control device. The new customization options actually enhance the GT-R from stock ratings (480 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque) up to 626 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, which is more emphasized on the wheels.

The new P700 GT-Rs are designed to run on 93 octane fuel, which also helps provide both a performance and a reliability boost.

Switzer has deemed their new creation the P700 GT-R, and currently is selling the performance package for GT-Rs under the same name. The entire kit costs a total of $16,650 and can be done at Switzer Performance.

Switzer performance has been in business for over 15 years, which means they are not newbies to automotive sports tuning. Their last project introduced the Sledgehammer 997, based on stock Porsche models, which tops out at 1,000 total horsepower. In fact, Switzer’s entire product line includes performance kits for Porsche autos, including the 997 TT, 996 TT, Cayenne, and Carrera GT. All available packages can be purchased directly on site at Switzer Performance.

Switzer also will tune any car users deem necesary through “Dyno tuning” which uses an enhanced testing machine to both measure and improve “baseline” or stock horsepower.

It was believed that “The King” owned a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, which was going to be auctioned off in Texas at the Dan Kruse-Leake Collector Car Show and Auction.

The Barracuda is outlined in a fine yellow finish that is complimented by a black arrow design on the rear. The entire auto was in mint condition already but has been touched up by professionals before it will be auctioned off.

Auctioneers believed that the car was previously owned by Elvis Aaron Presley because it had a matching title and VIN number made out to the one and only. Clouded in suspicion, the same auctioneers began searching a little deeper for proof. Unfortunately they soon realized that the title was a complete fake because instead of the nine standard digits it only has eight.

It is still unclear where the fraudulent title came from, or who fabricated it, but rumors have spread that an auto mechanic found the title between the carpet and the floor.

Jennifer Tetley, a spokeswoman for the Texas auction, commented on the Barracuda happenings, “We had done everything we could on our end. . . . We definitely don’t want to mislead anyone”.

Instead of being labeled as Elvis Presley’s 71′ Barracuda, the Plymouth now is simply being auctioned off for what it is, a 71′ Cuda. Enthusiasts still will be able to pick up the nice auto for themselves, and it certainly will make an excellent auto even if Elvis didn’t ever sit behind the wheel.

The auction will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio on March 21.

Some of the best places to go for audio equipment include Best Buy, EBay, Craigslist or any type of local classifieds. Just remember that if you buy second hand, you need to make sure the equipment is in working condition.

One of the best upgrades for people looking to buy a new audio receiver is installing a DVD/CD head unit. Most modern DVD ready receivers include a built-in LCD screen for watching media playback. They often allow users to completely customize the display screen as well, with personal wallpapers, screensavers, or themes. Some good DVD head unit prospects include:

• Pioneer 7000DVD series
• Boss BV head unit models
• Alpine DVD receivers
• XOVision XOD series
• Sony Xplod head units and receivers.

Not everyone is looking to install a DVD receiver in their auto, therefore, a regular CD receiver will make due. Some great CD receiver models include:

• Pioneer DEH-P5100UB
• Sony MEX-BT5700U
• Kenwood Excelon KDC-X991
• JVC KD-HDR50
• XOVision XOD9114

In last week’s article I also mentioned some alternatives for upgrading car audio equipment including AM/FM radio transmitters and similar devices, which allow greater functionality for your stereo, including iPod or MP3 support. The best way possible to connect an iPod or MP3 player is through the AUX input on the receiver unit. This allows higher quality output without a downgrade to FM  radio quality sound. If your receiver unit has no AUX input, then an FM transmitter is the next option. Some great devices or examples include:

• Griffin iTrip
• Belkin Tunecast
• MacAlly FM Cup
• Radian iBlast
• DLO Transpod

Of course, the final audio equipment upgrade involves replacing the stock speakers with custom or aftermarket brands. In many cases this will improve sound quality greatly, as long as the stock or current receiver unit installed outputs high quality sound. In some instances, users won’t benefit from this upgrade if they have a low-end receiver unit. Some great examples of aftermarket speaker models include:

• Sony XPlod Series
• Alpine Type-R Speakers
• Boston Acoustics SX series
• JBL Power Series

Of course, options aren’t limited to what has been noted here. There are plenty more high end audio options available. Keep looking, and don’t settle until you find exactly what you want. Remember to test out the equipment you’re going to install before you find out the hard way that everything you want to upgrade is incompatible.

Sometimes, however, the life of an auto outlasts the life of the audio system or equipment, or in other cases users just have a desire for some form of upgrade in both quality and function. In that case, obviously the only way to go is to upgrade the automotive sound system.

There are several ways that an automotive sound system can be upgraded; some are costly and others not so much. That means users looking to enhance their systems have several different options they can choose from based on total cost and individual preference.

One of the more costly options is upgrading your car CD player or receiver device. Stock CD players and sound equipment can sometimes be worse than aftermarket devices. The reason being that most automotive companies don’t pour their time into creating a decent CD player or receiver unless the auto is the high end version or fully loaded. Many after-market receivers even open new doors when compared to a stock device. For instance most after-market CD players now come with some form of external media device support for players such as iPods or similar MP3 units.

Another option, this one being less costly, involves replacing just the speakers within the automotive. This is a good idea if one of the stock speakers is blown or no long producing clear sound and powerful bass. Keep in mind that a car equipped with a low-end CD player or receiver will sound worse than one with more capabilities. In other words, just replacing speakers will not make your sound system better. The best reason for doing this would be due to the fact that the stock receiver is of good quality, and users are looking for more of a sound boost. Users also can purchase and install an after-market sub-woofer, which will provide a more enhanced bass boost while listening to music.

If the type of upgrade you desire is to allow support for additional content instead of what a CD will supply, then it is also possible to purchase and install media playback plug-ins, which will allow users to connect portable media devices to their current stock system. This is a cheaper method of adding iPod or MP3 playback support without purchasing and installing a new receiver or CD player. Users can purchase an FM transmitter, which will connect to compatible devices and stream the audio through a designated radio channel.

Next week we will explore some great devices and audio equipment that will be plausible upgrades for those who are looking.

At the Bonhams Retromobile auction in Paris (Feb. 7) a 1937 Bugatti 57S Atalante Coupe was sold for about $4.4 million U.S. dollars (3,417,500 euros). The car was discovered recently inside the garage of Dr. Harold Carr, a classic car aficionado. The classic auto has been sitting in the garage for nearly 50 years. Carr apparently parked the 57S in his garage in the early 1960s, and it was not discovered until 2007 after Carr’s death.

The value of the car was due to its rare existence. Bugatti only produced 17 copies total of the 57S coupe. This particular model was owned previously by the British Racing Drivers Club president, Earl Howe.

According to sources, the auto remained disassembled most of the time it spent inside the garage, as Carr was planning to rebuild and spruce up the engine. Due to the fact that the engine hasn’t been started in nearly fifty years, the new owner obviously will have to strip and rebuild the engine as well. The entire automotive body, however, is in pristine condition; not a scratch to be seen.

Unfortunately, the new owner has not been named for obvious reasons.

As is also obvious, findings like this are just as rare as the Bugatti 57S Atalante Coupe, but they can happen. So, the next time you find yourself passing by a relative’s old barn, or garage, remember: it wouldn’t hurt to take a look!

In order to protect our president, the Secret Service has pushed a brand new limousine into commission (obviously not them personally), which is a very large Cadillac limo outfitted with a 5-inch thick body frame, 8-inch-thick doors, run-flat tires, a completely sealed cabin and super thick bulletproof windows. The exterior trim has a slick and glossy black finish until you hit the bulletproof doors however which are an unattractive and dull grey color. The vehicle looks somewhat like a demolition derby car that was pieced back together with random parts.

A news agency even commented that the vehicle could withstand “a direct hit from an asteroid”, but the GM spokeswoman, Joanne K. Krell just laughed in reply.

Although the car is not as attractive on the outside, Krell has admitted that it is a true luxury Cadillac and jokingly commented, “And it will fix you a latte if you ask”.

GM also has helped design a unique terminator-like Suburban fully equipped with a huge Gatling gun that ejects via the roof. This allows the Secret Service to pose as a very powerful sentry and fight off many different kinds of caravan attacks, should the need arise.

The United States Secret Service have given the President’s new limo a name, “The Beast”.