1989 Chevy Caprice Side-Step Proves Cute Utes Can Still Be Cool

Okay, you got me. “Cute utes” are not really my thing. I’m more of a Dodge Ram SRT-10 or an HSV Maloo man myself. Yes, they’re affordable and sure if you’re on a budget and need a reliable vehicle that can carry a whole lot of work gear and tools there’s really nothing better.

So here’s a “step-side” style ute pickup based on a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice. Step-side pickups have a step moulded into the body, typically between the passenger doors and rear wheel arch. They were popular in the 1950s though are somewhat rarer these days.

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BMW M5 Ute Conversion Completed – Full Image Gallery

Nearly two years ago, in December 2006 we told you about an Australian fella that had just begun transforming a previous generation BMW M5 sedan (E95) into the ultimate V8-powered Ute (see here). Now the proud owner of the Down-Under El-Camino, Stuart Appleby from New South Wales, Australia announced that the BMW M5 Ute project has finally been completed. -Continued

While the vehicle has yet to be dyno-tested, the builders are saying that the M5’s tuned 4.9-liter V8 could make as much as 460 HP. Even though the conversion of an M5 into a Ute will certainly seem like sacrilege to many gearheads, we must admit that it is a very well executed one.

Via: Jalopnik , Source: M5Boards

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2008 Audi TT El Camino – Credits Go To Danish Taxation System

Here’s what happens when you charge outrageously insane taxes on new cars: people turn passenger cars into trucks! Denmark features one of the most outrageous taxation systems in the world when it comes to cars (see our report on the European car taxation system by clicking here). There’s even a common saying in Denmark: “Get one car –pay for three”! So, in order to get around the tax burden, Danes turn cars into pickups, thus paying a fraction of the taxes.

We visited Audi’s official Denmark site to see the price-list of the 2008 Audi TT Coupe. Boy were we in for a surprise: prices start at 637,895 DK (Danish Krones) or $120,500 / €85,500 for the TT 2.0 TFSI 6-speed and go up to 805,492 DK or $152,200 / €108,100 for the TT 3.2 V6 FSi! No wonder people turn Audi TT’s into pick ups! PS: You have to look at Eurobiler’s (the company that converts TT’s Coupes to El Caminos) press photos. -Continued after the jump

Via: vwvortex

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