The Twisted Metal franchise is back (for those living under a rock). The lastest release is the first title in over 7 years. But I think it's well worth the wait. The game has a short but interesting story told through chapters. I have to say it's defiantly a treat for the adults (sorry kids it's a little rough). If you were a fan of series from back in the day then check this out. I think you'll find some interesting vehicles. I know I did.
After playing for a while I found a few cars I liked. But one really stuck out. That was Meat Wagon. If you look at the photos above and below you can see why. Meat wagon has a resemblance to the Ghostbusters ECTO 1. That's because it's based off a 1959 Miller Meteor Cadillac ambulance. Sorry Meat Wagon's special ability is not a proton back. But a more morbid form of artillery.
That being some poor guy with a bomb strapped down to a gurney. The gurney can be launched from the front or behind. The nearest target will receive the blast. The gurney used primary automatically homes in, but secondary the player can guide the gurney. Pretty neat stuff.
According to Twisted Metal Wiki The original concept art for Meat Wagon was a very modern looking ambulance. Glad the team went with this direction. Makes for a great On Screen Car. A real conversation piece. Haven't played Twisted Metal for the PS3 yet? Then be sure to check it out on Amazon. This game make for a great game night. Especially the co-op and death-match modes. I know my friends and I did enjoy this one.
You mean to tell me you built a Delorean, out of a hovercraft? I think those would be Marty McFly's words if he saw Matthew Riese's creation. Matt decided that flying cars won't be showing up anytime soon. So he took the plans for a popular hovercraft design and went a step further. The end result is a Delorean Hovercraft that carries two people on water (for now). A product of science fiction crashing into cold reality. By the way I think no actual Deloreans were destroyed during this production (in-case you were feeling a little uneasy).
According to Matt's Kickstarter project page the madness all started two years ago. He built a quick prototype then decided to move forward with the real deal. He would like to be able to use his creation on any surface. When completed it will be able to travel 45 miles an hour. Sorry no plans for a Flux Capacitor since the required speed cannot be meet. Looks like he met his goal of 5k for the project. For a $250 donation you would not only get a 30 minute ride, but a chance to drive!
The video above shows Matt in the water at McCovey Cove just outside baseball game at AT&T Park. Note the appropriate Marty McFly apparel (multicolor hat, jeans, etc). Not to mention that life preserver is required. It's a registered boat! I believe the video was recorded during a live game on TV. Note the game scores. That's all for now. Remember the future is what you make it. So make it a good one!
January 2021 Update
Matt did in fact get enough money from the Kickstarter to finish the project. A full scale working hovercraft can be seen in the clip below. The craft was later auctioned off in November of 2019 with a winning bid of $44,088. Just goes to show, dreams do come true.
Say it with me "ThunderCougarFalconBird." Now say it again 10 times fast. Addicting huh? Well I have to say it's a memorable piece of Futurama fiction. Apparently the future's version of manliness is a mash of classic car names and parts rolled up in a big fancy hover car. Episode S2E10 entitled "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" introduces us to the car. In the beginning of this episode Amy decides she needs to go car shopping. They go to see Malfunctioning Eddie and his Rocket Car Emporium. Where Fry is nearly swayed by the salesperson to buy the car.
Nothing makes you feel more like a man than a Thunder Cougar Falcon Bird
Nice pitch isn't it? The car reminds me much of Simpson's: The Homer in it's terms of oddness. It does pay great tribute to the old big fin cars of the 1950's. You can see the artist had the 50's Ford Thunderbird in mind. The grill is kinda a mix of a Ford Cougar and Ford Falcon. Hints the name ThunderCougarFalconBird. Check out that super-charged V8 poking up from the hood. Rarrr! I like the rest of Fry and Salesperson's conversation.
Fry: "Sorry, I'm not here to buy."
Sales Person: "I understand and it's wonderful that you don't care whether anyone questions your sexual orientation."
Fry: "I care! I care plenty! I just dunno how to make them stop!"
Sales Person: "One word: Thundercougarfalconbird."
I think this car would have an interesting emblem to it as well. Take a 80's Mercury Cougar emblem (I still think it reminds me of a ThunderCats logo). Throw some wings on the cougar, thunderbolts and there ya go an emblem for the ThunderCougarFalconbird! Last but not least check out this Flickr post on a LEGO version of the ThunderCougarFalconBird. Nice job LEGO Ambassador Matt De Lanoy! aka Pepa Quin on Flickr. Well that's all I have for now on the topic of the ThunderCougarFalconBird. Let's hear what you have to say! Post in the comments. See ya next time!
You remember our post on the Custom Ford Model T Munster Koach a while back. Ah yes that fine George Barris created automobile built for the head of the Munster family. Well this morning I stumbled upon a LEGO creation of the not only the Munster Koach but Grandpa's dragster, Dragula. Flickr member Orion Pax is well known for his LEGO creations of 80's pop culture (Transformers, M.A.S.K., Ghostbusters, Back to the Future etc.) He's recreated many On Screen Cars as well. But it looks like he's given us a real treat from the 60's this time. Check out the whole scene with the house below.
Hot Wheels has some interesting new die-cast collectables out now for us On Screen Car fans. These are not your average 99 cent Hot Wheels cars. They are certainly not toys. The Elite Series provides collector consumers with high-end premium 1:18 and 1:43 scale replicas of famous cars. These cars have real synthetic rubber tires, authentic graphics high quality paint/finishes, moving steering wheels, working seat belt and opening doors/hoods/trunk. Engine compartments are fully detailed as well. A high level of care is taken into consideration for not only the customer but the brands and franchisees the models represent.
On Screen Car fans will especially love Elite's latest releases. The Cult Classic Collection features cars from popular TV shows and Movies. Currently available are the Ghostbusters ECTO-1 and the A-Team Van. Both are available as 1:18 and 1:43 scale die-cats. According to their site we have a lot more to see from this collection. Vehicles including the Bat Pod, Ghostbusters ETCO-1A and Knight Rider's K.I.T.T. Can't find these in stores? Look no further than Amazon for great deals on these masterpieces.
