The Most Interesting Chevy S10 Pickup Trims

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The S10 was Chevy’s compact truck from 1981-2004 in North America. It was a basic quarter-ton truck that only had two generations and never saw a V8. Nevertheless, in true Chevy fashion, there were some interesting trims applied to it and rightfully garnered some niche attention. Several car companies built their own version of the S10, including Isuzu’s Hombre and GMC’s S-15. In 2004 Chevy swapped the S10 for the Colorado, which survives to this day. Here are some of the most interesting Chevy S10 trims.

Turbo Influence: 1991 GMC Syclone

Around the end of the S10’s first generation, GMC released the Syclone as a high-performance variant of the S10 and S-15. It moved under 280 horsepower from a 4.3-liter turbocharged V6 and had all-wheel drive and ABS on all four wheels. It also had a limited-slip differential, and a 4-speed automatic transmission mated to the engine. 

Power distribution was 35-percent to the front and 65-percent to the rear, according to Car and Driver. Thanks to its torque converter, the Syclone experiences little turbo lag and gets going off the line with minimal slip.

The S10 goes all-electric in 1997

Chevrolet S10 | Chevrolet

Well into its second generation, Chevy released a truly unique spectacle, as the all-electric S10. It’s not so unique for today’s climate, but back in 1997, this wasn’t the norm. The electric S10 ran on 27 batteries conjuring 114 horsepower and 85 kilowatts. This gave the truck 45 miles of range, and thanks to its 220v and 110v ports, could fully recharge in 2.5 hours. 

An owner of this truck could theoretically drive it to work and fully charge it by the end of the day. Utility fleets leased the electric S10 until it was discontinued in 1998. Chevy only sold 60 units out of 500 built and destroyed the rest to protect Chevy’s research developments. For its rarity, the electric S10 is fairly cheap, at around $3,000.

S10 braces itself for off-roading: ZR2

chevy s10 at sertoes rally 2008
Chevrolet S10 during the 7th stage of the Rally of Sertoes 2008 | EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images

The second-generation Chevy S10 got another interesting trim in the form of the ZR2. It only had one engine option, which was a naturally aspirated 4.3-liter V6 spitting out 190 horsepower. It came standard with a five-speed manual transmission, but its real character lied in its suspension. Chevy outfitted the S10 with double-wishbone front suspension by Bilstein with a 3-inch lift. It also came with a locking differential, sporting a low gear ratio for more low-end torque. Like the Syclone, the ZR2 also got ABS on all four wheels.

The Chevy S10 lasted a short while on this green Earth, but its reputation is solidified as a reliable, small truck and capable of everyday tasks. Either generation is highly rated, however, some owners advise against the 2.8-liter V6, which was an option for the first generation. They cite low power, which can be an absolute nightmare when driving a truck. Chevrolet also offered the S10 as an SUV, called the Blazer. It might be an older truck by now, but there are still plenty on the road which speaks to its status.

RELATED: Chevy S-10 vs. Ford Ranger: The Original Electric Trucks

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These Are the Most Expensive Key Fobs

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’ve ever lost or misplaced your key fob and had to replace it, you know how expensive it can be. Dealers charge upwards of $100 for what seems like little more than a small remote control. You can order one online, but if you can’t program it yourself, it’s still going to cost you. Yet these costs are nothing compared to the most expensive key fobs out there. Next time you lose your keys, be glad you don’t have one of these sets for luxury cars.

Awain Key Fob | Shmee 150

The BMW i8 key fob is pretty expensive

The BMW i8 key fob will cost you a pretty penny if you lose it. This key fob costs more than $1,000. This key fob doesn’t just unlock your doors, it will also update you on your fuel and charging levels. This can come in handy if you’re not near your car, but wondering whether you need to refuel or recharge before your next drive. 

The Pagani Huyara key fob will cost you three times as much as the BMW

That’s right, a key fob for the Pagani Huyara will set you back $3,700. What do you get for that much money? For one thing, you’ll get a key fob shaped like your car. Just like when you were a kid and wanted a real car that matched your toys, now you can have toys that match your real car. 

The best part about the Huyara key fob is that it isn’t just for keys. The Huyara key fob comes apart, with one half for the audio system of your car. Just don’t lose it or you’ll be locked out and music-less.

The Aston Martin Emotional Control Unit is very expensive

The name alone raises eyebrows, but the price should too. At over $2,000, this key fob for Aston Martin is so expensive, you’ll be pretty upset if you leave it in your pocket before you do the laundry. 

Jalopnik notes that the key fob was a sapphire crystal key fob, and while it comes with a lot of features, it’s still very expensive to replace. 

This Bugatti Chiron Key will cost you 500,000 euro, or roughly $590,000

That’s right, this key fob from Awain will cost you more than a half a million dollars. Awain makes very expensive key fobs for luxury cars, but this car for the Chiron is quite expensive. According to Shmee150, it’s made of white gold and 34.5 carats of diamonds. Although it does what you’d expect from a key fob – locking and unlocking the doors and starting the cars, it looks anything but a traditional key fob. Encrusted in jewels, the Bugatti Chiron key fob looks more like a hardy piece of jewelry than something that you’d use to start a car. 

If you’ve purchased one of the cars that accompanies these key fobs, the additional cost of the key fob in most cases is likely negligible. Except for the Bugatti Chiron key, which is certainly far from a casual accessory, even for the most expensive of cars. Looking at some of these key fobs may make you relieved the next time that you lose your keys that they aren’t one of these key fobs.

RELATED: 5 Luxury Cars That Are Actually (Mostly) Vegan

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Who Gets the Supercars to Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance is one of the most exciting and most exclusive supercar show events in the country. While you might be able to snag a ticket, the biggest brands have private VIP events throughout the week. A few special cars will debut at the event and some cult favorites might make an appearance. But how do all of these multi-million dollar supercars get to the Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance and Monterey Car Week? Meet Robin Grove.

The coolest supercars and classic cars at the Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance

A 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Gurney Nutting Sports Tourer won Best of Show at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance | Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance

Bloomberg Businessweek recently did a feature on Robin Grove, the CEO of Classic Automotive Relocation Services (CARS). Grove is one of the most trusted movers in the transportation game. One of the vehicles heading to Pebble Beach this weekend is the $2.5 million electric hypercar, the Rimac Nevera. The Nevera gets 1,914 hp and has a 0-60 mph time of 1.8 seconds. That is fast enough to claim the title of the fastest production car in history. And Grove is going to deliver it to the 70th-anniversary event at the Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance.

With only 150 vehicles planned for production, not just anyone is allowed to transport the supercar. Grove is responsible for transporting vehicles like the Bugatti, McLaren, Pagani, and Koenigsegg supercars heading to the event. RM Sotheby’s and random millionaires heading to the event also trust her to get cars there safely. “We are like travel agents and lawyers for cargo,” Grove told Bloomberg.

Grove and CARS carry a $15 Million insurance policy on all trucks. This means that should an accident happen (and it does), she can offer total coverage. That’s what sets CARS apart from the rest, along with some other additional insurance coverage.

CARS $15 Million insurance policy helps

Damon Casarez for Bloomberg Businessweek

Grove has a 20,000-square-foot garage in California where she stores the vehicles. It offers high security and cameras running every minute of every day to keep an eye on all the cars. The vehicles are covered in three layers: a cotton sheet, a plastic sheet, and then a top cover. Just in case.

Some of the vehicles in the garage at the time of publication included a $31 million Ferrari, a $10 million Jaguar D-Type, and a $35 million Alfa Romeo. Tony Rackley, head of the specialties division at CARS says, “We deal mostly with billionaires. We very rarely see these guys; we see their people.”

In addition to the Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance, CARS is also helping deliver supercars to the Monterey Car Week in August. Many of the vehicles at CARS will end up at one of the events. Depending on how exclusive buyers want a vehicle transport, the prices widely vary.

Cargo planes, trains, and supercars

It is estimated that getting a small Porsche 911 from Amsterdam to California could cost $10,000 via cargo plane. Since it is smaller, it fits on the lower deck of the plane. To move a longer Italian vehicle like a Bizzarrini from London to California could cost around $40,000. This type of move requires a wooden crate, which increases the price quite a bit. Some collectible cars need a 20-foot container, while others might ask for a 40-foot crate for special needs.

Grove suggests that shipping a Ferrari F40 from Hong Kong to LA could cost as much as $70,000 via air freight. It would need a special cargo box and some special attention along the way. But since a Ferrari F40 costs over $1.5 million, that price is worth it. Can the car be driven? Does it need to be rolled onboard? Grove also asks what parts might not be working, since some classic cars need a little work.

The rules vary widely for moving a classic car or supercar, especially depending on the year. In the U.S., vehicles older than 25 years have more lenient standards. This week, you can see some of the vehicles CARS helped deliver at the Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance. Be sure to tune in to the live stream to watch all of the fun from the comfort of your own home.

RELATED: Are These Leaked Lamborghini Countach Photos Legit?

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Guy Fieri Just Made an Apple Pie Hot Dog for Chevrolet

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Food and fuel-powered cars often don’t go together, unless you’re talking about food trucks. But American restauranteur Guy Fieri just teamed up with American automaker Chevrolet to create an Apple Pie hot dog. But there’s more to it than just a strange flavor combo, as this culinary concoction started as an old Chevy advertisement campaign.

The apple pie hot dog recepie presented by Guy Fieri

It goes against everything you think a hot dog is, or everything you think apple pie is. But contrasting sweet and savory flavors often make for the best dishes, so by that logic, this should be no exception. While I’ve yet to make one, I’ll be factoring it into my weekend plans.

That said, Chevy didn’t just make this dish for the sake of it. In Dyersville Iowa, the MLB Field of Dreams game happened just last night, where the White Sox took on the Yankees and won with a walk-off home run. And to show their support, Chevy served the apple pie hot dog to the fans. And while that’s the only time it’d ever be sold in public, Fieri’s tutorial is enough for you to make your own at home.

It’s the perfect combination of baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet. But this isn’t the only time Chevy threw those three things together to make something great, as this unlikely food combo was sparked by an advertisement from the 70s.

The original ad where Chevrolet is America’s favorite car brand

In the era where catchy jingles reigned supreme, Chevy bestowed this classic advertisement. It combined the four things America loved most into a song that’s incredibly catchy (or incredibly annoying, depending on who you ask). And while it does call a hot dog a sandwich, a controversial opinion, there’s no denying that these are some of America’s favorite things.

Chevrolet is no stranger to great ads, with one of their most recent Olympic ads knocking it out of the park (baseball pun unintended). But if you dig further down the rabbit hole, you’ll find this ad campaign doesn’t end with Chevrolet.

Holden, General Motor’s Australian brand, got in on the ad action too

General Motors, the parent company of Chevrolet and the now-defunct Australian brand Holden, decided to give Holden a catchy jingle too. Though, down under, it’s football, meat pies, kangaroos, and Holden cars. It’s a much more risque ad than the original Chevrolet version, with a couple of jokes the kids may not understand. But hey, Australia in the 70s was a wild place, and even though it doesn’t have Holden anymore, it still is.

What started as a catchy 70s jingle for Chevrolet spiraled into an apple pie hot dog made by the mayor of flavor town, with a bit of bacon and mustard to top it all of. It’s a strange segway, an unexpected domino effect, but it’s also plain fun. Now fire up your ovens and make some apple pie hot dogs, watch some baseball, and maybe browse a few Chevrolets.

RELATED: GM’s Buick, Chevrolet SUVs Lead the J.D. Power 2021 Top Rated List

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