The Chevrolet Corvette C5 has been the object of many custom modifications throughout the years, from tasteful ones to the more ridiculous.

We dont really recall seeing one turned into a buggy, though. Until now, that is, as a rather impressive 1999 Chevrolet Corvette Buggy has surfaced on Bring A Trailer. The seller bought the 1999 Corvette fixed-roof coupe in 2019 and immediately set out to transform it into an off-road buggy.

He kept the factory chassis and drivetrain, which means power comes from the stock 345 HP 5.7-liter LS1 V8 paired with a six-speed manual gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels.

See Also:Meet The Corvettini, A Chopped C5 Corvette That Fits In A Small Garage

The first thing they did was remove the fiberglass body and shorten the front and rear frame rails. The next step was to build an exterior cage from DOM tubing and start adding custom parts. Those include an engine cover, cowl splash shields and rear panels made from 6061-T6 sheet aluminum, as well as a front bumper sourced from a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

Additionally, the Corvette Buggy received tow hooks, DOT-certified Hella headlamps, a front light bar, LED taillights, a muffler adapted from a 2019 Camaro Z/28, and a fire extinguisher mounted behind the driver.

Interestingly, the Corvette suspension was retained and has been raised using factory adjusters. The 17-inch wheels come from a C5 Corvette Z06 but have been fitted with chunky Firestone Destination MT2 tires sized 265/70 on the front and 285/70 at the back. Because of the wheel and tire modifications, the TPMS, ABS and DSC systems have been disabled the good thing is there arent that many obstacles to hit in the desert.

While the powertrain remains stock, there are some mechanical modifications such as a mild performance camshaft, Kooks long-tube headers, high-flow catalytic converters, a performance clutch, and a relocated battery with a disconnect switch.

The factory interior was kept almost intact as it includes the stock dashboard, console, carpet and seats. The leather upholstery was swapped for a woven cloth, though, and a short-throw shifter has been installed. The seller says the heating and air conditioning are functional, but the radio is not because the doors were removed together with the speakers.

The buggy remains a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette C5 in the papers and is offered with a clean Arizona title in the sellers name and all receipts from the build. At the time of writing, bidding reached $10,000 but will probably rise until May 5 when the hammer drops.

more photos...

More here:
Corvette Buggy Is A C5 Reinvented As A Crazy Sand Dune Racer - CarScoops

Up for auction on eBay, this 67 Coronet likely comes with the same gold paint that was applied at the St. Louis factory over half a century ago, the ad reads. But this doesnt stop here.

The seller says the car, which is actually a barn find that was stored by a woman for over 20 years, comes with almost every single original part that it was equipped with when it left the factory.

The restoration job that it received was minimal, they guarantee, and with a professional respray, it should easily be brought in nearly mint condition.

It was resurrected and overhauled only replacing the components that were needed to make it a confident cruiser. So almost everything you see is believed to be original, including the full trim, factory wheel covers, and big chrome bumpers, the seller says.

Its believed the V8 engine that powers this Coronet is the original one that was fitted by the manufacturer. New parts, like an aluminum radiator, a replacement carburetor, a battery, and a brake line have all been installed.

This all makes for a particularly strong-running survivor. And this Cornet was already built to be good cruiser thanks to the a A727 three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes, the seller says.

The interior has been well preserved despite spending so many years abandoned in a barn. The Dodge steering wheel, the two wide bench seats, the dashboard, the door panels, and the carpeting are all believed to be original.

There are even provisions for nice extras as the AM radio is still on display, and while the air conditioning system is currently disabled, there are many of the major components still in place, the company that sells it explains.

The car has only 45,714 miles (73,569 km) on the clock, and its believed this is the actual mileage and an odometer rollback is very unlikely.

Excerpt from:
1967 Dodge Coronet Barn Find Still Has the Same Half-of-Century-Old Gold Paint - autoevolution

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic in the US, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been outspoken about his thoughts on everything from ventilator shortages to possible treatments to the severity of the virus overall.

Now, Musk has gone a step further, calling US shelter-in-place orders "fascist" during a brief, expletive-laden rant during a conference call following Tesla's first-quarter earnings report on Wednesday.

Musk has a history of speaking out during times of crisis. In 2018, for example, Musk offered to build a "kid-size" submarine to rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach stuck in a flooded cave in Thailand. When a British diver called Musk's actions a "PR stunt," Muskcalled the diver a "pedo guy" in a since-deleted tweet. (The comment sparked a defamation lawsuit, but Musk has since been cleared).

He's also frequently shared his thoughts on everything from Tesla short-sellers to the media, and has landed in hot water over erratic tweets like his "funding secured" fiasco in 2018.

But as the coronavirus crisis continues to affect the US and the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country has surpassed 1 million, Musk's recent behavior has been scrutinized. Government officials have reportedly questioned whether Musk delivered the number of ventilators he promised, and everyone including Ariana Grande's mother and Musk's own fans have called his statements on reopening the economy "irresponsible."

Here's a timeline of Musk's behavior throughout the coronavirus crisis.

Read the original post:
Elon Musk: A timeline of his comments during the coronavirus outbreak - Business Insider - Business Insider

For some, the reopening of Hermann Park Golf Course on Friday was emotional therapy.

Golfers were back enjoying the Houston city municipal layout and driving range. The facility had been closed since mid-March after a stay-at-home order from Harris County leaders amid the coronavirus pandemic.

I was out there (Thursday morning) and just checking everything and looking at it, said Richard Bischoff, president of BSL Golf Corporation, which has operated Hermann Park Golf Course for close to 30 years. Gosh, it was a therapy in itself just riding around in the golf cart looking at the grass.

I said, Man, I needed this. I need to add my name to the list (to play). It just felt good to be out doing that after weve been caught up in our homes and drained from whats going on.

But Houston public courses Memorial Park and Sharpstown remain closed until further notice.

Like many public places that are back in business, Hermann Park Golf Course is operating with restrictions, including social distancing.

All clubhouse employees, many in the most-susceptible age group of 65 and over, are wearing masks and having their body temperature taken before starting their shifts. Patrons entering the pro shop also must wear face masks.

We really wanted to be careful for our employees and their safety and their health, Bischoff said. Were going to have people shielded.

Bischoff, who bought 10 gallons of hand sanitizer, with smaller containers scattered throughout the clubhouse and snack bar, is taking other preventive measures to ensure employees and the public stay safe.

Plexiglas has been installed full length at the counter. Only one-way traffic is allowed in and out of the pro shop and concession area. Only one person is allowed in the restroom at a time.

In the pro shop and concession area, the carpet is marked with duct tape showing 6-foot spacing. Food and beverage is takeout only, and no eating is allowed in the clubhouse.

Joseph Priddy, general manager and director of golf at Hermann Park, said golfers have been receptive to the new requirements.

Were making sure all the players are being conscious of staying 6 feet away from everybody, Priddy said. They understand the process and are participating and willing to follow, because this is new times for everybody. They know what to expect.

The down time over the past month and a half was used judiciously at Hermann Park, with several projects being completed, including the outside painting of the restrooms, which also have been spray washed. The parking lot has been restriped.

Even though ball washers have been removed from the course, they all have been thoroughly cleaned. Water stands have been repaired. Benches also have been repaired as well as painted.

Doing the kind of things sometimes you put on the back of your work list, Bischoff said. Weve made the golf course nicer and more attractive and shinier through this time.

As well as safer. Only one golfer per cart will be in place unless the pairing is with a family member. On the course, rakes have been removed from bunkers, and the standard flag sticks are gone from the greens.

When a spokesman for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo in late March said it was OK for golf courses in Harris County to reopen, one of the restrictions was that driving ranges were to remain closed. Hermann, Memorial and Sharpstown stayed closed, but most other courses in the Houston area began play again March 26.

Driving ranges can now be open as long as safe practices are followed. At Hermann, every other mat has been removed to place golfers at least 10 feet apart from each other. Range balls are being sanitized and disinfected after each use.

Bischoff called Friday a soft opening in preparation for a busy weekend.

Hermann has the only driving range inside the Loop.

In the heart of Houston, minutes from the Medical Center at 2155 N. MacGregor, Hermann Park Golf Course long has been a favorite of many golfers in the Houston area. John Bredemus designed the original layout in 1922, which was renovated in 1999 by Carlton Gipson.

Oak-lined fairways highlight the par-70 configuration. Under BSLs management, more than 1,200 trees have been planted throughout the course. Over time, Hermann Park has been cut back to 110 acres, which is not a lot of land for a golf course.

The course is in good overall shape, but there is a temporary green on No. 17.

Theyve been out of the public for the last 30 days; everybodys ready to get out and play some golf, Priddy said.

Hermann Parks reopening was tied to the lifting of Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts stay-at-home order Friday as the state begins phase 1 of reopening.

We followed that lead, Bischoff said. We just decided the last few days to open, and weve been working diligently to come up with our plan.

Whenever he made the announcement is what kind of got us back. Then we went back to the city parks director (Steve Wright) and requested to be able to open the golf course, which was approved by the mayor (Sylvester Turner) as long as we went by the guidelines.

More:
Golf getting back in the swing at Hermann Park - Houston Chronicle

It's no secret that the Mazda MX-5 is inspired by classic British roadsters. It's got the same kind of connection to the road, but without many of the reliability issues of an MG. They say there are a million Miatas out there, and no two are alike, but this build takes things to the next level.

Starting with the base car, this is your average 1993 MX-5, so an NA that can be cheap and rusty or quite expensive in mint condition. The new front end is from a Japanese company called Pitcrew Racing.

We looked online and the conversion is around $6-7,000. Different versions we've seen look like everything from Ferraris to Alfas and British roadsters. And that's because you need to install your own headlights.

This set might remind some of the Beetle front end, and that's probably because they're Lucas P700 7 round headlamps with OEM VW eyelids for the Ghia.

Further retro vibes are generated using features like the 70-style TRAP front lip or the KG Works Bellete G mirrors. The fuel lid is from the Type 2 bus. Around the back, the Miata rocks a Garage Vary rear tail light panel and 1973 Corvette taillights. Honestly, these are the best NA taillights we've ever seen, and would probably also work on the NB.

The black roadster also has an amazing vintage-themed interior, with red leather bucket seats, red carpets, leather door trim, a 60-style steering wheel, plus a ton of stainless inserts.

The ride has also been taken care of using Flyin Miata V-Maxx XXtreme coilovers. The roadster is rolling on 14-inch wheels with a half-inch offset, wrapped up by the Dunlop Direzza ZIII tires in 185/60 sizes.

Originally posted here:
Mazda MX-5 "Pitcrew" Goes Retro With Round Headlights - autoevolution

MARTIN, Bessie Davis, 85, of Richmond, Virginia, died on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at Sunrise Villa - Tuckahoe. Born April 1, 1935, in Amherst County, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Everett Anthony Davis and Clementine Figgers Davis. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 64 years, Lewis E. Martin Jr. of Richmond, Virginia; two sons, Eric Martin (B. Denton Freeman) of Richmond and Davis M. Martin (Pam) of Montpelier, Virginia; two grandsons, Swayne and Everett; five stepgrandchildren, W. Wyatt F. Kump, H.H. Turner Kump, Cyrus S. (Case) Kump III, Daniel W. King and Miranda B. King; two brothers, Anthony E. Davis (Dottie) of Elon, Virginia and Robert D. Davis (Dolores) of Lynchburg, Virginia; two sisters, Effie D. Farmer of Richmond and Ethel D. Andrews (Wes) of Colonial Heights, Virginia; and 20 nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Norman W. Davis, Weldon M. Davis and Leonard E. Davis; three sisters, Mary D. Burks, Ruth D. Wright and Mildred D. Massie; and four nephews. Bess was a graduate of Madison Heights High School and a member of Second Baptist Church in Richmond. She was employed in banking for many years in Richmond, Virginia, rising to an executive level in the 1970s. Later, she opened a marketing agency serving financial institutions, and after a move to Clearwater, Florida, resumed an earlier career in real estate sales. Additionally, Bess was an excellent interior decorator and shared her talent with others. She loved to travel, cook and entertain, and was a wonderful hostess. Bess had a way of making everyone feel at home with her kindness and brightened any room with her warm smile. She had a flair for fashion, always being perfectly attired and was ready to go out shopping with family and friends at any time. A memorial service to celebrate Bess' life will be held at a later date. The family wishes to express a special thanks to the staff at Sunrise for Bess' excellent care. For those wishing to make memorial contributions, please consider Alzheimer's Foundation of America, alz.org. Online condolences may be left at woodyfuneral homeparham.com.

Link:
MARTIN, Bessie - Richmond.com

The secret lives of Hollywoods closeted movie stars serves as the main engine of Hollywood, Ryan Murphys splashy reimagining of cinemas golden age. The Netflix miniseries takes heavy inspiration from the life of Scotty Bowers, the late Hollywood pimp who worked at a gas station that doubled as a sex work operation. Reportedly, Bowers set up queer trysts for everyone from Katharine Hepburn to Cary Grant. While those two stars dont get the in-depth treatment in Hollywood, the series does take a look at the rumored affair between Hattie McDaniel (played by Queen Latifah) and Tallulah Bankhead (Paget Brewster), portraying the pair as lovers in episode five.

In the episode, the duo are cozied up at McDaniels house, chatting amiably about their all-night fling with one of Bowerss employees. The show treats the relationship as a fact, presenting McDaniel and Bankhead as an established couple. In real life, rumors persisted for years about the pairbut its hard to pin down when and where those rumblings first began.

Like many stars who may have been closeted in that era, neither woman ever confirmed the whispers, though the McDanielBankhead affair has been repeated in nonfiction books like The Girls: Sappho Goes to Hollywood and The Sewing Circle, a contested account of lesbian and bisexual women in Hollywood. In 2000, there was even a musical about the pair, titled Tallulah and Hattie: Dead at the Pearly Gates Cafe. The affair, it seems, has become an accepted part of each actors respective Tinseltown lore.

Beyond the affair, though, both women had active romantic lives. McDaniel, the Gone With the Wind star who made history as the first black actor to win an Academy Award, married four times over the course of her career. She had two brief marriages early on in her career, the Hollywood Reporter notes, long before starring in Gone With the Wind.

In 1941, she married Los Angeles real estate agent James Lloyd Crawford; four years later, they got divorced. McDaniels married a fourth, and final, time in 1949, to interior decorator Larry Williams; they divorced the following year. McDaniel never had children, entrusting her legacy to her sister Etta, whose children maintain it to this day, per THR.

Bankhead, meanwhile, developed a reputation over the course of her career as a sexual provocateur, often remembered more for her larger-than-life personality than her onscreen pursuits. I was obsessed with Tallulah Bankhead, because she was so ballsy and out there, and also felt never seen and never appreciated, Murphy told Vanity Fair. A big Broadway actress, came to Hollywood, didnt have the success that she wanted.

Still, Bankhead was well known in A-list Hollywood circles. We all adored her, Joan Crawford once said, according to The New Yorker. We were fascinated by her, but we were scared to death of her too. She had such authority, as if she ruled the earth, as if she was the first woman on the moon.

As The New Yorker notes, Bankhead claimed to have slept with 500 people, and was rumored to have had affairs with a slew of starsincluding actor Eva Le Gallienne and actor John Emery, whom she married in 1937, then divorced four years later. During their marriage, she reportedly developed a habit for sneaking guests into their bedroom while Emery slept, then pulling back the covers on him. Did you ever see a prick as big as that before? she would say, according to The New Yorker. Soon she sang a different tune: Well, darling, the weapon may be of admirable proportions, but the shot is indescribably weak.

See more here:
Hollywood: Were Hattie McDaniel and Tallulah Bankhead Really an Item? - Vanity Fair

Nobody knows complicated family dynamics better than Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her mother, Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop). The characters on Amy Sherman-Palladinos Gilmore Girls spent seven seasons and a Netflix reboot sorting through their drama.

While Lorelai and Emily had brief moments when they didnt argue, most of the time they made little digs at each other courtesy of the shows signature fast-talking dialogue. There were times when both Gilmore women were justified in their actions, there were also instances when Lorelai had been way too harsh on her mother. Keep reading to check out our picks for moments in the series when Lorelai couldve showed her mom some kindness.

For those who didnt watch Gilmore Girls every week, heres a brief rundown of Emily and Lorelais relationship. Lorelai grew up in a wealthy home with her parents, Emily and Richard (Edward Herrmann). Outspoken, she never felt comfortable with their lifestyle. At 16, Lorelai and her high school boyfriend, Christopher Hayden (David Sutcliffe), became parents.

Without any warning, Lorelai and her daughter, Rory, moved out and started a new life in Stars Hallow away from Richard and Emily. Gilmore Girls starts with Lorelai asking her parents for help something shes made a point not to do to finance Rorys education at a prestigious private high school. When she agrees to have dinner every Friday night in exchange for tuition payments, viewers learn theres a lot of lingering resentment and anger between them.

Lorelai and Emily went to a spa together in Gilmore Girls Season 2 Episode 16: Theres the Rub, according to Fandom. Sure, Emily invited herself to a spa weekend with Lorelai but the least Lorelai couldve at least had a positive attitude during their time together. Instead, she tried to arrange it so they barely saw each other before resorting to the spas quiet room to get Emily to stop talking to her.

The trip wasnt all bad. The mother and daughter had a few bright spots; they stole robes and later left the spa to have dinner at a bar. But, overall, Lorelai couldve borrowed some of Emilys openness to try new things. Remember how excited Emily had been about the cucumber-infused water and the mud baths? We wish Lorelai couldve been like that from the start of their getaway.

According to Fandom, in Gilmore Girls Season 2 Episode 11: Secrets and Loans, Lorelai needs $15,000 to repair extensive termite damage to her and Rorys house. After getting turned down by every bank for a loan, Rory called Emily for help.

When Lorelai shows up to yet another meeting about a loan, shes surprised to see her mother there. Upset, she makes her mom sit quietly throughout the entire meeting until its clear she needs her to cosign the loan. While Lorelai had every right to be unsure about her mothers motives, she couldve been much more mature and kind in the way she approached the situation.

After a long search for the perfect interior decorator, Lorelai finally found someone she meshed with. There was only one problem; they had previously worked with Emily.

Not wanting to lose the gig, the decorator declined to work with Emily when she asked. One way or another, Emily found out, which led to Lorelai agreeing to hire a different decorator. This one still strikes as being incredibly childish.

Rory and Lorelais plan had always been for Rory to attend Harvard much to the disappointment of Richard who went to college at Yale. In Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 7: Let the Games Begin, Lorelai and Rory joined Emily and Richard on a road trip to Yale.

They had a great time until Richard surprised Rory by telling her he set up an interview for her with the universitys dean of admissions, according to Fandom. Just like Rory and Lorelai, Emily had no idea what Richard had been planning. Instead of placing the blame solely on her father, Lorelai blames Emily for the surprise meeting too.

Want more Gilmore Girls? Check out which episodes made the cut on our list of the shows best episodes.

Read more from the original source:
'Gilmore Girls': The Spa Weekend and 3 Other Times Lorelai Could've Been Much Nicer to Emily - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Unwind and enjoy the sunshine in a comfortable new patio design that fits your space perfectly. With our luxury style patio floor concepts, decorative fixtures and outdoor accessories, even the smallest details can make a difference. Get inspired by our innovative backyard patio ideas.

Patio Design Ideas Start with SpaceKeeping in mind how you plan on taking advantage of your outdoor space,patio furnitureis a great way to transform your patio experience into a relaxing and entertainment area.

The larger your patio, the more ideal for multiple patio design ideas. However, even the most compact outdoor space can be turned into a gathering place. Start with a patio dining setsand maybe add an outdoor couch that keeps the conversation going for you or the kids. When it comes to big decks and patios, break up your yard space into sections based on how you want to spend your time.

Make your outdoor patio furniture functional with the feature and convenience of storage.

You Have OptionsChoose your own colors, styles, frames and materials when you browse our patio furniture selection. We offer patio furniture that is attractive, comfortable and durable to withstand all weather elements likewicker patio furnitureand Adirondack chairs.

Our collection of outdoor furniture has you covered but you can build your own modern patio furniture set to fit your needs just right. Entertain your friends and family when you browse our selection of patio dining furniture for a large patio table or cozy two-seater patiosets.

Treat yourself to some super comfortable outdoor lounge furniture. No matter what outdoor space you have a patio, a balcony or a deck we have a variety of patio chairs thatwill help you relax and enjoy the fresh air.

Ideas for Small-Space Patio DesignsNo matter how big or small, in the suburbs or the city, we can help you find the right outdoor furniture for your space. With a variety of patio accessories, you can make your townhome veranda or apartment balcony a comfortable space for all.Make the most of small spaces with a bistro set on your balcony or deck. Add an umbrella to stay cool in the shade. If you love spending time outside in the yard, make it more accommodating by putting a hammock for rest or a multi-use, compact lounge furniture from our mix of bistro sets.

Look for patio furniture with outdoor cushions made from fade- and mildew-resistant fabric. Sunbrella and CushionGuard fabrics will last from season to season.The cushion fabrics are built to last and you are looking at the best selection available.

Have FunAn array of backyard ideas will keep your home fun all year round. Setup a board game or start a game of cards on the patio tables outside. Start a small garden in containers or near the outdoor patio to showcase green beauty. Add some string lights or torch lamps to create a welcoming ambience during the evening.

Visit link:
Patio Design Ideas - The Home Depot

Roommates Claire Lynch and Lara Nicholson said, they jumped at the news of restaurants opening their patio and outdoor areas.

She was in a zoom class and I saw the post on Zippys and I just text her like, when youre out of class can we please go to Zippys and she was like of course said Lynch.

Friday is the first day of the governors relaxed orders, giving restaurants a little more leverage to serve their customers.

When the Governor announced it, within ten minutes we got phone calls. Will yall be open Friday, yes, we will. Lets get a little clarification on the rules and well be ready to go on Friday morning said Neal Hendrick, Owner of Zippys

Under the new order, outdoor seating must be cut to 25-percent of seats, tables have to be at least 10 feet apart with a max of ten people at each table.

Our patio with 10 feet apart and then we also have or parking lot with tables in it, 10 feet apart as well.

Hendrick said, hes excited to see his full staff at work and customers enjoying their food.

We have a great response from our customers, the public came out, everybody is doing really good respecting the social distancing. A lot of smile, a lot of happy people today.

Since we have been here today, it has been crowded. We have seen people already starting to sit outside in the parking lot where they kind of created overflow. Its pretty well spaced out said Nicholson.

While theres some relief for restaurants. People said, this is only part of phase one and theres still a long way to go.

I think as long as people are careful and not necessarily saying oh this means everything is back to normal. This shouldnt be a green light, its like a yellow light.

Read the original:
Restaurants open patios and outdoor seating areas - BRProud.com