We all know that Jay Leno loves his cars. After all, he probably has enough cars – modern and vintage – to make his own showroom. But despite owning a fleet of some of the most expensive and prestigious vehicles in the world, we still don’t know as to how much of a car fanatic Jay Leno is. That’s until we found out that our favorite ex-late night talk show host has his own 3D scanner, which he uses to scan and print rare and irreplaceable car parts from his vintage classics. Now, that’s something you’ve never heard before.

Leno’s revolutionary gadget is a NextEngine 3D Scanner, which can scan a fully-functioning auto part in 20 minutes at 160,000 dots per inch resolution. After doing so, he takes his scanned image and prints it into a plastic 3D model using his Dimension 3D Printer. While the resulting part isn’t the final piece of the exercise – he takes the plastic, which can be scanned and printed in three hours, and uses it to make a mold that will eventually produce the metal, which he uses on the car.

We know a lot of car aficionados the world over that would go to great lengths to restore their precious vehicles, but we’ve never seen anyone that has an device that can actually make a 3D image of a vintage car part. But that’s why Jay Leno is who he is.

Jay Leno has a 3D printer that can replace old parts originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 14:30 EST.

read more

Since most of us don’t have a muppet to take care of our speeding tickets, this little gadget may be useful for defeating speeding cameras. This RF license plate cover features motorized panels which can cover your license plates. Now with the push of a key fob button you can drive as fast as you want. So far we’ve only seen it for international style long plates, but for those who are interested it can be found here.

P.S. When the cops catch you, and they will, you didn’t get the idea from us.

Remote License Plate Cover, the ultimate tool for speeding cameras originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 29 October 2008 19:55 EST.

read more

Not since Calvin relieving himself on your least favorite car brand has been so easy for a driver to show his/her feelings. "The Hand" remote controller window sign is a funny and useful gadget that signs how you feel towards the other drivers. For $40, this electroluminescent gesturing hand will allow to focus your attention completely on the road.

Just make sure you always have some expression always on. To correctly fit all the different gestures, the blank hand has six fingers.

The remote rear window hand, the latest gadget for cars originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 22 October 2008 17:10 EST.

read more

Have you ever seen your kids bored in your long family trips? Well, today we have the solution: Carcade, a concept for an in-car videogame designed for the passengers, which actually captures the landscape and uses it as a videogame environment. For example trees and houses on your window will be recognized by the incorporated camera connected to a laptop, and then it will enter your game. Also, when the car accelerates, the game will become more difficult (that’s got to be safe.)

The bad news is that for the moment the game is only a concept. But who knows, maybe in the future you will be able to play you’re own live version of Midnight Club!

Carcade, the new in-car videogame concept originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 9 October 2008 17:30 EST.

read more

Some people don’t want to be away from their muscle cars, even if its buying more parts for them online. For people like this, “Road Mice” provides a wireless computer mouse in the shape of different models such as Ford Mustang, the new Chevy Camaro, Dodge Charger or Chevrolet Corvette.

The funny accessory is compatible with both PC and Mac and features the latest RF and optical technology with a high resolution of 800 dpi. The scroll button is placed on the hood while the 4-wheels mouse received also a pair of working headlights.

RDM presents the new Road Mice for muscle car fans originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 8 October 2008 23:25 EST.

read more

In the never-ending quest to keep eyes on the road, Parrot, the well known manufacturer specialized in wireless mobile telephone accessories, launched its MKi Series. This is a range of iPhod-enabled control systems specially developed to be used in your car. The MKi series features two microphones incorporated with text to speech technology that interfaces with the iPod or iPhone. MKi series comes with three models, the MKi9000, MKi9100 and MKi9200, each fitted with a RF remote control.

The MKi9100 features a blue 2 lines OLED display while the 9200 comes with a 2.4 inch color TFT display. MKi displays information regarding phone status, phone book and a small playlist while the 9200 features some extra information such as caller picture id, full playlist and LP covers. The retail prices of the Parrot MKi system are as follows: MKi9000 for $231, MKi9100 for $266 and MKi9200 for $337.

Parrot unveils new MKi Series originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 3 October 2008 14:26 EST.

read more

Another interesting partnership is hitting today the high-tech segment with the release of the new P’9522, a product developed from the collaboration between Sagem, the French cellular producer and Porsche Design. Named iPorsche, the new cell phone has a very stylish looking and it features a large 2.8inch touch screen, 5 Megapixels digital camera, a GPS, a WiFi connector and a MicroSD fingerprint reader. There only one detail missing from the new jewelry, the 3G feature, but considering its equipment probably no one will give much of importance. The new cell is scheduled to hit the market by November with the first market aimed being France. Due to the Porsche signature the cost of the good looking accessory will be near €600.

iPorsche, the new fashion phone from Porsche Design originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 30 September 2008 17:11 EST.

read more

We have today the proof that big names in the automobiles industry are expanding their brands on other fields and products, becoming more popular brands or pocket products. This is the case of Nissan Motor which, in collaboration with Sharp Corporation, developed a new project, a special mobile phone which can be used as a smart key for cars. The combination cell phones and car technology was possible with the help of Docomo’s expertise in the marketability of cells and the help of Nissan technical support to adapt the device and assure its functioning.

Nissan and Sharp present new smart-key phone originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 25 September 2008 13:16 EST.

read more

Ever found yourself in a crowded parking of a hypermarket and looked hours for your car because you forgot where you parked? Well, today we have your solution! A company named Bushnell released its BackTrack, a little GPS device that will help you find your car easily. So, let us tell you how it works: when you’re ready to leave your car in the parking place, mark your position on the device with a single button press and it will make all the work for you. And if you think that you will not be able to take care of the device, don’t worry, it is water resistant so it will not be a mess if you will drop it a little! More to know: the BackTrack uses 2 AAA batteries and features a high sensitivity SiRF Star III GPS receiver! It can be found here with a price tag of $59.99.

Having any trouble finding your car lately? Bushnell to the rescue originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 11 September 2008 17:52 EST.

read more

The GoPro camera is a light, compact and robust onboard digital camera designed specifically to capture extreme sports. Its compact design allow you to place it where regular camcorder would not fit, and its robust waterproof case should save it from your intrepid stunts, even in the rain or snow. Read our complete GoPro review, including onboard sample footage, after the jump.

GoPro Camera review originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 19 December 2007 08:55 EST.

read more

Parmigiani Fleurier’s Bugatti Type 370 Collection is one of the most unique and expensive watches I have seen so far.

Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 370 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 21 September 2007 14:30 EST.

read more

There is nothing like racing style pedals! Having them in you car is not impossible.

Billet Pedals give your car a racing look originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 13 July 2007 14:44 EST.

read more

Adding chrome accents to your car is very popular now in days. Everyone wants the “blinged” out look.

Chrome up your car! originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 13 July 2007 14:06 EST.

read more

If you are looking for design custom-fitted bass box enclosures Bassforms might be the right company for you.

Rolls-Royce to Honda custom speaker boxes originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 13 July 2007 13:41 EST.

read more

Remember James Bond’s Aston Martin DBS in “Casino Royal”? In his Aston Martin he had a gear shit knob that lit up. Well now you can have a version of that in your own car.

SureShifter like James Bond originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 July 2007 14:11 EST.

read more