Green Monster
 

For us wan-a-be tree huggers... :clap:

Green Monster
800-hp ‘Bio Rocket’ gives an alternative take on the green movement

By ROGER HART

AutoWeek | Published 04/20/07, 9:10 am et

No one ever said going green means not having any fun, and the folks at Galpin Auto Sports in Van Nuys, California, certainly like to have fun. Evidence: the company’s Earth Day centerpiece celebration, a 1965 Chevrolet Impala transformed into a biodiesel-propelled hot rod nicknamed the “Bio Rocket.” The car will be featured in the fifth season of MTV’s Pimp My Ride.

“With the increasing amount of traffic on the roads, protecting the environment is a major concern for automotive manufacturers and dealers,” said Beau Boeckmann, president of Galpin Auto Sports, vice president of Galpin Motors and consulting producer and on-air talent for Pimp My Ride.

“By installing a monster 800-hp diesel engine to run on biodiesel in the ’65 Impala, we demonstrated that you don’t have to sacrifice power to go green.”

The Bio Rocket is fitted with a PPE supercharged GM Duramax diesel engine that runs on B-100 biodiesel, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent compared with a standard V8 gasoline engine. Boeckmann estimates fuel mileage at around 24 mpg.

Switching the Bio Rocket to alternative fuel did not compromise its performance and speed. In fact, horsepower increased from 350 to 800, with a monstrous 1400 lb-ft of torque. All that oomph propels the Bio Rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

The premise of the TV show is to take a person’s everyday ride, which often could be mistaken for something ready for the junk heap, and transform it into a customized showpiece. “On the show, we try and do things that are a little bit ironic,” Boeckmann said. “But at the same time, we try and make it practical and give the people a car they can really use, a car that enhances their life and can be a lot of fun.”

It wasn’t just the engine bay that received the green treatment. The Galpin crew created the seats from a material made of 100 percent recycled fibers. The Bio Rocket’s trunk is lined with biodegradable, all-natural hemp and reclaimed wood from preexisting wooden structures. Finally, eco-friendly meets convenience with a built-in GPS that shows the driver where to find the nearest biodiesel station.

“Galpin’s customizing innovation began in the late ’50s and produced national trends in the automotive aftermarket,” said Boeckmann. “Fifty years later, the after-market and tuner world has become a much greater part of the mainstream. We see Galpin’s move to green, ground-shaking horsepower as the ripple that can start a sea of change, and we are proud to start that right here, right now.”

And if you’re wondering, you could upgrade your own ride to the monster diesel powerplant for a mere $25,000.

The Bio Rocket was to be unveiled by California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger during an Earth Day episode of Pimp My Ride on April 22.

yea i seen that episode and was surprised on the amount of horses that thing is throwin out, just to prove it wasn't giving up power for better mpg they dragged it against a lambo and beat it buy what looked like a good second(they didnt show the times) but hear in Ohio i haven't seen any biodeisel pumps at any gas stations so that would be a problem around here but in California i hear they are every wear which is wear pimp my ride takes place but i can deffinently see that some day all new cars will run on biodeisel

Only a mere 25,000 :eek: :eek: I like the idea but id rather have that for my 5th gen.

i'd say 800hp at 24 mpg is well worth the price...

i kno a guy who has a 71 chevelle with 800 horses but he only gets 7! miles to the gallon i agree about the price, its worth it


ph yea i have a question is biodeisel cheaper than gas?

I live in the SF bay area and haven't seen a single bio-diesel pump around.

+1 I don't live in the bay area, but I am there enough and I haven't seen any either.

some stupid discovery channel was trying to tell people you can make your own bio diesel from left over grease at restraunts.... now that they are all switching to non trans fat greese i'm not so sure how this concept could work.

but bottom line is it's insanely time consuming so if you have a life you can't do it.

hell i can't even find that Bio flex fuel shit what is it E85 ethanol or whatever. i drive all over the east ( was through Ill. Indiana, ohio and WV just a week and a half ago.

Every time I see that car....ah, I drool.
The Camaro IS gorgeous. But the Impalas of old have always had a special place in my heart.

that ride looks sick nice looking car

i finally saw the episode of pimp my ride when they do that car. i dont like the guys at gas but they did a very nice job on this one. i will take two
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