The Porsche 911 may be considered the most iconic model of the Porsche family, and we are sad to report that the original 911 designer, Ferdinand Porsche, has died at age 76 in Austria.   Early concepts of the 911 can be traced back to sketches by Ferdinand Porsche in 1959 and a non-working model was first publicly displayed in 1963. Designed as a larger and more powerful version of the original Porsche 356, the 911 was introduced to the American public in 1965 and was available for $6,500.  The 911 has come quite a ways since those original sketches, with dozens of customizations and special editions that have made it a top name among luxury vehicles, sports cars, and competition ...

Have you ever had to replace a windshield? Most of us have been through the process due to kicked up debris, extreme temperatures, and even your occasional random act of vandalism. Windshields break for all kinds of reasons, but few can say their windshield was broken by the sound of their own car stereo systems. A member of that few (and he seems proud too) is the guy featured in this video who cranks the volume well over 11and up to whatever number causes windshields to vibrate to the point of shattering. I would think it would get pretty annoying when your windshield breaks every time the bass line drops, but the driver seems pretty excited about it. Laugh while you can, bu...

How many high tech features, mobile electronics, and high tech accessories can you pack into a 2012 Mustang? Thanks to a recent project undertaken by Microsoft and West Coast Customs, we now know. The retrofit Mustang 1967 body kit makes it look like the classic image of raw American muscle, but this ride has plenty of brains to match the brawn. The classic look is contrasted by the latest automotive gadgets, including a touch screen dashboard display featuring the new Windows 8 OS, a rear windshield that doubles as a projector screen, front and rear cameras that can be viewed remotely with a Windows Phone, full internet connectivity, and even an Xbox that can be played online through the heads up display. You can even use the car as a remote microphone to ward off ...

  Gas prices have been rising consistently over the past month and you may be noticing just how much of our lives are dependent on the fuel that powers vehicles from A to B. The first task that comes to mind is, of course, transporting ourselves, our friends, family members, and pets. But what about our stuff? Understandably, shipping your belongings has been made increasingly expensive with rising gas prices as well. Now there’s a way to skirt the rising costs of shipping with a new online service that essentially lets your belongings hitch a ride with someone who is already headed your way. HitchHauling.com facilitates communication between people who are t...

When most people think of custom wheel options, they think of tricked out rims and hubcaps. But what about custom colors on your tires? Whitewall tires are still popular among some enthusiasts but Bridgestone is planning to expand tire options well beyond black and white. With Bridgestone’s new tire printing technology, they can actually deliver tire sidewalls with whatever color, pattern, or design you want. Using super-durable, fade-resistant ink, Bridgestone plans to offer custom printing on tire sidewalls adding yet another custom option for drivers that want to style their wheels. The new tire printing options also presents a new canvas for advertisers w...

Wondering what to do with your vintage Jaguar? Neither are we, but if we did have a vintage Jaguar to get rid of I doubt we would have come up with the application dreamed up by Dutch design studio, denieuwegeneratie. Instead of selling it for scrap metal, they took a different approach, converting the old Jag into a bookshelf! We’re likely to pronounce the studio’s name correctly before we guess why a bookshelf of all things was decided upon, but I suppose it’s more functional than crunching it into a metal cube or sticking it in a garage somewhere. The images posted show it perched upright on the rear bumper so I can only hope it’s secured well enough that you don’t have to worry about falling victim to a vehicle fatality w...

Wondering why and if you should install vent visors to your vehicle? We’ll tell you why.  It can get stuffy inside a vehicle, and it’s natural to want to let in a little fresh air, but when it’s raining out or there’s risk of dust or debris getting in, you might think twice about hitting the automatic window button. Vent visors are shaped plastic guards that attach to the front seals of your side windows. Made from durable acrylic, these vehicle accessories are lifesavers when you want to let some air in without ...

Thinking of upgrading your ride with a new audio system, video accessory, GPS, Bluetooth, or other mobile electronics product? APN is gearing up to launch a full selection of mobile electronics products and if you’re willing to hold off on that upgrade, you can save some cash. Our new mobile electronics inventory is launching soon, and if you sign up for our mobile electronics mailing list you get 10% off any order over $100 right off the bat. We’ll email you as soon as our mobile electronics inventory becomes available and you can get that handy gadget you always wanted for 10% off.  Keep in mind that 10% discount is on already low APN factory-direct prices that you won’t find anywhere else online. Plus...

If you love cars and you love social media, you have to check out our APN Facebook Fan Page. Even if you think social media is just ok, you won’t regret stopping by once you see all the great automotive content we have flowing through our Facebook Page every day.   Our wall has everything from crazy concept vehicles to street sightings and fan pics of their own rebuilds and custom installs. If you’re a fellow car enthusiast, fan our page and stay up to date with the latest discounts, coupons, and great automotive content from APN. Join the discussion, post your own projects, or just take it all in for inspiration – we&rsquo...

We’ve been trying to provide some of the best automotive-focused technology from the 2012 International CES, but sometimes there are some non-auto gadgets so impressive we can’t help but share. The so called, “Board of Awesomeness” (actual name) was one such example, and though you won’t be parking it in your driveway, it does have four wheels and that’s good enough for us. What makes the “Board of Awesomeness” so awesome? First of all it’s powered by a 36 volt motor and can go up to 32 MPH, but those specs are pretty much yawn-worthy compared to how it’s controlled. At the front of the board is a jerry-rigged Samsung tablet computer and a gesture-recognizing camera b...

The 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) went down last week and we’ve seen plenty of new and impressive gadgets that we would love to have for our morning commutes. One that stood out was a video-enabled rear view mirror that doubles as a touch screen display with the Android operating system. First all we could think about was how distracting a touch screen display would be staring back at you in the rear view mirror, but once we got over that it was pretty exciting to see the capabilities and conveniences a touch screen mirror could provide. With a few taps of the rear view you could pair a hands-free device, get directions, or check the weather forecast. All you wouldn’t be able to do is, well, lo...

Christmas is over and by this point the trees have been tossed and the lights and decorations have been boxed up until you have to deal with the tangled mess next December. But while Christmas may be stuffed in your attic now, we're still celebrating here at APN with great Holiday deals that you can take advantage of until January 15th.  The way we see it, why should you have to pay more for automotive products and accessories just because New Year's is over? We say celebrate the New Year and save some cash with extended savings on the top automotive brand accessories. That way you kick off 2012 with big savings and a great new look for your car, truck, or SUV.    So if you're a car lover,...

Anyone who owns a truck has probably experienced a moment of frustration when covering the bed at one time or another. Depending on the weather patterns in your area, there are plenty of times a truck bed needs protection, but before you get the blue tarp and the bungee cords, check out TruXedo, a tonneau cover that has a better, and classier way to protect whatever you’re hauling.     TruXedo covers are fastened by an advanced Velcro system, which makes covering and uncovering much more convenient than traditional snap covers. The covers are made of durable vinyl and maintain a weather-tight seal while still providing easy fold-away access when it’s time to unload. They are so confident in their product that they offer a lifetime war...

  When you think of automotive iPhone apps, what usually comes to mind is GPS, traffic alerts, music, social media, and other ways to get outside information inside your car.   If you have a new Mini, however, you now have a way to use an iPhone app that keeps you focused on things going on under the hood. The new Driving Excitement App is downloaded through the iTunes App Store, and can then be uploaded to your Mini through Mini Connect so all the data is shown on your Mini’s digital display.   Once installed, the app can be accessed to show in-depth performance data like engine temperature, current horsepower, rpms, fuel level, and the Force Meter even shows the points of force and acceler...

Popular aftermarket mat manufacturer, Husky Liners, was founded by a man named Bob Tyler. According to the company history featured on their website, Mr. Tyler would take his dog on hunting and fishing trips that would result in a muddy and messy canine. As you know, dogs aren’t the best about wiping their feet before they get in the car, so the mess would end up in his vehicle for the ride home. With the determination to save his vehicle from the mud tracked in by his faithful companion, he started developing a washable floor mat and Husky Liners was born.    Ironic to the name, their history cites that Bob Tyler actually owned a Labrador Retriever, but Husky Liners are a great vehicle accessory for any pet owner.  They are completely...

In the world of aftermarket brake systems, Centric is a name that equates leadership and innovation. Responsible for several brake system patents, Centric provides professional grade aftermarket brake systems and is constantly researching and producing new and improved ways to let your vehicle stop on a dime. Much of the innovation from Centric is driven by the extensive commitment and experience of those that manage the operations and procedures. Centric is lead by experts with decades of experience, specifically in the field of automotive brake systems.  Centric’s CEO, Dino Crescentini, is an accomplished race car driver who races in the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships on the Global Motorsports...

It's one of our favorite holidays tomorrow and we would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at APN! 'Tis the season for food, family, football, and then more food. After all, what's better than engineering the perfect Thanksgiving sandwich?  Thank You from APN! But aside from stuffing yourself with sweet potato pie, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things we are grateful for, and we've had a lot of things to give thanks for recently. We all had an fun and very successful visit to SEMA 2011,  we launched our new line of ...

As you saw in our recent press release, the APN team was out in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago for the annual SEMA Show. The SEMA Show is known around the world for its showcase of the craziest, most tricked-out, upgraded, and styled vehicles around, and we were there with a full camera crew to capture all the action and take it home to our fans. We saw everything from go-karts to monster trucks and everything in between - all with the latest in mobile upgrades and accessories. SEMA is a trade-only event, but our camera crew captured plenty of the wild sights at SEMA 2011.   ...

  Have you ever driven by a speed trap, and then called or told a friend to warn them? There’s an unspoken allegiance among speeders that compels them to expose any police officers they might see gunning by an overpass or hiding behind a billboard. The thought is that if you save someone the strife of getting pulled over, they will someday do the same for you.    Now, popular mobile electronics producer, Cobra, has taken that concept and given it the power of social media with the release of iRadar Community. Their iRadar app provides radar, laser, and red light detection through a Bluetooth® connection with your smart phone. With the introduction of iRadar Community, users can now post the location of speed traps an...

APN is at SEMA 2011 this year, and for those of you that don't know, the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show is an automotive aftermarket trade show held in Las Vegas, Nevada. It's considered the largest specialty auto parts show in the world and brands and vendors come from all over the world to showcase their latest innovations in each respective auto parts field. The event is truly a sight to behold, packed with awesome and amazing new automotive products, enhanced vehicles, and the latest in automotive technology. Unfortunately, it is a trade-only event, meaning that the average auto enthusiast can't just waltz in.  APN representatives attend each year to check out all the latest automotive products in the industry, and t...

  We’re getting into the Halloween spirit here at APN, and aside from pumpkin carving and draping cobwebs that means slicing prices on some of our most popular automotive products. Today until Halloween Day you can get up to 15% off the top brands in auto parts and accessories, including AIRAID Air Filters, BBK Performance Parts, Bushwacker Body Gear, WeatherTech Floor Mats, ...

One of the major issues relating to vehicle safety is reaction time; how fast can you react to an event on the road, how long do you have to react, and is that enough time to make an informed decision? It’s part of the reason that distractions like cell phones are considered so unsafe – because they shorten the time you have to make smart decisions on the road. Now, Nissan is conducting research that could improve your driving reaction time not by eliminating distractions, but by making a direct connection between vehicle control and human thought.   The concept is in very early research stages and researchers are only exploring the possibility of reading human brain waves and translating those thoughts directly to a vehicle...

Whether you're taking your bike down the street or packing for a cross-country trip, it's important that you can effectively transport your gear. Vehicle roof rack and roof box brand, Thule (pronounced tool-lee), has been solving the problem of transporting gear since 1942. That’s a lot of time to perfect your craft, and Thule has gotten pretty close to doing this - as suggested by their consistent product awards and establishment as the world’s top name in personal vehicle cargo accessories. When it was founded in Sweden by the Thulin family, their first product was actually a trap for catching fish. Needless to say, they don’t offer that product anymore and we’re thankful that they developed a vehicle focus in the 1960s, when they releas...

Reality TV has come a long way since the first season of Survivor, and now it seems just about every occupation, sport, and generally uncomfortable situation has been filmed under the label of ‘reality.’ Whether it’s the famed Jersey Shore, or a lesser known program, most people have a guilty pleasure for some form of reality TV or another, and now auto enthusiasts will have another yet another fetish to choose from with Spike TV’s impending release of Car Lot Cowboy (tentative title) (source).    The new show will feature two automotive retail cons...

  Labor Day weekend is over, which marks a few low points for many of us (end of summer, no more wearing white, getting stopped behind school busses again). But despite the tragic retirement of your bleached linen pants, we urge you to remember the positives of Labor Day weekend, like the start of college and professional football seasons - and you can still get excited for great deals on auto parts and accessories from Auto Parts Network.   Celebrate Until September 12th with Great Discounts at APN Through next Monday, Auto Parts Network is offering some jumbo-sized discounts on our most popular auto...

Accessorizing and personalizing your “ride” is on an upward trend. People of all walks of life are turning to the days of yesteryear, when cruising in your car was an exciting experience every day. Today, people are keeping their cars longer and are realizing that by spending some time and money on customizing and personalizing their ride, it can give them the upgrades they want without simply buying a new car and wasting tons of money. This way they can enjoy their build and take great pride in the uniqueness and style that they express themselves through their ride.  The first step to begin customizing your car or truck is to map it out. Learn all the popular trends and brands that are...

 About 24 years ago, I met my future husband and automotive enthusiast repair shop owner and started helping him in his auto business.  Cars and the auto industry were fairly new to me and never thought I nor any other female would be interested in such a field, but felt I needed to be prepared for the Bold New World ahead of me! (Besides, it was going to be my business too one day). So I took a leap of faith and began to see the automobile and the auto industry as more than just some dirty garage for fixing cars.  I learned the basics of the business early on and later expanded my knowledge of the mechanics of the automobile, a...

  Everyone knows the country/pop singer and songwriter, Taylor Swift, famous for her two most famous songs "You Belong With Me" and "Love Story". Taylor got a Lexus SC 430 hardtop convertible; the color of the car is white. Taylor and her ex-boyfriend, Taylor Lautner from the Twilight Saga, were spotted cruising in her Lexus. I personally think that that the car is a cute car and it suits her very well. Taylor Swift is all about being a nice person and she usually wears white or light colored clothing, so i think she looks very cute driving her little white Lexus. This car has the best of b...