Twin turbo'd big block LeMans

2000hp Pontiac LeMans

Pontiac G8 GXP laps Nurburgring in 8:30

The G8 GXP has garnered some serious love from the press and those lucky enough to drive it first hand. The ride has been called a "budget E39 M5" by several folks. And the comparisons may be well deserved, as Der Auto Inshiderfahvenberger is reporting that the GXP ran around the 'Ring in 8:30 -- a mere two seconds off the E39M5's time.

The run was supposedly set by one of the GXP's development engineers – not a professional driver – but as always, we're wary of any development mule setting "unofficial" lap times, particularly when a roll cage is fitted, aiding in chassis rigidity. Regardless, it's hard to argue with a four-door sedan coming in under $40-large and delivering this level of performance.

Hand made Lamborghini built in a basement sees the light of day

This is actually old news, but it was lost amoungst all the mayhem between SEMA and the L.A. auto show. The story is so incredible, however, that we were determined to post this as a credit to the craftsmanship and amazing dedication that was poured into this project.

Seventeen years ago, Ken Imhoff watched Cannonball Run and became so enamored with the Lamborghini Countach in the film, he hand-built his own, in his basement. In what we imagine might be the most Jalopnik build ever undertaken, Ken designed and fabricated his own tig-welded frame, installed a thoroughly massaged 351 cubic inch V8 with a ZF-25 5-speed transmission, hand-formed the aluminum body over a meticulously measured and accurate body form, and finished it all off in a beautiful metallic gray. It took Ken 10 years to complete the project, and the results — as you can see in the gallery — are amazing. There's only one problem, when you build a car in a basement — how do you get it out?

Ken went into the project fully aware of the problem of a getting the car out of his basement — it was your classic ship-in-a-bottle project problem. When the faux Lambo was complete, he actually hired a contractor to knock out a part of the basement wall, build an earthen ramp, and then drag the car out of its subterranean workshop.

A little history on the car.
100% hand crafted Countach out of aluminum and a space tube frame. All aluminum body formed on a wooden buck using an English wheel. My own design space frame with Corvette hubs and custom A-arms. Mated to a ZF-25 5 speed. S.S. 180 degree headers GT40 design "bundle of snakes" Boss 351 bored stroked to 377 515hp 48 IDA Webbers. One off TransAm BBS rim shells to my own center section wheels. Custom brake package to fit 16" wheels. Fuel cell, twin aluminum sprint car (Howe) radiators. All aluminum interior with leather dash, Momo seats and 5 point harness, on board halon fire bottle. quick release steering wheel. Low to the ground at 2700 lbs. 100% body correct by using a real Countach to measure from. Over 10 years in the making.

Major kudos to you, Ken! It's folks like you that keep our hobby alive, and show that anything is possible with the right amount of dedication and time, not to mention money!

Heffner Performance Camilo Pardo Edition Ford GT

Jason Heffner has unleashed some sweet rides the last few years, from his insanely powerful Lamborghini Gallardos to mindblowingly fast Ford GTs. For his latest project, Heffner has teamed up with Ford GT chief designer Camilo Pardo for a special edition version of the car that looks as good as it is fast.

Visually, the American supercar gets a racing inspired paint scheme and graphics, flat black BBS wheels and a new rear bumper from Classic Design Concepts. Inside, the car gets a chrome shift ball, wide-shaft shifter and aluminum seat grommets. Under the bonnet, the GT is blessed with Heffner's twin-turbo treatment as well as a Camilo-designed billet aluminum intake and black valve covers. Horsepower is rated at north of 900 and the car is capable of topping 200 mph in under 20 seconds while passing through the 1/4 mile at over 150 mph. Feel free to drool and dream.

PRESS RELEASE:

Heffner Performance is a name that has become synonymous with ultra high performance exotic car tuning. Having already successfully modified Ford GT and Lamborghini Gallardo’s for added performance, the team at Heffner Performance looked to expand their range by teaming with world reknowned artist and Ford GT chief designer Camilo Pardo for a special edition Ford GT. The combination of these two unique talents has provided for one of the most desirable Ford GT supercars ever produced.
r>Camilo Pardo had met Jason Heffner in 2006 when Heffner Performance modified Camilo’s first GT, an all-white 2005. Having had the chance to drive one of the initial twin turbo GT cars, Camilo immediately qualified it as “the baddest GT I’ve ever been in.” It was only a matter of time before they began discussing a collaborative effort, as each sought to take the GT to another level of performance and design quality.
The Heffner Twin Turbo system for the Ford GT is already proven on the street, as well as the track. Whille the car retains all its stock driveability, performance was shown to be otherworldly at the inaugural Car and Driver 0-200-0 shootout. Making over 900hp, the system has proven to obtain 200 mph from stop in under 19 seconds, clocking over 150 mph in the quarter mile. One of the few outside vehicles to ever see the inside of the Ford proving grounds in Dearborn, MI, the Heffner Twin Turbo was an instant hit with many of the team who engineered the original supercar. The essentials have remained the same for the Camilo Edition, but this special edition features an all new, Camilo-designed billet aluminum intake.

The car features a number of key aesthetic improvements the designer had wanted to include from the factory including

Unique Roundel and Number Graphics
Heritage racing-inspired paintjob
Flat black BBS wheels
Concept-Style rear bumper treatment from Classic Design ConceptsBlack-lip mirrors
Aluminum seat grommets
Chrome Shift ball r>Lasercut door trim rings from OEM supplier Quality Metalcraft
Wide-shaft shifter
Wrinkle black valve covers
Flat black gas cap and door latches
T&A Shocks lowering
Polished exhaust tips
Brembo caliper graphics
These represent subtle modifications that Camilo Pardo felt could transform the car with a more futuristic, race-inspired look. By any measure, the artistic talents of Camilo have taken this car to another level. It is a striking vehicle on the road, retaining the grace of the Ford GT but with an intensity that screams out for speed. The Camilo Edition Heffner Performance TT GT also includes a Setrab transmission cooler for additional performance enhacnement.

The project was a true collaborative effort by leaders in their respective fields. The car was sold only moments after it was revealed at the Ford GT National Rally III to a GT owner that decided, though he already had 4, he absolutely had to have it. At this time, Camilo and Heffner are looking forward to the chance at collaborating on another successul and exciting project

Ford rolls out with it's own modified 2010 Mustangs

While reaction to the look of the refreshed 2010 Ford Mustang has been mostly positive, there has been disappointment expressed with regard to the powertrain options, primarily because they haven't changed from the current car. Though there are rumors of more powerful engines on the horizon, Ford doesn't want you to have to wait for a stouter 'Stang, so they brought four Mustangs to the L.A. auto show, which have already been customized with Ford performance parts.

"Mustang is more than a car -- it's a way of life. No two Mustangs are alike because Mustang is the most customized and modified car in America," said Brian Wolfe, Ford Racing Technology director. "Whether it's drag racing, road racing, drifting, club events, or just a daily driver, we at Ford help enthusiasts create their own 'my Mustang' story."

To inspire some of those Mustang stories, Ford brought a V-6 Mustang in Kona Blue and fitted with the Ford Racing Handling Package and a Ford Racing Short Throw Shifter. Stepping up from there, Ford also brought a Mustang GT in Torch Red, also with the GT Ford Racing Handling Package. For fans of big power, Ford brought another Mustang GT in Candy Red with the GT Ford Racing Handling Package and the Ford Racing polished supercharger, which jacks up engine output to 400 hp. Rounding out the performance lineup is a Sterling Grey Mustang GT Convertible with the Ford Racing Handling Package, Shaker Hood Scoop, Ford Racing X-Pipe, Ford Racing Mufflers, Ford Racing Shorty Headers, Ford Racing Differential Cover, and Ford Racing Short Throw Shifter.

The Ford Racing Handling package on all four cars improves handling with thicker front and rear anti-roll bars and a strut tower brace up front. Ford says they've also lowered the car's center of gravity, though they didn't say how. The Shorty Headers, X-Pipe, and mufflers improve exhaust flow and give it a raspier note. The headers also weigh 9 lb less than the stock manifolds. Ford claims the short-throw shifter reduces shifting effort by 32%, while its special differential cover is stronger and lighter and gives the differential bearing caps more support for longer gear life. The functional Shaker Hood Scoop and the supercharger each increase airflow to the engine in its own ways and adds power. All parts are covered under Ford's warranties and can be installed by your dealer.

"Mustang is the heart and soul when it comes to driving performance parts business," said Jamie Allison, Ford Racing Technology manager. "The parts for Mustang are grounded in championship-winning engineering and race-proven experience. They are the perfect platform for enthusiasts to customize, personalize, and enhance their Mustangs for the street or track."

2010 Mustang wheels, body parts, and accessories

At this year's L.A. Auto Show, Ford went all out with it's display for the 2010 Mustang, even having a "Mustang Garage." In the garage were several accessories, wheels, and body parts on display for public consumption. All of these parts let the public see what types of things they could order for their future Mustang.

The parts on display were typical 'stang upgrades, including custom spoilers, grilles, hood scoops, side scoops, quarter window louvers, and wheels. The wheels came in five different styles with several color choices for each including Chrome, High-Gloss Metallic White, Black Chrome, Gunmetal Gray powder coat, and Satin Gold. Wheel sizes ranged from 18" to 20".

Ford has always enjoyed a strong aftermarket presence, and after seeing the accessories it has for it's new Mustang even before the car goes on sale, we don't expect that to change.



Photos Source: TheMustangNews.com

Ford to reveal "another chapter in the Mustang story" in Detroit

One would think that the attention whore that is the 2010 Mustang would be happy to gloat in all of the glory that it has received from it's build up and official revealing at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show. But it's not satisfied just yet.

It appears that Ford will be bringing forward more Mustang news before the '10 even hits showrooms. At the live unveiling of the car, Mark Fields hinted at the possibility that we would be hearing more about the new 'stang at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Sure enough, Fields says that Ford "will reveal yet another chapter in the Mustang story" at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

We've been giving a lot of thought to what this announcement could be, and the most obvious choice would be the next generation Shelby GT500. Spy photographs have been snapping prototypes running around Detroit since early summer, and if Ford keeps the same powertrain setup as the GT and V6, then it would simply be be a matter of making the cosmetic changes.

The second possibility is an all-new variant of the Mustang, most likely a concept that would later hint at a production version. Since we are purely speculating, we're going to go ahead and say what we'd like to see: Boss Mustang, 5.0-liters, 400 hp and a six-speed manual tranny.

A Mustang commemorating Parnelli Jones' 1970 Trans-Am win would be perfect except that Saleen already did it two years ago. Mark Field's wording seems to hint at something all new, but the possibility of a new motor could have potential buyers waiting another year to make a purchase. It looks like we'll just have to wait until January to find out.

2009 C3R Retro 'Vette, Part 2

Could GM possibly be considering going retro with the next Corvette? The signs are there, sparking generous rumors. With the next iteration being delayed indefinitely, and other car makers experiencing great success with the retro look, it would come as no surprise if Chevrolet pulled the trigger.

We reported a few weeks ago about an enthusiast by the name of Christian Cyrulewski, who has taken matters into his own hands by using the third-generation Corvette as inspiration for a rebodied C6, the current version of America's sports car. This is the second version of the C3R, as it's designer calls it, and it's received some tweaks since last time we showed it to you, with more to come we're told.

Design elements like the Mako Shark-inspired front fender peaks and steeply flowing rear buttresses from the early C3 series are present, as are hideaway head lights, which were a Corvette staple until the latest C6.

While there are no firm plans to produce a car based on these renderings, past indications are that Cyrulewski would like to see the first C3R running down Woodward Avenue for next year's Dream Cruise.

First ever 1955 Ford Thunderbird to be sold at Barrett Jackson Scottsdale

Ford Motor Company's first-ever production Thunderbird model, a 1955 Raven Black example, will go on the auction block at the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car event in Scottsdale, Arizona held January 11-19, 2009.

Penned by the Blue Oval's famous Frank Hershey, the original Thunderbird is said to have started the brand's sports-car heritage. T-Birds were initially available with a 292 Y-block V-8 engine mated to a Fordomatic transmission. The first edition being sold was built on September 9, 1954, and comes standard with power steering, brakes, windows, and seats, as well as five Kelsey Hayes wire wheels, factory radio, heater, and telescopic steering wheel. To boot, the car features a Continental Kit, engine dress-up kit, backup lights, and windshield washer.

Synapse Turbo boosts Chevy Cobalt SS to 371 whp, 383 lb-ft

ecoTechnik Cobalt SS by synapseTurbo.com from Morgan Spurgas on Vimeo.
The new turbo powered Cobalt SS is a dream come true for the tuner crowd, as the switch to turbo power opens the door to many aftermarket modifications. Even if you opt for the large, fast and furious wing, the SS is still a decent sleeper compared to most others in it's class.

Scotia, NY based Synapse Turbo has taken on the task of turning the rice burner into, well, more of a rice burner. They have developed a kit that helps the little Cobalt pump out 371 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. The Stage 3 kit consists of a Garrett GT2871R turbo, stainless steel 4-1 exhaust manifold, three-inch downpipe, three-inch intake, TurboXS BOV, a new intercooler and aluminum plumbing. ECU tweaks were provided by the HP Tuner system and redline has been raised to 6,700 rpm.

Go ahead and start building up your wrist strength to deal with the torque steer. Hopefully we'll have some performance numbers soon.