EcoBoost V8 powered Ford Shelby Mustang in the works?

Here's a rumor that actually makes a lot of sense - an EcoBoost V8 powered Mustang. We've already got 4 and 6 cylinder EcoBoost engines in the works, why now an 8 cylinder?

And the rumor is that the boosted V8 would be under the hood of a Mustang, a Shelby Mustang at that. In other works, a direct injected, twin turbo, V8 powered Mustang. Let the enthusiasts and aftermarkets of the world commence drooling now.

While there is nothing wrong with the current GT500's supercharged 5.4L, it does get pretty bad gas mileage. And with the ever looming threat of a ZR1 Camaro on the horizon, it makes sense that Ford would be ready to win the horsepower war at the top.

First built Petty's Garage Challenger to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson

Hitting the auction blocks at Barrett-Jackson next year will be this Challenger built by Petty's Garage. The Garage is a new company that plans to work on "museum-quality" restorations of vintage race cars, custom cars and high performance street machines. This 2009 Challenger was built to kick off the business with a bang.

Painted in the familiar Petty Blue, this Challenger sports a 585-hp Hemi 426, Pedders suspension upgrades, Brembo Gran Turismo brakes, a new center exit Corsa exhaust system, and a Petty's Garage body kit consisting of custom front fascia, rear bumper cover, custom rocker panels and a rear spoiler.

The inside gets the once over as well, with Petty's Garage branded seats and door panels. Check out the press release below for more details.

PRESS RELEASE

PETTY'S GARAGE NOW TURNING OUT CUSTOM MACHINES
NASCAR Facility Sending First Car to Barrett-Jackson Auction for Charity

Level Cross, N.C. (November 10, 2009) - The change at 311 Branson Mill Road in Level Cross, N.C., a facility that has produced more race winners than any other shop in the history of NASCAR, is amazing. The employees of a newly-formed Petty's Garage are transplanting that legacy of success into a new endeavor producing performance automobiles there. The first car from the historic garage will be a custom 2009 Dodge Challenger to be sold for charity at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in January 2010.

"For 61 years, Petty Enterprises built, engineered and raced some of the most-historic cars in all of NASCAR right from this shop," said 'The King' Richard Petty. "You're talking about Plymouth Belvederes, Superbirds, Road Runners, Torino's and Dodge Chargers. When racecars went from being a purely production car to a car built from the ground up, or modified, solely for racing, many of them came out of Level Cross. We are proud of what we were able to accomplish here and it was important for us to keep this place going."

Over the years, Petty Enterprises garnered 268 wins in what is now the Sprint Cup Series, ten championships and nine Daytona 500 wins from this facility. Now, Petty's Garage will focus on the manufacturing of performance vehicles, including the "museum-quality" restoration of vintage race vehicles, custom cars and high performance street vehicles. The first complete car project is the build of a Dodge Challenger to be sold at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in January of 2010 by the Petty Family Foundation (PFF). The proceeds of the sale will benefit the PFF and the charities it supports.

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces "The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions™" in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., Las Vegas and Orange County, Calif. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind insurance offering for collector vehicles and other valued belongings.

"Richard Petty made a huge impact at our Scottsdale event earlier this year when he helped sell another MOPAR for charity," stated Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "We're pleased that he chose one of our world class automotive lifestyle events to showcase the shop's talents and raise money for such a fantastic charity. It will be truly a historic event where someone will get to own a well-documented car built by the one and only, Richard Petty."

The 2009 Dodge Challenger was completely disassembled and placed on a rotisserie so it could be painted the trademark Petty Blue by BASF R ̶ M. Reassembly included a Late Model 426 Hemi by Arrington Engines with 585 hp, Pedders suspension upgrades, Brembo Gran Turismo brakes, a new Corsa Exhaust system with a Petty's Garage custom center exhaust exit and refinished all of the suspension to Petty Parts Blue by BASF R ̶ M. Body Modifications consisted of a Petty's Garage custom front fascia and rear bumper cover, Petty's Garage custom rocker panels, rear spoiler and Petty's Garage branded interior seats and door panels.

"This Challenger is special to me because I wanted to build something that I would drive on a daily basis," stated Petty. "I wanted the car to have a race car look, but be functional on the street and I think the guys really captured that. But most importantly it provides our foundation with the platform to help our Veterans, children with life threatening illness and our neighbors in need. Everyone at Petty's Garage is excited about getting this Challenger to Barrett-Jackson in January. I think it will do well when we get there. It definitely shows our capabilities and the auction will put us in front of the right people to show what we can do."

Classic Recreations building Shelby GT500CR

Carroll Shelby himself has commissioned Classic Recreations to relaunch a continuation version of one of the most famous muscle cars of all time, the 1967-68 Shelby GT500 Mustang. The very shop that is behind the Eleanor, one of the more famous modern muscle cars of our time.

Not many details are know at this time. Obviously power will be incredible, and you can expect the usual suspension and interior/exterior upgrades to bring the GT500CR into the modern era. Each car will have an official Shelby serial number, badges and will be included in the official Shelby Worldwide Registry.

PRESS RELEASE

Internationally recognized custom coachbuilder expands offerings to include officially licensed Shelby GT500CR continuation vehicles.

Yukon, Okla. (Nov 3, 2009) – Classic Recreations, a noted bespoke coachbuilder known for exotic Mustang supercars that have been shipped all over the globe, has been granted a license by Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. to build an iconic continuation car based on classic 1967 and 1968 Mustangs: the Shelby GT500CR.

"I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to work with a legend like Carroll Shelby," said Classic Recreations owner Jason Engel. "We pride ourselves on building the finest coachbuilt muscle cars in the world, and I'm thrilled that this new opportunity will allow us to build some of the fastest and coolest supercars on the road today. Other shops build cars. We sit down with a client, listen to their fantasies, and then turn those into reality."

Every Shelby GT500CR will be built with authentic Shelby Performance parts and with input and oversight from Carroll Shelby Licensing and Shelby Automobiles technical staff. Each car built at the Classic Recreations facility will leave the shop with an official Shelby serial number, badges and will be included in the official Shelby Worldwide Registry. More details on the new model will be released shortly.

"We are still working out a few details, but I know Shelby fans will love the new car," Engel said. "It retains the most iconic Shelby elements everyone loves with modern performance and supercar level horsepower. Then add the panache of having a real Shelby GT500CR complete with a serial number and the man's name right on the rocker panel. For Mustang fans, you absolutely can't beat that."

Classic Recreations is the first custom car builder to receive an official license to build the new GT500CR model.

Hendrick Motorsports 25th Anniversary Camaro, built by Callaway

The 2010 Camaro SS you see here is not just another run of the mill SEMA Camaro. It has been built to celebrate Hendrick Motorsport's 25th anniversary by Callaway. Production is limited to 25 units at a price tag of $76,181.

What exactly does that kind of money get you? The front splitter, rear diffuser, rear spoiler, rocker panels, and hood inserts are all made from carbon fiber, for starters. The exterior gets a see through ZR1 style hood that shows off the Eaton TVS supercharger underneath. In addition to the blower, the Camaro sports an upgraded exhaust system, short-throw shifter, and Eibach suspension components.

Interested buyers can purchase one from Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet in San Diego, CA or one the three Hendrick Chevrolet dealerships.

Dodge to end Viper production in July 2010, new car in 2012?

At a recent Chrysler business plan meeting, CEO of the Dodge car brand Ralph Gilles dropped some big news. After going back and forth on what to do with the Viper brand, Chrysler has decided to end production of the car in July 2010. 500 final cars will be built, that according to Gilles, will be the most special Vipers built to date. The explanation given was that Chyrsler wants to preserve the value of current Vipers by not continuing the current generation indefinitely.

It's not time to mourn the loss of the American supercar just yet, however, as Gilles also announced that an all new car is in development with a target release date of 2012. And this new Viper will be getting a little input from Chrysler's Italian colleagues (see: Fiat, Ferrari). All we can hope is that they retain the Viper's distinct American personality.