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."