Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition

The Shelby Daytona Coupe is a legend, and certainly one of the top American sports cars ever produced. Carroll Shelby's creation rocked the racing world in 1965 when it dominated the circuit and went on to win the FIA GT World Championship. It was the first and only American car to ever do so.

Exotic Auto Restoration out of Southern California has come up with it's own interpretation of the Shelby, the Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition. Based on the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe built by Superformance (also designed by Peter Brock), the Le Mans Edition package sports fender flares, wider 18-inch wheels and tires, heavy-duty suspension, billet aluminum hood vents, Alcantara seating, brushed aluminum dash with aircraft-style toggle switches, "Daytona Le Mans" gauges, and a suede Momo steering wheel. Powertrain options include any Ford V8 based on the Windsor 351 block, like the 530-horsepower Roush 402R in the car pictured.

Exotic Auto Restoration is also offering a track-oriented version that also gets a 6-point roll cage, A/C and carpet delete, quick-release steering wheel, upgraded brakes, carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser, Shelby aluminum block 427ci V8with 560 horsepower, and more. Only six will be built, to commemorate the six original racecars.

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The Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition by Exotic Auto Restoration - the spirit of Le Mans in your driveway

In 1964, Shelby took the motorsports world by storm with the Daytona Coupe. With a revolutionary design by Peter Brock, the car was capable of reaching an incredible 187 mph on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans. In 1965, the Daytona Coupe became the first and only American car to win the FIA GT World Championship, cementing its legacy in motorsports history. Now Exotic Auto Restoration of Costa Mesa, CA is allowing car enthusiasts to bring the legend of Le Mans to their own driveway. Based on the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe built by Superformance and also designed by Peter Brock, the Le Mans Edition has been upgraded in the spirit of the original racecar.

To enhance both the looks and performance of the Daytona Coupe, Exotic Auto Restoration has designed new body and interior components that blend seamlessly with the rest of the car. "I wanted to give the car a wider, more aggressive stance as well as the capability of turning better lap times," explains George Cunha, owner of Exotic Auto Restoration. Named for the Le Mans 24 Hour race that the Daytona Coupe won in 1965, this package includes the following:

- Group 5 fender flares front and rear
- Wider 18-inch wheels and tires
- Heavy duty Bilstein shocks and H&R springs
- Functional billet aluminum top and side hood louvers
- Reclinable Alcantera suede seats with "Le Mans Edition" embroidery
- Brushed billet aluminum dashboard with aircraft-style toggle switches
- "Le Mans Edition" gauges with 200 mph speedometer and 10k rpm tachometer
- Suede Momo racing steering wheel

Customers can choose from a variety of motors based on the Ford 351 Windsor block. Powering this particular Daytona Coupe Le Mans is a Roush 402R V8 producing 530 horsepower and 515 lb-ft torque mated to a Tremec T56 6-speed transmission.

In addition, a track-oriented version is also available. Only six will be built (two have been pre-sold, leaving four available) in this configuration to commemorate the six original racecars, each featuring an authentic Shelby-built V8. Adding to the standard Le Mans Edition components, this package includes the following:

- 6-point roll cage
- Lightweight wheels with 2.5-inch locking nut
- 14-inch, 6-piston brakes front, 13-inch, 6-piston brakes rear
- Carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser
- A/C delete
- Carpet delete
- Full race seats with 6-point harnesses
- Quick-release steering wheel
- Dash-mounted programmable ignition module
- Dash-mounted brake bias controls
- Shelby aluminum block 351 V8 bored and stroked to 427ci
- 560 horsepower and 530 lb-ft torque
- Tremec TKO-600 transmission
- Full dry sump lubrication system

The Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition can be seen in person at the Pasadena Art Center Car Classic on Sunday, July 19. For additional information on the Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition, contact Exotic Auto Restorations at 714-979-7100, on the web at www.carsbyexotic.com or by email at exoticauto@sbcglobal.net .

Saleen SMS 570X Dodge Challenger

Steve Saleen has taken the wraps off his latest version of the Challenger, and it's a step above the 570 he recently introduced to the world. Dubbed the 570X, the car utilizes a 6.0L V8 tuned to a reported 700 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.

The engine features forged internals lying underneath CNC ported aluminum heads. All that power is backed by a six speed manual. The car makes it's big power courtesy of the SMS 296 supercharger.

While the supercharger comes as part of the 570X package, it will also fit other Chrysler LX products including the Charger, Magnum, and Chrysler 300C. SMS also promises that "aftermarket fitments" are in the works for both Ford and General Motors products.

No word yet on pricing and availability, so stay tuned for more.

Twin turbo, 600hp Artisan Camaro SS SA-600

Artisan has partnered with Turbochargers.com to create a turn key Camaro SS with some serious power. The crew is outfitting the car with pair of rear mounted GTK350 turbos, a cat-back exhaust, intercooler and a tweaked ECU to net a total of 600 whp from the SS' 6.2-liter V8.

The exterior of the SS is ramped up with 1.5-inch flare in front and a three-inch stretch in the rear where a set of 21-inch (front) and 22-inch (rear) iForged wheels reside, framing 14-inch SSBC Big Brakes. A new lip, rear diffuser, gauge package, Artisan-embroidered head-rests, BASF Glasurit paint and a numbered plaque round out the mods, and although the parts can be had separately, the full turn-key package will set you back $69,000 when the Artisan SA-600 goes on sale this June.