Ford to produce 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet and body-in-white for racers

The 2009 Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet was introduced at last year's SEMA, and was immediately successful, going on to win it's first event at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA back in February. The entire run of 50 that were produced was sold out in two weeks.

Today Ford announced that it will indeed bring the car back for 2010. Production will begin in the fourth quarter and deliveries will start in early 2010. The base price is expected to be less than $75,000 and production will again be limited to 50 cars.

Much like the 2009 model, the '10 will be outfitted with a 5.4L supercharged V8 rated at 425hp, with an optional aluminum block 475hp motor being available. For more info, check the press release below.

Ford also announced that it will be offering a new body-in-white based on the new 2010 Mustang. The bare body shells will be available for racers looking to build their own race car. Ford will start taking orders in the fall, with delivery expected in December.

PRESS RELEASE:

Milan, Mich. - The 40th Anniversary 2008 Mustang Cobra Jet more than lived up to its billing, joining its historic predecessor-the original 1968 Cobra Jet in winning its inaugural race at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. Now, Ford Racing is ready to update the latest Cobra Jet, and is announcing plans to build a 2010 version of the CJ. The announcement was officially made today at the National Mustang Racing Association event in Milan.

A little more than a year ago, Ford Racing announced plans to build a modern edition of the Cobra Jet. The limited run of 50 cars sold in less than two weeks, even before the first car was built. Once again Ford Racing will produce a limited run of 50 2010 Mustang CJs, the minimum number that must be produced in order to receive clearance from NHRA for competition.

Exact specifications are being finalized, but the initial plan is for the '10 Cobra Jet to have a 425-hp 5.4-liter supercharged engine from the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog, but with an option to upgrade to an estimated 475-hp aluminum block engine. Likewise the 6-speed manual transmission that was available in the '08 Cobra Jet will be standard, but an option to upgrade to 5-speed Liberty manual transmission or a race prepped automatic transmission will be available. Other '10 Mustang Cobra Jet upgrades include an 8.50et NHRA certified roll cage and lightweight racing brakes.

"I've said from my first day in this job that I wanted Ford Racing to continue to be a 'racer-friendly' organization," said Wolfe. "That's why we take great pride in being one of only two car companies worldwide that builds ready-to-race cars and sells them as part of our performance parts offerings."

Component testing is underway and base pricing will be less than $75,000. Production is expected to begin during the fourth quarter with delivery expected in early 2010. Sportsmen racers interested in placing a pre-order for the '10 Cobra Jet should contact their local Ford Dealership.

Rendered: 2011 Mustang Mach 1

The Mach 1 package has always been one of the more desirable Mustang option packages from it's debut in 1969. The high performance package is slotted below the top end Shelby models, proving to be more of an affordable, every man's muscle car.

After seeing success in it's re-release in 2003, there is obviously speculation that the Mach 1 can live again. With the upcoming release of Ford's new 5.0 Coyote V8 producing 500hp, it's natural to think that a Mach 1 would be the natural way for Ford to debut the engine with some hype.

Edmundo Cano recently used his photoshop skills to show us all what the resulting car might look like. Naturally it's a great looking package on the new 'Stang, and hopefully Ford has something very similar up it's sleeve for 2010.

Source: MyAutovil.com

Top Ten Fastest Production Camaros Of All Time

With the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro already hitting the streets, we thought it would be a good time to conjure up a top ten list of the fastest production Camaro's of all time. Keep in mind that times vary greatly depending on the car and who is driving, along with environmental variances. The list is purely for comparisons sake, so please don't send me threatening emails or comments.

10) 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
LS1 V8 305hp, 13.9 1/4 mile @ 102.5 mph

1998 was the first year for a much anticipated styling change, adding some curves to go along with the muscle. It's 305 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque was a nice gain of 20 hp and 10 lb-ft of torque over the previous model, and was good enough to propel the car into the high 13's.

9) 2001 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS
LS1 V8 310hp, 13.8 1/4 mile @ 108.5 mph

In what was the swan song for the mighty Camaro, 2001 also brought us the last (until now) SS. The parting was sweet sorrow for Camaro fans everywhere, but it wouldn't be a final goodbye.

8) 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
302 V8 290hp, 13.75 1/4 mile @ 107 mph

This "Z" was built strictly to satisfy class rules so that Chevrolet could race in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am sedan racing class. The 302 cubic inch V8 was created by mating a 327 block with a 283 crank.

7) 2000 Chevrolet Camaro SS
LS1 V8 325hp, 13.5 1/4 mile @ 107.3 mph

Back in the day, the SS package was a $4000 option. It was certainly one of the fastest cars you could buy from the factory, and without the high price tag of other cars that it happily left in the dust.

6) 1996 Chevrolet Camaro SS
LT1 V8 310hp, 13.46 1/4 mile @ 106.48 mph

Sensing a trend here? Yea, me neither. Admittedly, the newer SS's were probrably faster, but we're going strictly off official test data here.

5) 1997 SLP Camaro SS
LT4 V8, 330hp, 13.20 1/4 mile @ 108.8 mph

The SLP Camaro SS started life as a regular 'ol stock Z28 which Chevrolet then shipped to SLP for some modifications. Surviving examples are beginning to gain collector car status due to their limited production.

4) 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
L78 V8, 375hp, 13.0 1/4 mile @ 108.6 mph

The '69 Camaro may be the most recognized and loved (or hated) muscle car of all time. A one year only style, the 69 SS could be outfitted with an L78 complete with aluminum heads, creating this, the 375hp model.

3) 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
6.2 V8, 426hp, 13.0 1/4 mile @ 111.0mph

The noob debuts high on our list, thanks to it's potent 426hp 6.2L monster. The debut of the new Camaro completes a full on return to the glory days of muscle cars, joining the Challenger and Mustang. This Camaro bested both of them in a recent Motor Trend test.

2) 1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS
LS1 V8, 310hp, 12.89 1/4 mile @ 109.18mph

Yet another SS breaks the list. It's funny how almost identical cars can test so differently. This one must have been one of the better SS's to roll off the assembly line.

1) 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
427 V8, 430hp, 12.76 1/4 mile @ 107mph

The ZL1 was one seriously purpose built car for the enthusiast who needed a blank canvas to work with. Only 69 were produced. The car was created when Chevy performance guru Vince Piggins authorized the factory to fit a batch of '69 Camaros with a version of the 427-cid V-8 used by the all-conquering Can-Am Chaparral.

The cars began as 396-cid/375-bhp Super Sports with the F4l suspension. Engine and SS trim were deleted, and the cars were equipped essentially as other 427 COPO Camaros, with cowl-induction hood, front disc brakes, a choice of heavy-duty four-speeds or Turbo Hydra-matic, and a 4:10.1 Posi in the strongest axle Chevy could muster. But instead of the iron-block and head L72 427, these Camaros got a 427 called the ZL1.

It was similar in design to the most-potent iteration of the aluminum-head L88, but it was the first production Chevy engine to also have an aluminum block. It shared the L88's 430-bhp factory rating, but actually had over 500 bhp -- making it likely the most powerful engine Chevy ever offered to the public. And it weighed just 500 pounds -- about the same as Chevy's 327-cid V-8. And that's what made - and still makes - this ride the king of Camaros.