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