Hurst announces pricing and power numbers for Hurst HEMI Challenger

Seeing the Hurst HEMI Challenger conjures up warm and fuzzy memories of the original Hurst cars with it's iconic name and white paint scheme with golden stripes. It's great to see the brand living in it's former glory. It makes one nostalgic for the brand, and almost for the original Hurst girl, Linda Vaughn. But alas, not all ages well so we'll move on from that thought.

The Hurst/Hemi Challenger was revealed at last month's SEMA in Las Vegas, and now we have some goods on it. There are 4 stages of tune for the Challenger, which are numbered 2 through 5. Series 2 will add $18,350 to the price of a donated Challenger R/T, which means putting a Hurst Challenger in your driveway will cost at least $48,895. For that sum, you'll get 352 horses, 20-inch alloys and a special paint and graphics kit. Maxing things out will get you a Series 5 SRT8 Hurst Challenger with 572 raging ponies courtesy of a Vortech supercharged 6.1L HEMI V8... all for a cost of $75,395.

The great maker of all things shifty offered it's first special edition muscle car in 1968 with the Hurst Olds. Most of it's vehicles have gone on to become valuable collector's items, and the new Challenger looks to be no exception. See the press release below for more detailed information, and to see how much you will have to spend to snatch your new Hurst.

Source: Hurst Performance]

PRESS RELEASE

HURST PERFORMANCE VEHICLES ANNOUNCES 2009 HURST/HEMI-CHALLENGER SERIES DETAILS AND PRICING INFORMATION

Legendary Performance Brand Unveils New Details about Latest Limited Edition Muscle Machine

Irvine, Calif. (December 10, 2008) - Hurst Performance Vehicles, one of the most recognized and revered names in automobile history, announces today series details and pricing for its new 2009 HURST/Hemi®-Challenger. The HURST/Hemi®-Challenger, which debuted earlier this year at the SEMA Show, is more than just another muscle car. It epitomizes the performance industry's tradition of taking the best Detroit has to offer and adding 21st century performance parts to make your ride faster, cooler and more collectible.

"We are very excited to release production information and pricing details for the HURST/Hemi®-Challenger Performance Series," said Nate Shelton, Chairman of Hurst Performance. "We are ready to begin production and accept orders of this highly anticipated collector vehicle."

The HURST/Hemi®-Challenger is available in five performance stages. Series 2 vehicles are available through participating Dodge dealers nationwide, while Series 3, 4 and 5 vehicles are only available from Hurst Performance Vehicles and can be ordered via the company's website at www.hurst-performance.com. Hurst Performance packages do not include the base price of the vehicle which could be purchased through participating dealers. The following pricing information does not include the RT or S/RT8 base vehicle:

HURST/Hemi®-Challenger Series 2 R/T 5.7 – MSRP $18,350.00
HORSEPOWER 352 HP*
TORQUE 408 ft/lb*


Hurst "HARD-DRIVE®" shifter
Hurst 20" polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
HURST Limited Edition sequentially numbered dash badge
Goodyear EAGLE F-1 performance tires
Magnaflow stainless-steel cat-back exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Eibach Coil-over Adjustable Suspension
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logo
Hurst rear spoiler
Limited Colors: Black or White only with HURST Gold racing stripes
Matching color car cover with HURST Gold racing stripes

Series 2 SRT8 6.1 – MSRP $17,450.00
HORSEPOWER 437 HP*
TORQUE 438 ft/lb*


Hurst "HARD-DRIVE®" shifter
Hurst 20" polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
HURST Limited Edition sequentially numbered dash badge
Magnaflow stainless-steel cat-back exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Eibach Coil-over Adjustable Suspension
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logo
Hurst rear spoiler
Limited Colors: Black or White only with HURST Gold racing stripes
Matching color car cover with HURST Gold racing stripes

Series 3 R/T 5.7 – MSRP $26,750.00
HORSEPOWER 444 HP*
TORQUE 489 ft/lb*


Hurst "HARD-DRIVE®" shifter
Hurst 20" polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
HURST Limited Edition sequentially numbered dash badge
Goodyear EAGLE F-1 performance tires
Magnaflow stainless-steel cat-back exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Eibach Coil-over Adjustable Suspension
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logo
Hurst rear spoiler
Limited Colors: Black or White only with HURST Gold racing stripes
Vortech Supercharger
Matching color car cover with HURST Gold racing stripes
Factory delivery

Series 4 SRT8 6.1 – MSRP $25,150.00
HORSEPOWER 572 HP*
TORQUE 528 ft/lb*

Hurst "HARD-DRIVE®" shifter
Hurst 20" polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges; fenders, grille and rear fascia
HURST Limited Edition sequentially numbered dash badge
Magnaflow stainless-steel cat-back exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Eibach Coil-over Adjustable Suspension
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logo
Hurst rear spoiler
Limited Color: Black only with HURST Gold racing stripes
Vortech Supercharger
Matching color car cover with HURST Gold racing stripes
Factory delivery

Series 5 SRT8 6.1 – MSRP $33,150.00
HORSEPOWER 572 HP*
TORQUE 528 ft/lb*


Hurst "HARD-DRIVE®" shifter
Hurst 20" polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges; fenders, grille and rear fascia
HURST Limited Edition sequentially numbered dash badge
Magnaflow stainless-steel cat-back exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Eibach Coil-over Adjustable Suspension
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logo
Hurst rear spoiler
HURST Gold racing stripes
Vortech Supercharger
Matching color car cover with HURST Gold racing stripes
Limited Color: Custom White Pearl with HURST Gold racing stripes
Factory delivery
*Estimated horsepower and torque

About Hurst Performance
Founded in 1958, Hurst Performance is one of the most recognized and revered names in the automotive performance arena. The Hurst brand has long been synonymous with speed, performance and quality, with an impressive track-record of pioneering high performance products and vehicles for all forms of motorsports and hot-rodding. Hurst was one of the first specialty companies to partner with the OEMs and bring enthusiasts limited edition performance vehicles like the legendary Hurst/Olds 442. For more information please visit www.hurstperformancevehicles.com.

Video: 2010 Ford Mustang gets busy

Introducing the 2010 Ford Mustang
From all accounts, the new 2010 Ford Mustang is a marked improvement over it's predecessor in every way. We had to wait an agonizingly long time to see the car in it's entirety, and now we have to wait to drive or purchase one.

But in the meantime we can take solace watching some Ford drivers take the pony car through it's paces for the cameras. What you will witness here is 44 seconds of an intoxicating exhaust note along with a nice donut and smoky burnout. Is there any other way to drive one?

Okay, so it's obviously CGI. And it's the same video you see when you go to the official 2010 Mustang site. But hey, it's all we got right now.

Update: Very first Ford Thunderbird to be sold at Barrett-Jackson

The first of anything is certain to bring in a lot of auction interest as well as auction dollars, and this Ford Thunderbird figures to be no exception. Last year Barrett-Jackson auctioned off a trio of modern firsts - the Shelby GT500KR, Corvette ZR1, and a Dodge Challenger SRT8 purchased by Craig Jackson himself - all of which went for well over the standard price of each car.

At this January's Barrett-Jackson auction will be the very first Ford Thunderbird, built on September 9, 1954 and featuring a 292 Y-block engine, automatic transmission, power windows, power seats, and Raven Black paint. It has been fully restored it its original condition, and comes with plenty of documentation regarding its history.

[Source: Barrett-Jackson]


PRESS RELEASE:

One of the most significant American sports cars ever built, the first production Ford Thunderbird, will be sold at No Reserve during the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Ariz., Jan. 11-18, 2009. The Raven Black 1955 T-Bird was produced by Ford Motor Company on Sept. 9, 1954, and represents the birth of Ford's sports car program. Hailed as "The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions," the Scottsdale auction and lavish lifestyle events will feature a diverse mix of the world's most desirable collector vehicles. As always, SPEED will broadcast nearly 40 hours of live, high-definition coverage of all six auction days.

"We are extremely proud to offer this incredible vehicle that I've followed closely over the years," said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "For Thunderbird enthusiasts and general collectors alike, this is a rare chance to own the first production Ford T-Bird â€" an American icon. It's been meticulously restored to original specifications and comes with plenty of documentation to tell its amazing story."

Penned by Ford designer Frank Hershey, the Thunderbird was a hit among sports car fans across America and became an instant competitor for the Chevrolet Corvette. The first T-Bird is equipped with a 292 Y-block engine, Fordomatic (automatic) transmission, power steering, power windows and power seats. The creature comforts incorporated into the build gave the debut of the first T-Bird even more sizzle.

Ford's new star was tested and featured in numerous articles upon its release, including "Testing the Thunderbird" in the Oct. 4, 1954 issue of "Sports Illustrated." The first Thunderbird has also been displayed at venues across the United States, from Ford's headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., to the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

"After Ford authenticated this 1955 T-Bird as number one, it became a superstar in the automotive world and was paraded across the country for years," added Davis. "First production vehicles have an appeal that no other car in their lineage can compete with, especially when they represent the beginning of one of the most legendary marques of the 1950s. As a result, this first production Thunderbird will be extremely valuable to collectors."

The 1955 Thunderbird will be joined by approximately 1,000 collector vehicles and automobilia to be sold at the historic Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. Lifestyle attractions will also return to Barrett-Jackson in January in the form of luxury vendors, galas and fashion shows. Barrett-Jackson's trendy night-spot, "The Garage," will be the site of exclusive gatherings throughout the event.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and 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. and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.