New Shelby Series II roadsters for sale

Back in the 90's Carroll Shelby sought out to do something much more ambitious than just hot rodding an existing platform - he built an entire car from scratch. The Series 1 featured a lightweight aluminum honeycomb chassis, carbon fiber body, sophisticated coilover suspension and a 4.0-liter V8 created for the Indy Racing League.

Unfortunately building a production car is not easy business, and the high production costs that doubled the car's $100,000 selling price and an engine switch to a 320 hp Aurora based V8 led to only 250 cars being sold.

In 2006 Shelby announced that they would be continuing production of the car, renaming it the Series II. The car featured a revised front end and a price tag of $225,000. Alas, the Series II never materialized due to the high costs associated with recertifying the car with Federal standards.

But there are indeed a few Series II bodies laying around, and Superperformance Distribution has a few for sale. Each is sold without an engine or transmission. Rumor has it that only four examples were ever built, making this potentially a very rare snake indeed.

Stock 2008 Dodge Viper runs 10 second quarter mile

Positive news from the Pentastar is hard to come by nowadays, what with the Chrysler bankruptcy mess and the not so secret fact that they've been trying to sell off the Viper brand. Now 800 or so dealers are getting the 'ol pink slip.

But the fact of the matter is, the Viper is and always has been one of the fastest cars you can roll off the factory floor. And it shows in a confirmed dragstrip pass made in a bone stock Viper SRT10 Convertible with 100 miles on the odometer, ripping off a 10.92 second quarter mile.

Most of your media outlets have tested the car in the 11.6-11.9 range, so with the right conditions and driver we can see how this is possible.

Hennessey Camaro HPE550

The Camaro Z28 may be iffy to ever see production considering the pickle that GM is in, don't count out the aftermarket to come to our rescue for high powered GT500 fighters.

Hennessey has come up with it's own version of the new Camaro, dubbed the HPE500. The car starts out as a standard SS model, which with the help of a Magnuson supercharger, achieves 562 hp and 557 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 comes in a claimed 3.9 seconds and the 1/4 mile time is 11.9 at 119 mph.

The entire HPE550 package, which also includes high-flow fuel injectors, an aero package and aluminum wheels, will set you back $24,950 plus shipping uninstalled, or $31,000 installed, not including the cost of the donor car.

If 562 hp isn't enough for you, check out the HPE700 package featuring 705 hp, or the twin turbo package featuring either 850 or 1000 hp.

PRESS RELEASE

HENNESSEY PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING ANNOUNCES LIMITED EDITION 562 HP HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGE FOR THE 2010 CAMARO

SEALY, TX – Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE), well known for their extreme performance sports cars and muscle cars, announces their Limited Edition 2010 HPE550 Camaro.

At the heart of the beast is a supercharger system added atop the LS3 V8 making 6 psi boost combined with a Corsa stainless steel exhaust system and custom engine management calibration from HPE. This upgrade system results in 562 bhp and 557 lb-ft torque. Rounding out the package, HPE adds a set of light weight 20 inch wheels, Hennessey's Cam-Aero ™ body upgrades include: Rear lip spoiler, carbon side rocker panels and front splitter, Hennessey graphics package and premium floor mats.

Hennessey plans to offer up to 500 units for the 2010 model year. Each HPE550 will come with its own unique serial number which will be displayed on a plaque located on the dash and under the hood. Other options available from HPE include: Larger brakes, suspension upgrades, upgraded interiors along with larger wheels and tires. HPE will also be offering more powerful engine upgrades including twin turbo systems producing up to 1000 hp.

HPE is also offering a modified version of the LS9 motor which currently powers the 638 bhp Corvette ZR1. The company has been testing their 705 bhp variant of the LS9 since February using retired GM engineer and racer, John Heinricy as their development engineer and test driver. Heinricy recently drove Hennessey's ZR1 at the Texas Mile to a record setting speed of 196.7 mph in the standing mile.

"The HPE550 upgrade package gives 2010 Camaro owners the kind of power they are going to want, especially when they roll up on a Shelby GT500 Mustang", said John Hennessey, President and CEO of Hennessey Performance Engineering. "We will also be offering an extensive list of aftermarket performance parts and accessories for the 2010 Camaro. From mild to wild, new Camaro owners will be able to order air induction systems, exhaust and header systems as well as supercharger systems, suspension kits and more.

HPE550 buyers will also receive a 1/2-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park – a ¼ mile dragstrip facility located adjacent to Hennessey's 24,000 square foot production facility and showroom. The HPE550 Camaro is available from select Chevrolet dealers as well as directly from Hennessey Performance Engineering. Production will begin in May, 2009 and orders are now being taken.

Located just west of Houston Texas at the Lonestar Motorsports Park complex, HPE has been building American supercars for nearly two decades with its Veyron-beating Venom Vipers, Ford GT's and recently released Dodge Challengers.