SEMA 2009: Lingenfelter T/A Concept

Will the real Camaro-based Firebird recreation please stand up? We will make a case for this, the Lingenfelter T/A concept, since it really looks like a modern day version of a 455 Super Duty.

While the looks of the car are stunning and retro, it isn't all about looks. Under the hood lies a genuine 455 V8 packing 655 horsepower and 610 lb-ft torque. Check out the press release below for full details.



PRESS RELEASE:

DECATUR, Ind. - Creating vehicles with astounding performance capabilities and "stop-in-your-tracks" curb appeal is nothing new for Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE), and they've done it once again with their newest concept car the Lingenfelter T/A.

Readied for its debut in the Nitto Tire booth #46115 at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, the Lingenfelter T/A utilizes "all the styling and muscle from the past combined with the technology and elegance of today," according to Ken Lingenfelter, owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.

The vehicle, a modified 2010 Camaro with exhaustive engine and performance refinements as well as custom-molded body styling, harkens to the muscle-heavy '70s cars so beloved by enthusiasts.

"Lingenfelter Performance Engineering designed and built this vehicle with one goal in mind - to celebrate, in a most pronounced manner, America's muscle-car heritage," said Lingenfelter. "Just one look at its spirited design is all it takes to realize Lingenfelter knows power. And a turn of the key confirms that fact as all 650 horses start running."

First and foremost is the Lingenfelter T/A's power plant - a custom Racing Head Service (RHS) aluminum engine block with an impressive 455 cubic inch displacement. It features 4.155" bore Diamond 11.5:1 compression ratio pistons and a 4.200" stroke Lunati forged crankshaft. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering-brand CNC ported and polished LS7 heads and an LSX FAST 102 intake finish off the engine, which produces 655 hp and 610 ft.-lbs. of torque.

To assist the Lingenfelter T/A in handling that raw power, the car also features a Lingenfelter 6-bolt LS9 twin disk flywheel and clutch assembly and heavy-duty Driveshaft Shop halfshafts.

Body enhancements to the Lingenfelter Performance Engineering concept vehicle include a dramatic new hood with a shaker scoop and blue keyed stripe. A new front fascia borrows from the vehicle's inspired muscle car heritage, and incorporates custom head lamps, grille and turn signals for authentic detailing. The car's fender has a functional side extractor scoop and the rear quarter has a leading edge wheel flair. Dramatic details in the back again point to the vehicle's 1970s roots. Rear corners of the car have been extended nearly 4-inch with a wrapped down stand-up spoiler. Custom-created taillight housings nicely complement the package.

Wheels are custom designed 20-inch Honeycomb's with bright brushed aluminum details and are shorn with Nitto Tires in size 275/40ZR20 fronts and 315/35ZR20 rears.

A custom-designed CORSA Performance stainless steel exhaust provides even more torque for the Lingenfelter T/A concept vehicle, which is finished in an icy, bright white with an electric blue stripe running from front to rear.

Finally, to complete the muscle car experience, bright blue woven vinyl seat inserts and metal turned instrument panel accents highlight the interior. And Lingenfelter badges, indicating the vehicle's authenticity as a certified Lingenfelter creation, adorn the exterior.

For more than 30 years, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has created a matchless heritage of bringing astounding new capabilities to the world's most sought-after sports cars. This legendary record of precision engineering continues today, as the highly skilled Lingenfelter production team continues to target design excellence in engine packages, superchargers and high-performance aftermarket components that refine power, speed and control. For more information, visit www.lingenfelter.com, contact Lingenfelter Performance Engineering at 1557 Winchester Road, Decatur, IN 46733, or call 260.724.2552.

SEMA 2009: HPP Dodge Challenger Daytona

The Daytona/Superbird was built during a time when manufacturers would do anything for a competitive advantage in NASCAR. It wasn't really supposed to even sell, but it's cool race car looks have earned it a place in muscle car lore.

HPP brought out a new version to SEMA, based on the new Challenger. Although it packs a standard no frills 5.7L Hemi, it's the outside that counts. The whole car screams Hot Wheels, and just looks plain awesome.

Shelby reveals F150 Super Snake concept and turbo Mustang package

Amidst the chaos of SEMA this week, Shelby introduced two new vehicles at it's Las Vegas facility.


The first is the F150 Super Snake, a truck version of the Mustang GT500 Super Snake. It features a Whipple supercharger system, Borla exhaust system, 22-inch wheels and tires, six-piston brakes, custom Shelby bodywork, and Shelby embroidery inside. Despite being billed as a concept, Shelby is offering the package to F150 owners who can get it all installed at Shelby's headquarters.

Next up is a Mustang that features Shelby's new turbo package for 2005-2009 GT's that can be installed at any of the company's mod shops around the country. The setup is based on a Turbonetics single turbo system, and increases output to 550 horsepower.

Check out the press release below for full details.

PRESS RELEASE:

LAS VEGAS – Shelby Automobiles, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., (CSBI.PK) unveiled a Super Snake Ford F150 concept today at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Based on the popular Shelby GT500 Super Snake, the post-title package for the 2003-2008 F150 upgrades the truck's handling, styling and power.

"Carroll Shelby pioneered the muscle truck segment over 20 years ago," stated Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Autos. "Our team built this concept F150 Super Snake to see if the public is ready for another high performance Shelby truck. We took the same approach to this project as we do for every Shelby. With its 'look at me' styling, earth shattering power, stop-on-a-dime brakes and go cart-like handling, it's a balanced performance truck that's as desirable to drive as it is to look at."

Shelby Autos teamed with Ford Racing and top suppliers such as Borla and Baer to develop the concept. The red 2007 F150 regular cab truck features a custom functional hood and fascias, black Super Snake stripes and Alcoa Shelby wheels. The 5.4L engine was tweaked to churn out 475 horsepower through the automatic transmission while 6 piston Shelby brakes were added to stop the beast. The suspension was lowered 3 inches and tightened up to improve handling.

Enthusiasts can choose to have the entire package applied to their truck for the ultimate Shelby. However, the styling and the power/handling upgrades can also be installed individually.

"We'll install the Super Snake package for the F150 at the Shelby Autos facility in Las Vegas," added Gary Davis, Shelby Autos vice president of production. "In order to maintain the high level of quality and performance demanded by real enthusiasts, we'll only build a few thousand per model year."

The Ford F150 Super Snake post title package includes:
Whipple supercharger kit

Borla exhaust system

DJM suspension

3.73:1 rear axle ratio

Shelby-designed 22-inch wheels and tires with Pirelli P Scorpion tires

Forged Shelby / Baer brakes with 6 piston calipers with cross drilled and vented rotors

Custom front fascia, grill, carbon fiber splitter, fender vents and brake cooling ducts

Custom front fascia, mesh grill and grill surround

Custom side fender vents and rockers

Unique fiberglass hood featuring a hood scoop and classic Shelby design

Bed lid and rug with embroidered logos

Shelby signature Super Snake stripes

"Shelby" lettering across the rear tailgate

"Super Snake" vehicle badges and official Shelby CSM interior plate

Shelby signature embroidered headrests, floor mats and leather interior
PRESS RELEASE:

LAS VEGAS – Nov. 3, 2009 – Executives with Shelby Automobiles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK) unveiled a new turbo based post-title package for 2007-2008 Shelby GT's and 2005-2009 Ford Mustang GT's with a manual transmission. The 550 horsepower "Shelby Turbo" package boosts not only the car's output, but also enhances the handling, braking and looks of the venerable pony car.

"In 1985, Carroll used a turbo to turn Chrysler's K Car into a rocket," said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Autos. "Though we've offered supercharged packages for vehicles for several years, many enthusiasts longed for a turbo option because of the different driving characteristics offered with this type of force induction. The Shelby Turbo was created to fulfill that need."

The turbo was developed with the help of California based Turbonetics. Since 1978, Turbonetics has been the leading source for turbochargers and forced induction components.

"Turbonetics has the unique ability to combine our individual component specialties with precise engine tuning to create incredibly reliable and powerful bolt-on forced induction systems," said Brad Lewis, president of Turbonetics. "We were excited to work with the Shelby Autos team on designing and engineering a solution that is the first 50 state and CARB compliant turbo system in history for their post-title packages."

Mustang Racing Technologies of Plymouth was also involved in the program.

"As the vehicle integrator for this project, I was responsible for matching the Shelby brand attribute requirements to the appropriate solution," stated Scott Hoag, founder and president of MRT. "It was a challenge as the Shelby Autos team wanted the package to be 50 state and CARB compliant while also meeting rigorous performance standards. The result is a robust package that is worthy of the Shelby name."

The package can be applied to a 2007-09 or Shelby GT 2005-09 Mustang GT at the Las Vegas Shelby facility or one of its mod shops. The installed package costs $21,599, not including the car. Standard components include:
o Shelby/Turbonetics Turbocharger with 550 HP (at the crank)
o Short throw shifter
o Shelby Pro-Plus 4 wheel brake system
o Performance suspension with Caster/Camber Plates
o Borla dual exhaust
o Shelby Bar Grille and stripes
o Shelby Gauge Pod and Shelby Signature Gauges
o Serialized dash and engine bay plaque, as well as a Certificate of Authenticity
o Shelby Functional Deep Draw hood with pins
o Shelby Turbocharged Floor Mats
o Specific 18" X 9" Chrome Aluminum Wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 275/35/18 tires

Optional equipment includes:
o Shelby GT-H Front Fascia and Shelby Rear Fascia
o Baer 6-Piston Extreme front and rear brake kit
o Front Brake Ducts
o Performance clutch
o Eibach Pro-2 Coil-Over Shocks and Struts
o Eibach Pro Sway Bar Kit and Eibach Pro Alignment Kit
o 1" drop Lower Ball Joints
o Bump Steer Kit
o Upgraded front lower control arm bushings
o 8-point roll cage

The Shelby Turbo package is now available. Interested parties can contact Roger Sorel with Shelby Autos at (702) 942-7325 or Rogers@ShelbyAutos.com.