Video: Nissan GT-R vs. Shelby GT500 Super Snake
Image Gallery: The Original Ford Mustang
On April 17, 1964, the Ford Mustang, with its long hood, short rear deck and sporty features, caused a sensation when it was introduced to the public at the New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, Queens.
“When the Mustang was unveiled, the reaction was so positive that there was no doubt it was going to be a success,” recalls Joe Oros, chief designer of Ford’s original pony car – dubbed the 1964½ because it was launched at an unusual halfway point in the year.
Things We’d Rather Spend Money on Than an $11m Shelby Daytona: A Shelby Collection
You knew this was coming.
Shelby American has either reproduced or authorized reproductions of all its classics, from the Cobra 289 to the Ford GT40. While some of those replicas are second-rate, the Shelby-made Cobras and authorized SuPerformance Daytonas are exceptional cars for the money. We’ve always been suckers for the 289, though–easier to tame on the road than the 427.
Because of the large volume Shelby’s built up of his Cobra line since the ’90s, prices for these cars new or used aren’t absurdly high. We’ve seen genuine Shelby-built later 289s for $70,000. Just because we’re ragging on an overpriced auction car doesn’t we don’t like the name.
Video: A British Take on the SRT-8
Here’s a Fifth Gear video review of the Dodge Challenger SRT-8. As you’d probably expect, there’s a mix of emotion. On one hand, the handling, thirstiness, weight, cabin materials, and cornering ability are put down; on the other, the Challenger’s rough edge and Hemi power give it just enough character to win over a favorable impression.
The Challenger is officially unavailable to UK drivers; only special importers have access. Expect willing UK drivers to pay a high premium too. Flat-out, the SRT-8 should retail around £24,000–which is a fairly good price. It’s mentioned the import duties and tax would hike that price tag to about £40,000, or almost double what the cost is here in the States.
So much for the bargain.
Shelby Whips Out Its ‘10 Snake
Shelby’s put out official pics and specs for the 2010 GT500 Super Snake. The Super Snake, unlike the regular GT500, is an actual Shelby project undertaking directly by the company staff. (The GT500 uses the Shelby name pretty much for marketing purposes.) The benefit of having the Ford/Shelby name running side-by-side is that Shelby’s own tuners can market their specials as being almost factory-grade.
The Air Force’s Other Recruiting Tool
The Galpin X1 evokes the name and appearance of the legendary Air Force test plane. With all the equipment we can see here, this X1 may be just as able to hit Mach 1 as the jet it’s named after. The X1 is more about style than it is about substance–the actual cockpit is hooked up with special monitors and a flight stick. That’s hardly legal–but still pretty cool.
Galpin’s Stealthy Vapor Muscle Coupe
Galpin’s Vapor custom is a reworked Challenger, emplying a blacked-out color scheme to help convey a stealth image. The analogy is proper, for the Galpin is a promo stunt for the US Air Force. Headlamps are of the hidden kind, putting the Vapor in-line with Dodge’s famed Charger coupe of the 1960s. Also matching the Air Force style are the Vapor’s hi-po nitrous system and neon lights. Raw stats are unknown, but this is easily the finest job done on a Challenger yet. Thumbs up for that cabin display too.
[Images by J. Julius]
Introducing the Lee Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Mustang
I know the post title is long, and many of you may be complaining about us wasting our time covering another “limited edition” Mustang. But this time things are different. Lee Iacocca, the father of the Ford Mustang, is attaching his name to a commemorative edition Mustang, available exclusively through Southern California’s Galpin dealer network–of which only forty-five will be produced.
The “2009 1/2″ special features a Gaffoglio coach-built body, hand-crafted to exquisite detail. One can note a blend of both the 2003 Mustang concept and the later Giugiaro custom in Michael Leone’s design. The base 4.6 L V-8 is uprated to 320 hp, but an available dealer-installed supercharger will push output to the 400 range. A downside will be that the engines are linked to Ford’s rather flat 5-spd. stick. A Ford Racing performance package will add stiffer springs and uprated shock absorbers; a 14″ brake package is also available. Interior decor is flooded with specially embroidered and hand-stitched leather. Special Iacocca lettering and appliques are spread from the seats to the dash to the 20″ chrome rims. Even the door sills are specially plated.
(A Slightly Late) Friday Flashback: Shelby South of the Border
During the 1960s, the Ford Mustang stood as the most iconic car on American roads. It crossed demographics, looked unlike anything else on the road, and attached itself to a generation. Part of the Mustang’s appeal was its wide array of options, trim, and bodystyles. This was furthered by Carroll Shelby, who was signed on to modify a limited number of Mustangs. His works, the GT350 and 500, became the most desired of Ford’s steel stallions, and that desire spread to America’s southern neighbor.
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