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source autoblog Classic Recreations Shelby G.T.500CR – Click above for high-res image gallery Last year we reported that Oklahoma-based Classic Recreations had signed a licensing deal with Shelby to produce brand new versions of the 1967 Shelby GT500. At the time we only had a few renderings to show you, but the company has just released a slew of new photos showing off every detail of the just-finished prototype car. Named the GT500CR, the old-but-new Shelby mixes both modern and classic components for the best of both worlds. Rack and pinion steering, a modern suspension, drilled and slotted Baer brakes and tight-fitting fiberglass body panels are all improvements over the original '67 Shelbys, and the 427ci V8 putting out 545 horsepower ensures it will be quite a bit faster too. The GT500CR also offers a deluxe 1967 interior with Carroll Shelby signature seats and gauges, 17-inch wheels and tires, nine-inch rear end and a Tremec transmission. Feeling brave? You can also opt for the Venom model that adds a supercharger system good for 780 horsepower. Get all the details in the high-res mega gallery below. Gallery: Classic Recreations Shelby G.T.500CR [li] [/li]

source autoblog l'auto est quasi bonne à jeter !!

source autoblog 2010 Hennessey HP700 Camaro to make official debut at SEMA by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Oct 30th, 2009 at 8:01PM 2010 Hennessey HPE700 Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery We've seen the pictures. We've seen the videos. Now we're finally going to see the Hennessey HPE700 Camaro in person when it makes its official debut at SEMA next week. There's a lot to love with Hennessey's halo musclecar, starting with the LS9 V8 from the ZR1 packing 725 horsepower and 741 lb.-ft. torque (up from the initial figures, 705 and 717 respectively). Those numbers are good for a 0-60 time of just 3.5 seconds, and the trip back to a complete stop takes just 104 feet thanks to 15-inch Brembo brakes. Then there's the subtle Cam-Aero carbon fiber body kit that adds a front splitter, side skirts, rear bumper, and a diffuser, with the look is finished off with a set of Hennessey's three-piece, 20-inch wheels. Expect plenty of photographs and our first person impressions when we come face to face with the HPE700 Camaro next week. Until then, check out the new high-res photos in the gallery below or read the official press release and the full specs list after the jump. Gallery: Hennessey Camaro HPE700 [li] [/li]

source autoblog The Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept really is badass by Alex Nunez (RSS feed) on Oct 31st, 2009 at 6:07PM http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/swipe-sema.png[/img] Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept - See more images at Car and Driver Car and Driver is the first outlet to post real live photos of the SEMA-bound Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept. By taking the looks of the '70 Trans Am and adapting them to the new Chevrolet Camaro, Lingenfelter has created something that will have you playing "What if.." scenarios regarding Pontiac over and over again in your heads. Imagine a world in which you could walk into a General Motors dealer and pick between this and the G8 GXP... Anyway, snap out of it, because that ain't happenin'. We think what's likely to happen, if people go as batsh*t crazy over this creation at SEMA as we think they will, is that Lingenfelter will probably offer the package to customers. That's probably good, anyway, as we can't see GM spending the bucks to offer the 455 T/A's upgraded interior (yeah, it's premium vinyl, baby) and monstrously-upgraded engine. See, that 455 nomenclature's no joke. According to C/D, the 455 CID/7.5-liter V8 rocks an 11.5:1 compression ratio, ported and polished LS7 heads, a new intake and a forged crankshaft. The exhaust is by Corsa, the honeycomb wheels are custom jobs, and most importantly, the engine comes correct with 655 horses and 610 lb-ft. of torque. We'll have plenty more on this bad mofo next week from SEMA. In the meantime, head over to CarandDriver.com for more images. [source: Car and Driver via Camaro5 | Image: Patrick M. Hoey]

source autoblog eBay Find of the Day: Northstar-powered 1998 Buick Riviera prototype by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Oct 28th, 2009 at 8:20AM Northstar-powered 1998 Buick Riviera prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery As we approach the big SEMA show in Las Vegas next week, it's time to look back at a previous star of the show. Sometime back in the mid-80s the decision was made that Buick would abandon V8 engines and instead be the home of the V6. Even for top models like Riviera and Park Avenue, turbocharged and supercharged versions of the long-lived 3.8-liter V6 would serve propulsive duties. Needless to say, not everyone in the bowels of the Warren Tech Center agreed with this approach. In 1998 a group of GM engineers felt the Riviera should be powered by no fewer than eight cylinders and knew full well it was possible. The Riv of that era shared its platform with other models like the Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Aurora, which of course were powered by the still contemporary Northstar V8. A single Northstar Riviera example was built as concept and trotted out at the 1998 SEMA Show. Upper management did not agree with the premise and only a year later the whole Riviera program was euthanized. Somehow, that one V8 powered Riv survived and managed to get sold outside of GM on a salvage title. If the styling of that last Riviera doesn't give you convulsions, the car only has 10,200 miles on it and the Buy It Now price is $20K. The current bid of $3,550 hasn't yet hit the reserve so it's anyone's guess what this will go for – if it goes at all. Gallery: Northstar-powered 1998 Buick Riviera prototype

Yenko brand still kicking 45 years later, new vehicles coming? by Jonny Lieberman (RSS feed) on Oct 15th, 2009 at 4:56PM source autoblog Yenko brand still kicking 45 years later, new vehicles coming? by Jonny Lieberman (RSS feed) on Oct 15th, 2009 at 4:56PM 1968 Yenko Super Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery This post represents something of a dilemma for us. On the one hand, we could tell you about General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) owner Jeff Leonard and how he's just taken control of the Yenko name and brand. But on the other, we could ask only that you stare at the above image (and those in the gallery) for five minutes in absolute reverential silence. Do you really care that Leonard will more likely than not be bringing new Yenko products to market? Sure, a 2010 Yenko Super Camaro would be sweeter than cookie dough ice cream, but hey... look up. Additionally, we could explain how almost forty-five years ago Don Yenko gamed GM's COPO (Central Office Production Order) program to build his first factory hot rod, the Yenko Stinger Corvair, but we just cannot take our eyes off of the gorgeous blue 1968 Yenko Camaro with the 427 motor and M-21 four-speed manual. Because really, besides the Stinger Corvair, have you ever seen anything hotter? Really? What? And what would a 2010 Yenko consist of anyhow? Well, the Yenko formula was simply to put the best performance parts possible under the skin of a given car. Meaning we're talking about a LS9 powered Camaro with carbon ceramic brakes and magnetic-rheological shocks. Actually, that sounds pretty good. The question, then, really is whether or not Mr. Leonard will be able to make new Yenkos as blisteringly desirable to people in 2055 as Don Yenko's products are to us today at the end of 2009. Any bets? Full press release after the jump. Gallery: 1968 Yenko Super Camaro [li] [/li]

source autoblog They just don't build 'em like they used to. While that old saying is constantly bandied about in regards to modern-day cars and trucks, it's once again worth saying and was the first thing that popped into our heads after watching the video pasted after the break. You see, most of the time, we like to think of our old automobiles as tank-like hunks of metal with full frames and acres of dead space in front of the driver and the massive chrome front bumper. While that may often be the case, all those thick bits of steel don't automatically equal safety. This point is driven home by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which decided to celebrate its 50th anniversary by crash testing a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air into a 2009 Chevy Malibu. The results were eye-opening. Says the IIHS of the Bel Air's performance: The dummy's head struck the steering wheel rim and hub and then the roof and unpadded metal instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.... The windshield was completely dislodged from the car and the driver door opened during the crash, both presenting a risk of ejection. In addition, the front bench seat was torn away from the floor on the driver side. Ouch.... an instant death according to the IIHS. And the '09 Malibu? "A high acceleration was recorded on the left foot, indicating that foot injuries would be possible." Well now, as much as we like our left foot (perfect for operating the clutch, ya know), we'd rather take our chances in the new car, thank you very much. Click past the break to watch the video in all its car-crushing glory, and take a moment to mourn the passing of what used to be a rather nice '59 Bel Air. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CU-k0XmLUk...player_embedded

source autoblog VIDEO: Reborn Trans Am makes fire-breathing entrance in Dayton by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Sep 4th, 2009 at 7:29PM Kevin Morgan Pontiac Trans Am - Click above to watch two videos after the break Few Pontiac models will be missed by as many people as the Trans Am. From its humble origins in 1969 as an option package on the two-year-old Firebird platform through the Super Duty days and the Bandit Special Editions, right on up to the final Ram Air LS1-powered F-Bodies from 2002, Pontiac's longest-lived muscle car has always enjoyed a loyal following. So dedicated are these Poncho fanatics that the Trans Am name seems destined to live on past the death of the brand that originally spawned it. We've taken a look at Kevin Morgan's Phoenix TA revival once already, and now the first such Camaro-based machine has been driven off the car carrier in front of a few hundred screaming chickens fans at last weekend's 25th Anniversary Trans Am Nationals in Dayton, Ohio. Perhaps fittingly, this initial 'bird was painted up in a classic black and gold paint scheme complete with a fire-breathing hood applique and a split front beak reminiscent of the 1977 and 1978 Trans Ams. Naturally, there's a shaker scoop mounted atop the quivering hood feeding fresh air into what we assume is a stock LS3 6.2-liter V8 putting out 426 horsepower. The only things that are missing are T-Tops and a CB radio. Well, that, and a young Sally Field. Click past the break to watch the video. Gallery: Phoenix Trans Am [li] [/li]

source autoblog Unique 1965 Dodge Deora Concept going up for auction by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Sep 5th, 2009 at 1:34PM 1965 Dodge Deora Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery Have you ever wanted to own your very own life-sized Hot Wheels car? Here's your chance! As part of RM's Icons of Speed and Style auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum on September 26, a 1965 Dodge Deora Concept will cross the block and go home with the highest bidder. Built by legendary hot rodders Mike and Larry Alexander, the one-off pickup truck won the Ridler Award at the 1967 Detroit Autorama and was immortalized a year later as one of the original 16 Hot Wheels model cars. The unique design, based on a Dodge A100, includes no side doors but instead a forward-opening glass hatch that is essentially the back of a 1960 Ford station wagon turned 180 degrees. RM estimates that the Deora, which was restored to its original show specs just over ten years ago, should command between $350,000 - $550,000 when it goes up for auction. Follow the jump for more info on this unique showcar and how it came to be. Gallery: 1965 Dodge Deora Concept [li] [/li]

source autoblog eBay Find of the Day: One-off 1966 Sonny and Cher Ford Mustangs have got you, babe by Dan Roth (RSS feed) on Sep 6th, 2009 at 9:15AM Sonny & Cher Custom Ford Mustangs -- Click above for image gallery It appears that the Sonny & Cher custom Ford Mustangs are once again for sale (the kitschy twosome have been making the auction rounds the last couple years). This pair of 1966 Mustang Convertibles originally built by George Barris were sold in February at RM's Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale event for $198,000. Prior to the RM sale, the two Ford-commissioned Mustangs hadn't been on the market for 25 years, and spent a least some of that time in the collection of Mustang Country founder Don Chambers. Originally used in the Sonny & Cher film Good Times, the gold and pink pearl droptops, with animal print, shag carpet, and ermine fur interior fitments went out on a subsequent publicity tour and saw some use by the entertainers. Cher only racked up 19,000 miles, while Sonny's car was the beater of the two, having accumulated 24,000 miles. A restoration has since put the cars back into original Kustom Kar Kondition. The seller apparently wants to peddle these cars into the UK, lists their location as St. Louis, and provides a Florida phone number for contact purposes, so who knows what's up with all that – especially as the cars don't appear to be listed on eBay Motors U.S. Oh, and the asking price is more than £270,000 (around $450,000), a price that will surely have you singing "Baby Don't Go"to your cash. A tip of the cap to Michael D. Gallery: Sonny & Cher custom Mustangs [li]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/p_059_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/p_001_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/p_002_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/p_003_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/p_004_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/p_005_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/p_006_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/p_007_thumbnail.jpg[/img][/li]

eBay Find of the Day: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette SCCA racer recreation by Frank Filipponio on Aug 30th, 2009 at 10:44AM 1968 SCCA Chevrolet Corvette tribute - Click above for high-res image gallery Next up on the auction block is every Corvette-loving Walter Mitty's fantasy come true, a 1968 SCCA Corvette hardtop convertible race car. Okay, maybe that's not everyone's idea of the perfect Corvette, but for those of you old enough to remember the glory days of SCCA Trans-Am racing circa 1968, this car should hit all the right buttons. What started life as a perfectly adequate, four-speed 327/350 optioned 'Vette, has been transformed into the very special race car tribute you see in our gallery. It's a street car that looks an awful lot like the Trans-Am racers of the late '60s and early '70s. The good folks at 2nd Generation Automotive Restorations are the ones who turned it into what you see here today, minus this car's current fire-breathing factory race engine, a genuine Bowtie ZL-1. That's right, the current owner found one of the factory's limited edition Ram Jet ZL-1 engines (number 155 of only 200 made) nestled in a '55 Chevy show car. The engine had just 36 miles on it and needed a better home. We'd say the result is pretty spectacularly awesome. This very car was featured in the August 2007 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines and can be yours for a Buy-It-Now price of just $60,000 – it would probably cost nearly twice that much to replicate it today. If this sounds like the right car for you, you'd better act fast. Bidding ends today at 7 PM PDT. Gallery: ebay: 1968 Corvette Tribute car

source autoblog eBay Find of the Day: Gorgeous 1964 Lincoln Continental has a 723-hp secret by Dan Roth on Aug 27th, 2009 at 7:57PM 723-horsepower 1964 Lincoln Continental – Click above for image gallery The Elwood Engel Continentals are so instantly recognizable that Lincoln borrowed some of their design cues when creating modern vehicles like the MKX crossover. These big hunks of awesome from the Sixties are still even relatively affordable, too. The seller of this gem claims that there's more than $120,000 invested in this much modified example, which is admittedly a whole lot more than we'd expect to pay for even this gobsmackingly nifty thing, so it's possibly a case of overdoing it. You've got a day, and as it stands now, the reserve has not been met by a $30,000 bid. Lower than a dead man's blood pressure, this Lincoln has been expensively redone in a stunning shade of PPG Cherry Black. Underneath, chassis mods have been carried out to add an Air Ride Technologies suspension that gives you the slammed stance for going low and slow, but it also pumps up to regular height for motorvatin'. Underhood yields the biggest surprise, as if the beautifully straight bodywork, sumptuous leather interior and high standard of work weren't enough. Pop that lid and where you'd expect to see an MEL or 385-series lies a 351 Windsor-based engine, now displacing 427 cubic inches and breathing heavily with a ProCharger iron lung and spinning an AOD transmission. A mid-century masterpiece powered by more than 700 horsepower done up tastefully sounds good to us. Gallery: Custom eBay Lincoln Continental http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/linc_18_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/linc_1_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/linc_2_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/linc_3_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/linc_4_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/linc_5_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/linc_6_thumbnail.jpg[/img]

source autoblog REPORT: Corvette C7 Coming in 2012 as a 2013 model by Jonny Lieberman on Aug 12th, 2009 at 1:26PM Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept - click above image for high-res gallery If you like Corvettes, this is going to make you smile. Fresh out of bankruptcy court, General Motors announced its two-year product plans for Chevy, Caddy, Buick and GMC. Included are go codes for the new C7 Corvette. The plan is to introduce the C7 in April of 2012 as a 2013 model -- a big improvement over the old plan to not reinvent the Corvette until 2014. Let's just state this up front -- almost nothing at all is known about the new Corvette. It appears as if plans for a mid-engine Corvette have been put aside. Like all Corvettes before it, the C7 will feature an engine up front driving the wheels out back. Other than that... The rumors are that the C7 will be smaller and lighter than the current welterweight C6. There's talk of using more advanced materials like carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium as well as smaller engines. Calm down, calm down -- as the ZR1 showed us, less displacement doesn't always mean less power. Especially when a positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger's in the mix. There's chatter that the C7's design might be based on the Stingray Concept from the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, but we're hoping it's not. More details as they become available. Gallery: Chicago 2009: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept [li] [/li]

source autoblog Momentum Race Group to run Camaros in KONI Challenge by Drew Phillips on Aug 8th, 2009 at 7:02PM Momentum Race Group Chevrolet Camaro - Click above for a high-res image gallery It might be late, but it's better than never. The Chevrolet Camaro is set to battle the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger in the KONI Sports Car Challenge race series under the banner of Momentum Race Group. The Dallas-based race outfit will run a two-car team featuring a 2010 Camaro prepared by Riley Technologies and a lineup of well-seasoned drivers including SPEED World Challenge veterans Robb Holland and Jeff Altenburg. To prepare for the 2010 season against the dominant Mustangs and BMWs, both teams will begin testing in September and are even scheduled to compete in the last race of the season at Virginia International Raceway in October. You can read more about the team and their plans for the Camaro in the press release after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Trentor_Drive! Gallery: Momentum Race Group Chevrolet Camaro [li] [/li]

source autoblog the first couple of minutes of this clip, you might be asking yourself why a bunch of Tom of Finland types are riding around the desert on motorbikes. Like many of life's great mysteries, all is eventually revealed, if not explained. Speaking of mysteries, differentials are pretty nifty. We still remember getting a fancy-pants Technical Lego set one birthday and spending one week straight just watching the little plastic differential at work. So cool! And speaking of cool, you simply must watch this Chevy PSA about differentials. It's just fantastic. Note to world: many more of us would have gone much further in life if this was the sort of thing we got to watch in school. Full 9+ minute clip after the jump. Thanks to Alex for the tip!

source autoblog Live Reveal: Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang by Jonathon Ramsey on Aug 6th, 2009 at 12:31PM Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang - click above image for high-res gallery Last night, Lee Iacocca himself drew back the curtain hiding his 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang. The pictures don't lie: this silver beast is every bit as menacing and low in the flesh as it it appears on screen. Of the recent crop of modified Mustangs, Iacocca's so-called "I Legacy" is probably the simplest design. Being based on the more linear 2009 model year pony car, Lido's details don't make it look like a 'Stang with a body kit – they change the entire look of the car. From the side view, the new front clip makes it appear that the coupe has no front overhang. What remains is completely dominated by a massive front bumper and deep dam, topped by the sunken lights. In back, the fastback's ridges run all the way to the trailing edge, at which point everything disappears into the bluff, gruff backside. The economy of design doesn't leave much cause for hemming and hawing; it's a muscle car in the old world tradition of long lines and only slightly finessed planes – you get it or you don't. The first example was auctioned last night for nearly $125,000, and with just 44 others to follow it, chances are that enough people will get it. Now if only it came with that Sinatra theme music... You can check out live pics of the Iacocca Mustang in our exclusive hi-res gallery below. Gallery: Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang - Live [li]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/01-iacocca-mustang-live_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/02-iacocca-mustang-live_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/03-iacocca-mustang-live_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/04-iacocca-mustang-live_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/05-iacocca-mustang-live_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/06-iacocca-mustang-live_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/07-iacocca-mustang-live_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/08-iacocca-mustang-live_thumbnail.jpg[/img][/li]

source autoblog SEMA Preview: 2010 FlatBack Mustang heading to Las Vegas by Drew Phillips on Aug 5th, 2009 at 7:28PM CGS Motorsports FlatBack Mustang - Click above for a high-res image The SEMA Show seems so far away, but tuners are already working hard to build the customized cars due to adorn the show floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center this November. Naturally, there'll be plenty of Mustangs and one of which will be the "FlatBack" 2010 Mustang from CGS Motorsports. The Southern California customizers has picked up quite a few design awards from Chrysler and Ford the past few years, and hope to do the same with its black-on-black-on-black 'Stang. The FlatBack will feature a two-tone paint scheme, 22-inch custom wheels, Roush body kit, Baer brakes, KW coilover suspension system, and more. Whipple is also providing a twin-screw supercharger to make the most of the Mustang's 4.6-liter V8. Get all the details in the press release after the jump. [source: CGS Motorsports]

source autoblog Pics Aplenty: Mr. Norm's 426 Hemi Challenger and Cuda Convertible by Drew Phillips on Jul 30th, 2009 at 12:31PM Mr. Norm's 426 Hemi Cuda Convertible - Click above for a high-res image gallery With Chrysler's woes leaving plenty of room to go gangbusters with Dodge Challenger variants, Florida-based Mr. Norm's Garage is determined to fill any gaps that need to be filled, particularly high horsepower and convertible models. The legendary Mopar performance shop unveiled the 426 Hemi Challenger and Cuda Convertibles at the Chryslers at Carlisle event in Carlisle, PA last weekend, both painted in a custom yellow hue. When the phone call came letting us know that both cars would be in Southern California for a few days, we didn't need much convincing to go check them out for ourselves. While the retro overdose might be too much for some, there's no doubt that each of these modern day muscle cars was built with the utmost attention to detail. For instance, the Cuda's shaker hood scoop is the exact dimensions as the original, the rear fenders have been reshaped to mimic the classic lines, and the rear end features genuine '71 taillight assemblies and 'Cuda badge. Did we mention both have also been converted into ragtops? Fortunately, both cars have the power to back up their looks. Under their hoods is the SRT8 Hemi V8 that has been bored and stroked to 426 cubic inches and then supercharged to produced 725 tire-melting horsepower running through a Dana 44 rearend. Sound like your idea of fun? Browse through our high-res galleries of both cars below or read about the full list of upgrades after the jump. Gallery: Mr. Norm's 426 Hemi Cuda Convertible [li]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mrnorms426cudaconv_01_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mrnorms426cudaconv_02_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mrnorms426cudaconv_03_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mrnorms426cudaconv_04_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mrnorms426cudaconv_05_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mrnorms426cudaconv_06_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mrnorms426cudaconv_07_thumbnail.jpg[/img] http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mrnorms426cudaconv_08_thumbnail.jpg[/img][/li] Gallery: Mr. Norm's 426 Hemi Challenger Convertible [li] [/li]

source autoblog Mr. Norms unveils 426 Hemi Challenger and Hemi Cuda Convertibles by Drew Phillips on Jul 14th, 2009 at 7:28PM Mr. Norm's 426 Hemi Cuda Convertible - Click above for an image gallery We can't help but think what could have been with the Dodge Challenger. Had Chrysler developed the car before rising gas prices and the economic downturn, we might have seen all sorts of variants. Perhaps a top-of-the-line model with a 426ci Hemi V8 could have challenged the Shelby GT500 as the king of the road. Those in warmer climates surely would have loved a droptop version, and since we're day dreaming, we could even imagine a Hemi Cuda version if Plymouth was still around. Enter Norm Kraus. The legendary owner of Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago known as "Mr. Norm" has filled in the gaps by Chrysler and unveiled a 426 Hemi Challenger and Cuda Convertible this past weekend at the Chryslers at Carlisle event in Carlisle, PA. Mr. Norm's Garage, now based in Hudson, FL, will be producing a limited run of these convertibles. Like their coupe siblings unveiled at SEMA show last year, the droptop Challenger and Cuda share styling cues from E-Body ancestors from the early 1970s. The Cuda version is modified with a new grille inspired by the 1971 model year, a shaker hood system, Hemi billboard graphics, straightened rear quarter panels, and '71 Hemi Cuda taillight assemblies. The interior gets custom leather and suede seating, a pistol grip shifter, and custom mats. Backing up the look is a 426ci Hemi V8 underneath the hood complete with a forged rotating assembly and a Kenne Bell supercharger that produces 725 horsepower. To compensate for the extra thrust, Mr. Norm has fitted each car with a Viper-spec Dana 44 differential, a fortified driveshaft, frame connectors, and a fully adjustable coilover suspension system. We don't have any live photos quite yet, but you can read all about them in the press release after the jump. Gallery: Mr. Norm's 426 Hemi Convertibles [li] [/li]

source autoblog Karvajal Designs ZX-1 gives details on its Chevrolet Corvette widebody by Damon Lavrinc on May 21st, 2009 at 10:01AM Karvajal Designs ZX-1 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Karvajal Designs has been displaying its Chevrolet Corvette-altering wares for some time, and it's finally giving up the details on its line of C6 exterior and engine modifications. The ZX-1 Stage One package includes a completely redesigned body kit that widens the 'Vette's haunches to 80-inches (with all the requisite ducting and panels), along with front and rear LEDs, custom exhaust, rear diffuser and 18-inch HRE aluminum wheels. In addition to the other ZX-1 bling (aluminum sill plates, floor mats, flat-bottom steering wheel, alcantra swathed race seats, etc.), a performance package is available that includes Baer brakes, a Pfaft coil-over suspension, anti-roll bars, full under-body aero package and – most importantly – a Magnuson supercharger tuned to produce over 600 horsepower. If that isn't enough, all of the exterior bits can be had in carbon fiber and coated in a hue of your choosing. For all the details, head over to Karvajal's website or the eBay listing for the very first of ZX-1. Gallery: Karvajal Designs ZX-1 [li] [/li]

source autoblog Geiger gives Chevrolet Corvette Z06 the twin-turbo treatment by Drew Phillips on May 20th, 2009 at 9:28AM Geiger Cars Twin-Turbo Corvette Z06 - Click above for a high-res gallery Leave it up to Geiger Cars to build a lime green, 890-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06. The force behind flamboyant creations like the Gulf-Wing Hummer and the Santa-style H2 have turned their attention to American muscle once again and have introduced an abundance of new performance parts for the Z06 featured in this over-the-top Vette. The bi-turbo package includes an increase in displacement to 7.6-liters and upgraded cylinder heads, valve springs, cams, a larger mass air meter, and a less-restrictive exhaust system in addition to the dual turbochargers. The result is an impressive 890 horsepower and 694 lb-ft torque, as well as a reported top speed of 220 mph. The drivetrain has been beefed up accordingly with a sturdier twin-disc clutch and a carbon fiber driveshaft. This being a Geiger effort, the car in question also features the company's body kit, adjustable coilovers, and larger brakes both front and rear. Did we mention it's lime green? More details in the distinctly German press release after the jump. Gallery: Geiger Corvette Z06 Twin-Turbo [li] [/li]

source autoblog Review: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 goes to Hell and back by Sam Abuelsamid on May 11th, 2009 at 11:57AM http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/swipe-featured.gif[/img] http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/swipe-review.gif[/img] 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 – Click above for high-res image gallery Torque is good. More torque is better. And when you have more than 600 lb-ft of the stuff at your disposal with just a tip of your right toe, life is fantastic. Now, if it would just stop raining, things would be perfect. Such is life with the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. As the old saying goes, "Timing is everything", and as General Motors approached its 100th birthday last September, it introduced the two most powerful production cars it had ever created, the Cadillac CTS-V and the ZR1. Unfortunately, just as GM reached the pinnacle of high performance cars, the world economy imploded. The global financial bubble got pierced from multiple sides and sales of cars at every price and performance level vaporized. Fortunately for us, GM is still hanging in there and Chevrolet let us have a few days of quality time with a ZR1 while the opportunity still exists. We went to Hell and back in the ZR1 and lived to tell the tale after the jump. Gallery: Review: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 [li] [/li]

source autoblog eBay find of the day: n2a Motors 789 serial #001 by Drew Phillips on May 8th, 2009 at 7:28PM n2a Motors 789 - Click above for a high-res image gallery The n2a Motors 789 is perhaps the ultimate automotive expression of retro styling. Based on a C6 Corvette chassis and using hand-crafted carbon composite body panels, the 789 features styling cues from 1957, '58, and '59 Chevrolets. Just over 20 of these unique cars have been built over the past few years, the first of which n2a Motors is putting up for auction on eBay. Featuring an LS2 V8, custom Budnik wheels, and a Borla exhaust system, chassis #001 was used as the promotional car at the Los Angeles and New York auto shows and still has the remainder of GM's five-year/100,000 warranty. Best of all, the winning bidder gets to take delivery of the car immediately and doesn't have endure the typical 12-week wait for a brand new 789. Gallery: n2a Motors 789 [li] [/li]

source autoblog Hajek Motorsports attempts to topple 22-year-old NASCAR speed record in E85 Mustang by Jeremy Korzeniewski on May 7th, 2009 at 5:30PM Ford Racing FR500CJ Mustang - Click above for a high-res image gallery The current NASCAR top speed record sits at 212.089 mph and was set by Bill Elliot at Talladega Superspeedway in a 1987 Ford Thunderbird. Brent Hajek apparently figures it's about time that 22-year-old record is topped. Next Wednesday, May 13th, Hajek will once again put Bill Elliot behind the wheel of a Ford at the famed Talladega oval in Alabama, only this time, the vehicle in question will be a Mustang FR500C modified to run on E85. This particular Mustang Cobra Jet has already managed to clock a 252 mph top speed at the Salt Flats in Bonneville, so we can't imagine there will be any problem setting a new record. Of course, there's nothing environmentally friendly about lapping an oval track at high rates of speed for the fun of it. Still, if the record's going to be set, it might as well be in a Mustang burning ethanol. See the full press release after the break. Gallery: Ford Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet