OK, scoops out on the 2010 Shelby Mustang (officially dubbed the Ford Shelby GT500), and it looks even better than the ’09s. There’s more power, and, get this, better mileage. Sure, we all want better gas mileage, but what Ford is touting is kind of comical. Still looks like a pretty damn good ride.
Ford released new information and images of the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 to be debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Whether you like the new design of the 2010 Mustang or not, there’s no denying that it’s been seriously upgraded. The new Shelby GT500 takes this to the extreme.
The 2010 version of this snake’s 5.4-liter supercharged V8 gets a 40 horsepower increase from its predecessor, now up to 540 HP. Torque is also increased to 510 lb-ft, and it gets a new gearbox to handle the extra power, provide faster acceleration, and better fuel economy. Exterior changes are functional - a new hood extractor removes heat from the engine, and a Gurney Flap spoiler tunes rear downforce.
Helping the engine produce that extra power is an open-element cold-air induction system with a new conical air filter. A new, larger twin-disc clutch helps to increase drivability. Chassis tuning and a tighter suspension help with improved handling. Continue Reading…
Here’s a neat little bit of auto and racing history, Carroll Shelby’s old MG TC race car that he privately campaigned. The car, Carroll’s first ever race car actually, was loaned to him by good friend Ed Wilkins at a road race in Norman, Oklahoma. Shelby won the race (natch), supposedly handling the Jaguar XK120s with ease (must have been a tight course).
This particular TC won the prestigious Collier Cup in 2005 at the all-MG vintage race in The Glen, and includes the SCCA Log Book. The race prepped 1250cc 4-cylinder engine cranks out 100+hp and is ready to race.
I had the opportunity to race against one of these once, a BRG with red leather interior, driven by an older Canadian guy from White Rock. No, it wasn’t all-winning, but he did embarrass some kids with hopped up civics and whatnot. The improvements in chassis design and tuning was visibly noticeable from 150 yards away … the TC would dive into a corner, turn in, lean-Lean-LEAN WAAAAAAAAY to the outside, then amazingly (and to great reliefe of the corner workers) take a set and glide through the corner like it was on rails.
Anyway, if you have the yenom and the garage space, you might want to swing by Vegas.
Source: Classical Drives
Happy Fourth of July to all you car buffs out there!
Since the Fourth of July is a celebration of America and all things American (except maybe gas prices), I’ve put together this little Fourth of July Special, an article dedicated to all American cars. I actually got the idea from Car and Driver, and you can see their article here. Anyway, this is compromised of what I believe are the current finest examples of the American automobile. Not all are in production, but those that aren’t will be. I chose these cars because they herald the new “era” of the Big Three, , who are just beginning to make cars that you actually want. So if you’re a car buff and you love your country, this might just make you proud to be an American again, and just in time for the Fourth of July. And if you aren’t American, these cars might just make you wish you were.
You might not agree with all the choices, and if there is a car you disagree with or if there is one you think should be on the list, any and all comments are welcome. Keep in mind that this is just my opinion of cars that have that good ol’ American feel— and make me proud to be an American. Continue Reading…
OK, Detroit Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show … let’s see, what do we got this year … something called an A-Bat, a whole bunch of hybrid this & that, SUVs renamed something-or-other-Vs, a whole bunch of Chinese cars with safety “standards” that will give Nader fits, the roll out of the 2008 Shelby GT500KR, huh, wonder what that’s all about?
Let’s take a look at the stats … SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8, limited to 1,000 copies, 50% stiffer chassis, revised suspension, better aero, Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, 540-hp and torque to 510 ft.-lbs …
Fiver hundred and forty?!
Son-of-a- … this thing must go like all get out!
And hey look, they’re even putting it out on ‘Ol Shel’d birthday … pretty cool, huh?
Only thing that could be cooler is if they put this drive train into the Bullitt package, but why get ahead of ourselves?
OK, so there’s been a lot of buzz over the past while concerning the new upcoming version of Knight Rider. Thankfully, they are only re-doing it as a TV series, and not trying to make it into a mediocre movie, and, as with everything widespread and hyped these days, there’s good news, and there’s bad news.
The good news is that the series will be largely Hasselhoff free.
The bad news, if you’re a Pontiac fan and/or a traditionalist, is that K.I.T.T. (that would be The Knight Rider’s car, for those of you who don’t know) is going to be a new Ford Shelby GT500KR Mustang.
Now look, I’ve got nothing against this move, per se. I actually like the latest iteration of the Mustang, and I’m sure the latest Shelby treatment is just as potent as all the other ones (except for that hideous Mustang II Cobra, the less said about that, the better), but for the series to, essentially, “change brands” is always a tricky move to pull off. Continue Reading…
