While we’ve been busy watching Lucky the GT350 cavorting in Mexico, Ford has been busy prepping the new FR500S for display at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. This is really some pretty impressive news, as the Mustang racer is Ford’s first factory ready race car. Destined for a new Mustang only spec series, the FR500S is powered by a sealed 4.6 liter, 3 valve V8 built by Roush. The program gives racers the opportunity to race a real live Trans Am style showroom stocker at the value price of $75,000.
The first images from the 2007 Woodward Dream Cruise have begun to trickle into The Garage. We’re a few days behind some of the other blogs, but there are a ton of images in this first submission alone. There are over 500 photos to sort though, so I’ll be a busy boy tonight. For now, let’s start things off with the beginning of the trip.
James and Rob Tong took their blue Mustang Cobra, along with other members of a couple of local Mustang clubs down for their annual trip to Woodward. The first stops were at Saleen and Roush, where they saw some pretty cool stuff.
Carroll Shelby is one of the most recognized names in racing history, and for good reason. The cars he built in the Sixties took on the best the world had to offer and beat them. As a result of that, Mustangs of that era are immediately linked to the Shelby name due to their resemblance to the famed GT350. Even the regular run of the mill six cylinder cars carry a bit of that glory. The cars that actually bear the Shelby nameplate are inevitably worth a fortune thanks to the history of the brand that is Shelby.
The styling of the current body Mustang owes a lot to that heritage and has almost become an instant classic shape. Recent business problems aside, the marketing guys at Ford are no dummies. They know that the success of their brand depends on interpreting that history properly and that means exploiting the Shelby brand. How about a modern interpretation of the mythical GT500KR? A good idea? We think so, and so do the guys at Ford.
Just like the original KR was the pinnacle of Mustang horsepower back in ‘68, the 2008 GT500KR is the most powerful Mustang ever built, with an estimated 540 Clydesdales under a fancy composite hood. With only 1000 units being built versus 1053 of the original car, the new car could become ever more sought after in years to come.
Get the full details on from the Ford press release after the break Continue reading →
Yesterday, Ford hit the ground running prior to the New York Auto Show, with the release of 3 special new models. The most powerful Mustang and Pick Up ever, along with the Funkiest Expedition ever.
Firstly, there is the 2008 Mustang Shelby GT500 KR, with a whopping 540 ponies under the hood. Joining the KR is the Chip Foose influenced 2008 Ford F-150 Foose Edition with 450 horsepower. Coming along for the ride might just be the ultimate bling-mobile. That’s right, Ford has teamed up with FunkMaster Flex to create the 2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition, featuring a tonne of in your face cosmetics and a killer sound system.
Over at Positive Ape Index, Coop has the goods on this 70 Stang that’s been stuffed full of 1100 cubic inches. This monster v8 was originally designed for Sherman tanks in WW2, so it develops an ungodly amount of torque. Like, say 1050 ft lbs of twist!
That poor old pony doesn’t stand a chance when this thing fires up later this week!
Over at Jalopnik today, they are talking about a Trans Am teaser that Car & Driver have printed in the December 06 issue. It seems that a key guy at Ford wants to make this happen. The possible plan? Start a single make series for the 550 hp Mustang and then expand to include other models. Imagine that…production based poney cars battling it out on the track for a bit of Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday.
Those lucky stiffs over at Autoblog have just spent some time with the new Roush 427R Mustang, and it was no cruise around the blog. Nope, these guys got the time to spin it on a dyno and even take a bunch of passes down the strip. The 427 stands for 427 hp, and the translated to 356 at the wheels, with 330 ft/lbs. Those numbers were solid enough for a 13.2 pass down the 1/4 at 108.77 mph. While that number may disappoint some, don’t forget that most of the big magazine tests are done by pro drivers.
Visit Autoblog for their full story, along with tons of great pics and a nice first try at a video.
Roush press release about the 427R after the break.
Those car crazy folks over at Kelly Blue Book have released their list of the top cars for back to school. Reading parents and kids were surveyed as to which of 15 cars they would like to see their kids driving to school. The average price of each car was in the neighbourhood of 10 grand. The college age drivers chose the 2001 Mustang as their ride of choice, while parents chose the 2001 Honda Civic as the best ride for their spawn. Interestingly, the Civic was also number 3 on the college driver’s list, so perhaps it could be crowned the overall winner.
What I want to know is where were these parents when I was in High School. Most of us drove beaters or worn out old grandparents cars and they suited us just fine. I’d love to have my ‘69 Fury back again!
Hey Mr. Gentilozzi….. I’ve got an idea that may just revitalize Trans Am! Why not go back to the grassroots history? Just think, the North American series with the most history needs something new & a bit of history may be just the thing.
