A commercial from Ford on the Shelby GT-H has surfaced and with it brings a little confusion about the contents. What is wierd about the commercial is that it has the Shelby GT-H featured in it but at the end of the video it gives you a pitch for the Shelby GT. I know they are pretty much the same car but why not feature a Shelby GT instead of the Shelby GT-H. Maybe this is why it has not seen the light of day on TV yet. If anybody has any insight into this commercial let me know in the comments.
I scored two great videos for everybody from WebRides TV on the Mustang Giugiaro concept. The videos are a two part series from the L.A. Auto Show and they include J. Mays Vice President of Design for Ford Motor Company talking about the Mustang Giugiaro concept. Also in the videos is Italian designer Fabrizio Giugiaro giving you the ins and outs of the concept his company built exclusively for the show. Part II of the video can be found after the jump or you can click here to see it directly on their site.
The details and photos are out on the Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept that is making it’s debut at the L.A. Auto Show this week and they look nothing short of spectacular. The concept was custom built by renowned Italian coachbuilder Giugiaro who created a one of-a-kind Mustang with Ford Racing suspension, drivetrain and a 4.6-liter V8 pumping out 500 horsepower.
The car with all it’s Italian flare and design still resembles the Mustang in so many ways. The front fascia of the car has been lowered and pinched in a bit to give it a lean and mean look like no other. The body has been widened from 30 milimeters in the front to about 80 milimeters in the rear which is typical in Italian design. The Glass roof is made from one piece of crystal that filters out 100 percent of UV rays and extends from the rear of the car all the way to the front hood. The interior of this concept car looks like something out of the old west with it’s brown and butterscotch colors along with it’s horsehide inserts. The doors on this machine are lamborghini like in that they flip up with the touch of a button like scissors.
The engine, drivetrain and suspension were all custom made and provided by Ford Racing. The engine is a stock 4.6-liter 3-valve V8 that has been mated with an intercooled twin-screw supercharger. Other components include Ford GT fuel injectors, unique engine calibration, 95 mm mass air meter, conical air filter and a performance exhaust made by Ford Racing.
All in all this is one bad ass Mustang with the best Italian design and Ford Racing components. Over 15 high quality photos have been posted on MustangPhotos.com for your viewing pleasure. The official press release with all the information is below.
All Photos Posted on MustangPhotos.com. Press Release:
The 2005 Ford Mustang captured the hearts and minds of millions of fans and future owners when the all-new model debuted. But the proportions and design of Ford’s first purpose-built muscle car in 30-plus years caught the eyes and sparked the imaginations of a pair of the world’s leading coachbuilders in Italy as well.
“When we saw the new Mustang, we knew two things: It was the best we’d seen since the original, and we had to get our hands on one,” said Fabrizio Giugiaro, styling director of Italdesign – Giugiaro S.P.A. “We still believe it’s important to show the automotive world pure exercises in style that interpret key models reflecting the history and image of important brands.”
So in early 2005, Giugiaro pitched J Mays, Ford Motor Company’s group vice president, Design and chief creative officer, on his idea to do an Italian job on the beloved Mustang. The result: Mustang by Giugiaro – a one-of-a-kind concept powered by Ford Racing technologies, marking the Italian coachbuilder’s first reveal at the inaugural November Los Angeles Auto Show.
“It seemed only fitting,” said Mays. “This design study reinforces the global appeal of Mustang, yet it’s right at home in L.A. – America’s most enthusiastic performance and muscle car market. Plus, design icon Giorgetto Giugairo’s offer to work his magic on Mustang alongside his son underscores the timelessness allure of Ford’s most iconic car.”
Design aficionados will remember that the senior Giugiaro – who last year celebrated his 50 th anniversary in the business by designing a custom-made Ferrari, the GG50 – created the 1965 Bertone Mustang. The car, which was unmistakably Italian in its interpretation, became the first European-styled car to make its international debut in America following the end of World War II.
The senior Giugiaro’s portfolio includes concept and production designs for nearly every automaker in the world – from Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Volkswagen to Mazda, Lotus and Bugatti. Since joining ItalDesign, the family firm, in 1990, Fabrizio Giugiaro has helped deliver key global designs as well, but American automotive icons have long captured his attention.
He designed the Chevrolet Corvette Moray, unveiled in early 2003, and was eager to expand the collection of Giugiaro-interpreted American metal.
Fabrizio Giugiaro led the 2-D design process on the Mustang by Giugiaro concept, allowing him to deliver a complete exterior model from the family’s Turin, Italy, studios in just four months.
Visually, the Mustang by Giugiaro appears more compact than the production car, thanks to a reduction of the rear overhang and a signature Giugiaro “trick” of tapering the angles on the car to the limit of its mechanical outlines.
Still, the Italian version of America’s most popular muscle car hasn’t lost any of its swagger.
The vibrant orange concept is wider than the production version. The Giugiaros added 30 millimeters to the front, gradually expanding the width by a full 80 millimeters toward the rear, which is typical in Italian design.
With its longer hood and the trunk barely visible, the car looks more of a fastback in side view. But details throughout reinforce the freedom and rebellion synonymous with Mustang. Fabrizio Giugiaro’s favorites include:
*The interior – featuring a dramatic instrument panel that sweeps the width of the car; circular gauges that project from behind the steering wheel; dark brown horsehide-covered headrests with horse logo accents; and seat cushions and backrests elaborately upholstered in dark brown mottled horse hides.
*The single curved glass panel that bridges the windshield and rear window, serving as the concept’s roof. Produced by Solutia of Detroit, the panel is made from a special type of crystal that filters out 100 percent of UVA rays while providing unfettered vista views.
*Its dramatic doors, which are hinged at the base of the upright A-pillar and open vertically at the touch of a button.
*Bespoke taillights, which are three separate elements as found on the 1964 Mustang – but reinterpreted into a more dramatic arrow shape that links to the louver panels that replace the rear side windows.
*The visible curl that sweeps into the crest of the concept’s carbon fiber fenders, hinting at tail fins that defined American cars of the ‘50s.
*The sporting-but-elegant unique 20-inch rims, fitted with 275/40 tires on the front and larger 315/35 tires on the rear.
As its wheels and tires suggest, the Mustang by Giugiaro is more than just a tribute to Mustang design. It also is an exclamation of the car’s heritage of performance.
The concept features a powertrain and chassis enhanced in conjunction with Ford Racing – which is responsible for Ford Motor Company motorsports development and operations.
Ford Racing’s efforts include the development and sale of a race-prepared version of the Mustang, called the FR500C, for the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series. In its first season alone, the FR500C scored five wins in the 2005 GS Class, including the manufacturers’ championship, in which Mustang bested other production-based sports cars, including the BMW M3 and Porsche 911.
This Mustang, a turn-key race car sold to privateers, provided the inspiration for the Mustang by Giugiaro concept’s performance and handling attributes.
Ford Racing improved on the already-robust 300 horsepower all-aluminum 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8 engine in the production Mustang GT by adding an intercooled twin-screw supercharger for the new concept. Additional improvements include fuel injectors from the Ford GT and a unique engine calibration. Engine air intake is increased with a larger 95 mm mass air meter and a conical air filter. Exhaust performance is enhanced with new Ford Racing mufflers and an X-pipe.
The powertrain upgrades deliver an estimated 500 horsepower, complete with a boost level of 11 psi from the Ford Racing supercharger. A high-efficiency Ford Racing aluminum radiator provides increased cooling capability to accompany the extra 200 horsepower provided under hood.
Under the car, the FR500C-inspired chassis tuning is accomplished with a tailored Ford Racing Handling Pack. This package, available through Ford Racing for the Mustang GT, adds new Dynamic-tuned dampers, lowering springs and anti-sway bars. The changes give the car a lower stance while sharpening handling response. The car rides approximately 1.5 inches lower than the production Mustang GT.
“The Mustang by Giugiaro drives as good as it looks,” said Fabrizio Giugiaro. “After taking it to the limits on streets outside of Turin, I can honestly say this car was well worth the 30,000 hours of blood, sweat and tears that we invested to create a modern performance classic.”
Another great video from the folks at Evolution Performance with this one including thier Shelby GT500 going into the 9’s for the first time. Having watched the progression of this GT500 go from the 11’s to the 10’s and now into the 9’s is just unreal and to think it’s all been done with simple bolt-ons and a custom tune.
Evolution Performances GT500 made this amazing run on November 19th at Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun, MD. The GT500 went down the track in a blistering 9.96 @ 141.45 MPH with a motor making 664 RWHP and 788 RWTQ. The mods include a JLT Carbon Fiber CAI, 2.5 inch Pulley, 75 Shot of Nitrous and an Evolution Performance custom tune. The addition of the Nitrous is probably what put them into the nines. At the end of the video you get a little teaser as to what is coming next, can you say Kenne Bell. Yes sir, a new Big Bore 2.8L Kenne Bell Twin Screw blower made specifically for the Shelby GT500 will be adorning the top of this already potent motor. One can only speculate on the horsepower numbers with the addition of the Kenne Bell blower but I think it’s safe to say this car might be putting out 800 ponies.
A 2006 Shelby GT-H has popped up on Ebay somehow and one lucky car dealer in Newark, NJ is listing it with the minimum bid set at $40K with a reserve not yet met. I am unsure how this dealer obtained the car but in the description it says it came from a Hertz Executive. The dealer posting this auction claims it’s a “hard to find” and in impecable condition Shelby GT-H but does this dealer realize what he actualy has or does he think these are just floating around for sale. As far as I know this is only the second Shelby GT-H that has been put up for sale with the first one going for $250K. Most if not all Shelby GT-H’s are still for rent at Hertz locations and are not going to be sold to the public until they reach 16-18K miles, so one would have to ask how this baby got out of it’s cage. The auction looks legit and the dealer has pictures of the title and invoice for the car. If you got the cash this might be a wise investment.
For more information and to view the Ebay Auction click here.
If you are a fan of the ‘American Chopper’ TV show on the Discovery channel then you are all to familiar with Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. of Orange County Choppers and their Shelby GT500E “Super Snake” Mustangs that were built exclusively for them by Unique Performance. These rare GT500E Super Snakes of which only 75 were made are going on the auction block at the 2007 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction that will be taking place on January 13-21 which hopefully I will be attending again for the second straight year unless something comes up.
Paul Sr.’s GT500E Super Snake which is Lot#1317 was part of an episode of American Choppers where they built a custom Shelby GT500E “Eleanor” Chopper and traded Unique Performance for the GT500E. Paul Sr.’s car was completely custom built to exact specifications and delivered to him during an OCC episode at the 2004 SEMA show.
Paul Jr.’s GT500E Super Snake which is Lot#1318 is made with the same go fast goodies as dads but his was personally designed and customized by Chip Foose including a two-tone paint job and 19 inch Foose wheels. Paulie as he is called on the show has only racked up 75 miles on the clock and his car like his fathers was unveiled a year later at the 2005 SEMA show.
Well the folks over at StangsUnleashed.com seem to think so, as they have written an article speculating Ford might be producing a Pink Mustang for 2008 and as far off as it may sound it could become a reality if the brass at Ford give it the go ahead. In the article Robert Lane says members of Team Mustang have been throwing around the idea of a Pink Mustang for some time but nothing has ever come of it, although with the popularity of the s197 body style they feel this might be the time to act.
The color Pink is nothing new to the Mustang because if you know your Mustang history then you will recount that back in 1967 Ford introduced a color called Playboy Pink. These days naming a color Playboy Pink will probably not go over to well so don’t expect Playboy to be in any color choices for 2008.
P.S.
Do you like my Pink Mustang Photo I created, see I do have some talent.
The Ebay auction I found for you this time is a beauty, it’s a Restomod that is gracing the cover of the December issue of Mustang Monthly. The 1965 STE Classic Mustang Fastback Restomod by K.A.R. Auto Group has been customized from head to toe with every part imaginable and then some. The powerplant of this well manicured machine is a 5.0 litre Ford GT-40 crate motor producing 350+ horsepower along with it boasting a curb weight of only 2800 lbs. To say this car is one-of-a kind is an understatement and the $79K buy it now price seems like a steal for such a highly modified car. To view the Ebay auction click here or if you are interested to see how this build unfolded check out KarMustang.com.
On a sidenote it’s always interesting to see what else people are auctioning off and in this case it payed off. KarMustags other auction is a reproduction brushed aluminum right side dash panel autographed by the man himself Carrol Shelby. With a minimum bid of $500 and no reserve this looks like another steal. I might just have to place a bid on this autographed piece.
Ford is still going strong with their Ford Bold Moves webisode campaign and this time for the 22nd episode they have gathered up a bunch of Ford Racing Team NASCAR drivers to push the GT500 to the limit on a closed track in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford’s Mustang marketing manager Jim Owens was sitting shotgun while NASCAR drivers that included the likes of Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Jaime McMurray, and Carl Edwards took to the track to flog the GT500. Cameras are mounted inside and outside of the GT500 and along the road course to catch all the great heart-pumping action. If you like NASCAR and are partial to the Ford Racing gallery of drivers this is definately your episode to watch.
One Lucky Mustang enthusiast snaps a photo of what is said to be a top-secret Giugiaro Mustang Concept possible the 2010 Mustang in Italy of all places. The car as reported on jalopnik.com is said to be a joint project between Ford design boss J Mays and ItalDesign’s Fabrizio Giugiaro which is set for a debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. Reports say this Giugiaro Mustang concept will feature the most powerful Mustang engine ever developed. At this point it’s all speculation so keep checking back for more info.
Ford is still going strong with their 
