Archive for June, 2010
PSA: Ford Mustang to make NASCAR Nationwide debut Friday night
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ford, Racing
All of you who have been anxiously awaiting the debut of the Ford Mustang in what we loosely refer to as modern-day stock car racing, take note: The original Pony Car will see its first action this Friday night at the Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
To help build excitement for the Mustang’s entrance into the Nationwide Series, Ford has just announced that it will offer a brand-new 2011 Mustang GT – powered by the excellent 5.0-liter V8, no less – to anyone that wins the race… provided they do so in a Ford-branded race car, of course.
For what it’s worth, Friday’s event will be the second straight race where a new 2011 Ford Mustang GT will serve as the pace car. In other words, those in attendance for the festivities would be witnesses to an All Mustang, All The Time Show if it weren’t for the fact that Dodge will also be showing up with its new Challenger-based entry. ‘Stang vs. Challenger? Sounds like fun.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading PSA: Ford Mustang to make NASCAR Nationwide debut Friday night
PSA: Ford Mustang to make NASCAR Nationwide debut Friday night originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Ford Mustang’s 50th anniversary approaching – is a special Shelby in the wings?
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Coupe, Budget, Performance, Ford, Rumormill
It’s time to stoke the raging fires of the rumor furnace once again. The good people at Motor Trend have let it slip that Caroll Shelby may be planning something interesting for the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang. We’re not just talking some fancy badges and a sticker program here, either. Evidently, the man behind some of the meanest snakes on four wheels has been camping out in Dearborn as of late, supposedly hard at work in the FoMoCo labs on the next creation to carry his name.
Those whispers are made all the more interesting by the fact that John Luft, Shelby American’s head honcho, has said that his company is currently eying whether or not to bring a rash of new R models to life. The cars would be fit for track duty straight from the factory, and given the Mustang’s new found ability to handle a road course, odds are we’re not just talking about quarter mile bruisers. Either way, you can bet Ford will pull something special when its pony hits the big half-century. Whether or not that means a fresh new Shelby remains to be seen.
Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500
Photos by Jonathan Ramsey / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Motor Trend]
Ford Mustang’s 50th anniversary approaching – is a special Shelby in the wings? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Deep Dive: Curve Control on the 2011 Ford Explorer [w/video]
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: SUV, Safety, Technology, Crossover, Ford
When the new 2011 Explorer goes on sale later this year, Ford plans to highlight the new unibody ‘ute’s safety and fuel efficiency. The Explorer will be exclusively powered by four- and six-cylinder EcoBoost engines, which are expected to increase efficiency by 20-25 percent, while delivering the power consumers crave. Expect more drivetrain details to be forthcoming, but before then, Ford invited us out to its Dearborn proving grounds to see what it has in store on the safety front.
Ford confirmed last fall that the Explorer would be the first vehicle to get its new inflatable rear seat-belts, but the latest – and arguably more interesting – feature on the Explorer is dubbed “Curve Control.” The system is a software enhancement built on top of the existing roll stability control (RSC) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems, and we had a chance to experience it first hand. Make the jump to find out more.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Deep Dive: Curve Control on the 2011 Ford Explorer [w/video]
Deep Dive: Curve Control on the 2011 Ford Explorer [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
2010 Dana Point Concours: Don “The Snake” Prudhomme tribute
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Motorsports, Classics, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Celebrities
The 28th Annual Dana Point Concours d’Elegance took place this past Sunday and once again found the Monarch Beach Golf Links at the St. Regis Resort to be a perfect venue. As beautiful as the resort is, though, we were a bit perplexed to hear visitors talking so openly and enthusiastically about all of the snakes they had been seeing there.
“Did you see The Snake? There are four snakes up on the hill! The Snake was riding around in a golf cart a few minutes ago, make sure you go see him.”
The well-traveled Reptilia was none other than Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, the honorary chairman of this year’s concours. “The Snake” didn’t come empty-handed to this party either. No, he brought with him a quartet of his funky funny cars from the 1970s, including the sole remaining Mattel Hot Wheels 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car that became famous during the “Snake vs. Mongoose” match races between Prudhomme and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen. Back in the day, these two warriors famously squared off in match races across the country while also making countless appearances at toy stores, retail outlets and other locations.
The Barracuda was parked atop the same 1967 Dodge D-700 crew cab Hot Wheels Ramp Truck that was used to transport the race car on that promotional tour. The gorgeous yellow duo emerged from frame-off restorations just in time for SEMA last year, and seeing it there instantly transported us back to our youths, when our Hot Wheels checklist included not only this screaming yellow Plymouth, but Prudhomme’s red, white and blue Hot Wheels and ARMY cars as well. Imagine our delight, then, when we saw some of those cars parked right alongside the Baracuda and transport in Dana Point on Sunday.
Front and center sat the white 1972 Hot Wheels sponsored Plymouth ‘Cuda funny car, to its left the 1974 Army sponsored Chevrolet Vega funny car and to the right the 1978 Army Plymouth Arrow funny car which proudly carries the “Number 1,” reflecting Prudhomme’s fourth consecutive NHRA World Championship season. The Snake himself was also part of the attraction on Sunday, recounting old racing tales and signing autographs for the masses. He even took a few minutes to visit with the Cagahys, a couple who happened to bring their own Prudhomme car to the event – a 2009 Shelby Mustang Prudhomme Edition. We took lots of pics, which you can check out in the gallery below.
Photos by Frank Filipponio/ Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
2010 Dana Point Concours: Don “The Snake” Prudhomme tribute originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.