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Watch a mini-doc on the amazing Icon Bronco
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Classics, SUV, Ford, Specialty
We’ve had the good fortune of getting up close and personal with quite a few of Icon 4×4’s creations, from their off-road wares like the CJ3B and FJ line to one-off restomod hot rods like their Derelict ‘52 Chevy. While few people may be able to afford the company’s offerings, the creativity and thought that goes into each of their vehicles is something everyone can appreciate.
We have a particular affection for Icon and its latest project, the Ford Bronco. We went for a brief drive in the very first example just before it made its debut at SEMA last year and fell in love with every detail of the modernized off-roader. Every trim piece on the car has been laser cut or machined from stainless steel. The unique gauge cluster is inspired by Bell & Ross watches. The interior aluminum is the same found on the inside of luxury skyscraper elevator doors. The Icon Bronco is capable of proving its worth both on and off-road too, thanks to an Art Morrison chassis, custom-built Dana 60 and 44 solid axle assemblies, and a Ford Mustang 5.0-liter V8 under the hood.
Jonathan Ward, creator of Icon, recently invited a documentary filmmaker inside his facility to take a closer look at the Bronco. The resulting film will give you a better idea of what went into developing the Bronco as well what makes Ward tick as both a designer and a builder. If you’ve like any of Icon’s creations, it’s definitely worth a watch. Just scroll down and hit play.
Continue reading Watch a mini-doc on the amazing Icon Bronco
Watch a mini-doc on the amazing Icon Bronco originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Shelby considering new halo sports car, Focus and Fusion models for the future
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Performance, Ford
If Ford actually comes to market with a new GT, then we’ll be right there with them.
With the debut of its audacious 1000 horsepower GT500 at the New York Auto Show earlier this month, you might be wondering what direction Shelby will be headed in the future. After all, they can’t just keep adding more horsepower to the Mustang. Can they?
Shelby president John Luft tells us that while they will continue producing post-title Mustang packages (they have a product plan for the pony car through 2020), the company is also considering branching out to other vehicles in the Ford lineup.
“Our plans include everything from the Mustang to looking at future development of the EcoBoost motor,” he told us. “There could be a Focus or Fusion development in our future.”
The plans don’t stop there, though. Luft revealed to us that Shelby is considering producing another halo sports car like they did in the late 1990s with the Series 1.
“We always pose the ‘what if’. If you remember when the Series 1 was developed, that was a purpose-built halo sports car for the Shelby brand. We always put those things in the plan because maybe down the road we would want to readdress a purpose-built Shelby sports car. It doesn’t mean we’ll build it, but we always want to challenge ourselves to put it on the table and talk about the practicality of it.”
Keep reading for more insights into Shelby’s plans for the future.
Continue reading Shelby considering new halo sports car, Focus and Fusion models for the future
Shelby considering new halo sports car, Focus and Fusion models for the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
2012 Shelby 1000 is Carroll’s ultimate Mustang
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, New York Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford
As if last year’s 800-horsepower GT500 Super Snake wasn’t enough, Shelby has just taken the covers off their lastest creation, the “1000″ at this year’s New York Auto Show. The muscle coupe comes in two flavors – the 950 horsepower street version and the track-only 1100+ horsepower S/C – although the difference seems like a moot point when it comes to a car’s capability on the Pirelli street tires. A massive Kenne Bell 3.6L supercharger is the main source of the increased engine output, while a variety of chassis and drivetrain enhancements ensure that the additional horsepower and torque is delivered to the pavement.
Besides being the most powerful production car ever to come from Shelby, the 1000 will also be one of the most exclusive. Shelby President John Luft tells us that just 100 of the examples will be built with a starting price of close to $200,000. If the idea of a six-figure Ford Mustang seems like a hard sell, then you’re underestimating the lure of the Shelby brand. While the company has refused to take orders for the car before its debut, Luft informs Autoblog that the company already has a waiting list of more than 30 customers anxious to plunk down their hard earned cash for the model.
You can read full details on the 2012 Shelby 1000 in the press release by scrolling below and take a look at our live photos of the car’s debut in the gallery above.
Continue reading 2012 Shelby 1000 is Carroll’s ultimate Mustang
2012 Shelby 1000 is Carroll’s ultimate Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Shelby previews 1000-HP Super-Stang ahead of New York debut
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford
For some, the horsepower wars being waged by auto manufacturers over the past few years are getting a bit out of hand. A 550-hp factory Camaro? A 650-hp factory Mustang? Ridiculous. But if you count massive amounts of gas-guzzling horsepower and torque a crime (we don’t), then the worst of all offenders is perhaps Shelby. Last year at the New York Auto Show, the company unveiled its most powerful creation to date: the 2012 GT500 Super Snake, with up to 800 horsepower. And while 800 hp is just bonkers, Shelby’s next trick is even more insane.
Today, Shelby American has revealed the 2012 Shelby 1000. The name of, course, is taken from the car’s horsepower figure, which is around 950 in street trim and around 1,100 in the S/C track version. To harness the extra power, Shelby has installed a beefier suspension, larger brakes, a single-piece driveshaft and a nine-inch rear end, but we’re guessing it will still be quite a handful on the street.
Only a limited number of 2012 Shelby 1000 models will be produced, with the post-title package (not including the base GT500 donor car) starting at $149,995. That means the total cost will ring in at right around $200,000. Shelby says that it will start taking orders once the car is officially unveiled at the New York Auto Show next week. Hit the jump for the official press release.
Continue reading Shelby previews 1000-HP Super-Stang ahead of New York debut
Shelby previews 1000-HP Super-Stang ahead of New York debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.