Motor City Muscle Cars

Rob Bell, Alexander Sims and Alvaro Parente to Race McLaren GT for 2012

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:38:12 +0000

Rob Bell and Alexander Sims join Alvaro Parente in McLaren GT customer team driver line-up for 2012
Three examples of the MP4-12C GT3 race car and one MP4-12C road car to be presented at Autosport International
25 Mclaren MP4-12C GT3’s to race in Europe in 2012

McLaren GT is building on its successful 2011 development programme for the new MP4-12C GT3 by adding Britons Rob Bell and Alexander Sims to its driver line-up for 2012. Bell and Sims will join Portuguese racing driver Alvaro Parente at McLaren GT, with each driver available to teams racing the stunning new MP4-12C GT3 in 2012.

The 12C GT3 is a unique technical concept in sportscar racing. It features McLaren’s one-piece moulded carbon MonoCell chassis and technology normally reserved for Formula 1 race cars. The 12C GT3 has been specified and developed by a team comprising senior personnel from McLaren Racing, McLaren Automotive and successful GT car race team CRS Racing. US fans are hoping to see the car in action in the American LeMans Series, however currently McLaren has not yet entertained entering the ALMS.

McLaren Racing Chief Vehicle Engineer Mark Williams has been at the forefront of technical development of the 12C GT3. Williams said: “Since the 12C GT3 development programme began in March, we have entered endurance races all over Europe and more recently in Macau. We have undertaken independent 24 hour tests at some of Europe’s most challenging circuits, and experienced some real highs and of course, had to deal with a number of challenges.

“The 12C GT3 qualified in pole position in the British GT Championship race in Spa in July. We returned to Spa for this season’s 24 hour event and had a car complete the race at its first attempt. That is remarkable and was a good indication that core technologies were proving efficient and reliable in racing. More recently, Danny Watts secured third place in the Macau GT Cup. We’re really proud of these achievements. We are very close to the finished article now and I am looking forward to seeing our race cars at the front of the grid in 2012.”

McLaren GT will deliver 25 cars to established GT race teams and private customers for racing in Europe in 2012. The new race car manufacturer will announce its full line-up of customer teams and contracted drivers prior to the first race of the 2012 race calendar.

Driver biographies:

Rob Bell

Double Le Mans Series champion, Rob is a respected British sportscar driver with a wealth of experience. Rob has raced sportscars for seven years, winning the Le Mans Series title in 2008 and 2009, and additionally racing in the FIA GT, ALMS and Grand-Am series.

Rob began his racing career in karting and enjoyed early success at international level. Moving to single seaters in 1998, Rob started in the Formula Vauxhall Junior championship, progressing to British Formula Ford and then on to Formula Renault, taking the Formula Renault Winter Championship title in 2002 and 2003. He became a front runner in the British and European championships, scoring regular pole positions and podium finishes in Renault V6 (now called World Series by Renault).

Turning to sportscars in 2005, Rob quickly established himself as a strong competitor, winning the GT1 LMES 6 hours of Nurburgring in the first race of his debut season. In 2007 and 2008 he claimed the Le Mans Series Champion title and since that time he has competed in every major sportscar series and blue riband event. With five Le Mans 24 Hour race starts, Sebring 12 Hours, Petit Le Mans, Spa 24 Hours and Daytona 24 Hours to his name, Rob is one of the few top sportscar names who can speak from experience about all of these classic races. He has experience of a broad range of marques, with a breadth of knowledge which can help to assist a team in a car development programme, tyre testing and other technical evaluations, evidenced by his involvement with Ferrari and Dunlop for the last five years.

In addition to his race programmes, Rob has provided driver coaching services to a number of teams for a number of years and has been able to assist with young race driver development in both single seater and sportscar categories, counting three McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award winners – Alex Sims (2008), Dean Smith (2009) and Lewis Williamson (2010) - as his protégés.

Alexander Sims

As winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of The Year Award in 2008, Alexander is on the fast track to the world of Formula 1. With the interest of Formula 1 teams, along with his superb results, Alexander is currently one of the most promising drivers below Formula 1.

Alexander competed in Karting for 8 years, winning numerous National and British Titles, The Monaco Kart Grand Prix, The Parma Industrials Championship and 3 British Grand Prix. Finishing his karting career with Pole at the World championships in 2006, Alexander then adjusted to cars extremely quickly, finishing 2nd in his first ever race.

In 2008 Alexander finished the season 2nd in the Formula Renault UK Championship with 2 wins and 12 podiums to his name. He then went on to win the highly prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of The Year Award and receive his prize of a test in the McLaren Formula 1 car.

In 2009 Alexander moved into the hugely competitive F3 Euro Series. Competing with Mücke motorsport, Alexander scored his maiden pole in round 3 along with his first Podium. Winning once and scoring 4 further podiums, Alexander finished the season in 4th place in the Championship and 2nd placed rookie. Alexander raced in GP3 Series for Status in 2011, finishing sixth in the Championship.

Álvaro Parente

Álvaro Parente started his motorsport career in Karting in Portugal, showing exceptional early talent. Aged only nine years old, Álvaro won his first national title in the Cadet category, and continued his success by winning two more National Championships, one National Cup and the European Championship in the junior category.

In 2001, Álvaro started his career in Formula racing, participating in nine of the 13 races of the F3 Spanish Championship. He finished the second best rookie and 12th overall, in a championship with more than 30 drivers. In 2002, the young driver repeated the F3 Spanish Championship with the Racing Engineering team, achieving 4^th place overall.

In 2003 Álvaro began a new challenge in the F3 Euro Series Championship with Ghinzani team, participating also in the prestigious F3 Marlboro Masters, with the direct support of Phillip Morris. In 2004 aged just 19 years old (the youngest driver in the championship), Álvaro competed in the F3 British Championship with Carlin Motorsport.

In 2005 he competed for the second year in the F3 British Championship with Carlin Motorsport. Álvaro won the Championship, winning 11 of 18 races. Álvaro was crowned F3 British Champion with four races left before the end of season.

These results lead to an invitation for Álvaro to represent Portugal in the World Cup of Motorsport, the A1 GP, during the 2005-2006 season. Álvaro took sixth place in the Championship, which included 25 participating countries.

In 2006, Álvaro took another step towards Formula 1, participating in Formula Renault 3.5, the headline event of the World Series by Renault. The ultimate prize for this Championship was a test with the Renault Formula 1 team.

Alvaro finished the season in fifth place, only nine points behind champion Alex Danielsson, and 33 points ahead of the sixth placed competitor. With three victories and seven podiums, Álvaro Parente was the rookie driver with the most victories and leading laps in the championship, closing his season with a brilliant win in Barcelona.

In 2007 Álvaro Parente showed he was the fastest driver in the World Series 3.5, winning the Monaco and Spa-Francorchamps races, and subsequently winning the World Series by Renault Championship more than 20 points ahead of his nearest competitor.

Alvaro subsequently raced in the GP2 Series for three years with Super Nova, Ocean Racing Technology and Scuderia Coloni, with his highest season finish in eighth position.

In 2011 Alvaro joined McLaren GT for the development programme of the new MP4-12C GT3.

1979 Dodge Ram B200 Star Wars Van Found on Ebay

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:12:06 +0000

This shagtastic Star Wars tribute van is our “Ebay Motors Find of the Day”. Its not often that you find a non A-Team high-top van trying to command $10,000 at auction, but the dark side of the force may compel one such Star Wars fan to do just that. This 1979 Dodge B200 Van features a T-65 X-wing Fighter, Darth Vader, and the Death Star displayed prominently on three sides of the van. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader duel it out with lighter sabers on the front fenders, while quotes from Hans Solo and Luke tie the package together, “I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back home” and “Traveling through hyperspace ain’t like dusting crops, boy!”.

Light sabers are not included in this period correct custom van that rolled the lot just two years after Star Wars hit the bog screen. The owner claims the small block 318 CI V8 will propel the van to nearly 100 mph… At that speed we figure she will sound just like the Millennium Falcon making the jump to hyperspace.

Link to Ebay Auction

Cars.com Names Dodge Challenger Car of the Year

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:00:13 +0000

Cars.com, the online classifieds resource for buying and selling new and used cars, announced the Dodge Challenger as the winner of its annual Shoppers’ Choice award. Finalists for the award were selected based on shoppers’ actions on the site that indicated interest in new vehicles, including searching for vehicles, sending inquiries to dealers on availability and most importantly, filling out a positive review of their vehicle. The Challenger took home the title after grabbing the most votes from Cars.com Facebook fans in the final round of the competition.

We assume the large number of family sedans and SUVs in the top ten help skew the results in the Challenger’s favor. The first generation Challenger was produced from 1970-1974 as Dodge’s answer for the red hot Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro pony cars. The current model debuted in 2008 and has never enjoyed the sales success of either the Mustang or Camaro. It has often been maligned for its weight and larger size.

However, Cars.com editor-in-chief, Patrick Olsen sees it differently, “The Dodge Challenger’s win proves, once again, that our Cars.com shoppers know what makes a great vehicle. The Challenger’s classic muscle car styling, refined handling and spacious interior make this an excellent choice for anyone in the market for a fun and surprisingly practical car.”

The 10 finalists for the Cars.com Shoppers’ Choice award were (in alphabetical order):

Audi Q5
Dodge Challenger
GMC Terrain
Honda Accord
Honda Pilot
Kia Soul
Ram 1500
Subaru Outback
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Sienna

Finalists were selected based on shopping behavior from August 2010 through July 2011. Online voting ran from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30 on the Cars.com Facebook page. The winning vehicle was announced today at Cars.com’s Best of the Year awards show in Detroit.

1950′s Pontiac “Chief of The Sixes” Coin

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:28:41 +0000

My father-in-law dropped this little treasure into my hands yesterday evening. He had found the token while cleaning out an drawer in his father’s desk. Pontiac’s advertising department coined the phrase (pun intended) “Chief of the Sixes” in 1926, and the slogan was a stamped on the company’s Indian Head radiator / grille emblems used from 1926-1929. The slogan passed from prominence after Pontiac launched their first V8 engine in 1955.

The pocket token or coin was minted for Pontiac by the renowned advertising company Whitehead & Hoag of Newark City, NJ, from 1953-1956. The coins features the Indian Head Pontiac logo with the “Pontiac” and Chief of the Sixes” on the front side and “Product of General Motors” on the inverse side. This fun piece of post war automotive memorabilia currently retails for $19-$59 apiece.

Founded in 1892 Whitehead & Hoag was one was the largest advertisement firms in the world for nearly a century. They printed promotional materials and manufactured buttons, coins, banners and bookmarks for the likes of: Boeing, US Government, Guinness, Bud, Bass Ale, Starret, Bartels, World’s Fair and several presidential hopefuls.

Photo Credit: Kurt Golgart

Ebay Find of the Day: $53 Pontiac Fiero takes wood-grain interior to the next level.

Ford Crown Victoria Tackles Hell’s Revenge Trail In Moab

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:53:53 +0000

Next time you’re out on a trail ride in your Jeep Wrangler, Chevy Blazer, or Ford Bronco and you bypass that tricky obstacle, that makes your toenails curl and get your shorts in a wad, just remember: it’s okay. If it wasn’t difficult a car could do it, right. Be glad this guy isn’t riding behind you… He just might show you up. Just image what this Crown Vic could do with a locker?

Apparently the owner of this 1997 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is a common sight in and around the hills of Moab. He has been spotted on popular 4×4 trails like Hell’s Revenge, Fins’n'Things, as well as Baby Lion’s Back. The Crown Victoria serves as cheap transportation in and out of Moab to his favorite mountain biking spots.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwPXEeJ3aI

Photo Credits ADV Rider & Dave C

AEV Debuts Jeep Wrangler Pick-Up Truck Concept Brute Double Cab at SEMA

maritimedriver — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:06:09 +0000

When Mopar released the JK8 Independence earlier this year all it did was fan our desire for a true Jeep Wrangler pick-up truck more inline with the Jeep Gladiator of old. Unfortunately, Jeep’s conversion kit elimiated one of the most positive features of the JK Wrangler 4-door, the second row seat. American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 2012 Brute Double Cab SEMA concept car takes over where Jeep left off, and gets one step closer to a production Jeep pick-up.

American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) will debut the brand new four-door 2012 AEV Brute Double Cab at this year’s SEMA Show, nearly a decade after first introducing its Jeep based Brute pickup truck. AEV’s original Brute was unveiled at SEMA in 2002 as a Jeep pickup conversion that offered superb styling, rugged utility, and the high quality always associated with AEV. Now AEV will once again use SEMA to introduce the popular Brute’s newest incarnation, the Brute Double Cab, a four-door overland vehicle utilizing the newest JK Wrangler to deliver a powerful, unique off-road machine worthy of the Brute moniker.

“When we originally created the Brute, it appealed to off road enthusiasts looking for something different,” says AEV Founder and President Dave Harriton. “Now with the debut of the Brute Double Cab, we’re expanding the Brute series to a four-door platform that has everything people have come to expect from an AEV Brute, but with more interior room and the improved capabilities of the JK platform.” Harriton continues, “The Brute Double Cab shares its DNA with the original Brute, but also draws inspiration from the Land Rover Defender 130, and was designed specifically for the expanding overland travel market. With seating for five and the storage provided by the fold flat rear seats, it makes for an ideal camping platform, whether it be a couple weeks through the Atacama desert or just a weekend trip with the family.”

The original AEV Brute won the hearts of auto enthusiasts of all kinds and also won a Daimler-Chrysler Designer Excellence Award. The all-new Brute Double Cab will follow the same truck-conversion design principle as its predecessor. AEV starts with a four-door JK Wrangler and stretches the chassis 23 inches for a final wheelbase of 139 inches. The overall vehicle length stands at 216 inches, a total increase of 30 inches, with a small frame extension at the rear to accommodate the pickup bed. The interior dimensions of the Brute Double Cab’s truck bed are 61”L x 60”W (44 inches between the wheel houses), offering plenty of haul space in a highly capable off-roader.

Harriton is quick to point out that the Brute Double Cab is not meant to be an alternative to a traditional pickup, but is uniquely positioned to serve the overland market with more off road capability than a four-door truck and more cargo room and carrying capacity than a Jeep.

AEV will offer the Brute Double Cab as a turn-key vehicle built in its Wixom, MI facility, and expects a production release by mid-2012. The opportunity for the first orders will be given exclusively to current owners of AEV vehicles and to AEV’s authorized dealers, with orders opening to the public as production ramps up. For more information, please call 248-926-0256.

Mazda Preps MX5 Spyder & Turbo 2 Concepts For SEMA Show

maritimedriver — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:27:25 +0000

The guys at Mazda have been hard at work putting the finishing touches on two MX5 Miata concept cars and a DISI-turbocharged MZR-powered Mazda2 concept. Mazda is sticking to the golden rule for exhibitors of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)’s annual super show in Las Vegas—the largest performance automotive gathering in the world, simply called “SEMA”—is to bring out their wildest, most stylish, speed-centered creations.

One Miata Concept “MX5 Spyder” will have a custom bumper with larger grille opening and sweet bikini style top. We expect the new front end gives a styling nod to upcoming redesign of the 2013 Mazda Miata Mx5 roadster. The 2013 two-seater is expected to be a lighter more nimble car, closer in spirit to the 1989 Miata. The new model will be powered 1.4L SkyActiv engine and has a target fuel economy of 50 mph.

Click through these teaser shots of a pair of re-designed roadsters and the Mazda Turbo2—just two of the go-fast goodies you’ll find at SEMA from the only automaker brave enough to design Zoom Zoom into everything they build, show or no show.

Check back next week (showtime!) for more.

1967 SEMA Show Gallery – Take a Look Back at the First SEMA Show

maritimedriver — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:41:24 +0000

A lot has changed since SEMA started life as the Speed Equipment Manufactures Association 1963. As the number of accessory parts manufacturers grew the organization changed its name to Specialty Equipment Manufactures Association to reflect this shift in the marketplace. The first SEMA Show was held in 1967 in the basement of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. They had 98 manufacturers manning booths and an attendance of 3000 people. This years show is projected to have over 10,000 booths and over 150,000 attendees. In 1967 there were 5 cars on display, including a 1967 Ford GT40 in the Shelby America booth and a drag race prepped Dodge Dart. Over 2200 cars are expected to be on display at the 2011 SEMA Show next week in Las Vegas .

Click through the galley below to view photos from the first SEMA show. You’ll be surprised how many manufacturers that were present at the 1967 SEMA Show are still around today, industry leaders like: Shelby, Edlebrock, Valvoline, Hot Rod Magazine, Hedman Headers, Cragar Wheels, Weiand Intakes, and B&M Racing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Es_4_NwJ5Y

1965 Ford Mustang Convertible Body Heads Back Into Production

maritimedriver — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:42:05 +0000

Forty-five years after the last 1964-1/2-1966 Ford Mustang Convertible rolled off the Dearborn Assembly Line the legendary pony car is headed back into production. -This time a restoration accessory. It’s a classic car lover’s dream come true: Now it is possible to build a 1964½, 1965 or 1966 Mustang convertible from the wheels up using the all-new Ford-approved and officially licensed body shell.

The body shell for the original Mustang convertible, now in production and available for restorers as a Ford-licensed restoration part, gives classic car enthusiasts a new option in putting their classic dream Mustang ragtop back on the road.

“The 1964-66 Mustang is the most restored vintage vehicle. But the number of original 1964-66 vintage bodies is shrinking every year,” said Dennis Mondrach, Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager. “Most of the original Mustangs left in scrapyards are rusted or wrecked beyond repair. The new body shell is made of virgin metal and uses modern welding techniques. It comes rustproofed, and after final adjustment and finish preparation of the body panels, it is ready for painting and final assembly.” They even fixed the often prove to failure cowl vents.

To build a restored Mustang using the new shell, the powertrain, suspension and brakes, the electrical systems, the interior and trim can either be bought new or transferred from an existing car to the new body. Original parts that can’t be reused from an old Mustang can be replaced with Ford-approved restoration parts. Mondrach says that nearly all the parts needed to build a complete new 1964-66 Mustang convertible, except for some minor body hardware, are now available from Ford-approved classic parts suppliers.

Ford-approved Mustang restoration parts can be found at www.fordrestorationparts.com.

For a restoration part to be approved by Ford, suppliers must meet or exceed the fit, finish and quality of the original, said Mondrach. In order to keep classic Ford-built vehicles on the road, Ford allows parts suppliers access to original technical drawings, blueprints and specifications for parts.

The new body shell not only can save restorers time and money, but enable them to build a strong, well-engineered classic.

“Instead of spending money fixing rust and welding in new panels, restorers can now simply transfer their powertrain, interior and trim parts onto the new body shell,” said Mondrach.

The ’65 Mustang body shell is constructed of higher-grade steel than the original, said Jim Christina, vice president of Dynacorn International, the Ford-approved company that is manufacturing the ’65 Mustang. “We use a modern universal automotive-grade steel that is actually stronger than the original, and modern welding techniques along with more welds to strengthen the body,” Christina said.

The ’65 body is in production now and can be delivered by freight truck to any address. The ’65 Mustang body includes the doors and trunk lid and all the sheet metal from the radiator support to the taillight panel except the hood and front fenders. Those items are available separately. The ’65 Mustang body shell starts at $15,000.

America’s love affair with the original Mustang is still going strong after nearly 50 years. Debuting in April 1964, the original Mustang sold more than 1.2 million units – including more than 174,000 convertibles – before its first redesign in 1967. The 1964-66 Mustang has long been America’s most popular classic car of the postwar era. It is frequently the No. 1 most insured car at Hagerty Insurance, the world’s No. 1 insurer of classic and collectible cars.

The new body shell can be made into a 1964½, 1965 or 1966 Mustang, based on the powertrains and trim parts added to it. It is the third classic Mustang body shell now available to restorers. The other two are the 1967-68 and the 1969-70 fastback bodies.

Ford will display a new 1965 Mustang body shell Tuesday through Thursday at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. It will be parked next to a restored 1965 convertible to demonstrate the high quality of the assembly.

Dynacorn International, also produces body shells for other classic muscle cars including: Camaros, Firebirds, Chevelles, Challengers, Chevy trucks, and Ford Broncos, as well as 1967-70 Mustang Fastbacks.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIqp6mtbnfc

Artist Chris Dunlop’s Sharpie Camaro

maritimedriver — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:34:54 +0000

Pinstriping is a dying art. The masters of the golden age of hotrodding are getting older. Their hands are aren’t quite as steady as the once were. Years of squinting has finally taken its’ toll on their eyesight. Unfortunately, far too artisans have taken their time to pass of their knowledge to the next generation. So, when we see young blood transform or add a new interpretation to the art of pinstriping we usually take notice. 24 year-old phenom Chris Dunlop usually airbrushes his art-form, but for his latest canvas, a 2010 Chevy Camaro SS, Chris put down the spray gun and picked up his Sharpie. It took nearly two weeks to hand draw the custom racing stripes on the muscle car.

Dunlop picking up the art on pinstriping just three years ago while hanging out at a garage in St Louis, Missouri. While not formally trained he has done his best to absorb what he can from several different mentors in that short time. He first envisioned the idea of the Sharpie Camaro in July 2010, when a local Chevrolet dealership approached him for a custom paint job. While the dealership passed on the concept, the idea took root and lead to this work nearly a year later.

Transforming the Camaro took nearly two weeks and ten Sharpies. Several clear coats were applied over the stripes to ensure the Sharpie artwork wouldn’t run or fade over time.

This is the fourth car that has come under Chris’ Sharpie. His previous work has included a Pontiac Fiero, the roof of a Ford Mustang, the tank on a Harley Davidson, and the hood of a Cadillac. Most of the time he just pinstripes cars and takes his Sharpie to small projects like Laptops (Macbooks..who would decorate a PC?) and skate boards.

Source: PinstripeChris