Drew Phillips
California - http://www.autoblog.com
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SEMA 2009: Galpin builds custom '69 Mustang right on the show floor
Galpin Auto Sports '69 Mustang build - Click above for high-res image gallery
While those of us in the media walked around the show floor at SEMA looking for the cool, the crazy, and the just plain awesome, there were people doing actual work. Real work. No, we're not talking about the security people that wouldn't let us in the show before 9:00am no matter how we tried to convince them, nor the food vendors charging $40 for a lousy pizza. We're talking about the guys at Galpin Auto Sports who spent each day of the show building a custom 1969 Ford Mustang from scratch.
The Mustang started off at the start of the show in literally thousands of pieces, and every time we walked by, we could see that the car was just a little bit closer to completion. The 427ci V8 was already in the Mustang the last time we saw it, and while we left before we could see the car completed, everyone at GAS seemed pretty confident that it would be finished by the time the show ended this afternoon. From the looks of all of the individual pieces, the end product should be pretty cool looking. Check out our high-res gallery below to see just how many parts it takes to build a '69 Mustang.
Gallery: SEMA 2009: Galpin '69 Mustang Build
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2009: The Chevrolet Camaro 'splosion!!!
Every 2010 Chevrolet Camaro we could find at SEMA - Click above for high-res image gallery
In past years at SEMA, there has always been a single vehicle that seems to be the most popular at the show. Last year, it was the Dodge Challenger and Nissan GTR, but there weren't enough to be overwhelming.
This year, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro came and infested the Las Vegas convention center like a muscle car cockroach. We couldn't seem to take ten steps without running into one, and by the end of the day, we had witnessed just about every way a Camaro could be customized. You want Lambo doors? You got 'em. How about slammed? Sure. Green? Yellow? Gold? Matte Blue? How about a convertible? Make it two. How about wide? Or ever wider. Engine swaps? Don't get us started. Try an LS7 or even an LS9. If forced induction is your thing, there were both turbocharged and supercharged Camaros. If you'd rather have a Pontiac, there were not one but two different Trans-Am conversions. Tuners like Callaway, Lingenfelter, Hurst, and Hennessey all brought out turnkey versions. There were pace car Camaros, drifter Camaros, movie theme Camaros, anniversary edition Camaros and charity auction Camaros.
To say the least, we've had our fill of Camaros for a long time. Still, we couldn't leave Las Vegas without sharing it all with you, so enjoy through the 100+ shot photo gallery below of every 2010 Camaro saw at SEMA.
Gallery: SEMA 2009: Camaro 'splosion
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2009: Ford SVT Raptor even more appealing with 6.2-liter V8
2010 Ford SVT Raptor with 6.2-liter V8 - Click above for high-res image gallery
If Ford had only offered the 5.4-liter V8 in the SVT Raptor and called it a day, we doubt anyone would have complained. Just the fact that the Blue Oval even had the guts to build such a vehicle deserves applause. But they didn't. The 2009 SEMA Show saw the introduction of Ford's 6.2-liter V8 in the most capable off-roading production truck ever built.
The larger powerplant offers increased performance – 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft torque to be exact – while matching the fuel economy of the lower displacement V8. Ford claims that the 6.2 will propel the Raptor about a second and a half faster to 60 mph, putting it in in the low seven second range. We doubt many owners will take their Raptors to the drag strip, but the extra power will surely be useful in gaining more speed for going off jumps.
The price increase is relatively reasonable - just $3,000 more - putting the starting MSRP at $41,995. Hit the jump for the press release or check out our gallery of live photos below.
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus puts on a good SHO
Ford Taurus Concepts at the 2009 SEMA Show - Click above for high-res image gallery
We didn't expect much from Ford's new fulls-size four-door at this year's SEMA show, but the quartet of Taurus Concepts were actually pretty impressive. The design lends itself better to customization than we might've thought, and we wouldn't be surprised to see quite a few owners personalizing the look of their cars.
The favorite Taurus around the Autoblog camp seemed to be the SHO built by Mobsteel with its sinister Jet Black paint, subtle body kit, and a 400 horsepower version of the EcoBoost V6. We also (surprisingly) liked the one built by Funkmaster Flex, along with the clean and simple SHO from MRT-Direct. You can see all four cars in our gallery of live photos below.
Gallery: SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus Concepts
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2009: Grunewald Racing Camaro sets its sights on 2010 Formula Drift season
2010 Grunewald Racing Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery
Conrad Grusewald has been an occasional participant in the Formula Drift series for the past several years with a supercharged C5 Corvette as his vehicle of choice for piloting around clipping points and narrowly missing concrete barriers while in opposite lock. For the 2010 season, however, he plans to step up the efforts with an all new 2010 Camaro built specifically as a drift car with Hankook Tire as the lead sponsor.
In addition to providing the Camaro for Grusewald, Chevrolet also pitched in an LS-A crate motor from GM Performance Parts that should produce more than 600 horsepower at the wheels. The car also features an Eibach suspension, carbon fiber body panels from Seibon, Forgeline aluminum wheels and more. Expect to see more of this car when the Formula Drift season starts in April, but until then you'll have to settle for our gallery of high-res photos below.
Gallery: SEMA 2009: Grunewald Racing Camaro
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2009: 1962 Corvette C1-RS is a worthy Goodguys Street Machine of the Year
1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1-RS - Click above for a high-res image gallery
It takes a lot to win the the Goodguys Street Machine of the Year award, but this custom 1962 Corvette convertible you see here easily deserves the honor. The car not only looks incredible, but it posted the fastest time at the Goodguys autocross track as well! Every single one of the body panels on the car has been modified, and the majority of the components are constructed either of aluminum or carbon fiber.
Powering the C1-RS is an LS7 V8 putting out more than 600 horsepower, but we were most impressed with the eight carbon fiber intake trumpets on either side of the engine that bring air into the intake manifold. The interior was beautifully crafted as well, with a custom fabricated aluminum dash and console and Alcantara and leather seats. Check out the high-res gallery below to see all the details yourself, or follow the jump to read more about the car.
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
Shelby unveils F-150 Super Snake Concept, turbocharged Mustang package
Shelby F150 Super Snake Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
We figured that anything and everything automotive in Las Vegas would be over at the convention center for SEMA all week, but apparently, we were wrong. Amidst the introductions of custom cars and aftermarket parts, Shelby Automobiles introduced two new vehicles at its Las Vegas facility.
The first is the F150 Super Snake Concept. Built as a pickup version of the potent GT500 Super Snake, the truck version has similar features including a Whipple supercharger system, Borla exhaust system, 22-inch wheels and tires, six-piston brakes, custom Shelby bodywork, and Shelby embroidery inside. Even though it is labeled as a concept, Shelby is offering the package to F150 owners who can get the parts installed only at Shelby's headquarters. The second car is a (you guessed it) Mustang that features Shelby's new turbo package that can be installed post-title on any 2005-2009 GT at any of the company's mod shops around the country. Using a Turbonetics single-turbo system, Shelby has increased the output of the Mustang's 4.6-liter V8 to by nearly double to 550 horsepower. A variety of other components come with the package as well including a short-throw shifter, Borla exhaust, Shelby grille, 18-inch wheels and more. Other items like Baer six-piston brakes, Eibach suspension system, eight-point roll cage, and the Shelby GT-H hood are optional.
Learn more about each of the cars after the jump.
Gallery: Shelby F150 Super Snake Concept
Gallery: Shelby Turbocharged Mustang
[Source: Shelby Automobiles]
SEMA 2009: Dodge Challenger Mopar Edition
Dodge Challenger Mopar Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Chevrolet Camaro might have a dominating presence on the show floor at SEMA, but there were still a handful of Dodge Challengers to wave the Mopar flag. This particular example was found tucked away in the Chrysler display described as a "Mopar Edition" and features two dozen items straight from the Mopar catalog. Some are as simple as the hood pin kit ($71), while other upgrades are more substantial like the Stage II coilover suspension system ($1,750).
We especially liked the Mopar Edition hood decal even though it's a bit pricey at $350, and the set of five-spoke, 20-inch aluminum wheels would be on our wish list as well. Follow the jump for the full list of parts installed on the car, and decide what would go on your own Mopar Challenger.
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2009: Steve Saleen launches SMS Superparts
SMS Superparts - Click above for a high-res image gallery
With SMS Supercars recently launching the 570 Challenger and with a Mustang and Camaro, it was inevitable it would soon offer many of the parts individually. On the first day of SEMA Steve Saleen and his new company announced Superparts, the aftermarket sales and distribution arm of SMS Supercars. Many of the parts on the 570 Challenger are now available individually, including the SMS 296 supercharger, aerodynamic parts, and suspension, wheel and tire packages.
Also making its debut at the show is the new SMS 296 supercharger for the 2005-2010 Ford Mustang. The system uses many of the same core components from the Challenger kit, but has a few new features specific for the 4.6-liter V8. The most notable feature is the "Duo-Path" induction system that splits the incoming air starting at the throttle body, going around the supercharger housing to the back of the engine where it enters the rear intake of the compressor. Expected power will be in the 475-650 range depending on the package.
Read more on the SMS Superparts announcement after the jump, or opt for the visuals with the '90s-style 2010 Mustang and a 570X Challenger painted in Sour Grape Green in the high-res gallery below.
Gallery: SEMA 2009: SMS Superparts
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2009: Vaughn Gittin's all-carbon fiber RTR-C Mustang
Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR-C Mustang - Click above for high-res image gallery
Of all the Mustangs in the Ford booth, Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s carbon fiber RTR-C Mustang was by far our favorite. To answer the question everyone is wondering – no, it's not a wrap. The carbon fiber body panels are the real deal. According to Vaughn, the lightweight material saves 400-500 pounds, although some of that weight is added back thanks to the supercharger, larger brakes and headers. In total, the car weighs in at just over 3,350 pounds.
Aside from the exterior, we were impressed with the level of detail that went into building the car. Inside, the Sparco seats are also constructed of carbon fiber, and the rear seats have been taken out and replaced with a tasteful leather-covered panel. Even small things like the RTR logos look like they were made with an attention to detail.
Want one of your own? Vaughn will be selling a limited run of just 10 RTR-C Mustangs, although the price tag is a hefty $135,000. Still, if you do decide to drop the cash, you're guaranteed to have one of the 10 coolest Mustangs in the world.
Gallery: Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR-C Mustang
Live photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
Autoblog Podcast #151: With Car and Driver's Eddie Alterman
Eddie Alterman wades in with Sam, Chris, Dan, and Jonny to talk about SEMA and other recent events.
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