Alcatraz recreating Bullit chase scene for season finale
Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Dodge, Ford
Of all the excellent car chases in cinema history, the Dodge Charger vs. Ford Mustang battle in Steve McQueen's Bullit may be the most recreated. Now it looks like the crew from the TV show Alcatraz has tried its hand at paying homage to the hubcap slinging sequence. According to local news station KTVU Channel 2, the new FOX series recently spent hours on San Francisco's Bay and Larkin streets in an attempt to painstakingly replicate each legendary scene using modern interpretations of the famous bruisers in the 1968 film. The final product will be part of the Alcatraz season finale, set to air on March 26.
We've seen the Bullit chase replicated for questionable music videos and with stop-motion animation, but this is the first time in recent memory a TV show has tackled putting Mopar power against the now iconic Highland Green Mustang. Alcatraz is the brainchild of executive producer J.J. Abrams, and features three investigators as they look into why 302 of Alcatraz prison's most foul prisoners and guards have suddenly reappeared in modern-day San Francisco. If you're interested, check your local listings for air times.
Alcatraz recreating Bullit chase scene for season finale originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsTeenage Mustang wrecker gets his Tosh.0 Web Redemption
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Ford, Humor
If you managed to read that title without falling into the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" trap, congratulations. You aren't a child of the '80s. "Tosh.0" finally got around to giving Joey, the kid who drove his father's brand-new Ford Mustang GT500 through the back wall of the family garage, a Web Redemption. As it turns out, the story was far worse than anyone imagined. The GT500 didn't even belong to the family when the gung-ho teen sent it careening through the carpentry. Instead, the local dealer had simply brought the car by to show Joey's father.
Joey's dad wound up buying the Eleanor Edition Shelby for $60,000 and immediately had to sink another $30,000 into repairs. It's unclear whether that figure covered the bathroom Joey also took out in the crash. Ouch.
Daniel Tosh gave Joey his Web Redemption by putting him through a uniquely Californian driving test and pitting him against a too-fast, too-furious Honda S2000 in a unique street race. Hit the jump to check out the interview as well as an expanded and "uncensored" version. In reality, both videos are clearly Not Safe For Work.
Continue reading Teenage Mustang wrecker gets his Tosh.0 Web Redemption
Teenage Mustang wrecker gets his Tosh.0 Web Redemption originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2013 Ford Mustang ad goes all Black Swan on us
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Ford
Ford is launching a new commercial for the redesigned 2013 Mustang that will initially air during the Daytona 500 this weekend. This is the first time that the Blue Oval has promoted its pony car on television since it launched the new 2011 Mustang V6 in 2010.
Conventional marketing wisdom might dictate that Ford would use the airtime to promote the 2013 Mustang's revised design, the 420-horsepower V8 or the pony car's history of nearly half a decade. Instead, Ford is touting the personalization aspect of the Mustang, counting on the fact that more than four million people have already built their own version using the online Mustang customizer.
The commercial depicts a real-life version of the customizer, with a variety of bystanders "unleashing their inner Mustang," turning the car into a custom Mustang GT, Boss 302 or Shelby GT500... and at least one tiny dancer injecting a little darkness into her ballerina outfit for a ride worthy of Natalie Portman.
Have a look at the 2013 Mustang commercial for yourself after the jump, and let us know whether you think it's the most effective use of Ford's ad dollars in the comments section below.
Continue reading 2013 Ford Mustang ad goes all Black Swan on us
2013 Ford Mustang ad goes all Black Swan on us originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible is your toupee’s worst nightmare
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Ford
Slather on an extra glob of Gorilla Glue adhesive, as the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible is going to seriously strain hairpieces. Like its GT500 Coupe sibling, introduced late last year at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the drop-top is fitted with a supercharged 5.8-liter V8 making an astounding 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, which makes it the most powerful eight-cylinder production engine in the universe.
Ford says the new model, equipped with the optional Performance Package that includes Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers, is capable of running Sebring International Raceway about 3.5 seconds quicker per lap compared to the 2011 and 2012 models (both down 100 horsepower against the 2013 model). Curb weight should be a couple hundred pounds heavier than its closed-roof cousin courtesy of additional bracing on the power-operated convertible soft top.
The Shelby GT500, built at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, will blast into showrooms this summer. Our best guess for pricing says the 2013 model will start just under $65,000.
Continue reading 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible is your toupee's worst nightmare
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible is your toupee's worst nightmare originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible kicks out 650 hp, limits top speed
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Ford
Twenty years ago, Ford debuted the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra at the Chicago Auto Show and introduced the world to its high-performance skunkworks department, known as SVT or Special Vehicle Team.
Today, Ford celebrates SVT's platinum anniversary the only way it knows how: with another Mustang variant. And as suspected, it comes in the form of a topless Shelby GT500.
Just as a refresher, at the 1992 show in Chicago the SVT Cobra put out 235 horsepower from its Vanilla Ice-approved 5.0-liter V8. Twenty years later, displacement has grown by less than a liter, but thanks to some 21st century tech and a massive supercharger, the 5.8-liter V8 in the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible makes the same 650 hp (and 600 pound-feet of torque) as its coupe counterpart, laying claim to the most powerful production V8 in the world.
In addition to the carbon fiber driveshaft, upgraded clutch, transmission and axle, SVT fitted its own specially developed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers, along with six-piston Brembo calipers squeezing massive discs up front.
Like the coupe, the Bilstein setup is part of the Performance Package (why it's not included as standard is beyond us) and Ford will also offer a Track Pack that includes an external oil cooler, differential cooler and transmission cooler to keep temps in check when flogging the drop top around the tarmac.
And before you ask: No, the GT500 coupe's 200 mph top speed doesn't carry over to the Convertible. In a rare moment of sanity, Ford's engineers saw fit to limit the GT500 'vert to 155 mph - like the rest of the roofless Mustangs. Hit the jump for the full details.
Continue reading 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible kicks out 650 hp, limits top speed
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible kicks out 650 hp, limits top speed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsWhich Ford Mustang is most popular with thieves? [w/video]
Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Government/Legal, Ford
We'd guess a thief's favorite Ford Mustang is whichever one he happens to be hooning around in - ahead of either illegally selling it, stripping it for parts or falsifying its VIN to pass it off as a legit car. But the 'Stang that's attracted the most attention from this scourge of society is none other than the 2000 Mustang.
While we're not sure what it is about the venerable Ford pony car in that model year that's caused it to rise to the top of the inaugural National Insurance Crime Bureau "Hot Wheels Classics" report on Mustangs, we are finding the study to be compelling reading. Who knew that 411,155 Mustangs have been stolen since 1981? The report is similar to NICB's annual report on the most stolen cars, but focused on just Mustang thefts, with data dating all the way back to 1964. Apparently NICB got the idea to do a Mustang-centric report after being asked for data from MustangEvolution last year.
Even more interesting than the report, however, is that NICB has also posted a six-minute documentary about how it helped reunite a Shelby GT350 with its rightful owner some 25 years after the car had been stolen. While not exactly part of the report, the video is a pretty cool showpiece for the nonprofit group that investigates car theft and insurance fraud.
To read the full press release and check out the NICB's video, click past the jump.
Continue reading Which Ford Mustang is most popular with thieves? [w/video]
Which Ford Mustang is most popular with thieves? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsVaughn Gittin Jr. almost out-drifted by RC car
Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Celebrities, Racing
We've finally come to accept the fact that we'll never be Vaughn Gittin Jr. There can be only one one pure-bred drift hooligan of his caliber on this planet and truth be told, our sideways skills are paltry at best. That doesn't mean we can't pretend, though. Gittin Jr. has teamed up with a smattering of companies to give away five very limited-edition RC cars made up in the image of his sinister Ford Mustang GT drift machine. Only 5,000 of the HPI RC Ford Mustang cars will be produced in total, and Gittin Jr. is giving five of them away to Facebook fans.
To get the word out, Gittin Jr., K&N, Monster Energy and Falken Tire crafted a video demonstrating just what happens when the drifter can't get his hands on the scale Mustang. An epic chase ensues, with the RC car taking a little "How it's Made" tour of the K&N factory. The clip also features a few outtakes worth watching, as well. We won't spoil it for you, but we will say more than one RC car gave its life in the making of the film. Hit the jump to check out the video for yourself. If you want to enter the sweepstakes, head over to the K&N Facebook page for more information.
Continue reading Vaughn Gittin Jr. almost out-drifted by RC car
Vaughn Gittin Jr. almost out-drifted by RC car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsMotorcycle vs. Car Drift Battle 2 debuts, someone called the cops
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Motorcycle
We all know sideways is slow. Kicking the tail out and sending the rear tires blazing may take a heaping helping of skill, but it won't win you any races. That doesn't make it any less awesome, however.
Icon has gone through the trouble of crafting yet another drift battle between motorcycle and car, and this time, two specially built Triumph Speed Triple bikes throw down against a 550-horsepower Ford Mustang Cobra piloted by a fictional officer of the law. The trio commence tearing through the rolling hills of mythical High Plains County before facing off.
Admittedly, the drift scene isn't typically our bag of tricks, but this is one of the more entertaining videos we've seen in a good while. Between the bark of the FoMoCo V8 and the wail of the big-bore Triumph Triples, there's enough audio glory on hand to keep us up at night. Throw in some excellent tunes and better videography, and you've got us hooked. Watch the video all the way through to the end for some hair-raising outtakes, including at least one roll over. Hit the jump to check it out.
Continue reading Motorcycle vs. Car Drift Battle 2 debuts, someone called the cops
Motorcycle vs. Car Drift Battle 2 debuts, someone called the cops originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord releases 1967 Mustang Convertible bodyshell
Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Convertible, Performance, Etc., Ford
Ford has expanded its licensed reproduction body shell offerings. The company announced professionals and enthusiasts alike would be able to purchase brand-new 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible shells earlier this year, and now the automaker has added the 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible shell to the mix, as well. Now, instead of being forced to source a shell and repair the inevitable rust, restorers can simply snap up new metal, thereby saving time and money in the process. Like the '65 Convertible, '67 Fastback and '69 Fastback, the '67 Convertible will carry a price tag of $15,995.
That lump of change gets you a shell that meets or exceeds the original specifications, including higher-quality metal than was used when the vehicles first rolled off of the assembly line. Dynacorn International will produce the shells under license from Ford. Hit the jump to view the full press release for yourself.
Continue reading Ford releases 1967 Mustang Convertible bodyshell
Ford releases 1967 Mustang Convertible bodyshell originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsNHTSA closes investigation into 2010-2011 Ford Mustang shifter issues
Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Government/Legal, Safety, Ford
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has concluded its investigation into 2011 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The agency looked into a total of 364 reports of shift quality issues supplied by Ford and they've reportedly determined that owners have experienced no loss of mobility or any unreasonable safety risk due to the problems. According to Inside Line, Ford identified several possible issues that could have contributed to difficulty shifting, including cold transmission fluid, clutch stay-out at high engine speeds, gear clash and loosening clutch plate bolts in early production vehicles. Ford has since replaced those fasteners with new hardware currently used in production.
The automaker said that the majority of the gear shift issues were due to the transmission not being up to operating temperature while driving and that the problems sorted themselves out after the drivetrain warmed up. Had NHTSA found any glaring issues with the transmission or clutch in the 2011 and 2012 Ford Mustang models, Ford may have been forced to issue a recall.
NHTSA closes investigation into 2010-2011 Ford Mustang shifter issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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