It was like being in a marriage!” says Phil Wright of his role as builder/project manager for this flawless XB GT coupe. As the owner and only full-time hands-on staff member of Matakana-based panel specialists Auto Body Works, his role was to deliver the owner, Ed Fernley, what he wanted — even if there was the odd disagreement between them.

“Ed had plenty of his own ideas, and knew what he wanted, but sometimes he was keen for my suggestions and ideas also, so the end result is (more…)

Stateside the Ford Mustang GT is proving a real winner. With its new-generation 5.0-litre V-8 engine it pumps out a strong 412 horsepower and Ford have really picked up their game with the car’s handling.

But even with the standard Mustang GT package being top notch there is always going to be those who want a bit more of everything. That’s where the 2012 Roush Stage 3 Mustang Premier Edition enters the fray. It’s got more power, further improved handling and just enough bling to stand out from lesser Mustangs.

Roush Mustang Premier Edition cars are treated to show-quality, tri-coat metallic paint colors including Blue Bayou, Gold Rush, Mat It Mango, Motor City Iron, Red Blooded American and seven other colours that have cool names. Premier Edition Mustangs also get painted stripes, special badging, color-matched interior elements and all sorts of performance parts. (more…)

Think this is just another GT40 replica? Take a closer look and you’ll see it’s a late-model Ford GT packing more than 800 stampeding horses — and the ability to outperform any other endurance vehicle in the land.

If you know your supercars, you’ll know that even though it doesn’t hail from Europe, the Ford GT is up there amongst the best ever made. The remarkable machine went into production in 2004 to celebrate 40 years since the GT40’s historic Le Mans win.

At first glance the modern GT looks similar to those legendary racers, yet it doesn’t share a single common part. Instead it was constructed with the latest methods available over the model’s three-year lifespan.

Like any hand-built, high-powered supercar, prices for the GT were out of most people’s reach, yet demand meant it sold at well over its recommended retail price of US$139,000 (NZ$196,500). Many cars sold for close to double that, especially early versions such as number 612 off the production line, the one you see here.

Why would someone spend that much on a vehicle only to turn it into a race car? Surely no one locally is that brave or stupid? No, they weren’t. Brave, yes; but stupid? Far from it. Quite the opposite in fact. (more…)

Back in the day, the Jensen Interceptor was a bit of a legend. It mixed elegant English bodywork with big Chrysler-sourced V8 engines and now its set for a modern day comeback.

In original form, the Interceptor was a two door GT Coupe/hatch/convertible built by Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1976 in the UK. It was powered by Chrysler V8 engines and matched up its brawny powertrain with hand-built coachwork. The combination won the Interceptor many loyal fans over the years and is now preparing for a return to form.

Healey Sports Cars Switzerland, which owns the brand rights to Jensen Motors, are planning to re-launch the company with a brand new car next year. The car will be the high-tech version of the original Interceptor and be built as a four-seat GT car. The new Interceptor will use an aluminium chassis and bodywork but little else is known at this stage. (more…)

The iconic Ford Mustang has fans all over the world, but over in Europe its never really been a strong seller when attempts have been made to take the pony car to the continent. One reason is that it’s only available with large displacement engines that negatively affect pricing as well as other costs associated with ownership.

Even with low levels of ownership, Europe’s tuning industry does offer some options for customization. Seen above is an appearance and mechanical tuning package for the latest Mustang 5.0 GT from a German company called Design World.

The exterior updates are fairly loud with plenty of vibrant colours and graphics to let everyone know that this is a Mustang and yes – it is badass.  Design World trimmed the pony car in a two-tone black and orange colour scheme enhanced with white stripes and a carbon foil, which appears on the roof, the bonnet, the bumpers and the rear spoiler. (more…)

Last month we brought you news of a special one-off Mustang built for the world’s biggest aviation event, the EAA AirVenture show in Wisconsin, USA (read news). Each year since 2006, Ford has revealed a new tribute car for the event and this year’s vehicle pays homage to the Blue Angels naval aviation demonstration team.

After it is revealed, the car is then auctioned for charity with this year’s beneficiary being the EAA Young Eagles program which gives free introductory flights to young people.

The car sold at auction for a massive $400,000 USD to an anonymous buyer from California. He wanted to stay anonymous, but that may prove difficult when he is cruising around in the one-off Mustang pictured above. (more…)

In what’s become an annual tradition, Ford in the States has unveiled it’s one-of-a-kind Mustang GT for the world’s biggest aviation event, the EAA AirVenture show in Wisconsin, USA. Every year dating back to 2006, Ford has revealed a new tribute car for the event and this year’s vehicle pays homage to the Blue Angels naval aviation demonstration team.

Inspired by the Blue Angels F-18 Hornet aircraft, the Mustang GT features a liquid blue exterior paint finish with “screaming yellow” stripes along with the Blue Angels script and crest. There’s a unique rear wing and special wheels.

Inside the car receives leather Recaro racing seats displaying stitched Blue Angels crests and offset stripes inspired by pilot flight suits. There’s also unique graphics on the gauges, navigation screen, seat belts and instrument panel. The rear seat has been ejected in favour of a cross-brace to stiffen the chassis for performance driving. But the ultimate ‘Pimp-my-Ride’ touch is Blue Angels sill plates and puddle lamps that project jet images when the doors open. (more…)

Since its recent release Ford has been all about big claims that its 2011 Boss 335 GT goes seriously hard, and is motivated by the most-powerful V8 ever offered in an Australian sedan. While we knew they were for real, a new video featuring race legend Allan Moffat is now driving the point home.

FPV’s high-tech, supercharged 5.0 litre V8 engine produces 335kW of power and 570Nm of torque, and is now standard fitment across the GT, GT-P and GT E models. It’s also very compact in size — 47kg lighter than the outgoing 5.4 litre Boss 315kW engine. It’s certainly enough power to easily get owners in trouble with the law.

Click below to see the first advertising video for the fresh-engined 2011 FPV Boss 335 GT. Might want to turn the volume up a notch too. (more…)