Skinned knuckles, a drained back account and marital disputes are just a few of the offshoots of building a car. You’d think these alone would be enough to turn most people off doing so more than once. And while, in some cases it is, for Taranaki’s Daryl Richardson, one build was never going to be enough. Instead he was happy to get elbows deep in grease to see his most recent in a long line of projects through to completion.

Having owned an XB Falcon sedan not long after getting his licence, he’d always wanted another one. However, first his need for speed had to be satisfied, which is what saw him end up with a procession of various other makes and models.

By no means a one-brand man, despite having had a 10-second Ford Pop and a 10-second Capri, both of which were (more…)

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…)

If you’re at home tonight searching for something to watch on television, you’re in luck because the documentary film Love the Beast has its NZ TV Premiere at 8:30pm tonight (March 24).

On Sky’s Rialto Channel, Love the Beast is the story of Hollywood actor Eric Bana and his Ford Falcon GT Coupe. It’s an interesting take on car obsession, has some hard driving action and cameo appearances from Jeremy Clarkson and Jay Leno. But don’t just take our word for it, read the synopsis below and tune your TV to Rialto Channel 25 tonight. (more…)

Bo Matenga’s big block Falcon proves that with a little bit of time and effort anything is possible.

It won’t fit”, “It can’t be done”, “It will be a nightmare”, “It’s not worth the hassle” are all familiar comments for Bo Matenga. Once he announced he would drop a 460 big block into his XW Falcon, that was the common response he got.

But, as is common with many people in the motoring scene, it’s comments like that which drove Bo even harder to make sure he achieved his goal of owning a big block Falcon.

In saying that, it wasn’t originally going to be this Falcon you see here. Instead Bo bought a white XW with the intention of building a Bill Bourke 428 replica. Complete with 302 Cleveland and four-speed manual, the white car was and still is a good car. However after he’d got it home and set about removing the engine to install the big block, the current blue XW came up for sale. Torn between spending more money, and continuing with the white car (which was really too good to go hacking up), eventually he made the decision to buy the second car.

What made it appealing was that the bodywork had been completed, it was essentially ready for paint, and of course as it came without a running engine, the price was right. (more…)

The rumours are swirling around the upcoming Ford GT successor with speculation on the supercars powertrain taking a seemingly unlikely turn.

Apparently the next GT40 inspired supercar from Ford will use hybrid technology to help it achieve break-neck speeds. Like the Porsche 918 Spyder the layout will consist of a standard combustion motor turning the rear wheels with an electric motor powering the front wheels for better low-sped efficiency and to boost high-speed power.

It seems radical but electric-assisted drivetrains are here to stay and are beginning to find applications in all vehicles – even retro-styled supercars.

Before you Ford fans start tearing your hair out, the good news is that the primary engine is set to be a beast. Ford is expected to use a supercharged V8 motor and the total output including the fancy new hybrid system will be in the region of 600 horsepower. That output figure would exceed the last Ford GT’s 5.4-litre dry-sump, aluminum-block supercharged V8, which was rated at 550 horsepower.

If Ford does take the hybrid route for the next GT, the price will be very high, as it will vastly complicate the engineering and production of the car. Given its limited volume production numbers and massive enthusiast appeal that may not prove an issue.

In terms of design Ford’s next GT car is expected to rely less on the retro-themes of the GT40, instead opting for a more contemporary look. This could mean sharper angles, LED lights and a much more futuristic interior style.

With a ultra-modern powertrain, fresh styling and lightweight performance the next Ford GT could prove a real threat to established European supercars. We’ll have to wait and see.

The Hennessey Venom GT is a beast of a machine it’s only got room for two and it produces about as much power as the Huntly station. It uses an LS9 V8 engine, stolen from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, this is then tuned to an awesome 933 horsepower and 874 pound-feet of torque at the rear wheels. If you think you’re a real tough guy and aren’t scared by those sort of numbers then you’ll probably be into the fact that the Venom GT also spits hot fire.

The big flame on lift-off hints at some anti-lag systems going on, by retarding timing and enriching the AFR on throttle lift, the combustion charge largely flows out of the chamber into the exhaust, raising pressures and temperatures to keep the turbos spooled until the throttle is applied once again. With enough timing retard and added fuel, you can get popping, and flames shooting out the exhausts.

Think this car’s a toy? Well check out the video below and prepare to reassess. (more…)

Trailer for film ‘Reborn’ featuring two Ford GTs competing at Le Mans

Ford Performance Vehicles has just announced its 2011 range and it’s the first time in the brands 43-year history that a naturally aspirated vehicle isn’t offered. FPV’s three GT models are all powered by the company’s new ‘Miami’ supercharged V8 and will go on sale from the end of October.

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 is the most powerful GT in the history of the brand.

The new engine is the main drawcard to the 2011 models so aesthetic updates have been kept to some distinctive new body graphics, including a ‘hockey stick’ stripe package and “Boss 335” identification, reminiscent of the famous 1970 Boss Mustang. The luxury GT E model, however, retains its low-profile demeanour sans stripes.

In terms of standard wheels, the GT gets 19-inch five-spoke alloys with a machined face and Dark Argent accents, the GT-P gets 19in five-spoke alloys with a machined face and Sparkle Silver accents, and the GT E gets 19in 10-spoke alloys finished in Alpine Silver.

“FPV is extremely proud of our new GT range, and very excited about what we have created,” FPV’s General Manager Rod Barrett said. “The new engine is amazing, its all-round performance frankly sets a benchmark for Australian-made cars, and the exciting thing is that it has been developed here, for our cars. FPV’s customers certainly won’t be disappointed by the performance of the new GT range, or in the way the cars drive, and they have real presence with the new graphics package. We’ve created cars that fully deserve to be part of the Falcon GT heritage and, I think, will write an exciting new chapter in the model’s history.”

Developed locally by Prodrive in a $40 million program, the new FPV GT engine is based on the ‘Coyote’ Ford V8 first introduced in the American Ford Mustang earlier this year. It’s an all-aluminium design with double overhead cams and 32 valves configuration, is individually hand-built for each car, fully EuroIV compliant and offers improved fuel efficiency.

The supercharged V8 is also compact in size — 47kg lighter than the outgoing 5.4 litre Boss 315kW engine.

“FPV’s GT range now offers a whole new drive experience,” Rod Barrett said. “Thanks to the most modern engine ever offered in an FPV, all three GTs now provide tremendous, previously unheard of performance but do so in the smoothest, most responsive manner possible. They feature a brilliant engine, and thanks to a huge amount of work, make exactly the right noise too. At the same time, the GTs’ handling has benefitted the lighter engine so turn-in response is sharper, and the whole car is more nicely balanced. The ride is also improved because we’ve be able to more finely tune the suspension front-to-back.”

A feature of the new GT, GT-P and GT E models is a quad-pipe bi-modal exhaust system which enhances the all-important exhaust note of the new cars.

(more…)

Name: Ray and Gail Spencer
Car: 2005 Mustang GT

That’s a very nice looking Muzzy, Ray, how long have you had it?
I bought it new in ’05. [Our] ’99 Mustang I bought new too. It’s just a pain having to change them to right-hand drive though. But that’s the way it is.

It’s looking sweet, have you done much to it?
Yeah, it’s a good car. I’ve put quite a bit on it, trinkets, as they say.

What have you put on it?
Side skirts, stripes over the top. Lights underneath [laughs] ” mainly for car shows, not boy racing. They always look good at a car show. Other little things, too, like knock-off-caps on the wheels and I’ve dropped the exhaust off the back so it’s got a bit of a note to it.

Do you drive it much?
We’ve done about 19,000km in that and 48,000km in the red ’99 Mustang. There wouldn’t be a fortnight go by that we wouldn’t take one of them out. We’ve got a ’50s Fairlane, too, which we also drive a lot, like last weekend we decided, ‘let’s go to Methven for lunch’, so we hopped in the Fairlane and away we went.

You must see a difference in fuel consumption between the cars.
Yeah, the later model stuff is far more economical. It’s a tank full in the Fairlane to get over to the coast, and the later model ones are half a tank.

So you like your classic cars, then.
Yeah, been in American cars since 1981. Started with a ’71 Muzzy. I also had a ’64½ Mustang for 14 years. When we brought the ’05 Mustang in we also brought in a Mercury Meteor too, but my son-in-law got that; actually both sons-in-law each took a car off me.

You’re obviously a Ford fan.
Yeah, about the only other car I’d think of having in the garage is a ’67 or ’68 Camaro ” I’ve got a wee soft spot for them.

(more…)

The October issue of NZV8 has just hit the shelves, so grab a copy today.

In this month’s issue we have a jaw-dropping ’79 Chevrolet C10 pick-up cover car, it has a flawless interior and comes packing a 383ci small block Chevy engine. Other feature cars include a ultra-rare Buick GS and a unmissable Torana LX with a blown 406ci engine and a tough stance. We travel over the ditch to check out the Motorex 10 car show, and get down to Palmerston North for the big annual swap meet. We show you a brilliant home-built ’79 Camaro with a 550hp factory big-block engine and stick shift. We also get up close on a 2005 Ford GT endurance racer and see just what makes it so special. We also have a special article giving advice on how to modify your ride to really stand out from the crowd.

All this plus the usual advice and technical information, readers’ rides and competitions to keep you up to date with all that’s happening on the NZ V8 scene. Pick up a copy now before they sell out!

Click here to subscribe to NZV8 magazine.

Ford Performance Vehicles has just announced details on its all-new V8 engine, named the “Miami” V8.

Set to replace the old faithful Boss V8, the new Miami is a supercharged 5.0-litre unit based on the Coyote V8 currently serving in the Ford Mustang. The Miami will be available in two power outputs within FPV’s model range.

The GS sedan and ute will receive the lower-output Miami V8 (coded V2X) producing 315kW and 545Nm. The full-strength high-spec engine (coded V2G) pumps out 335kW and 570Nm and will be fitted to GT- badged vehicles. Both engines are almost identical mechanically, with only ECU tuning accounting for the difference in output.

These numbers represent a significant jump over the current GS and GT engines, which put out 302kW and 315kW respectively. Further to that, the GT’s 335kW beats out the 325kW output of HSV’s flagship GTS by a full 10kW margin. This should guarantee FPV owners bragging rights for some time.

The shift to a supercharged mill has also allowed FPV to increase torque, even though engine displacement has dropped by 400cc. The full compliment of torque also comes on much lower in the rev range at just 2000rpm for the GS and 2200rpm for the GT.

There is no word yet on exact performance figures from FPV, but there are already suggestions that the new FPV GT could go 0-100km/h in under 5 seconds.

It’s good news in terms of economy as well, with a slight improvement in consumption seeing the GS and GT manual sedans drinking 13.6 l/100km. Automatic sedans use 0.1 l/100km more.

In terms of styling FPV isn’t making any major external changes for now, with the improved powertrain expected to gather serious interest for now.

The 2011 FPV GS and GT will be unveiled at Bathurst on October 7 and go on sale in Australia from next month. NZ pricing and availability should be announced shortly. (more…)

Ford’s Mustang GT goes head to head against a BMW M3 on a closed circuit track. Results may surprise.

Lethal Performance 2011 Mustang GT 5.0-litre does a 12.35@111mph pass

If you happen to be a NASCAR fan and also a Ford fan then this will be some big news for you. The original pony car, the Ford Mustang will see its first NASCAR racing action this Friday night at the Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida, U.S.A.

In a shameless attempt at building excitement for the Mustang’s entrance into the Nationwide Series, Ford in the States has just announced that it will give a brand-new 2011 Mustang GT — powered by the new 5.0-litre V8, to anyone that wins the race. The only catch is they have to do it in a Ford-branded race car.

Friday’s event is shaping up to be all about the oval badge with the new 2011 Ford Mustang GT also serving as the official pace car. The only thing that could possibly rain on the Ford parade is the fact that Dodge will also be showing up with its new Challenger-based machine.

Ford XA GT Falcon walk around

Music from the Matech Ford GT. Matech Competition are a Swiss sportscar race team and constructors of the Matech Ford GT.