Shelby EXP500 CSS "Black Hornet" to be auctioned for charity

If you've ever felt torn between spending your hard earned green on an ultra rare collectible muscle car and donating to a charity like the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation, now you can do both. Carroll Shelby has donated the Shelby EXP500 CSS "Black Hornet" from his personal collection to home furnishing retailer Restoration Hardware to auction for charity. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation.



"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own one of my personal performance cars," said Carroll Shelby, founder of the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation and legendary car builder and racer. "It's a stunning tribute to the legendary 'Green Hornet', which I used to test some of the era's most advanced technology back in the late 1960s. Along with our friends at Restoration Hardware, I'm challenging enthusiasts across America to take part in this charity auction on eBay for a chance to win the ultimate Christmas toy."



The "Black Hornet" was built by Barry Smith, owner of Legendary G.T., an authorized builder of re-creations of classic Shelby Mustangs. It was built as a tribute to Shelby's original "Green Hornet" test car that his team used to design everything from an independent rear suspension to electronic fuel injection. The "Black Hornet" is an accurate reproduction of the "Green Hornet" built from a 1968 Ford Mustang and painted "Stetson Black" in honor of Shelby's preferred choice of headgear. Aside from the color, the "Black Hornet" is an exact replica of the "Green Hornet" after it received four-wheel disc brakes but before the fuel injection or independent rear suspension.



The "Black Hornet" is powered by a 335-hp. 428 cu-in V-8 and has been a part of Carroll Shelby's personal collection since 2003. It is the only authorized reproduction of the "Green Hornet" in existence and is included in the official Shelby Worldwide Registry.



The "Black Hornet" appeared at the SEMA show in Las Vegas this week and will be auctioned off on eBay from December 2 to 12. A portion of the sale will be donated to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation, which helps children around the world who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses and promotes organ and tissue donation. Bidding will start at $100,000.



Vehicle Specifications:



* Cobra Jet 428 V8 Engine

* Marc Underdrive Pulley System

* Cobra Jet Manifold Exhaust System

* Holley High Volume Fuel Pump

* Mallory Unilight Ignition System

* Holley 700 Carburetor (new)

* Edelbrook Aluminum Heads

* Shelby Intake manifold

* Shelby Water Pump

* Shelby Valve Covers

* Cobra Air Cleaner

* Griffith Aluminum Radiator

* Legendary Autometer Customized Gauges

* Top Loader 4-speed transmission

* Power Steering/Power Brakes

* new tinted glass

* Standard interior without Roll Bar

* Deluxe Black Interior with Console

* original seatbelts

* Original '68 Cobra Steering Wheel

* 9" Currie Rear End - 3.25 ratio

* Original Style AM Radio

* Shelby 10-Spoke Wheels

* Goodyear GTII Tires

* Sequential Tail Lights

* Lucas fog lights

Hurst Hemi Challenger

We've got lots and lots of great concepts to bring you over the next few days, all coming to us from the opus known as SEMA. Today we have the Hurst Hemi Challenger, a bit of a nod to the retro side of life.



George Hurst's mission was to make hot rods for gentlemen. The new Hurst, in the body of the new Challenger, has carried on George's mission admirably.



It's available in four levels, from a 5.7-liter HEMI Challenger to a fire-breathing 6.1-liter supercharged HEMI underneath a MOPAR hood. And when you get to those upper reaches, then you can avail yourself of that Hurst paint job and a car that will do those mammoth wheels justice. We were told the Stage 4 puts out 530 hp at the rear wheels. Which means the car will be waiting for you to it justice as well.



Check out the press release below.



PRESS RELEASE



Chatsworth, California - HURST is one of the most recognized and revered names in the history of performance automobiles. The HURST brand has long been synonymous with speed, performance and quality, with an impressive track-record of pioneering performance products for all forms of motorsports and hot-rodding. HURST was one of the first to partner with the OEMs and bring enthusiasts limited edition performance vehicles like the legendary HURST/Olds 442.



HURST is at it again! The newest creation to be rolled out to continue the tradition is the 2009 HURST/HEMI® Challenger. Starting with the HEMI® powered Dodge Challenger SRT8, HURST takes it to the next level as a 500+ HP supercharged limited edition built and tuned by the best in the business.



Nate Shelton, Chairman of HURST, is committed to delivering the value that HURST is known for; "The new HURST/HEMI® Challenger is more than just another muscle car. It epitomizes the performance industries tradition of taking the best Detroit has to offer and adding 21st century performance parts to make your ride faster and cooler than the other guys. HURST has a long history of doing just that with guys like Don Garlits, Warren Johnson, Dick Landy and even celebrity racers Steve McQueen and Jim Garner. The new HURST/HEMI® Challenger is the first of many HURST Performance Vehicles to come. We are ready to make some more history."



HURST has partnered with some of the best companies in the industry to create a collectible limited edition muscle car with the looks, attitude and credentials to back it up. The HURST/HEMI® Challenger will be available in four Stages of performance trim through participating Dodge dealerships. The details are iconic and impressive; the huge polished five-spoke HURST alloy wheels and the "Pistol-Grip" HURST shifter are inspired by the originals that helped make HURST the legendary brand that it is today.



HURST Performance Vehicles Program Director Ron Flint adds "The legacy of the HURST brand gives us a huge advantage and it sets the bar very high for our team. Our goal is simple; create serious driveway-envy in your neighborhood."



The HURST/HEMI® Challenger makes its debut at the trade-only SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November. Vehicle production is slated for early 2009.



2009 HURST/HEMI® CHALLENGER



SERIES 1

R/T 5.7 HEMI®

Hurst "Pistol-Grip" shifter

Hurst 20" polished forged wheels

HURST Exterior graphics and badges

SERIES 1 sequentially numbered interior dash plaque

BFG KDW high-performance tires

Magnaflow Stainless-steel exhaust system

Eibach Suspension

Bilstein shocks

K&N Air Filter

Colors: Any color

No stripes or graphics



SERIES 2

R/T 5.7 HEMI®

Hurst "Pistol-Grip" shifter

Hurst 20" polished forged wheels

HURST Exterior graphics and badges

BFG KDW high-performance tires

Magnaflow Stainless-steel exhaust system

Eibach Suspension

Bilstein shocks

K&N Air Intake system

MOPAR/Kicker Audio System

SERIES 2 sequentially numbered interior dash plaque

Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logos

Available Colors are White and Black

Hurst Gold hood graphics

Ford Mustang SEMA Roundup: Roush Performance/Shelby Distribution USA

The Annual SEMA auto show is coming fast. Set in Las Vegas on November 4-7th, there will undoubtedly be tons of musclecar variants on display, most highly modified and showing off the latest wares from aftermarket manufacturers.



As one would expect, there are going to be tons of Mustang variations. We'll be breaking them all down for you over the next couple of days.



2008 Shelby CS8 Turn 2 Mustang by Roush Performance/Shelby Distribution USA



Powertrain/Drivetrain Type and Modifications: Polished Paxton Novi 2200R supercharger; 12psi pulley; intercooler; CPR fuelrails; Magnaflow Tru-X pipe, cats and Magnapack dual exhaust system; Fluidyne radiator; Torsen T-2 differential



Chassis Type and Modifications: Progress Technologies suspension with competition coil-overs, anit-roll bars, control arms. and Panhard bar; American Racing Shelby Redline wheels; BFGoodrich KDW tires



Exterior Modifications: Carroll Shelby/Shelby Performance Parts CS8 body kit; painted-on "seamless" Shelby Graphics



Interior Modifications: Custom Connoly leather and Alcantara suede two-tone seats; Carroll Shelby-signature trim, center gauge cluster, short shifter, billet accessories, sillplates and floor mats

Ford Mustang SEMA roundup: Roush Performance

The Annual SEMA auto show is coming fast. Set in Las Vegas on November 4-7th, there will undoubtedly be tons of musclecar variants on display, most highly modified and showing off the latest wares from aftermarket manufacturers.



As one would expect, there are going to be tons of Mustang variations. We'll be breaking them all down for you over the next couple of days.



2007 HB-R Mustang GT by Roush Performance



Powertrain/Drivetrain Type and Modifications: Polished Roushcharger; Black Jack Power Pulley upgrade; off-road exhaust system; chrome alternator; CPR fuelrails; crinkle-finish blue valve covers; Roush billet trim



Chassis Type and Modifications: Roush suspension system, billet lower control arms, strut tower brace, and six-piston slotted 14-in. braking system; BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW tires; VIP forged three-piece custom 20-in. wheels



Exterior Modifications: Custom GMFI ST1 'glass hood; Roush body kit, front fascia, hood scoop, side skirts, rear wing, rear fascia, and quarter-window panels; Hillbank/Roush 427 HB-R graphics package; smoked exterior light lenses



Interior Modifications: Custom Connoly leather and Alcantara suede two-tone seats; Hillbank/Roush logos; custom body-color painted interior trim; Roush sidesills, billet shift knob, shifter bezel, A/C knobs and pedals; Kenwood multimedia center, DVD, navigation, and GPS

Ford Mustang SEMA roundup: Motorsports Legends

The Annual SEMA auto show is coming fast. Set in Las Vegas on November 4-7th, there will undoubtedly be tons of musclecar variants on display, most highly modified and showing off the latest wares from aftermarket manufacturers.



As one would expect, there are going to be tons of Mustang variations. We'll be breaking them all down for you over the next couple of days.



2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 by Motorsports Legends



Powertrain/Drivetrain Type and Modifications: Magnaflow 3-in. cat-back exhaust



Chassis Type and Modifications: Calipercovers.net rear brake caliper covers



Exterior Modifications: CDC hood struts; Modern Image 3M clear bra; quarter-window scoops; painted mirrors; Shelby Razor 20-in. rims and tires



Interior Modifications: Floor and trunk mats

Ford Mustang SEMA roundup: Trufiber

The Annual SEMA auto show is coming fast. Set in Las Vegas on November 4-7th, there will undoubtedly be tons of musclecar variants on display, most highly modified and showing off the latest wares from aftermarket manufacturers.



As one would expect, there are going to be tons of Mustang variations. We'll be breaking them all down for you over the next couple of days.



2007 Ford Mustang GT Convertible by Trufiber



Powertrain/Drivetrain Type and Modifications: 4.6L OHV 24V V-8; EEV-V engine electronics; 519-hp, 511 lb-ft of torque; Whipple supercharger; Nitrous Express 150 shot system; TR3650 five-speed manual transmission



Chassis Type and Modifications: Front and rear sport-tuned coil springs; front and rear anti-roll bars with HD bushings; N2 front struts and rear shocks; three-link live rear axle with Panhard rod; power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with ABS; slotted and vented front disc brake system with four-piston calipers; 20-in. Saleen extreme wheels; Dunlop Sport Maxx tires



Exterior Modifications: HCM custom paint; Trufiber front fascia, rear bumper, side skirts, custom fenders, hood, and wing; tonneau cover; CDC light bar; vertical doors; directional mirrors; LED-sequential taillights; HID headlights; LED underbody kit



Interior Modifications: Corbeau seats; Arc audio system; custom-painted interior to match exterior

Ford Mustang SEMA roundup: APR Performance

The Annual SEMA auto show is coming fast. Set in Las Vegas on November 4-7th, there will undoubtedly be tons of musclecar variants on display, most highly modified and showing off the latest wares from aftermarket manufacturers.



As one would expect, there are going to be tons of Mustang variations. We'll be breaking them all down for you over the next couple of days.



The first Mustang we'll preview here is the APR Performance 2009 Mustang GT.



Powertrain/Drivetrain Type and Modifications: Supercharged with air/water intercooler; high-flow air filter; exhaust headers; high-flow catalytic converters with race exhaust; lightened flywheel; high-performance clutch



Chassis Type and Modifications: KW coil-over suspension system; Hotchkis anti-roll bars and links; StopTech big brake kit



Exterior Modifications: APR widebody kit; carbon mirrors; and GTC-500 carbon rear wing



Interior Modifications: APR's carbon center console; Magden M.1b performance computer gauge system and two-DIN all-in-one touch screen; Recaro race seats

500hp Hurst Challenger to debut at SEMA

The legendary maker of shifters, Hurst, has announced that it is teaming up with Dodge to offer a special edition Hurst/Hemi Challenger for 2009. Much more than just a simple trim package, the Hurst will sport at least 500 supercharged horsepower.

"The new Hurst/Hemi Challenger is more than just another musclecar," says Nate Shelton, chairman of Hurst. "It epitomizes the performance industry's tradition of taking the best Detroit has to offer and adding 21st-century performance parts to make your ride faster and cooler than the other guy's. Hurst has a long history of doing just that with guys like Don Garlits, Warren Johnson, Dick Landy, and even celebrity racers Steve McQueen and Jim Garner. The new Hurst/Hemi Challenger is the first of many Hurst Performance Vehicles to come. We are ready to make some more history."

Detail are scarce at the moment. The car will feature Hurst polished five spoke wheels and a classic Hurst "pistol grip" shifter, of course. Production will begin in 2009 after the car has debuted at the SEMA show in November in Las Vegas. No price has been announced yet.

Special edition variations of the Challenger are no surprise as much of Ford's success with the Mustang has been a result of the dozens of variations of it's Mustang. While some enthusiasts like to poke fun at the endless varieties, it generates press and creates interest in the base cars for those who can't afford the big sticker special editions. Expect to see much of the same thing in the future, perhaps with Chevy's new Camaro also.