Automotive
The real effect of mixing school and commercial traffic in peak hour
December 12, 2006 Anyone who has ever endured the daily commute knows that school holidays are a Godsend because morning peak hour commute times drop dramatically - without parents driving children, school holiday traffic is reduced by roughly 10 per cent. Now UK-based Trafficmaster is beginning to use its wireless automotive networks to measure the real effects in travelling time with and without school traffic and the results are remarkable. Increased congestion in the mornings causes average journey times on some roads to triple in length, with the worst impact measured on the southbound A629 near Bradford, West Yorkshire. The average morning rush-hour journey (08.30-09.15) on this busy route during the school holidays takes just 11 minutes, but in term time this figure rises to almost half an hour – for a stretch of road only two miles long. Is this grounds to consider staggering either school or business hours to reduce the peak traffic periods?
The 6kg RS-X wheel - a carbon fibre rim with a magnesium centre
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December 8, 2006 The latest development from the Kahn laboratories is this Carbon fibre RS-X wheel made up from a carbon fibre rim with a magnesium centre. Kahn Design is now manufacturing these wheels for super high performance vehicles – necessary because unless you own a supercar, you probably won’t be prepared to pay the asking price for a wheel that weighs just 6 kilograms. The understandably huge reduction in radial inertia and unsprung weight offered by the wheels offers substantial improvements in performance and handling. Each set of wheels is custom made to order for each vehicle.
Ricardo’s new Cross-axle Torque Vectoring Audi A6 4.2l V8 Quattro Avant demonstrator
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December 8, 2006 Delegates at Berlin’s prestigious 5th International CTI-Symposium, “Innovative Automotive Transmissions”, were this week given the opportunity to be the first to experience Ricardo’s new Cross-axle Torque Vectoring demonstrator. Based on an Audi A6 4.2l V8 Quattro Avant, the vehicle is fitted with the very latest generation of Ricardo’s Torque Vectoring technology that enables moment-by-moment redistribution of drive-torque in response to driver demand, vehicle speed and road conditions. In doing so it enables the vehicle to follow more faithfully the driver's intended path, ultimately leading to a potentially safer, more enjoyable and rewarding driving experience. Read More
Volvo safety system for avoiding collisions at low speeds
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December 7, 2006 Volvo has announced more innovative safety technology – a unique ‘City Safety’ system that could help drivers avoid 50 per cent of all rear-end, low speed accidents that often happen in urban environments or slow moving traffic. Statistics reveal that 75 per cent of all reported collisions occur at low speeds of up to 30 km/h (18.7 mph). The Volvo system, called ‘City Safety’, is active up to 30 km/h and keeps a watchful eye on traffic up to six metres in front of the car with the help of an optical radar system integrated into the upper part of the windscreen. If a car in front suddenly brakes or is stationary, the system will automatically pre-charge the brakes to help the driver avoid an accident by slowing down in time, or steering away from a potential collision. However, if a collision is imminent, the system will activate the car’s brakes automatically. Read More
Geiger's Christmas Hummer H2 (with chimney inside)
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December 7, 2006 We regularly write up the wares of Munich-based GeigerCars.de which specialises in building outrageous American automobiles, so we couldn’t really miss the chance to write up the firm’s Christmas HUMMER creation for the German Television show Galileo. Everything was extensively modified, and St. Nick’s new company vehicle sports everything he could possibly need including, would-you-believe a chimney! Read More
1,054 bhp Porsche 997 to attempt World Speed Record for Street-Legal Cars
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December 6, 2006 MISSION 400 PLUS is attempting to to win the Blue Ribbon for the world’s fastest street-legal sports car next year, with a top speed of more than 400 km/h. Developed through collaboration with H&R, Jürgen Alzen Motorsport and engine tuner RS Tuning and the sports car is based on the Porsche 997. With a boost pressure of 1.5 bar the engine develops 1,054 hp / 775.7 kW at 7,700 rpm and a peak torque of 1,030 Nm at 5,800 rpm, yet, the record hunter meets stringent EURO IV emission limits. Read More
Honda Accord Coupe Concept for NAIS
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December 6, 2006 Honda will be debuting a bold new look for the next-generation Honda Accord Coupe at the January 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Accord Coupe Concept will convey exterior styling cues and design features that provide a first look at the direction the next-generation Accord will take and the company promises to set a new benchmark for Accord and for the segment. Read More
The World’s fastest police car – the Brabus Rocket Police Special
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December 6, 2006 The Lamborghini Gallardo Police car we wrote up in 2004 holds the title for the world’s fastest police car in actual use – it prowls the Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway at speeds up to 309 km/h in the hands of the Polizia di Stato (Italian State Police) but when the Brabus CLS V12 S Rocket appeared at the Essen Motor Show a few days ago, the bar got raised by some margin. In June this year German Performance Vehicle Manufacturer Brabus set a record for the world’s fastest sedan car when its 348,000-euro (US$437,575) Mercedes CLS-based Brabus Rocket, clocked an incredible 362.4 km/h at the famed Nardo test facility in Southern Italy. The new police vehicle on show in Essen is destined for police forces that need to be able to run down autobahn abusers. Throw in the specialist communications equipment and we doubt you’ll get much change from half a million US dollars, but you will be the fastest policeman in the world. Read More
Mazda Adrenaline Concept
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December 6, 2006 Blurring the lines between a sport-utility vehicle and a sports car, Mazda’s Adrenaline Concept is based on a more powerful, more aggressive CX-7 SUV. Designed and built by Mazda Design North America, the 300 horsepower Adrenaline is a truly high-performance sport-crossover vehicle designed to promote the “Emotion of Motion.” To give the SUV a true sports car feel, the CX-7’s stock six-speed automatic transmission was changed for a six-speed manual, and the driveline dropped in from a MAZDASPEED6. Renowned rally driver and drifter Rhys Millen, pushed the Adrenaline engine out to more than 300 horsepower, and ... Read More
Lancia Aprilia Sport – built for the future from the past
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December 5, 2006 To celebrate the centenary of Lancia and the long standing affiliation between the marque and the Milanese coachbuilder for its Sport versions, Andrea Zagato decided to create a Lancia Aprilia Sport identical to the car built by his grandfather Ugo in 1938. This “car of the future” could aptly be described as an original 1930s design brought to life using the technology of the third Millennium. The complicated process did not start from hand drawn sketches, as with today's cars, but from two faded monochrome photographs – the only remaining source of accurate information.
Audi's R10 TDI takes out Pioneering and Innovation Award
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December 5, 2006 Despite Renault’s second successive Formula One driver/manufacturer double, it was Audi’s revolutionary R10 TDI that really shook up the motorsport world in 2006 and a flurry of significant awards is now confirming that. A panel of experts from the British specialist magazine "Race Engine Technology” recently voted the V12 TDI engine from the Audi R10 TDI as "Race Engine of the Year 2006” and "Alternative Race Engine of the Year”. To top it off, on Sunday night Audi won the "Pioneering and Innovation Award” of the British magazine "Autosport” for the most important innovation of the 2006 motorsport season. The diesel race engine not only puts out 650 bhp but also produces brutal mid-range torque and has remarkably good fuel consumption. It finished its first season undefeated including taking the Le Mans 24 Hour Event. Read More
New Navigation System guarantees NO SPEEDING FINES
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December 5, 2006 In an extraordinary move, a new Satellite Navigation device has been developed that comes with a guarantee that users will not pick up any speeding ticket from any speed camera in the UK. The supplier of the Rossini Navigator & Camera Spotter offers a unique guarantee to pay UKP60 to any motorist that picks up a speeding ticket whilst using the device if no advance warning of the camera is given. Logically, if you don’t button off the pedal once warning has been given, you’re on your own but the guarantee is nonetheless remarkable as the Rossini Navigator identifies more than 24,000 potential speed traps on 270,000 miles of roads throughout the UK and Ireland. Unlike many camera locators the Rossini Navigator has been programmed to warn of mobile speed camera sites and traffic light red light cameras as well as every known Specs, Gatso and Truvelo speed camera in the country. Read More
Car-2-X Communication: cars that warn each other of impending danger
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December 5, 2006 In future, motorists will be able to detect danger even if the danger spot lies around the next bend or over the horizon. This has now been successfully verified by DaimlerChrysler experts and their partners in a field test conducted at the conclusion of the "WILLWARN" (Wireless Local Danger Warning) European research project. During the course of this test, five vehicles equipped with WLAN-based radio technology used the "Car-2-X Communication" system to radio details of critical situations detected by their on-board sensors – fog, black ice or obstacles on the road such as broken-down vehicles – to following cars. These early warnings enabled the drivers of the cars behind to prepare for the danger and adapt their speed in plenty of time. Read More
New Porsche Cayenne - more power, torque and technology
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December 5, 2006 Four years after its debut, Porsche has unveiled the second generation Cayenne. When they go on sale in February 2007, the new Cayenne, Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo will have more powerful, direct petrol injection engines. These Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) power units lower the fuel consumption of individual models by over 8 percent (NEDC). In real driving conditions, Porsche claims savings of up to 15 per cent are possible. The new Cayenne models can be further enhanced by the new Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll stabiliser system - an optional active anti-roll system that significantly reduces body roll during cornering, resulting in improved handling and agility, greater directional stability and ride comfort. When off-road, the system increases axle articulation for improved traction.
First Look at 616 bhp Callaway C16
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December 4, 2006 Callaway Cars has released details of its Callaway C16 – the 16th in the lineup of exclusive, built-to-order Callaway automobiles. Based on the current Chevrolet Corvette platform, the C16 produces 616 supercharged bhp and 582 lb-ft of torque. The C16 was drawn and modelled by designer Paul Deutschman, the architect of the Callaway look—from the 254 mph Sledgehammer and our C4-based Le Mans race cars to the C7, the C12 and now the C16, Deutschman’s handcrafted bodywork replaces every panel of the standard body to achieve its integrated look. The C16 also attains a new level of manufacturing efficiency. “In making this car we went from CAD design straight to tooling, bypassing a full-sized model—a first for us,” says company founder Reeves Callaway. “It’s tools like PTC’s Pro/ENGINEER software, our technology partner, that make such efficient car design possible.” Read More
World’s first Hydrogen Luxury Performance Automobile – the BMW Hydrogen 7
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December 3, 2006 The world’s first hydrogen-drive luxury performance automobile – the BMW Hydrogen 7 – celebrated its world premiere at the Los Angeles International Auto Show with the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, congratulating the hydrogen initiative. The Hydrogen 7, which has fulfilled all of the criteria of BMW’s rigorous product development process, will be built in a limited series and for selected users during 2007. Based on the familiar 7 Series model, it is equipped with an internal combustion engine capable of running either on hydrogen or on petrol. Read More
The all-new Land Rover LR2 Premium Compact SUV
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December 3, 2006 Land Rover used the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show to unveil its new premium compact SUV, the Land Rover LR2, earlier this week. The fourth new model launched from Land Rover in just four years, LR2 joins the line-up of Range Rover (2002), Land Rover LR3 (2004) and Range Rover Sport (2005). As the latest addition to the sport-utility vehicle manufacturer's line-up, LR2 is all-new from the ground up, with a view to delivering outstanding on-road performance as well as the off-road ability of a Land Rover. Technical highlights of the LR2 include a brand-new 3.2-liter inline-six engine featuring advanced technologies to deliver an outstanding combination of performance and economy.
HUMMER 02 Concept with phototropic body shell
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December 3, 2006 GM Advanced Design has won the Los Angeles Auto Show’s Design Challenge for the second year in a row. This year’s winning entry is a two-dimensional rendering of a 2015 Blue Sky Concept that addresses environmental sustainability. Called the HUMMER 02, the design was created to demonstrate that daily use of a vehicle could result in a net gain for the environment. The HUMMER 02 Concept features a phototropic body shell that produces pure oxygen throughout the life of the vehicle. Algae-filled body panels transform carbon dioxide into pure oxygen that is subsequently released back into the environment and inside the vehicle. Read More
Pirelli purchases Fioravanti patent to enable tyre of the future
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December 2, 2006 Tyre-giant Pirelli has purchased the patent for an innovative new tyre monitoring system from design and styling company Fioravanti. The acquisition of the rights to the Fioravanti patent for monitoring the tyre footprints of a motor vehicle and automatically optimizing the behaviour of the motor vehicle will fast-track Pirelli’s ability to deliver its much-anticipated CyberTyre product to market. CyberTyre is one of a number of new technological systems (including X-Pressure, Safety Wheel System, and CyberWheel) being created by Pirelli with the aim of making tyres ever-more intelligent and interactive. The CyberTyre system instantaneously measures and wirelessly transmits information about the forces regulating vehicle dynamics by way of miniaturised electronic sensors. The small Turin-based Fioravanti company is developing quite a reputation for innovation, having previously developed an ingenious rotating roof design for its 2001 Alfa Romeo LF concept car which was subsequently used by Ferrari in the 575 SuperAmerica. Read More
Tough Compact HCD10 Hyundai Hellion Concept
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December 1, 2006 The Hyundai Design and Technical Center and Hyundai Motor America presented the world debut of the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion concept during a press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show today. Hellion is a compact three-door sport crossover designed with attitude and independence creating its unmistakable character. Hellion’s architecture was inspired by a tough, hardshell backpack that uses ribs to provide structural and visual strength. To support this, Hyundai used three ultra-lightweight structural ribs to create Hellion’s safety cage. These ribs connect to a suspended surfboard-shaped spine. Hellion’s ribcage not only provides protection for its occupants, but also adds visual rigidity and shape. By stretching the sheet metal skin away from the common body surface, the ribs give Hellion a new kind of organic ruggedness. Read More
Compact Honda Step Bus Concept - man maximum, machine minimum philosophy
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November 30, 2006 Our automobiles reflect who we are, and the Honda Step Bus Concept is designed specifically for high energy lifestyles, representing the ultimate expression of Honda packaging prowess with a mid-engine design and a fully maximized and quickly adaptable interior. The highly configurable, high-tech interior provides ultimate urban utility from the outside in. Sliding front doors with a space efficient design let people enter and exit in tight spaces. Although micro in exterior size, the cavernous interior can harbor large amounts of band equipment, sports gear and other bulky items. Read More
Honda REMIX Concept mixes sports car attitude with everyday functionality
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November 30, 2006 The Honda REMIX small sport concept vehicle made its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday. The REMIX explores the shape and design of a two-seat sports car focused on agile and fun-to-drive performance that can also provide exceptional practicality as a daily driver. Sports car in shape and design, the low-slung REMIX features a wrap-around canopy that adds a fighter jet-feel to the driving experience. The aluminium-color exterior accentuates every line and curve in the geometric, yet fluid styling. Capable of delivering more than just driving performance, the rear storage area supplies generous cargo room. Read More
VW’s Concept Tiguan makes debut at Los Angeles Auto Show
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November 30, 2006 The launch looked more like a nighclub than an automotive debut but Volkswagen was intent on selling the sizzle as well as the sausage. The sausage in question was the Concept Tiguan compact 4x4, and the venue was the Los Angeles Auto Show, with the whole affair topped off by the announcement that the first examples of the SUV will be delivered to customers by the end of next year. The first news of the Tiguan’s development came with the debut of Concept A in Berlin earlier this year. This was followed by the naming of the model in July, the result of a poll of more than 350,000 readers of magazines of the AutoBild group. This latest development in Los Angeles takes the Tiguan one step closer to production and hints strongly at how the final version could look. Read More
Mazda Nagare Concept: Capturing the Emotion of Motion In New Surface Language
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UPDATED NEW IMAGES December 1, 2006 Mazda does good concept cars. In the 2005-2006 global auto show season, Mazda’s Sassou (2005 Frankfurt Motor Show), Senku (2005 Tokyo Motor Show) and Kabura (2006 Detroit Auto Show), Mazda’s global design team kicked butt. Mazda’s design division has invented a new surface language called Nagare for introduction at this year’s Greater Los Angeles International Auto Show. It looks like a Grand Slam to us! NAGARE (pronounced “na-ga-reh”) is Japanese for ‘flow’ and the embodiment of motion. Under the direction of Mazda’s new global design director, Laurens van den Acker, the challenge given to the team was to invent a novel means of registering motion in vehicles whether they’re moving or still. Nagare achieves that goal while also signaling a fresh design direction for future Mazda vehicles. Nagare is the first of a series of design concepts – some closer to actual production vehicles than others – that Mazda will showcase this global autoshow season, including Los Angeles, Detroit, Geneva and Tokyo. We can’t wait. Read More
The Ford Mustang by Giugiaro – a one-of-a-kind concept
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NEW IMAGES POSTED December 4, 2006 The 2005 Ford Mustang captured the hearts and minds of millions of fans and future owners when the all-new model debuted. But the proportions and design of Ford’s first purpose-built muscle car in 30-plus years caught the eyes and sparked the imaginations of a pair of the world’s leading coachbuilders in Italy as well. Read More
Heads Up Display (HUD) tested in Baja 1000
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November 28, 2006 When the Wide Open Baja Challenge team put the SportVue GPS-enabled prototype heads up display to the test at last week's 39th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, the 1000 mile granddaddy of all desert races, the system proved as rugged as the treacherous desert course. Created by former Indy car racer Dominic Dobson, the SportVue Heads Up display technology gives riders and drivers a constant view of critical data in an easy-to-use display in the drivers' peripheral vision, focused at infinity. The technology frees the driver from distracting glances at dash-mounted GPS displays and allows them to focus on driving.
Volkswagen Neeza Concept Car
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November 19, 2006 With the Chinese automotive market now the second largest in the world and growing like topsy, the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition is become one of the world’s premier automotive showcases in very short order. Few of the world’s non-Chinese automotive companies have debuted concept cars there for a variety of reasons that will no doubt change over the next year or two – one of the first to launch an entirely new concept car is Volkswagen which has just taken the wraps off the Neeza concept, a crossover between a sports coupe and an estate with an off-road appearance. Significantly, it was designed in China for China, combining Chinese and German design philosophies. The concept intentionally has neither a radio, navigation system nor other form of infotainment equipment. Instead a ‘Magic Box’ serves as an interface for radio and navigation systems, mobile phone, personal organiser and other devices. And the roof is entirely glass. Read More
Maybach 62 S: World's most powerful chauffeur-driven saloon
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November 18, 2006 Maybach, the luxury brand with a legendary past, re-established just four years ago, is adding a fourth variant to its line-up in the shape of the newly developed 62 S model. The new flagship model in the Maybach range premieres this week at the "Auto China 2006" international motor show in Beijing and is primarily designed to be chauffeur-driven and meets the very highest of standards in terms of spaciousness, smoothness, comfort and dynamism. The "S" stands for "Special" and the engineers at the Maybach workshops have incorporated a number of specially developed features, most notably the power output of the car which has been enhanced with a twelve-cylinder engine developing 450 kW/612 hp. The end-result is a new dimension in travelling comfort, particularly for the passengers in the generously proportioned rear compartment of the new high-end luxury saloon. Pricing starts at UKP260,535 (US$495,000) Read More
The Geely Fengying Concept
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November 17, 2006 The scarily large and growing Chinese automotive industry will impact everyone on the planet in more ways than just rising fuel prices and greenhouse gas emissions – it will also significantly influence design, so don’t be surprised to begin seeing new brand names you’ve never heard of on some pretty dashing automobiles … like Geely f’rinstance. The Chinese auto maker will introduce the Fengying concept car at the Beijing Auto show, complete with styling borrowed from the aero industry and scissor doors. Read More
Aston Martin reveals the V8 Vantage Roadster
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November 15, 2006 Aston Martin will unveil one of the most eagerly anticipated convertibles of the year when the V8 Vantage Roadster goes on show at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday 29th November. Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said of the new car, “the V8 Vantage Roadster is a pure sports car, a car that heightens the senses and provides a dynamically thrilling driving experience. The Vantage Roadster adds to the unbeatable thrill of open air motoring and by combining engineering excellence, technological innovation and physical perfection, will ensure every journey is one to remember.” Read More
New smart fortwo better in every way
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UPDATED IMAGE LIBRARY November 12, 2006 The new smart fortwo has finally arrived: what began with the idealistic vision of a hybrid engined, cheap-to-manufacture, economical two seater with a low environmental footprint by Swatch CEO Nicolas Hayek in the early nineties, has finally seen its second edition. It’s our bet that Hayek will be judged as visionary, albeit naive, a century from now, as the automotive industry is a fraught with danger for the inexperienced, and by the time the car found a permanent home in the form of Daimler Chrysler, it was most of the things originally envisaged but cheap. As luck would have it, all of those strengths are becoming more important by the day, and the high tech, high cost intelligent decisions made a decade ago by a fledgling car company have now been reworked by masters of the art and the second generation smart fortwo is improved in every way. The smart fortwo coupe and smart fortwo cabrio were unveiled to more than 550 international journalists yesterday evening in Stuttgart for the very first time. The location was unusual, but nonetheless very fitting for the smart fortwo: in the middle of the city, on the roof of a multi-storey car park. In addition, there were presentations on comfort, agility, safety and environmental friendliness. After all, the new smart fortwo can do everything that its predecessor can do – but even better. This means that the new smart fortwo, despite looking almost identical to the untrained eye, is even more comfortable, even more agile, even safer and even more environmentally friendly than its predecessor. Read More
The 1000 bhp Bristol Fighter T
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November 9, 2006 In 1946, the Bristol Aeroplane Company, one of the world's most successful aviation manufacturers diversified into car manufacture. In 1960 it was persuaded to join with others to form the British Aircraft Corporation (later British Aerospace, and now BAE Systems), becoming a significant part of one of the most innovative companies on the planet. At that time the car division (Bristol Cars Ltd) passed into private hands and has continued building exclusive and exquisite luxury automobiles ever since. It does not have ANY dealers – if you wish to buy one, you must deal directly with the factory. The marque’s most recent design, the Bristol Fighter, was named after one of its successful WWII aircraft, and comes with a purpose-built 8-litre V-10 engine producing 525 bhp,comfort for a driver over 200cm tall, and room to do some intercontinental touring without having to scrimp on the luggage. Surprisingly, the company’s elite clientele began requesting more horsepower, so it produced a 660 bhp version – the Fighter S. The frightfully fast Fighter S kept them happy for a while, but the requests for even more horsepower kept coming. So, ladies and gentlemen, may we present the twin turbocharged, intercooled UKP351,931 (US$670,000)Bristol Fighter T producing 1012 bhp at 5600 rpm and 1036 lb.ft of torque at 4500 rpm. That ought to keep the blighters quiet for a while! Read More
Rhino RTV now accessorized for work too
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November 5, 2006 Somewhere between a monster truck and a lightweight high-spec, space-framed racing 4x4 with a liberal helping of mountain goat thrown in is the Rhino, which is not to be confused with the world’s toughest bus, the Rhino Runner. The Honda-powered 2.0 litre Rhino is a product of the deserts of Nevada and has evolved such remarkable go-anywhere capabilities that the company is now offering a fully accessorized “Search and Rescue” RTV, which was unveiled at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas last week. The Rhino RTV is a new type of off-road vehicle that with the addition of purpose-oriented accessories, offers unique capabilities to law enforcement agencies, park services, ranchers, and other businesses working in outdoor, off-highway environments. Though at heart we suspect it will always remain a primarily recreational vehicle for the adventurous at heart, add on equipment racks, trailers, winches, GPS systems, emergency lights, radios and canvas tops and the RTV can be transformed into workhorse utility vehicle. Read More
Jay Leno’s Turbine-Powered EcoJet Concept
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IMAGE LIBRARY UPDATED November 8, 2006 What would keep a group of automotive designers up all night? "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno, for starters, but not by his monologue or parade of Hollywood guests. This time it's because the late-night talk show host invited the General Motors Advanced Design Studio to help design a mid-engine, turbine-powered supercar called EcoJet. Leno and Ed Welburn, GM vice president of Global Design, introduced the car yesterday at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. The 650-horsepower (400 lb.-ft. of torque) Leno original is powered by a Honeywell LT-101 turbine engine that runs on bio-diesel fuel. The engine sits in a modified Corvette Z06 hydroformed aluminum frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components. The vehicle's shell is an advanced construction of carbon fiber over Kevlar. Read More
Carroll Shelby’s Personal Dual Supercharged 800 BHP Cobra
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UPDATED November 5, 2006 The name Carroll Shelby is universally known for his remarkable road and racing cars, so when his personal car comes up for sale, it’s worth taking notice. In 1966, Shelby plucked this vehicle from a line of 19 production Competition Cobras and molded it into one of the most impressive automobiles ever built. It has a monstrous 427cid, 800hp twin Paxton supercharged V8 with a super three-speed automatic transmission. “When I built this dual supercharged 427 Cobra in 1966, I wanted it to be the fastest, meanest car on the road,” said Shelby. “Forty years later, it will still kick the tail of just about anything in the world. It’s the fastest street legal Cobra I’ve ever owned.” For those interested in the history of the vehicle, check out this web page with lots of detailed (if somewhat faded) images of the restoration. Read More
