Ferris Bueller Ferrari Heads to Auction

"A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile."

Movie and car buffs should be aware that the Ferrari 250 GT California used in the classic 80’s flick "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" was a replica. That doesn’t make it totally uncool - it's just not original and not worth tens of millions of dollars. But the replica would still be great fun to own and this August it’s heading to the auction block in Monterey, California.
The replica was built by Modena Spyder California and the movie’s producer, John Hughes, personally chose the car to star in the movie.

A total of three film cars were built: the "hero" car, a stunt car, and a rolling fiberglass shell that eventually went out the garage window. The hero and stunt cars survived, but not without some suspension damage courtesy of the scene featuring the two parking garage attendants going for a joyride.

The hero car has since been fixed and even has a new tan leather interior. There are also vintage Smith instruments and a wood-trimmed Nardi steering wheel. It was built on a steel tube-frame chassis and has an independent front suspension, solid rear axle and a fiberglass body. Power comes from a Ford V8 that produces 500 horsepower. All told, the hand-built car tips the scales at 2,650 lbs. It’s being offered by Mecum Auctions and we have no doubt some movie fan out there is more than willing to pay top dollar to own it. The diaper to rub it down with is not included.

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Posted in Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GT, Ferrari 250 GT California, Ferrari 250 GT price, Ford V8

2015 Ford Mustang GT V8 Roars to Life

The next-generation Mustang GT was caught testing on public roads. It's V8 still sounds absolutely wonderful.

The next-generation Ford Mustang may not have its premiere until next March at the New York Auto Show, but the automaker is actively testing prototypes these days. We’ve already seen some spy shots of the next pony car in heavy camouflage, but today comes this new video of a test mule in action. The best part is that this isn’t the base V6 model or even one with the expected 2.5-liter turbo four. This is the V8-powered GT. There’s no mistaking that engine note for anything else. More than likely, this is the same 5.0-liter V8 that powers the current GT.

We know that Ford is planning to improve the engine somewhat in terms of performance and fuel economy, but exact details are scarce at the moment. For now, just rejoice by the fact that a V8 will return to the lineup of the new Mustang.

 

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Posted in 2015 Ford Mustang GT V8, Ford, Ford Mustang, Ford Mustang GT V8

Ford Shows Off A Very Early And Very Different Mustang

The original Mustang concept was a completely different kind of car.

It is a little-known fact (except, perhaps, among gearheads), that the Ford Mustang was originally meant to be a far more exotic vehicle. The roofless, two-seat, mid-engine and four-cylinder powered roadster made it as far as the concept phase before someone at Ford remembered that the original Thunderbird, also a roadster, hadn’t sold all that well. The concept was scrapped, and instead, Ford debuted a massively successful car which also created the pony car niche.

The only element of the original car which carried over to the production vehicle were the air intakes, located behind the doors, which were transformed into nonfunctional styling cues. In fact, the concept probably has more stylistically in common with the original Corvette Grand Sport than it does with the original production Mustang. Ford recently released some old period photos of the original concept which are really quite interesting. Though the actual car was an undeniable success, it would have been interesting to have gotten this car as well.

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Posted in Ford, Ford Mustang

Stop What You're Doing, This Playmate Needs You

Apparently this former Playmate is having a brain fart regarding what to call her new car.

Naming your car can be a real challenge. So difficult that you might have to reach out to cyberspace to plea for help to come up with the next “Kit”, “General Lee”, or “Bumblebee." If you can’t tell I’m being sarcastic. Most of us could care less about naming our vehicles, yet this former Miss October 2011 is actually asking for suggestions. Granted she is hot as hell, but the only name I can think of for her new Audi S5 Cabrio is: I.M. Vain.

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Posted in Audi, Audi S5 Cabrio

Pogea Racing Tunes Unsold Alfa 4C

The Alfa Romeo 4C isn’t even in showrooms. But that hasn’t stopped Pogea Racing from unveiling an aftermarket package for the low-slung sports car.

German tuning house Pogea Racing has managed to create a comprehensive aftermarket program for the Alfa Romeo 4C even though the hotly-anticipated sports car has yet to hit the showroom floor. And its holistic approach starts with a bump in performance for the 1.75-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder engine. By adding new turbos, a tubular exhaust manifold, a new exhaust system and a remapped ECU, the tuner claims a power hike from 250 hp and 260 lb-ft to 415 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

To keep all that extra power in check the chassis is enhanced with suspension kits developed with KW, DCC and Clubsport, and special edition 19- and 20-inch wheels. Pogea has also created a carbon-fiber aero kit and a custom interior made of carbon-fiber, leather and aluminum.

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Posted in Alfa Romeo, Alfa Romeo 4C

M3 CSL Owners Still Thrilled After 10 Years

When your baby turns 10 and her name is BMW M3 CSL you party like it's 2003.

Since its inception in 1985, few sport sedans have been able to match the all around package that is the BMW M3. There have been a host of variations of over the years, yet few have been as rare to own as the CSL. With little more than a 1,000 produced a year, and nil for the US, the CSL was really something special due to the fact that its entire focus was on reducing curb weight and initiating a new era of BMW lightweight and high performance technologies.

Recently 50 M3 CSL owners received the call from BMW to come get their 10th anniversary groove on at an event sponsored by the German automaker. One can only imagine how many high fives and back slaps went down during this small gathering of a fortunate few.

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Posted in bmw, BMW M3

Tony Hawk's Peeps Pimp IS-F for Pikes Peak

Lexus and the Tony Hawk Foundation have joined forces this year to create a fan-based decal that'll be featured on the IS-F CCS-R.

This year’s Pikes Peak international Hill Climb is just around the corner and Lexus is once again entering the IS-F CCS-R driven by Ken Gushi to compete. But the CCS-R will look a bit different than before as Lexus has teamed up with the Tony Hawk foundation in an effort to create a community-based decal that’ll be placed on the car. The automaker and the skateboarding great’s foundation are asking fans to enter their names via a Lexus Facebook post, Twitter, Instagram or a comment on a YouTube video using #Lexus14K.

In turn, up to 14,000 names will be featured on the CCS-R which will be shown at the annual Fan Fest, a pre-race event in Colorado Springs just before the race. For those who don’t recall, the IS-F CCS-R is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 416 horsepower and 371 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Other unique features include a carbon fiber hood, door handles, front fender, front and rear spoilers and 18" wheels. The Hill Climb itself will take place on June 30.

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Posted in Lexus