DEARBORN, Mich., May 17, 2012 – Paraphrasing a classic quote – “With great power comes the need for great control” – the engineers at Ford’s Special Vehicles Team have stepped up to the plate to manage the massive output of the 2013 Shelby GT500.

Whether a driver is a track-day veteran or getting his first ultra-high-performance sports car, the new launch control system on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 will help ensure he gets smooth, consistent and fast starts every time.

Uncontrolled wheel spin is generally undesirable, whether commuting to work or racing away from the Christmas tree on a Friday night at the drag strip. Both safety and performance suffer when the wheels can’t get enough grip on the road. However, properly regulated, some wheel slip can be your friend.

“Launch control is essentially a special mode of the traction control system that integrates the brake and engine management systems to keep the tires balanced on the peak of the mu-slip curve in order to achieve maximum thrust,” explains John Pfeiffer, senior engineer, SVT Vehicle Engineering. “With so much more power and torque on tap from the new 5.8-liter V8, launch control makes it easier for drivers to take advantage of the performance.”

With launch control enabled, the driver just has to press the accelerator pedal to the floor and then smoothly and quickly release the clutch pedal just as he normally would when executing a clean start. The difference is that the electronics will automatically hold the engine steady at the desired speed and manage the rear brakes to allow the optimum amount of wheel slip for maximum traction. Read more!

Looking for that perfect balance between Form and Function? The “Boy Racer” Mustang by Creations n’ Chrome offers a zero compromise approach to building your dream Mustang. With a Red Chrome and Carbon Fiber Exterior, 700 horsepower, Chromoly Roll Cage, Lightweight Forged Wheels and a Luxurious Race Inspired Custom Interior this pony can’t be beat on the track or on the street.  And now this crazy Stang hits 182.4mph at the Mojave Mile!

Read more for specs, images and video!

We, at MuscleVehicles – The Muscle Cars Blog are sorry to say that Carroll Shelby, Automotive Legend passed away. He indeed was a legend. Here is the official statement, which is attributable to Edsel B. Ford II, member of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company and great-grandson of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company.:

Carroll Shelby, Automotive Legend Dies
Carroll Shelby, Ford Family for More Than Half a Century

“Today, we have lost a legend in Ford Motor Company’s history, and my family and I have lost a dear friend. Carroll Shelby is one of the most recognized names in performance car history, and he’s been successful at everything he’s done. Whether helping Ford dominate the 1960s racing scene or building some of the most famous Mustangs, his enthusiasm and passion for great automobiles over six decades has truly inspired everyone who worked with him. He was a great innovator whose legend at Ford never will be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Read more..

This 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 – 600 HP Plum Crazy Custom Convertible is a true modern muscle car with some really cool custom features! It is a custom made convertible by Convertible Builders, LLC in Florida. ($18,000) DropTopCustoms.com. As we all know, Convertible Builders LLC, originally founded in 1976 as “Coachbuilders Limited,” has over 31 years of experience. They are the oldest aftermarket convertible converter in the United States, and have designed more convertible conversions than anyone else in the world. They have done conversions on Cadillac, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar and other makes, and their masterpieces have been shipped to customers all around the world.

The 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 has been upgraded with SpeedFactory Challenger SF600R package ($30.994.90)!  Read more for great gallery and more specs!

INDIANAPOLIS – A 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will lead the starting field of the 96th Indianapolis 500 to the green flag Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With 638 horsepower, the Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful production car ever to pace the race.

This will be the 23rd time a Chevrolet has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and the 11th time a Corvette is serving as the Pace Car. Both are event records. The 2013 model year will mark the 60th anniversary and the final year of production for the current generation Corvette.

“Corvette embodies pure performance, so the ZR1 is a perfect car to pace the most prestigious auto race in the world,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. “Chevrolet is a great partner of the Speedway, and we share in the excitement of the upcoming 60th anniversary of the iconic Corvette brand. It’s even more meaningful to see a Chevrolet pacing the field at Indy since Chevy has returned as an engine supplier for the IZOD IndyCar Series for the first time since 2005.”

“This is a truly momentous year for Chevrolet when it comes to performance, with our continued success on and off track, and especially with our return to the IndyCar Series, powering some of the fastest cars on the circuit,” said Jim Campbell, GM vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “I can’t think of a better way to mark the 60th Anniversary of Corvette than having it lead the starting field of the Indianapolis 500.” Read more!

Chevrolet Chevelle was produced in three generations from 1964 to 1977. The mid size automobile was released in several body-styles – coupe, sedan, convertible and station wagon. A Super Sport version was also produced in 1973.

Here is a nice 1966 Chevelle, which has been perfectly maintained and upgraded with some nice parts like a big 502 GM crate motor and a 4L60 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. The 8.2 liter V8 produce up to 502HP (374 kW) and 769Nm (567 lb-ft) of torque. It has aluminum heads and an aluminum intake. It has been also fitted with a holley 750 double pumper and a proform center section.

At the Continental Tire North America proving grounds in Uvalde, Texas, the Lingenfelter ZL1 managed to hit an impressive top speed of 202.67 miles per hours (326.17 km/h).

LPE CNC cylinder heads and GT9 camshaft with a 5% overdrive balancer 2.38 upper pulley, Lingenfelter high flow intake and race filter LPE high capacity intercooler resovoir. Larger Injectors, Voltage boosted stock fuel pump , VP MS 109 Fuel, Custom Calibration, Drag Radials

“The Lingenfelter crew couldn’t be more excited to make history as the first 2012 ZL1 Camaro to exceed 200 mph, and to celebrate this victory on the heels of becoming the first company to run a ZL1 in the 10s,” said Ken Lingenfelter, owner, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. “We are very proud to have David drive our car and to share in this accomplishment with HOT ROD magazine, an icon in the world of speed and high-performance vehicles.” Check out the video after the jump!

There are many things to consider when maintaining your car, and sometimes it’s easy to overlook one of the most fundamental components – the tyres on the wheels that allow it to move.

Tyre Safety Month took place in October 2011 in the UK, and featured a number of special events and promotions designed to get drivers thinking about the condition their tyres are in and how to improve them.

Throughout October, motoring organisations highlighted the benefits of keeping tyres pumped up to the recommended level, not least of which is significantly improved fuel consumption – helping motorists to save money on fuel which can go towards other essentials such as car insurance renewal.

Finished in classic Gold Metallic with beautiful matching interior and Black convertible top. This magnificent muscle car has been beautifully restored and is now ready to be shown or driven. This is the famed Mod Squad car that was specially built as a 1972 Challenger for the famed TV show, Mod Squad. Only two 1972 E-body convertibles exist and this is fully documented and certified. I personally believe this Challenger is among one of the most important Mopar cars on the market today. Seldom does one get a chance to acquire a car of this magnitude at an investment price – US $99,500.00 from Daniel Schmitt & Co.. Read more!

I stumbled upon this awesome 1969 Dodge Charger 500 while browsing the web, and decided to share it with you. I admit this is a perfect muscle car, incredible vehicle! This is a great example for all Mopar collectors, so – search no further!

This is a chance to own a piece of Mopar history. As history dictates, Dodge was to build 500 of these examples to allow them to enter Nascar Racing. Although the true number of these cars built is debatable, this one was chosen by no other than Joey Arrington of Arrington engines of Martinsville, VA.

Here are the words of the owner: “The guru of Mopar, Galen Govier, saw my car at a car show in Cornwall, Ontario, and remembered it as Joey’s car. He registered her in the Chrysler registry for me. Joey’s father, Buddy Arrington, raced these cars in the 60s and 70s, and he was on hand to sign the car and do a photo opt. Read more!