The 1968 Ford Mustang GT driven by Steve McQueen in the legendary chase scene in the movie “Bullitt” sold on Friday for $3.74 million. Make sure to turn up the volume at 1:24 – you will want to hear that 390-cubic-inch V8 in all its glory.
Although it is essentially an original 1968 Fastback Mustang GT car it did have a bunch of modifications personally commissioned from Steve McQueen for the film. For example, it had a bigger 390 V8 motor swapped in so it could keep up with the more powerful 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 in the chase scenes.
I can still remember my Dad telling me fondly about the night he went to the cinema in 1968 to watch the film. So it was no surprise I got a screening of “Bullitt” at age 7 or 8 and from that day on wards I have loved muscle cars. Here’s the link to the infamous 10 minute car chase – The film truly does represent such a different era of film making – long before CGI animation took over.
Earlier today, Hoonigan, Ford and Need For Speed posted Ken Block’s Gymkhana SEVEN – Wild in the Streets: Los Angeles. Having covered the epic “Gymkhana video series” for the past few years there is nothing in the world like it and Ken Block has certainly upped the ante with this new installment.
With some help from the Hollywood Hills and post apocalyptic Los Angeles, Ken and his corporate A-team of sponsors sure know how to make the ultimate drifting video.
This new video captures all the sounds and sheer genius skill of Ken Block as he tears through LA in his custom 1965, 845 horsepower fire-breathing Mustang. Honestly, enough of our words, just go ahead and enjoy this 12 minute video and be glad you don’t have to pay for Kenny’s tire bill.
RedlineNorth has come across a great video about Bodie Stroud, a custom hot rod builder, who restored a classic Mustang using an extremely rare and powerful motor built specifically for legendary racer Mario Andretti’s 1969 Can Am series race car. It’s quite an undertaking, with great results. Enjoy!
The third and current generation of the Dodge Challenger was introduced in 2008 and has become a cult classic with Mopar fans around the World as it has sold quite well for the past four years.
In this review, we want to take a closer look at the top of the line model the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8.
Created by engineers at Dodge to compete with the other Pony cars of the day such as Chevy’s new generation Camaro and Ford’s GT Mustang, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 comes equipped to compete. With a sticker price of $49,095 CAD plus applicable taxes the Challenger is priced well among its competitors. With its full size rear seats, sports tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, fire-breathing, 470 HP Hemi engine and 20 inch wheels it is a true retro muscle car that captures all the excitement of the late 60s, early 70s era muscle cars.
There is a Standard Fuel Saver Technology (four cylinder mode) in automatic transmission equipped models that allows the engine to operate economically on four cylinders or use the power of all eight cylinders when needed. This technology does result in some very respectable metrics at the pump with the car averaging 20 + MPG. Unfortunately, with a 470 HP Hemi engine what do you expect? And, yes, you don’t buy this car if mileage is your number one priority.
Specs are as follows:
6.4L – 392-cubic inch HEMI® V-8 delivers 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque
0 to 60 MPH – approx 4.7 secs
Top speed – 180 MPH
Braking is 60 MPH to 0 in 117 feet
14/23 MPG (City/Hwy) ratings for the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392
Nappa Leather-faced seats with suede perforated inserts
20-inch forged aluminum wheels
Brembo brakes
Heated steering wheel
Here is a recent US video review
On a very sad note, I wanted to highlight a recent article from the National Post written by the legendary auto writer Graeme Fletcher titled Chrysler’s Dan Knott: ‘His passion shone through’. It is worth a read and goes on to explain how Dan was a pioneer at Chrysler and essentially the “godfather” of Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) which is the group that is behind the amazing technology that make these cars the ultimate road machines they are today.
RedlineNorth 