DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // DODGE CHALLENGER DRAG PAK

Chrysler has upgraded their Drag Pak edition Challenger for 2011. The new car is powered by the Viper’s 600-hp, 8.4-liter V10 and features a plethora of racing bits, to include a 2-speed gearbox with pistol-grip shifter and built-in roll control, fuel cell assembly, polycarbonate door windows, lightweight front brakes, power-steering delete and more. According to our sources, Chrysler’s is planning to build only 70 units starting at $85,512. Click here for additional information and images // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // DAYTONA DOWN THE CORKSCREW

There are few cars as important as the Shelby Daytona Coupe. Based loosely on the AC Cobra's chassis and drive-train, the Daytona Coupe was built specifically to take on Ferrari in the GT class. Pete Brock designed the Daytona's bodywork, while Bob Negstad designed the car's suspension. In 1964, Dave MacDonald and Bob Holbert drove a Daytona Coupe to a GT class win at the 12 Hours of Sebring, while Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant took the GT class win at Le Mans that same year // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // CTS-V @ THE NURBURGRING

Just saw this ad for the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V and thought it was an appropriate addition to our Domestic Indulgence bit. And while I'm pretty sure the Porsche Panamera Turbo bested Heinricy's time of 7:59, I have to say, a four-door Cadillac that can out run a 911 GT3 and Viper SRT-10 around the famed Nürburgring is just what the doctor ordered // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // AMERICAN SUNDAY @ ZANDVOORT

Courtesy of VJ Photography, check out this shot of a race ready Chevrolet Camaro lapping the Circuit Park Zandvoort during last months American Sunday track event. Domestic Indulgence indeed // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // Z06 @ PACIFIC GRAND PRIX

Once a week, the Northwest's newest karting facility, Pacific Grand Prix, allows a handful of street driven cars to lap their 0.82 mile circuit. Amongst those that turned out for yesterday's lapping session was this Corvette Z06. Like an auto-x course on steroids, we can only imaging the noise this thing made as it worked its way around the 15 turns that make up PGP's street course.

Image comes courtesy of Chris Mason. Click here for more info on PGP // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // THE FORD GTX1

In November of 2005 the Ford GTX1, a topless version of the Ford GT, was unveiled at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Priced at $48,000, the aftermarket conversion was performed by the Genaddi Design Group and includes performance upgrades to the suspension, brakes, aerodynamics, as well as an improved supercharger and exhaust system that increases the GT's power output to well over 700hp.

Images comes courtesy of Spirited Drive // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // GRIGGS RACING GR40RT @ INFINEON

Those of you that know me, know that I have an unapologetic soft spot for American made cars. Of those cars, the Ford Mustang holds a special place in my heart. What was both my first car and my current choice of transportation, the Mustang is, in my opinion, an example of everything good about the American automobile industry, absent of all that over indulgent, too big for their own good stuff we've grown accustom to (example).

That said, follow the link for a look at Darrell Anderson's newly constructed 2004 Griggs Racing GR40RT Mustang. Making just over 500rwhp, Anderson's Mustang set a new lap record at Infineon Raceway (1:45:101) when it made its racing debut in the American Iron Extreme class late last year... [read more]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // MUSTANGS CLIMB MOUNTAINS?!

Ride shotgun with Shane Lewis as he struggles to reach the top of Pikes Peak in his 1995 Mustang Cobra R, when the IMSA Bridgestone Supercar Championship visited the infamous mountain for the fourth round of their 1995 season // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // DICK JOHNSON'S FORD MUSTANG

Following the 1984 season, Australian racing legend, Dick Johnson, realizing he was in need of a car eligible to race in the new Group A class, purchased a pair of fox-bodied Ford Mustangs and prepared to compete in the 1985 Australian Touring Car Championship.

Originally raced in the 1984 DTM series by Zakspeed, the Mustangs, which the German racing outfit had told Johnson were 'in perfect race condition, with strong 302 engines,' were anything but. A few days after taking delivery, Johnson took the V8 powered Mustangs to Bathurst for a practice session. After his first run up the mountain Johnson commented that his Mustang "would not pull a sailor off your sister." Severely underpowered, Johnson took the Mustangs back to his Queensland workshop where he rebuilt the motors and properly prepared the Fords for ATCC competition... [read more]



For additional information on Dick Johnson and his ATCC prepared Ford Mustangs, click here

Image, Info and VIdeo: Motorsport Retro
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // THE MERCURY MARAUDER

In 1963, Mercury released a fastback version of their V8 powered sedan, a car they called the Marauder. The following year, Marauder was used to describe both two and four door models of the Monterey, Montclair, and Park Lane using a fastback roofline. Developed for NASCAR competition, the fastback roofline would be used on both the Marauder and Galaxy through 1965... [read more]

Hired by Ford and tasked with bringing Mercury back to stock car racing, Bill Stroppe, who would later become famous for his off-road racing achievements, was given a rather sizable budget and told to "go for it"

Stroppe hired Arkansas native Parnelli Jones, and at the wheel of Mercury's Marauder, the pair went on to see tremendous success during the 1963 and 1964 seasons, capturing eight major stock car wins in '64, as well as stock-car division victories both years at the prestigious Pikes Peak Hillclimb.

The following year, Mercury phased out the Marauder in favor of a smaller, lighter chassis.

Skip ahead to 2003. Looking to rekindle an old flame, FoMoCo released a new iteration of the Marauder. Based on their Panther platform (see Mercury's Grand Marquis and Ford's Crown Victoria) the new Marauder featured a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter DOHC Modular V8 which produced 302hp and 318 lb/ft of torque. Transmission choices were limited to a 4-speed 4R70W automatic which shared parts with the 2003-2004 Mach 1 Mustang and the 2003–2005 Lincoln Aviator SUV.

Considered by many to be nothing more than a dressed up Marquis, the Marauder saw a production run of only 11,052 vehicles. And while we'd agree it is missing something aesthetically, the Marauder stayed true to its roots as an overweight, underpowered, full-size sedan.



For more info on the original Mercury Marauder and its racing pedigree, click here

Images and Info: Great Classic Cars
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // AGENT 47'S AMERICAN IRON MUSTANG

NASA's American Iron, American Iron Extreme and Camaro Mustang Challenge are three of the most underrated racing series in the country, in my opinion. Featuring full bodied, solid rear axle, V8 powered muscle cars, the American Iron series is a throwback to the days when Trans-Am cars ruled the road courses.

The car featured above, Agent 47 Racing's 1995 Ford Mustang, is a fine example of how additional horsepower, a tuned suspension and a few aerodynamic improvements can transform an otherwise mild mannered Mustang into a monster!

Follow the link for a bit of video... [read more]





For additional information on Agent 47 Racing, click here
For more info on the NASA American Iron Racing Series, click here

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // MY FAVORITE FORD: THE '64 FALCON

Ever since I can remember I have been a fan of Fords. My first car, a 1995 Ford Mustang, was an underpowered, ill handling, gas guzzling, muscle car wannabe. But I loved it. My fathers sled, a mid-nineties Lincoln Town Car, albeit a hulking champagne piece of shit, is still cool, in my opinion. There is just something about a domestic car that makes me smile. And there is but one domestic that makes me grin, ear to ear, like an idiot; Ford's 1964 Falcon Sprint... [read more]

If you have ever been to the SOVREN Pacific Northwest Historics, you'll know why the Falcon Sprint is my favorite Ford. Each year, a 500hp 1964 Falcon Sprint unloads from its car hauler and proceeds to decimate the competition. Originally built by Ford to compete in the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally, the car featured above, which was modified by Holman & Moodie and driven by Graham Hill at the '64 Monte Carlo Rally, would later go on to compete in the British Touring Car series, followed by a long career with Alan Mann Racing.

The Falcon has since been completely restored by Group 2 Motorsports in Ballard, Washington, and now competes each year at SOVREN as well as other vintage motorsport events around the country.

Photo: Classic Driver
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // TWO WIDE

Following the holiday, we thought a bit of Domestic Indulgence was in order. And what better than a pair of '65 Mustang coupes running two wide down the front straight.

Photo comes courtesy of the Bulgogi Brothers // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // VOSSEN WHEELS CORVETTE ZR1

Thought we'd start the morning with a bit of Domestic Indulgence.

I came across this photo while browsing the Vossen Wheels website and from what I can tell, the luxury wheel outfitter has had their way with a brand new Corvette ZR1, mounting what looks to be a set of 20" wheels on the new fire breathing 'Vette. And while I am more of a form following function sort of guy, I must say, this ZR1 looks mean! // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // THE GROUP 4 DETOMASO PANTERA

For this weeks Domestic Indulgence, I thought we'd take a look at one of my all-time favorite racing cars, the Group 4 DeTomaso Pantera. Now, I know this isn't exactly domestic in the traditional sense, but seeing as how the Pantera was powered by a blue-oval, it is about as domestic as the new Saabs.

Follow the link for a closer look... [read more]

Powered by a 5.7-liter, 351 c.i. V8, the Group 4 DeTomaso Pantera produced around 440hp at 7000rpm. However, this was soon increased to 470hp for the 1972 Le Mans race, where the GT4 Pantera's ran nearly 190mph down the Mulsanne Straight. The engine was mated to a ZF close ratio five-speed gearbox, with a heavy duty single plate clutch completing the mechanical upgrades.

Aesthetic and aerodynamic improvements came in the way of fibreglass wheelarch extensions, which were pop-riveted on to the body in order to accomodate the wide Campagnolo wheels. No bumpers were installed and the GT4 Pantera tipped the scales at a mere 2755lbs.

The first of 14 cars was completed on December 12th 1971, with the last chassis rolling out little more than a year later on December 22nd 1972. The racing debut of the GT4 Pantera did not come until the Montlhery Grand Prix, held in April of 1972. From there, Group 4 Pantera's went onto win the 1000-kilometre World Manufacturers Championship race's at Monza, Spa and the Osterreichring.

For additional information on the Group 4 DeTomaso Pantera, click here

Editorial: Justin W. Coffey
Photo: LoudpopVoyager

A LOOK BACK // THE MAKING OF A CLASSIC - BULLITT

In 1968, Steve McQueen and director Peter Yates set out to film one of the most ambitious chase scenes in Hollywood history. Long before CGI and post-processing techniques allowed Nicholas Cage to launch ‘Elenaor’ some 300ft without issue, McQueen and stunt driver Bill Hickman terrorized the hills of San Francisco at over 100mph, with McQueen at the wheel of a 1968 Ford Mustang and Hickman in a 1968 Charger R/T 440.

Follow the link for a 10-minuute ‘making of’film highlighting the infamous chase scene... [read more]

Making of Bullitt




Videos courtesy of Chris Shunk @ Autoblog

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // MOMENTUM RACE GROUP'S KONI CAMARO

Rumor has it that Dallas based Momentum Race Group will campaign a pair of 2010 Camaro's (prepared by Riley Technologies) in the 2010 KONI Sports Car Challenge racing series. Ahead of their inevitable battle with a host of Bavarian sedans and Ford Mustangs, Momentum will begin testing their new Camaro as soon as September and will, assuming all goes well, compete in the final KONI Challenge race of the year at the Virginia International Raceway in October. Having selected SPEED World Challenge veterans Robb Holland and Jeff Altenburg to pilot their Chevy, it appears the 2010 KONI Challenge might be one of the most interesting race series next year. Now only if SPEED would air the races during prime time...

Images and info courtesy of 0-60 // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // SPARKS FLY @ ALTAMONT RACEWAY PARK

Back in 2006, while visiting Altamont Raceway Park in Alameda County (Northern California), ColdTrackDays correspondent Camden Thrasher was able to capture this stunning shot. A fine example of raw American horsepower doing what it does best, running at speed and turning left! // [comment]

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // HURST PERFORMANCE COMPETITION +

Featured above is the recently released Hurst Performance Competition Plus package, available as an upgrade for the Dodge Challenger R/T 5.7L Hemi and the SRT8. Included in the package is Hurst’s matte black graphics package, the unmistakeable white Hurst shift knob, forged aluminimum Hurst wheels, a Magnaflow exhaust system, K&N Air Filter and Eibach suspension components. And while the package certainly adds to the aesthetic appeal of the Challenger, the $18,495 price tag is a bit steep, in my opinion.

Follow the link for more pictures... [read more]






Info and images courtesy of 0-60 Magazine

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // FOMOCO IN THE UK

This photo was taken during the Chelsea Cruise in August of 2008. A fine example of American muscle across the pond, the 1967-1968 Mercury Cougar is a personal favorite of mine, and in my opinion, is more desirable then the uber popular Ford Mustang of the same vintage. A great bit of Domestic Indulgence ahead of our Independence Day celebrations, be sure and stay tuned for more... // [comment]