Autoblog

While parts sales don't typically show up in quarterly earnings reports, they can comprise a big chunk of profits. Ford is protecting its parts investment by filing a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington against eight companies that are reproducing Mustang parts without the Blue Oval's consent. Ford parts affected are the hood, bumper, fender, side-view mirror and tail lamp assemblies, which are all covered under Ford's 14-year design patent on design elements. Chicago-based LKQ Corp and its Keystone Automotive Industries are named in the complaint along with several companies in Taiwan. Ford has already come out victorious in a similar case involving some of the same suppliers and the F-150, and Keystone is currently appealing. With Ford already winning a similar case, and what we'd assume is a much larger legal budget than the defendants', the Blue Oval will likely come out on top in this ruling, as well.

[Source: Detroit News]

Click above for a high resolution gallery of the 2008 Shelby GT500KR

I have to admit, the Shelby GT500 was somewhat of a letdown. I have no complaints about the 500 horsepower or the muscular lines, but at nearly 4,000 pounds, it's got a serious weight problem. The iron block, 5.4-liter V8 and the addition of a supercharger puts much the weight in the worst possible place -- the front -- so the GT500 feels unmotivated around the corners compared to a regular Mustang GT. Other complaints include a suspension that doesn't seem up to snuff to handle the prodigious power, as well as a vague and rubbery shifter. Despite its shortcomings, the GT500 is one of the world's best performance bargains. Never before has such a powerful car been available for so little cash (although the Ford dealers did a pretty good job of ruining its value with markups). Still, one couldn't help but think that the GT500 could have been better.

All photos Copyright ©2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Check out First Drive: 2008 Shelby GT500KR, Part 2 by clicking here.

The Mustang passed yet another landmark less than a week after its 44th anniversary on April 17 when production reached nine million units. The milestone Mustang, a GT Convertible, went to a dealership in Iowa for delivery to its lucky customer. As Ford's longest running nameplate, the Mustang had one of the best starts of any production car with over 22,000 sold on the first day and more than one million sold in the first two years. It's had its ups and down over the past 40+ years, but it's safe to say that the Mustang has enjoyed an upswing in popularity since its retro-restyle a few years back.

[Source: Ford]

Click on the image for more live shots of the 2009 GT500KR

We got a chance to visit Shelby Automotive out in Las Vegas a week or so ago to witness the first 2009 GT500KR going through final assembly. Although the KR was originally intended to be an '08-only model release, demand for the new King of the Road was high enough that Ford and Shelby decided to keep on rollin' for another year and plans to offer an additional 746 units for 2009. As a refresher, these beasts are powered by a 540-horsepower version of the GT500's supercharged V8. If you love special edition versions of the Mustang like this one but aren't ready yet to buy, fear not... we have a feeling that there will be many more to choose from in the coming years.




Travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer, as were the photos, since our camera was stolen on this trip.

Click above to view video after jump

For decades, the Ford Mustang has been a symbol of affordable performance. While the average GT will still run you less than $30,000, for many that is merely the starting point. Next is the booming Ford Mustang aftermarket business, where you can beef up every square inch of your ponycar. One item not commonly found in a Ford Racing catalog is an Aston Martin Vanquish V12 engine, but after hearing one in the engine bay of a beautiful blue stallion, we think that problem should be corrected.

Hit the jump to view video of a very well-modified Mustang that has the face of a GT500, the butt of a Saleen, and the heart of an Aston. If you thought the throaty V8 of a stock GT was music to your ears, the silky smooth symphony coming from the Vanquish V12 is better than Bach. The best part of the video comes about a minute in when the snugly-packed V12 reveals itself for the first time. Is it just us or is a real Mustang with an Aston motor a hundred times better than a 'Stang with a Vanquish body?

UPDATE: Video after the jump fixed.

[Source: Streetfire]

Click above for high-res gallery of the Mustang Bullitt

My earliest memory of falling in love with a car was a Mustang. As a kid, a friend of our family had a blue 1969 Mach 1 with the Shaker hood scoop, louvers on the rear window and the little wing at the end of the rear deck lid. From that time forward I've always had a thing for Mustangs. One of the most famous car-related movies (OK, it wasn't really car related, but it had Steve McQueen, cars and a chase scene) has to be Bullitt. Having grown up in the '70s and '80s, I somehow never actually got around to watching Bullitt until about three years ago when it arrived in the mailbox courtesy of NetFlix. I can't say I loved the movie, but Det. Frank Bullitt had the hottest ride in San Francisco, bar none.

Ever since the current S197 Mustang debuted in late 2004, Ford has been putting out a steady stream of limited volume special editions in order to keep sales boiling. The latest is the 2008 Mustang Bullitt, and it is to my eyes the best Mustang yet. It carries the classic proportions and cues of the late sixties 'Stangs without any of the tacked on froufrou found on some other specials or even the current standard Mustangs. Read on after the jump for more on why this Bullitt is special.


Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Charles Ales is into Ford Mustangs. In fact, he owns several; his collection includes all three BOSS variants and four new Shelbys. Over years of collecting cars and hobnobbing with others who share his interests, he noticed that the real car people's enthusiasm for their rides borders on religious fervor. An idea popped into Charles' head last summer, and The Mustang Church of America and Museum was born. It's even got its own logo: the Christian fish symbol with the running pony inside.

Built next to the house in which he was born, the facility is set to open later this summer and will display Mr. Ales' collection of Mustangs. He also plans to host car shows, swap meets and two Mustang blessings a year. Charles and his adopted son Robert Brunch, both ordained ministers, will preside over Sunday services in the non-denominational church. "I'll preach goodness and helping my fellow humankind. I'll preach what we're supposed to do - make this a better world than we found it," he told the local Pittsburg, KS Morning Sun newspaper.

The mural behind his pulpit will show Jesus at the wheel of a '66 Mustang. Bet you don't have one of those at your church.

[Source: The Morning Sun via MustangBlog]

Dodge is launching the SRT-8 model of the Challenger first. There's a head-spinning amount of variations on the Mustang GT theme. GM's not going to be left in the dust by the real-life rehashing of the late 1960s. An eagle-eyed member of the Camaro5 forums spotted an unusually dressed Zeta Camaro prototype near the Mesa, AZ proving grounds and managed to snap a cellphone shot of the car. The white mule wearing distinctive matte-black striping reportedly emitted a demonic whistle at idle, perhaps indicating the presence of the LS9 or LSA. A sinister-sounding bestriped Camaro – could it be the SS? We hope. Thanks to everyone who tipped!

[Source: Camaro5]

Being Jay Leno has its perks. Aside from having the kind of cash and car collection every petrolhead dreams of, his ties with NBC have netted him some seat time behind the wheel of the new Mustang 500KR known as KITT. Not only does the late-night talk show host get to pull a few e-brake turns in a commercial neighborhood outside his world-famous garage (it's good to be the King), he gets to pilot the remote-controlled version of the black steed, albeit briefly, from a fixed steering wheel and pedal setup. According to the designer of the system, KITT can be driven from up to a mile away using the remote controls – something that's pegged our hoon-meter in the red.

Val Kilmer makes his debut in a few awkwardly dubbed voiceovers and you can check out the full video over at Jay Leno's Garage.

UPDATE: Video embedded after the jump.

Thanks for the tip Matt!

[Source: Jay Leno's Garage via MustangBlog]

click either image to view high-res versions and more

Don't for a second believe that Ford is just going to roll over and hand over tens of thousands of Mustang sales to the upcoming Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro without a fight. We've been showing you spy shots of what Ford's got up its sleeves for weeks now, but this is the first time we have a shot of the next Mustang's interior. Unfortunately, Ford is just as concerned with keeping any interior upgrades a secret as it is shrouding the Mustang's new face. We've got a high-res pic of what Brenda Priddy's photographer could snap of the interior just the same, as well as new front and back shots of what we expect will be the 2010 Ford Mustang.

[Photos: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy and Co.]