First Shelby CS8 Mustang from Hillbank goes above and beyond

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Ford

We know what you're thinking: "Not another new Mustang!" Well, if that was your first reaction then feel free to skip this item and move on to the next. For those who can appreciate a stylish and solid rwd platform that offers lots of speedy thrills for little dinero, we have a real gem for you. The basic Mustang, whether in V6 or V8 form, offers a lot of bang for the buck, but afficionados know it's merely a starting point. The platform can handle a lot more horsepower and where there's a need, someone will always step in to meet it. Carroll Shelby, Steve Saleen, Jack Roush and others have made a living off of it, in fact.

Shelby, in particular, has a certain cachet associated with his name that has resulted in his signature models being used directly by Ford as their special editions. One of the Shelby projects that didn't end up in a Ford dealership is the CS6 that first popped up at SEMA a couple of years ago. A supercharged V6 pumping out 300 hp is at the heart of this modded 'Stang, but lower weight up front and typical Shelby suspension mods make this car handle even better than the V8 specials. But there are always going to be those people who say they want more. One of those people was Jason Cenora of Hillbank Motorsports in Irvine, CA.

Follow the jump for the full story.

[Source: Mustang Life, free sub req]

Continue reading First Shelby CS8 Mustang from Hillbank goes above and beyond

First Shelby CS8 Mustang from Hillbank goes above and beyond originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: Saleen S281 Supercharged Mustang Convertible

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, In the Autoblog Garage, Convertible, Performance, Ford

click above image to view 69 high-resolution photos

When the new Mustang debuted in 2005, pony car enthusiasts were elated. After decades of rehashed Fox-platformed Mustangs that could barely get out of their own way, the new DEW98-derived DC2 'Stang promised so much more. At just over $25,000 for a 300hp GT, it delivered big time in the bang for the buck category. With such a low entrance fee, the platform really allows for things to be taken up a notch or two. Seems everybody and their mother are offering tuned Mustangs with body kits, wheel and tire packages, and enough underhood goodies to make that 300 hp look positively anemic.

We've already profiled several of these and have even had our grubby little hands wrapped around the steering wheel of a Roush 427R for a week. While we're still waiting for Ford's own super 'Stang, the GT500, to find its way into the AB garage, specialty manufacturer Saleen stepped up to offer us a sampling of their current lineup. Although our first choice Parnelli Jones limited edition was previously spoken for, we know that we will get one soon. In its place we were able to park a 2006 S281 Supercharged convertible. With 435 hp under its lightweight hood, we figured it might be an acceptable substitution.

And we weren't disappointed. This sucker is fast. And fun, if you can define fun as having dozens of strangers speed up to get a pic of you on the freeway, giving you thumbs up at a stop light, fielding questions from bright-eyed young ladies at every (frequent) gas stop, and being able to light up the tires at will in almost any gear at almost any speed. Those are a few ways we usually define fun, so it seems we have a winner here. But is living with one for a few days as much fun as it seems? Read on for the whole story.

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: Saleen S281 Supercharged Mustang Convertible

In the Autoblog Garage: Saleen S281 Supercharged Mustang Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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