Autoblog

Quick Spin: FireBreather Camaro

Michael Harley — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Specialty, Design/Style, Quick Spins

FireBreather Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hollywood movies are chock full of kick-ass superhero cars. There are radical vehicles, like the Batmobile and Mach 5, and then there are the gussied-up street cars like Eleanor, Greased Lightning and Austin Powers' Shaguar. Aside from the extreme styling, most of the mechanized celebrities from Hollywood are only capable of conjuring their supernatural performance on-screen. Step aside Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and make room for FireBreather.

Getting a jump on Jinn, a film due to be released next year by Exxodus Pictures, Classic Design Concepts is introducing its own superhero car. Unlike the aforementioned movie props, relegated to static displays in museums or car shows, the satin-black hero in the upcoming supernatural thriller will make it into limited production and offer enough performance to back up its enhanced persona.

Autoblog caught up with the wickedly-styled Camaro coupe at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance a couple weeks ago. While the venue is hardly an ideal setting for putting any car through its paces, there was plenty of time to take in the FireBreather aura and persuade its supercharged 600-horsepower engine to remove more than a few layers of rubber from the rear tires.

As expected, there were many questions in need of answering. How was it transformed? Who's behind the styling and what's the logic behind the name? Most importantly, what's it like to drive this real-life superhero car? These answers and more, after the jump.

Gallery: FireBreather Camaro: Quick Spin

Continue reading Quick Spin: FireBreather Camaro

Quick Spin: FireBreather Camaro originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FireBreather now available from Classic Design Concepts

Zach Bowman — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Specialty, Design/Style

Classic Design Concepts Firebreather - Click above for high-res image gallery

Good news, Poncho fans: the Classic Design Concepts Firebreather is officially on sale. If you were one of the many souls whose minds immediately leapt to thoughts of a resurrected Firebird when GM first introduced the Chevrolet Camaro Concept way back in 2006, you're probably a bit bitter about the fact GM kicked Pontiac to the curb before that dream every came to life. Fortunately, Classic Design Concepts stepped in to fill the void in a big way. The Firebreather takes some of the more iconic elements of the Firebird's history and melds them with the already muscular lines of Chevrolet's pony bruiser.

In addition to the creative body work, the car packs a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that manages to dump 599 horsepower onto the rear tires and the Classic Design Concepts team also took the time to work over the interior with a few Firebird-like design elements. If you absolutely need one to scratch that insatiable Pontiac itch, get out your check book: The company is asking a big ol' $60,000 for the privilege. We'll tell you whether its worth it when drive the Firebreather next week.

Gallery: Classic Design Concepts Firebreather

[Source: Firebreather Car]

FireBreather now available from Classic Design Concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: The Smoking Tire gets to play with the Firebreather

Zach Bowman — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac

The Smoking Tire drives the Firebreather - Click above to watch video after the jump

Matt Farah and the crew from The Smoking Tire just can't seem to get enough of the 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible they had for this year's Bullrun. With the cross-country party over and nothing but a mountain of citations looming in the distance, The Smoking Tire set out to give the big Blue Oval one last goodbye. Of course, they couldn't spend an entire episode pouring over every last detail of a vehicle that regular viewers know all too well. Instead, the show lined up a quick stint behind the wheel of the Classic Design Concepts Firebreather.

Think of it as what the 2010 Pontiac Firebird would have looked like if the Poncho had survived the GM apocalypse and the company's designers had been on acid. If you can get past the wildly rear sheet metal and the drooping front fascia, there's a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter V8 in the Chevrolet Camaro on which it's based. The whole concoction is good for 600 horsepower, and while the car was originally worked up for an Exodus Productions movie, Classic Design Concepts will be selling genuine Firebreather models to the public. Hit the jump to see Farah wrangle the car through a canyon or two.

[Source: The Smoking Tire]

Continue reading Video: The Smoking Tire gets to play with the Firebreather

Video: The Smoking Tire gets to play with the Firebreather originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exodus Pictures unveils FireBreather movie car at Detroit Autorama

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM

Classic Design Concepts FireBreather - Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier today, the folks from Exodus Pictures - a Michigan-based film studio - officially unveiled the FireBreather, a Camaro-based creation built in collaboration with Classic Design Concepts of Novi, Michigan. The one-off Camaro was designed by Ajmal Ahmad, the writer and director of the upcoming sci-fi film Jinn, in which the FireBreather will make its big screen debut.

Underneath the slightly revised sheetmetal is a factory-fresh Camaro SS, but the creative team from Classic Design Concepts have outfitted it with a new front fasica, hood, rear fascia and some incredibly hot-looking wheels. The new nose has a bit of Pontiac Trans-Am nostalgia to it, and we very much approve. No modifications have been made to the Camaro's 6.2-liter V8, but CDC has outfitted an Elbach Pro-Plus Performance handling package, as well as sticker Pirelli PZero Rosso tires.

Want one? Exodus will be offering up 50 individually numbered FireBreathers for just under $60,000. Orders can be placed at the FireBreather's sales website, and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Click through our gallery to see high-res shots of the FireBreather from all angles.

Gallery: Classic Design Concepts FireBreather

Exodus Pictures unveils FireBreather movie car at Detroit Autorama originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: Classic Design Concepts Group 2 Widebody Challenger

Drew Phillips — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Dodge, First Drives

CDC Group 2 Widebody Challenger - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Challenger SRT8 marked the official return last year of the musclecar to the Dodge lineup, and its retro styling, 425-horsepower V8 and tire-shredding capabilities had Mopar enthusiasts giddy with excitement. What, you say, could be much better? Enter Classic Design Concepts. The Novi, Michigan-based company has been adding its visual touch to cars since 1990, and recently tried its hand at Dodge's new musclecar. The result? The Group 2 Widebody Challenger that made its debut at SEMA in 2008. We were instantly smitten with the car's aggressive appearance on the show floor, and were determined to get a closer look if we ever had the chance. Jumping forward a couple of months, we recently learned that the car would be out in Southern California for a Mopar gathering. A phone call to CDC later and we were fortunate enough to land an afternoon behind the wheel of this 575-horsepower bona fide modern musclecar.

Gallery: First Drive: Classic Design Concepts Widebody Challenger

Continue reading First Drive: Classic Design Concepts Group 2 Widebody Challenger

First Drive: Classic Design Concepts Group 2 Widebody Challenger originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Classic Design Concepts widebody Dodge Challengers

Drew Phillips — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:22:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Dodge

Yesterday we got a preview of the Classic Design Concepts Group 2 Widebody Challenger, and today we made sure to hunt down both versions on the SEMA show floor to get some photos. Both feature an appearance package including widened fenders, stainless steel mesh grille, and functional aluminum shaker hood. Both are supercharged, although the black car comes with a Vortech and the white packs a Procharger. Additional performance upgrades include a Pypes cat-back exhaust system, KW adjustable coilover suspension, and 15-inch Baer brakes. We love the look of both cars, and the extra wide fenders give them a particularly aggressive stance. We're sure we'd appreciate the supercharged Hemi as well.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Classic Design Concepts Group 2 Widebody Challenger

Gallery: Classic Design Concept Group 2 Widebody Challenger

SEMA 2008: Classic Design Concepts widebody Dodge Challengers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Classic Design Concepts Group 2 Widebody Challenger

John Neff — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Tuners, Coupe, Dodge

Click above for high-res gallery of the CDC Group 2 Widebody Challenger

While the Chevy Camaro is technically the Official Vehicle of SEMA, the Dodge Challenger may upstage it with a parking lot full of custom iterations including a 560-hp convertible, speedster, 900-hp Super Challenger, official Targa and Blacktop concepts and, perhaps the most exciting, a Viper-powered variant.

The latest and perhaps last custom Challenger we'll be showing you before SEMA starts on Tuesday is from Classic Design Concepts. Called the Group 2 Widebody Challenger, its claim to fame are extra wide fenders from and rear to accommodate 20x10-inch front and 20x11.5-inch three piece wheels wearing 275 and 315 series Pirelli tires. The Group 2 kit also includes a stainless mesh grille and aluminum hood with CDC's cold air "shaker" system.

CDC will have two versions on hand in Las Vegas next week: a white R/T widebody and this car, a black SRT8 version. The latter features a Vortec supercharger good for 560 horsepower, Pypes Performance cat-back exhaust, KW adjustable coil-over suspension and Baer brakes with 15-inch rotors and 6-piston calipers at all four corners.

We'll definitely bring your more pics of the CDC Group 2 Widebody Challenger and its white R/T brother, as well as all the other custom Challengers, from the show floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center starting Tuesday.

Gallery: Classic Design Concept Group 2 Widebody Challenger

[Source: Classic Design Concepts]

SEMA Preview: Classic Design Concepts Group 2 Widebody Challenger originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baby boomers, your ride is here: Classic Design Concepts "Flashback" Mustang

Drew Phillips — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:43:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Ford

Click above image to view a gallery of the Flashback Mustang

Classic Design Concepts has announced it will be debuting two of four new Mustangs targeted towards baby boomers at the 2007 SEMA Show. The first is a recreation of a base 1967 Mustang using all Ford licensed products with a few extras thrown in. The second, which is CDC owner George Huisman's personal car, is codenamed "Flashback" and features classic styling with modern amenities. Far from being a simple restoration, the Flashback is actually a brand new car built from the ground up. It features a Dynacom Ford-authorized body that has been altered by Classic Design Concepts with a modified front fascia, fog light package, bright mesh grille, rear fascia, and functional lower side vents. The best part is that the Flashback isn't a one-off show car. Customers will be able to order full Flashback Mustangs directly from Classic Design Concepts.

The base car comes with a 302 ci V8 engine with 375 horsepower mated to a 5-speed transmission, although a 347 ci V8 with 450 hp and a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 with 600 horsepower are optional. The base package also includes leather seats, air conditioning, a JVC head unit and Rockford Fosgate sound system, stainless steel brakes, and Ford 9" rear end. Four suspension and brake packages are available as well as different hoods, wheels, and even stripes.

[Source: Classic Design Concepts via Stangnet.com]

Gallery: Classic Design Concepts Flashback Mustang

Baby boomers, your ride is here: Classic Design Concepts "Flashback" Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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StangNet's Glassback GT500 project

John Neff — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford

click above image to view more pics of the StangNet Mustang GT500

StangNet.com is putting the finishing touches on its latest project car, and it's a doozy. Of course it's a Mustang, a modified GT500 to be exact. Teaming up with Classic Design Concepts, a mini-automaker all its own, takes the StangNet GT500 to a place average tuners would usually fear to tread.

For starters, the StangNet GT500 sports CDC's Glassback roof, which looks like a painted piece of sheetmetal from a distance, but upon closer inspection reveals itself as perforated metal that allows occupants inside the car to see right through the roof. The car also sports a custom made ducktail spoiler, new lower front grille/spoiler, body-colored mirrors, MY2008 HID headlamps, louvered scoops over the quarter windows and a hand-painted pair of blue racing stripes.

The car's performance has been enhanced with a new suspension from Steeda, functional brake ducts in place of the standard GT500's foglamps, CCW SP20 19-inch wheels (deep dish in the rear) wrapped in BFGs, and a Magnaflow catback exhaust coupled to an MRT H-pipe. The interior is largely unaltered so far, save for the addition of a Ford GT push button start system.

The car will be present at the Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet in Tulsa, OK around mid-June. Come November it will also appear at the SEMA show in Las Vegas where we'll likely see additional modifications made for the big show.

[Source: StangNet.com]

Gallery: StangNet Mustang GT500

StangNet's Glassback GT500 project originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford may be considering Mustang hardtop convertible for 2009

John Neff — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Ford

ModdedMustangs is hypothesizing that Ford may be considering offering a retractable hardtop option for the 2009 Mustang. The site's reasoning is pretty thin, based mostly on the fact that there are retractable hardtop kits available for the Mustang currently and that engineering expertise for such a project could be culled from the recently unveiled Focus Coupe Cabriolet for Europe.

The most convincing piece of evidence of is a pair of videos posted on various Mustang message boards of a Classic Design Concepts prototype 2006 Mustang Convertible with a retractable hardtop. CDC is the outfitter that produces the panoramic Glassback roof conversion for late model Mustangs in cooperation with Webasto. You can check out the video of the retractable hardtop going up here and going down here. The conversion apparently doesn't touch the trunk's cargo space, instead eliminating the back seat and making the Mustang convertible a true 2-seat roadster. CDC's website makes no mention of the availability of a retractable hardtop conversion, but the fact that a prototype exists says something.

In light of the speed at which Ford is moving to put the Shelby GT into production and the fact that it's working directly with Shelby Automobiles, Inc. to produce the vehicle, the idea Ford might partner with other small companies like CDC/Webasto to produce a Mustang hardtop convertible isn't that far fetched. You can bet we'll be seeking out CDC's display at SEMA this year hoping to see this car in person. Adding the retractable hardtop to the lineup would give Ford a dizzying array of Mustangs in its lineup. Considering the Mustang's impressive sales performance, that hardly seems like a bad thing.

[ModdedMustangs]

Ford may be considering Mustang hardtop convertible for 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Aug 2006 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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