Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Woodward 2009: A corral of Cobras and not a real one in sight]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/16/woodward-2009-a-corral-of-cobras-and-not-a-real-one-in-sight/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/16/woodward-2009-a-corral-of-cobras-and-not-a-real-one-in-sight/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/16/woodward-2009-a-corral-of-cobras-and-not-a-real-one-in-sight/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Kirkham FIA 289 Cobra replica - Click above for high-res image gallery

Someday, many decades from now, after all historical records of the late 20th and early 21st centuries have been extinguished by the great internet crash of 2012, someone will be trying to figure out what happened. As paleontologists are combing through the remainder of scrap yards for clues about what we did here, they may come to the conclusion that the Shelby Cobra was the second most produced car of all time after the VW Beetle.

The reality, of course, is that the real Shelby Cobra is exceedingly rare, but the look may well be the most replicated of all time. There are also plenty of Ferrari and Lamborghini "replicas" that are mutated to fit on existing platforms like the aforementioned Beetle and the Pontiac Fiero, but the vast majority of the faux-Cobras look so much like the real thing, that all but the most dedicated observers cannot tell the difference without close inspection.

In a little corner off Woodward Ave just south of Maple Rd. were at least two dozen "Cobras", and not one appeared to be the real thing. None the less, these are generally blindingly fast cars and usually just as thrilling to drive as one of Carroll's babies.


Gallery: Woodward 2009: The Cobra corral


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Woodward 2009: A corral of Cobras and not a real one in sight originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carrol shelbyCarrolShelbyfactory fiveFactoryFivekirkhamshelby cobrashelby cobra 427shelby cobra replicaShelbyCobraShelbyCobra427ShelbyCobraReplicasupererformancewoodwardwoodward 2009woodward avenuewoodward cruisewoodward dream cruisewoodward dream cruise 2009Woodward2009WoodwardAvenueWoodwardCruiseWoodwardDreamCruiseWoodwardDreamCruise2009Sun, 16 Aug 2009 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA 2008: Factory Five GTM looks slick in copper]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/09/sema-2008-factory-five-gtm-looks-slick-in-copper/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/09/sema-2008-factory-five-gtm-looks-slick-in-copper/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/09/sema-2008-factory-five-gtm-looks-slick-in-copper/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Factory Five GTM
Factory Five is one of those companies that you may have heard of but probably don't know where. If you happen to correctly relate them to the car world, you might remember them as a kit car company, one of dozens of Cobra re-creators out there. Well, a few years back they decided to do something a little bit different. They created their own unique design rather than copying someone else's work. The result was the Factory Five GTM.

Some see Ford GT40, others see Corvette and still others think it's an Ascari, Nobel, Rossion or even a Carrera GT. While it may somewhat resemble some of those other great shapes, it is truly something unique. Well, sort of. Like the Anteros we just told you about, there's a bit of Corvette in the mix. It uses a bespoke chassis, but is powered by an LS7 V8. Weighing in at just 2,350 lbs. it has the power-to-weight ratio of a Rolex Grand-Am prototype. It can get to sixty from a standstill in 3 seconds and cover the quarter in 11 flat. We saw one in Vegas at SEMA and when people asked about it in the supercar gallery post, we decided it might need a little extra attention. Enjoy the gallery and if you decide you'd like one, you're in luck. Factory Five is offering $2,000 off the kits.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Factory Five GTM looks good in copper


Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2008: Factory Five GTM looks slick in copper originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factory fiveFactory Five GTMfactory five kit carFactoryFiveFactoryFiveGtmFactoryFiveKitCarsemasema 2008Sema2008Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA 2008: Supercar sightings from show floor]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/sema-2008-supercar-sightings/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/sema-2008-supercar-sightings/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/sema-2008-supercar-sightings/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of SEMA supercars
As much as we love its tires, we are really upset with Michelin. Where is the annual supercar lovefest that has been the Michelin SEMA booth? Last year's display was an incredible assortment of stock, tuned and race vehicles from Audi, Chevrolet and Porsche. The year before that the Michelin booth had a Caparo T1, Koenigsegg, RUF, Saleen S7, McLaren F1, Bugatti Veyron and Pagani Zonda. Those are tough acts to follow for supercar fans, so Michelin just decided to stop trying and didn't show this year. In all fairness, a lot of companies are absent or here with a much smaller setup. Something about the economy. Although it's a little tougher now, it's still possible for a SEMA showgoer to get a healthy dose of supercar exposure, though. It just takes a little more shoe leather or a click of your finger to see some of this year's supercars in our gallery below. In it you'll see cars from Mosler, Spyker, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Chevy, Factory Five, Porsche, Aston Martin and more. There were also quite a few race cars scattered around the halls this year that we thought you might like to see, as well. Check out the huge gallery by clicking on any image.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Supercars


Gallery: SEMA 2008: Racecars


Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2008: Supercar sightings from show floor originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factory fiveFactoryFivemoslersemasema 2008Sema2008supercarsupercarsFri, 07 Nov 2008 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Factory Five modernizes the '33 Coupe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/12/factory-five-modernizes-the-33-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/12/factory-five-modernizes-the-33-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/12/factory-five-modernizes-the-33-coupe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for more shots of the '33 Hot Rod from Factory Five Racing

Factory Five currently sells the most popular Shelby Cobra kit by far. One of the reasons that more people build the FFR Cobra than all other Shelby kits combined is that it's the easiest one to finish, as it comes with everything needed minus a donor Mustang. That same philosophy is behind the new '33 Hot Rod kit from FFR. Any small block Ford V8 engine will fit, along with the buyers choice of transmission and a Ford rear end. The benefits to starting with a completely new foundation rather than an existing Ford product from the '30s are apparent when you take a look at that triangulated tube chassis and its in-board coil-over front suspension. Plus, with just 2110 pounds. to push around with its fiberglass body, this is one '33 that will have no problem getting out of its own way.

Want one? The kits are currently priced at just under $20K and are shipping now. A short wait 'till December will ensure that no parts are on back-order. That should give you plenty of time to source an appropriate engine, transmission and rear axle and rolling stock. Now, all you need to do is pick a color.

Gallery: Factory Five '33 Hot Rod


[Source: Factory Five Racing via NextAutos]

Factory Five modernizes the '33 Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1933 ford coupe1933FordCoupe33 ford coupe33FordCoupefactory fivefactory five 33 hot rodfactory five hot rodfactory five hotrodfactory five kit carfactory five racingFactoryFiveFactoryFive33HotRodFactoryFiveHotRodFactoryFiveKitCarFactoryFiveRacingkit carKitCarFri, 12 Sep 2008 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[A guide to building your own Cobra replica]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/06/a-guide-to-building-your-own-cobra-replica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/06/a-guide-to-building-your-own-cobra-replica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/06/a-guide-to-building-your-own-cobra-replica/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sure, AC may be bringing a pre-built Cobra to the US, but say the $94K price tag is just too high... or, perhaps you want the full DIY experience. Hot Rod Magazine evidently felt the same way, so it obtained a Factory Five Racing Roadster kit and attacked its 256-page instruction manual, snapping plenty of pictures along the way so that its readers know what's involved in the build.

Being that this is Hot Rod, a stock 5.0L engine and T5 transmission weren't going to cut it. In went a 427-cube small-block Ford from Coast High Performance, and it's backed by a Tremec TKO trans. With 440 horseower at the rear wheels and only 2,200 lbs. of vehicle to motivate, acceleration is downright brisk, with the quarter-mile dispensed with in right around twelve seconds at a trap speed of 123 MPH.

We'd be lying if we said we didn't want one of our own, but we also know that a driver's license stands virtually no chance of surviving more than, oh, 30 seconds in something like this.  

[Source: Hot Rod Magazine]

A guide to building your own Cobra replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jun 2006 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>351351WAC CobraAcCobraCobraFactory FiveFactory Five RacingFFRkit carKitCarShelbyShelby Cobraturn keyTurnKeyWindsor 351Windsor351Tue, 06 Jun 2006 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Travelogue: 2006 One Lap Of America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/09/autoblog-travelogue-2006-one-lap-of-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/09/autoblog-travelogue-2006-one-lap-of-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/09/autoblog-travelogue-2006-one-lap-of-america/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Well, the fuse has been lit on the 2006 installment of the splendiforously-titled Tire Rack Cannonball One Lap of America presented by Car & Driver (better known as 'One Lap'), and as usual, your trusty Autoblog contact is on the scene. We had high hopes for 'live-blogging' the Cannonball Run offspring this year via daily updates, but circumstances have conspired against us.  At any rate, for those not terribly familiar with the event, here's the (kinda-sorta) quick and dirty:

Brock Yates, patron saint of modern American automotive journalism and founder of the original 'Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash,' created a weeklong national road rally in 1984 for gearheads and their hangers-on. In its original incarnation, the event was a bleary-eyed run around the perimeter of these United States. In more recent times (1992-present), One Lap has evolved into a more sophisticated setup that sees racers drive from racetrack to racetrack around the country (the route changes each year), with stops at major and minor tracks along the way. The race is essentially a 'rung whatcha brung' event in which cars of wildly varying description and capability duke it out in different racing venues for overall and in-class wins. The beauty of One Lap is its simplicity-- if you can find a state willing to slap a license plate on it, it's okay by Brock. Racers must attend a couple of track day schools and meet certain rudimentary safety standards (helmets, SFI-rated firesuits, etc.) and run on tires purchased from title sponsor The Tire Rack, but everything else is essentially fair game.

Entrants test the durability of their rides, their backsides, and their mental states not only with long transit stages, but also a good cross-section of events -- everything from road courses to ovals to drag strips. Transit stages on public roads are not timed or scored events, though generally there is at least one passage control along the way to keep things 'on the level.' By way of example, a few years ago, One Lappers were treated to a dirt oval, proving once and for all that auto afficianados haven't lived until they've seen a Lamborghini Diablo spraying muddy roostertails up over the catch fence.

Click through to the jump for more One Lap of America, including dozens of photographs!

Continue reading Autoblog Travelogue: 2006 One Lap Of America

Autoblog Travelogue: 2006 One Lap Of America originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 May 2006 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911994996998Brock YatesBrockYatesCannonball RunCannonballRunCaterhamDuallyEliseF-150F-350F-SeriesFactory FiveFactoryFiveGrand CherokeeGrandCherokeeM3Noble M400NobleM400RX-7RX-8Testa RossaTestaRossaUltraliteViperZ1Tue, 09 May 2006 11:54:00 EST