Most manufacturers are unwilling to do right-hand-drive conversions on what are essentially specialist models: cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang and the like. There just aren't enough buyers to rationalize the cost.
Fortunately, a cottage industry (or rather a man-in-a-shed industry) has popped up offering RHD conversions of American muscle cars for eager buyers in countries like Australia, the UK and Japan.
Being boss means you put your contemporaries (not geezers) to shame. That's like saying, "Man, I just wiped the court with that WWII veteran. Look at me now!" Of course, all this comes about because of Consumer Reports' number chart comparing the 1970 Boss 302 and the modern-day V6 (see below).
Technically this 1969 Shelby GT500 represents the last model-year of the original Shelby Mustangs (although '69 models were given new serial numbers and sold as 1970 model-year cars). It's one of 335 GT500 convertibles built, and one of 21 in this color combo according to a Marti report that Volo has.
Thankfully, the Mach 1 played its role well: in-line with the original concept of a model between the GT and the Cobra, just retro enough, and packing a legitimate performance boost over the GT.
Now, after what feels like ages...the Boss is back. Had to be said, you knew it was coming, and that's the only way to say it. Thankfully, the new Boss 302 will be trying hard to do the nameplate and its Trans-Am heritage justice. To make sure it can run with the modern performance crew, Ford claims to have benchmarked its new Boss against the M3 - yes, the BMW. That's a start...
For those unfamiliar with the Firebreather, the Pontiac Firebird-ized 2011 Camaro was originally created by Classic Design Concepts as a one off movie car for Exxodus Pictures' new sci-fi film, Jinn, but the company took the decision to build a limited series for sale to the public.
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The Qvale Mangusta has quite an interesting history behind it involving many different people and companies over the years.
Designed by Marcello Gandini (notice the signature shape of the rear wheel arches), responsible for the styling of many cars including the Lamborghini Miura and Countach, Maserati Quattroporte and the first generation BMW 5er, the 2+2-seater convertible began its life at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show as the De Tomaso Bigua.
The General's reaction? Early this morning, the Detroit automaker came out with a press release stating that from May 2009 (the 2010 Camaro's first full month of sales) to May 2010, Chevy's pony car posted 99,872 total sales, outselling the Ford Mustang by nearly 20,000 vehicles (80,340 units total).
The company added that the Camaro has led the pony car sales race for 11 of the last 12 months.
The culprits are The Rock's Drive show announcers, Robert Taylor and Jono Pryor, who claim that they created the Folden because they were "fed up with the ongoing battle between their listeners over who is mightier - Ford or Holden."
Their goal was to fuse the rear 3/4s of a 1970's Holden HQ sedan with the front-end of a 1969 Ford Mustang with power being provided by 302 cubic inch V8 Ford engine.
Based on the 305-horse 3.7 liter V6 model, the DUB package supplies the V6 Stang (coupe, convertible, or glass-roof coupe) with 20-inch TIS rims wrapped in Pirellis, a Roush appearance package, special striping, and the DUB logo embroidered on the headrests.
Instead, the company claims that engineers were conservative with their ratings the first time and that after the presentation of the 305HP 2011 Mustang V6 the re-certification process found that the direct-injection V6 produces an extra 8HP and 5lb-ft of torque for a total of 312HP and 278 lb-ft of torque.
What kind of difference can you expect to find in your wallet? How about $535 on the V6 and before regional gouging? That's got to be worth at least an option or two.
Official prices are $22,995 (about €17,200 at today's rates) for the Mustang and $23,530 for the V6 Camaro. With the base GT starting at $30,495 (around €22,800), it appears that the Mustang will be undercutting the Camaro in V8 territory as well (the GT Premium comes in at $33,695).
The first example of this series, teased above, will be auctioned to the highest bidder on Saturday, April 3 at the Barrett-Jackson event in Palm Beach, Florida.
If you opt for the six-speed automatic, the 2011 Mustang GT will return 25 MPG highway and 18 MPG city (equal to 9.4 lt/100km and 13.0 lt/100km, respectively).
It has also provided people with near-endless variety. From the mainstream Shelbys and California Specials (both of which have returned for up-and-coming red-light racers), to lesser-known variants like the Twister and High Country Specials, the Mustang has always offered something for everyone.
In 2005 Ford went (way) back to the drawing board, offering old-school-inspired lines for the modern age.
