Manufacturers
To say that the Fox-body Mustangs have been among the favorites of Ford performance enthusiasts since they began production in 1979 is like saying Henry Ford did okay. Even those without an eye for the obvious know that, by sheer numbers alone, these highly effective, as well as affordable, machines rule the streets of America. And while ’79-’93 Mustangs may lack some of the technological advancements found in Ford showrooms today, there’s an abundance of components available through the aftermarket that will make up for that shortcoming, and lots more.
All Ford guys know the proper formula for building a Fox-body car: take a Mustang and cram it full of injected V-8. That’s the mantra, the 11th commandment of the Mustang community. Fortunately, someone forgot to show that particular stone tablet to Bill Powell, owner of Powell Performance (714/992-4909). He did something very different when he built his Fox body: he built a Thunderbird, and he built it with a turbo-four.
If you’re like many of us, vacillating between the car you’ve always dreamed of owning and what you really can afford, be sure you know what you need before you shell out more money than sense. Check around, ask your friends, read magazines on the subject, surf the Internet, get connected, and you’re likely to find your dream car, even if it is not everything you think it is.
Experience the thrill of Project Tin Can, a neighborhood sensation turned adrenaline-pumping amusement ride! With its roaring 283 engine and close-ratio Muncie four-speed, this car is a showstopper. Hear the laughter, witness the stares, and feel the excitement as Tin Can leaves a trail of awe wherever it goes. Discover how a modest 283 engine transformed into a powerhouse, making this car a 13-second wonder. Join us as we bid farewell to Project Tin Can, but stay tuned for occasional updates and adventures. Thank you to all who contributed to this unforgettable journey. Old-school enthusiasts, rejoice!
If you’re in the planning stages of building your car, or even if you have finished and are driving it, there are lots of free or inexpensive things you can do to make your ride faster and/or more efficient. This month, The Auto Builder gives you 25 of those ideas. Most of these free tips simply involve putting your car on a diet. Every 100 pounds of weight removed from your car equals dropping 1/10th of a second at the strip. Even though you may not be racing, the same theory applies to the street, and also to the extra weight you must lug around.
Eyes wide open, with faces up against the glass, kids on a passing school bus wondered what it could be. Amazed by the size of this land yacht, some must have wondered what it was like to pilot such a gas-guzzler, while a few couldn’t help but smile at the resounding roar of the mighty L72 427 underneath it all.
The design team at the Alpha Motor Corporation has made a habit of distilling some of the finest elements of classic automotive design into a modern formula for each of their offerings.
While early Toyota trucks are a great foundation, they do require a few modifications to make them capable of serious off-road use. Sure, you’ll need the basics, such as larger tires, lower gears and some kind of traction-aiding device in the differentials, but first there is a more important issue at hand. The steering on these early Toyota trucks was not designed with hardcore off-road use in mind.
Poison Spyder has a reputation for building some of the most extreme crawler rigs out there, and when it comes to advice, Clifton is usually at the top of our list of guys to ask. We were looking for a bumper that would be able to hold up to any rock we could slide into, as well as a well placed winch mount. A good looking bumper would be an added bonus, but we were willing to compromise on that last option. As it turned out, Poison Spyder had recently released their Brawler Bumper for XJ Cherokee’s. Not only did it have everything we were looking for, it’s a lot easier on the eyes than you would think for a hardcore bumper.
Ryan Newman grew up with a steering wheel in his hands. From the age of five, he has been behind the wheel of a racecar. Now, almost 20 years later, Ryan drives for Penske Racing South on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. In 2003, Ryan won eight races, 11 poles and was named Speed Channel’s Driver of the Year. In 2004, he will be driving a Dodge sponsored by primary sponsor Alltel with associate sponsorship form Mobil 1 and Sony Electronics on 38 weekends.
