Automotive: Car Wars

CAR WARS

The 1960’s was an interesting time for America and its desire to push the limits of speed. There was the GTO, the Impala, the Corvair, the Corvette, etc…. Our fathers can remember the roar of the engines and the memories of those “Car Wars”.

Since its creation back in 1968, the Chevrolet Camaro has always been 2nd best in popularity to its big brother, the Ford Mustang. Created in 1964, the Mustang made its mark as the epitome of the American “roadster”.

Through the years, Chevrolet has had steady relationship with its production of the Corvette. However, nothing could quite shake the love affair Americans have had with the Mustang. That all changed At the 2006 Detroit Auto show. Chevrolet revealed a shocking secret. The Camaro had been reborn.

Instead of creating an “impracticle” vehicle, which normally saturates manufacturer auto shows, Chevy took a different approach. They created a concept vehicle that actually was a “real world” concept. With its sleek lines, bulging body and retro imagination, the Camaro has “reset” the standard for “muscle-cars”.

From 2005 until now, Mustang was blazing a trail with its newly shaped design. Ford incorporated the “retro” look into its renewed flagship vehicle. But now its rival looks like its finally stepped from behind big brothers shadow with its Camaro.

But undertand this readers. The Mustang wont sit by “idly” while Camaro steals the show. No way buddy.

Recently unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, Ford is taking notes from its one time protege and has rediscovered its imagery. The NEW Ford is expected to be released by 2012. If they can wait that long.

As for me, Ive waited my entire life to say this…. CAR WARS HAVE BEGUN!

2010 – Mercedes Benz SLR Stirling Moss

Remember that strange Mercedes-Benz “SLR Speedster” prototype spied in recent months? Well, it turns out it’s actually called the McLaren SLR Stirling Moss. The exotic model — which, in typical speedster fashion has no windscreen — will be on display at the Detroit auto show next month for all to see.

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Powered by the same 650 horsepower supercharged V8 as the regular SLR 722, the car is constructed almost entirely of carbon fiber, making it good for a zero to 60 time of just 3.5 seconds, and a zero to 186 mph sprint of 26 seconds. Capable of achieving 217 mph, the Stirling Moss has vertical doors, a deployable air brake, and a manually operated tonneau cover that can cover the entire cabin, or just the passenger side.

The special edition car is the last model to come out of the Mercedes-McLaren partnership, which is all but over. With the SLR about to be discontinued, the Stirling Moss model will allow the nameplate to go out with a bang. Think of it as one final hurrah for the SLR before it’s succeeded by the all-new SLC. So Pricing is expected to be in excess of €750,000, and production will be limited to just 75 units.

The vehicle is named in honor of Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, 79, a retired racing driver who competed for Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, and Lotus, among others.