Surely a sign of the looming apocalypse, AmericanMuscle.com recently went under the bright lights, and behind the scenes of a nationally broadcast TV show, SPEED TV’s hit game show Pass Time. Filmed on location at many of America’s favorite grass roots drag strips, Pass Time offers a chance for any would-be drag racer, whether first timer or experienced pro, Mustang or minivan, to make a run pass as two contestants attempt to predict 1/4-mile drag times to win cash. Simply put, “Guess the time, win the cash – it’s that easy,” according to show host Brett Wagner.

As the current owner of three Ponies, AmericanMuscle.com on-the-phone Mustang expert Karen Baum is no stranger to the track. In fact, she’s been drag racing Mustangs for years, but never before in front of the cameras of a popular TV show. Karen, and fellow AmericanMuscle staffer Dave Kaeck, took their Mustangs to Maryland International Raceway where Pass Time producers selected the AmericanMuscle customer service rep out of 500 candidates to “make a pass” on camera. Driving an AmericanMuscle-prepped ‘03 GT Coupe, the Mustang enthusiast put the pedal to the metal and left all expectations in the dust in her first primetime appearance.

While Karen was getting ready for her SPEED TV debut, AmericanMuscle went behind the scenes to get a first-hand look at how Pass Time producers can turn a day at the drag strip into an engaging game show. From the host Brett Wagner, to Ken “The House” Herring, to Paige the ultra-hot car wrangler, these on-air personalities form the heart of the show. Add in two long days of passionate behind-the-scenes work and somehow the dedicated Pass Time team manages to turn out nine speed-filled episodes every time they pull into a drag strip.

To get a better look at AmericanMuscle’s time at Pass Time, visit: http://blog.AmericanMuscle.com/, or go for the YouTube video go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF-6SZ6J61Q.

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Industry legend Lee Iacocca, the man who first introduced the world to the Ford Mustang, is now getting his own special edition of the iconic car. But this is far more than a badge and a decal packaged slapped on to a GT model, it’s a fully redesigned pony car by Iacocca himself, with help from designer Michael Leone, the Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters and Galpin Ford.

Titled the Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang, just 45 of the coachbuilt creations will be available through Galpin Ford.

The car sits lower than stock and has a completely redesigned front end with a slanted grille and recessed headlights. The wheels are 20-inch Iacocca Design models with center caps that feature a bold “I” in the middle. Other markings, including an Iacocca Design hood badge and Iacocca lettering on the rear, will help distinguish this car as a rarity – as will the special Iacocca silver paint.

Inside the choachwork continues with special leather seats, a new leather wrapped steering wheel with an “I” badge, Iacocca-lettering on the door sills and a numbered dash plaque.

As for performance, the 45 cars will be outfitted with a Ford Racing handling package and optional 14-inch Ford Racing brakes.

Power will come from either the standard 4.6-liter V8, which boasts five extra horsepower for a total of 320hp, thanks to a Ford Racing air intake. An optional Ford Racing supercharger will also be offered with an output of 400hp!

The Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang will be offered exclusively through Galpin Ford starting in July.

More: Lee Iacocca Gets His Own Special Edition Mustang on AutoGuide.com

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The 2011 Ford Mustang looks like it will get a boost in performance, while at the same time a drop in displacement. According to a report on The Mustang News, Ford is about to replace the aging 4.0-liter V6 with a new 3.7-liter unit. A Mustang with the new 3.7-liter engine was put on display recently at an employee town hall event at Ford’s Dearborn Development Center.

Currently the V6 makes just 210hp and 240 ft-lbs of torque – a far cry from the 265hp in the new Dodge Challenger and a far, far cry from the 300hp output of Chevy’s new V6 Camaro.

Output for the new 3.7-liter unit in Lincoln’s new MKS is an impressive 273hp and 270 ft-lbs of torque. It isn’t likely to be that high in the Mustang for several reasons. Primarily, the cost associated with building a more powerful engine and the fact that those numbers are getting a little too close to the 315hp output of the V8-powered GT. Additionally, the Mustang doesn’t need all that power to keep up, as in V6 trim it already weights several hundred pounds less than cars like the Camaro.

More: 2011 Mustang to Get Small But More Powerful 3.7-liter V6 on AutoGuide.com

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Forget the Fusion and Avenger, the 2010 Ford and Dodge NASCAR racers will be mean street machines and real pony cars. That’s right, the Mustang and Challenger.

Both cars are expected to be closer to stock than any car in recent history, but that’s not saying much.

The move was made by the NASCAR governing body in an effort to help the series. In the past both GM and Ford warned that the current Cup cars would turn NASCAR into a spec-racing series with every car not only being similar but looking the same. This, they argued, would in turn lead to a lack of brand identification and, therefore, a loss of interest in the series.

It seems they were right.

NASCAR has suffered a significant drop in not only attendance figures and souvenir sales, but also in TV ratings – indicating that the problem is in fact a lack of interest and not a lack of funds.

The new cars actually won’t be all that different, but they will look different, something that NASCAR is most likely hoping will be of interest to manufacturers looking to capitalize on some marketing.

Despite the move by Ford and Doge, GM will continue to run the Impala rather than the 2010 Camaro. Also, Toyota is continuing on with its Camry, mostly because it doesn’t have anything else. The sole Japanese automaker in NASCAR recently dropped the two-door Solara from its lineup.

More: Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger Headed to NASCAR in 2010 on AutoGuide.com

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After the success of Ford’s 2008 Mustang Cobra Jet, the company has announced plans to bring back the factory drag racer using the new 2010 platform.

The new model will use a 425hp supercharged 5.4-liter V8 direct from the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog. Ford also plans to make another engine available, with an aluminum block and 475hp. A six-speed manual transmission (the same found in the ‘08 model) will be standard equipment, however, there will be an option to upgrade to a 5-speed Liberty manual unit or a race-spec auto-box.

In addition, the Cobra Jet will get an NHRA certified roll cage and lightweight racing brakes.

“I’ve said from my first day in this job that I wanted Ford Racing to continue to be a ‘racer-friendly’ organization,” said Ford Racing boss Brian Wolfe. “That’s why we take great pride in being one of only two car companies worldwide that builds ready-to-race cars and sells them as part of our performance parts offerings.”

The 2010 Cobra Jet comes hot on the heels of the 2008 model (pictured above), which was created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original.

Only 50 Cobra Jets will be built, the exact number required by the NHRA in order for the vehicles to run in the series.

Pricing is expected to be in the $75,000 range with production in the Fall for delivery early 2010.

More: Ford Readying 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet Drag Racer on AutoGuide.com

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The U.S. Air Force has teamed up with Galpin Auto Sports to create two fighter-jet inspired pieces of American muscle.

Based in Van Nuys, California, Galpin is best known for taking horrible cars and turning them into abominations on MTV’s Pimp My Ride. The group at Galpin also built the KITT Mustang for the widely unsuccessful 2008 Knight Rider series.

While arguably both the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger under these Galpin creations have been ruined, there is a undeniable coolness to both. And that is what the U.S. Air Force is hoping young men and women (although we suspect mostly men) will think, as it uses the vehicles to show the technical and mechanical job opportunities available in the Air Force.

Called the X1, the modified Mustang gets a complete aerodynamic overhaul and a stunning coat of matte-white paint. Under the hood there’s a 4.6-liter V8 that’s been pumped up to 500hp thanks to some Ford Racing heads, new cams and long tube headers.

The real changes, however, are inside where a single fighter-jet seat sits front and center and is surrounded by numerous screens and jet controls. The screens have the ability to show objects ahead through both night vision and thermal imaging.

As for the Dodge Challenger, it’s been transformed into a stealthy machine and has been given the name Vapor. Along with a wider set of fenders and plenty of other body work it gets matte-black paint that actually absorbs radar. Also included are a set of carbon fiber wheels, a proximity sensor and a 360 degree camera that can see a full quarter mile.

Inside the Challenger also gets plenty of screens and aircraft controls, as well as a full heads up display on the windshield that can show both thermal and night vision.

And to complete the stealthy look, the Vapor also gets a special exhaust setup that allows it to run silently.

More: Galpin Auto Sports Teams Up With U.S. Air Force to Build Fighter-Jet Inspired Mustang and Challenger on AutoGuide.com

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Few engines have received the iconic status of the Ford Mustang’s 5.0. The motor disappeared in 1996 but now appears to be ready to make a comeback.

News of the return comes out of Australia where Ford Australia product development boss Russell Christophers has confirmed a new 5.0-liter V8 is currently undergoing development in the U.S.

In Australia the new engine, code named “Coyote”, will replace a larger 5.4-liter unit in the Falcon, but it could likely be used in an upcoming Mustang.

With new emissions regulations in 2010, we aren’t likely to see the the engine before that. Most likely it would debut in the next Mustang several years from now, but Ford did set a precedent in ‘96 when they replace the 5.0 with the 4.6-liter block mid-cycle.

The engine is rumored to make 402hp and 398 ft-lbs of torque.

More: Ford Planning Return of the 5.0 on AutoGuide.com

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Steven Saleen’s new company, SMS Supercars, has just release some important details on its upcoming versions of the 2010 Ford Mustang. And as expected, the performance is impressive.

Two models will initially be available, the SMS 460 and SMS 460X. The 460X is the big power option with an SMS 296 Supercharger bolted to a completely reworked 4.6-liter engine that will boast a displacement of 5.0-liters. As well as the displacement increase, the new 5.0-liter motor will also get significantly revised heads. The result of all these modifications will be 655hp and 600 ft-lbs of torque!

A less outrageous option is also offered, the 460, which includes the SMS 296 blower but not the added engine work. Power is rated at a still-impressive 470hp and 427 ft-lbs of torque

Both models are expected to hit 60 mph in the low 4 second range.

The new 2010 Mustang SMS 460 models will feature a unique exterior (shown above in a sketch released by the company) with a new front splitter, side skirts, rear bumper and diffuser, as well as a new rear spoiler and the SMS Red Butterfly Air Induction Hood.

Of course, the SMS 460 Mustangs won’t just be straight -line performers and will include a revised suspension setup and powerful new brakes. Also look for impressive interior work with plenty of leather and Alcantara.

More: SMS Supercars Teases 460X Mustang with 655 Horsepower on AutoGuide.com

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Car: N/A 2v Beast

(MM)How fast?:
(AC)Fast enough to scare the life out of most people..

(MM)What was you 1st car?:
(AC)1981 Chevrolet Scottsdale

(MM)When did you 1st start liking Stangs?:
(AC)In 1995 when my mama bought a yellow 94′ GT. At the time, I thought it was pretty fast.

(MM)When did you get Your 1st Stang?:
(AC)2005

(MM)What made You choose the GT?:
(AC)Basically, I didn’t know any better at the time.

(MM)Obviously you race alot What was your best race?:
(AC)I raced a 2000 Z28 that was gutted with a few bolt ons and a 175 shot. Every shift was door to door. We ran two times and both times, I put maybe a front bumper on him.

(MM)What was You biggest win?:
(AC)When I first finished my current 2V nobody really knew anything about the car. The first time I took it out in a good crowd, there was a black pullied, exhaust, live axle, 04 Cobra that wanted to run. I put acres on him.

(MM)And Your worse loss?:
(AC)I raced a 1981 big block/nitrous Malibu one night and he put about 2000 lengths on me…

(MM)How do you feel about “Ricers”?:
(AC)My theory is that you have to have a few idiots running around or we wouldn’t have anything to laugh about.

(MM)Modded Mustangs How’d you find it?:
(AC)I really don’t remember. It seems like I was looking for some info one day and ran across it.

(MM)How do you feel about zippee’s Homoisms?:
(AC)Let’s just say that wood happens….

(MM)In 2 years Who will have the faster car..You or eli (04gttampa)?:
(AC)Definitely me. Even if he gets something faster, I will just build bigger/better. Plus, I do most of his work, so I always know what’s going on.
Seriously, we go back and fourth on who has the fastest ride.

(MM)Who’s The Best Tech wiz here…(Besides You)?:
AC)Technically, I would say that Boomer is on top of the cylinder head info.
ChrisJ strikes me as having the best all around common sense knowledge of Mustangs. Drgn definitely has moments where he shines too. This is a very hard question. I could go on and on about the amount of knowledge on this forum and who possesses it..

(MM)If you could Change one thing on your car what would it be?:
(AC)I would change the engine (again).

(MM)What is Your dream car?:
(AC)1966 Corvette, Aquamarine Blue, White interior, M-22 Tranny, L-88 powerplant, side pipes, knock-off wheels, and it has to be a coupe.

(MM)Anything else You wanna add?
(AC)You might include that I am a father of two wonderful little girls (age 2 & 4), and I have a stunning wife who has always supported and participated in my automotive addiction

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The New York Auto Show was the pedestal from which Saleen announced yet another project it has been working on. Racing legend Dan Gurney was the focus of the new signature edition Mustang - which will be released in late April - bearing a resemblance to his 1969 Trans Am series Mustang.

Saleen CEO Paul Wilbur described it as “amazing” that just 2 years after standing on stage with Parnelli Jones, they have joined up with long time rival, and friend, Dan Gurney to produce 300 limited edition Mustangs for the public. This particular Saleen will be equipped with a supercharged 4.6L V8 producing 465 horsepower, along with Saleen’s racecraft suspension. Exterior accessories and the vintage coloration added to the S197 platform put a modernized twist to the classic that won so many hearts.

On the exterior, the Mustang sports a Gurney Edition body kit, complete with “duck bill” rear spoiler, chin spoiler and stinger type hood. All perfectly harmonized with the paint scheme and carefully placed decals -including the Gurney Eagle insignia reminiscent of the classic.

Although Saleen was not prepared to make a statement, Saleen General Manager Marques McCammon did say that this latest edition was “likely the best all around 281 supercharged car that Saleen has ever built.” Combine that with the specially tuned racecraft suspension, Generation-II Watts-Link rear end, and the Pirelli Corsa tires – a suspension combination never before featured on a Saleen vehicle – and you have yourself a lightning fast, corner-hugging monster.

The exterior of the car is not the only area to get a face-lift. The interior has also been revamped to include the Gurney Eagle emblem on the steering wheel and head rests of the two-tone seats featuring either red or blue AlcantaraTM inserts.

To honor Dan Gurney’s All American racing persona, Saleen will produce 100 vehicles in each of 3 colors. Torch Red, Performance White and Vista Blue, with contrasting color graphics and interiors, and a set of “#2″ roundels to complete the Dan Gurney experience. With only 300 being made, this will definitely be a must-have amongst collectors.

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