All posts in “Custom Cars”

2019 Ford X ROUSH Performance Mustang GT Old Crow On Auction

Another spectacular collaboration is zooming your way as Ford and ROUSH Performance presents a wild new ride. It is drawing inspiration from the P-51 Mustang fighter planes of the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. To be specific, the one flown by Colonel Bud Anderson who was a badass ace pilot of his time. Paying homage to his nickname is the 2019 Ford X ROUSH Performance Mustang GT Old Crow.

This special one-off model just looks insane with the special graphics that adorn its sleek sporty body. Details such as the red, yellow, and olive paint cover the front end and extend up toward the windshield. Moreover, the “Old Crow” text can be found on each side of the hood.

Meanwhile, looks closely to spot the P-51 badge sitting on the right portion of the black grille. Layers of red can likewise be seen coating the side mirrors and the tail end portion of this pony car. A quick tour inside the cabin reveals that the fighter plane theme extends to the brown leather seats, olive dash, and red accents all around.

The stock 5.0-liter V8 engine gets an insane boost from a ROUSH Performance TVS R2650 supercharger. This combination allows it to pump out 710 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque. To keep the temperature of this monster setup in check, the tuning shop is slapping on a new cold air induction system. The 2019 Ford X ROUSH Performance Mustang GT Old Crow will make its public appearance at the 2019 EEA AirVenture event. Shortly after it will go up for auction with the proceeds going to the host’s aviation programs.

More details about it here

Images courtesy of Ford

Lamborghini Urus ABT Sportsline Tuning

High-performance carmakers all constantly compete to release top-tier rides that will stand out. However, this usually floods the market with supercars and hypercars that speed-loving consumers will quickly snap up. Once in a while, something unique rolls out the factory that becomes a sensation of its own. In 2017, Lamborghini made a bold move and unveiled a modern SUV. This was the second unusual departure for the brand following the release of the LM002. Now the ABT racing team is taking the latest model and creating the Lamborghini Urus ABT Sportsline model.

As expected from the group, it will be tweaking the stock version with a whirlwind of upgrades. The goal to push the high-end SUV further up the ladder. Perhaps their ultimate goal is to unlock all of the hidden potentials within the Urus. The group will be tuning the engine control unit (ECU) of the 4-liter twin-turbo V8 to add another 59 horsepower and 44 lb-ft of torque. This pushes the total output up to 710 horsepower with 671 lb-ft of torque.

We’re looking at a top speed of 189.5 miles per hour and a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds. This is not the first tuning job available for the Italian SUV. Earlier this year, in preparation for a one-make rallycross event, the Lamborghini Urus ST-X concept caught us by surprise. Instead of messing around with its engine, engineers are substituting some of its metal parts with carbon fiber instead. The process will reportedly reduce its overall weight by 25 percent. However, we’ll gladly choose the Lamborghini Urus ABT Sportsline upgrade over the former.

Learn more about it here

Images courtesy of ABT Sportsline

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti By Vandenbrink

We’re going all the way to Netherlands, home to coachbuilder and tuner Vandenbrink, who’s made a Shooting Brake version of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. Building took ten years, believe it or not, but it’s truly worth the wait once you see the result.

All you car aficionados out there know full well that the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Scaglietti offered precious little trunk space. Needless to say that it felt cramped by grand tourer standards. The first thing Vandenbrink decided to do? Expand the ride’s rear end. A challenging task, though, since they came across inherent chassis limitations. Still, the tuner persevered. It took ten years, but the larger Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is now a reality.

The shooting break body style first came out years ago, enamouring some of the industry’s greatest automative outfits. Still, only a handful of them ever made anything. One of them is Vandenbrink, its supercar a fine proof of its prowess. The sport wagon is a one-of-a-kind vehicle that features many characteristics wanted on a modern coupe. But you also have all the practical traits found on a classic wagon.

More impressively, the ride boasts a 540 ponies, thanks to a formidable 5.8-liter V12 engine. Vandenbrink is tight-lipped on the finer details, rightly so. But a quick glance suggests upgrades such as dual skylights, a custom tailgate, a roof spoiler, plus many more. If you want a better look, you’d have to buy it. Vandenbrink’s Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is available for purchase. Prepare to cut a check for $340,000, though.

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Photos courtesy of Vandenbrink Design

Japanese Classics Nissan 180SX

At least in the 1980s up to the 1990s, when you were looking for cheap performance cars, anything made by Japan was always the correct answer. The Nissan 180SX is proof of that early sensibility when it came out in 1989.

Today, the car feels a bit dated, unsurprisingly. However, Japanese Classics put in the work to make it a modern coupe competitor fitting for today’s standards.

At 2,700 pounds, the Nissan 180SX isn’t exactly what you’d consider a lightweight car. But that’s a minor quip on this lovely entry-level ride. Especially once you learn it’s got a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine that boasts 167 ponies at the rear. That means zero to 60 in just 7.5 seconds, mind you. Certainly no Ferrari, but very passable. Back then, users could opt for rear-wheel steering, which made it move from side to side just as smoothly as it would zoom past straight lines.

The Nissan 180SX featured above retains the original look, but everything’s different inside. For starters, there’s a new Apexi intake, a Blitz Super Sound blow-off valve, and a Kakimoto Catback exhaust. Going all the way to the wheel wells, you’ll find suspension upgrades care of Tein coilovers. And then there are Cusco strut tower braces plus an EDFC from Tein.

Decades ago, the Nissan 180SX served as the sterling blank canvas perfect for enthusiasts who preferred to tune their rides. The mods released since then have been a diverse mix, ranging from downright impressive to crapshoots, of which there are plenty. This belongs to the former group. And there’s another thing it’s retained other than just the engine — affordable pricing. This thing’s just $12,995.

BUY IT HERE

Photos courtesy of Japanese Classics

BMW 2002 By Gruppe5 Motorsport

Gruppe5 Motorsport hasn’t made a name for itself yet, but consider this an excellent kick start. The tuner and midfier has now come out with this ultra-attention-grabbing BMW 2002, packing a 800-horsepower, V-10 engine.

It’s not real, though, so hold your horses. But Gruppe5 Motorsport says it doesn intend to build the ride down the line. So where did it get the idea for such a car?

Well, for starters, a German race team called AC Schnitzer raced a few BMW 2002 turbo models in Group 5 back in the 1970s. That’s exactly the kind of magic, bombastic, beastly appeal the shop wants to capture with this build.

As such, this BMW 2002 by Gruppe5 Motorsport is totally insane. While the car hasn’t been built yet, key people are now involved in making this project happen. There’s Steve Dinan, who’s working on the V-10 engine. Bill Riley of Riley Technologies is handing the chassis and construction. At the top of it all is Gruppe5 Motorsport founder Tom Zajac. He’s an avid BMW enthusiast who raced a 1972 BMW 2002 in the 1980s in SCCA. Suffice it to say that this is his personal passion project.

He plans to roll out 100 models with a 5.9-liter V-10 engine courtesy of Dinan’s assistance. These builds will apparently be able to reach the 803 horsepower figure on 100-octane fuel. He also plans to output 200 models with a 5.8-liter V-10 engine, which would top out 744 horsepower with 100-octane in the tank. Both engines will come with a six-speed sequential-shift transmission.

MORE DETAILS HERE

Photos courtesy of Gruppe5 Motorsport

Overfinch SuperSport SUV

We don’t usually feature Overfinch here at Men’s Gear, but if it continues making impressive bespoke jobs like this SuperSport SUV, you’ll can count on seeing them more more moving forward.

Their folks have been developing custom Land Rovers and Range Rovers for nearly half a century now. What better way to mark 2020 than building 25 SuperSport SUVs, the first of which a Range Rover Sport SVR.

We should make clear that no two SuperSport rides will be the same. This one in particular has increased horsepower courtesy of an in-house design titanium exhaust and a carbon fiber intake. This model will also be supercharged with a boosted 575 horsepower. It’s also got a herringbone weave carbon fiber hood, which all of the 25 will have.

There are also forged 22-inch Leggero wheels here, apparently the lightest and widest in the Overfinch collection. 8-piston Brembo brakes, which deliver superior vehicle control, are also in tow. These come fitted with arch trims, and customers can choose between full gloss black, diamond turned, and a custom color that matches the exterior.

Inside is just as inspired, with carbon fiber touches all over. The seats feature it, which come paired with quilted leather seating surface for optimum luxury and flair. You’ll find Overfinch blade detailing, too, and headrests that show off the SuperSport branding.

As with other Overfinch jobs, you’ll find a bevy of customization options, which should let you build the ultimate SuperSport as much as money allows. Check out the photos below and hit the link for more information.

CHECK IT OUT

Photos courtesy of Overfinch

2019 Hennessey Corvette ZR1 HPE1200

Chevy already made the ultimate Corvette — a base ZR1 pushing up to 755 ponies and 715 pound-feet of torque. But if you think Hennessey Performance would be okay leaving it at that, you’re sorely mistaken.

By now the name Hennessey Performance is synonymous with beastly levels of power. Seriously, these guys are never quite satisfied. As such, in this case, they’ve managed to kick the 755 ponies to a whopping 1,200 horsepower, which is all kinds of insane. The Hennessey Performance Corvette ZR1 is a bang-up job featuring a topnotch 6.2-liter supercharged V8. It’s one of the three upgrade versions available. The other two, HPE850 and HPE1000, feature 850 and 1,000 horsepower respectively.

In case you’re already writing a check for the HPE1200, know that it requires race fuel to reach that many ponies. But you’ll still get a whopping 1,100 horsepower on just 93 octane. As for the other modifications, Hennessey Performance went to town. You’ll find a ported factory supercharger, lower and upper pulley upgrades, a custom camshaft, and ported cylinder heads. Not to mention upgraded intake and exhaust valves, better valve springs and retainers, and a billet high-flow throttle body.

The shop has also upgraded the optional automatic transmission to handle the power. The stock manual seven-speed doesn’t require any changes, though. No suspension or braking changes on this Hennessey Performance Corvette ZR1. Still, it’s not as though the ZR1 was lacking in these areas to begin with. Hennessey Performance is throwing in a three-year 36,000-mile warranty, to boot.

CHECK IT OUT

Photos courtesy of Hennessey Performance

1973 Plymouth ‘Kuda’ Barracuda By Aaron Beck

Aaron Beck hasn’t made a name for himself in the custom sphere yet, but with this, it’s clear that’s exactly what he’s doing. The 1973 Plymouth Kuda Barracuda will certainly put Beck on the map of customizing wunderkinds. And you’ll be hearing a lot from him moving forward.

Beck’s artful approach to the 1973 Plymouth Barracuda is multi-dimensional, and that’s no surprise. Beck’s been spending time at the top brass. He previously worked at the iconic prop and VFX house Weta Workshop. And his name appears on films like Mad Max: Fury Road.

Suffice it to say that this custom ride is a fine example of Beck’s skills and showmanship. He stripped it down to the very bare essentials, resulting in a largely matt coating that evokes a certain visceral feeling of minimalism, but with an edge. He also custom-braced the chassis from top to bottom. Not satisfied, he took things further by adding a full interior roll rage for extra safety and reinforcement.

The V8 engine is just as impressive as the ridiculously inspired finishing touches outside. You’re talking 500 ponies on this bad boy. No doubt Beck took one or two cues (or maybe several) from the franchises he’s been in, as the car looks straight out of George Miller’s desert dystopia. It’s like a steampunk vehicle that was cobbled from decaying parts hauled right out of a futuristic junk shop. Then, in a fit of creative genius, repurposed into a minimalist, semi-symmetrical beast that menacingly redefines the word “intimidating.” Beck isn’t messing around.

SEE IT HERE

Photos courtesy of Aaron Beck

Custom Jenson Button McLaren P1 On Sale

How rare is it for a Formula One racer — a world champion at that — to put one of their cars on the market? It doesn’t happen all the time, surely. However, when it does, the car they’re putting up for sale is almost always nothing short of majestic. Just like this custom McLaren P1 from legendary Jenson Button, currently listed for £1,600,000 (or a bit over $2 million for you, stateside folks) over at Steve Hurn Cars.

The British hypercar has gone through the McLaren Special Operations for a performance upgrade. As a result, it boasts “Track Mode 2,” a custom software upgrade that unlocks “Race Mode.”

In terms of aesthetics, the McLaren P1 dons a Grauschwarz Grey paint job with Stealth Pack. The interior trim features both MSO grey and black alcantara. Other notable additions include lightweight forged wheels, yellow brake calipers and contrast stitching, plus a Meridian sound system.

You’re probably a Formula One addict so you already know the car’s specs. Just in case you don’t, it’s got a 3.8-litre twin-turbo hybrid V8 that can muster out 735kW and 719Nm of torque to deliver the 0-100kmph sprint in just 2.8 seconds before topping out at 350kmph.

And with merely 886km clocked on the dial, the car is practically new. The reason Button put it up for sale? It doesn’t get much love anymore.

“So I’ve decided to put my McLaren P1 up for sale so that someone else can enjoy her,” the driver posted on Instagram. “It’s a tough decision but living in America I don’t really get the chance to drive this beauty, I did give her a final blast up to Silverstone for WEC last month though!”

Custom McLaren P1

Photos courtesy of Steve Hurn Cars