Steve Saleen's SMS Supercars, announced today that they have filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court in California

Steve Saleen's SMS Supercars, announced today that they have filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court in California, seeking an order directing MJ Acquisitions, Inc. to cease and desist from promoting their products under the Saleen name in any form. Concurrently, Mr. Saleen is also seeking additional, related remedies from the company that formerly carried his name. This action is an additional move to continue to protect the name, reputation and brand value of Steve Saleen, and to reassure his loyal customers, dealers and car enthusiasts that only Steve Saleen's SMS Supercar performance vehicles and products are genuine and deserving to carry his name. Steve Saleen ceded control of the company he founded, Saleen, Inc., in 2003 and left it completely in the spring of 2007 without any further management association. The non-enthusiast corporate executives sold a number of assets to a company by the name of MJ Acquisitions, Inc., changed the company's name, and in early 2009 ceased operations altogether.

True Steve Saleen performance vehicles again available in the market

After having left his previous company, Mr. Saleen started Steve Saleen's SMS Supercars in 2008 and unveiled his newest creation, the SMS 570 Challenger, in January of this year. After having participated in the 2009 National American Dealers Association show as part of the official Chrysler Group display, Steve Saleen's SMS Supercars successfully launched the SMS 570X Challenger and the new SMS 296 Supercharger at the New York International Auto Show in April of 2009, where many media ranked them among the stars of the show. Steve Saleen's SMS 460 and 460X Mustangs were announced at the 45th Mustang Anniversary show in Alabama in April, with more info and images to be released this weekend at the Mustangs Northwest Roundup in Seattle and during the 2009 Mustang Week in Myrtle Beach starting Monday, July 20.

Steve Saleen steps up and protects his brand, name, reputation and customers "SMS Supercars is the new Saleen" (Steve Saleen)

In April 2009, Steve Saleen announced support for his customers and dealers affected negatively by the demise of the company that long carried his name. In a statement issued in April, he said: "The company I launched a long time ago announced it will no longer honor its product warranties, nor will the acquiring company for those assets, MJ Acquisitions, Inc. This kind of 'customer treatment' damages my reputation, misleads customers and cannot be left unaddressed." Steve Saleen announced that SMS Supercars would guarantee the warranties that MJ Acquisitions abandoned. Mr. Saleen went on to say: "It amuses me that faceless executives and wannabes are trying to misrepresent themselves as some kind of continuation of Saleen, which they are not. SMS Supercars is the true Saleen. It is the only company I endorse, the only company entitled to use my name and legacy, and the only company that carries my signature on its products, because they are my products. The legal action we have undertaken today will emphasize once and for all that the only genuine Saleen products are mine.

About Steve Saleen's SMS Supercars – Speed, Science and Style

Steve Saleen's SMS Supercars, a company founded by renowned race driver and automotive icon Steve Saleen, is a manufacturer of high-end lifestyle performance vehicles, technical performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. Steve Saleen's SMS Supercars designs, engineers, tests, certifies, manufactures and assembles all of its own products and vehicles. As SMS Supercars' first product, the SMS 570 and SMS 570X Challenger have been launched in early 2009, while SMS 460 and SMS 460X Mustang models have been announced for market entry later in 2009.

Source: SMS Supercars Press Release

TECHART at this year’s Tuner 2009 Grand Prix

Top times for TECHART at this year’s Tuner Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring race track. Behind the wheel of the TECHART GTstreet RS based on Porsche 911 GT2, racing driver Jörg Hardt left the competition with no chance and won the duel in the GT Turbo class. This meant that he was able to repeat last year’s victory. The sport auto Tuner Grand Prix is the world’s largest trial of strength in the tuning sector.

The TECHART-modified 911 GT2 won with an average lap time of 1:08.037 minutes over five laps driven around the small circuit of the Hockenheimring race track. This means that the team drove precisely 0.604 seconds faster than the team in second place, and went on to claim overall victory for all the classes entered. Thanks to modified VTG turbochargers, the engine generates 700 bhp / 515 kW at 7,000 rpm and puts down a maximum torque of 860 Nm onto the tarmac at 4,500 rpm. The car is capable of top speeds of up 350 km/h.

Besides the driving skills and high-performance engine, the decisive factor for this victory was above all the perfectly tuned suspension. In collaboration with the technology partners Bilstein and Michelin, the height-adjustable TECHART sports suspension was perfectly tuned to the circuit.

For the time trial, the TECHART team opted for high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires on account of the summer temperatures. Running on the single-piece TECHART Formula GTS light alloy rims in the dimensions 8.5Jx20 at the front and 12Jx20 at the rear, the Michelin tires ensured outstanding grip. The winning driver, Jörg Hardt, who has been racing successfully in motor sports for years, was utterly impressed: “The car had been prepared extremely professionally for the event. The tires performed steady and kept a very high level during the whole competition”.

In addition to the victory in the GT Turbo class, Jörg Hardt and the TECHART team also performed exceptionally well in the Coupé / Cabriolet-turbo class. The TECHART GTstreet R Cabrio on the basis of the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet took first place like last year. Achieving a time of 1:09.601, the car had a 3.186 second advantage over its competitors.

Jörg Hardt perfected the triumph by coming first in the SUV class. The TECHART Magnum, based on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, was entered into the race. Equipped with the 550 bhp of the production vehicle, an aerokit and sports air suspension module, TECHART achieved the winning time of 1:16.939 for the first time in the heavyweight class. The necessary grip was ensured by the Michelin Diamaris sport tires fitted on 22 inch TECHART Formula rims.

“With the victories also racked up this year, TECHART is underscoring its outstanding position in the automotive individualization sector”, says Marc Herdtle, Marketing Director at TECHART Automobildesign GmbH, in recognition of these achievements.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

TECHART GTstreet RS based on the Porsche 911 GT2

Car body and chassis

Front apron GT RS with carbon splitter

Side carbon flics

Aerodynamic bonnet

Headlight trims

Mirror trims

Sill panels GT

Carbon roof spoiler

Rear spoiler GT RS with winglets and carbon gurney

Rear apron GT RS with carbon diffuser, air outlet and carbon airwings

LED day driving lighting

TECHART Threaded chassis

TECHART Nose lift system

Wind tunnel values

10 kg downforce on front axle and back axle at 140 km/h

Engine/exhaust

Performance kit TA 097/T2.2, 515 KW / 700 hp at 7000 rpm and 860 Nm

Torque at 4500 rpm consists of:

TECHART Sports air filter

TECHART Engine optical package

TECHART Pressure sensors

TECHART Carbon sports suction pipes

TECHART High performance intercooler

TECHART Manifold set

TECHART Turbocharger

TECHART Engine electronics

TECHART Sports exhaust (valve system)

Wheel/ tyre combination

TECHART Formula III forged light alloy wheels, one-component, front 8.5Jx20 with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres, back 12Jx20.

Source: Techart

List of "Hidden" Dealer Incentives for June 2009

Dealer incentives are basically cash bonuses given to dealers by the manufacturer when they sell a particular car.

Dealer incentives are usually not made public so it's difficult for car buyers to find out this information.

We've compiled a list of the top dealer incentives being offered until the end of June.

Note that these are not customer rebates. they are cash incentives given to dealer in order to help them sell cars. They may or may not pass these incentives to car buyers, but you can use it as a negotiating tool to get prices below invoice cost.

List of Top Dealer Incentives for June 2009:

Vehicle	Incentive
2009 BMW 5 Series	up to $5,000
2009 BMW M5	up to $5,000
2009 BMW X3	up to $5,000
2009 Dodge Ram 1500	up to $3,500
2008 Ford Fusion	$3,000 - $4,000
2008 Ford Focus	$3,000 - $4,000
2008 Ford Escape	$3,000 - $4,000
2009 Saab 9-5	$2,000 - $5,000
2009 Saab 9-7x	$2,000 - $5,000
2009 Honda Odyssey	$2,500
2009 Honda Ridgeline	$2,500
2009 Honda Accord	$1,500 - $2,000
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid	$1,500 - $2,000
2008 Jaguar XJ	$11,000 - $15,000
2008 Jaguar XK	$11,000 - $15,000
2009 Land Rover Range Rover	$3,000 - $5,000
2009 Land Rover LR2	$2,500 - $5,000
2010 Infiniti QX56	$5,000
2009 Infiniti FX50	$5,000 - $6,000
2009 Lexus RX 350	$5,000
2009 Volvo (all models)	$3,750 - $6,250

Source: realcartip

Style-Your-Garage

Anything that drives, you’ll find here. Park something you've always dreamed of in your garage!

A garage offers room for anything. Make space for your wildest dreams!

How it works: Your garage billboard comes complete with a separate, self-adhesive Velcro fastener and can be attached immediately!

The billboard is fitted in the same sort of way as a fly screen at the window.

It doesn’t matter what material (metal, wood, plastic, etc.) the up-and-over garage door is made from. The standard size of the garage billboard is: Height 2.10 m x width 2.45 m.

To install your garage billboard, you will need:

Around 15 – 30 minutes

Possibly someone to help you

A measuring tape or ruler

A felt pen

Scissors / cutters / Stanley knife

Cleaning agent, e.g. spirits

Dry cleaning cloth

Cutting to size – step 1:

The upper edge with the pre-fitted Velcro strip is your guide line.

This must remain as it is – do not cut anything off it. After you have measured your up-and-over garage door correctly with a measuring tape or ruler (important! only measure the moving, tilting part of the door, NOT the frame!), spread the garage billboard out in front of you on a clean floor. The side with the picture should face down, with the light reverse (the side without the motif) facing upwards. At the top you will now see the guide line (with the visible Velcro strip, from which you should now use a felt pen to carefully draw the outline of your garage door.

Note: If your door is for instance only 2 metres tall and 2.15 metres wide, you will have a height excess of 10 cm and width excess of 30 cm.

What should you do?

You only take off the bottom 10 cm (the top is your guide line that must not be altered!) and 15 cm on the right and left (2 x 15 cm = 30 cm). This maintains the symmetry of the motif.

Now take a pair of scissors or a cutter / segmented blade and cut the garage billboard precisely to the size of your up-and-over garage door.

Cutting to size – step 2:

Now you use the roll of Velcro fastening supplied. It comes as a rough, textured piece that you secure to your garage door (Important! only stick to the moving, tilting part!) and a soft, fleecy piece that you stick to the reverse of the garage billboard. Now cut enough of both parts from the roll of Velcro so that you have sufficient for the height and width of your garage doors and garage billboard. So, as described in step 1, for instance 2 m x 2.15 m.

On the guide edge of the billboard, i.e. the top, we have already stuck the fleecy part of the Velcro on for you.

Once you have cut the Velcro tape, you should now have three strips of tape with a fleecy surface and four with a rough surface.

Securing – step 1:

Clean the side edges of your garage door to the width of the Velcro strip using a cleaning agent, e.g. spirits. Before you do this, always carry out a test in an inconspicuous place to avoid damage to paint or discolouration. After drying the cleaning agent, secure the rough strips to your garage door – at the top, left, right and bottom. As you do so, you must absolutely ensure that the Velcro tape is affixed secure and smooth on your garage door. Smooth it over evenly as you go along.

Now do the same with the fleecy strips of tape on your garage billboard, on the left, right and bottom. To ensure everything remains straight and even, we recommend that you use a measuring tape and possibly also a spirit level.

Wait for around 30 minutes until the Velcro parts are fully glued onto the garage door and on the reverse of the garage billboard.

Securing – step 2:

Now you can start attaching the garage billboard onto your up-and-over garage door:

It’s best done by two people, but of course you can do it on your own!

Start with the guide line: slowly press the Velcro strips together from the centre outwards to the left and right. Then press the garage billboard into place along the left side from the top to the middle. Then on the right hand side from the top to the middle. Then once again on the left hand side from the middle to the bottom and then the right hand side from the middle to the bottom. Finally, fix the garage billboard in position along its bottom edge.

Securing – step 3:

You still need to be able to access your garage door handle to open and close the garage door. To do this, feel or measure in advance where the handle / lock is positioned, marking the area very lightly with the felt pen. Take a cutter / Stanley knife and cut the garage billboard in a slightly cross-shaped fashion – just enough for you to be able to feed the handle through without tearing the billboard. We recommend cutting out a small section at the marking around the lock so that there are no problems when opening and closing the door.

Everything done? Brilliant – well that’s all there is to it!

Your garage billboard from style-your-garage.com is finished!

Source:  style-your-garage

TechArt Porsche 911 Turbo GTstreet R Vs. Nissan GT-R

TechArt Porsche 911 Turbo GTstreet R

'Quod erat demonstrandum' (this completes the proof)

It was with this sentence that Sir Isaac Newton always completed the presentation of his mathematics and physics-based evidence. At TECHART, the phrase stands for the challenge of kitting out ‘Non plus ultra’ ex works vehicles with impressive performance capabilities. The result: the TECHART GTstreet RS based on the Porsche 911 GT2.

Impressive performance data

The GTstreet R is fitted with the TECHART performance kit TA097/T3 with an engine performance of 485 kW (660 hp) and a maximum torque of 860 Nm at 4,600 rpm. The GTstreet R with Tiptronic S can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and with manual transmission it only takes a tenth of a second longer. The remarkable propulsion levels out at a top speed of 345 km/h.

An ample increase in performance is guaranteed thanks to the new turbochargers, large carbon fibre inlet pipes, special intercoolers, a sports exhaust system combined with high-performance manifolds and an improved sports air filter. A balanced downforce on the front and back axels and specially adapted TECHART VarioPlus coil over suspension guarantee excellent driving performance at high speeds and ensure extra driving stability and safety.

Technology meets emotion

The design of the car body brings sporting agility and a perfect exterior design. The aero-bonnet, headlight trims and mirror trims, striking sill panels and carbon fibre roof spoiler characterise the dynamic design of this sports car. Precise air ducts on the front spoiler and rear wing optimise the engine ventilation. The striking rear apron with its carbon fibre diffuser and air ducts to the intercooler are additional special features of the comprehensive TECHART GTstreet R aerodynamic programme.

Engine: Watercooled six-cylinder boxer twin-turbo engine with TechArt TA 097/T3 performance tuning consisting of 2 special turbochargers with variable turbine geometry, airbox with sport air filter, modified intercoolers, sport induction pipes, TechArt stainless steel high performance exhaust system with special manifolds and steel-bed high performance catalysts and a recalibrated ECU. TechArt engine design package.

Transmission: Permanent four-wheel drive. Six-speed manual gearbox with modified transmission-ratio, TechArt gearshift travel shortage and additional gearbox-oil cooling

Bodywork: 2+2 seater coupe with TechArt GTstreet bodystyling kit, consisting of: front apron with extendable Carbon splitter, headlight moldings, aerodynamics fenders front and rear (10 millimeters wider on each side), side skirts, side mirror moldings, roof spoiler, adjustable rear wing, rear apron with integrated Carbon diffuser.

GTstreet TechArt 911 Turbo 

To achieve this, power has been increased by 148bhp to 621bhp. Torque rises too, from 457lb/ft at 4,500rpm to 605lb/ft. To achieve this from the 3.6-litre Porsche engine, TechArt has modified the variable turbine turbochargers, added a new airbox, high performance manifolds, intercoolers, exhaust and reprogrammed the engine management system. The result is a 911 Turbo that accelerates to 62mph in 3.2 seconds and reaches 124mph in just 10.9 seconds, with a potential maximum of 214mph. Ensuring you stay on the road at such speeds is a tweaked aero package, which increases both downforce and engine and brake cooling.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage v Porsche 911 Carrera S

The GTstreet’s power is channelled to all four wheels via a short throw gearshift. And like the car it is based on, the best performance figures are achieved with the Tiptronic S transmission. Change gears yourself and 0-62mph takes 3.4 seconds, and 0-124mph 11.4 seconds – still stupidly quick then but clearly if you want the fastest version it has to be the auto. The top speed remains the same. Inside there is a TechArt sports steering wheel, aluminium pedals, illuminated TechArt sills and a leather interior with contrasting stitching. TechArt quotes prices starting from 245,000 Euros, or around £170,000. At that price, we are sure you can specify it in another colour too.

Maximum speed: 345 km/h 345 km/h

Driving these two cars back to back, it's not long before you realize that the Nissan makes the 911 seem old-fashioned.

The 911 Turbo comes in at around about $100,000, which is a good value for such a stupendous car, but the GT-R will cost about $40,000 less.

Nissan GT-R

Summary

Affordable supercar takes on a new meaning as Nissan offers Porsche 911 Turbo beating performance for BMW M3 money

• Likes: stunning looks, bang per buck, incredible technology, jaw-dropping performance
• Dislikes: interior space and design, a bit chunky, we have to wait until next year

The Nissan GT-R was developed with a new understanding and appreciation of the Earth's natural forces - gravity, inertial force and aerodynamics - and translates those forces into a completely new design, maximizing tire grip and airflow. 

The Nissan GT-R's unique characteristics are instilled not just in the vehicle's design, but also through a specialized production process. Carbon fiber, aluminum and steel components are assembled with a special high-precision process, which includes a series of vibration tests. Engines and transmissions are assembled by a single craftsman in a "clean room" environment and upon completion, every GT-R undergoes a battery of comprehensive tests to ensure the proper operation of all vehicle components.

The GT-R's balance and body control are extraordinary through faster, bumpy bends that will have the 911 unsettled enough to make the driver lose confidence, number of heart-in-mouth moments in the Turbo trying to keep up with the GT-R, even with the Porsche's suspension set to its harder Sport setting.we hit an indicated 190 mph that the canary yellow Porsche 911 Turbo glued to my tail flashed his lights impatiently, sick of waiting, Nissan says the GT-R hits 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, To properly support the all-new GT-R, Nissan has established special Nissan High Performance Centers, where all certified advisors and technicians have received extensive training. Total support for the GT-R owner is offered for the first three years of ownership, including measurement and adjustment of the engine, transmission and wheel alignment after the first 1000 km, and again every 12 months, free of charge. 

The GT-R turns in beautifully, whether neutral or under brakes, and grips forever — slippery surfaces seem to bring out the best in it. Time after time I left the Porsche behind, The GT-R feels high, almost on tiptoe in comparison to the 911, but that's because it is. It's a big car. But it's not slow.

The Nissan GT-R offers a long list of safety and environmental features, including, for enhanced visibility inside and out of the vehicle, high-mounted LED stoplamps, bright LED rear combination taillights, "super wide beam" headlights, heated door mirrors and flat-blade wipers.

Standard safety equipment includes a pop-up engine hood system for enhanced pedestrian safety, driver and front passenger SRS Air Bag System, ELR front seat belts with tension reducer, front seat belts with load limiter, and three-point ELR rear seat belts. Driver and front passenger SRS Side Air Bag System and SRS Curtain Air Bag System are offered as options.

Environmental technologies include extensive work to create an U-LEV certification in Japan for the 3.8-liter twin turbo engine and reduced levels of volatile organic compound for materials used in the car. 

Performance: Put simply? Mind blowing. A car as big and as heavy as this - it weighs 1,740kg and is 205mm longer, 45mm wider and 70mm taller than a 911 Turbo - has no right to be this rapid. But even though it weighs 45kg more and has comparable power outputs to the Turbo it's a tenth quicker to 62mph.

Under the hood, the Nissan GT-R features an all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 "VR38" engine, featuring plasma-sprayed bores and a special twin-turbo exhaust manifold system. A secondary air management system enables the newly designed powerplant to provide approximately 40kg/m of torque during ordinary low-rev driving, which gives an optimum air-fuel ratio for around-town efficiency and helps the Nissan GT-R meet ultra-low emission vehicle (U-LEV) standards in Japan.

The Nissan GT-R's new engine produces 480PS (353kW) at 6400rpm and maximum torque of 60kgm (588Nm) from 3200 to 5200rpm. Putting the power to the ground is an all-new GR6-type dual clutch transmission, with paddle shifting and a Borg Warner six-plate dual clutch for direct control.

That it matches the Turbo's 193mph top speed exactly shows how closely chief engineer and Mr GT-R Kazutoshi Mizuno has pegged his pet project to its iconic German rival. Even Nissan insiders admit Mizuno-san is 'a bit of an obsessive', his mission to beat Porsche at its own game becoming an all-consuming passion.

Nissan GT-R (image © Motoring Research)

So how have they achieved it? In true Japanese fashion they've thrown technology at it, with every facet of the car laden with acronym heavy innovation. The handbuilt, twin turbo 3.8-litre V6 tears up the 'gentleman's agreement' that saw previous GT-Rs limited to 276bhp - officially at least - and delivers 480bhp.

This drives through a super-trick four-wheel drive chassis and rear-mounted, twin-clutch six-speed automated gearbox, the seamless shifts offering relentless acceleration as each gear punches home. It's a distinctively turbocharged power delivery too. The boost takes a moment to build but when it does the GT-R simply erupts, air howling through the induction system with a roar.

Suspension duties are handled through a special Bilstein DampTronic*1 system, which utilizes all pertinent vehicle information to provide appropriate damping forces for all situations and helps maintain a high level of control for straight-line driving, cornering, and braking.

• Price – £52,900
• Available – March 2009
• Key rivals – BMW M3, Mercedes CLK63 AMG, Porsche 911 Turbo

Need to know

Petrol engine

-3.8-litre V6, twin turbo

Power (bhp)-

480

Torque (lb/ft)-

430

0-62 (secs)-

c. 3.6

Top speed (mph)-

193

Combined mpg

-c. 24

Ratings out of five: Nissan GT-R

Performance - 

*****

Ride & handling - 

*****

Interior

 - ***

Safety

 - ****

Price

 - *****

Practicality

 - ***

Fuel economy - 

**

HighThrottle verdict

 - *****

BURNING UP THE MILES : Cadillac Firemaker by Pfaff Designs

1920x1200 - Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

1920x1200 - Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

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This 1956 Cadillac Sedan de Ville spent its life on the American road, highlighted by long driving vacations to Mexico, Alaska and annual trips to Florida. With over 100,000 miles on the odometer, this icon of '50s luxury was parked in 1971 and was forgotten – until then-high school senior and now current owner Murray Pfaff found it languishing in storage in 1986.

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Neglected for 25 years and due to lose its place in a barn scheduled to be demolished to make way for a mall, the car caught young Pfaff's fancy. He asked his father for permission to buy it and rescue it from decay, but received a firm, “Over my dead body” in reply. Fortunately for the car and Murray, this Cadillac found safe haven until the purchase could finally be negotiated some 5 years later.  

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First up for the behemoth was custom bodywork under the guidance of Matt Shamey of Watertown, NY. This includes over 300 hood louvers, recessed hood ornament, shaved handles, trim, and emblems, custom skirts, frenched antennas, filled bumpers, and a Carson style roof. Then Brother Dave and a collection of friends again stepped in to help get the Caddy road worthy in just under a year motivated by the original 365 cubic-inch V-8.

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Another 5 years had passed before the transplant of a 1976 Cadillac drive train began in Naples, FL. In order to help fit the 500-c.i.d. power plant under the hood, the firewall was recessed using a Jackson M-5 wheelbarrow. The big inch Cadillac motor benefits from high performance internals a polished Edelbrock intake, Holley Street Avenger carburetor, and plumbing from Earl’s.

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From Florida, Pfaff moved to Northern California. There, the car got a complete repaint that Murray had designed himself. The flame job was generated by computer and was one of his earliest design explorations – one that would later lead to the creation of Pfaff Designs.

Now located in Royal Oak, MI, Murray subjected the car to its fourth and most detailed make-over. This included brand new chrome, all new glass, and a new interior and paint scheme to complete the traditional yet modern look. Charlie Vickerie sprayed the new Pfaff-designed graphics using Glasurit paint. Jeff Shea created art in motion by applying some tasty pin stripping. The overall effect is a long, low, and imposing land yacht exuding a style that is sweet and undeniable.

Open the vault like doors and you find a leather wrapped dash with a custom punched and flared purple insert and speedo cluster liberated from a 1960 Cadillac. A modified 1960 Cadillac steering wheel proudly sits atop an Ididit column. A center console features the bullet housing with integrated gauges from Classic Instruments. Pat Russell at P.J.’s Trim Shop in Hemlock, MI. stitched together the leather hides to match the designer’s vision while encompassing the MTX sound system. A whole host of good friends, including Tom Gardner, Steve Langdon, Cliff McKillop, and Ed Pashukewich spent many sleepless nights bringing this incredible '56 Caddy to life.

To help achieve the right stance, the car was dropped to the ground using Air Ride Technologies Shock Waves. Another distinctive feature is the two different styles of rims and rubber. One side features BF Goodrich wide whites with 15” Astro Supremes, while the other sports Goodyear F1’s around a custom designed 18” Billet Specialties wheel. The two looks are very polarizing while attracting compliments from two different crowds. The car rides and drives like a dream which is important to Pfaff since he has logged over 85,000 miles himself behind the wheel. To say he enjoys driving this car is an understatement.

At the rear of this tour de force lies the reason for the car’s name: Just take a look at the exhaust and you will see that Murray is serious about his flames. The two-stage fuel injection system shoots fire more than 20 feet rearward! Pfaff often leaves two scorched trails behind him as his calling card. Whatever you do, don’t tailgate this big, bad Cadillac, as there's a good chance you're gonna' get burned by the FireMaker.

Source -Pfaff Design Press

MERCEDES C63 AMG, FERRARI SCAGLIETTI, & FERRARI 350 SPIDER

FERRARI SCAGLIETTI

The V12 engine has a dry sump lubrication system featuring both delivery and scavenge pumps, twin overhead cams, 48 valves, maximum power of 540 hp at 7250 rpm, and maximum torque of 60 kgm at 5250 rpm. The car has a maximum speed of 320 kph, and 0 to 100 kph acceleration of 4.0 secs. 

Gearbox, 6-speed, F1-type featuring new SuperFast technology that cuts gear-shifting times to 100 milliseconds. Courtesy of either the steering wheel-mounted manettino and specific button, the gearbox can easily switch from very high performance situations to city or touring driving. 

Clutch: Twin-plate to reduce weight and rotating masses as well as thermal and mechanical inertia. 

Brakes. Carbon-ceramic material (CCM) Brembo brakes with vented discs that are fade and vibration-resistant even in extreme and intensive situations. The fact that the brakes are so light also reduces the unsprung masses. Large-diameter discs: 380x36mm with 6-pot callipers front and 360x34 and 4-pot callipers rear.

The 612 Scaglietti is the result of an avant-garde design that continues the great Ferrari 2+2 tradition in fabulous style. Designed by Pininfarina, the 612 Scaglietti is named in honour of Sergio Scaglietti, the legendary Modenese stylist and coachbuilder responsible for bodying some of the most beautiful Ferraris of the 1950s and 60s. The 612 Scaglietti epitomises Ferrari’s talent for innovation and design. This thrillingly nimble, beautifully balanced sporty front-engined rear-wheel drive berlinetta offers a cabin capable of accommodating four occupants in unprecedented onboard comfort, thanks to a host of accessories and a fantastic specification. The 612 Scaglietti is a sumptuous, roomy two-door four-seater that’s a pleasure to be aboard regardless of the driving conditions. 

The chassis and bodywork. These are made entirely from light, tough aluminium which translates into enhanced performance, braking and road-holding all in one. 

Source-Ferrari Press

FERRARI SCAGLIETTI - The pavillion mall, KL

FERRARI 350 SPIDER

You've got to drive this car! The Ferrari 348 Spider elicits waves, honks, stares, and constant calls from nearby motorists and pedestrians alike. Ordinary drivers morph into paparazzi, turning their digital cameras and video recorders on to film your every move as you drive by with the top down.

What really makes the 348 so special is driving it. You've warmed it up. You've checked your coolant and oil levels. Your gauges report good oil pressure, good water temperature, and good oil temperature. You shift into gear and ease out onto the highway, where a quick blip of the throttle sends you rocketing into the first safe opening on your initial merge. Your blinkers and high-beam flashers are precisely located so that using them becomes an unconscious, effortless act as you change lanes and pass slower traffic.

Just behind you, your ears reward you with the warm low tones of your factory tuned exhaust. If you think about it, you can just hear your transmission conveying your precise rpms back to you. The throaty exhaust isn't overpowering, just pleasant and "there." You can still carry on a casual conversation with your passenger, even with the top down at maximum legal freeway speeds. Wind noise and wind buffeting inside the cockpit aren't even noticeable, save for the occasional light breeze fluttering across your cheeks.

A light flick of your wrists and your 348 has flashed its high beams, signaled left, and changed lanes. A light blip on the throttle and you've passed a slower motorist by. One more light wrist flick and you're back in your driving You've got to drive this car! The Ferrari 348 Spider elicits waves, honks, stares, and constant calls from nearby motorists and pedestrians alike. Ordinary drivers morph into paparazzi, turning their digital cameras and video recorders on to film your every move as you drive by with the top down.

What really makes the 348 so special is driving it. You've warmed it up. You've checked your coolant and oil levels. Your gauges report good oil pressure, good water temperature, and good oil temperature. You shift into gear and ease out onto the highway, where a quick blip of the throttle sends you rocketing into the first safe opening on your initial merge. Your blinkers and high-beam flashers are precisely located so that using them becomes an unconscious, effortless act as you change lanes and pass slower traffic.

Just behind you, your ears reward you with the warm low tones of your factory tuned exhaust. If you think about it, you can just hear your transmission conveying your precise rpms back to you. The throaty exhaust isn't overpowering, just pleasant and "there." You can still carry on a casual conversation with your passenger, even with the top down at maximum legal freeway speeds. Wind noise and wind buffeting inside the cockpit aren't even noticeable, save for the occasional light breeze fluttering across your cheeks.

A light flick of your wrists and your 348 has flashed its high beams, signaled left, and changed lanes. A light blip on the throttle and you've passed a slower motorist by. One more light wrist flick and you're back in your driving lane with open road in front of you and smiling drivers behind you.

When you pull into a roadhouse, a crowd gathers to gawk at your car. Many point and whisper "Ferrari."

MERCEDES C63 AMG

Pics taken at The KLCC mall, KL during tag heur launch

The V8 engine is installed in numerous AMG high-performance cars and excels with its thoroughbred motor sports technology.Among the particular strengths of the AMG V8 engine are outstanding responsiveness and enormous pulling power – by virtue of its large displacement, it develops over 30 percent more torque than comparable engines in this performance class. Electronically controlled fuel delivery is another reason for the outstanding agility and responsiveness to movements of the accelerator. With its sporty AMG sound, which was designed-in during a series of sophisticated trials, this eight-cylinder powerpack from Affalterbach offers the unique excitement of a fast-revving, naturally aspirated engine – an audible and immediate experience whether at low, medium or high engine speeds.

Key figures for the C 63 AMG at a glance: 

Cylinder arrangement/ valves per cylinder: V8/ 4 

Displacement (cc): 6208 

Bore/stroke (mm): 102.2/94.6 

Compression ratio: 11.3:1 

Output (kW/hp): 336/457 

at (rpm): 6800 

Max. torque (Nm): 600 

at (rpm): 5000 

Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s): 4.5 

Top speed (km/h): 250* 

Development testing of the engine, transmission and drive train 

- Altitude tests in Denver, Colorado (USA), Lesotho (South Africa), Mont Ventoux (France) and Granada (Spain) 

- High temperature tests in Death Valley, California (USA), Upington (South Africa), Idiada proving ground (Spain) and Phoenix, Arizona (USA) 

- Driving trials in Los Angeles, California (USA) 

- Cold temperature tests in Arctic Falls (Sweden)

Source Mercedes Press