From 2005-2006, Ford created its halo car in the form inspired by the legendary GT40. Penned by the brilliantly talented Camilo Pardo, the beautiful American supercar remains as beautiful to behold as ever.

The boys from the specialist aftermarket firm, GT Guy LLC, couldn’t agree more and have asked Pardo to create a one-of-a-kind chrome GT. Called the Merkury 4, the team worked with a donor red Ford GT and applied it with a Mirrachrome paint job plus a black-bordered fluorescent orange stripe. The Merkury 4 also features painted valve covers, smoothed clam-shell intakes behind the doors, ceramic-coated exhaust, and wide Michelins wrapping around a set of HRE wheels.

But rather than leaving the special GT to mere aesthetic upgrades, GT Guy also turned the supercharger dial to eleven, brining 725 horsepower to the rear wheels.

Check out the finished Merkury 4 in the gallery below.

GALLERY: Ford GT “Merkury 4″ Designed By Camilo Pardo

The world’s largest aftermarket expo is just days away and Ford has released a second batch teaser images, highlighting the customization potential of its truck and SUV offerings.

Three modified versions of the new Ford Explorer will be on hand at the 2011 SEMA Show. The first, called the “Business Edition” Explorer is built by Stitchcraft Interiors will feature luxurious leather and Alcantara interior with a custom charcoal and orange exterior. The DSO Eyewear Explorer is designed to embrace a “active urban lifestyle” with 24-inch Niche wheels, a pear white paint job and “Midnight Tuscany” leather interipr with “Raven Suede” accents. And finally there’s the Tjin Edition Explorer, also with 24-inch wheels (from iForged), Eibach suspension, a Baer brake upgrade, while inside the car gets a Lamborghini-esque black leather interior with orange stitching.

Heading into the realm of real trucks, you won’t be able to miss the F-350 Super Duty, which has been transformed into the Matchbox Superlift Brush Truck. With a 10-inch Superlift Suspensions lift kit and 41-inch wheel and tire package. Painted “Oh, So Orange” the truck gets a complete firefighting utility bed and equipment, along with all the necessary lights and sirens. (And we secretly think its a Transformer).

The “Project No Compromise” F-150 gets a solid array of mods, from a MagnaFlow exhaust and Skyjacker Suspensions four-inch lift, to a two-inch fender flare kit. A real truck, it also boasts Ford’s new fuel efficient and powerful EcoBoost V6 engine.

Built by CGS Performance Products the “Tarmac” F-150 is notably more urban, sitting low to the ground with an extensive list of mods that include Colorado Custom billet wheels, a Whipple twin-screw supercharger, a modified exterior with a new hood and grille, plus a custom red leather interior.

And finally there’s the “Black Mamba” F-350 Super Duty (above) with its Bentley-styled front-grille and suicide rear doors.

GALLERY: Ford Explorer, F-Series SEMA Show Cars

Check out AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show preview here.

The Chevrolet Corvette is a great sports car and its relatively affordable price tag means it is a common sight. So what to do if you want a Corvette but also want to stand out from the crowd?

Easy, get it re-skinned from a coach-building company. There is no shortage of companies providing this service either, because Callaway, Rossi, Genadi and Soleil (just to name a few) can all make you a Corvette that will be rare and unique.

Now, a German company by the name Endora has also revealed sketches of its interpretation of the C6 Corvette. The model is referred to as SC-1, and it certainly has taken design inspiration from the 1960s. It mimics the coke-bottle look of the 1963 Corvette Stingray, with some sprinkling of the 1966 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada thrown in for good measure. The headlamps however look to have been borrowed from the 2002 Acura NSX.

The design looks wonderful, but we will have to wait to see how it translates onto a real car, since so far only sketches exist.

Under the skin it will be like any other Corvette, so you’d either have the base 6.2-liter V8 with 437 hp, or the 7.0-liter V8 with 512 hp. The ZR-1 based 6.2-liter, supercharged V8 with 647 hp will also be offered. Basically, you provide them with your choice of Corvette and they will re-clothe it for you.

Pricing and availability has not been announced yet, but we can’t wait to see a finished version. If it looks as good as the sketches suggest it will, the SC-1 will turn heads everywhere it goes.

[Source: Carscoop]

After first showcasing a line of Z-Spec accessories at the SEMA Show last year, Chevrolet has now announced it will move the new in-house aftermarkets parts lineup from concept to reality, debuting the first items on the new Sonic sub-compact.

Available parts include a new ground effects kit, exhaust tip, roof spoiler, mirror caps, grille surrounds and available 16- and 17-inch wheels. And of course there’s a tacky graphics package as well. Interior items are limited to aluminum sport pedals and sill plates, although GM has said more parts will be available in the near future.

Items will be available individually or as a complete package through dealers.

The Z-Spec line is intended to draw in younger buyers to the brand’s new Sonic sub-compact (a replacement for the Aveo), while also capitalizing on a market where individuality is something customers will pay for. The plan is similar to what Scion has done to attract younger buyers.

Revealed at the Detroit Auto Show this year, the Sonic is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and is expected to get 40-mpg on the highway.

Chevy will display several customized Sonic models at the NY Auto Show starting on April 20th. See AutoGuide’s coverage here for all the photos.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec

Ford has just released a new sport appearance package for the 2012 Fiesta, adding some exterior goodies and perhaps even a slight improvement in acceleration.

The package comes complete with black mirrors and a black grille surrounds, as well as a rear roof spoiler and some 16-inch wheels. As for the improvement in speed, well, the Fiesta doesn’t get any more power, but does come with a more aggressive 4.25 final drive ratio (compared to 4.07 for the standard car) for the 5-speed manual transmission.

Other available goodies now include custom graphics and LED lighting, plus on SEL and SES trim levels you can pick one of two different two-tone interiors. Both Oxford White and Race Red are available, paired with black.

GALLERY: Ford Fiesta Sport Appearance Package

Mopar lowered the car by three inches and added a number of accessories including a gloss black mesh grille, lower chin spoiler, vented hood, 19-inch wheels, decklid spoiler, rear valance and two-tone paint.

Will we see a 200 S enter production any time soon? Not likely. It’s worth noting the 200 Super S was the only Mopar-ized model Chrysler displayed that was fenced off by a small glass barrier, and the interior including the previously announced Katzkin leather seats was not available for viewing. The vented hood wasn’t even included in the preview image released in the days before the show, suggesting the 200 Super S concept is still very much a work in progress.

GALLERY: Mopar Chrysler 200 S

Joining a sizable group of other Moparized vehicles on display at the 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will be the 2011 Chrysler 200 S.

Rumors had indicated Chrysler was working on a more sport oriented ‘S’ version of the 200 and while this Mopar model isn’t likely to come to market, a line of products for the car is. This Mopar-tuned model could also serve as a concept car to inspire a future production ‘S’ model.

Looking like a cheesy tuner car, the Mopar model gets a two-tone paint job and a set of beautiful 19-inch wheels that just don’t suit the car.

Other upgrades include a subtle body kit, vented hood, gloss black accenting and a suspension that’s been lowered by 3-inches. Inside are Katzkin leather seats.

In addition to the 200 S, Mopar will also display versions of the Chrysler 200, Dodge Durango, the Ram Outdoorsman, Ram Runner the Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition. Plus, there will be a Moparized version of the Fiat 500.

Having revamped its entire line of products, Chrysler is looking to attract more customers though in-house aftermarket accessories. “More than 30 percent of the people who are in the market for a new vehicle are influenced by the breadth and availability of aftermarket accessories,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar. “With our company’s launch of 16 new vehicles, Mopar is coming to the party with a truck-load of accessories that will fit a variety of lifestyles.”

Look for live photos with the kick-off of the Detroit Auto Show next Monday, January 10th. Until then, see AutoGuide’s 2011 Detroit Auto Show preview here.

If you’ve got a bit of cash burning a hole in your pocket and absolutely love the 1970 Dodge Charger then this is one example you should take a look at.

The 1970 Charger was the last of the classic ‘coke bottle’ examples and added a new grille and fenders among other things, plus the option of 15-inch wheels. It even came with high impact colors, like Panther Pink, Top Banana and this even more shocking hue called Sub Lime.

The R/T model shown here is documented to have originally been ordered in this retina scorching color and still has the original Chrysler build sheet. It’s also been fully restored; the 2-stage paint is far deeper and glossier than the old enamel originally applied at the Newark, Delaware assembly plant, plus the panel gaps are now linear and precise. Exterior trim has been restored and underneath this Charger looks just as good as it does from the outside. The black vinyl interior has been completely re-done, right down to the door panels and gauge cluster.

Under the hood, the car’s original 440 cubic inch (7.2-liter) Magnum V8 has been re-built and stroked, now displacing 492 cubic inches (8.1-liters). Although not originally ordered on this car, the optional (for ‘70) six-pack intake and triple carburetors have been fitted in the interests of greater appeal. Other neat options on this car include the A833 four-speed manual gearbox, stout Dana 60 rear end with 4.10 gears, power brakes with front discs, 26-inch radiator, black hood stripes, tie-down pins and a luggage rack.

Muscle era Mopars tend to attract a lot of attention and this Charger is certainly no exception. However, given the paint color and desirable options, the current asking price of $79,900 isn’t all that steep, especially in view of the workmanship on this beauty. If a car like this floats your boat and you’ve got the means with which to purchase it, then we’re exceedingly jealous.

GALLERY: 1970 Dodge Charger R/T

[Source: RK Motors]

We’ll admit this is a little odd, but we can also understand where Roush is coming from. The Mustang-tuner’s 2011 Roush Sport Mustang package has been announced and it doesn’t pack the performance we expect. In fact, it doesn’t really pack any performance. Instead, for $4,600, Roush will outfit your 2011 Mustang with a sportier appearance.

The Sport Mustang is really just a full body kit with a whole new front bumper with splitter and billet grille, side skirts, rear bumper and three-piece rear wing. Even though we find it a bit costly at $4,600, we’d have to agree that the aero components definitely gives the Mustang a sportier look.

In true Roush form though, supplemental modifications can be added to the package to boost performance from suspension to exhaust to brakes and interior upgrades.

[Source: Inside Line]

What happens when you mix a 550-hp Shelby GT500 and push 24 lbs of boost though it to make 800-hp? Well, if you’re unlucky, it explodes in a fiery mess.

At least that’s what happened to the owner of this car.

There’s little information about the explosion floating around, but you don’t want to miss this video. Keep watching all the way to the end for a low-down side view when this rocket goes off.

Check out the video after the jump:

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Back in 1993, Steve Saleen built a one-off Foxbody Ford Mustang for comedian and car guy Tim Allen. Dubbed the RRR ‘Casper’ it sported pearl white paint, MN12 Thunderbird front light assemblies, some trick wheels, a built driveline (including  a 576 horsepower 302 V8) and a six-point roll cage among other things.

Little has been seen or heard about the car since Allen took delivery, though now, it’s popped up for sale. The current vendor claims they’ve had the car since 1997, but it appears that this one-of-a-kind Mustang has been driven rather extensively (there’s notable wear on the steering wheel and upholstery) and wasn’t even cleaned before pictures were taken. Furthermore, it’s currently sporting standard 1993 Saleen wheels – what ever happened to the one-off phone dial style rims it originally came with?

The car is currently located in the Phoenix, Arizona area and the asking price is $85,000. That seems an awful lot for a Fox Mustang in this economic climate, even if is the RRR!

[Source: Hemmings Motor News]

At last week’s SEMA Show, General Motors rolled out a selection of modified vehicles hinting at more than one direction the automaker may go when it comes to performance vehicles. In an article by Automotive News the suggestion was raised that GM may look to bring back performance brands – which it cut from its lineup during the recession in an effort to both reduce development costs and to brand itself as a greener automaker (not to mention one that doesn’t use taxpayer’s dollar to build 500-hp machines).

This rumor does have legs, especially with GM recently announcing a new performance vehicles and motorsports division.

However, in an interview, Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing, seemed to hint at another direction for GM, commenting that it, “might be initiatives around parts and accessories.” In other words, GM would look to leave the real performance parts business to the aftermarket (for now) while focusing on the highly profitable customization segment. At SEMA GM did introduce modified “Z-Spec” versions of its Cruze, Volt and Spark, all with bolt on parts. This would seem to hint at a more Scion-like method of offering extensive in-house customization options to buyers, especially those interested in models more attractive to the younger demographic.

[Source: Automotive News]