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  • Casey's Dream Garage

    Pay no attention to Greg’s Dream Garage list, this is the real deal. However, I drive a Ford Focus station wagon, so take my opinion for what it’s worth…

    1961 Triumph TR6 Trophy Bird. I’ve always wanted a motorcycle, and if I can ever afford it, this is the one I’d get. You can keep your Harley’s and rice-powered-crotch-rockets. I’ll take this sucker any day of the week. Ridden by Steve McQueen in The Great Escape (albeit modified to look like a German BMW motorcycle), this mean motor scooter symbolizes a bygone era — one where escaped P.O.W.’s were free to roam the hills of a war torn Germany in search of one last ride. If it’s good enough for Steve McQueen, it’s good enough for me.

    Willys MA US Army Jeep. During World War II, this was the iconic jeep. Manufactured by Willys-Overland Motors (until Ford stepped in because Willys couldn’t meet the increased manufacturing needs that a world at war brings), the Willys army jeep kept our soldiers safe and riding in style. Only 1,100 of the MA were created, making them a rare but highly sought after item for automotive afficianados.

    1969 Pontiac GTO Judge. All rise, court is in session. Powered by a V-8 with 370 ponies and inspiring countless bad puns — “Here comes the judge!” — the Pontiac GTO is a muscle car that deserves your respect. Never achieving quite the same popularity as its Mustang brethren, the Pontiac GTO is still a badass ride that I would kill to have in my garage someday.

    1959 Pontiac Bonneville. Handsome and glamorous. This is the perfect car for joyriding around town and making a statement. While not exactly an automotive powerhourse, the Bonneville still has a little bit under the hood with an enlarged 389 V-8 pulling down 268 hp stock. And its a convertible! Everybody likes a convertible…except for Sean Connery’s hairpiece.

    1968 Mustang GT 390 Fastback. This car needs no introductions, especially from me. Anybody that reads the blog knows that I’m obsessed with Steve McQueen. He was the king of cool and as far as cars go, they don’t get much cooler than this. Driven by McQueen in Bullitt, this ’68 Mustang more than proves its got it where it counts. Unfortunately, the actual car that McQueen drove is currently kept in non-running condition by a nameless dipstick that doesn’t know the true treasure he has. If I had that car I’d wipe it with a diaper and sacrifice goats to it everyday. But like I said, I’m slightly obsessed.

  • Greg's Dream Garage

    You know, I figured it’d be a lot easier to narrow it down to 5 cars I wish I had, but alas it seems almost impossible. I could probably narrow it down to a top 20, but that’d still be tough. Either way, I’ve tried to narrow it down to a top 5. For some reason when formulating this list, I came to the conclusion that perhaps I like European cars a bit too much. These are in no particular order, and all of them will crush Casey’s pansy list.

    [Click on all pictures to see extra sexiness.]

    First up: The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster.

    Lamborghini LP640

    [Sure sure, hate if you will, but if you don’t like my first choosing, something makes me think you won’t like the rest of them either.]

    Hell, it’s an outrageous exotic supercar. What more can I say? I find the vehicle absolutely stunning in every way. It’s as wide as a hummer, the interior looks like a fighter plane, and it sounds like a hurricane. It’s Aesthetically pleasing, Aurally pleasing, and women find it sexually pleasing as well. Screw your hybrids, they bore me. This thing gets friggen’ 8 miles per gallon. If you can pony up the $336,000 for one, I doubt you really care about gas mileage or stereotypes. It’s powered by a 6.5 liter V12 and it has AWD and 100 miles per hour can be achieved in 2nd gear. Practical? It’s impossible to park, gets horrible gas mileage and weighs too much. I don’t care. I love this car.

    Next up is: The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.

    National Speed - Alfa Romeo 8C

    I picked this car for no more reason than appearance. Some find it hideous, I find it beautiful. A combination of Maserati chassis with a Ferrari derived 4.7 liter, the Alfa sounds only like a Ferrari could. Rather than exhaust, pure sex emits from the tailpipes, causing many problems driving around highly populated areas. It’s no limit pusher as far as performance goes, but it was never intended to be. The 4.7 pushes out 450hp and 354lbs/ft torque and it has an LSD and a sequential gearbox, but in all honesty that’s not what’s important. Just look and listen to it. You can see that this Alfa produces pure emotion. That’s worth the price of the $200,000 admission itself. Only 84 of these will be brought stateside.

    Next is: The Brabus Rocket.

    National Speed - Brabus Rocket

    Everyone needs something a little more practical for daily driving, right? I suppose this car depends on your view of the word “practical”. With 730 horsepower and a ridiculous 970lbs/ft torque, it has more horsepower and torque than anything you’d ever need, but at least it has 4 doors. Based on the Mercedes CLS series, they took the already powerful standard CLS 600 Bi-turbo and stroked it to 6.3 liters, added cams, larger turbos, bigger intercooler, and exhaust. Brabus wanted to maintain stock manners while having a ridiculous amount of power. Walk softly and carry a big stick they say. All of this power is routed through a 5 speed automatic and maintains comfortable air suspension or coilovers, depending on what you want. Oh yeah..perhaps I forgot to mention that this thing broke the 4 door sedan speed record at a ridiculous 227 Miles Per Hour. Price to pay for super baller status for you and the family? $490,000. Ouch.

    Next up is: The Ferrari F40.

    National Speed - Ferrari F40

    Not much is needed to be said about this one. It’s a Ferrari F40. Mid-engine, Twin Turbo, Legendary. It’s the last car that Enzo Ferrari ever commissioned himself. With a 2.9L Twin turbo V8 producing 471 horsepower, it was king of it’s time. With a plastic windshield and windows, no carpet, sound system or doorhandles, the Pininfarina designed kevlar, carbon fiber and aluminum chassis was truly a racecar for the street. Many stories have been told about the F40’s almost random turbo lag. 80’s turbo technology was not quite as advanced as it is today and boost was said to hit like a hammer all at once. The F40 was the first road legal production car to break the 200MPH barrier with a speed of 201. This is truly a legendary car and a timeless classic. Current price is to be debated, but the original MSRP when the car debuted was $400,000. The F40 is simply a legend.

    Last up is: The ’03-’04 Mustang Cobra.

    National Speed - Terminator Cobra

    Do whaaaaaat? Out of all of these other cars, this one is mild. I’ve always loved the Terminators, and it’s the only one of these cars on my list that is attainable in any realistic mindset. With a factory blown forged 4.6L making 390HP (Underrated from the factory!) and routed through a Tremec T56 6 speed, the Cobra was nothing to mess around with. Ditching the archaic live axle, Ford threw in Independent Rear Suspension and Bilstien struts. In stock form with a good driver, they are good for mid 12’s and the Eaton blower sounds nasty. With minor bolt-ons you can easily have a reliable 500 horsepower car that not only looks good, but performs just as well (or you could just whipple it and be done with it). People definitely recognize one when they see it and I think a Cobra would make a really good daily driver (as opposed to everything else on my list.). This is the only car that you can modify on my list without paying out the ass or getting killed by a fanboy. They only made around 19,000 of these between ’03-’04 so good luck finding one. Price for a Termie Cobra? It depends, but expect a little under 30k for a nice example.

  • Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept [Cadillac WTF]

    Well here’s one that’s rather off the wall.

    National Speed - Cadillac WTF

    Created by Loren Kulesus, the Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept (WTF) is designed to last 100 years without any normal maintenance. That means tires, gas, oil, or anything for that matter. How would they go about achieving this, you might ask? Apparently they’re using something called “Thorium” (Element #90 for those of you that failed chemistry like me) to use as a Nuclear Fuel powering the batteries. That sounds rather sketchy. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not be sitting inside of a nuclear powered cheese grater every morning.

    National Speed - Cadillac WTF Rear

    As far as tires go, well, there aren’t any. No rubber, at all. In fact, there’s 6 individual wheels located at each corner of the car, making a grand total of 24 wheels in total with an induction motor for each wheel. WTF Indeed…I somehow doubt this nuclear powered, 24 wheeled, nonsensical, monolithic pile of fail is going to make it out of the concept stage, but that just might be me. Here’s to the Cadillac World Thorium Fuel concept…WTF?!?

  • Top Gear's the Stig Secret Identity Revealed — Not Quite

    Right up there with the greatest unsolved mysteries of the world (who’s the second gunman on the grassy knoll? Who shot J.R.? What happened to Steven Seagal’s career?) — the true identity of Top Gear’s The Stig has finally been revealed…

    Sort of.

    News of the World reports that the anonymous driver is a happily married man in his 30’s that lives a quiet life in a modest home, drives an average car and get this…was once afraid of driving.

    According to the tabloid, the true identity of the superdriver was found in a leak within the Top Gear infrastructure. Senior BBC officials have confirmed that there was indeed a leak of info, but News of the World is cooperating with BBC officials who do not want the secrets of Top Gear’s driver revealed.

    As much as I’d like to know the true identity of The Stig, it’s better left as a mystery — half of the fun is speculating on who’s behind the driver’s helmet and that’s something that should not be ruined by a British tabloid seeking a surge in circulation. As for my guess for who’s behind the helmet? I’m going with Steven Seagal. Seriously, what the hell happened to him?

  • Ford Interceptor Plans Derailed

    For those of you looking forward to the stout and sleek Ford Interceptor, you can pretty much throw that idea out of your head.

    National Speed - Ford Interceptor

    J Mays, Ford’s design chief is officially saying that Ford Motor Company’s plans for a new RWD Sedan is done-for. Mays states that FoMoCo has “Other Priorities” and that “We’re going down a path right now that is all about fuel-efficiency”. Well, I guess that’s how it works then. Gas prices are on the rise again and it’s supposed to continue for quite a while, so fuel efficiency is now prime again. Sucks…I was looking forward to the Interceptor.

    National Speed - Ford Interceptor Interior

    Fuel efficiency isn’t such a bad thing. With Fords new Eco-boost motors, it seems that they haven’t completely killed the fun. The Twin Turbo 3.5 liter pumps out 340HP and 340lbs/ft Torque, so that’s no slouch for the displacement. If the V6 is any indication of power per liter, then I’m pretty excited for the potential of their smaller motors as well. I think that the POTENTIAL of any factory boosted motor is obviously going to do very well with the aftermarket, so I hope that Ford hasn’t made it impossible to modify.

  • First Hybrid Convertible: Fisker Karma S

    I may not be the biggest fan of hybrid automobiles, but it would appear my prayers have finally been answered. Fisker Automotive, the newest American manufacturer of green automobiles for aging hippies, has actually made a Hybrid that doesn’t look like a hulked out electric shaver.

    Click to biggie-size for extra sexiness.

    Not only is the Fisker Karma S the world’s first hybird convertible, it should provide drivers with 50 emission-free miles on a single charge from its lithium-ion battery pack. According to the official press release, “it’s [Fisker’s] belief that driving style and performance need not be compromised for environmental friendliness.”

    Thank God, somebody finally gets it. I hope Toyota and its ugly Prius take note: it’s possible to save the environment and do it with a little bit of style!

    But don’t strap on your Birkenstocks just yet eco-friends, saving the environment comes with a considerable price: the Fisker Karma S will retail for $87,000. Better start polishing your pennies and selling some hemp because this sucker doesn’t come cheap.

  • The 2010 Hennessey Camaro: 705HP Supercharged LS9

    Hennessey, of Twin Turbo Viper and SRT fame, has got their hands on a 2010 Camaro already.

    National Speed - 2010 Hennessey Camaro

    A supercharged 6.2 liter LS9 fuels the new Camaro (dubbed the HPE700) and it pumps out 705 horsepower and 717lb/ft torque routed through Michelin PS2’s (not PlayStation’s) wrapped around lightweight HRE wheels. Slowing down the Camaro is a set of 15″ carbon ceramic brakes borrowed from the Corvette ZR1. Coilovers and Front and Rear sway bars round out the handling package.

    National Speed - 2010 Hennessey Camaro Rear

    Exterior-wise the Camaro has received a vast improvement. Steve Everitt, a British designer has created the Cam-Aero body upgrades (Cam-Aero….REALLY?). These unoriginally cleverly named pieces consist of a: Carbon fiber rear lip spoiler, carbon fiber side rocker panels, carbon fiber front splitter, front fascia with hideaway headlights and a front billet grille. To top it all off is a ZR1 inspired hood with a window, showing off the HPE tweaked LS9.

    The bad news? Price starts at $109,000. Is that a fair price to pay for a Camaro on steroids? I can’t pass judgement, but I’m leaning towards a resounding “No.”. You are almost into ZR1 territory with that kind of cash. Either way, I look forward to seeing what one of these things can do.

  • Top Speed Performance! -National Speed

     What we can do for you?

     
    Installations

    Doing it right the first time with National Speed’s expert technicians can save you money down the road. This is why National Speed offers a full performance installation program that takes the hassle, guesswork, and complication out of the entire process.

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    Dyno Tuning

    We offer tuning services for a wide variety of makes, models, and top engine management systems. Our calibrations team can ensure your tune stands up to the real world conditions that it will encounter while extracting maximum efficiency, power, & top speed.

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    Custom Fabrication

    If you can dream it, National Speed can build it. From exhaust cutouts and custom intakes to full turbo kits and frame off builds, our team has the decades of fabrication experience needed to make your fabrication dreams a reality. 

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    Build Consultations

    Whether you are trying to run 8-second quarter mile passes, increase your top speed, hunt down GTRs at the track, or simply want your project to have a little more pep, expert opinions and guidance can help you clearly articulate your performance goals and create a plan to achieve them within the allocated budget.

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    The Experience

    From the time you walk through the door to the time your car leaves the garage, you can be confident in the work performed. With photo and video updates, thorough pre-delivery inspections, and unbeatable customer service & support, National Speed is different.

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    Recent Projects

    Want to stay up to date with what’s going on in the shop? To see current projects and get inspired, check out the National Speed Projects Page and follow our blog. They are a great way to keep up-to-date on what’s going on at National Speed and learn about whats going on in the industry.

    – Recent Builds

     

    Bring your vehicle down to one of our locations and see what makes us different from most shops. We truly live and breathe life in the fastlane. Motorsports and automotive performance is what we do and we’ve assembled some of the most well-built machines in the Nation. Want a truly majestic motorsports experience? At National Speed, we will give your project the quality, care, attention to detail and love we give our own vehicles.

     
    REACH OUT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU!
     

     

     
     
     
  • New Godzilla Specs Released [GTR Spec V Specs]

    Yep, it’s time folks. For a while now, the GTR Spec V has been speculated on more than Britney Spears or Oil prices. It’s officially official! Nissan released the scoop this week. Unfortunately though, it will NOT be sold in the US.

    National Speed - GTR Spec V Front

    So what does this Spec V have that the GTR doesn’t? Well first off check out that super sexy Black Opal Paintjob. Next up are those lightweight Forged Nismo Wheels (seen on the Tokachi 24hr Racecar). And sticking with the exterior, they also added a rear Carbon spoiler, grille and brake ducts.

    National Speed - GTR Spec V Rear Seats

    Moving inside, the most obvious change is the removal of the rear seats. The original GTR seats have been replaced with two carbon fiber Recaro buckets (Bucket seats, not literally buckets). Interior trim is now swathed in carbon fiber as well.

    National Speed - GTR Spec V Interior

    Performance-wise there isn’t much in the way over the stock GTR. A Titanium exhaust, Reworked suspension and Carbon-Ceramic Brakes are the main pullers here, as well as a new Overboost function which will increase PSI through the turbochargers for a limited amount of time (thank you, Porsche). I wonder if there’s a way to rig it up to “overboost” all the time.

    National Speed - GTR Spec V Rear

    Alrighty, so you basically got brakes, exhaust and a new paintjob and carbon fiber appointments. With all the weight reduction you figure it should be very planted and menace around the track. So…why do I not hold this GTR in as high regard as the original?

    Quite simply, it’s the price. It weighs in at a whopping $169,000. Where in all of those modifications do you see what warrants the price being TWICE as much as the GTR? Sure, they added some neat stuff, but I really don’t see what warrants adding 90k to the price of the original. The reason the original GTR was so loved was for the affordability. For that much cash you’re in the price range of a Porsche GT3 or a Chevrolet ZR1 and could still have money left over.

    Perhaps there will be justification for the price hike when the official times come out, but I highly doubt it.