Ways to Save Gas in Your Ford Mustang

Ford Mustangs are suffering from a steep sales decline and many people believe it is the car's reputation as a gas hog that is harming sales while others believe it is just a general economic downtown that is responsible for the sales drop off. Whatever the reason, cars with a reputation for excessive fuel consumption suffer when gas prices soar above $3.00 a gallon.

The 2008 4.0L Mustang with an automatic transmission gets only 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon in the highway. The 2008 4.6L fares even worse with an average of 15 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway. Other muscle cars with bad gas mileage are cropping up like the new 2008 Dodge Challenger with an estimated gas mileage of 13 miles per gallon in the city and 18 on the highway. The Ford Mustang is obviously not the only car with gas mileage problems.

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Part of the problem is the way the EPA figures gas mileage was changed in 2008. The new estimates use rapid acceleration, the use of accessories such as air conditioning and other factors like cold and hot weather usage. These new usage conditions have negatively impacted gas mileage estimates.

If you still want to drive your Ford Mustang, even with the record gas prices, there are some ways to improve the Mustang's fuel efficiency. By avoiding speeding and rapid acceleration, you can save up to 33 per cent on the highway and 5 per cent in the city. For every 5 miles per hour that you drive over 60, you pare paying an extra 20 cents a gallon for gas. Driving at a reasonable rate can save you a lot of gas money.

Using your overdrive button can bring engine speed down which will save gas. Idling can also hit your gas mileage hard. If you will be stopped for longer than three minute, you should turn your engine off to conserve your gas. Keeping your tires properly inflated can increase your gas mileage by over 3%. For every 1 psi drop in pressure, you lower your gas mileage by 3.3 per cent.

Regular tune-ups are just part of your Mustang's regular maintenance, but did you know that it can also increase your gas mileage. You can save up to 4 per cent with regular tune-ups. If you have a serious problem like a faulty oxygen sensor can cost you an astounding 40 per cent of your fuel efficiency.

Other ways to increase your fuel economy are using your cruise control to maintain a constant speed and changing your air filter can improve your gas mileage by 10 per cent. A good aftermarket air filter can result in even better performance and better fuel economy.

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UPR Announces Quick Draw Program for FFW Racers

Lake Worth, FL (Feb 5, 2008) UPR Products has announced an innovative new program for Fun Ford Weekend racers in the Pro, Street Outlaw 10.5 and Street Renegade eliminators. Known as the UPR Quick Draw, this program will offer $100 to qualified racers who have the best reaction time during elimination in for each of these three categories. Best yet, checks will be presented to each of the three winners at the conclusion of each event.

"UPR Products stands out from the rest of the industry because of their efforts to do something extra for the racer," said Bill Alexander of American Autosports, operator of the Fun Ford Weekend series. "That’s one of the reasons why they've expanded so quickly. We're proud to have them as one of our series sponsors and look forward to growing with them in 2008."

About UPR Products:
Incorporated in 1989 by racers and for racers, UPR Products is the aftermarket's foremost source of performance oriented automotive parts & accessories for a wide variety of domestic vehicles. They have been voted the People’s Choice Award for Performance & Billet Accessories for 7 years in a row.

About Fun Ford Weekend:
Now in its eighteenth year, Fun Ford Weekend is the nation's oldest and most prestigious Ford championship race series. With ten events held from coast to coast, the Fun Ford series also hosts a car show, manufacturer’s midway and swap meet at each stop along their nationwide tour.

For more information, contact:

UPR Products, Inc.
750 South East Coast St.
Lake Worth, FL 33460
Tel (561) 588-6630
Web www.UPRproducts.com

Fun Ford Weekend
American Autosports Productions
P.O. Box 911
Denham Springs, LA 70727
Tel (225) 664-0996
Web www.FunFordEvents.com

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Shelby and Quantum Open up Special Mod Shop

Shelby Automotives continued their expansion by agreeing to work with Quantum Performance to set up what will be their third modification shop. The planned shop will be located in Texas and will be a joint project for the two companies. The Southwest Shelby Mod Shop will be located in Farmer’s Branch, TX, which is a suburb of Dallas.

"Carroll took a bunch of hot rodders and welded them into a ferocious team in 1965, so we're doing the same thing in select areas of the country," said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. "By teaming with the pros at Quantum Performance, we'll bring more ' Shelby magic' to enthusiasts in Shelby's home area. This is a significant milestone that demonstrates our commitment to revving up the delivery of packages like the Super Snake GT500 and authentic Shelby performance parts."

"As passionate enthusiasts who love to make cars faster, we're thrilled to work with Carroll Shelby and the Shelby Automobiles team," stated Quantum Performance President Jim Mango. "Based on our experience building and racing fast cars, we know we can help satisfy the growing hunger for genuine Shelby performance in the area that bred one of the greatest automotive legends of our time."

The Southwest Shelby Mod Shop will take part in the creation of the Shelby GT500 Super Snake Mustangs which will be produced in a limited edition in 2008. They will also be producing other Shelby modifications and will offer the public special Shelby t-shirts and other accessories.

"Enthusiasts have asked us to give them a way to enhance the performance of their current generation Ford Mustang or Shelby right in their own area ," stated Ms. Boylan. "Now, Shelby enthusiasts in the Southwest can turn up the wick on their cars with Shelby programs at Quantum instead of sending them all the way to Nevada for the 'Shelby treatment.' The Southwest Shelby Mod Shop will have Shelby trained production specialists who know Mustangs inside and out, and are also experts in Shelby Performance Parts and packages."

The team at Quantum will be undergoing significant training so that the shop will be able to outfit all the cars modified there with a special badge that states that they are part of the Shelby team. Factory experts from Shelby will be overseeing the process of modification to make sure that it matches Shelby’s expectations.

Four other Shelby mod shops are expected to be opened throughout the country in 2008 in response to the increased demand for these special vehicles. The shops will specialize not only in Mustangs but also other limited edition Shelby vehicles like the Shelby CS6, CS8, and Shelby GT500 40th anniversary packages. This represents a new period of growth for Shelby and should continue over the coming years as these vehicles become more popular and more valuable. Shelby modified Mustangs remain some of the most collectible cars in America and their values are expected to increase.

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Ford Mustang’s Big Challenger Arrives

The age old rivalry between the Dodge Challenger and the Ford Mustang may begin to pick up speed once again as Dodge introduces their new 2008 model. The car was debuted at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month and received quite a bit of attention. Much like the 2008 Ford Mustang, it takes its cues from the past, sporting a retro exterior and a high performance engine.

“The all-new Dodge Challenger SRT8 is engineered to give customers everything they want in a modern muscle machine,” said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing, Chrysler LLC. “The new version of Dodge’s American classic boasts tire-smoking performance and head-turning design while offering a wide array of state-of-the-art technology, such as GPS navigation, ‘Keyless Go’ entry, a MyGIG infotainment system and UConnect hands-free communication.”

The new Challenger should prove to be quite the competitor to the Mustang GT500. It’s a full 200 pounds heavier and will reach 0-60 in the low 5 second range, according to the company. The 6.1L hemi engine is smoking though, and proudly boasts of 425hp and 420lb feet of torque. It’s 75 less hp than the Mustang, and when coupled with its heavier weight, could be a problem if it wants to keep up.

Dodge is also expected to unveil a few models that have a little less horsepower a few less options than their flagship model. The car company managed to keep their new production very close to the concept model with only a few changes. The interior got a few tweaks, and many have noted the similarity of the dash to other Dodge models including the Magnum and Charger. The inside is very simplistic and has been disappointing to some.

So far, three colors are being offered, including Hemi Orange, Bright Silver Metallic and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat. The limited edition will include a numbered plaque on the interior and the only available option for the transmission will be a five speed manual. This car is all about what is under the hood, with a very minimalistic interior and not much else to give the car any zip or sparkle.

The price is expected to be in the $38k range, but this may vary from dealer to dealer. You can expect to see this model show up in dealerships across the country by Spring of 2008 at least in larger cities. The cars will be manufactured at Chrysler’s Canadian plant in Brampton, ON.

Whether or not this will be a true Mustang challenger remains to be seen. Although they do have some problems with lesser horsepower and greater curb weight, the two should still manage to give each other some good competition. It may come down to the talent of the driver in some cases, since the two do appear to be well matched on most areas. This summer is sure going to be interesting as the models hit the streets and car lovers put them through their paces.

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Special Barrett Jackson Shelby Mustang Announced

Three icons in the automotive industry, Barrett Jackson, Carroll Shelby and Ford Motor Company, worked together to create a very special limited edition Ford Mustang that was unveiled recently at the famed auction site. Only 100 models will be made and a portion of every sale will go to the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation.

“The Arizona and Las Vegas Ford dealers have been strong supporters of mine over the years, which is why Shelby Automobiles joined with Barrett-Jackson and Ford Motor Company to create a limited edition car just for their customers,” said Carroll Shelby, CEO of Shelby Automobiles. “And I’m pleased that a portion of the sales will benefit an endowment we’re building at the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation. This is a rare chance for enthusiasts to enjoy a very special car and support a great cause.”

The Ford Motor Company was very excited to be involved in the special edition and have long supported Barrett Jackson. The company was behind the recent Family Values Day that took place during the auction, giving families a little something extra to do while they attended the auction. Discounted tickets were made available and all those under the age of 12 were admitted absolutely free.

“Barrett-Jackson’s unrivaled lifestyle events celebrate America’s love of the automobile,” said Ford Motor Company Phoenix Regional Sales Manager, Tim Stoehr. “Their passion for the automobile has resulted in a unique venue to share our vehicles with the public. This limited edition car symbolizes our high octane relationship and gives a few lucky people the chance to own a piece of the Barrett-Jackson experience.”

Barrett Jackson is an auction that is heavily attended by Mustang aficionado’s and has been the site of the some of the highest selling auctions for this iconic car in the past. This year’s event was a show stopper with many classic Mustangs reaching the six figure amount during their sales. Even regular models managed to bring in quite a lot of interest.

“We have a long tradition of selling the best Shelbys in the world because they are among the most desirable cars ever built,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “Over the past several years, we’ve worked with Ford Motor Company to raise almost a million and a half dollars for Carroll’s Foundation by offering new Shelby cars for sale. It was natural to celebrate our connection to these cars with a very limited edition Shelby.”

The special edition has been highly modified and offers Mustang lovers a change to own a true legend. “As someone who has been personally involved with Shelby cars for the past three decades, I’m very proud to be part of this limited edition car,” noted Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson. “Rarity and documentation are two of the keys to collectability, which is why only 100 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GTs are scheduled to be built. Each car will come with complete documentation and be included in the factory authorized registry.”

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Taking a Close Look at the 2008 Shelby Mustang GT

For the 40th anniversary of the historic 1968 Ford Mustang, Ford has once again teamed up with Carroll Shelby to create the 2008 Shelby Mustang GT. This car has had enthusiasts drooling for some time and does not disappoint in the slightest. The building process is a bit different for this model, as it starts out at the Ford Michigan plant as a regular Mustang GT, before being shipped to Shelby Automotives in Las Vegas. Once it arrives there, it gets special treatment before it is shipped out to dealerships nationwide.

This year, the Shelby Mustang GT will be getting a convertible option, thanks in part to the resurgence in popularity for this option on other Mustangs. A new color has also been added to the mix, called Vista Blue. This color comes complete with silver stripes, and joins Performance White and Performance Black as the only available color options for this model.

Once the Mustang GT is transformed into the Shelby Mustang GT it receives a new hood scoop similar to the one that was added to the celebrated Shelby Cobra model. The car is also outfitted with a lower air dam, and the two combined give it a fresh new look that is very bold. The finishing touches are provided by side scoops near the back of the vehicle.

The changes don’t stop with the exterior. Inside, you’ll find a Shelby authentication plate with numbering that matches the one found under the hood. In addition, the Shelby GT Mustang is the only Shelby model to come with the option of an automatic transmission in addition to the standard manual. The manual edition offers a Hurst short-throw shifter, which is sure to please many aficionados.

Under the hood, the Shelby Mustang GT also sees some changes. The 4.6L V8 engine produces 319hp and 330lb feet of torque. The exhaust system is high flow and comes with an X pipe crossover and matching dual exhaust tips. The changes result in a different exhaust tone, similar in tone to the ones that made the 1967 and 1968 model so popular.

When you purchase the Shelby Mustang GT, you also get to take advantage of the Ford Racing Handling Package which is installed standard on these models. This includes sway bars that are unique to the design of this vehicle, special dampers and a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle. All of these components put together result in a Mustang with superior handling and performance.

If you want to get your hands on one of these highly collectible Mustangs, you’ll have to hurry. According to Ford, they only expect less than 2500 to be made in total this year. This includes coupes and convertibles, and is based on the sales figures from the previous year. The official price has not yet been released, but is expected to come in pretty close to last year’s model which retailed for around $35k. Demand may drive prices up, given that there will be very few to go around.

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Legislation Goes Up Against Muscle Cars

As the deadline for gas friendly vehicles looms in the future, many states are taking the opportunity to pass legislation against muscle cars such as the Ford Mustang. It is bad enough that the V8 engine may be virtually outlawed thanks to new regulations, but states are also working to discourage drivers from keeping their existing muscle cars on the road.

Several states are considering passing high tax surcharges on vehicles that do not meet the upcoming standards for pollution levels. Even if you have an efficient V8, you may still end up getting penalized for it. Some states are planning a $2500 tax that will be in addition to any extra taxes passed at the Federal level. This could mean disaster for many muscle car owners who simply cannot afford to swallow that high of a penalty.

Hawaii recently announced that they are working on legislation that will feature a progressive sliding fee schedule that will be directly related to the size of a car’s engine. The more power you have under your hood, the more you can expect to pay the state if you want to keep driving it. Not only would fees be payable when you purchase the car, but they would also be due when you relicense it each year. This could quickly add up for many car owners.

The planned increases will be in addition to the federally mandated fees that are due upon registration. If your engine is greater than 200 cu CM, you can expect to get hit with this fee if you live in Hawaii.

New York residents will also have something to complain about. Currently, the state legislation is working on a bill that would enforce a special surcharge on vehicles at the time of their purchase. The larger the engine, the more you will have to pay in order to purchase the vehicle of your choice. It is possible that vehicle owners would be required to fork over up to $2500 in additional fees under this program.

The state plans to use the funds that will be collected under the new program to help fund special discounts that will be given to those who decide to purchase “green” cars instead. This could be the final kicker for many who just can’t afford that extra surcharge tacked on to the purchase price of a vehicle.

Last but not least, is Washington State, where they are considering taxing by emissions. They plan to set up two different progressive fee scales for drivers of muscle cars, based on the size of their engines as well as the amount of emissions that the cars produce. Once again, the extra fees would be due when the car is purchased and then again when the license is renewed.

Experts estimate that this could mean an additional $600 in fees at the time of purchase and then another $600 per year every time the car is renewed. Smaller engines might even be taxed under this new plan. It is not clear if any of these states plan to make a distinction for truck engines.

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