The 2010 Ford Cobra Jet Mustang can be seen by those lucky enough to attend the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas, which begins today.  The Cobra Jet has been specially outfitted in SEMA paint, complete with Cobra likeness down the side.  The pictures of the SEMA special Cobra Jet can be seen in the gallery below.

What sets the 2010 Cobra Jet apart from other 2010 Mustangs?  First of all it will come equipped with the first ever factory equipped Rev Limiter, which is a staple for low ET's.  Basically the Cobra Jet is a factory built race car, similar to the one Ford released on the 40th anniversary of the Cobra Jet in 2008.  Although consider it a much more track ready beast, complete with roll cage.

I've had trouble finding specific power numbers for the 2010 Cobra Jet, but suffice it to say, it won't matter to those buying.  All 50 produced have already been ordered by the dealers and sold to customers, sorry, no longer available.  But maybe, just maybe, you might have a friend of a friend that will give you a ride in one.  Until then, please feel free to slobber over the pictures below.

Cobra Jet's Available for purchase right now on eBay

Ford Torino fastback 428 1969 Fairlane Fastback 428 Cobra Jet Ram Air R code    US $355.00

Ford Mustang Mach 1 1973 Mach 1 Cobra Jet Marti Report    US $5,700.00

Ford Torino R CODE 1969 TORINO R CODE 428 COBRA JET RAM AIR MARTI REPORT    US $10,000.00

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet

The redesigned 2011 Super Duty will over 2 different engine configurations.  The gasoline V8 will be a whopping 6.2 liters, while the diesel version will be a 6.7 turbo charged v8.  Either one sounds like they won't have any trouble pulling whatever you might be able to hook up to.  Also, thanks to Ford's relentless pursuit of efficiency, just because you need a big dog doesn't mean it will eat like one.  Ford claims that the new Diesel 2011 Super Duty will be the best-in-class for fuel economy.

2011 Ford Super Duty

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2011 Ford Super Duty Pic

Personally, I love it, everything about it.  The new redesign doesn't remind of the 4 door sedans elder and instead looks on par with the edgier luxury sedans on the market.  Also, it doesn't quite scream reworked 500, like the previous generation, rather an entire new concept for the Taurus.

Consider this, buyers will be able to put one of the 2010 Ford Taurus into their drive way for around $26,000.  A very attractive price point considering the complete revamping of the line and luxurious feel.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2010 Ford Taurus

Jay Leno took a step down (or up) from late night TV and started broadcasting in Prime Time.  Well, Ford is taking advantage of this exposure and Leno's love for vehicles, to help get the American public accustomed to driving Electric vehicles.  That's why the Sept 18th show will feature Drew Barrymore racing a new all electric Ford Focus.

The car Barrymore will be driving won't actually be available until sometime in 2011, so don't get out your checkbooks just yet.  However, it might not be a bad idea to start saving now.  Most estimates put the new all electric Ford Focus at $10,000 higher than it's all gasoline counter part.  eeek!

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

What Does Drew Barrymore And Electric Focus Have In Common?

So Ford posts a $2.3 billion dollar profit today for the 2nd quarter of 2009 and already the official industry experts are chiming in.  I already have  a view point on why Ford managed to get in the black for the second quarter and it has nothing to do with vehicle offerings.  That's right, I don't think hybrids and fuel economy had anything to do with the recent numbers published by Ford.

In my opinion Ford manged to turn $2.3 billion in profit because they received the support of the American consumer.  The regular Joe blows saw that this corporation was not taking a hand out and decided to show their support through their wallets.  The American consumer, when faced with countless options on car lots, decided to choose a Ford vehicle over GM, Chrysler, or Toyota.  It's a sign that the majority of Americans don't support the bail out plans in Washington.

Another driving force in sales will be whether or not the vehicle you buy now will be supported 5 or more years from now.  If you have a major component go out on your car after the warranty has expired, will parts be radically expensive, or supported by the manufacturer.  Vehicles that are discontinued generally see higher replacement parts in generic and OEM form, why put yourself in that kind of a position.

I thoroughly realize that $2.3 billion in profits is a far cry from where a company this size needs to be, especially to keep the stock holders happy.  However, in this economic environment every ray of sunshine helps to swallow the negative news around every corner.  It's a move in the right direction and I hope Ford can prove themselves again next quarter and the American people continue to voice their opinions with their wallets.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Ford Posts $2.3 Billion Profit

Lightning

The 2004 Ford Lightning is packing some serious heat, not as much in displacement, but with forced injection.  The later model Lightnings were equipped with a 5.4L Super Charged engine.  This testosterone fueled motor produced about 380 horsepower and over 450 ft lb of torque.  Plenty to push the modestly sized lightning down the road.  There were just under 3,800 produced and 2004 was the last year they were produced by team SVT.

SRT-10

Dodge wins the displacement and cubic inch game with an 8.3L V10 engine.  Honestly, my hands are sweating  typing about such a hairy motor, which produced over 500 horsepower and 525 ft lb of torque.  Whenever you hit the gas you had better be holding onto something.  The Dodge RAM SRT-10 was last produced in 2006, but there have been rumors of a resurface in recent months.  Looking at production numbers, in the 3 year production of the SRT-10 there were only a total of 9,000 made.  It's a rare muscle truck, but one worthy of the name, and a serious contender for the Lightning.

See the two race in the video below.  While the SRT-10 wasn't quite ready for the first launch, the second attempt was much more valiant, but the Lightning pulled away at the end.

In this video you can see the Lightning clearly stomps a mud hole in the ass of the SRT-10.

Although these are just a few examples, I'm gonna have to give the F150 the checkered flag. The RAM is just too bulky of a beast, even with it's massive engine to compete with the nimble Ford Lightning. Keep in mind this is just an opinion piece and I'm sure there are those out there that can drive better than the videos above. But keep in mind the suspension and weights of the two muscle trucks when considering a showdown. Dodge RAM SRT-10 owners beware.

Lightning VS SRT-10

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

SRT-10 VS Lightning

Originally there was talk of Ford ending production of the Ranger in 2009, but has since been postponed till 2011.  Perhaps the production of the upcoming and radically redesigned 2012 Ranger will be produced somewhere other than the US.  At any rate, just glad to see car manufacturers planning this far ahead.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2012 Ford Ranger Spy Pic

Is this what the Mustang has come to, targeting drifters on MySpace?  Nothing about the ad screamed muscle, but only seemed to try and squeeze the Mustang into the mindset of the small group of kids that think the Fast and Furious movies are real.

The next question that comes to mind is at what cost was this ad created and then cost to be displayed on MySpace?  Surely there are better target markets that yield a larger return on investment for such an expensive marketing campaign.

What are your thoughts?

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2010 Mustang Advertising On MySpace

Now don't get me wrong, the SVO Mustang is a great collectors item.  Also, for it's time the performance wasn't that bad, but still wasn't enough to please enthusiasts, especially at $25,000.  But what we should have received was what Mclaren created in 1980, the M81 McLaren Mustang.

There were only 250 McLaren Mustangs built, but of those they were track ready and packed a big punch.  Of those 250, 7 were built by Bob Fehan and Ron Fournier and were created with all steel.  The McLaren Mustang was an F1 frame wrapped in bulging fenders, racing inspired lower skirts, and a functional hood scoop.  Under the hood of the McLaren Mustang was a timid 2.3 liter 4 cylinder engine, turbo charged to the tune of 300 horsepower.

What Bob and Ron created was what the US should have received, that was later known as the SVO Mustang.  Imagine where Mustang enthusiasts would be today had the McLaren Mustang been mass produced?

McLaren Mustang

THE 1980 FORD SVO MCLAREN TURBO MUSTANG INFO ARTICLE    US $5.57

Ford GT 40 351 Mustang Ferrari Formula 1 Team McLaren    US $5.99

1980 SVO MCLAREN TURBO MUSTANG SPECS INFO PHOTO 80 79    US $8.55

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

McLaren Mustang

Below are a few quotes from Henry Ford that I use to keep me motivated, even in a down economy.

"You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do"

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."

"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me."

"A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business."

"Even a mistake may turn out to be the one thing necessary to a worthwhile achievement."

It's motivational quotes like this that launched Ford Motor Company and allowed Henry Ford to become a successful business man.  Today, it's important to remember his contributions to the automotive industry, no matter the situation the domestic manufacturers find themselves in today.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Henry Ford Quotes