AutoWeek articles from June 2003

AutoWeek archives from June 2003

Words of Driving Wisdom.(News)(the Teachers' Insurance Plan issues tips on safe driving)(Column)
June 2, 2003... Byline: Dutch Mandel Summer's first salvo-the Memorial Day weekend-can inspire thoughts of cathartic car trips to grandma's house or carcinoma-laden jaunts to the beach. Ah, yes: relaxing behind the wheel, nary a care in the world,...

SAVE THE PANDA; A fond farewell to the last mass-produced, ham-fisted, slab-sided true econobox.(News)(the Fiat Panda is being phased out)
June 2, 2003... Byline: MATT DAVIS These are always sad moments for any car lover. On our shores, we're still saying goodbye through tear-filled eyes to the Camaro and Firebird. In European terms, the zero-safety-or-comfort econoboxes that cost exactly...

Fasty Poll; Bringing the WRC to the United States gets an overwhelming "yes''; readers have more than a few worthy locations.(News)
June 2, 2003... With Ford, Mitsubishi and Subaru offering vehicles that compete in the WRC, its time has come. Southern California should definitely be the host with its huge media market, tons of race fans and selection of desert, mountain and coastal roads...

Television.(News)(upcoming automotive-related television programming)(Calendar)
June 2, 2003... Friday, June 6 * Dream Car Garage, 8:30 a.m., Speed Channel (T) * Totally NASCAR, 9 a.m., Speed Channel (T) * Hi-Rev Tuners, 9:30 a.m., Speed Channel (T) * Two Guys Garage, 10:30 a.m., Speed Channel (T) * USAR Hooters Pro...

But Wait, There's More.(BWTM)(automotive industry-related stories)
June 2, 2003... ]]]]]] And who among us wouldn't pay $4.95 to look inside Calista Flockhart's carport? When you mix MTV's Cribs with an internal-combustion engine, what do you get? Why, you get Celebrity car magazine from the duPont Registry people. It...

BIG BANG; At the dawn of modern terrorism, even prototypes were targets.(News)(the history of the VW Porsche Tapiro)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Byline: MATT DAVIS It's not one of Giorgio Giugiaro's better known prototypes, but probably only because it got blown up soon after being sold in 1970. The VW Porsche Tapiro was unveiled at the 1970 Turin motor show alongside the...

SWELLS ON THE LAKE; We hang with the rich for the 19th Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este, and just getting there is plenty fun.(News)
June 2, 2003... Byline: STORY & PHOTOS BY MATT DAVIS The first concours for pretty cars of the sick rich held in Cernobbio, Italy, at the heavenly Villa d'Este on Lake Como's left bank was in September 1929. That was just prior to the global economic...

Flash.(automobile racing news)
June 2, 2003... So which ride now? Team Penske has a problem. Okay, not a big one. But team namesake Roger Penske said officials must decide whether to take Dallaras or G Forces to the June 9 race at Texas and beyond. Gil de Ferran won the Indianapolis...

TRY TO TOP THIS.(News)(Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point)
June 2, 2003... Byline: CARRIE ROCA If you love hot rods and have a thing for roller coasters, too, the new Top Thrill Dragster is the culmina-tion of your passion. The 42-story Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, is designed to look...

MYTH OR REALITY? We sleuth the truth about common car rumors.(News)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Byline: ANDREW LUU Which is true? A) Cell phone use while pumping gas can induce an explosion or B) a thief can pilfer your ride by scamming your vehicle identification number. The correct answer is B. Thieves have stolen cars by...

hot rides.(News)(favorite cars of theives)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Top 10 marques for discerning thieves* 1. Chevrolet Corvette (1966-82) 2. Ford Mustang (1964-69) 3. Chevrolet Impala (1958-67) 4. Chevrolet Camaro (1968-69) 5. Harley-Davidson motorcycles (1941-74) 6. Chevrolet Nova...

Alejandro De Tomaso.(dies at 74 years of age)(Brief Article)(Obituary)(Biography)
June 2, 2003... The founder of De Tomaso Automobili, Alejandro De Tomaso, died May 21 in Modena, Italy. He was 74. Born in Argentina, De Tomaso's Italian sports car legacy began in 1945 when he raced a modified Bugatti Type 35 while still in his teens....

McLAREN LAUNCHES NEW CAR.(Competition)(the new McLaren-Mercedes MP4-18 debuts)
June 2, 2003... The new McLaren-Mercedes MP4-18 made an inauspicious debut in its first shakedown runs at the Paul Ricard High Speed Test Track. A faulty hydraulic sensor delayed proceedings May 21 and the following day test driver Alexander Wurz stopped...

FANTASTIC! Gil de Ferran takes his first Indy 500.(Competition)
June 2, 2003... Byline: CURT CAVIN Before Gil de Ferran wiggled from his Indy 500-winning car Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he cupped his hands around his face and released pentup emotion. Later, in a crowded pressroom, the usually reserved...

THE REAL DEAL; No sophomore jinx for Jimmie Johnson, who wins the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600.(Competition)
June 2, 2003... Byline: AL PEARCE Jimmie Johnson came into NASCAR as a long-term project. His oval-track resume was thin enough for a matchbook cover: no poles, one victory and only four top-fives in 72 Busch Series starts. But Winston Cup co-owners...

Lowe's Motor Speedway 1.5-mile oval, May 25.(Competition)(race results)
June 2, 2003... Lowe's Motor Speedway 1.5-mile oval May 25 1. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 276 laps at 126.198 mph avg. speed; 2. Matt Kenseth, Ford, 276; 3. Bobby Labonte, Chevrolet, 276; 4. Jimmy Spencer, Dodge, 276; 5. Ryan New-man, Dodge, 276;...

Results.(News)(automobile racing results at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval May 25 1. Gil de Ferran, G Force-Toyota, 200 laps at 156.291 mph avg. speed; 2. Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Toyota, 200; 3. Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 200; 4. Tomas Scheckter, G...

Results.(Competition)(auto races)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Heartland Park Topeka 0.25-mile drag strip May 25 TOP FUEL Larry Dixon, ET 4.534, 327.82 mph, over Doug Kalitta, ET 4.575, 324.20 mph FUNNY CAR Tony Pedregon, Ford, ET 4.848, 320.66 mph, over Whit Bazemore, Dodge,...

Driving 201.(News)(Driver's Edge is a one-day driver's education program for teens to learn how to avoid accidents)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Byline: JOHN D. STOLL When it comes to driver's ed., teenagers are learning to pass a test, but not really learning how to pass on the highway. So says Jeff Payne, a racer-turned-nonprofiteer who founded a one-day driver's education...

Driver's Log; 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo X50.(evaluations of the car)
June 2, 2003... Date in fleet: May 12-19 As-tested price: $137,145 Powertrain: 3.6-liter H6; awd, six-speed manual Hp: 444 @ 5700 rpm Torque: 457 @ 3500-4500 rpm Curb weight: 3388 pounds MPG (EPA combined/ AW observed): 18.15/16.47 RAYNAL: What!?! No...

Z reloaded; Authentic driving experience for those escaping the virtual world.(News)(evaluation of Nissan's new Z Roadster)
June 2, 2003... Byline: KEVIN A. WILSON What would you do if they handed you the keys to this car for a weekend? Of course you would. First thing would be to fold the top on Nissan's new Z Roadster and head out for a drive. For one thing, it ain't all...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
June 2, 2003... Tuner times The "Tuned for Speed'' section (AW, May 19) is sweet. I have been a longtime reader of AutoWeek and I have to say "Tuned for Speed'' is Tuned for Me. Please open up the doors and start writing more about the tuner market for...

California concepts coming?(automotive news briefs)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... California concepts coming? Michigan-based specialty car developer and convertible-top specialist ASC is moving in with SO-CAL Speed Shop. The two companies are forming a partnership and will open a Pomona, California-based studio to...

Results.(Competition)(Milwaukee Mile auto race)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... The Milwaukee Mile 1.032-mile oval May 31 1. Michel Jourdain Jr., Lola, 250 laps at 113.190 mph avg. speed; 2. Oriol Servia, Lola, 250; 3. Patrick Carpentier, Lola, 250; 4. Darren Manning, Reynard, 250; 5. Alex Tagliani, Lola,...

Houston Art Car Parade.
June 9, 2003... Byline: CHRIS JACKSON The scene is familiar to anyone who's ever participated in a concours: After preparing the car, you wait in line and chat with other contestants while masking both your excitement and apprehension. After what seems...

But Wait, There's more.
June 9, 2003... Herb Fishel, retiring head of GM racing, did his swan song by driving the Chevy SSR pace car, er, truck at the 87th running of the Indianapolis 500. Said one GM insider on race eve: "Herb's done more miles around the track [practicing] than...

FATHER'S DAY FUN; FROM LESS THAN $10 TO NEARLY $3,000, THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT CAR-RELATED GOODS AND GEEGAWS, PERFECT FOR FATHER'S DAY GIVING. WE HAD ROOM FOR JUST A FEW...(www.griotsgarage.com, www.eastwoodco.com, www.usaopoly.com, www.pwmenterprises.com)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... *Satisfy two passions at once: Dad's sugar craving and his car lust. These Belgian chocolates each weigh eight ounces. Choose from a Ford Cobra, Chevrolet Corvette or Ferrari 308 GTB. $6.95 each. (800) 345-5789, www.griotsgarage.com. ...

Events.(Calendar)
June 9, 2003... Aug. 2 British Car Day Dayton, Ohio For more information on this car show call (937) 293-2819 or (937) 225-2230. Aug. 2-3 Antique Auto Racing Association Charlotte, Mich. Features dirt track racing with...

Something To Think About.(Indy 500.)(Column)
June 9, 2003... Byline: Kevin A. Wilson In the Indy 500 you saw 49 of 200 laps run under yellow and seven retirements attributed to accidents, but you didn't see some trick technology that could find its way onto your street car. After ascertaining...

Results.(Competition)(auto race)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Monaco 2.075-mile street circuit June 1 1. Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams-BMW, 78 laps at 94.928 mph avg. speed; 2. Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren-Mercedes, 78; 3. Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 78; 4. Ralf Schumacher, Williams-BMW, 78; 5....

NEWMAN'S OWN; Ryan Newman holds on to win Dover.
June 9, 2003... Byline: AL PEARCE It was hard to tell whether Tony Stewart was more furious at MBNA Armed Forces 400 winner Ryan Newman or at NASCAR in general. Either way, the reigning Winston Cup champion was steaming and in no mood for pleasantries...

Results.(Competition)(car race)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Dover International Speedway 1.0-mile oval June 1 1. Ryan Newman, Dodge, 400 laps at 106.986 mph avg. speed; 2. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 400; 3. Bobby Labonte, Chevrolet, 400; 4. Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 400; 5. Johnny Benson,...

Still counting; America's Best tally dashes down the stretch.(News)
June 9, 2003... Byline: JOHN D. STOLL A battle is brewing. Our 14th annual America's Best survey is in full swing (AW, May 26) with thousands of you registering votes for best vehicle in 13 different categories. Thousands, however, have remained...

Flash.(Automobile industry news.)
June 9, 2003... Getting help The most unlikely rumor to surface at the CART race in Milwaukee has Chevrolet contracting Cosworth Racing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Co., for assistance with its struggling Indy Racing League engine program....

More with Less; Ferrari's Challenge Stradale.
June 9, 2003... Byline: DUTCH MANDEL Is it blasphemous to suggest Ferrari's Challenge Stradale is Italy's version of a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am? You remember, the one with a screaming poultry decal on the hood? Before you start pitching a cannoli...

Flash.(Automobile industry news.)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... One down, one to go Porsche Cars North America will sell a Cabriolet version of the Carrera 4S for 2004, but the company is still mum on plans to offer a Turbo Cabriolet this year as well (AW, May 19). The all-wheel-drive 4S Cabrio,...

A Fast Italian Hits 40; Ferruccio Lamborghini would be amazed and pleased at what has become of his company.
June 9, 2003... Byline: MATT DAVIS From tractors, converted World War II vehicles, boilers and air conditioners sprouted the enterprising genius that is Automobili Lamborghini. In point of fact, Ferruccio Lamborghini was one of few in this business as...

THE MAN IN THE BACKGROUND; David Clare is CART's [Championship Auto Racing Team's] quiet No. 2 man.(Interview)
June 9, 2003... Byline: BILL McGUIRE As CART's CEO and designated savior, Chris Pook serves as both spark plug and lightning rod for the struggling series. If with a provocative public statement he can diffuse a troublesome issue, or create a diversionary...

Race Report.(Competition)(auto racing)
June 9, 2003... No, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is not the oldest motor racing facility in the world. That honor belongs to the Milwaukee Mile. Built as a horse track in 1876, the one-mile oval at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds saw its first auto race in...

DODGE DITCHES DAVIS RACING; Bill Davis Racing got itself in a pickle with Dodge, supposedly because it inked a deal with Toyota.
June 9, 2003... On the track, Bill Davis Racing hasn't made much noise in 2003. Its two-Dodge lineup of Ward Burton and Kenny Wallace has no poles, no wins, no top-fives and only three top-10s in 26 combined starts. Burton is 25th in points and Wallace is 28th...

PROM NIGHT.(News)(Toyota's Scion division marketing to youth)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 9, 2003... Byline: MARK VAUGHN A short, corsage-laden excursion into the hearts and minds of Scion's target market "How cool is this?'' ask- ed Caitlin Cherry, seeing the limo for the first time on prom night. "Omigod! This is so cool,''...

Letters; Judging the 5, the 500, and another old story.(Letter to the Editor)
June 9, 2003... Byline: Vincent Murphy, Ridgefield, Conn. Giving BMW a low 5 Thanks to your Oct. 21 spy shots acting as an early warning system, I knew if I were ever going to improve on my beloved '00 540i, I'd better move fast. I took a risk and...

PT PEEK.(News)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 9, 2003... We've seen the PT Cruiser, the PT Cruiser GT (with turbo) and the PT convertible concept. Here's an early look at a pre-pro-duction prototype undergoing road tests prior to the start of manufacturing in early 2004. What can we glean from this...

Fast Poll.(News)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Readers tend to value quality over fun, but most say getting both is even better. If all I cared about was fun, I'd still be driving a Bugeye Sprite. But years ago I tired of gas fumes from leaky carbs, oil leaks, and getting wet with the...

Market.(News)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 9, 2003... Branson Collector Car Auction Branson, Mo. April 25-27 1970 Jaguar Series II XKE 2+2 coupe Red with black leather interior. Automatic, a/c, disc wheels with redline Michelins. Decent repaint, some pitting to chrome. Original...

ONCE BITTEN; No one wants an antidote for the Viper's venom.(Auto File)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 9, 2003... If you're lucky enough to own a Dodge Viper, you already know the car does something to you. It seems to make you want more-as in more than one. Every owner that responded to our AutoFile survey has plunked down cash for multiple copies of the...

Specs & Data.(News)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 9, 2003... MANUFACTURER INFO DaimlerChrysler Corp. 1000 Chrysler Drive Auburn Hills MI 48326-2766Customer assistance: (800) 423-6343 Internet address: www.dodge.com Country of origin: United States Number of dealers: 3000 (est.)...

The Morgans Are Back!(News)(English car available in US)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 9, 2003... Byline: MARK VAUGHN This time, with full U.S. certification In the eyes of many a sports car lover, Morgans have always been the quintessential example of the breed-open-topped English two-seaters with flowing fenders and front engines...

TV Jun 13-15.(Calendar)(Calendar)
June 9, 2003... Friday, June 13 *Le Mans Test Day from France, 11 a.m., Speed Channel (L) *Formula One qualifying from Montreal, 2 p.m., Speed Channel (L) *NASCAR Winston Cup qualifying from Brooklyn, Mich., 3 p.m., Speed Channel (L) *NASCAR...

Drivers Log; BMW 760Li, Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 9, 2003... 2003 BMW 760Li Date in fleet: May 19-June 2 As-tested price: $122,095 Powertrain: 6.0-liter V12; rwd, six-speed automatic Hp: 438 @ 6000 rpm Torque: 444 @ 3950 rpm Curb weight: 4872 pounds MPG (EPA combined/AW observed): 18.80/13.89 ...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
June 9, 2003... Our June 2 story on the Nissan 350Z Roadster should have said the Nissan Murano sporty/utility vehicle is built on the FF-L platform shared by the Altima, 2004 Maxima and 2004 Quest.

Correction.(Correction Notice)
June 9, 2003... Our June 2 Escape Roads story should have said the Ferrari Testa Rossa 330 TRI/LM No. 0808 finished second at Mosport in 1962 and third at Sebring in 1963.

OWNERS SAY...(News)
June 9, 2003... Byline: Ivan R. Ho, via e-mail It's solid and well put together, with super-responsive, predictable steering. I own both a '94 RT/10 and '96 GTS, and this car handles nothing like the older cars, which are twitchy over bumps. I...

RACING FUTURE; Unraveling Ford's latest road racer.
June 16, 2003... Byline: CURT CAVIN Tim Evans followed a group of people wearing Multimatic team shirts into the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express on April 24 and introduced himself as AutoWeek's test driver. Sean Mason, manager of the group's Ford Focus...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
June 16, 2003... C6 Corvette critics rejoice! For everyone who has written in anxiously anticipating the new Corvette C6-great to hear from you. However, despite AutoWeek's attempt to peek behind the covers, we will only say you haven't seen the real car...

GTS CLASS CLASH; Corvette Racing C5-Rs vs. Prodrive Ferrari 550s: an absolute rivalry.
June 16, 2003... Byline: MATT DAVIS The LMP battle won't be the only good one at Le Mans this year: Look at the GTS class. There is no manufacturer rivalry so intense in endurance racing as the one between the Corvette C5-R and the Ferrari 550 GTS...

Flash.(Racing news. )
June 16, 2003... Nadeau begins therapy NASCAR driver Jerry Nadeau was discharged June 6 from the Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation. He will continue his recovery as an outpatient at CIR five days a week. "Jerry will continue with a similar course of...

POOK reveals plans.(Chris Pook, CART CEO.)(Interview)
June 16, 2003... Speaking to the Motor Press Guild in Los Angeles this past week, CART CEO Chris Pook revealed some of his plans for the open-wheel series for this year and next. First, the upcoming Road America event, recently returned to Aug. 3 on the...

BWTM. [But wait, there's more].(Brief Article)
June 16, 2003... Hey, sven, here's Herring in yer eye! At a recent Volvo S80 event in Washington, D.C., the opening dinner began with a toast, using the traditional Swedish liquor, aquavit. A Volvo official at our table, his face contorted after slugging...

SHELBY GOES PUBLIC; Stock in new company soars in early trading.(News)
June 16, 2003... Byline: BOB GRITZINGER Amid takeover rumors and parent-company bankruptcy proceedings, Carroll Shelby has pulled a fast one on everybody interested in what happens to his Las Vegas-based sports car business. Shelby has gone public. As...

From Blue Ovals to Blue Highways.(Column)
June 16, 2003... Byline: Dutch Mandel You thought America's 1976 bicentennial celebration was a red-white- and-blue, fireworks-sparklin' to-do? Just see what the folks in Dearborn, Michigan, have going on June 12-16 to mark Henry's hundred years of putting...

LEARNING TO DRIVE THE MODEL T; Tin Lizzie is your teacher, and passing is never on a curve.(Column)
June 16, 2003... Byline: RICH CEPPOS Dearborn, Michigan. The year is 1914. You ease your Model T around a corner and down one of the village's main streets. You release the left pedal, and the T's four-cylinder engine lugs down and settles into a rhythmic...

Mid-model-year power boost for Hyundai sport/ute.(News)(Santa Fe )(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 16, 2003... Byline: John D. Stoll Since Hyundai's American sales bottomed out in 1998 with 90,000 cars sold, much has changed. The Korean carmaker has boosted sales more than 300 percent by offering low-priced, moderately powered and reasonably...

Your personal, desktop ford gt.(Ford 100)(Brief Article)
June 16, 2003... Ford says only 1500 GT supercars will roll off the assembly lines in the first production year, and considering the Ford GT40's legendary persona, there will be many disappointed enthusiasts on that waiting list. So while you're waiting for...

Racing Past; Ford's racing roots began with Sweepstakes.(Ford 100)
June 16, 2003... Byline: KEVIN A. WILSON It's a race car. Really. It has no nifty painted numbers on it or advertising logos-not even one for its maker-but it's a genuine high-performance racing machine, direct ancestor to the GT40 and the Talladega, the...

Results; Pocono Raceway.(Racing)
June 16, 2003... 2.5-mile tri-oval June 8 1. Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 200 laps at 134.892 mph avg. speed; 2. Mark Martin, Ford, 200; 3. Matt Kenseth, Ford, 200; 4. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 200; 5. Ryan Newman, Dodge, 200; 6. Sterling Marlin,...

Results; Texas Motor Speedway 1.5-mile oval June 7.(Racing)(Brief Article)
June 16, 2003... 1. Al Unser Jr., Dallara-Toyota, 200 laps at 168.213 mph avg. speed; 2. Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 200; 3. Tora Takagi, G Force-Toyota, 200; 4. Kenny Brack, Dallara-Honda, 200; 5. Bryan Herta, Dallara-Honda, 200; 6. Scott Dixon, G...

Results.(Competition)(Brief Article)
June 16, 2003... Rally Acropolis June 4-8 1. Markko Martin, Ford Focus RS WRC 03, 4h 53m 40.5s; 2. Carlos Sainz, Citroen Xsara, +46.0s; 3. Petter Solberg, Subaru Impreza WRC 2003, +52.7s; 4. Richard Burns, Peugeot 206 WRC, +2m 6.6s; 5. Tommi Makinen,...

DEAL, SCHMEAL; Why DaimlerChrysler sued Bill Davis.(Competition)
June 16, 2003... Byline: AL PEARCE First, there's the building at 1314 Starr Road in High Point, North Carolina, a building identified by signage as "Tundra Race Truck Center.'' Last winter, Bill Davis Racing applied for and received a business license for...

The Inverse of Indy.(Column)(Brescia-Rome-Brescia Mille Miglia)
June 16, 2003... Byline: Matt Davis While much of the world was busy looking toward the Hoosier state and placing big bets on Castroneves to three-peat in the world's most famous 500-miler, a few of us were betting on an entirely different type of...

The Ford V8; Henry Ford's final triumph.(Ford 100)
June 16, 2003... Byline: BILL McGUIRE In the age of mass production, a man could change the world with a single idea. Henry Ford had several. With the Model T, Ford was not the first to conceive of a car for the masses, but was the first to accomplish it....

The Best and Brightest.(Ford 100)
June 16, 2003... To say Ford has been a major player in auto racing for the last 100 years is a bit of an understatement. The company has won virtually everywhere- Le Mans, Monaco, Indy, Bonneville, you name it. The Blue Oval has claimed series titles in...

20031/2 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.(News)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 16, 2003... On sale: Now As-tested price: $23,589 Powertrain: 3.5-liter, 195-hp, 219-lb-ft V6; awd, five-speed automatic Curb weight: 3946 pounds 0 to 60 mph: 9.5 seconds (est.)

The Pinnacle of Ford's Prewar Styling.(Escape Roads)(1940 Ford DeLuxe)
June 16, 2003... Byline: MIKE COVELLO Few automobiles stir the souls of Ford collectors as briskly as the strikingly styled 1940 Ford DeLuxe. While the 1932 Ford Roadster is the epicenter of hot rodding lust, the 1940 flathead Ford is part of a decade of...

SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL; Little Al takes Texas.(Racing)(Al Unser Jr. wins at Texas Motor Speedway)
June 16, 2003... Byline: CURT CAVIN Tony Kanaan had race leader Al Unser Jr. pinned to the inside, a place where most Indy Racing League drivers have found defeat on the last lap of these spectacular shootouts on tracks like Texas Motor Speedway. But Unser...

Race Report.(Competition)(Tony Stewart wins at Pocono Raceway)
June 16, 2003... The question was never "if.'' Everybody in NASCAR-land knew defending Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart would win a race (races?) this year. The only question was when and where would he finally add win No. 16 to his 154-start Cup resume? ...

Driver's Log; 2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra.(News)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 16, 2003... Date in fleet: May 20-June 3 As-tested price: $34,750 Powertrain: 4.6-liter supercharged V8; rwd, six-speed manual Hp: 390 @ 6000 rpm Torque: 390 @ 3500 rpm Curb weight: 3665 pounds MPG (EPA combined/AW observed): 18.7/18.0 MORRISON: No...

CLASSIC IN THE MAKING; Audi vs. Bentley at Le Mans should make for the most interesting race in years.(Competition)
June 16, 2003... Byline: GARY WATKINS To describe the Bentley vs. Audi battle in this year's Le Mans 24 Hour as a classic tortoise vs. hare confrontation might sound bizarre. Likening the Audi R8 prototype Le Mans winner the past three years to a...

THE FASTEST PRODUCTION FORD; There's only one left running, and Rob Collings has it.(Ford 100)(B-24J Liberator bomber)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 16, 2003... Byline: WILLIAM JEANES Imagine that you are a handsome, hazel-eyed, 28-year-old single male, six feet tall with a beautiful Swedish girlfriend. What's more, you can drive any one of six dozen classic and racing cars anytime you want. Could...

Hands-On Learning.(Review)(Henry Ford Academy)
June 16, 2003... Byline: TAMARA WARREN When you think of Henry Ford, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn't higher learning. But a new kind of charter school dispels that notion for high school students in the Detroit area. The Henry Ford...

Flash.(Briefs)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 16, 2003... Japan gnashing Saab sources acknowledge that folks at Fuji Heavy Industries are none too pleased with General Motors' plan to sell a facelifted version of the Subaru Impreza WRX as a Saab 9-2 in the United States (AW, April 21). The...

PONY CAR PROGENITOR; Mustang No. 1 returns to kick up its hooves.(Ford 100)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 16, 2003... Byline: ROGER HART The story, like the car, is legend. In 1961 Lee Iacocca, vice president and general manager of the Ford division, wanted to build an American interpretation of a European sports car. He asked engineers for a lightweight...

Ford vs. Ferrari-Again; Almost 40 years after Ford's GT40s beat Ferrari at Le Mans, the Blue Oval challenges the Prancing Horse on the street.(Ford GT )(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 16, 2003... Byline: PETE LYONS Jeff Walsh charges the cones, braking late, hard and deep. Tires howling, the red coupe is already rotating before it enters the first gate. As it angles into the apex, the Ford development engineer again jumps...

Racing Past (part 2); Ford's racing roots began with Sweepstakes.(Ford 100.)(Column)
June 16, 2003... Byline: KEVIN A. WILSON It's raining when we finally climb aboard for our first few orientation laps with Carpenter driving. He moves the throttle lever, a little slab of sheetmetal sticking up through the seat between us, and releases the...