Flash.(Briefs)(Ford Mustang redesign; Dave Hill retires from Chevrolet Corvette)

Foose on the loose

California-based designer Chip Foose is not content to rest on the hardtop laurels of his limited-edition 2006 Stallion coupe revealed at the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit last August ("Foose Fighter,'' Aug. 22): Foose has already created a drop-top version of his take on the 2006 Ford Mustang GT.

Unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, the 2006 Foose Stallion Mustang convertible is designed by Foose and produced by Texas-based Unique Performance, builder of Shelby continuation cars and vintage Mustangs. The cars will be sold through a limited number of Ford dealerships.

Both the hardtop and convertible versions begin production early next year, with plans to build up to 3000 per year, priced at $38,000 to $40,000.

Corvette chief steps down

Dave Hill, chief engineer for the Chevrolet Corvette and executive in charge of performance car engineering at General Motors, will retire Jan. 1, 2006, after more than 41 years of service.

Hill, who in 1993 became just the third chief engineer for the Corvette, led development of the C5 and C6 ...