While Ford was fighting off the early successes of the Chevrolet Corvair and Chevy II with their introduction of the Mustang in August of 1964, GM began work on a counter-punch experimental project named XP-836. The XP-836 project directly targetedthe Ford Mustang mystique and the new youth market that emerged from almost nowhere in the eyes of GM marketers. The surprising popularly of Ford's Mustang framed the XP-836 project from the very start and incorporated the "Mustang formula" in the early years of production.

In the winter of 1965, the XP-836 project turned out a proto type car based on some cobbled up Chevy IIs. While crude, the new Chevrolet was shaping up to run well along side Ford's Pony car. Now named the "Panther", the project and the proto-types were written about in great length by the automotive press with all the excitement of a pending rivalry with the Mustang.

Given a name that the public could latch onto, the "Panther" was quickly being promoted as GM's Mustang-fighter. Sometimes called "Chevy's Mustang" the "Panther" evolved conceptually using much of the Mustang marketing formula.

Now branded with the "Panther" script and leaping-cat emblems similar to that used by Jaguar, the proto-types advanced with an outward confidence that Chevrolet's sleek new cat would be chasing down the Mustang. By early 1966, Ralph Nader was doing a hatchet job on the Corvair, and GM management sought to tone-down the image of their new car in hopes of not drawing the attention of safety crusaders with the aggressive "Panther" name.

Seeking a "clammier" image for the new car, the marketing department looked to their current line of Chevrolet monikers, the Corvair, Corvette, Chevelle, and Chevy II for inspiration. Desiring another "C" name brand, merchandising manager Bob Lund and GM Car & Truck Group vice-president Ed Rollert poured through French and Spanish dictionaries and came up with "Camaro". Meaning, "warm friend", the new name offered GM an excellent label to compliment the current Chevrolet line and introduce their new car with a much tamer image.

Though the "Camaro" name was replacing the various project names the car had been developed under, outside the company some controversy over the meaning of the new name was causing a potential image problem for the new car. In an unprecedented national conference call with some 200 journalists, GM released the " warm & friendly" Camaro name to the public ahead of the cars introduction to dealer showrooms. The effort was successful in quashing any "image killing" interpretations of the new Camaro moniker.

In 1967, amidst the phenomenal success of the Ford Mustang, General Motors pulled off a sensational introduction of the Chevrolet Camaro by delivering over 212,000 units to dealer showrooms that year. Keeping in fashion with the Mustang formula, the Camaro was offered with a laundry list of options at both the factory and dealer level. Camaro customers could custom build their own car with a host of options previously only available on Chevrolet's higher-line models.

Desiring the same custom performance treatments being offered by Shelby America for the Mustang, Camaro enthusiasts looked to the dealerships in hopes of finding these performance options. Happily, the folks at Toronto-based Gorries Chevrolet/Oldsmobile dealership answered the call to incorporate their race knowledge into the new Camaro. The result was the "Black Panther" Camaro.

Source: http://www.classiccar.com

Though it has been decades since Mustang coupes rolled off the assembly line bearing the legendary Shelby name, the cars will once again thunder across the roads under a deal inked by Carroll Shelby, Sanderson Sales & Marketing and Unique Motorcars of Irving, Texas.

The historic agreement has led to the debut of continuation 1960's Shelbys incorporating modern technology, such as Baer Brakes, that updates the performance and comfort of the sexy muscle cars. The first car in the continuation series is an "Eleanor" Shelby GT500E, similar to the one seen in the recent motion picture Gone in Sixty Seconds.

"Enthusiasts and collectors have been begging for more Shelbys," said Steve Sanderson, President of Sanderson Sales & Marketing. "This unprecedented agreement will unleash a herd of Shelbys that combine the best current technology with classic styling and Shelby heritage. We're creating these continuation cars just like Carroll did in the 1960's by taking standard Mustangs and working ‘Shelby magic' on them that take performance to an entirely new level."

Shelby Re-Run

Carroll Shelby, a Texan who achieved renown as the builder of the AC Cobra, teams with Ford to create a series of high-performance Shelby Mustang race cars. Taking 289 cid V8 fastbacks off the line at the San Jose assembly plant, Shelby, working from his Venice facility, makes the necessary mods to vault the lively 2+2 Fastback to the rank of king of the SCCA.

To be homologated as an SCCA B-Production racer, rules stipulate that at least 100 "streetable" versions are produced. Shelby easily meets the minimum requirement building, on average, 2,000 units per year between 1965 and 1970. Shelby American soon is occupying two hangars at Los Angeles International Airport.

The Shelby American/Ford Motor Company connection is quite palatable for both builders. Carroll Shelby benefits by using a proven manufacturing base to further his performance reputation, while Ford benefits from the "halo effect" as Mustang sheetmetal increasingly frequents the winner's circle.

To build the continuation Shelbys, Unique Motorcars will "rescue" vintage Mustangs for transformation. The restored cars will feature the best engine, suspension, brake and comfort components on the market, while sporting the classic good looks of the original 1960's Shelby. Baer Brakes will help develop high performance systems specifically for the cars.

Sanderson Sales & Marketing is a national dealer for authentic Shelby vehicles and the exclusive dealer for the "Eleanor" GT500E. The company will conduct a 40th Anniversary Cobra Tour next year that celebrates the first Shelby Cobra racing championship by giving individuals the opportunity to personally experience a 427 Cobra, factory 289 racing Cobra, Shelby Series 1 and the GT500E. Over 30 stops are planned nationwide during 2003.

The limited edition GT500E is available with a wide range of performance and cosmetic options. Various Shelby tuned V8s, Total Control suspension, Nitrous Oxide System, roll bar, 17" wheels, side exhaust and Baer brakes are available. A supercharged aluminum 427 powered "Super Snake" will also be offered. Each car is meticulously built and comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Eleanor originator.

"We're introducing Shelby performance vehicles to a new generation of enthusiasts," stated Douglas Hasty, President and CEO of Unique Motorcars. "We're working closely with Shelby Engineering to ensure these cars are authentic Shelbys. The GT500E is the first in a series of Shelbys to be introduced over the next year. As authentic Shelbys, these cars will be included in the next official Shelby American World Registry."

{xtypo_rounded_right4}Shelby exteriors are distinguished by the following: blue rocker panel stripes with the GT-350 designation; optional blue 10-inch wide stripes running stem to stern; the absence of Ford and Mustang badges and the fact that all are painted white. (From 1966 through 1970 a variety of colors would become available for the Shelbys.)

Shelby began the conversion process with the 271-horsepower High Performance 289 cid V8, an all-synchromesh four-speed transmission and a Galaxie rear end. From there, Holley carburetor, high-rise aluminum intake manifolds, aluminum valve covers, aluminum oil pan, fiberglass hood with functional scoop, Koni shocks and front antisway bars are added.

Carroll Shelby is one of America's greatest racing heroes. After a successful international racing career, he founded a car company in 1962 that trounced every other sports car in the world, beginning with his legendary Cobra. Forty years later, anyone can own one of these remarkable cars because Shelby American is offering new Cobras, and now GT500E through Sanderson Sales & Marketing.

"We're gratified that Sanderson Sales & Marketing could facilitate this agreement," stated Sanderson. "These continuation Shelbys offer value, collectability and performance that can't be matched. Enthusiasts and collectors rejoice!" CC

Source: classiccar.com

Along with George Barris' 1966 Batmobile, James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin DB5 is if not the, one of the most recognized movie cars of all times. And now, for the first time in history, it's going under the hammer by RM Auctions, a leading auctioneer of classic cars. The auction will take place in London on the 27th of October, but don't get your hopes high as 007's original Aston is expected to fetch north of US$5 million.

And all for good reason as the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 with UK registration number FMP 7B is one of only two, and the sole remaining, of the original '007' DB5s featured on the big screen with Sean Connery behind the wheel in the classic 'Goldfinger' and 'Thunderball' movies.

The authentic Bond movie car comes factory-fitted with all the modifications conceived by Oscar-award-winning special effects expert, John Stears.

"Q's" bag of goodies include machine guns, bullet-proof shield, tracking device, revolving number plates, removable roof panel, oil slick sprayer, nail spreader and smoke screen, all of which are controlled from switches in the center arm rest.

The car's history is short in terms of owners, in fact aside from James Bond, only one other person has owned the car.

The DB5 was originally loaned to EON Productions for the filming of the two Bond movies, and returned to the Aston Martin Lagonda factory following a special promotional tour.

In 1969, Philadelphia-area radio station owner Jerry Lee bought the car from the factory for US$12,000. It remained in his possession and has rarely been seen publicly over the past 41 years. But now the time has come for DB5 to find a new owner with Lee claiming that he will use the proceeds from the sale to further the charitable work of The Jerry Lee Foundation.

"The James Bond car has brought me much enjoyment for some 40 years," said Jerry Lee. "Even as I sell it and use the proceeds to fund the Jerry Lee Foundation, the car will continue to give me great pleasure as it furthers the mission of the Foundation to do good around the world."

For now, you can enjoy our mega gallery with high-resolution photos of 007's original 1964 Aston Martin DB5.

Source: carscoop.blogspot.com