I’ve seen it done in an MG Midget, a 1968 Dodge Dart and hell, even in a Morgan Plus 4. I speak of course about shoehorning a GM LS-based small block into just about anything with four wheels. The GM small block is without a doubt one of the greatest creations in all of motoring. It’s lightweight, compact, cheap and with a few minor tweaks can make serious power. It’s no doubt then why every hot-rodder and their brother go with a small block when it comes time to power their vehicle. Obviously some swaps are easier then others. For instance, in the aforementioned Dodge Dart the procedure didn’t take much more then a few new motor mounts and some reconstructive surgery to make the transmission fit. However there are those who go in a more unconventional route. Take for instance this late 1980′s Porsche 911. I mean sure the engine is a tight fit, but one turn of the key will tell you that it seems right at home sitting at the wrong end of the car. Cool stuff right?

Source: Youtube.com

Every now and then we get a story submitted to us by a faithful reader and member of the automotive community. Scott Vandekerckhove is such a person as he’s not only a rabid car enthusiast, but the man responsible for putting together last years über successful HEMI Highway Tour for Chrysler and a lead contributor to “Modern Mopar Magazine”. So when I read his latest story on how Huntington Beach, California resident John Fortuno had influenced the development of the new 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan I just had to post it. Click through for the entire article.

When Ralph Gilles designed the Chrysler 300 back in the early 2000’s, I’m not sure if he or anyone else in the company truly knew what they were creating. Sure, it was the triumphant return of Chrysler’s full size, rear drive American sedan; but it has since evolved into something much greater. Over the course of the last seven years, the 300 has become the vehicular canvas for thousands of owners aiming to express themselves. Be it more power, larger wheels, custom paint, or even Lambo doors, the 300 knows no limits in the aftermarket world. Creativity, ingenuity, and custom fabrication run wild in this community of LX cars and it’s only getting more intense. (LX cars include not just the 300, but also the Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Magnum – all sharing the same platform). But perhaps the most well known influencer of the 300 movement is none other than John Fortuno of Huntington Beach, CA.

If you’re not familiar with Fortuno, he just happens to be founder of the Spring Festival of LXs held every year in Irvine, CA. It is the single largest one-day gathering of LX vehicles in the world. This past March, the 6th annual festival amassed over 830 customer-owned cars in one spot with the eyes of top Chrysler brass watching closely on site. There’s not a better opportunity for the Corporation to see what’s hot in the market and how to harness certain cues for future production cars. But Fortuno is not just an event organizer. He’s also an active member of the community, now owning two Chrysler 300s.

His first car, nicknamed “Fatchance”, grew to become a very popular car amongst enthusiasts. Fatchance (a 2005 model now with over 100,000 miles) went through multiple facelifts during its life including different interior trims, body kits, and wheels. It’s changed appearance on several occasions. Chrysler took notice of Fortuno’s influence and years of dedication to the car, having since partnered with him to help launch the all new 2011 Chrysler 300. The joint venture is appropriately called “Fatchance 2.0” and has become a social media sensation. Followers have been given a chance to watch the new car take shape since Fortuno received it back in March.

“This is really a three step journey,” he stated. “First, it was just getting the car ready for the reveal at Spring Fest last March. [...] We only had six days with it and got the new suspension, wheels, and door handles installed. The second step is performance, and Mopar just helped out in a big way with that. The third and final step will be the ramp up to SEMA where everyone will get to see dramatic changes to both the body and interior. It’s really exciting for all of us!”

Fortuno passed along a special invite to Modern Mopar Magazine this week for an event up at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum hosted by LX Forums (arguably the most popular forum for LX owners on the net). Fatchance 2.0 was on full display amongst 70 other LX vehicles that owners brought out on Tuesday night; an incredible turn out during the work week. With buzz of the Woodward Dream Cruise all around Metro Detroit, Fortuno thought this would be perfect timing to reveal a major upgrade to his ride. The stock 5.7L HEMI V8 has been yanked out of the engine box and replaced with, get this, an all aluminum 7.0L 426 HEMI straight out of the Mopar war chest.

“We haven’t dynoed the car yet, but we’re guessing it’ll make right around 560 horsepower and 540 lb/ft of torque at the wheels,” he told me. “Mopar also provided a new 3.91 rear end that should really help with acceleration.”

I asked Fortuno what kind of times he expected the car to turn at the track. “I’m thinking the car could run sub-4 seconds to 60mph and hopefully rock the 1/4 mile in the high 11’s. But if it were to run low to mid 12’s, I ‘d be more than satisfied,” he exclaimed.

Fortuno also mentioned that, in all likelihood, Mopar will install a 6 speed automatic transmission to handle the increased power. There’s even talks of the upcoming 8 speed making its way behind the big 426.

“We have truly set out to create the ultimate gentleman’s hot rod,” Fortuno emphasized. “And now, with the increased power, we are more than motivated to go up against the best from Mercedes AMG, BMW, and Audi. We’re gonna show ‘em how we do it….American style.”

I also asked Fortuno what fans of his car should expect for SEMA come November. “We’re going full tilt once the car wraps up at Woodward this weekend. I know there’s very high expectations for this car and we’re gonna exceed every one of them. [...] We’re looking at doing a two-tone custom interior with really fancy wood accents. But one thing’s for sure; that 8.4 inch touch screen radio from the factory is staying put,” he insisted. “It totally makes the car and there’s no other unit that I would replace it with.”

He continued, “The body kit was finished just this week and it’s gonna look sick once we get it on the car!”

Fortuno also gushed about the huge improvements made to the new 300 over the last generation. “I love my old car, but this new one is like a night and day difference. The comfort, the features, the technology; it’s all way better.” Outside of the 8.4 inch touchscreen radio, Fortuno fancies the view out of his panoramic sunroof and the added safety from Blind Spot Monitoring; a feature that can warn you of other vehicles traveling at your side. Fortuno smiled and said, “That blind spot detection is the shit, dude!”

Near the end of the night, Fortuno fired up the big 426 HEMI which gave way to a fairly reserved sounding Mopar exhaust. “That’s the way I wanted it,” he said. “I want the car to kind of tip toe between being elegant and sinister all at the same time. It has to be enjoyable on the street.”

Modern Mopar readers are encouraged to follow Fortuno and Fatchance 2.0 on the Chrysler Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Chrysler (look for the Fatchance 2.0 tab).

On a personal note, Fortuno and I have a long running feud over who makes America’s best hamburger. Of course, being from the West Coast, he sides with In-N-Out Burger. Whereas I have a penchant for Five Guys. Perhaps followers of Modern Mopar Magazine can get on our Facebook page to let Mr. Fortuno know how sorely mistaken he truly is.

What can you say about the Extreme Zone automotive custom shop in India. By the looks of it they’re a cross between Pimp My Ride and West Coast Customs all rolled into one great big ball of outsourced fun. Taking queues from such automotive shows as Overhaulin’, the boys from Extreme Zone have been given the task of transforming an unsuspecting Suzuki four-door into something that oozes with power, performance and custom touches. Unfortunately they fail miserably on all counts. Here in the United States we’re used to custom shops that possess the skills and talent to outfit a car properly, in India though… not so much. Click play and watch as this little four-door is transformed into something that is neither fast nor furious.

The great thing about toys like Hot Wheels cars is that they have the ability to stimulate the imagination at a very young age. Cars like the Deora, the Sizzler series from the 1970′s and the original Twin Mill from 1969 have helped generations of car enthusiasts get their wings. Some of the cars, like the aforementioned Twin Mill are so cool that I suppose it was only a matter of time before they were actually built. What you are seeing here is the real life version of the original design that debuted in 1969. It comes complete with a pair of blown 502 cu inch big block Chevy’s that produce a total of 1,400 horsepower. It’s low slung, raw and the fantasy of every 11 year old kid out there. Obviously the Twin Mill wouldn’t make the best daily driver, but for a weekend cruiser, hell why not. Click through for the video.

Recently, I attended the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Held every May, this show features a vast array of meticulously maintained classic British, European and Japanese cars, exemplary examples of their more modern kin, as well as a beautiful collection of kit cars.  As far as sheer variety in makes, models and years, hands down, this show can’t be beat.

This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.

I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone.  So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!

Lancia Scorpion

Matte black Volvo V70R

Opel GT and Opel Kadett Coupe

Volvo P1800S

Saab 9-3 Viggens

Ferrari 360 Modena and 328GTS

Citroën 2CV and Smart Roadster Coupe

Gorgeous Audi Quattro

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

Twin-charged Audi A1

Volvo S60Rs

Saab 99 Turbo

Badass Volvos: PV544 and 142

DKW Junior de Luxe - DKW/Dampf-Kraft-Wagen became one of the four companies that comprised the "Audi NSU Auto Union AG" (now known as Audi AG).

Triumph TR8 and TR6s

Saab 96 V4 convertible - must have been a custom job.

Bimmer Beauties

Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary Edition

Citroën H Van and DS

Audi A7

Honda Z600 / 600 Coupe

Saab Sonetts

Datsun SPL311 Roadster

Opel GT

Apparently everything is bigger in the great state of Texas. This Nissan Titan’s got stick on chrome, two spoilers, window flares and 16 – count them – 16 exhaust ports. Nothing like going WAY over the top ehh…

Source: Youdrivewhat.com

There are many automotive atrocities, plenty of ill-conceived motorcar mutations created by madmen. Way back in the heyday of Italian industrialism, super-magnate and fashionista Gianni Agnelli had some guys at Zagato chop the top off the infamous Lancia Delta to create the monstrous Delta Cabrio. Now the guys at a shop called HF Il Cavallino have spawned another one.

HF Il Cavallino is a kind of automotive singularity for Lancia Deltas. They repair them, they sell them, they wax nostalgic about them, and they hold Delta worship ceremonies on their site. A few years back they decided to take things to the next level.

The shop decided to recreate industrial-tycoon Gianni Agnelli‘s one-off Delta convertible from scratch. The got the original plans from Zagato and went to work. It took them two years, but they succeeded in creating a two-door, drop-top version of the original Italian hot hatch. For reference, this is a proper Delta:

The Delta was released in 1979. It was designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro (Alfa Romero Giulia, MK I VW Golf, DeLorean DMC-12, Lotus Esprit, and more) to be a sweet little four-door family hatch. Later on it received all-wheel drive and a turbo. The hottest of Deltas was called the Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione II (pictured above). It made 215 horsepower and was right sexy.

The Delta Cabrio has a milder 200-ish horsepower engine and is shockingly hideous. Its rump is clad in slabs of sheet metal that absolutely squash Giugiaro’s design. And that pile of canvas swaddled in vinyl behind the seats? Shocking.

Look, I honestly can’t knock the guys at HF Il Cavallino. They did a remarkable job of recreating the Delta Cabrio. But I can knock the original Delta Cabrio. What a beastly piece of automotive horror that thing was. Besides controlling a full 4.4 percent of Italy’s GDP and 3.1 percent of its industrial workforce, Agnelli was known for is impeccable fashion sense. I’d really like to know what he was thinking when he commissioned the Delta Cabrio.

Source: HF Il Cavallino

In the vast uncharted wilderness of Austria lives an automotive Dr. Moreau, a mad genius who splices cars together to create breathtaking beasts like this unholy union of a ’73 VW Bug and 2000 Porsche Boxster S: The Bugster. The man behind this beauty is Siegfried Rudolf. His shop, CarMaxx, specializes in tuning and restoring VWs and Porsches. Apparently he got the idea for the Bugster after he parked his tuned ’73 Bug next to his wife’s Boxster and noticed the two cars shared a remarkably similar wheelbase.

Rudolf grabbed a Sawzall (or its European counterpart) and went to work. The top half of the Boxster came off. The floorpan of the bug came out. Surprisingly, the bug shell dropped right onto the Boxster floorpan.

Rudolf crafted custom fenders to house 18-inch wheels and bolted in adjustable suspension. The Boxster gave up its dash and other interior bits for the build. The Bug held onto its door panels, crank windows, and glass.

The result is a ’73 bug with 270 horsepower and impeccable street manners. No snap oversteer here.

From a distance you’d be hard pressed to identify this Bug’s Porsche underpinnings. Up close, however, the conspicuously wide fenders and side-mounted air intakes are a dead giveaway. It’s a fantastic build. We salute you, Mr. Rudolf. Keep doing The Lord’s work.

More photos and info below.

Source: bugster.at

This is the Ecosse Titanium Series FE Ti XX, a motorcycle with a price tag that’s almost as big as its name. You see it cost a whopping $300,000 which makes it the world’s most expensive motorcycle, a title which I suppose, someone has to have. I remember way back in 1994 when Ducati first released the stunning 916. It was $12,400 and I thought that was insane, especially when you could go out and buy a new GSX-R for $7,000. This new bike from Ecosse Motorcycles though seeks to take two-wheeled opulence to an entirely new level by trying to get a few uber wealthy enthusiasts to part with some of their moola’. I’ll give the bike some credit though because let’s face it, it’s got some pretty trick bits on it. But 300k… I think not.

In looking at some of the photos you can see that there is an enormous amount of work in these machines. It’s obvious that the craftsmanship is second-to-none, but at the end of the day there are still quite a few off-the-shelf parts. For instance, the front forks are Ohlins, the wheels look to be either O.Z. or carbon units from BST and the engine is most likely a worked S&S mill.

Honestly, the more I look at this bike the more I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand it is stunning with some of the best machining work I’ve ever seen, but on the other $300,000 is the cost of a rather nice home in many parts of the country. I suppose if your funds are unlimited then it may be a consideration to be used as a bragging platform. Otherwise, I think you’d be nuts to spend that kind of loot on a bike.

Source: BornRich.com

Mercedes-Benz super tuner Brabus is known for bringing us some pretty outlandish stuff. From obscenely powered vehicles like the 800 hp Brabus 800 Widestar SUV, to the office minded S600 iBusiness, the people at Brabus not only know how to outfit a vehicle, but how to charge top dollar for them as well. Not ones to rest on their laurels, Brabus has now introduced the new Brabus iBusiness 3D Mercedes-Benz Viano (it’s a mouthful I know). The iBusiness 3D Mercedes-Benz Viano is the ultimate cross between a pimped-out luxury limousine and a fully functioning office space. For example, in what other vehicle can you find a 40-inch 3D capable Sony flat screen TV that has a digital receiver and PS3. It also has full connectivity allowing it to be used as a giant monitor for the pre-installed Mac Mini which has internet connection via UMTS and HSDPA. Oh, and just in case that’s not enough there is also an iPad, iPhone and an iPod, hell, it’s like the entire Apple factory got sick and up-chucked all over the interior of this thing.

There’s also twin reclining luxury armchairs that are clad in soft Bordeaux-red and grey leather, a full mini-bar and a fridge just in case you get hungry. Powering this boxy bad-boy is a 6.1-liter 419 hp V8 that produces 458 lb-ft of torque. This is enough to get your mobile office to 60 mph in under 6 seconds and onto a limited top speed of 155 mph.

Pricing on the Brabus iBusiness 3D Mercedes-Benz Viano has yet to be announced, but you can bet your ass that it’ll cost just as much as a decent sized 5-bedroom house.

Source: Bornrich.com