2003 Ford F550 Xlt Crew Cab Flatbed on 2040-cars

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Galpin-Fisker Rocket shows up topless in Monterey

The Rocket Coupe, introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, was a collaboration in reimagination carried out by designer Henrik Fisker and Galpin Auto Sports on a Ford Mustang. The next version of that concept has come to Pebble Beach in the metallic red form of the Rocket Speedster Concept you see here. In this guise the Mustang convertible gets a speedster tonneau cover that runs all the way to the front seat headrests, covering the back seats. As with the rest of the bodywork the cover is fashioned in carbon fiber, portions of it visible in places like the stripes running along the hood from the hexagonal grill to the tonneau, and the exposed carbon fiber air ducts that are mesh-filled to improve airflow through the cabin. And yes, it still has that nose. Underhood is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 725 horsepower, all that cavalry brought to a stop by 15-inch Brembo Gran Turismo brakes up front tucked behind 21-inch custom wheels. Although it is labeled a concept, it too will go into limited production like its hardtop forebear. The press release below has the info, the gallery above has the goods. Related Video: GALPIN FORD AND HENRIK FISKER UNVEIL ROCKET SPEEDSTER CONCEPT AT 2015 PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE Acclaimed Automotive Designer and Visionary Customizer turn the Ultimate Mustang into a Stunning Speedster MONTEREY, Calif. (August 15, 2015) – Galpin Auto Sports and Henrik Fisker unveiled the latest iteration of the "Ultimate American Muscle Car" today at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance; the 2015 Rocket Speedster Concept. Following a short drive onto the legendary Pebble Beach Concept Lawn, Henrik Fisker and Galpin Motors President, Beau Boeckmann introduced the convertible carbon fiber-bodied super-Mustang, intended for low-volume production. The car was featured as one of only a few special designer cars in front the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Featuring a fully integrated carbon fiber speedster cover that transforms the four-seat convertible into a two-seat speedster, this new edition Rocket maintains exceptional visual drama and performance with the top up or down. As with the Rocket Coupe, the Concept carries a carbon fiber hood feeding air into the supercharged 725-hp V8 engine through two sculpted air intakes, aiding the grill and front splitter in maintaining optimal cooling and aerodynamics. Constructed by GFMI Metalcrafters, Inc.

Takata air bag recall list

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed yesterday that 33.8 million vehicles with Takata airbags are going to be recalled. It's the largest recall in automotive history. The already record-breaking rate of automotive recalls this year shows no signs of slowing down, especially since millions of cars with defective airbags made by global supplier Takata are under ongoing scrutiny. The federal government is warning owners that inflator mechanisms in the air bags can rupture, causing metal fragments to fly out when the bags are deployed. The faulty air bags have already been blamed for multiple deaths. How do you know if your vehicle is safe? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released an updated list of vehicles under recall. Sometimes however, the government's website will crash and the list may not be complete. Check your VIN at the NHTSA website to make sure. The list of cars affected by the recall has not been released, but seem to span multiple models over the years for many of the automakers.

Ford recalling 370,000 Crown Vic, Grand Marquis and Town Car models

The Detroit News is reporting that Ford will recall some 370,000 Crown Victoria (pictured), Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car vehicles from model years 2005 through 2011, for an issue regarding the lower intermediate steering shaft. 355,000 of the vehicles in question were sold in the US, with the other 15,000 sold in Canada.
The report indicates that corrosion of the lower intermediate steering shaft could cause a "loss of steering," presumably because of a partial or complete failure of the part. The report points out the dealers will inspect and replace the offending steering component for recalled cars, and may also secure a lower steering column bearing and replace the upper intermediate steering shaft as needed. The company is unaware of any reports of the faulty part causing any accidents or injuries.
Ford helpfully lists states in which corrosion is more likely to have taken place, mostly in the Snow Belt, as you might guess. Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia are listed.