BMW Z8 - High Speed - All Cars - Supercharged Shelby Series 1

Pontiac Trans AM FirehawkDude With A 'TudeParticularly in its late'70s-themed black and gold "Smokey and the Bandit" paint package, the SLP's flagrantly curvy version of the Pontiac Firebird is obviously not for the mild nor the meek. This car was built for those American heartlanders with a need for speed, or at least a burning desire to look the part.

Quick, mechanically simple, street rugged, and affordable (especially when measured against this octane and sawbuck-sucking pack), the Firebird is an American-performance icon. Today, the car's reputation is built solidly on the aluminum 5.7L LS1 V-8 tucked under its bulging hood (modified by SLP to produce 335 hp). Be advised that, with just some minor manifold changes, this is essentially the same killer engine used in Chevrolet's base Corvette. Teamed with the nicely gated six-speed manual, this motor is a dominator that forces even Mustang Cobra owners into streetlight submission. (The Cobra R is, of course, a different story.)

But all is not well in 'Bird land. First, extinction looms in just two short years. Second, the car's obviously long jutting nose and saucy deck spoiler seem to beg too strongly for attention. Unfortunately, our staffers found it's most frequently of the law enforcement and juvenile variety-probably not exactly what you want. Third, although much has been done to smooth the car's ride, certain types of rough curves remain problematic, particularly for the car's hip-hopping rear live axle. But the thing work-a-day commuters will see as the F-Body's biggest problem is its tight rear-passenger and cargo space. Today, people want to take the fun equipment and folks along, and this 'Bird was built for traveling light. Burning rubber all the way!

Of all our tests, this is the one anybody can easily do himself. Not that we're advocating it ("always obey vehicle laws," our lawyers made us say). But if you happen to have a stopwatch and a calibrated speedometer...well we can't watch you 24/7. With a trio of our cars breaking into the threes, this is truly a great era. Interestingly, the Shelby does its deed with a front-mounted 4.0L/450-hp supercharged four-valve V-8, while the Ferrari goes the exotic route with a mid-engine 3.6L/395-hp naturally aspirated five-valve V-8, and the Porsche uses a rear-mounted 3.6L/415-hp twin-turbo/intercooled four-valve flat six, also gripping with all-wheel drive. In fourth place, the Viper is a low tech brute by comparison, with its front-mounted 8.0L/460-hp naturally-aspirated two-valve V-10. But any one of 'em is big fun!

Shelby Series 1 SuperchargedCarroll Puts The Pressure On Hislustworthy ASP-KickerFrom the instant the engine lights, you know you're in for a synapse-sizzling ride. The wicked, rumbling rasp injects a squadron of butterflies into your stomach and raises goosebumps on your nether bits. Your anticipation is justified: Carroll Shelby has upped the ante on his normally aspirated Shelby Series 1 roadster, and plans soon to offer a dealer-installed intercooled Vortec centrifugal supercharger system that includes specific cams, a larger throttle body, and recalibrated engine-management software. Motor Trend got first crack at trying his just-completed development prototype.