Ken Block returns to terrorize LA in Gymkhana 7

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Ken Block Gymkhana 7

Ken Block is back with his heavily modified Ford Mustang, and he's taking to the streets of sunny Los Angeles for the seventh installment of his traditionally insane, drift-tastic Gymkhana videos.

We covered Block's all-wheel-drive, 845-horsepower Mustang a few weeks back during the annual SEMA extravaganza in Las Vegas. We'll admit, we were curious about what this fantastically modified 1965 Mustang would be capable of, and now that we've seen it driven in anger through the streets of LA, we're far from disappointed.

The stunts in this latest installment are a step above even Block's typical fare, and include everything from a seriously close encounter with a lowrider that has major ups to an automotive dance session with the LAPD. There's even an homage to one of the 5-0's most iconic chases. Aside from that, Block makes his way through many LA landmarks, including Randy's Donuts, Chinatown and the Hollywood sign.

Continue reading Ken Block returns to terrorize LA in Gymkhana 7

Ken Block returns to terrorize LA in Gymkhana 7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2014 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block’s 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR and CR Supercars Villain are retro done right

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Ken Block's 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR

Gymkhana king Ken Block has had a pretty simple car history in his trademark videos, starting out with Subaru Impreza rally cars before moving into Ford Focus racers for the past four installments. His next video, though, Gymkhana Seven, kind of goes back in time.

Rather than the cutting-edge rally racers of past videos, Block will pilot a heavily modified 1965 Ford Mustang, called the Hoonicorn. How heavily modified is it? Well, Block's Hooligan Racing Division, ASD Motorsports and Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR, spent two years working on it, ditching the standard engine and rear-wheel-drive layout and replacing it with a 410-cubic-inch Roush Yates V8. Yes, that's a NASCAR engine, and it produces 845 horsepower.

A NASCAR-powered Mustang would be news in itself, but it's the other powertrain changes made by Block and Co. that really makes headlines. Power is channeled through a one-off Sadev transmission and all-wheel-drive system, meaning that Block has basically married a NASCAR stock car with a WRC racer. ASD also developed the customized suspension, tubular chassis and roll cage. The wide Mustang body is the work of RTR and Block's own Hoonigan Racing Division, while the 18-inch fifteen52 wheels are shod in Pirelli Trofeo R tires that use a specialized compound exclusive to Block.

CR Supercars Villain MustangAnother cool classic custom Mustang on display at SEMA comes courtesy of CR Supercars, a new division of Classic Recreations. Seen at right, the so-called Mustang Villain boasts composite bodywork grafted atop an original 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback. Power comes from a 5.0-liter Coyota V8 engine, and those 420 horses are sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed Tremec transmission. Handling prowess is enhanced through a completely reworked chassis that relies on modern suspension bits and pieces.

We have a full battery of images available of both vehicles above and below, while you can scroll down to take a look at the official press releases from Block, Hoonigan and CR Supercars.

Continue reading Ken Block's 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR and CR Supercars Villain are retro done right

Ken Block's 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR and CR Supercars Villain are retro done right originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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