Chris Lentz has realized his childhood dream of owning a jet-powered pickup. Lentz purchased a turbojet engine from a pilot he met from New York who imported and sold them in the United States. Lentz later bought a 2005 Ford F-150 STX on eBay for $12,000 and fitted his $10,000 Motorlet M-701 turbojet engine into the pickup.

His total cost of construction came in at $25,000.

The Specs

Engines: 4.6L V-8 231 hp; turbojet with 1962 lb of thrust
Weight: 6221 lb
Weight Dist., F/R: 45.6/54.4%
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 8.5 sec; 1/4 mile in 16.3 sec @ 103 mph
Top Speed: 140 mph

Check out a video of Lentz’s jet-powered 2005 Ford F-150 STX after the jump.

Hurst Performance Vehicles announced today it will build two new special-edition Hurst Pontiacs including a 2010 Hurst Pontiac H.O. version of the G8 and the G6 convertible.

While Hurst didn’t provide an technical specs or performance upgrade details, it said that it will hand-build only 52 examples of the 2010 Hurst/Pontiac H.O. as a modern-day version of George Hurst’s “Executive Hot Rod.”

Hurst will also commemorate Doc’s famous Pace Cars and build ten HURST/Pontiac G6 convertibles to be used as parade and special event cars.

Click through for the press release.

Ferrari wrapped up 2008 with the world debut of its Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M, a vehicle that requires no performance upgrades unless you’re Novitec Rosso. The tuner is now offering a limited edition of just 499 performance upgrades for the Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M.

It’s RACE Bi-Compressor engine upgrade offers 696-hp with a maximum torque of 503 lb-ft. That allows the open-top Scuderia Spider 16 M to go from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph.

Performance and handling are enhanced with a push of a button with the hydraulic lift system raising the front by 40 millimeters. The front axle goes back to a normal position at a second push of the button or automatically once the car reaches a speed of 49 mph.

Along with other visual upgrades Novitec Rosso is offering three-piece 20-inch wheels.

Click through for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Novitec Rosso Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M:

The Mustang’s favorite tuning firm Shelby Automobiles has unveiled its new Super Snake package for the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500. The new Super Snake package, to be built in limited numbers, offers enhancements that gives the 2010 Shelby GT500 better handling, styling and higher output ranging from 630-hp to 725-hp.

The prices for the 630-hp package starts at $29,495 (not including the 2010 Shelby GT500) and $33,495 for the 725-hp package. Exclusivity of each unit will be assured as a limited number of Super Snakes will be built at the Shelby’s Las Vegas facility starting later this August.

Click through for the press release for full spec details and the high-res image gallery.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake:

Honda’s tuning arm Mugen Motorsports has released the first official images of the company’s modified Honda Civic Type-R hatchback.

Mugen hasn’t released any details about its tuning package for the Type-R Civic but judging by the two pictures, we will see a wide front spoiler, a new grille, hood vents, plus additional vents behind the front wheels. In standard form the 2.0L 4-cylinder VTEC engine produces 200-hp. Mugen is expected to offer some performance tweaks increasing output to 240-hp.

Pricing is expected to come in upwards of £35k when sales start at the end of 2009. We’d love to have it in the states, but that is not likely to happen - ever.

Mugen Honda Civic Type-R:

- By: Mo Eladawy

Source: CAR

Many know Lee Iacocca as the man who saved Chrysler in the 1980s. Others know him as the man that was responsible for introducing the original Ford Mustang 45 years ago. Today, Iacocca is getting his very own personalized Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang.

Designed by Michael Leone and built by the Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters, only 45 units of the Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang will be built - all painted a special “Iacocca” silver chosen by the man himself.

Based on the 2009 Ford Mustang, two engine options will be offered: a normally-aspirated 4.6L V8 making 320-hp and a supercharged version pumping out 400-hp. Both engines will be covered by Ford’s engine warranty and are mated to a 5-speed manual.

Make the jump for the press release and high-res image gallery.

Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang:

After bringing us a 600-hp SA-600 based on the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, Artisan Performance has teamed up with Reed Speed to offer a high-performance, modified 2010 Ford Mustang GT.

With a pair of GTK350 turbochargers, the V8 Mustang GT puts out an estimated 700-hp to the wheels. The tuning team will also offer upgraded brakes and a new body kit.

The modified Mustang will be sold through Randall Reed stores and will carry Reed Speed SE badge. Sales will begin in the second-half of this year. Look out for the Reed Speed 2010 Ford Mustang at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show.

Reed Speed 2010 Ford Mustang GT:

- By: Mo Eladawy

There was no way that edo competition, tuner of all things Ferrari, was going to leave the beautiful Ferrari California untouched. The tuner today unveiled a new performance and visual enhancement kit for one of the most beautiful cars to come out of Maranello.

With a set of sport catalyst system and some ECU enhancements power from the California’s 4.3L V8 has been increased from 454-hp to 500-hp with a maximum torque of 368 lb-ft. That allows the edo Ferrari California to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 196 mph.

Performance is further enhanced by a custom coil-over KW suspension that allows the drive to adjust the compression and rebound damping at low speeds and high speeds.  The feature has a 3 level control systems.

edo competition also added some cosmetic changes with 21-inch black alloy-wheels.

edo competition Ferrari California:

Hennessey has given us plenty of reasons to fall more in love with the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. After introducing its HPE550 package that gives the 2010 Camaro an outstanding 562-hp, Hennessey engineers are working on the HPE700.

The HPE700 package throws in the LS9 Supercharged V8 that is found in the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, boosting output to 705-hp with a maximum torque of 717 lb-ft.

Today, Hennessey released pictures of HPE700 engine swamp and we have to say, it fits quite nicely. The LS9 upgrade will cost you a whopping $39,500 over the initial price-tag of your Camaro. Hennessey says that it already has 13 orders for the HPE700. It will only offer 24 packages.

Hennessey is also working on an 850-hp and a 1,000-hp twin-turbo upgrade for $54,500 and $59,500, respectively.

Hennessey HPE700 2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

- By: Omar Rana

There aren’t many vehicles that NCE wouldn’t chop the roof off of. After bringing us the convertible versions of the Toyota Prius, Cadillac CTS and the Hummer H3, NCE is back with one convertible that should have been a drop-top from the beginning.

The California based tuning company is now offering a convertible version of the Mercedes-Benz CL AMG Coupe.

If you have the car and the money to go convertible, NCE seems like they’ll chop the roof off anything.

Click through for more pictures.

NCE Mercedes-Benz CL AMG Convertible: