Maxxd.com – Modified and Performance Car News

  • 1953 Hudson Hornet cruises in to Jay Leno’s Garage

    In the early 1950s, the hottest American performance car didn’t come from Ford, General Motors, or Chrysler. Featured on Jay Leno’s Garage, this 1953 Hudson Hornet represents the automaker’s brief moment in the performance spotlight.

    Hudson’s “step-down” design gave the Hornet a lower center of gravity, which improved handling. It also allowed for a lower floor (you literally step down when getting in), which in turn let designers give the Hornet a low, sleek roofline while maintaining an acceptable amount of headroom.

    When it debuted for the 1951 model year, the Hornet stood out from the more conservatively styled models from the Big Three automakers. It also offered impressive performance for the time.

    1953 Hudson Hornet on Jay Leno's Garage

    1953 Hudson Hornet on Jay Leno’s Garage

    Superior handling, combined with a potent-for-the-time 308-cubic-inch 170-hp inline-6, made the Hornet very competitive in NASCAR racing. A Hornet stock car even served as the inspiration for Doc Hudson, the character voiced by Paul Newman in the animated film “Cars.” The engine sported “Twin H-Power,” which was Hudson-speak for dual single-barrel carburetors, but Jay said Hudson’s downfall was caused in part by its failure to develop a V-8.

    However, Hudson wasn’t able to keep its streak of innovation going. The automaker stubbornly stuck with its flathead inline-6 as other automakers adopted overhead-valve V-8s, and that lessened its appeal, Leno said. Hudson merged with Nash to form AMC in 1954, and a badge-engineered Hornet based on Nash mechanicals was introduced. The Hudson brand disappeared altogether in 1957.

    Leno owned a Hornet while growing up in Boston. This isn’t that car, but he has had it for about 25 years. Leno said it only had about 15,000 miles when he got it, but the car has nonetheless been fully restored. This isn’t the only Hornet in Leno’s vast collection; he has a four-door version, too.

    Watch the full video for a lot more on the history of the Hudson Hornet and for the chance to see Jay take the car out on California roads.

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  • NOVITEC MCLAREN 765LT UNVEILED

    Thought the 765LT was fast enough? Think again. The Novitec McLaren 765Lt gets almost 850bhp taking its 0-60mph time down to 2.5 seconds and a top speed of over 205mph.

    Last week we shared a video of a stock McLaren 765LT smashing the production car 1/4 mile drag record with a 9.3 second pass. This week, Novitec decided that the 765LT wasn’t quite fast enough so it went ahead and began making changes.

    Novitec McLaren 765LT

    First up we have a fettled with ECU that makes use of an upgraded thermally-insulated Inconel exhaust system as well as ceramic-coated turbo inlet pipes to fight off heat and 100-cell sport cats. This pushes peak power to 843bhp and 662lb ft of torque. That puts it some 89bhp and 72lb up over the regular 765LT. That also means it has a higher power-to-weight ratio than the mighty McLaren P1 (630bhp/tonne vs 600bhp/tonne respectively).

    Novitec McLaren 765LT

    The wheels are built by Vossen and are a staggered approach with 20 inch wheels at the front with a 255mm wide tyre and 21-inch wheels with 325mm wide tyres at the rear.

    The Novitec McLaren 765LT also features sport suspension which can drop the ride height by 20mm. Customers can also opt for carbonfibre headlight inserts, air intake surrounds and a roof scoop.

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  • MANHART MH2 GTR REVEALED WITH 592BHP

    Based on the BMW M2 CS, the Manhart MH2 GTR is the little brother to the MH4 GTR and gets a whopping 592bhp from its 3.0-litre biturbo straight-six engine.

    It’s pretty striking, the MH2 GTR, isn’t it? Donned in BMW M decals and nods to Manhart and various other brands, there’s no mistaking that this BMW M2 CS is no ordinary sports car. New features include a splitter, carbon fibre fenders, carbon fibre rear wing  and new Concave One forged wheels by Manhart.

    Manhart MH2 GTR

    It’s under the bonnet where things get interesting, though, thanks to a new Manhart turbo kit, intercooler (by CSF), aluminium charge pipes, a carbon fibre intake and Manhart sports downpipes and stainless-steel exhaust. With a bit of ECU fettling, power is now at an incredible 592hp with 612lb ft of torque. In order to deal with the extra torque, the transmission has also received a Manhart makeover.

    Manhart MH2 GTR

    To match the performance and looks together, Manhart opted for a suspension upgrade from H&R that drops the ride height and increases cornering dynamics. Wrapped around those 20inch Manhart wheels are 255mm wide Michelin Cup 2 tyres at the front and 295mm wide at the rear.

    Manhart MH2 GTR

    Inside the changes continue with Recaro sports seats, a carbon fibre steering wheel from BMW M Performance and data display in placement of one of the air vents in the centre.

    Want the full performance package without the exterior or interior upgrades? You’ll need to cough up a cool €22,500, roughly £19,800… To transform your CS into the Manhart MH2 GTR pictured above? Try €40,000 or £35,200!


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