Autoblog UK

Since 2004, a string of muscle cars from the sixties and seventies have been making a comeback. Mustangs, Challengers and Camaros can again be found in places other than America. Iconic names bristling with new technology sell well. All that's actually still missing is a retro version of the Firebird, Pontiac's last great cult car.

In 2009, General Motors announced Pontiac's demise due to the worldwide economic crisis. Unfortunately for fans, there won't be a successor to the Firebird. But in the USA, there's one customizer itching to turn dreams into reality. For many years, drag racer John Lingenfelter has belonged to the cream of the US tuning scene. At the SEMA show in Las Vegas, the Indiana-based tuner displayed a Pontiac 455 T/A built on Chevrolet Camaro underpinnings. Lingenfelter intends to gauge the public's response before finally deciding whether to put the Firebird into production. One thing in favour of this relaunch must surely be the performance of the V8 engine under the shaker scoop that should put out 655bhp.

Iconic tuning brand Gordini is set to return. French manufacturer Renault announced in Paris that the Gordini name will be reintroduced for a new series of high-powered small cars. Renault Sport is to develop these models. First car in the new Gordini line-up will be a converted 133bhp Twingo Sport. Model launch is scheduled for late November and sales will commence in spring 2010. A second 201bhp Gordini-badged car will be unveiled in 2010, based on the Clio RS.

The current wave of nostalgia should increase sales for the French marque. The Gordini name has been synonymous with fast cars from France since the Thirties. Amedee Gordini, born 1899 in Italy, even built Formula One racing cars. Gordini's biggest success came in 1964 with the Renault R8, which secured four out of five top places on the Tour de Corse rally.

Apart from souped-up cars, the SEMA Show in Las Vegas has, of course, the hottest girls of any motor show in the world. Some of the girls' body bits are far superior to any of the cars. This is Part 2 of Motor Show Girls in Las Vegas...

A quite special hot rod was on display at the SEMA Tuning show, a1934 Ford EcoBoost Hot Rod. This superb example is from tuning company, Detroit Street Rods. It's the first rear-wheel-drive EcoBoost car ever. Under its blue bonnet, a 3.5-liter V6 lump from Ford's EcoBoost range pumps out a colossal 400bhp. A ZZ Top album is ready and waiting in the CD player.

At the SEMA Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) from 3rd - 6th November, the focus was on gas guzzlers – muscle cars, hot-rods, souped-up compact cars, mainly Japanese, and refined luxury European motors. But of course, there were also other highlights, sporting high heels. Here is Part One of Girls in Las Vegas...

At the world's motor shows these days, it's usually eco-cars and fuel efficient vehicles that are in the spotlight, but not at the SEMA in Las Vegas. It's all very different at the biggest tuning show in the world. Tuning experts of all kinds display their latest offerings at the SEMA Show, which this year extends to 180,000 square metres. By way of comparison, September's motor show in Frankfurt occupied around 190,000 square metres. This tuning show has been around since1967. It is not open to the public but is trade only. Manufacturers, tuners and dealers are at home here, whilst numerous professional backstreet tuners add to the lively scene. The Show is the 'Fashion Week' of the custom car industry.

Take 50% Camaro and 50% Corvette and you get a Ghepardo. Of course, this combination can only be found at the SEMA Tuning Show. Tuning experts at Caccia Custom Cars took a 2002 Chevy Camaro and a Chevy Corvette and created the Ghepardo. Chassis is courtesy of the Camaro, whilst engine and suspension are Corvette. The front end is a bit like the new Lexus and the rear is quite muscular. This 'Chevy on Chevy' is a real looker...

At motor shows around the world, exhibitors have recently vied with each other to present an image of modesty. Not so in the US gambling mecca of Las Vegas where the biggest names in auto tuning are currently flexing their muscles at the SEMA convention (3rd - 6th November). The American tuning and accessories industry had a turnover of over $30bn last year, a trend that looks set to continue. The abbreviation SEMA stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association. Trade representatives from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the event which is being held on 180,000 square metres of exhibition space.

There are around 2,000 exclusive models on display. This show has the lot, from beefed-up muscle cars and pick-ups to show cars and the full gamut of tuning components. To nobody's surprise, the Mustang once again registers as the most 'pimped' vehicle, with no fewer than eight different versions of the sports car on display. Probably the most interesting of these comes from the Ford Racing Team, who are producing the Mustang Cobra Jet in a limited edition of fifty units. Every single one of the 2010 version has been sold already, so a wistful glance at the gallery below will have to suffice.

From 3rd to 6th November, the US Tuning Elite are convening at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Jay Leno is a popular TV star (Jay Leno Show) in America and an avid car collector. His specially tuned Camaro can be seen at the SEMA Show. This racer is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6L direct injected V6, pumping out around 425bhp. Of course, the Leno Camaro has also had a visual makeover in the guise of a new front spoiler with integrated air intakes for brakes and a bonnet lid sporting huge air vents.

Swiss luxury tuners Mansory took the opportunity of the Frankfurt Motor Show to unveil their 'Chopster' which is based on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Now Mansory have set their sights on the Panamera. The Porsche family car gets a complete redesign with new bonnet and boot. The whole vehicle is handcrafted from carbon fibre and polyurethane. So far, only computer sketches are available – albeit very appealing ones. The new upgraded Panamera should be ready to make its debut in around three months' time. Although Mansory have published the first images, we still await a price list.