Latest news with #Hoonicorn
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Museum Exhibit Honors Ken Block's Lasting Legacy
Read the full story on Backfire News If anyone had doubts about the lasting impact the late Ken Block has had on the car hobby, a new museum exhibit should clear things up. Hosted at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, 'People's Champ: The Impact of Ken Block' celebrates the man and his incredible contributions to motorsports and casual part of the exhibit, visitors will be able to see numerous vehicles owned by Block all in one place. Not only will his rally race cars be on display, so will rides used in the wildly popular Gymkhana films as well as some of the man's personal vehicles. The museum in a release calls this 'the most comprehensive public display of Block's collection every assembled.' One of the highlights is unsurprisingly the Hoonicorn, a 1965 Ford Mustang RTR famously used in Gymkhana SEVEN and Gymkhana TEN. Fans will also be happy to see Hoonipigasus, a 2022 Porsche 911 SVRSR which was built for the rigorous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2022. Going back further in his career, we'll see the car that stared in Gymkhana ONE, a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, plus a 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI used in Gymkhana TWO. Not only will the public be able to get up close to some of Ken Block's cars, the display space has been fashioned to mimic the man's race headquarters and offices located in Park City, Utah. Photos and memorabilia never seen in public before will also be shared in the exhibit, adding to the draw for fans. The official public opening of 'People's Champ: The Impact of Ken Block' will be Saturday, February 15. Per Petersen Automotive Museum, the exhibit will run until October 2025. Image via Larry Chen/Petersen Automotive Museum
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mustang Build Was Inspired By The Hoonicorn
Read the full story on Backfire News Even though he passed on over two years ago, Ken Block is still inspiring people, like this classic Mustang build which is in the same vein as the Hoonicorn. To be honest, we're surprised we haven't seen more Hoonicorn clones, but maybe those will be coming. For now, we can admire this one, which is very well by a shop called Restomod Mustangs for a client who settled upon the direction for the car at the time of Block's untimely passing. The idea was to make it fun and hit hard, but also prioritize comfort, drivability, and reliability. That's not such an easy balance to strike. Under what's left of the hood is a 401ci small block Windsor V8 with twin 72mm turbos. In its current tune, which isn't very aggressive, it's making 600-whp. Considering a lot of the body components are made of fiberglass and other lightweighting has been done, that's plenty of power. Behind the engine is a T56 Magnum transmission and a 3.80:1 ratio for the rear. Plus there's a four-link suspension in the rear. Supposedly, it handles tight, which with all that power is almost essential if you don't want to be constantly wrestling the car for control. Unlike the Hoonicorn, this Mustang wasn't built for drifting, so that might be disappointing to some. But not everyone wants to drift and it sounds like this client wanted a good cruiser that allowed for some fun now and then. The interior looks comfortable and functional, with nothing too over-the-top other than a screen replacing the gauge cluster and another one sitting in the center stack. We don't expect everyone will love this build, but it's different and yet familiar since it's inspired by a famous car. Images via Autotopia LA/YouTube
