2008 Roush Mustang GT-V - Thrilling For Oil

Horse Sense: Five finalists will be selected from entries at www.valvolinechallenge.com to attend the Hot Import Nights event in Miami on December 20, 2008. One will come away with possession of the Roush GT-V.

First off, it's called the Roush Mustang GT-V, and yes, you could win it, but no, it's not really a serialized Roush. At least not completely. But as our photos attest, that doesn't make it any less cool.

Now that we've dangled the giveaway carrot, we should tell you right off the bat that the contest is known as the Valvoline Challenge, and you can enter by going to www.valvolinechallenge.com. But you better hurry, as this rather impressive rolling prize will be given away on December 20. When you head online, you'll be asked to take a short motor oil quiz. Assuming you pass that little hurdle, the next step is to send in a photo of your current ride, and explain in 20 words or less why you should be the one to win the GT-V. So-20 words in exchange for a badass 445hp 'Stang? Sounds like a deal to us.

Not surprisingly, the stylized "V" in the name refers to Valvoline, the familiar oil outfit that signed the checks for this one-off Mustang's transformation. Valvoline is the presenting sponsor of the various Hot Import Nights and Nightshift car-culture events, so this isn't the first ride the company's ever given away, but it's certainly the first Mustang.

In conceptualizing the final form of its GT-V project-the theme of which is the merging of classic American muscle with "the young tuner's mentality"-Valvoline left the overall design concept in the capable hands of RJ de Vera. If de Vera isn't exactly a household name in Pony-land, it's probably because the 30-ish designer/entrepreneur/photographer/writer/actor (he played Danny Yamato in The Fast and The Furious) is most often associated with the import-tuner scene.

That said, we happen to think his first attempt at styling a custom Mustang GT shows a pretty clear understanding and appreciation of the steed's storied history-sort of tuner S197 meets '65 Shelby. The GT-V's blue-over-white livery is obviously historic, yet timelessly modern, and there's nary a trace of underbody neon to be found.

Built by Street Concepts in Anaheim, California, the GT-V exterior mingles styling enhancements from Roush (rear spoiler and quarter-window louvers) and Veilside (front and rear fascias, side skirts, door panels, grille intake funnels, and hood) for a look that is aggressive without being totally over the top. Ride height and that deep fascia will no doubt discourage curb hopping, but altitude can always be adjusted by way of the car's H&R coilovers. These are teamed with Roush antiroll bars, front and rear, so we can only guess that handling will be as crisp as its looks. Braking, too, should be top notch, what with the 14-inch/six-piston Roush setup on the nose, teamed with slotted rotors on the rear axle.

Though the project in fact started off as an '08 GT, the engine bay now replicates that of a Roush 427R, with the Roots-based Roushcharger doling out about 445 flywheel horsepower. Obviously, all of the fuel/air/tuning strategies needed to support that power level-about 145 ponies more than stock-are in place. Also, various Roush billet aluminum caps help brighten the underhood vista.

The Roush touch continues indoors with Jack's floor mats, white-face gauge cluster, doorsill plates, carbon-fiber dash kit; short-throw shifter, and four-piece aluminum pedal-trim kit. Oh, and let's not overlook the always desirable trunk-mounted Roush tool kit.

Perhaps the most obvious aspect of the interior makeover is the striking blue Alcantara reupholstery job on the front and rear seats and door panels, which matches the exterior striping, not to mention Valvoline's corporate color scheme. Less obvious but no less important is the double-DIN-size Kenwood head unit with navigation functions. The entertainment system is finished off with Arc Audio amps and speakers.

Justifiably proud of his handiwork, RJ de Vera says: "I'm very happy with how the new Roush GT-V came out. I believe we have succeeded in producing an automobile that any car nut would love to have in his or her garage."

And we here at 5.0&SF can find no flaw in that statement. We're all for onshore oil thrilling...