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Shelby American to host Shelby Vegas bash

The 2014 Shelby Vegas Bash is set to begin April 14, leading right into the 50th birthday celebration of the Mustang Club of America. “With the Shelby Vegas Bash leading into the MCA 50th birthday celebration, we're expecting this year to be bigger and better than ever,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “This will be the first opportunity to host Shelby members and enthusiasts at our new world headquarters in the heart of Las Vegas.” The Pacific Coast Team Shelby Region will start the event with a 300-mile drive from Palm Springs, Calif., to the Shelby headquarters, which will have many cars on display, along with live music and a meet and greet.

GM's historic Willow Run plant closes

After 68 years of arming the nation and putting America on wheels, the Willow Run manufacturing plant in southeast Michigan closed on Thursday. The 5-million-square-foot powertrain plant, owned by Motors Liquidation Corp., the remnants of the former General Motors Corp., has fallen victim to GM's 2009 bankruptcy and subsequent restructuring. About 300 workers left at the plant will either “retire, transfer to another campus or go on layoff,” said Chris Lee, a spokesman for the reorganized General Motors Co.

Ford debuts another Australian hot rod

Ford's Australian-based Performance Vehicles operation has unveiled its fastest car to date—the Falcon-based FPV GT R-spec. To be assembled at Ford Performance Vehicle's headquarters on the outskirts of Melbourne, the rear-wheel drive GT R-spec packs the same engine as the earlier GT335, a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 producing 449 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. But, a range of chassis modifications, including a retuned suspension, wider 19-inch rear wheels and tires and new launch control system are claimed to provide the greater off-the-line speed than any previous model from Ford's Australian outpost.