The Brute Ute returns

Bolting a custom-built tray body to a modified TJ-series Jeep Wrangler Unlimited American Expedition Vehicle Conversions has created a ute fit for carrying all your kit and caboodle to the furthest edges of the map.

The offroad biased model was shown at SEMA in 2011, but has origins back as far as 2002. Since that time been it has been modified not only to fit the 1500mm tray bed – the result of extending the chassis some 584mm – but has also become a show piece for the latest add-on four-wheel drive kit.

“The Brute Double Cab is built from a combination of production and prototype parts, and while it came together great for the [SEMA] show, it was far from a production model,” explained AEV President and Lead Designer Dave Harriton. “Fast forward a few months, and the first parts of the final sheetmetal for the cab have just hit my desk for review, and I’m happy to report that they look great… This build will be used to develop the vehicle build process that will be used for production volumes.”

AEV has yet to announce a price for the conversion, but says production should commence at the end of the year. It is currently tweaking the chassis and suspension to improve the ute’s carrying capacity.

via: carsales

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"High Gear" Mustang chosen to be SEMA's first all-female build

Ford designer Jennifer Seely's "High Gear" Mustang concept will debut at the 2012 SEMA show this fall after collecting the most online votes out of three female-created Mustang concepts.

The SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, a partnership between Ford Motor Co. and the Specialty Equipment Market Association, will begin transforming a 2013 Ford Mustang GT into the High Gear concept with an all-female team.

The car features rosegold trim, satin black body, quilted suede seats and will arrive with additional modifications to the engine, suspension, drive train and sound system. Seely also added "angel eyes" to her concept, which are the horizontial lights across the headlamps to give it a distinctive daytime appearance.

The build begins in July by a group of aftermarket specialists. After the car is shown at the SEMA show, it will be auctioned off on eBay to raise money for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

'High Gear' Chosen as Concept for First-Ever SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women
DEARBORN, Mich., June 6, 2012 – Thousands of fans voted for a satin-black, luxury Ford Mustang concept in the first-ever SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. The project – a collaboration between Ford Motor Company and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) – invited the public to view three concepts online and vote for the one they would like to see built by a group of women volunteers.

Known as "High Gear," the winning concept was designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford.

Inspired by international products in categories such as jewelry, couture clothing and architecture, High Gear is meant to stimulate the senses by fusing luxury and power. Highlights include rose-gold chrome accents throughout the exterior and interior; satin-black body; plush, quilted suede seats and a leather-wrapped interior. Modifications will also be made to the engine, undercarriage, drivetrain and sound system.

"We appreciate our readers and fans helping us determine which concept will be used for this very exciting project," said Doug Evans, executive vice president of Source Interlink Media (SIM). SIM, a partner in the project, hosted the voting on several of its websites and will also host the physical build at its El Segundo, Calif., headquarters.

"The concept selected by everyone who voted is amazing," Evans added. "It will be very exciting to see the vehicle transformed in just eight short weeks by this dedicated group of women. The drive and talent this collaboration of women from the SEMA Business Network (SBN), Ford and Source Interlink Media brings to this project is nothing short of phenomenal."

As title sponsor of the project, Ford donated a 2013 Ford Mustang GT. Women members of SBN will perform the hands-on modifications from July to August. The finished car will debut at the 2012 SEMA show in Las Vegas, then be auctioned on eBay to raise money for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket leaders and innovators.

The SBN Vehicle Build Task Force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford), Assembly Coordinator Kellie Colf (eTool Developers), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene), Joel Ayres (Bedslide) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).

To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.sema.org/SEMAMustangBuild.

Via: Ford

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Vote for your favorite all-female Ford Mustang showcar for SEMA

A woman's place is in the garage – and some people want to keep them there.

The SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women was created by Ford Motor Co. and the Specialty Equipment Market Association to create a pony car designed by and built by women.

But before a group of volunteers pull out their wrenches and pop a few beers in the garage, they need the general public to pick the car they'll create.

Whichever Mustang gets the most votes will be built by an all-female crew and shown off at the SEMA show in Las Vegas later this year.

The three finalists include:

• High Gear: A luxury Mustang concept inspired by couture clothing, jewelry and buildings. It's supposed to fuse muscle and power.

• Chormatic: Uses neon colors and anthracite chrome to create a futuristic version that was inspired by street art.

• Fast Metal: Symbolizes raw speed and power, using unique tone on tone dark metallic finishes with red accents.

Votes can be cast at HotRod.com and additional coverage about the vehicles can be found at AutomobileMag.com, MustangMonthly.com and MuscleMustangFastFords.com. The full press release is posted below. 

Voting Now Open to Determine Final Design of First-Ever SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women

DEARBORN, Mich., May 24, 2012 – Voting is now open to help select the final concept for the first-ever SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. To vote now through June 3, the public is invited to visit: http://www.hotrod.com/all-female-mustang-build-ford-sweepstakes/ to view three different design concepts and vote on the one they would like to see used for the build. Voters will be entered into drawings to win several prizes.

Announced earlier this week, the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women is a collaboration between Ford Motor Company and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). Led by the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN), a 2013 Mustang GT donated by Ford will be completely modified using the winning design from start to finish by women.

Beginning with three concepts developed by women designers and concluding with women volunteers performing the hands-on modifications, the project is meant to shine light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and to encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

The three concepts are:

High Gear: Designed by SBN Member, Jennifer Seely of Ford Motor Company, High Gear – a luxury Mustang concept – is inspired by international products in categories such as jewelry, couture clothing and architecture. Designed to stimulate the senses by fusing luxury and power, the results are fresh and exciting, propelling Mustang into a whole new arena

Chromatic: Designed by SBN Member, Jennifer Seely of Ford Motor Company, the ultimate pop culture edition Mustang takes a futuristic design approach drawing inspiration from such pop culture elements as street art and products for an exciting color palette that is free of all boundaries and disciplines. The anthracite-colored chrome body as a base exemplifies the neon colors bringing this Mustang to life. Design details include anthracite-colored chrome exterior, bright cyan wheels and white leather racing interior coupled with an aggressive track suspension and V8 roar

Fast Metal: Designed by SBN Member, Theresa Contreras from L&G Enterprises. Theresa takes the American muscle car to a whole other level using tone-on-tone dark metallic finishes and red accents for a dramatic design that underscores Mustang's DNA, raw speed and power

Source Interlink Media (SIM), a partner in the project, posted the three concepts on several of its websites so the public can vote for the design that will ultimately be selected. The concept with the most votes will be used for the build, which will take place at SIM headquarters in El Segundo, Calif.

"Women play a significant role when it comes to customizing a vehicle," said Bryan Harrison, senior manager of councils for SEMA and project manager on the build. "From purchasing the vehicle and determining what modifications to make, to executing the actual modifications and driving the customized vehicle, women are key players in the entire process. The SEMA Mustang Build demonstrates just how integral women are to customizing today's cars and trucks."

The completed vehicle will debut at the 2012 SEMA show in Las Vegas. The modified Mustang will then be auctioned off on eBay, with money raised to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket leaders and innovators by awarding cash scholarships to winning applicants.

Via: autoblog

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