2008 Saleen Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang

The limited-edition 2008 Saleen Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang features the 465-horsepower supercharged 281-cubic inch engine used in the Saleen S281SC, a five-speed manual transmission with a short throw shifter, and unique styling including a "stinger" hood, "duck-bill" rear spoiler and graphics replicating those on Dan Gurney's 1969 Trans Am series Mustang. This example in Vista Blue 9one of the only three colors available, spotted at Cruisin' Sherwood on June 13, 2009, is #53 of only 300 to be produced.

Race Car Driver Dan Gurney is one of only two drivers to win Grand Prix, Indy Car, NASCAR and Sports Car races (Mario Andretti is the other) and is the only US citizen to win a Grand Prix in a car of his own construction. He won a total of 51 races in his 15 year racing career, including 7 Formula One races, 7 Indy Car races, 5 NASCAR Winston Cup races and Trans-Am, Can-Am and Sports Car races at Nuerburgring, Daytona, Sebring and LeMans. He has finished on the podium an additional 47 times, including 2 second-place finishes at the Indianapolis 500.

1957 Pontiac Chieftain Catalina

In 1957, the Cheiftain was Pontiac's entry-level model. But being as Pontiac was a distinct step up from Chevrolet, even the entry-level Chieftain was available as a Catalina hardtop coupe, while in the Chevrolet line only the mid-range Two-Ten and flagship Bel Air were available as hardtop Sport Coupes. 1958 would be the last year for the Chieftain name; in 1959, Pontiac's entire entry-level line would be named Catalina and the hardtop coupes would be called Sport Coupes like their Chevrolet cousins.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

I've already discussed the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro in an earlier post, but here's a look at the SS version of the 2010 Camaro, spotted at Cruisin' Sherwood on June 13, 2009.

Standard equipment for the Camaro SS includes the 400-horsepower LS3 V8 engine with 400 foot-pounds of torque and a six-speed manual transmission. Options on this example include ground effects, 21-inch black wheels, and sunroof. The window-tinting and blackened emblems are aftermarket.

1994 Dodge Viper

This 1994 Dodge Viper was at Cruisin' Sherwood on June 13, 2009. It is typical of the first generation of the Viper from 1992 to 1995. Powered by an 8.0-Liter V10 engine with a 6-speed manual transmission, the Viper offered performance that far surpassed the American competition, at a price that was lower than European exotics.

The Viper's 8-Liter V10 engine was designed as a cast-iron truck engine, but made its debut in the 1992 Viper with an aluminum-alloy block and heads. The truck version didn't appear until 1994. In the first generation Viper, the engine produces 400 horsepower and 465 foot-pounds of torque. The Viper would accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds and would reach 100 in 9.6 seconds and reach a top speed of over 180 miles per hour.

Aside from its performance, the Viper was quite no frills. It featured side curtains of fabric and clear plastic instead of side windows and a manual soft top that folded to fit in the trunk instead of a more typical convertible top. The Viper also lacked traction control and anti-lock brakes, and air conditioning did not become available as an option until 1994. This would change with the 1996 debut of the second generation Viper, which not only included many of these features, but was also available as a fixed-roof coupe.