Sam Posey G5 Challenger a hit at SEMA 2008!

Well we're back from Sema! We still shake our heads and look at each other saying..."..9 WEEKS!!!" That's how much time we had to prototype/tool 2 new bumpers, 2 hoods, 4 rear spoilers, and build 2 cars (including complete color changes) for SEMA! It was a lot of work, a lot of stress, but also a lot of fun. Our hats off to Sam Posey for all of his support and participation for Group 5 Ltd., it truly was a chance of a lifetime to spend time with a true race car driving legend. We had all kinds of folks stop by to see Sam and the show stopping #77 continuation car. Guys that used to race against Sam stopped by to swap racing stories from the past, fans brought photos to sign, and there was even a fan who brought part of his dashboard with him out of his 1970 Dodge Challenger for Sam to sign. We even had celebrities such as Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Johnny Rutherford, Joe Amato, and Steve Saleen to name a few to talk with Sam and see the Posey G5 Chally. Everyone from the Group 5 Team who helped build the car as well as the celebrities took turns signing the underside of the hood to honor Sam and the #77 car.

I have to say one of the best moments of the show was Chris Wilkins of Group 5 Ltd. giving Sam a tour of the new #77 car. Sam loved it! I don't think you could've wiped the smile off of his face. He commented that the car had a good balance of vintage and modern styling, just enough of the old race car blended in with the new car. This was truly an experience I will never forget. Those that don't know, Sam has Parkinson's Disease and each Sam Posey G5 Challenger sold, $1000 goes to benefit Parkinson's Research Foundation.

Team Performance really stepped up and pulled together and got the G5/R Challenger completed and on the SEMA show floor. Special thanks goes to Heath, Tom, and the gang from Team. Group 5 would also like to thank Simon Evans once again for pulling off the impossible laying down a killer paint job in record time! The G5/R is equipped with the Team Performance Twin Turbo System putting down 700 hp, front and rear race-inspired laser waterjet aluminum spoilers, Boss 20" wheels, and the new G5 Challenger flat style hood.

Please check back often as more information on the cars, our sponsors, and some of the custom parts installed to help make the G5 Challenger the super cars they are.

Getting the Posey Chally Ready for display at SEMA

Just thought I'd post a couple more pics of the Posey car up as we are detailing it and getting it ready for the show. Still lots to do but she should be all ready for Sam Posey to see it for the first time. I still can't get over the chin spoiler - 2.5" off the ground!!!

Sam Posey G5 Challenger - Last Minute Details

We loaded up the Sam Posey G5 Challenger and headed over to Chapman Dodge for a basic Dodge recall and have some minor adjustments made. We pull in and within 2-3 minutes we were swarmed.

Even though the hood, roacker panels, front chin spoiler and a couple last minute details aren't on the car yet (Most of it's being completed as I type this) there was a unanomous reaction to the car..."That is AWESOME!" We heard comments from the young guys - "Tight!" and other comments such as unbelievable -others just sat and stared. Everybody wanted to know what it was about, can I get one, can I order parts...we were overwhelmed. Not bad for tooling 2 new bumpers, 2 new hoods, 4 new wings, interior mods, supercharger, one-off strut brace, custom emblems, sound system...on and on...all in about 8 weeks. The Fikse wheels really give the Posey G5 Chally a real Grand Am Cup look. The mufflers clear the ground by about 3.5" and the front aluminum chin spoiler under test fit cleared by about the same. It's in the weeds and belches out harmonious sounds of thunder through the side exit exhaust. When we cranked it up to take it off the trailer, I saw a lot of smiles and even a guy rubbing his arms trying to clear up the goosebumps. We hope Sam will love it.

Sam Posey Edition G5 Challenger Hood - Sneak Peek #2

Hot off my email - here's all the black trim and #77 on the hood. Gloos coat is still not applied yet and then final prep. More to come.

Trans Am Style Hoods for New Challengers Available from Group 5 Ltd.

Shown here is the T/A hood for the Sam Posey G5 Challenger in the paint booth from this morning. Yes, in typical SEMA style we can't break tradition and show up with a car unless paint fumes are still coming off it! This is pretty much the last piece to the Posey G5 Chally puzzle. I'll get to be with the car all day friday to help out with last minute work needed. The black paint should be on the hood today and once the clear has been added I will post a new pic.

Group 5 Limited prototyped, and tooled their own flat hood and T/A hood scoop. The T/A hood will be available to order after SEMA. The hood can be ordered in satin black or painted to your specification. So those of you that are wanting an OEM quality T/A Chally hood for your 2008+ Challenger you can order one from Group 5 Limited.

Exit to the side please!

I was just emailed a pic of the finished side exit exhaust with the heat shield. This is probably one of my favorite details on the whole car. What a way to intimidate the competition - belching thundering decibals and exhaust fumes out the side of your car at 'em at a stoplight!!! Anyways, just another sneak peak. getting close to a full reveal - stay tuned!

G5 Challenger - Facial Reconstruction

Pictured above is a close up of the custom G5 Challenger prototype front fascia. An integrated front chin spoiler, a larger than factory lower grill opening, and smoothed off fog light openings clean up the front end. The lower integrated chin spoiler protrudes out over an inch further than the factory spoiler and is stylized for a more aggresive look. The lower front grill was opened up so that it is about 1.5 inches taller to accomodate more cool air into the radiator, or an intercooler for turbo and supercharged cars.

The styling direction for the G5 front fascia was not to redesign the look of the car completely, but to retain the basic look of the already good looking Challenger. We think it takes the look from muscular to down right threatening!

Chris Wilkins of Group 5 Limited performed all of the exterior prototype parts shaping and fabrication. Precision and quality are second to none when it comes to the G5 Challenger custom composite parts. Group 5 Limited is a licensed automotive manufacturer and is celebrating 20 years in business this year. To see some of the other SEMA show vehicles built make sure to visit www.semashowcars.com

This front bumper assembly is standard on the G5/S, G5/SC, and G5/R. A quick-release laser cut aluminum front chin spoiler (shown on the Sam Posey Challenger SEMA 2008) can be added and is optional on the G5/R and Sam Posey Edition G5 Challengers...more on that later.

Fikse sponsors the Sam Posey G5 Challenger for SEMA '08

We couldn't show up with a race car unless we had race car wheels!!! More than likely we figured most of the other Challengers at SEMA would be going for the plus-sizing look by adding 22" and even 24" wheels and tires. We didn't want that "look" for the Sam Posey G5 Challenger and we were very passionate about executing a common theme on this car - RACING.

Fikse was or first choice for wheels on the Posey car due to the fact that they are artfully designed, precision engineered, and made in the USA since 1992.

Designing and building championship-winning race wheels is the core of everything they do at Fikse USA. They approach wheel fitment as a tailor does a handmade suit--with careful deliberation and lots of measurements. This is what impressed us so much last year, Group 5 Limited was sponsored by Fikse with a set of wheels on the Pantera GT5 SEMA show car. The wheels looked amazing and fit the first time. Not only did they take the time to help us with measuring for wheel fitment but also assisted in selecting the proper tire for the staggered front and rear fitment. This was what we wanted when it came time to select a wheel for the Sam Posey G5 Challenger - race proven performance and a perfect custom tailored fit.

If you haven't had a chance to visit their site or see the fine wheels that Fikse manufactures, please take a moment to visit their site.

http://www.fikse.com/

More of what's to come!

Here's a few more preview pics of some of the parts and details going into the Sam Posey G5 Challenger. Shown is an early prototype laser cut G5 emblem and an "exterior styling" part. These are just a couple of examples of the many parts created for the Sam Posey car and the rest of the G5 Challenger program. Special thanks to DJ Saunders and Micro-tronics for working on this with us. They do some amazing work!

http://www.micro-tronics.com/

Also shown is a set of Kooks Headers and the one of custom made exhaust system by Trinity Mufflers using their deep sounding T-Phlo mufflers. Trinity Mufflers are the official mufflers for the G5 Challenger program.

http://trinitymufflers.com/

http://kooksheaders.com/

Paint by Simon

What's really going to make the Sam Posey G5 Challenger stand out from the crowd is the killer Trans Am race car paint scheme. Whether it's the high impact Sublime Green paint, the big number 77 on the sides, or the custom painted and cleared over racing graphics we hope this will be a car that you walk away from SEMA remembering as one of your favorites!

Simon Evans handled the task of laying down the bright green and black paint scheme as well as the numerous sponsor graphics. The stripes, numbers, and sponsor graphics are all painted on and cleared over to a glass smooth finish. Simon's attential to detail is what will help take the Sam posey G5 Challenger to the next level when it comes to visual overload! I'm very excited to see the #77 car in person because I know these pics do it no justice. Above is another sneak peek of the Posey car in the paint booth with Simon adding some of his personal custom touches to the SEMA bound Challenger. Simon will also be laying down the paint on the Twin Turbo G5/R Challenger that will be displayed in the Snow Performance booth.

Simon Evans has over 20 years experience painting numerous feature cars, including race cars and SEMA showcase vehicles. He is well respected for his teaching and knowledge on large scale applications and lists the Speed Channel, Hot Wheels, and Two Guys Garage among his clients. Simon has also appeared on Overhaulin', Fusion TV, and Streetfire TV Network. In Addition, Simon has traveled all over the country teaching classes, with much success.

For more information about Simon and his his work make sure to check out his page at www.paintbysimon.com

Special thanks goes out to Simon from the team at Group 5 Limited!

Sam Posey Edition G5 Challenger heading to SEMA 2008

Like every year, getting a car built for SEMA can be very overwhelming and stressful. This year is no different and the Challenger is appropriately named. Chris and I have been working on the G5 Challenger program for almost 2 years now.

What really kicked things off was the discussions we had on our five hour trip back to Phoenix leaving Las Vegas. We kicked around ideas for the name and I sketched while we talked. That's when the G5/S and G5/R direction was developed. Then the concept of doing a Sam Posey car came into the mix! We knew right away that that would be the car, if we built it, that could possibly steal the show LOL! We were excited. Next thing you know Sam Posey was on board 100% - WOW - what and opportunity of a lifetime!

Fastforward to today, the car is mostly back together, the paint is about done, wheels are on their way, and parts are showing up and sponsors are coming through! It's a lot of hard work, sleepless nights, but also exciting at the same time. I thought I'd share a couple of pics during the build. For now this is what I am able to post. I'll continue to post more pics as we get closer to SEMA.

The Sam Posey G5 Challenger will be in the Group Five Limited Booth #23679 located in Hot Rod Alley. Sam Posey will be there with the car so make sure you come by and relive some old racing memories or come meet Sam for the first time and make some new ones. We'd also love to give you a tour of the Sam Posey car as well as talk to you about what Group 5 has planned for production G5 Challengers.

The G5/R Twin Turbo Challenger will be located in the Snow Performance Booth #25157 located in the Racing and Performance Section. Team Performance really stepped up and helped us out with one of their Challengers. If you really wanna see one sinister looking Challenger producing tons of boosted performance you need to stop by and check this bad boy out. This car is a pretty good indication of what a top of the line G5/R Challenger can be.