Newman spent some jack on a cool ride:
Total Performance Inc. (TPI), one of the nation’s premier builders of limited production muscle cars, recently delivered a 1967 “Pit Viper” Mustang to Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl cornerback, Terence Newman. Part of TPI’s “Venom Series,” Newman’s vehicle is Serial No. 002 and one of only 25 Pit Vipers that will be built by TPI at its Wichita, Kan., mod shop. One of the most sought after Mustangs in the world, the Pit Viper combines the legendary styling cues of the vintage 1967 Mustang with modern technology and performance upgrades. TPI is currently taking orders for the custom Mustang.
“I first saw the Pit Viper in Dallas and instantly fell in love,” said Newman. “Brook Phillips and his team at TPI have taken great care of me and they’re just a phone call away if I have any questions. The Pit Viper, which I named ‘Serena,’ is especially popular at our training facility in Valley Ranch. We’re holding a contest on the Dallas Cowboys Web site where fans can watch a video and vote for their favorite custom car driven by a player.”
Highlights of the metallic charcoal grey Mustang start under the hood, where a 427cid, all-aluminum, small block Ford engine cranks out 575 horsepower. Additional performance specs include a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission, 13-inch Baer brakes, power rack and pinion steering, high performance rear and side exhaust, full race suspension and a Ford 9-inch rear end.
The Pit Viper’s smooth, tight body includes a steel custom hood, air scoops and bumpers, as well as a custom dash, console, roll-cage, racing harness and mini-tubbed rear wheel wells. The Michelin Pilot Sport tires are wrapped around 20-inch chrome Foose wheels. The interior includes Carroll Shelby-embroidered bucket leather seats and Shelby signature gauges, as well as amenities like air conditioning, power windows and locks and a custom stereo system.
To create the Pit Viper, TPI starts with an original 1967-1968 Mustang and strips the car down to the body shell. TPI’s fabricators, painters and engineers then go to work to build the ultimate custom Mustang that retains the VIN from the donor car.
