The name “Desert Runner” is familiar to fans of Nissan’s popular mid-size pickup, the Frontier. As one of five available Frontier models, Desert Runner offers a special package of off-road style features in an affordable 4x2 configuration. But there has never been a Frontier Desert Runner like the one making its debut at the 2019 SEMA Show. Under the hands of the experienced extreme performance specialists at MA Motorsports in Glen Arm, Md., working in tandem with the Nissan Motorsports team, this Desert Runner resembles the factory version in name only – going from weekend adventurer to near full-blown race truck. The conversion started under the hood by replacing the factory 4.0-liter V6 engine with a 5.6-liter Endurance® V8 from a Nissan TITAN full-size pickup. The big V8 underwent a complete race-spec rebuild, including the addition of a Garrett GTX3584RS turbocharger, custom intercooler, Jim Wolf Technology camshafts, pistons and valves, and MA Motorsports custom turbo he...
When we think of dream cars, our minds often race to sleek designs, innovative technology, and that unmistakable feeling of pure, unbridled passion. The GM-X Stiletto encapsulates all of these elements and more, making it a worthy contender in our top ten list. Ranked at number nine, this concept car from 1964 remains a beacon of automotive ingenuity and a symbol of a bygone era that continues to inspire. A Journey Back to the Jet Age To fully appreciate the GM-X Stiletto, we must travel back to the 1950s and '60s, a time when America was captivated by the future. The jet-age was in full swing, and cars were designed with a sense of bold optimism. Under the visionary leadership of Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell, General Motors created vehicles that mimicked the sleek lines and advanced technologies of jet aircraft. The GM-X Stiletto, born in 1964, was a product of this era's boundless imagination. The Visionary Design The GM-X Stiletto was first unveiled at the 1964-1965 World’s...