Aftermarket action
Cars for your walls
The Linear Edge is known for its variety of race-track wall art (Wall Tracks) depicting well-known street and roadcourse venues. Each piece is made from Baltic birch over a laminated plywood base. Using the same process, the company has now expanded its line to include race- and collector-car pieces. Subjects include Formula One, Formula e and Indycar racecars as well as classic AC Cobra, Ford GT 40, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and Pontiac GTO, to name just a few. All would make interesting conversation pieces when displayed in a den, office or garage (using the supplied Velcro mounting strip). Each 16-by-20-inch piece sells for $125 including shipping within the continental United States. View the full range at www.linearedge.com.
Avoid hitch pain in the knee
Just about everyone who has a trailer hitch installed on their vehicle has injured their shin or kneecap on the receiver. A simple remedy is the ShinShield. This protective cover is made from a special polymer compound that the manufacturer claims will remain soft from -40 F to +150. ShinShield installs between the ball and most standard 2.5-inch (class-5) receivers (rated for up to 17,000 pounds of gross trailer weight and 1,700 pounds of tongue weight). ShinShield sells for $20 and $25 with the logo of your favorite sports team. Order at www. hitchsolutions.net.
New-school old-school ’Stang
Retrobuilt Motors takes your 2005’14 Mustang coupe or convertible and turns it into what looks very similar to a 1969 Boss 302, Shelby GT500 or 1967 Mustang “Eleanor”. All body panels are made of fiberglass, and then Retrobuilt adds authentic-looking metal bumpers, rear window louvers (coupe) plus original-style mirrors, side marker lights, wheels and decals. The grille is finished in stainless-steel trim. Buyers can add an optional racing package that includes a supercharger for the 5.0-liter V8, lowered ride height and bigger brakes. Prices start in the mid-$30,000 range, not including the donor car that you supply. Get the full story at www.retrobuilt.com.
Socks that provide traction
The AutoSock is a specially designed cloth-like tire cover with fibers that provide winter traction for your driving wheel (at speeds up to 30 mph). The AutoSock is also claimed to install easily and won’t interfere with your vehicle’s anti-lock braking system. They’ll also work on front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive automobiles and on any type of tire. The Auto Sock is claimed to be ideal when there’s insufficient clearance between the tire and the fender to use traditional chains. Each kit containing two AutoSocks sells in the $75-$100 range, depending on the tire size you need to cover. Purchase online at www.shopautosock. mcgeecompany.com.