Beauty And The Brute: <br/>The Detroit Supercar
The supercar Detroit built

The Falcon F7 is one of those cars that just reels you in. I first saw it sitting in the Dupont Registry booth at Barrett-Jackson back in January and I just stood and stared at it, along with everyone else. The placement was prime – I must have walked past it ten times coming and going to the auction, but it was the aggressive angular design that made us all look. Then, finally, my friend Justin had the idea to arrange a photoshoot.

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Now I’ve brought you plenty of vintage American cars here on Speedhunters, but there was something special that drew me to this particular car. Maybe it was the Michigan license plate or the sight of a familiar eight cylinder mill. Either way, I had to know more.

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Over the course of two days, Justin and I kept visiting the car in the Dupont Registry booth, growing more familiar with its lines and details, and also peeling back the layers of people who stood between us and the photoshoot we so wanted to bring you. Our efforts paid off when we were introduced to the mastermind behind the Falcon F7: Jeff Lemke. Understandably he was always on the move, as the guy who not only builds these beasts, but also runs his own start-up supercar company.

The next tricky part was getting a car that was visiting from Detroit, out of the world’s biggest auto auction and to a suitable location before it had to head back across the country. Eventually we wound up shooting at a nearby desert park, meeting before dawn on a typical freezing Arizona winter morning.

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Oh, did I forget to mention? That’s right, this is the supercar that Detroit built, and I was as psyched as you are now when I first heard it. Maybe this car wasn’t so far outside my wheelhouse after all. Once we get into it, you’ll see just how much of a Yankee brute this thing really is.

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The truth is, Jeff has always loved supercars – lots of them, and lots of things about them. But he felt each one missed the mark on a thing or two, keeping them from being the ideal supercar in his mind, so he set out to combine all the best attributes into a car of his own. Pretty bold, no?

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The first thing you notice when you view an exotic car like this is, of course, the form – and it should make your heart flutter when you see the right one for you. This is where Jeff began his quest to combine all the best things about the supercars he loved but couldn’t live with.

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To start, there’s the pinch-waisted shape influenced by Ferrari 288 GTO, a front that feels a little like a Viper and a strong Ford GT40 vibe too. Then he gave it a road-hugging ride height and a radical, long rear deck to emphasize the mid-engine layout.

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A mesh rear panel allows hot engine air to escape and is a detail reserved only for a supercar, while the dual round tail lights speak to the Falcon’s American roots.

Mid-engine monster
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The mid-engine bit is particularly interesting, since it’s a blend of exotic architecture with good ol’ American muscle. A tried-and-true Chevy LS7 is employed, and man, when you hear this thing coming, it’s convincing. This is due, at least in part, to the dual plane intake manifold, made from carbon fiber and billet aluminum.

Not only does it look exotic and match the F7’s carbon construction, it also gives the car a unique sound and a good boost in horsepower – 620 of them in naturally aspirated trim. Interestingly, you won’t find this manifold on many other LS-equipped cars, mostly due to the added height and necessary hood clearance, but it really works here. Oh and if 620 horsepower aren’t enough, Falcon will build you a twin-turbo version that makes double that.

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But how do you fit an American V8 in front of the rear wheels and still have room to sit? Jeff told me he first tried a transaxle out of a Ford GT, but they were just too hard to source. Believe it or not, the transaxle that’s used in a Lamborghini Gallardo proved easier to get, so that’s what the Falcon F7 runs.

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It was at this point that it dawned on me: how did this guy come up with a car that looks so damn good and can drive down the road too? He must have tapped a design studio or engineering firm, right?

Or not. Jeff told me he designed the Falcon the old-fashioned way – by hand. He already had lots of experience making hardtops and body kits for Vipers and Prowlers, so he had the skills. But still, to bust out a complete car is on another level. I probed further, wanting to know how he did it.

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Finally I got Jeff to share at least a little bit about how he pulled this off. Apparently he first shaped one side of the car using foam, fiberglass and body filler until he was happy with the form of his new supercar. With half of the car sculpted, he had it 3D scanned and mirrored in a CAD program, then cut a complete F7-shaped foam plug out on a CNC so he could use it to make a mold.

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Obviously it’s just not that simple though, because think about how you would wrap this sultry carbon fiber skin around a chassis that’s structurally sound, has the right suspension geometry and locates the mid-engine drivetrain. Yeah.

Good to look at, better to drive
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If there’s one thing that Jeff Lemke is most proud of with this car, it’s the fact that its built to drive. He’s used OEM components where necessary to make sure it has the solid feel and longevity a production car should and he’s also gone to the lengths of crafting a comfortable cockpit with all the modern options one would hope for. It’s got power steering, push-button start, a radio and even air conditioning if that’s what the customer wants.

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He didn’t have to, but Jeff made every panel on the car, inside and out, from carbon fiber – then he reinforced them with Kevlar. It keeps the weight down and although there’s paint over it, you can still spot the carbon on the insides of the panels. For the interior he left the carbon fiber parts bare, and clearly had some fun with the CNC machine making billet parts too.

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Like the rest of the car, the interior is a blend of OE, aftermarket and bespoke components, all of which play together nicely.

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Being a supercar, there’s the obligatory gated shifter, and I really like the exposed mechanism underneath. One thing I found particularly interesting is that while the body and drivetrain are decided, an F7 customer can completely customize their interior, with each one built to spec.

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Under the rear-tilting hood sits the suspension integrated with the drivetrain, a blend of Corvette ZR-1 components and Penske rocker-actuated coilovers. The way all of this nests together and functions is truly something beautiful.

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Falcon used StopTech big brakes on this car, but you can spec full carbon Brembo stoppers if you want, probably a good idea if you go for that twin-turbo option. The brakes don’t look huge, but that’s because they’re riding in 20″ Forgeline wheels.

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If you look closely, you’ll see these have been made specially for the Falcon F7, with a logo to match.

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When I first stood by the Falcon F7, I found it intimidating. I mean, this is a proper supercar after all. It didn’t even cross my mind to shoot it for a feature because it seemed so, well, exotic – and I’m more of a hot rod guy myself.

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Without that little push from a friend, I wouldn’t have looked closer and discovered what the F7 is all about. Turns out it is a hot rod in a way, and the story is as American as can be, forged from the determination and grit of one inspired individual who wanted to do things his way.

Keith Charvonia
Instagram: SpeedhuntersKeith
keith@speedhunters.com

Photos by Justin Muir
Instagram: justinmuirphotography
info@justinmuirphotography.com

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51 comments

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1

Wow I really can't explain how awesome this car is!

2

I'm sorry, but you can't include Detroit and Yankee in the same sentence, that's sacrilegious!

3
EricSeanDelaney

I live in Michigan and I've seen a Falcon at so many shows it's kind of common now. But I've only ever seen one on the street. It was a roadster though, and oddly enough it was near my house, and that's in the middle of nowhere. 

Speaking of Detroit and cars, since you're such a old school kinda car guy, have you ever been to the dream cruise? Sorry If I've asked before, but I feel like I need to get every person I know who's into car to the Dream Cruise at least once.

4

*Paragraph, sorry.

5

EricSeanDelaney  That's such a cool cruise!

6
EricSeanDelaney

Dominate EricSeanDelaney  Yes! Every car enthusiast needs to see it at least once!

Author7

Dominate  LOL fair pont!

Author8

EricSeanDelaney  I actually haven't, but I have a growing list of things to do in Detroit when I take a Speedhunting trip out there.

9
EricSeanDelaney

KeithCharvonia EricSeanDelaney  If you ever get out here let me know. I know of a few things around the city!

Author10

EricSeanDelaney KeithCharvonia  Cool thanks!

11

i don't know what to say about the interior..looks like someone just put things together last minute..exterior and engine wise looks good

12

Every time I look at these photos I can hear that very unique exhaust note.  Looking back, I wish I would've asked Jeff to to a long standing Detroit style burnout.  I have a feeling he would've done it with a smile on his face.  I knew I had to take photos of this thing when i realized that I'd been staring at it for the better part of 10 minutes and never noticed the Ferrari 458 (my personal favorite supercar) beside it.  The Falcon is that bold looking.

13
Speedhunters_Bryn

JustinMuir  If feels like the kind of car I would have drawn as a teenager (which to me is a good thing!), there are so many hints and cues at other iconic models yet it's still all refreshingly new. Plus I love it when somebody takes their balls in their hand and says 'I'm going to build a supercar'. I doff my hat!

I think I might have mentioned it to Keith but I was looking at a Falcon at the Detroit Auto Show a week earlier thinking it would be great to feature one!

14

Holy hell that's gorgeous!

15

I like it.  The first thing I noticed was the 288 GTO in the roofline, never a bad thing. The flying buttresses are a cool nod to the Maserati Bora, and it's clever how they appear to serve as air guides to the intakes. I'd spec a lower-key interior for mine, but I can't play at that level so it's all a dream anyway.  I'd love to see one on track!

16

Engine is the best part, rest looks like a kit car.

However, my god the writing :(

"Obviously it’s just not that simple though, because think about how you would wrap this sultry carbon fiber skin around a chassis that’s structurally sound, has the right suspension geometry and locates the mid-engine drivetrain. Yeah." wtf?

17

was a better braking system and the best Bremo

18

Great article. Special thanks to the guys at speedhunters for their efficiency and professional handling of the car and photoshoot. The car pictured here is last years model without all of the new 2014 upgrades (including the new interior design ;) ). Much of the new features can be seen on the official website http://www.falconf7.com.
Jeff Lemke.

19

I LOVE the interior. It's got the same ingredients as Pagani's cars but a less artistic, yet appealing industrial look. Well done - as are the photos and text! Thanks for sharing this car as i've never heard about it on this side of the "big lake Atlantic" .

20

Speedhunters_Bryn JustinMuir  I kept telling Keith "this is the car that Ironman should be driving.  My favorite part is the front end.  It looks like the NSX's bigger, louder, meaner brother.

21

That much time and money to build a car, and the motor of choice is a 7L briggs & stratton? not saying wouldn't be good for power, just looses that little something special that makes supercars that bit more desirable.

22

Ant86  What should have been used? I see your point but what are the other options when desired output, cost/value, reliability and marketability in the US are considered.

23

so uh
how much do they cost

24
Brian Earl Spilner

All that styling, all the engine, all that carbon then... that steering wheel. A minor detail yes but... really?

25

JustinMuir  really cool pictures Justin; much better than what they have on the Falcon site.

26

The obnoxious internet-child in me wants to point out niggles like the steering wheel, or the wheel arches, or a few other tidbits.  But you know what? It doesn't matter.  The shape is VERY appealing and it really does seem like a car you can drive the pants off of one.

Call me crazy but I'd rather have a go in this rather than the new lambo.

27

American Pagani?

28

Hrm... a little too busy for my tastes but the rear and front ends are pretty nice. I have a feeling those gauge pods would be reflecting quite a bit while driving based on the pictures.

Interesting car though, that's for sure.

29

But really if you get a chance you should stop by in the summers around mid July, there's a ton of hidden car culture around here and it all comes out then for the cruises!

30

Looks like a Ferrari mated with a Mustang. I'm definitely undecided.

Also, could he have created a more shiny set of guages?

31

Ant86  Loses* not looses.

32

wheatgod  How many kit cars have a carbon/kevlar monocoque with a completely carbon body housing pushrod suspension, a Lamborghini-sourced transaxle, and a suite of billet and forged aluminium parts?

Not many.

Author33

AceAndrew2  Right. You gotta hand it to the guy.

Author34

aussieANON  IIRC this one was around $230k in the Dupont Registry booth. Keep in mind he has driven this one and displayed it, so it's not brand new.

Author35

Ant86  I expected a lot of people to feel this way, but the car really pulls it off. If you could hear it you would say otherwise. I think it was a smart choice as it makes the car much more reliable and serviceable in the long run.

Author36

maxproof  Glad we could bring you something new!

37

MilesHayler same thoughts here. last picture on the first page looks like a '73 Mustang

38

Most of the 3/4 shot look mustang. I think it's something about those rear arches...

39

No, it's the way the boot lid curves down around the rear lights, and that rear window is definitely Ferrari.

40

That looks like a cheap kitcar. Like a bad fitted Ferrari kit on a Fiero or something. Don't care how fast this one is actually it just looks like crap.

41

maxproof comparing this questionable build quality to the mastery of Pagani is hilarious.

42

to me it looks too much like a kit car to justify the stratospheric   price  tag.

43

Dang, the amount of negativity in these comments is gross. I thought a 'car culture' website might have individuals interested promoting car culture and possibly congratulating someone on building their dream car and then sharing it with others. But this being the internet, we'd rather bitch like Monday morning quarterbacks.

God forbid he fit a powerful and reliable engine to give it a better power to weight ratio than 2014 Gallardo.

If you think this looks like a cheap kit car, you clearly have not seen a cheap kit car.

44

fannin fully aggree.and this car looks.it´s not as plain as some other supercars around

45

lumitrac maxproofhe is comparing aesthetics.............

46

Flying buttress like a 599... Other than that, not much different to the old Saleen. 

Can the US build a supercar without a V8? Do they want to? However, if they did, then it would look so much more compact.

47

I agree, very generic looking and dated. And the interior isn't lush and extravagant, it looks like a custom hot rod thing... For the Money you would be daft to buy this.

48

This car is what a the American spirit is all about....a truly incredible design. Most of these comments from this forum are from little internet punks that can't afford to finance a ford focus... The closest they can come to driving this car is in a future video game... I rode in this super car... Simply amazing... It's a mans car... Not like a Lamborghini or Ferrari which you overpay for the name.... This car has a set of balls...sounds like it... Looks like it... Performs like it...It's not a pretender....for you little boys that spend too much time on the internet because you are between classes at college... Hope you can find work when you graduate to get approved on financing your ford focus.... The comments make me laugh!! Great job Jeff Lemke!!! You are what America is make of... A driven passion turned into reality...

49

This car is what a the American spirit is all about....a truly incredible design. Most of these comments from this forum are from little internet punks that can't afford to finance a ford focus... The closest they can come to driving this car is in a future video game... I rode in this super car... Simply amazing... It's a mans car... Not like a Lamborghini or Ferrari which you overpay for the name.... This car has a set of balls...sounds like it... Looks like it... Performs like it...It's not a pretender....for you little boys that spend too much time on the internet because you are between classes at college... Hope you can find work when you graduate to get approved on financing your ford focus.... The comments make me laugh!! Great job Jeff Lemke!!! You are what America is make of .... Sacrifice, passion and brilliance!

50

if these negative people saw one parked in their garage, they would think very differently about it.  
and then they would take it for a drive, shit their pants and have a cry, but only to get back on the honda forum to bag it.

51

American Pagani...  and I mean that as praise. Well done.

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