Strategically located on the outskirts of Los Angeles, the Mulholland Highway is an extension of Mulholland Drive, named after civil engineer William Mulholland. Winding through and on top of the Santa Monica Mountains, this road has been featured in innumerable songs, movies, and stories as part of the iconic SoCal landscape. It is a natural favorite of anyone who craves driving fast and hard on tight mountain roads, and Mulholland attracts its fair share of thrill-seekers.
It also draws the attention of Nelson Racing Engines, the famed nut-jobs who regularly build 2,000+ horsepower twin-turbo V8s. Nelson Racing Engines recently took one of their project cars, a Shelby Mustang nicknamed “Hellenor” on a ride on Mulholland Highway, where they had a nice conversation with a local constable over the appropriate speed limit on the Mulholland Highway.
Tom Nelson himself is at the wheel of Hellenor, which packs one of NRE’s 447 cubic-inch Hot Rod Series V8 engines. This naturally-aspirated monster features individual fuel injection stacks, and makes a monstrous 600 hp and sounds absolutely brutal. It’s a beast of an engine, though it is just one of the many great parts that went into Hellenor.
For example, Hellenor boasts an independent rear suspension, something Mustang fans have long desired in production models. A fuel cell replaces the gas tank, and a coilover suspension gives Hellenor the kind of handling many owners dream of. A huge 3-inch exhaust directs emissions out of the side of the car, a Chris Alston rack-and-pinion setup improves steering, and everything is directed by a six-speed sequential transmission pulled from a Dodge Viper Le Mans race car.
No wonder the California Highway Patrol pulled Tom Nelson over…you know, for a closer look. Tom didn’t get off without a ticket, but considering the shenanigans you’re about to see in this video, we think he got off pretty light. Enjoy!