Shelby has released the final specs on its reborn GT350 Mustang. The base package features 430hp, up just a little from the stock 5.0's 412. To this, you can add a Whipple supercharger that will boost the ponies up to 525. The "R" tuned version ups the ante all the way to 625 horsepower.
Every version of the GT350 features numerous upgrades to suspension, brakes, body styling, badges, and the requisite dash plaque to let you know you are driving something special.
Pricing for the conversion starts at $26,995 for the base model. Adding the Whipple will up the cost to $33,995. The R tune costs another $750 over the supercharged package. Check out all of the details in the press release below.
SHELBY AMERICAN RELEASES FINAL SPECS AND NEW 600+ HP OPTION FOR 2011 GT350 10/7/2010
• 2011 Shelby GT350 supercharge package has 525 HP; normally aspirated has 430 HP • 624 horsepower optional • All 2011 GT350s are built at the Las Vegas facility and documented in the official Shelby Registry
LAS VEGAS – October 7, 2010 – Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK) has released the official performance specs of the supercharged and normally aspirated post title packages for the Shelby GT350, as well as a new higher horsepower option for the 5.0 liter powered car. With up to 624 horsepower on tap via an optional "R" tune, the 2011 Shelby GT350 is one of the most powerful limited production cars in the world.
"Our goal was to build the ultimate small block muscle car," said John Luft, president of Shelby American. "The results show that the Shelby GT350 takes American performance to an entirely new level. In recent tests, the standard supercharged car hit 60 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds and ran the quarter in 12 seconds flat at 121.4 mph, all while generating 1.05g of lateral acceleration and stopping from 60 mph in only 107 feet. We believe the 'R' tuned GT350 will be even faster."
The normally aspirated GT350 is available in standard Ford Mustang GT trim for SCCA racing or 430 in the optional tune. The standard supercharged version is rated at 525 horsepower while the "R" tune option delivers 624 horsepower. All versions include Shelby performance suspension, brake, tire/wheel, and interior and exterior styling enhancements that make the GT350 as fast on the curves as it is in the straightaways.
In addition to the optional "R" tune for the supercharger, Shelby American will offer a solid blue painted hood stripes as well as finished rear bumper stripes. A Watts link rear suspension, upgraded stereo, track-oriented brakes and other options are also available on the Shelby.
Standard GT350 package components include: • Shelby/Ford Racing/Whipple black finish supercharger (supercharged version only) • Shelby/Ford Racing suspension • Shelby Caster camber plate kit • Shelby/Baer 6 piston front brake kit with exclusive nickel anodized finish • Shelby/Baer ERADISPEED rear rotor and brake pad upgrade • Front and rear brake duct and cooling kit • Shelby/Borla unique center exit exhaust • Shelby/Cragar 19" alloy wheels shod with Goodyear performance tires • Front fascia including traditional "running pony" badge • Rear fascia including exclusive GT350 45th anniversary badge • Unique tail light trim • Rear deck lid filler panel • Side Rockers with functional integrated brake cooling ducts • Exclusive GT350 Guardsman Blue vinyl over-the-top and side stripes • "Powered by Ford" fender mounted badges • Serialized engine plate • Shelby Engine cap set • Serialized Dash plate with Shelby GT350 sequential serial number • A-Pillar mounted gauge package • Embroidered Carroll Shelby Signature front seat headrests • Exclusive GT350 45th anniversary embroidered front floor mats • Shelby GT350 45th Anniversary windbreaker jacket • Carroll Shelby signed passenger airbag cover (subject to availability)
Optional equipment: • Polished supercharger • Shelby/Baer 6 piston rear brake upgrade • Watts link rear suspension • Goodyear street race tire package • Painted over the top and side stripe kit • Shelby/Kicker premium sound system • Leather seating surfaces with contrasting stitching and red/white/blue insert on front seats • Tone on tone embroidered GT350 on seat backs • Console cover and shift boot
The Shelby Daytona Coupe is a legend, and certainly one of the top American sports cars ever produced. Carroll Shelby's creation rocked the racing world in 1965 when it dominated the circuit and went on to win the FIA GT World Championship. It was the first and only American car to ever do so. Exotic Auto Restoration out of Southern California has come up with it's own interpretation of the Shelby, the Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition. Based on the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe built by Superformance (also designed by Peter Brock), the Le Mans Edition package sports fender flares, wider 18-inch wheels and tires, heavy-duty suspension, billet aluminum hood vents, Alcantara seating, brushed aluminum dash with aircraft-style toggle switches, "Daytona Le Mans" gauges, and a suede Momo steering wheel. Powertrain options include any Ford V8 based on the Windsor 351 block, like the 530-horsepower Roush 402R in the car pictured. Exotic Auto Restoration is also offering a track-oriented version that also gets a 6-point roll cage, A/C and carpet delete, quick-release steering wheel, upgraded brakes, carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser, Shelby aluminum block 427ci V8with 560 horsepower, and more. Only six will be built, to commemorate the six original racecars.
PRESS RELEASE:
The Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition by Exotic Auto Restoration - the spirit of Le Mans in your driveway
In 1964, Shelby took the motorsports world by storm with the Daytona Coupe. With a revolutionary design by Peter Brock, the car was capable of reaching an incredible 187 mph on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans. In 1965, the Daytona Coupe became the first and only American car to win the FIA GT World Championship, cementing its legacy in motorsports history. Now Exotic Auto Restoration of Costa Mesa, CA is allowing car enthusiasts to bring the legend of Le Mans to their own driveway. Based on the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe built by Superformance and also designed by Peter Brock, the Le Mans Edition has been upgraded in the spirit of the original racecar.
To enhance both the looks and performance of the Daytona Coupe, Exotic Auto Restoration has designed new body and interior components that blend seamlessly with the rest of the car. "I wanted to give the car a wider, more aggressive stance as well as the capability of turning better lap times," explains George Cunha, owner of Exotic Auto Restoration. Named for the Le Mans 24 Hour race that the Daytona Coupe won in 1965, this package includes the following:
- Group 5 fender flares front and rear - Wider 18-inch wheels and tires - Heavy duty Bilstein shocks and H&R springs - Functional billet aluminum top and side hood louvers - Reclinable Alcantera suede seats with "Le Mans Edition" embroidery - Brushed billet aluminum dashboard with aircraft-style toggle switches - "Le Mans Edition" gauges with 200 mph speedometer and 10k rpm tachometer - Suede Momo racing steering wheel
Customers can choose from a variety of motors based on the Ford 351 Windsor block. Powering this particular Daytona Coupe Le Mans is a Roush 402R V8 producing 530 horsepower and 515 lb-ft torque mated to a Tremec T56 6-speed transmission.
In addition, a track-oriented version is also available. Only six will be built (two have been pre-sold, leaving four available) in this configuration to commemorate the six original racecars, each featuring an authentic Shelby-built V8. Adding to the standard Le Mans Edition components, this package includes the following:
- 6-point roll cage - Lightweight wheels with 2.5-inch locking nut - 14-inch, 6-piston brakes front, 13-inch, 6-piston brakes rear - Carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser - A/C delete - Carpet delete - Full race seats with 6-point harnesses - Quick-release steering wheel - Dash-mounted programmable ignition module - Dash-mounted brake bias controls - Shelby aluminum block 351 V8 bored and stroked to 427ci - 560 horsepower and 530 lb-ft torque - Tremec TKO-600 transmission - Full dry sump lubrication system
The Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition can be seen in person at the Pasadena Art Center Car Classic on Sunday, July 19. For additional information on the Daytona Coupe Le Mans Edition, contact Exotic Auto Restorations at 714-979-7100, on the web at www.carsbyexotic.com or by email at exoticauto@sbcglobal.net .
The old familiar AC Cobra that we all know and love doesn't have a Corvette engine, Porshe brakes, nor is it assembled in Germany. But this one features all of that. The original AC Cars has released details on it's latest version of the classic sports car. An assembly contract with German manufacturer Gullwing GmbH has the latest Cobra assembled in Heyda, Germany, and fitted with a lightweight removable hardtop complete with gullwing doors. The aluminum body over tubular space-frame chassis weighs just 2,260 lbs and is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 sourced from the Corvette, tuned to produce 437 hp in standard GT trim or a whopping 647 hp in GTS spec. Stopping power is provided by Porsche-sourced four-piston calipers and vented discs (332mm front, 298mm rear). 0-60 comes in a mere 3.3 seconds.
PRESS RELEASE
AC to launch new AC MkVI in Monaco The UK's oldest car marque has announced that it is building its new AC MkVI in Germany
The AC MkVI will be launched at the Top Marques car show in Monaco on April 16. The AC MkVI, a faithful recreation of the ultimate sports car icon - the AC Cobra, is now being produced in Germany for sale in Europe. AC has entered into a long term strategic alliance with Gullwing GmbH in Heyda, Germany. The AC MkVI is being produced in a modern facility and AC is extremely proud of the quality of the finished product which is due to the skills of the craftsmen at the Heyda facility.
AC's Chairman Alan Lubinsky summarised the main specification of the new AC MkVI: "The car has fully triangulated, jig welded roundtube spaceframe chassis, with racecar derived suspension, suitably adapted to be road compliant. 4-pot Porsche brake calipers with vented discs, 332 mm front-298 mm rear. Differential with variable powerlock. Corvette V-8 engine, 6.2 Litre, 437 bhp for the GT and 647 bhp for GTS version, both compliant to current emission laws. Handmade aluminium-hybrid bodies, handmade to last forever, with increased, air conditioned cabin size for taller drivers. Finest German carpets and leather hides, craftsman made to create a luxurious and comfortable interior". "AC is one of the most admired and respected marques in the world," stated Juergen Mohr, CEO of Gullwing GmbH. "Their sports cars ignited a passion that still burns inside enthusiasts today. For over a century, the company has built cars with superb engineering, old world craftsmanship and classic designs. We feel extremely honoured that we can now be part of the future of the brand." Alan Lubinsky added:
"There are two major new features on the AC MkVI. We are especially excited about the new aluminium-hybrid body construction on the AC MkVI. This provides the AC MkVI with a traditional aluminium finish on the bodyshell, together with a strong composite structure. In addition to this, the AC MkVI will have as standard equipment a light weight gullwing hardtop, with coupled to the standard air conditioning, will provide drivers with total all weather motoring.
The AC MkVI is an open-top sports car based on the design of the Le Mans winning AC Cobra with many of the original car's characteristics while incorporating modern technology. The cars are not imitations - they are new generation of AC Cobra incorporating relevant advanced technology. "Every year approximately 1,500 copies of the cars AC built in the 1960s are sold in America," says Alan Lubinsky. "Why would anyone buy a replica when they can own an authentic AC roadster that is lighter and better and has been engineered and built to such demanding standards?" Weighing only about 1,025 kg, the lightweight AC MkVI GTS sports car can hit 100 kph in approximately 3.3 seconds. "The AC MkVI is wickedly addictive," says Gullwing's Juergen Mohr.
"One drive in this scorchingly fast sports car creates an adrenalin rush that will last a lifetime. The AC MkVI offers heritage, performance and timeless styling that stirs the soul." The AC chassis has been at the heart of some of the most legendary cars in history. Texan Carroll Shelby imported a number of rolling chassis from AC in the 1960s to build the legendary "Cobras" that dominated international sports car racing. The Shelby American team inserted a performance tuned Ford V8 and gearbox into a chassis and body supplied by AC for the North American market. Since then AC has manufactured a car that has been imitated by numerous companies.
AC expects to appoint a distribution network in Europe in the coming months to sell and maintain the AC MkVI
Last night at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California, Carroll Shelby and Co. unveiled what is by far the most radical Mustang ever built for the street.
Named after Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, who drove a top fuel car for Shelby in the 1968 season, the new Shelby features a 750 horsepower (over 800 on race fuel) version of the GT500's 5.4-liter V8 thanks to an upgraded Kenne Bell supercharger.
Other modifications include a custom fiberglass full tilt front end, a Shelby rear drag wing, eight-point roll cage, six-piston front brakes, rear seat delete, coilover springs, custom Bogart wheels, and much more.
Pricing comes in at $99,995 to upgrade a car, or $149,995 for a complete car. Production will be limited to 100 examples. And did we mention that it's street legal?
PRESS RELEASE:
Shelby Automobiles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI.PK) has returned to drag racing with a limited edition Prudhomme Edition Super Snake package for the Shelby GT500 Mustang. Carroll Shelby and Don "The Snake" Prudhomme unveiled the program during a private reception at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif. The drag racing inspired 800 horsepower post title package was a collaboration between Shelby Autos and Don Prudhomme, who successfully drove a top fuel car for Carroll Shelby in the 1968 NHRA season.
Each year, the Automobile Club of Southern California holds a dinner to support the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum on the first night of the Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals. In honor of the fortieth anniversary of the first race that Mr. Prudhomme drove for Carroll Shelby, the Shelby Autos team unveiled the new drag racing package that they developed together over the past year.
"Don is an exceptional drag racer and I'm proud that he drove my first Top Fuel car in 1968," noted Carroll Shelby. "By leveraging Don's experience, we turned a really good car into a great drag racer that will beat up on the MOPAR and bow tie brigade right out of the box."
The program is a post-title package for 2007-2010 Ford Shelby GT500 cars already in the hands of owners. To create the Prudhomme Edition Super Snake, Shelby Autos pumps up the 5.4L supercharged engine to produce 800 hp on race fuel or 750 hp on 93 octane pump gas. The Shelby includes a Kenne Belle modified air intake sticking out of the hood in the tilt front end, a five-point Impact safety harness and a Borla side exhaust system. A front and rear adjustable BMR racing suspension and drag tires are included to improve traction during launches; optional street tires are available. For a more aggressive stance and improved aerodynamics, side lower rockers are incorporated. Only 100 total packages at $100,000 (not including car) will be offered.
"Working with Don on this project was a great experience for our design team," noted Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. "Carroll and Don earned their stripes in competition over the years, so we had to build a car that would continue their racing domination. Our Prudhomme Edition GT500 Super Snake builds on that legacy and gives Shelby enthusiasts today a way to rule the quarter mile in their town."
By the mid-1960s, Carroll Shelby and Don Prudhomme were both at the top of their respective games. Prudhomme was one of the winningest Top Fuel drag racers in the country. Shelby was a racer-turned-builder of Cobras, GT40s and Mustangs who won endurance and road racing championships worldwide. His company even offered drag racing packages for privateers to compete in their Cobra or Shelby Mustang on the strip.
"The Snake" and the Cobra's creator teamed in 1968 for an NHRA ride. Prudhomme's Ford Cammer-powered rail made its debut as "Shelby's Super Snake at the 1968 Winternationals. He won the race and drove the rest of the season under the Shelby banner.
Don "The Snake" Prudhomme's successful racing career included winning the NHRA funny car championship four times. He was the first funny car driver to exceed 250 mph. In 1994, he began managing his own racing team, which won the Top Fuel championship in 2002 and 2003. Prudhomme was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1991 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000.
"It's been a great opportunity to work with Carroll and the Shelby Autos team on this amazing program," added Prudhomme. "I'm honored that Carroll gave me this honor to build a car that's true to his legacy and my efforts to move them across the finish line first. The car can be tuned to deliver over 800 horsepower on race gas, which should pretty fast. It's a well sorted out package that is capable of dusting the competition in the Shelby way."
The Prudhomme Edition Shelby GT500 Super Snake is intended to be truly a road and track car.
"The thing I really think is cool about this car is that you can drive it both on the track and on the street," added Prudhomme. "It reminds me of how drag racing used to be back in the day when we would drive our cars to the drag strip, race them, and drive them home at the end of the day. That's maybe the neatest thing about this car."
Not like anyone is in any way surprised, but here it is! The 2010 Shelby GT500 made it's official debut today at the Detroit Auto Show, and it's just as fabulous as we thought it would be.
In ironic fashion, the Shelby made it's debut directly after Ford's EV presentation. But $1.50 gas makes the new snake a little easier to swallow right now. And besides, who's gonna drive one of these things daily?
Thoughts of a lithium ion-utopia were vaporized when Fields theatrically announced the arrival of "the best Mustang ever." On cue, a Torch Red GT500 coupe with white stripes and a Grabber Blue GT500 ragtop with red stripes roared into the arena.
Carroll Shelby emerged from the red car, and a big hug was exchanged between Fields and the living legend, who just turned 86. With the pleasantries out of the way, the GT500s left trails of rubber as they made way for the star of Ford's show.
PRESS RELEASE
2010 FORD SHELBY GT500 PACKS MORE POWERFUL PUNCH
Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) delivers a more powerful 2010 Shelby GT500 increased to 540 horsepower, torque increased to 510 foot-pounds, downforce increased and drag reduced
New gearbox enhancements, plus a standard 3.55:1 rear axle ratio, mean the 2010 Shelby GT500 will deliver improved acceleration performance, while providing better highway fuel efficiency
Aggressive new exterior design features new functional details, such as the hood extractor to remove heat from the engine and "Gurney Flap" spoiler to tune rear downforce; world-class materials and craftsmanship create the most unique GT500 interior yet
2010 Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms in spring
DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 1, 2009 – The new 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 delivers the most power and refinement ever for a Ford SVT-tuned performance Mustang – and a few surprises, too.
"The 2010 Shelby GT500 demonstrates Ford's continuing commitment to high-performance vehicles," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "In addition to the numerous performance and refinement improvements inside and out, the 2010 Shelby GT500 is an estimated 2 miles per gallon more fuel efficient on the highway."
"We're proud of the many enhancements that were developed jointly by the Ford and Shelby Automobiles team last year that we've now incorporated into the new 2010 Shelby GT500," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. "Building on what we learned to create the Shelby GT500KR, this new car offers a great combination of power, handling and braking. It is truly a special car that is a great deal of fun to drive."
Ford's Special Vehicle Team used the gains made on the 40th anniversary edition Shelby GT500KR "King of the Road" Mustangs as the performance starting point and built from there. The design team, with a nod to the original Shelby Cobras from the 1960s, takes those design cues even further with nuanced improvements in both the coupe and convertible, each of which boasts a more-refined interior.
"Working together on the KR, the Ford and Shelby teams developed new systems to continually improve the iconic Mustang," stated Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. "Those lessons learned are incorporated into the 2010 Shelby GT500. This approach will help maintain Mustang's leadership position at the front of the pack and make the ownership experience even more enjoyable."
"The muscle car segment is becoming even more competitive," said Jamal Hameedi, chief nameplate engineer for SVT. "We need to uphold the Mustang badge with honor, the Shelby badge with honor and most importantly the Ford badge with honor. The 2010 GT500 is the car that will do all of that."
More horsepower, more refinement, more functionality
The combination of added horsepower, refinement and functionality makes the 2010 Shelby GT500 a unique high-performance car. The 2010 Shelby GT500 delivers more horsepower and more torque than the outgoing model, thanks in part to advancements pioneered on the GT500KR.
The 2010 Shelby GT500 is powered by a supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V-8 engine expected to produce 540 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque. The redline is 6,250 rpm. The car's aluminum power dome hood not only adds to the Shelby's appearance, it helps cool the engine through a hood extractor.
The Shelby's open-element air induction system features a conical air filter instead of a flat-panel closed system to reduce air restriction. This approach allows more air to be pumped through the engine, producing more power and increasing the engine's efficiency.
A cold-air intake feeds the coolest air possible directly into the air box, helping further increase horsepower. The intake necessitated moving the Cobra snake badge to the other side of the grille to enable maximum airflow.
The twin-disc clutch on the six-speed manual transmission has been significantly upgraded, improving drivability and NVH. The discs on the 2010 Shelby GT500 are larger – 250 mm in diameter compared with 215 mm in diameter on the outgoing model – and made of copper and fiberglass to make them more robust.
A unique component of the twin-disc system is the control of the intermediate disc. Rather than floating, it instead has six straps that control the engagement of the clutch, improving drivability.
The 2010 Shelby GT500 offers customers improved straight-line acceleration, plus fuel savings when cruising on the highway in the top gears. Gears 1-4 remain the same, but fifth gear changes from .80 to .74 while sixth gear goes from .63 to .50, meaning that the 2010 Shelby GT500 will turn lower engine RPMs in those gears and deliver improved fuel efficiency. The new final drive ratio, from 3.31 to 3.55, enables the improved acceleration in lower gears while complementing the revised fifth and sixth gear ratios.
The Shelby's distinct sounds will be apparent as always, though with new refinements, thanks to the work of the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) team. A patented resonator placed between the air filter and engine throttle body helps keep unwanted noise in check.
"You still hear the supercharger but not so that it's intrusive," said Kerry Baldori, chief functional engineer for SVT. "It's the same with the exhaust. You want people to know you're driving something special, but you don't want an exhaust note that overpowers the whole interior.
"We spent a lot of time getting the right sound quality out of the exhaust so you get that nice, crisp Shelby sound outside and a pleasant sound inside the cabin. It's a nice balance; one isn't overpowering the other."
Driving dynamics also are improved, thanks to SVT's signature chassis tuning as well as new 19-inch Goodyear F1 Supercar tires and forged aluminum wheels on the 2010 Shelby GT500 coupe and 18s on the convertible.
Spring and dampers have been optimized for better roll control, giving customers more confidence when braking, accelerating or turning. The new chassis tuning takes its philosophy from the KR program, with a greater emphasis placed on primary body control.
The team also stiffened the steering shaft.
"All our changes were about making the car to respond as fast and as predictable as possible," Hameedi said. "The 2010 Shelby GT500 conveys an athletic, confident feel. The shifter, clutch pedal, brake-pedal efforts and overall steering efforts are easier now. We wanted to make sure we had a nice, crisp short-throw shifter that was easy to go from gear to gear."
The Goodyear F1 Supercar 19-inch tires have been upgraded, too. SVT members developed a "recipe" for the attributes and characteristics they wanted in the tire, which Goodyear's team of engineers, designers and manufacturers brought to life. The result is better grip, better handling and better NVH properties, leading to a better customer experience.
The wheels themselves complement the high-performance nature of the 2010 Shelby GT500. The 19-inch wheels are forged aluminum wheels milled on both sides. The extra machining process creates "blade" spokes with very thin, yet strong, cross-sections. The spokes have a specific curve from the rim to the hub, not only for strength, but also to accentuate the offset and width of the tires.
The 2010 Shelby GT500 features AdvanceTrac, Ford's stability control system with several options for performance. The default "on" mode accommodates every-day driving, and a Sport mode delivers for those wanting to put the Shelby GT500 through its paces on the track. The system also can be turned completely off, although the anti-lock brake system and other active safety systems remain in place. Standard safety equipment includes: dual stage front air bags, side-impact air bags and Ford's Personal Safety System.
Numerous aerodynamic upgrades, including a redesigned splitter, were made to the front end of the 2010 Shelby GT500.
"We worked hard to get as much downforce with as little drag as possible," Baldori said. "We worked to seal off the air that comes in the front so it can't go underneath the car. We spent a lot time sealing components such as the radiator and intercoolor to get rid of all the leak paths.
"The result of this evolution of aerodynamics is we've increased downforce, reduced drag and improved the overall efficiency of the 2010 Shelby GT500."
Directing the air so it's used most efficiently was a painstaking process that ultimately will be rewarding to customers. The design of the front fascia and the car's "flush" hood helps focus air flow. The top grille focuses air into the radiator, with a rubber flap inside the engine compartment helping to seal the system. The lower grille helps cool the intercooler. SVT engineers also went as far to block off specific diamonds in the front of the 2010 Shelby GT500's distinctive grille to help maintain the correct cooling and aerodynamic balance.
A meaner, reskinned snake ready to take to the streets
The 2010 Shelby GT500 is the most-robust design and most-distinctive model of the new 2010 Mustang lineup. "The design we chose was a 'flush' hood where the fascia defines the entire front of the vehicle," Hameedi said. "That's very hard to execute from an engineering standpoint, but it really sets the Shelby off as very, very different from the base Mustang."
"This epitomizes the ultimate Mustang," added George Saridakis, Exterior Design manager of the Mustang and Shelby GT500. "It's all about power and expressing power."
Saridakis said his team took a cue from the Shelby AC Cobra 427 with respect to the front grilles, which are gaping and appear ready to swallow the road.
Another obvious difference for the Shelby is the addition of racing stripes, which also will now be available on the convertible. "Racing stripes made their mark on 1960s-era Ford performance vehicles," Hameedi notes. "That's something we feel is a key part of the Shelby performance DNA – maybe more so than some of our competition."
Rounding out the Shelby's exterior modifications are the unique signature coiled Cobra badges on the front grille and front fenders, a more aggressive front splitter and lower-drag rear spoiler, which added to improved aerodynamic features, round out the exterior modifications. "We wanted the spoiler raked back aggressively to minimize drag, but we also have an integrated Gurney Flap that provides the downforce," Saridakis said.
What's inside counts with the 2010 Shelby GT500
The base 2010 Mustang received a powerful new interior design. For the GT500, the interior design team members challenged themselves to raise the bar even higher to create the ultimate Shelby Mustang interior.
Using genuine materials such as real leather in all seats, real aluminum on the instrument panel and Alcantara inserts on the seats and steering wheel gave the appearance a precisely crafted, jewel-like yet functional feel. "You'll definitely know you're in a Shelby," said Douglas Gaffka, Chief Designer, Shelby GT500.
The genuine aluminum finish panels have a unique-to-GT500 three-dimensional dimpled texture pattern inspired by racing clutch plates, braided hoses and cross-drilled racing brake rotors. The pattern has been painstakingly tuned to compensate for the compound curvature of the instrument panels. In addition, the "GT500" logo has been discretely engraved into the aluminum in front of the passenger as a nod to classic Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s.
This unique aluminum finish panel is fully encapsulated by an exquisite soft seamless TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) instrument panel with a shape that resonates with Mustang's powerful heritage. The center stack flows into the console and features a sub-flush shifter trim ring, flush cup holder door and lockable console stowage featuring the word "SHELBY" engraved in its Satin Liquid Chrome release button.
All 2010 Mustangs and Shelbys feature bright 360-degree rings surrounding the gauge cluster, uninterrupted by the steering column. These rings will come in chrome for the Mustang and a Satin Liquid Chrome finish for the GT500. This finish is featured throughout the interior. An intricate cobra is etched into the center of the aluminum steering wheel badge. The Shelby Cobra appears at startup on the navigation screen, and the familiar red "SVT" logo utilizes new ambient lighting to illuminate the door scuffplate.
"When customers drive this car, they're not only going to be impressed by the performance and the Shelby heritage, but they're going to see all these carefully designed details and know they've bought a well-crafted car," Saridakis said.
Even the classic white shift knob – an icon of Shelby Mustang DNA from years past – received special attention. First, it had to be the traditional white. It also had to be specific to the Shelby. The answer was to combine the racing-stripes theme with the traditional "H" pattern found on shifters to create a one-of-a-kind knob. Like the exterior, the racing stripes wrap from end to end, encircling the knob.
Wide suite of standard features on the 2010 Shelby GT500
The 2010 Shelby GT500 includes several Ford innovations and industry-exclusive standard features, including:
SYNC: The voice-activated hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players, providing customers hands-free cell phone and music selection capabilities – plus new 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report provided with no monthly fees.
911 Assist: When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC, the system is ready to assist in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an air bag-deploying accident. The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators.
Vehicle Health Report (VHR): SYNC gathers relevant information from the major vehicle control modules and packages diagnostic data into a usable format in a matter of minutes. That data packet is sent to Ford via an 800-number automatically dialed using the customer's paired and operable mobile phone.
Ambient Lighting System with MyColor™ allows drivers to customize the interior lighting of the vehicle to suit their mood. The enhanced MyColor system features seven base colors – ice blue, purple, blue, orange, red, white and green. Customers also can create 125 custom colors by mixing the red-green-blue palette.
Available options:
Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link™ is an industry-leading technology that will provide users with a unique, information-rich in-car experience. The suite of data services includes up-to-the-minute real-time traffic data with accident and incident information for 78 markets, coast-to-coast weather data including current conditions and five-day forecasts and fuel price information for more than 120,000 gas stations. SIRIUS Travel Link also offers sports scores and schedules and a listing of more than 4,500 movie theaters with movie times, theater addresses, movie synopses and more.
This combination of outstanding performance coupled with a fresh, exciting, well-crafted interior intensely focused on improving the entire experience will make the 2010 Shelby GT500 even more sought after, and a fitting addition to a long and proud history.
The 2010 Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms in spring. The cars will be built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.
If you've ever felt torn between spending your hard earned green on an ultra rare collectible muscle car and donating to a charity like the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation, now you can do both. Carroll Shelby has donated the Shelby EXP500 CSS "Black Hornet" from his personal collection to home furnishing retailer Restoration Hardware to auction for charity. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own one of my personal performance cars," said Carroll Shelby, founder of the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation and legendary car builder and racer. "It's a stunning tribute to the legendary 'Green Hornet', which I used to test some of the era's most advanced technology back in the late 1960s. Along with our friends at Restoration Hardware, I'm challenging enthusiasts across America to take part in this charity auction on eBay for a chance to win the ultimate Christmas toy."
The "Black Hornet" was built by Barry Smith, owner of Legendary G.T., an authorized builder of re-creations of classic Shelby Mustangs. It was built as a tribute to Shelby's original "Green Hornet" test car that his team used to design everything from an independent rear suspension to electronic fuel injection. The "Black Hornet" is an accurate reproduction of the "Green Hornet" built from a 1968 Ford Mustang and painted "Stetson Black" in honor of Shelby's preferred choice of headgear. Aside from the color, the "Black Hornet" is an exact replica of the "Green Hornet" after it received four-wheel disc brakes but before the fuel injection or independent rear suspension.
The "Black Hornet" is powered by a 335-hp. 428 cu-in V-8 and has been a part of Carroll Shelby's personal collection since 2003. It is the only authorized reproduction of the "Green Hornet" in existence and is included in the official Shelby Worldwide Registry.
The "Black Hornet" appeared at the SEMA show in Las Vegas this week and will be auctioned off on eBay from December 2 to 12. A portion of the sale will be donated to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation, which helps children around the world who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses and promotes organ and tissue donation. Bidding will start at $100,000.
Image via WikipediaIn conjunction with a Shelby Automobiles will be sponsoring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motorspeedway in March. The race will actually be lengthened to 427 miles and will be called the 'Shelby 427'. We think it would be more historically appropriate for Shelby to sponsor a road racing event, but the company's proximity to the race track and the better marketing reach make NASCAR a logical choice.
In conjunction with the sponsorship, Shelby will be offering a 427 package for the GT500. Hoping for a 427ci engine conversion? So were we, but prepare to be disappointed. The 427 package will be a simple badge job and will include "Mr. Shelby's personal autograph as well as many other event-related add-ons." Those who purchase the package will also receive race tickets and the possibility to serve as the race's honorary starter.
[Source: Shelby]
PRESS RELEASE:
LAS VEGAS – The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, 2009 will be sponsored by Shelby Automobiles. The event will be lengthened to 427 miles and will be called the "Shelby 427."
Together, LVMS and Shelby will market a Las Vegas Motor Speedway Limited Edition Shelby 427 package for the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang.
LVMS President Chris Powell and Shelby Automobiles founder Carroll Shelby made the announcement today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.
"We are ecstatic to have the legendary Shelby name on our 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup race," Powell said. "It's a tremendous opportunity for us to give added exposure to the Shelby brand that has, over the years, become synonymous with the best in high-performance cars."
Bruton Smith, founder and CEO of LVMS parent company Speedway Motorsports, and Carroll Shelby have been friends for many years.
"We are thrilled to combine the efforts of our two companies in this sponsorship," Smith said. "Carroll and his team have long been known for the high quality of their work and the tremendous popularity of their cars."
Carroll Shelby has driven and designed race and sports cars for more than 50 years. His company, Shelby Automobiles, located its manufacturing facility at the speedway complex as the anchor tenant in 1998. The company uses the oval and road courses for its research and development. This is the first time Shelby Automobiles has sponsored a NASCAR event.
"The Shelby name will be forever linked to racing because of our unrivaled success in competition over the years," said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. "The Ford Shelby Mustang programs have allowed us to begin exploring motorsports options again. While we determine the series best suited to our products, we wanted to raise our profile in the racing community, and the NASCAR race next to our campus presented the ideal opportunity. Shelby was the first small American sports car and muscle car manufacturer to win world championships, and now we're the first to sponsor a NASCAR race."
"We're thrilled to have our name on the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Shelby 427," Carroll Shelby said. "From drag racing to Formula 1, I've been involved in just about every type of motor racing except NASCAR. I love the competition, passion and excitement of the fans and teams in NASCAR. We're offering real enthusiasts an opportunity to be part of something really special through this program."
Since its inception in 1998, the Sprint Cup race at LVMS has been run at a length of 400.5 miles, which is 267 laps around the 1.5-mile oval. In order to accommodate the new event name, the race will be increased by 27 miles and will feature 285 laps.
As part of the one-year race sponsorship, Shelby Automobiles will market a Las Vegas Motor Speedway Limited Edition Shelby 427 package for the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang. Owners of 2007 and 2008 Shelby GT500s with the post title Super Snake package on their muscle car can purchase the limited edition "pace car" upgrade on a first-come, first-served basis by emailing shelby427@lvms.com. Shelby enthusiasts may have their names added to a waiting list for the package by emailing shelbywaitinglist@lvms.com. The upgraded package will include Mr. Shelby's personal autograph as well as many other event-related add-ons. Only 427 of these packages will be available through Shelby Automobiles.
Those who purchase a Shelby 427 package will also receive special race tickets and other amenities, including the opportunity to serve as the race's honorary starter
In my quest for some new gauges for my '83, I kept coming back to the Ford Racing line. I'm a Ford guy in general and the Ford Racing gauges are just a great looking line.
The first addition to my collection is a 2 1/16" fuel pressure gauge. I will be using an a pillar gauge pod for this and another gauge to go along with my 5" tach that I'll be mounting on the dash.
The Ford Racing gauges are made by Auto Meter so you know they are accurate. The gauge features a white face with a vibrant red pointer that's easy to read. The gauge measures fuel pressure from 10-100 psi and is a mechanical unit.
Both the gauge cages and pods are made of strong material which is even guaranteed to outlast your Mustang. The gauge cages are crafted from aluminum and have a matte black finish to complement the gauge bezels.
The cages are assembled with allen bolts to ensure a perfect seal. The gauge pods are made of tough plastic that prevents warping and cracking. Each pod is custom fit to each application making an easy installation and perfect fit all in one.
All in all the Ford Racing gauges are nice pieces that will add a nice look to my 83's interior and keep me updated with valuable information as we tear down the road (err, track).
I got my gauge from American Muscle, which has a great selection of all types of gauges and other parts for early and late model Mustangs. Not to mention they offer free shipping!
Dan Gurney is joining the likes of Carroll Shelby and Parnelli Jones, rolling out a version of Mustang to slap his name on. This car is a very limited edition, with only 300 being produced. And much like his rival's cars, his is very fast.
Gurney hasn't participated in a race since 1970, but his popularity hasn't declined any. His resume includes four wins in Formula 1 world-championship events (including one in his own Eagle F1 car), seven Indy Car victories, five NASCAR wins, and countless first-place finishes in sports-car events.
Since 1970 Gurney has been the owner of All American Racers, a team that has accumulated 78 victories including the 24 hours of Daytona and Indy 500.
The Saleen built Gurney Signature Edition Mustang sports a supercharged 4.6 liter V-8 boasting 465 horsepower. All those horses flow through a 5 speed manual with short throw shifter and into a 3.73 geared limited slip rear. Suspension is a Racecraft design with a Gen-II Watts-Link rear end (a first for a Saleen), which lowers the car's roll center and helps keep the live axle centered under the car (improving handling balance). Tires are high-performance Pirelli P Zero Corsas (285/30ZR-19s in front, 285/35ZR-19s in back) on five-spoke Heritage Edition gray alloys. Brakes are 14-inch vented discs with four-piston calipers up front, 11.8-inch vented discs at the rear.
Visual mods include a Gurney body kit, duck bill rear spoiler, hood pins, and custom graphics. The interior has been upgraded to a leather interior with Alcantara inserts, boost and air temp gauges, and Gurney's own signature on the dash.
The Gurney Mustang produces 35 less horsepower than the Shelby GT500, but by looking at the timeslips you'd be hard pressed to tell it. The trip to 60 takes only 4.3 seconds (identical to the GT500). The quarter mile flashes by in 12.9 seconds at 111.3 mph (compared to 12.6 for the Shelby). Braking performance bests the GT500 at 108 feet, compared to 118. The Gurney also outperforms the Shelby on the skidpad, pulling .96 g's of lateral grip compared to .89.
Saleen offers the Gurney in just three colors: Performance White, Torch Red, or Vista Blue. Price for the 300 cars will run around $58,000.
Dan Gurney is clearly happy to finally have a production car he helped to produce, saying "It's a wonderful thing to have a Mustang with my name on it." And despite the influx of special edition Mustangs currently on the market, the Signature Edition is a welcome addition.
A little known story among Mustang fans is that of Carroll Shelby and his Terlingua Racing Team. Shelby automotives plans to celebrate Shelby's racing lineage next month with it's first annual Shelby "Bullrun" Challenge deep in the heart of Texas.
The tale first unfolds in the 1960's in the town of Terlingua, Texas. A group of gearheads were approached by Ford to build Mustang racers. The group consisted of Carroll Shelby, Bill Neale, Dave Witts, Tom Tierney and David E. Davis, Jr, who willingly accepted the offer and ended up building the now famous GT350 and GT500 Mustangs. The group was famous for it's wild parties and fast paced lifestyles in between races.
The distinguishing mark of this crazy bunch was a yellow and black logo penned by co-founder Bill Neale. At the center of the badge was a rabbit with one paw raised into the air. With the bunny leading the charge on each team member's hood, the Terlingua's wreaked havoc on the Trans Am Series and quickly became notorious both in paddocks and on the streets.
After multiple wins and a lot of cars being built, the race team was all but forgotten until last year when Shelby rolled out its Terlingua Racing Team V-6 Mustang. According to Shelby officials, the main focus in building the car was to create an affordable, genuine Shelby Mustang capable of competing in all sorts of racing situations with ample power and handling prowess. From drifting and drag racing, to circuit and autocross racing, the Terlingua Racing Team Shelby Mustang aims to have everything covered.
In celebration of the team's past successes and future growth, Shelby Automobiles is hosting the Texas-style Shelby "Bullrun" Challenge at Terlingua this September 25 to 28. For three days, anyone that comes to the festivities in a Shelby vehicle (Mustang, Cobra, etc.), factory Mustang, or Ford GT will be able to participate in the variety of planned drives and events.
"We created the Shelby Terlingua Racing Team so our small group of rebels could have some real fun," stated Carroll Shelby in a press release. "Now, I'm inviting a new generation to return with me for a weekend they'll always remember."
Organizers have mapped out a 350 mile rally run, a 12 mile time trial course, airstrip track and half mile dragstrip for enthusiast wanting to burn a little rubber over the weekend. Other fun to be had at the "Bullrun" includes the mandatory car show, hole-in-one golf tournament, Texas "shootout", chili cook-off contest and autograph session with Carroll Shelby.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u2vgCjL6VwEIbV87LjU9jdeAZjq8IJy7l0n1nZcD_Ce_Db_dTj6P9aseUVyAA7LNFT1WLA6iKo6YpU-1O47rmWZafGHAO6K7uh_4tgzl-8d0KUwP3b7t2R8PN_u8yDa9fRDhNbD54lFPZXHzQgi8qn=s0-d)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tR7i_jRkWZQVmcMPu6KZnNg0aHY-kx2leq2KyU4C5PfreaP1O9xRV3-nIL0qIajQs_qzizdhaj3O-_5EmxPEVnBC07ZatSM6t_h66MmjTAZHCUfok0j4BGBy8ca1uQEqttUc4diIk0XIHZeS8sgf0I=s0-d)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_ugoKeNhE250dWCt1B_gnTWROe3mqEYW9VcxHNuKDhdZRMDkunX8HAvGOJ_2wqq4pIyNVIE4FER22qtgOWEEIwvi8YvwhlWOJHx1aZvFmTumeEdG20DVhrYBexpz0Qul-qJAOIwpb1chYno9_Er31b3=s0-d)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tExm0iOEoxpcfUKGfr0TaPyEJoXNkJeSFyXw5AB4_cNuDt5OAo3bTcOBoB_gaJJoUCcK6kkAQqEEiLurFXD9gPq5XfXBPSzaiJgjsuASwDe9jle09UNgnOvBhc1LFQfj_yKAdFtb60xStaf0jnTmA=s0-d)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uv726FyAbk_YTjzwGclWvBWZk0cw15cZGHAhNY7NrKMTSgEVfDVDCf94sXcxsT7ckr2Yf6hlIPQjg66WKULbU9on3C6UZtPkhpQvNzmS3U3BWiO1qGbyJqMuXJo9oSQ16Eq8whfns-CqN1ioucX1aP=s0-d)
