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Shelby Mustang
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The Shelby Mustang is a high performance variant of the Ford Mustang, built by Ford from 1968 through 1970. The 1965, 1966 and 1967 Shelbys were a series of Ford Mustangs which were specially modified by Carroll Shelby's company and sold under the name Shelby GT. From 1968 the model became the Shelby Cobra GT. The program was factory-sponsored by Ford to compete with the Corvette, also factory-sponsored by Chevrolet, neither of which could be built for the sales price charged.
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The Shelby Mustang is a high performance variant of the Ford Mustang, built by Ford from 1968 through 1970. The 1965, 1966 and 1967 Shelbys were a series of Ford Mustangs which were specially modified by Carroll Shelby's company and sold under the name Shelby GT. From 1968 the model became the Shelby Cobra GT. The program was factory-sponsored by Ford to compete with the Corvette, also factory-sponsored by Chevrolet, neither of which could be built for the sales price charged. In 2007, following the introduction of the Fifth-generation Ford Mustang the Shelby nameplate was revived for new high performance versions of the Mustang.
1965-1970 GT350 and GT500
1965-1966
LARRYLARRY'The 1966 was differentiated in body color (non-white versions were introduced — colors included blue, red, green and black, as well as the original white) and trim. The "Le Mans" stripes were continued as an option, as in 1965. It featured special quarter-panel windows and rear air scoops on each side and an optional automatic transmission. A fold-down rear seat was now standard as well. Where early 1965 cars had black engine blocks, 1966 and later cars had the 289 engine painted blue. The first 252 GT-350s for 1966 were "carry-over" cars. They had the 1965 Ford Mustang Bodies and 1965 Ford Mustang serial numbers under their Shelby serial numbers. They had mostly 1965 features including standard Koni shocks and engines painted black. Blue engines did not occur in 1966 until after these 252 "carry-over" models were produced. 1966 production was 1373 fastbacks including two prototypes and four drag cars and 252 "carry-over" models with Ford Mustang 1965 bodies. 1001 Hertz fastbacks were produced, including two prototypes. Four convertibles were also produced, for a total of 2378 units for 1966.
Shelby struck a deal with the Hertz Corporation to produce a special line of GT350s for rent which were subsequently sold to the public after their rental-car lives were finished. These "GT350H" cars are quite rare and sought-after today, with some examples selling for more than $120,000. Shelby produced 1000 of these cars: 800 in Raven Black, and 50 each in Candy Apple Red, Wimbledon White, Sapphire Blue and Ivy Green. All Hertz cars featured gold LeMans stripes and rocker panel stripes. Early "Hertz" cars were available with four-speed manual transmissions until so many cars were returned from rental with burned and broken clutch assemblies that all of the later cars shipped to Hertz were equipped with an automatic transmission. Many were rented to use as production class cars at SCCA events, some were returned with different engines, holes where roll bars had been welded in, and other modifications to legally run on the track.
Production numbers: GT350 — 2,380 units (four were special order convertibles for Carroll Shelby, the rumor is that six were made, but only four VINs have been discovered). The brakes were enlarged because of the extra power. New components such as under-hood suspension bracing were used. Staggered rear shock absorbers prevented wheel hop and axle wind-up. Functional air intake scoops were added to force air to the rear brake pads, helping keep them cool.
1967
1968
1968 introduced the Shelby Mustang. Power steering, a single carburetor and hydraulic camshaft made this a muscle car for the masses. The Shelby GT350 Mustang sported a 302 cubic-inch V8 while the GT500 came equipped with the 428 cubic-inch Police Interceptor engine. In February 1968, the GT500KR "King of the Road" debuted; under the hood was a 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8 which was rated at , severely underrated. Due to a production strike, some early 68 GT500's had a 390 cubic-inch V8. Also in 1968, production of Shelby Mustangs switched from Shelby's shop in California to A.O. Smith Company in Michigan.
1969 and 1970
Carroll Shelby terminated his agreement with Ford in the summer of 1969. The GT350 and GT500 for the 1969–70 model years received extensive face lifts, the body alone increasing in length by . Ford was heavily involved with design and style decisions, with Shelby having very little input. The GT350 was now equipped with a 351 cubic-inch V8. Production of Shelby Mustangs ceased with the 1970 model year. The 1970 models were in fact left over 1969 models.
2006-2007 Shelby GT-H and 2007-2008 Shelby GT
Ford introduced the Shelby GT-H version of the Mustang at the 2006 New York Auto Show. Like the original GT350H from 1966, the GT-H featured gold-on-black paint and was only available at the Hertz car rental agency. A modest power bump over the regular Mustang GT resulted in a claimed 325 hp (242 kW) and 330 ft·lbf (447 N·m). Features included a 5-speed automatic transmission, and a package from Ford Racing including a 90 mm cold air intake kit, X-pipe, special performance suspension, and Ford Racing "GTA" axle-back mufflers. Only 500 cars were built to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original Shelby GT350H. For 2007, a convertible version of the GT-H was offered for rental at Hertz.
The 4.6 liter, 281-cubic-inch, Ford Shelby GT slots between the Mustang GT and the . It is essentially a retail sale version of the Hertz rental-only Ford Shelby GT-H, except a manual transmission is available. Other differences include the deletion of the rear spoiler, a retro Shelby hood scoop in place of the CS6/8 Shelby hood, and silver versus the gold stripes, with the car available in either white or black in 2007 and Grabber Orange or Vista Blue for 2008. A very limited number (100) Barrett Jackson Shelby GTs were built in 2008 that were black with red stripes. The Hertz Shelby GT-H attracted so much attention that Ford dealers and customers asked for a version of their own. Like the GT-H, the Shelby GT is modified at Shelby Automotive's factory in Las Vegas, which distinguishes the GT-H and Shelby GT models from the GT500 in that the GT500's are produced entirely in Flint, MI by Ford Motor Company.
Production of the Shelby GT began in December 2006 and the car went on sale in January 2007. It was originally planned that up to 6000 cars would be built. However, with final numbers as of this date still not in, they are expected to be slightly less than this amount. As of this date the following approximate number of 2007 Shelby GT's is known;
2007 Shelby GT Production Numbers
Total Cars: 5,632
White Auto: 491
White Man: 1,768
Total White: 2,259
Black Auto: 508
Black Man: 2,865
Total Black: 3,373
As of this date the production numbers for the 2008 cars has not been announced. A Shelby Registry is being prepared and finalized by Shelby Automobiles, Inc. which will post the official numbers.
At the request of owners a number of Shelby GTs are being modified in various ways by Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas. One of these modifications results in a model known as the Shelby GT/SC (Supercharged). A large number of add-ons can be had including the "Super Snake" brakes and larger wheels and tires which are necessary to accommodate these brakes. Additionally there are three different available superchargers, again installed by Shelby Automobiles or authorized Shelby Mod Shop, that can increase rated horsepower to 500 or more. Only modifications completed by Shelby Mod Shops will be recognized by the official Shelby Registry.
2007-present Ford Shelby GT500
Shelby and Ford returned for the 2007 model year with the Shelby GT500. Introduced at the 2003 New York International Auto Show, the GT500 uses a 5.4 L (330 CID) Modular supercharged V8. Features include the Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission, suspension tuning, a body kit, and wheels.
Deliveries of the Shelby GT500 began in May 2006.
A collaboration of Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and Carroll Shelby, the GT500 will be produced in limited quantity for three years (approximately 10,000 units per year) on the line at Ford's Flat Rock, Michigan (AutoAlliance) assembly facility.
2008-2009 Ford Shelby GT500KR
The Ford Shelby GT500KR, revealed at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, was released in the spring of 2008. The car is powered by a 540 horsepower 5.4-liter (330 CID) supercharged V-8 variation with a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack. SVT and Shelby announced that 1,000 40th Anniversary Editions will be built for the U.S. in 2008, with another 571 units in 2009. This 1,571 production run matches that of the original 1968 GT500KR. In total, 1,746 units will be produced, with the extra 175 units going to other markets.
The Shelby GT500KR features a carbon composite hood with scoops and hood pins, a lowered front air dam, and Brembo brand front brakes with functional cooling ducts. The suspension has been modified and tuned by Shelby Automobiles and Ford Racing including unique spring rates, dampers, stabilizer bars, and strut tower brace, all designed specifically for the KR.
The GT500KR draws on styling features from the classic 1968 "King of the Road" GT500KR model, and the 2008 model includes "40th Anniversary" badging; both years will have silver paint with blue "LeMans" stripes, and Carroll Shelby signature embroidered seats. The GT500KR's price will be $79,995.
The GT500KR is featured prominently in the new Knight Rider television series on NBC. One of the main characters of the show is KITT, an advanced Artificial Intelligence housed in a GT500KR. Also, in the return of the show, KARR is also a GT500KR.
Specifications
- Front engine, RWD, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
- Supercharged DOHC 32 valve V8 engine
- 330 CID (5408 cc) displacement
- Power: 540 hp (410 kW) (550 CV)
- Torque: .
- 6-speed manual transmission
- 3.73 differential ratio
- 18 x 9.5" Alcoa wheels on Goodyear F1 tires (front: P255/45ZR18 rear: 285/40/ZR18)
- Tuned suspension by Shelby and Ford Racing
curb weight
wheelbase
- 188×73.9×54.5 in (4.78×1.88×1.38 m)
- Weight .
Performance
- 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 4.1s
- 1/4 mile: 11.92s @ 120 mph (11.58 @ on drag radials)
Super Snake
Starting in 2008, previous 2007 Shelby GT500 Mustangs could be sent to Carroll Shelby's Special Performance Plant in Las Vegas to be rebuilt into a Super Snake, for an additional cost of $27,995. The Super Snake will offer a 605 hp 5.4L Eaton TVS supercharged version with warranty. A Kenne Bell twin-screw supercharged version with "over 725 hp" will also be available, without warranty and a 0-60 [mph] time of under four seconds. The Super Snake is inspired by the 1967 GT500 Super Snake, a car made by Carroll Shelby for Goodyear Tires.
The Super Snake also comes with a variety of other performance, handling and cosmetic changes including badging, gauge pod, stripes, 20" Alcoa wheels, fibreglass ram-air Super Snake hood, stripes, carbon fibre front splitter and skirts, larger 6-piston Baer brakes, front and rear brake cooling ducts, complete track setup suspension, aluminum driveshaft, 3.73 differential gears and cat-back exhaust system.
Need for Speed Shelby Terlingua
Recently, due to the release of the videogame Need For Speed: Undercover, Shelby and EA produced a one-off Terlingua Mustang by modifying a V6 Mustang . It was used to promote the game as it featured some distinctive details like Need for Speed badges. The Shelby Terlingua can be unlocked by typing the code "NeedForSpeedShelbyTerlingua".
This Mustang is one of the concepts.
Unique Performance
In 2002, Carroll Shelby sold a license to a company called Unique Performance in Farmers Branch, Texas, to produce the GT500E, a Shelby based on the "Eleanor" 1967 GT500 featured prominently in the 2000 movie Gone in Sixty Seconds, starring Nicolas Cage. Other new Shelbys followed, including the GT350SR and GT500SR. Each of these new Shelbys is given a Shelby VIN and all are eligible for inclusion in the Shelby American World Registry.
On October 5, 2007 Shelby's licensing branch announced it has taken steps to sever the relationship with Unique Performance after numerous complaints and several lawsuits filed by customers who had paid money for "Continuation" Shelby GT-350SRs and GT-500Es (Eleanors) but not received cars.
On November 1, 2007, Unique Performance was raided by the Farmers Branch Police Department due to VIN irregularities and subsequently declared bankruptcy, which effectively ended the Shelby continuation "Eleanor" production.
Sean Hyland Motorsport
October 2008 — Shelby Automobiles, Inc. named as the first authorized Shelby mod shop outside of the U.S. to build high performance versions of current generation Shelby and Ford Mustangs. were to begin building factory authorized post-title Shelby Mustangs at their facility in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada in late November. will also enhance Mustangs with authentic Shelby Performance Parts. Individual components will include upgraded brakes, superchargers, suspension components and cosmetic pieces such as hoods and fascias exclusively designed at Shelby Automobiles.
Shelby and SHM are also working together to create a powerful line of 4.6 and 5.4L modular engines. Branded with the Shelby logo, there will be five engine options including a 4.6L 3-valve cast aluminum block that will crank out for 2005 through 2009 Mustang GTs, as well as a Shelby GT500 5.4 liter high output long block capable of . In addition to the engines, Shelby and SHM will also offer Shelby branded front and rear suspensions as well as a Shelby GT500 Power Pack. The engines, suspensions and power packs will be available soon from Shelby Automobiles.
See also
External links
- Shelby GT500 Testing Compilation Video
- Online SVT Community
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