Shelby announced a new limited-edition Shelby Mustang will be revealed on February 5 at a fund-raiser dinner for the National Hot Rod Association museum. The car will be a track-only "R Model" to commemorating Jerry Titus’ 1965 SCCA Championship with the original Shelby GT-350R.
"In 1965, my team built 37 small block ’R Model’ race-only versions of the Shelby GT350 Mustang that kicked tails on circuits worldwide," said Carroll Shelby. "Working with Ford Racing, we’re going to build a new track day ’R Model’ version of the Ford Shelby GT. It’ll be lots of fun to drive and ready to rip up the pavement right out of the box."
For those who think they may have to wait a while until the 2010 Ford Shelby GT 500 hits the streets for ’ol Shell to make the conversion, this may be some good news: the 2007-2008 Shelby GT will be the base for the car.
The car will come with 550 hp from the 4.6-liter V8. It will also feature a short throw six-speed manual transmission, Grand-Am spec roll cage, upgraded cooling system, 18-inch wheels with racing tires, and racing brakes. All this non-street fun can be yours for $134,995.
Full breakdown in the press release after the jump
Yesterday we saw a chrome C63 AMG, now its a Shelby GT500KR’s time to get a mirror finish. Unlike the behind-the-scenes we saw with the chrome Bugatti Veyron, this car isn’t just a shiny sticker.
While Ford may be excited about the 2010 Mustang it’s the special editions that get us all hot and bothered. Ford knows this because the 2010 car was revealed back in November, and only a few months later the Shelby GT500 is peeking its head out of the barn.
What makes this car special is the engine. It’s a supercharged DOHC 5.4-liter V8 that puts out 540 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque. That’s the same figures from the 2008 GT500 KR (take that, KITT!) The car also comes with other goodies to help enjoy the engine like a cold-air intake, aluminum “power dome” hood with engine heat extractor, six-speed manual transmission, and larger 250 mm disk brakes.
We’ll get the first live glimpse of the car next week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The first Shelby GT500s are scheduled to roll off the assembly line and into showrooms this spring.
Full breakdown in the press release and more pics after the jump.
Last month, we reported that Ford will unveil a new version of the 2010 Mustang at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The latest spy shot makes us think that it will be the 2010 Shelby GT500. Jalopnik was able to catch this on the streets of downtown Detroit, the home of January’s auto show as well as Ford.
Just like the regular version of the 2010 Mustang, there isn’t a whole lot new to see on this car. It gets the same minor upgrades as the standard car. Probably the biggest visual element spied on this car was the better integrated spoiler (not even worth showing.)
Ford must have been looking to get attention with this car. It’s black with cow spots and electric blue stripes (that say "GT 500"). This was more of a pimpmobile than an undercover test mule.
Carroll Shelby first made a prototype car back in 1968 called the "Green Hornet". It was a testbed for a fuel injection system as well as an independent rear suspension. Because it was one-of-a-kind prototype, it is a very valuable collector car today. Valuable enough that Carroll Shelby authorized a stock 1968 Mustang to be made into an official reproduction called the "Black Hornet".
The Black Hornet carries the same 428 Cobra Jet V8 engine as the original Green Hornet making 335 hp. The car also features Edelbrock aluminum heads, a top-loader 4-speed transmission, power steering, power brakes, and Shelby 10-spoke wheels. According to the builder, "XP500 CSS ’Black Hornet’ is identical to the Greent Hornet just after it received disc brakes but prior to the Colonic EFI or independent rear suspension."
Now the Black Hornet is on its way to the auction block for a good cause. Starting on December 2nd eBay will carry the car at a minimum bid of $100,000, and all proceeds go to help the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation.
There is something about a rental car that turns even the tamest driver into a Manhattan cabbie. The little accountability for the car’s future will usually let the driver give into the “drive it like you stole it” attitude. This wear has no doubt been amplified in the fleet of Hertz Car Rental’s fleet of Mustang Shelbys. If you are brave enough to pick up a rare example of the well-worn racer, 25 of the 500 made will be auctioned off at next week’s Kruse auction in Monterey, CA.
These examples from 2007 were rated at 319 horsepower when they were factory fresh, but it’s doubtful they were broken-in correctly. No matter the wear and tear associated with the cars, just like the GT350Hs of the 60s, the ultra-exclusive cars will always have a value on the classic market.
eBay features a 2008 Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake for sale for the amazing price of $200,000. This is more than double than the standard MSRP of $72.000.
Super Snake is powered by a V8 engine that delivers from 600 to 725 hp (the engine conversion to hit 725 hp is priced at $31,995, so this will not explain the huge price!).
Even if its limited to only 1746 units we are only talking about a Ford. But for this particular one its dealer asks $155k, even if Ford announced a MSRP of less than $80K!
It’s true it is powered by a V8 engine that delivers 540 hp, but for $72K you can buy a Nissan GT-R! And with all its improvements we are talking about a Mustang in here, so come on! And if you don’t like the Nissan GT-R, with $30,000 less, you can leave a Porsche dealership with a brand-new 911 GT3 RS! What else can we say?
Buy if you still want this Mustang, you can go on ebay and “Buy It Now” for… $154,991!
The GT500KR or “King of the Road” Mustang is the fourth limited-edition Mustang that Shelby Automobiles and Ford have brought to market since resuming their collaboration in 2001. The public will get its first taste of the GT500KR in late May, when selected dealers will offer the latest Shelby Mustang in a limited edition of 1,000 units for 2008. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the Mustang GT500KR is $79,995, including destination and delivery charges.
Each 2008 GT500KR model is identified by a special 40th Anniversary badge on the fenders and grille, distinctive body colored mirror caps and Shelby lettering stretching across the front of the hood and along the rear portion of the deck lid. A special Shelby Automobiles, Inc., Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) tag is affixed inside each vehicle’s engine compartment.
The 2008 “King of the Road” packs a walloping dose of Ford performance under a sculpted carbon fiber hood. The Ford SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 is enhanced with a series of Ford Racing-inspired upgrades that boosts horsepower to an estimated 540 and torque to 510 lb.-ft.
Long live the King! The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR, “King of the Road” assumes the throne, taking its rightful place as the ultimate American muscle car.
The GT500KR builds on the already impressive stats of the Shelby GT500, with 40 more horsepower, an additional 30 foot-pounds of torque and an array of chassis, aero and weight-reduction measures to offer world-class performance. Engineered by Ford SVT with final assembly by Shelby Automobiles, it blends track learnings from the Ford Racing Mustang FR500C and the ingenuity of Carroll Shelby to deliver the ultimate in Mustang performance.
“Every new Shelby Mustang renews my energy and passion for performance,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. “I’m just as excited about the 2008 KR as I was when I developed the first one. The team has done a great job with this car. It is this is truly the best Shelby Mustang we’ve ever built…so far.”
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