Carroll
Shelby at the wheel of a new Cobra production car.
Venice, CA, 1963
First 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR rolls off the
production line on Carroll Shelby’s 85th birthday.
The 540-horsepower muscle car dubbed “King of the
Road” will arrive at select Ford dealerships this spring
for an exclusive run of only 1,000 units.
Ford SVT and Goodyear to debut a new performance
compound tire for North America on Shelby GT500KR.
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2008 – Automotive legend Carroll
Shelby shares his 85th birthday with a new performance
standout – the 540-horsepower 2008 GT500KR, which begins
production today.
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. It builds on the performance and success of the
500-horsepower Shelby GT500 – the most powerful production
Mustang ever.
The new GT500KR will be available at select Ford
dealerships this spring. Production is limited at 1,000
units.
“It is simply magic when Shelby and Ford team up and
deliver products like the GT500KR,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s
president, The Americas. “Collaborations like this have
helped Mustang remain at the top of the sports car segment
for 22 straight years – and running – and help inspire
people who truly want and value performance.”
Carroll Shelby, who was actively involved in the
GT500KR’s development, said: “My energy and passion for
performance products has always been strongest when I am
working with Ford. I’m always looking to up the ante when it
comes to performance, and bringing back the ‘King of the
Road’ Mustang is just what we need.”
Delivering the “King of the Road”
Each Shelby GT500KR begins life as a GT500, built at
AutoAlliance International Inc., in Flat Rock, Mich. From
there, the cars are shipped to Shelby Automobile’s facility
in Las Vegas, where a Ford Racing performance pack, exhaust
system and short-throw shifter are installed. The GT500KR
also is fitted with body, chassis and interior components.
Every GT500KR will be hand customized and delivered to each
customer in an enclosed transporter, just like the legendary
Ford GT.
To fine-tune the GT500KR’s chassis – stiffened 50 percent
to deliver increased body control – SVT engineers and Shelby
put the GT500KR through a rigorous testing program developed
specially for SVT products, including a 12-hour racetrack
durability test. The result is a car with increased
performance capability that is still comfortable to drive on
the street.
The GT500KR’s aerodynamics were fine-tuned to add 50
pounds of downforce over the front axle and move the center
of aero pressure forward in the vehicle to improve
high-speed balance and downforce under high-speed braking. A
new front splitter design works with the hood and revised
rear spoiler to deliver these benefits. The bottom line: the
GT500KR sets new performance standards for Mustang handling
and straight-line performance on the racetrack, slalom
course and skidpad.
“Because the Shelby GT500 strikes a great balance between
ride and handling, we knew that the GT500KR had to be even
better,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer at Ford SVT. “We
used a holistic approach, having chassis engineers work
closely with the engine specialists to develop a tuning
suspension that optimizes the engine enhancements.”
Added Gary Davis, vice president production for Shelby
Automobiles: “We aren’t fixing our attention on one or two
attributes, but working on the vehicle as a whole. The
throttle response, power delivery, exhaust note and handling
all work together to deliver a great total driving
experience.”
To deliver that balance, the ride height has been lowered
to the optimum setting for limit handling, which equates to
a 20 mm ride height reduction in the front and 15 mm in the
rear.
The Shelby GT500KR team sculpted a modern interpretation
of the original’s bulging hood scoop, a visual indication of
the extra horsepower packed beneath it. The hood is secured
by a pair of stainless steel, twist-down hood pins.
To save weight, the hood borrows design elements from the
ducted aluminum/carbon fiber clamshell on the Ford GT.
Developed through intensive use of analytical tools
including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite
Element Analysis (FEA), the design optimizes the structural
properties of carbon fiber delivering panels at a wafer-thin
0.8 mm. The hood saves 15 pounds versus its aluminum
counterpart in the GT500.
Unlike most traditional designs, the hood has three
components: the outer panel, an integrated airflow duct
which spans the entire hood and the inner panel. The duct
serves three purposes: to channel supplemental fresh air
into the new cold air intake, to relieve high-speed
underhood pressure and to move air from the front intake and
engine compartment to the rear extractors.
The Shelby GT500KR will ride on all-new Goodyear tires,
which make their North American debut exclusively on this
new Mustang. The Supercar F1 tire, made of a new performance
compound, resulted from a special collaboration between SVT
and Goodyear.
Each 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 VIN tag is affixed to each
vehicle, mounted in the engine compartment.
The all-leather interior features Carroll Shelby
signature embroidered headrests and an official Shelby CSM
40th Anniversary GT500KR dash plate mounted at the top of
the center stack.
Other standard equipment includes HID headlamps, an
interior ambient lighting package, wrapped and stitched
instrument panel, center console and armrests, as well as an
electrochromic rearview mirror. Optional equipment includes
a Shaker 1000 audio system and DVD navigation system.
The GT500KR’s 5.4-liter V-8 Gets the Royal
Treatment
Just like its namesake, the 1968 GT500KR, the 2008 “King
of the Road” packs a walloping dose of Ford performance. The
Ford SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 is enhanced
with a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack that boosts horsepower
to an estimated 540-hp and torque to 510 ft.-lbs. The added
power comes thanks to revised ignition and throttle
calibration and a cold air intake system that replaces the
stock unit. The Shelby GT500KR cold air intake seal was
designed in unison with the new carbon fiber hood to prevent
hot engine compartment air from reaching the air intake.
Calibration modifications include advancing the ignition
timing as well as re-mapping the electronic throttle
settings to provide quicker throttle response for better
off-line and mid-range acceleration. Increased throttle
response will be met with a sharper roar from the Ford
Racing-inspired exhaust system.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Tremec
TR6060 six-speed manual transmission and 3.73:1 rear axle
ratio, compared with the GT500’s 3.31:1.
To perform optimally on track and during performance
driving, the Shelby GT500KR has been fitted with an elevated
axle vent reservoir to prevent axle fluid expulsion. Gear
selection is courtesy of an all-new Ford Racing short-throw
shifter making its debut on the GT500KR. Topped with a white
ball, the new shifter throws are 25 percent shorter than the
unit on the GT500 providing for crisper, sharper shifts.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader
based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes
automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about
250,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the
company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include
Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda.
The company provides financial services through Ford Motor
Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s
products, please visit
www.ford.com.
About Shelby Automobiles Inc.
Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby Automobiles
Inc., manufactures and markets performance vehicles and
related products. The company manufactures authentic
continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA and 289
street car component vehicles. In 2007, the company
partnered with Ford Motor Company to launch the new Shelby
GT, which is based on the Mustang. For more information
about Shelby Automobiles and to see the build of a 2008 Ford
Shelby GT500KR, visit
www.shelbyautos.com.
2008 Ford Shelby
GT500
FORD SHELBY GT500 COMBINES UNMISTAKABLE COBRA
STYLING AND POWER WITH NEW FEATURES FOR 2008
Performance Inspiration:
Carroll Shelby and the Ford Special Vehicle Team
enter their second model year of building a
modern successor to the famous 1967-70 Shelby
GT500
Performance Hardware: The
GT500 includes a supercharged 500-horsepower
5.4-liter V-8, 6-speed manual transmission,
race-tuned suspension and four-piston Brembo
brakes
Performance Design: Mustang
heritage abounds with an aggressive muscular
front-end design, Le Mans overbody racing
stripes, unmistakable Cobra logo and Shelby
nameplate
Safe and Secure: New front
driver- and passenger-seat side air bags provide
side-impact head protection as well as rollover
protection
Lighting up 2008: New
Ambient Interior Lighting feature is now
available, plus optional HID Headlamps. Also new
is Vapor Metallic exterior paint, replacing
Tungsten Grey
What happens when a performance legend from
Dearborn reunites with a performance legend from
Texas? You get the Ford Shelby GT500. The
collaboration between Shelby and Ford’s Special
Vehicle Team (SVT) continues to yield an instant
collector’s Mustang that delivers 500 horsepower
from its supercharged 5.4-liter V-8.
A modern interpretation of the big-block Shelby
Mustang of the late 1960s, the 2008 Shelby GT500
uses advanced engineering to attain the kind of
performance that made it the original the “King of
the Road.” True to its heritage, today’s GT500 is
available both as a coupe and as a convertible.
Serving as touchstone and inspirational leader
for both the concept and the production versions of
the modern GT500, Carroll Shelby was impressed by
what SVT engineers had accomplished.
“It’s one thing to put 450 horsepower in an
exotic supercar,” said Shelby. “It’s another to put
that much power in something as affordable as a
Mustang. The fact that they not only met their goal
but pushed on to 500 horsepower is a remarkable
achievement.”
Shelby knows something about creating modern
supercars. He served as a senior advisor on the SVT
Engineering team that developed and built the
550-horsepower Ford GT.
The Ford Shelby GT500 is built alongside other
production Mustangs at the Ford-Mazda joint venture
assembly facility, AutoAlliance International (AAI),
in Flat Rock, Mich.
Power Play As expected of anything with Shelby’s name
on it, the heart of the car is what’s under the
hood. The Ford Shelby GT500’s supercharged
5.4-liter, 32-valve V-8 evolves from Ford’s
experience with expanding its modular engine family.
Output is a brawny 500 horsepower.
The engine is force-fed an air-and-fuel
mixture via a “Roots-type” supercharger
providing 8.5 pounds per square inch of boost.
The GT500 uses a cast-iron engine block. It
borrows from the Ford GT program its aluminum,
four-valve cylinder heads, piston rings and
bearings, which add a high level of performance
and durability
“Powered by SVT” camshaft covers add the
finishing touch to the engine bay
Delivering the power to the pavement is a
6-speed manual gearbox with evenly spaced
gearing. This gives a rewarding driving
experience throughout the engine’s broad torque
curve. The heavy-duty transmission has proven
itself a perfect match to Mustangs in both road
and track environments, including the
race-winning Mustang FR500C
Power Requires Control The Ford Shelby GT500 continues a legacy of
all-around performance that made the original Shelby
Mustang a world-class racer on tracks and road
courses around the world.
The GT500 starts with the solid underpinnings of
the Mustang GT. Mustang was designed from the
beginning with performance derivatives in mind,
providing an exceptionally rigid, well-engineered
platform for GT500 chassis engineers.
SVT engineers retuned and upgraded key chassis
components for the GT500. Improvements such as
revised shocks, spring rates and upgraded stabilizer
bars help the Ford Shelby GT500 stop and turn with
the same authority as it goes.
The Ford Shelby GT500 features a MacPherson strut
independent front suspension with Reverse-L lower
control arms, and a solid-axle, three-link rear
suspension with coil springs and a Panhard rod for
precise control of the rear axle.
Engineers employed some of the biggest brakes in
the business for the GT500. Four-piston Brembo
calipers are fitted to 14-inch Brembo vented rotors
up front, and 11.8-inch vented discs in the rear
continue SVT’s tradition of great-braking Mustangs.
Secure footing is provided by 255/45ZR
high-performance tires in front and 285/40ZR
high-performance tires in back. Wheels are 18 by 9.5
inches.
Unmistakable Cobra Styling One glance at the Shelby GT500 shows this
is not a typical Mustang. A sinister-looking
front-end design includes wide upper and lower
fascia openings with a functional lower air
splitter. The upper grille opening sports the famous
Cobra logo, floating off-center in place of a
centered galloping pony found on other Mustangs. On
either side, slanting headlamp openings add to the
dramatic front appearance. New for 2008, optional
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps will be
available for added visibility and safety.
The bulging hood has a set of matching heat
extractors protruding near the leading edge,
combining to provide improved airflow and
aerodynamics. As air passes over the hood, hot air
from the engine compartment is drawn out through
venting attached to the extractors.
“The restrained, performance-oriented SVT design
theme has become instantly recognizable to
enthusiasts without the use of overly brash styling
cues,” said Doug Gaffka, Mustang chief designer.
“The GT500 takes a huge leap forward by combining
the modern Mustang muscle car with the classic
Shelby performance look.”
The Mustang design team drew inspiration from
classic 1967-68 Mustangs, the models that
transformed the mild-mannered pony car into a true
muscle car with attitude.
The production Ford Shelby GT500 Coupe is
punctuated by the classic Le Mans-style white
overbody stripes that race along the top from nose
to tail. The stripes recall the Shelby Mustangs that
marked another important 1960s Mustang transition,
when Ford put it on track to becoming a racing
legend. The GT500 nomenclature is prominent in the
lower bodyside racing stripe, another cue from the
classic Shelby Mustangs of yesteryear.
In a touch also borrowed from the GT500’s past,
no Le Mans overbody stripes will be seen on the 2008
Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible. The convertible
version will sport a high-end cloth top similar to
those found on pricier convertibles.
“There were no Le Mans stripes on Shelby’s
original GT500 Convertible, so we decided to pay
homage by not offering them on today’s convertible
models,” says Gaffka. “We also went with a cloth top
material as another measure of substance and
exclusivity. The fabric used is the same used on the
2002-03 SVT Mustang Cobra, the Thunderbird, Jaguar
and Ford’s other high-end convertibles.”
The unique rear fascia features lower strakes
inspired by the Ford GT’s integrated rear airflow
diffuser, and a rear spoiler reminiscent of a
classic GT500. To mark the collaboration of two
Mustang performance icons, the GT500 features both
Shelby and SVT badging.
The fenders each sport an updated design of the
famed Cobra emblem. The front grille houses an
off-center snake in place of the standard running
horse. “GT500” is emblazoned inside the side rocker
stripes, and the name SHELBY is prominently written
across the rear deck. The SVT logo can be seen on
the wheel center caps, a signature SVT location, as
well as on the doorsill plates. To top it off, the
medallion between the taillights reads, “Shelby
GT500” centered on the Cobra image.
Cockpit Upgrades Inside, too, flair and function abound. The
locations of the speedometer and the tachometer are
swapped from the Mustang GT to provide
performance-oriented drivers with a better view of
shift points while changing gears. Front seats have
received additional lateral support to help keep the
driver optimally positioned during cornering.
The interior is offered in a choice of two
colors, Charcoal Black or Charcoal Black and Crimson
Red. The charcoal/red offering features Crimson Red
seating surfaces and door panel inserts. Seating
surfaces are leather with both interior treatments.
Snake logos embossed in the seatbacks finish the
package.
The Shelby GT500 script and Cobra image are
repeated on the steering wheel cap. Behind the
wheel, the gauges wear light faces in keeping with
SVT tradition. The chromed accessories inside the
cabin have been replaced with a satin aluminum
finish, including the aluminum shift lever knob that
is nicely positioned for quick, positive shifts.
New for 2008 is the availability of a 7-color
programmable ambient lighting feature. This new Ford
option allows owners to choose colorful interior
lighting to fit their mood. A dashboard switch
controls the selection of ambient light via LEDs
mounted in the front console, two in the footwells
and two around the cupholders.
Shelby and SVT: The Legends Grow With the look and legend one would expect
from Shelby and the kind of power and performance
enthusiasts have come to expect from SVT, the SVT-engineered
Shelby GT500 points to proud new era in Ford’s
performance future.
Shelby first put his name on a Mustang back in
1964 when he was asked to inject a dose of high
performance into Ford’s brand-new pony car. The
result was the G.T.350R, a lightweight,
handling-focused race car that earned Mustang its
first performance credentials. Subsequent Shelby
Mustangs included a street version of the race car,
the G.T.350, and what was known as the
“rent-a-racer” Mustang, the G.T.350H, a joint
project with the Hertz rental car corporation.
The ultimate Shelby Mustang of the era was the
big-block G.T.500, and later the GT500KR, or “King
of the Road.” Powered by a 428-cubic-inch “Cobra
Jet” V-8, the distinctive GT500KR was one of the
most powerful – and memorable – muscle cars of that
period. Shelby Mustang production ceased in 1970
with a total volume of 14,559 units.
The GT500 launched a new series of
Shelby-inspired Mustangs. Following the Shelby GT500
was the Shelby GT-H, available for rental through
the Hertz Fun Fleets in 2007. These “retired” rental
cars, that consistently saw bids of over $50,000 at
auction, spawned a customer version of the GT plus
the announcement of the GT-H convertible that will
enter the Hertz Fun Fleet this summer. 2008 also
marks the return of the GT500KR “King of the Road.”
The most powerful production Mustang ever hits
dealer showrooms in the spring of 2008.
Key Features and Options:
Standard features include : Supercharged
5.4-liter four-valve V-8 engine w/intercooler;
stainless steel dual exhaust; SVT tuned front and
rear suspension- with unique dampers and springs;
Tremec 6-speed manual transmission; Power four-wheel
disc Anti-Lock Brakes with ABS; Front fog lamps;
“GT500” side stripes (convertible); Over-the-top
“Racing Stripes” and “GT500” side stripes (coupe);
Unique SHELBY badging on rear decklid; P255/45ZR 18
(front) and P285/40ZR18 (rear) performance tires;
Unique GT500 front and rear fascias and aluminum
hood (with dual functional air vents); Unique rear
spoiler; 18 x 9.5-inch bright machined aluminum
wheels; Shaker 500 Audio System (AM/FM stereo
w/CDx6, 6-speakers &MP3); Front seat side air bags;
BeltMinder®.
Available options include : Ambient lighting; HID
Headlamps; Shaker 1000 Audio System (AM/FM stereo
with in-dash 6-disc CD, MP3 and 10 speakers; SIRIUS®
Satellite Radio; Touch Screen DVD-based navigation;
Premium Interior Trim Package.
OVERVIEW
2007
FORD SHELBY GT500: MOST POWERFUL MUSTANG EVER
Performance Inspiration: Carroll Shelby and
Ford Special Vehicle Team join forces to create a modern
successor to the famous Shelby GT500 of the late 1960s
Performance Design: Mustang heritage with
aggressive muscular front-end design, Le Mans racing
stripes, unmistakable "Cobra" logo and Shelby
nameplate
The Ford Shelby GT500
seamlessly combines the modern Mustang muscle car
with the classic Shelby performance cues, such as
the famous Shelby Cobra logo.
DETROIT, Jan. 8, 2006 – What happens when a legend from
Texas reunites with a legend from Dearborn? The most
powerful Mustang ever.
After 40 years, racing legend Carroll Shelby and the Ford
Mustang are back together with the introduction of the 2007
Ford Shelby GT500.
Performance legend Carroll
Shelby first put the muscle in the pony car.
The collaboration between Shelby and Ford's Special Vehicle
Team (SVT) is yielding an instant collector's Mustang that
builds 475 horsepower in its 5.4-liter supercharged V-8.
A modern interpretation of the Shelby Mustang of the
1960s, the Ford Shelby GT500 uses advanced engineering to
attain the performance that made the original GT500 the king
of the road.
True to the original GT500, it will be available both as
a coupe and as a convertible when it goes on sale in the
summer of 2006.
"When Carroll was developing the original GT350 and
GT500, he wanted to build the most powerful, most capable
Mustangs of his day," says Hau Thai-Tang, director,
Advanced Product Creation and Special Vehicle Team.
"Our goal was to build the most powerful, most capable
Mustang ever."
Serving as touchstone and inspirational leader for both
the concept and the production versions, Shelby was
impressed by what the team has accomplished.
The rear spoiler of the Ford
Shelby GT500 echoes that of the classic GT500, while
the rear air diffuser is inspired by the modern Ford
GT.
"It's one thing to put 450 horsepower in an exotic
supercar," says Shelby. "It's another to put that
much power in something as affordable as a Mustang. The fact
that they not only met their goal but pushed on to 475
horsepower is a remarkable achievement."
Shelby knows something about creating modern supercars.
He served as a senior adviser on the team that developed and
built the 550-horsepower Ford GT.
Power Play
As expected of anything with Shelby's name on it, the
heart of the car is what's under the hood. The Ford Shelby
GT500's supercharged 5.4-liter, 32-valve V-8 evolves from
Ford's experience with tuning its modular, or MOD, engines.
Output is a brawny 475 horsepower.
The engine is force-fed an air-and-fuel mixture via a
"Roots-type" supercharger providing 8.5 pounds per
square inch of boost. The GT500 uses a cast-iron engine
block. It borrows from the Ford GT program aluminum,
four-valve cylinder heads, piston rings and bearings, adding
a high level of performance durability to the drivetrain.
"Powered by SVT" camshaft covers add the finishing
touch to the engine.
Helping put the power to the pavement is a 6-speed manual
gearbox. For the performance driver, its evenly spaced gears
mean less "stirring" is needed to find the
"sweet spot." This gives a rewarding experience
throughout the engine's broad torque curve. The heavy-duty
transmission has proven itself a willing companion to
Mustangs in both road and track environments, including
recent road-going Mustang Cobras and the new race-winning
Mustang FR500C.
Power Requires Control
The Ford Shelby GT500 continues a legacy of all-around
performance that made the original a world-class racer on
tracks and road courses around the world.
The Ford Shelby GT500 starts with the solid Mustang
underpinnings. The all-new Mustang was designed from the
beginning with performance derivatives in mind, providing an
exceptionally rigid, well-engineered starting point for
GT500 chassis engineers.
SVT engineers retuned and upgraded key chassis
components. Improvements such as revised shocks, spring
rates and upgraded stabilizer bars help the Ford Shelby
GT500 stop and turn with the same authority as it goes.
The Ford Shelby GT500 features a MacPherson strut
independent front suspension with Reverse L lower control
arms, and a solid-axle, three-link rear suspension with coil
springs and a Panhard rod for precise control of the rear
axle.
This rear suspension design has been validated on the track by
Ford Racing. The Ford Racing Mustang FR500C was purpose-built from
the base 2005 Mustang body structure and suspension geometry to run
in the Grand-Am Cup series, a class of road racing for
production-based cars.
Competing against the best from Germany and Japan, a Mustang
FR500C won its first race in the season opener at Daytona
International Speedway in February 2005. It went on to dominate the
season and clinch the championship.
"SVT and Ford Racing will be working closer than ever as we
go forward on future projects, especially Mustangs," says
Thai-Tang, a Ford Racing alumnus who served as the race engineer for
the Newman-Haas Racing team in 1993.
To match this power and handling ability, engineers fitted some
of the biggest brakes in the business to the Ford Shelby GT500.
Four-piston Brembo calipers are fitted to 14-inch Brembo vented
rotors up front, and 11.8-inch vented discs in the rear continue
SVT's legacy of great-braking Mustangs. Secure footing is provided
by 255/45ZR high-performance tires in front and 285/40ZR
high-performance tires in back. Wheels are 18 inches by 9.5 inches.
The Snake is Back
One glance shows this is not the typical Mustang Cobra. A
sinister-looking front-end design includes wide upper and lower
fascia openings with a functional air splitter. The upper intake
sports the famous Cobra logo floating off-center in place of a
centered galloping pony found on other Mustangs. On either side,
slanting headlamp openings add to the dramatic front appearance.
The "GT500" script
emblazoned on the gas cap emblem is joined by an updated
version of Shelby's classic Cobra logo that is repeated on
the grille and the headrest.
The bulging hood has heat extractors protruding near the leading
edge, combining to provide improved airflow and aerodynamics. As air
passes over the hood, hot air from the engine compartment is drawn
out through ducts attached to the hood extractors.
"The restrained, performance-oriented SVT design theme has
become instantly recognizable to enthusiasts without brash styling
cues," says Doug Gaffka, design director, Ford SVT vehicles.
"The GT500 takes a huge leap forward by combining the modern
Mustang muscle car with the classic Shelby performance look."
The 2005 Mustang design team drew inspiration from classic 1968
Mustangs, the models that transformed the mild-mannered pony car
into a muscle car with attitude. Envisioning a high-performance
model, the team tested GT500 design cues on the Mustang GT coupe
concept that was unveiled at the 2003 North American International
Auto Show.
In 2004, designers further developed the GT500 look on the
Mustang GT-R, a race-bred concept with the dual purpose of
foreshadowing SVT's Mustang design direction and Ford Racing's plans
to return Mustang to road racing. The Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra
concept coupe capped the design conceptualization effort.
The production Ford Shelby GT500 Coupe now comes into full light,
punctuated by the classic Le Mans-style white stripes that race
along the top from nose to tail. The stripes recall the Shelby
Mustangs that marked another important 1960s Mustang transition when
Ford put it on the track to becoming a racing legend. The GT500
nomenclature is prominent in the lower bodyside racing stripe,
another cue from the classic Shelby Mustangs.
In a touch also borrowed from the GT500's past, no Le Mans
stripes will be seen on the 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible.
However, the convertible will sport a cloth top similar to those
found on pricier convertibles.
"There were no Le Mans stripes on Shelby's original GT500
Convertible, so we decided to pay homage by not offering them on the
2007 Ford Shelby GT500," says Gaffka. "We also went with a
cloth top material as another measure of substance and authenticity.
The fabric used is the same used on the 2002-03 SVT Mustang Cobra,
the Thunderbird, Jaguar and Ford's other high-end
convertibles."
The unique rear fascia features lower strakes inspired by the
Ford GT's integrated rear airflow diffuser, and a rear spoiler
reminiscent of a classic GT500. To mark the collaboration of two
Mustang performance icons, the GT500 features Shelby and SVT badging.
The fenders each feature an updated design of the Cobra. The
front grille features an off-center snake in place of the standard
running horse. "GT500" is emblazoned inside the side
rocker stripes, and the name SHELBY is prominently written across
the rear deck. The SVT logo can be seen on the wheel center caps, a
signature SVT location, as well as on the doorsill plates. To top it
off, the medallion between the taillights reads "Shelby
GT500" centered on the Cobra image.
Cockpit Upgrades
The Ford Shelby GT500 convertible
builds on four decades of open-air heritage; the first
Mustang was a drop top. More than 1 million convertibles
have been sold since 1964.
Inside, too, upgraded levels of flair and function abound. The
locations of the speedometer and the tachometer are swapped to
provide performance-oriented drivers with a better view of shift
points while changing gears. Front seats have received additional
lateral support to help keep the driver optimally positioned during
cornering. The interior is offered in a choice of two colors,
Charcoal Black or Charcoal Black and Crimson Red. The charcoal/red
offering features Crimson Red seating surfaces and door panel
inserts. Seating surfaces are leather with both interior treatments.
Snake logos embossed in the seat backs finish the package.
The Shelby GT500 script and Cobra image are repeated on the
steering wheel cap. Behind the wheel, the gauges wear light faces in
keeping with SVT tradition. The chromed accessories inside the cabin
have been replaced with a satin aluminum finish, including the
aluminum shift lever knob that is nicely positioned for quick,
positive shifts.
SVT and Shelby: The Legends Grow
With the look and legend one would expect from Shelby and the
kind of power and performance enthusiasts have come to expect from
SVT, the GT500 points to a brand-new era in Ford's performance
future.
The Ford Shelby GT500 features Le
Mans-style white racing stripes from nose to tail, inspired
by those featured on classic Ford Shelby Mustangs.
Shelby first put his name on a Mustang back in 1964 when he was
asked to inject some high performance into the brand-new pony car.
The result was the GT-350R, a lightweight, handling-focused race car
that earned Mustang its first performance credentials. Subsequent
Shelby Mustangs included a street version of the race car, the
GT-350, and what was known as the "rent-a-racer" Mustang,
the GT-350H, a joint project with the Hertz rental car corporation.
The ultimate Shelby Mustang of the era was the GT-500KR, or
"King of the Road." Powered by a big block 428-cubic-inch
"Cobra Jet" V-8, the GT-500 was one of the most powerful,
and memorable, muscle cars of that period. Shelby Mustang production
ceased in 1970 with a total volume of 14,559 units.
The Ford Special Vehicle Team brought high performance back to
Mustang in 1993. After 12 years, with nearly 80,000 high-performance
Mustangs on the streets and total SVT vehicle production nearing
145,000, SVT is primed for growth with the GT500 serving as the
foundation for other performance Mustang projects.
By bringing together Shelby and Ford SVT, the company's
commitment to performance becomes as powerful as at any time in its
history – including the famed "Total Performance" days
of the 1960s. From the Ford GT supercar, the GT500, to a rejuvenated
Ford Racing Performance Parts program, performance and racing can
drive innovation and add luster to Ford's proud brand heritage.
"SVT will remain the leader in performance vehicle
engineering," says Thai-Tang. "It will continue to build
new, innovative products using advanced processes that will not only
provide great enjoyment to the dedicated driving enthusiast, but
that also will provide great benefit to other Ford products and Ford
Motor Company itself."
The Ford Shelby GT500 will be built at the Ford-Mazda joint
venture, AutoAlliance International, in Flat Rock, Mich.
