CAR News

Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), has announced the changes for its limited edition 2013 Shelby GT350. New color options, visual styling cues and optional performance upgrades will distinguish the third model year of Shelby GT350 production from previous model year cars. The 2013 Shelby GT350 will be available as either a coupe or convertible in the entire color palette offered by Ford Motor Company on the Mustang.
“The Shelby GT350 is one of the world’s most celebrated and iconic modern muscle cars,” said John Luft, president of Shelby American. “For the third model year of the contemporary Shelby GT350, we’ve further refined the car with options and equipment requested by enthusiasts. The Shelby American team is following Carroll Shelby’s playbook to continue building high performance cars and parts designed to keep our customers at the front of the fast lane.”

For the first (2011) model year Shelby GT350, the coupes were clad in white with blue stripes, just as Shelby American did with the initial car in 1965. In 2012, three more colors (red, blue and anniversary black/gold), as well as a convertible option were offered; this is similar to the options offered by Shelby American in 1966.
For the 2013 model year, Shelby American again matches tradition with expanded color options, equipment choices and styling changes, while performance improvements remain intact. The GT350 will be available in all of Ford’s standard colors offered on the Mustang: Grabber Blue, Sterling Gray Metallic, “Gotta Have It” Green, Candy Red Tint Coat Metallic, Ingot Silver Metallic, “Deep Impact” Blue Metallic (replaces Kona Blue Metallic), Race Red, Performance White and Black. Customers can choose between Satin Black or Gloss White stripes (a first since 1970) or Azure Blue Metallic on Performance White and Ingot Silver Metallic vehicles to be paired with new wheels in Satin Black or Bright Silver Metallic. Other styling cues for 2013 include a glass roof option, Recaro Seats and a modified custom rear valance.
“The Shelby GT350′s rich history is well-documented,” added Shelby American Vice President of Production Gary Davis. “People who value that heritage asked us to repeat Shelby history with new options this year. We did that and stayed true to our commitment for performance with a no-comprise car that honors Carroll Shelby and our past.”
The Shelby GT350 is a post-title program based on the Ford Mustang GT. The 2013 Shelby GT350 performance specs will be continued from the 2012 model year. Customers can choose a 430 HP normally aspirated, and either a Ford Racing supercharged 525 HP or 624 HP version. An automatic transmission is optional with the normally aspirated engine, while a short throw shifter is standard for the manual on any of the models. For 2013, options include a one piece drive shaft, more powerful brakes, cooling enhancements, interior upgrades and a color coordinated billet aluminum engine cap set. A new cold air package for the normally aspirated engine will be available to boost the GT350′s output to about 450 horsepower.
The 2013 Shelby GT350 post-title package starts at $26,995.00 (normally aspirated) and $33,995.00 (supercharged), not including the base car. Only 350 of the cars will be built, all at the Shelby American factory in Las Vegas. 2012 GT350′s are still available with great incentive’s being offered for the base vehicle by Ford. Build Your Dream Shelby at http://www.shelbyamerican.com/buildone/2013GT350-Exterior.asp Customers interested in a Shelby GT350 can also contact the Shelby American sales department at (702) 942-7325 or go to www.shelbyamerican.com.

2012 Shelby GT350 Convertible

Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. today introduced the limited edition 2012 Shelby GT350 during the Chicago Auto Show, being held at the McCormick Place complex. A convertible, the first since 1970, and two new body colors (red and blue) will be options for the 2012 model year. In addition, a limited production of 350 total 2012 Shelby GT350s will be built.

“Last year, we brought back the GT350 45 years after it was launched,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “They look and sound just like the ones we built in 1965. We’re repeating history by offering two additional colors and building a few convertibles for the second year of production.”

Shelby American built 562 total GT350 fastback coupes in 1965; all were painted white with blue stripes. In 1966, Shelby added more color options for the hardtops. Four convertibles were also built; today they are among the most collectible Shelbys in the world.

“Delays in the delivery of the new five liter Mustang last year resulted in fewer 45th Anniversary GT350 coupes than expected in the 2011 model year,” added John Luft, president of Shelby American. “For the 2012 model year, we brought back the first GT350 convertible since 1970 and ramped up production to meet the expected demand. Our plan is to only build 350 total 2012 model year GT350s to maintain exclusivity and future collectability.”

The Shelby GT350 is a post-title program based on the Ford Mustang GT. The 2012 Shelby GT350 performance specs will be continued from the 2011 model year. Customers can choose a 430 HP normally aspirated, 525 HP supercharged or 624 HP supercharged version. An automatic transmission is optional with the normally aspirated engine, as well as a short throw shifter for the manual.

Color combinations for the 2012 Shelby GT350s include Performance White with blue LeMans stripes, Race Red with white LeMans stripes and Kona Blue with white LeMans stripes. The convertible will offer a new optional light bar; other options include a one piece drive shaft and color coordinated billet aluminum engine cap set.

“When it comes to performance of the current generation GT350, our team did a great job right out of the gate,” quipped Gary Patterson, vice president of operations at Shelby American. “The GT350 leaves its mark on the street that says ‘a Shelby was here.’ That’s why we’re packing the ’12 model with all the same performance as the 2011 Shelby’s.”

The Shelby GT350 post-title package starts at $26,995.00 (normally aspirated) and $33,995.00 (supercharged), not including the base car. Customers interested in a Shelby GT350 should contact the Shelby American sales department at (702) 942-7325 or go to www.shelbyamerican.com.

Shelby American, will offer a Super Snake post title package for the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 with new styling cues and an optional 800 horsepower tuned engine. Only 1,000 total Super Snake packages for the 2011 model year car will be built at the Shelby American facility in Las Vegas or one of the official Shelby Mod Shops, beginning in September of this year.

“Ford Motor Company did a marvelous job making the 2011 model year GT500 lighter and more powerful,” said John Luft, president of Shelby American. “Our team applied its experience building Super Snakes over the past several years to offer a package that dramatically increases the new car’s capabilities. And with the visual changes we’ve made, it will be a definite stand out on the road or track.”

Just like the 2011 Shelby GT350, born on the proving grounds of the drag strip and road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Shelby American worked with companies like Ford Racing to create an even more aggressive suspension and engine package for the 2011 Super Snake.

“We extensively tested our mods for the 2011 model car before we decided the package was ready for the public,” added Gary Davis, vice president of production and R&D at Shelby American. “For those who want more performance than the stock GT500 offers, the Super Snake will definitely meet their expectations.”

For the 2011 model year, more power, a new anthracite wheel, white stripes and new side scoops are optional.

“We’ve only offered black stripes and chrome wheels on the Super Snake since we introduced the package a couple of years ago,” added Davis. “With the serious advancements made to the 2011 model year, it was time to differentiate it from the previous generation car. So we added an 800 horsepower tune, optional wheel, side scoop and stripes to make it easy to spot the new Shelby Super Snake.”

The 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake post title package includes:

-Ford Racing handling pack including dynamic adjustable dampers, lowering springs, tuned stabilizer bars, and front strut tower brace
-6-speed manual transmission with 3.73:1 rear axle ratio
-Shelby/Ford Racing supercharger upgrade producing over 660 HP and 590 ft.-lbs. of torque
-Either a Shelby/Ford Racing or Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger kit producing 750 HP with upgraded drive shaft, billet twin 75mm throttle body and exclusive badges
-Optional Shelby/Kenne Bell 800 horsepower tune on pump gas
-Borla exhaust system
-An optional Shelby / Eibach handling pack is also available
-Shelby-designed Alcoa 20-inch wheels in durabright or anthracite
-Short-throw shifter
-Forged Shelby / Baer brakes with 6 piston calipers and cross drilled / vented rotors
-Front brake cooling ducts and behind the door side scoops
-Unique fiberglass hood featuring classic Shelby design and pins
-Shelby signature Super Snake stripes in either matte black or matte white
-”Shelby” lettering across the rear deck lid
-”Super Snake” vehicle badges and official Shelby CSM interior plate
-Optional two tone leather interior
-Shelby signature embroidered headrests, floor mats and other Shelby designed components

The price of the 750 HP package is $30,245 including installation but not the car. Each vehicle will be listed in the official Shelby registry. Complete Super Snake packages will only be available through Shelby American and its mod shops.

It’s a collaboration that’s never happened before, a collaboration that will result in a one-of-a-kind 2011 Mustang that simply will be without equal. For the first time ever, Carroll Shelby and Jack Roush were on site to meet with Ford Motor Company to design, engineer and produce the SR-71, a vehicle inspired by the SR-71 “Blackbird,” the long-range reconnaissance USAF aircraft built by Lockheed Martin.

For the last three years, the Ford Motor Company has provided EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) with unique auction vehicles that have raised over one million dollars for EAA’s Young Eagles program. The Young Eagles Auction takes place each year at AirVenture, EAA’s annual air show and gathering. Ford Motor Company has been a proud supporter of EAA and Young Eagles for the past 15 years by providing various vehicles and donations each year to be raffled and auctioned off.

The SR-71 Mustang (S for Shelby, R for Roush) is being built at the ROUSH facility in Livonia, Michigan, with the participation and input of all parties involved. As inspiration, the Lockheed Martin SR-71 took it’s first flight in 1964, the first year the Ford Mustang was produced.

The SR-71 “Blackbird” holds all official airspeed and altitude records and is the most technically advanced and unique aircraft ever produced. It was an aircraft loaded from end-to-end with features that, to this day, are still admired and copied.

The SR-71 Mustang will be packed with special and unique features as well, right down to the embroidered signatures of Jack Roush and Carroll Shelby in the exclusive racing seats. With Carroll Shelby’s history as an USAF flight instructor and Jack Roush as a well known P-51 Mustang pilot, the objective was to hand build a highly valued vehicle that would excite both enthusiasts and collectors alike. Also, the vehicle will be on display to generate enthusiasm and excitement for the 500,000 plus AirVenture attendees July, 26th through July 31st.

The auction for the SR-71 Mustang will take place on Thursday, July 29,th at 7:30 PM ( Central Time) at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

To participate in this once-in-a-lifetime auction, pre-qualify by contacting Matt Miller at 800-236-1025 or mmiller@eaa.org by July 26, 2010. Visit www.airventure.org/gathering to learn more.

The SR-71 Mustang Vehicle Specifications:

o All-new aluminum block 5.0-lite Ti-VCT V8 engine with a 2.3-liter Whipple Twin Screw Supercharger with Ford Racing calibration and Roush intake
o Ford Racing Handling Pack
o Ford Racing tuned exhaust and tips
o SVT Track Pack wheels in custom paint (19-inch in front, 20-inch in rear)
o Glass roof with unique graphic treatment
o Unique non-production matte and silver exterior paint treatment with SR-71 cues
o Custom Recaro race seats featuring embroidered signatures of Jack Roush and Carroll Shelby
o Custom racing steering wheel
o Rear seat removed to accentuate cockpit environment
o Ford Racing performance gauge cluster
o Modified navigation screen and instrument cluster
o Roll cage
o Custom IP badging, sill plates and floor mats