Archive for the 'Shelby' Category
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.
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- 2012 Shelby GT350 Convertible
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
Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), will fulfill the dreams of enthusiasts by returning the legendary Shelby GT350 to its lineup of American performance cars. The Shelby team unveiled a supercharged concept version of the Mustang-based 2011 Shelby GT350 to the surprise of thousands gathered at the Barrett-Jackson Auction Opening Night Gala to honor the 45th anniversary of the first GT350 and first Shelby big block Cobra.
“In 1964, Ford Motor Company asked Shelby American to turn their secretary’s car into a race winner to help them sell Mustangs,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “Our Shelby GT350 ruled its class at the track and was feared by GM and Chrysler owners on the street. Enthusiasts have anticipated the GT350′s return since it went out of production in 1970. Now my band of hot rodders has created a car worthy of the name.”
The concept behind the GT350 was to build a car that is light, nimble and powerful. Beginning with the “small block” 5.0 liter Ford Mustang GT as its base, the Shelby American team worked with experts from Ford Racing, Goodyear, Borla, Cragar and Baer to create a car that is fast and has razor sharp handling. Every segment of the car is enhanced or replaced to create the ultimate balanced performance pony car that is true to the spirit of the 1965-1970 MY Shelby GT350.
“The 2011 GT350 balances heritage with modern necessity,” said Shelby American president Amy Boylan. “Former Hot Wheels and Ford designer Larry Wood joined Vince LaViolette, Walter Cardenas, Andrew Smidt and the rest of our Las Vegas team to help integrate 1965-1970 Shelby styling cues with modern aerodynamics. We worked with Ford Racing to supercharge the engine with a goal of 500 horsepower, as well as to sharpen the handling. Baer Brakes helped engineer the fantastic brakes and we shod the GT350 with 19″ modern Cragar wheels and super sticky Goodyear tires. This Shelby is truly a complete performance package”
“Since this was one of the most important cars in Shelby’s history, everyone stepped up to make sure it meets Carroll’s performance standards,” added Gary Davis, vice president of production for Shelby American. “After it was hand built in our new design studio, it began extensive testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by veteran test drivers Vince LaViolett and Gary Patterson. We’re all proud to be part of this milestone Shelby car.”
Each GT350 will be clad in traditional white with Shelby Guardsman blue Le Mans stripes and feature the new Ford V8 coupled to a 6 speed manual transmission and center exit exhaust. Blue Shelby GT350 valve covers and billet caps set off the supercharged engine. The Baer brake system features 6 piston kit in the front, as well as 14″ ERADISPEED rotors in the rear with cooling ducts for all four corners.
The suspension was upgraded with new Ford Racing springs, struts, sway bars and adjustable caster/camber plates. The car also receives a new front fascia, tail light trim, front splitter, rear deck lid filler panel and rear fascia. Functional scoops are located on the side rockers and hood. GT350 badges on the outside and inside include a Shelby serial number. The A pillar carries a fuel pressure, oil pressure and boost gauge.
The Shelby GT350 is a post title program; a customer purchases a car from their local Ford Dealer, which is turned into a GT350 by the Shelby American Team. A limited number will be built in the 2011 model year. A Ford Mustang GT can be dropped shipped by a Ford dealer to Shelby’s Las Vegas facility for conversion or a customer can arrange to have a properly specified car transported to the factory. The Shelby GT350 up-fit completed by Shelby American has a MSRP of $33,995 and does not include the price of the base car.
