A LEGEND REBORN: SHELBY AMERICAN BRINGS BACK THE SHELBY GT350
Sunday, February 14, 2010
SCOTTSDALE – Jan. 18, 2010 –At Barrett-Jackson Auction Opening Night Gala the Shelby team unveiled a supercharged concept version of the Mustang-based 2011 Shelby GT350.
“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 rodder’s have created a car worthy of the name.”
“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 LaViolette and Gary Patterson. We’re all proud to be part of this milestone Shelby car.”
The 2011 GT350 balances heritage with modern necessity,” said Shelby American president Amy Boylan.
The concept behind the GT350 was to build a car that is light, nimble and powerful. The Shelby team started with the “small block” 5.0 liter Ford Mustang GT” base creating a car that is fast , has razor sharp handling and is the ultimate balance in performance.
The all new GT350 took 1965-1970 Shelby styling cues adding modern aerodynamics. The Ford V8 engine has been supercharged with a goal of 500 horsepower and it has been coupled to a 6 speed manual transmission and center exit exhaust. The suspension was upgraded with new Ford Racing springs, struts, sway bars and adjustable caster/camber plates. 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 2011 GT350 has been fitted with 19” modern Cragar wheels with super sticky Goodyear tires. 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 upfit completed by Shelby American has a MSRP of $33,995 and does not include the price of the base car. Customers interested in a Shelby GT350 should contact Roger Sorel at (702) 942-7325 or log onto gt350.shelbyamerican.com.
Shelby®, Carroll Shelby®, Carroll Shelby's Signature & Initials®, Carroll Shelby's Photograph®, 427®, 427 S/C® 289®, Shelby Cobra 289 FIA, Shelby Cobra "Daytona" Coupe®, CS8, CS6 are registered trademarks and/or the tradedress of Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc. (Shelby). Cobra and the Cobra Snake designs are trademarks of Ford Motor Company used under license.
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