The new Eleanor? The historic name Ford Shelby GT500, unused since 1970, was reborn in concept form at the New York auto show. The show car gives a strong hint at what a Mustang breathed on by Fords recently dormant SVT high-performance division will be like. The concept Shelby GT500 isnt quite production ready, but it signifies what SVT intends to put onto the streets beginning in 2006. Furthermore, SVT isnt calling the Shelby a replacement for the SVT Cobra, but rather the next SVT CobraCobra snake badges as well as the SVT logo will remain on the Shelby. Either way, the Shelby GT500 promises a power-to-weight ratio to rival the Chevrolet Corvettes at a price we expect to start at less than $40,000. A supercharged DOHC 5.4-liter V-8 with at least 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, similar to the 550-hp engine that powers the Ford GT, will likely rumble menacingly under the hood of the Shelby. Coupled with that engine will be a six-speed manual transmission. Unlike the previous-generation Mustang Cobra, the new Shelby will not get an independent rear suspension. Instead, the solid rear axle from regular-duty Mustangs gets tweaked and tuned by SVT. Changes to the suspension include new springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars designed to make the most of the larger, wider 19-inch wheels and tires. Slowing the Shelby GT500 will be large Brembo brakes, measuring 14 inches up front and 13 inches in back. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I'm not a big Ford guy, but that thing rocks. It will sell out instantly, but I do wonder what other cars might lose a few sales to it in the process. I would guess a few people looking at Corvettes, GTOs, and Hemi 300s would think about it. It may also poach a few sales from the BMW M3 or AMG M-Bs as well.
Agree Steve. I wouldn't take a Ford if they gave it to me for free, but this thing is pretty smoking. Maybe a dark gun metal color. I can see it now. All the Ford fans, that had no answer to the Vette (aside from the GT), I bet are chomping at the bits, since the glory days of the Camaro vs. Mutang comparos. Not sure how many people will cross shop with the Vette. The new vette being about 15K overpriced (imo) you are right, it may be a possibility. I don't think the M3/AMG crowd will cross shop this. They still look down on Mustangs/Camaros as the cars the mullet heads drive in flyover country. Even with increased hp and new rear suspension, the people who drive the M3s (in their 40s and 50s)..who are attorneys/doctors and daily drive those, I doubt will be going to the local Ford dealership. You know, some of these people thing buying a Ford will lower their property value!!! But I like the car, we shall see how it plays out. Looks like Ford is ready to play.
couple more for the fodder Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
This is my favorite picture of it. http://www.bradbarnett.net/mustangs/scothew/shelby/images/ShelbyCobraGT500Show_31.jpg
i *was* a z28 / trans am guy, a fan of the old cars with LT1'S and Ram Air 455's . the vette is the only thing thats good from gm but i have had so many i just dont want " another vette". this car looks like it will be great. + supercharger anyone??
i saw this at ny show and it was a show stopper drawing much more attention than a gt40 that was right next door. i feel bad for gm with underrated gto that is just going to disappear when this comes out.
SVT Cobra owners tend to have a bit more money than you might think. Most of the owners are proffessional that fall into the upper-middle class ranks and not the backwards mullet-rockers you have in mind. hehe. Example: A 2004 MystiChrome Cobra convertible retailed for $43,500. Not cheap and not too far from an M3 coupe which retails for about $4k more in base trim. They gotta be somewhat well-off to afford a near 44k i would think. MSRP for the base regular coupe was 36k, and the regular convertible was a few bucks under 40k. Regarding the mullet stigma, Mustang seems to have shed that after 1994 with the newer body style. Imo, It is the one car that the well-off and the not so well-off actually buy and appreciate. Same for the old and young and women and men. I guess the Iconic status has helped it gain wide acceptance from the masses in general. The new retro look looks to be a hit with the public as well. Overall, it has a pretty good image with the masses form what i'ved gauged. Definite appeal/cool factor for the new models. But i do agree that it is in a different class than the M3. I don't think too many people will cross-shop them either regardless of price just because they are two very different beasts. I think the majority of GT500's will be bought by current SVT Cobra owners and classic Shelby GT-350 and GT-500 owners. Others will probably go to collectors since old-shelby isn't getting any younger, and this is probably the last car that'll adorn his name. It just might be worth something down the line.
-I know how much they cost -they are usually highly discounted (that is besides tthe point) -I never said SVT owners don't have money. Please re-read again. -I was talking about AMG/M3 owners, and never mentioned SVT owner demographics. -I was saying how AMG/M3 owners (my neighbors and half of F chat) might percieve the Mustang. Hope that clears it up. Thank you for restating my exact point.
It does clear it up. Just read it the wrong way. On the plus side, cheaper alternatives to the GT500 should be available as well. I believe Ford has mentioned a BOSS, a Bullitt, and a Mach-1. They even entertained the thought of making the SVT Cobra seperate (to slot above the GT500), but felt it wasn't really needed. That probably would have been overkill anyways. I like the idea of a new BOSS. Variety = good.
That is a horrible angle to view this car from. Say Hello to the Shelby Cobra GT500. Image Unavailable, Please Login
As a former owner of a 1996 SVT Cobra in Mystic color that at the time I did like and had a lot of fun with could easily say I would not go back to one. Since that car I have owned an M3, Porsche and now Maserati there is no way I could go back to a plasticey unreliable Ford. So I don't think Ford will eat into the upper market . That car will rock for the younger drivers and do very well I am sure. Also is one thing for a Professional to own a Ferrari with a racing stripe but could not see a Doctor pulling up to his office in a Ford with racing stripes
A guy on the other lambo board said that he put a deposit down. As far as lowering the property values by parking one in the driveway, you are way off. I'm currently building a new home for a Berkshire Hathaway fellow with a 6 car garage for his 360 spider, CS, and 2 MB daily drivers for him and his wife. He tells me the drive under, 2 car garage is for his new GT 500 when they are available. Many of these self made people have had Mustangs in their less wealthy pasts. I will try to get myself one when they are 2-3 years old and have taken a little hit from new. As far as reliability goes, anyone else on this board in the construction industry will tell you that an F250-F350 power stroke is good to about 250K miles before it needs to be replaced. I know I'm comparing cars to trucks, but it's the same company. My current daily driver is an 02 F350 power stroke with 150K and it rarely isn't towing something behind it over 8K lbs. A Ford Focus is 5X more reliable than any Ferrari.
I believe Leno has a plain jane 2005 Mustang GT in his stable as well. It's not even a shelby or a high-end mustang like an SVT, Saleen, Steeda, etc... Like i said earlier, it's just one of those cars that the well off and the not so well off can appreciate. Same for women, men, young, and old. By all account, it is America's favorite pony/sporty car. It's far from status symbol (even the $60k Saleens and Cobra R's aren't), and none would purchase it as such, but it is a nice car nonetheless. As for reliability, they are "average" at worst. And that's not bad considering the way a lot of them are driven/abused. Cheap car = cheap thrills. I know the one i used to own lived a very hard life, but it held up very nicely. It's no honda accord, but it isn't an "unreliable" car either.
