Shelby American announces new car at B-J Gala

[computerworks]

The unveiling was about a half-hour ago.
The Gala event at Barrett-Jackson was fed live over the web.

Carroll Shelby gave the preliminary remarks



Amy Boylan gave the history and details, following Rick Titus' remarks



They pulled the sheet off the car for all to see



The staff and devlopment team from Shelby American



Here's the PR shots of the new car..

500+ HP and all upfitted underpinings

[slider701]

$33,995 OVER the cost of a Mustang GT.......MT article says "figure the total price of a well-equipped example at around $63,000".

$34K for about 5-7K worth of parts from the Ford Racing catalog....plus a $25K Shelby badge

Thanks but no thanks.

[computerworks]

more from the Press Release...

a legend reborn: SHELBY american brings back the Shelby gt350

scottsdale - Jan. 18, 2010 - 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.

[Cashburn]

This post title approach is very cost prohibitive. Upside I suppose is the extra power/performance they can build in. But those appearance adjustments are too "bad retro" for me:

[somedayaurora]

It looks like its 86' and thats what you think a 2011 mustang would look like , problem is we now know how cheesy 86' was Mr.Crocket ddddo I hear Phil Collins ?
SDR
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Toyota jz engine specifications

[Got the Bug]

It's a bummer that they continue to think that it's a good strategy to produce cars that look like a bloated whale. If they wanted to pay homage to the GT350, they would have built a lightweight vehicle that performs and looks like it just came off of the track.

Oh well, just another (albeit damn fast) portly grocery getter.

[Rwillia4]

I'm done with the mustang retro clones.

Quit being pu$$y's by bolting on a bunch of junk and calling it new. Bubba can do that in the backyard for a few beers.

Excite me, make the GR-1 next year.

[berzerko]

I guess I'm not the only one who doesn't like it
33k over sticker for no more than 12k in parts at that mark up how can anyone say shelby american is in finacial distress

the only benefit of this unveiling is to see the new 5.0 with a supercharger on it that gets me thinking camaro this week or mustang next year?

[mr bruce]

http://www.ridelust.com/2011-asc-cam...bird-trans-am/

[Bill Bess]

It's just another version of the Mustang with "added benefits".....like more money.
I really like the Mustang, my son-in-law just bought a new GT-500 Shelby, very cool car and pretty fast...but still a large beast.
I'm a Ford guy, but the new Corvette is my choice for the money.

[somedayaurora]

I had a C-6 last summer , I'm not a corvette guy but WOW . Quicker 0 to 60 than a Ferrari 360 . This is a stock c-6 not the Z06 , gotta say I was impressed .
SDR
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Hawaii dispensaries

[RodKnock]

"Hello? Mr. Shelby. The producers of the 'Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift' want their car returned back to the movie lot."

[Dan Stryffeler]

I like the valve covers...

[Excaliber]

I like the hood scoop look. Don't care much for the reverse backup lights though, they somehow look like a last minute addition. Not that I'm sure where else to put them, just saying...

[Ron61]

I'd like to see the car for real and up close. So I will wait until they get one around here before I make any judgment as to what I like or don't like. Pictures don't always show things as they are.

Ron

[Dangerous Doug]

I thought it was going to be this announcement, finally released:

Shelby American Signs Licensing Agreement with India's Tata Motors

DD

[1985 CCX]

Too bad he didn't move with Daisy....

[RodKnock]

They're being very kind to the new GT350 over on the SAAC Forum. Rick Kopec has even weighed in and said:

"I would caution any of you armchair engineers that before you start in with the snide comments about the new GT350, you should be thankful that somebody still has the interest to keep the Shelby name alive and to try to create a car that approximates what Shelby American did 45 years ago. Not duplicate it because that cannot be done. You can’t go back in time. But you can pay tribute to the original concept and that’s certainly better than ignoring it or forgetting it. The original GT350s were terrific cars that have become icons over the years for many reasons. Do we really want to knock them off the pedestal we’ve spent 35 years creating and putting them up on?"

Of course, Amy from SAI still posts over at the SAAC Forum. I'm very happy that someone is keeping the Shelby name alive, including us here with our Cobras, but I still think the new GT350 could have better and more imaginative. Of course, I can't criticize since I haven't created any machinery in my life nor could I build my model cars correctly. I always have leftover parts and bad paint jobs.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

They're being very kind to the new GT350 over on the SAAC Forum. Rick Kopec has even weighed in and said:

"I would caution any of you armchair engineers that before you start in with the snide comments about the new GT350, you should be thankful that somebody still has the interest to keep the Shelby name alive and to try to create a car that approximates what Shelby American did 45 years ago. Not duplicate it because that cannot be done. You can’t go back in time. But you can pay tribute to the original concept and that’s certainly better than ignoring it or forgetting it. The original GT350s were terrific cars that have become icons over the years for many reasons. Do we really want to knock them off the pedestal we’ve spent 35 years creating and putting them up on?"

Of course, Amy from SAI still posts over at the SAAC Forum. I'm very happy that someone is keeping the Shelby name alive, including us here with our Cobras, but I still think the new GT350 could have better and more imaginative. Of course, I can't criticize since I haven't created any machinery in my life nor could I build my model cars correctly. I always have leftover parts and bad paint jobs.

Keep drinking the Kool-aid. So even if you think the car is a bloated pig, you should refrain from making snide comments? Ok, I will refrain from making any snide comments.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Rick Kopec :
"I would caution any of you armchair engineers that before you start in with the snide comments about the new GT350, you should be thankful that somebody still has the interest to keep the Shelby name alive and to try to create a car that approximates what Shelby American did 45 years ago. Not duplicate it because that cannot be done. You can’t go back in time. But you can pay tribute to the original concept and that’s certainly better than ignoring it or forgetting it. The original GT350s were terrific cars that have become icons over the years for many reasons. Do we really want to knock them off the pedestal we’ve spent 35 years creating and putting them up on?"

Surprisingly defensive from a man who has owned an original for decades-I would say that act alone "keep(s) the Shelby name alive".

Please convey to Rick that my comments were not snide-they were blatant. Don't need to be cautioned. Further, I have failed to engineer any armchairs in my lifetime. I did however build a Cobra replica, which keeps the ERA name alive and I submit would pay fitting tribute to Shelby's original vision of what his cars should be.

This new car "pays tribute" to the original GT 350 like Madeline Albright is a "tribute" to Charlize Theron.

His point about not being able to duplicate it is overlooking the fact that there have been numerous 350-R clones built by reverent owners of base cars. Down to the relocated front arms, plexi rear window and bumperless nose. That seems a fitting tribute to Shelby. The only thing NOT duplicated by these is the CS VIN and MSO which as we all know today, is the franchise.

Please ask Rick: if he could only have one, which would he choose-his original or the new "tribute"? The new car will never be worth in the future what his is worth right now. Even though it's starting off at $63K. And the ol' Man ain't dead yet...

I see these comments on SAAC as damage control-Rick and the officers know the car's a crock OS but since everything was made kissey-face with the Originator (after the 'Team Shelby' war with SAAC) Rick felt the need to offer this drivel.

From above: "...you should be thankful that somebody still has the interest to keep the Shelby name alive"
We know that somebody is Shelby and his band of merry marketeers and lawyers!