Shelby GT name returns for 2014 Mustang with up to 624 hp

Thu, 21 Nov 2013

Earlier in the year, Shelby American unveiled the 1,200-horsepower Shelby 1000 wearing a price tag of $154,995. Now, the Las Vegas-based company is looking to meet the needs of budget-minded performance enthusiasts with the rebirth of the Shelby GT, which made its debut at the LA Auto Show.

"Budget-minded" is obviously very relative here, but the three levels of upgrades available on the 2014 Shelby GT do represent decent bang for the buck. After purchasing a stock 2014 Ford Mustang GT, which retails for $30,900, Shelby has three packages to improve the Mustang's performance and handling, with the all-in base price coming in at around $45,000.

For $14,995, Shelby will tune your Mustang to 430 horsepower (up from 420 hp) while adding a Borla exhaust, Panhard suspension bar and 20-inch wheels. Shelby also adds its own style with a fiberglass hood, billet grille, unique front fascia and "Shelby" badging on the trunk and seat head rests. If more power is what you're looking for, the Shelby GT/SC adds a Whipple supercharger, Wilwood brakes and performance Michelin tires – for the sum of $27,995. The GT/SC offers a considerable jump in horsepower with the choice of either 525 hp or 624 hp, the latter of which is claimed to give the car a 0-60 time of just 3.7 seconds.

SHELBY AMERICAN BRINGS BACK ICONIC SHELBY GT FOR 2014 WITH WORLD-CLASS POWER, AND PERFORMANCE

Supercharged Optioned Shelby GT/SC Offers up to 624 HP

LOS ANGELES – Nov. 21, 2013 – Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), returned one of its most popular cars to the lineup today by unveiling the Shelby GT at the L.A. Auto Show. The new generation Shelby GT is based on the 2014 Ford Mustang GT with an incredibly attractive base price and 430 HP. The optional Shelby GT/SC supercharged model comes in either a 525HP or a staggering 624 HP version, making it the most potent version of the car ever made.

"The Shelby GT was one of the most important vehicles in modern day Shelby history," said John Luft, president of Shelby American. "It kicked off Shelby's rebirth in Las Vegas by putting a Mustang-based small block car into Ford dealerships. Ever since the Shelby GT went out of the production, people have clamored for its return."

In 2007, Ford Division, Carroll Shelby and Ford Racing created the Shelby GT. Beginning as 4.6L Mustang GT's assembled at Ford's Flat Rock, Mich. plant, they were shipped to Shelby in Las Vegas for transformation. The 320HP 2007 Shelby GT coupes were all Performance White or Black with silver stripes. In 2008, Shelby added Vista Blue and a choice of coupe or convertible. About 8,000 Shelby GT's were built.

The Shelby GT was wildly popular and the people who snagged one have been one of the most passionate owner groups. The cars were often tailored with custom parts to fit an owner's personality and then driven hard on both the street and track. The Shelby GT totally dominated its SCCA racing class in 2007 and 2008.

"Based on the standard Mustang GT, the total cost of our entry-level 2014 Shelby GT is only about $45,000, yet offers so much more than the previous model," said, Gary Patterson, Shelby American VP of Sales. "The performance-to-price ratio makes the Shelby GT perfect for any serious pony car enthusiast."

The new Shelby GT is a post-title program; Ford dealers send a customer's Mustang GT coupe or convertible to Shelby for upfit. Every material performance aspect of the car is enhanced or replaced to create a potent, balanced performer worthy of the Shelby name. Entry-level package upgrades include a Ford Racing suspension, Shelby branded exhaust, intake and engine tune for 430 HP, specially designed wheels and tires, short shifter, hood and Le Mans stripes that make it uniquely Shelby. Every Shelby GT version is 50 state emissions legal and runs on pump gas.

One of the car's most appealing aspects is the opportunity for personalization. Choosing from an array of options, customers can opt for a more hard-edged suspension, better braking and supercharger upgrades, as well as a vast selection of performance and styling parts from Shelby Performance Parts.

"While the Shelby GT is very affordable for such an exclusive vehicle, a post title program allows us to take performance to new levels," said Shelby American VP of Production, Gary Davis. "Working with partners like Ford Racing, it is docile enough to be a daily driver and still dominate the track on the weekends."

The 624 HP Shelby GT/SC version is expected to blast from 0-60 mph in about 3.7 seconds; the quarter mile time should be in the mid 11 second range. The car should also pull over 1 G on the lateral skid-pad.

"No other carmaker offers this level of performance, heritage and iconic styling at this price, making the Shelby GT the best all-around American car in its class," said Luft. "Each car will be issued a Shelby American CSM number for documentation in our Shelby American Worldwide Registry to help maximize potential future value."

The price of the base Shelby GT package, not including the car, is $14,995, making a nicely equipped car about $45,000 in total. The Shelby GT/SC package begins at $27,995. Customers can build their Shelby GT online at www.shelbyamerican.com/2014shelbygt.

About Shelby American, Inc. and Carroll Shelby Licensing
Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. The company builds authentic continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA and 289 street car component vehicles; it offers the Shelby GT, 1000, GT350, GT500 Super Snake and GTS post-title packages for the 2005-2014 Ford Mustang. Shelby American also builds the Shelby Raptor muscle truck and Shelby Focus ST hot hatch. For more information, visit www.shelbyamerican.com. Shelby American is a division of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI.PK). Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc., also a wholly owned division, is the exclusive holder of Carroll Shelby's trademarks and vehicle design rights. It also holds trademark rights for Shelby-branded apparel, accessories and collectibles. Info is at www.shelbylicensing.com.

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Shelby GT Standard Features
430 Horsepower
-Caster/Camber plate set
-Shelby/Barton short shifter
-Panhard suspension bar
-Shelby/Borla exhaust
-Shelby GT dash plaque and Engine Plate
-Billet upper grille with Ford running pony emblem

-"Powered by Ford" side badges
-SHELBY trunk letters
-20x9 wheels, silver
-BFG G-Force Comp2 tires
-Shelby GT front fascia
-Shelby GT fiberglass hood
-Shelby GT carbon laminated hood louvers
-SHELBY head rest covers
-Shelby GT LeMans and side stripes

Shelby GT/SC Additional Features
525 or 624 Horsepower
-Shelby/Ford Racing Whipple supercharger, 525HP, black or polished
-Shelby/Ford Racing Whipple supercharger, 624HP, black or polished
-Shelby/Wilwood 6-piston front brakes, red
-Shelby/Wilwood 4-piston rear brakes, red
-Michelin Pilot Supersport tires
-A-Pillar gauge pod with boost, fuel and oil pressure gauges
-Shelby GT/SC side stripes

Additional Options:
Functional
-Shelby/Ford Racing Whipple supercharger, 525HP, black or polished
-Shelby/Ford Racing Whipple supercharger, 624HP, black or polished
-Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger
-Shelby GT aluminum driveshaft
-20x9 Wheels, black
-Shelby/Wilwood 6-piston front brakes, red or black
-Shelby/Wilwood 4-piston rear brakes, red or black
-Shelby billet Watts link
-Eibach sway bar kit
-Eibach coil-over kit
-Shelby cooling system
-Front Spoiler

Styling and Interior
-Shelby GT front spoiler
-Shelby GT500 rear spoiler
-Quarter window covers
-Light bar w/3rd brake light (convertibles only)
-Shelby/Kicker audio system
-Shelby interior upgrade
-Shelby GT lighted door sill plates
-Serialized car cover
-Shelby Wide Body Kit*
-Factory Delivery

By Jeffrey N. Ross