Shelby World HQ P2

THE SHELBY WORLD HEADQUARTERS, LAS VEGAS: Continued...

THE SHELBY MUSTANGS:

DEVELOPMENT AND LINEAGE: In 1965, Ford approached Carroll Shelby to develop it's then new Mustang into a dominant muscle car. Over the next four years the Shelby Team developed the Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500. I have developed my version of the Shelby Mustang GT# lineage below, it is generally supported by the images and historical data I recorded during my visit to the Shelby World Headquarters.

	GT350 Series: The first Shelby Mustangs, 1965~1966, using the Ford Mustang Fastback body. The GT350 Series was re-released in 2012 with a host of standard features and options available.
	GT350H Series: The 1966 Shelby Mustang Hire Car Rent-A-Racer, a joint venture between Ford, Shelby and Hertz, 1,000 cars were built.
	GT500 Super Snake: Current update package to enhance the performance and finish of Shelby GT500's.
	GT-H Rent A Racer: The GT-H Rent-A-Racer was introduced in 2006 in hard top and soft top versions in celebration of the GT350H of 1966.

1965: SHELBY MUSTANG GT350: In January 1965 Shelby released the first Shelby Mustang GT350, the car was basically a modified Ford Mustang Fastback of the era and the only obvious external change was the simple but captivating Le Mans white with dual blue stripes, a colour scheme that remained standard throughout the 1965 and 1966 model years. Engine modifications were the key to the GT350's success, the engine chosen was a small block 289cid V8 High Performance type, producing 306bhp @ 6,000rpm. The claimed top speed was 240kph.

1966: SHELBY MUSTANG GT350 - CONVERTIBLE: The Shelby Mustang GT350 continued production throughout 1966 and during that time records indicate a total of four Convertibles were produced.

1968: SHELBY MUSTANG GT350: In 1968, the Shelby Mustang GT350 power plant was changed from a 289cid to a 302cid. Only 803 GT350 Fastbacks were built in 1968 with a list price of US$3,995.00. The car depicted here is a GT350 with GT500KR styling cues applied by Shelby American.

2006: SHELBY GT-H - RENT A RACER: The GT-H Rent-A-Racer was introduced in 2006 in hard top and soft top versions in celebration of the GT350H of 1966.

2007~2009: SHELBY GT500 - SUPER SNAKE: This exhibit highlights the Super Snake package that was available for the 2007~2009 Shelby GT500. The standard features of the upgrade to a Super Snake included a Shelby/Ford Racing TVS 660HP Supercharger, Shelby/Baer 6 piston front calipers, carbon fibre components and a host of other performance updates. The options list included a Shelby/Kenne Bell 800HP Supercharger, 6 piston rear calipers, suspension updates and leather options.

2010: SHELBY GT500 - SUPER SNAKE: Similar to the 2007~2009 package, this exhibit highlights the Super Snake package that was available for the 2010 Shelby GT500. The standard features of the upgrade to a Super Snake included a Shelby/Ford Racing TVS 660HP Supercharger, Shelby/Baer 6 piston front calipers, carbon fibre components and a host of other performance updates. The options list included a Shelby/Kenne Bell 800HP Supercharger, 6 piston rear calipers, suspension updates and leather options.

2012: SHELBY GT350: The rebirth of the original Shelby Mustang of 1965. To quote the Shelby American advertisement, 'Today's Shelby American team fused advanced technology with sophisticated design to recreate the spirit, passion and performance that made this muscle car a legend. The 2012 GT350 remains true to the original, which raced it's way to the winners circle on circuits across the country in 1965'.

Standard features of the 2012 car included a Shelby/Ford Racing/Whipple 525HP Supercharger with an optional increase to 624HP, Shelby/Baer 6 piston front brake kits and a host of additional standard features and options.