Cragar wheels and Goodyear tires are adorning a supercharged version of the Mustang-based 2011 Shelby GT350 recently unveiled at the Barrett-Jackson Auction Opening Night Gala to honor the 45th anniversary of the first GT350 and first Shelby big block Cobra.
“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,” says Carroll Shelby.
“In 1964, Ford Motor Co. asked Shelby American to turn their secretary’s car into a race winner to help them sell Mustangs,” he recounts. “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 team worked with experts from Ford Racing, Goodyear, Borla, Cragar and Baer “to create a car that is fast and has razor sharp handling,” Shelby explains.
“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,” he adds.
“The 2011 GT350 balances heritage with modern necessity,” says 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,” she points out
“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,” notes Gary Davis, the company’s vice president of production.
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 Shelby then enhances by the Shelby American Team. A limited number will be built in the 2011 model year.
A GT can be dropped-shipped by the 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 up-fit has an SRP of $33,995 and does not include the price of the base car.
For more information, visit www.gt350.shelbyamerican.com, www.cragar.com and www.goodyear.com.