Shelby Mustang

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Shelby Mustang GT350 model 1965

The Shelby Mustang was a tuned sports car in the 1960s . It was part of the series of Ford Mustangs that were specially converted by Carroll Shelby's company in the style of the Shelby Cobra and sold as a series.

1965

The first Shelby version of the Mustang appeared in 1965 . All '65 Shelbys were painted white with (optional) parallel blue stripes from tip to stern. There were also door sill strips with the GT350 lettering. The engine was a modified K-code 289HP Windsor V8 with special "Cobra" valve covers, tri-Y manifolds , a special intake manifold and Holley carburetors that increased the power from 271 to 306 hp (199 to 228 kW).

1966

Shelby Mustang GT350H (Hertz)

The 1966 model differed in body color (non-white versions were introduced - there were blue, red, green and black. The original white was also retained) and trim. The “Le Mans stripes” were still available as an option, as in 1965. It offered special rear windows, rear air scoops on each side and an automatic gearbox. A foldable rear seat was now standard too. While early 1965 cars had black engine blocks, the engine of 1966 and later models was painted blue.

Shelby made a deal with Hertz Car Rental to make a special series of GT350s for rental. The program started by Hertz was called "Rent-A-Racer". These GT350H are very rare and very sought after today. Shelby made 936 pieces of these cars; approx. 800 in black, and approx. 50 each in red, white, blue and green. The black cars all had gold stripes, while the colored cars only had Shelby stripes on the sides and not the LeMans stripes across the hood, roof and rear. Shelby repeated this decor in 1987 with the Shelby CSX-T .

Hertz ended the experiment prematurely because many “weekend racing drivers” rented the cars and used them to the extreme. As a result, the maintenance costs became so utopian that Hertz got out early and not all 1,000 vehicles ordered were actually delivered.

1967

Shelby Mustang GT350 model 1967

The new 1967 Mustang was followed by a completely redesigned Shelby. The rear lights of the 1965 Ford Thunderbird , a flip-up spoiler and two air scoops for brake cooling on each side were installed. This was also the first American car in which a roll bar was fitted as standard.

In addition to the GT350, the GT500 has also been available since 1967. It was powered by a big block V8 with a capacity of 428 cubic inches (7 l) and an output of, according to the manufacturer, 246 kW / 335 PS (but in tests often 331–368 kW / 450–500 PS), which accelerates from 0–100 km / h in 6.7 seconds and the torque reached 510 Nm.

The 1967 GT500 is popular in movies and other media. Most famous in the manga and anime " Gunsmith Cats " and the film " Just 60 Seconds " , in which a Ford Mustang Fastback converted into a GT500 with add-on parts and a body kit plays a role.

1968

Shelby Mustang GT350 model 1968

Shelby lost the lease on its Los Angeles International Airport factory in late 1967, so production of Shelby cars was relocated to Ionia, Michigan , under the control of Ford Motor Company .

2007

Shelby Mustang GT500 model 2007

Shelby and Ford returned in 2008 with a Shelby Mustang, the Shelby GT500 . 2005 he was presented at the New York International Auto Show , the GT500 has a 5.4-liter Modular - compressor -V8. 336 to 397 kW (450 to 500 hp) and 610 Nm are available at 6000 rpm to outdo the Corvette at the time. A Tremec six- speed gearshift, tuned chassis, paneled body and 18-inch wheels with Brembo brakes rounded off the vehicle. Outwardly, the GT500 is very similar to the Mustang GT of the same series, but the performance is a lot higher. The model version KR500 was later also available (the engine from the GT500, which was available from 2011 to 2012, was increased to 409 kW). This car was the most powerful series Mustang at the time.

2008

The Shelby GT500KR appears as Knight Industries Three Thousand in the television series Knight Rider . The Shelby GT also went into its second model year after 2007 due to good sales. This time, however, for the first time as a convertible and still as a coupé. The Shelby Mustang was only delivered in Vistablue with silver Le Mans stripes. A special series of 100 vehicles in black with red Le Mans stripes (to Arizona) and 250 in Grabber orange went to California (called GT-C).

2009

In 2009 the design of all Mustangs was changed, including the Shelby GT500 and the output increased to 397 kW (540 PS) of the GT500KR, and the design of the side stripes was also changed.

2013

In 2013 came a new version of the Shelby. Its output was further increased from 540 hp to 662 hp, making it the most powerful series V8 in the world, as the Corvette ZR1 develops 647 hp. In addition, the look of the new Mustang has only been changed slightly. The Shelby got some badges, different rims and Brembo brakes . The Shelby's engine is a 5.8-liter V8 supercharger that produces 662 hp. In Germany the Shelby costs around 65,000 euros.

2016

For the 50th anniversary of the “Rent-A-Racer” campaign (see above), Hertz Autovermietung, Shelby America and Ford have launched a new program. The cars can be rented at selected airports in the USA. The cars have the 5.0L V8 engine with 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft of torque. It also has the Ford Racing Handling Pack as an extra and rolls on 19-inch aluminum wheels. Like previous Rent-A-Racer models, it comes with black paintwork with gold stripes and the Hertz Edition logo can be seen on the fenders.

2017

The 50th anniversary of the Mustang Super Snake was celebrated in 2017 with the 750 hp Shelby Mustang Super Snake . The special model, limited to 500 copies, was officially presented at the Barrett-Jackson Auction 2017 in Scottsdale . The increase in performance compared to the series Mustang GT is achieved by means of a compressor .

  • Shelby Mustang Super Snake (2017), at 2018 Paris Motor Show

  • Shelby Mustang Super Snake , rear view

Web links

Commons : Shelby Mustang  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Hertz Heritage: The Rise of the 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350-H. In: Hertz. October 26, 2018, Retrieved October 19, 2019 (American English).
  2. ↑ Jonathan Lamas Jonathan Lamas is a seasoned automotive journalist He has covered cars, the auto industry for Forbes Autos, Car, Driver, Consumer Guide: Profile of The 1966 Shelby GT350H Rent-A-Racer Mustang. Retrieved October 19, 2019 .
  3. ↑ Hertz 'rent-a-racer' 1966 Shelby GT350H still something of a bargain. September 25, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019 (American English).
  4. ↑ The Mustang Mustang: The new Ford Shelby GT-H in the Adrenaline Collection. Retrieved October 19, 2019 .
  5. ↑ Rent-A-Racer Shelby Mustangs Return to Celebrate 50th Anniversary. Retrieved October 19, 2019 .
  6. ↑ Ford Mustang Shelby Super Snake (2017): special model -. In: autozeitung.de. August 3, 2017, accessed October 18, 2018 .