Carroll Shelby · 1965–present

Shelby Mustang

The Shelby Mustang is a high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang built by Shelby American from 1965 to 1967 and by the Ford Motor Company from 1968 to 1970. In 2005, Ford revived the Shelby nameplate for a high-performance model of the fifth-generation Ford Mustang.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

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1st generation (1965–1970)

=== 1965–1966 Shelby GT350 === The GT350 made its debut in the "sportsroof" fastback model of the first generation Ford Mustang in 1965. Produced through 1966, these were the smallest and lightest of the GT 350 models. Work started at Shelby American when its Ford-powered AC Ace-based, two-seat, 289 AC Cobra sports car production was wrapping up, and the 427 cu in variant was beginning. Both the AC and the Shelby Mustang use the Cobra emblem, a similar paint scheme, and the optional "Cobra" valve covers installed on many GT350s that were part of a marketing tie-in by Shelby, as well as one of his iconic symbols. All 1965–66 cars had the Windsor 289 cu in (4.7 L) HiPo K-Code 271 hp (202 kW; 275 PS) V8 engine, modified with a large 4-barrel Holley 725 CFM carburetor to produce 306 bhp (310 PS; 228 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 329 lb⋅ft (446 N⋅m) of torque at 4,200 rpm. Marketing literature referred to this engine as the "Cobra hi-riser" due to its high-rise intake manifold. Beginning as a stock Mustang with a 4-speed manual transmission and 9-inch live rear axle, the cars were shipped to Shelby American, where they received the high-rise manifolds, Tri-Y headers, and were given larger Ford Galaxie rear drum brakes with metallic-linings and Kelsey-Hayes front disc brakes. The 1965 GT350 was built for the race track, not comfort or ease of driving. A total of 34 race-spec "GT350R" cars were built specifically for competition use under SCCA rules, and the model was the B-Production champion for three straight years. The 1966 GT350 was more comfortable for casual drivers, including a rear seat, optional colors, and an optional automatic transmission. This trend for more options and luxuries continued in the following years, with the cars becoming progressively larger, heavier, and m

2nd generation 2005–2009 (S197 I)

=== Shelby CS6/8 === Shelby, along with Paxton, also designed a new variant based on the V6 Mustang. Modifications include a supercharged motor producing 350 hp (261 kW), 20-inch wheels bearing the Shelby name and the Cobra badge on each side and the decklid, a 2-inch drop in suspension, Baer/Shelby 14-inch front and rear brakes, an aggressive front fascia and a dual exhaust. Shelby also created the CS8, a 4.6-liter V8 variant of the CS6. The Shelby CS6/8 was not available as a factory release. However, Shelby had made the CS6/8 kit available for purchase. But then the contract with Hertz GT-H came, and only a handful of CS6/8' were built, making them one of the rarest cars ever built by Shelby. 2006–2007 Ford Shelby GT-H. Ford introduced the Shelby GT-H version of the Mustang at the 2006 New York Auto Show. Like the original GT350H from 1966, the GT-H had gold-on-black paint and was only available at the Hertz car rental agency. Ford Racing Performance Group provided Shelby its FR1 Power Pack to add 25 horsepower to the existing Mustang GT powertrain with an additional 10 ft-lb of torque. The package included a 90mm cold air kit, muffler kit, a new X-pipe and Ford Racing "GTA" axle-back mufflers. The Ford Shelby GT-H also had the Ford Racing Handling Pack (FR3) which included specially tuned dampers, lowering springs, sway bars, strut tower brace, and a Ford Racing 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly. A total of 500 cars were built to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original Shelby GT350H. For 2007, a convertible version of the GT-H was offered for rental at Hertz. This time the convertibles came with a custom light bar reminiscent of the 1968 Shelby Mustang convertibles. 2007–2008 Ford Shelby GT. The 4.6 liter, 281-cubic-inch, 319 hp (238 kW) Ford Shelby GT slotted

2nd generation 2011–2014 (S197 II)

=== 2011–2014 Shelby GTS === The Shelby GTS was unveiled at the 2011 New York Auto Show, a new upgrade kit designed to be highly optioned and attainable to the masses. It was available in both V6 and V8 form configurations. "It's a car that reaches a younger buyer while acknowledging the economic realities of our times," said Shelby American president John Luft at the time. Customers could have their car shipped directly to Shelby's Las Vegas facility to be converted or they could deliver the car themselves. The basic GTS kit includes new front and rear fascias, a "deep draw" fiberglass hood, black billet grille, Shelby lettering on the trunk lid, the signature "Le Mans" dual stripes over the top and triple stripes with GTS lettering on the side, upgraded Baer brakes, a Borla exhaust system, new springs, shocks, and anti-roll bars. Additional options included a supercharger kit, even larger Baer brakes, adjustable camber/caster plates, a short-throw shifter, and BFGoodrich G-Force R1 race-compound tires. Shelby also added a serial number plaque and Shelby-badged floor mats. 50th Anniversary Edition. To celebrate the foundation of Shelby American, Shelby American made a 50th Anniversary Edition of the Shelby GTS available. The car was based on the 2012 Mustang (both V6 and V8 form configurations), and was only available in two exterior colors, Black and Performance White. Production was limited to 100 units with 50 being Black and 50 Performance White units. 2011–2014 Shelby GT350. Coinciding with the 45th anniversary of the original 1965 Shelby GT350, Shelby American unveiled an all new GT350 Mustang at the opening night gala of the 2010 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ. Presented in concept form, the new GT350 had a supercharged version of the brand new 5.0-

3rd generation (2015–2017)

=== 2015–2016 Shelby GT === Shelby American launched the 2015 Shelby GT in 2015. It is a package available for the 2015 Ford Mustang GT and is available with either manual or automatic transmissions. According to Shelby American, the upgrades for the 2015 Shelby GT include a more aggressive style with carbon fiber enhancements: hood, rockers, splitters, spoiler and diffuser. Shelby GT also features cold air intakes, custom 20" WELD Venice wheels with high-grip Michelin tires, Ford Performance supercharger, Wilwood brakes, adjustable rear control arms, dash-mounted 3-gauge pod for track boost, fuel and oil pressure, race seats, roll cage and harness. Shelby GT Ecoboost. The Shelby GT350-Ecoboost is a Shelby GT package for Ford Mustang Ecoboost launched in 2015. The package is available in only in the United States. The GT EcoBoost's exterior changes are extensive. Many of the upgrades are the same as the ones found on packages offered on Ford Mustang GT. This includes the extensive use of carbon fiber, notable in the front splitter, hood, rear spoiler and rocker panel. The Shelby GT Ecoboost includes a Ford Performance handling pack upgraded suspension. Like the manual and automatic transmission V8 version, the GT-EcoBoost version of the car is far more than stripes and a badge. The car was refined with a Ford Performance handling pack upgrade, engine tune and a throatier Ford Performance exhaust. The result is over 335 hp (250 kW) on 91 octane fuel and significantly better handling. 2015–2016 Shelby Super Snake. Shelby American launched the new Shelby Super Snake in 2015. Due to the discontinuation of Shelby GT500, the 2015 Super Snake lost its GT500 tag, but still have some people called it as GT500 Super Snake. Like the 2015 Shelby GT, it is also based on 2015 Ford M

SVT 1st generation GT500 2007–2009 (S197 I)

=== 2007–2009 Ford Shelby GT500 === Shelby and Ford returned for the 2007 model year with the Shelby GT500. Introduced at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, the GT500 uses a supercharged and intercooled Modular 5.4 L; 330.0 cu in (5,408 cc) V8 engine rated at 500 hp (507 PS; 373 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 480 lb⋅ft (651 N⋅m) at 4,500 rpm of torque. Features include the Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission, suspension tuning, a body kit, and 18-inch wheels. Deliveries of the Shelby GT500 began in May 2006. A collaboration of Ford's SVT and Carroll Shelby, the GT500 was produced in limited quantity for three years (approximately 10,000 units per year) on the line at Ford's Flat Rock, Michigan (AutoAlliance) assembly facility. In 2008, Shelby built a 5.4 L twin-turbocharged prototype from the GT500 under the name Code Red with the help of Nelson Racing Engines. The car had a power output of 1,000 bhp (750 kW), but didn't reach production due to its high cost and extreme nature. 2008–2009 GT500KR. The Ford Shelby GT500KR, revealed at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, was released in the spring of 2008. The car is powered by a Modular 5,408 cc (5.4 L; 330.0 cu in) supercharged and intercooled version of the base GT500 V8 engine now upgraded to 540 bhp (547 PS; 403 kW) at 6,250 rpm and 510 lb⋅ft (691 N⋅m) at 4,500 rpm of torque with functional Cold Air Intake and unique calibration. SVT and Shelby announced that 1,000 40th Anniversary Editions would be built for the U.S. in 2008, with another 571 units in 2009. This 1,571 production run matches that of the original 1968 GT500KR. In total, 1,712 units were produced, with the remaining units going to Canada, export markets and military sales. All KRs were built by AutoAlliance International on the normal Musta

SVT 2nd generation GT500 2010–2014 (S197 II)

=== 2010–2012 Ford Shelby GT500 === 2010. For the 2010 model year, the Shelby Mustang GT500 was redesigned along with the base Ford Mustang. As with the 2007–09 GT500, the 2010 included unique front and rear fascias, hood with functional vents and unique rear spoiler. The rear spoiler included a functional Gurney flap. Along with new exterior colors, customers had the option of extending the exterior stripes onto the seats. Production was limited to 2000 units. The 5.4 L engine's power output was increased to 540 hp (403 kW) and 510 lb⋅ft (691 N⋅m) of torque with the addition of a cold air intake similar to the 08/09 GT500KR and includes a knock sensor to protect the engine if lower octane fuel is used. The 2010 GT500's fuel efficiency increased by 2 miles per gallon. SVT re-tuned the coupe's suspension and worked with Goodyear on 19" tires with new construction, compound and tread pattern. The coupe's 19-inch wheels are forged for a reduction in unsprung weight. The convertible retained the 18-inch wheels. The 2010 Shelby Mustang GT500 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in 4.19 seconds and has a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). The 2010 GT500 can brake from 60–0 mph in 107.0 ft and has a lateral acceleration of 1.00 G. 2011 and 2012. Much like the 2011 V6 and GT Mustangs, the 2011 Shelby GT500 got an engine update with an all-new 5.4 L aluminum engine which was 102 lb (46 kg) lighter than the previous cast-iron engine and uses Ford-patented plasma-coating technology (Plasma transferred wire arc). The inventors of PTWA received the 2009 IPO National Inventor of the Year award. This technology was initially patented and developed by inventors from Flame-Spray. The technology was subsequently improved upon by Ford and Flamespray. With the engine updates, not

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Shelby Mustang
Manufacturer: Ford Performance, Shelby American, SVT
aka: Ford Mustang Shelby, Ford Shelby Mustang, Mustang Shelby, Mustang GT500, Mustang GT350, Shelby GT500 Cobra, Shelby GT350 Cobra
Production: 1965–1971, 2005–present
Assembly: 1965–1967, 1969–1971:, United States: Los Angeles, California, 1968:, United States: Ionia, Michigan, 2005–present:, United States: Flat Rock, Michigan (Flat Rock Assembly Plant); Enterprise, Nevada (Shelby American)
Class: Sports car, Muscle car, Pony car
Platform: Ford D2C platform:, (2nd generation / 5th generation Ford Mustang), Ford S550 platform:, (3rd generation / 6th generation Ford Mustang)
Related: Ford Mustang (1st, 5th and 6th generation)
Layout: FR layout

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q282617CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_MustangCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375308298 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_Mustang_Shelby_G.T._500.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Alexander Migl · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.