The Mustang Shelby GT500 is based on Ford Motors' collaboration with renowned racing driver Carroll Shelby, who won the famous 1959 Lehman 24 Hours race. This legendary man, whom his relatives nicknamed the old Shel (Cobra), laid the foundation for the landmark release of Mustangs with the Shelby prefix. Thanks to Carroll Shelby, all the most famous and epochal Mustang models were built. With his help, Ford achieved dominance in various racing competitions in the sixties of the last century. It is a pity that now he is no longer with us, since on May 10, 2012 he died at the age of eighty-nine. But the memory of him lives on in our thoughts and as Edsel Ford, who is the great-grandson of Henry Ford and a member of the board of directors of Ford, said that Carroll Shelby will never be forgotten.
The progenitor of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is the Ford AC 260 Roadster, which was tested by Carroll Shelby in 1962. Ford asked Shelby to start developing a high-performance Mustang and in 1965 the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 appears, and two years later the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 1967 is delivered to the end customer and therefore the first sale of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 dates from this year.
The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 could have been tricky and some hype was created when a customer occupied their car at night so it wouldn't be sold to someone else while the check was being written. On the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, the price started at five thousand dollars and the upper limit depended only on the financial capabilities of the potential buyer, while the price of a regular Ford Mustang started at $2,400 and sales were very successful, because only in the first four months a hundred thousand cars were sold , and for the year sales amounted to almost 420 thousand cars.
Some encyclopedic reference. The Shelby Mustang is a high-tech variant of the Ford Mustang produced by Ford from 1965 to 1970. The Shelby is a Ford Mustang modified by Carroll Shelby and sold under the Shelby GT brand, bearing the Shelby Cobra logo.
The Mustang model from the Shelby GT-500 had a very aggressive appearance and was sporty. The car's exterior was adorned with modeled air intakes and a large grille. Muscular rear fenders, together with a clearly defined line of doors and front fenders, create an impressive charisma of this model. A Leman-style fuel filler cap has also been installed. The unusual decision to lead the exhaust pipes on the right and left sides, up to the rear wheel arches, emphasizes the sportiness of the car. The 1967 model differed from the 1965 GT-350 in its increased body length and more aggressive overall styling of the car, which was backed up by a matching powertrain. Various interior colors were available to help create your own unique Shelby Mustang interior.
The famous Hollywood movie features a 1967 Ford Mustang in an unusual body kit. And here we find the answer to the question: why was the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 named Eleanor? The name of this kit (body kit) with the name Eleanor became a prefix to the legendary model. Buying a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor in the United States is easy, but expensive. The price range for a simple body kit Ford Mustang starts at $70,000 if the car is offered in a slightly worn condition. Such a car is most likely just hung with the famous Eleanor body kit and sold to people, the so-called "fans", who have a strong attraction to the simple appearance of the car.
On the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, the cost also varies depending on the condition, but it will already be almost twice as high, since such a car is rare and highly valued among connoisseurs of this brand. The photo of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is impressive, but still loses in appearance, without a tuning body kit, such as "Eleanor". The cost of the original Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, listed in the so-called "Red Book" for Shelby cars, that is, the register of Carroll Shelby, and in good technical condition, can reach up to 350 thousand US dollars. For that kind of money, you will be provided with a completely redesigned car from the inside, that is, the appearance will look retro, as it was back in 1967, but the stuffing of such a car monster will be all modern, since all components and assemblies will be installed modern, including the engine, which will have an outstanding power of 540 horsepower.
Such work is carried out by the well-known tuning studio Unique Performance, which has launched the production of cars in the Eleanor body kit on a large scale, although the competition in this market is very strong. All of these cars have the GT500E index and are painted gray, which matches the color of a similar car in the movie Gone in Sixty Seconds. But it is more difficult to occupy this niche in the market every year, and the Brazilian tuning studio Batistinha Garage made an original decision by changing the color combination of the body paint, as well as installing a different power unit and changing some other components of the car. With this, they diluted a large wave of gray clones of the legendary car from the film with Nicolas Cage, who played the main role. The result was a snow-white beauty, as if descended from the screen. But first things first.
The story of the snow-white Eleanor that came to Brazil
Although the Mustang is masculine, the Shelby Mustang in the Eleanor body kit is considered to be a girl, oddly enough, but it is. Especially when the car is painted in a delicate white color that resembles the color of the bride's dress. The car that got to Luis Fernando Batista was born in 1967, having left the assembly line of one of the 356 thousand of the same cars. The meeting with Luis Fernado at the typewriter took place at an auction where a well-known and respected restorer from Brazil bought it at the age of thirty-six. This respected restorer is the owner of the Batistinha Garage tuning studio. The auction price of the car was so attractive that Luis Fernado could not resist buying, especially since the former owner of the car kindly gave away many valuable parts along with the car, including the Eleanor body kit.
Luis Fernando had almost begun the restoration of the car, but then his office was called and made a very profitable offer, not subject to refusal. Do not be alarmed, since the offer was not from the mafia, but from one regular client who learned about the acquisition of Batista. The essence of the proposal was that Luis gives the car to a regular customer at a bargain price, and also makes the restoration and tuning of the car according to the project of the new owner. The owner of the tuning company had to agree to all the conditions of the interested buyer and customer. A thorough and clear restoration, which Batistinha Garage is so famous for, was to be done.
The idea of creating a snow-white Eleanor
Before the appearance of a more charged version of the GT500, a less powerful GT350 model was produced with a 4.7-liter engine, which had a beautiful white bodywork called Wimbledon. Blue stripes were applied to the snow-white body. A distinctive feature of the model was the absence of rear seats, which significantly reduced the weight of the car. Recall that the production of a powerful version of the GT500 with a 7-liter engine and 355 horsepower began in 1967. The mighty 428th block accelerated the car to the first hundred in 6.5 seconds. At the same time, the maximum speed of the car reached 220 kilometers per hour, and this was quite enough to successfully conquer racing tracks and drag strips. The performance of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 was truly impressive for those times. The car was installed: an improved suspension, improved disc brakes on the front wheels, a modified automatic three-speed gearbox or a mechanical four-speed gearbox. 1968 was marked by the release of the KR version, which had the translation "King of the Roads". This version was powered by the legendary 355 horsepower Cobra Jet engine. In 1970, production of the Shelby GT350 and GT500 was temporarily discontinued.
Realization of the Brazilian project of snow-white Eleanor
Batistinha Garage & Speed Shop specialists, starting this project, moved away from the banality and dullness of previous restorations of similar cars in gray. Thus, an innovative version was born - the snow-white GT500E, painted in the unforgettable Wimbledon color that has become a legend.
The body is lacquered and elegant blue stripes with a brilliant blue tint are applied, which has become the main stage in the finishing of the car's exterior. The optics were left original, but to increase the light illumination, xenon headlights were installed for high beams, additional reduced xenon headlights on the side and a couple more in the bumper. Under the hood, it was decided to install a 392 block instead of the native seven-liter 428 block. The new motor was selected from the Ford Racing catalog. The characteristics of the new engine are quite consistent with the car: an engine capacity of 6.4 liters and a power of 430 horsepower. The replacement of the native engine went without problems and in addition the new block was equipped with a new device - a new Road Remon carburetor was installed.
The car has undergone such a deep tuning that only the rear seats and wheels remained of the original parts. Since Brazilian bumps are very insidious, new Aldan shock absorbers and engine pan protection were installed on Elechka. The old transmission has been replaced with a modified Tremec Extra Duty five-speed gearbox, which is still found on NHRA dragsters with about 1,200 horsepower. Powerful 13" and 12" brakes complete the list of improvements. Installed seventeen-inch rims with tires measuring 265/40 at the rear and 235/40 at the front. The dynamics of the car improved, allowing it to accelerate to the first hundred in almost 5 seconds, and the maximum speed of the car reached 240 kilometers per hour. The native rattling exhaust system was modified at the request of the ordering customer and began to emit a juicy sound, which is now fashionable among tuning people. The interior of the Eleanor has been re-engineered in luxury style, with Rallye seats, Auto Meter instrumentation, and a new sound system by master Mauro Castro of Bass Audio. The cost of Eleanor after such tuning has increased seven times.
That, perhaps, is all about the legendary 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor.
1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor — Video
Stills from the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds", which made this car amazingly famous and made fans - fans in awe of this car:
The car is a beast
But the most famous color option for the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500E was silver with two dark stripes in the middle:
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At the Detroit International Auto Show in January of this year, the American automaker Ford presented to the general public a new extreme model of the 2019 Mustang Shelby GT500 coupe, which, according to insiders, will be able to reach a top speed of over 320 kilometers per hour.
Ford has long stood on the sidelines of the recent power car war between Chevrolet and Dodge, but not now.
The famous American automaker has confirmed that one of the most legendary power cars is the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. It will return for the 2019 model year and will have over 700 horsepower.
History of the development of the model
The GT500 first appeared in 1967, when Carroll Shelby was still actively involved in the development of the Ford models he invented, which later bore his name. They became an icon of that era filled with big powerful cars. Ford revived the Mustang name in 2007 in response to fans and the series' high popularity ratings.
The last GT500 was built as a 2013-2014 model. It had a 5.8-liter turbocharged V8 powertrain that produced 662 horsepower and 855 Nm of torque. The declared maximum speed was 320 km / h. Immediately after its release, this model became a coveted collector's item.
With over 700 horsepower, the upcoming GT500 model will take on the 650-horsepower Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and could also match or outperform the 707-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.
But the 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is likely to remain America's most powerful car. The Dodge Demon was built exclusively for drag racing. But the GT500 is likely to be a more versatile model.
In its announcements, Ford said the new power car would "attack the tracks" with a focus on speed and handling. The novelty may be closer to the prototype Camaro ZL1 - a very powerful car, built for driving on ordinary roads.
The Shelby GT350 shows that the next generation Mustang can be a great track car. Or maybe Ford will just try to provide maximum power, like Dodge did with the Hellcat.
Appearance and configuration Mustang Shelby GT500
The appearance of the new 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 power car can only be judged by officially shown photos and videos.
The details in these dark teaser images are naturally hard to see. The only thing that can be said about the exterior design of the novelty so far is that the car will have a huge grille with a snake logo in the middle, large air intakes and swollen fenders.
It remains unclear whether the production version will use the Vorfacelift headlights shown in the teaser or not. A new, more aggressive front aerodynamic package makes the GT500 wider than the regular Mustang.
Enthusiasts managed to determine the size of the new tires - 305/30-ZR20 on the front axle. So it is quite possible that the developers use the new version of Michelin's Pilot Sport 4S as rubber.
Coupe Specifications
The GT500 is seen as the answer to the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger Hellcat, so everyone predicts the car will get a powerful V8 powertrain.
However, opinions differed on which V8 the novelty would use. As possible engines for the GT500, both a conventional turbocharged V8 and a bi-turbo version are considered. Many believe that the new car will receive a 5.2 liter V8 engine, similar to the power unit used in the GT350, but with a traditional crankshaft placed in a transverse plane.
The American automaker is promising more than 700 horsepower, more than double the output of the original 1967 Mustang. This means that when the Mustang Shelby GT500 arrives next year, it will be Ford's most powerful road car in existence.
A GT500 prototype video from the Mustang6G.com fan forum shows a car that sounds very similar to the GT350. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to say whether this prototype uses forced induction, so the debate about the engine with two turbines and superchargers is still ongoing.
The upcoming GT500 model is likely to get two transmission options: a six-speed manual transmission or an innovative ten-speed automatic transmission jointly developed by Ford and GM. Ford is already using the latter in the F-150 and Mustang models. Best of all, it's also available in the GT500's closest rival, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
The main competitors of the car
As mentioned above, the main rivals of the 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will be the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which will also be updated.
The base configuration of the Camaro ZL1 sports car is equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine with 275 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. The most “charged” version of the ZL1, which will become the main competitor of the GT500, will receive a 6.2-liter V-8 engine with a capacity of 640 horsepower and 868 Nm of torque.
The power units will work in tandem with a standard six-speed manual transmission, an eight-speed automatic or an advanced ten-speed automatic transmission (ZL1).
There's a custom kit for the ZL1 that adds things like an aero package, DSSV dampers, and sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires.
The 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat sports car will be built on the Alfa Romeo Giulia platform, which will make it a little lighter. Under the hood, the most “charged” modification will have a turbocharged V8 engine with a capacity of 707 horsepower.
As an option, the Hellcat will receive a Drag Pack package that raises the power unit to 725 horsepower. Also in addition to the aerodynamics of the Air Grabber, it contains unique Nitto tires, Torque Reserve and TransBrake features.
Mustang Shelby GT500 2019: photos
In the 60s, cars of the same type were born, which were later combined into one single class - the Muscle Car. They were small cars produced between 1964 and 1973. 8 cylinders and powerful engines - this is how this class of machines can be characterized. Almost simultaneously with this category, another one appears. Its name is Pony Car, and this line was initiated by a car from a large American company. "Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500" got its name from the logo on the nameplate: it flaunts a galloping horse.
Why has Shelby become so popular?
No one will argue that the automotive market is quite crowded with an assortment, among which world-famous models flaunt. Some of them belong to the category of "fashionable cars". However, there are also such specimens that only by their appearance characterize and personify an entire era. In the 20th century, technological progress took a long step forward. The creation of the notorious Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 brought a new style to the automotive world and completely influenced the automotive industry. For many people, both for amateurs and for ordinary drivers, this miracle from Ford has become an ideal and a dream. Even today, this machine remains an idol for millions, regardless of the position to which the development of the industry has advanced. Immediately after the creation of the car, it was taken to shoot many films and TV shows, but the picture "Gone in 60 Seconds" became the most memorable.
History of the Ford GT 500
The Ford company, competing with one of the leaders in the automotive industry, Chevrolet, has released a truly legendary car. In April 1964, the first Ford Mustang GT 500 saw the light of day. The idea of this car was invented by Lee Iacoki, vice-present of the concern. His task was to improve the Thunderbird model and get a really powerful work of art. The guy, being young and very stubborn, decided to combine the best features of Falcon and Thunderbird in the future sales leader. After the presentation in New York on April 14 of the same year, the Mustang became immediately popular: advertising about its release was played quite often both on television and on the radio. The excitement was so great that on the first day of sales there were about 20 thousand buyers, and in a year this figure increased to a million. The owners, when purchasing a car, even slept in it while the paperwork was being drawn up so that someone else would not buy the car.
One of the working names of the modification was S. The following year, an improved version appeared - GT350. Already in 1967, a real sports car was released, which was considered the most powerful and affordable by the standards of that time. For three years, until 1970, the Mustang was the first selling car in the States.
Further development of the model
For reasons known only to the Ford administration, production of the Shelby GT 500 Mustang ceased in 1970. It was renewed only in 2006. The model of this time has become improved - the ability to develop power up to 500 horsepower has appeared. The following year, the Shelby line celebrated its 40th anniversary. On this day, the company released a new car Cobra GT500KR. It has a 5.4-liter power unit; engine power is 540 hp. With. The circulation of the issue was limited (only 1 thousand copies). By 2011, the manufacturer introduced a car with a capacity of 550 hp. with., while fuel consumption was, on the contrary, reduced. The next edition of the Shelby was fitted with a 5.8 liter turbocharged engine and 662 horsepower. Fuel consumption remained the same.
In 2012, a new Super Snake model was put up for buyers. The power of this car was 862 hp. With. A little later, the Shelby 1000 appeared with 1100 horsepower. Its cost in America was about 60 thousand dollars.
Generation I: 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The first generation amazed all critics and just motorists. This car was able to become a wall that was hard enough for other companies to overcome. The famous "Mustang Shelby GT500" was presented in the Large-scale production was launched in March. Throughout its existence, the company has constantly upgraded the car, not only introducing a new design, but also constantly changing the technical characteristics, improving them to the maximum. The assembly of the first generation continued until 1973. Until now, the car is the most recognizable, thanks to its unique features: hood, trunk, etc. Three versions of the Mustang were produced: fastback, sedan and convertible.
II generation: 1973 Ford Mustang
The updated Mustang GT 500 appeared in 1973. It was this machine that gave rise to a new era - the second generation. The manufacturer, creating it, decided to return to the original design, which was somewhat improved. Comparing the dimensions, you can see that the model was lighter and smaller than its prototype. The entire period of production of the car was constantly subjected to changes; lasted on the assembly line until 1978. The circulation for all this time amounted to more than a million copies. II generation was produced in two versions: hatchback and coupe.
III generation: Ford Mustang 1979
The continuation of the Mustang lineup was not long in coming. Already in 1979, the third generation of cars came out. Initially, the model was produced only with coupe and hatchback bodies, but after some time a convertible was introduced to the world. There were no special changes in the technical characteristics. The only thing that was modernized was the engine, now a turbocharged unit was installed on the car.
This model quickly gained popularity, and its production lasted 15 years.
IV generation: 1994 Ford Mustang
The fourth generation Mustang GT 500, which was released in 1994, has a changed design compared to the previous model. Performance has increased, new design details have appeared, the platform has been improved. In 1999, the car underwent a number of new changes that extended to the interior and exterior, and the engine became much more powerful. The release continued until 2004. The entire circulation amounted to more than 1.5 million copies.
Like previous generations, the car was produced in several variations: coupe and convertible. In various modifications, this model has a length of 4500 to 4600 mm. The wheelbase is the same in all variants (2500 mm).
Fifth generation: 2004 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500
The fifth generation of the car was introduced in 2004. Six months later, the first model for sale rolled off the assembly line. After 5 years, the car was updated - the external data changed, the technical characteristics remained the same. And only by 2010 were the power parameters revised. The last restyling of the Ford GT 500 Mustang in this generation was carried out in 2011. The improved model was distributed around the world until 2014. Its production was discontinued due to the fact that the 6th version of cars was put into circulation.
The appearance of the fifth generation is somewhat reminiscent of the old sample of the 1960s. Muscle car has a beautiful, impressive and spectacular appearance. There are two modifications - a coupe and a convertible.
VI generation: Ford GT 500 Mustang 2015
The sixth generation of the car came out in two versions - coupe and fastback. The first show took place in 2014. This model "GT 500 Mustang" has changed a lot - styling practically does not resemble its predecessors, new power units, modern technical equipment have appeared that were not previously available.
The appearance of the car of the sixth version of the "Ford GT 500 Mustang" is impressive, but still there are some features of the very first predecessors.
Ford Mustang Shelby- a racing modification that has become a cult car Ford Mustang, created in the studio of race car driver and talented engineer Carroll Shelby
Ford Mustang Shelby 1964-1970
Background of appearance
After the release of the first Ford Mustang in 1964, a truly feverish demand began for this model, however, the company's goals were not only to sell the base modification, but also to compete with other Muscle Cars.
Therefore, shortly after the car entered the market (in April 1965), the presentation of the racing modification of the Mustang - GT took place. It was distinguished from the basic version by modified chassis and steering settings, dual exhaust, a special exhaust design, disc brakes on the front axle, bright body coloring and, of course, more powerful engines.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT-350
In the same 1965, the well-known studio of race car driver Carroll Shelby takes over the business. As a result, a modification of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT-350 enters the market, equipped with an 8-cylinder forced gasoline engine with a V-shaped cylinder layout. This made it possible to bring its power up to 306 hp. with., and such a powerful car was freely sold by Ford dealers - anyone could buy it. But besides it, a racing version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT-350R was also released, the power of which was 54 hp higher. With. and reached 360 liters. With.
1966 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-350
In 1966, another major modernization of the Shelby modification took place. The designers left the old 8-cylinder power unit under the hood of the car, but Paxton, a mechanical type supercharger, was added to its design. It significantly increased the engine output - up to 420-430 hp. s., however, such a peak was achievable in a fairly narrow range of revolutions.
In addition, the 1966 Shelby modification was equipped with an automatic transmission, and its body was painted in one of 4 available colors.
Photo: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 KR (1968)
Ford Mustang Shelby GT-500 1967-1968
The appearance of this model became real thanks to the excited public, which demanded the most powerful and fast cars. By this time, the Ford Mustang had undergone a facelift that resulted in it being longer, wider and more massive. A number of body panels were replaced - air dividers appeared, which were added by designers to decorative air intakes located next to the rear wheels. In addition, the slope of the stern of the fastback has changed - from now on, the roof and rear window lay in the same plane.
Naturally, Carroll Shelby could not miss such an opportunity, and soon his studio introduced the world to the new Ford Mustang Shelby GT-500, equipped with a 7-liter 8-cylinder engine that produced 335 hp. With. It is noteworthy that in order to install such a massive and overall power unit on the Mustang, the engine compartment had to be slightly lengthened.
Photo: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Cobra (1969)
At the beginning of 1968, the model was modernized, as a result of which the car began to be equipped with 427 engines, the power of which reached 390 hp. With. But already in April 1968, modifications of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT-350 and Ford Mustang Shelby GT-500 were officially renamed the Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra. In addition, versions of the Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra began to be sold in the back of a convertible.
They are being equipped with new, most powerful power units - 428 Cobra Jet. They implemented the principle of Ram Air (air intake technology), and also used valves of a special design (plates of a larger area than usual). Such measures made it possible to raise the engine power to 350 hp. s., and experts noted that he was able to develop 410 hp. With.
It is worth considering the fact that already in 1967 Carroll Shelby retires, refusing to participate in the development of new powerful versions of the Ford Mustang Shelby. As a result, he sold his right to produce the Ford Mustang Shelby to Ford Corporation.
Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra and Ford Mustang BOSS 1969-1970
During these years, Ford's rivalry with the Chevrolet Camaro turned into a racing plane. So, in order to compete with the Camaro Z / 28 at the next stage of the Trans AM races, 429 engines were installed on the BOSS 302 version, developing a power of 290 hp. With.
But very soon, Ford decides to take part in the prestigious NASCAR races, for which it builds a new Ford Mustang Boss 429, equipped with a V-shaped “eight” that produces 375 hp. With. and 611 Nm of torque, and this peak was already available in the middle range - at 3,400 rpm. Naturally, such measures forced to change the exterior of the model. So, the Ford Mustang Boss 429 received more spectacular, extended wheel arches, and an impressive air intake on the hood.
It is also worth noting other design features of the Ford Mustang Boss 429. A significant part of the components of the power unit was made from light alloys. Due to the presence of such a large and heavy engine, the front suspension had to be upgraded. This was manifested in a 25 mm lowering of the double wishbones, as well as in the displacement of the shock absorber mounting points. Also Ford Mustang Boss 429 got a new radiator (oil type), 4-speed gearbox and a luxurious interior.
In addition to the power units, the Shelby versions received an FMX (hydromechanical) transmission, which differed in that the gears in it could be switched both manually and automatically.
In 1970, the history of the Ford Mustang Shelby, as well as the modifications of the BOSS 302 and BOSS 429, was interrupted for a long time - the resumption of the Shelby production took place only in 2006. Of course, this does not mean that Ford did not release powerful models all the time - they were the Mach and Cobra versions.
Ford Mustang Shelby 2006 - modernity ...
Shelby GT-H and Shelby GT
2006, at this time there is a revival of Shelby modifications. At first they are sold simply as versions of the GT racing model - Shelby GT-H (in 2006 and 2007) and Shelby GT (in 2007 and 2008). The cars were equipped with an 8-cylinder 4.6 L SOHC "Modular" (3 valves per cylinder), developing 300 hp thanks to the VCT system (variable valve timing). With. Shelby trims differ from the simple GT in various design elements and a slight increase in power.
Shelby GT500 and Shelby GT500KR
Already in May 2006, the Shelby GT500 entered the market, which is equipped with a 500-horsepower, 5.4-liter V8. She has sports seats trimmed with natural leather and design elements that give the car a sporty style.
In 2006, the presentation of the Ford Shelby GT500KR also falls, equipped with the same 5.4-liter V8, but with 540 hp. With. Almost the entire body was also changed (except for the roof) - the exterior became more dynamic and sporty.
Photo: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Cobra (2013)
Mustang Boss 302 and Shelby GT500
And in 2012, the Mustang Boss 302 takes to the roads, equipped with an 8-cylinder Hi-Po 302 Ti-VCT that produces 444 hp. With. In principle, this is the same Coyote 5.0, but deeply modernized - the weight of a number of components has been significantly reduced, and the valve lift height has also been increased.
And in 2012, a new version of the Shelby GT500 appeared, with a new 5.8-liter V8 and 662 hp. With. - so far this is a record figure for a V8. This Shelby GT500 accelerates to 320 km / h.
In 2013, the Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra 2013 was created in memory of Carroll Shedby with a power of 850
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The appearance of the Mustang Shelby GT 500 became possible thanks to the fruitful cooperation of Ford with the eminent racer Shelby Carroll. He managed to become famous by winning one of the most difficult races - a 24-hour race in Liman. It was this man who became the founder and one of the main developers of the Mustang model in the Shelby version, named after him. It should be noted that all the most iconic and interesting versions of the Mustang were built on the basis of Shelby's creation. Worldwide love aside, the 1967 GT 500 saw Ford win numerous races, beating its rivals in every way. It is impossible to forget about such a car, and our today's article is devoted to it.
When the Ford Mustang version of the Shelby GT 500 first appeared, it was a real stroke of luck to own one. Fans lined up for the car and waited even at night to write a check and take possession of this handsome man. By the way, the base cost of the charged version started at $ 5,000, which at that time was quite serious money. In short, the Shelby GT 500 is a more powerful and technological version of the Ford Mustang, made for racing and for lovers of fast cars. It has an improved engine, suspension and many other systems, which we will talk about next.
Appearance and interior
Unlike the regular version, the Mustang Shelby model had a very aggressive look, and it was immediately clear that this was a sports car. The character of the car was emphasized by large simulated air intakes and a massive radiator grille. In addition, the sharp and well-defined lines of the front fenders and doors emphasized the general concept of the GT 500. The wide and muscular rear fenders, the Liman supercar-style fuel filler cap, all looked very solid and sportily aggressive.
The exhaust system is very unusual and interesting, as the pipes come out on the sides of the car, which is another proof of the car's capabilities. Compared to the previous charged version of the GT 350, the new Shelby had a longer body and an aggressive overall look, which was backed up by a very powerful engine. Among other things, there were powerful air intakes on the car, which were used to blow and cool the rear brakes, and the spoiler and body shape helped to improve aerodynamics.
As for the overall dimensions, the Ford Mustang has the following parameters:
- Length - 4663 mm.
- Width - 1811 mm.
- Height - 1440 mm.
- Wheelbase - 2743 mm.
- Turning diameter - 12 m.
- Own weight - 1680 kg.
- Wheel size - 195/50 R15.
Since the GT 500 is a coupe, the seating position for rear passengers is very uncomfortable. But this is not surprising, because the car is clearly designed for the driver and for his pleasure. Therefore, there is no need for rear seats in principle.
As for the interior, it was available in a variety of colors and included leather trim and other luxuries of the time. It had nothing special and was quite simple, but every element of the cabin harmoniously combined and fit into the overall style.
Dynamic characteristics and technical part
The GT 500 version of the 1967 Ford Mustang had a huge 7 liter engine with 355 horsepower. This power unit was able to accelerate the car to one hundred km / h in 6.5 seconds, with a maximum speed of 220 km / h. Such a motor was quite enough to participate in various races and win leading positions in them. Compared to the standard version, this engine showed excellent dynamic performance. In addition to the power unit on the Shelby GT 500, the suspension and braking system have also been finalized. The Ford Mustang was available with a choice of 3-speed automatic transmission or 4-speed manual.
The fuel tank is capable of holding 61 liters of gasoline, but you won’t get much on it. The fact is that for a 100 km run in the city, the Ford Mustang in the Shelby GT 500 version consumes approximately 28 liters of fuel, and 21 liters on the highway. However, it should be noted that if you seriously strain the car and constantly spin the engine, then gasoline consumption can increase very much.
Of course, if you look at the results of modern cars, the GT 500 is unable to match many of them in many ways. But is it worth it? Almost 50 years have passed since the release of this car, but it is still able to compete and compete on the road with many models, which is already an achievement. Moreover, no car has such energy, style and charm. The main value of the Ford Mustang today is far from its dynamic performance, but the emotions that it gives from driving.
worldwide popularity
Ford Mustang has become the hero of many well-known films in all countries. Remember the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds"? The main car that generated the most interest was the 1967 GT 500. In 2008, a special variant of the GT 500 was built as part of the Knight Rider series, which was later copied and purchased by many connoisseurs. In addition, the 1967 Ford Mustang was seen in the films "Deal with the Devil", "Fast and the Furious", "Transformers" and many others.
All this suggests that the GT 500 is a great and incredibly charismatic car that can give unforgettable emotions from driving such a powerful and legendary sports car.
