| 2011 Shelby GT350 Revealed |
The 2011 Shelby GT350 was unveiled tonight in front of an invitation only crowd at the Barrett Jackson opening night ceremonies. Those not lucky enough to be at the event were invited to watch the unveil live on the Shelby website. During the event Carroll Shelby took the stage and introduced the new ride, the 2011 Shelby GT500, which is said to produce over 500 horsepower thanks to a Ford Racing supercharger. Although no official numbers were given Shelby said this would be another limited production vehicle with deposits being taken for the first hundred this week during the Barrett Jackson auction. Each of the 2011 Shelby GT350s built will be test driven by the man himself, Carroll Shelby, who will then sign it and affix the serial number to the dash. Full press release and specs are available below.
Shelby American will fulfill the dreams of enthusiasts by returning the legendary Shelby GT350 to its lineup of American performance cars. The Shelby team unveiled a supercharged concept version of the Mustang-based 2011 Shelby GT350 to the surprise of thousands gathered at the Barrett-Jackson Auction Opening Night Gala to honor the 45th anniversary of the first GT350 and first Shelby big block Cobra.
"In 1964, Ford Motor Company asked Shelby American to turn their secretary's car into a race winner to help them sell Mustangs," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. "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 American team worked with experts from Ford Racing, Goodyear, Borla, Cragar and Baer to create a car that is fast and has razor sharp handling. 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 Shelby GT350.
"The 2011 GT350 balances heritage with modern necessity," said 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."
"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," added Gary Davis, vice president of production for Shelby American. "After it was hand built in our new design studio, it began extensive testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by veteran test drivers Vince LaViolett and Gary Patterson. We're all proud to be part of this milestone Shelby car."
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 is turned into a GT350 by the Shelby American Team. A limited number will be built in the 2011 model year. A Ford Mustang GT can be dropped shipped by a Ford 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 GT350 up-fit completed by Shelby American has a MSRP of $33,995 and does not include the price of the base car.
Specifications:
-Ford Racing/Whipple Supercharger
-Ford Racing Suspension
-Caster Camber Plate Kit
-Baer 6 Piston Front Brake Kit
-Shelby Rear Eradispeed Rotor Upgrade
-Front and Rear Brake Duct and Cooling Kit
-Shelby/Borla Unique Exhaust
-Cragar 19” Wheels
-Goodyear Performance Tires
-Shelby GT350 Short Throw Shifter
-Front Fascia and Grille
-Rear Fascia including center exhaust and GT350
-Taillight Trim
-Rear Deck Lid Filler Panel
-Side Rockers with integral scoop
-GT350 Hood
-GT350 Guardsman Blue over the top and sidestripes
-Fender Mounted Badging
-Engine Plate and Engine Cap Set
-Unique Shelby GT350 Interior
-Dash Plate with Shelby Sequential Number
-Sill Plates
-A-Pillar Mounted Gauge Package
-Fuel Pressure Gauge
-Oil Pressure Gauge
-Boost Gauge
-Headrest and Arm Rest
-Shelby Floor Mats
-Front and Rear Leather Seats
-Shelby Console Lid
-Shelby Shift Boot
-Shelby Steering Wheel
Options:
-Shelby/Baer Rear Brake Kit
-Watts Link Rear Suspension
-Goodyear Street Race Tire
-Shelby High Performance Cooling Package
Photography by Wesley Allison via Motortrend.com
Related:
2011 Shelby GT350 Pictures (updated with larger images 1/19)
2011 Shelby GT350 Video
2010 GT500 Mustang Information
2010 GT500 Mustang Pictures
2010 Shelby Super Snake Info
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