Irvine, CA - On Monday, April 21, Shelby Distribution USA presented automotive legend Carroll Shelby with a custom Superformance Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe. This unique gift was made possible by Amy Boylan and the team at Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas and Lance Stander and the employees at Shelby Distribution USA in Irvine, CA. "It was fantastic to have the opportunity to honor Carroll Shelby with this special car," said Stander. "We hope he enjoys driving it as much as we enjoyed giving it to him."

Painted in the same "Guardsman Blue" of the original cars, Carroll's Daytona Coupe also features the number 98 that represents chassis #2300 that Shelby himself owned up until 1999. Power comes from a Roush 427SR V8 with 480 horsepower and 515 lb-ft torque. Unique to Carroll's Daytona Coupe is a shifting system that utilizes paddles and buttons on the steering wheel. Developed by MasterShift (www.mastershift.com) of San Diego, the Art Carr 2004R 4-speed automatic transmission can be up shifted via paddles and downshifted using two buttons on either side of the steering wheel. The system also has safety features including a one second delay from Drive to Neutral as well as a speed sensor to prevent the car from being shifted into reverse or park unless it is completely stopped. Installation of the engine, transmission and paddle shift system was handled by Exotic Auto Restoration of Costa Mesa.

History of the Daytona Coupe

The original six Daytona Cobra Coupe factory racers enjoyed a short but impressive racing career: Originally built for the 1964-65 for the 1964-65 racing season using 289 Shelby Cobra roadster chassis, these were America's answer to Ferrari's highly successful 250 GTO. In their first year of competition, the Daytona Coupes won the GT class at Sebring and then placed 4th overall at Le Mans. They proved to be so competitive that Ferrari officials, fearing a loss of the championship, managed to get the Monza, Italy final round cancelled, knowing the Daytona's would win the race and the Championship. Consequently, Ferrari claimed the 1964 FIA World Manufacturer's Championship. The following year Enzo Ferrari, realizing he would lose to the Daytona's, pulled his factory support from the GT program, paving the way for the Daytona Coupe walkover. In 1965, the ex-Shelby Daytona Coupes of the UK's Alan Mann racing team won the FIA's World Manufacturer's GT title with ease.

Recreating the Legend

Almost 40 years later, Superformance has re-created this nostalgic player in American racing history. The Coupe is a Carroll Shelby licensed product and was designed by some of the original team, including Peter Brock and Bob Negstad. The Coupe boasts amazingly sleek lines and a contoured body which is slightly larger than that of the original race car. The original suspension was further engineered and improved and the interior space was optimized for more room. Addding value to this impressive Daytona is the fact that it is also eligible for the Shelby American Automobile Club owners registry, capturing each chassis number as a part of American history.

Superformance Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe Standard Equipment*

• A complete factory-assembled rolling chassis.
• Show quality PPG paint finishes with many standard colors - custom colors also available.
• Fully independent front and rear suspension.
• Bilstein® coil over progressive shocks with H&R Springs®.
• Tubular space frame constructed of mild steel.
• Power assisted rack & pinion steering.
• Four-wheel vented disc brakes, power assisted.
• PBR® calipers.
• Aluminum radiator / oil cooler with dual electric fans.
• Oil cooler and braided lines.
• Stainless steel fuel tank. 20 gallon.
• Vinylester and glass composite body.
• Custom TFE air conditioning system.
• BTR / Dana HydraTrac limited slip differential.
• 18" cast Alloy wheels and tires.
• Tinted front, side and rear windows.
• Remote door locks and immobilizer system.
• Unique under car exhaust -side pipes.
• Black leather and Alcantra interior.
• Retractable 3 point seat belts.
• Stewart Warner electronic gauges.
*Some components and features are subject to change

FORD SHELBY GT500KR ROARS INTO PRODUCTION ON AUTOMOTIVE LEGEND'S 85TH BIRTHDAY

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2008 - Automotive legend Carroll Shelby shares his 85th birthday with a new performance standout - the 540-horsepower 2008 GT5000KR, which begins production today.

The GT500KR or "King of the Road" Mustang is the fourth limited-edition Mustang that Shelby Automobiles and Ford have brought to market since resuming their collaboration in 2001. It builds on the performance and success of the 500-horsepower Shelby GT500 - the most powerful production Mustang ever.

The new GT500KR will be available at select Ford dealerships this spring. Production is limited at 1,000 units.

"It is simply magic when Shelby and Ford team up and deliver products like the GT500KR," said Mark Fields, Ford's president, The Americas. "Collaborations like this have helped Mustang remain at the top of the sports car segment for 22 straight years - and running - and help inspire people who truly want and value performance."

Carroll Shelby, who was actively involved in the GT500KR's development, said: "My energy and passion for performance products has always been strongest when I am working with Ford. I'm always looking to up the ante when it comes to performance, and bringing back the 'King of the Road' Mustang is just what we need."

Delivering the "King of the Road"

Each Shelby GT500KR begins life as a GT500, built at AutoAlliance International Inc., in Flat Rock, Mich. From there, the cars are shipped to Shelby Automobile's facility in Las Vegas, where a Ford Racing performance pack, exhaust system and short-throw shifter are installed. The GT500KR also is fitted with body, chassis and interior components. Every GT500KR will be hand customized and delivered to each customer in an enclosed transporter, just like the legendary Ford GT.

To fine-tune the GT500KR's chassis - stiffened 50 percent to deliver increased body control - SVT engineers and Shelby put the GT500KR through a rigorous testing program developed specially for SVT products, including a 12-hour racetrack durability test. The result is a car with increased performance capability that is still comfortable to drive on the street.

The GT500KR's aerodynamics were fine-tuned to add 50 pounds of downforce over the front axle and move the center of aero pressure forward in the vehicle to improve high-speed balance and downforce under high-speed braking. A new front splitter design works with the hood and revised rear spoiler to deliver these benefits. The bottom line: the GT500KR sets new performance standards for Mustang handling and straight-line performance on the racetrack, slalom course and skidpad.

"Because the Shelby GT500 strikes a great balance between ride and handling, we knew that the GT500KR had to be even better," said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer at Ford SVT. "We used a holistic approach, having chassis engineers work closely with the engine specialists to develop a tuning suspension that optimizes the engine enhancements."

Added Gary Davis, vice president production for Shelby Automobiles: "We aren't fixing our attention on one or two attributes, but working on the vehicle as a whole. The throttle response, power delivery, exhaust note and handling all work together to deliver a great total driving experience."

To deliver that balance, the ride height has been lowered to the optimum setting for limit handling, which equates to a 20 mm ride height reduction in the front and 15 mm in the rear.

The Shelby GT500KR team sculpted a modern interpretation of the original's bulging hood scoop, a visual indication of the extra horsepower packed beneath it. The hood is secured by a pair of stainless steel, twist-down hood pins.

To save weight, the hood borrows design elements from the ducted aluminum/carbon fiber clamshell on the Ford GT. Developed through intensive use of analytical tools including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), the design optimizes the structural properties of carbon fiber delivering panels at a wafer-thin 0.8 mm. The hood saves 15 pounds versus its aluminum counterpart in the GT500.

Unlike most traditional designs, the hood has three components: the outer panel, an integrated airflow duct which spans the entire hood and the inner panel. The duct serves three purposes: to channel supplemental fresh air into the new cold air intake, to relieve high-speed underhood pressure and to move air from the front intake and engine compartment to the rear extractors.

The Shelby GT500KR will ride on all-new Goodyear tires, which make their North American debut exclusively on this new Mustang. The Supercar F1 tire, made of a new performance compound, resulted from a special collaboration between SVT and Goodyear.

Each GT500KR model is identified by a special 40th Anniversary badge on the fenders and grille, distinctive body colored mirror caps and Shelby lettering stretching across the front of the hood and along the rear portion of the deck lid. a special Shelby VIN tag is affixed to each vehicle, mounted in the engine compartment.

The all-leather interior features Carroll Shelby signature embroidered headrests and an official Shelby CSM 40th Anniversary GT500KR dash plate mounted at the top of the center stack.

Other standard equipment includes HID headlamps, an interior ambient lighting package, wrapped and stitched instrument panel, center console and armrests, as well as an electrochromic rearview mirror. Optional equipment includes a Shaker 1000 audio system and DVD navigation system.
The GT500KR's 5.4-liter V-8 Gets the Royal Treatment

Just like its namesake, the 1968 GT500KR, the 2008 "King of the Road" packs a walloping dose of Ford performance. The Ford SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 is enhanced with a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack that boosts horsepower to an estimated 540-hp and torque to 510 ft.-lbs. The added power comes thanks to revised ignition and throttle calibration and a cold air intake system that replaces the stock unit. The Shelby GT500KR cold air intake seal was designed in unison with the new carbon fiber hood to prevent hot engine compartment air from reaching the air intake.

Calibration modifications include advancing the ignition timing as well as re-mapping the electronic throttle settings to provide quicker throttle response for better off-line and mid-range acceleration. Increased throttle response will be met with a sharper roar from the Ford Racing-inspired exhaust system.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, compared with the GT500's 3.31:1.

To perform optimally on track and during performance driving, the Shelby GT500KR has been fitted with an elevated axle vent reservoir to prevent axle fluid expulsion. Gear selection is courtesy of an all-new Ford Racing short-throw shifter making its debut on the GT500KR. Topped with a white ball, the new shifter throws are 25 percent shorter than the unit on the GT500 providing for crisper, sharper shifts. [Source: Ford]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - October 26, 2007 - Carroll Shelby will sell his 1969 GT500 convertible, which he has owned since it was new, at No Reserve during the 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on Jan. 12-20, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz. It is the only Ford-based Shelby Mustang that he has owned continually since it rolled off the assembly line. The historic muscle car will be showcased during the SEMA show in Las Vegas from Tuesday, Oct. 30 - Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, in the Barrett-Jackson booth (#20765), located in the "Racing and Performance" area of Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"Barrett-Jackson attracts the most important collector cars because it is the greatest stage in the world to buy and sell these fantastic pieces of history," said Barrett-Jackson Auction Company Chairman/CEO Craig Jackson. "Last year, we sold the only 427 Shelby Cobra built specifically for Carroll in Scottsdale and now we have the only Shelby Mustang that he's owned for the past three decades. This is an opportunity to be the second owner of a premier car and purchase it from the man himself on the weekend we celebrate his 85th birthday. This special car will also be a highlight of our SEMA display, which will be more impressive than ever this year."

One of only 246 Ford Shelby GT500 convertibles built in 1969, Mr. Shelby's personal 428 c.i.d. Cobra Jet powered car has only 69,725 miles and came originally equipped with automatic transmission, GT equipment group, white interior and top, intermittent wipers, power steering, power brakes, tilt steering, factory A/C, AM-FM stereo radio, tachometer and trip odometer.

The red convertible was recently restored under the direction of Stephen Becker, a world-renowned collector and broker of vintage Shelby Cobras, GT350s and GT500s. Becker engaged well known and respected Shelby restorer Jim Cowles at Shelby Parts & Restoration in Green Bay, Wisc., to complete a Concours rotisserie freshening of the car.

"The only other Shelby that Carroll has owned longer than this GT500 is the first Cobra, CSX2000," noted Steve Davis, President of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. "With its recent restoration by one of the premier shops in the country, this historical GT500 would be a monumental acquisition for any serious collector."

Another car slated for the Barrett-Jackson auction block in Scottsdale that will be featured at SEMA is the one-off 1963 Corvette "Rondine," which will be staged in the AutoWeek booth (#20715). The Pininfarina-bodied concept car was designed by Tom Tjaarda and unveiled at the 1963 Paris Auto Show. Barrett-Jackson will also sponsor the Overhaulin' Studio, where they will display three Scottsdale-bound cars in the silver lot.

"SEMA is a haven for gearheads and the industry's most influential players, making it the ideal venue to showcase our lineup for Scottsdale," added Davis. "Barrett-Jackson has taken enormous strides in the past few months to further establish our position as the world's leading producer of collector car auctions."

[BJ via The Mustang News]

Ah, Jim Glickenhaus. Ah, to be Jim Glickenhaus, the only man ever to produce a Basket Case movie and have Pininfarina scan his body for a perfect fit in a custom Enzo-based car. We met him briefly in Paris last fall and he turned out to be a very nice, personable dude, always willing and ready to drop some science. Here he tells the story of the battle of wills contested between two titans of the automotive world: Hank The Deuce and Enzo Ferrari. Part I above, click the link for part II. We can practically guarantee you'll learn something you didn't know. [Thanks to Haller for the tip] – Davey G. Johnson

The Ford/Ferrari Wars, Part II [Cirkitvision]

Related:
Foyt On Indy [Internal]

Another day, another question brought to you by one of you; our wonderful readers. Today's comes from Seth L, and it's a good 'un:

What lost automotive styling cue do you pine for? Tailfins? Non-plastic Chrome? Cars shaped like jets?

Do you rail against America's ennui with space exploration, and it's themes?

Oh wait, the last one's just me.

Seth L

[The Jalopnik Question of the Day kinda rocks, doesn't it? Do you have a question you want answered? Email it to tips@jalopnik.com with the subject line "QOTD"]

Which Car Is Growing On You?; The Jalopnik Question of the Day [Internal]

Herr Wert's earlier post about the $9.275 million Ferrari got me thinking about all kinds of stuff. First, of course, is that car worth that much scratch? Sure, it won Le Mans, but what was it running against? A bunch of GTOs and E-Types. Big whoop. And, the only other cars in its class — +3.0-liter Experimental — were two Maserati Tipos and a Ferrari 330LM GTO. And none of them finished the race. So, according to one reporter's opinion, that 330 TRI/LM ain't worth the money. However, there are some Le Mans racing machines that to me, would not only be worth the filthy lucre, but are also my favorite racecars. I am having trouble picking just one, though.

The race was the 1964 outing. The two cars were the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe and the Ferrari 250 GTO. The Shelby of course proved to be the superior vehicle, winning the GT class and placing fourth overall. And, like Homer Simpson said of David Schwimmer, the Daytona is handsome in an ugly sort of way. Especially that Kamm-tail. But next to the 250 GTO, Shelby's car looks like the dog's breakfast. And the Ferrari finished 5th. So, I pick two. You? – Jonny Lieberman

[The Jalopnik "Question of the Day" runs every day. Unless it doesn't. Do you have a question you want answered? Email it to tips@jalopnik.com with the subject line "QOTD"]

Related:
Le Mans-Winning 1962 Ferrari 330 Sells At Auction For Over $9 Million, Sets New Record Price!; The Jalopnik Question of the Day [Internal]

It's one of the oldest maxims in the automotive world: drive on Sunday, sue on Monday. OK, that's a bastardization of the actual maxim, but whatevs, it works here so we're rolling with it. A California jury sided with Carroll Shelby in a trademark/licensing case against Wilhelm Motor Works, which has been reproducing classic Shelby Mustangs. But, the jury agreed with WMW that Shelby had unreasonably withheld licensing for one of the company's prototypes. Both parties were awarded damages of $250,000, basically amounting to offsetting penalties. And as you might have guessed, Shelby plans to appeal the decision. Lovers of complex and perpetual automotive licensing litigation rejoice!

A bit of history after the jump:

For those not following the back-and-forth litigation between Wilhelm Motor Works and various arms of Carroll Shelby, which has been chronicled here, a primer. WMW had been producing the Mustangs with a license granted from Carroll Shelby Licensing (after the settlement of another lawsuit). After the deal had been signed Shelby sued, claiming that WMW wasn't producing replicas but rather "knock-offs." In September, WMV countersued Shelby for treating them unfairly during the licensing process. While this shouldn't have a serious effect on car enthusiasts (there are plenty of ways to get a legal Shelby Mustang or Cobra replica), we imagine the lawyers are having a field day. We'll keep you abreast of more sleep-inducing developments as they occur. – Matt Hardigree

Mixed verdict in Carroll Shelby trademark suit [Detroit News]

Related:
Jalopnik Question of the Day: What Would You Buy for $5.5 Million [internal]

At the Barrett-Jackson auction this week, Carroll Shelby's personal Cobra went home with Ron "Futurliner" Pratte, a house builder from Chandler, Arizona who drops multimillions on classic vehicles like they were mid-career Charlie Hough cards on the eBay. He paid $5.5 million for this pedigreed Cobra, which may not have broken any records, but it sure was Aswan-Dam expensive. That brings us to the question of the day. If you had $5.5 million to blow, would you have courted Shelby's ex, or would you spend it on something else? Details, details.

Shelby Cobra sells for $5.5 million [MSNBC]

Related:
More Question of the Day [internal]

The only thing better than a 1966 427 Shelby Cobra is a 1966 427 Competition Shelby Cobra with not one, but two Paxton superchargers that stump up 800 hp. Shelby built two, and Bill Cosby killed one of them. Now the survivor can be yours. Come middle of January, 2007, for the low, low price of "no reserve," you will be able to bid on Carroll Shelby's personal ride. OK fine — as this particular Cobra is probably only slightly less valuable than the Daytona Coupe that beat Ferrari at Le Mans, unless you are one of the five richest Sheiks in Qatar you won't be able to buy it. But you can at least bid. What? Barrett-Jackson doesn't let riff-raff scum from teh internets place phony bids on priceless cars for the hell of it? Bo-ring. – Jonny Lieberman

Carroll Shelby's Personal Dual Supercharged 800 BHP Cobra [gizmag]; Shelby Cobra CSX 3015

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Shelby Cobra GT500, Part 1 [internal]

Why You Should Buy This Car: Drop-kicking the accelerator is like hitting a crack pipe; the rush is outright mad, instantly exhilarating and altogether unhealthy. A lack of German engineering in a car this powerful is refreshing. The GT500 is as American as Marlboro Reds, 72oz steaks and adult-onset diabetes; wrapping yourself in a flag would be less patriotic. Despite all odds, the Shelby is a blast to drive really fast. The brakes will man up and save your bacon, and then do it again. Tight back seat doubles as a handy dog carrier. The commodious trunk makes it realistic for daily use. It's both fantastically butch-looking and ordinary, which makes it as stealthy as a Q-ship. The price makes it the performance steal of this decade. The hottest MILF in the Valley walked up to me and said, "Nice car." Did I mention that the acceleration is more fun than seven roller coasters?

Why You Shouldn't Buy This Car: You're not sold on last century's technology. Precision in all things is your thing, and you need a little foreplay. Underneath all the snakes, Eaton blower and bluster sits a $17,000 rental car. The ride is just pathetic and the road noise isn't far behind. Its collar is bluer than Larry the Cable Guy's routine; nothing Volvo going on over here. Despite having decent gas mileage (for what it is), the tank is only 15-gallons large; real world range is about 250-miles per fill-up. The massive bulge in the hood makes parking an F-150-ish affair. You're too old.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: Yes
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Ford
· Model tested: Shelby GT500
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $43,250
· Engine type: 5.4L Supercharged V8
· Horsepower: 500 hp @ 6000 rpm
· Torque: 480 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
· Redline: 6250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 18" Aluminum wheels w/ P255/45R18 fronts, P285/45R18 rear
· Drive type: rear-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 4.5 seconds
· 1/4 mile: 12s
· Fuel economy city/highway: 15/21
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NA

– Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Shelby Cobra GT500, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Exterior Design *****
The more I look at these new Mustangs, the more I understand why LA's Museum of Contemporary Art gave designer J Mays his own show. True, his New Beetle and reborn Thunderbird are insipid, but what he did for Ford's hot two-door has teeth. The Mustang looks even better dressed as a Shelby, with its ass in the air, fat tires and megamouth shark front end. You simply cannot front on the blue Le Mans stripes, nor can you dispute the perturbed Cobras (four of 'em) covering all sides. Still, to the untrained eye, the GT500 only looks like a plain, old Mustang. And considering it's a vehicle capable of truly heinous illegal activity, that may be good news for your license.

Interior Design ***
The SVT light, which flares orange when revs match a driver-selectable shift point, is beyond cool. In fact, if everything else about the car sucked eggs, that lone detail would be enough to win my heart. If you look at the wheel you'll clock yet another snake. If you gaze through the wheel, you'll notice a wholly illegible supercharger boost gauge. And the seats have hissing cobras stitched into 'em, too. Just don't look down at the same cheap-o FoMoCo interior parts.

Acceleration *****
I wish we could give out more than five stars, because the GT500 deserves at least seven. True, other cars will hit 60 mph faster (4.5 seconds in this case) and do the quarter-mile in less time (12.9 seconds) — (Hot Rod wrangled 4.3 seconds to 60mph and 12.25 through the quarter). But no production vehicle on earth is more fun, or more frightening, to launch. Once the clutch engages, the feeling is that of being strapped to a Saturn V rocket that's had a few too many. Shifting into second produces immediate, blood-curdling fishtailage. And that's with the computer doing to the dirty work. Computer off, and the Shelby goes sideways and stays there for as long as it goes forward. Long story short, the Shelby GT500 conjures dreams of owning an abandoned runway.

Braking ****
Obviously the terrible stock Mustang GT's brakes would be of little use in a 500hp brute like this. Out they went, and in their place are 14" cross-drilled rotors and four-piston Brembos in the front. Though the rear wheels have stock stoppers, the mighty Brembo duo gets the job done. They're not outstanding or memorable, mind you, but you will shed speed when you stand on the pedal. And, as I found out on an 80-mile round trip up and down Angeles Crest, no sign of fade.

Ride **
What a beast. On straight, smooth surfaces the GT500 feels fine, and that's the only reason I'm handing out two stars. But if the road ahead should wind even slightly, the Shelby begins its rocking and bobbing. There's too much weight up front and too little technology out back in the live-axle setup for any other result. Rough surfaces are a nightmare of jolting and banging. There's a reason the headrests are the softest part of the seats.

Handling ****
Ford Racing execs claim they've mitigated the live-rear-axle liability by tweaking elsewhere. True, this car is to an Elise what a rhinoceros is to a gazelle. So ... Don't race Lotuses. Engineers did their job though, as the grip is enormous (0.92 G), making challenging roads feel conquerable. It's always a bummer when the stock Mustang GT quits at the limit and begins to plow, but the good news is the Shelby's first instinct is to oversteer; with the traction control off it does little else. Even if you're not quite Mr. McRae, with the traction nanny switched on you'll have a hard time doing anything too stupid.

Gearbox ***
Disclaimer: our Shelby showed up with 9,000 journalist miles so who knows what this poor car has been through. (I would guess hell.) Still, the transmission made some of the worst noises I've heard since my old Pontiac lost a cylinder. You only notice this when scooting about town buying milk and cigarettes; under heavy acceleration all you hear is the air-raid-siren scream from the blower. The flimsy stick felt like it could snap apart in my hand, which, again may or may not be due to abuse. Ford claims the six-speed Tremec unit, which replaces the mediocre five-speed in the GT, is needed to handle the extra torque. Without the sixth-gear, however, the Shelby would likely return close to single-digit highway miles.

Audio/Video *
There's no video and the Shelby is in desperate need of the Shaker 1000 unit we had in last month's California Special. There's so much womp-womp from the massive tires at freeway speeds that it is best to just pull the head unit to save weight.

Toys ***
In some sense, the car itself is a toy. That said, I just cannot get over that you can choose your own gauge colors. Also, as mentioned, the flashing SVT shift point indicator is tits on glass.

Trunk ****
Only the M6 and the Merc 600CL rival the Shelby for 500hp coupe storage supremacy. And those are fancy-pants Deutsche super sleds most definitely not intended for me or you. I was able to schlep my mother's Black Friday Macy's haul home with ease.

Value *****
500 horses for $40,925? Sold.

Overall *****
I was so prepared to hate this car. The (admittedly short) time I spent with the convertible GT500 alerted me to all its flaws. Plus, as we were testing the drop-top in heavily congested and policed Malibu, I never got to really open her up (i.e., drop the hammer and the clutch). As the miles rolled by this week I have been converted, one stoplight at a time. The Shelby has so many good points; bowel-emptying acceleration, rude-boy looks, aggressive handling and potent brakes that it is easy to overlook the most important part. You (or hopefully me) could live with this car, happily ever after. – Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Shelby Cobra GT500, Part 1, Part 3 [internal]

$42,975

IL Insider: 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 to Start at $43,000 [Edmunds]

Related:
Hurt Me, Hertz: The 2006 Shelby Hertz Mustang; More on the GT500 [internal]