Ford Launches Shelby GT Drop Top

This year’s rendition of the Shelby Mustang Cobra (not the GT500) has justbeen announced, and was first shown to fans at the Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Available in coupe and convertible, it’ll feature a host of performance and aesthetic modifications that seek to improve looks and establish it as a future classic. Certain Mustangs have unique color schemes, such as the black with gold striped GT-H Hertz rental car or the black and white California Special, but this year’s GT is Vista Blue with Silver GT racing stripes.

The Mustang GT Shelby receives a new front bumper courtesy of the California Special version, featuring a lower valance that seems to be inspired by the king of Mustangs, the GT500. More upfront changes include a new billet grille with offset pony logo, hood pins, plus a hood with a big hood scoop, albeit it a fake one. Inside, the cars receive a special plaque displaying the serial number.

Since this particular Mustang bears the Shelby name, it’s only expected that it sprintsdown straights quicker than the regular Mustang GT. Indeed, this is to be the case since it packs the Ford Racing Power Upgrade Package that increases the 4.6-liter V8’s power output from 300 horsepower to 319. The engine also gains torque, which is now rated at 330 lb-ft. Icing on the cake is a throaty exhaust note made possible by a high-flow exhaust system with an X-pipe crossover. Like the regular Mustang, the Shelby is available with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic, though the stick features a Hurst short shifter topped off by a cue ball shift knob for shorter, heftier throws.

This Mustang is also one for the curves, as it features Ford’sRacing Handling Package. Specially tuned dampers and bigger sway bars seek to further reduce body roll, while a front strut tower brace and overhead “light” bar (rollover bar) gives the car extra bracing and stiffness. Lowered springs and 18-inch polished “Bullet” style wheels wrapped in sticky BF Goodrich gForce tires seal the deal on grip, not to mention that they give the car a lower stance.

One of the criticisms directed at Ford as of late has been with regards to the sheer number of special edition Mustangs that have been released. To ensure that this one holds some meaning, Shelby will be limiting total production to 2,300 units, which is a big drop down from over 6,000 units produced last year. Production of the cars will start in September, which means buyers will have to step in line quickly to ensure they get theirs before sports car season is upon us.