[InPursuit]

The S550, I just fell in love with it the first time I saw a pic of it and I never get tired of looking at it. The entire car has lines that resemble raised snakes from pretty much every angle. May be just in my mind, but it's one of the coolest things about it for me.

Testify Mario!! And agreed… The quotes about the S550, “760 horsepower, DCT, enhanced cooling..” were exciting…

But this quote had me pull the trigger: “Largest snake ever on the front and back of a Shelby.”

I’m a vain meathead, so my heart throbbed and I said to my wife, “It is time, my wait is over.”

The S650 is nice, but I’m in alignment with many on this thread: This 350 looks great, but overall it’s a supercharger kit on a Mustang GT. While the S550 GT350 and GT500s were engineering masterpieces. I f$&@ing love my car…

 

[AZ21GT500]

In the beginning

There was only Shelby Modified GT350/GT500 from production cars!

Now people turn their noses up at a the idea that they produce the very vehicles that make them a world wide company in the same way. It’s astonishing how fickle this car thing is.

 

[Scottie24]

In the beginning

There was only Shelby Modified GT350/GT500 from production cars!

Now people turn their noses up at a the idea that they produce the very vehicles that make them a world wide company in the same way. It’s astonishing how fickle this car thing is.

I wouldn’t say that I for one “turn my nose up at the idea”. I think the foundation of the idea lives on and has for awhile but it is known as the Super Snake which definitely has its place and market. I think the outcry here and all over social media is that the collaboration with Ford to design, engineer and build the last 350 and 500 was very special and it showed it both cars. This has gotten people to redefine what they expect from these nameplates as a result.

Adding a Whipple to a 5.0 has become common place. So much so that it’s offered as a program on any GT from Ford with a warranty.
I’m not going to lie and say I’m a fan of the 650 but that is the current platform and that’s also fine, I simply think people expect something special now when you combine Shelby with those iconic titles of GT350 and GT500. Sort of like SA are victims of their own success and doing this makes it seem like they are kind of lost without Ford as a partner.

I do pray that this isn’t he fate of the GT500 in a couple years but that’s just my opinion.

 

[Redbird41]

I saw them today at Barrett-Jackson, along with the GTD and the ZR1. They all looked nice.

 

[Catmonkey]

In the beginning

There was no aftermarket support. Ford chose to put rather mundane power plants in its new pony car, while its major competitors caught onto designing a pony car and adding muscle very quickly. A Shelby GT350 was the only game in town early in the game and the upgrade didn't cost you an arm and leg. It was also more about performance than aesthetics too, with actual engine modifications. Ford quickly realized there was a market for performance oriented mustangs and started producing the mustang with bigger and better engines and it's own performance models such as the Boss and Mach 1 and adding optional performance packages like drag packs and super cobra jet muscle. Ford itself became a major competitor for Shelby. Not until Ford revitalized the brand did SA turn its attention back to the Mustang, essentially forgotten for 35 years. Shelby can claim whatever it wants to, but the 07-14 and 20-22 were by and large designed and built by Ford Motor Co. Sure, a licensing agreement was in place to use the Shelby name and I'd guess Shelby had the right to sign off on the final package since his name was associated with it. And it did create a new market for SA by added to the existing package, any of which can be duplicated in your own garage at a fraction of the cost if you lack the skills to do that. But Shelby went from a low cost modification on a large number of automobiles to high cost, mostly aesthetic mods on a smaller number of customers' vehicles. Certainly their prerogative to do so, but it changes the game.

The supercharged version of the new GT350 is going to come with a 12:1 compression ratio coyote found any any Mustang GT. Hardly a developed and engineered package to have boost thrown on it, much less any endurance testing. Now that Trump is back in office, I think we can see some roll back of vehicle gas and emission regulations, so I'm going to sit back and customize and enjoy my GT500s and wait and see what Ford's new "affordable" card trick Ford has up its sleeve. The GTD is too rich for me and the crown jewel is still pretty much the same power plant we have now, in a slimmed down all-business package. It's essentially a street legal race car. I expect the large majority of them are only being purchased to store and make a profit on them at a later date. Seeing the rash of low mileage Dodge Demons at Kissimmee recently sort of reinforces what happens to exclusive limited edition models. I have a hard time exercising my cars' legs in the current congested street environment. I'm a product of the 60s muscle car era and 60 years later, my how things have changed... and cars have become infinitely faster. If you had boost back then everyone knew it because it was sticking out the hood.

I appreciate what Shelby offers, but it's not for me. I think a few of us don't place the Company on the same pinnacle that others seem to. In the end it's my choice and my decision how I spend my dollar. I can't drive a museum piece and aesthetics only go so far for me. The sleeper image has always been more my style. I realize Carrol Shelby's idea spun off the predecessor of the idea behind these cars and adds a racing legacy, but I tend to value Ford's contribution to the 21st century offerings more than Carrol Shelby's. His name offers nothing but historical significance in my book. Make no mistake these cars are special, but Ford could have called them anything else and I still would have bought mine.

 

[Shelby-5150]

I don't think anyone here is downplaying the S650 Shelby GT350. It is a nice SA build Mustang.

When I was considering buying another vehicle, I was, at the time, driving a 2019 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Widebody. It was nice for what it offered, lots of torque and lots of comfort and it was a boat, no doubt. I was at crossroads at the time and was thinking heavily on upgrading to a Red Eye or a Demon 170, but what drew my attention to the 2020-2022 GT500 was the one thing that made it unique, the powerplant. That hand-built 5.2 liter cross-plane crank Predator V8 and Dual Clutch Transmission.

If there's one thing that I always bring up whenever anyone asks about the GT500, that is what I list first and foremost. I think that makes this car more special and more appealing to me.

Maybe due to the Voodoo and Predator engine assembly plant closing had a deep impact on how the S650 GT350 had to go with the Coyote engine, but I believe that these GT350s are limited run vehicles, so why not throw the Voodoo back in, or the Predator modified. I think they are still cranking those out for the F-150 Raptor R? Just seems to be a downgrade, even with the Whipple slapped on the Coyote. Not that the Coyote is a slouch, it's just more mass produced than the niche Voodoo and Predator is all.

I don't know, just seems to me that the S650 GT350 is what it is, but that's the sad part for me. What's the one thing you can say about it that makes it special, that makes it unique, that makes it a Shelby GT350, besides the name and the CSM stamp?

 

[AZ21GT500]

I wouldn’t say that I for one “turn my nose up at the idea”. I think the foundation of the idea lives on and has for awhile but it is known as the Super Snake which definitely has its place and market. I think the outcry here and all over social media is that the collaboration with Ford to design, engineer and build the last 350 and 500 was very special and it showed it both cars. This has gotten people to redefine what they expect from these nameplates as a result.

Adding a Whipple to a 5.0 has become common place. So much so that it’s offered as a program on any GT from Ford with a warranty.
I’m not going to lie and say I’m a fan of the 650 but that is the current platform and that’s also fine, I simply think people expect something special now when you combine Shelby with those iconic titles of GT350 and GT500. Sort of like SA are victims of their own success and doing this makes it seem like they are kind of lost without Ford as a partner.

I do pray that this isn’t he fate of the GT500 in a couple years but that’s just my opinion.

The S550 GT350/500 program didn’t make Shelby American a dime until they started doing the upgrade program. Ford’s agreement with the Foundation was a flat donation per vehicle. The company can’t just sell t-shirts and tchotchkes to survive. This is their way forward and if they do the 60th Anniversary of the GT500 its most likely the plan. Going back to their roots and making cool stuff from production cars.

 

[Traxl]

Is it possible that the fact that it's about 6 or 7 years newer plus MagnaRide that really makes the difference? Fresh suspension bits and such?

What model exactly do you have? Darkhorse or GT Premium all loaded up? Let's see some pics.

My friend has a 2018 PP1 A10 with MagnaRide. His comments were mostly regarding the updated transmission logic. My sons 2018 PP1 Manual has MagnaRide as well (son's car is a hand me down, we've owned it since new and it currently has 35,500 miles). The difference in handling is definitely an improvement over the S550.

I find myself driving faster than I realize in the 2024, just like when I'm in the Shelby, albeit for different reasons. The 2024 is a very smooth riding car, where the Shelby is much more powerful.

This is my 2024 GT Premium PP1 A10 with MagnaRide.

Interior of the 2024

My sons 2018 GT Premium PP1 Manual with MagnaRide.

 

[TonyNJ]

In the beginning

There was only Shelby Modified GT350/GT500 from production cars!

Now people turn their noses up at a the idea that they produce the very vehicles that make them a world wide company in the same way. It’s astonishing how fickle this car thing is.

This is an interesting point, and a good one. A lot has happened since 1965 and I guess it comes down to preference. No need to hate on either or any of the cars IMO. It's just about which one you want. I prefer the Ford factory cars, but definitely see the allure of the Shelby American versions.

Side note: Carroll Shelby was a lot of things. He used Ford to get ahead the same way Ford used him. I like the scene in Ford v Ferrari where he's selling a car that doesn't exist to multiple customers at his shop before Lee Iacocca walks in the door. Genius and charlatan wrapped in one.

 

[Taco_Enum]

The S550 GT350/500 program didn’t make Shelby American a dime until they started doing the upgrade program. Ford’s agreement with the Foundation was a flat donation per vehicle. The company can’t just sell t-shirts and tchotchkes to survive. This is their way forward snd if they do the 60th Anniversary of the GT500 its most likely the plan. Going back to their roots and making cool stuff from production cars.

I don't think anyone here wants Shelby American to fail or not survive, but if you are going to sell a product tied to the Shelby name, I think you have to live up to prior year expectations. The Whipple Coyote is what everyone else is doing. In a way, Ford has done more to honor the Shelby name plate than Shelby American has.

Wouldn't it have been cool if Shelby American put the 7.3 Godzilla motor in the S650 or maybe kept the 5.0 Coyote and paired it with Turbos and a Motec system with configurations for both a "Drag Pack" and a "Track Pack". Heck, I wonder if they could have thrown in a flat-plane crank into the 5.0 Coyote with some R&D. Ideas like that are innovative and different. Case and point, the Code RED GT500 built by Fathouse Performance. Taking a platform to the next level is what the Shelby brand has stood for. This new GT350 is just a follower.

 

[AZ21GT500]

I don't think anyone here wants Shelby American to fail or not survive, but if you are going to sell a product tied to the Shelby name, I think you have to live up to prior year expectations. The Whipple Coyote is what everyone else is doing. In a way, Ford has done more to honor the Shelby name plate than Shelby American has.

Wouldn't it have been cool if Shelby American put the 7.3 Godzilla motor in the S650 or maybe kept the 5.0 Coyote and paired it with Turbos and a Motec system with configurations for both a "Drag Pack" and a "Track Pack". Heck, I wonder if they could have thrown in a flat-plane crank into the 5.0 Coyote with some R&D. Ideas like that are innovative and different. Case and point, the Code RED GT500 built by Fathouse Performance. Taking a platform to the next level is what the Shelby brand has stood for. This new GT350 is just a follower.

Well thinking like a business owner that all has to be built into the cost. If Ford isn’t making the GT’s with the truck motor then there’s a reason. If they had that option for the Mustang then I’m sure SAI would have considered it. People are already bitching about the price tag, I can’t imagine what the price would be if they were adding a specialty motor post production.

SAI is taking back their business model and going back to their roots. Trust me they won’t have any issues selling the 500 or so per year. They have sold out every SS, GT and truck every year. I’m sure they won’t have any issues selling these. Only the social media warriors won’t buy them because most already hate the S650. 🤷🏽‍♂️ Ya can’t please everyone it’s a business model these days.

 

[Taco_Enum]

Well thinking like a business owner that all has to be built into the cost. If Ford isn’t making the GT’s with the truck motor then there’s a reason. If they had that option for the Mustang then I’m sure SAI would have considered it. People are already bitching about the price tag, I can’t imagine what the price would be if they were adding a specialty motor post production.

SAI is taking back their business model and going back to their roots. Trust me they won’t have any issues selling the 500 or so per year. They have sold out every SS, GT and truck every year. I’m sure they won’t have any issues selling these. Only the social media warriors won’t buy them because most already hate the S650. 🤷🏽‍♂️ Ya can’t please everyone it’s a business model these days.

Yea, I would be curious to see more on the business side. To your point, I understand that cost is everything, so the 7.3 is ambitious, but the Turbos paired with Motec is within the ball park. The S650 hellion kit is ~$10K depending on options and Motec 150 is probably $12k. So there would be a price increase but they would have been the very first to do a Twin Turbo S650 Motec build vs the standard Whipple solution. If we are already in the $110K for the car, whats another $30-$40K to get something truly special?!?

I don't think the S650 hate is the biggest reason folks are disappointed. If Shelby America would have made something more compelling, folks would be excited and overlook some of the quirks with the screens and overall looks. You just have to excite the customers and I don't think this is striking the cord it could have.

Look at the name plate on the hellion kit below, wouldn't it have been cool if it said Shelby America with their snake?!?

 

[AZ21GT500]

Yea, I would be curious to see more on the business side. To your point, I understand that cost is everything, so the 7.3 is ambitious, but the Turbos paired with Motec is within the ball park. The S650 hellion kit is ~$10K depending on options and Motec 150 is probably $12k. So there would be a price increase but they would have been the very first to do a Twin Turbo S650 Motec build vs the standard Whipple solution. If we are already in the $110K for the car, whats another $30-$40K to get something truly special?!?

I don't think the S650 hate is the biggest reason folks are disappointed. If Shelby America would have made something more compelling, folks would be excited and overlook some of the quirks with the screens and overall looks. You just have to excite the customers and I don't think this is striking the cord it could have.

Look at the name plate on the hellion kit below, wouldn't it have been cool if it said Shelby America with their snake?!?

View attachment 360842

Oh I totally agree with you that they could have done something “more” like a TT with Motech. Maybe just maybe they are saving it for 2027…. It’s going to be a 200k car but no doubt they will find someone to buy 300-500 of them.

As production goes they are limited to what Ford sends down the line. I do know they are working with a Dark Horse for something. I could speculate on it but I try not to do that. If Ford decides to drop a Godzilla in a Mustang SAI will have one for R&D.

 

[Scottie24]

The S550 GT350/500 program didn’t make Shelby American a dime until they started doing the upgrade program. Ford’s agreement with the Foundation was a flat donation per vehicle. The company can’t just sell t-shirts and tchotchkes to survive. This is their way forward snd if they do the 60th Anniversary of the GT500 its most likely the plan. Going back to their roots and making cool stuff from production cars.

Last thing I’d ever want is to disagree with my shades of gray partner but to continue the analogy, I don’t think it’s that black and white. There are many ways to make money and while SA might not have made money on direct sales of the 350 and 500, it definitely kept their names in the heads and mouths of the past, current and future generations. It’s marketing. Their name associated with the cars alone made them money.
Their roots are actually grounded in modification but also innovation. Things can’t stay the same to evolve. Ford clearly saw that and forged new partnerships to produce the GTD and go after Porsche which moves them to a market the was formerly occupied by the no longer produced Ford GT. A car Shelby fans are very familiar with but now the GTD rivals road course legends.
As I noted, the modification of the base Mustang which is their roots is clearly alive and well and it’s called the Super Snake. For the infamous names of GT350 and GT500 which made them famous originally why not do more. Make strategic partners of your own and drop a newly developed powertrain in the thing. Something that is clearly different from a program you already have. Producing the same thing with slight variations and a new name isn’t holding true IMO to the innovation part of their great history. I respect Shelby for their history and I respect all in this forum for their knowledge and opinions but my opinion on this is that the car is a miss and they could’ve and should’ve done more or something different. How many of you make fun of Dodge for their 40 different names of the same car. I know I do and wouldn’t want that fate for something I consider special. Obviously Gary couldn’t care less what I think and you know far better than me so it seems inevitable at this point but it does make me sad.

 

[Hawkeye]

In the beginning

There was only Shelby Modified GT350/GT500 from production cars!

Now people turn their noses up at a the idea that they produce the very vehicles that make them a world wide company in the same way. It’s astonishing how fickle this car thing is.

This. quoted for truth.
And realistically, is it really any different than what Ford does by taking a Mustang GT and adding bits and bobs and badges to it?

 

[Hawkeye]

My only disappointment is that it's not using the Guardsman Blue Stripes. Would be the best for the anniversary year.

 

[Scottie24]

This. quoted for truth.
And realistically, is it really any different than what Ford does by taking a Mustang GT and adding bits and bobs and badges to it?

I hate to keep saying this and appearing combative because I am and will remain a Shelby fan and supporter, but we keep glossing over the innovation portion of Shelby's and Ford's history. Your car does not have a carburated 289 for a reason. The 428 powered the first GT500 for a reason. The GTD exists for a reason and that is all related to innovation and evolution. Shelby became famous for innovation by putting an American V8 in a lightweight import company going out of business and dominated with it. He also dropped a revised powerplant into the Ford GT which led to a fairly monumental win. I can only state these facts as information provided to me as I was not there nor am I a member of his family, have any inside information from Shelby, know anyone important, or anyone at all for that matter but I am a customer. I am part of the reason they exist because without customers there is no SA or any other company.
The Mustang GTD is not a Mustang GT with bits, bobs, and badging. Ford partnered with Multmatic and RTR to produce something special and I don't think it's wrong to want something like that for these cars that are supposed to be just that, "special". The bits, bobs, and badging are already making Shelby money in the Super Snake cars and trucks, modification packages for the GT350 and 500, heritage classic cars, etc. Take a chance like Ford, spend some of that money in partnering on something completely new, and hope that money comes back to you tenfold. We talk about Shelby's history and a return to it but from what I have read, seen, and was told Carroll failed more than he succeeded which is typically true of any person achieving any level of greatness. This totally feels like a playing it safe money grab to me using the name recognition to do it but if you water down that name, wether it be Shelby, GT3550, GT500, or otherwise, it begins to become less meaningful.

 

[AZ21GT500]

Last thing I’d ever want is to disagree with my shades of gray partner but to continue the analogy, I don’t think it’s that black and white. There are many ways to make money and while SA might not have made money on direct sales of the 350 and 500, it definitely kept their names in the heads and mouths of the past, current and future generations. It’s marketing. Their name associated with the cars alone made them money.
Their roots are actually grounded in modification but also innovation. Things can’t stay the same to evolve. Ford clearly saw that and forged new partnerships to produce the GTD and go after Porsche which moves them to a market the was formerly occupied by the no longer produced Ford GT. A car Shelby fans are very familiar with but now the GTD rivals road course legends.
As I noted, the modification of the base Mustang which is their roots is clearly alive and well and it’s called the Super Snake. For the infamous names of GT350 and GT500 which made them famous originally why not do more. Make strategic partners of your own and drop a newly developed powertrain in the thing. Something that is clearly different from a program you already have. Producing the same thing with slight variations and a new name isn’t holding true IMO to the innovation part of their great history. I respect Shelby for their history and I respect all in this forum for their knowledge and opinions but my opinion on this is that the car is a miss and they could’ve and should’ve done more or something different. How many of you make fun of Dodge for their 40 different names of the same car. I know I do and wouldn’t want that fate for something I consider special. Obviously Gary couldn’t care less what I think and you know far better than me so it seems inevitable at this point but it does make me sad.

I think the best way for SAI to stay relevant is to be on their own and building their cars. They also have several other projects including the unreleased Bronco. Unfortunately they don’t have much to choose from as far as Ford goes for V8 engines. If at some point Ford decides to drop the production Predator as an option in the Mustang then SAI will absolutely jump at the chance to use it. I’m kinda hoping that Ford adds the Hybrid V8 for 2027 so we get a look at the development SAI has been working on with that engine.

The hard part is dropping a new engine in a car that it wasn’t designed to run it. The expense alone would balloon the price.

Spot on analysis of the GTD it’s the new King car for Ford. If only they had a way to mass produce them we would definitely see more of them.

 

[AZ21GT500]

I hate to keep saying this and appearing combative because I am and will remain a Shelby fan and supporter, but we keep glossing over the innovation portion of Shelby's and Ford's history. Your car does not have a carburated 289 for a reason. The 428 powered the first GT500 for a reason. The GTD exists for a reason and that is all related to innovation and evolution. Shelby became famous for innovation by putting an American V8 in a lightweight import company going out of business and dominated with it. He also dropped a revised powerplant into the Ford GT which led to a fairly monumental win. I can only state these facts as information provided to me as I was not there nor am I a member of his family, have any inside information from Shelby, know anyone important, or anyone at all for that matter but I am a customer. I am part of the reason they exist because without customers there is no SA or any other company.
The Mustang GTD is not a Mustang GT with bits, bobs, and badging. Ford partnered with Multmatic and RTR to produce something special and I don't think it's wrong to want something like that for these cars that are supposed to be just that, "special". The bits, bobs, and badging are already making Shelby money in the Super Snake cars and trucks, modification packages for the GT350 and 500, heritage classic cars, etc. Take a chance like Ford, spend some of that money in partnering on something completely new, and hope that money comes back to you tenfold. We talk about Shelby's history and a return to it but from what I have read, seen, and was told Carroll failed more than he succeeded which is typically true of any person achieving any level of greatness. This totally feels like a playing it safe money grab to me using the name recognition to do it but if you water down that name, wether it be Shelby, GT3550, GT500, or otherwise, it begins to become less meaningful.

You are definitely right about the engine and innovation aspect of what you are saying. The 65 GT350 basically slapped a Holley carb on the stock engine with a few minor tweaks and ran the table against the Vett’s. They did a little more in 66 and blew the new Dodge cars doors off. Those were the days when innovation in engines was at its best. Were in different times now.

Here’s the important part about 1965 and 2025 that’s often overlooked. 1965 cars could swap out engines in a couple hours. Now it can take days to get an engine out of an S550 because of the 50 miles of wiring (not exact but you get my point) If SAI decides to pull an engine it’s a major undertaking and then the new engine has to basically hook up exactly to the existing wiring or they would spend weeks chasing codes. PBD knows this first hand. (They swapped a predator to another predator) SAI is limited to the engines Ford is willing to sell them and that’s why the new GT350 is a bolt on 5.0. It would be awesome if Ford delivered them rolling chassis and SAI had built engines ready to install. I don’t think the $ is there in sales for 500 $200,000 GT500’s. Maybe I’m wrong.

Let’s say they convinced Ford to give them the Raptor R Predator. It would need to be reworked for the S650 and retuned then installed at the factory and then were right back at Ford basically producing the car why have the added expense of shipping to NV or across town in MI for upgrades. Ford doesn’t have the interest in continuing this type of production. Let’s say SAI buys 500 Predator engines for swapping into the Next GT500. Inevitably they would need to sell off 500 new Coyotes. It’s a huge undertaking for them to sell off the base wheels coming off the SE/KR’s. I’d hate to be the internet guy’s selling 500 Coyotes 😂

These discussions prove that the folks who own these cars know they are special and actually care about the Shelby brand enough to be critical. I imagine the first time some of us see one in the wild we will be giddy with excitement. I wasn’t a fan of the S650 until we bought one for JR. it’s a damn cool car. In truth we still own the baddest ass GT500’s ever created.

 

[mavisky]

This should have been a Shelby GT and not a GT350. It's just so "un-special".