SHELBY AMERICAN - Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), announced that one of its most famous vehicles, the Ford Shelby GT500KR Mustang, will return to honor the company’s 60th anniversary next year. A limited run of 60 “King of the Road” post-title packages with 900+ horsepower will be available worldwide for 2020-2022 model year Shelby GT500’s from Shelby American. Shelby and Ford representatives made the announcement inside the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center in Irvine, California, as part of the milestone kick-off celebration.
“Sixty years ago, Shelby American and Ford Motor Company collaborated on
their first car, the Shelby Cobra,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby
American. “That relationship resulted in racing championships, victories over
Ferrari at Le Mans and amazing Shelby cars based on the Ford Mustang. Today, we
offer a line of Ford-based Shelby trucks and cars and have begun exploring
electric vehicles. Every 2022 model year vehicle we build will wear a 60th anniversary badge to symbolize our heritage and bright future, beginning
with the Shelby GT500KR.”
This is only the third time in history that a
version of the Shelby GT500 has carried the “King of the Road” name. The first
time was in 1968 when the Shelby GT500KR was powered by the new 428 Cobra Jet
V-8 that was conservatively rated at 335 horsepower. It was equipped with a
modified suspension, redesigned front and rear end, custom fiberglass hood and
Cougar taillights. Shelby added a functional roll bar and wood-rimmed steering
wheel. Offered in both fastback and convertible, Ford dealers sold 1,570
GT500KR models in 1968 (1053 fastbacks and 517 convertibles).
In 2008, Ford and Shelby brought back the Ford
Shelby GT500KR. Its supercharged V-8 produced 540 horsepower (40 more than
the standard GT500) and also included a short-throw shifter, 3.73:1 rear axle
and unique wheels, tires and suspension settings. A special composite hood with
push button hood pins, unique stripes and badges distinguished the KR. A total
of 1,000 cars were produced that year; demand was so great that Ford and Shelby
agreed to build an additional 712 cars for 2009.
“Shelby American vice president Vince LaViolette and I were deeply
involved with the Ford Performance team for the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR
program, and I also own a 1968 model,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby
American. “We’re committed to ensuring the third-generation model is worthy of
the iconic ‘King of the Road’ crown. Our program team includes experts at Ford
Performance and key suppliers, as well as specialists like Shelby GT500 factory
development driver Billy Johnson. We announced the program launch today and
we’ll show the car to the public at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in
January. From its initial design to final performance specs, the Shelby GT500KR
will live up to the name.”
Based on the world class 2020-2022 Ford Shelby GT500, the KR
will boast 140+ plus extra horsepower, dry carbon fiber hood, new wheels,
tires, suspension tuning, interior, badges and more. Only 180 total (60 per
model year) of the 900+ horsepower cars will be available in the USA, with 45
available overseas.
“The current Shelby GT500 already has amazing capabilities,” said Vince
LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and Chief of R&D.
“We’re taking it to an entirely new level for the extreme driver. We integrated
a new supercharger and coolers, then tuned the 5.2-liter V8 to churn out 900
plus horsepower on pump gas. The KR has more aggressive adjustable springs,
Ford Performance sway bars and a new aggressive suspension tune. The exhaust
was reworked to be even bolder and we sliced 30 pounds off with an ultra-light
dry carbon fiber hood that delivers even more cooling. An optional wide body
version is even available.”
Each car includes membership in Team Shelby, the worldwide club
Carroll Shelby established in 2008, and will be documented in the official Shelby Registry.
The first production car will be auctioned at No Reserve on January 29 by
the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company in Scottsdale. Proceeds from the sale will
benefit the Carroll Shelby Foundation and the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF). The winning bidder can choose from any
standard Ford color available on the Shelby GT500. Carolyn and Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of
Barrett-Jackson, were part of the vehicle announcement in Irvine.
“My grandfather, Carroll Shelby was often called the ‘King of the Road’
for pushing the performance envelope both on and off the track,” said Aaron Shelby, Board Member of Carroll Shelby International and
co-President of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “He was proud of his company’s
relationship with Ford Motor Company and was passionate about supporting
philanthropic causes. We’re pleased that the first 2022 Ford Shelby GT500KR
will be sold by our friends at Barrett-Jackson for JDRF and the Carroll Shelby
Foundation. Together, we’ve raised millions of dollars for charity through the
years by giving collectors the rare opportunity to own a very unique and
valuable vehicle.”
Shelby GT500KR production will begin in Las Vegas during the first
quarter of the year. Owners of 2020 and 2021 model year Shelby GT500s can
contact Shelby American about transforming their car into a KR as of Feb. 1,
2022. Orders for 2022 model year cars will be accepted and they will also wear anniversary badges. Individuals
interested in a Shelby vehicle can go to https://www.shelby.com/en-us/Vehicles.
“This is just the start of our milestone celebration,” said Patterson.
“In addition to updates to our current lineup, we plan to announce three more
significant vehicle programs. The incredible Shelby GT500KR is just the
beginning of an amazing year.”
2021 Shelby GT500KR
Package MSRP: $54,995 | For
any titled 2020 -2022 Shelby GT500, FOB Las Vegas, Nevada
Starting from MSRP: $127,895 | Pricing based on 2022 Shelby GT500
($72,900 MSRP)
Standard Features
- Performance
- Shelby by Whipple black finish supercharger system
- 900+ horsepower*
3.8L supercharger
- High volume supercharger intercooler
- High volume supercharger heat exchanger
- Open cold air intake system
- Heavy-duty performance half-shafts
- Shelby ride–height adjustable front and rear springs
- Shelby by Borla cat-back exhaust system
- Ford Performance front and rear sway bars
- MagneRide® suspension recalibration
- Caster camber plates
- Shelby one-piece 6061-T6 forged aluminum wheels (20x11 front and
20x11.5 rear)
- Performance spec tires
- Extended and hardened wheel studs
- Exterior and Interior
- Shelby carbon fiber hood
- Prepreg dry carbon fiber with functional evacuation air vents and
special rain trays
- Shelby hood strut system
- "SHELBY" hood lock housing
- Carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser
- Carbon fiber Gurney flap (non-CFTP)
- Billet engine caps
- Shelby rocker stripes and badges
- Leather seat recovers
- CSM numbered engine and dash plate
Optional
Features
- Shelby Wide Body
- Polished supercharger
- Painted stripes
- Rear seat delete with harness bar
- Le Mans style over the top stripes
Notes:
Vehicle is post-title-sales only. Pricing,
options and availability subject to change without notice. FOB Las Vegas.
Vehicle transportation is responsibility of the customer. Minimum 91 octane
required in supercharged vehicles. HP ratings are climate adjusted based on use
of 93-octane fuel. Fuel standards and octane rating may differ internationally.
Power features void manufactures power train warranty. Only 2022 MY vehicles
receive 60th anniversary badging. International customers should check for
import restrictions). Only 2022 MY vehicles receive 60th anniversary badging. Shelby retains all take-off parts (CFTP wheels
returned to customer at customer’s expense).