Thursday, August 03, 2006

"THIRD" SHELBY MUSTANG IN 2007?

http://www.varoomvroom.com/third-shelby-mustang-to-be-released-by-years-end-3645 reports that the Detroit News has learned Ford Motor Company (tm) is collaborating with Carroll Shelby on a THIRD Shelby Mustang for 2007 (in addition to the GT500 and the Hertz-only GT-H)
[Purists will note that actually it would be a FOURTH Shelby Mustang because Ol' Shel's Las Vegas unit already builds a Paxton-supercharged V6 Mustang "CS6" ( http://www.shelbyamerican.com/cs6.asp )
Obviously, Ford's Mustang line-up has some holes (no SVO-style small-engine turbo "tuner" model, no "stripper" "LX-style" V8, no intermediate model between the pedestrian 300 h.p. Mustang GT and the "$60,000" dealer-Gouge-O-Rama 500 h.p. GT500 flagship (not to mention Saleen, Roush, Foose/Unique and Steeda tuner specials that also crowd the high end of the Pony car spectrum, or Ford's own "tape-stripe" regional specials feeding at the bottom). So another "special' 'Stang from FoMoCo itself really isn't too unexpected.
In fact, a more fuel efficient "special" pony wedged in-between the outrageous GT500 and the (yawn) Mustang GT might be the "circuit-breaker" FoMoCo needs to stem the hard feelings that will arrise from all the dealer rip-offs on the scarce GT500 and Ford GT.
Most figured revival of Mach I, Bullett or the "Boss" moniker, but with Shelby's involvement, the speculation centers on "GT-350" as the "heritage" name FoMoCo most likely will tap. Speculation on specifications centers on a "civilian" version of Shelby's GT-H.
Ford and Shelby COULD do much worse.
Hopefully, forced induction will be part of the new Shelby package (e.g. '03 Cobra mill).
A veiled reference by Ford that the new 3.5 Duratec is being engineered to fit RWD applications too may suggest that Ford could "go small" with a GT350 out of nagging fuel price concerns. However, given that Ford desparately needs this engine for its V8-less D3 and CD3 platforms, it's unlikely a GT350 will feature the new "miracle" mill.
Some speculation also centers on the AC Cobra-esqe "Shelby" concept roadster FoMoCo showed a while back. The Roadster's mechanicals were based on Ford GT . . . and since the GT's going out of production for inability to meet 2007 crash standards . . . . Maybe the "Third Shelby" won't be a Mustang.
Supposedly the announcement will be on www.fordboldmoves.com, so time will tell.

posted by Editor at 16:35

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