The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500 is one of the most anticipated cars of the past decade. Mustang fans tend to be a demanding crowd, but “Shelby” mustang fans are practically a cult! The excitement over the launch of the 2008 Shelby GT500 has reached “Beatlemania” proportions. But can the all-new GT500 live up to such exalted expectations?
Early reports suggest, “yes it can.” Like previous Shelby Mustangs, the new Ford Shelby GT500 delivers powerful muscle-car performance with sleek aerodynamic styling. The new GT is a rightful heir to the Shelby name, taking its cue from the classic ‘68 Shelby GT. Only 1500 of the original were ever produced, and it remains the rare and highly-prized jewel in the Mustang crown, sporting a 428 cubic inch Cobra V8, with a road-peeling 335 horsepower.
But now that the 2008 Ford Shelby GT has officially been launched by Ford, it would seem we are witnessing the birth of an all-new classic. A collaboration between Ford and Carroll Shelby, the new GT500 features a new convertible body style and too many updated features to mention. And like all previous Shelby Mustangs, production is limited on the GT500 to make the car an attractive purchase for serious collectors.
The Shelby name is synonymous with high-performance, and the new GT500 is no exception. All new aerodynamic body design and a unique, lowered front grill set the GT apart at first glance. But with muscle-cars, it’s what’s under the hood that counts; and in this regard the 2008 GT500 does not disappoint.
The Shelby GT500 features an improved engine, and ships from the factory with the coveted Ford Racing Power upgrade. Under the hood you will find a 4.6-liter V-8 capable of 319 horsepower (conservatively estimated). The newly-redesigned high-flow exhaust system increases power, while the standard five-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly under pressure. An automatic transmission is also available as an option, but frankly, who in their right mind would ruin a Shelby by opting for an automatic?
Another option is the Ford Racing Handling pack, which includes precision-tuned dampers, sway bars and an improved “racing ratio” rear axle for better acceleration. For those who intend more “go” than “show” for their Shelby, the Racing Handling Pack is practically a must.
But the factory GT already has enough standard options to keep all but the most die-hard of Shelby fans happy for a long, long time. On the standard GT, frame height has been dropped several inches, and the front strut-tower brace increases stability to the chassis.
Down below, the 2008 Shelby model boasts 18-inch chrome wheels and racing-performance P235 BF Goodrich tires for maximum steadiness on the open road.
Ford has announced that only about 2,300 Shelby GT’s will be produced in 2008, and each vehicle will sport an official authentication plate in the center of the dash, with an identical second plate under the hood.
Ford has gone to a lot of trouble to protect the cache of the Shelby line, and ensure that their newest offering will continue the high-performance standards set by its predecessors. And so far, it looks like they have succeeded; the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500 is a classic in the making.
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