I'm going to Shelby American tomorrow...
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Mach 1 Member
Joined: August 23, 2004
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From: Denver
I'm going on a business trip Monday morning to Las Vegas, and I'm taking time out to tour the Shelby American museum and factory. I am taking a camera, of course, but wonder what my chances are of learning anything concerning an upcoming Shelby version of the Mustang? I'll try to post anything I do get, but wondered if I should hold out hope for anything juicy? 
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: February 8, 2004
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From: Cincinnati, OH
You won't be permitted to take photographs in the garage area (although I think someone posted on here a shot they got on the sly). However, you probably would hear something about work on a Shelby Mustang, which has been reported here by others who visited. I got the impression from when I went last week that they are still in the R&D phase. The gentleman giving the tour also mentioned something about still working on a proposal to present to Ford. He said they had a "wants" list and were working on paring it down to a "to do" list as far as the modifications go.
He did utter the term "GT-350".
He did utter the term "GT-350".
Cobra Member
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I'm guessing most of the final details will be polished off at the Living Legends Studio... Shelby is probably only supervising and loaning talent to the R&D process...
In any case, invite some of the guys out for a round and hit 'em up with questions once they feel more talkative
In any case, invite some of the guys out for a round and hit 'em up with questions once they feel more talkative
Bullitt Member
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They have a tour every morning at 10am you can call (702) 942-7325 and confirm the time the tour is. Jim Wallace is the Sales Manager, a really nice guy and likes to talk Shelby's.
when you get there.... drive around the building, look around and inside the open doors. If you see guys out taking a "break" walk up to them and say "hi" add some small talk about the Sema show and always be looking inside for the 05.
The 05 is inside the shop. They should be working hard on it getting it ready for the Detroit auto show. Then go inside for a look and tour.
when you get there.... drive around the building, look around and inside the open doors. If you see guys out taking a "break" walk up to them and say "hi" add some small talk about the Sema show and always be looking inside for the 05.
The 05 is inside the shop. They should be working hard on it getting it ready for the Detroit auto show. Then go inside for a look and tour.
Bullitt Member
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Originally posted by cyoda44@November 15, 2004, 8:32 AM
They have a tour every morning at 10am you can call (702) 942-7325 and confirm the time the tour is. Jim Wallace is the Sales Manager, a really nice guy and likes to talk Shelby's.
when you get there.... drive around the building, look around and inside the open doors. If you see guys out taking a "break" walk up to them and say "hi" add some small talk about the Sema show and always be looking inside for the 05.
The 05 is inside the shop. They should be working hard on it getting it ready for the Detroit auto show. Then go inside for a look and tour.
They have a tour every morning at 10am you can call (702) 942-7325 and confirm the time the tour is. Jim Wallace is the Sales Manager, a really nice guy and likes to talk Shelby's.
when you get there.... drive around the building, look around and inside the open doors. If you see guys out taking a "break" walk up to them and say "hi" add some small talk about the Sema show and always be looking inside for the 05.
The 05 is inside the shop. They should be working hard on it getting it ready for the Detroit auto show. Then go inside for a look and tour.
Was there anyway to tell what model year(s) Shelby is going after? The fastback style of '65-66, or the fastback style of '67-68? They both look great but are very distinctive in appearance. Any hint as to what we might see in Jan/Detroit? SEMA has shown, and some new owners on this site, you can build both. Just wondering out loud. It appears we will have to wait for another 8 weeks to find out. I have waited this long, what is another 8 weeks. I am hoping something is in the 35-50K range from Shelby, not the 80-100K.
Thanks,
C/D
Bullitt Member
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To tell you the truth... I don't know.... Personally i'm hoping for the 67-68 style. I hope they will do a 35K-50K also but I was told "eye to eye" it will be 100K.
Hopefully backafter20 will get some new news!
Hopefully backafter20 will get some new news!
Bullitt Member
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If this is true about the 100K then WAYYYYY too much for my wallet. I am wondering if I would be able to buy the body parts seperate then build my own. A sort of new-style retro CLONE. In NO way pass it off as a real one but a CLONE!!! There is a VERY nicely done '65 GT350 clone on this very site. If I had a 3 car garge I would seriously look into buying it (it's for sale). I would try to capture some of his excellence, but w/ some of my own visions. To get the power up I would go w/ a twin screw blower. Would this be tasteless or get the majority of folks approval? I ask this because sometimes people get very offended if you build a clone.
Edit: From every interview and news article I have seen, Shelby has always liked the '65-66 fastback the most. Because of the classic looks, smaller body, and they weighed less than the '67-68 fastbacks. I like both.
Edit: From every interview and news article I have seen, Shelby has always liked the '65-66 fastback the most. Because of the classic looks, smaller body, and they weighed less than the '67-68 fastbacks. I like both.
Bullitt Member
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It looks like we will have to wait until at least Jan '05 to find out. Maybe even longer, we just do not know. It is all speculation now. Personally I think this is much bigger news than the new cobra mustang that everyone seems to love to talk about. (Is it coming out? Is SVT going away? What is the engine? blah-blah-blah...)
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Originally posted by creedog@November 15, 2004, 10:04 PM
I am wondering if I would be able to buy the body parts seperate then build my own.
I am wondering if I would be able to buy the body parts seperate then build my own.
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A $100,000 is of course a ton of money. IMHO It is not just Shelby trying to gouge people. Would there be a premium for a car with his name on it, of course. But, as we all know that Ford's cost for engines, transmissions wheels etc. in house engineering, testing etc. vs. what the parts and the rest cost Shelby. He is a big name but he still can't get the components etc. for anywhere near Ford's costs. Plus they have to hire an outside company to do all the EPA and safety work. Very expensive. It's one thing if they just slap on a supercharger and swap out the suspension and some fascias interior bits etc. If they build a custom motor, or buy those GT motors or any engine not meant for that car, everything is so custom just to make all the mechanicals, electrical and electronics work it really gets expensive. And, to buy just 100 or so of each component plus all the engineering work to figure it out. Product liability insurance costs are nasty too. A lot goes into to building a "new" car that has to meet EPA guidlines as a "small volume manufacturer" as opposed to the "tuners" out there who slip under the governments radar or legally don't modify enough of the vehicle to have to be concerned with the regulations.
Cobra Member
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Considering Shelby is within the Ford fold again, I doubt the cost of parts/EPA testing will be an issue. This is not some stand alone tuner shop we are talking about.
For that kind of money, you can get an GT-500E (Unique Performance) -- and there is a TON more work that needs to be done for those (all the restoration and hand fabrication, etc.). And those are registered Shelby cars. Not to mention extremely rare and much, much more coveted.
Of course, you could always find ways to spend that kind of money to make a car. But, it just doesn't make any business sense. There is just no way people would pay that amount for a Mustang. But, the GR-1 is a different story.
I would like to think the Cobra R $65k+ range is about as far as anyone could charge for a Mustang (even Saleen).
For that kind of money, you can get an GT-500E (Unique Performance) -- and there is a TON more work that needs to be done for those (all the restoration and hand fabrication, etc.). And those are registered Shelby cars. Not to mention extremely rare and much, much more coveted.
Of course, you could always find ways to spend that kind of money to make a car. But, it just doesn't make any business sense. There is just no way people would pay that amount for a Mustang. But, the GR-1 is a different story.
I would like to think the Cobra R $65k+ range is about as far as anyone could charge for a Mustang (even Saleen).
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Having worked in that industry, we found there is far more work (read $$$) modifying a new car because of all the electronics and safety issues. Not that rebuilding those old Mustangs is cheap. With all the cost cutting at Ford they will not just "give" Shelby everything. Although Shelby has been paid by Ford to be a consultant, it seems this is a totally seperate deal and it is clear that at that price of approx $100K it would be built by Shelby. Ford doesn't want to have the liability issues of being the manufacturer, especially of a vehicle someone else built.
Sure the price is crazy, but I think they could sell 100 (I think that was that estimate of units )of them easy on the hype of the Shelby name alone.
Sure the price is crazy, but I think they could sell 100 (I think that was that estimate of units )of them easy on the hype of the Shelby name alone.
Bullitt Member
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Originally posted by crispy23c@November 17, 2004, 12:20 PM
I heard 200-300 units...
I heard 200-300 units...
now ) I am just not seeing it in as more and more info comes out. Hate to keep saying this, but we will have to wait and see.
Bullitt Member
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I would build a clone who cares if others are offended, its my car and and I would modify it to please me no one else. The average mustang buyer is not going to fork out 100,00 and people are already cloning Shelbys right now buy putting Shelby stripes on their 05s, and as more Shelby lookalike products come out they will be adding them also.