I'm just wondering if anyone knows what the logic is behind the Shelby GT350 and GT500 names. It seems that the original cars neither had engines, displacements, or horsepower that directly correlated to the numbers.

I read somewhere in one of the forums that the GT350 name came from the fact that the Shelby office was 350 feet away from the factory floor, and that the GT500 name is simply a marketing creation (i.e. something that sounded cool). I've been looking for the story all over the Internet, but i haven't been able to find any references.

Thanks in advance.

 

I have a small magazine that has that story, want me to find it and give you the name, page, etc. ?

 

Short of it, from what I recollect.

GT350 -> Shelby's distance in feet from his office to the factory. (350 feet)
GT500 -> sounded bigger/better than 350

Had nothing to do with horsepower or cubes or anything...
The bar bones version.

 

If it's not too much trouble for you, I would appreciate that. Thanks.

 

IMO the best part of the story was Carrol Shelby's logic. "It doesn't matter what we call it as long as it's good, it doesn't matter." That's a cool way to look at it.

 

The story was printed in AutoWorld Magazine "An AutoWorld Special", dated Spring 2004. It is a special Mustang Edition celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Mustang. The reference to the GT350 is on page 66:

"There still was the issue of what to call these new Mustang cars. Ford and Shelby wanted a name that implied performance, but wasn't linked to any specific feature on the car. Legend has it that Shelby and his crew were debating the issue when Shelby asked how far it was from the shop floor to a nearby building. The distance was paced off - 350 feet - and Shelby decreed that henceforth the Mustang would be known as the GT 350."

It is a pretty cool little magazine that went for $4.95. It has tons of information on Mustang heritage. One of the pages says you can get copies by emailing write2us@minimags.com, or you can call 1-866-624-7264..

 

boomer has it right, it was more or less just numbers that soundes good!

and for the 68 it had the longest official name of all lol
"Shelby Cobra GT500KR" the KR stood for "King Of The Road"
the spies had heard that GM was going to name a car king of the road and they poached it before GM could copywrite it!

 

According to Randy Leffingwell, in his book "Mustang - 40 Years, Shelby said "Let's call the little car the GT-350. If the car's good, the name won't matter, and if it's no good, the name won't matter". The 350 ft between buildings is also referenced in the same book.

John

 

I kinda liked Shelby's way of naming cars. He called his version of the Omni the GLH for "Goes Like heck." The GLHS stood for "Goes Like heck S'more

 

You rule! Thanks so much for going to all of that trouble. I really appreciate it.

 

First of all, you're car is beautiful. :worship: I'm having my Torch Red GT painted with white stripes and rocker panel stripes like yours (complete with "GT350).

I gotta say, I saw all the flack that you were getting on another thread for using the GT350 moniker. That's a load of...I especially think this thanks to everyone's responses on this thread. Clearly, the GT350 and GT500 name were names without any true significance (unlike, for example, a BMW 330i being a 3-series car, with a 3.0 liter engine, and four doors). Shelby's way of naming cars (e.g. GLH, KR, etc.) is awesome, and it fits perfectly with Carroll Shebly and is legendary creations.

When people were giiving you grief for putting the GT350 name on your 05, what argument do they have? Clearly, your car, and mine to be, are tribute cars to the Shelby GT350. Naming our cars GT350 as a tribute is as valid as C.S. naming it a 350 because of the distance his office was from the factory floor.

 

Shelby actually chose the GT500 name because he wanted to use a number higher than any other car such as the 426 Hemi's, 454s, etc... 500 was just a large magical number to imply its on top of all. B)

 

And he was right!

 

That's a very cool bit of history... what an attitude... GLHS... fantastic