Is Shelby in danger of losing its image?
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Joined: January 20, 2010
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Originally Posted by cdynaco
We've yet to learn its performance capabilities... but 500+HP on a GT weight vehicle ain't gonna be no slouch!
Adding 6 piston brakes front, 4 piston rear, big rotors, heavy 20" wheels, a blower and entire intercooler setup adds weight. This car will weigh 200 - 250 lbs more than a GT. In fact, they have the estimated weight listed as 3950 which is heavier than a GT500. It has nearly all of things which make the GT500 heavy. Only thing missing is the iron block.
People have to remember that a car doesn't have a static curb weight. Modding can add/remove weight. Please see the 2010 FRPP Whipple kit:
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...KeyField=11436
Package Weight: 143.00 lbs
A stock 2011 GT with an intercooled whipple will weigh around 3750 with NO OPTIONS based on the 3603 base curb weight. Add brembos, 19's and other options, you pass 3800. Most of the GT500's weight comes from the intercooled blower setup, not the engine itself.
Last edited by ttgt500; Jan 20, 2010 at 10:38 AM.
Bullitt Member
Joined: September 14, 2007
Posts: 394
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I have to say, each year that passes, I am less and less impressed with Shelby stuff, so I was curious if Shelby is endanger of loosing its brand image of creative and effective performance, and having it be replaced with overpriced virtually-off-the-shelf crap.
- The Super Snake got beat by the cheaper and much less powerful GT-R
- The Terlingua was a waste of resources in my book (GT500 money for barely-over-GT performance)
- The new GT-350 is completely underwhelming in every way in my book -- regular Ford parts stuck on for $33k!!!
I mean, the guy sells livestock and chili for crying out loud, can his cars really be taken seriously anymore?
Now, of course, this is only about the new stuff. The old stuff will always be revered for what it was. But, as a modern aftermarket company, it just doesn't make sense that they charge soooo much for so little.
- The Super Snake got beat by the cheaper and much less powerful GT-R
- The Terlingua was a waste of resources in my book (GT500 money for barely-over-GT performance)
- The new GT-350 is completely underwhelming in every way in my book -- regular Ford parts stuck on for $33k!!!
I mean, the guy sells livestock and chili for crying out loud, can his cars really be taken seriously anymore?
Now, of course, this is only about the new stuff. The old stuff will always be revered for what it was. But, as a modern aftermarket company, it just doesn't make sense that they charge soooo much for so little.
Shelby did make all present day Shelby GTs, Ford basically sent them GT/CS's and they modified them into a Shelby.
Shelby doesn't make the GT500, Ford does.
So if you think about it the TRUE Shelby's are the 2007+ Shelby GTs and the 1969 and before Shelby Models.
LJS
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Joined: October 13, 2004
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From: MD
This car is not a "GT weight vehicle".
Adding 6 piston brakes front, 4 piston rear, big rotors, heavy 20" wheels, a blower and entire intercooler setup adds weight. This car will weigh 200 - 250 lbs more than a GT. In fact, they have the estimated weight listed as 3950 which is heavier than a GT500. It has nearly all of things which make the GT500 heavy. Only thing missing is the iron block.
People have to remember that a car doesn't have a static curb weight. Modding can add/remove weight. Please see the 2010 FRPP Whipple kit:
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...KeyField=11436
Package Weight: 143.00 lbs
A stock 2011 GT with an intercooled whipple will weigh around 3750 with NO OPTIONS based on the 3603 base curb weight. Add brembos, 19's and other options, you pass 3800. Most of the GT500's weight comes from the intercooled blower setup, not the engine itself.
Adding 6 piston brakes front, 4 piston rear, big rotors, heavy 20" wheels, a blower and entire intercooler setup adds weight. This car will weigh 200 - 250 lbs more than a GT. In fact, they have the estimated weight listed as 3950 which is heavier than a GT500. It has nearly all of things which make the GT500 heavy. Only thing missing is the iron block.
People have to remember that a car doesn't have a static curb weight. Modding can add/remove weight. Please see the 2010 FRPP Whipple kit:
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...KeyField=11436
Package Weight: 143.00 lbs
A stock 2011 GT with an intercooled whipple will weigh around 3750 with NO OPTIONS based on the 3603 base curb weight. Add brembos, 19's and other options, you pass 3800. Most of the GT500's weight comes from the intercooled blower setup, not the engine itself.
Bullitt Member
Joined: September 8, 2009
Posts: 350
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From: San Antonio, TX
Somebody on here I think put it very well. The bottom line is that the S197 retro body, to include the refresh, really lends itself to simple, subdued styling as opposed to hard edge or "flare" styling as I am calling the new GT 350. Think of the New Edge Saleens vs the S197 Saleens. The S197s were much more toned down, and in many peoples' opinions it worked well with this body syle and was probably the best looking Saleen ever. I always thought the Shelby GTs were pretty good looking, save for the non-functional hood scoop, they just needed some more punch from say a cam swap. Very simple, yet different and enough to stand out. Just my thoughts.
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From: San Antonio, TX
I could see the possibililty of some weight gain with the addition of the S/C plus accessories, bigger wheels, tires, brakes, and any other small additions that taken as a whole will add a few pounds. Not sure how much though, we shall see.
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A few lbs? More like 250 lbs. Blower kits are HEAVY.
Post *****
Joined: December 14, 2007
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From: State of Jefferson Mountains USA
Interesting. I didn't know they were that heavy. My point was the GT350 will have 500+HP without being as heavy as the GT500 as it has a blower also plus a heavier bottom end on its 5.4L iron block.
Maybe I'm off base...
Maybe I'm off base...
Last edited by cdynaco; Jan 20, 2010 at 02:57 PM.
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From: San Antonio, TX
Yeah blower kit should add about 150 lbs with fluids flowing, give or take a few. I used to have the Saleen kit, and it added about 130. 98 lbs for the head unit itself, and then a few more for the additional heat exchanger, coolant crossover kit, etc.
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From: Wallingford CT
Shelby is not losing its image as much as they are trying to create a "new image" IMO. They want to build high end performance cars that cater to the super rich. Like Porche, Ferrari, or Lotus. The only promlem is at the end of the day its only a Mustang GT with FRPP bolt on parts.
Thread Starter
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Shelby is not losing its image as much as they are trying to create a "new image" IMO. They want to build high end performance cars that cater to the super rich. Like Porche, Ferrari, or Lotus. The only promlem is at the end of the day its only a Mustang GT with FRPP bolt on parts.
I guess for some, it has already happened, but others are still not there yet.
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Okay... but Shelby never did actually build his own cars. He pieced together bodies, chassis, and engines from other companies, right? Sure he tested and modified, tweaked and customized, drove 'em and won. But I am unaware that he built any car from absolute scratch.
Whereas back in the day, Colin Chapman actually engineered and built Lotus cars - bodies, chassis, and engines (and did some 'borrowing' too) - and the company continues after his death (although they outsource now too).
But what are some of you expecting Shelby to do, start from scratch at 87? Of course he's going to outsource to meet his specifications. Like he always has.
Whereas back in the day, Colin Chapman actually engineered and built Lotus cars - bodies, chassis, and engines (and did some 'borrowing' too) - and the company continues after his death (although they outsource now too).
But what are some of you expecting Shelby to do, start from scratch at 87? Of course he's going to outsource to meet his specifications. Like he always has.
Last edited by cdynaco; Jan 20, 2010 at 04:17 PM.
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