Daily Slideshow: Classic Recreations Builds the Perfect 'New' 1967 Shelby GT500
The original Shelby GT500 is one of the most incredible muscle cars ever built. But what if you could buy a brand new one today?
Definition of Dream Car
For most, early examples of the Shelby Mustangs are as good as it gets in the world of muscle cars. Carroll's touch was pure magic, transforming regular old pony cars into amazing pieces of machinery. But that magic has also made it pretty difficult to locate and buy (for a reasonable price) original cars like the Shelby GT500. And compared to today's cars, originals don't exactly measure up in terms of things like handling and creature comforts. Which is where Classic Recreations and their GT500CR come into play.
Best of the Best
The idea behind the GT500CR is to build a brand new version of Shelby's finest. But not as a 100% faithful recreation, mind you. Rather, Classic Recreations set out to build what they consider the ultimate "new" Shelby Mustang. And yet, it still retains all the character of the original, and a simple glance will leave no doubt in anyone's mind what this car really is. Or, at least what's it's trying to emulate.
Old School Power
Most of today's restomods carry a modern drivetrain under their classic hoods. So it's pretty surprising that Classic Recreations would choose to go with a Ford Performance 427 under the hood of the GT500CR, albeit one that's fuel injected. Obviously, we'd much rather see this legendary big-inch powerplant than some warmed-over 302, so it's a welcome development. With a healthy 545 horsepower on tap, rowing through the Tremec 5-speed manual is obviously an adrenaline pumping experience.
Comfy Cabin
Despite its animalistic nature, you'll find the interior of the GT500CR to be quite comfy. The bolstered seats keep you planted in corners while you admire the mixture of leather, wood, and aluminum around you. Heck, there's even a modern Bluetooth stereo to crank out tunes in case you get tired of listening to that glorious 427 belting out delicious noises. Which, of course, would never happen.
Modern Where it Counts
Underneath, the suspension of the GT500CR is more 2017 Mustang than 1967 Mustang. Subframe connectors, hydraulic steering, big roll bars, and coil-overs allow it to handle better than any old Shelby might have. Massive Wilwood brakes slow it down in a hurry, and huge Nitto rubber holds it all to the road. And sure, with a price tag of $179,00, nobody's going to call the GT500CR "cheap." But with prices of the originals climbing rapidly, that doesn't seem like a bad deal for this incredible recreation!
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