Oklahoma is not exactly known for being the car manufacturing capital of the country, but one special brand of automobile does call the state home. Classic Recreations is a custom coachbuilder that creates Mustangs with vintage style and modern parts and conveniences.
Its Shelby G.T.500CR-900S has plenty of both. Under its stripes and fastback body, which features “Authentic Carroll Shelby Exterior Fiberglass Enhancements” and Shelby emblems, is a variety of new-age hardware. A Procharger and intercooler is connected to a fuel-injected 427-cubic-inch V8 running aluminum cylinder heads. The custom-built power plant transfers its 790 horsepower to the ground through a manual gearbox and a nine-inch Posi Traction rear end equipped with 3.50 gears. Ceramic-coated longtube headers, stainless steel mufflers, and dual 2.5-inch pipes share the sound of the monstrous motor with the people who are bound to look this car’s way.
Seventeen-inch Shelby 427 wheels surrounded by Z-rated rubber connect the Shelby G.T.500CR-900S to the road. Coilovers and sway bars help this throwback stay on it – shiny side up. Braking duties are handled by 14-inch slotted and cross-drilled rotors clamped by six-piston calipers.
Inside, there are several Shelby parts, such as the seats, gauges, console, and floor mats. Five-point seat belts are there to keep the driver and front passenger mentally cool; A/C is in place to make them feel physically cool.
According to Classic Recreations, “Each authentic Shelby G.T.500CR will be in the Shelby Worldwide Registry.” Prices start at $219,000.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
