YouTuber ‘Speed Phenom’ Is Getting Rid of His ’20 Shelby GT500
Austin Everett reveals why he’s parting ways with his $117,000 2020 Shelby GT500, and it is
Ford’s iconic pony car nameplate offers several exciting models but with the production of the 2020 GT350 and GT350R officially coming to an end, Mustang enthusiasts are only left with the option of the lauded GT 500 if they’re looking for a race-tuned version of the glorious sports car. The Blue Oval brand has confirmed that it’s 5-liter Coyote V8-equipped Mustang Mach 1 will try and bridge the gap left by the GT350 models in the company’s upcoming 2021 lineup.
So, one would expect that a GT500 owner will try and hold onto his unadulterated performance machine as long as he is in fact a true Mustang fan. Well, surprisingly Austin Everett who runs the YouTube channel Speed Phenom has decided to part ways with his 2020 Shelby GT500 which he claims was the most expensive production-spec Mustang model at the time.
Interestingly enough, Everett makes a good case for his decision even though he calls the car his “$117,000 mistake.” Everett had Ford install the optional track package on his car which reduces the ride height by 0.6 inches. The car also rides on exposed carbon fiber wheels and has a large carbon fiber spoiler at the back, both of which are part of the package and make this GT500 one of the most aerodynamic Mustangs on road. The car sports Ford’s Performance Blue paint scheme and also features Oxford white painted racing stripes which are a $10,000 optional extra.
When Everett finally got the chance to take his GT500 to the track, the YouTuber was thoroughly impressed by the 760 horsepower sports car which managed to clock in a lap time that was only a second off the record time of a track package equipped GT500. The YouTuber claims that he started facing issues with the sports car right after his first track day. Everett reports that GT500’s “extra-sticky” Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires (running on factory recommend configuration) deteriorate significantly after first use to a point where it becomes quite difficult to put down all the power you have on tap.
“The tire wear is so much that I can’t justify spending almost $2,000 on tires to give you, you know really great high-speed track content for this vehicle. I just, I can’t do it,” shares Everett.
The durability of the tires and the GT500’s thirsty supercharged motor have motivated the YouTuber to bid farewell to his beautiful ride. Everett wants to sell his car to a viewer and is not looking to make a profit on the sale. However, if this update has disappointed you maybe you can find solace in the fact that at least this GT500 will go to a well-vetted new owner and not meet its end at the hands of the Dearborn fire department.