SCOTTSDALE – Jan. 18, 2010 – Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), will fulfill the dreams of enthusiasts by returning the legendary Shelby GT350 to its lineup of American performance cars. The Shelby team unveiled a supercharged concept version of the Mustang-based 2011 Shelby GT350 to the surprise of thousands gathered at the Barrett-Jackson Auction Opening Night Gala to honor the 45th anniversary of the first GT350 and first Shelby big block Cobra.
"In 1964, Ford Motor Company asked Shelby American to turn their secretary's car into a race winner to help them sell Mustangs," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. "Our Shelby GT350 ruled its class at the track and was feared by GM and Chrysler owners on the street. Enthusiasts have anticipated the GT350's return since it went out of production in 1970. Now my band of hot rodders has created a car worthy of the name."
The concept behind the GT350 was to build a car that is light, nimble and powerful. Beginning with the "small block" 5.0 liter Ford Mustang GT as its base, the Shelby American team worked with experts from Ford Racing, Goodyear, Borla, Cragar and Baer to create a car that is fast and has razor sharp handling. Every segment of the car is enhanced or replaced to create the ultimate balanced performance pony car that is true to the spirit of the 1965-1970 MY Shelby GT350.
"The 2011 GT350 balances heritage with modern necessity," said Shelby American president Amy Boylan. "Former Hot Wheels and Ford designer Larry Wood joined Vince LaViolette, Walter Cardenas, Andrew Smidt and the rest of our Las Vegas team to help integrate 1965-1970 Shelby styling cues with modern aerodynamics. We worked with Ford Racing to supercharge the engine with a goal of 500 horsepower, as well as to sharpen the handling. Baer Brakes helped engineer the fantastic brakes and we shod the GT350 with 19" modern Cragar wheels and super sticky Goodyear tires. This Shelby is truly a complete performance package"
"Since this was one of the most important cars in Shelby's history, everyone stepped up to make sure it meets Carroll's performance standards," added Gary Davis, vice president of production for Shelby American. "After it was hand built in our new design studio, it began extensive testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by veteran test drivers Vince LaViolett and Gary Patterson. We're all proud to be part of this milestone Shelby car."
Each GT350 will be clad in traditional white with Shelby Guardsman blue Le Mans stripes and feature the new Ford V8 coupled to a 6 speed manual transmission and center exit exhaust. Blue Shelby GT350 valve covers and billet caps set off the supercharged engine. The Baer brake system features 6 piston kit in the front, as well as 14" ERADISPEED rotors in the rear with cooling ducts for all four corners.
The suspension was upgraded with new Ford Racing springs, struts, sway bars and adjustable caster/camber plates. The car also receives a new front fascia, tail light trim, front splitter, rear deck lid filler panel and rear fascia. Functional scoops are located on the side rockers and hood. GT350 badges on the outside and inside include a Shelby serial number. The A pillar carries a fuel pressure, oil pressure and boost gauge.
The Shelby GT350 is a post title program; a customer purchases a car from their local Ford Dealer, which is turned into a GT350 by the Shelby American Team. A limited number will be built in the 2011 model year. A Ford Mustang GT can be dropped shipped by a Ford dealer to Shelby's Las Vegas facility for conversion or a customer can arrange to have a properly specified car transported to the factory. The Shelby GT350 up-fit completed by Shelby American has a MSRP of $33,995 and does not include the price of the base car.
Customers interested in a Shelby GT350 should contact Roger Sorel at (702) 942-7325 or log onto www.gt350.shelbyamerican.com.
From gt350.shelbyamerican.com:
A genuine American original returns. The 2011 Shelby Mustang GT350 delivers aggressive performance, exhilarating handling and exceptional craftsmanship. Today's Shelby American team fuses advanced technology with sophisticated design to recreate the spirit, passion and performance that made this muscle car a legend. The all new GT350 remains true to the original, which raced its way to the Winners Circle in circuits across the country in 1965.
The 2011 Shelby GT350 represents the lessons learned over the past 45 years. The American muscle car embodies the passion, ingenuity and energy of Carroll Shelby and his team of hot rodders. With the spirit of the first cars built in 1965, the 2011 GT350 remains true to its heritage, but offers the heart-racing performance that can only be invoked through today's advanced engineering. The 2011 GT350 expresses the ultimate in American performance and design that is uniquely Shelby.
In the 1960’s when Ford Motor Company asked Carroll Shelby to turn their new Mustang into and all-American sports car, his answer was the Shelby Mustang GT350 from Shelby American.
Like the 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350, the 2011 GT350 starts with a Mustang and there the similarity ends. The 5.0L engine has been supercharged with a goal of over 500 HP.
Shelby American working with Ford Racing has engineered the suspension to provide un paralleled handling. Working with our partners at BAER Brakes we have stopping power to match the horsepower.
Exterior styling and interior appointments are keeping with the GT350’s performance heritage....functional.
The 2011 Shelby GT350 is the all-American Pony Car.
Barrett-Jackson Press Release:
SHELBY AMERICAN to CELEBRATE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIG BLOCK COBRA and G.T.350
AT BARRETT-JACKSON GALA IN SCOTTSDALE
* Shelby American will sponsor the Opening Night at Barrett-Jackson Gala on Jan. 18
* The evening will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the G.T.350 and big block Cobra
* Shelby American plans special surprises at the celebration with live coverage at teamshelby.com
Scottsdale, Ariz. – January 8, 2010 - Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), will honor the 45th anniversary of the 427 Cobra and Shelby G.T.350 by sponsoring the Opening Night Gala for the 39th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale on Jan. 18, 2010, at WestWorld. Some of the highest profile people in car collecting are expected at the invitation only gala with live video coverage on www.teamshellby.com.
“Our annual gala has become one of the ‘must attend’ events on both the Scottsdale social scene and automotive calendar,” said Barrett-Jackson Chairman/CEO, Craig Jackson. “From racing drivers to billionaires and Hollywood’s brightest, some call it the star studded equivalent to the ‘academy awards’ for car enthusiasts. This year, we expect it to be one of the most exciting events in our history as we celebrate the birth of two of the world’s most exciting cars, the GT350 and big block Cobra, as well as share the festivities live for the first time via online broadcasting.”
The Opening Night Gala is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. Car collectors, celebrities, motorsports legends and the general public mingle to talk about their favorite hobby. Barrett-Jackson serves hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails, as well as provides entertainment and a showcase car preview from 7:30-10:30 p.m. (MST) inside the auction tent at Westworld. This year’s gala, which is also supported by Planet Color, will commemorate two creations from one of the most prolific men in the auto industry, Carroll Shelby.
“In 1965, Shelby American rocked the performance car world with the iconic G.T.350 and big block Cobra,” stated Amy Boylan, president of Shelby American. “With the anniversary of those two revered models, we wanted to celebrate that heritage at a place that has become a focal point of the car hobby. The passion for Shelby cars at Barrett-Jackson over the years makes it the perfect place to honor this important milestone.”
One of America’s greatest race car drivers, Carroll Shelby dominated sports car racing in the mid-1950s, including a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After retiring from racing because of a heart ailment, he founded Shelby American to manufacture performance cars. The company’s first was the legendary Cobra sports car in 1962. Three years later,Shelby unveiled a big block version of the Cobra.
About that same time, Ford asked Shelby to turn the Mustang into a dominant muscle car. The Shelby team put Mustang at the pinnacle of the performance world with the Shelby G.T.350 and Shelby G.T.500. Shelby American also offered high performance parts, produced one-off cars and was involved in racing. From drag strips to road racing circuits, Shelby cars were revered by fans and feared by competitors.
“Barrett-Jackson has a long, distinguished history with Shelby,” added Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “We celebrated Carroll’s 75th and 80th birthdays during previous galas. We sold his personal Super Snake for $5 million dollars, as well as many vintage and current model Shelby cars. We’ve also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for his charities. It’s an honor to host this celebration of two cars that helped cement the Shelby legend.”
The gala will kick off the auction that features a docket of spectacular cars slated to be sold at No Reserve from Jan. 18-24. SPEED will broadcast nearly 39 hours of live, high-definition coverage of all six auction days.
About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company was established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., Las Vegas, and Orange County, Cali. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance offering for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.
About Shelby American, Inc. and Carroll Shelby Licensing
Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American Inc., (www.shelbyamerican.com) manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. Shelby American is a division of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI.PK). Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc., also a wholly owned division, is the exclusive holder of Carroll Shelby's trademarks and vehicle design rights. It also holds trademark rights for Shelby-branded apparel, accessories and collectibles. Info is at www.carrollshelbyinternational.com.
Media Contact
Scott Black, TPRM, (214) 520-3430 ext. 303, sblack@tprm-usa.com
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