I'm here in Laguna Seca for the newest Shelby Cobra to be unveiled to the public. 600hp, and an aggressive body....except for a non-functional hood scoop......pics to come...
EDIT: It's the newest Shelby Mustang, not sure if it's official designation is GT500, but it looks like it may be a special edition, like what they did with the GT350, and Terlingua edition V6 Mustang.
Successful race cars typically spend so much time on the track that there's not many original parts left when they're retired. This 1968 Ford GT40 in the classic Gulf livery has been through several engines and its original bodywork resides in France, yet the car's still expected to fetch several million dollars when RM auctions puts it up for sale this weekend.
The reason? This car not only ran and won races around the world, with some of the greatest drivers of the era, but was chosen by Steve McQueen to be a camera car for his movie "Le Mans." Despite having its body and engines chopped throughout its life, it's one of the rarest endurance race cars in the world, and the first Ford GT40 to wear the Gulf colors.
Friends of Carroll Shelby, including Ford Motor Company, Shelby American, Ford Racing and many others have built a special tribute 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra. This tribute vehicle was unveiled by Ford Motor Company board member Edsel Ford II, group vice president for sales and marketing Jim Farley, and Shelby American president John Luft at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion where Cobra is the marque of show.
“Even at 89 years of age, Carroll was an inspiration to us all,” says Farley. “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the original Shelby Cobra. This car represents the very idea he had about making the 2013 Shelby GT500 into a true Cobra.”
Using the 662-horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500 as a foundation, “Friends of Carroll” created a one-of-a-kind 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra wide-body Mustang that now generates more than 850 horsepower with the help of a Ford Racing 4.0-liter Whipple supercharger. Putting that much power to the ground requires plenty of traction, so the 13-inch-wide rear wheels are wrapped in massive 345-section high-performance tires for extra grip.
Ford Motor Company teamed with Shelby American for several key components on the Carroll Shelby tribute car. Shelby American provided a specially designed hood, new rear wide-body kit, Shelby Wilwood brakes and new 20×13-inch rear and 20×10-inch front wheels. The bodywork is finished in the same Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes that graced so many of the Cobra roadsters built in the 1960s.
“Carroll Shelby changed the performance world forever,” says Luft. “And while he was proud of Shelby American’s achievements, Carroll was far more interested in the next car we build. You will find the spirit and influence of Carroll Shelby in every future vehicle we build as found in the rear wide-body kit and hood integrated into the 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra.”
“You might also know that Carroll was a philanthropist, noted for supporting causes that moved him,” added Farley. “In that spirit, this car will be taken on tour around the country, and hopefully will be used in a special way at the end of its tour, a way Carroll would appreciate.”
Before the 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra hits the road, it will be shown at the Ford display in the expo area this weekend.
Scoop needs to go but otherwise I think it looks pretty good. Nice to see they put on a bigger blower rather than throwing a pulley on the stocker. I don't know if this affects the GT500 or this car but I hope they did address any potential heat soak issues.
Yup ,that's her, only my sources told me 250 less horsepower then what was announce, D'oh! As Brian said, get rid of the stick on hood scoop, and she's good to go. The body has been widened, and looks good.
UPDATE!!!!: Rob Walton of Walmart just crashed his Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe. It is one of six original. You heard it here first folks!!! Front end is smashed in good!!
I caught him at a dead stop after he hit. Jalopnik has a couple photos, and they made sure to cover it up as soon as possible. Alot of crashes this year. A Porsche 935 plowed into the straight right after turn 3. I'm off to pebble beach, so if there's anything new, I'll keep you guys updated.
. The front end looks like it's partially melted, or possibly the end of a pinched off turd.
