Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
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Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
(Dearborn, MI). After years of speculation, it is now official - a Ford spokesman told TheGT500Source.com that they will drop the Cobra name from the next generation SVT Mustang. SVT's upcoming Mustang will now appear as the Mustang Shelby GT500. Up until now, Ford has referred to the next genertion SVT Mustang as the "Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500."
The discontinuation of the Cobra nameplate, which had been used consistently since 1993 was first reported by BlueOvalNews.com in 2000.
While many SVT Cobra faithful may be disappointed by the decision to drop the Cobra name, even temporarily, they can take solace in the fact that the replacement nameplate was the one that made the Cobra name what it is today anyway - SHELBY. Moreover, since the Cobra emblem will remain on the car, it's really just a matter of semantics.
What's a Shelby without saying, well, "Shelby?"
Since numerous GT500 prototypes have been photographed without the SHELBY lettering on the decklid, GT500 enthusiasts have been debating on TheGT500SourceForums as to whether Ford will use the SHELBY lettering on the rear decklid of the production model.
Ford told TheGT500Source that the SHELBY name will appear on the production model of the decklid, just as it has with every Shelby Mustang made from 1967-1970.
The disappearance of the Cobra name from the GT500 doesn't mean the Cobra name will not appear on another SVT Mustang, nor does it mean that it won't appear on some other Ford model.
Source: Thegt500souce
The discontinuation of the Cobra nameplate, which had been used consistently since 1993 was first reported by BlueOvalNews.com in 2000.
While many SVT Cobra faithful may be disappointed by the decision to drop the Cobra name, even temporarily, they can take solace in the fact that the replacement nameplate was the one that made the Cobra name what it is today anyway - SHELBY. Moreover, since the Cobra emblem will remain on the car, it's really just a matter of semantics.
What's a Shelby without saying, well, "Shelby?"
Since numerous GT500 prototypes have been photographed without the SHELBY lettering on the decklid, GT500 enthusiasts have been debating on TheGT500SourceForums as to whether Ford will use the SHELBY lettering on the rear decklid of the production model.
Ford told TheGT500Source that the SHELBY name will appear on the production model of the decklid, just as it has with every Shelby Mustang made from 1967-1970.
The disappearance of the Cobra name from the GT500 doesn't mean the Cobra name will not appear on another SVT Mustang, nor does it mean that it won't appear on some other Ford model.
Source: Thegt500souce
Or if they're saving it for the v10 Cobra concept from a year or so back if they decide to use that as a Ford GT replacement.
I think we'll see the name on something soon.
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Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
i think it's a good decision on Ford's part to go with the Shelby name. the Cobra name could pop-up sooner than later considering there are a few more performance oriented Mustangs on the way.
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Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
They should have stayed with the Cobra name. There have been 11 years of recent successful Mustang Cobras. When was the last Shelby Mustang produced? Just how retro does this new Mustang need to get until Ford is finally satisfied?
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Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
Originally Posted by RussStang
They should have stayed with the Cobra name. There have been 11 years of recent successful Mustang Cobras. When was the last Shelby Mustang produced? Just how retro does this new Mustang need to get until Ford is finally satisfied?
on the last sentence. Well, i guess there's still hope that the Cobra name will be put to use. If not on a Mustang, than that prototype/concept they've toted as a possible replacement for the Ford GT.
Remember, Ford at one time was seriously considering having/selling the GT500 and Cobra mustangs alongside each other (Cobra either on top of or below GT500....can't recall). But from what i know, they changed their minds. Maybe they've reconsidered.
Imagine a 400-420hp N/A 5.4 Dohc Cobra with IRS. That wouldn't be bad. But i'm just speculating.
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
Originally Posted by RussStang
They should have stayed with the Cobra name. There have been 11 years of recent successful Mustang Cobras. When was the last Shelby Mustang produced? Just how retro does this new Mustang need to get until Ford is finally satisfied?
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Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
The Cobra is a 2-seat roadster with a big honking American V8 between the frame rails.
Ford did the right thing by stripping the Cobra name from the Mustang, and returning the Shelby name to its former glory.
Now they can reserve "Cobra" for something special that is better associated with the Cobra's heritage.
Ford did the right thing by stripping the Cobra name from the Mustang, and returning the Shelby name to its former glory.
Now they can reserve "Cobra" for something special that is better associated with the Cobra's heritage.
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From: Exton, Pennsylvania
Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
Originally Posted by jg95z28
The Cobra is a 2-seat roadster with a big honking American V8 between the frame rails.
Ford did the right thing by stripping the Cobra name from the Mustang, and returning the Shelby name to its former glory.
Now they can reserve "Cobra" for something special that is better associated with the Cobra's heritage.
Ford did the right thing by stripping the Cobra name from the Mustang, and returning the Shelby name to its former glory.
Now they can reserve "Cobra" for something special that is better associated with the Cobra's heritage.
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From: Marlton NJ
Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
Originally Posted by RussStang
I know what the Cobra was The Cobra doesn't have any real present day heritage. The name was working successfully on a Mustang, and then they had to go an change it to Shelby, who hasn't been involved in Mustangs for a long time.
Cobra does have a lot of name recognition, but nowhere near the amount that Shelby does. I hope they put the name to a 2 seat super roadster with something like 5-600 hp.
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Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
Originally Posted by Blue89Bird
doesn't matter....EVERYBODY knows the name Shelby, and the fact that it's on the Mustang will sell them, whether they have more power or looks or not. Even my mom and little sister who know nothing about cars know the name Shelby, and they associate it with cool cars, end of story.
Cobra does have a lot of name recognition, but nowhere near the amount that Shelby does. I hope they put the name to a 2 seat super roadster with something like 5-600 hp.
Cobra does have a lot of name recognition, but nowhere near the amount that Shelby does. I hope they put the name to a 2 seat super roadster with something like 5-600 hp.
There are some of us on this website who were born well after the last Shelby Mustang rolled off the line, and to many of us the name Shelby is nothing more than a name from the past. I wonder which name would bring up more praise if asked to a more youthful audience (18-35), Shelby or Saleen?
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From: Shelbyville, IN
Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
Saleen, Rousch, Cobra...
Shelby what? The only reason some people know Shelby is either they are a enthusiast or they watched "Gone in 60 Seconds."
Shelby what? The only reason some people know Shelby is either they are a enthusiast or they watched "Gone in 60 Seconds."
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Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
Originally Posted by Chrome383Z
Saleen, Rousch, Cobra...
Shelby what? The only reason some people know Shelby is either they are a enthusiast or they watched "Gone in 60 Seconds."
Shelby what? The only reason some people know Shelby is either they are a enthusiast or they watched "Gone in 60 Seconds."
Out of fairness, though... I doubt anyone but enthusiasts would know Saleen or Rousch as well... Cobra... maybe... but I can tell you my mom has no idea what a Cobra is other than a snake.
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Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
Originally Posted by RussStang
I guarantee if I go up to either of my sisters or my mom and ask them what they think of a Shelby Cobra, that won't know what I am talking about. They probably will recognize the name Shelby, but the Cobra's significance is gone. I don't know who you are talking to, but I bet if I go up to any random car enthusiast and ask him what he thinks about Cobras, he is going to give me a reply about his opinion on a Mustang Cobra, be it good or bad.
There are some of us on this website who were born well after the last Shelby Mustang rolled off the line, and to many of us the name Shelby is nothing more than a name from the past. I wonder which name would bring up more praise if asked to a more youthful audience (18-35), Shelby or Saleen?
There are some of us on this website who were born well after the last Shelby Mustang rolled off the line, and to many of us the name Shelby is nothing more than a name from the past. I wonder which name would bring up more praise if asked to a more youthful audience (18-35), Shelby or Saleen?
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Re: Shelby Nameplate Is In, Cobra Is Out for upcoming GT500
Originally Posted by jg95z28
You make it sound like Carroll Shelby and the Shelby name have been away from performance and dead for years. That is simply not the case. Boy racers that only know performance history over the last 15 years do not qualify as "enthusiasts". The Shelby Cobra roadster is still considered one of the greatest cars of all time. That's why kit versions of them are still so popular even to this day. Almost every car person from 6 to 60 knows a Shelby Cobra when they see one on the street. Whereas for the less informed its sometimes hard to tell the difference between a suped up Mustang GT and a Mustang Cobra. We've owned a couple Mustangs over the past 5 years and my wife can't tell the difference. However even she knows a Shelby Cobra when she sees one.
Just as an experiment, you should head over to a book store in your area and wait around the magazines a few minutes until someone comes over and picks up a car mag. Ask him, "What do you think of the Cobra?" My bet would be most of the younger guys, and even some of the older guys are going to think you are referring to the Mustang.