Dude, HUSH!!!!
If we tell them, we will have to kill them, and these are cool guys over here.

Strap yourselves in folks - this is gonna be a LONG one! I've been holding back on ya!
Here we go...
1) I broke the Shelby/Ford reunion in depth on this board last February. Then replied to a resulting thread with more detail...
see here. OK - tooted my horn, now moving on.

2) Dropping SVT in place of Shelby in front of the Cobra name (on a Mustang) instead of SVT... the chances are better you'll find a snowball laying on the street in Phoenix in July... a stale one at that. Ain't gonna happen.

3) If/When the Shelby returns, it will wear the GT-350 or GT-500 badge. (guess who, have you placed any bets with anyone yet? )

4) Z284ever did as good a job as I did (maybe even better) tracking the use of Ford's 427-v10 that premiered at last year's NAIAS in the 427 Concept car. We conclusively proved that more than 1 engine was built, and the tooling was strikingly similar to that used in current mod-motors making production VERY feasible. One V10 was installed in the concept car seen at NAIAS, and the other was headed into a ******* (help me out here Charlie! You know it too...) I have heard recently that this rumor is starting to pan out... again.

5) I have a DVD with an interview of Shelby done earlier this year. On the DVD, he states clearly that he intends to do "another car" as a venture with Ford. I have also confirmed that he intends for Ford to do the assembly - NOT HIS SHOP. Otherwise, he could have Roush or Saleen do the assembly work for him - but he doesn't want to.


OK - now on to some intellectually stimulating peices. This is for those of you who enjoy putting your own opinions together based on facts thusfar available. (I love this stuff! )
All fact - no opinion - in chronological order - all this year...

Shelby's licensing firm "Carrol Shelby Licensing, Inc." was sold to Ginseng Forest, Inc. for the purpose of better legal positioning and marketing potential. This positions them to "sell" Shelby namesakes better.
From THIS ARTICLE...
"Ginseng Forest (OTC Bulletin Board: GSGF) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc., and Shelby Automobiles Inc. Ginseng Forest also announced that it will change it's name to Carroll Shelby International Inc. ...Under the new parent company, Carroll Shelby International Inc. and Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. will aggressively pursue new licensing channels for it's historic and famous intellectual properties and hallmark brands such as Cobra, 427 s/c, FIA 289, GT 350 and 500. "

Shelby then retains a PR firm... seems they want to do some advertising and sales of some future items...
See THIS ARTICLE...
"JMPR will provide Carroll Shelby International, Inc. with media relations, event coordination, strategic planning and campaign formulation, press material development and distribution, and brand management assistance for a wide variety of CSI projects and programs. "

They next seek capital to develop some new goodies...
See THIS ARTICLE...
"[i]SBI USA will provide, among other services, assistance with [Shelby's] financing efforts as it attempts to secure additional capital for product development, acquisitions, and working capital. "

Then Shelby goes public with his deal with Ford.
See THIS ARTICLE...
"Like the performance oriented Shelby Fords developed in collaboration more than 40 years ago, Ford's upcoming lineup of Shelby-influenced performance cars will offer discerning enthusiasts and consumers everything they've come to expect from a Shelby vehicle - higher performance, better handling and unique, dynamic designs."
UMM... NEED I SAY MORE?!?!
And this directly from his press release website - NOT RUMORS!!!
Also from the article... "Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with several manufacturers in the development of some great automobiles," says Shelby. "But my energy and passion for performance products has always been at its peak when it involved a Ford Motor Company vehicle. I couldn't be more proud to have another opportunity to recreate history."
(And don't forget - with humility - yours truely called this last January and February.)

An interesting side note to this Shelby/Ford reunion is the addition of AC Motorcars of Europe to the scene. It appears Shelby has inked a deal to get AC back in the action too!
See THIS ARTICLE...

SO - Here's the skinny of it all IN MY HUMBLE OPINION...
*Shelby and Ford are going to release MULTIPLE cars together - one definitely a "special" Mustang. It will likely be named the "GT-500".
*Shelby wants to "recreate history", which takes me back to the days when he did Mustangs for Ford, and made his own AC/SC Cobras to race and play with. I see this coming again. There will likely be a "new" and modern, high-tech AC Cobra 427 (yup, that's the one alright ) sold through Shelby's network and select Ford dealers. The GT-500 Mustang will be limited in numbers and sold exclusively through chosen Ford dealers.
*I think they are looking into other cars in the Ford lineup, but it's hard to speculate which ones and what levels of performance they are after. Shelby DOES have turbo experience - recall the Dodge Charger 2.2's of yore - so the Focus is a candidate. Maybe an SRT or WRX "tuner" type competitor.

Lastly, I want to go on record with this one.
I have been sucking hind-teet for years with my Mustang loyalty. Not since I was able to throw a paper for a buck have I had a Ford factory offering to compare with the performance likes of Corvette, Viper, Masserati, or even Ferrari and Lamborghini. Ford always left it up to tuners like DeTomaso, DeLorean, Saleen, Roush, Steeda, and others. I have always given GM credit for the Vette and Camaros that were deservedly "killer", and my hat is still off to Dodge for the Viper. But now, I am actually PROUD to hold my head up and scream that Ford is back into performance vehicles! No aftermarket goodies needed either. With the GT(40), the upcoming Lightning, Cobra, other SVT products, and the partnerships I see with Roush, Saleen, Shelby, and the whole aftermarket - I think the sky is the limit. I am excited about the return of the Mustang's brother - the Camaro - , and I am liking the looks and figures projected for the C6 and ZL1's. I am eager to see what Dodge can do with their Hemi-powered cars. But I am not worried in the least about having the best performers wearing a blue oval - at least for a while.
With a truely egotistical race-car guy like Coletti heading SVT (and an expanding budget no less), a true racer/legend like Shelby back on board and ambitious, Saleen and Roush both with active racing interests and budgets - I just don't see Ford sucking hind-***** any more, and it's about d@mn time too. The '60's are a long way back if you catch my drift.
As always, things change, like the tide. It's MY turn to ride the top of the wave for a while. I know it won't last forever, but the change is due, and welcomed.

Oh yeah, and bring on that import crap now... I'm getting ready BIG-TIME.

 

Throw in the fact that current Grand Prix GTP is as quick as old automatic GTOs were, and Northstar STS is as quick as 5.7 IROCs of the late 80s, and neither is even raising an eyebrow in the performance world.

 

I'm really intringued by the positioning of SVT vs Shelby products.

I'm pretty convinced that Ford won't downgrade the SVT name just to accommodate Shelby badged products. But if that's the case, how will the GT500 and SVT Cobra co-exist? We could have a Ford version of the Z/28 vs SS debate here!

Also, SVT has been working on a turbo version of the SVT Focus...is it possible that this car will end up having a Shelby badge? Will the normally aspirated version that car be called SVT? Will it be the other way around?


The only thing that I know for sure is....if I see a 427 badge on a Ford...it'll be packin' a V10.

 

I think that SVT can handle being below Shelby due to the fact that the Shelby cars will be pretty rare. I see Cobras and other SVT's out all the time!

 

I don't know. Like z28ever said, this is a lot like the SS vs Z28 debate. A part of me wants SVT to the top dog, but the Shelby (limited run) could respark the passion of the originals, give the Mustang more exposure, and have an even more killer/monstrous performance to boot (500+hp).

What ever happened to the rumored BOSS? Is it still planned now that shelby version is entering the game as well?

v6
GT
Cobra
Shelby

There's 4 right there. Throw in the usuall Cobra R model every 5 years or so and you have a very diverse lineup. I've also heard that the Mach-1 or some equivelent model (maybe Boss) will also be offered which could potentially bring the total to 5 (6, GT, Mach/Boss, Cobra, Shelby) or even 6 (add Cobra R) depending on year. Lots of potential choices.

 

It is on hold until the styling is 'updated' to 1969-1970 styling... otherwise it'd be out of place.

 

I've had a while to ponder this Shelby thing...
What is interesting to me is that NOBODY - anywhere else on the WEB - has detected that SHelby intends to do multiple cars with Ford.
We have a first here at CamaroZ28.com!!!!

So, in my pondering last night, I have reached a new position - I think Shelby will become a refinement nameplate that can be used accross the entire lineup wherever necessary. Just like "Eddie Bauer" is used on SUV's, Trucks, and Minivans. I could see a "Shelby Mustang" that is a hopped-up GT, but has radically different bodypanels and interior dress - just like the old days. I can also see a "Shelby Focus" and "Shelby Five-Hundred". You will pay a premium for exclusivity - NOT performance.

Consider, the '69 Shelby GT-350 was powered by a 302-4V. A good performer, but definitely not a "nuke". The same year, you could order a homely '69 coupe with a 428-SCJ Drag-Pak that would clobber the Shelby, and do it for 25-35% less money. You could also order the Mach 1 with a 390 or 428CJ/SCJ and clobber the Shelby performance-wise - again for less money.

So there was no holy-grail that mandated Shelby was the fastest unit or the top-dog Mustang. History has created yet another "perceived" rule that never existed. I don't see why it must exist today?

Maybe you guys are right - the Shelby may become the "SS" of the Ford lineup, simply meaning "better" performance than a base unit, increased styling and appearance, and upscaled or unique interior appointments.

I wouldn't be disappointed with that at all - that's what it used to be anyways. So the SVT, Saleens, Roushes, BOSS, and Mach 1 guys all have nothing to fear - it's a different animal after a different market.

I must admit however, that I would still like to see Shelby put out a very limited run of super-performing Mustangs like the old GT-350R models in '65!

 

.................................

So you and I and __________ are aware that Ford made the Boss 302 in '69 and '70 only, right?

I admit - you had a good one-liner there

 

I cant wait for the BOSS, its my favorite muscle car of all time!

 

Me too.

In particular, THAT car MUST have a superior handling package and watch it's weight. If it is to be true to it's namesake, it will have to be a nimble, light-footed car that handles like nobody's business. Trans-Am and roadracing were home to the originals, and I would expect the same for the new one - no less.

I'll take a little fat and cozy comfort on the GT and Cobra, but make the BOSS 302 a lightweight, no frills performer.

 

1970 Mustang BOSS 302's are my favorite Ford's of all time...

 

They were SCCA T/A champs that year, I love 'em too. Wicked cars.
So were the Z/28's that were running in competition with them.
Even in the Ford camps, we acknowledge that GM's 302 was a better all-around performer, having much better low-end torque. GM nailed the intake system on that engine. The Ford 302 was awesome - downright dominant - at 6000-8000 rpm, but getting there was the problem. And how long do you stay at 7000rpm on a road course?

The rule of the day in the street cars was - Z/28's never raced a Boss 302 starting at the speed limit, and Boss 302's never raced a Z/28 from the light! What cool days those were!

Then in '71 Ford management turned wuss and started pulling out of all racing venues - while on top no less.

Not until the last 18 months have things began to swing back either - that's a loooong hiatus.

 

Just goes to show how closely linked Camaro/ Mustang are. And how Z/28 and Boss 302 were custom made competitors.

When Chevy pulled out of Trans Am after '69...Ford hung out one more year to win a championship. But after that....without, Chevy to compete with, there wasn't much point to Ford hanging around.

 

Too true. Even today...