SHELBY AMERICAN TAKES A WALK ON THE “WIDE SIDE” WHILE REPEATING HISTORY AT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

Shelby Revives Legendary “Pocket Rocket” and Ups It’s Muscle Car Game 

Shelby American, Inc., a division of Carroll Shelby International (CSBI.PK), unveiled today its new 850 horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake “Wide Body” as well as the new performance tuned Shelby Focus ST  at the North American International Auto Show. The two cars represent bookends in the lineup of high performance vehicles available from Shelby American.                                          

“Carroll Shelby’s innovative and aggressive hot-rodder spirit lives on at Shelby American today. ” said John Luft, president of Shelby American. “His Cobra redefined the sports car genre and then Shelby turned what some called a ‘secretary’s car’, the Mustang, into the fire-breathing GT350. A few years later, Shelby practically invented the American ‘Pocket Rocket’ with the four-cylinder turbocharged, front wheel drive Shelby GLH. This year, we’re returning to our roots with a pair of game-changing cars that will rewrite the rules for American performance.”

Shelby American takes the stock 662 horsepower 2013 GT500 and boosts its performance to a street-legal 850 horsepower while keeping it 50 state emissions legal and tuned on 91 octane pump gas. Adding Shelby’s new “Wide Body” option puts all that power to the pavement, and the rest is history. 

“Now with 13 inch rear and 10 inch front wheels that are wrapped in serious rubber, the car launches and handles like the super car it is,” added Gary Davis, vice president of production at Shelby American. “The optional wide body package isn’t just a cosmetic change, it now gives the Super Snake much more traction and makes it easy to exploit the Shelby’s potential right past the competition.”

Customers can choose between Satin Black, Gloss White, Silver, Blue and Red stripes. Offered now for the first time, wheel options include a rear-only or front and rear “wide body” packages.

Even though the new “Wide Body” Super Snake will have the chops to lead the muscle car pack, it is the return of Carroll Shelby’s beloved “Pocket Rocket” that may be the biggest news in Detroit.

“Carroll Shelby ignored critics who said the turbo four Omni couldn’t be an affordable performance car in the 1980s,” noted Gary Patterson, vice president of Operations/Sales. “He proved them wrong with an impressive, lightweight four cylinder performer. Ford Motor Company’s new Focus ST is the perfect platform for the rebirth of the front wheel drive turbo four cylinder Shelby. It is a car that Carroll wanted to build before his passing and is a worthy successor to his ‘Pocket Rocket’ GLH.”

Designed in the Shelby skunkworks and tested extensively at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the front wheel drive Shelby Focus ST is a driver-focused masterpiece of performance with a budget minded price.

New Ford Racing suspension pieces lower the car while the wheels and tires improve grip and traction. The bigger Shelby spec brakes with drilled rotors enhance the stopping power, while the sound of the Shelby/Borla exhaust makes it uniquely Shelby. Inside, the car has a complete Shelby branded custom interior, Shelby shifter and finished off with the unique Shelby CSM badge. On the outside, the Shelby is easily identified by its functional hood vents, hydro-carbon front and rear grille inserts, Shelby lettering and rear Hydro-carbon spoiler. Three visual graphics packages are offered, ranging from “traditional” Shelby stripes to more edgy Shelby checkered flag splash or competition graphics.  Under the hood, Shelby American adds stylish hydro-carbon components and is developing an optional performance tune expected to significantly increase horsepower.

The post-title package for the 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake starts at $28,995 (662 hp) and $39,995 (850 hp). The “Wide Body” option adds another $17,995, not including the base GT500.  The 2013 Shelby Focus ST post-title package begins at $14,995 not including the Ford Focus ST and will be limited to 500 per model year.

Shelby American is now accepting orders for the limited edition cars. Interested parties should contact the sales team at (702) 942-7325 or visitwww.shelbyamerican.com.  

One-of-a-Kind Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra Tribute Car to Cross the Block at 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction

• Unique 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra will cross the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car auction block in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Jan. 19
• Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
• In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Shelby Cobra in 2012, this one-off GT500 has an 850-horsepower-plus Ford Racing supercharged V8 engine, Shelby American wide-body kit, and is finished in historical Cobra Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes

Ford announced today the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra, which was unveiled in 2012 to honor the late Carroll Shelby, will cross the auction block on Jan. 19, during the 2013 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car event in Scottsdale, Ariz. Proceeds from the sale of the tribute car will benefit JDRF, the leading funder of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.

2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra

The tribute car was unveiled by Ford Motor Company board member Edsel B. Ford II, Ford executive vice president for Global Marketing, Sales and Service, Jim Farley, and Shelby American President John Luft at the 2012 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in August 2012. The Shelby Cobra was the featured marque of the international event.

“Carroll Shelby was an amazing individual who was an inspiration to anyone who loves performance,” said Farley. “He continued to be very involved in the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 until his passing. During the development of the GT500, Carroll mentioned he would love to build a wide body Mustang one day. We incorporated this feature into the tribute car to fulfill Carroll’s wish. This tribute car connects the glorious past Shelby shared with Ford to the bright future he helped create with the current-generation GT500.”

Beginning with a 662-horsepower 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, a group known as the “Friends of Carroll” created a one-of-a-kind GT500 Cobra wide-body car. Generating more than 850 horsepower with a Ford Racing 4.0-liter Whipple supercharged V8 engine, the car requires 13-inch-wide rear wheels wrapped in massive 345-section high-performance tires for extra grip.

Ford teamed up with Shelby American for several key components on the Carroll Shelby tribute car. Shelby American provided a specially designed hood, rear wide-body kit, Shelby Wilwood brakes and new 20x13-inch rear and 20x10-inch front wheels. The bodywork is finished in the same Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes that graced many Cobra roadsters built in the 1960s.

After its unveiling in Monterey, the car was driven that weekend on the track by Henry Ford III with Aaron Shelby, grandson of Carroll Shelby, in the passenger seat to demonstrate the ongoing connection between the Ford and Shelby families. Then, the tribute car toured the United States, including appearances at SEMA, Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas and other high-profile events. It appeared in countless magazines and newspapers and on automotive media sites internationally.

For more than half a century, Carroll Shelby motivated people throughout the extended Ford family to achieve great success. Countless engineers crossed paths with Shelby over the years, from those who were involved with the GT40 to those working on the 2013 Shelby GT500. At the age of 88, Carroll Shelby spent five hours driving the latest Shelby GT500 during engineering validation sessions at Sebring and the Arizona Proving Grounds in late 2011.

“While Carroll Shelby is no longer with us, his spirit lives on with the designers and engineers he touched over the years,” said Farley. “He will continue to influence Ford performance cars for many years to come.”

SPEED™ to GIVE AWAY ONE-OF-A-KIND, 800+ HORSEPOWER 2013 SHELBY GT500 MUSTANG

LIVE BARRETT-JACKSON COVERAGE FULLY INTERACTIVE LED BY HAGERTY FANTASY BID & SPEED SOCIAL GARAGE

        An all-black, one-of-a-kind, 800+ horsepower 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang HFB Special Edition is this year’s Hagerty Fantasy Bid giveaway grand prize, a part of SPEED’s 39 hours of live coverage from the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event and Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. that starts Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

            Game play begins Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and lasts through Sunday, Jan. 20 with 28 fantasy bid cars selected to cross the block throughout the weekend.

            It’s easy to enter, as any Hagerty Fantasy Bid contestant who places a fantasy bid is automatically eligible for the giveaway Mustang (sign-up information below). A random drawing from all fantasy bid entries throughout the four days of competition determines the winner, which concludes on Sunday, Jan. 20.

            As with each Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event and Auction on SPEED, fantasy bidding is only a portion of the interactive and digital opportunities throughout any one of these live auction events. The SPEED Social Garage, live streaming video, live blogging, photo galleries and SPEED.com’s up-to-the-minute coverage of the market and trend lines offer the audience a unique two-screen experience.

            “How phenomenal is it that Ford was able to top last year’s incredible one-of-one Shelby giveaway,” said Rick Miner, SPEED SVP of Production, Network Operations & Executive Producer of Barrett-Jackson. “I’m thinking about quitting my job just so I can enter the contest.”

            Besides its jaw-dropping horsepower numbers, the Shelby GT500 HFB Special Edition is loaded with performance and aesthetic upgrades. A full Ford Racing lowering kit, Hydraulic Hood struts and Shelby Wheel Company’s Nitto 20x9.5 front and 20x11 Drag Radial rear tires gives it one mean profile.

            Interior-wise; the custom-made front and rear seats feature black suede inserts, black carbon fiber stripes and blue stitching all combining for an attractive outward appeal, while still maintaining Ford’s firm, yet comfortable, driver support structure.

            Full-length stainless steel headers with high-flow catalytic converters, a Borla exhaust system, high-flow air filter and an Ice Nine modified air intake (adding 30 bhp) all increases efficiency, power and enhances the sound of this enticing package.

           

            Adding to the overall look is W2 Graphics’ flat black stripe kit, RTR’s rear license plate surround and Ice Nine’s side splitters and smoked lens kit. Also included are a custom billet antenna, 3D carbon fender scoops, custom quarter window scoops, quarter panel scoops, billet aluminum Hagerty Fantasy Bid badging and a laser etched, Hagerty logoed gas cap that signifies a Special Edition Mustang.

            On the interactive side, one can join the Barrett-Jackson conversation through the SPEED Social Garage located athttp://www.speedtv.com/programs/barrett-jackson-automobile-auction/barrett-jackson-social-garage or via Twitter by using the ‘#BJA2013’ hash tag and @BarrettOnSPEED handle.

FORD PR RELEASE: Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Concept Goes Twin-Turbo for SEMA Debut

The Ford Racing Mustang Cobra Jet concept revealed today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show proves there is indeed a replacement for displacement.

 

In the perpetual quest to stay ahead of the competition, for the first time ever Ford Racing has equipped its factory-built turn-key drag racer with a turbocharged engine, adopting the same award-winning technology found on road-going EcoBoost engines.

 

Winning heritage

When the original Mustang Cobra Jet drag racers rolled out of the Mustang factory in 1968, they relied on 7.0-liter V8 engines with massive four-barrel carburetors to propel them down the strip.

 

“When a new generation of Cobra Jets arrived four decades later, they immediately began winning with a modern, fuel-injected 5.4-liter V8 topped with a belt-driven supercharger,” recalls Jesse Kershaw, Ford drag racing competition manager. “Over the past four years, the Cobra Jet has gone on to become both a fan and competitor favorite, the most successful late-model vehicle in drag racing.”

 

 

“Racing pre-dates Ford Motor Company. Henry Ford himself raced the 999 and won in 1901 to generate interest for the new company,” said Jamie Allison, director of Ford Racing Technologies. “We haven’t stopped since.

 

“We’ve competed in almost every category of auto racing, from deserts to road courses to ovals and drag strips over the past 111 years, often with cars and trucks based on our production models, including the Mustang,” Allison added.

 

In 2011, the Mustang GT’s all-new 5.0-liter V8 found a home in the Cobra Jet, both with and without a supercharger.

 

“Despite its smaller displacement, the improved breathing of the 5.0-liter with its twin independent variable camshaft timing and Boss 302 cylinder heads provided comparable performance while showcasing the high technology available in street Mustangs today,” said Rob Deneweth, Cobra Jet powertrain development engineer.

 

“Ever since we relaunched the Cobra Jet in 2008, we’ve continuously evolved the engine to be more optimized for drag racing and produce more power for its NHRA class.”

 

While superchargers provide instant on-demand power, they can also sap a lot of power especially at high boost levels. The 2.9-liter blower used on the 2013 Cobra Jet uses as much as 100hp to drive the supercharger.. That’s power no longer available for acceleration.

 

Two turbochargers, no waiting

Fortunately, every internal combustion engine has a plentiful source of energy that normally goes to waste right out the exhaust pipe. Turbochargers harness the thermal and kinetic energy in the exhaust gases to drive turbines and compressors that force more air into the engine for a big increase in power without most of the parasitic losses of a supercharger.

 

“Ford has embraced turbocharging technology and a lot of our production engineers are working with the technology on a daily basis, so we have a lot of knowledge,” added Deneweth. “So we decided to apply that knowledge to the Mustang Cobra Jet to showcase what our engineers and suppliers know how to do.”

 

Turbocharger design and release engineer Dave Born joined the Cobra Jet team after working on the 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® V6 for the F-150 to help make this concept a reality. “When done right, turbocharging is just as good as or better than supercharging,” Born confirms.

 

“To overcome the biggest perceived drawback of turbocharging – the lag – we’ve selected the smallest possible turbos that will give us the airflow we need,” he added. “We’ve also got some other enhancements to help improve the responsiveness; we have very low inertia and very low internal friction.”

 

NHRA competition rules for the stock classes Cobra Jet races in require parts like turbochargers to be derived from production components. Borg-Warner^™ has supplied smaller, more efficient turbochargers based on the units used in the Focus ST for the Cobra Jet concept. Smaller than those found in most other drag racing applications, the turbine wheels are made from titanium aluminide that reduces the rotational inertia by 50 percent. Along with a shaft riding on low-friction ball bearings, the compressors can spin up to 150,000 rpm almost instantly.

 

The same integrated, electronically controlled wastegates used on production EcoBoost engines enable the turbos to keep spinning and generating the boost pressure needed for low elapsed times and high trap speeds at the strip.

 

One of the top reasons for a car company to go racing is the rapid learning curve it provides and the lessons that can be fed back into the vehicles customers drive every day.

 

“We’re already using ball bearings in the turbocharger of the 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® diesel V8 in Super Duty trucks,” adds Born. “We’re also evaluating materials like the titanium aluminide for the turbine, and it could find its way into future production programs as the costs come down.”

One-of-a-Kind 850-Horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra Created as a Tribute to Carroll Shelby

Friends of Carroll Shelby, including Ford Motor Company, Shelby American, Ford Racing and many others, have built a special tribute 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra. Ford is also announcing a renamed road in Dearborn, Mich., at the Product Development Center as a tribute to the late Carroll Shelby. Cobra has been the performance label as Shelby worked with Ford for most of the last 60 years. Shelby was instrumental in the establishment of Ford performance including the Cobra, GT40 and Mustang’s performance credentials since its earliest days in the mid-1960s.

2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra

This tribute vehicle was unveiled today 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 featured 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. 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 20x13-inch rear and 20x10-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 1960’s.

“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 that has been 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.

Carroll Shelby Way

For more than half a century, Carroll Shelby inspired designers and engineers throughout the extended Ford family. As a teenager, Edsel Ford II worked for Shelby doing a variety of jobs including cleaning transmission parts.

Countless engineers crossed paths with Shelby over the years, from those who crafted the original GT40 to those working on the 2013 Shelby GT500. Up until his death, Carroll Shelby remained committed to developing great performance cars. Even at the age of 88, he spent more than five hours driving the most powerful production Mustang ever during engineering validation sessions at Sebring and the Arizona Proving Grounds in late 2011.

During and after test sessions, Carroll would spend hours discussing with the engineers what he liked and what needed improvement. No one who worked with Carroll will ever forget it, and his lessons in vehicle dynamics will be passed along to coming generations.

Ford product development engineers will now get a daily reminder of Carroll’s way as they traverse the newly renamed Carroll Shelby Way through the heart of the Product Development Center in Dearborn, Mich., to the entrance of the proving ground.

Carroll Shelby is no longer with us, but his spirit lives on with the designers and engineers he interacted with over the years and he will continue to influence Ford performance cars for many years to come.

VIDEO: A Look inside the 2013 Mustang Cobra Jet

The 2013 Mustang Cobra Jet made its competition debut a few weeks ago, and the new 5.0-liter-powered Stocker was on everyone's radar. We've got a video which highlights some of the 2013 car's new features – not the least of which is its new supercharged 5.0L powerplant. Jimmy Ronzello, one of Ford's prototype engine builders, gives us an in-depth look at what will make the 2013 Cobra Jet the car to beat this summer at the track in this VIDEO.