“There is never enough horsepower…” Carroll Shelby once mused. “…Just not enough traction.” For fans of modern Shelbys, there is often never enough of that special Shelby sauce either. Those that want more performance and exclusivity often turn to Shelby American, and the company’s latest enhancements are Signature Editions of the modern GT350 and GT500, the latter of which gets a big boost in, you guessed it, horsepower.
“Both the Ford Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500 are world-class sports cars with spectacular performance,” Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American, said. “Our limited-edition Carroll Shelby Signature Edition packages are designed to build on their amazing capabilities to deliver an even more aggressive, refined, and exclusive version of the two spectacular cars. They’re exceptionally handsome and deliver dazzling performance mile after mile, lap after lap. Plus, the Shelby GT500SE will be eligible for further upgrades by Shelby American in the future.”
Vehicles upgraded with both packages will receive a host of appearance and handling improvements, while the GT500SE gets a big bump in performance from the already potent factory rating of 760 horsepower.
“We integrated a new pulley and coolers, so the 5.2-liter V8 churns out over 800 horsepower on 93-octane pump gas,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and Chief of R&D. “We lowered the car with more track-focused springs that match a new aggressive suspension tune. Then we cut 30 pounds off the top of the Shelby GT500SE with the ultra-light, dry carbon fiber hood, which is also much stronger and lighter. An optional wide-body modification is even available for the serious driver.”
To make these machines even more exclusive, Shelby American is offering special perks to the first 15 customers who reserve a GT350SE or GT500SE before August 14, 2020.
“As one of the ‘First 15,’ an owner will receive an invitation to a special party for the group in Las Vegas, autographed photo of their car at Shelby, one of the first 15 Shelby serial numbers, official Shelby gear, one night’s stay at the D Las Vegas Casino and Hotel to visit Shelby American and other great benefits,” Patterson added. “It will be a very exclusive group.”
For more on these post-title upgrade packages, you can check out the Shelby GT350SE here and the Shelby GT500SE here.
• Dry carbon fiber, ventilated hood
• Hood struts and SHELBY hood locks
• Billet engine caps
• Striping and badging
• Leather seat recovers
• CSM-numbered engine and dash plate
• Limited to 100 units for 2020 model year
• Donation to the Carroll Shelby Foundation
• Performance Supercharger pulley (800-plus horsepower)
• Performance halfshafts
• High-volume/flow supercharger intercooler
• High volume/flow supercharger heat exchanger
• Front and rear springs
• Front and rear sway bars
• Suspension recalibration
• Caster/camber plates
• 20x11-inch front wheels
• 20x11.5-inch rear wheels
• Performance-spec tires
• Extended and hardened wheel studs
• Shelby Widebody
• Painted Stripes
• Shelby Carbon Fiber Package (late availability)
• Rear seat delete, with harness bar
• Sport Cup 2 performance tires
• First 15 receive factory delivery
