Facts About the Shelby Mustang

The Shelby Mustang is a specially modified Ford Mustang named after designer Carroll Shelby. He worked with Ford to make the cars from 1967 to 1970. The Shelby Mustang is considered one the classic muscle cars.

Origins

The first Shelby Mustang was built in 1967.

Features

The GT350 came with a 302 cubic inch V8, 22 inches bigger than a mustang. The GT500 had a 428 cubic inch V8. Due to the increased power, it had enlarged brakes. Suspension bracings were under the hood. To keep the rear brakes cool, air scoops were added.

Fun Fact

A strike during production caused some 1968 GT500 Shelby Mustangs to use a 390 cubic inch V8.

In the Movies

The Shelby Mustang GT500 is highlighted in the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds." The car is named Eleanor.

Together Again

Carroll Shelby and Ford reunited for the 2007 Shelby Mustang.

Rent a Shelby

Carroll Shelby made special GT350 Mustangs for Hertz to rent to customers. Not surprisingly, most of these cars were returned with worn out clutch assemblies. Hertz changed the mustang it offered from a stick shift to an automatic transmission.