What happens when a performance legend from Dearborn reunites with a performance legend from Texas? You get the Ford Shelby GT500. The collaboration between Shelby and Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) continues to yield an instant collector’s Mustang that delivers 500 horsepower from its supercharged 5.4-liter V-8.
A modern interpretation of the big-block Shelby Mustang of the late 1960s, the 2008 Shelby GT500 uses advanced engineering to attain the kind of performance that made it the original the “King of the Road.” True to its heritage, today’s GT500 is available both as a coupe and as a convertible.
“It’s one thing to put 450 horsepower in an exotic supercar,” said Shelby. “It’s another to put that much power in something as affordable as a Mustang. The fact that they not only met their goal but pushed on to 500 horsepower is a remarkable achievement.”
The engine is force-fed an air-and-fuel mixture via a “Roots-type” supercharger providing 8.5 pounds per square inch of boost.
The GT500 uses a cast-iron engine block. It borrows from the Ford GT program its aluminum, four-valve cylinder heads, piston rings and bearings, which add a high level of performance and durability
“Powered by SVT” camshaft covers add the finishing touch to the engine bay
Delivering the power to the pavement is a 6-speed manual gearbox with evenly spaced gearing. This gives a rewarding driving experience throughout the engine’s broad torque curve. The heavy-duty transmission has proven itself a perfect match to Mustangs in both road and track environments, including the race-winning Mustang FR500C.
