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Sneak peek at the latest from Shelby cars
Words: Cam Benty; And Photos: Shelby Cars, Cam Benty
There has been a lot written about Carroll Shelby over the years. We can save you from the stereotypical labels here and just say he was one of a kind. Shelby was to America what Ferdinand Porsche was to Germany and Enzo Ferrari was to Italy. He was an All-American who built some of the fastest cars ever constructed, from LeMans-winning Ford GT40s to Cobra roadsters that dominated road racetracks throughout the ’60s.
That was then. This is now. Despite living well past his years with transplanted heart and kidney, Shelby has passed on to the great road course in the sky. But since his passing, his legacy continues to grow that fire, fueled by improved engine technology and a thirsty crowd of consumers willing to pay handsomely for the latest Shelby-monikered machinery.
And why not? The newest Shelbys are the fastest and most impressive ever. That’s really not surprising based on the fact we are in the biggest “speed war” ever. In this era of 707-hp Hellcat Challengers and 640-hp ZL1 Camaros, it’s not shocking it’s the Shelby brand supporting the Blue Oval crowd with 1000-hp Shelby Mustangs — if nothing else than to keep tire companies and chiropractors in business due to melting tread and sore backsides.
The “Basic” Shelby line up
Just like in 1965, Shelby cars will take your basic Mustang and make it something special. The new line of Shelby GTH “Hertz” models is awesome and will be readily available at select dealers for those seeking a weekend thrill. The new Shelby GT350, although not built at the Shelby American facility, has been super successful and continues to promote the Shelby American legacy worldwide.
As was obvious during a tour of the Shelby Heritage Center, Shelby American is cranking out a lot of stuff. For the Shelby fan, you can have your new Mustang GT shipped (or drive it) to the Shelby American HQ for a Shelby GT (or Super Snake) makeover. As part of the upgrade, you can pick from massive 750+ hp engine “enhancements”, 6-piston Wilwood brakes, adjustable rear control arms, Katzkin interiors, rollcage, race seats, differential and transmission cooling system, and Ford half shafts, just to hit the highlights.
But a walk through this facility is not only a walk back in time, but a look at automotive evolution. What was the most eye opening was the number of specialty “throwback” cars under construction — everything from replica Cobras (part of Shelby’s continuation series) to a 20-car run of original style Ford GT40s.
For those keeping score, the GT40s are not to be confused with the run of GTs Ford produced in 2005-06 or the newest EcoBoost driven GTs about to launch next year. The newest limited production vehicles are replicas of the original ’60s race/street cars that won big at LeMans. With fuel gulping, 427c.i. FE engines and bundle-of-snakes exhaust exiting unmuffled from the rear, these are the kind of machines that put American racing on the map, breaking Ferrari’s vice grip on FIA World Manufacturers GT class. Not only did the GT40s finish 1-2-3 in 1966, they went on to win in 1967, 1968, and 1969.
Terlingua Races Again
The Terlingua got its name from a small ghost town in southwest Texas, where Shelby purchased some land in the early 1960s as a place to go horseback riding, dirt biking, and enjoy other fun sports – including story-telling, chili cook-offs, and drinking. As the story goes, Shelby and friend Dave Witts created a town council of their friends and other buddies to “run this here town.”
As stated on the Shelby American website: “Figuring they had something coming to them as legit owners of their town, they wasted no time forming a city council, handing out all the choice political positions to their drinking buddies: Witts elected himself mayor and Shelby named himself Social Director, alternating as the local dog catcher as well.”
Automotive artist, Bill Neale, became the director of the Museum of Modern Art and Tom Tierney was elected Chief Justice of the Municipal Court. Other members of the Shelby Rat Pack were doled out esteemed positions as Director of Sanitation, Director of Parks and Recreation, Director of Urban Housing, Inspector of Hides and Commodore of the Terlingua Navy.”
To that end, all Terlingua cars have plaques denoting lineage and a sign off from Bill Neal himself. But the Terlingua Shelby race team of 1967 was a lot more than a social club. It was a Shelby-prepped Terlingua Mustang that was to win the Trans Am Championship and set the standard for Ford Mustang performance to come. The title, won by Jerry Titus in ’67, (reclaimed by son Rick Titus 20 years later, this time with a Saleen Mustang) was to light the fuse to the Shelby/Mustang legacy of winning.
To that end, every one of the new limited edition 50 superfast, road race-ready 2016 Terlingua Shelbys are adorned with an official decal denoting that Social Director Carroll Shelby personally approved of the build. Speed Director would be more fitting.
The Terlingua features a 5.0L, 750+ hp engine — the same as the Super Snake package using a Whipple supercharger to boost power. Outside, the Terlingua can be spotted by its carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts, rear spoiler, and hood with Terlingua Rabbit graphic.
In the suspension department the Shelby sports a set of adjustable coil over shocks, Ford Performance half shafts, Brembo big brake calipers, and Eibach sway bars. A functional rear diffuser dresses the rear of the vehicle, along with black Borla exhaust tips. At the time of the visit, Chief Designer/R&D Vince LaViolet showed us the carbon fiber brake package under consideration, along with some new shock valving that should dramatically aid handling.
Only 50 of the 2016 Terlingua Shelbys will be built, an expensive upgrade on the basic Mustang GT that takes this car far beyond the level of high performance streetcar. If you don’t think this is a serious racecar, take a look at the video shot by LaViolet, who rented a housing development under construction and took a few prospective buyers for a drive through the freshly paved street. That’s a ride that will impress.
The return of the GT40
As mentioned, the GT40 was a huge breakthrough for Ford back in the 1960s. The new GT40s are an impressive replica of the original GT40 MkII cars. Short and quick, these cars measure 163 inches long and only 40 inches high, and feature the Gurney bump that puffs up the driver side roof to allow clearance for, originally, driver Dan Gurney’s helmet. Proving the attention to detail, Smith’s gauges are used in the installment panel, and silver rivet seats allow for fresh air-cooling for an attractive throwback appearance.
The car is offered in three color combinations, black/silver, blue/white, and red/white. The 15-inch Halibrand pin-drive wheels are both attractive and functional, and the true Monocoque chassis is a true-to-the-original platform. The 427c.i. engine in your choice of horsepower can be had with air conditioning, a sign of how times have changed from the ’60s when A/C was rarely found in homes, let alone cars.
Daytona Coupe Continues
Back in the ’60s, Carroll Shelby commissioned Peter Brock to redesign the Cobra racecar on the original Cobra SC frame. His vision was the Daytona Coupe. After a few racing struggles in early 1964, in 1965 the Daytona Coupe dominated the FIA World Sports Car Championship GT class with wins at Daytona, Spa, Monza, and Nurburgring, just to hit the top locations. It was this legacy that was to create a huge demand for Shelby Daytonas today.
As only Shelby would do, the continuation aluminum body Daytona Coupes (a fiberglass replica is also offered) are rolling out of Shelby American to a few select buyers – these ain’t cheap. True to the original, the car is a copy of the racecar, right down to the three-inch round tube style frame, leaf springs, independent suspension, Stewart Warner gauges, 21-gallon stainless steel fuel tank, FIA 15-inch wheels with Avon tires, white ceramic coated headers, side exhaust, and roll bar. If luxuries such as A/C, power steering and windows, and a central locking system are needed, the fiberglass Daytonas can be so ordered. With either car, the choice of engine sizing is yours and includes 289, 347, and 427c.i.
So, it’s clear that despite the passing of their fearless leader, Shelby American is healthier than ever, something that a quick walk around the facility will lock in. The Shelby American facility, moved closer to downtown Las Vegas a few years ago, is worth the trip if you are in Vegas and the tables are treating you badly. They offer tours on a regular basis, so you can see some of these things for yourself. It’s a tour car folks won’t soon forget, even if your favorite marques carry Bowties or Pentastars. Horsepower is a common denominator all performance fans appreciate.
Source
Shelby American
shelby.com
