The Return of the King!
Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), today announced that one of its most famous vehicles, the Ford Shelby GT500KR Mustang, will return to honor the company’s 60th anniversary next year. A limited run of 60 “King of the Road” post-title packages with 900+ horsepower will be available worldwide for 2020-2022 model year Shelby GT500’s from Shelby American. Shelby and Ford representatives made the announcement inside the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center in Irvine, California, as part of the milestone kick-off celebration.
“Sixty years ago, Shelby American and Ford Motor Company collaborated on their first car, the Shelby Cobra,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “That relationship resulted in racing championships, victories over Ferrari at Le Mans and amazing Shelby cars based on the Ford Mustang. Today, we offer a line of Ford-based Shelby trucks and cars and have begun exploring electric vehicles. Every 2022 model year vehicle we build will wear a 60th anniversary badge to symbolize our heritage and bright future, beginning with the Shelby GT500KR.”
This is only the third time in history that a version of the Shelby GT500 has carried the “King of the Road” name. The first time was in 1968 when the Shelby GT500KR was powered by the new 428 Cobra Jet V-8 that was conservatively rated at 335 horsepower. It was equipped with a modified suspension, redesigned front and rear end, custom fiberglass hood and Cougar taillights. Shelby added a functional roll bar and wood-rimmed steering wheel. Offered in both fastback and convertible, Ford dealers sold 1,570 GT500KR models in 1968 (1053 fastbacks and 517 convertibles).
In 2008, Ford and Shelby brought back the Ford Shelby GT500KR. Its supercharged V-8 produced 540 horsepower (40 more than the standard GT500) and also included a short-throw shifter, 3.73:1 rear axle and unique wheels, tires and suspension settings. A special composite hood with push button hood pins, unique stripes and badges distinguished the KR. A total of 1,000 cars were produced that year; demand was so great that Ford and Shelby agreed to build an additional 712 cars for 2009.
“Shelby American vice president Vince LaViolette and I were deeply involved with the Ford Performance team for the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR program, and I also own a 1968 model,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “We’re committed to ensuring the third-generation model is worthy of the iconic ‘King of the Road’ crown. Our program team includes experts at Ford Performance and key suppliers, as well as specialists like Shelby GT500 factory development driver Billy Johnson. We announced the program launch today and we’ll show the car to the public at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January. From its initial design to final performance specs, the Shelby GT500KR will live up to the name.”
2020-2022 SHELBY GT500KR FEATURES & OPTIONS
Performance:
- Shelby by Whipple black finish supercharger system
- 900+ horsepower* 3.8L supercharger
- High volume supercharger intercooler
- High volume supercharger heat exchanger
- Open cold air intake system - Heavy-duty performance half-shafts
- Shelby ride–height adjustable front and rear springs
- Shelby by Borla cat-back exhaust system
- Ford Performance front and rear sway bars
- MagneRide® suspension recalibration
- Caster camber plates
- Shelby one-piece 6061-T6 forged aluminum wheels (20x11 front and 20x11.5 rear)
- Performance spec tires
- Extended and hardened wheel studs
Exterior & Interior:
- Shelby carbon fiber hood
- Prepreg dry carbon fiber with functional evacuation air vents and special rain trays
- Shelby hood strut system
- "SHELBY" hood lock housing - Carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser
- Carbon fiber Gurney flap (non-CFTP)
- Billet engine caps
- Shelby rocker stripes and badges
- Leather seat recovers
- CSM numbered engine and dash plate
Optional Features:
- Shelby Wide Body
- Polished supercharger
- Painted stripes
- Rear seat delete with harness bar
- Le Mans style over the top stripes
Based on the world class 2020-2022 Ford Shelby GT500, the KR will boast 140+ plus extra horsepower, dry carbon fiber hood, new wheels, tires, suspension tuning, interior and badges and more. Only 180 total (60 per model year) of the 900+ horsepower cars will be available in the USA, with 45 available overseas.
“The current Shelby GT500 already has amazing capabilities,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and Chief of R&D. “We’re taking it to an entirely new level for the extreme driver. We integrated a new supercharger and coolers, then tuned the 5.2-litre V8 to churn out 900 plus horsepower on pump gas. The KR has more aggressive adjustable springs, Ford Performance sway bars and a new aggressive suspension tune. The exhaust was reworked to be even bolder and we sliced 30 pounds off with an ultra-light dry carbon fiber hood that delivers even more cooling. An optional wide body version is even available.”
Each car includes membership in Team Shelby, the worldwide club Carroll Shelby established in 2008, and will be documented in the official Shelby Registry.
The first production car will be auctioned at No Reserve on January 29 by the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company in Scottsdale. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Carroll Shelby Foundation and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF). The winning bidder can choose from any standard Ford colour available on the Shelby GT500. Carolyn and Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, were part of the vehicle announcement in Irvine.
“My grandfather, Carroll Shelby was often called the ‘King of the Road’ for pushing the performance envelope both on and off the track,” said Aaron Shelby, Board Member of Carroll Shelby International and co-President of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “He was proud of his company’s relationship with Ford Motor Company and was passionate about supporting philanthropic causes. We’re pleased that the first 2022 Ford Shelby GT500KR will be sold by our friends at Barrett-Jackson for JDRF and the Carroll Shelby Foundation. Together, we’ve raised millions of dollars for charity through the years by giving collectors the rare opportunity to own a very unique and valuable vehicle.”
“This is just the start of our milestone celebration,” said Patterson. “In addition to updates to our current lineup, we plan to announce three more significant vehicle programs. The incredible Shelby GT500KR is just the beginning of an amazing year.”
About Shelby American, Inc.
Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. The company builds authentic continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA, 289 street car, Daytona Coupe and Shelby Series 2 component vehicles; it offers the Shelby GT, 1000, Super Snake, SE and GT post-title packages for the 2005-20201 Ford Mustang. Shelby American also offers the Shelby Raptor, Shelby F-150 Super Snake and Shelby F-150 trucks, as well as the Shelby F-250 Super Baja. Heritage cars include the continuation 1965 Shelby GT350 competition model, 1967 Ford Shelby Super Snake and 1968 Ford Shelby GT500KR. For more information, visit www.Shelby.com.
ABOUT MUSTANG MOTORSPORT
Founded By Craig Dean Mustang Motorsport have been Australia's leader in the import, conversion and upgrade of late model Mustangs for over two decades. With the release of the all new Mustang in 2015, we commenced our upgrade and enhancement services for the new model. These include being a the only Australian SHELBY Authorized Mod Shop. Mustang Motorsport can upgrade your Mustang to become a full SHELBY Special edition models under licence with the team at Shelby American. These include iconic models such as the SHELBY GT and Super Snake and more!