We’ve all heard the saying that a car goes like a cut snake. Lorrin Mathews’s genuine Shelby Cobra really is a cut snake!

Why on earth would anyone chop up a genuine GT500? I bet that question is running through the minds of numerous NZV8 readers right now. We wondered too.

Lorrin Mathews’s answer is short, sweet and simple: “It’s my car and I can, so I did.” That’s a logic that you can’t argue with.

Before you get too upset, Lorrin is well aware what the car would be worth in mint original form, and has kept every single part that has been removed from the car, should he ever want or need to return it to standard.

With the car in the pile of things never to be sold, the chances of it being restored to its former state aren’t high. At the recent Fathers’ Day Drags, where we first spotted Lorrin’s mad machine, he was offered an unlimited blank cheque in return for the car and still said no, so clearly his will is strong.

Finders Keepers

Where exactly did the car come from? It’s not every day you find a GT500 for sale in New Zealand, or overseas for that matter. Much to the surprise of Mustang enthusiasts around the country, it has been in New Zealand for more than 25 years. But for the majority of that time it hasn’t seen the light of day. When the car was brought out to the photoshoot for this magazine, it was just its third outing in 20 years. Now that is what you call a well-kept secret, and the answer to why most people have never seen this vehicle before. (more…)

This year’s annual SEMA show in the States saw a whole bunch of highly tuned metal both American and from abroad. But one of the show’s real gems came from iconic muscle car maker Shelby in the form of its latest prototype beast. What makes it so special? Well, it’s simple really, it’s a 1,000 rwhp twin-turbo Shelby GT500.

Built as a collaboration between Shelby American and Nelson Racing Engines he high-power Mustang is nicknamed “Code Red.” The heavily modified 5.4-litre V8 engine features twin 61mm Turbonetics turbochargers and also a clever dual fuel system that includes cells for both race and street gas. To keep optimum control over the twin turbos there is also an electronic boost controller that can vary boost for each gear.

If Shelby actually builds the insane “Code Red” GT500, expect plenty of extra equipment like Baer 14-inch brakes, a Shelby/Eibach adjustable suspension system, 9-inch Currie rear end, 10-point roll cage, and lots of other kit. How much will metal like this cost? Once you’ve bought the donor Mustang, Shelby will hit you up a further $100,000 USD to create the car you view in the photo gallery below and watch and hear tearing up the streets in the video. (more…)

Shelby American has just released details on its Super Snake package for the 2011 Mustang GT500. What is special about this package is that it allows the Mustang to be pushed up to 800 horsepower. It’s set to be pretty exclusive too, because only 1,000 will be built for 2011.

The baseline 2011 Super Snake package gets people a 660-horsepower/590 lb-ft supercharged V8, Borla exhaust system, a Ford Racing suspension kit, new Shelby-designed Alcoa rims and more.

Furthermore the package options include a supercharger upgrade to a Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger (which puts out 750 horsepower) and also includes a new driveshaft, throttle body and of course the Shelby badges. And if you really want to dig deep into your pockets, you can choose the powerhouse 800-pony package.

In terms of the pricing, the 750-horse package will run $41,434 NZ including installation. Not to mention this is added onto the $67,994 NZ base price for the GT500. Ultimately you get one expensive but unbelievably hardcore and unique ride.

If you’re in the market for some high-priced, low-mileage, rare vintage muscle for your car collection, then Volo Auto Museum based in the States has something perfect.

Pictured above is a fine example of a 1969 Shelby GT500 which represents the last model-year of the original Shelby Mustangs (although ’69 models were given new serial numbers and sold as 1970 model-year cars). It’s one of just 335 GT500 convertibles built, and one of only 21 produced in this distinctive colour combination.

The Mustang has had just four-owners in its lifetime and has just 56,000 miles on the clock.

Considering the low miles, and the fact that it’s been entirely restored over a two year period, it’s not going to be cheap. Priced at $155,998 (223,000 NZ) it’s apparently a bargain because it has been appraised at a cool quarter-million USD. The 1969 GT500 convertible had a base price of just over $5,000 USD when new. This fine example includes a white deluxe interior signed by Carrol Shelby himself.

Packed under the bonnet is a 428 cubic-inch (7.0-litre) Cobra Jet V8 with Ram Air that originally produced a factory-rated 335 horsepower. It’s matched up with a Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission and a 3.50 Traction Lok rear end. Extras include power steering, power disc brakes and even a power top.

Check out the gallery below for more images of the GT500. (more…)

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe takes on the Shelby GT500 in a straight up drag race

Twin Turbocharged and Supercharged Shelby GT500 heads down the strip

The old Shelby Super Snakes may be legendary cars,but they never drove as well as the new 725hp version

Shelby. The name alone conjures up feelings of pure V8 muscle and power. Carroll Shelby, now 86 years of age, has been building V8 cars since 1962 with the AC Ace, and the first Ford Shelby Mustang in 1968.

The Shelby Mustang is a classic, no doubt about it. And now, after many years of absence, the Shelby Mustang has finally made a return in the age of the iPod and hybrid cars.

The modern day Shelby Mustang comes in many guises, such as the base-level 319hp Shelby GT and the Hertz rental car special, the GT-H. Today, however, we are interested in only one model: the GT500. Aptly named after the 500hp it produces, it is already one monstrous beast, toting 650Nm of torque.

The more astute will already be correcting me as I’m missing out a very important piece of the name. This particular GT500 is no normal GT500, it is one of a rare breed, a Super Snake.

But if it’s so rare, how on earth did we land one here in New Zealand?

(more…)

Ford has just unveiled the 2011 Shelby GT500, ahead of its official debut at the Chicago Auto Show.

Looking virtually identical to the 2010 model, the 2011 GT500′s changes are mainly under the bonnet. An aluminum 5.4-lire V8 engine takes pride of place. It’s based on the 5.0-litre V8 found in the 2011 Mustang GT, the new engine has an additional 0.4-liters of displacement, an improved block structure, six-bolt billet main bearing caps, and a supercharger.

Weighing 46kg less than the previous cast-iron engine, the new engine produces 550 hp (410kW) and 510 ft-lb (691 Nm) of torque making for a 10 hp increase over the outgoing model. Ford hasn’t released exact performance specifications yet.

Besides the new engine, Ford has reworked the electric power steering system, added slotted brake dust shields, installed a new pedal box, reduced the ride height, and developed a new exhaust system.

There is also an optional SVT Performance Package that features unique styling accents, stiffer springs, a higher rear axle ratio, and lightweight wheels wrapped in specially-developed Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G: 2 tyres.

Check out a short video of the latest GT500 in action below.