1967 Mustang GT500E Resto Mod “Eleanor” is a very well-known muscle car, but the featured resto mod owns a tuned/built Coyote 5.0L engine 475 hp, custom headers, exhaust, rack and pinion steering, cold air intake, automatic TCI transmission. The mere mention of the name conjures up images of “the ultimately modernized Shelby Mustang”, the movie “Gone in 60 Seconds” & legendary performance & good looks.

This GT500E is so much more than most & may very well be the most unique one ever built. It’s the culmination of a 6-year project by a very well known Southeastern US classic & custom car builder whose incredible metal fabrication skills can be seen throughout the car. Inside, on & around the historic, ground-breaking engine are many hand fabricated items & many of the finest components today’s hot rod industry has to offer:

The air cleaner assembly is a one-off, custom machined unit you’ll not find anywhere else. Starting it all is a high-torque mini starter that gets power from a master-switch controlled 1000 amp Optima battery located in the trunk. Keeping that precious engine cool is a custom fabricated aluminum radiator with 2 thermostatically controlled electric fans. Custom touches abound in the form of all-braided steel lines & fittings, polished billet hood hinges, a one-off polished Ford logo cooling system cap, custom, chromed, frame-strengthening tubular reinforcement bars & flat fender aprons and firewall. Read more and see the great image gallery!

We, at MuscleVehicles – The Muscle Cars Blog are sorry to say that Carroll Shelby, Automotive Legend passed away. He indeed was a legend. Here is the official statement, which is attributable to Edsel B. Ford II, member of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company and great-grandson of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company.:

Carroll Shelby, Automotive Legend Dies
Carroll Shelby, Ford Family for More Than Half a Century

“Today, we have lost a legend in Ford Motor Company’s history, and my family and I have lost a dear friend. Carroll Shelby is one of the most recognized names in performance car history, and he’s been successful at everything he’s done. Whether helping Ford dominate the 1960s racing scene or building some of the most famous Mustangs, his enthusiasm and passion for great automobiles over six decades has truly inspired everyone who worked with him. He was a great innovator whose legend at Ford never will be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Read more..

NEW YORK – April 21, 2011 – Fulfilling the desire of Ford Shelby GT fans worldwide, executives with Shelby American Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK) introduced today the new Shelby GTS post-title package for the 2011-2012 Ford Mustang at the New York International Auto Show. Available with a either a V6 or V8, normally aspirated or supercharged, the Shelby GTS is the spiritual rebirth of the popular 2007-2008 Ford Shelby GT.

“The Ford Shelby GT was introduced in 2007 as an agile, reliable and affordable muscle car,” said John Luft, president of Shelby American Inc. “It dominated its SCCA racing class and was a popular canvas for enthusiasts to create their dream Shelby. Our Shelby GTS picks up that mantle and expands upon it with a choice of V6 or V8 power for a new generation of Shelby enthusiast who wants a car built just for them.” Read More!

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

NEW SVT PERFORMANCE PACKAGE READIES
2011 FORD SHELBY GT500 FOR THE TRACK

• An optional SVT Performance Package highlights the new 2011 Ford Shelby GT500®, available on both coupe and convertible models, making it racetrack ready

• The optional package features the all-new next-generation Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires only available on the 2011 Shelby GT500, offering incredible dry traction and
precise handling, complete with a race-inspired ultra-high-performance tread compound

• All-new lightweight 19-inch forged-aluminum wheels in the front complement all-new tires, with new 20-inch forged-aluminum wheels at the rear

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

2011 FORD SHELBY GT500 GOES LIGHTWEIGHT WITH ALUMINUM ENGINE, OFFERS ULTIMATE IN HANDLING

• With 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque, Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) delivers the new Shelby GT500® with a 10 horsepower increase; an all-new 5.4-liter all-aluminum engine is 102 pounds lighter than the previous cast-iron engine and uses Ford-patented plasma-coating technology

• For 2011, Shelby GT500 offers EPA-projected improved fuel economy in city and highway from 2010, eliminating the gas guzzler tax

• The addition of Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS), a new optional SVT Performance Package, enhanced convertible rigidity and a lowered ride height contribute to improved driving dynamics and handling

On Monday Ford will announce details of the 2011 Shelby GT500 . The car’s official debut is scheduled at the Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday, but Ford’s webcast site has already “leaked” the car on a short video clip which is no longer available. However some screen captures of the video are available and they are revealing the 2011 SVT Performance Package Mustang.

In addition to this, an order guide of this spectacular muscle car was published online. Some new items of the 2011 Shelby GT500 are a completely aluminum block for the 5.4-liter V8, a glass roof, 19×9.5-inch front and 20×10-inch rear forged aluminum wheels, as well as 3:73 rear end (instead of the car’s standard 3:55). An extra 10 “horses” will be added to the GT500 and the total power will be 550-hp.

Musclevehicles.com – The Ultimate Blog for American Muscle Cars and Muscle Vehicles

In recent months, rumors have been rampant that the next generation of Ford’s Shelby GT500 Mustang would dump the existing 5.4-liter supercharged V8 in favor of a twin-turbo version of the new 5.0-liter Coyote V8 that debuts this spring. Unfortunately, in spite of earlier reports confirming the development, it appears that such an engine will not be installed in the GT500 any time soon. Mike Harrison, Ford’s chief engineer for the 5.0-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engines  made it clear that the mooted engine is not part of the program for the Blue Oval bomber.