Four decades after Shelby and Ford collaborated on a race version of the '65 GT350 Mustang, the companies have announced that they are offering a limited-edition track day version of the Shelby GT.
Ford Racing and Shelby Automobiles will commemorate the '65 SCCA championship of Jerry Titus and final production of the current generation Mustang by offering up to 37 total 550hp Shelby GT R-Models.
"In 1965, my team built 37 small-block R-Model race versions of the Shelby GT350 Mustang that kicked tails on circuits worldwide," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. "Working with Ford Racing, we’re going to build a new track day R-Model of the Ford Shelby GT. It’ll be lots of fun to drive and ready to rip up the pavement right out of the box."
The track day car will be featured as a "Jerry Titus Drivers Edition" to honor his 1965 B Production championship, the first national road racing championship for a Shelby Mustang. Jerry was one of the special drivers who piloted Shelby Mustangs to total domination on the track. Not only did he win the first championship, he broke the story of the R-Model to the world in Sports Car Graphic magazine and was instrumental in its development. The '09 Jerry Titus Edition R-Model lives up to his performance legacy.
Nased on the '07-'08 Shelby GT, the R-Model version of the Mustang will be a purpose-built track car based on the same 4.6-liter V8 that powers every Ford Shelby GT. The vehicles cannot be registered for the street. Additional power will come from the Ford Racing/Whipple Twin Screw intercooled supercharger installed by Shelby and mated to a T6060 GT500-based six speed transmission before the Shelby team inserts them into the race-ready chassis. Each car will be painted white with silver stripes and documented in the Shelby Registry. The racer qualifies for NASA's American Iron Extreme class.
"From the competition brakes to the straight pipes, this fantastic car is worthy of the R-Model designation," stated Amy Boylan, President of Shelby Automobiles. "Working closely with Ford Racing, we engineered a car with the balanced handling, serious power, and spectacular brakes that serious enthusiasts want. And just like the car driven by Jerry Titus in 1965, this Ford Shelby GT R-Model showcases our expertise in an affordable, turnkey package."
"The Shelby name has stood for performance since Carroll began building cars for the track in 1962," added Brian Wolfe, director pf Ford North America Motorsports. "Track day enthusiasts have been asking for a contemporary Shelby and Ford track car for some time, so we at Ford Racing are pleased to team up with Shelby Automobiles to build a handful of very special cars. We look forward to watching them roar past Camaros and Challengers at the track."
A limited number will be built, priced at $134,995. Orders are being accepted by calling Shelby Autos at 702/942-7325.
2009 Ford Shelby GT "R Model" track day car highlights:
* 4.6-liter supercharged V-8 producing an estimated 550-horsepower
* 6-speed manual transmission with GT500 clutch, Ford Racing short-throw shifter and 3.73:1 gears
* Grand-Am spec roll cage
* Upgraded cooling system including differential and transmission coolers
* Shelby performance side exhaust system
* Lightweight production chassis with tuned suspension tuning including new springs,
* Shelby-designed 18-inch wheels with racing tires
* Racing brakes with front brake cooling ducts
* Unique grill featuring classic Shelby ‘R Model’ design
* Shelby lettering across the front edge of hood and rear decklid, Shelby badges on the quarter panels
* Carbon fiber rear racing wing with billet stanchions and carbon fiber splitter
* White with silver stripes livery and racing mirrors
* Carroll Shelby autograph on each car and official Shelby "R Model" dash plate