The new Shelby GT350 Mustang is easily one of the most exciting cars to come from Ford in decades. Not only is it poised to be one of the most capable road machines to ever wear the Mustang badge, it also represents a huge shift for Ford when it comes to production and equipment. The new 5.2-liter V8 under the hood is Ford’s first production flat-plane crank engine, and the Shelby also marks the first time Ford is using the same style of magnetic suspension found on cars like the Corvette Z06 and Ferrari 458. You will also find the largest set of brakes ever on a production ford resting under those alloy wheels.
As 2015 is the 50th anniversary of the first GT350, Ford wanted to do something special and produce a few of these wild cars for collectors to take home. For the normal GT350 Ford will be building 100 models with 2015 VIN numbers. Half of these are being built with the Technology Package while the other half get the Track Package. for anyone who is looking for the even racier and more hard core GT350R, There will only be 37 of those to wear the date of 2015.
The number 37 was chosen to commemorate the number of original 1965 GT350 competition models. Carroll Shelby claimed that 35 were built, and there were two prototypes.
PRESS RELEASE
- Ford to produce limited run of 2015 Shelby® GT350 to commemorate the nameplate’s 50th anniversary
- 2015 Shelby GT350 comes with a unique 2015 VIN – the envy of Shelby enthusiasts everywhere
- Limited run of 37 Shelby GT350R models to be built in homage to original GT350 competition model of 1965
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Shelby GT350, Ford will build a limited run of Shelby GT350 and GT350R Mustangs for 2015.
The original Shelby GT350, introduced in 1965, established Mustang’s performance credentials on racetracks around the world. The all-new Shelby GT350, featuring the most powerful naturally aspirated Ford production engine ever, re-establishes Mustang as a world-class sports car.
Only 100 Shelby GT350 models will feature a 2015 model year designation before production switches over to 2016. Of these, 50 will be equipped with the Technology Package and 50 equipped with the Track Package.
“Fans of the Shelby brand are among the most passionate in the automotive industry,” said Henry Ford III, Ford Performance marketing manager. “To honor the passion of our fans for Shelby GT350’s 50th anniversary, a limited run of GT350 models will be built in 2015; these cars will be highly coveted by both Mustang and Shelby enthusiasts alike.”
2015 Shelby GT350R: Celebrating 50 years of a pony car legend
In 1965, Carroll Shelby developed and sold an FIA-homologated Mustang called the Shelby GT350 competition model. This race-ready Mustang took to tracks around the world, competing in the most prestigious races and against the stiffest competition there was. In addition to winning the Sports Car Club of America’s B Production national championship in 1965, 1966 and 1967, the car entered races throughout South America and Europe, including the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans.
There is heated debate among Shelby enthusiasts over how many 1965 GT350 competition models were built during the extremely limited production run. While Carroll Shelby insisted two prototype cars and 35 production models were built, most records show only 34 production models received serial numbers from the Shelby production facility.
For 2015, Ford will make sure there is no confusion about the number of GT350R models constructed; 37 cars will be built in Carroll Shelby’s memory.
