“Sixty years ago, the Shelby GT350 marked a new chapter in performance and motorsports history,” explained Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American.
“It was Shelby’s first model based on the Ford Mustang, the perfect follow-up to the ground-breaking Shelby Cobra. Shelby American poured its performance expertise into the 1965 Mustang, turning it into an iconic international sports car. We followed the same strategy for 2025 and collaborated with industry leaders to create this very special Shelby car.”
First, the street version, the GT350: Without getting too far into details, Shelby explained it “tuned and upgraded the car’s suspension, exhaust, styling, and other elements for enhanced street driving experience.” The spec sheet provides a little more detail, saying it gets:
- Shelby by Borla cat-back exhaust and tips
- Front and rear lowering springs
- Front and rear sway bars
- Short throw shifter (manual only)
- 20″ X 9.5″ (front) 20″ X 11″ (rear) flow forged alloy wheels
- Shelby spec performance tires
The naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine has been fine-tuned and improved to produce 480 horsepower, while the supercharged version produces an astounding 810 horsepower. According to explained that these power figures are predicated on using US 93-octane fuel. This is the most information that is currently accessible about the engine specifications; it is hoped that more information will be revealed in the future.
While the 810-horsepower model is only available with a manual gearbox, the 480-horsepower model can be paired with either an automatic or manual gearbox. The supercharged GT350’s price, which includes the car itself, is $109,999. This is the only pricing information that has been made public so yet.
Under that Mustang’s exterior, a lot is happening.
Shelby received assistance because there is a lot going on underneath that Mustang’s exterior.
“The R model cars will be built in Michigan in collaboration with Turn Key Automotive/Motorsports, which has a long history in American performance and racing,” Shelby American explained. “The company has extensive experience in performance parts, racing, and low-volume niche programs, and provides the expertise, parts, services, and support to take a project from rendering to reality.”
Turn Key owner Rich Rinke explained, “We are excited to assist Shelby by bridging the connection between consumer and racing. For those who have track experience, the Shelby GT350R offers a high level of performance in a street-legal package.”
The GT350R’s MSRP will be revealed soon, but it seems like you could drive it around your preferred racecourse all day.
“While the Shelby GT350 street car is civilized enough for a daily commute, the Shelby GT350R was built for the serious weekend track warrior,” explained Vince LaViolette, senior designer and vice president of operations at Shelby American. “Embracing the character of the 1965 competition model Shelby, our focus was on lightening the car, sharpening the performance, and keeping it cool on the road course.”
A total of 562 Shelby GT350s, including the R variants, will be produced in 2025 in a way reminiscent of the original production 60 years ago. Street vehicle assembly is scheduled to start in the second quarter, and Shelby-approved Ford dealers will sell the vehicles in the US.
Additionally, a small number of street vehicles will be built by Shelby modification shops and distributors worldwide. Furthermore, Shelby American will sell 36 Shelby GT350R vehicles directly, matching the quantity manufactured in 1965.
In collaboration with Turn Key Automotive/Motorsports, Shelby is set to create a Trans Am specification race car, with intentions to officially participate in the 2026 racing season. In a meaningful tribute to the past, Jack Rinke, a Development Engineer at Turn Key who contributed to the Shelby GT350R, plans to compete in the 2026 season. “We are profoundly honored by the legacy and our connection to Ken Miles and the Carroll Shelby narrative,” Jack Rinke explained.
Topics #High-Performance Cars #Muscle Cars #Shelby GT350R
