Can it sell 1,000 of the Shelby 1000 models as the Los Vegas tuner company claims? Place your bets.
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles will host a two-day event that will have will feature a display of significant cars sold under the name of the late Carroll Shelby, an opportunity for fans to film a message about Shelby, a private ceremony, as well as other activities. (See Carroll Shelby – Sports Car Racer and Builder – Dead at 89)
The challenge going forward for both Shelby International and Ford Motor Company is how to remain relevant with a performance car marketing proposition that grows more backward looking as time passes with Shelby’s death?
Starting on 30 May, the Petersen museum will display the first Shelby Cobra, a 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, a selection of Shelby American’s 50th Anniversary vehicles, a Series 1 and other Shelby cars spanning the past 50 years. The cars will be exhibited throughout the facility and will be accessible for viewing as part of general admission.
There will also be restricted events during the memorial. A guest list for an invitation-only service is underway. People involved with Shelby’s interests, from chili cook-offs to aviation, autos, philanthropy and societal groups will be invited. Guest speakers will include Mr. Shelby’s friends.
“Carroll Shelby was a legend in the history of Ford Motor Company,” said Edsel B. Ford II, member of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company. “He was a close personal friend and I will miss him very much. We’re honored to be part of this important tribute celebrating the many contributions and achievements of a true innovator.”
Ford Motor was unable to confirm immediately Edsel’s attendance at the memorial/promotional event. Shelby has been not involved in the daily operations of Carroll Shelby International for several years, of course. Neither would Ford comment on the future of the Shelby brand.
Since Ford is in the process of launching a new Shelby Mustang, the 2013 GT500, and Shelby International just débuted two new cars – Shelby to Show 1,000 Horsepower Mustang in New York – the name will live on for at least another product cycle. The so-called 1000 model has a street legal version said to produce 950 horsepower, and a Shelby 1000 S/C “off-road” track version claimed to have more than 1,100 horsepower.
Both of these politically incorrect pony cars – fitting tribute to the irreverent, bawdy and fast driving Shelby– are derived from the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500. Shelby American uses Ford Motor Company’s 5.4 liter V8 block, but adds new rods, crank and pistons. The stock Ford supercharger is also replaced, and the cooling and exhaust systems modified to handle the additional demands.
A limited production run of Shelby 1000s will be built – it is hoped, according to a hyperventilating or optimistic press release. The street package for the Shelby 1000 starts at $149,995 and the track S/C version starts at $154,995, not including, ahem, the price of the base GT500. A completed Shelby 1000 should be about $200 large, as in $200,000 dollars.
It should be noted though, that Ferrari – a man whose legendary racing cars Shelby beat on the track as a driver, car owner and maker – has thrived under Fiat ownership long after Enzo’s death.
