Is it possible to sell 1,000 of the Shelby 1000 models as the Los Vegas tuner claims? Place your bets.
Shelby American will introduce its 1000 model at the New York Auto Show next week, starting with the street legal version said to produce 950 horsepower. There is also a Shelby 1000 S/C “off-road” track version claimed to have more than 1,100 horsepower.
Both of these blatantly irresponsible or politically incorrect pony cars – your choice – 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.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Great web site. Hope all is well and look forward to seeing you at some event in the future.