Shelby to Show 1,000 Horsepower Mustang in New York

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.