Photo from MotorTrend

• Ford Shelby GT Mustang wins the coveted “Pony Expressed" comparison test in the April 2008 issue of Motor Trend
• Three vehicles from various manufacturers competed for top honors in the comparison challenge.
• Shelby and Mustang – An unbeatable combination for balanced performance at a great price

Team Shelby – Shelby and Ford once again proved to be a winning combination when Motor Trend announced the champion of its “Pony Expressed” comparison test in its April 2008 issue. When the 2008 Ford Shelby GT Mustang was challenged on the basis of performance and value, the Shelby GT smoked the competition from Roush and Saleen. The 2008 Shelby GT is built by Shelby Automobiles, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., (CSBI.PK) and sold through Ford dealers across the United States.

“The Shelby GT is a well-balanced, fun to drive machine that draws upon our experience of making Mustangs go faster,” said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Autos. “Every lesson we learned while earning our stripes over the past 40 years is built into these ponycars. I’m proud that the Ford Shelby GT has earned another victory for both Team Shelby and every Ford Shelby owner.”

Motor Trend assembled a normally aspirated Mustang from Shelby, Roush and Saleen for their test. All of the cars had to be base models with optional upgraded wheel/tire packages and brakes. The cars were put through their paces on the street, strip and road course.

“Our idea was to round up Mustangs from the three companies with strong factory ties to Ford,” stated Matt Stone, Executive Editor of Motor Trend. “Saleen has been producing modified Mustangs for nearly 25 years. Jack Roush’s connection to Ford began with drag racing several decades ago. And Carroll Shelby’s involvement with the Blue Oval needs no introduction. While all three outfits have high buck, supercharged offerings atop their lineups, we focused on the more affordable, naturally aspirated models in order to get a feel for what can be done with the Mustang GT without spending a fortune.”

Once the smoke cleared, the Shelby was firmly in the winner’s circle. The car posted the best time in the figure 8, had the best lateral acceleration, was the fastest to 80 MPH and the lightest in the group. Motor Trend lauded the Shelby GT for its crisp turn-in, fade-free brakes, responsive throttle and tenacious grip. The editors also declared the Shelby GT’s looks as the most striking. Its dyno test showed that the Shelby actually made more horsepower and substantially more torque than the company advertises.


Photo from MotorTrend

“These three players were similar in some ways, different in others, which is interesting since they all are based on the same car,” noted Stone. “Besides our usual round of track tests, we put them on a dyno, to verify horsepower and performance claims. While the Roush and Saleen each had a few standout features, we felt the Shelby GT was the most cohesive package, delivering the best combination of components, style and bang for buck.”

Shelby Autos has been a performance leader since founder Carroll Shelby began building cars in 1962. The company builds a limited number of 427 and 289 Cobra component cars; customers may choose from contemporary Ford Mustang models like the Shelby GT, Shelby GT500 and the Shelby GT500KR King of the Road. Post title packages include the Shelby GT500 Super Snake and Terlingua Racing Team.

“The Shelby Team builds cars for real enthusiasts,” added Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Autos. “Each vehicle is designed to be a fun, well-engineered car that is distinctive and exclusive. That’s why the Cobra continues to be the most emulated car in the world today. And the low volume 2008 Shelby GT is the rarest of pre-title Ford Shelby Mustangs, yet offers muscle car fans tremendous value.”

 

That's pretty cool.I really like the Shelby GT's.Very simple,but yet dressed to kill.

 

Thats sweet!!!

 

Heres another picture.

 

Well I can vouch for the ford racing handling package they put on the shelby GTs. I had it installed on my regular GT and its like night and day. Especially with the nitto's (255 front / 285 rear). Almost no nose dive now and very little body roll.

 

My car does not dive either, mind you I do not drive mine

 

I would like to get my hands on a white one with silver lemans stripes to drive the hell out of!!! But i would still keep her tip top,and sparklin'!

 

Thats just all the polish you put on weighing it down. Its so low it couldn't dive even if it wanted to. haha just kidding man

 

Wow, thats even a nice color

 

I read the article in newsprint and I was a little disappointed with Saleen's numbers...

I hope they get that issue resolved asap...