Cobra GT500

2005 Ford Mustang GT Road Test Macleans, Canada

Some things just don’t need a lot of deep, introspective thought to be figured out. Take the new Mustang Convertible, for
You wouldn’t have needed a marketing degree to have figured out that the new Mustang Convertible was going to be a number one hit. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)
instance. Do you need a degree in marketing to figure out whether or not it’s going to be a number one hit? Hardly!

The sexy new drop-top is priced lower than some compact cars, seats four comfortably, includes a powerful V6 in base trim and a rumbling V8 when the GT badge replaces the pony on the faux gas cap at the rear of the car, plus most importantly, it looks fabulous!

I had the opportunity to test a few examples out for myself during a road and
I had the opportunity to test a few Mustangs out for myself during a road and track event in la belle province on a warm spring day recently. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)
track event in la belle province on a warm spring day recently, and despite roads that appeared to have previously suffered through a cruise missile offensive it responded with grace and composure.

The first car at my disposal was a nicely upgraded V6 model, sporting a conservative coat of gray metallic paint and a rather spicy hot-red leather interior - call it the Belinda Stronach edition. Unlike Ms. Stronach, however, the sporty Mustang convertible managed to keep going in the same direction when opportunistic winding roads lay ahead, never once threatening me with a twitchy rear end when pushing the handling envelope.

Technorati Tags: Ford Mustang GT, Mustang Convertible, V8

Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 Joins Steeda Mustangs.

Steeda Autosports Camp Steeda and SVTOA Celebrate Weekend of Ford Power

Sunshine, great cars on and off the track, and a little bit of history written this past April 23rd weekend as Steeda Autosports of Pompano Beach Florida hosted its annual Camp Steeda/SVTOA (SVT Owners Association) Sebring Sensation at historic Sebring Raceway Park.

While no official track record was broken, over 120 Ford performance vehicles registered and turned laps at the 3.7-mile Sebring circuit, making the event one of Steedas largest and most successful ever.

This Ford-only special occasion featured a car show jam packed with Mustangs, trucks and Foci (Focus), as well as performance vendor exhibits, on-track driving instruction and a myriad of get-togethers.

The largest social gathering of the event was a Saturday night banquet sponsored by Trader Publications Mustang and Ford Trader magazine, a book for the assisting Ford enthusiasts shop for older, collectable or specialty vehicles and parts.

After the sold out banquet, Ford Motor Companys new SVT Chief Engineer Jay OConnell made a stellar presentation that left no doubt that hes the right man for the job at SVT. Jay shared his personal history of automotive design and competition with all in attendance - a series of rather impressive accomplishments.

Following Jay was the raffle and auction, and with this another record was set as roughly three times the number of prizes seen in previous years were raffled off, all donated by Steeda and its marketing partners. A highlight of the auction was the opportunity to do hot laps in Fords GT40 supercar, with all proceeds going to benefit the Big Brothers / Big Sisters charity.

On Friday, Fords chief engineer of the all new 2005 Mustang, Hau Tai Tang spoke at the Vendor Meet & Greet, and in so doing shared his insiders view of what lies ahead for Ford performance enthusiasts, including the exciting all new Sport Trac Adrenalin (see automotive news section for Mar 21, 2005: Ford to Spice Up New York Auto Show with Sport Trac Adrenalin Concept).

Of course, cars were the stars of this event, both in the show and on the track. David Siegel of Total Mustang Supply rode herd on the car show crowd, where a handsome collection of cars and trucks were on display, and the judges were astute enough to differentiate between a little tire smut on the fenders, fresh from an on-track excursion and a vehicle that was just dirty. The showcase opportunity was also put to good use by Ford - they had a yellow GT on hand for the event, and when the red Shelby GT 500 arrived on Saturday, the SVT display was SRO as folks young and old got to look at, in and under the prototype, scheduled for delivery in the 07 model year (see Ford within the concept car or prototype section of this site: 2005 Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 Concept).

Classroom instruction was held for drivers on all levels, with in-car instruction on the track for novices as well, all coordinated by the SVTOA. For the hardcore performance enthusiast, it doesnt get any better than this - you, and your Ford, running at speed on the open road course. Steedas Roger Leeper attempted to calculate the “smilage” at the event, but it proved futile as the enjoyment was multiplied, lap after lap.

Professional race drivers Lance Stewart and Charles Espenlaub were also on hand, giving enthusiasts, SVTOA members and Steeda employees rides in the #20 Steeda Q400R, 95 Steeda Cobra R (the first production Mustang to win a professional road race in 20 years), and the 93 Steeda Cobra R (the Cobra used by Ford Engineering and Steeda to develop brakes for the 1993 Cobra R program).

Technorati Tags: Ford Shelby Cobra GT500, Steeda Autosports Camp Steeda, Sebring Raceway Park

World’s First 10-Second 2005 Mustang GT
Via musclemustangfastfords.com:

MM&FF, JPC Racing: The World’s First 10-Second, 2005 Mustang GT

On March 30, the 10-second barrier was broken down with a three-valve-equipped 2005 Mustang GT owned by Justin Burcham. MM&FF teamed up with JPC Racing to work with several manufacturers, including DiabloSport, C&L Performance and Zex Nitrous Systems, to produce the first 10-second ’05 Mustang GT. The car ran 11.90s without nitrous and with a hit of juice it stopped the clocks in only 10.99 seconds at 119 mph at a private MM&FF test session. Please check the August issue of MM&FF for a full write up and detailed account on how Justin’s street legal ’05 ran in the 10s.

Technorati Tags: 10-Second 2005 Mustang GT, 2005 Mustang GT

Texas firm’s Shelby car goes for $550,800 at auction

By TERRY BOX / The Dallas Morning News

Unique Performance of Farmers Branch, the company that created the Eleanor Mustang and the late 1960s Shelby GT 500, recently sold its first GT 500E convertible for a record $550,800.

The car was auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction, and the winning bid was submitted by a well-known collector who asked not to be identified,

Unique Performance

The Shelby GT 500E convertible was built by Unique Performance of Farmers Branch, Texas.
Barrett-Jackson auctions are some of the most prestigious collectible car venues in the U.S. The Arizona auction even spawned a cable television show.

The new car resembles the Eleanor Mustang, a replica of the customized 1967 Mustang GT 500 in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds. It was built by Unique for Carroll Shelby, the iconic creator of the GT 500 as well as the Shelby Cobra.

The car sold at Barrett-Jackson was titled as a 1968 GT 500E convertible, and the bid was the most for any 1967 or ‘68 Shelby convertible, officials with Unique Performance said.

Some of the proceeds were donated to the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation.

“Collectors realized that this was an extremely collectible Shelby and started a bidding war,” said Doug Hasty, president and chief executive of Unique Performance. “With all of the beautiful and important vehicles at this year’s Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction, we were very flattered that the GT 500E convertible was this popular.”

The GT 500E convertible was powered by a modern all-aluminum V8 with 525 horsepower.

Craig Jackson, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co., said Barrett-Jackson has auctioned off all of the first models of Unique’s Shelby continuation cars, and each has fetched a record price.

“Shelby vehicles continue to attract collectors because they offer spectacular performance, sizzling good looks and exclusivity,” he said.

Technorati Tags: Eleanor Mustang, Shelby GT 500, GT 500E convertible, Shelby GT 500E convertible, 1967 Mustang GT 500, Carroll Shelby

http://cars.ign.com/articles/611/611291p1.html

Technorati Tags: new Mustang, Shelby Cobra GT 500

Cobra GT 500 Photo

Technorati Tags: Cobra GT 500 Photo