The GT500KR was an iconic Mustang from the late 1960s, devised by Carroll Shelby - the performance-minded 'godfather' of the Mustang. In 1968, Shelby had the novel idea of transforming what was then a 'secretary's car' into a fire-breathing machine, capable of dethroning the illustrious Corvette. Nearly forty years later the moniker has been revived, adorning the flanks of what is touted as the most powerful Mustang ever produced.
Like its forebear, the GT500KR builds on the GT500, the car that kicked off the modern line-up of Shelby Mustangs in the 2007 model year as both a coupe and convertible. With an additional 40bhp under its custom-designed carbon-composite bonnet, the Shelby GT500KR is the third high-performance modern Mustang brought to market through the relationship between Ford and Shelby Automobiles.
The 5.4-litre supercharged Ford SVT-developed V8 has been fitted with a Ford Racing 'power upgrade pack', boosting power to an estimated 540bhp and 510lb.ft of torque; realised through advanced ignition timing and an electronic throttle re-map. A cold air intake replaces the stock unit and the Ford Racing-inspired exhaust system is said to sound fearsome.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission with a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, increased from the standard GT500's 3.31:1; gears are summoned through a Ford Racing short-throw shifter making its debut on the 'KR' edition. The new shifter is claimed to be 25 per cent shorter than the unit on the GT500. Ford's SVT unit, Ford Racing and the Shelby team worked together to develop the GT500KR's suspension tuning, which features unique spring rates, dampers, stabiliser bars and a strut tower brace.
Gary Davis, father of the original GT500KR design (and vice president of production and product development for Shelby Automobiles), was charged with creating a modern interpretation of the original's bulging bonnet scoop. Secured by a pair of stainless steel twist-down pins, the aggressive bonnet denotes the added power tucked beneath and is complemented by a composite front valance housing a pair of chrome-trimmed functional brake ducts, required to help cool the enlarged 356mm vented Brembo front discs.
While the show car wears Shelby-designed 20-inch forged and polished aluminium wheels (nicely filling the wheel wells), production models will be fitted with 18-inch versions of the design. GT500KR models will be identified by 40th Anniversary badges on the wings and grille, body-coloured mirror cappings and Shelby lettering across the front of the bonnet and along the rear portion of the boot lid. A special Shelby VIN tag affixed to the engine compartment, leather seating surfaces embroidered with Carroll Shelby's signature in the headrests and an official Shelby CSM 40th Anniversary GT500KR plate mounted at the top of the centre console further differentiate the model.
The Ford Shelby GT500KR is scheduled to appear in the US in spring 2008, with a run of just 1000 units. Given prices on original models selling at auctions like Barrett-Jackson, we're sure they'll quickly sell to collectors.
Eric Gallina - 10 Apr 2007
