New Shelby American GT350

[Bikeman315]

Since he’s referencing the original 60’s cars, yes that is correct. The GT350 was the lighter track car and the GT500 was the sledgehammer. That has remained mostly true since

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[MAGS1]

Sure, the 500 usually got the larger engine. But for the car in the post he quoted (2011 GT350, the car in the picture) it wasn't true that year

he mentioned the 2015 GT350 and of course there was no 500 that year

No but both GT350 and GT500 existed for S550 and both were produced together for 1 year in 2020

 

[robvas]

No but both GT350 and GT500 existed for S550 and both were produced together for 1 year in 2020

True.

the question remains....who has the rights to the GT500 name right now, SA or Ford?

 

[DopamineQuest]

It used to be low power and set up for road racing, but a few gens it just meant wheels and stickers, then it was unreliable but great looking “car show capable”

Now it’s a blown coyote, suspension AND stickers and body mods… so… pretty much this is the cream of the crop for GT350 historians like yourself

it’s never been available with a stronger engine, nicer interior or better transmission (10R80) and you get the bespoke body parts

which leads the the 110K price tag, I would expect them all to be spoken for and plan on HUGE ADM’s…
It’s just a complete home run

This guy has to be a bot or troll, right?

 

[robvas]

This guy has to be a bot or troll, right?

Not sure. There are a couple people that really like this new GT500 despite the cost or lack of improvements.

 

[MAGS1]

True.

the question remains....who has the rights to the GT500 name right now, SA or Ford?

From what some others who are more on the know have said, Ford did not renew the licensing for the Shelby name for use on S650. So it’s all Shelby American for S650. Not sure if they can change their minds at some point during the S650 run, but for now Ford does not have it

 

[DopamineQuest]

True.

the question remains....who has the rights to the GT500 name right now, SA or Ford?

My guess is, if they let the 350 moniker go, the 500 is going as well. It's the Dork Horse and ipad interior era, I don't think zoomers care about the Shelby name...

And I don't think Ford cares as much about making special cars anymore, just look how lazy the s650 refresh was and what a failure it's been.

 

[MAGS1]

My guess is, if they let the 350 moniker go, the 500 is going as well. It's the Dork Horse and ipad interior era, I don't think zoomers care about the Shelby name...

And I don't think Ford cares as much about making special cars anymore, just look how lazy the s650 refresh was and what a failure it's been.

I do agree their approach to S650 seems lazy. It seems what they’re trying to do is move on from historical nameplates and try to create new ones. Dark Horse is a good example. They could’ve easily used the Boss or Mach nameplate, but they chose something different. Wouldn’t be surprised if that continues to hold true for whatever variant Ford rolls out next

Edit: that said, S650 is still a good car, I’ve driven a few. There’s just not that big leap from S550 to S650 like there was from S197 to S550

 

[Inthehighdesert]

Ford has always been pretty conservative with what they do as far as out of the box goes, especially compared to GM. That said, I don’t know that Ford got lazy with the s650 refresh. For me they simply picked the wrong designer. He had pretty much zero experience with american cars. Background was european and asian. Not giving Ford a pass at all , was a horrible decision. Almost like dei hit the design studio. The marketing side for Ford is lacking as well. Its in plain view here next to GM, Cadillac, and Corvette. GM did it right here. It’s ironic becuase the s650 is represented very well among the different series and class’s here.

My guess is, if they let the 350 moniker go, the 500 is going as well. It's the Dork Horse and ipad interior era, I don't think zoomers care about the Shelby name...

And I don't think Ford cares as much about making special cars anymore, just look how lazy the s650 refresh was and what a failure it's been.

 

[robvas]

Have they shown anything like the FP800S recently?

if they aren't showing any concept cars it makes me worry there isn't anything new in the works

Let us see something that will start some rumors about a Dark Horse 2, return of a Cobra, a new Mach 1.....

I hope we get more than this RTR crap

 

[Inthehighdesert]

It really reminds of when they tried to scrap the mustang for the probe, not quite as extreme but definitley someone pushing we need another direction. Simple answer should have been no we don’t, there’s the door. Even an s550 2.0 would have been received well, because the s650 just isn’t it. The darkhorse doesn’t flow at all to me in person. The wheel choice is horrible. The color is really cool though. They dropped the ball stylistically big time.

I do agree their approach to S650 seems lazy. It seems what they’re trying to do is move on from historical nameplates and try to create new ones. Dark Horse is a good example. They could’ve easily used the Boss or Mach nameplate, but they chose something different. Wouldn’t be surprised if that continues to hold true for whatever variant Ford rolls out next

Edit: that said, S650 is still a good car, I’ve driven a few. There’s just not that big leap from S550 to S650 like there was from S197 to S550

 

[DopamineQuest]

Have they shown anything like the FP800S recently?

if they aren't showing any concept cars it makes me worry there isn't anything new in the works

Let us see something that will start some rumors about a Dark Horse 2, return of a Cobra, a new Mach 1.....

I hope we get more than this RTR crap

Yea I'll never understand the RTR stuff

 

[MAGS1]

It really reminds of when they tried to scrap the mustang for the probe, not quite as extreme but definitley someone pushing we need another direction. Simple answer should have been no we don’t, there’s the door. Even an s550 2.0 would have been received well, because the s650 just isn’t it. The darkhorse doesn’t flow at all to me in person. The wheel choice is horrible. The color is really cool though. They dropped the ball stylistically big time.

I don’t mind the design of the DH now that I’ve actually seen one in person. There’s a few misses for sure. CF wheel design could be better but I do like the split Y, 10 spoke design they use on the HP. Blue Ember is a cool color, though not my first choice (I’m kinda done with dark colors for now). The screens aren’t bad and don’t get in the way when driving, but they could be integrated a lot better IMO. Maybe a mid cycle refresh changes a few things for the better? Overall not a bad car at all, they just missed in a few areas

 

[Bikeman315]

Yea I'll never understand the RTR stuff

Why do we need to understand it? While the Camaro and Challenger as we knew them are history we still have our Mustang. Instead of the continual bashing of these new cars how about we just embrace and enjoy them. If you like them enough to buy them, great, go ahead. If you do not, just let them pass by.

And as far as the S650, guys wake up already. What we got, regardless of its shortfalls, is far better than what the Chevy and Dodge guy got. The S650 is not a beginning, its and end. See it for what it is and stop bitching already.

 

[Bikeman315]

I don’t mind the design of the DH now that I’ve actually seen one in person. There’s a few misses for sure. CF wheel design could be better but I do like the split Y, 10 spoke design they use on the HP. Blue Ember is a cool color, though not my first choice (I’m kinda done with dark colors for now). The screens aren’t bad and don’t get in the way when driving, but they could be integrated a lot better IMO. Maybe a mid cycle refresh changes a few things for the better? Overall not a bad car at all, they just missed in a few areas

There are the hundred things that could have been better. There are also things that could have been worse. For instance, No V8, No manual transmission, No Mustang. We got what we got.

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