2019 GT350 Upgrades: Tech, Aerodynamics and Other GT500 Track Improvements

[blk2017]

Did you import it from the states or did you buy from a dealer in the EU?

I think what you meant to say above is that Ford didn’t “officially” sell Shelby’s in Europe. There are a number of ways as mentioned above to get one though. US Military is one way (if you are military). There are also a number of US car importers like Geiger in Munich. I imported it myself. I am an American that moved over here in 2000. Had major problems getting it through the German TÜV which is responsible for safety. Ended up taking it to a shop that specializes in meeting the EU safety regulations. Thus the headlight washers as Caballus observed. Ended up saving a ton of money doing it myself except for the TÜV stuff. Custom plates are easy to get and only cost < 20 Euro extra. When you register the car they ask if you want a specific number letter combination. Has to follow a given format though. 1-3 letter city designation (BS in the case) and then up to 5 (I believe) letters and numbers. Tried GT350 but was already taken. Tried GT35 but also taken. I was limited to 4 digits because you have the option to register for a limited number of months. In my case from April 01 (04) and October 31 (10). So technically, the car does not have a valid registration after Oct 31 thru March 31. Saves on insurance and taxes. Seasonal plates. Ended up taking GT53 :-)

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[Eritas]

I think what you meant to say above is that Ford didn’t “officially” sell Shelby’s in Europe. There are a number of ways as mentioned above to get one though. US Military is one way (if you are military). There are also a number of US car importers like Geiger in Munich. I imported it myself. I am an American that moved over here in 2000. Had major problems getting it through the German TÜV which is responsible for safety. Ended up taking it to a shop that specializes in meeting the EU safety regulations. Thus the headlight washers as Caballus observed. Ended up saving a ton of money doing it myself except for the TÜV stuff. Custom plates are easy to get and only cost < 20 Euro extra. When you register the car they ask if you want a specific number letter combination. Has to follow a given format though. 1-3 letter city designation (BS in the case) and then up to 5 (I believe) letters and numbers. Tried GT350 but was already taken. Tried GT35 but also taken. I was limited to 4 digits because you have the option to register for a limited number of months. In my case from April 01 (04) and October 31 (10). So technically, the car does not have a valid registration after Oct 31 thru March 31. Saves on insurance and taxes. Seasonal plates. Ended up taking GT53 :-)

Correct. I read that they couldn't be sold there (through dealerships) due to differing pedestrian safety and crash standards among other reasons.

 

[blk2017]

Correct. I read that they couldn't be sold there (through dealerships) due to differing pedestrian safety and crash standards among other reasons.

I am fairly sure that it has nothing to do with pedestrian or crash safety. Reason being that the GT is based on the same chassis and it is sold here at the Ford dealers. TÜV has changed since the diesel scandal. They look a lot closer now. I thought that I would get it through the TÜV myself. TÜV North is in Braunschweig. Three issues. Noise – exhaust valve, Yellow blinkers on the rear, and the headlight washers. Basically BS in my opinion except for the yellow blinkers. The exhaust valve issue was solved with an additional muffler that they insisted on where the resonators were. I guess if you look at the positive side, I got a free resonator delete :-) They test sound level 1 meter behind the car and off at a 45 deg angle. They claimed that at 5500 rpm and the exhaust valve open to have measured 140db. Thus I got a mandatory muffler added. I know of other 350’s that don’t have the added muffler though. Rear tail lights I fought hard for. They wanted me to go the clear lens route like the Euro Mustangs have which I refused. Found a guy to replace the red led’s with red and super bright yellow with some rewiring and it passed. Headlight washers were simple. Then there was a long list of exceptions. Also BS since they are saying well it doesn’t meet the EU standard but we will issue you an exception. Each one simply costs xxx Euro’s. But well worth it for this car! It drives the 911 guys up a tree that a Ford just spanked them :-) A lot of guys don’t believe it’s real. I just ask them to google Shelby GT350 and their jaw drops. To fill up the tank right now is almost €80 though…

 

[Eritas]

I think the pedestrian issue was due to the smaller gap between the hood and engine on the GT350. That's why the GTs have much larger hoods.

 

[dwalker]

Cobra projection puddle lamps....

 

[dwalker]

@Topnotch
First picture with the Gurney flap installed on the 2019 spoiler. Not the best one, hoping he posts a close up soon....

 

[Doskiller]

Cobra projection puddle lamps....

Man ...... that is the hot shizzle there, I would love that on my car ........ ;-)

 

[dwalker]

@Topnotch
Another shot of the Gurney Flap installed on a 2019 GT350....

By the way, the regular GT350 on the left is Velocity Blue and the R on the right is Ford Performance Blue.

 

[dwalker]

And another one @Topnotch

 

[dwalker]

A buddy of mine sent me a couple pics from the new GT2 RS and I found this design strikingly similar...

 

[fpa1974]

@Topnotch
Another shot of the Gurney Flap installed on a 2019 GT350....

By the way, the regular GT350 on the left is Velocity Blue and the R on the right is Ford Performance Blue.

So it looks that 2019s are getting the new style deck lids. Are those the new tail lights too ( I cannot tell)?

 

[dwalker]

So it looks that 2019s are getting the new style deck lids. Are those the new tail lights too ( I cannot tell)?

New decklid panels, but still 15-18 tail lights.

 

[JAJ]

I wonder if they fired the guy that put the Porsche lettering on the wing upside down?

Now that I've seen more pictures of the 2019 GT350 rear spoiler, I'm glad I don't have one. It makes the back end look busy and it's kinda got a JDM vibe.

 

[Hack]

I'm hoping the 2019 spoiler is affordable, because I'm ready to swap it out!

 

[torque124]

To me it looks like they decided to create less downforce with the new spoiler, for whatever reason. And the Porsche one might look similar, but it is for a totally different reason; to push air into the engine intake.

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