Anyone get a Ford invite?

[9secondko]

You do realize it was for the naming rights only right? Shelby American had no input in the S550 Shelby’s. That was all Ford Performance (now Ford Racing). The engineers are not the problem at Ford…

he did specify that the money was for the name.
He just added the performance bit after for an exclamation point I suppose.

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[MAGS1]

he did specify that the money was for the name.
He just added the performance bit after for an exclamation point I suppose.

I suppose, but he’s not correct on the performance piece of it. It was inferred in his post that SA could teach the Ford engineers a thing or two about performance when in fact it was Ford engineers who designed and built the S550 Shelby’s and the current DH and DH SC. That’s more what I was getting at.

 

[ShelbyGT350]

From an actual marketing perspective, yes it would’ve been worth the money to renew that Shelby license. Someone (or multiple someone’s) were obviously ready to move on from Shelby. At some point, the Shelby name won’t mean much to folks but I don’t think we’re at that point yet. Whether there is a direct correlation to current sales and the removal of the Shelby name is unclear. Given rising costs of everything and uncertainty abound, I don’t think that’s the sole reason DH SC sales are sluggish (potentially, since there are no actual sales figures yet). The car itself appears to be fantastic and while the changes may not be wholesale, there are a lot of upgrades in some keys areas as Tob alluded to earlier.

We have the 3.0L TT V6 in our Explorer ST, it scoots, especially in a 4,700lb SUV. Would love to see it in a Mustang, but as you said, it won’t happen because it’s too close to the V8. There’s more than one rumor out there that a larger displacement, NA motor is coming for a Mustang trim yet to be named. If that becomes the standard Mustang V8 for the next generation, that would give Ford the opportunity to use the 3.0L TT V6 next generation as well. Will they do it? Probably not, but we can dream

I could see the 3.0L TT in a Lincoln-version of the Mustang as a coupe with a retractable hard top!

 

[9secondko]

Yes, I understand that. But i"m in the sales and marketing business and Ford's bean counters threw away one of the best marketing tools they had to sell high-performance Mustangs just to that they could save $800 a car and have their own "brand," Dark Horse. Some of the engineering that Ford's done on the Dark Horse (and even the GT's) leaves a lot to be desired. And when in the hell are we EVER going to see a 2.7 or 3.0L TT V6 in a Mustang? Likely never because the brainiacs at Ford think that will bastardize too many V-8 sales away to Ecoboost motors. I own a 2016 EB and at high RPM, that is a COARSE engine, rather than the TT V6 motors which are a lot smoother with more power at a lower RPM range. I also own a M-B GLC43 SUV which has a 3.2L DI/TT motor in it tha puts out 370 HP and it is a WAY better engine and smooth like butter.

the Shelby name will always carry significant weight.

In 2005, Shelby as a company was barely heard of anymore.
But when Ford came out with the GT500, people who knew nothing of Shelby were intrigued and inspired by its connection to Ford racing uk the 60s. It will forever be that way.

the Dark Horse is unfortunately a somewhat soiled brand. It started as the name for the black appearance and then shifted gears.

I think it would have been OK as a standalone model if it didn’t mean discontinuing the Shelby cars and Ford’s higher engineering effort that went hand in hand with them.

it’s a strange forced decision that was clearly not born out of reading the room or any market research whatsoever. It’s more of a personal animosity thing. You get the feeling somebody said something somebody else didn’t like … boom. I want a divorce.

maybe a new, better CEO with influence grts us back on track.

 

[9secondko]

I suppose, but he’s not correct on the performance piece of it. It was inferred in his post that SA could teach the Ford engineers a thing or two about performance when in fact it was Ford engineers who designed and built the S550 Shelby’s and the current DH and DH SC. That’s more what I was getting at.

still, he wasn’t confused about the name being the only thing ford was paying for.
I do agree with the latter. Ford is leagues above Shelby in engineering. All the Shelby’s of modern days were engineered by Ford. Shelby is more of a tuner company today.

But… strangely Shelby has better industrial designers than Ford these days. Just looking at the super snake or gt350 compared to the dark horse sc is enough to make a grown man cry. It used to be Shelby design was hideous and outdated. Now, it’s the reverse.

 

[MAGS1]

still, he wasn’t confused about the name being the only thing ford was paying for.
I do agree with the latter. Ford is leagues above Shelby in engineering. All the Shelby’s of modern days were engineered by Ford. Shelby is more of a tuner company today.

But… strangely Shelby has better industrial designers than Ford these days. Just looking at the super snake or gt350 compared to the dark horse sc is enough to make a grown man cry. It used to be Shelby design was hideous and outdated. Now, it’s the reverse.

The new Super Snakes do look good that’s for sure. The new GT350’s are kinda meh in person unless it has all the aero.

 

[Inthehighdesert]

I think Ford knocked the 500’ and 350’s out of the park, both looks and performance. If I didn’t have 500 I may be in the market for an SC, but I would not pay at adm for that car, and if the adm was brought up I‘d go after a very low mileage one owner Gt500. Especially, where the current pricing is on the SC. What does interest me is the vert SC, I really want another convertible to use with kind of no regard, but I won’t pay an adm for it. Irony being I paid small adm’s on both my R and Cftp, but none on a Gtd. I’m very fortunate, but as cars go I’m pretty content. I can’t speak for others with other brands, but I just don’t have much of an appetite for the European stuff. Beautiful cars, just not my cup of tea.

 

[Jmeo]

I received the invitation and made a reservation. However, I’ve decided to cancel it. The cost is too high, and it would be too inconvenient to fit it into my current schedule. That, and I won’t be selling my 500 SE to purchase one.

Pretty cool to get the invite though.

 

[MAGS1]

I received the invitation and made a reservation. However, I’ve decided to cancel it. The cost is too high, and it would be too inconvenient to fit it into my current schedule. That, and I won’t be selling my 500 SE to purchase one.

Pretty cool to get the invite though.

If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the rate they’re charging for the event?

 

[MAGS1]

I think Ford knocked the 500’ and 350’s out of the park, both looks and performance. If I didn’t have 500 I may be in the market for an SC, but I would not pay at adm for that car, and if the adm was brought up I‘d go after a very low mileage one owner Gt500. Especially, where the current pricing is on the SC. What does interest me is the vert SC, I really want another convertible to use with kind of no regard, but I won’t pay an adm for it. Irony being I paid small adm’s on both my R and Cftp, but none on a Gtd. I’m very fortunate, but as cars go I’m pretty content. I can’t speak for others with other brands, but I just don’t have much of an appetite for the European stuff. Beautiful cars, just not my cup of tea.

I’m not a big vert guy but I’m glad they’re offering it for the SC. That was one of the complaints I heard with the S550 GT500, no convertible offering. And the no manual offering of course, but the DCT is a better fit for that car.

I’m with you on the Euro offerings. Some beautiful cars and some high performers, but there’s just something about the American V8’s. Although Toyota’s 5.0L sounds damn good.

 

[Jmeo]

If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the rate they’re charging for the event?

It's no cost for the event with the invite. Airfare, hotel and everything else make a little costly for me.

 

[MAGS1]

It's no cost for the event with the invite. Airfare, hotel and everything else make a little costly for me.

Got it. Probably not worth the expense if you don’t have an interest in purchasing the car. Hopefully a few folks here go so we can hear how the SC stacks up against the 500

 

[Ninjak]

The Darkhorse was named because it was a winner that no one saw coming. The "Darkhorse" of the race. That is where the name came from. It just so happens they decided, with the first appearance, to do "Dark" packages.

The 500 and GT350 were good cars, not because of the name, but because of the engineering. The DH is engineered as much as the GT350, minus the flat plane. It is very refined and, set up right, will do wonders at the track, the same as the GT350. Has the manual to boot, even.

Love my DH, and I will put my build against any setup. GT500, GT350, DHSC, SOA Shelby, Camaro, or any others out there.

 

[vnumos.gt350]

I didn’t get an invite, but I would love the opportunity to go. I’m curious to see how the SC really stacks up and compares to the various special mustangs I’ve been able to experience. I imagine the magneride damping and additional technology learned since the GT500 development might be a big leap. I drove a normal Dark Horse around Charlotte in the racing school class and was very impressed with the handling dynamics of it. It felt easier to go fast around a track than my GT350 due to the revised damping. I wonder if there’s someone from Ford I can reach out to to see if I could get a track tour invite. For those who got invitations but are not doing it, is there any information on the email that would be of help that I could reach out to to see if I could do it? If at all possible, please PM me any information. If they offered paid classes, I’d even do that! It’s pretty awesome they are offering the track tour program. While it’s no Shelby, I’m sure the SC is a worthy successor. Like most of you, I just wish it was cheaper!

 

[Thomas]

What I would really love to see, is either the SC on Cup 2's or the GT500 on the new FR spec Cup 2 R's on the same, day, same driver on the same course (ideally one that actually maximizes the SC changes) to know how much all the non-tire improvements made.

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