New Shelby American GT350

[WItoTX]

I think if that's what they were trying to target, or if that's what their buyers wanted, they would. They'd also send out a test car to the magazines or invite them to the track to drive one vs a stock Mustang, or Dark Horse, or 1LE Camaro or whatever. But they don't.

It's a wonder that the big magazines don't review those cars or publish numbers for them.

One of the rare times I can remember is the 2015 SuperSnake. Back then it was only a $50k package!

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/road-tests/a26666/shelby-super-snake-road-test/

Again, it appears they just throw parts at the car and there's no actual testing or tuning.

The review basically talks about the mysterious lack of power, precarious handling, and even with 400 more horsepower and wizard tires, it couldn't beat a stock Boss 302 around the race track. And let's not forget that as great as the Boss 302 was, it got smoked by almost 10 seconds by a 2018 Mustang GT PP2 in the Car and Driver Lightning Lap.

In all fairness, Ford did the same thing. The difference was they have a ton more money to blow on R&D than Shelby.

But yes, these 350/R's from Shelby are absolutely built for the masses. When one of your lines is "Shelby... and tuned the suspension to ensure the car is as comfortable on daily drives as it is on track days."

One of those things can happen, Only one. So it's either good on track, or good on road. And guess which market is bigger...

Sponsored

 

[Skeptic14]

Nope.

Different strokes for different folks, but it's hard to imagine choosing to spend 100k on that.

 

[Ewheels]

There is a lot more than this that goes into making a Shelby American car than the brochures tell you.

If this is true, then they need to hire a new marketing guy.

 

[Bikeman315]

If this is true, then they need to hire a new marketing guy.

Marketing only unlocks the door and turns on the light. I believe that anyone with a real interest in purchasing one of these cars is going to do their due diligence before forking over $110k plus. It’s only us forum keyboard warriors that seems to enjoy tearing down Shelby and its cars. Actually we take pleasure in beating down anything that doesn’t meet our expectations. Just look at the negativity in regards to the S550, S650, Ecoboost, Bullitt, Mach 1, Darkhorse, and so on and so on. Strangely the only cars that are not regularly demonized are the Shelby’s (GT350/500)

 

[honeybadger]

If this is true, then they need to hire a new marketing guy.

true that - My first thought was "then what in the hell is better? because it does just looked a blower, lowering springs and some fiberglass glued to the car."

You know, the original GT350 was very track focused and the GT500 was focused on the strip. It's wild that they're calling an 830 hp, wide-bodied mustang a track day car. Even if they can keep it cool and it performs, it's consumables will be so expensive that no one tracks them.

 

[honeybadger]

Marketing only unlocks the door and turns on the light. I believe that anyone with a real interest in purchasing one of these cars is going to do their due diligence before forking over $110k plus. It’s only us forum keyboard warriors that seems to enjoy tearing down Shelby and its cars. Actually we take pleasure in beating down anything that doesn’t meet our expectations. Just look at the negativity in regards to the S550, S650, Ecoboost, Bullitt, Mach 1, Darkhorse, and so on and so on. Strangely the only cars that are not regularly demonized are the Shelby’s (GT350/500)

Well, from the reception - they're not unlocking the door and turning on the light for many people. Most folks love Pagani, koenigsegg, etc. and will never purchase one. At a minimum, I think its safe to say their marketing sucks. If the cars really are worth the money and have more development in them, their marketing isn't conveying that.

 

[IPOGT]

Marketing only unlocks the door and turns on the light. I believe that anyone with a real interest in purchasing one of these cars is going to do their due diligence before forking over $110k plus. It’s only us forum keyboard warriors that seems to enjoy tearing down Shelby and its cars. Actually we take pleasure in beating down anything that doesn’t meet our expectations. Just look at the negativity in regards to the S550, S650, Ecoboost, Bullitt, Mach 1, Darkhorse, and so on and so on. Strangely the only cars that are not regularly demonized are the Shelby’s (GT350/500)

My car is demonized? Who knew? Better question.. Who cares.
Besides, it can’t be a Demon because it isn’t a Dodge.

 

[rush0024]

The people over at Ford Performance....



It's a cool car. But is it a special car? The 6th Gen GT350 was a special car, and the GT350 name carries a very high bar.

 

[Ewheels]

Marketing only unlocks the door and turns on the light. I believe that anyone with a real interest in purchasing one of these cars is going to do their due diligence before forking over $110k plus. It’s only us forum keyboard warriors that seems to enjoy tearing down Shelby and its cars. Actually we take pleasure in beating down anything that doesn’t meet our expectations. Just look at the negativity in regards to the S550, S650, Ecoboost, Bullitt, Mach 1, Darkhorse, and so on and so on. Strangely the only cars that are not regularly demonized are the Shelby’s (GT350/500)

Well they certainly need to change something within their business model then.
From what I can see, their target audience is people who have money to burn who know absolutely nothing about cars nor what else is available in the market.

When I hear "Shelby" I think of Carrol Shelby and racing and sticking it to Ferrari. What Shelby American is pushing out of Vegas is comparatively offensive.
If their astronomically over-priced cars are as special as you claim them to be, then they desperately need better marketing. They should be inviting every automotive journalist they can reach to come test their cars. Luckily as @robvas linked from Motortrend, people have tested these Shelby cars and guess what.....they are trash.

 

[RNM]

Well they certainly need to change something within their business model then.
From what I can see, their target audience is people who have money to burn who know absolutely nothing about cars nor what else is available in the market.

When I hear "Shelby" I think of Carrol Shelby and racing and sticking it to Ferrari. What Shelby American is pushing out of Vegas is comparatively offensive.
If their astronomically over-priced cars are as special as you claim them to be, then they desperately need better marketing. They should be inviting every automotive journalist they can reach to come test their cars. Luckily as @robvas linked from Motortrend, people have tested these Shelby cars and guess what.....they are trash.

Be careful now, no need to offend the GT350 S650 fan boys.

 

[Ewheels]

Be careful now, no need to offend the GT350 S650 fan boys.

There is no S650 GT350. Unless it's sold from Ford, it doesn't count. Even the originals were sold through Ford dealerships.

 

[MAGS1]

Well they certainly need to change something within their business model then.
From what I can see, their target audience is people who have money to burn who know absolutely nothing about cars nor what else is available in the market.

When I hear "Shelby" I think of Carrol Shelby and racing and sticking it to Ferrari. What Shelby American is pushing out of Vegas is comparatively offensive.
If their astronomically over-priced cars are as special as you claim them to be, then they desperately need better marketing. They should be inviting every automotive journalist they can reach to come test their cars. Luckily as @robvas linked from Motortrend, people have tested these Shelby cars and guess what.....they are trash.

I don’t know that I’d call them trash (well, maybe the Super Snake vert that cracked, that’s no good and R&D would’ve/should’ve shown that weakness early on). SA products are geared towards a very targeted market. People that want the CSM or want certain features that are Shelby exclusive (widebody package as one example). As far as performance features, yeah they’re not doing something that someone can’t do with a blower and a tune. But the Shelby name does still carry some weight and there’s value to the CSM to a certain part of the market.

As others have mentioned, what SA is doing now isn’t all that different than what they did back in the 60’s. The difference is there is much more of an aftermarket now than there used to be, so people can do the same (or better) on their own or with the tuner of their choice. And usually at a significantly lower price.

 

[MAGS1]

There is no S650 GT350. Unless it's sold from Ford, it doesn't count. Even the originals were sold through Ford dealerships.

Super Snakes are sold via dealerships. Don’t be surprised if some of these are ordered by dealerships as well. Probably not the R’s, since those are being limited to 36 units.

 

[IPOGT]

It’s SA’s car not Fords. They can do whatever they want. If you don’t like it, don’t buy one. Apologize in advance for being blunt, but really.

 

[robvas]

I honestly don't know how they sold a single super snake in GT500 was being made from 2020 to 22

almost double the price for a car that's worse in every measurable way?

Sponsored