2007 Ford Shelby GT500

Recalling the legendary 1960s Shelby Mustangs, "classic Le Mans-style" white stripes run full-length over the coupe, but not the convertible. The latter's premium cloth top is the same fabric used on earlier SVT Mustang Cobras, the modern retro Thunderbird, current Jaguars and Ford's other high-end convertibles. The rear view features a classic GT500 spoiler and lower fascia strakes inspired by the Ford GT's integrated rear airflow diffuser.


To mark the collaboration of these two Mustang performance icons, the GT500 wears both Shelby and SVT badging. The fenders sport an updated design of the Cobra, GT500 lettering is prominent in the rocker panel racing stripes, "SHELBY" is prominent on the left side of the rear deck, and a rear center medallion has a Cobra image splitting "Shelby GT500" lettering. The SVT logo adorns the wheel center caps and doorsill plates, and the supercharged V-8 is nicely finished by a pair of "Powered by SVT" cam covers.

Upgraded Cockpit

The interior offers a choice of two colors, charcoal black or black and red, both with leather seating and snake logos embossed in the seat backs. The Shelby GT500 script and Cobra image are repeated on the steering wheel cap. The speedometer and tachometer are swapped left to right to improve the driver's view of the latter, and the gauges wear light faces in keeping with SVT tradition. The aluminum shift knob is complimented by satin aluminum accents instead of the standard Mustang's chrome, and the front seats have added lateral support to help keep driver and passenger comfortably anchored during spirited cornering.


We happened to have our test GT500 convertible during Detroit's famous Woodward Dream Cruise, so we took it there. Reactions to the car—which, without the huge nose-to-tail stripes, is much more subtle than the coupe—ranged from "Wow!" to appreciative smiles from those who knew what it was to "ho-hums" from those who didn't. In Woodward Ave. gridlock creep-and-cruise, it was nearly invisible among the thousands of jaw-dropping musclecars, classics and collectibles on parade. One man in a nicely torqued-up '90s Mustang in the next lane was clearly impressed by our spanking new Shelby. "Whatcha got in there—" he asked? "Uh, supercharged V-8," we cleverly replied. Guess he thought it was a custom job.

Road Rocket

On the open road, this Mustang fairly gallops. Once launched, it pins your butt into the beefed-up seat and rockets through the gears like a fighter jet off a carrier deck, but with much better sounds. The clutch take-up is low-effort and linear, the heavy duty six-speed more precise than expected. Bend it into a hard curve, the suspension takes a set, and the big tires grab asphalt. You may flash back to Parnelli Jones leading a Trans Am race four decades ago.