This year would have marked Carroll Shelby's 100th birthday. To honor the legacy of its founder, Shelby American is launching a small run of special Centennial Edition Mustangs. A prototype was unveiled last week and the production model will be unveiled at this month's Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale.
“The world is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Carroll Shelby's birth, recounting his many accomplishments,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “Though he had never flown before, he became one of the most skilled pilot instructors in the US Army Air Force. Carroll never took a single management class but created a successful team with some of the most talented drivers, development experts, fabricators and production people in the world. From his wins behind the wheel to his business successes and philanthropic initiatives, Carroll earned every victory.”
The Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustang is based on the 2023 Ford Mustang GT and different from the Super Snake. It comes as either a fastback or convertible with either a manual or automatic transmission. As a post-title program, any stock Ford Mustang color is accepted.
The Centennial Edition Mustang will deliver 750+ horsepower and offer enhanced styling, handling and power. A black Stetson hat, Team Shelby membership and commemorative Shelby Centennial Book are also included with each car.
“This new, limited-edition car celebrates Carroll Shelby and honors his many achievements,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and Chief of R&D. “To properly honor him required us to build a car that was truly born to run. Our new Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustang is a well-balanced car that is far more than just a horsepower upgrade. We also sharpened the handling and enhanced the styling of the world-class 5.0L V8 Mustang GT. It delivers all the performance that Carroll required to have his name on a car. We're so confident that he'd approve that we are throwing in a black Stetson like the one he wore, with each car.”
Only 100 of the 2023 model year sports cars will be built by Shelby American in Las Vegas. A very limited number will be available at official international mod shops. Consumers with a qualifying Ford Mustang GT can arrange to have their cars transformed by Shelby American or an official Shelby mod shop.
Each car includes membership in Team Shelby, the worldwide club Carroll Shelby established in 2008, and will be eligible for documentation in the official Shelby Registry. The package MSRP starts at $49,995, not including the base car. Production kicks off in Las Vegas during the second quarter of 2023. 2023 model year Ford Mustang owners can contact Shelby American about transforming their car into a Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustang.
Each of the Centennial Editions will also include a donation to the Carroll Shelby Foundation.
For some history, Carroll Shelby grew up with modest means in East Texas during the Great Depression. He didn't finish high school and survived some business disappointments. Health problems put an end to his racing career early on, but not before he became the second American driver to win Le Mans overall. He also captured America's first FIA sports car world championship.
Shelby founded Shelby American in 1962. The company says: "his auto manufacturing company changed the perception of American vehicles worldwide. His formula for performance changed the course of the entire automotive industry."
“Carroll never claimed to be an engineer, designer or mechanic,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “He believed he was best at putting people together. From the group of hot rodders he banded together to take on the world's racing elite to the car company and Team Shelby club he founded, Carroll understood that motivated people can achieve almost anything.”
Throughout his lifetime, Shelby also funded charity programs which included establishing the Carroll Shelby foundation to help kids win the race for life. Shelby passed away in 2012 at the age of 89.
Photo Credit: Shelby American.