18 Actual Mile Assembly Line New Shelby GT500 5.4 Liter

What happens when a performance legend from Dearborn reunites with a performance legend from Texas? You get the Ford Shelby GT500. The collaboration between Shelby and Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) continues to yield an instant collector's Mustang that delivers 500 horsepower from its supercharged 5.4-liter V-8.

A modern interpretation of the big-block Shelby Mustang of the late 1960s, the 2008 Shelby GT500 uses advanced engineering to attain the kind of performance that made it the original the “King of the Road.” With an original goal of 450 horsepower, the engineers at Ford barreled through that self-imposed limit and instead endowed the GT500 with a nice, round 500 horsepower, making it the most powerful production Mustang built to date.

Of course, when it was announced, Mustang and Shelby fans alike started lining up at dealerships across the country, deposits in hand, to snatch up the first run of the new Shelby supercar. A lot of them were driven and enjoyed, but a few savvy buyers knew they had something special and put them away. We are proud to present what might be the only GT500 that has never even been dealer prepped, making it one of the most highly original and untouched examples in the world. If you're going to put one away for the future (and you'd be smart to do so), THIS is the one to save.

Bathed in Performance White with traditional blue stripes, this 2008 Shelby GT500 is a tribute to the first Shelby Mustangs in 1965, which were Wimbeldon White (a little more off-white than the new car). As with all of our fresh-from-the-assembly-line cars, it is as-new in every single way. The 2-stage paint is excellent, and on a $50,000 Mustang, it had better be. Glossy and smooth, with good panel gaps, I think we should all take a moment and be thankful for modern assembly techniques and paint technology, because it's giving us cars that are so nice, they can stand proudly next to hand-built restored pieces. A sinister-looking front-end design includes wide upper and lower fascia openings with a functional lower air splitter. The upper grille opening sports the famous Cobra logo, floating off-center in place of a centered galloping pony found on other Mustangs. On either side, slanting headlamp openings add to the dramatic front appearance.

The bulging hood has a set of matching heat extractors protruding near the leading edge, combining to provide improved airflow and aerodynamics. As air passes over the hood, hot air from the engine compartment is drawn out through venting attached to the extractors.

The unique rear fascia features lower strakes inspired by the Ford GTs integrated rear airflow diffuser, and a rear spoiler reminiscent of a classic GT500. To mark the collaboration of two Mustang performance icons, the GT500 features both Shelby and SVT badges.

The fenders each sport an updated design of the famed Cobra emblem. The front grille houses an off-center snake in place of the standard running horse. “GT500” is emblazoned inside the side rocker stripes, and the name SHELBY is prominently written across the rear deck. The SVT logo can be seen on the wheel center caps, a signature SVT location, as well as on the doorsill plates. To top it off, the medallion between the taillights reads, “Shelby GT500” centered on the Cobra image.

Under the skin, there are many additional ways in which the GT500 stands apart from other Mustangs. For one, it boasts a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine capable of cranking out 500 hp and 480 lb.-ft. of torque. Based on the engine in the Ford GT, it has been modified for severe use in the GT500 with an iron block and revised engine management software. Cool Powered by SVT badges adorn the cam covers, and as this car has never been dealer prepped, everything is exactly the way the factory installed it's a virtual roadmap of detail that restorers in coming decades will clamor to review.

If 500 horsepower isn't enough to win the hearts of performance enthusiasts everywhere, the GT500 features performance upgrades throughout. For instance, it comes with a MacPherson strut independent front suspension with reverse-L lower control arms, backed by spring rates and an upgraded stabilizer for improved handling and stopping performance. Next, the GT500 is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission, designed exclusively for performance driving. In fact, the car's heavy-duty transmission is the same in design as the race-winning Mustang FR500C.

As for braking, the GT500 boasts four-piston Brembo calipers fitted to 14-inch Brembo vented rotors up front and 11.8-inch vented discs in the rear. As for rolling stock, it rolls on 18x9.5-inch wheels featuring 255/45/18 Goodyears up front and 285/40/18s in back. With just 19.5 miles on the odometer, even the tires are pretty much as-new and some still feature the balance stickers on the wheel lips.

As for the Shelby GT500s interior, it too has been designed to suit the performance driver. For instance, the front seats feature additional lateral support to help keep the driver optimally positioned during cornering. The cockpit also features a revised instrument panel and tachometer, designed to provide better viewing of shifting points in performance-driving conditions. Shelby's GT500 script and Cobra image are featured on the steering wheel cap. The cockpit also features an aluminum shift lever knob as well as accessories with a satin aluminum finish. This car also features the ambient lighting feature, where drivers can program one of seven different interior lighting options to suit their individual tastes. The ambient lighting features LEDs mounted in the front console, two in the footwells, and two around the cup holder. Lighting can be changed depending on the driver's mood.

And since it has never been dealer prepped, all the stuff that is usually removed before the consumer ever sees it is still intact. The sun visors are still wrapped in plastic, the spare key is still taped to the steering column, and the floors are still covered in plastic. Heck, there are still squares of plastic over the Cobra logo on the horn button and covering the airbag on the passenger side!

Documentation includes everything you'll need to make this a fully pedigreed Shelby in the future, including the original window stickers still clinging to the passenger's side window. We also have all the manuals, instruction sheets, and other paperwork that come standard with every new Mustang.

I'm often surprised by time capsule cars that show up now and again, showing that someone had the forethought to put a car away for the future. Of course, we all know about the '76 Eldorados, the '78 Corvette pace cars, and other obvious collector pieces that turned out to be duds, but I don't think these Shelbys will end up like those. First of all, a vast majority of people who are buying these cars are actually taking them out and enjoying them. Second, Shelbys are something special today, not merely transportation, and as Keith Martin of “Sports Car Market” magazine always says, if it's special today, it will be special in the future. A 500 horsepower Mustang is most certainly something special. Finally, while it's undoubtedly true that many of these have been put away as collector's items, I'm guessing that there are not many that were able to avoid the dealer prep process, making this one the one to own if you're going to keep one for posterity. This one is a benchmark in many ways - performance, value, and documentation. If you missed your chance in 2008 to get one in untouched original condition, we're offering you another opportunity. Take advantage of it and call today!