Is the GT500 dead?

[bret a ewing]

All manufacturers are trying to cut costs. Ford has shown it doesn't need Shelby to create lots of power, and performance.

Don't get me wrong I like Shelby cars, but I like performance improvements more. So, wouldn't the money Ford gives O'l Shell be better spend in SVT research and development vs the badging and sparkle stuff on the GT500....?

Question is will folks pay (a lot) more for a Shelby package than a SVT Cobra package? It has to make fiscal sense since they have to recover the cost of royalties.


Best, Bret.

 

[662HP631TQ]

Here we go again, nice way to side step what you are really trying to say. Take away the Shelby name and a 650+ HP vehicle will be cheaper.I don't think that changing it to SVT Cobra is going to make them any more affordable. Hey if it happens I am all for it. They are in the business to make money and yes putting dollars to R&D would be nice, but despite that, the car will not be chepaer! Better...maybebut cheaper no!

Sorry to sound like an A Hole but I hear this argument all the time and it just defys logic to me. If that isn't what you meant I am sorry for "trolling".
I just don't see the car getting any cheaper.

 

[bret a ewing]

No hidden meaning in my statement.
And no I don't believe Ford will charge less for a hi-po version of the car - nor should they. '93, '95 and '00 R's were quite expensive, but worth it IMHO.

By cheaper I would believe you mean less expensive. Ultimately the public will determine the "value" of the car. Sale or no-sale.
And yes I would hope the monies saved on royalties would be reinvested into the Mustang, specifically.

An finally yes, I agree with you, you will not see the '16 700 hp SVT Cobra (speculating) costing less than the current GT500.

No sorries sir, your not trolling, your just passionate. Stick around.........this is gonna get fun.;-)

Best, Bret.

 

[svtfocus2cobra]

So by royalties, how much is Ford paying out? Do you even know the answer to this?

 

[Rob_Stylez]

I dont think they would be less expensive new but used might be a different story, the Shelby name is awesome but it would be nice to see the Cobra name by itself too.

 

[dubbsfaris]

Carroll and Ford came to terms on the gT500 and GT350 nameplates. They belong to Ford now. Ford can use the Shelby name for the GT350, or if they brought back the GT500, they could do that too. Carroll signed that away right before he went into the hospital. This is fairly common knowledge too. It won't cost Ford any more than they already spent. What has more bearing to that decision is dilution of brand, and well timed product releases.

One interesting thing I have heard is that the Cobra name may not go back on the mustang in the near future. There is a rumor of something else that might get the name. Only Ford knows.

 

[Ghoust]

Carroll and Ford came to terms on the gT500 and GT350 nameplates. They belong to Ford now. Ford can use the Shelby name for the GT350, or if they brought back the GT500, they could do that too. Carroll signed that away right before he went into the hospital. This is fairly common knowledge too. It won't cost Ford any more than they already spent. What has more bearing to that decision is dilution of brand, and well timed product releases.

One interesting thing I have heard is that the Cobra name may not go back on the mustang in the near future. There is a rumor of something else that might get the name. Only Ford knows.

Do you have any links or articles related this rumor you say about the Cobra nameplate going somewhere other than a Mustang? If so please post as this is the first I have heard of this. I think it would be awesome if they created an new version of the AC Cobra. I remember seeing a prototype modernized AC Cobra when the Ford GT was introduced in 2005-2006. I would love to see something like that inproduction.

 

[steeltoe]

Do you have any links or articles related this rumor you say about the Cobra nameplate going somewhere other than a Mustang? If so please post as this is the first I have heard of this. I think it would be awesome if they created an new version of the AC Cobra. I remember seeing a prototype modernized AC Cobra when the Ford GT was introduced in 2005-2006. I would love to see something like that inproduction.

Ford isn't doing a brand halo type supercar. The FGT was a very expensive project and sucked up a lot of resoursces.

 

[dubbsfaris]

There are no links or articles written about that yet. Things said at a gathering or over the phone or a lunch are what I'm speaking on.

I'm familiar with a couple suppliers who were used by Ford on the FGT that have a new contract for a new project.

Whatever it is, I used my information and brought it up while I was in Dearborn last week. I got no confirmations, but no denials.

I'm not quite ready to get excited, as I agree with Frank, a supercar play doesn't seem to make a whole bunch of sense to me.

But the amount of information Ive heard here and there do SEEM to point that way.

It would be a few years off even if it does happen.

 

[Tob]

They belong to Ford now. Ford can use the Shelby name for the GT350, or if they brought back the GT500, they could do that too. Carroll signed that away right before he went into the hospital. This is fairly common knowledge too.

Signed it away for a hefty pricetag one would assume.

 

[Fordfourlife]

Ford isn't doing a brand halo type supercar. The FGT was a very expensive project and sucked up a lot of resoursces.

The FGT will be back.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1094742_the-ford-gt-is-coming-back---reportedly-at-least

 

[steeltoe]

The FGT will be back.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1094742_the-ford-gt-is-coming-back---reportedly-at-least

I've already started a thread and lots of people have already brought up some points that it's probably bullshit and not going to happen.

 

[Steve@TF]

the Shelby name on the car is a money maker for ford. it moves GT500s. ford would be shooting themselves in the foot if they stopped using it.

 

[hockeylover86]

Yes, the GT500 is technically dead, since you cannot order a new one from Ford.

Will it be back?

Most likely yes, question is how long before that happens...

 

[RedVenom48]

Well, I personally hope that we see the GT350 and GT500 out together. The 350 as the proper road course car, and the 500 slotted above it as the King mustang. Since Mustang is now a global car, the brand appeal of a "Shelby GT500" in Europe or Asia could be a hot seller. I think it would be brand suicide if they DIDNT release the GT500, and only had the GT350 as the Halo car. Sides, John Q. Public might look at the two and ask how a 350 is better than a 500.

Yes, the GT500 is technically dead, since you cannot order a new one from Ford.

Will it be back?

Most likely yes, question is how long before that happens...

Definitely the truth. Ive noticed prices for used GT500's of all years holding steady or up a little from earlier this year. Ford cant announce the new Shelby(s) fast enough. Haha I want to have a fighting shot at buying a used 500 without going bankrupt! :-D

 

[hockeylover86]

Ford needs to change the game a bit on the new GT500...

Bring out a quick shifting auto trans, and ditch the supercharger for a set of turbos.

Get rid of that heavy, heat soaking piece of aluminum on top of the engine, for a lighter IC with some plumbing.

775hp stock (nice round number), and make sure the engin/drivetrain/fuel system can support 850+hp aftermarket tweaks with simple tunes/exhaust mods.

 

[RedVenom48]

Much as I love superchargers, Id say your right about turbos. Fords been on an Ecoboost kick, and streamlining their Halo car's engine to feature ecoboost would be a marketing advantage.

More importantly, Turbochargers dont use additional power from the engine to make power. So that 662hp Trinity engine could probably easily have made 750+ hp and 700 torque were it Ecoboosted. I see why they continued with the SC though, GT500 on the S197 was always a SC'd engine. Let the new tech come with the S550.

 

[91z28350]

All for it, though I have no idea what will be on one, if and when they make it. I already have a KB 3.6 on my '12, I would love to park a twin turbo car next to it, especially one from the factory.

 

[TFStang]

I would have to think they would bring it back at some point. Would mean additional sales for Ford, so why not?

 

[93SVTvenom]

I am a huge Shelby Fan ... I am also a huge SVT fan ... Possibly they could do an SVT style cobra track/road course car and keep the Shelby GT500 as the street bruiser it is with an Eco-boosted Trinity? Please all the masses ... sort of? Not going to lie ... I loved the Boss and what it represented and the 03-04 Terminators and even the SVT Lightning were awesome. Maybe there is a middle ground that we could all have our cake and eat it too? A Shelby Truck isn't as appealing as an SVT Lightning ... I would have loved to see a Trinity engine in the Tremor but an eco-boosted V8 would be unbelievable. On the flipside ... I feel that honoring Caroll Shelby with continuing the GT500 is a good decision and hope to own one someday as well. Just my ramblings ... But I would HATE to see them kill the Cobra name however the value of ours would go up I imagine ... Still a shame if that happens.