Though
it has been decades since Mustang coupes rolled off the assembly line
bearing the legendary Shelby name, the cars will once again thunder
across the roads under a deal inked by Carroll Shelby, Sanderson Sales &
Marketing and Unique Motorcars of Irving, Texas. The historic agreement
has led to the debut of continuation 1960’s Shelbys incorporating modern
technology, such as Baer Brakes, that updates the performance and
comfort of the sexy muscle cars. The first car in the continuation
series is an “Eleanor” Shelby GT500E, similar to the one seen in the
recent motion picture Gone in Sixty Seconds.
 “Enthusiasts and collectors have been begging for more Shelbys,” said
Steve Sanderson, President of Sanderson Sales & Marketing. “This
unprecedented agreement will unleash a herd of Shelbys that combine the
best current technology with classic styling and Shelby heritage. We’re
creating these continuation cars just like Carroll did in the 1960’s by
taking standard Mustangs and working ‘Shelby magic’ on them that take
performance to an entirely new level.”
 To build the continuation Shelbys, Unique Motorcars will “rescue”
vintage Mustangs for transformation. The restored cars will feature the
best engine, suspension, brake and comfort components on the market,
while sporting the classic good looks of the original 1960’s Shelby.
Baer Brakes will help develop high performance systems specifically for
the cars.
“The line of authentic Shelby cars has just grown dramatically, which
allows us to offer a vehicle for every taste including the big block and
small block Cobra, Series 1 and GT500E,” said Carroll Shelby. “Our
continuation Shelbys will have spectacular performance, timeless good
looks and cutting-edge technology. I guarantee these cars will have the
right stuff to stomp the competition.”
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Shelby
Re-Run
Carroll
Shelby, a Texan who achieved renown as the builder of the AC Cobra,
teams with Ford to create a series of high-performance Shelby
Mustang race cars. Taking 289 cid V8 fastbacks off the line at the
San Jose assembly plant, Shelby, working from his Venice facility,
makes the necessary mods to vault the lively 2+2 Fastback to the
rank of king of the SCCA.
To be homologated as an SCCA B-Production racer, rules stipulate
that at least 100 "streetable" versions are produced. Shelby easily
meets the minimum requirement building, on average, 2,000 units per
year between 1965 and 1970. Shelby American soon is occupying two
hangars at Los Angeles International Airport.
The Shelby American/Ford Motor Company connection is quite palatable
for both builders. Carroll Shelby benefits by using a proven
manufacturing base to further his performance reputation, while Ford
benefits from the "halo effect" as Mustang sheetmetal increasingly
frequents the winner's circle.
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