Other nice touches are titanium-faced gauges, with the speedometer swapped for the tachometer to improve the latter
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| All the stock chrome is removed in place of technically appropriate satin aluminum finish metal accents. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
I have to admit, with or without an independent rear suspension system I'm looking forward to doing just what ford prescribes in the latter paragraph, applying quick, positive shifts to the six-speed transmission. The current Mustang impressed me so much, even with regards to handling dynamics that the upgraded Shelby Cobra GT500 is sure to leave me grinning from ear to ear. I'll still be left wondering, mind you, how good it could be with an independent rear setup, unless of course it will be offered as optional equipment. Only time will tell, and during that time get ready for an increase of IRS vs. live-axle infighting on the many Mustang
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| Ford says that a production version of the Shelby Cobra GT500 will go on sale in 2006. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
How long will we have to wait? Ford says that a production version of the Shelby Cobra GT500 will go on sale in 2006, which will most likely be designated a 2007 model. Expect the price to increase from the old model's mid- to high-$40K MSRP to over $50,000, but this will still place it at about $20K less than a current base-model Corvette while adding Viper-like straight-line performance.
In the end, pumped up performance, ultra-hot styling and IRS controversy aside, the most significant point the new SVT Cobra makes is the addition of Carroll Shelby's name.