2012 New York: 2013 Shelby 1000 Takes the Stage The story goes that the Shelby American folks were showing off the latest 200-plus-mph GT500 to the man with his name on the building, and he asked “When are we gonna do one with a thousand?” The answer: in time for Shelby American’s 50th birthday. The specialty vehicle maker is celebrating at the New York auto show with a follow-up to the previous Shelby GT500 Super Snake. How do you top an 800-hp custom Mustang? With one that makes 950 hp in street-legal pump-gas trim, or 1100 hp in racing trim (torque is rated at 850 lb-ft for both).
2012 New York: 2013 Shelby 1000 Takes the Stage
 |
| 2012 New York: 2013 Shelby 1000 Takes the Stage |
2012 New York: 2013 Shelby 1000 Takes the Stage
 |
| 2012 New York: 2013 Shelby 1000 Takes the Stage |
2012 New York: 2013 Shelby 1000 Takes the Stage
Based on the 550-hp, 510-lb-ft 5.4-liter V-8 found in the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500, as opposed to the supercharged 5.8-liter unit of the recently unveiled 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, the Shelby 1000's powerhouse cranks out 950 hp @ 6400 rpm–and we’re told that number’s on the conservative side. This isn’t achieved by simply turning up the boost (which is 19psi!), however. Shelby replaced the camshafts and valve springs, ported the cylinder heads, and balanced the rotating assembly to facilitate the massive jump in power.
2012 shelby 1000 engine parts 300x187 imageTo take it to the next level, the company then swapped in a Kenne Bell 3.6-liter supercharger, and improved the cooling system. The track-only version, the Shelby 1000 S/C, takes the 1000's engine modifications a bit further by bolting on a 4.0-liter Whipple supercharger, American Racing headers, and a Borla 3-inch exhaust system, resulting in the insane 1100-horsepower number.
The Shelby 1000 and 1000 S/C also get modifications to help put all that extra power to good use. Shelby replaced the rear end with a new 9-inch unit, and installed a custom aluminum driveshaft. The specialty vehicle builder also installs a custom Eibach adjustable suspension, reinforces the unibody by welding in reinforcements connecting the front and rear subframes, adds its own K-members, control arms, and Watts link system, to ensure the car could do more than just drive fast in a straight line. Braking duties are handled by Shelby/Willwood 14-inch rotors clamped by six-piston calipers up front and four-piston units in the rear. Both cars wear three-piece forged aluminum 9.0 x 20 wheels up front, with extra-wide 11.0 x 20 wheels in back. They’re wrapped in new Michelin Supersport tires.
2012 shelby 1000 front interior 300x187 imageFor looks, the Shelby 1000 gets a new hood that looks like the GT500s, but stands 1.5 inches taller to clear the giant blower and features functional heat extractors. There’s also a functional front splitter, and functional rear diffuser. The only cosmetic touches the Shelby 1000's exterior gets are the carbon-fiber applique on the splitter, side skirts and diffuser, and the “Shelby 1000? reflective side graphic placed down low, just ahead of the rear wheel on either side of the car.
Shelby plans to make just 100 examples of the new 1000, and they’re priced at $149,000 (plus the 2012 GT500) for the street version; $154K for the tracker.
2012 shelby 1000 engine parts 300x187 imageTo take it to the next level, the company then swapped in a Kenne Bell 3.6-liter supercharger, and improved the cooling system. The track-only version, the Shelby 1000 S/C, takes the 1000's engine modifications a bit further by bolting on a 4.0-liter Whipple supercharger, American Racing headers, and a Borla 3-inch exhaust system, resulting in the insane 1100-horsepower number.
The Shelby 1000 and 1000 S/C also get modifications to help put all that extra power to good use. Shelby replaced the rear end with a new 9-inch unit, and installed a custom aluminum driveshaft. The specialty vehicle builder also installs a custom Eibach adjustable suspension, reinforces the unibody by welding in reinforcements connecting the front and rear subframes, adds its own K-members, control arms, and Watts link system, to ensure the car could do more than just drive fast in a straight line. Braking duties are handled by Shelby/Willwood 14-inch rotors clamped by six-piston calipers up front and four-piston units in the rear. Both cars wear three-piece forged aluminum 9.0 x 20 wheels up front, with extra-wide 11.0 x 20 wheels in back. They’re wrapped in new Michelin Supersport tires.
2012 shelby 1000 front interior 300x187 imageFor looks, the Shelby 1000 gets a new hood that looks like the GT500s, but stands 1.5 inches taller to clear the giant blower and features functional heat extractors. There’s also a functional front splitter, and functional rear diffuser. The only cosmetic touches the Shelby 1000's exterior gets are the carbon-fiber applique on the splitter, side skirts and diffuser, and the “Shelby 1000? reflective side graphic placed down low, just ahead of the rear wheel on either side of the car.
Shelby plans to make just 100 examples of the new 1000, and they’re priced at $149,000 (plus the 2012 GT500) for the street version; $154K for the tracker.