Mustangs

Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and Ford Motor Company have announced they will honor the late Carroll Shelby in a public memorial set for May 30th in Southern, California. The two-day event, which will take place at the Peterson Automotive Museum, will give fans a chance to film a message about Mr. Shelby, as well as attend a special ceremony and other activities honoring the automotive legend.

"Carroll Shelby changed the course of history and touched the lives of millions through his racing, his companies and his charity," said Joe Conway, president of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and board member.  "He challenged us and our friends at Ford Motor Company to honor his legacy by continuing this work.  We wanted the first step to be a celebration of this exceptional man for everyone who shares his passion for performance."

In honor of Shelby, the museum will display the first Shelby Cobra, a 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, a selection of Shelby American's 50th Anniversary vehicles, a Series 1 and other significant Shelby cars from the past five decades.

"Carroll Shelby was a legend in the history of Ford Motor Company," said Edsel B. Ford II, member of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company.  "He was a close personal friend and I will miss him very much.  We're honored to be part of this important tribute celebrating the many contributions and achievements of a true innovator."

In addition to the public memorial, a guest list for an invitation-only service is being developed due to space limitations.  People involved with Shelby's interests, from chili cook-offs to aviation, autos, philanthropy and societal groups will be invited. Guest speakers will include Mr. Shelby's close friends.

More facts will be released on www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org and www.shelbynation.com.  Details will not be available from the Petersen Museum or any Shelby organization.

Donations to the Carroll Shelby Foundation are encouraged in lieu of flowers at www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org.

Source: Shelby American, Inc.

This week the Hertz Corporation paid homage to the late Carroll Shelby. In a statement issued by the company, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mark P. Frissora said, "Hertz has the most diverse driving options in the car rental industry, including a history of offering exciting sports and muscle cars. The genesis of our focus on driving performance and fun can be traced directly to the partnership formed with Carroll Shelby more than 45 years ago."

He added, "Carroll partnered with us on the Hertz Rent A Racer program, the forerunner to today's Adrenaline Collection, with the introduction of the Shelby GT350H,  and in 2006 we teamed up to introduce the Shelby GT-H.  An automotive visionary and a true gentleman, Carroll had a passion for making high-powered driving performance available to all Americans.  We at Hertz will ensure Carroll's impact on the U.S. automotive industry and legacy lives on and we're honored to have played a role in bringing Mustang driving excitement to rental customers throughout the US."

The first Hertz-Shelby Mustang, the GT350H, debuted in 1966. Known as the "Hertz Rent-A-Racer", this powerful race-ready Mustang became an instant hit on and off the track. Forty years after its initial introduction in 1966, Shelby got together once again with Hertz to offer up the 2006 Shelby GT-H Mustang. The car once again featured a black exterior with gold stripes.

Related

1966 Shelby GT350H Mustang - The Hertz Rent-a-Racer

2006 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-H

Test Drive: The 2012 Adrenaline Collection Hertz GT Ford Mustang

Source: Hertz Corporation

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

On April 30th, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that Ford has issued a recall for certain 2012-2013 Ford Mustangs built at Ford's Automotive Alliance Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan from October 17, 2011 through January 9, 2012.

The recall pertains to automatic transmissions in the vehicles and their reverse rear tail lamps.  According to the report, the transmissions in these vehicles may not go into reverse gear. In addition, when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse "R" position, if the vehicle's transmission does go in reverse, the backup lamp on the rear of the Mustang may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicle's not signaling it is in reverse.

This isn't the first time I've heard of issues with Ford Mustang transmissions. Last summer, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects reported it had received 32 owner complaints regarding a sudden inability to shift gears on 2011 and 2012 Ford Mustangs with manual transmissions. In November, the case was closed after a Ford investigation reported that none of the issues caused a safety risk. I have since received numerous complaints from Mustang owners, describing various transmission issues with their Mustangs. Many of these complaints were made public in the form of comments here on About Mustangs.

To get all the details of the most recent recall, read more.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Carroll Shelby, automotive legend and Mustang car builder, has passed away. According to reports, Shelby, who was 89 years old, passed away yesterday at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. The cause of death was not disclosed.

"We are all deeply saddened, and feel a tremendous sense of loss for Carroll's family, ourselves and the entire automotive industry," said Joe Conway, president of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and board member.  "There has been no one like Carroll Shelby and never will be.  However, we promised Carroll we would carry on, and he put the team, the products and the vision in place to do just that."

As fate would have it, I was on a plane traveling hundreds of miles an hour at 30,000 feet when I received the news. Just like a jet airplane, Shelby was fast, and his cars were fast. He was, and always will be, an inspiration to this Ford Mustang enthusiast from Texas. No doubt, he will be greatly missed by me, and many others around the world.

Shelby is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth and his wife Cleo.  Funeral plans are not currently available.  Donations to the Carroll Shelby Foundation are encouraged in lieu of flowers.  Information about the Carroll Shelby Foundation is available at www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org.

Related

Carroll Shelby Profile - A Profile of Automotive Legend Carroll Shelby

Photo by Jonathan P. Lamas

The folks at ROUSH Performance have entered their new 2013 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang into the 2012 Tire Rack One Lap of America competition which ends on the 12th of this month. The race takes high-performance street cars and puts them up against some of the most challenging tracks in the United States.

"The 2013 Roush Stage 3 Mustang competing in this year's Tire Race One Lap event is the exact vehicle that can be optioned out and ordered through a Roush Authorized Ford Dealer," says Tim Wheeler, VP Sales and Marketing for Roush Performance. "No additional power-adders, calibrations or racing modifications are part of this One Lap package. We think the 2013 Roush Stage 3 Mustang - right from the Dealer -- can compete extremely well under these tough track conditions, and then provide a comfortable ride to the next track event 300 miles away."

Jack Roush Jr. added, "I can't think of a better, more comprehensive vehicle endurance test than the Tire Rack One Lap event. Pushing the vehicle through the One Lap skid pads, drag races, road courses and the thousands of road driving miles in between the tracks can add up to tremendous forces being put on the car and driver. I thoroughly enjoyed competing in the 2011 Tire Rack One Lap event, along with my co-driver Bill Johnson. It's a grueling racing event, for sure."

What can I say, enjoy the ride! No doubt, if history has any say, the new ROUSH Mustang is one mean machine. To learn more about the 2013 Stage 3 Mustang, go here.

Photo Courtesy of ROUSH Performance

Source: ROUSH Performance

This week Ford Motor Company released their monthly sales figures for April 2012. According to the report, Ford Mustang sales declined by 4.6 percent in April of 2012 when compared to April of 2011. This past April Ford sold 7,801 Mustangs. In April of 2011, the company sold 8,180. That said, Mustang sales for the year are still up, 18.4 percent over last year's figures. This year Ford has sold 27,934 Mustangs total. Last year at the end of April they had sold 23,599.

As for the competition, the Chevy Camaro is still ahead in the sales game, Chevrolet having sold 9,627 of the cars in April 2012. In April of 2011, Chevy sold 10,852 Camaros. That's a year-over-year decline of  about 11 percent, which is a much bigger drop off than Ford saw with the Mustang.

And what about the Dodge Challenger? Well, last month several media outlets incorrectly reported it had outsold the Mustang in recent months. Just not true. That remains the case in April. Last month, Dodge sold 4,102 Challengers.  The company has sold 14,626 Challengers for the year.

Sources: Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Chrysler Group LLC

Photo © Jonathan P. Lamas

Talk about on-the-job perks. Recently a US Airways Fleet Service Agent won a new Ford Mustang as part of the company's Thirty-one wellness program raffle. The prize was awarded to Dan Matzkanich for his participation in the airline's health and wellness program, Fit for US. "I felt like I'd already won for being healthy," said Matzkanich.

"Good health helps us lead happier and more productive lives at home and at work. That's good for us as individuals and as a company," said US Airways' Chairman and CEO Doug Parker. "I was delighted to award terrific prizes to thirty-one of our outstanding employees and their loved ones for their decision to lead healthier lives, but the greatest reward of all is good health."

Other prizes included ten $2,000 US Airways Vacations gift cards and twenty $600 Apple gift cards. Of course, the Mustang was the prize I would have been eyeing. You can see a video of Matzkanich receiving the keys to his new Mustang here.

Photo Courtesy of US Airways

Good news for the Ford Mustang.  Edmunds.com announced that the 2012 Ford Mustang, Shelby GT500 coupe, and Shelby GT500 convertible all received top honors in the 2012 Best Retained Value Awards. Each ranked top dog within their respective categories thanks to their low depreciation.

"Retained value is a good indicator of quality, reliability and desirability, which are three traits the Mustang has in spades," said Peter King, general manager of Watertown Ford, a Massachusetts Ford dealer. "We often focus on power and speed when talking about sports cars, but getting more money back when you trade in makes the Mustang more than just an emotional purchase; it makes it a smart buy too."

"Chevy has a long road ahead if they think they can one-up Ford when it comes to power," King noted. "The Shelby GT500 has the new Camaro ZL1 beat by 82 horsepower. It is the king of the pony cars right now, and we don't see that changing anytime soon."

Many kudos to the folks at Edmunds.Com for recognizing the Ford Mustang as holding its value over time. You can read the full press release here.

Related

Test Drive: 2012 GT Convertible Mustang - The 2012 GT Convertible

Test Drive: 2012 V6 Ford Mustang Coupe

Photo © Jonathan P. Lamas

You're probably familiar with Hollywood actor/professional race car driver Patrick Dempsey. I've mentioned Dempsey in the past, and his love of the Ford Mustang. Well, just recently it was reported that Dempsey assisted a teenager who was involved in a crash outside of the actor's Malibu Canyon home.

According to reports, the teen flipped his Ford Mustang several times in front of Dempsey's house. The actor, having witnessed the accident, ran from his house equipped with a crowbar and a fire extinguisher. He stayed with the 17-year-old driver until paramedics arrived.  The teen was later airlifted to a local hospital with a concussion and a stretched optic nerve. Lucky to be alive, no doubt. Many kudos to Patrick for jumping in to offer assistance.

Sources: MotorAuthority, San Francisco Chronicle, Entertainment Weekly

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Today, Ford Motor Company released the official horsepower and torque figures for the 2013 Shelby GT500 engine. According to Ford's report, the all-new supercharged 5.8-liter powerplant in the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 has been officially SAE-certified as the most powerful series production V8 in the world with peak output of 662 horsepower and 631 lb.-ft. of torque.  Whoa horsey, that's a lot of power! Read more.

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company