Muscle Car Looks
Another key characteristic, which sets the GT500 apart, is its front-end design. The GT500’s front end boasts wide upper and lower fascia openings. Heat from the engine is removed via two heat extractors, keeping things a bit cooler down below. The hood also features a fully functional lower-air splitter. This feature, alone, makes this Mustang look beefy and very reminiscent of classic muscle-car Mustangs. In addition, the car’s grille features the famous Cobra emblem where other Mustangs feature the popular Pony counterpart.Another feature of the GT500 is its classic Le Mans-style white overbody stripes. From nose to tail, this car truly does resemble Shelby Mustangs of the 60s. It also sports lower body side racing stripes.
Convertible Muscle
Best of all, the 2008 Shelby GT500 will be available as either a coupe or convertible. That’s right. Proud GT500 owners will be able to drop the top as they cruise around town. Ford says the GT500’s convertible will feature a high-end cloth top, not found on the standard Mustang convertible. In line with Shelby’s original GT500 Convertible, the new GT500 convertible will not feature the Le Mans-style racing stripes found on the hood and rear of the coupe version. The goal was to pay homage to the convertible GT500 of the past. Since it had no stripes in these areas, neither will the 2008 model.
Performance Interior With a Taste of Style
As for the Shelby GT500’s interior, it too has been designed to suit the performance driver. For instance, the front seats feature additional lateral support to help keep the driver optimally positioned during cornering. The cockpit also features a revised instrument panel and tachometer, designed to provide better viewing of shifting points in performance-driving conditions. Shelby’s GT500 script and Cobra image are featured on the steering wheel cap. The cockpit also features an aluminum shift lever knob as well as accessories with a satin aluminum finish.A new feature for 2008 is ambient lighting. Drivers can program one of 7 different interior lighting options to suit their individual tastes. The ambient lighting features LEDs mounted in the front console, two in the footwells, and two around the cup holder. Lighting can be changed depending on the driver’s mood.
Guide to the Shelby Mustang
- Shelby Mustang - An Overview
- 1965 Shelby GT350
- 2008 Shelby GT
- 2008 Shelby GT500KR
- 2008 Shelby GT500 Super Snake
