Shelby GT500KR Return Announced at Segerstrom Shelby Event

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It doesn’t take much to celebrate the achievements of Texan Carroll Shelby, whose Ford-powered Cobra cars set in motion an era of powerful vehicles both on and off the track that extends to today. While Shelby’s heart gave up (well, his second heart) in May of 2012, the business he began in 1962, Shelby American, is about to celebrate 60 years of race wins, vehicle development and sales in powerful style.

The automotive designer, racer and entrepreneur who mastered the 24 Hours of Le Mans while suffering massive heart issues, gave the world a variety of exciting and innovative vehicles throughout his lifetime and engendered love in the automotive universe for his audacious activities both on and off the track. His exploits with Ford Motor Co. that allowed Henry Ford II to claim victory over Enzo Ferrari are the stuff of legends, and of movies, as Ford V Ferrari exemplified a few years ago.

Now there’s a museum dedicated to everything Shelby, tucked away in an Irvine, California industrial area and innocuous from its exterior. The Segerstrom Shelby Event Center is open to the public daily and celebrates the vehicles and the artifacts preserving the Shelby history. Site owners Ted and Rae Segerstrom are mega Shelby fans, as evidenced by their ownership of 96 Shelby-branded vehicles - only some of which are on display at the Event Center. There’s plenty of memorabilia and dedicated suites within the center for relaxation or event preparation.

A two-story paean to all things Shelby, this Event Center celebrated the upcoming 60th anniversary of Shelby American by hosting members of Shelby’s company, Ford Motor Co. executives, Craig Jackson of Barrett-Jackson auction fame and friends of the Texan in mid-December, as Shelby American announced plans to auction the Serial No. 1 Ford Shelby GT500KR at Barrett-Jackson’s Phoenix auction next month. Nearly meeting Shelby’s quest for 1,000 horsepower, the Shelby GT500KR boasts more than 900 horsepower - street-legal - running on 93 octane pump gas. There will only be 225 produced worldwide, with 60 for the United States in the model year 2022.

This new production marks on the third time in history that a version of the Shelby GT500 has carried the “King of the Road” monicker. The first was in 1968, when the Shelby GT500KR was powered by the Cobra Jet V-8, conservatively noted with 335 horsepower. That model was equipped with a modified suspension, redesigned front and rear ends, custom fiberglass hood and Cougar taillights. Shelby added a functional rollover bar and wood-rimmed steering wheel, something he could never produce today! This 1968 model was available in both fastback and convertible form, with 1053 fastbacks and 517 convertibles hitting the road. And track.

In 2008, both Ford and Shelby elected to bring back the Ford Shelby GT500KR with a supercharged V-8 producing 540 horsepower, which was 40 more than the standard GT500. This iteration included a short-throw shifter, 3.73:1 rear axle, unique wheels, tires and suspension settings. It had a special composite hood with push-button hood pins, unique stripes and badges that distinguished this King of the Road. Demand was so great that Ford and Shelby added to the planned 1,000 cars by producing 712 Shelby GT500KR models in 2009.

Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American was deeply involved with the Ford Performance team for the second GT500KR’s production. “I also own a 1968 model,” Patterson revealed. “We’re committed to ensuring the third-generation model is worth of the iconic ‘King of the Road’ crown. Our team includes experts at Ford Performance and key suppliers, as well as specialists like Shelby GT500 factory development driver Billy Johnson.” Johnson races in IMSA and in stock cars. His developmental talents are used by Shelby American and other manufacturers.

The new Ford Shelby GT500KR is based on the 2020-2022 Shelby GT500 and has about 140 added horsepower, a dry carbon fiber hood, distinct wheels, tires, suspension tuning, interior and badges. Ownership of each car includes membership in Team Shelby and documentation in the official Shelby Registry.

“My grandfather, Carroll Shelby was often called the ‘King of the Road’ for pushing the performance envelope both on and off the track,” noted Aaron Shelby, who is a board member of Carroll Shelby International and co-president of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “He was proud of his company’s relationship with Ford Motor Company and was passionate about supporting philanthropic causes. We’re pleased that the first 2022 Ford Shelby GT500KR will be sold by our friends at Barrett-Jackson for JDRF and the Carroll Shelby Foundation. Together we’ve raised millions of dollars for charity through the years by giving collectors the rare opportunity to own a very unique and valuable vehicle.”

The For Shelby GT500KR has a list price of $127,895. It’s not known whether that includes destination fees from the Las Vegas factory, where production will take place beginning in the first quarter of 2022. Shelby American would prefer factory pickup. The supercharged 3.8L engine will include the supercharger’s high-volume intercooler and heat exchanger, and an open cold air intake system. Underneath, there’s heavy-duty performance half shafts, Shelby ride-height-adjustable front and rear springs, Shelby by Borla cat-back exhaust, MagneRide suspension recalibration, caster/camber plates, Shelby one-piece 6061-T6 forged aluminum wheels with performance tires.

The exterior includes a Shelby carbon fiber hood, front splitter and rear diffuser. A carbon fiber Gurney flap is fitted, along with billet engine caps, Shelby rocker stripes and badges. Inside are leather seat recovers with Shelby insignia, and a CSM numbered engine and dash plate. Options include a Shelby wide body, polished supercharger, painted stripes, and rear seat delete with harness bar.

Owners of model-year 2020 and 2021 Shelby GT500s may inquire about transforming their cars into a KR as of Feb. 1, 2022, with MSRP for that conversion at $54,995.. Orders for 2022 model year cars will be accepted soon and will wear anniversary badges, the company said. “This is just the start of our milestone celebration,” Patterson said. “In addition to updates to our current lineup, we plan to announce three more significant vehicle programs. The Shelby GT500KR is just the beginning of an amazing year.”

Shelby Mustang car products for the 2021-2022 model year include the Shelby GT, Shelby GT500SE, Shelby Super Snake and Shelby Wide Body. Shelby F-Series products for the same model years include the Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport, Shelby F-150 Super Snake, Shelby F-150 and Shelby Super Baja trucks.

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Vince Laviolette, VP Shelby American; Tracy L. Smith, EVP, Shelby International; Aaron Shelby; Ken Patterson, President Shelby American; Rae & Ted Segerstrom; Craig Barrett