Carroll Shelby was a legendary racer who not only created a legacy in racing but also created muscle cars under his name. After retiring from racing in 1960, he launched his first car in 1962. Carroll Shelby’s cars were known for their performances on the field and powerful engines. Shelby launched cars to win races and beat Ferrari. Some of his cars shocked the top automotive brands at that time. He built tons of muscle cars and made them legendary. Here are some of the iconic Carroll Shelby cars of all time.
Iconic Carroll Shelby Cars
Shelby Cobra 427
The Shelby Cobra 427 is a muscle car and often regarded as a supercar. It was in production for three years (1965 to 1967). The Shelby Cobra 427 featured a Ford V8 engine and 4-speed manual transmission. It was a comfort vehicle with great handling powered by the coil spring suspension. Shelby Cobra 427 was a primary vehicle for racers. It was used in events like USRRC and SCCA Racing. The designs included a long hood and side-exhaust pipes and these made it an iconic car.
Shelby Daytona Coupe
The Shelby Daytona Coupe was launched for GT racing and only 6 units were produced. It offered a top speed of 190 mph powered by Ford 289 cu in (4.7 L) V8 engines. The vehicle’s design includes a closed coupe body and long roofline. The car was used by the winner of the GT World Championship driver in 1965 and it also surpassed Ferrari’s GT vehicles. It was also featured in races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring. The vehicle is now available through collector markets for a price over $10 million which makes it rare and iconic.
Shelby GT 500 (2007 to 2012)
The era of modern Shelby vehicles began with the GT 500 in 2007. When the Shelby GT 500 sales were declining, the modern vehicles revived the market. With a top speed of 150 mph, the Shelby GT 500 was an incredible sports vehicle. The vehicle featured RWD drivetrain, supercharged engines, and 6-speed manual gearbox. Shelby GT 500 (2007) models featured performance brakes, anti-lock braking system, leather seats, and sports-tuned suspension. All these made the Shelby GT 500 one of the iconic Carroll Shelby cars in history. The Shelby GT 500 is now available from collector markets. It is available between $20,000 to $70,000.
Shelby Mustang GT350
The first generation Shelby Mustang GT350 created waves among the audiences. These cars featured V8 engines and RWD. It was used in SCCA racing events. Shelby Mustang GT350 was a lightweight vehicle suited for highways and tracks. It offered great performance and handling. The top speed was 135mph which was huge in the 1960s. Shelby Mustang GT350 modern cars were launched in 2015 and they were successful as well. The 2015 models are available in collector markets from $45,000 USD. Shelby Mustang GT350 1960s models are rarely available and they cost more than $400,000.
Shelby 1000
Shelby 1000 were performance-oriented vehicles inspired by the GT500 cars. The Shelby 1000 offered 1000 horsepower powered by 5.4L supercharged V8 engines. These cars were equipped with diamond pistons, upgraded suspension, heavy-duty drive shaft, and carrillo rods. What’s surprising is that only 12 units were launched in 2012 and the production stopped after that. The Shelby 1000 was a legendary vehicle with a top speed of 200 mph. It was equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox and Rear-wheel drive. The acceleration and handling were excellent for this muscle car.