November 23rd, 2009 | 
Author: 
Now as I said before. The Shelby GT500KR falls under the GT500 category. But I felt it deserves its own recognition. This magnificent machine will cost you quite a bit more than the GT500.
Total numbers produced will be 1746. But only the first 1000 for 2008 have the 40th anniversary badging. The other 746 will be for the 2009 model year. Production began for the 2008 model on Carroll Shelby’s 85th birthday which is January 11th. The KR models begin with the GT500 which are built by AutoAlliance Inc. in Flat Rock,MI ( 40 minutes from my home ).
These cars are then shipped to the Shelby Automobile facility in Las Vegas, where a Ford Racing Performance Pack, Exhaust System and Short-Throw Shifter are installed. The 500KR also is fitted with special body, chassis and interior parts. Every car will be hand customized and delivered to you in an enclosed transporter, as the legendary Ford GT was.
The horsepower is up from 500HP to 540HP. Here are the key features and upgrades for this beast.
- 5.4L 32-valve supercharged and intercooled V8 engine with Tremec 6-speed manual transmission generating an estimated 540 horsepower and 510 lb./ft. of torque with Ford Racing Parts Upgrade Package featuring revised calibration and cold air intake system
- 3.73:1 rear axle ratio
- Ford Racing performance exhaust system
- Unique SVT suspension tuning: springs, dampers and stabilizer bars
- Shelby?-designed 18″ wheels
- Ford Racing short-throw shifter and front strut tower brace
- Unique carbon composite hood featuring classic Shelby KR? design<
- Front brake cooling ducts
- SHELBY lettering across the front edge of the hood and rear decklid
- 40th anniversary badges on the front quarter panels
- Carroll Shelby signature embroidered head restraints and floor mats
- Carroll Shelby CSM 40th anniversary dash plate
- Side door intrusion beams
- 3-point lap/shoulder safety belts
- Belt-Minder? System
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether anchors for CHildren)
- Personal Safety System? for driver and front passenger
- Front seat side airbags
- Power 4-wheel disc brakes (Brembo front rotors and calipers on GT500?)
- Remote Keyless Entry System
- SecuriLock? Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
- Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection
- Engine electronics — powertrain control module
- Front suspension type — MacPherson struts with reverse “L” lower control arms, stabilizer bar
- Rear suspension type — constant-rate coil springs, 3-link design with Panhard rod; stabilizer bar in GT
- Power rack-and-pinion steering
- Forward-leaning egg-crate grille
- Complex reflector halogen headlamps with integral parking/turn signal lamps
- Solar tinted glass
- 50/50 split-fold rear seat backs (coupe only)
- Air conditioning (manual)
- Auxiliary audio input jack
- Speed control
- Tilt steering wheel
- Interval windshield wipers
- Center console with full armrest and storage
- Battery saver feature
- Driver’s footrest
- Rear window defroster
- Day/night mirror
- Power side mirrors
- Cupholders (2)
- Front door map pockets
- Power door locks
- Power windows
- 12-volt powerpoints (2)
- Front floor mats with driver’s seat retention hooks
Now the price for all of this you ask? Well, it’s a hefty one. $79,995! Well, you may think thats really high!! And I agree with you. But I took into consideration that it’s a TRUE Shelby Mustang. Shelby and Ford Racing did a great job on this car. And as for Special Edition Mustangs, this is one for the history books.
Have a look at some photos of the Shelby GT500KR below.
Return to FMH Home from Shelby GT500KR
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company ®2008. All rights reserved.
