Ford Will Build 100 Shelby GT350, 37 GT350R Cars For 2015 MY

Ford has announced it will build only 37 units of the Shelby Mustang GT350R for the 2015 model year, which is exactly the number of cars Carroll Shelby wanted to build in the 1960s. While Shelby insisted two prototype cars and 35 competition GT350s were built, most records show only 34 production models received serial numbers from the Shelby production facility.

The company also said only 100 Shelby GT350 models will feature a 2015 model year designation before production switches over to 2016. Of these, 50 will be equipped with the Technology Package and 50 equipped with the Track Package.

“To honor the passion of our fans for Shelby GT350’s 50th anniversary, a limited run of GT350 models will be built in 2015; these cars will be highly coveted by both Mustang and Shelby enthusiasts alike,” said Henry Ford III, Ford Performance marketing manager.

Featuring the most powerful naturally aspirated Ford production engine ever, a 5.2-liter V8 producing more than 500hp and more than 400lb-ft (542Nm) of torque (final specs have not been released yet), the Shelby GT350 and GT350R are the most focused Mustangs on sale today. The eight-cylinder unit is mated to a six-speed manual transmission that drives the rear wheels through a Ford-tuned Torsen limited-slip differential.

Both the GT350 and its more hardcore version, the GT350R, feature a stiffer suspension, upgraded brakes and distinctive styling inside and out.