Shelby introduced the Series 1 roadster nearly two decades ago and the company has finally introduced a follow up called the Series 2.
Billed as a “major evolution” of the original model, the Series 2 is the result of a unique collaboration with Wingard Motorsports which bought the remaining Series 1 components from Shelby several years ago. Thanks to this partnership, the Series 2 will ride on the original aluminum honeycomb monocoque chassis that underpinned the Series 1.
While the chassis will carryover, the Series 2 has been significantly improved as it will feature billet aluminum and carbon fiber components. These changes will enable the roadster to be more than 12% lighter than its predecessor.
Customers will be able to order the car with an aluminum, carbon fiber or titanium body. Regardless of which material is selected, all cars will come equipped with a cantilevered suspension and a high-performance braking system which features six-piston calipers at each wheel. Speaking of the latter, the car will ride on custom 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tires.
A variety of different engines can be installed but the primary choices are a 427 Windsor or a 427 FE engine from the Carroll Shelby Engine Company. Shelby didn’t go into specifics but noted the Series 2 will support engines that produce more than 800 hp (596 kW / 811 PS).
That’s a major improvement over the Series 1 which had a 4.0-liter V8 engine which produced 320 hp (238 kW / 324 PS) in naturally aspirated guise. However, customers could also order a supercharged version of the engine which developed around 460 hp (343 kW / 466 PS).
The cars will be built to order and production will be limited to four units annually. Each will be sold in “component form” and can be finished by Wingard Motorsports.