Shelby OTR Study Has Us Dreaming Of The Impossible

Shelby is an absolute master when it comes to upgrading and modifying the Ford Mustang but unfortunately, no supercars are adorned with Carroll Shelby’s famous name. Artist Antonio Paglia has created a car to change this.

The following vehicle, dubbed the Shelby OTR Concept, takes inspiration from cars of the 1980s and offers an appealing mix of retro design with some modern design influences. If you’re like us and stare at these renderings for a few minutes, you’ll probably be crossing every finger and toe possible that a car like this sees the light of day.

Viewed from the front, Paglia’s Shelby concept sports a set of absolutely tiny headlights while separate turn signals and LED daytime running lights are subtlety incorporated into the front grille. Sleek-looking air curtains are also featured on both sides of the front bumper while a small hood consists of large air outlets that draw out air sucked in by the grille.

Retro inspiration continues at the sides where lines similar to those of the Ferrari Testarossa (albeit much smaller) are featured alongside twin five-spoke wheels. The shape of the side windows and roof also remind us of the iconic Lancia Stratos.

As for the rear, it is fairly simply with flying buttresses, a short decklid, and horizontal taillights integrated into the grille. We like everything about it.

Many modern performance supercars are favoring aerodynamics over aesthetics and often don’t look as nice as their predecessors. This Shelby concept doesn’t follow the trend and is instead all about turning heads without bold and audacious wings, fins and splitters.