A very special Mustang Shelby GT500CR is on the way from Classic Recreations, the Oklahoma-based builder of officially-licensed Ford and Shelby American continuation cars.

It will be special because it will feature a full carbon fiber bodywork from SpeedKore Performance Group, the Wisconsin-based carbon fiber manufacturer. The first of its kind, the program is part of an initiative by Classic Recreations “to build the next generation of modern high-performance vehicles with iconic classic American styling.”

Classic Recreations’ carbon fiber GT500CR starts with a restored donor steel tub from an original 1967 or 1968 Mustang that is then fitted with all-new carbon fiber body panels. Starting with a 3D digital model produced from SpeedKore’s blue light scan of an entire GT500CR body, a five-axis CNC machine cuts the molds, with plugs and panels then pulled using aerospace-grade pre-preg carbon fiber.

See Also: Classic Recreations Creates Spectacular ‘Blurple’ Shelby GT500CR

The molded carbon fiber body panels are cured using a massive in-house autoclave. The result is the world’s first officially-licensed Shelby Mustang that is lighter and stronger than an all-steel body, with a perfect carbon fiber weave alignment. Classic Recreations claims SpeedKore’s carbon fiber bodies have hypercar quality and can be produced efficiently to exacting specifications.

Under the classically-styled carbon fiber body rests a modern high-performance vehicle. GT500CR models are available with several engine options, ranging from a 490HP Ford Performance Gen 3 5.0L Coyote crate engine up to a 900HP, hand-built 427-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) engine with an intercooled ProCharger supercharger. All Shelby GT500CRs come with a Tremec five-speed manual transmission and stainless-steel MagnaFlow performance exhaust.

A non-carbon fiber Classic Recreations Shelby GT500CR

Also contributing to the modern-day performance are the power rack-and-pinion conversion, coil-over suspension, oversized sway bars, Wilwood brakes, American Racing forged wheels and Michelin high-performance Z-rated tires.

For those who want more performance, the optional Pro Touring Track Package includes Detroit Speed Engineering suspension, wider rear wheels and tires, mini tubs and six-piston brake calipers with larger rotors. Other options include six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, interior upgrades and a full palette of paint colors.

The carbon GT500CR will be followed by a Shelby-licensed all-carbon-fiber-bodied Cobra in the future.

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