Saturday, May 3, 2008

Shelby Creates Commemorative 1966 Ford GT40 Replica

Celebrating Carroll Shelby’s 85th birthday, Shelby Distribution USA under license from Shelby Licensing and in partnership with Shelby Automobiles Inc. will build a limited run of replicas based on the original Ford GT40 race cars that dominated the Le Mans in 1966 taking the first three places.

Shelby considers these cars “as newly manufactured variants of the original GT40” and as such, the GT40’s chassis is a near-exact replication of the original race car’s monocoque unibody structure down to the pressed steel roof. The only departure is the use of electro-galvanized sheet steel in the construction. The replicas features an original style fully independent suspension system utilizing an unequal length A-arm design. -Continued

Braking is achieved through vented Wilwood super light brakes with both front and rear brakes feature 12.75” discs and 4-piston calipers. Original style 15-inch Halibrand wheels are wrapped with high performance BFGoodrich g-Force Drag Radial tires (225/50/15 front, 275/60/15 rear). The commemorative replicas will be equipped only with a Shelby branded engine, including the top of the line Shelby 427FE V8.






















Press Release - Unique 85th Commemorative Edition GT40 Features

The MKII Shelby GT40®’s will be based on the following cars. Only 85 of each color will be issued.

Car #1, Chassis P/1015: Arcadian Blue, White Stripes/Dark Blue borders, and Dayglo Red Fender Flashes

Car #2, Chassis P/1046: Black with solid Silver Stripes and White Roundels

Car #3, Chassis P/1047 Red with solid White Stripes and Roundels

Features Include:

Record sale into the Shelby Registry

Shelby MSO and dash plaque

Carroll Shelby engraved door handles

Carroll Shelby etched left and right front headlight covers

Roundels with 85 number decals

Leather seating

Hood wind diffusers

CS GT40® numbered plaque

CS GT40® side sill graphics

Carroll Shelby signature floor and sill mats

85th Commemorative hood badge

85th Special Edition decal

Available in right and left hand drive

Available Race Version

While the standard Shelby 85th Commemorative GT40® is as close to a race car as one can get to driving on the street, a race version is also available. This package comes with a roll bar, fuel cell and A/C delete.

Vehicle specifications:

Wheelbase: 95”

Length: 163”

Height: 40.5”

Width: 70”

Track (f/r): 57”/56”

Ground Clearance: 4.125” – 4.75”

Curb Weight: 2400 lbs

Weight Distribution: f/r: 40/60%