Carroll Shelby sought to enhance the driving experience of the Ford Mustang in the ’60s, and since then, has an enduring legacy in muscle car performance.
Not all Ford Mustang models are made equal. On one hand, there’s the 4-cylinder EcoBoost 2.3-liter Mustang built for fuel efficiency and affordability. On the other hand, there’s the Shelby Super Snake: a sports car engineered for those who think 800 horsepower just isn’t enough for a Mustang.
Since its release in 1964, the Ford Mustang has remained an incredibly popular car. Just a year later, Carroll Shelby introduced the high-performance Shelby GT350, which marked the beginning of the fruitful Ford and Shelby partnership that we all know and love today. Its racier sibling — the SFM5R002 GT350R — became the most expensive Mustang ever sold when it fetched $3.85 million at a Mecum auction, and it’s also recognized as the very first Shelby Mustang to win a race.
Compared to a factory-spec 1964 Mustang, the GT350 got a more powerful 4.8-liter 306 horsepower V8, a race-tuned suspension, and a stripped interior for weight savings. This very formula defines Shelby models to this day: a relentless pursuit of power, precision, and purpose. However, what truly makes a Shelby Mustang special is how seamlessly it all comes together.
