Anyone who saw the reveal of Ford’s Shelby GT350 and GT350R Mustangs at this year’s Detroit Auto Show have only just now finished collecting their jaws off the floor, and just in time, too. Ford has announced how many are rolling out of the factory for 2015: an extremely limited (and specific) 137 models in total.
“To honor the passion of our fans for Shelby GT350’s 50th anniversary, a limited run of GT350 models will be built in 2015; these cars will be highly coveted by both Mustang and Shelby enthusiasts alike,” said Henry Ford III, Ford Performance marketing manager.
One-hundred models of the GT350 will be made, half with the available technology pack, and the other half equipped with the sporty track pack. The Shelby’s tech pack gives the car the creature comforts we’re used to, such as navigation featuring Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Cars sporting the track pack will eschew such luxuries in favor of magnetic dampers, additional component cooling systems, and a strut tower brace. All of them will of course come with the 5.2-liter V8 that promises more than 500 horsepower of naturally aspirated grunt.
This only leaves the oddly specific 37 Shelby GT350Rs that will be produced, which is deliberate. The story goes that when Carroll Shelby built his homologated GT350 in 1965 for competition, 35 models were built for sale along with two prototypes. Thus, in honor of the original GT350, this new track-shredding modern one will debut in the same number.
Keep in mind that this is just for the 2015 model year runs, which gives them a uniqueness that will matter primarily to collectors. Anyone who doesn’t care which year is on the registration will still be able to get the most track-capable Mustang ever produced just by waiting a little longer for 2016.
