Rumors: Shelby GT350 To Join 2014 Ford Mustang Lineup

Sitting at home on a Sunday watching football, laughing at the Fantasy Football people and their passion for the imaginative world of perfect combinations…and the thought hits me once again about the rumors floating around about Ford adding the Shelby GT350 to the 2014 lineup.

Have you heard this rumor yet? It is not exactly new. The Boss is ending a 2 year run (2012 and 2013). No other special editions have been announced yet. A Mach 1 would be great, and it still might happen. But that is speculation for another day. Today we are talking about Shelby.

Ford has included the Shelby Mustang GT500 in their line up with outstanding success since 2007. Even with other aftermarket greats – Saleen and Roush continuously producing world class Mustangs – the Shelby name, legend and reputation continues to have the closest ties to Ford and Mustangs.

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 made its debut and comeback in 2011 when Ford returned to the 5.0 liter Coyote motor. The Man, Carroll Shelby, wanted to bring the GT350 back with the modern Mustang platform. He also wanted to wait for an engine worthy of the name.

The 2011 Shelby Mustang GT350 has taken some heat for the body kit and exorbitant price. But nobody is arguing about its track prowess and legendary pedigree. If you have seen and heard these beasts stretching their legs on a track, you know what I am talking about.

Now in its 3^rd year of production out of Shelby Headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, the GT350 is a sticker shock many have been willing to endure. The base Mustang GT gets you in the door in the mid $30,000 range. Then add the GT350 package, a couple options and you are looking at a $70,000 car in a hurry. Way more money than the 2013 GT500 from the Ford Factory. Is it a lesser car? Some would argue “no” because it is a true Shelby, coming out of Vegas in the tradition of the original Shelby GT350s back in the 1960s. Others would argue that in 50 years who is going to care, as long as it is a registered Shelby car from a limited edition run. The GT500s are mass production cars coming off Ford’s factory line. A true Shelby? Yes and no.

Ford has done a brilliant job in performance and packaging for the GT500. All with keeping the cost low. The GT500 represents over 660 horsepower in a modern, sophisticated, comfortable, drivable super car for less than $55,000.

So what are the upsides of buying a 2013 GT500 as opposed to a 2013 Shelby GT350? That still comes down to a matter of taste and opinion. Both cars are brilliant and will age very well.

The biggest downsides of buying the GT350 from Shelby is the cost, a base Mustang GT as the starting point, the wait time – if you order one –  and the fact that is has been altered after production.

So here is the list of rumors as I have heard them;

1. Ford arranged to take over the Shelby Brand after Carroll’s death
2. The GT350 will become a Ford factory produced car
3. The GT350 will no longer be coming out of the Shelby American Headquarters
4. The starting price will be $47,000 – significantly less than for the 2013
5. The options list and color choices will be as exhaustive as the GT500, including stripes, convertible, performance packages, etc.

It makes a lot of sense. The GT350 should cost less than a GT500. Ford should continue the Shelby legacy. It sounds like a win-win for enthusiasts and for Ford and Shelby. Let’s hope the rumors turn out to be true. If so, remember where you heard them first.

Photos by Steven Valline