Ford Shelby GR-1 News...
GT Successor
Ford, which said only 4,500
exotic $139,995 GTs will be sold in the 2005 and 2006 model years, has unveiled
a high-performance concept ready to take the GT's place.
The Ford Shelby GR-1 concept bowed at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in
California last month and is expected on the auto-show circuit next year to
gauge consumer demand.
There are two opposing Ford camps on what the GT successor should be - an
open-top roadster or a closed-top coupe.
Ford unveiled a two-seat, convertible Shelby Cobra concept at this year's
Detroit Auto Show. Now the closed-top two-seat Shelby GR-1 is being showcased.
Both, built off the GT platform, were designed and built with performance car
creator Carroll Shelby.
Ford leaves little doubt it wants to produce the GR-1.
"The Ford Shelby Cobra concept was a small step in our plans for the Ford GT,"
said J Mays, Ford's group vice president of global design. "The Ford Shelby GR-1
is a giant leap toward the future" and "the next chapter in a long line of Ford
supercar concepts."
The '05 GT is powered by a 5.4-liter V-8 capable of 550 hp. and a top speed of
205 mph. (Car enthusiast Jay Leno already owns one.) The GR, expected to top
$150,000, is powered by a 6.4-liter V-10 that achieves 605 hp.
- Chicago Tribune, Newsday,
Friday, September 10, 2004
This page was last updated on
03/28/05
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