It’s loud, aggressive and the polar opposite of subtle. It’s easy to drive, but not always easy to handle. It slides easily and practically drinks gasoline by the litre. So, in essence, it’s just like the muscle cars of the ’60s and ’70s, but in a safe and modern package.
The GT350 is the latest car from Ford to bear the “Shelby” moniker. It’s named after the late racing driver Carroll Shelby, who, with some help from Ford and British manufacturer AC Cars Ltd., created one of the most iconic vehicles in the world: the Shelby Cobra. It also marked the start of a longstanding partnership that is still going strong today.
As part of a new series reviewing autos, Global News put the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 to the test.
What’s it like to drive?
If the iconic Camaros, Mustangs, Chargers, Challengers, and the many other muscle cars of the late ’60s had one mantra, it was fun. Muscle cars are all about giving drivers an unhealthy serving of power and excitement that kept their heart rate up and traffic officers employed. The GT350 lives up to that mantra quite well. Drivers will enjoy revving the engine and shifting gears through the Shelby’s only transmission choice: a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Experienced drivers will enjoy keeping the car’s tachometer above 3,800 RPM while shifting through the very light transmission. At that RPM range, valves in the car’s exhaust open and its handbuilt 5.2-litre V8 engine starts to dish out its 526 horsepower in a manner that makes you want to push it further and further.
The only limit you’ll reach is the speed limit. And the Shelby’s almost demonic exhaust will have likely terrorized anyone in the immediate area.
The Shelby GT350 comes from the factory with a staggered set of 19-inch wheels equipped with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. Staggered meaning the rear wheels and tires are wider than the front pair, which also means tire rotations are not possible. While the tires are exceptional at keeping the vehicle gripping the road, an excessive push on the gas pedal can easily make the back end of the car slide out. Fun on a race track, but dangerous (and illegal) on public roads.
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Is it expensive?
The original Shelby GT350 – introduced in 1965 – would cost roughly $50,000 today, according to the Bank of Canada. Fast forward 51 years and the 2016 Shelby GT350 will set you back $62,599 before options, taxes, delivery charge and other fees you may be subject to. For the average Canadian, yes, that’s definitely expensive for a car. But this isn’t a car that one would use for daily driving. The fuel cost alone would only add to the expense list.
Looking at some of the Shelby’s competitors, like the Chevrolet Camaro SS or the Dodge Challenger SRT 392, the GT350 seems to hit the right price point for a high performance modern muscle car. Unfortunately, Ford has already moved on to the 2017 model year which comes with a price increase. The once optional Track Package, which added improved suspension, a new rear spoiler and other mechanical improvements, is now standard, pushing the base price to $73,678. That pushes it closer to the territory of the Dodge Charger/Challenger Hellcat, which gives you 700+ horsepower – almost 200 more than the Shelby. Side note: the Hellcat’s engines are built in Brampton, Ontario!
Is it worth it?
If there was some sort of horsepower to fun ratio, the 2016 Shelby would do quite well; 526 horsepower is quite a lot for a V8 performance coupe under $75,000. BMW’s M6 coupe, featuring a 560 horsepower V8, starts at $126,000. The 503 horsepower Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG S coupe, good for 510 horsepower, is expected to retail in the high $70,000’s in Canada. The Lexus RC-F coupe, with a 476 horsepower V8, retails at $85,000.
So, even with the price increase for the 2017 year model, the Shelby GT350 does present good value, strictly from a numbers standpoint, for anyone in that market. But it’s worth making note of the associated prestige that comes with brands like BMW or Lexus when looking at the price. While the Shelby can hold its own at speed, it loses points for luxuries and creature comforts. You won’t find much luxury on the inside of a Shelby – even with optional extras like heated and ventilated seats. Soft materials and plush seating were put aside for the sake of more power. Ford themselves have admitted the Shelby was all about getting the most performance for your money, so cost cutting measures had to be taken where possible.
Bottom Line?
Shelby and Mustang are two of the most iconic names in automotive history, and Ford has always been happy to capitalize on the fact. Mustangs bearing the “Shelby” name, while more expensive than their standard counterparts, are surprisingly hot sellers despite the price increase and luxury decrease. Shelby Mustangs are a big investment upfront, but they tend to hold their value better than a standard Mustang.
A GT350 is by no means a reasonable purchase for an average family. It is a fun toy for cruises, weekend sprints and days at the race track. It’s not a car to drive every day, but on the days you do drive it, it’ll feel like it was worth every penny. Or nickel, in Canada’s case.
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