The iconic name of Shelby (now Shelby American) will forever bring two thoughts to a person’s head; high-performance muscle cars, and high costs of ownership. For decades now, the only option for those who wanted to own an authentic Shelby product was to shell out at least $50,000 for the GT500 Mustang. If you wanted something a bit older, such as a GT350 or original Cobra, well you better have very deep pockets because those cars regularly sell for several hundred thousand dollars.

But that is no longer the case, as today Shelby American pulled the veil off of its new post-title package for the 2012 Ford Mustang, the “GTS” package. With an MSRP of just $9,995 (not including the car of course) this package will take a plain-Jane Mustang, even a V6, and turn it into an authentic Shelby automobile.

As a post-title package, you basically buy your Mustang, take it to Shelby, and tell them what options you want. The base GTS package includes a Ford Racing suspension package, including new springs, tuner stabilizer bars, and a front strut tower brace. A “fresh air package” is coupled with a Borla exhaust system, Baer brakes, and a unique deep draw hood of Shelby’s own design. Other standard features include a blacked-out grille with running pony emblem, Shelby GTS badges, Shelby stripes, and a Shelby interior plate.

Not bad for $10,000, and if you’ve got a bit more money to spend, then there is an optional supercharger kit for both V6 and V8 models. 18 or 20-inch wheels are also an option, as are even bigger breaks, a two-tone leather interior, and well, probably anything else you can think of if you’ve got enough money. The point here though, is that this is a Shelby on the cheap; if you bought a base V6 model and took it straight to Shelby, well you’ve got a Shelby automobile for the price of a Mustang GT. And we think that’s pretty damn cool, don’t you?

Official Release

Fulfilling the desire of Ford Shelby GT fans worldwide, executives with Shelby American Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK) introduced today the new Shelby GTS post-title package for the 2011-2012 Ford Mustang at the New York International Auto Show. Available with a either a V6 or V8, normally aspirated or supercharged, the Shelby GTS is the spiritual rebirth of the popular 2007-2008 Ford Shelby GT.

“The Ford Shelby GT was introduced in 2007 as an agile, reliable and affordable muscle car,” said John Luft, president of Shelby American Inc. “It dominated its SCCA racing class and was a popular canvas for enthusiasts to create their dream Shelby. Our Shelby GTS picks up that mantle and expands upon it with a choice of V6 or V8 power for a new generation of Shelby enthusiast who wants a car built just for them.”

Ever since Ford introduced the 3.7L V6 and 5.0L V8 Mustang for the 2011 model year, the Shelby research and development team has been secretly developing the GTS package. Once the Shelby GT350 was finalized in both coupe and convertible versions, the skunkworks team accelerated the project. Working with partners at Ford Racing, Borla and Baer, Shelby American enhanced the car’s suspension, strengthened the braking and coaxed more power out of the engine.

“Our Shelby GTS is a fantastic way to pump up the capabilities of a stock Mustang within a budget without sacrificing performance,” added Mr. Luft. “It’s a car that reaches a younger buyer while acknowledging the economic realities of our times.”