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Ford is showing off the 2007 Shelby GT-500 at the Detroit Auto Show this week. They didn’t announce anything new about the car, like pricing and availability. So rather than re-hash the same old Ford PR drivel we’re just going to share with you this interesting spec comparison between the original GT-500 in 1968 and the new one. If you did miss all the details on the car the first time we ran them, they can be found here.
1968 and 2007 FORD SHELBY GT500 COMPARISONS
Springs and shocks360 lbs./in. coil with adj. hydraulic shocksMacPherson strutsMacPherson struts
| 1968 Shelby GT500 | 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 | 2006 Ford Mustang GT | |
| BODY | |||
| Construction | Unibody | Unibody | Unibody |
| Styles | Fastback, convertible | Coupe, convertible | Coupe, convertible |
| ENGINE | |||
| Type | 90 degree V-8 | 90 degree V-8 | 90 degree V-8 |
| Bore x stroke | 4.13 x 3.98 inches/104.9 x 101.1 mm | 3.552 x 4.165 inches/90.22 x 105.8 mm | 3.55 x 3.54 inches/90.22 x 90.0 mm |
| Displacement | 428 cu. In./ 7,013 cc | 330 cu. in./5,409 cc | 281 cu. in./4,606 cc |
| Horsepower | 360 @ 5,400 rpm (SAE gross) | Estimated: 475 (SAE net) | 300 @ 5,750 rpm (SAE net) |
| Torque | 420 lb.-ft. @ 3,200 rpm (SAE gross) | Estimated: 475 lb.-ft. (SAE net) | 320 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm (SAE net) |
| Horsepower per liter | 51.33 (SAE gross) | Estimated: 87.95 (SAE net) | 65.13 (SAE net) |
| Block | Cast iron | Cast iron | Aluminum |
| Heads | Cast iron, overhead valves | Ford GT aluminum, dual overhead cams | Aluminum, single overhead cam |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 | 8.4:1 | 9.8:1 |
| Valvetrain | |||
| Camshaft | Single, in block | Dual, overhead | Single, overhead |
| Valves per cylinder | Two: 1 intake, 1 exhaust | Four: 2 intake, 2 exhaust | Three: 2 intake, 1 exhaust |
| Fuel system | |||
| Delivery | 4bbl carb w/ 600 cfm primaries, 715 cfm secondaries | Elec. fuel injec., dual 60 mm throttle body | Elec. fuel injec., dual 55 mm throttle body |
| Intake manifold | Cobra Aluminum | Alum with supercharger and intercooler | Aluminum |
| Ignition | Mechanically-driven distributor | Coil-on-plug | Coil-on-plug |
| Exhaust system | |||
| Manifolds | Cast iron | Cast iron | Cast iron |
| Arrangement | Dual | Dual | Dual |
| TRANSMISSION | |||
| Standard | 4-speed manual | 6-speed manual | 5-speed manual |
| Optional | 3-speed automatic | None | 5-speed automatic |
| Final drive | 3.50:1, manual/3.50:1, automatic | 3.31:1 | 3.55, manual/3.31, automatic |
| SUSPENSION | |||
| Front | Independent | Reverse-L independent | Reverse-L independent |
| Stabilizer bar | 23.9 mm | 34 mm | 34 mm |
| Rear | Live axle | Live axle | Live axle |
| Type | Hotchkiss with custom windup dampers | Three-link with Panhard rod | Three-link with Panhard rod |
| Springs | 135 lbs./in. 4-leaf semi-elliptical | coil springs | coil springs |
| Shocks | Adjustable hydraulic shocks | ||
| Stabilizer bar | 24 mm, Coupe; 20 mm, Convertible | 20 mm, Coupe; 18 mm, Convertible | |
| BRAKES | |||
| Type | Power assisted front disc, rear drum | Pwr asst four-wheel disc w/ ABS, Traction Control | Power assisted four-wheel disc, ABS |
| Front | 11.3-inch ventilated discs | Brembo 14-in. vented discs, 4-piston calipers | 12.4-in vented discs, twin-piston calipers |
| Rear | 10.0 x 1.75-inch rear drums | 11.8-in. vented discs, single-piston calipers | |
| WHEELS/TIRES | |||
| Wheels | Standard: 15-inch x 6-inch steel wheels | Standard: 18-inch x 9.5-inch aluminum wheels | Standard: 17-inch x 8-inch aluminum wheels |
| Optional: 15-inch x 7-inch steel wheels | Optional: None | Optional: 18-inch x 8-inch aluminum wheels | |
| Tires | E70 x 15 nylon 4-ply nylon, rated to 130 mph | Front:P255/45ZR 18; Rear: P285/40ZR 18 | Standard: P235/55ZR 17 |
| Optional P235//50ZR 18 | |||
| Steering | |||
| Type | Power assisted recirculating ball | Power assisted rack and pinion | Power assisted rack and pinion |
| Ratio | 16 to 1 | 15.6 to 1 | 15.6 to 1 |
| DIMENSIONS/CAPACITIES | |||
| Wheelbase | 108.0 inches | 107.1 inches | 107.1 inches |
| Length | 186.8 inches | 187.6 inches | 187.6 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 73.9 inches | 73.9 inches |
| Height | 51.8 inches (Fastback) | 55.7 inches (Coupe) | 55.4 inches (Coupe) |
| Track, front/rear | 58.1 inches/58.1 inches | 61.9 inches/62.5 inches | 62.8 inches/63.0 inches |
| Curb weight | 3,445 lbs. (Fastback with automatic) | ~3,920 lbs Coupe | 3,488 lbs. (Coupe with manual) |
| Weight distribution, f/r | 56.4%/43.6% (Fastback with automatic) | 57%/43% | 54%/46 (Coupe with manual) |
