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The original Shelby GT350 Mustangs are some of the most sought after and highly collectible examples of the early pony car. Built race-ready, these cars came with all the features hardcore enthusiasts craved, but official first generation Shelby GT350 production ended in 1967, although Ford continued to build models with that name through 1969.
Then in 2010 with Shelby and Ford riding the success of the GT500, Shelby GT, and other variants, Shleby American reintroduced what may be it’s most famous nameplate ever. The GT350 went back on sale in 2011, as a hardcore performance car, that was even more exclusive than the GT500.
Each year of the GT350 has had a limited production run at Shelby American, unlike the GT500, these cars begin life as a Mustang GT, and then receive the GT350 treatment at Shelby’s Las Vegas, Nevada headquarters. This makes the cars that much more exclusive, and hopefully one day more desirable to collectors.
Shelby has announced that the GT350 name is once again going on hiatus at the end of 2013. Orders for GT350’s will be taken until December 31, 2013, after that we don’t know when the GT350 moniker will officially grace the rockers of a Mustang again.
Speculation and rumors have suggested that Ford is going to kill the current GT500 name with the departure of the S197 Mustang platform, and the introduction of the all new S550 Mustang next year. The rumor, which we reported on last month suggests that Ford will revive the GT350 moniker, building a version on the assembly line, and filling the void left by the exit of the GT500.
We’ve also heard that this new GT350 will receive a naturally aspirated 5.2 Coyote based engine, good for a ballpark 500 hp without the use of forced induction. No word from Ford yet on whether that’s true, although Shelby officials said in their official press release they’re working on “the next car.” Regardless if you’ve been debating on a new GT350, based on the S197 platform you better get your order in soon, because it won’t be long before these cars are just another part of muscle car legend.
