In celebration of a momentous anniversary next year, Shelby American is revitalizing the storied King of the Road moniker as a 900-horsepower post-title upgrade package for the 2020+ Shelby GT500. 

“Sixty years ago, Shelby American and Ford Motor Company collaborated on their first car, the Shelby Cobra,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “That relationship resulted in racing championships, victories over Ferrari at Le Mans, and amazing Shelby cars based on the Ford Mustang. Today, we offer a line of Ford-based Shelby trucks and cars and have begun exploring electric vehicles. Every 2022 model year vehicle we build will wear a 60th-anniversary badge to symbolize our heritage and bright future, beginning with the Shelby GT500KR.”

The current Shelby GT500 already has amazing capabilities. We’re taking it to an entirely new level for the extreme driver. — Shelby American Vice President, Vince LaViolette .

The first production Shelby GT500KR will cross the block at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, with no reserve on January 29. The proceeds of the auction benefit the Carroll Shelby Foundation and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. (Photo Credit: Shelby American)

While the original Shelby GT500 KR debuted in 1968 with upgrades like a 428 Cobra Jet under the hood, it returned in 2008-2009 for a limited run. This new package marks just the third time that the GT500 carries the King of the Road name.  

“Shelby American Vice President, Vince LaViolette, and I were deeply involved with the Ford Performance team for the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR program, and I also own a 1968 model,” Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American, said. “We’re committed to ensuring the third-generation model is worthy of the iconic ‘King of the Road’ crown. Our program team includes experts at Ford Performance and key suppliers, as well as specialists like Shelby GT500 factory development driver Billy Johnson. We announced the program launch today and we’ll show the car to the public at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January. From its initial design to final performance specs, the Shelby GT500KR will live up to the name.”

Among the upgrades putting the crown on the latest member of Shelby royalty are a Whipple 3.8-liter supercharger, a Borla exhaust, a recalibrated MagneRide suspension, and more (see below). 

“The current Shelby GT500 already has amazing capabilities,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American vice president of operations and chief of R&D. “We’re taking it to an entirely new level for the extreme driver. We integrated a new supercharger and coolers, then tuned the 5.2-liter V8 to churn out 900 plus horsepower on pump gas. The KR has more aggressive adjustable springs, Ford Performance sway bars, and a new aggressive suspension tune. The exhaust was reworked to be even bolder and we sliced 30 pounds off with an ultra-light dry carbon fiber hood that delivers even more cooling. An optional wide body version is even available.”