SVT Chief Says Boss 302, Not Camaro ZL1, Inspired 2013 GT500

When the announcement from Ford first came through, not everybody believed it at first. The 2013 Shelby GT500 will have how much horsepower? 650 was the number, blowing the nearest competition, the Camaro ZL1, out of the water. GM went into damage control, with the ZL1’s chief designer taking credit for the huge power bump, citing Ford and GM’s revived rivalry.

But according to Mustangs Daily, SVT’s Chief Engineer Jamaal Hameedi says that the Camaro ZL1 wasn’t the inspiration for the 650 horsepower Shelby; it was Ford’s own Boss 302 Mustang.

Hameedi says that when the 2013 Shelby project was launched, it was during “the darkest days” of the auto industry. His team was under the impression that the Camaro Z28/ZL1 had been cancelled. Rather, the extra effort and horsepower was inspired by Ford’s own Boss 302 Mustang.

We can see where Hameedi is coming from. A fully decked out Boss 302 Mustang Laguna Seca Edition is just a few bucks under $50,000 while the Shelby GT500 starts in the $55,000 range. Ford had to step up its game to segregate the Shelby and Boss.

We almost feel bad for Chevy, as it looks like they’re going to be playing catchup in the super muscle car race for at least a few more years.