This week would have seen Carroll Shelby celebrate his 100th birthday, but the automotive icon passed away in 2012. However, Shelby American is marking the occasion with a limited edition Mustang. Officially known as the Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustang, the model is based on the 2023 Mustang GT and is available as either a coupe or convertible. Regardless of which body style is selected, the special edition features a Shelby-branded grille, extended front fenders, and a sizeable rear spoiler. The model also sports a ventilated hood, aggressive rockers, special graphics, and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels with a satin black finish.
Moving into the cabin, buyers will find
black leather seats with white contrast stitching and a Centennial Edition logo
on the headrests. They’re joined by
“Shelby” door sill plates, a numbered dash plaque, and floor mats that sport
Carroll Shelby’s signature. On the performance front, the car’s 5.0-liter V8
engine has been equipped with a supercharger and a Borla cat-back exhaust. Thanks to these modifications, the output
climbs to more than 750 hp. It can be connected to either a six-speed manual or a ten-speed
automatic transmission.
Sticking with the performance theme, the
Centennial Edition comes equipped with a new radiator as well as performance
springs and sway bars. Buyers will also
find adjustable caster and camber plates as well as Brembo front calipers.
According to Shelby American’s Vince LaViolette, the company wanted to honor
the man “properly” so the resulting model is a “well-balanced car that is far
more than just a horsepower upgrade.” He
went on to note the special edition’s enhanced styling and “sharpened”
handling.
Production will be limited to 100 units
and it will cost US$ 49,995 to convert a Mustang GT into a Carroll Shelby
Centennial Edition – not including the price of the base car. Construction is slated to begin in the second
quarter and buyers will receive a commemorative Shelby Centennial Book as well
as a black Stetson hat and a Team Shelby membership. The company will also honor Shelby’s
commitment to philanthropy by making a donation to the Carroll Shelby
Foundation.