FASTTRACK

OUR GUEST EXPERTS TAKE THE 2007 SHELBY GT THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE, TIRE-SMOKING TEST DRIVE. by Gordon Bass / Photos by Mark Jenkinson

Even before you get behind the wheel of the 2007 Shelby Ford GT you can tell that this car means business. The lowered stance, the LeMans stripes, the hood scoop and the billet aluminium grille all speak loudly about its intentions ... But that's just the appearance. To find out how the Shelby GT performs, My Ford invited the Shelby American Automobile Club [SAAC] to get behind the wheel at an exclusive preview. This wasn't a typical test drive: Five members from the club's Motor City Region whipped the Performance White coupe through a smoking, snaking level II autocross course at Ford's Dearborn Development Center, pushing the car as far as possible as they assessed its handling characteristics ... "It's outstanding," said Darius Rudis. "You tell this car to do something and it does it." Rich Tweedle agreed: "This Mustang combines speed and handling -- what's there not to smile about?" And Randy Betki, a connoisseur whose collection includes a 1966 GT350H, summed it up best: "This car balances power and control." ... That's just the way it was planned by Ford Racing and racing legend Carroll Shelby. They gave the car a short rear-axle ratio for fast off-the-line acceleration. A Ford Racing Short-Throw Shifter upgrade package from Hurst adds precise shifts, and stiff dampers and a front swaybar enhance cornering and body control thanks to the Ford Racing Handling Pack. Under the hood, a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack increases the output of the 4.6 liter V-8 to 319 horsepower. As Shelby himself says, "This is one of those rare cars that's easy to drive really fast." And it's going to move fast in another way too. This limited edition Shelby GT is expected to sell quickly when it hits dealerships in January.  

Motor City Region menbers (left to right) Rich Tweedle,
Dave Marchand, Randy Betki, Thomas Greene and Darius Rudis.