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.
(courtesy of My Ford Magazine - WINTER 2007)