Ford Announces Mustang Shelby GT

Not to be confused with the more powerful Shelby GT500, the new Shelby GT will be a retail version of the GT-H rental racer that Hertz has been offering to customers. The retail Shelby GT will feature a 325 hp V8 engine — modified from the base Mustang GT’s 300 hp powerplant — a stylized grille, hoodscoop and various other performance and appearance accessories. It will come in only two colors, white or black.

No price has been announced but the Shelby GT will go on sale in January. We’d guess a price increase of $3,000 to $5,000 over the Mustang GT, which starts at $25,995. We like all the special editions Ford is offering on the Mustang as it harkens back to the golden age of muscle cars, although we wonder why they didn’t add 25 more horses and call it a GT350. Maybe that will be in store for 2008.