For purely conversational sake, lets run some numbers. Lets take a look at what your getting in the Shelby GT vs. a standard GT, and guesstimates on pricing (price of part / cost of labor to install if applicable):
• Mustang GT: $30k fully loaded Premium M5
• 90-millimeter cold-air intake: $250.00 / $50.00
• Reworked engine calibration: $250.00 / $50.00
• Upgraded exhaust flow (via a new X-pipe): $400.00 / $100.00 assuming catted pipe for emissions.
• Shorter rear axle ratio (3.55 versus the GT's 3.31): $250.00 / $250.00
•
Hurst short-throw shifter: $250.00 / $100.00
• Shorter springs $300.00 / $300.00
• Stiffer dampers: $50.00 / $50.00
• Upgraded front antiroll bar: $100.00 / $50.00
• Front strut-tower brace: $200.00 / $50.00
• Silver Le Mans racing stripes: $500.00 / $500.00
• Additional "Shelby GT" side stripes: $10.00 / $10.00
• 18-inch chrome wheels: $800.00 / $5.00
• Unique side scoops: $5.00 / $2.50
• Lower front fascia: $75.00 / $15.00
• Brushed-aluminum grille: 75.00 / $25.00
• Hood scoop: $10.00 / $20.00
• "Shelby GT" floor mats: $25.00 / $0.00
• Doorsill plates: $50.00 / $5.00
Total Parts: $3600.00
Total Labor: $ 1582.50
Grand Total: $5182.50
Now let’s subtract out the gears & wheels as we can suspect on a fully loaded $30k GT you’d opt to upgrade both the gears and wheels and they’d be include in that price.
Adjusted Grand Total: $3882.50 (and that's probably low balling the labor)
So right now you’re looking at a fully loaded, Shelby GT running about $33,882.50 + tax, tags, delivery, etc. I guess its really hard to explain, but this is exactly the car I’ve been looking for. I’ve wanted a new Stang ever since the ‘05’s have come out, but having a GT already, I wanted something a bit different. This fits the bill to a T.
Most of these mods, cold air intake, engine cal, upgraded exhaust, gears, short throw shifter, springs, and the other “niceties” are ones that I would look to tackle/install in the first 6 months of owning the car. With this one, not only do I not have to, I get a nice warm & fuzzy warranty to boot. This can then free up funds for other fun items like underdrive pulley's, better brakes, or hell - some form of forced induction.
Of course the BOSS will more than likely offer ALL of this plus:
• Upgraded brakes
• 6-speed
• More HP
• Unique looks
• Unique value
• Higher MSRP
All of which I would LOVE to have (minus the last one), but the timing is off by a greater factor than I’m willing to wait.
Now these numbers are purely “off the hip” so don’t read too much into them. Plus, I’m calculating on what these parts would cost ME, not what the dealer or Shelby may pay for them in bulk.
In the end, I think Ford’s got another winner on their hands – even if its only a stop gap before the even grander plan is laid before us.
As a side note, I’ve got inquiries into not 1, but 3 dealers telling them I want to be #1 on their order list and will be in the day they call looking for a deposit. Here’s to hoping!!