Correct me if I am wrong, it looks like the Shelby GT will be upgraded to the Shelby package at their shop in Vegas. Isn't the GT500 done completely on-site at Ford?
I'll 2nd that... It's a neat little package, and very reminiscent of the process and modifications that brought the 65-66 Shelbys to market.
I was already noodling on how I could wrangle one of the Hertz cars once they finally retired to dealer lots, without getting bent over and dry-humped... But screw that... those cars will be used rentals, with weeny wheels, and slush-box trannies.
I'll take a stick-shift shiny-bigger-wheel brand-new Shelby GT, and forego the Hertz nostalgia... and probably save a bundle compared to the sentimental slaves who will fight and battle and bid-war over the Hertz cars.
im anxious to see what the boss is going to look like. besides, even though the shelby gt is a sweet looking car your only getting an extra 25 horse out of it.
I've been watching the development and roll-out of the GT500 with anticipation, and am generally interested in the special production vehicles of this current platform. One thing that worries me, however, is the shear number of special editions: GT-H (can't buy until after Hertz is done with'em), the GT500 (supposedly an 'instant classic' due to Shelby's involvement, but now we have the Shelby GT which, although not as powerful, seems to have more credibility as a Shelby vehicle being prepared / finished by his plant. Add to this the Boss edition in 2008... Is there any end in sight? How many souped-up mustangs can the market absorb until the inevitable bottom falls out? It makes me wonder as a would-be owner how upside down on a GT500 deal I might be when everyone in town is driving a Shelby vehicle of some iteration...
It illustrates the lunacy of paying huge premiums early in the game...
But LONG TERM, I don't think there's going to be "too many" special models built on this platform. Just look at how many different things Ford and Shelby punted to the public in the late 60's..
Shelby GT350, then GT500, then convertibles were available, then GT500KR...
Then Ford tosses in with the Boss 302, Boss 429, Boss 351...
You add 'em all up, and alot of "special" cars were floated between 65-71. Today, they are ALL worth small fortunes.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the cars coming out right now, as long as you have the calmness of nerve to wait-out initial poaching post-sticker premiums.
I agree with your point that the Shelby GT takes some luster off the GT500 being a "real Shelby", despite the GT500 being able to run circles around the Shelby GT.
If you take a historical perspective, I liken the new GT500 to the '68 GT500KR. Big power, alot of unique cosmetic changes to the nose and tail, and pretty-much a Ford-developed car with Shelby's name plunked on it.
The new Shelby GT is like the '66 GT350. Similar in the extent of visual mods, and similar in the extant of engine/chassis mods.
In collector markets, the '66 GT350 and the '68 GT500KR bring very similar values, despite the fact that the former is more "true Shelby" than the latter, and despite the fact that the latter is far faster than the former.