Oklahoma-based Classic Recreations is offering a carbon-fibre bodied version of the classic 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500CR.
The builder of officially-licensed Ford and Shelby American continuation cars and restorations has enlisted SpeedKore Performance Group, the Wisconsin-based carbon-fibre manufacturer, to produce carbon-fibre bodies for its Shelby GT500CR models.
The first of its kind, the program is part of an initiative by Classic Recreations to build the next generation of modern high-performance vehicles with iconic classic American styling, followed by a Shelby-licensed all-carbon-fibre-bodied Cobra in the future.
“When we decided to build the carbon-fibre-bodied GT500CR Mustangs, we wanted to work with someone who shared our vision for the future of custom car building,” Founder and President of Classic Recreations, Jason Engel, said.
“Having a supplier that is equally committed to high-quality craftsmanship and producing innovative vehicles is incredibly important to us and we found that matched commitment in SpeedKore.”
Classic Recreations’ team of skilled technicians and craftsmen has been modifying and building high-performance vehicles for more than 15 years.
Each built-to-order vehicle takes nearly 2500 man-hours of painstaking assembly.
The company is licensed by Ford Motor Company to build Ford Mustang restorations and continuation cars.
Classic Recreations is also a Ford Racing distributor.
Each Classic Recreations Shelby comes with an official Shelby serial number and is included in the official Shelby Worldwide Registry.
Classic Recreations’ standard Shelby GT500CR starts with an original 1967 or 1968 Mustang body that is restored to like-new condition using hundreds of man-hours of labour.
The carbon-fibre GT500CR also begins with a restored donor steel tub that is then fitted with all-new carbon-fibre body panels.
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Starting with a 3D digital model produced from SpeedKore’s blue light scan of an entire GT500CR body, a five-axis CNC machine cuts the moulds, and then plugs and panels are pulled using aerospace-grade prepreg carbon-fibre.
The moulded carbon-fibre body panels are cured using a massive in-house autoclave.
The result is the world’s first officially-licensed Shelby Mustang that is lighter and stronger than an all-steel body and has perfect carbon-fibre weave alignment.
The precisely manufactured, hypercar-quality carbon-fibre bodies can be produced efficiently to exacting specifications.
“Since 1998, Mr Shelby believed that carbon-fibre would be the future of American sports car manufacturing,” Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International, Neil Cummings, said.
“We believe the introduction of a carbon-fibre GT500 Mustang and Cobra is a natural next step in the evolution of these iconic vehicles and builds on the legacy of the same innovation that Carroll Shelby was known for.
Under the carbon-fibre body is a modern high-performance vehicle.
GT500CR models are available with several engine options, ranging from a 365kW Ford Performance Gen III 5.0-litre Coyote crate engine up to a 670kW, hand-built 7.0-litre engine with an inter-cooled ProCharger supercharger.
All Shelby GT500CR models are equipped with a Tremec five-speed manual transmission and a stainless-steel MagnaFlow performance exhaust.
Standard features include a power rack-and-pinion conversion, coil over suspension, oversized sway bars, Wilwood brakes, American Racing forged wheels and Michelin high-performance Z-rated tires.
The optional Pro Touring Track Package includes Detroit Speed Engineering suspension, wider rear wheels and tires, mini tubs and six-piston brake calipers with larger rotors.
Other customisation options are available, including six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, a wide range of interior upgrades and a full palette of paint colours.
Carbon-fibre bodies for the Shelby GT500CR.
Carbon-fibre bodies for the Shelby GT500CR.
Carbon-fibre bodies for the Shelby GT500CR.
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