Spoke with Ford today

[robertlane]

I spoke with Ford today. They said that they were not yet prepared to address the questions posed to them. These were: Production figures, interior (seat, dash) changes, exterior colors, etc.

 

We are going to meet again - so I'll give it another go.

 

I was asked if there way anyone that I wanted to interview? So, I'm going to ask my fellow fanatics the question: What questions would you ask? What do you want to know? Maybe something that hasn't been asked by the general media yet. . . .

 

I have my list, but I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to pose some questions too

[JETSOLVER]

Yes please. Mr Thai-Tang, with the greatest personal respect for the head of the SN-197 program, an unqualified success, are you going to make SVT adhere to its long stated values of Performance, Substance, Exclusivity and Value, and if as I suspect you will, Why should I buy another SVT car or truck

? I have another if you will, What is the current thinking within Ford North America about the value of SVT, as per July 05 article re SVT Ford press release ? Has something changed in regards to the suggestions flying around re expanding the number of dealerships at the expense of the existing ownership base? Can you offer me an assurance that my eating the cost of dealer markups is going to satisfy my need for a car that as my 97 owners manual supplement states, " Page one: Our Team: DEDICATED ENTHUSIASTES AT FORD WHO DESIGN, BUILD, SELL AND SERVICE LIMITED -EDITION, HIGH-PERFORMANCE VEHICLES. FOR US, DRIVING IS A PASSION, SO WE TAKE SPECIAL PRIDE IN OUR WORK. SVT " This comes about as I have talked to my dealership/friends and even they wonder about the "family" relationship between SVT buyer and another sort of buyer of the SHELBY GT500.

[JETSOLVER]

Another one. Is the relationship between SVT and FRPP in terms of SVT owners and their need to improve their cars going to continue? I suggest that FRPP may have overreached its target market when they offered an "upgrade" FR500 cyl head and intake pkg worth approx. $5600 for 65 HP? which as I fact check is no longer on the site?

[KingCobra]

Hi Robert,

 

I agree with JETSOLVER. At the heart of my desire to own this car is its' exclusivity and it's appeal of being instantly recognizable as being separate from the standard Mustang line-up. What makes this particular model and year desirable to me is that it is 40 years since the introduction of the original GT500. What will Ford be doing to signify this? I feel as one of the first customers to financially commit to this car, that we, as well as the 40th anniversary model of the GT500 deserve something special. My fear is that all of the things that visually set this car apart will be stripped and become optional extras leaving a car that will appear not that different from the standard Mustangs. Say it isn't so!!!

 

KingCobra.

[JETSOLVER]

This might be an example of an Anniversary pkg.. 10th Anivs. SVT “Our SVT Mustang Cobra owners are some of the most loyal customers anywhere, and we are proud to share this anniversary milestone with them,” said Tom Scarpello, marketing and sales manager, Ford SVT. “The Cobra name has been synonymous with Ford performance for 40 years – and with SVT for the last 10 years. We are proud to carry the torch for this performance icon.” So what does that mean? :blink:

[hotwheels]

I too would want to know about production number's.

 

When ford did the mach 1 retro, ford stated that they were only going to do a 1 year run on this. As we all know, for did another run of them in 04. With the introduction of the new shelby mustang, will there actually be a limited line up in there....such as a 350gt or something along that line.?

[KingCobra]

If you read the article from the link on JETSOLVERs' post above on the Anniversary Edition SVT.

 

I love the look of painted brake calipers. Has anyone heard, or know if this might be done on the GT500?

 

KingCobra.

[svtbird91]

I would like to know if there will be any factory or maybe dealer options considered that could be avalible such as a "drag" package ie: steeper gears

roll cage, hood locks ect? I wouldn't mind paying more above the base cost of the car if these options were official Shelby GT 500 options. Thank you . :rolleyes:

[Milstang]

I would like to know if there will be any factory or maybe dealer options considered that could be avalible such as a "drag" package ie: steeper gears

roll cage, hood locks ect?  I wouldn't mind paying more above the base cost of the car if these options were official Shelby GT 500 options. Thank you . :rolleyes:

 

884[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Will we be able to have FRPP or other aftermarket parts put on the car by the dealership as options? I have heard that Ford is working on some kind of agreement to add other parts that would appear on the final sticker list. For example: Flowmasters, alternate wheels, FRPP performance packages, aftermarket exterior items. (Hood maybe?)

 

:P

[ColdwaterHotrod]

I spoke with Ford today.  They said that they were not yet prepared to address the questions posed to them.  These were:  Production figures, interior (seat, dash) changes, exterior colors, etc.

 

We are going to meet again - so I'll give it another go.

 

I was asked if there way anyone that I wanted to interview?  So, I'm going to ask my fellow fanatics the question: What questions would you ask?  What do you want to know?  Maybe something that hasn't been asked by the general media yet. . . .

 

I have my list, but I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to pose some questions too

 

859[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Robert for informing us of how the meeting went. I have about 30 questions that might be of some interest (at least to me) for some of us Shelby enthusiast. Let me know what you think & when you plan on going back incase I think of some more.

 

1. (I still have to ask this one even though they said no) How many different exterior colors will be offered & how many of them will be retro colors vs. new colors that have not yet been seen on the road?

2. Are we going to have to live with the cheap looking plastic vents on top of the hood or will this be open as the proto was?

3. Where will the 3rd brake light be located?

4. Will the Tail/Brake lights flash in a sequential order as some older mustangs did in the past?

5. Will Sirius Satellite radio be an option?

6. Will GPS navigation be an option?

7. Will side Air bags be available?

8. Will Keyless entry be available?

9. Will they be using a push-button for the starter or a key? Or both?

10. Will both front seats be full power or only the driver’s seat?

11. Will there be an option for Racing Stripes & are they Painted on or the Dull looking decals that can be ordered as an option/delete item?

12. How many colors will the Racing Stripes be available in?

13. Rim size? 18” or 19”?

14. If a convertible is made what colors will the soft top be available in & will a roll bar be an option?

15. Are their any plans for a GT-350 car?

16. Will an Automatic transmission be available as an option & if so will it have traction control?

17. Will there be any insignias or markings from SVT on the car? Valve Covers, Supercharger, Center Caps, etc.?

18. Will the Gas, Clutch & Brake pedals have the metal Cobra pedals or rubber foot ones?

19. Will the Motors be signed & tagged by the engine builders like the SVT Cobra motors?

20. FORD mention in a press release that they were going to make cars fuel friendly by being able to run on E85. Is this car one of them? Or will the motor be only recommended to run on 91+ Octane?

21. Will they have a special Carroll Shelby plaque anywhere on the dash or center console to show the production number of the vehicle?

22. Will they have a special Carroll Shelby certification paperwork?

23. Will Carroll hand sign any of the cars?

24. Will they have a special Carroll Shelby 40th anniversary plaque anywhere inside or out?

25. How does FORD plan on addressing dealer mark-ups so we don’t have the same problems of availability as we did with the GT 40?

26. How does FORD plan on addressing DEALERS not allowing customers to order a car at M.S.R.P.?

27. If I am allowed to order a car from the dealer, will I be able to go to the assembly plant to get a tour & see it built and pull it home on the trailer so the transport drivers don’t get in them with dirty hands & shoes? (Please don’t take offence if you’re a truck driver)

28. Will they offer a documentary video of how the car was built & put together for the owners?

29. When I take delivery of the car will it come with any free special club or memberships?

30. What kind of warrantee will be offered? 3 year 36,000, 5 year 50,000, etc…?

[mrsuds]

That was a long list of questions.

 

Some of them have already been discussed in one form or another, but some are valid questions.

 

Good work.

[crispy23c]

Robert, one question:

is there any possibility of the GTR tail-lights making production on the GT500 this year?

Thanks!

[ColdwaterHotrod]

Thanks, I just wanted to make sure all topics that had been discussed from this forum & on other websites had been documented into one master list format to help save Robert some time from having to dig thru each & every forum topic. Can you think of anymore? I know I missed something? I just have that feeling.

[ColdwaterHotrod]

I thought of a few more....

 

Question #31 - Where will the SHELBY lettering be on the rear decklid? Will it be the same size & font as the Proto type in New York & will they be made out of Metal, Plastic or Decals?

 

Question #32 - Will a Side Exhaust System be available as an option?

 

Question #33 - Does the Rear Bumper cover have the words “GT 500” or “SHELBY” or “SHELBY GT 500” molded into like the SVT Cobra’s did?

[ColdwaterHotrod]

I thought of a few more....

 

Question 34 - Ask FORD what is the proper protocol or company procedures for ordering & purchasing this car from a dealer so we don’t get priced gouged on one of these Limited Edition Shelby’s? Should we make the dealer give us a (V.I.N.) Vehicle Identification Number when we order it to make sure we are getting one so he doesn’t say later he never got one & really sold it to someone else for more money?

 

Question 35 - Is their a contact person at FORD (with a ph. number) that we can call & report Dealers who don’t play by the rules when ordering or charging excessive dealer prep fee’s, etc… :angry:

[mrsuds]

I thought of a few more....

 

Question 34 - Ask FORD what is the proper protocol or company procedures for ordering & purchasing this car from a dealer so we don’t get priced gouged on one of these Limited Edition Shelby’s?  Should we make the dealer give us a (V.I.N.) Vehicle Identification Number when we order it to make sure we are getting one so he doesn’t say later he never got one & really sold it to someone else for more money?

 

Question 35 - Is their a contact person at FORD (with a ph. number) that we can call & report Dealers who don’t play by the rules when ordering or charging excessive dealer prep fee’s, etc… :angry:

 

915[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Oh, these have to be the best questions yet.. I doubt that Ford is going to do anything about the dealer markup. Just look at the GT.

 

Besides, Ford already made its money. Every GT500 that gets built will first have to be paid for by the dealers. That's when supply and demand will determine the price.

 

I'm starting to realize that the higher the price goes the more people will look else where. Some people will buy regardless of price, just to have the Shelby name or the " fastest mustang ever produced". I'm going to sit back and watch what happens. With my luck, I'll probably get the car for a price I can live with and drive it home in a blizzard, but at least I'll have the car.

 

I've already started looking around for a replacement vehicle. It could be a used Chevy or Ford, hell at that price I could even go the German sports car route.

 

We will see.

[KingCobra]

Hey ColdwaterHotrod,

 

Great questions!!!

 

Love the idea of side pipes!!!

 

Is it for sure that the Detroit Auto Show in January is going to show us the final product for production with all of the options aswell???

 

KingCobra.

[CrazyHorse]

Thanks Robert for informing us of how the meeting went.  I have about 30 questions that might be of some interest (at least to me) for some of us Shelby enthusiast.  Let me know what you think & when you plan on going back incase I think of some more.

 

1. (I still have to ask this one even though they said no) How many different exterior colors will be offered & how many of them will be retro colors vs. new colors that have not yet been seen on the road?

2. Are we going to have to live with the cheap looking plastic vents on top of the hood or will this be open as the proto was?

3. Where will the 3rd brake light be located?

4. Will the Tail/Brake lights flash in a sequential order as some older mustangs did in the past?

5. Will Sirius Satellite radio be an option?

6. Will GPS navigation be an option?

7. Will side Air bags be available?

8. Will Keyless entry be available?

9. Will they be using a push-button for the starter or a key? Or both?

10. Will both front seats be full power or only the driver’s seat?

11. Will there be an option for Racing Stripes & are they Painted on or the Dull looking decals that can be ordered as an option/delete item?

12. How many colors will the Racing Stripes be available in?

13. Rim size?  18” or 19”?

14. If a convertible is made what colors will the soft top be available in & will a roll bar be an option?

15. Are their any plans for a GT-350 car?

16. Will an Automatic transmission be available as an option & if so will it have traction control?

17. Will there be any insignias or markings from SVT on the car? Valve Covers, Supercharger, Center Caps, etc.?

18. Will the Gas, Clutch & Brake pedals have the metal Cobra pedals or rubber foot ones?

19. Will the Motors be signed & tagged by the engine builders like the SVT Cobra motors?

20. FORD mention in a press release that they were going to make cars fuel friendly by being able to run on E85.  Is this car one of them?  Or will the motor be only recommended to run on 91+ Octane?

21. Will they have a special Carroll Shelby plaque anywhere on the dash or center console to show the production number of the vehicle?

22. Will they have a special Carroll Shelby certification paperwork?

23. Will Carroll hand sign any of the cars?

24. Will they have a special Carroll Shelby 40th anniversary plaque anywhere inside or out?

25. How does FORD plan on addressing dealer mark-ups so we don’t have the same problems of availability as we did with the GT 40?

26. How does FORD plan on addressing DEALERS not allowing customers to order a car at M.S.R.P.?

27. If I am allowed to order a car from the dealer, will I be able to go to the assembly plant to get a tour & see it built and pull it home on the trailer so the transport drivers don’t get in them with dirty hands & shoes?  (Please don’t take offence if you’re a truck driver)

28. Will they offer a documentary video of how the car was built & put together for the owners?

29. When I take delivery of the car will it come with any free special club or memberships?

30. What kind of warrantee will be offered? 3 year 36,000, 5 year 50,000, etc…?

 

910[/snapback]

 

 

 

#21 & 23 would be a really nice touch. Being a Shelby geek and all. And #26 for friggin sure.

[KingCobra]

Amen to that Crazyhorse!!!

 

I'd love to see that!!!

 

KingCobra.

[ColdwaterHotrod]

Thanks Robert for informing us of how the meeting went.  I have about 30 questions that might be of some interest (at least to me) for some of us Shelby enthusiast.  Let me know what you think & when you plan on going back incase I think of some more.

 

1. (I still have to ask this one even though they said no) How many different exterior colors will be offered & how many of them will be retro colors vs. new colors that have not yet been seen on the road?

2. Are we going to have to live with the cheap looking plastic vents on top of the hood or will this be open as the proto was?

3. Where will the 3rd brake light be located?

4. Will the Tail/Brake lights flash in a sequential order as some older mustangs did in the past?

5. Will Sirius Satellite radio be an option?

6. Will GPS navigation be an option?

7. Will side Air bags be available?

8. Will Keyless entry be available?

9. Will they be using a push-button for the starter or a key? Or both?

10. Will both front seats be full power or only the driver’s seat?

11. Will there be an option for Racing Stripes & are they Painted on or the Dull looking decals that can be ordered as an option/delete item?

12. How many colors will the Racing Stripes be available in?

13. Rim size?  18” or 19”?

14. If a convertible is made what colors will the soft top be available in & will a roll bar be an option?

15. Are their any plans for a GT-350 car?

16. Will an Automatic transmission be available as an option & if so will it have traction control?

17. Will there be any insignias or markings from SVT on the car? Valve Covers, Supercharger, Center Caps, etc.?

18. Will the Gas, Clutch & Brake pedals have the metal Cobra pedals or rubber foot ones?

19. Will the Motors be signed & tagged by the engine builders like the SVT Cobra motors?

20. FORD mention in a press release that they were going to make cars fuel friendly by being able to run on E85.  Is this car one of them?  Or will the motor be only recommended to run on 91+ Octane?

21. Will they have a special Carroll Shelby plaque anywhere on the dash or center console to show the production number of the vehicle?

22. Will they have a special Carroll Shelby certification paperwork?

23. Will Carroll hand sign any of the cars?

24. Will they have a special Carroll Shelby 40th anniversary plaque anywhere inside or out?

25. How does FORD plan on addressing dealer mark-ups so we don’t have the same problems of availability as we did with the GT 40?

26. How does FORD plan on addressing DEALERS not allowing customers to order a car at M.S.R.P.?

27. If I am allowed to order a car from the dealer, will I be able to go to the assembly plant to get a tour & see it built and pull it home on the trailer so the transport drivers don’t get in them with dirty hands & shoes?  (Please don’t take offence if you’re a truck driver)

28. Will they offer a documentary video of how the car was built & put together for the owners?

29. When I take delivery of the car will it come with any free special club or memberships?

30. What kind of warrantee will be offered? 3 year 36,000, 5 year 50,000, etc…?

910[/snapback]

 

Thought of another....

 

Question #36 - What does Ford think about dealers already putting 2007 Shelby GT 500's on eBay for auction starting at $15,000 above the M.S.R.P. and what do they plan on doing about it if anything at all?

 

(Personally I think dealers caught doing this should be prevented from even taking delivery of one)

[crispy23c]

Has anyone spoken to Ford today?

Seroiusly, any updates on this?

 

<bump> B)

[robertlane]

The last I spoke with them was about the 5.4L. We have not really been able to get together because of SEMA, then Thanksgiving and the down time in between.

[crispy23c]

Ahhhh, makes sense. SEMA. Thanksgiving. I guess I have egg on my face, eh (pun)? I feel like a real turkey! I know, a foul joke. I shouldn't hen peck you about this,....... but birds of a feather....

Okay, okay, I'll stop "stuffing" my posts. :blink:

 

Have a happy Thanksgiving, and pass the cranberry sauce.......... :rolleyes:

[Five Oh B]

Here's the problem with pricing. Ford cannot police dealer pricing, nor can they dictate what a dealer can ask/charge for any vehicle. Ford has a suggested retail price (MSRP), but keep in mind that is only a suggestion. Ford sells the vehicle to the dealer for "dealer invoice" less the holdback which is kicked back to cover flooring the vehicle (paying interest to the bank while it sits unsold). Ford has their money (and profit) in hand from the dealer and it is a set amount. Ford could care less how much the dealer, in turn, tries to sell the vehicle for. Some cars are sold at a huge premium, many cars are sold at a loss, and everything in between. This is the nature of a free-market economy and supply vs demand. Ford would be violating its franchise agreements with dealers if they mandated how much a dealer can ask/sell a car for.

 

If you noticed the Ford Family Plan offer in July-August and the current Ford Simple Plan offer where there is a set price, you'll notice that it is only at participating dealers. Again, this is because the franchise agreements that Ford has with their dealer body prevents Ford from telling the dealers how much they can sell their cars for.

 

I'm all for the dealers selling every GT500 at MSRP, or lower, so be patient enough and you'll find that deal. Being the first on the block to buy anything new & cool (computers, plasma TV's, Tivo boxes, cool cars, etc.) always means a higher price for the privilage of being first.

 

When I bought my 2003 Mach 1, I waited until the end of the year when all the hype was fading and prices were falling (and rebates became available). MSRP was just shy of $30K, with many dealers adding $5K to that in the beginning. Because I was patient, I was able to buy my Mach 1 for just $23K.

[ROUSH360R]

5 oh b,

 

That is some great insight to how the process works between the dealer and manufactorer!!!!

 

Do you really think that a SHELBY GT500, 1st in 30 years, will simply be found sitting on some showroom floor w/ a delaer willing to drop his pants to sell it? This isn't a Mach1, Roush, Slaeen, Cobra, Steeda, etc. it is a SHELBY. I feel that you will never find a case like that and the car will always be sought after w/ dealers not being able to get or hold onto one for a minute! I could be wrong, but once again, the Shelby enthusists and general public haven't seen the likes of this in 30yrs!

[ingram4868]

Welcome to the newer site Brian. Seems like 2000 all over again with the endless waiting. Is your favorite dealership taking deposits? None in my area will. I think they are doing that because they plan to double the MSRP and don't want to deal with pissed off people that placed deposits.

[Five Oh B]

00Vert54X - yes, it's like 2000 all over again, yet highly escalated. (To the rest of you, 00Vert54X and I both patiently waited for 2000 Mustang GT Spring Feature cars - option code 54X - back in 2000). My favorite Ford/SVT dealership is NOT reserving any Shelbys or taking any deposits yet. They'll get 3-5 GT500's, but with no final allocation numbers yet from Ford, it's kinda dumb to start promising cars to anyone yet. It'll be spring 2006 before Ford finalizes allocation, pricing, options, etc, so my favortie Ford/SVT dealership will wait until then to start figuring which of the 58 customers on their Shelby list will get to place orders.

 

Lots of dealers near me are talking wild. A couple have insisted that they will hold their GT500's hostage for $100,000 - pure stupidity! I have a friend who is part owner of a nearby Ford dealership who has two deposits in hand from customers who were very happy to pay "only" $10,000 over MSRP. What a joke! He obviously does not work for my favorite Ford/SVT dealer! On the other hand, my favorite Ford/SVT dealer will be the best deal in town on GT500's - just like they have been on all other SVT products since 1993. They delivered the very first publicly available 2005 Ford GT last year for Ford to a retired Microsoft kazillionaire (serial #10, chassis #11) and they sold a new, fully loaded 2005 Ford GT recently for $175K when all the other local dealers are gouging for $200K + (some are still asking closer to $300K in our neck of the woods if you can believe that nonsense!).

 

ROUSH360R - as much as I respect the Shelby name and as much as I want a GT500 like everyone else, the reality of the situation is that the 2007 Shelby GT500 is really just an evolution of the 2003-4 SVT Cobra. Shelby himself did not design or engineer the upcoming car - SVT did. Of course, same can be said for GT350's and GT500's after Ford took control away from Shelby in the late sixties. The mystique of Shelby's name & history may be enough for some people to spend foolishly when the first GT500's arrive, but in the end this will still just be an SVT Cobra with more power and Shelby's name on it.

 

There are plenty of people who want a GT500, and there are plenty of people who can afford a GT500. The trick will be for dealers to find plenty of people who want a GT500 who can actually afford one. I predict that there will be excess supply near the end of the 2007 model year, or at least by the 2008 model year. 2004 SVT Cobra coupes had an MSRP of $36K, but went for $30-$32K by year end. A $40K GT500 may bring a premium initially, but wait long enough and they'll be down under $40K eventually.

[ingram4868]

I hope your correct Brian about the price leveling off at the end of the first production run. I'm also hoping the new 2007/2008 GTO, Challenger, Camero(?) will take some of the pressure off the SVT line along with the new speciality Mustangs that have been suggested.

 

In my little one Ford dealer town they still have people waiting for inbound Mustang GT's. I have not been able to drive one yet so I'm sure this Shelby will be an out of State purchase as was the 1984 SVO I purchased.

[CrazyHorse]

I spoke with Ford today.  They said that they were not yet prepared to address the questions posed to them.  These were:  Production figures, interior (seat, dash) changes, exterior colors, etc.

 

We are going to meet again - so I'll give it another go.

 

I was asked if there way anyone that I wanted to interview?  So, I'm going to ask my fellow fanatics the question: What questions would you ask?  What do you want to know?  Maybe something that hasn't been asked by the general media yet. . . .

 

I have my list, but I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to pose some questions too

 

859[/snapback]

 

 

 

Do you have an idea when you might be able to table the questions outlined by some of the members to a GT500 team member? Production #s forecast, personalized by Carroll....etc

[ColdwaterHotrod]

The last I spoke with them was about the 5.4L. We have not really been able to get together because of SEMA, then Thanksgiving and the down time in between.

 

 

 

Robert,

 

Any luck on getting our questions answered that we submitted to you before NAIAS 2006 starts?

 

ColdwaterHotrod