A Question of Perception

[Madlock]

Being my very first Shelby GT500 is on order, I've been considering many of the marketing aspects of the product - including the tremendous brand equity that exists as a point of pride among owners.

 

One question that keeps recurring in my own mind is whether I consider the GT500 to be first and foremost a Ford product (Mustang) or Shelby (GT500) product.

[clark17357]

It depends on what you are comparing it to. The GT500 is built from start to finish on an assembly line. The Shelby GT cars were built as Mustang GTs on an assembly line and then shipped by rail to Shelby's shop in Las Vegas where the build was completed such that they were then Shelby GTs. Opinions vary on this topic and you will get many opinions. There is consensus that Mr. Shelby had significant influence on the GT500 when it returned in 2007. The GT500 and the SGT are very different cars with very different personalities. You will enjoy your car greatly when it arrives.

 

Jim

[03reptile]

Being my very first Shelby GT500 is on order, I've been considering many of the marketing aspects of the product - including the tremendous brand equity that exists as a point of pride among owners.

 

One question that keeps recurring in my own mind is whether I consider the GT500 to be first and foremost a Ford product (Mustang) or Shelby (GT500) product.

 

 

Ok, lets look at this from a historical point of view. The whole Shelby mistique began in 1965 when Mustang HiPo's were shipped to Shelby American for the conversion to a GT350. They were serialized with a Shelby American number and were most often registered as a Shelby American by State MVAs. Shelby continued producing these cars until 1968, when Ford took over the production (I think thats right). After that, Shelby had little to do with the car and had moved on to other challanges. Most purest who own early Shelbys (65,66,&67) agree that our Shelbys fall more into the category of 1968 Shelby GT350s and GT500s and up, to include our cars. Even though I've owned a 2007 and now a 2011, I have to agree. Unless the car has been massaged by Shelby American, I don't think its a" true" Shelby. The modern Shelbys that go to Las Vegas for further massaging & serializing, become true Shelby's as they meet the past, original criteria. This may open a firestorm of debate, as there are many opinions contrary to mine. Since our cars are produced by Ford and SVT then I think they are Mustangs and I don't have a problem with that. They still receive all the attention and acknowledgement from on- lookers and I see it as a real tribute to this iconic Shelby mistique we enjoy today.

[LynnF1]

I almost didn't want to respond.

 

I think it's a Ford product, but not a Mustang. My 2011 (nor did the 2010) say Mustang on it anywhere.

 

It's a Ford Shelby GT500.

 

Is my $0.02.

[Madlock]

I almost didn't want to respond.

 

I think it's a Ford product, but not a Mustang. My 2011 (nor did the 2010) say Mustang on it anywhere.

 

It's a Ford Shelby GT500.

 

Is my $0.02.

 

 

That's the beauty about questions of perception - provided one is candid, there's no wrong answer.

 

Thank you for playing.

[Snake Handler]

I almost didn't want to respond.

 

I think it's a Ford product, but not a Mustang. My 2011 (nor did the 2010) say Mustang on it anywhere.

 

It's a Ford Shelby GT500.

 

Is my $0.02.

 

 

Look in your windshield near the rear view mirror. I'm pretty sure you will see a running horse in the masking. That's about as close as you are goning to see Mustang written on your car.

[ewingfly]

I look at it like this:

 

Car make - Ford

 

Model - Mustang

 

Trim - Shelby GT500

[texaggie]

Does it really matter? I love it because it is fast, looks mean, and has a heritage associated with it. Drive the hell out of it and enjoy the fact that people look at you enviously instead of thinking you must be going through some sort of life crisis (see vette, porsche, etc.).

[2010KonaBlueGT]

I look at it like this:

 

Car make - Ford

 

Model - Mustang

 

Trim - Shelby GT500

 

 

 

And that's how *FORD* Motor Company sees it too.

 

 

And me,

Phill

[Madlock]

I'm just glad there's one person who appreciates the Camaro bitch slap factor.

[bpmurr]

To me the GT500 is the highest level of the Ford Mustang you can buy. I do consider it a "Shelby" car as Carol has had some input into it. However, since it doesn't actually go to Shelby for any work it's a Ford factory vehicle in my eyes.

[03reptile]

Does it really matter? I love it because it is fast, looks mean, and has a heritage associated with it. Drive the hell out of it and enjoy the fact that people look at you enviously instead of thinking you must be going through some sort of life crisis (see vette, porsche, etc.).

 

 

I think you hit the nail on the head for most owners of the new GT500's. It really doesn't matter. My college roommate bought a new 66 GT350 and I lived in that car till we graduated. He really gets indignant when I call my 2011 a Shelby and I, of course, do it to rattle his chain!! We still are the best of friends and after driving mine, he realizes, and readily admits, just how much improvement has occurred over the years. I drive mine for the pure enjoyment of the power and the smiles it gives me. Most people call it a Shelby and thats fine with me. The envy others express is just sauce for the goose!

[KomradAndre]

I think , in this order... a (company flipping the bill) ford ( what makes it special ) shelby (which kind of special-sauce ) gt500 (on which body this car is using ) mustang. my $.04

[glroy]

The way I see it Ford built it Mr Shelby consulted on it. Together they made a very good mussel car, that takes to modding and is in need of lots of mods to make it great.

What I know for sure is; I own one beast of a car that loves to be driven all over North America. Puts a smile on my face.

 

Drive it lots and store it as little as possible.

[BDrool]

So why wouldn't I want to call it a COBRA. There are more cobras on it than a "mustang", The name "Shelby", or "GT500". It may even rival the number of times "SVT" is found on the beast (which fits the COBRA moniker best), but I'll have to count that one.

[GOTVENOMGT500]

So why wouldn't I want to call it a COBRA. There are more cobras on it than a "mustang", The name "Shelby", or "GT500". It may even rival the number of times "SVT" is found on the beast (which fits the COBRA moniker best), but I'll have to count that one.

 

 

The other day I was thinking to myself how many Cobra emblems where on the 2010/2011 GT500. I came up with 7 total....8 if you count the one that displays on those equipped with the electronics package. 2 each front fender, 1 front grille, 1 rear faux gas cap, 2 front seats, 1 steering wheel, 1 Nav screen @ start up

 

As for "SVT"...4 center caps of wheels, 1 rear faux gas cap, 2 door sills, 2 coil pack covers on engine, 1 stock air box, 1 engine builders plate on drivers side valve cover, 1 tach/shift light gauge, that's all I can think of 12 total.

 

Yes I have too much time on my hands

[BDrool]

The other day I was thinking to myself how many Cobra emblems where on the 2010/2011 GT500. I came up with 7 total....8 if you count the one that displays on those equipped with the electronics package. 2 each front fender, 1 front grille, 1 rear faux gas cap, 2 front seats, 1 steering wheel, 1 Nav screen @ start up

 

As for "SVT"...4 center caps of wheels, 1 rear faux gas cap, 2 door sills, 2 coil pack covers on engine, 1 stock air box, 1 engine builders plate on drivers side valve cover, 1 tach/shift light gauge, that's all I can think of 12 total.

 

Yes I have too much time on my hands

 

 

In addition, 1 Mustang (windshield), 3 Shelby's (Faux gas cap, center arm rest, across the rear deck), 6 GT500's (rocker stripes, air bag on dash, floor mats, faux gas cap). Yeah, way to much time.

[Madlock]

In addition, 1 Mustang (windshield), 3 Shelby's (Faux gas cap, center arm rest, across the rear deck), 6 GT500's (rocker stripes, air bag on dash, floor mats, faux gas cap). Yeah, way to much time.

 

 

Okay... THAT does it. Somebody has to say something for your own good....

 

 

STEP AWAY from the car. Keep your hands where we can see them and STEP AWAY from the car.

[ram_g]

May be worth pointing out that regardless of what we think it is, the gub'ment thinks it is a Ford Mustang.

 

That's what is listed on my title, my registration receipt, and my insurance card - all keyed off of the VIN and not anything that I might have filled in on any forms.

 

Also if you go to e.g. www.fueleconomy.gov, you'll find our cars under Ford Mustang, and the engine size 5.4 V8. No Shelby, no GT500.

 

It's a Mustang. A special and expensive Mustang, but still a Mustang. (And I love mine and don't regret dropping $55K on it for a second.)

 

ram_g

2011 Kona Blue, SVTPP, electronics pack, stripe delete.

[SVTSnake]

It's an SVT Cobra...PERIOD!!! And if Ford did not strike a deal with Shelby for his name on back it would be about $10K cheaper at least.

[kpevin]

May be worth pointing out that regardless of what we think it is, the gub'ment thinks it is a Ford Mustang.

 

That's what is listed on my title, my registration receipt, and my insurance card - all keyed off of the VIN and not anything that I might have filled in on any forms.

 

Also if you go to e.g. www.fueleconomy.gov, you'll find our cars under Ford Mustang, and the engine size 5.4 V8. No Shelby, no GT500.

 

It's a Mustang. A special and expensive Mustang, but still a Mustang. (And I love mine and don't regret dropping $55K on it for a second.)

 

ram_g

2011 Kona Blue, SVTPP, electronics pack, stripe delete.

 

 

My title and registration both say, Make: Ford, Model: SGT. Guess it depends how the state reads the MSO.

 

Insurance card says Mustang.

 

IMO its a Mustang, I had a Dodge Shelby Charger back in 1985 or so and believe me it was a Dodge Charger

[texaggie]

Truth is all Shelbys made off of a mustang platform will all be called a mustang on insurance and in registrations from the state they will all at the very least be considered a ford product. Again, get over it . Who really cares? We all have our cars in the Shelby Registry. Stop the insanity and drive your cars already. (wait they are still cars, aren't they? They didn't turn into some radioactive mutation with a name classification to be decided later, did they?)