Totally Meta: 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT unveiled
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It has come to this. A special edition of a special edition, named for the made-for-TV cash tsunami at which many of the first editions of the aforementioned special editions are auctioned off at eye-watering prices. It is the (we are not making any of this up, by the way) Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT. There will be 100 of them in total (coupes and convertibles), they will be black with (again, not making it up) "Barrett-Jackson Red" stripes, Barrett-Jackson sill plates, all the expected Shelby badging, and they'll start at a smidge under $39K, $250 of which goes to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. Ironically, the first one of these will not be auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson. The B-J/GT is an Arizona-region Ford dealer exclusive, and it officially went on sale today. In addition to the car itself, buyers get an autographed family photo featuring Carroll Shelby and Amy Boylan from the Shelby Autos side, and Greg Jackson and Steve Davis from the B-J side. In a glaring omission, Ford mullet hero and perennial Barrett-Jackson special guest star, Mark Fields, is somehow not included in the photo. What a gyp.
[Source: Ford/Shelby/Barrett-Jackson]
PRESS RELEASE:
Exclusive 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT Unveiled in Arizona
- 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT Production is Scheduled for 100 Total Units
- Black Exterior with "Barrett-Jackson" Red Stripes and Other Touches Included
- Cars Will Be Sold Through Arizona Ford Dealers
- A Portion of Proceeds from Sales to Benefit the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation.
With an MSRP beginning at US$38,980.00, a total of 100 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GTs, in both coupe and convertible body styles, will be sold through Arizona Region Ford dealers beginning today. The purchase price of each car will include a $250 donation to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation
"The Arizona and Las Vegas Ford dealers have been strong supporters of mine over the years, which is why Shelby Automobiles joined with Barrett-Jackson and Ford Motor Company to create a limited edition car just for their customers," said Carroll Shelby, CEO of Shelby Automobiles. "And I'm pleased that a portion of the sales will benefit an endowment we're building at the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. This is a rare chance for enthusiasts to enjoy a very special car and support a great cause."
Ford is a strong supporter of Barrett-Jackson and has sponsored its Family Value Day that kicks off the automotive lifestyle week in Scottsdale. Family Value Day was designed to attract a new generation of car enthusiasts by offering discounted tickets for adults and admitting children under the age of 12 for free.
"Barrett-Jackson's unrivaled lifestyle events celebrate America's love of the automobile," said Ford Motor Company Phoenix Regional Sales Manager, Tim Stoehr. "Their passion for the automobile has resulted in a unique venue to share our vehicles with the public. This limited edition car symbolizes our high octane relationship and gives a few lucky people the chance to own a piece of the Barrett-Jackson experience."
Over the past 37 years, Barrett-Jackson has evolved from an auction primarily attended by dedicated collectors and dealers into a retail automotive lifestyle event that is broadcast live worldwide. Shelby Cobras, GT350s and GT500s have been among the most popular cars to cross the auction block.
"We have a long tradition of selling the best Shelbys in the world because they are among the most desirable cars ever built," said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. "Over the past several years, we've worked with Ford Motor Company to raise almost a million and a half dollars for Carroll's Foundation by offering new Shelby cars for sale. It was natural to celebrate our connection to these cars with a very limited edition Shelby."
From the black 18-inch wheels to the Shelby Cobra roadster hood scoop, the car is mean. The engine is upgraded with a Ford Racing package to pump out 319 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque through a high-flow exhaust system with X-pipe crossover. The Shelby GT comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission featuring a Hurst short-throw shifter; a five-speed automatic transmission is optional. The package includes a Ford Racing Handling Pack with special-tuned dampers, unique sway bars and a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly. Overall ride height was dropped and a front strut-tower brace added.
"The Shelby GT was designed to deliver an exhilarating driving experience," said Amy Boylan, President of Shelby Automobiles. "In addition to the 'go faster goodies,' each will receive special badges and equipment, as well as a photo of one of these cars signed by Carroll."
Unique features of the Barrett-Jackson edition will include:
-- Black exterior with "Barrett-Jackson Red" LeMans Hood and Side Stripes
-- Barrett Jackson Edition Door Sill Plates
-- Black interior with the Shelby GT serial number plate
-- Special Gas Cap Insert
-- Autographed photo of Carroll Shelby, Craig Jackson, Amy Boylan and Steve Davis
"As someone who has been personally involved with Shelby cars for the past three decades, I'm very proud to be part of this limited edition car," noted Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson. "Rarity and documentation are two of the keys to collectability, which is why only 100 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GTs are scheduled to be built. Each car will come with complete documentation and be included in the factory authorized registry."
The Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT will be displayed at the Arizona International Auto Show from November 22-25.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jeff Johnson 6:47PM (11/21/2007)
"A special edition of a special edition"
May I be the first to say who the F*&K cares!?!? I'm sure all the first people who bought the "special edition" are going to feel very "special" when they find out they bought a care that wasn't "special" enough and now there is even something MORE special out there.
I realize there are a lot of mustang fans out there, but putting stripes on it and some badges and a few parts 3,818,915 different ways and getting a hard on over it every time is just sick. Can't people find another car to whore out for a while? If not can the autoblog staff maybe make a special mustangs.autoblog.com site just for this kind of crap? There are so many special editions, and in this case special editions OF a special edition that you could easily fill its own website.
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FLR 6:54PM (11/21/2007)
Ah....Mustang Special Edition post number 2 of the day. It's nice to see things back to normal around here...........NOT!!!!
Can you guys just create a separate link to all the Mustang Special Editions and just post it to the right somewhere....those interested can click at will...the rest of us can and will ignore them.
Thanks!
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FLR 6:56PM (11/21/2007)
Oops...my bad...I just realized that there were three Mustang Special Editions today. Sigh.
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ajk 7:02PM (11/21/2007)
I think there needs to be two more Autoblog sites. AutoblogMustang and AutoBlogToyotaBashing.
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darth 7:17PM (11/21/2007)
Hasn't there been enough mustang special editions for one day?
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ALEXDB9 7:17PM (11/21/2007)
Another..............................Never mind.
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Will 7:19PM (11/21/2007)
I bet all these obnoxious Mustangs are just a ploy to sell more Bullitts as everyone grows sick of this flashy, pretentious overkill.
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That One Person 4:31PM (11/22/2007)
Ok, this is a Ford special edition. Which brings the amount of SE Mustangs (Ford built) to, what, 4 or 5? Compared to the dozens from other companies, which Ford has no control over. At least there will only be 100 and only sold in AZ.
Larry 7:27PM (11/21/2007)
"You can fool some people some of the time, and.......... etc!
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A5-14 9:06PM (11/21/2007)
When is the Autoblog Mustang going to be released? Gawd!!!
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catgirlshyla 5:05AM (11/22/2007)
Please Dodge and Chevy, get them pony cars out already!!
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E30FTMFW 7:17AM (11/22/2007)
That car is f**king ugly!
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Bill Coates 2:06PM (11/22/2007)
Oh but didn't anyone notice the hood pins...lol. And the "special edition" stipes. Love the "one of a kind wheels" too. My base model 'rental' looked just like that!!!
"F"'n "O"ld "R"etarded "D"esigns.
I'd like to see a blog of the new Challenger here instead of the same 'ol, same 'ol.....
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Sandy 4:08PM (11/22/2007)
I think it's a glaring omission that the President of Ford, Mark Fields, also a perenial B-J "Special Guest Star" was not included in the photo, as a represenative from Ford, being the President of Ford of America. Brings the question to mind as to WHY ?
Could it be that C.S. purposly overlooked Fields due to Fields religious background? Umm?
catgirlshyla 5:48AM (11/23/2007)
Rules 1 and 2. Don't break them!!
falloutagain 10:18PM (11/22/2007)
such a pathetic cash grab from people who already have too much.
Sorry for my pessimism, but I have attended the BJ auction many times and scottsdale is a pompous overrated town and people simply feel the need to over spend.
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