So glad to see Ford getting back to what the used to do best !



The Ford Shelby GR-1 concept is the third high-performance concept car in two years inspired by the heritage of racing legend Carroll Shelby.


Ford Shelby GR-1 hints at the future

Execs may look to build second supercar !


Ford Motor Co.’s storied relationship with racing legend Carroll Shelby has inspired the development of a third high-performance concept car in two years — the Ford Shelby GR-1.

Unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Thursday, the two-seat fastback features the same dynamic underpinnings as the Ford Shelby Cobra shown at the North American International Auto Show in January.

It also shares engineering advances the automaker developed for the 2002 GT40 concept car, which led to the 2005 production Ford GT supercar.

“The Ford Shelby Cobra concept was a small step in our plans for the Ford GT supercar architecture,” said J Mays, group vice president of design at Ford. “The Ford Shelby GR-1 is a giant leap toward the future.”

The automaker hasn’t confirmed plans to market a second supercar. But Ford executives have said the company’s investment in the GT warrants at least one more program based on its design.

Ford began shipping the $140,000 GT to dealers last month and it’s already sold out, underscoring the viability of the exotic car market — even during uncertain economic times.

The GR-1, which features a 605-horsepower, V-10 engine, was built atop a spare chassis originally assembled during the Shelby Cobra’s development. It’s both a tribute to Carroll Shelby and a nod to time-honored sports car proportions, Saridakis said.