2015 Ford Shelby GT350 and GT350R models will play hard to get

Ford has confirmed it will build a very limited series of 2015 Shelby GT350 and GT350R models to officially commemorate the 50th Anniversary of those legendary performance Mustangs. Like the 1965 originals that appeared a half century ago, these new-gen 2015 iterations are destined to be extremely rare. Ford plans to turn out just 100 Shelby GT350 Mustangs with a 2015 VIN plate before commencing the 2016 model run. While all will pack the automaker’s new 5.2-liter flat-plane V8 tuned to make "in excess of 500 horsepower," half will be fitted with the Technology Package that includes items like leather-trimmed power seats, the latest MyFord Touch system, a primo Shaker Audio package and dual-zone climate control. The remaining 50 will come with the Track Package that adds MagneRide suspension, heavy-duty front springs, a front shock tower brace, selectable drive modes and auxiliary oil coolers for the engine, transmission and differential.

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For those lucky few seeking even more exclusivity, Ford will build a mere 37 copies of the even edgier 2015 Shelby GT350R. That seemingly odd figure pays historic homage to the two prototypes and 35 FIA-homologated series-built GT350 Competition models the late Carroll Shelby said were produced by his operation in 1965 — although even Ford admits there’s some question as to whether a 35th copy of Shelby’s highly successful race-ready Mustang variant ever received an official factory serial number. No formal word yet on pricing for either Shelby model, but the GT350 is expected to start around $53,000. 

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