It takes a few years to develop a car, but this takes the cake.
Nearly three decades after the Shelby Series 1 convertible launched in 1999 a coupe version of the car is now on sale.
Shelby built 249 Series 1 convertibles before its original safety certification ran out. It was updated as the Series 2 in 2006, but only three prototypes were built by Shelby before increasingly stringent regulations stalled the project.
Wingard Motorsports and Custom Coaches of Naples, Fla., picked up the mantle and has been building convertible versions as component cars (AKA: kit cars) under license and has now created a fastback coupe that Carroll Shelby envisioned, but was never able to complete.
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“Our founder, Carroll Shelby was an innovator who constantly pushed the envelope,†Neil Cummings, CEO Shelby Licensing, said in an announcement for the car.
“We are pleased that Wingard Motorsports and Custom Coaches is continuing his legacy through their licensed Shelby Series 2 Coupe. The car that Bob Wingard and his team will offer helps fulfill Carroll’s vision for the Shelby Series 1 that we launched 25 years ago.â€
The 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Coupe features an upgraded platform using an aluminum honeycomb monocoque and carbon fiber body.
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In place of the original’s Oldsmobile V8, the car is engineered with the choice of a 658 hp Carroll Shelby Engine Company 427 Windsor V8, a supercharged Ford Godzilla 7.3-liter V8 or an all-electric drivetrain in mind and Wingard says the chassis can handle up to 1,100 hp.
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Prices start at $385,600, but an all-aluminum body version is available for $498,200 and the powertrain prices start at $83,000 with a six-speed sequential transaxle. Only 10 of the cars will be sold and included in the official Shelby Registry.
