Thursday 3rd January 2019

Shelby Mustang GT350: Spotted

Dreamt of living the American Dream with a very special Mustang? Dream no longer, there's one in the UK...

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The Detroit motor show kicks off very soon; amongst other things it will see the debut of the new Mustang GT500, a supercharged, 700hp hell raiser ready to show the Camaro ZL1 who's boss. Expectations are high for this car, partly because the last GT500 was a bit of a spudder, but also with real belief because of how good this generation of GT350 Mustang has been.

It's difficult to overstate what the GT350 and GT350R have done for the reputation of the Mustang as a driver's car. Previous editions like the old Boss 302 have been decent enough, but these have been the vehicles that have made enthusiasts really take notice and forge a name for the Mustang - because those cars have been great, so we expect the GT500 to deliver as well.

When the standard GT350 was driven for PH back in 2015 it was described as "the best handling Mustang that Ford has ever built", a good car "despite the fact it's a tweaked Mustang" and comparable to an E92 M3 as something to drive - high praise indeed. Combine that with the fact the Mustang's Voodoo V8 is 100hp stronger than the BMW's (and the car isn't all that much heavier) and you can see why the package has won so many fans.

Officially the GT350 never made it over here, and probably never will, which seems a shame given its manifest talent and the desire for Mustangs in the UK. It's a problem with a lot of the new wave of US performance cars, offering so much of what we say we crave over here - naturally aspirated engines, manual gearboxes and so on - but without right-hand drive or official UK availability.

Still, where there's a will there's a way, and a few GT350s have been imported over from their homeland. Which is quite exciting if you're into 8,000rpm V8s, rear-wheel drive and manual gearboxes - which we most certainly are. And while the same US import caveats apply here as everywhere - a premium over list price, LHD only, issues with dealer support - the prospect is too interesting to ignore.

A 2018 model year car (meaning it lacks the latest range of updates) in Oxford White with Le Mans Blue stripes, this GT350 has just 28 miles recorded and so is as close to brand new as you'll ever find. It's being sold by Mustang specialist Bill Shepherd, which would probably be the best port of call for servicing as well. Given everything that's known about the car, given the public response in the UK to Mustangs from our experience and the rarity factor as well, it looks immensely desirable.

But does it look £80k desirable? Because that's what it'll cost to get a GT350 in the UK, against a US list price for a 2018MY car of $52k. Nobody probably needs reminding of what that sort of money buys in terms of sports coupes, but a few options to jog the memory: this Aston Vantage N430 also does rousing V8, sorted rear-drive dynamics and a manual for similar money, though will seem pretty common by comparison. This M4 CS won't leave anybody wanting for driving fun, though its turbos may rule it out of contention. And America is represented very well here by the Corvette Gran Sport, though once more its engine may be made to feel a bit ordinary against the Voodoo V8.

There's a heck of a lot going for the Mustang then, even at the money it costs in the UK. So yes, while the usual complaints will arise about interior plastics, image and size, for offering something so different - backed up by genuine star quality and a honking great engine - the GT350 looks mighty tempting indeed.

SPECIFICATION - FORD SHELBY MUSTANG GT350

Engine: 5,163cc V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 526@7,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 429@4,750rpm
MPG: 16. Ish
CO2: 300g/km
First registered: 2018
Recorded mileage: 28
Price new: Not sold in UK
Yours for: £79,500

See the original advert here.

[belleair302]

Even with a weak GBO vs US Dollar, and after VAT and all import duties this is a whopping markup. Will be simpler and cheaper to bring one over yourself if in the US on business or holiday. A good car with a wonderful engine but not at that money. A decent W 204 AMG is better value with a huge 6.2L V8.

[Paddy78]

I wonder if you could buy a UK spec Mustang and all the GT350 bits (Including a Voodoo) for less than £80k? I sure I am over simplifying some fundamental differences between the GT and GT350 in engineering terms, but I'd be surprised if you couldn't get close for £80k. Also £60k would get you a ridiculously quick supercharged Mustang. Obviously, this wouldn't have the same dynamics as the GT350, but if dynamics is what you're after then maybe a Mustang isn't the place to look with an £80k budget?

[coppice]

You didn't spot a Shelby Mustang GT350 at all. You saw a cynically relabelled Ford which itself is a pastiche of something from half a century ago. Just how meta has the industry become ? Just for once, can't it muster the self confidence to look forward, as the ur Mustang did, rather than looking at a half imagined past in the rear view mirror ?

Coming soon , the Focus Model T and the Vauxhall Insignia Ventora ? Or the Ferrari Califiornia or Maserati Quattroporte ? Hold on...

[David87]

Stunning cars. I'd buy one if they were offered officially, but I wouldn't shell out £80k for an import.

[BFleming]

Two minutes on google suggests the US list price for the 2018 model was $56k; the 2019 is $59k. Still a healthy profit for the importer of this particular GT350, but nothing out of the ordinary. It's supply & demand, and even with (conservatively) £15k to be saved on doing it yourself, few people want the perceived hassle. I've done a few imports into and exports of vehicles from the UK, and it's not that bad. The process is there, it's dog slow now the DVLA closed all their local offices, but it works, eventually.
Worth noting too that all US sales prices are pre-state sales tax. The first owner will have paid state sales tax, which varies from 0% (good old Alaska, Montana & New Hampshire) to around 8% max. Michigan, home of Ford, sits at a typical 6%. Some states charge it every time the car changes hands too.
There is a huge US import business into Germany - not just for the US forces there, but (again) because of supply & demand. If I were importing a US car, I'd seriously consider buying it from Germany rather than the US. Pick one that's already German registered and the import process is even easier.

Edited by BFleming on Thursday 3rd January 09:44

[CraigJ]

Power wise you can get the 15-18 GT to 500-520bhp with headers, high flow cats, 18 intake manifold, cold air intake and a tune from Lund. Just over 3k if you pay to have it done at JWR or save a few hundred fitting your self.

It won’t be a GT350 but you can make a GT go and handle just as well if not better at a fraction of the cost.

[Gecko1978]

for me these are great cars but when I got to sit in a 5.0 GT this summer what struck me was the interior did not feel premium on what is a 40k car not a 20k car. So with that in mind 80k on this LHD would be a no. I am sure Clive Sutton offer a performance pack for around 60k car included that is similar but RHD and well no shelby badge of course but basically same sort of thing

[ChocolateFrog]

Great car but massive mark up.

That's into V12 Vantage money, unless you absolutely have to have new.

[seefarr]

Paddy78 said:

I wonder if you could buy a UK spec Mustang and all the GT350 bits (Including a Voodoo) for less than £80k? I sure I am over simplifying some fundamental differences between the GT and GT350 in engineering terms, but I'd be surprised if you couldn't get close for £80k. Also £60k would get you a ridiculously quick supercharged Mustang. Obviously, this wouldn't have the same dynamics as the GT350, but if dynamics is what you're after then maybe a Mustang isn't the place to look with an £80k budget?

Interesting idea! Ford Performance seems to sell a crate Voodoo engine (although called an Aluminator 52XS) for $20k. Figure on shipping, tax, install and tuning, a new bonnet and it's not looking like a cheap proposition.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6007-A52X...

[ZX10R NIN]

As nice as this is (I'm currently saving the pennies to buy a GT350R) for me I'd have to have the the R it's just an epic car & the noise from the Voodoo V8 is something else, everytime I'm in the states I jump at the chance to drive my uncles.

[SydneySE]

seefarr said:

Interesting idea! Ford Performance seems to sell a crate Voodoo engine (although called an Aluminator 52XS) for $20k. Figure on shipping, tax, install and tuning, a new bonnet and it's not looking like a cheap proposition.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6007-A52X...

but thats really a "coyote engine" as its a cross-plane crank; the voodoo engine is a flat plane crank. If you want that in Ferrari terms, the engine used in quattroporte V, grand sport and grand cabrio are cross plane Ferrari engines; the same engine used in 430 Ferrari etc are flat plane crank- the flat plane allows higher revs, and also a very different sound. This is really what the Shelby Mustang with voodoo v8 is all about.... high rpm, and a very different sound to the coyote engine.

[WCZ]

not for that price ty

[irocfan]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[seefarr]

SydneySE said:

seefarr said:

Interesting idea! Ford Performance seems to sell a crate Voodoo engine (although called an Aluminator 52XS) for $20k. Figure on shipping, tax, install and tuning, a new bonnet and it's not looking like a cheap proposition.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6007-A52X...

but thats really a "coyote engine" as its a cross-plane crank; the voodoo engine is a flat plane crank. If you want that in Ferrari terms, the engine used in quattroporte V, grand sport and grand cabrio are cross plane Ferrari engines; the same engine used in 430 Ferrari etc are flat plane crank- the flat plane allows higher revs, and also a very different sound. This is really what the Shelby Mustang with voodoo v8 is all about.... high rpm, and a very different sound to the coyote engine.

Ah, good point. I'll get me coat

[unsprung]

they are not too small in number: Britons living full time in the US

just a thought

[SydneySE]

seefarr said:

Ah, good point. I'll get me coat

I couldn't resist.... besides who wouldn't want a voodoo engine... to paraphrase the song, Ford, doing that voodoo, that it do, so well ;-)

[MikeGoodwin]

I walk past Bill Shepherd occasionally it looks a really nice garage. I always peer though at the GT350. More interesting is the Cobra....

[CaptainSensib1e]

Stunning car, and I'd love to have one, but that price is just crazy. Be interesting to see how long it takes to sell....

[Sandpit Steve]

There’s not as much of a markup on this as people are suggesting. $60k for the car (more likely $65k sticker price from a US dealer), $20k (30%) duty and VAT, then shipping, SVA and registration paperwork, a few bits that need changing (rear light clusters and their ECU spring to mind for this car) and the dealer’s probably only in for about 10% profit at current exchange rates - and if you buy this one you won’t have to wait until the summer to get it on the road!

Edited by Sandpit Steve on Thursday 3rd January 18:29

[Montaver]

American cars have come a long way..

I drove a Shelby GT350 back to back with my e90 M3 - it was riotously good. Massive amounts of top end power, the sound is next level. The flat plane V8 howls menacingly, muscly and exotic at the same time. Brake pedal feel was excellent, masses of grip (295 fronts, 305 rears!), nice notchy gearbox. Seating position was crap, and the interior was a step down from the e9x. Chassis felt well dampened and cornered very flat. Steering wasn't the best in terms of feel and weight but it was very precise. It felt particularly lifeless run back to back with the e9x but that's the same with a lot of modern cars. In terms of being an 'event' it was on a completely different level to the m3. The e9x feels a lot more connected and sophisticated, but the Shelby is laugh out loud fun. The e9x m3 can comfortably still hold its own, it has a level of balance and finesse which are very rewarding.