When a man of Carrol Shelby's stature in the automotive industry reaches the grand old young age of 85, there is little more Shelby Automobiles can do to celebrate other than recreate the iconic GT40 with a new 85th commemorative version.

The new MKII GT40 will stay true to the original version featuring the original styling inside and out and comes as a rolling chassis built to accommodate any shelby branded engine which could include the top of the line 427FE V8. Unfortunately as this vehicle is only a rolling chassis, no specs have been released.

Available in three different colors: Arcadian Blue with whites stripes, black with silver stripes and red with white stripes, the MKII GT40 will be limited to a production of 85 units in each color.

A race version will also be made available with extra features including a roll bar, fuel cell and A/C delete, see below for a list of some of the commemorative features on all versions.

Features
- Record sale into the Shelby Registry
- Shelby MSO and dash plaque
- Carroll Shelby engraved door handles
- Carroll Shelby etched left and right front headlight covers
- Roundels with 85 number decals
- Leather seating
- Hood wind diffusers
- CS GT40® numbered plaque
- CS GT40® side sill graphics
- Carroll Shelby signature floor and sill mats
- 85th Commemorative hood badge
- 85th Special Edition decal
- Available in right and left hand drive

One of Ford’s most talented designers, Camilo Pardo, is calling it quits after 24 years with the Dearborn-based automaker. Pardo is best known for designing the Ford GT supercar, and was also credited for the production car’s precursor – the GT90 concept car.

Pardo failed to give any details surrounding his departure from Ford, but confirmed with AutoWeek that he was leaving the company. Pardo, 45, started with Ford right after graduating from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.

In addition to designing the Ford GT, Pardo also had a hand in the Ford Thunderbird, Lincoln LS and some electric vehicles. Pardo’s 24 years with Ford also included stints at the automaker’s Cologne, Germany, and Turin, Italy facilities.

Our friends at Motor Trend are typically very much in the know when it comes to the development of future products. That's why we're extremely excited to hear that a brand-new Ford GT is seemingly being prepped to make a 2016 debut.

The choice of year here is no coincidence, of course, as that would put the new Ford GT introduction on par with the 50th anniversary of the automaker's inaugural Le Mans victory. Otherwise known as the time Ford put Ferrari firmly in check.

A new Ford GT would obviously be a welcome and wonderful thing for this world. We are currently in a golden age for the supercar and hypercar loving set, with the likes of Pagani, Koenigsegg, Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche churning out vehiclesthat push the boundaries of what's possible with a four-wheeled conveyance. Adding a new Ford GT to that mix would be, well, super.

Now, we can't imagine that the Ford GT would go full-on hypercar hybrid powertrain. This is an American icon, and as such we expect it to utilize some form of V-8 engine, most likely with a bit of forced induction. Motor Trend seems to think the same as well, but they also speculate that there could be a racing version that utilizes a heavily massaged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine. Apparently these units are good for power figures well into the 600 horsepower range.

Regardless, we're just excited to see a new Ford GT enter the world. If Ford also decides to take it racing, the rest of the world should get excited as well... or scared.

It looks like a replacement for the Ford GT is a sure thing, and we're going to see it at the Detroit Auto Show next month.

Sources familiar with Ford's racing efforts have confirmed to AutoWeek that not only is the new supercar a done deal, but it'll be going back to Le Mans to defend its legacy in 2016.

The new supercar will be billed as an heir to both the GT40 that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four consecutive times in the 1960s and the retro-styled GT (pictured) sold in 2005 and 2006. Most likely mid-engined, the supercar might not wear the GT nameplate but its silhouette will pay an unmistakable homage to its predecessors.

The Le Mans entry, along with a full Tudor United SportsCar Championship program, will be headed by Chip Ganassi Racing. It will be formally announced in the months following the new car's debut.

The GT replacement is expected to spearhead an onslaught of high-performance models. Ford will also present the second generation of the SVT Raptor off-roader. We know that it will be based on the new aluminum-bodied F-150 but additional details such as what it will be powered by are being kept under wraps.

As previously reported, Ford will almost certainly show a more extreme version of the Shelby GT350 that debuted in Los Angeles earlier this month. Aimed squarely at the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, the GT350R will stand out with a more aggressive body kit, bigger brakes and a stripped interior.

Finally, rumors indicate a hot-rodded version of the Focus hatchback could make an appearance in the nation's Motor City. Badged RS, it will pack a 300-horsepower version of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder that is available on the 2015 Mustang. The Focus RS will be introduced next March at the Geneva Motor Show if it sits out Detroit.

All of the aforementioned cars will be grouped under the Ford Performance sub-brand, which will be similar to Mercedes' AMG division and BMW's M.

Ford did it. They actually went and did it. It's been rumored about and speculated on for months, but now we know it's real. This is it: the new Ford GT. Ford just dropped a bomb on the rest of the world.

Here's what we know so far: Mid-engine layout (duh,) 600 horsepower, lots of carbon fiber, and a dual clutch gearbox. More details to come.

The original Ford GT40 wasn't just another endurance racer. Sporting iconic looks and a mighty V8 engine, it emerged victorious in Ford's bitter Le Mans battle against Ferrari, one of the greatest David vs. Goliath stories in all of motorsports.

And a decade ago, Ford resurrected with a limited edition, street-legal supercar with the performance to match the best Europe had to offer. It was an amazing machine that remains highly respected and coveted today. Now Ford is back with a modern version of this legendary car.

UPDATE: Here's what you need to know: it has a twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 (yes, seriously) with more than 600 horsepower and is going into production in late 2016.

The body features liberal amounts of carbon fiber and more advanced lightweight composites, so Ford promises it will "exhibit one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car."

They also say it has an F1-style steering wheel and a paddle-shift gearbox, plus upward swinging doors. Here's more:

The state-of-the-art chassis is suspended by an active racing-style torsion bar and pushrod suspension, with adjustable ride height. The 20-inch wheels are shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup 2 tires featuring a unique compound and structure designed specifically for the Ford GT. Multi-spoke wheels encircle carbon-ceramic brake discs at all four corners.