Friends of Carroll Shelby, including Ford Motor Company, Shelby American, Ford Racing and many others have built a unique 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra as a tribute to the late Carroll Shelby.

Ford is also announcing a renamed road at its Product Development Center in Dearborn, Mich., as a tribute to Shelby as well. Cobra has been the consistent performance label as Shelby worked with Ford for most of the last 60 years, and Shelby was instrumental in the creation of Ford performance vehicles including Cobras, the GT40 and Mustangs since the mid-1960s.

2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra
The unique tribute car was unveiled by Ford Motor Company board member Edsel Ford II, Ford’s group vice president for sales and marketing Jim Farley, and Shelby American president John Luft at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion where Cobra is the marque of show for 2012.

“Even at 89 years of age, Carroll was an inspiration to us all,” says Farley. “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the original Shelby Cobra. The one-off car we have created represents the very idea he had about making the 2013 Shelby GT500 into a true Cobra.”

Using the 662-horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500 as a foundation, “Friends of Carroll” created the one-of-a-kind 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra wide-body Mustang that now generates more than 850 horsepower with the help of a Ford Racing 4.0-liter Whipple supercharger.

Putting that much power to the ground requires plenty of traction, so the 13-inch-wide rear wheels are wrapped in massive 345-section high-performance tires for extra grip.

Ford Motor Company teamed up with Shelby American for several key components on the Carroll Shelby tribute car. Shelby American provided a specially designed hood, new rear wide-body kit, Shelby Wilwood brakes and new 20x13-inch rear and 20x10-inch front wheels. The bodywork is finished in the same Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes that graced so many of the Cobra roadsters built in the 1960s.

“Carroll Shelby changed the performance world forever,” says Luft. “And while he was proud of Shelby American’s achievements, Carroll was far more interested in the next car we would build. You will find the spirit and influence of Carroll Shelby in every future vehicle we build just as you’ll find it in the rear wide-body kit and hood integrated into the 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra.”

“You might also know that Carroll was a philanthropist, noted for supporting causes that moved him,” adds Farley. “In that spirit, this car will be taken on tour around the country, and hopefully will be used in a special way at the end of its tour – a way Carroll would appreciate.”

Before the 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra hits the road, it will be shown at the Ford display in the expo area at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion this weekend.

Shelby American, Inc., a division of Carroll Shelby International (CSBI.PK), unveiled today its new 850 horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake "Wide Body" as well as the new performance tuned Shelby Focus ST at the North American International Auto Show. The two cars represent bookends in the lineup of high performance vehicles available from Shelby American.

"Carroll Shelby's innovative and aggressive hot-rodder spirit lives on at Shelby American today. " said John Luft, president of Shelby American. "His Cobra redefined the sports car genre and then Shelby turned what some called a 'secretary's car', the Mustang, into the fire-breathing GT350. A few years later, Shelby practically invented the American 'pocket-rocket' with the four-cylinder turbocharged, front wheel drive Shelby GLH. This year, we're returning to our roots with a pair of game-changing cars that will rewrite the rules for American performance."

Shelby American takes the stock 662 horsepower 2013 GT500 and boosts its performance to a street-legal 850 horsepower while keeping it 50 state emissions legal and tuned on 91 octane pump gas. Adding Shelby's new Wide Body option puts all that power to the pavement, and the rest is history.

"Now with 13 inch rear and 10 inch front wheels that are wrapped in serious rubber, the car launches and handles like the super car it is," added Gary Davis, vice president of production at Shelby American. The optional wide body package isn't just a cosmetic change, it now gives the Super Snake much more traction and makes it easy to exploit the Shelby's potential right past the competition."

Customers can choose between Satin Black, Gloss White, Silver, Blue and Red stripes. Offered now for the first time, wheel options include a rear-only or front and rear "wide body" packages.

Building on the “most powerful engine ever produced in an American vehicle” and Voted as one of the “Sexiest Cars” at the 2011 New York International Auto Show, the Shelby GT500 Super Snake fills your greatest desire for more power. With expected power levels up to 850 HP customers have been buckling up for the ride of their life since 2007. All this Performance, handling and unmistakable styling is available in coupe and convertible configurations. With a vast array of options, Shelby American provides the level of personalization you have only imagined in your dreams. Experience the unparalleled driving experience that makes dreams come true.