Is it possible that there is/was an original prototype new generation Shelby at the SVT skunkworks that was the catalyst for the Hertz Shelby GT-H? How else can you explain Shelby Automotive Las Vegas turning out 500 units for 2006 in a 3 month period. Opinions please
I believe the original prototype is sitting at SAI in vegas and it was a 2005 car. I would highly doubt there is one at SVT, considering that SVT didnt develope the car, SAI did. Best, Vern
Appreciate your input but it is off the mark. I've been to SAI in Las Vegas and there is no prototype 2005 Shelby on display. Shelby Automotive assembles the Shelbys but it did not conceive the new era Shelbys. Shelbys have been under the contol of Ford since 1968 when it took over production of them from Carroll's plant in LA.
I think Vern will have a word or two to contribute after reading this comment. What exactly do you mean by "under the control of Ford"? Randall
"under the control of" means that the collaboration between Ford and Carroll Shelby is not on equal footing. Carrol's main contribution is his name. Without Ford he doesn't have a Mustang to convert. SAI is mainly about producing continuation Cobras of which it is totally independent. Ford Racing is responsible for supplying the performance parts SAI retrofits into the Mustangs in order to call them Shelbys. Shelby also relies on independent after market companies (e.g. Hurst, Borla, etc.) to supply parts saving them money on R&D. While Carroll has and does give his input, he lost control of the Mustang Shelby in September 1967 (not '68 as I previously stated) when production reverted back to Ford.
I don't believe you comments about the Shelby/Ford relationship in the late 1960s are entirely accurate. Shelby employees such as engineers had a great deal of input on the cars during 68 and 1969. Both of these years had numerous engineering vehicles that were not under Ford control. Shelby engineers regularly tested things like fuel injection and superchargers. Engineers were not the only Shelby employees that worked on these cars. Also in error is the statement you made regarding Shelbys "reverting back" to Ford. Ford never built any Shelbys in 68 or 69. They were built by AO Smith and Smith was under the supervision of Shelby until the program ended in 1969. The program was actually cancelled by Smith when it declined to build the planned 1971 models.
Lemme rephrase. There WAS a GTH prototype at SAI, it was in the museum for 4-5 years until it was sold at the last Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach by SAI to liguidate a few assets. They also sold a 2006, yes 2006, GTH convertible along with a few other significant late model cars. I worked at SAI for a little over a month. I was an intern and was incharge of multiple project for the company. One of my small jobs was taking care of the museum at 8am every morning, so i know what was and what was not there. Also, i like to think i understand the inner workings of the company/its relationsihp with ford, svt, and ford racing fairly well. Your response is way "off the mark". SAI managed the development of the GTH and i have factory, prototype and otherwise, paperwork in my closet to prove it. Also, the GTH used parts from FORD RACING. NOT SVT, and they are not the same thing. If you were around FORD/Shelby you would know that they relationship between these two entities was actually a bitter one until SVT went away. SVT had nothing to do with the GTH, it was a collaboration between Shelby and Ford Racing. Basically, shelby conceived the car (based originally of the idea of a naturally aspirated CS8) and did all the testing and development for the car. The merely built the car using performance packages and upgraded parts from the Ford Racing parts bin. Which, from a business standpoint, is the best option for them. Proven parts, the go on easily and make a great contribution to the car. The GT-Hs are a hell of alot of fun, they gave me one as a company car for a week....and, well, those stories are for a time when one of you guys gets a few beers in me ...they also gave me a GT500KR for a few hours and, wellll, those stories will come a few beers after the first few... Best, Vern
-It may be true that Carroll's main contribution is his name on the GT500s, sure, but not the GT-H as the GTH was an SAI car with Ford Racing parts. Hes also an 88 year old man, he owns the company, but it is run by others. he still makes visits to the factory. I dont think anyone expects Carroll to be present during the everyday operations, it would be unreasonable. Do you think Carroll had anything to do with production on the mustangs and cobras from 1962-67? He was much more concerned with Racing, he couldve cared less about production on the street cars. His involvement was the same as it is now. And thats just the way it is. -The hurst shifters come from Ford Racing -Borla? I thought we were talking about GT-Hs, they came with Ford Racing power pack mufflers -He "lost" production of the Shelby mustang for the 68 model year, true, but if you did a little research, you would know that SAI did a marjority of the development for the 68 cars...including 67 Shelby Convertible #0139. So shelby american didnt have their hand out of the development process then either, contrary to what you state. Best, Vern
We could continue to split hairs but you know what you know and I know what I know. To get back to my original question, you responded that there was a 2005 GTH prototype at SAI when you worked there. This is what I'm interesting in expanding. When I visited SAI last summer and took the tour the car you mentioned was gone. Could you provide me with any info, either from memory or documents as to the car's particulars (i.e. color, differences between it and the final Hertz GT-H, etc.) P.S. The 5-speed shifter from Ford Racing is made by Hurst). Your input is greatly appreciated,
Yes, i know that the shifter is made by Hurst. But its sourced through Ford Racing, so Shelby doesnt rely on hurst, at least as i see it, they rely on FR. Btw, sai only made 5 manual trans cars in 2006, the prototype was automatic. -It was black and gold, looked no different from the factory built cars, i believe the serial number was 001P (or maybe 001C, P meaning prototype or C meaning Concept). It was the car displayed at the New York Auto Show, the serial number plate on the dash was unique as the production one had not yet been made. Best regards, Vern
I can't remember which one but one of the two Prototypes (Coupe or Convertible) pops up on Ebay once in a while. I think by a Company in South Florida.
