Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), is honoring the 100th anniversary of its founder’s birth with a small run of Centennial Edition Mustangs. Only 100 of the 2023 model year supercharged Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustangs will be available through Shelby American in Las Vegas, with a few available through official mod shops around the world. A prototype will be unveiled in Gardena, California, on Saturday, January 14 at 10 AM PST and the final production ready version introduced at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., the next week.
“The world is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Carroll Shelby’s birth, recounting his many accomplishments,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “Though he had never flown before, he became one of the most skilled pilot instructors in the US Army Air Force. Carroll never took a single management class but created a successful team with some of the most talented drivers, development experts, fabricators and production people in the world. From his wins behind the wheel to his business successes and philanthropic initiatives, Carroll earned every victory.”
Carroll Shelby grew up with modest means in East Texas during the Great Depression, never finished high school, and survived several business disappointments. Though Shelby’s poor health ended his budding racing career, his determination never waned. He became the second American driver to win Le Mans overall. He captured America’s first FIA sports car world championship, and his auto manufacturing company changed the perception of American vehicles worldwide. His formula for performance changed the course of the entire automotive industry.
“Carroll never claimed to be an engineer, designer or mechanic,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “He believed he was best at putting people together. From the group of hot rodders he banded together to take on the world’s racing elite to the car company and Team Shelby club he founded, Carroll understood that motivated people can achieve almost anything.”
The new Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustang was designed to properly celebrate the legend.
“This new, limited-edition car celebrates Carroll Shelby and honors his many achievements,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and Chief of R&D. “To properly honor him required us to build a car that was truly born to run. Our new Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustang is a well-balanced car that is far more than just a horsepower upgrade. We also sharpened the handling and enhanced the styling of the world-class 5.0L V8 Mustang GT. It delivers all the performance that Carroll required to have his name on a car. We’re so confident that he’d approve that we are throwing in a black Stetson like the one he wore, with each car.”
In addition to many business, aviation and racing endeavors, Carroll Shelby funded charity programs throughout his lifetime and established a foundation to help kids win the race for life. Each of the new Centennial Edition cars will include a donation to the Carroll Shelby Foundation.
Based on the spectacular 2023 Ford Mustang GT, the new Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustang is different from the Shelby Super Snake. Enthusiasts can choose a fastback or convertible with either a manual or automatic transmission. As a post-title program, any stock Ford Mustang color is accepted. Only 100 of the 2023 Centennial Edition Mustangs will be built by Shelby American in Las Vegas with a handful transformed by international mod shops. Consumers with a qualifying Ford Mustang GT can arrange to have their cars transformed by Shelby American or an official Shelby mod shop. The package includes a black Stetson hat and a copy of the commemorative Shelby Centennial Book published by Team Shelby.
Each Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustang includes membership in Team Shelby, the worldwide club Carroll Shelby established in 2008, and will be eligible for documentation in the official Shelby Registry. The package MSRP starts at $49,995, not including the base car. Production will begin in Las Vegas during the second quarter of the year and owners of a 2023 model year Ford Mustang can contact Shelby American about transforming their car into a Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Mustang. Select dealers and Shelby mod shops worldwide also have access to the program. Individuals interested in a Shelby vehicle can go to https://www.shelby.com/en-us/Vehicles.