It seems what big brother does little sister has to do as well.  Ford Motor Company has announced the 2011 Mustang V6 will be the official pace car of the Food City 500 NASCAR race on March 21st at Bristol International Speedway.  This will mark the third time this year a 2011 Mustang has been given pace car duties for a NASCAR race.  The first time around a 2011 Mustang GT paced the field of the Daytona 500 and just recently a 2011 Shelby GT350 paced the field at the Shelby American NASCAR race.  Click the photo above for a larger view of what the 2011 Mustang V6 pace car will look like.

The hosts will add just about every Roush component including ROUSHcharger, body kit, brakes, wheels and tires, suspension, exhaust and some dress up Billet items under the hood.  After the jump I have added a few photos of the build.

Here is some video of the new 2010 ROUSH 540RH Mustang dubbed the “Hammer”. It’s the Ultimate Sleeper Mustang with just a few recognizable Roush accessories and a 540 horsepower 4.6-liter V-8 that can run the quarter-mile in the 11 second range.

In the video we get a look at the interior plus we get to hear just how loud this sleeper Mustang can be.

Official news has come by way of Ford Motor Company that the 2011 Ford Mustang 3.7-liter V-6 is the first car ever to achieve 300 plus horsepower and a 30 plus mpg fuel rating.  This week the final fuel economy tests were being done by the EPA on the 2011 Mustang V-6 with it managing 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.  Great news for the 2011 Mustang as we head into production sometime next month.

Even the snowstorms can’t keep ’em away, February Ford Mustang sales show a modest month-to-month increase along with a 71 percent increase from the same period a year ago when sales were at historic lows.  I expect the coming months to be inline with what January and February sales were as Ford tries to clear out remaining inventory of 2010 models to make way for the 2011 Mustangs.  As you probably have read or heard 2011 Mustang demand is going strong with 11,000 orders placed already.  Not bad for a model that is still 2-3 months away from hitting the ground.

For the remaining 2010 Mustang models Ford has begun to pile on the incentives as much as $3,500 in some parts of U.S. so if you don’t have a preference and are looking for a good deal head on over to your local Ford dealer. 

A complete breakdown of February sales is below.

Sales of the Ford Mustang for February of 2010 were 5,115 compared to 2,990 from February of 2009 showing a 71.1% increase in sales from the previous year. Year to date Mustang sales are 9,862 compared to 5,934 for 2009, which is a 66.2% increase.

Month to Month sales increased a small amount as January 2010 sales were 4,747 compared to February 2010 sales of 5,115 which is a 7.8% increase.

Chevrolet Camaro sold 6,482 while the Dodge Challenger sold 2,145.

If you are curious what previous month sales were check below.

January 2010 – 4,747

December 2009 – 6,527

November 2009 – 3,627

October 2009 – 4,789

September 2009 – 4,917

August 2009 – 6,289

July 2009 – 6,686

June 2009 – 7,632

May 2009 – 8,812

April 2009 – 7,699

March 2009 – 3,711

February 2009 – 2,990

January 2009 – 2,944 (Official Record Monthly low in history)

Source: Ford

StangNet, one of the most popular Ford Mustang portals on the web has taken on a very ambitious Mustang project in partnership with Ford Racing dubbed ‘Built to Cruise’.  StangNet’s ’Built to Cruise’ project  involves an 1989 LX 5.0 Mustang notchback that will receive a new 2011 Mustang 5.0-liter V-8 engine.  StangNet will be the first to transplant a 2011 5.0 V-8 motor into a fox-body Mustang with the entire build process documented and written about over at Stangnet.com.  The StangNet project car will also involve several other partners including Classic Design Concepts, Griggs, Kicker and many others.  You can also follow the build via twitter @StangNet.

Barrett-Jackson and Shelby American are teaming up again to sell another piece of history.  This time they will auction off a 2011 Shelby GT350 with serial #350 at the Palm Beach BJ event in April.  Following a successful unveiling of the supercharged 2011 Shelby GT350 at the BJ event in January Shelby American will auction a very signifigant VIN to the public at No Reserve.  The 8th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Palm Beach will take place April 1-3 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds.  Like previous Barrett-Jackson events the SPEED channel will broadcast more than 22 hours of live, high-def coverage.

The 2011 Shelby GT350 is a post-title package available exclusively through Shelby American.  Customers wanting to purchase a 2011 Shelby GT350 will have to first purchase a 2011 Mustang GT at a local Ford dealership and than arrange shipping to Shelby’s Las Vegas facility for conversion.  The new Shelby GT350 post-title package has an MSRP of $33,995 not including the 2011 Mustang GT. 

For more on the sale of serial #350 check out the press release below.

Press Release:

Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (PINKSHEETS: CSBI), will sell serial number 350 2011 GT350 at No Reserve during the 8th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Palm Beach. The American muscle car will be part of the automotive lifestyle event April 1-3, 2010, at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. SPEED will broadcast more than 22 hours of live, high-definition TV coverage of the auction.

“Over the past several years, we’ve offered several prototypes, concepts and special serial numbered contemporary collector cars to the public, which has been a significant break from the traditional approach that car makers once followed with such important cars,” said Barrett-Jackson Chairman/CEO, Craig Jackson. “At one time, it was common for these cars to be destroyed or sold to industry insiders instead of being available to the general car collector hobby. The automakers have begun to turn to us as the best, most democratic way to offer these cars.”

The Shelby team unveiled a supercharged concept version of the Mustang-based 2011 Shelby GT350 at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale in January to honor the 45th anniversary of the first GT350 and first Shelby big block Cobra. It was an immediate hit when Carroll Shelby and his team brought back the famous nameplate after more than 40 years.

“There was a great deal of pent up demand for the first GT350 since the 1970 model year,” stated Amy Boylan, president of Shelby American. “We chose to introduce the car at Barrett-Jackson because the people who attend their events are among the most passionate car enthusiasts in the world. Thus, we will reward that loyalty by offering a very special serial number to their bidders.”

The Shelby GT350 is a post title program; a customer purchases a car from a local Ford Dealer, which is turned into a GT350 by the Shelby American Team. A limited number will be built in the 2011 model year. A Ford Mustang GT can be dropped shipped by a Ford dealer to Shelby’s Las Vegas facility for conversion or a customer can arrange to have a properly specified car transported to the factory.

“Because 2011 Ford Mustang GT production will begin about the same time as the auction, we’re going to sell the rights to the serial number 350 car,” added Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “The GT350 will be built in Las Vegas when the base car becomes available and include a host of important options. In addition, Carroll said that he will personally drive the car before it is delivered to the lucky bidder at the Shelby American factory. This will truly be a special, milestone collector car.”

Barrett-Jackson’s annual Palm Beach event continues to grow in importance and has become a fixture in South Florida. Last year, Barrett-Jackson recorded more than $20 million in sales and welcomed over 55,000 attendees in Palm Beach; the company also raised more than $1.5 million for various local and national charities during the 2009 Palm Beach auction.

Customers interested in a Shelby GT350 should contact Roger Sorel at (702) 942-7325 or log onto www.gt350.shelbyamerican.com.

Demand for the 2011 Ford Mustang is heating up even though no models have been produced yet.  Since the order banks opened on January 18th customers have placed 11,000 orders for the 2011 Mustang GT, V-6 and Shelby GT500 models.  Production on the 2011 Mustang is slated for some time in April with models arriving at dealerships nationwide in early May.

Of the 11,000 orders placed so far 50 percent of those are for the V-6 Mustang, 41 percent are for the Mustang GT and 9 percent are for the Shelby GT500.  The overwhelming choice thus far is the V-6 Mustang which receives a 305 horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 engine capable of 30 mpg. 

 The 2011 Mustang GT receives the all-new 5.0-liter V-8 with 412 horsepower.  The Shelby GT500 recieves a new all-aluminum block 5.4-liter engine with 550 horsepower.

For more on the 2011 Mustang orders check out the press release below

Press Release:

The new 2011 Ford Mustang with all-new powertrains has  three times more orders than the 2010 model in its first month, and half of all nationwide orders are for the car’s class-leading 30 mpg 3.7-liter V-6 engine.
 
“Fuel economy ranks among the top two reasons people choose vehicles,” said Steve Ling, North America Car Marketing manager. “With the 2011 Mustang lineup, we’ve found a way to offer even better fuel efficiency for V-6, GT and even Shelby GT500 performance drivers – while improving performance. And consumers are responding.”
 
Nearly 11,000 Mustangs have been ordered since order banks opened in late January.
 
Fifty percent of the 2011 Mustang orders are for V-6 models, which feature a new, high-performance, all-aluminum Duratec 3.7-liter dual overhead-cam (DOHC) Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) engine. This new engine delivers 305 horsepower and an expected best-in-class EPA fuel efficiency of 30 mpg on the highway – a 25 percent improvement versus the 2010 model.
 
2011 Mustang V-6 order levels are up 19 percent versus the new 2010 model orders.
 
“The new engine transforms Mustang,” Ling said. “Everything people love about the car lives on, and now under the hood is a V-6 engine that uses premium technology to deliver the power, the feel, the fuel efficiency, even the sound of the best sports cars in the world.”
 
A first-ever Mustang Club of America (MCA) Special Edition package available on V-6 models generated three times more orders than expected. Plus, “take rates” on the California Special series – which is available on the Mustang GT and harkens back to the original 1968 feature vehicle – are triple the expected rates.  
 
2011 Mustangs also are being equipped with record levels of technology. Navigation is specified on 18 percent of orders. High-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps are on 26 percent of vehicles. Rear-view cameras are on 10 percent – all up from 2010.
 
For the 2011 model, 41 percent of orders are for Mustang GTs.
 
The Mustang GT’s modern 5.0-liter four-valve, Ti-VCT V-8 engine delivers 412 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque. At the same time, fuel economy of 25 mpg highway is projected to be better than the previous model and unsurpassed in the segment.
 
Approximately 9 percent of the 2011 Mustang orders are for Shelby GT500 models, which are powered by an all-new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine. This produces 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque, a 10 horsepower increase versus the 2010 model. The engine also is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, delivering a better power-to-weight ratio, improved fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.
 
“Mustang is ready for a new generation of buyers,” Ling said. “With new high-tech and fuel-efficient engines, class-leading connectivity and infotainment options as well as signature style and performance, Mustang is poised to continue its legacy as America’s favorite sports car.”

Source: Ford

The 2011 DUB Edition Mustang GT is a specially prepared one-off custom car built by DUB Magazine for Grammy Award winning hip-hop artist Nelly.  The customized 2011 Mustang GT was built for Nelly to use for his next albums cover art which should come out sometime this spring.  So far all we have seen are a few photos of Nelly and the Mustang but video has now been posted online of the car launch.  The video features Jim Farley, Group VP of Global Marketing for Ford, Nelly and DUB Magazine President and Co-founder Myles Kovacs talking about the new 2011 DUB Edition Mustang GT as it’s introduced.

The 2011 Mustang GT features a Street Scenes body kit, gloss black exterior paint, flat black racing stripes and 22-inch wheels up front and 24-inch wheels out back with Pirelli tires.  Other custom touches include a billet grille with DUB badge, hood scoop, tinted taillights, angel eyes headlights and a Borla exhaust sytem.  The interior gets some customization to with custom seats covered in suede and leather along with a JL Audio system.

The 2011 Shelby GT350 will be the official pace car of the 2010 Shelby American Sprint Cup NASCAR race held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  This will be the first time the public will get to see the new supercharged Shelby GT350 in action and it will be the first time a Shelby GT350 has paced a NASCAR event. 

The new Shelby GT350 is a post-title package meaning buyers who want to purchase one will have to first purchase a 2011 Mustang GT from a local Ford dealer and than have their car shipped to Shelby American in Las Vegas for the conversion.  The post-title package has an MSRP of $33,995 which includes a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 with six-speed transmission, Ford Racing suspension, Baer brakes, Borla exhaust, Cragar wheels and a host of other goodies.  All 2011 Shelby GT350’s will be painted white with Shelby Guardsman blue Le Mans stripes just like the originals.

For more on the 2011 Shelby GT350 pace car check out the press release below from Shelby American.

Press Release:

Those who attend the 2010 Shelby American Sprint Cup NASCAR race will see the 2011 Shelby GT350, built by Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), make history as it paces the Las Vegas NASCAR race on February 28. It will be the first opportunity for the public to see the supercharged supercar at speed and the first time for a Shelby GT350 to pace a NASCAR event when the car circles the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Shelby American race.

“When we unveiled the new 2011 Shelby GT350 last month, fans clamored for the car to pace this NASCAR race,” said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby American. “Since so much of the GT350 was developed on the road course, drag strip and oval of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it was appropriate to show off the Shelby’s handling there during the race. It will be exciting to watch a Shelby GT350 lead a race for the first time since 1970.”

The Shelby team unveiled a supercharged concept version of the Mustang-based 2011 Shelby GT350 to the surprise of thousands gathered at the Barrett-Jackson Auction Opening Night Gala to honor the 45th anniversary of the first GT350 and first Shelby big block Cobra. It was an immediate hit with the muscle car crowd.

“The Shelby GT350 was designed to be nimble and powerful,” added Gary Davis, vice president of production for Shelby American. “Beginning with the new 2011 ‘small block’ Ford Mustang GT, we created a car that is as fun to drive as the 1965-1970 model year Shelby GT350 but thoroughly modern. It’s a true driver’s car.”

The Shelby GT350 is a post title program; a customer purchases a car from their local Ford Dealer, which is turned into a GT350 by the Shelby American Team. A limited number will be built in the 2011 model year. A Ford Mustang GT can be dropped shipped by a Ford dealer to Shelby’s Las Vegas facility for conversion or a customer can arrange to have a properly specified car transported to the factory.

Each GT350 will be clad in traditional white with Shelby Guardsman blue Le Mans stripes and feature the new Coyote 5.0 liter Ford V8 coupled to a 6 speed transmission and center exit exhaust. Blue Shelby GT350 valve covers and billet caps set off the supercharged engine. The Baer brake system features 6 piston kit in the front, as well as 14” ERADISPEED rotors in the rear with cooling ducts for all four corners.

The suspension was upgraded with new Ford Racing springs, struts, sway bars and adjustable caster/camber plates. The car also receives a new front fascia, tail light trim, front splitter, rear deck lid filler panel and rear fascia. Functional scoops are located on the side rockers and hood. GT350 badges on the outside and inside include a Shelby serial number. The A pillar carries a fuel pressure, oil pressure and boost gauge.

Shelby teamed up with LVMS this for the event on Feb. 28, which is called the Shelby American to honor the 45th anniversary of the Shelby G.T. 350 and 427 Cobra introductions in 1965. The 2010 NASCAR Weekend will kick off with qualifying for the Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Friday, Feb. 26. The Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race is set for Saturday, Feb. 27, while the Sprint Cup race will be the next day. For more information, visit www.speedwaymotorsports.com.

Customers interested in a Shelby GT350 should contact Roger Sorel at (702) 942-7325 or log onto gt350.shelbyamerican.com.

About Shelby American, Inc. and Carroll Shelby Licensing
Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American Inc., (www.shelbyamerican.com) manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. Shelby American is a division of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI.PK). Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc., also a wholly owned division, is the exclusive holder of Carroll Shelby’s trademarks and vehicle design rights. It also holds trademark rights for Shelby-branded apparel, accessories and collectibles. Info is at www.carrollshelbyinternational.com.