The design team did not merely take heritage cues and paste them onto the contemporary Mustang. Working with the engineering team, they dedicated themselves to a design that would enhance the car’s performance.

For example, the fog lamps were removed from the upper grille opening – where they are located on the Mustang GT. Smaller units were relocated on the outside of the lower front fascia where they function well.

"We found that the original Shelby Mustang’s design came about in response to maximizing the car’s performance," says Doug Gaffka, chief designer for Mustang, SVT and Vehicle Personalization. "The same is true of the SVT design language that has evolved over time."

A further example of how form follows function is the design of the heat extractors on the hood of the Shelby GT500. Here, they can better remove heat from the engine compartment – an important consideration for a car generating 475 horsepower.

"It is perfect, says Carroll Shelby of the car’s overall design. "I wouldn’t change a thing. It is everything I expected a modern Shelby Mustang to be."

Improved Aerodynamics

Other functional aero additions to the Shelby GT500 can be found at the front and rear. The rear spoiler adds significant downforce. Similarly, the front air splitter effectively combats lift.

The 18 x 9.5-inch wheels worn by the Shelby GT500 also bear a resemblance to those of the Ford GT.

Indeed, stripes don’t make the car go faster, but they play a big role in the car’s identity. In coupe form, the car wears the full regalia of stripes Carroll Shelby bestowed upon the original GT500 coupe: a Le Mans stripe that runs over the hood, roof and rear deck and side stripes bearing the legend "GT500" nomenclature.

As did the original GT500 convertible, the modern version carries the side stripes but foregoes the Le Mans stripe. The Le Mans stripe, the side stripes or both may be deleted from the Coupe. The side stripes are also a delete option on the Convertible.

Exterior colors include Colorado Red (which can be paired with Performance White or Satin Silver stripes), Alloy (Satin Silver or Tungsten), Vista Blue (Performance White or Tungsten), Performance White (available with Vista Blue or Tungsten stripes), Tungsten Grey (Satin Silver), Valencia (Tungsten) and Ebony (Performance White or Tungsten stripes).

"Except for the Valencia and Tungsten combination, these combinations echo what we did with the original car," says Shelby. "I really like the yellow car. It has an eye-catching modern look to it."

Peter Horbury, executive director, Design, North America, had the opportunity to learn firsthand just how much that color combination does catch the eye. "I sneaked out on the Woodward Dream Cruise in a yellow prototype of the GT500," he said. "Everybody knew what it was. People were stepping out in the road to take pictures."

Carroll Shelby, it seems, is not the only one who feels expectations have been met .

Most apparent is the use of light-faced gauges, a tradition on SVT’s cars and trucks and one that can improve readability under a variety of lighting conditions. The gauges also boast SVT graphics.

An astute observer will note that the speedometer and tachometer do not occupy the same positions they do in the rest of the Mustang line. In the Shelby GT500, the speedometer is on the left while the tachometer is on the right.

"This is something the SVT engineering staff insisted on – particularly because the GT500 is available only with a manual transmission," says Keith Rogman, SVT design manager. "Making the switch allows the driver the best view of the tach while changing gears."

Shelby GT500 sports a satin aluminum finish on instrument trim, rings and door handles. This helps reduce glare and provide a bit of sparkle.

Adds Doug Gaffka, chief designer for Mustang, SVT and Vehicle Personalization: "This is very much in keeping with the SVT hallmark of substance. It gives the customer a direct benefit and not just a bit of decoration."

Sit Down and Drive

Substance and function also are the reason the front seats in the Shelby GT500 are different from other Mustangs. Bolstering has been added to provide increased lateral support. This helps keep the driver optimally placed.

Two interior color treatments are available, charcoal black and charcoal black with crimson red seat inserts and door trim panels. A GT500 Performance Interior Trim Package is optional. It features a leather-wrapped and stitched instrument panel brow and center console, upgraded door armrests and aluminum pedal covers.

Performance Sound System

SIRIUS Satellite Radio may be ordered with either the standard Shaker 500 Audio System or the optional Shaker 1000 system. The Shaker 1000 Audio System amps up to a full 1,000 watts from the standard system’s 500. It includes two subwoofers as part of its 10-speaker array, and an audio input jack is standard. Both the Shaker 1000 and the 8-speaker Shaker 500 systems include AM/FM Stereo with a six-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability.

Convenience

Comfort and convenience touches abound. Manual air conditioning, power windows and power locks are standard. The center console includes not just an armrest, but storage as well. The interior also features dual power points as well as two cupholders.

And the Ford Special Vehicle Team has put its stamp on things as it welcomes enthusiasts into the car via bright door sill trim plates bearing SVT script