The 2007 Ford Shelby GT 500 was introduced as the successor to the SVT Cobra. It was the high performance version of the then current generation Mustang, and was recognized at that time as the most powerful production Mustang ever built.

Forty years after the debut of the original GT 500, Ford again teamed up the renowned Carroll Shelby to create the 2007 Ford Shelby GT 500. With the telltale Cobra emblem the only bit of brightwork on its blacked-out grille and a 500 horsepower, supercharged V-8 under the hood, allowing it to be the most powerful road-going, factory-produced Mustang at that point in time.

Utilizing a small-block, 5.4-liter V-8 that's basically a detuned version of the engine from the GT supercar; only on the GT 500, supplier and cost concerns made necessary the use of a wet-sump oil system (instead of dry-sump), a cast-iron block (instead of aluminum) and a "Roots-type" supercharger with 9-psi of boost (instead of an Eaton "screw-type" with 13.5-psi). With many components carried over, it still resulted in a 500-hp, 480-lb/ft and 0- to 60-mph in approximately 4.5 seconds. A Tremec six-speed manual gearbox routes all that through a 3.31:1 limited-slip rear axle.

To manage the horsepower boost, Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) engineers reworked the Mustang's MacPherson strut front suspension, and the solid-axle rear suspension also uses upgraded springs, along with a Panhard rod to control wheel movement. The GT 500 proved to be an agile and strong performer, whether on a racetrack or a remote two-lane road. The credit for these performance characteristics is shared by the rack-and-pinion steering system, as well as the traction control system, which allows for plenty of oversteer-induced thrills. During development Carroll Shelby insisted on larger rubber to better manage the car's power and handling capabilities; this resulted in 18- by 9.5-inch wheels and 255/45 front and 285/40 rear tires.

Standard equipment includes machined factory aluminum wheels, a domed hood with functional heat extractors, a front air splitter and a ducktail-style rear spoiler. Inside, you'll find air conditioning, leather-upholstered sport bucket seats with Cobra logos, six-way power adjustments for the driver, a six-CD changer stereo with two Shaker 1000 subwoofers in the trunk, cruise control and full power accessories.

Standard braking hardware consists of Brembo four-piston calipers grasping 14.0-inch vented rotors in front and 11.8-inch vented discs attended to by two-piston calipers in the rear. ABS and traction control are included, as are front seat-mounted side airbags. The shifter knob is aluminum, and metallic trim elements are nicely featured within the cabin.

Finished in white with distinctive 1960s-style blue stripes and a black leather interior; this hardy platform is said to be “like new” with less than 1,500 actual miles and is accompanied by the original books. SVT and Shelby accents and badges are plentiful and leave little doubt to the car’s performance abilities.

With more power than any of the revered Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s, the 2007 GT 500 offers performance that's nothing short of mind-altering. Just as its specs suggest, the Shelby GT 500 accelerates with pure energy when you boot the throttle. The overall driving experience turns out to be both civilized and, if you should choose, somewhat brutal, depending on where you position your right foot on the accelerator pedal.