You’ve got to be a pretty bad ass dude if you’re going to pull off the name Carroll. Multiple Le Mans wins, sticking it to Ferrari against the odds and establishing a tuning legacy synonymous with performance and victory. We head to the launch of Shelby South Africa to find out more about the tuner’s local imprint, and how, on their opening, night they managed to sell out their flagship model.
“We’re not a manufacturer”
Just like Carrol Shelby, Peter Lindenberg is a maverick. Not many drivers can cruise to victory using a one handed driving style (he adapted this from his power boating days). In that vein, the Lindenberg family have piloted the export of the Shelby brand. Among the first of a handful of official Shelby “dealerships” worldwide, they offer a comprehensive upgrade package for the discerning Mustang owner. Based at Crossley & Webb in Cape Town and serviced by Rob Green Motorsport in Johannesburg, the Shelby SA alliance has a strong base, with a solid support structure.
Models: Shelby GT
The Shelby GT is the entry level package offering no engine upgrades, but some tasty handling, braking and exhaust modifications. 20” wheels complete the package and it offers a great entry into Shelby Mustang ownership with either the 2.3-liter 4-cyl EcoBoost engine or the 5.0 V8 engine. Carbon fibre body parts come standard, and the differential also gets the Shelby treatment. Even at this level, the parts bin is chock-full of Shelby goodies and optional extras like the 500kW Super Charger.
Shelby Super Snake
The Super Snake is a proper Mustang supercar. With between 500kW-560kW and the choice of either a Whipple or Kenne Bell supercharger, the car was developed over hundreds of laps to not only be a capable road car but track car too. The specification list is extensive and includes interior and exterior modifications such as carbon fibre gauge pods, carbon fibre spoilers, Shelby cooling and handling packs and uprated Brembo brakes. Optional features such as race seats, a 5-point roll cage, and a single piece drive shaft among many others, are also available.
Shelby Terlingua
In the early sixties Shelby and a friend somehow wound up owning an entire town. There wasn’t much there in the way of population other than rattlesnakes and rabbits, but every few months Shelby and his friends made the trip to go hunting, ride dirt bikes and swap tall tales. It was an exercise in non-conformism.
Shelby decided to take the Terlingua name racing and a team was born. The Terlingua Racing Team took a Mustang to victory in the 1967 Trans Am Championship, and this limited edition 2016 model, pays homage to that team and that car. With only 50 built worldwide and the five destined for South Africa already sold, the Terlingua is arguably one of the most sought after and hardcore Mustangs ever produced. Available in either manual or automatic and with over 560kW, this snake bites back. As Shelby’s chief South African engineer pointed out: “Best you leave the traction control on!”
The Ford Mustang already comes in at a higher premium than any of its competitors, yet the order books remain full and waiting lists are long. At a starting price of R665 000 on top of the list price of the car, the Shelby treatment is a hard sell to us working class folks. You also lose out on a warranty once work is done on the engine. But for those who can, and have dreamed of owning the most prestigious of all Mustangs, it’s a no-brainer. The Mustang is a pub icon and potential owners of the Shelby will grin when the inevitable question gets asked over drinks:
“So what do you drive?”
For an in-depth list of what ShelbySA has on offer, contact either Peter, Paige or Abbi@shelbySA.com
