[thewheelman]

I'm vain, I know it and can't help it and probably wouldn't if I could do something about it. The other night at church some of us were talking about going over to an eatery in a neighboring county--it's all 2 lane rural roads and some were ribbing me about not driving the GT 500 with the top down. My wife was quick to point out that there are too many deer on the roads at this time of year to risk one becoming a hood ornament for the Mustang so, we drove the truck. Somebody said, aw man, it's just a Mustang, parts are cheap. Yeah, right. Anyway, every time I convince myself that this car is "just" a Mustang, something happens like Monday to change my mind.

Monday I took it to Nashville, to the selling dealer to have the oil changed. When they completed the oil change they parked it beside the building as I discussed the applicability of the top tsb to my car with the service manager. While we talked I noticed the people--customers, salesmen, service techs and all, who would stop or go out of their way to walk around my car. It was amazing. It got everyone's attention. After I left the dealer I stopped to grab a bite of lunch. Right up front was a flaming red Porsche Carrera--I parked right beside it and asked for a seat near the window and watched. 8 out of 10 people walked past the Porsche to look at the GT 500--coming and going. I was astounded. I figured most people would walk right past, but most, stopped, looked and then examined my car.

By the time lunch was over I had to put the top down just to get my head in......."just" a Mustang.....ha!

[Cobra4me]

It is simple alot of people dont appreciate or have knowledge of what a GT500 is. Matter of fact most just know where the gas pedal and brake pedal are. That is the extent of their knowledge. You and i have that appreciation and love for this car.

This post has been edited by Cobra4me: 17 November 2009 - 08:28 PM

[GT500FLYBOY]

Let's take a poll. How many $100,000 Mustangs do we have out there?

[robert.clark2]

I understand completely. I was in Afghanistan when my 07SGT was delivered. My wife told me she was going to get my Mustang registered and the safety inspection done the next day. We have an '05 Mustang, so to clarify the confusion, I said, "You mean the Shelby?" She said, "It is a Mustang, isn't it?" I then proceeded to point out the differences. She had not driven the car at this point, and was used to the V-6 in our '05. When I talked to her the next day, her quote was, "I will NEVER call it a Mustang again!" She is supposed to go to Wichita Falls, TX this week to pick up a 2007 Shelby GT-H convertible for me. I bet she doesn't call that one a Mustang, either. I hope you continue to enjoy your ride.

Rob Clark
FOB Airborne, Afghanistan

[Torch40]

There's just something about a Shelby.
To bad most dealers STILL don't recognize that.

[bchorney]

Torch40, on Nov 17 2009, 09:36 PM, said:

There's just something about a Shelby.
To bad most dealers STILL don't recognize that.

Some do. In Canada, only SVT dealers can sell new Shelbys. I take all of my vehicles to one of the 3 SVT Ford Dealers in the Calgary area. It is Metro Ford right in downtown Calgary. I have done business with them for ~ 15 years. When I first got my GT500 they would make sure it was clean when I got an oil change and treat the car nice. I just got my GT500 Super Snaked and got it back in September. I took it in to get the oil changed before I stored it for the winter and I caused a bit of a stir when I dropped it off. I know the service techs so they where happy to see the car back in my hands since they knew I had delivered it to Las Vegas in April. They park all of the vehicles being serviced outside in a fenced area. With the GT500 they usually had it waiting for me in the check in bay at the end of the day. When I went to pick up the Super Snake, they had it tucked away in the basement with the new unsold KRs and other Shelbys, so no one could get near it. Nice Touch!

Cheers
Brett

This post has been edited by bchorney: 17 November 2009 - 10:18 PM

[ZXMustang]

bchorney, on Nov 18 2009, 01:17 AM, said:

Some do. In Canada, only SVT dealers can sell new Shelbys. I take all of my vehicles to one of the 3 SVT Ford Dealers in the Calgary area. It is Metro Ford right in downtown Calgary. I have done business with them for ~ 15 years. When I first got my GT500 they would make sure it was clean when I got an oil change and treat the car nice. I just got my GT500 Super Snaked and got it back in September. I took it in to get the oil changed before I stored it for the winter and I caused a bit of a stir when I dropped it off. I know the service techs so they where happy to see the car back in my hands since they knew I had delivered it to Las Vegas in April. They park all of the vehicles being serviced outside in a fenced area. With the GT500 they usually had it waiting for me in the check in bay at the end of the day. When I went to pick up the Super Snake, they had it tucked away in the basement with the new unsold KRs and other Shelbys, so no one could get near it. Nice Touch!

Cheers
Brett

That is nice. That gave me goose bumps when I read it. But in reality, my local dealer is going to be servicing my shelby next week for some rattle I have comming from the rear deck and when I was making the appointment, they gave me the disclaimer that if the car was modified in any way they would not even touch it. Nice service. I guess My K&N airfilter(NOT CAI) and my JBA mufflers are going to have to come off before it goes in. bummer.

[wagsblueshirts]

When my wife wants to get me all torqued up, she refers to it as "just a CAR". Not even its "just a MUSTANG". Arrrrrrgh!!!!!

Wags

[glroy]

We were on a road trip through the interior of BC (second road trip in the gt500). Driving through Vernon my wife spotted a car show, so we stop to check it out. A local has his new 750hp Super Snake on display. Being it is the first one I have seen in person, I wipe the drool off and start chatting with him. At some point during the conversation I was asked what we drove and I replied "Just a GT500" to my remark his buddy chimes in JUST A GT500!! It's all a mater of the company you keep.
Dropped the wife off at work one day and a woman walking by says nice car, had a new one out for a test drive on the weekend. To this my wife responds " no you did not, this is not a mustang its a Shelby GT500 and there are no new GT500 dealers on the island, was it used? As I drove off they continued their conversation.

I like to arrive early to pickup my wife so I can park the car walk to the other side of the road and watch the lookers.



after all its "JUST A GT500"

[rlhay2]

The GT500 is the "blue collar" supercar!

The average person love the idea of an attainable dream.

We can't all afford Bugattis!

[shelby111]

The word MUSTANG does not appear on the car. There is the mustang horse logo in the top center of the windshield.

[4632R]

For the record, no new mustang says mustang on it. Thats part of the beauty of these cars, the whole world knows what it is (excluding shelby's of coarse) and it has the name nowwhere.
Next time somebody says "just a mustang" or my favorite "glorified mustang" ask them to go for a ride with you. they will never say it again.

[jamesb]

Like a Ferrari is just a Fiat.

[thewheelman]

jamesb, on Nov 18 2009, 04:19 PM, said:

Like a Ferrari is just a Fiat.

Actually, a Chrysler, now......

[NICK82]

This is true, some of the guys on Porsche Rennlist were making fun of Ford saying they would never own one. I explained about Shelby heritage and the performance of the cars and wrote about the massive potential of the engine etc. Now they have respect for Shelby and later noted that the GT500 is a Ford they would have in their garage.

This post has been edited by NICK82: 18 November 2009 - 09:33 PM

[03 DSG Snake]

The reality is, it IS just a Mustang, but with better parts.

[sharabi]

thewheelman, on Nov 18 2009, 12:06 AM, said:

I'm vain, I know it and can't help it and probably wouldn't if I could do something about it. The other night at church some of us were talking about going over to an eatery in a neighboring county--it's all 2 lane rural roads and some were ribbing me about not driving the GT 500 with the top down. My wife was quick to point out that there are too many deer on the roads at this time of year to risk one becoming a hood ornament for the Mustang so, we drove the truck. Somebody said, aw man, it's just a Mustang, parts are cheap. Yeah, right. Anyway, every time I convince myself that this car is "just" a Mustang, something happens like Monday to change my mind.

Monday I took it to Nashville, to the selling dealer to have the oil changed. When they completed the oil change they parked it beside the building as I discussed the applicability of the top tsb to my car with the service manager. While we talked I noticed the people--customers, salesmen, service techs and all, who would stop or go out of their way to walk around my car. It was amazing. It got everyone's attention. After I left the dealer I stopped to grab a bite of lunch. Right up front was a flaming red Porsche Carrera--I parked right beside it and asked for a seat near the window and watched. 8 out of 10 people walked past the Porsche to look at the GT 500--coming and going. I was astounded. I figured most people would walk right past, but most, stopped, looked and then examined my car.

By the time lunch was over I had to put the top down just to get my head in......."just" a Mustang.....ha!

Thank you for the write up ...very inspiring indeed!
I had my car for about two years now and every time i drive Woodward it turns heads and there are many high end cars drive there all the time...thumbs up even from troopers...especially kids who love to look at it and point to it....
Thank you Mr.Shelby, SVT, FORD...for the tons of smiles you put on our faces! It is a privilege to be part of Shelby Team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jamesb]

Its a shame I can't fit "just a mustang" on a license plate.

[skiph]

Excellent write up!

Even "just a mustang" to me means they do not know what the they are talking about.

Have you seen what a 64 1/2 Mustang fastback (yea, just a mustang) with all original parts is going for?

OK, then bold on I call it "The Shelby" always, always, always.

I actually prefer driving kind of slow, in populated areas (particularly vacation spots), just watch the heads a turning in the mirrors. Then lots of pointing, thumbs up etc. I've had hard-core bikers pull up next to me and say "nice ride". I mean THAT is saying something.

Good fuel for the ego and $$ I sunk into the beast.

[thewheelman]

skiph, on Nov 19 2009, 03:50 PM, said:

Excellent write up!


I actually prefer driving kind of slow, in populated areas (particularly vacation spots), just watch the heads a turning in the mirrors. Then lots of pointing, thumbs up etc.

Good fuel for the ego

Thanks! And thanks for admitting you're (car) vain too! I love to do the same.