2009 Ford Shelby GT 'R Model' Mustang to have 550 horsepower

By Matt Rigney

Matt Rigney

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1 4,972 views Jan 29, 2009

2009 Shelby GT R Model

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The new 2009 Ford Shelby GT "R Model" will be a limited edition race-only Mustang commemorating Jerry Titus' 1965 SCCA Championship.  The Shelby GT "R Model" is based off the 2007-08 Shelby GT Mustang platform and will use a 550-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 with a Ford Racing/Whipple Twin Screw intercooled supercharger.  The race-only "R Model" will also get a host of other goodies including a six-speed transmission, Grand-Am spec roll cage, upgraded cooling system including differential and trans coolers, Shelby side exhaust, 18-inch wheels, 3.73 rear gears, racing brakes and a carbon fiber rear wing.

Since the car is designated for race-only the vehicle cannot be registered for street use but does qualify for the NASA "American Iron Extreme" class.  The R Model will be limited to just 37 units with each painted White with Silver stripes.  Price for the R Model will be a staggering $134,995.  The Shelby GT R Model will be unveiled at the NHRA Winternationals February 5-8 in Pomona, California.

For more on the new Shelby GT R Model read the press release below:

Press Release: 

Four decades after Shelby and Ford collaborated on a race version of the legendary Mustang, the companies are offering a limited edition track day version of the Ford Shelby GT. Ford Racing and Shelby Automobiles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: CSBI) will commemorate the 1965 SCCA championship of Jerry Titus and final production of the current generation Mustang by offering up to 37 total 550 horsepower Shelby GT "R Model." The 2009 Shelby GT "R Model" will be available for US$134,995.

"In 1965, my team built 37 small block 'R Model' race-only versions of the Shelby GT350 Mustang that kicked tails on circuits worldwide," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. "Working with Ford Racing, we're going to build a new track day 'R Model' version of the Ford Shelby GT. It'll be lots of fun to drive and ready to rip up the pavement right out of the box."

The track day car will be featured as a "Jerry Titus Drivers Edition" to honor his 1965 "B Production" championship, which was the first for a Shelby Mustang. Jerry was one of the special drivers who piloted Shelby Mustangs to total domination on the track. Not only did he win the first championship, he broke the story of the "R Model" to the world in Sports Car Graphic and was instrumental in its development. The 2009 Jerry Titus Edition "R Model" lives up to his performance legacy.

The "R Model" version of the Mustang will be a purpose-built track car based on the same 4.6-liter V8 that powers every Ford Shelby GT; the vehicles cannot be registered for the street. Additional power will come from the Ford Racing/Whipple Twin Screw intercooled supercharger installed by Shelby and mated to a T6060 GT500-based six speed transmission before the Shelby team inserts them into the race-ready chassis. Each will be painted white with silver stripes and documented in the Shelby Registry. The racer qualifies for the NASA "American Iron Extreme" class and an excellent all-around track car that is uniquely Shelby.

"From the competition brakes to the straight pipes, this fantastic car is worthy of the 'R Model' designation," stated Amy Boylan, President of Shelby Automobiles. "Working closely with Ford Racing, we engineered a car with the balanced handling, serious power and spectacular brakes that serious enthusiasts want. And just like the car driven by Jerry Titus in 1965, this Ford Shelby GT 'R Model' showcases our expertise in an affordable, turnkey package."