The Shelby GT500CR Centennial, a limited edition of only 10 units, is a muscle car that combines power, speed, and lightness, designed not only to attract attention but also to support a noble cause.
Produced by Classic Recreations, located in Dallas, Texas, this GT500CR celebrates the centennial of Carroll Shelby’s birth. This model was built in partnership with the American Heart Association, to which $100,000 will be donated for each unit sold, totaling $1 million. Each of these ten units, intended for collectors eager to add a high-quality muscle car with retro touches to their collection, has a price of $625,000.
What justifies this price? A 5.0-liter V8 Coyote engine with 800 horsepower, equipped with a Magnuson VMP supercharger and coupled with a six-speed Tremec T56 Magnum manual gearbox, something that will certainly please purists.
This car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in just 3.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 189 mph (304 km/h), impressive especially considering its weight of only 3,200 pounds (1,452 kilograms).
The custom double triangle suspension and adjustable dampers enhance the fun of driving this sports car, while the Wildwood brakes, with six-piston calipers at the front and four pistons at the rear, ensure the necessary stopping power.
The body of the Shelby GT500CR is made of aerospace-grade carbon fiber, built around an internal steel structure, and has a look that matches its performance. A three-stripe pattern extends from one end of the car to the other, with two solid red stripes honoring the American Heart Association, while the inner stripe, in translucent red, features thin white stripes. It took two months to paint the Shelby GT500CR in this way.
The interior reinforces the athletic nature of the model, with the driver and passenger accommodated in black leather seats Carroll Shelby Scat Rally Series 1000, with contrasting red stitching and the American Heart Association’s “Life is Why” logo embossed on the headrests.
The driver will handle the wooden steering wheel, in front of the authentic Carol Shelby-signed gauges, specifically designed for this car, and will control the vehicle with the help of Shelby driving pedals.
A touchscreen on the central console offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as a Focal audio system.
Classic Recreations has included Shelby’s signature in front of the passenger seat, as well as a special plaque that identifies the car as one of the 10 examples to be built.