The Shelby GR-1 Is At Last Going Into Production, But Ford Isn't Building It

Superperformance will build the GR-1 under license from Ford itself, and there'll even be an electric version
The Shelby GR-1 Is At Last Going Into Production, But Ford Isn't Building It

Despite being nearly 15 years old, the Shelby GR-1 concept still looks fresh enough to be something that’s just been leaked ahead of a debut at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. That’s probably a good thing, as all these years later, it’s actually going into production.

Only, it won’t actually be built by Ford, Car and Driver reports. Instead, it’ll be built by Superperformance, an Irving, California firm known for building various continuation models including one for the Shelby Daytona Coupe - the car from which the GR-1 takes inspiration.

The Shelby GR-1 Is At Last Going Into Production, But Ford Isn't Building It

The new model was announced at the Petersen Museum’s annual Shelby Tribute last weekend. “We could have done a replica, we could have done a kit car, but that was never good enough for us,” CEO Superperformance Lance Stander said, adding “We had to get licensed by the original manufacturer.”

Ford has indeed officially licensed the project, through an agreement that’s effectively been six years in the making. With the help of Shelby American, both a petrol-powered and electric GR-1 will be made.

The Shelby GR-1 Is At Last Going Into Production, But Ford Isn't Building It

As for the spec of the cars, that’s still an unknown. The concept was powered by a 6.4-litre V10 pushing out just shy of 600bhp, propelling it to 60mph in 3.9 seconds. Superformance’s version stands to be quite a bit quicker. “We’re shooting for a two-second Shelby,” Stander said.

Production won’t be limited to just a handful of collector’s items, either. There’s already talk of 200 special-edition aluminium GR-1s - with a polished finish just like the original concept - with more examples on top of that built with carbonfibre bodies.

We’ll be waiting at least a couple of years until the car is released, but we suspect it’ll be worth the wait.

Comments

Matthew Henderson

That’s pretty cool

01/08/2019 - 15:26 |
2 | 0
LamboV10

TDU flashbacks

01/08/2019 - 15:31 |
94 | 0
1950 Mercury Coupe

Would be cool to see this going into production. 2004 Shelby Cobra concept.

01/08/2019 - 15:31 |
114 | 2

IKR I love that concept a lot! It gives me MC LA vibes and I have a Hotwheel car of it

01/08/2019 - 15:36 |
32 | 2

Now I love this I remember driving it in midnight club la, this just a brought back awesome memories 😂

01/08/2019 - 20:34 |
10 | 0

If only, the first time I saw that car was in Midnight Club LA

01/09/2019 - 03:09 |
2 | 0

I love that it was featured in xXx2

01/09/2019 - 19:10 |
0 | 0

Had completely forgotten this existed.

01/17/2019 - 20:07 |
0 | 0
Robert Gracie

I remember that car from TDU, whenever you shifted into top gear and you had your foot welded to the deck, the speed wouldnt continue to climb, it would decrease, weird bug they never patched it

01/08/2019 - 15:33 |
26 | 0
Anonymous

Sod the polished aluminium, it HAS to be blue with white stripes.

01/08/2019 - 15:34 |
18 | 0
LamboV10

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Like this?

01/08/2019 - 16:12 |
10 | 0
RWB Dude

LETS GO BOIS IM EXCITED! Im going to the Detroit Auto Show, so many rly exciting cars coming out soon!

01/08/2019 - 15:44 |
2 | 0
boi_

Why is superformance a better ford than ford lol

01/08/2019 - 15:44 |
22 | 0
Pagz777

Man do I love Superformance

01/08/2019 - 16:44 |
2 | 0
Jake 136

Which Aston Martin is that?

01/08/2019 - 16:45 |
4 | 10

The only thing that looks remotely like an Aston is the headlights

01/08/2019 - 17:37 |
4 | 2
Noah Hammerstad

[DELETED]

01/08/2019 - 17:24 |
0 | 0

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