During his exile from Ford, Carroll Shelby worked with Dodge on hopped up hatchbacks, like the Dodge Omni GLH-S and the Dodge Shelby Charger.
Now just months after founder Carroll Shelby’s death, the company is carrying on the pocket rocket tradition with a new Shelby Focus ST, unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Also at the Detroit Auto Show, Shelby showed its new Wide Body version of the 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake.
“I think what you’ll see today are two cars that represent the spirit of Shelby,” Shelby President John Luft said.
Click below for a look at the new creations from the longtime Ford tuner.
The Shelby Ford Focus ST features an upgraded suspension, graphics and interior and an engine performance upgrade is on its way.
The Shelby Focus ST features a tuned suspension, choice of three graphics packages and soon, a Shelby Performance Tune option that will add 30 to 50 horsepower to the base ST’s 252 horsepower.
Shelby is currently working on EPA certification for the engine performance upgrade, which will be done with a flash of the engine computer. The ST features upgraded brakes, wheels and tires, short-throw shifter, Shelby/Ford Racing suspension package, Shelby/Borla cat-back exhaust, engine appearance package and upgraded interior package.
The upgraded appearance features Shelby rear lettering, hood with heat extractor vents, “Hydrocarbon” accents and one of three graphics packages – Checkered Flag Splash, Traditional Stripes or Competition graphics.
Besides the engine performance upgrade, options will include a carbon fiber hood.
“You can personalize your car so you can make it what you want it to be,” said Gary Patterson, Shelby vice president and test driver.
The car also comes with a dash plaque and Shelby engine plate.
The Shelby package adds $14,995 to the cost of a Focus ST. The Performance Tune upgrade will cost about $500.
The Shelby GT500 Wide Body allows the rear end to accommodate up to 355-wide tires.
The big news for the Super Snake is the wide-body option, which will be available for any of Shelby’s Mustang-based upgrades.
“Ford Motor Co. gave us a tremendous car to begin with,” Luft said.
The wider rear end allows room for 345- or 355-wide tires, a critical feature considering the amount of horsepower produced by the Super Snake.
The Super Snake starts with the base Shelby GT500’s 662 horsepower and boosts it to as much as 850 horsepower.
“Adding Shelby’s new Wide Body option puts all that power to the pavement,” the company said.
The Super Snake package starts at $28,995 – plus the cost of the Shelby GT500 – without the engine performance upgrade. The cost rises to $39,995 with the 850-horsepower version. The Wide Body package adds $14,995.