The Ford Shelby GT350 musters up memories of ready-built race cars and road-racing glory. Nostalgia is sweet, but the pony-car performance war – now five decades old – is vicious and shows no signs of abating. Ford’s response was the raucous Shelby GT350R – the screaming track-tuned naturally aspirated flat-plane-crank V8 (code-named Voodoo) that revs to 8,200 rpm and channels its 526 horses through a gratifying 6-speed manual gearbox.
The GT350R is optimized for extra performance, with more aggressive chassis tuning. The vehicle has a redesigned front splitter as well as a huge carbon-fiber rear wing, which help improve and enhance the balance between down-force and lift. Notice the 19-inch carbon-fiber wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, as well as its red brake calipers, which come in handy when bringing the monster to a halt. Inside are Recaro-wrapped racing seats with striking red contrast stitching. The 920A equipment group (the wheels, wheel locks and rear carbon-fiber spoiler), painted black roof (just 27 built had this option), vehicle cover and electronics package (dual-zone electric temperature control) round out the optional equipment.
Built the week of June 14, 2018, and one of only 107 wearing the one-year-only color of Lead Foot Gray, this R-model shows just a touch over 400 miles on the odometer and is very much still “in the wrapper.” Everything the first owner would receive upon delivery is still there: The actual certificate of origin, all documents from its arrival in Arizona off the rail, original Window Sticker and folder of corresponding paperwork. The plastic covering the driver’s seat was essentially all that was removed – and even it was kept! With such low mileage and having not been out on the track, the car is about as “new” as you could ask. Ultimately, it’s a rare and complete showstopper, making no compromise for your day-to-day life on the track or on the road.
