Shelby is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Series 1, the first car designed from the ground up by company founder Carroll Shelby, by reviving it in coupe form. Buyers can choose between an aluminum or carbon fiber frame, but must install the engine in front of the bike.
If you’re not familiar with the 1 Series, here’s a quick rundown: The Roadster was introduced at the 1997 Los Angeles Auto Show and was designed as a modern interpretation of the then famous Shelby Cobra. Although the brand hoped to build 500 units, it encountered several problems (including hurdles related to federal safety standards) and ceased production after 249 units were built. The Series 1 and its intended successor, an updated model called the Series 2, were launched in 2006, but were shelved until 2018, when Shelby announced plans to build four units each year.
Back on track: The 2024 version of the 2 Series is similar to the version announced in 2018, which was an evolution of the 2006 model, which itself was an evolution of the 1 Series, but with a fixed roof and fastback. – as a roof line. Maryland-based Wingard Motorsports and Custom Coaches is handling production and notes that upgraded brakes, suspension changes and chassis modifications allow the chassis to produce more than 1,100 horsepower. How you get there is up to you, as the 2 Series is sold as a shell without a rotary engine.
Shelby has three suggestions in mind. One is the 427 cu in (7.0 L) Windsor V8 built in-house. The other is Fordand’s Godzilla body engine, which is a 7.3-liter V8 that was originally designed for heavy-duty use. It produces 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque in standard configuration. The third is electrical transmission, which has not yet been described in detail. In any case, you have to install it after delivery.
Wingard Motorsports and Custom Coaches builds 10 units of the Series 2 coupé for Shelby. Prices start at $385,600 for the carbon fiber-bodied Seven, while the aluminum-bodied Tri is priced at $498,200. There are no options in either picture and it sounds like the sky is the limit; Shelby notes that each Series 2 coupe is unique. The aforementioned engine options start at $83,500, plus the cost of having someone install it for you.