We’ve been fawning over Ford’s Shelby GT350R version of the new Mustang, and for good reason: it’s a certified badass that seems to answer most, if not all of the complaints that the enthusiasts have had over late-model muscle…namely, you can get it in a stripper version for the ultimate in weight savings. The radio, touchscreen, air conditioning, backseat and trunk lining material all get canned. Even if you option the A/C and radio back into the car, you don’t get the backseat or the trunk stuff. Period. If you want the goodies, you go for the Shelby GT350, and if you want the good pieces you option the Track Pack. So, that makes two Shelby Mustangs on the new S550 platform, right?

Wrong. Shelby American has their own version as well. The Shelby GT is their take on the S550 Mustang, and it’s going to be a ringer as well. What you do is purchase a regular Mustang GT, bring it and $32,000 to Shelby American, and in short order you get a seriously pissed off car back in return. Shelby keeps all of the old parts, and you get a 627 horsepower supercharged Mustang that is hell-bent on hunting Hellcats. And if that’s not enough for you, there’s an additional upgrade that pushes the power level to an even 700hp. In addition to the blower on the 5.0L V8, you get a Ford Racing/Borla exhaust, Ford Racing suspension kit, Ford Racing short-throw shifter, Ford Racing IRS half-shafts, Weld wheels made specifically for Shelby American, Wilwood brakes, and a 3.73 gear set. There’s also body modifications, including the hood, an interior dress-up kit, and of course “Shelby” and “Powered by Ford” badges everywhere.  The options list comes up with an adjustable suspension package, an engine dress-up package, and more.

So which Shelby Mustang do you go with: one of Ford’s flat-plane crank versions the blown version by Shelby American? It’s a coin toss, but we’d love to see the three of them pitted against each other in a comparison. It’s not like you can lose…

(Courtesy: Carscoops)