- Experiences say Ford was paying $800 in licensing charges for each Shelby Mustang offered.
- Between the Shelby GT350 and GT500 fashions alone, Ford paid an estimated $30 million in licensing charges.
- It is unclear if the Shelby title will return on the present S650 mannequin.
Take a look at the present Ford Mustang lineup, and also you may discover one thing lacking: the Shelby title. The final manufacturing facility Mustang to put on the moniker was the Mustang Shelby GT500, which ended manufacturing simply earlier than the seventh-generation mannequin debuted.
That leaves a number of followers questioning—the place did Shelby go? As a substitute of a brand new GT500, Ford launched the Ford Mustang Darkish Horse and the much more excessive Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC, the latter basically filling the function of a contemporary GT500. So why did Ford ditch the Shelby title on the S650 Mustang? Quick reply: cash.
Licensing The Shelby Identify
What many individuals may not understand is that Ford doesn’t truly personal the Shelby title. The rights nonetheless belong to Shelby American, a wholly separate entity primarily based in Nevada. Which means Ford has to pay them to make use of it.
Based on a report from Ford Authority, Ford was paying an estimated $800 in royalties for each Shelby-branded Mustang it offered. Which may not sound like a lot at first, however with the variety of Shelby Mustangs flying off seller tons, that quantity provides up shortly.
Ford offered 24,211 examples of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R throughout their run, together with 14,130 examples of the GT500 between 2020 and 2022. At roughly $800 per automobile, that totals over $30 million in licensing charges. That’s a reasonably important determine for a badge.
Will Shelby Return?
It’s nonetheless unclear whether or not the Shelby title will return—at the very least for the present S650 technology. There have been some rumors that it would make a comeback, however Ford reportedly selected to maneuver ahead with the Darkish Horse branding as an alternative.
Ford says this shift aligns with its renewed deal with motorsports. Alongside the most recent Mustang, the corporate launched six race variants, from the stripped-down Darkish Horse S to the complete GT3 racer. There are even plans to deliver the Darkish Horse SC into NASCAR competitors by 2027.
For now, the Shelby title stays on the sidelines, whereas Darkish Horse takes heart stage. That would change sooner or later, however for now, Ford is absolutely dedicated to the Darkish Horse title.
Motor1’s Take: There’s no denying the enchantment of previous Shelby fashions just like the GT350 and GT500—they’ve grow to be icons within the Mustang world. Nonetheless, the brand new Darkish Horse fashions are spectacular in their very own proper, and Ford’s heavy funding in racing suggests they’re greater than only a placeholder. However in the event you’re hoping for a Shelby comeback, you is likely to be ready some time.
