<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/convertibles/" rel="tag">Convertible</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><small><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/2011-shelby-gt500-perf-package-630-main.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
2011 Ford Shelby GT500 - click above for high-res image gallery</small></em></strong></div>
<br />
We've just gotten off the horn with <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a>'s SVT performance division, and we've learned that the Blue Oval's hot-rod arm is going to limit production of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/shelby+gt500">2011 Shelby GT500</a> to 5,500 units for this model year. According to Ford spokesman Henry Platts, the move is not the result of slow sales, but rather a desire to maintain exclusivity. In fact, sales of Ford's king of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/mustang">Mustang</a> range have "exceeded expectations," with in excess of 3,300 orders already placed.<br />
<br />
The 550-horsepower GT500 has not only been performing surprisingly well in a down economy, it's been going out the door loaded-to-the sills with options. According to Platts, there have been three times as many GT500 coupes ordered with the $1995 glass roof option as compared to the regular Mustang. In the "News That Makes Us Happy" category comes word that a full 68 percent have been spec'd out with the $3,495 performance package (includes 19- and 20-inch painted forged alloys, 3.73 limited-slip, tuned suspension, Gurney flap rear spoiler, etc.), and additionally, 70 percent of all GT500s have been ordered with the $2,340 electronics package (navi, dual-zone HVAC and Sirius/HD radio). With the GT500 starting at an out-the-door price of $49,495 <em>before</em> options, we're guessing that the GT500 is more than carrying its weight for Dearborn's bottom line.<br />
<br />
While Ford is limiting total output of the GT500 to 5,500 units for 2011, Platts says the automaker has no plans to dictate how that shakes out in the coupe/convertible bodystyle mix. That said, if you've been fence-sitting on whether to pick up a GT500 of your very own this year, might we suggest that you make up your mind... quickly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/low/">2011 Ford Shelby GT500 with SVT Performance Package</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011gt500000_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011gt500001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011gt500002_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011gt500003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011gt500004_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Ford]<br />
<br />
<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/15/ford-to-limit-2011-shelby-gt500-production-to-5-500-units/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford to limit 2011 Shelby GT500 production to 5,500 units</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/15/ford-to-limit-2011-shelby-gt500-production-to-5-500-units/">Ford to limit 2011 Shelby GT500 production to 5,500 units</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/15/ford-to-limit-2011-shelby-gt500-production-to-5-500-units/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19555653/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/15/ford-to-limit-2011-shelby-gt500-production-to-5-500-units/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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2011 Ford Shelby GT500 - click above for high-res image gallery</small></em></strong></div>
<br />
We've just gotten off the horn with <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a>'s SVT performance division, and we've learned that the Blue Oval's hot-rod arm is going to limit production of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/shelby+gt500">2011 Shelby GT500</a> to 5,500 units for this model year. According to Ford spokesman Henry Platts, the move is not the result of slow sales, but rather a desire to maintain exclusivity. In fact, sales of Ford's king of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/mustang">Mustang</a> range have "exceeded expectations," with in excess of 3,300 orders already placed.<br />
<br />
The 550-horsepower GT500 has not only been performing surprisingly well in a down economy, it's been going out the door loaded-to-the sills with options. According to Platts, there have been three times as many GT500 coupes ordered with the $1995 glass roof option as compared to the regular Mustang. In the "News That Makes Us Happy" category comes word that a full 68 percent have been spec'd out with the $3,495 performance package (includes 19- and 20-inch painted forged alloys, 3.73 limited-slip, tuned suspension, Gurney flap rear spoiler, etc.), and additionally, 70 percent of all GT500s have been ordered with the $2,340 electronics package (navi, dual-zone HVAC and Sirius/HD radio). With the GT500 starting at an out-the-door price of $49,495 <em>before</em> options, we're guessing that the GT500 is more than carrying its weight for Dearborn's bottom line.<br />
<br />
While Ford is limiting total output of the GT500 to 5,500 units for 2011, Platts says the automaker has no plans to dictate how that shakes out in the coupe/convertible bodystyle mix. That said, if you've been fence-sitting on whether to pick up a GT500 of your very own this year, might we suggest that you make up your mind... quickly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/low/">2011 Ford Shelby GT500 with SVT Performance Package</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011gt500000_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011gt500001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011gt500002_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011gt500003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-shelby-gt500-with-svt-performance-pack/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011gt500004_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Ford]<br />
<br />
<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/15/ford-to-limit-2011-shelby-gt500-production-to-5-500-units/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford to limit 2011 Shelby GT500 production to 5,500 units</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/15/ford-to-limit-2011-shelby-gt500-production-to-5-500-units/">Ford to limit 2011 Shelby GT500 production to 5,500 units</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/15/ford-to-limit-2011-shelby-gt500-production-to-5-500-units/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19555653/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/15/ford-to-limit-2011-shelby-gt500-production-to-5-500-units/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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