Mustang Confusion - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JWoj3540 · 11-23-2011, 11:56 AM

While I am obviously a Camaro guy I like to know my sports cars in general, especially domestic ones. I find myself getting confused, however, when it comes to the Mustang. Specifically, with the Shelby and/or Cobra designations...

I know Shelby was a guy and Shelby mustangs are always Ford's top of the line mustang and I know that the Cobra was a car Ford released many years ago. Every Mustang that is a Shelby, however, has the Cobra logo on the front grill. So is every Shelby a Cobra? Are they one in the same? Can you have a Shelby that's not a Cobra or a Cobra that's not a Shelby?

Thanks.

jandaseve · 11-23-2011, 12:16 PM

I'm not positive on this, but I know for a time Shelby was not with ford but with dodge instead. There were dodge shelby hatchback cars in the 80's and he also was partly responsible for the design of the original viper, hence the cobra on the emblem. I think during that time when he wasnt with ford is when the cobra had become something seperate.

Grabber · 11-23-2011, 12:17 PM

Any Cobra pre 2007, I.E 03/04, 99-01, 00', 96-98 was a Cobra, and not a Shelby.

The 2007+ has the Shelby name, but it is the Successor to the 03/04 Cobra, which is why it is considered a Cobra.

Ford combines the Shelby name with the SVT Drivetrain which is derived from the 03/04 Cobra.

It's confusing to Mustang owners such as myself sometimes. I don't consider thenew GT500 to be a Cobra. I consider it a Shelby GT500. The 03/04 Cobra was indeed that, a Cobra.

TheReaper · 11-23-2011, 12:20 PM

The GT 500 is not a Cobra even though it has a snake on it. The last Mustang Cobra's were the Terminators and they are SVT cars. I'm getting confused just trying to answer your question.

THE EVIL TW1N · 11-23-2011, 12:58 PM

GT500's are pretty much Cobras with the shelby name slapped on them.

rez333 · 11-23-2011, 03:35 PM

the cobra logo was born with the 60s collaboration between ford and shelby. however the shelby Cob ra logo was front facing, not the side facing cobra of the GT500. hselby retains ownership of the front facing logo.

At some point, ford redesigned the logo and used it for the sVT cobra when Shelby left ford. now that Shelby has returned, the shelby gt500 has both the Shelby name and the sVT cobra logo, signifying the new relationship.

tooslow · 11-23-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rez333

the cobra logo was born with the 60s collaboration between ford and shelby. however the shelby Cob ra logo was front facing, not the side facing cobra of the GT500. hselby retains ownership of the front facing logo.

At some point, ford redesigned the logo and used it for the sVT cobra when Shelby left ford. now that Shelby has returned, the shelby gt500 has both the Shelby name and the sVT cobra logo, signifying the new relationship.

Not sure if you have your facts straight, as the same side-facing Cobras were present on the Cobra-II Mustangs of the '70's, too.

GREENSTEVE · 11-23-2011, 03:56 PM

Now im confused

jandaseve · 11-23-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooslow

Not sure if you have your facts straight, as the same side-facing Cobras were present on the Cobra-II Mustangs of the '70's, too.

Thats because he left ford in '74, and they made those cobra IIs after that. He returned to ford in the 00's. I think like 2004.

tooslow · 11-23-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jandaseve

Thats because he left ford in '74, and they made those cobra IIs after that. He returned to ford in the 00's. I think like 2004.

Thought Ford and Shelby ended their initial relationship in 1970?

rez333 · 11-24-2011, 10:10 AM

Don't listen to me - I am full of sht. Here is a pic of the 1967 GT500 completely destroying what I said earlier:

You can clearly see the logo is the current GT500 logo in the grille.

I think what happened is that Ford took ownership of the Cobra logo and GT500 badge, whilst Shelby retained ownership of the GT350 badge. If you look at the current GT350 - it has the front facing cobra. The front facing cobra looks old-fashioned, which is why I erroneously misjudged the history of it.

*The_Blur* · 11-27-2011, 10:29 AM

Ford badging is unnecessarily confusing. I respect the performance of their Mustangs, but it is way to difficult to figure out which old Mustang is supposed to run against which Camaro.

The Cobra is a Shelby. I can't think of a good reason why Ford couldn't just keep one classic trim instead of renaming it along the way.

ViperTomcat · 11-27-2011, 11:19 AM

The last Ford prior to the new generation of GT500's that bore the Shelby name was in 1970 with the 1970 Shelby GT500. Those were really just 69's that had not sold.

Ford retained the rights to the Cobra name after Caroll Shelby and Ford parted ways in late 1969. It was not until the new GT500 came to life in 2007 that Shelby and Ford returned to a partnership.

The easiest way to figure out if a Ford is a Shelby is simple, it will say it. Any Mustang that bore the name GT-350 or GT-500 is a Shelby. The new GT500 is a Shelby, as is the new GT350. However, if it is just a "Cobra" then no, its a SVT car, and is not a true Shelby.

11-23-2011, 11:56 AM	#1
JWoj3540 Drives: 2012 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 696	Mustang Confusion While I am obviously a Camaro guy I like to know my sports cars in general, especially domestic ones. I find myself getting confused, however, when it comes to the Mustang. Specifically, with the Shelby and/or Cobra designations... I know Shelby was a guy and Shelby mustangs are always Ford's top of the line mustang and I know that the Cobra was a car Ford released many years ago. Every Mustang that is a Shelby, however, has the Cobra logo on the front grill. So is every Shelby a Cobra? Are they one in the same? Can you have a Shelby that's not a Cobra or a Cobra that's not a Shelby? Thanks.

11-23-2011, 12:17 PM	#3
Grabber Just a car guy Drives: 2016 Durango R/T AWD Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Wheeling, IL Posts: 808	Any Cobra pre 2007, I.E 03/04, 99-01, 00', 96-98 was a Cobra, and not a Shelby. The 2007+ has the Shelby name, but it is the Successor to the 03/04 Cobra, which is why it is considered a Cobra. Ford combines the Shelby name with the SVT Drivetrain which is derived from the 03/04 Cobra. It's confusing to Mustang owners such as myself sometimes. I don't consider thenew GT500 to be a Cobra. I consider it a Shelby GT500. The 03/04 Cobra was indeed that, a Cobra. __________________ 2016 Durango R/T AWD 2014 5.0 - Ported CobraJet Manifold - SCJ Mono-Blade TB - Kooks 1-3/4" LT Headers - Kooks O/R H-pipe - Custom Intake - McLeod clutch line - Borla S-Type Axle Backs - AED Tuned - 443 RWHP / 388 RWTQ - GONE 05 GT - Sold 03 Cobra - Gone (Never Forgotten)

11-27-2011, 10:29 AM	#12
The_Blur Moderator Drives: 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 14,769	Ford badging is unnecessarily confusing. I respect the performance of their Mustangs, but it is way to difficult to figure out which old Mustang is supposed to run against which Camaro. The Cobra is a Shelby. I can't think of a good reason why Ford couldn't just keep one classic trim instead of renaming it along the way. __________________ RDP Motorsport//GEN5DIY//Cultrag Performance//JPSS//Rodgets Chevrolet// Operation Demon//Buy at Invoice//RACECARWEAR RESPECT ALL CARS. LOVE YOUR OWN. warn 145:159 ban

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11-23-2011, 12:16 PM	#2
jandaseve Drives: 2011 Synergy Green 1SS/RS Hurst Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: PA Posts: 417	I'm not positive on this, but I know for a time Shelby was not with ford but with dodge instead. There were dodge shelby hatchback cars in the 80's and he also was partly responsible for the design of the original viper, hence the cobra on the emblem. I think during that time when he wasnt with ford is when the cobra had become something seperate.

11-23-2011, 12:20 PM	#4
TheReaper Drives: 2018 Mustang GT Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mobile Al Posts: 750	The GT 500 is not a Cobra even though it has a snake on it. The last Mustang Cobra's were the Terminators and they are SVT cars. I'm getting confused just trying to answer your question.

11-23-2011, 12:58 PM	#5
THE EVIL TW1N Banned Drives: 2003 Cobra Convertible Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,925	GT500's are pretty much Cobras with the shelby name slapped on them.

11-23-2011, 03:35 PM	#6
rez333 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: St. Joseph Posts: 1,283	the cobra logo was born with the 60s collaboration between ford and shelby. however the shelby Cob ra logo was front facing, not the side facing cobra of the GT500. hselby retains ownership of the front facing logo. At some point, ford redesigned the logo and used it for the sVT cobra when Shelby left ford. now that Shelby has returned, the shelby gt500 has both the Shelby name and the sVT cobra logo, signifying the new relationship.

11-23-2011, 03:56 PM	#8
GREENSTEVE Drives: 2011 Camaro - 2014 Corvette Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pa Posts: 217	Now im confused

11-24-2011, 10:10 AM	#11
rez333 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: St. Joseph Posts: 1,283	Don't listen to me - I am full of sht. Here is a pic of the 1967 GT500 completely destroying what I said earlier: You can clearly see the logo is the current GT500 logo in the grille. I think what happened is that Ford took ownership of the Cobra logo and GT500 badge, whilst Shelby retained ownership of the GT350 badge. If you look at the current GT350 - it has the front facing cobra. The front facing cobra looks old-fashioned, which is why I erroneously misjudged the history of it.

11-27-2011, 11:19 AM	#13
ViperTomcat Banned Drives: 2011 Avenger Heat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,697	The last Ford prior to the new generation of GT500's that bore the Shelby name was in 1970 with the 1970 Shelby GT500. Those were really just 69's that had not sold. Ford retained the rights to the Cobra name after Caroll Shelby and Ford parted ways in late 1969. It was not until the new GT500 came to life in 2007 that Shelby and Ford returned to a partnership. The easiest way to figure out if a Ford is a Shelby is simple, it will say it. Any Mustang that bore the name GT-350 or GT-500 is a Shelby. The new GT500 is a Shelby, as is the new GT350. However, if it is just a "Cobra" then no, its a SVT car, and is not a true Shelby.