Ford Shelby GT500KR #0001 Features Glass Roof

At this year's Barrett-Jackson collector car auction Ford & Shelby are teaming up to auction the already rare Shelby GT500KR #0001 off for charity. To make the one-of-one Ebony black GT500KR even more rare it will feature the same full glass roof that is being offered as an option on the 2009 Mustang V6 & GT models. The GT500KR also features racing stripes over the glass roof which had to be etched directly on the glass. It's definately a great marketing ploy along with good business sense to include the glass roof into the Shelby GT500KR Mustang with all the viewers on Speed watching. The exposure at Barrett-Jackson and on the Speed channel can only help slumping sales of the Mustang. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. After the jump I have included photos and the press release. Press Release: A one-of-a-kind 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR will go on the block at this year's Barrett-Jackson auction: the only "King of the Road" model to feature a full glass roof. Continuing a Ford and Shelby tradition of charitable giving, proceeds from the auction will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). "Barrett-Jackson is an ideal venue to launch and sell Ford's premier models," said Robert Parker, Ford car marketing manager. "It's the ultimate platform for selling the world's most remarkable cars, and we've created a unique GT500KR just for the occasion." Barrett-Jackson will feature an unprecedented stable of muscle cars, led by a vintage Mustang from each year in which performance legend Carroll Shelby and Ford Motor Company produced the street-ripping 1960s classics. The highlight of the crop will be Mr. Shelby's personal 1969 GT500 convertible, followed by a pristine 1967 GT500 originally gifted by Carroll to his son, Mike Shelby. Muscle car enthusiasts are sure to tune in on SPEED TV this Saturday to watch Ford continue to lead the muscle car wars. Shelby GT500KR with Glass Roof The 540-horsepower Shelby GT500KR on the block at Barrett-Jackson is a unique rendition of the most powerful factory-built Mustang ever. Shelby GT500KR production began in Las Vegas on Jan. 11, Carroll Shelby's 85th birthday. The one-of-one ebony black GT500KR up for auction will feature the same full glass roof that is being offered as an option on the 2009 V-6 Mustang and Mustang GT models only. The glass roof provides a third roof option for customers and responds to their growing desire for more natural light. The glass is tinted, which reduces both infrared rays and vehicle cool down time by 50 percent. Production of large sunroofs has increased nearly 200 percent in North America since 2003, according to Just-autos.com. While the Shelby GT500KR coupe features racing stripes over the roof, the unique glass roof on the auction model features stripes etched directly into the glass. "Barrett-Jackson will be a rare opportunity for one lucky bidder to own a Shelby GT500KR with a glass roof, a car no one else can even buy," said Carroll Shelby. "It's been too long, but I'm very excited to have the 'King of the Road' back." "Only Ford Motor Company and Shelby American have sold more genuine Ford-powered Shelby vehicles than the Barrett-Jackson auction over the past 36 years," said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. "I'm proud that Ford and Carroll Shelby chose to sell a one-of-a-kind 2008 Shelby GT500KR coupe at our auction, where only the finest, authentic Shelby vehicles are offered to the public." Patrick Dempsey's Ford Mustang FR500C on the Block Saturday In another exciting development, Ford Racing and Patrick Dempsey, the star of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," also will auction the actor's No. 156 2005 Ford Mustang FR500C. Dempsey drove the car in the 2007 Grand-Am KONI Challenge series for Hyper Sport Racing, a team he co-owns. Since its debut in 2005, the Mustang FR500C has earned seven poles, 10 wins, 92 top ten finishes and 25 podium appearances. Featuring a Ford Racing 5.0-liter Cammer R50 engine, it continues to be the road racing car of choice. Dempsey will be on stage as bidders vie for this unique race Mustang. The winning bidder also will also receive a helmet, gloves, shoes, hero card and DVD box set of the third season of "Grey's Anatomy" signed by Dempsey. In addition, the winner will enjoy a track day with Hyper Sport Racing and a day for two at the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT. Ford Exhibit Celebrates Speed Building on a valued partnership, Ford plans to remain a key automotive sponsor of The Barrett-Jackson Auction series as a third venue is added in Las Vegas this October. As part of this sponsorship, Ford will bring interactive elements to Barrett-Jackson, including a drifting track, racing simulators and a dyno-simulated drag racing display. This year, Ford will add a life-size Mustang collector's display which showcases a 'Steed for Every Need,' along with a new "Built Ford Tough" tent that houses Ford's feature vehicles. Consumers also can look forward to a few surprises. "We have found that experiential elements allow us to create a lot of memories for our current and future customers," said Parker. Ford, Barrett-Jackson and Shelby: $1.7 Million Raised for Charity During the past three years, Ford and Carroll Shelby have raised more than $1.7 million dollars for charity. Last year, the first 2007 Shelby GT Mustang was auctioned off at a winning big of $600,000. In 2006, an early production 2007 Shelby GT500 also sold for $600,000.

By Yearblook #1, Posted: 3/30/2008

This is an interesting post. You should submit it at yearblook.com/submit. Yearblook is a competition to find each day’s best blog posts. At the end of the year, the 365 best posts (1 from each day) will be published in a book (a real, printed book, you will find it on Amzon).
By Shelby #2, Posted: 11/18/2008

I still think this car looks great, I look forward to Ford Mustang 2010, but I think the 05 model will still look better.