LEGENDARY American sports car brand Shelby is finally coming to the UK, bringing two right-hand-drive models for the first time ever.
The famous name, established by founder Carroll Shelby, is known by petrolheads for its racing pedigree and the brilliance of the AC Cobra and Shelby Mustang line.
Shelby launches in the UK bringing iconic American muscle cars to British roads for the first time[/caption]
The legendary Shelby brand introduces right-hand-drive models to the UK for eager driving enthusiasts[/caption]
Now, two models will be British-ified – making a new chapter in the company’s history.
Right-hand-drive versions of the Shelby GT350 and the Super Snake are to be made, specifically for the UK market.
Numbers, predictably, will be low, with Shelby UK, which is based in Edinburgh, set to produce up to 30 right-hand-drive models annually, which will be sold through a showroom in Glasgow.
There are, however, plans to expand to other dealerships in London.
UK pricing has yet to be disclosed, but in the US, the Shelby GT350 costs $109,999, which is around £81,000.
For your money, you get a 5.0-litre V8-engined beast that’s tuned to 480bhp – with a choice of a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox, as well as an optional supercharger that boosts the output to 810bhp.
Meanwhile, the Shelby Super Snake is an eye-watering $159,995, or roughly £120,000, and features a more aggressive, supercharged V8 producing over 830bhp.
It also includes additional performance upgrades like forged magnesium alloy wheels, a wide body kit, enhanced cooling and cool, large rear spoiler.
Given the Mustang GT starts at £58,470 in the UK, these Shelbys will likely cost considerably more.
What’s more, the conversion process is a little tricky, and involves taking existing right-hand-drive Ford Mustangs and fitting them with conversion kits sourced from Shelby American.
This transformation usually takes some three weeks, with minimal modifications required for UK approval.
Shelby UK is also developing a one-off Super Snake R with an 850bhp supercharged V8.
This comes as the legendary Lotus Esprit sports car is set to be resurrected by an ambitious new company named Encor.
Bringing together a team of experts from the likes of Pagani, Koenigsegg, Aston Martin, Porsche and Lotus, Encor has chosen the Encor Series 1 – a modern restomod of the iconic Esprit – as its debut masterpiece.
And elsewhere, Land Rover is preparing to launch a smaller and more affordable version of its hugely popular Defender model.
This new entry-level iteration, designed to appeal to a wider audience while maintaining the familiar link to the original, will be less expensive, compact and geared towards modern buyers.
According to Autocar, the new ‘baby’ Defender, which will possibly be named the ‘Defender Sport,’ has been in development for years and is now in its testing phase – judging by recent spy photos.
To that end, it could reach dealerships by 2027.
The compact Defender, which will have a close visual resemblance to the full-sized version, will be smaller, with a lower ride-height and less focus on its off-road capabilities.
Indeed, it is expected to measure around 4.6 metres in length, 2.0m in width and under 1.8m in height – making it similar in size to the Dacia Bigster and Skoda Kodiaq.
British drivers can now experience the thrill of Shelby’s powerful sports cars with tailored UK versions[/caption]
