2012 Shelby GT350 Goes Topless

The 2012 model year brings important changes for the Shelby GT350, as the American performance icon is now also available in a topless form, with Ford also offering two new colors, Race Red and Kona Blue. We have to explain that the GT350 hadn’t been allowed to drop its top since 1970. As for the exterior coat, Ford only offered the vehicle in white with blue stripes until now.

As far as the performance is concerned, the 2012 GT350 will offer the same intoxicating experience as the 2011 version. This means that you can choose between 430 naturally-aspirated horses or you can go down the supercharging route with two potential sops: 525 and 624 hp.

The naturally aspirated version gets an optional automatic tranny, while its manual gearbox can be optionally fitted with a short throw shifter.

"The GT350 leaves its mark on the street that says 'a Shelby was here.' That's why we're packing the '12 model with all the same performance as the 2011 Shelby's," said Gary Patterson, vice president of operations at Shelby American.

The 2012 Shelby GT350 kit (this does not include the base car) starts at $26,995.00 (normally aspirated) and $33,995.00 (supercharged), with only 350 units to be built.

"Delays in the delivery of the new five liter Mustang last year resulted in fewer 45th Anniversary GT350 coupes than expected in the 2011 model year," added John Luft, president of Shelby American. "For the 2012 model year, we brought back the first GT350 convertible since 1970 and ramped up production to meet the expected demand. Our plan is to only build 350 total 2012 model year GT350s to maintain exclusivity and future collectability."