Ford Mustang GT500: Low Mileage and Affordable Pricing Compared to Dark Horse

The Shelby Ford Mustang history began in the late 1960s, but it continues almost to this day. That’s because a Shelby variation from Ford Performance for the seventh-generation S650 is still pending.

By the way, don’t get your Shelbys mixed up; Shelby American and Ford Mustang Company’s Performance Division both make GT350 and GT500 models, which are often built together. For example, Shelby American is currently offering the 830-hp Super Snake, an all-new seventh-generation Mustang with right-hand drive if you live in the United Kingdom. However, there is currently no S650 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 or GT500 from Ford Performance.

Speaking of America, should we use the money for something else from the Mustang stable or save it for the next Shelby from Ford Performance? For example, the $325,000 Ford Mustang GTD, with 800 horsepower and the 5.2-liter supercharged V8 from the GT500, is the new top car in this class. On the other hand, it costs two arms and two legs and doesn’t have GT500 badging.

With 500 horsepower available and the same 5.0-liter Coyote V8, the Dark Horse is the highest class if you like exotic stuff and the 2024 Ford Mustang GT isn’t quite enough for you. Still, it’s only marginally more powerful than the GT and comes in at over $59k (including export) as opposed to $47k, as is the case with the Mustang GT Premium. In fact, the base Mustang GT is even “less expensive” with a starting price of $42,460.

Unfortunately, we’re here to discuss the Shelby GT500 today, mainly because PC Classic Cars, an antique car business based in Sherman, Texas, has a tempting offer for Mustang fans, a 2012 S-197 II Shelby GT500. This two-door coupe has more power than the dark horse, thanks to its 5.4-liter modular four-valve V8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 lb-ft (691 Nm) of torque using a Tremec six-speed manual transmission. This allows it to achieve a skid pad rating of exactly one G.

This example only has 9,113 “actual” miles displayed, not the annoying “actual mileage cannot be verified” kind. The dual unit has an X-pipe and Borla mufflers, while the powered four-wheel disc brakes have Brembo front calipers. The exhaust has factory manifolds. The exterior features body-color outside mirrors and an original Grabber Blue paint job with weird shit stripes and factory GT500 side stripes.

Inside, there’s a Shaker 500 audio package, a SYNC package and Recaro sport bucket seats with white accents, all upholstered in code “Q2” charcoal leather. Factory 3:55 rear gears, 19-inch premium forged aluminum wheels, JLT cold air intake, a clean Carfax, the original window sticker with an MSRP of $51,200, a Shelby certificate, a Marti report and other extras are among the miscellaneous details. The dealership ultimately requests $49,500 for the 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.