Ford explains why there is no Shelby GT500 Convertible

Ford explains why there is no Shelby GT500 Convertible
The Predator V8 is too powerful to be a Mustang without a roof.

You may want to consider the coupe if you are still waiting for an S550 GT500 convertible. Ford Authority representatives confirmed in an interview that the GT500 convertible will not be available. Ford team had legitimate concerns about this break in Mustang tradition, which led to the coupe being limited to S550 GT500.

The S550 GT500 Mustang Mustang is the most powerful factory Mustang ever made. However, this Mustang required performance sacrifices. The Mustang GT500s’ original manual transmission is no longer available. The Mustang GT500s’ original manual transmission is gone. A Tremec 8 Speed dual-clutch auto can shift quicker than you blink. Ford placed emphasis on chassis rigidity, suspension tuning and brakes that can handle the Predator V8’s 567 kW (567 horsepower) to ensure the S550 was not a one-trick pony. The S550 Mustang GT500 sounds more like an Italian supercar than a Detroit coupe because of the attention to detail.

Ford will not make a GT500 convertible, unlike other supercars from Italy. Ford Authority Director of Enterprise Product Line Management, Dave Pericack explained that the decision to keep the S550 GT500 coupe was based on body stiffness. Ford needed to use so much engineering and exotic materials in order to create a convertible that was strong enough to support the GT500 drivetrain.

Although the S197 GT500 was available as a convertible, it had 100 horsepower less than the S550 generation car with 662 horsepower (494 Kilowatts). The S550’s 760 horsepower (567 Kilowatts), predator V8 is too powerful for roof-down driving. If you are looking for a Mustang convertible, stick with a GT500 or an S197 GT500. You can also enjoy the last GT500 that offers a manual transmission.