2008 Barrett Jackson Shelby GT Mustang. A special edition of a sepecial edition

Amen to Ford and Shelby for offering the Shelby GT. It brought the Shelby name and performance at a price that we can afford. Though it's still not the same as the Shelby GT 500.

When the GT500 went in to production the 1st one for sale was sold at the Barrett Jackson Auction for some crazy money. And the car wasn't even built yet. Since then we have seen many first run special cars go across the blocks at B-J each year.

Thus year though we will see a different kind of Barret Jackson special car. One that you can actually buy. Well 100 people can actually buy as there will only be 100 made. If you live in Arizona or Las Vegas, Nevada. You can go down to your local Ford dealer and pick up one of the 2008 Barrett Jackson Edition Shelby GT Mustang. Offered in both coupe and convertible, each will come only in black with "Barrett Jackson Red" stripes. And special B-J signature door sill plates. Oh, and an autographed photo of Carroll Shelby, Craig Jackson, Amy Boylan and Steve Davis.

The rest of the package is made up of black 18 inch wheels, a Ford Racing tuned 319 horsepower V8, flow through exhaust with x pipe crossover, 5 speed manual trans with a Hurst short throw shifter, front strut tower brace, and Ford Racing Handling Package. That adds special dampers, larger sway bars, and a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle.

Not a bad package for only $39,000. Though I'm sure dealers will mark them up since there's only 100 to go around. Though I highly doubt that the dealers are going to match or exceede the $250 per car donation(built in) that will go to the Carroll Shelby Children Foundation. So buying one is for a good cause. Now to get my tickets to Arizona.......

http://www.shelbychildrensfoundation.org/

Source: Ford, Chelby, Barrett Jackson.

PRESS RELEASE:
Exclusive 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT Unveiled in Arizona

• 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT Production is Scheduled for 100 Total Units


• Black Exterior with "Barrett-Jackson" Red Stripes and Other Touches Included


• Cars Will Be Sold Through Arizona Ford Dealers


• A Portion of Proceeds from Sales to Benefit the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --(Business Wire)-- Nov. 21, 2007 Three American automotive icons, Ford Motor Company, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company and Shelby Automobiles, have collaborated to create collector car history with a limited edition 2008 Mustang Shelby GT. The companies today unveiled the 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT based on the Ford Mustang at the Arizona International Auto Show.

With an MSRP beginning at US$38,980.00, a total of 100 2008 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GTs, in both coupe and convertible body styles, will be sold through Arizona Region Ford dealers beginning today. The purchase price of each car will include a $250 donation to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation.

"The Arizona and Las Vegas Ford dealers have been strong supporters of mine over the years, which is why Shelby Automobiles joined with Barrett-Jackson and Ford Motor Company to create a limited edition car just for their customers," said Carroll Shelby, CEO of Shelby Automobiles. "And I'm pleased that a portion of the sales will benefit an endowment we're building at the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. This is a rare chance for enthusiasts to enjoy a very special car and support a great cause."

Ford is a strong supporter of Barrett-Jackson and has sponsored its Family Value Day that kicks off the automotive lifestyle week in Scottsdale. Family Value Day was designed to attract a new generation of car enthusiasts by offering discounted tickets for adults and admitting children under the age of 12 for free.

"Barrett-Jackson's unrivaled lifestyle events celebrate America's love of the automobile," said Ford Motor Company Phoenix Regional Sales Manager, Tim Stoehr. "Their passion for the automobile has resulted in a unique venue to share our vehicles with the public. This limited edition car symbolizes our high octane relationship and gives a few lucky people the chance to own a piece of the Barrett-Jackson experience."

Over the past 37 years, Barrett-Jackson has evolved from an auction primarily attended by dedicated collectors and dealers into a retail automotive lifestyle event that is broadcast live worldwide. Shelby Cobras, GT350s and GT500s have been among the most popular cars to cross the auction block.

"We have a long tradition of selling the best Shelbys in the world because they are among the most desirable cars ever built," said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. "Over the past several years, we've worked with Ford Motor Company to raise almost a million and a half dollars for Carroll's Foundation by offering new Shelby cars for sale. It was natural to celebrate our connection to these cars with a very limited edition Shelby."

From the black 18-inch wheels to the Shelby Cobra roadster hood scoop, the car is mean. The engine is upgraded with a Ford Racing package to pump out 319 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque through a high-flow exhaust system with X-pipe crossover. The Shelby GT comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission featuring a Hurst short-throw shifter; a five-speed automatic transmission is optional. The package includes a Ford Racing Handling Pack with special-tuned dampers, unique sway bars and a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly. Overall ride height was dropped and a front strut-tower brace added.

"The Shelby GT was designed to deliver an exhilarating driving experience," said Amy Boylan, President of Shelby Automobiles. "In addition to the 'go faster goodies,' each will receive special badges and equipment, as well as a photo of one of these cars signed by Carroll."

Unique features of the Barrett-Jackson edition will include:

-- Black exterior with "Barrett-Jackson Red" LeMans Hood and Side Stripes

-- Barrett Jackson Edition Door Sill Plates

-- Black interior with the Shelby GT serial number plate

-- Special Gas Cap Insert

-- Autographed photo of Carroll Shelby, Craig Jackson, Amy Boylan and Steve Davis

"As someone who has been personally involved with Shelby cars for the past three decades, I'm very proud to be part of this limited edition car," noted Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson. "Rarity and documentation are two of the keys to collectability, which is why only 100 Barrett-Jackson Shelby GTs are scheduled to be built. Each car will come with complete documentation and be included in the factory authorized registry."

The Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT will be displayed at the Arizona International Auto Show from November 22-25.

Lucky fans drive away with Sopranos Porsche Cayenne

Lucky Bid Winners to Drive Away With Piece of TV History

ATLANTA – Two lucky Sopranos fans’ lives just got a lot spicier. Their winning bid at the the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation’s 12th Annual Grand Slam for Children landed the actual Porsche Cayenne SUV Carmela Soprano drove through the streets of her New Jersey suburb on the hit drama “The Sopranos.”

Last weekend in Las Vegas, the Cayenne was the must-have item up for auction during the Grand Slam, one of the city’s biggest entertainment and fundraising nights of the year. Tony Bennett, Kelly Clarkson, Hall & Oates, Matchbox Twenty, Carlos Santana and Jerry Seinfeld were among the A-list celebrities who performed at the event.

Richard and Theresa Beauchamp from Steamboat Springs, Colorado placed the winning bid on the Porsche Cayenne for $90,000. To round out the bidding, auctioneer Jack Williams added $10,000 of his own money bringing the total price to $100,000. The Beauchamps’ new SUV comes complete with a bronze plaque bearing the signatures of the show’s Emmy award-winning stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco.

Richard and Theresa Beauchamp of Steamboat Springs, Colo. sported big smiles in front of the Porsche Cayenne S they purchased during the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation's annual auction and gala, the Grand Slam for Children event, on October 6. The SUV is the authentic Porsche showcased in "The Sopranos" and features a bronze plaque inside with the signatures of stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco. Image Credit: Kevin Cannon

“I am grateful that there are so many people dedicated to helping kids,” Andre Agassi said. “I’m thrilled with the turnout from the public, the generosity of our sponsors, donors and bidders, and the commitment and talent of the performers who so graciously give their time to the Grand Slam. It was one of the greatest nights of the year.”

The coveted car, a 2005 Porsche Cayenne S* in Prosecco with Sand Beige interior, boasts a 4.5-liter V8 engine, as well as automatic climate control with dual front-passenger settings and a 350-watt, 14-speaker Bose stereo. It only has 6,758 miles on the odometer.
“We already own a Cayenne Turbo, which we love,” said Theresa Beauchamp. “In addition, we watched ‘The Sopranos’ for years when it was on television, so we were drawn to the novelty of the car.”

Founded in 1994 by former professional tennis player Andre Agassi, the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF) was created to provide recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk children in Southern Nevada.

Since its inception, the Foundation has supported more than 20 organizations and raised more than $60 million for programs designed to enhance a child's character, self-esteem and career possibilities. For more information, visit http://www.agassifoundation.org/.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 214 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

* Tony Soprano presented the Cayenne to Carmela in the series’ sixth season as a “Turbo”; in reality, the SUV is a Cayenne S model.

Source: Porsche