The 1967 Shelby GT500 is one of the most recognizable American muscle cars ever built. Its aggressive styling and big-block heritage have inspired countless recreations, but few have departed as dramatically from the original formula as Classic Recreations’ latest offering.
The GT500CR Carbon certainly looks like a late-1960s Shelby, complete with its muscular stance and unmistakable front end. Beneath that familiar shape, however, virtually everything has been reconsidered using modern materials and performance engineering.
Carbon fiber replaces traditional steel bodywork, while contemporary suspension, brakes, and powertrains promise a very different driving experience. The result is a Mustang aimed at enthusiasts who want vintage character with the power, handling, and braking hardware of a modern performance car.
According to Classic Recreations, the GT500CR Carbon is the world’s only officially Shelby-licensed carbon-fiber 1967–68 GT500. As reported by Autoblog, the company showcased an especially powerful example at the 2026 SEMA Show.
Classic Shelby Styling, Carbon-Fiber Construction
Every exterior body panel uses aerospace-grade carbon fiber, retaining the classic GT500’s proportions while reducing unnecessary mass. The SEMA example featured exposed carbon fiber, candy-red racing stripes, and distinctive Shelby-inspired detailing.
Underneath, Detroit Speed’s Aluma-Frame front suspension and QuadraLink rear setup replace the original Mustang’s dated underpinnings. Modern steering and adjustable suspension hardware further separate this machine from its 1960s ancestor.
Three Versions, Up to 900 Horsepower
The standard GT500CR Carbon starts with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter Ford Performance Coyote V8 producing 500 horsepower. Stage 2 adds a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger for 700 horsepower, while Stage 3 increases output to 900 horsepower.
Buyers can choose a Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed manual or Ford’s 10R80 ten-speed automatic. Stages 1 and 2 use Wilwood six-piston brakes, while Stage 3 upgrades to Brembo carbon-ceramic hardware.
The SEMA Mustang Packs 1,000 Horsepower
The car displayed in Las Vegas went beyond the regular Stage 3 specification. Its Wegner-built supercharged Coyote V8 produced a claimed 1,000 horsepower, managed by a FuelTech FT700 ECU and paired with a strengthened ten-speed automatic.
Forgeline wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes complemented the upgraded powertrain. Inside, modern seating, digital instruments, and upgraded climate control made the cabin equally contemporary.
Shelby Authenticity Comes at a Price
Classic Recreations charges $549,900 for Stage 1, $624,900 for Stage 2, and $724,900 for Stage 3. Each car receives a unique Shelby serial number and an entry in the Shelby American Worldwide Registry.
That official licensing distinguishes the GT500CR Carbon from independently built Shelby-inspired restomods. Whether collectors choose the 500-horsepower base car or the 900-horsepower Stage 3, they’re getting a Mustang that preserves the original Shelby’s appearance while replacing almost everything underneath it.