Remembering Carroll Shelby

Carroll Shelby with a Ford Shelby GT Mustang

This last week, the automotive world lost a true innovator. Carroll Shelby, most famous for his Shelby Cobra and Shelby Mustangs, died at the age of 89 in Dallas, Texas. Carroll Shelby had a huge influence on the automotive world, particularly with Ford, where he had been apart of Ford  innovation for the better part of 60 years.

Shelby Cobra

Shelby started his career in vehicle modification in 1962, after retiring from professional auto racing, when he started Shelby American Inc. His first modified car was an AC Motors car from England that Shelby put an American made Ford V-8 engine in. That car came to be known as the Shelby Cobra.

2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

After the success of the Shelby Cobra, Carroll Shelby went on to help develop several other Fords including the GT40, Shelby Mustang GT350, Shelby Mustang GT500, Ford GT, and most recently the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 that has the most powerful production V-8 ever produced, much in part to the work of Carroll Shelby himself. The first one of the new 2013 Shelby's, which produce 662 horsepower and 631 lb.-ft torque, was auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson for $350,000.

Carroll Shelby also spent part of his career working for other U.S. automakers. Notably, Shelby had a big part in developing the Dodge Viper for Chrysler. However, Carroll Shelby was most known for his work with Ford and the development of his Shelby Mustangs. Shelby was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1992. 

Key Dates for Carroll Shelby and Ford

• 1962: Shelby tests his first Ford-powered AC 260 Roadster – the car that would become the Shelby Cobra. Shelby-American begins operations in Venice, Calif. Cobra production begins
• 1964: Ford asks Shelby to develop a high-performance Mustang derivative. First Shelby prototypes are built
• 1965: Shelby GT350 is introduced. Ford hires Shelby-American to oversee GT40 program. Hertz begins buying GT350H versions for its “rent-a-racer” program
• 1966: Ford GT40 Mark II wins Le Mans. First 1967 Shelby GT500s delivered
• 1967: Ford and Shelby-American win Le Mans, again. 1968 Shelby Mustang convertibles debut
• 1968: 1969 model year production begins
• 1969: Shelby Mustang production ends
• 1970: Ford and Shelby end their long-term racing agreement
• 2001: Carroll Shelby is invited by Ford to consult on GT40 Concept
• 2002: Ford green-lights production of Ford GT
• 2003: Ford invites Shelby to collaborate on a concept car that pays homage to original Shelby Cobra
• 2004: Ford Shelby Cobra Concept steals the show at NAIAS. Ford asks Shelby to consult on a follow-up concept. Shelby announces it will build limited-edition Shelby Ford Expedition. Ford unveils Shelby GR-1 Concept
• 2006: Shelby GTH debuts at New York Auto Show
• 2007: GT500 name debuts
• 2008: First 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR rolls off the line on Carroll Shelby’s 85th birthday. Partnering with Ford Racing, Shelby fields factory race team for the first time since 1969
• 2011: Debut of 662-horsepower, 631-lb.-ft. 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, the most powerful production V8 engine in the world
• 2012: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 sells at Barrett-Jackson for $350,000

  
  

  
  

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2013 Ford F-Series Super Duty Available in Platinum Series

Owners of Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks are a true breed. They expect their trucks to work hard, be reliable, but still have the comforts of a luxury automobile. To help fill this demand, Ford is now introducing for the first time ever to the Super Duty line, the Platinum series. The Platinum series will join the Lariat and King Ranch series to top out the line of high-end luxury Super Duties.

The Platinum Super Duty will have elegant features both inside and out. The exterior will be outfitted with a satin chrome grille, chrome door handles, mirror caps, running boards and exhaust tip. Chrome everywhere! It will also have "Platinum" in chrome lettering on both sides of the truck bed. In addition, it will have a chrome applique on the tailgate similar to the F-150 Platinum series. The truck will sit on twenty-inch polished-aluminum wheels with painted black inserts. This truck will really turn heads.

The interior is accented with wood and leather. The steering wheel is heated and leather wrapped with wood accents. There is also wood accents throughout the instrument panel, center stack and door trims. The Platinum Super Duty features a new storage area on the top of the dash with two USB ports, audio-video connection, SD card slot and a 12 volt charging port. The seats and floor mats feature an embroidered "Platinum" logo.

In addition to the new interior accents, the 2013 Ford Super Duty Platinum will feature the MyFord Touch SYNC system. As a unique feature to the Super Duty, the physical interface for MyFord Touch has been optimized to accommodate truck users who may be wearing work gloves.

The new 2013 Super Duty Platinum will be available later this year. Contact your Ryan Ford Sales Specialist for more info.

Ryan Ford

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2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible debuts at Chicago Auto Show, marking 20 years of SVT

This past week, Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) revealed the new 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible at the Chicago Auto Show, celebrating the 20th anniversary of SVT. Ford's SVT has produced more than 210,000 vehicles in that 20 year period under seven different nameplates including the Ford GT, Mustang Cobra R, SVT F-150 Lightning, F-150 SVT Raptor, Shelby GT500KR and the soon to be launched Focus ST.

The new 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible will be the fastest Mustang ever produced. It is a mind blowing 3.5 seconds faster than the outgoing model with the optional Performance Package. The new GT500 is powered by a 5.8L V8 producing a whopping 650 horsepower. The new Mustang also features Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers and a new Brembo brake system. To compare just how far SVT has gone in 20 years, the first Mustang modified by SVT was the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra which offered 235 horsepower from a 5.0L V8 engine. 

The 5.8L supercharged V8 on the new 2013 Shelby GT500 has a track-tested top speed of more than 200mph. It produces 650 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, making this V8 the most powerful production V8 in the world.

Since 1993 SVT has been developing cars with four attributes in mind: Performance, Substance, Exclusivity and Value. "In the past 20 years, SVT has engineered mid-engine supercars, front-wheel-drive performance cars, real-wheel-drive muscle cars and high-performance on-road and off-road pickup trucks," said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer. "There is no other performance house in the world that can match that diverse resume."

Recently, SVT joined with Team RS in Europe to devise strategy for all future global performance Ford cars. The new team will be known as the Performance Vehicles Group. The new Ford Focus ST is Ford's first truly global performance car. The Performance Vehicles Group is also working on a Fiesta ST Concept at this time to join the Focus ST in the global small car portfolio.

For more information on the new 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible or any other SVT vehicle including the F-150 SVT Raptor (Currently in Stock!) please contact your Ryan Ford Sales Specialist today.

Phone: 979.885.7700

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SYNC Now Standard Option on Ford Fusion and Flex

First introduced in 2007, SYNC has revolutionized how drivers connect and use their mobile phones and media players with their cars. With the use of Bluetooth and a voice-control system, SYNC connects drivers to their phones hands free and wirelessly. SYNC is so popular, it is now available either optional or standard equipment on every new Ford vehicle. Starting in 2013, the all-new Ford Fusion and Flex come standard with SYNC on all trim levels. 

2013 Ford Fusion

"Ford SYNC technology has led the industry in transforming the way we connect to our cars. SYNC has enabled Ford drivers to take advantage of the latest communication and entertainment technology with an easily upgradeable architecture that is friendly and easy to use," said Dave Mondragon, Ford general marketing manager. 

Every all new Fusion and Flex, whether it be the base model all the way up to the top of the line Fusion Energi, will be equipped standard with SYNC. It will be standard with either the entry level audio system or the top-of-the-line MyFord Touch. 

Americans are busier than ever these days with over 300 million cell phones in use in 2011. With that being said, laws on driving while talking are getting more and more strict. Currently, nine states have banned the use of hand-held phones by drivers with 35 states prohibiting texting behind the wheel. With the use of the Bluetooth hands-free calling and texting (on select phones) the Ford SYNC system is helping to keep Americans connected while abiding by new laws and most importantly being safe.

As an added safety feature, SYNC 911 Assist can directly call emergency services and transmit the vehicle location to first responders when connected to a Bluetooth enabled phone via SYNC. 

Fusion and Flex owners have the added flexibility to add new features as they are released. Simply download the free updates from SYNCMyRide.com and then load them onto your vehicle via the USB port.

Make sure to check back with Ryan Ford for more updates on the new 2013 Ford Fusion and 2013 Ford Flex. 

Ford Fusion Named Best in Show at North American International Auto Show

The new Ford Fusion is already racking up the awards. Just a few days after its debut, the Fusion was named Best in Show by the Autoweek editorial staff at the North American International Auto Show. The Fusion was chosen because it is the car most people will remember five years from now.

When asked about the award, Autoweek's Editor Wes Raynal said, "It's very rare for a midsize sedan to win Best in Show. I think it's the first of a lot of awards the fusion is going to win this year." In fact, the award came just one day after the Fusion won the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology's EyesOn Design award at the same show!

When presented with the award, Ford's chief creative officer, J Mays, said, "I've been with the company for 13 years, and i can truly say this is the best car ever to come out of the design and engineering center in Dearborn. We are delighted for the entire global design team, because this really was a global effort."

Fusion truly is a next generation sedan. It is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. In North America, it will be available in S, SE and Titanium series. For world markets, it will be available as the next Ford Mondeo.

The new 2013 Ford Fusion redefines what a sedan should be. With sleek design, cutting edge technology and best in class fuel efficiency, what else could you ask for?



For more info on the 2013 Ford Fusion, scan the code to the left on your smartphone or go to FordFusionStory.com. And as always, you can contact your Ryan Ford Sales Specialist anytime!

Chat Online @ RyanFord.com

Phone: 979.885.7700

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Ford Introduces Research Facility in Silicon Valley to Boost Innovation

Ford Motor company recently announced that it plans to open a dedicated research facility in Silicon Valley, California, the first of its kind for Ford. This new facility is part of Fords ongoing commitment to make technology affordable for everyone. The lab, which will be run by Ford Research and Innovation, will focus on mobility solutions, cloud computing and clean technology.



The new research facility will be located in the San Francisco Bay area of California. It will serve as a hub for independent technology projects for the west coast region. It will ultimately create a "innovation network" in conjunction with Ford's Advanced Design Studio in Irvine, CA, and Ford employees working with Microsoft on SYNC technology in Redmond, WA.

The new facility will allow Ford to scout new technologies and partners in the tech rich environment that is Silicon Valley. It will "continue our expansion beyond the traditional automaker mindset to drive innovation for a better mobility experience," said K. Venkatesh Prasad, senior technical leader for open innovation with Ford Research and Innovation.

Ford's new lab will get employees recruited both locally and rotated-in from Ford's global network of Research and Innovation staff who will spend time in the lab developing and collaborating on new projects. The number of employees at the lab will be comparable to a startup company with an emphasis on quality over quantity.

Several key technologies already in the works that will be supported by the Silicon Valley lab include:

• Open source hardware and software developer kits: Ford is set to launch OpenXC, which is a research platform that allows developers access to key vehicle information to help develop new cloud-bassed apps and services. Several universities including MIT, University of Michigan and Stanford will all be receiving OpenXC kits to help develop cloud-bassed apps. 
• Personal mobility: Ford is researching ways to help the global gridlock problem that is happening in many large cities around the world. 
• Different types of sensors: Collaborating with Bay Area companies such as Weather Underground, Ford is looking into how to use the multitude of sensors within the vehicle to improve the driving experience for drivers. Weather Underground is researching how to use vehicle windshield wiper activations to improve weather proximity reporting. 

It will be exciting to see the innovation that comes from this "innovation network" in 2012. Make sure to check back often to the Ryan Ford blog as we will keep you up to date on new technology from Ford. 

Ryan Ford

RyanFord.com

979.885.7700

Ford Earns 2012 Autobytel Awards

Ford Motor Company started 2012 off right by winning two Autobytel Awards. Autobytel is a company that helps consumers find important info they need to know about vehicles before purchasing. They bill themselves as "Your Lifetime Automotive Advisor." The editors reviewing for the Autobytel Awards have more than 75 years combined experience in the automotive industry. This years winners were based on their game-chainging potential, advances in technology and design and overall efficiency. 




The first award Ford took home is Autobytel 2012 Pickup Truck of the Year for the 2012 F-150 EcoBoost. The editors at Autobytel said they were always impressed by the changes in the F-150 in previous years, but the addition of the EcoBoost engine is one of the biggest. It was an unanimous decision to make the 2012 F-150 EcoBoost Truck of the Year. Once again the F-150 is proving it really is Americas Best Truck. 

Ford also was awarded with the Autobytel 2012 Sports Car of the Year for the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302. The editors were impressed with the five-setting shock adjustment that lets drivers adjust the feel of how the car handles. And then there's the 444hp V8 engine to get the car going. All this for around $40,000 made the Boss 302 Sports Car of the Year.