Global Ford boss investigates Aussie Shelby Mustang GT bid
Could our Mustang mania get right-hand drive GT350 and 500 built?The so-far-futile campaign to get the hi-po line-up of Ford Shelby Mustang GTs into Australian blue oval showrooms has found an important new supporter, Ford Performance global motorsport boss Mark Rushbrook.
Exposed to Aussie Mustang mania during a trip to Adelaide for the racing version’s debut in the Supercars championship, Rushbrook told carsales.com.au he would investigate the situation when he got back to the USA.
The Rushbrook connection is important for anyone hoping to see the Shelby GT350 or 500 down under because Ford Performance developed both those cars and will be in charge of developing their successors as well.
And while Rushbrook is focussed on racing cars – including developing the controversial Mustang Supercar — the interaction with the road-car side of the business is constant.
“I can look at that,” Rushbrook confirmed when asked if he could lobby for the Shelby GTs to come to Australia.
“I can talk with our team. That is one thing we do, three days a week we will meet with the motorsports team and leadership and the road car team and leadership and we will talk about exactly things like that.
“My understanding some of the issue is pedestrian protection. So if you look at the hood height of the GT350 it is lower than a Mustang GT and that will meet US requirements but does not meet global requirements.”
The current GT350 is powered by a 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 that makes a high-revving 392kW thanks to a flat-plane crank.
The recently unveiled GT500 uses a supercharged version of the 5.2 wound up to produce “more than 522kW”.
As we’ve reported here and here Ford Australia’s desire to sustain and the local love of Mustang has also prompted it to develop its own special-editions.
Rushbrook isn’t the only senior member of the Ford Performance team familiar with the popularity of the Mustang in Australia.
Chief road car engineer Carl Widmann previously held the same position on Mustang and has visited Australia several times in that role.
“Ultimately it would be on Carl,” says Rushbrook when asked who would do the work to make the Shelby GTs suitable for Australia. “I can certainly talk to Carl about it.”
There’s another angle to Rushbrook’s Shelby GT connection. Ford Performance is a small enough organisation that the road and racing departments often co-operate on vehicle development.
For instance, he says there is a lot of cross-pollination between the Shelby GTs and the Mustang GT4 racer carsales.com.au recently sampled.
“There are exact parts that they will during testing and development find issues with,” he explained. “We will during testing and development find issues.
“We’ll share all that learning, whether it’s engine-related, emissions, half-shafts, aero or chassis.”
Ford Australia spokesman Damion Smy welcomed Rushbrook’s interest in getting the Shelby Mustangs to Australia.
“Mustang is very popular in Australia and we are looking at every option we can. We are talking to everyone we can because of the popularity of the car here.
“Hopefully, [contesting] Supercars will put Australia on the map even more with Ford Performance than it is now.
“We’ll chase the road cars with the right teams.”
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