This 900bhp+ GT500 is the restomodded Mustang you need

It’s a Shelby GT500 from 1967, fully modernised and transformed into the Shelby GT500CR 900S. The CR stands for Classic Recreations - the company behind the car - and the 900S stands for the minimum amount of horsepower you can expect after buying one. Yowzer.

The philosophy of the company is to add muscle and reduce weight, and it doesn’t take a genius to work out that that formula inevitably means more speed.

Coupled with the latest tech and drop-dead-gorgeous looks, the Shelby GT500CR 900S is quite the thing.

Classic Recreations has worked on hundreds of classic cars since it was formed in Oklahoma in 2002. Company founder Jason Engel has personally owned more than 100 Mustangs, so you can see where his passion lies.

The company is officially licensed by Shelby American to restore its cars, focusing almost exclusively on GT350 and GT500 models from the mid to late 1960s. It built the first completely carbon-fibre-bodied GT500, and for a time it made the ‘Eleanor’ Mustang from Gone in 60 Seconds until the rights passed to current holders and previous ‘Restomod of the week’ featurees Fusion Motor Company.

What hasn’t been done to it? Let’s start with the engine: it’s a 427ci Ford Performance crate engine that delivers up to 790bhp. Fuel injection is standard, but for $5,000 you can add an F1-R supercharger and a custom, three-core intercooler to bring power up to and beyond 1,000bhp.

It’s $2,500 for a six-speed manual gearbox, but you can opt for an automatic instead if you fancy for just $500 more. The wheels are ‘race-inspired’ and the tyres are of the high performance variety from Michelin.

Rack and pinion power steering is thrown into the mix, as is an 18-gallon fuel tank and air intakes down the rear flanks of the car. Meanwhile, there’s carbon fibre cladding to save weight.

Inside Caroll Shelby’s signature is woven into the seats, and all of the instruments are made from a polished chrome. The steering wheel is wood-covered for that authentic, period feel, which is then cast aside thanks to the presence of a CD player and Bluetooth. There’s a roll bar too, although Classic Recreations’ website calls this ‘cosmetic’, so best save the barrel rolls for something more replaceable.

Each car takes 2,500 hours to fully restore and modify, with not a half-measure in sight.

Classic Recreations has been restomodding Shelbys for years, so there’s no limit on their endeavours. As long as there’s a market for GT500s with Ferrari SF90 levels of power, they’ll be in business.

Classic Recreations doesn’t give any figures, but with over 1,000bhp on tap and five-point seat belts to stop you being thrown around inside, it would be hard to imagine the GT500CR 900S being slow.

Prices start from $284,900, which at the time of writing is a snip over £200,000. Custom colours are available on request: as an example, candy red with stripes will set you back an additional $3,000.

Want a leather interior? $1,000. A theft recovery system? $995. A 200mph speedo? $350, if you please.

There’s also a Pro Touring Track Package that costs a cool $25,000: this adds a Detroit Speed suspension, forged wheels, upgraded tyres, six-piston brakes and 14-inch rotors for extra performance on track days.

There’s the option of a carbon fibre body upgrade too, although this adds another $60,000 onto the already hefty price tag.

Really? You need convincing? 

In a world where restomodders are increasingly turning to electric conversions in the name of ‘preserving the past for the future’, the Shelby GT500CR 900S takes a Walkman cassette player, turns it up to 11 and starts rocking out to Johnny Rotten, all while making rude hand gestures.

Cars like this won’t be built forever. Cherish them while they’re still being made.

For $12,500, Classic Recreations will do you a right-hand drive version. Not the most interesting fact, but the idea of shipping one of these over to Europe and avoiding toll-booth and drive-through hell will no doubt get the attention of some deep-pocketed folk.

Head over to www.classic-recreations.com and see for yourself what they’ve got to offer. And if you happen to place an order, we’d very much like to be your new best friend.