Manoli Katakis 
The number in the subheading is not a typo. One could theoretically build a 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with over $30,000 in options and accessories to tip the scales above an MSRP of $107,000. $107,080 to be exact. Keep in mind, the 776 horsepower GT500 starts at $73,995, which is a couple grand more than the 797 horsepower Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye, and well beyond the 650 horsepower Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
Indeed, the GT500 pushes the envelope of what a muscle car is in just about every category, especially in the pricing department, but with that MSRP comes a lot of cutting-edge performance technology. It’s so radical that it can’t be directly sold in Europe, in fact.
The people at Ford will admit that the range-topping Mustang isn’t exactly a budget car, but for what it will do, they claim that the GT500 can still be considered a performance bargain. And now, potential buyers and dreamers alike can hop on the official 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 configurator and create a digital mock-up of their own on Ford’s official consumer website.
But let’s say they wanted to configure the most expensive factory Mustang known to mankind. To do that, simply start by adding on the premium $495 Twister Orange paint job, then select the $695 black roof. And do no forget to select the $10,000 racing stripes, which are maticulously painted on, rather than simply slapping a line of vinyl over the sheetmetal. But that’s not even the most expensive option. Because $18,500 unlocked the Carbon Fiber Track Pack, which adds a monster of a carbon fiber wing, dive planes (canards), 20-inch carbon fiber wheels, adjustable strut mounts, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, Recaro seats, a carbon fiber IP, and rear seat delete. Add the $395 car cover and the $3,000 Technology package, and there you go.
The standalone powertrain is a supercharged 5.2L V8 engine coupled to a Tremec seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The DCT represents a first in the muscle car/pony car segment, and the absolute first from an American performance car.
Along with more affordable yet incredibly powerful pony car options on the market, there remains a mid-engined elephant in the room, which begs the question: in a world with $60,000 C8 Corvettes – is a $100,000+ Ford Mustang the wise investment? Both are icons in their own right, but how will the market take to them? Soon, we’ll know the answer.
Lastly, a fun fact: the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has a slightly smaller starting MSRP than the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT350R, which comes in at $74,530. It’s just that the Shelby can be built up to a much higher price point.
