Zac Quinn 
When Ford first announced that the new Mustang Shelby GT500 would have an option for hand-painted racing stripes that cost an extra $10,000 back in 2020, many likely wondered what the take rate would be. According to Car And Driver, the answer is relatively a lot. When they checked in with a Ford spokesperson, they learned that every year since production began, about one in six Shelby GT500s are ordered with the hand-painted stripes.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Hand Painted Stripes Are Unique To The Industry
Although the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has an MSRP of $78,350, people are still adding the expensive stripes that are nearly an additional 13 percent to the car’s starting price. The hand-painted stripes are available in three colors, Absolute Black, Kona Blue, and Oxford White. Alternatively, customers who want the iconic Shelby striped look but don’t want to pay $10,000 can get vinyl stripes with similar shades. So when that’s taken into consideration, it’s quite surprising to know that around 17 percent of people that purchase a GT500 pay the premium for the painted-on stripes.
As it turns out, the overall sales of the stripes exceed those of the $10,000 Carbon Fiber Handling package, which included upgrades such as adjustable strut top mounts, 20-inch carbon fiber wheels, and aerodynamic add-ons. However, the comparison isn’t perfect since the package was only offered for one year. Moreover, while Ford doesn’t keep track of specific production numbers by package or models, it’s hard to say for sure which option was most popular for the 2021 model year.
The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is built exclusively at the company’s assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. But the hand-painted stripes aren’t applied until after the car leaves the assembly line, where the cars are shipped to Penske. The process of painting the stripes involves hand-prepping, painting, and then clear coating. Initially, the process meant limited availability. However, Ford has since improved production and has been able to keep up with customer demand.
