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When it comes to carbon fiber, there are those who love it and those who think it can be overdone. I’m in the camp of those who love it. I love how carbon fiber accents look, aesthetically, but from a performance standpoint, the lightweight material can also boost performance.
Today, Ford Performance announced new aftermarket carbon fiber components for the exterior of the Mustang Shelby GT500.
During a track event at the Texas International Speedway, Ford Performance showed off four new accessories for the GT500. This is a big deal because these are the first aftermarket carbon fiber accessories offered by Ford Performance for the pinnacle pony car since the latest-generation GT500 debuted last year.
“Authenticity and personalization are what our Mustang Shelby GT500 customers want, and our new carbon fiber performance accessories provide an elevated track-proven look from every angle,” said Mark Wilson, Ford North America vehicle personalization, planning and operations manager. “Beyond leveraging this high-performance material to reduce weight, we track-tested and validated its durability at Ford Performance Racing School in North Carolina.”
Related story: Custom car builder creates world’s first carbon fiber 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang.
Let’s take a look at the four parts available.
Ford Performance Carbon Fiber parts for Mustang GT500
All parts are available through the Ford Performance Parts website.
The new easy-to-install carbon fiber Ford Performance Parts, parts numbers and MSRPs are:
• Hood vent and rain tray kit, M-16612-C20, $1,185
• Front splitter with belly pan for placement at car’s lower, forward-leading edge and under section, M-16601-MCF, $1,820
• Front bumper insert that fits between car’s upper and lower grille intakes, M-17750-MCF, $1,150
• Rear decklid trim panel, M-16600-MCF, $575
Each carbon fiber component delivers high strength and rigidity with low-specific weight and is crafted to withstand the high-energy forces generated by competition at the track or drag strip.
The weight of the carbon fiber hood vent and rain tray kit is trimmed to four pounds – half the weight of the corresponding stock part. The front splitter with belly pan drops from seven pounds to four, the front bumper insert weighs just one pound, and the decklid trim panel weighs two pounds. Combined, the pieces weigh nine pounds less than the stock components.
The new parts provide additional authentic carbon fiber options for Shelby GT500 buyers. They are separate from components offered as part of the Shelby GT500 Carbon Fiber Track Package, which includes 20-inch carbon fiber wheels, exposed carbon fiber instrument panel and GT4 track wing, splitter wickers and more.
Global Mustang Week
As I’ve reported on this week, it’s Global Mustang Week, culminating in Saturday’s 57th anniversary/birthday of the original Ford Mustang.
In NASCAR this week, Ford driver Chase Briscoe will drive a specially badged Mustang honoring Global Mustang Week.
Many Mustang clubs will have cruise ins and meet ups on Saturday to commemorate the anniversary of the Mustang’s reveal at the World’s Fair in 1964. Other than the Chevy Suburban, no other nameplate has had a consecutive run of years like the Ford Mustang. It is and always will be an American icon.
Related story: Ford Mustang claims title of world’s best-selling sports car.
Are you celebrating Mustang Week? If so how? I’ll be giving a presentation at the Halderman Barn Museum and signing copies of my book Mustang by Design. I enjoy talking with car clubs and discussing Gale Halderman’s legacy with the Mustang and hearing everyone’s Mustang stories.
Leave your comments with how you plan to celebrate Mustang day.
Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter, at his special Ford F-150 coverage on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can read the most of Jimmy's stories by searching Torque News Ford for daily Ford vehicle report.
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