Classic Recreations uses carbon fiber for GT500CR Mustang

Classic Recreations (Yukon, Okla., U.S.) announced on Sept. 10 that the recently unveiled heritage Shelby GT500CR carbon fiber concept car has gone into production. The company will only make 25 of these Carbon Edition supercars, which buyers worldwide will be able to pick up at the Shelby American (Las Vegas, Nev., U.S.) headquarters.

Officially unveiled in May, this re-imagined American muscle car is said to move the 1967 Shelby GT500 into the 21st century with a more-powerful contemporary engine, upgraded suspension, better braking systems and the latest automotive technologies. Classic Recreations says the Carbon Edition combines the best of classic and contemporary worlds, wrapped in a strong, lightweight carbon fiber body.

“Carroll Shelby was a proponent of carbon fiber and leveraged its benefits in everything from lightweight wheels to the Shelby Series 1 sports car,” says Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “We’re pleased that Classic Recreations is now applying that technology to continuation heritage Shelby muscle cars.”

Working with SpeedKore Performance Group (Grafton, Wis., U.S.), Classic Recreations says it created the woven carbon fiber bodies using original Shelby molds to reproduce the original lines of the 1967-68 Shelby Mustang. According to Classic Recreations, this is the first time a manufacturer has used this technology — typically used for supercars, exotics and aircraft  — so extensively in a classic American muscle car. Classic Recreations will treat the body with UV-protected clear coat to show off the carbon fiber weave patterns.

“By wrapping this carbon fiber body over the original steel substructure, we can create perfect panels, seams and lines,” says Jason Engel, founder, co-owner and lead designer at Classic Recreations. “The result is a car that is 600 pounds lighter than stock. The power-to-weight ratio is on par with the most exotic vehicles, making it a modern world-class supercar with American muscle at its soul.”