Top 10 Reasons I Love my ‘13-‘14 GT500

[2014SVTShelbyGT500]

Received my ‘14 in May 2024 with 3600 miles and just hit 9200 miles, as I simply enjoy driving it more than my other performance cars. Not stock (my original post describes the Revan mods and Lund tune done by the previous owner.

Thanks to the weather in the South, I’ll rack up a lot of miles on her and reflected on what I enjoy about my modern “Eleanor” thus far:

Top 10 Reasons I love my Shelby GT500:

1. 1st gear to 60mph.
2. Tall gearing makes it easy do drive around town in 3rd-4th.
3. TR-6060 is a great/stout 6spd manual (especially w/MGW shifter). I’ve no intentions on owning an automatic performance car, and it makes for somewhat of an “anti-theft” since many can’t drive stick.
4. 24mpg on the highway (I’ve gotten 25mpg on drive from Nashville to Memphis).
5. Live rear axle makes it a true muscle car with all its handling quirks (easy to regear).
6. The 2013-2104 nailed the looks on the S197 platform (front end and rear tailights/quad exhaust). I think the S197 platform nails the looks. I put the 3 piece lower splitter on as I can easily replace it when it gets scraped enough.
7. Responds well to bolt on engine/suspension mods). Easy to do my own routine maintenance.
8. Drivetrain, Carbon driveshaft, larger HE designed to handle the power (plus track pack coolers).
9. Simple analog gauges and a plain interior say muscle car to me (other than nav I don’t want a ton of screens/displays.
10. Final Jamal Hameedi SVT car with Carroll Shelby’s blessing and ethos (big power for an affordable price).

I love all Shelby’s, but this one does it for me.

 

[1Kona_Venom]

What does the track pack cooler do for street driving?

 

[1 Alibi 2]

What does the track pack cooler do for street driving?

Adds weight, = better traction !!
.

 

[1Kona_Venom]

Adds weight, = better traction !!
.

I asked because of information I have come across over the years and was actually wondering about function?
Not to mention, possible point of failure that could begin leaking over time?



See below quotes;




"From what I've read the oil and differential coolers have thermostats, so they only turn on once a certain temp is reached. Will that temp be reached during normal street driving?"

Just FYI...multiple threads on this already, but like you, I will drag strip only, never
road race, and I made my final decision against the TP based on this very well written, highly technical article in 5.0.
I live in Florida, and was hoping that the TP would keep the temps down, thus
giving some components a longer life; however, as I understand it, the TP only activates at pre-determined temps and possibly will never activate during normal drag strip or street racing conditions, only under heavy track conditions etc.

2013 Shelby GT500 Chassis Development - Total Package - 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords Magazine

 

[13COBRA]

It won't activate and do anything in its stock form unless you're ringing the hell out of it on the street.

 

[svt662]

Top 10 Great reasons to own one! Ordered mine Brand New and wouldn’t trade it for anything but will always ad to my collection.

 

[CobraBob]

Easy to see, reading your Top 10 Reasons, why the '13-'14 GT500 is so popular. One of the biggest is #3, the manual transmission. They marked the end of GT500 stick shifting. You all are fortunate to own one (or more) of these beautiful beasts.

 

[1 Alibi 2]

The glass roof didn't make your top 10 list, as with the 6 speed, it was the last year for this option..
.

.

 

[Klaus]

It is looks for me. Caught the ass end of a 14 over the weekend and it put me in a trance. Easily one of the nicest rear fascias in the history of the automobile.

 

[BrunotheBoxer]

Wish I ordered my 14 in convertible with a glass roof. Would have been most likely a one of one vehicle.


Nobody’s perfect.

 

[biminiLX]

Top 10 Great reasons to own one! Ordered mine Brand New and wouldn’t trade it for anything but will always ad to my collection.

Beautiful Shelby vert. How many miles these days?
-J

 

[1Kona_Venom]

It is looks for me. Caught the ass end of a 14 over the weekend and it put me in a trance. Easily one of the nicest rear fascias in the history of the automobile.

^ this^
Allow me to help
One of my favorite pics of my car. Daughter got this blown up poster size for me for a 50th Bday present

 

[rpmchi86]

These cars certainly are something special.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cobra Therapy]

One of the things that makes the 13-14 GT500 super special is, it's the last real SHELBY from the factory that SHELBY Had something to do with. The new one is nothing more than a ford performance gt500.

 

[1Kona_Venom]

One of the things that makes the 13-14 GT500 super special is, it's the last real SHELBY from the factory that SHELBY Had something to do with. The new one is nothing more than a ford performance gt500.

I use this phrase around the house constantly. (Thanks to you)
My wife recently asked me, where did you pick that up from?
When I was Mach shopping I was very adamant to let everyone know it was a Ford Performance Mach, not a SVT Mach

 

[Cobra Therapy]

I use this phrase around the house constantly. (Thanks to you)
My wife recently asked me, where did you pick that up from?
When I was Mach shopping I was very adamant to let everyone know it was a Ford Performance Mach, not a SVT Mach

Its all good my friend

 

[svt662]

Beautiful Shelby vert. How many miles these days?
-J

Thank you! It has just over 1k miles need to take it out for a ride.

 

[mysticsvt]

Last model that was American Muscle IMO...love it! Jealous!

 

[biminiLX]

Thank you! It has just over 1k miles need to take it out for a ride.

Very cool! Would be awesome to buy a new ‘13-14 these days. Obviously not possible but one with 1000mi kept in that condition is essentially the same.
Only commented as I just finished a nice fall drive in my ‘23 Hellcat Widebody manual just to row some gears and was thinking how my ‘14 was definitely a better experience 100% stock. Ford could definitely still sell them if they were still in production.
Great point also on the last Shelby car the man was involved in, that’s definitely a cool stat.
-J

 

[tomshep]

What does the track pack cooler do for street driving?

Nothing. When I ordered my 14 I checked with engineering friends at Ford and the coolers were needed when they were running the snot out of the car for extended periods on track. Otherwise, they weren't needed for street or spirited driving.

Over the years they have proven very durable with the only issues I've ever heard of is an occasional leak with the lines at the diff cover. Tranny and motor have done well.

Tom