While the Ford factory has seemingly abandoned the Shelby badge (at least for the time being) and decided to name its latest supercharged track star the Dark Horse SC, Shelby American is keeping tradition alive with the return of its GT350 for 2026, and for the new model year, the sports car gets two options that will heighten the driving experience. As before, the GT350 can be had with a manual or an automatic transmission (the Dark Horse SC and even the ultra-costly GTD skip the stick option), but now, buyers can also have the GT350 experience without a roof, letting them enjoy to the full either the roar of a naturally aspirated V8 or the whine of a Whipple supercharger.
GT350 Returns for Another Year in a New Color
Shelby American brought the GT350 back around this time last year, and according to the company, demand was strong enough to warrant a second model year. But in 2025, the model was only available in fastback form, and this new convertible option should increase appeal. Based on the Ford Mustang GT, with its 5.0-liter naturally aspirated Coyote V8, the GT350 lets buyers either stick with the standard performance level of 480 horsepower or upgrade to 810 hp through the addition of a Whipple supercharger. The latter option makes this the most powerful GT350 ever produced.
Either way, the GT350 gets a rorty cat-back exhaust from Borla, upgraded suspension, and unique styling elements, including Shelby’s iconic stripes. Those who like to stand out in a crowd can also now spec Orange Fury paint for 2026. Open the door, and you’re greeted by Shelby door sills, Shelby floor mats, and reupholstered Shelby-branded seats. On convertibles, there’s also a roll bar spanning the width of the cabin.
Final Thoughts and Pricing
Shelby American is not doing anything revolutionary here. The GT350 gets the above upgrades plus lowering springs and updated sway bars, some new 20-inch alloy wheels, a couple of serialized plaques for the dash and engine bay, and, on manual cars, a short-throw shifter with a ball shifter. Some Shelby badges, redesigned grilles, a vented hood, and a ducktail spoiler complete the upgrades, and if these things sound familiar, it’s because this is almost exactly the same treatment the company gives its Super Snake. The only major differences are that the Super Snake makes another 20 hp, gets a smattering of carbon fiber, and will be over three times rarer (300 units versus 1,000 for the GT350). The Super Snake also costs a lot more — $175,885, while a supercharged GT350 fastback costs $121,385, and the convertible costs $127,884. Either option is hard to justify when a Whipple supercharger upgrade can be completed in your own garage, giving you 90% of the Shelby experience for 10 grand or less. Sure, that excludes tuning and a louder exhaust, but those aren’t going to break the bank.
