The Shelby GT350 has returned for 2026 with a new optional convertible. The 810-horsepower supercharged sports car will make its public debut at the 2026 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, along with other new Shelby vehicles, company officials stated in a press release.
“The 1965 Shelby GT350 was so popular that Carroll Shelby decided to build more for 1966, including fastbacks, a handful of convertibles and even a supercharged version,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “Those cars became performance icons that are among the most coveted vehicles in the world. Sixty years later, the snake strikes again with both supercharged and convertible options available for the Shelby GT350.”
The Return of the Shelby GT350 Fastback
Shelby American reintroduced the Shelby GT350 fastback in January 2025, unveiling it on the 2025 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction block.
“Demand was so strong worldwide for the Shelby GT350 that the car has returned for a second model year,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “Just as Carroll Shelby did in 1966, we carried over the proven formula that made the car such a strong performer the year before, but with more choices. Now enthusiasts can build their Shelby GT350 with a manual or automatic transmission as either a fastback or convertible. That means the 2026 model is the most powerful Shelby GT350 fastback and convertible in history.”
The 2026 Shelby GT350 Fastback & Convertible
To create the latest version of the hallowed model, Shelby American said it collaborated with industry leaders such as Whipple, Borla and Michelin. It features a highly tuned and upgraded suspension, robust exhaust note, bolder styling and other elements.
The 5.0L V-8 powered car is offered in both 480- and 810 (supercharged)-horsepower versions with a choice of manual or automatic transmission. A nicely equipped supercharged Shelby GT350 fastback is $121,385, including the car, while the convertible is $127,884.
“Since it was unveiled in 1965, the Shelby GT350 has been powered by a variety of available V-8 Ford engines over the years,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American vice president of operations and senior designer. “The 810-horsepower V-8 we use in 2026, along with the enhanced suspension, aerodynamic styling and other improvements make the car awesome to drive on a road trip, daily commute or the track.”
New for 2026 is the “Orange Fury” exterior color and return of the convertible option.
Fewer Than 1,000 2026 Shelby GT350 Street Cars Will Be Built
“My grandfather built a quartet of Shelby GT350 convertibles for 1966, each a different color,” said Aaron Shelby, board member of Carroll Shelby International. “Those cars became the stuff of legend. Craig Jackson, Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO, who owns one of the four, generously lent us his red 1966 Shelby GT350 convertible for the model’s public reintroduction. Only a small number of the 2026 convertibles will be built, making them extremely rare.”
Fewer than 1,000 Shelby GT350 street cars will be built for the 2026 model year, the company said. Production of street cars will begin in the second quarter of the year to be sold in the U.S. through Shelby-selected Ford dealers. A limited number of street cars will be built by Shelby mod shops and distributors internationally, ranging from Europe to the Asia Pacific region.
Each vehicle from Shelby American is documented in the official Shelby Registry. The Shelby GT350 comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty; the powertrain warranty from Ford remains intact. Individuals interested in a Shelby vehicle can visit their local dealer or go to shelby.com.
2026 Shelby GT350 Specifications
Performance:
- Optional 810-horsepower supercharger system
- Caster camber plates
- Shelby by Borla cat-back exhaust and tips
- Front and rear lowering springs
- Front and rear sway bars
- Short throw shifter (manual only)
- 20 x 9.5-inch (front) 20 x 11-inch (rear) flow forged alloy wheels
- Shelby spec performance tires
Interior:
- All-leather seat recovers
- SHELBY shifter ball (manual only)
- Embroidered floor mats
- Shelby door sill plates
- Serialized dash plaque
- Serialized engine plaque
- Engine cap set
- Puddle lamps (if equipped)
Exterior:
- Aluminum deep-draw hood with center hood vent
- Upper grille and lower grille with brake ducts
- Outboard grilles
- 3-piece lower front spiller
- Rear ducktail spoiler
- SHELBY badging
- GT350 Le Mans style striping
- Deep-tinted windows (per state regulations)
Optional Features
- Carbon fiber rear pedestal wing
- Convertible with light bar
Muscle car restoration company Trick Rides recently announced a reimagined GT350, the Shelby GT350TR, that blends classic Shelby heritage with modern engineering to create a track-focused performance car.