Ford confirms Detroit debut for Shelby GT500 with vintage display at L.A. show

Ford doesn’t have much in it’s booth at this week’s L.A. auto show, but that doesn’t mean the Blue Oval can’t get fans hyped for the upcoming 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500. And what better way to do it than with a gorgeous red 1967 Shelby GT500 for people to gawk at?

As part of Ford’s show stand, the classic Shelby Mustang looms above in a container, with placards below showing the snake-adorned muscle car through the generations. The display also features a debut date—January 14, 2019—which is the first press day of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

If that’s not explicit enough for you, Ford also published a teaser picture on Facebook of the GT500’s supercharged V-8 bearing the same date. At the bottom in fine print, Ford also mentions that it’ll be a 2020 model hitting showrooms in fall of 2019.

We don’t know much about the 2020 Shelby GT500, except that it will almost certainly feature an independent rear suspension in concert with rest of the current Mustang lineup. That alone should elevate its handling, creating a more well-rounded sports car than the outgoing GT500, which was designed more for blunt force power than corner-carving precision. Other rumors indicate the engine will be a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 based on the one used in the GT350, albeit without the exotic flat-plane crank. Output is expected to be north of 700 hp.

As for styling, photos of what sure looked like a new GT500 was leaked from a dealer meeting in mid-October. The gaping front grille matches earlier Ford teasers, and it appears the GT500 will get unique front foglight housing, stripe package, and rear spoiler. It’ll be easily recognizable next to the GT350, which will maintain its current look, unlike the recently refreshed Mustang GT.

Stay tuned for more information on the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 as we get it.