Classic Recreations is known for its incredible and faithful, high-performance replicas of vintage Ford Mustangs; the company partners with Shelby to build officially-licensed continuation cars and restorations. In the summer of 2020, we learned Classic Recreations started working with SpeedKore Performance Group to build an outlandish Shelby GT500 with a carbon-fiber body. The upgrade is available on the GT500CR in a limited run, but while previously we'd only seen renders from Classic Recreations, now we get to see the carbon fiber GT500CR in all its glory, complete with 810 horsepower under its exact-match exposed carbon fiber body panels.

The carbon fiber panels are created in collaboration with SpeedKore, known for its own crazy carbon-fiber builds. Blue light scans of the original pieces are used to create an exact match for each body part, then the new panels are autoclave-cured to create a blemish-free exposed carbon weave. The new panels are gorgeous to look at, but also weigh around 600 lbs less than the original parts. With less weight and a 5.2-liter Ford Aluminator Gen 3 Coyote engine with a 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger attached providing 810 hp and an accompanying 600 lb-ft of torque, Classic Recreation claims the Shelby GT500CR has the same power-to-weight ratio as most modern exotic cars. Aiding slick performance s a 10-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.

It should perform as well as high-end exotics, too. It rides on adjustable Detroit Speed suspension and JRI Coilover shocks, has quadralink rear suspension, and stops using Wilwood brakes. The BFGoodrich Rival rubber meets the road wrapped around three-piece Forgeline wheels.

Inside, the GT500R is draped with Alcantara and houses ProCar leather seats, Shelby 200 MPH custom red gauges, and a Kicker audio system paired with a Kenwood media center and navigation system. Outside, it's painted with Glasurit (BASF) and Candy Red stripes before a fine clear coat is applied. You can either choose to keep the exposed carbon weave or pick from a selection of paint options.

Following the limited production run of carbon fiber GT500CRs, the company has paired with Shelby to produce a similar "Carbon Edition", which includes unique badging, designated Shelby serial numbers, and a special Shelby American delivery experience in Las Vegas. Proceeds from this special edition also go to a good cause, with a "generous donation" made to the Carroll Shelby Foundation for each one sold.

"Shortly after my grandfather beat Enzo on the track at Le Mans, Carroll and Ford engineered the all-new 1967 Shelby GT500 as a 'Ferrari killer' for the street," said Aaron Shelby, co-president of the foundation and board member of Carroll Shelby International. "Fifty-five years later, this car has new life with the capabilities to take on Europe's biggest names once again. I'm proud of Classic Recreations' efforts to keep Carroll's dream alive.

But what's the cost of it all? Well, the standard GT500CR with a complete carbon fiber body starts at $265,000, with several options available for both the styling and the drivetrain. The limited-release Carbon Edition begins at $298,000 and can be customized from there. The carbon-fiber upgrade is then available for officially-licensed Shelby GT500CR 900C, 900S, and 545 model owners to have installed on their cars.