Ford Unveils 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible at Chicago Show
The 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible, revealed at the Chicago Auto Show, marks two decades of Ford's SVT division with 650hp and track-focused upgrades.
Ford pulled the covers off the 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible at the Chicago Auto Show, celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Special Vehicle Team (SVT). The convertible joins the coupe in offering a supercharged 5.8-litre V8 producing 650hp, making it one of the most powerful open-top production Mustangs ever built.
The GT500 Convertible’s debut comes two decades after SVT’s first public appearance at the same show, where the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra and F-150 Lightning were launched. Ford positions the new convertible as a tribute to that history, but with modern performance credentials that far exceed its predecessors.
Performance upgrades and technical features
Power comes from the same 5.8-litre supercharged V8 found in the GT500 coupe, delivering 650hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. This output enables the convertible to reach a limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h). Ford claims the new model is 3.5 seconds faster per lap at Sebring International Raceway than the outgoing GT500 Convertible, underlining the improvements made in handling and cooling.
- Performance Package: Bilstein electronically adjustable dampers, driver-selectable sport mode
- Track Package: rear differential cooler, transmission cooler, external engine-oil cooler
Both the Performance Package and Track Package are available for the convertible, mirroring the coupe’s options. The Performance Package adds Bilstein adjustable dampers, allowing drivers to switch between normal and sport settings. The Track Package introduces additional cooling for the differential, transmission and engine oil, aimed at customers who plan to use the car on circuit.
Marking 20 years of SVT
SVT, Ford’s Special Vehicle Team, made its debut at the 1992 Chicago Auto Show with the 1993 Mustang Cobra and F-150 Lightning. The 2013 GT500 Convertible is intended as a celebration of that milestone, and Ford has emphasised that the convertible’s chassis and powertrain changes were designed to make it as capable on track as the coupe, while retaining everyday usability.
Ford’s approach with the GT500 Convertible reflects a growing trend among muscle car makers to offer full performance capability in both coupe and convertible forms. For buyers, this means the open-top GT500 is no longer a compromise in handling or speed compared to the hardtop. The addition of the Track Package, in particular, targets enthusiasts seeking to use the car beyond the road.
The GT500 Convertible’s unveiling at Chicago positions it alongside other high-performance convertibles launched in the same period, such as the updated Chevrolet Camaro Convertible facelift, which also made an appearance at a major 2013 motor show. For Ford, the GT500 Convertible stands as both a nod to SVT’s past and a demonstration of its current technical capabilities.
