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One of the Rarest Mustangs of All Time Just Got an Unexpected Reboot

The convertible Shelby GT350 returns for its second time since the OG ’65-’70 model.

Orange convertible sports car with GT350 decal and gray alloy wheels in a dimly lit garage.Shelby American
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By Chris Chin

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Pony car fans rejoice, the Shelby Ford Mustang GT350 convertible is back. The iconic tuning firm just revealed its successor to one of the rarest and most collectible Mustangs in history. And it’s shaping up to be as badass as you’d expect.

Shelby American pulled the wraps off the convertible as a follow-up to the hardtop GT350 fastback, which debuted almost exactly a year ago. Now, the return of both harks back to the time when Carroll Shelby offered it in multiple bodystyles in 1965.

Orange convertible sports car with silver racing stripes and red brake calipers in a dimly lit garage.
The new 2026 Shelby Ford Mustang GT350 Convertible is the first of its kind since the last iteration in 2012 through 2015.
Shelby American

More so, this is the second GT350 convertible to ever come from Shelby since the original model ended in 1970. The first time was back in 2012 with the fifth-generation Mustang.

The most powerful Shelby GT350 in history

Orange Ford Mustang GT350 convertible with black interior parked indoors against a dark industrial backdrop.
The GT350 Convertible harks back to the original in 1965, which became so popular that high demand forced Carroll Shelby to commission more production models.
Shelby American

Similar to the hardtop fastback, the Shelby GT350 sports Ford’s latest iteration of its venerable 5.0-liter Coyote V8. But this time around, the GT350 comes with an upgradable engine option.

Orange sports car with black racing stripes and LED headlights in a dimly lit garage.
Bespoke body upgrades, such as the more aggressive bumper and the hood scoop intake, separate the Shelby from plain-Jane Mustangs.
Shelby American

It’s the first GT350 to feature two engine choices since the 2012 model. When the sixth-generation Mustang arrived in 2015, the GT350 only came with a bespoke 5.2-liter variant of the Coyote V8.

Unlike the 5.0 Coyote, the 5.2-liter came with a flat-plane crankshaft and was called the Voodoo.

Close-up of a black Shelby Performance supercharger installed in a red car engine bay.
For the first time since the ’12-’15 models, the GT350 comes with two engine options.
Shelby American

For the 2026 car, buyers can opt for the same 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 as the regular Mustang GT. That means the same stock 480 horsepower and 418 pound-feet of torque.

Close-up of the front grille of an orange Shelby car with black honeycomb mesh and silver racing stripes.
The GT350 with the upgraded supercharged V8 is the most powerful Shelby Mustang of all time.
Shelby American

But should that not nearly be enough, Shelby offers a supercharged version. Thanks to a massive 3.0-liter Whipple blower, upgraded Borla breathers on both the induction and exhaust sides, and other upgrades, output nearly doubles to 810.

That makes the upgraded GT350 the most powerful iteration in its entire history. In addition to the two engine choices, buyers can also select either an automatic or manual rower.

Black leather interior of an orange Shelby convertible with a Mustang logo on the steering wheel.
Buyers can opt for a six-speed manual or an automatic.
Shelby American

Other Shelby tweaks include track-tuned suspension, an upgraded exterior body kit with matching interior trimmings and larger wheels with more aggressive rubber. There’s also a new bespoke Orange Fury exterior, specifically for the convertible.

As rare as the original

Close-up of a black Shelby alloy wheel with red Brembo brake caliper on an orange GT350 car.
Larger double-five-spoke wheels help distinguish the GT350 from regular ‘Stangs.
Shelby American

Because it’s a Shelby Mustang, the GT350, like previous iterations, is limited in production. Which of course means it isn’t cheap, and it’ll likely be an instant collectible.

According to Shelby’s press release, only 1,000 GT350s in total will be built for the 2026 model-year. And that includes both the hardtop fastback and the convertible variants.

Black leather car seats with "SHELBY" embroidered on the headrests inside a vehicle with a roll bar.
The latest GT350 is a Mustang that the late Carroll Shelby would be proud to put his name on.
Shelby American

How much are we talking? About $127,844 for the supercharged convertible, while the fastback coupe starts at $121,385.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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