“As American as apple pie.” What comes to mind when you hear this expression? An iconic song? A film? A product made in the good ol’ US of A? This month, Oloi and NewYorKars feature a car that encompasses all those and more. The Ford Mustang transcends its automotive roots and has a place in our culture. It was the first “pony car” and has a permanent spot among the top contenders for the most iconic American nameplates.

Ford’s partnership with a young Carroll Shelby produced the original Shelby Mustang GT350 in 1965. The legendary automotive racer and builder was also responsible for the Shelby Cobra, which is among the most coveted (and pricey) vehicles in the world today. Following Shelby’s passing, his company carries on his work.

Our next featured ride is Philip Taylor-Weber’s 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350. The GT350 and the more track-focused GT350 R variant are part of the Mustang’s sixth generation and just finished their five-year production run this year.

The Shelby GT350 packs a 5.2-liter V-8 that sends 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. A June 2015 press release from Ford described the unit as “the most powerful naturally aspirated road-going engine in its [Ford’s] history.”

With a six-speed manual transmission and a healthy 3,760-pound curb weight, the GT350 can hit 60 miles per hour in less than 4.5 seconds and go on to 190 mph.

The 2016 Shelby GT350 came standard with Recaro seats, 19-inch wheels, Brembo disc brakes, launch control, a Shelby instrument panel, and a plaque displaying the car’s chassis number. You got all this the for a starting price of  $49,995.

Phillip purchased his Mustang Shelby in March 2020 with 18,000 miles on the clock and has added 5,000 more. His car was equipped with the factory track pack, which includes the MagneRide damping system and other performance enhancements.

“When I was looking into getting the GT350, the only color I wanted was Deep Impact Blue,” Phillip told us. “The only year that they offered that color was 2016. So I was always set on a ‘16 in Deep Impact Blue.”

Phillip has taken his car to the track, where “there was no overheating or any other problems,” he said. “I got this car because of how special it is. First, it’s a manual, which is rare nowadays. And second, it’s a V-8 that revs to 8,000 RPM!”

Phillip swapped out the tires for sticker Michelin Cup 2s and changed the steering wheel, among other minor modifications. He plans to change the wheels and get some more track time in. In the meantime, he is having a blast with his Ford GT350.

Check out more details on this rip-roaring pony at Oloi:

Phillip Taylor-Weber’s 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

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