It is amazing and amusing how worked up people are getting for a car that only exists as a show car and is over a year away from production. SVT has only the one car and it is getting shipped to every Ford enthusiast event possible. Last week it was in Tulsa and this weekend it will probably be at Watkins Glen. SVT is spending it's time building ~ 10 test mules right now. Nothing is finalized according to people at SVT. If you think the 7000 unit picture is low, look at the actual production numbers for the SVT Cobra from years past. SVT averaged about 6500 Cobras a year and after the initial hoopla and added dealer mark up, built as many as were ordered. One SVT person said they will build the all the GT500s they can sell. The do build cars to make a living. As for the people who wonder if SVT is going away, they currently employ more people now than ever. The SVT engineers that come to the SVTOA Performance Driving Schools are very informative and answer most of the questions posed, except when they are not allowed to disclose certain details. For example, the main reason for the leather interior trim pieces on the 07 GT500 came from asking potential customers who did not purchase previous model Cobras. The people surveyed told SVT they thought the interior looked cheap and that factored into their decision not to buy. SVT listened and is looking to make the interior look more upscale. As for the overall car they say that it will be the best Mustang to date, regardless of the final details. A number of posts, not necessarily on this board, complain about the lack of IRS. SVT has to manage its budget and sell the car for a profit for Ford. So they need to weigh the added cost of IRS to a pretty nice handling car with 3-Link stick axle or do they spend the money on something more people will notice or enjoy like nicer seats or a better shifter. I saw the GT500 at Sebring and it is a nice looking car. It was not out on the track due to calibration issues with the engine management system. However, SVT usually brings a Ford GT to the SVTOA events and people can purchase charity rides at speed. One of my students at Summit Point won an auction for a full 20 minute session with one of the SVT engineers. I rode for a session in one of the test mules last year at Summit Point with a friend and it is definitely an “E” ticket ride. If anyone is interested, the next event which should have both cars in attendance is the event at Texas World Speedway later this month. Mitchell __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
