On April 17, 1964, the first Shelby Mustang was unveiled at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York. At that time, few could have imagined how formidable this iconic line of performance cars would become. By the late 1960s, the Shelby GT500 would become one of the most potent straight-line performers available, while the GT350 checked all the boxes in terms of on-track potential. However, for all intents and purposes, the best was yet to come.
After a lengthy hiatus, the Shelby Mustang was brought out of retirement during the earliest years of the new millennium. Shelby American began modifying otherwise stock GT-series Mustangs, in a bid to produce some of the most tenacious pony cars to date. It was during this period that the Shelby Mustang reached a new plateau of performance.
This is a point perhaps best illustrated by the 2013 release of the Shelby 1000 S/C, a Mustang that truly pushed the bounds of street legality. With 1,200 horsepower packed beneath the hood, the Shelby 1000 S/C was a technical marvel of the most epic proportions.
An Engineering Marvel
In 2012, Shelby American pulled off a feat like none other, by churning out the frighteningly powerful Shelby 1000. This Mustang produced 950 horsepower in its street-legal form, and up to 1,100 horsepower in its track-ready S/C format. However, by 2013, Shelby American was once again ready to up the ante, with the release of the re-engineered Shelby 1000 S/C.
The 2013 Shelby 1000 S/C was powered by a 5.8-liter V8 powerplant, which featured a host of Shelby modifications. This engine’s block housed all-forged internals and was topped with a pair of DOHC cylinder heads, which included titanium valve springs. Attached to these heads, was a set of Shelby/Borla 3-inch pipes.
The true secret behind the Shelby 1000 S/C’s remarkable power production, lied in its use of a 3.6 liter Kenne Bell supercharger. This supercharger received its supply of intake air through a sizable 4.5-inch inlet tract and throttle body, which was capable of flowing 1,850 cfm.
To make the best possible use of the copious amount of air supplied by its free-flowing induction system, the 2013 Shelby 1000 S/C’s 5.8 liter V8 featured an upgraded fuel system. On the delivery end, this system utilized 72 lb-hr fuel injectors, in order to maximize combustion efficiency in high-load scenarios.
The 2013 Shelby 1000 S/C’s powerplant directed its output rearward through a 6-speed manual transmission, complete with a Shelby Super Twin Clutch and Flywheel assembly. On its output side, this transmission was fitted to a custom aluminum driveshaft.
To handle this drastic increase in performance, the Shelby 1000 S/C’s chassis was strengthened at a number of strategic points. This process most notably included the introduction of driveshaft tunnel braces and billet-aluminum supports.
A significant amount of refinement also took place in regards to the 1000 S/C’s steering and suspension system. This high-output Shelby creation featured a Shelby American suspension package, as well as custom caster/camber plates, as well as a billet aluminum Watts link.
Stopping duties were handled by a set of Wilwood brakes, which included 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rear calipers, along with drilled and slotted rotors. This all was mounted within a set of Billet Forged three-piece wheels, fitted with premium high-performance tires.
Not For The Faint Of Heart
For the avid thrill-seeker, few street-legal vehicles can check all of the boxes in quite the same manner as the 2013 Shelby 1000 S/C. With over 1000 horsepower waiting in the wings, most other performance cars of the era simply pale in comparison. Most importantly, the 1000 S/C stood as a true testament to Shelby American’s unsurpassed engineering expertise, and relentless dedication toward outright performance superiority.
2013 Shelby 1000 S/C Specifications
| Engine | 5.8L V8 |
| Horsepower | 1200 horsepower |
| Torque | 750 lb-ft torque |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.4 sec |
| Quarter Mile Time | 10 sec |
| Weight | 3,858 lbs |
| Base Price | $154,995 plus base GT500 price |
| Production Numbers | 100 |
Available Exterior Colors
The 2013 Shelby 1000 S/C was available in Black, Grabber Blue, Ingot Silver, Deep Impact Blue Metallic, Red Candy, Performance White, Race Red, and Sterling Gray Metallic.
Available Interior Colors
The 2013 Shelby 1000 S/C interior was available in black with a choice of black, blue, red, and white accents.
2013 Shelby 1000 S/C Mustang Video
We found a great video of the 2013 Shelby 1000 S/C.
