What the heck is a Terlingua?
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This Texas tongue-twister-of-a-word stands for many things.
Terlingua is a smallish town lost somewhere in the vastness of West Texas. It was the name of one of Carroll Shelby’s racing teams (see archival photo of racing writer Jerry Titus at Riverside, 1968), which competed in the Trans-Am series in the late 1960s. But most of all, in the automotive sense, Terlingua is a state of mind that equates to fun, fast cars, a paint color known as Gawdawful Yellow (pronounced “yellah”), a world-famous chili cook-off, and a little old-fashioned hell raisin’. One of Carroll Shelby’s longtime stablemates, racer and gifted painter/graphic artist Bill Neale created the fire-breathing rabbit logo that identifies the Terlingua Racing Team. Shelby himself holds the not-so-official title of social director. In addition to all this, Terlingua has a new meaning, now signifying an upcoming roster of V-6-powered, S-197-platformed Shelby Mustangs.
Why a V-6 Shelby? Simple: “We want to make the Shelby brand accessible to a wider variety of enthusiasts,” says Amy Boylan, president and CEO of Shelby Automobiles. “Younger buyers, first-time Shelby intenders, anyone on a budget that can’t afford our V-8-powered models.”
The preliminary specs are outlined below, but in concept, it’s the Shelby GT treatment applied to a Mustang V-6. There are two versions, naturally aspirated and supercharged. I drove prototype examples of both during a recent visit to Shelby’s HQ and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The nat-asp Terlingua is SO much more fun than the droning, rental-spec V-6er. The exhaust has a nice rasp to it, acceleration is sharper than stock, and the Ford Racing handling package, lowered ride height, and 18-in. rolling stock do wonders for the handling.
The supercharged version really scoots and will leave a stock Mustang GT for dead. Somehow, the blower smoothes out the engine even at high revs; I was pleasantly surprised at its sophisticated feel. Running 20-in. rolling stock, the handling is sharper yet, although it comes with some ride penalty. The biggest improvement? Those six-piston Shelby/Baer brakes. Fade? Fuhgetaboutit. As noted, both of these cars are development pieces, so final calibration is ongoing.
Let’s talk bucks. The base model seems a reasonable value; it’ll be the least expensive new Shelby Mustang you can buy. In my opinion, the supercharged version will face a challenge. At 19 grand above a base V-6, you’re well into Shelby GT territory, and it’s not a huge stretch at that point to go for a supercharged Shelby GT that cranks out 450-plus hp. And there are many Mustang aftermarket component alternatives that will deliver more performance for less bread. Somebody will have to really want the blown Terlingua, if for no other reason than to have something different.
The most financially advantageous scenario may be the semi-secret one: Besides simply selling you a new one, Shelby will perform either Terlingua conversion on an existing (translation: used) V-6 Mustang, including the proverbial ID plate with a Shelby serial number. 2005-06 Mustang V-6s are pretty reasonable in the used-car marketplace nowadays, and most are ready for new tires and shocks -- all stuff that gets changed in the conversion. Find a clean three-year-old V-6 five-speed coupe, pop for the conversion, and you’ve got a serial-numbered Shelby Mustang for the cost of a used Camry.
What do you think about the notion of an entry-level Shelby Mustang? Is this a car that interests you, or would you instead shop for affordable performance at the Honda or Mitsubishi store? Shelby Automobiles begins Terlingua production soon, and we’ll report back after we’ve had the chance to attach our timing gear to customer-spec examples. In the mean time, please pass the chili.
Preliminary Shelby Terlingua Mustang specifications, per Shelby Automobiles (www.shelbyautos.com)
Base Level (222HP):
EXTERIOR:
• Matte black Shelby fiberglass deep-draw hood (“Gawdawful” yellow available for black cars)
• Terlingua 1860 hood pin kit
• Terlingua stripe kit -- flat black (“Gawdawful” yellow available for black cars)
• Mustang GT rear fascia
• Rear decklid cover
• Terlingua shield emblem on rear decklid
INTERIOR:
• Terlingua Racing door sill plates
• Shelby floormat emblems
• Terlingua rabbit billet shift knob
• Terlingua Racing dash plaque
• Engine plaque
• Terlingua key chain
PERFORMANCE:
• Ford Racing V-6 power pack
• Dual Shelby GT-style exhaust
• CAI with performance tune on the ECU
• Hurst short throw shifter
• Ford Racing performance handling pack
• Bullitt-style strut-tower brace
• 18-in. Ford Bullitt-style wheels
• 235/50/18 Tires
OPTIONAL:
• Ford V-6-style rear spoiler (in case base car comes without)
• Ford Pony grille w/foglights
• Terlingua Racing sticker kit
MSRP for Base level package: $8995.00
Performance Level (310-350HP):
EXTERIOR:
• Matte black Shelby fiber-glass deep-draw hood (“Gawdawful” yellow available for black cars)
• Shelby front fascia
• Shelby black mesh grille w/billet Terlingua rabbit emblem
• Terlingua 1860 hood pin kit
• Terlingua stripe kit – flat black (“Gawdawful” yellow available for black cars)
• Shelby GT rear fascia w/exhaust hole cover inserts
• Rear decklid cover
• Terlingua shield emblem on rear decklid
• Side scoops
• Black quarter window covers with aluminum rivets
• Sequential taillights
• Hub cap centers
• Running board heat shields
• Racing fuel door cover w/Terlingua Racing shield
INTERIOR:
• Terlingua Racing door sill plates
• Shelby floormat emblems
• Terlingua rabbit billet shift knob
• Terlingua Racing dash plaque
• Engine plaque
• Terlingua key chain
• Interior quarter window block off plate
• Ford GT-style racing start button
• Shelby gauge pod w/boost gauge
• Terlingua engine cap kit
• Terlingua racing pedal cover kit
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