A race car for the street?

This radical roadster comes as close to driving a race car on the street as you can get. Its mission statement is simple and direct: high speed and superb handling. "We've designed the Shelby Series 1 to be as light as possible by using the best of 90's technology," said Carroll Shelby. "As on all of our cars, the performance will be sensational."

Powered by a specially-modified Oldsmobile Aurora V-8 in a rear wheel drive setup, the Shelby Series 1 bristles with breakthrough technology. Its carbon fiber composites and super-light components are designed to keep the target weight at a low 2650 pounds, with the body shell alone tipping the scales at less than 100 pounds. To optimize handling, the semi-monocoque chassis has a computer-designed, fully independent suspension with an innovative rocker-arm configuration and inboard-mounted coil-over shock absorbers.

The body shape not only draws some inspiration from the Shelby Cobra, but also benefits from the state-of-the-art aerodynamics that induce downforce and dissipate heat. In all, every aspect of the Shelby Series 1 has been directed toward a single overriding priority--superior performance. Computer analysis predicts performance figures of 0-60 mph in under 4.5 seconds, and a calculated top speed of over 170 mph.

The Shelby Series 1 will be marketed through individual agreements with a select group of Oldsmobile dealers, with a limited production of less than 500 cars. Included with every vehicle is a personalized customer delivery program at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the site of Shelby American's new world headquarters. The show cars are painted Centennial Silver, a new PPG color specially created for Oldsmobile's 100th anniversary.

Vehicle type: Front Engine, Rear Drive, 2 door, 2 passenger
Manufacturer: Shelby American
Base Price:   $106,975 U.S. Dollars

Dimensions/Capacities
Wheelbase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 in /2413 mm
Length  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 in / 4369 mm
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 in / 930 mm
Height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 in /1219 mm
Curb Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2650 lbs / 1045 kgs
Weight distibution F/R %  . . . . . . 50/50

Powertrain
32-Valve 4.0 liter DOHC 32 valve V8
Bore  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.425 in / 87mm
Stroke  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.307 in / 84mm
Horsepower  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 @ 6500 RPM
Torque  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 @ 5000 RPM
Transmission  . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-Speed Manual
Final Drive Ratio . . . . . . . . . . 4.22:1

Brakes
Front/Rear  . . . . . . . . . . . . . vented disc/vented disc

Tires
Front/Rear  . . . . . . . . . . . . . P265/40ZR18 / P315/40ZR18

Performance
0-30 (mph)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 sec
0-60 (mph)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4 sec
0-100 (mph) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.0 sec
1/4 Mile Elapsed Time . . . . . . . . 12.8 sec @ 109 mph
Top Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 mph (275 kph)
Skidpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.94 G
600 ft. slalom  . . . . . . . . . . . 67.0 mph
Mileage City/Hwy. . . . . . . . . . . 16/27 mpg