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Watch Top Gear’s Classic Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Review: Video

In its heyday, the extremely popular automotive TV show Top Gear has put its fair share of Ford vehicles on blast. We’ve been revisiting some of the show’s more popular reviews, including one that featured the 2005 Ford Mustang, the sleek and sporty Ford GT, and a wild and unconventional review of the Ford Fiesta. On March 7th, 2007, the Top Gear crew got their hands on the 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, celebrating the return of the iconic performance nameplate in a way only Richard Hammond can.

Screenshot of Top Gear's review, showing the 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 on a dyno behind Richard Hammond.

Hammond first points out the history of the Mustang Shelby GT500 nameplate, highlighting the first-gen model as a way to preface the 2007 model. “I’m using it to make a Mustang point,” he says. “Everything that made it good – the engine, the lights, the stripes – was extra.”

The 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 revitalized the nameplate with numerous upgrades over the “regular” Mustang, including exterior accents, graphics, and coiled Cobra badges. It’s got a bite to back up its bark, though. It’s a blast to drive, responsive and quick. Hammond takes it for a gallop on track, letting it all hang out as he gets the tires squealing, pouring off white smoke as he throws it around the turns. They even stick it on a dyno for good measure, clocking the muscle machine at 447 horsepower (and cheekily writing “almost” on its side next to the GT500 badge).

Naturally, they put the mysterious Stig behind the wheel, whipping it around the Top Gear test track. It’s not quite streamlined, especially around turns, looking like a “frisky hippo” as Hammond puts it. It clocks in at a minute and 30 seconds, which is speedy, but leaves something to be desired, particularly in the suspension department. To underscore their point, the Top Gear crew tests a Roush Mustang, which has an upgraded suspension and limited slip differential, and found that the Roush variant doesn’t wobble like the Shelby. But even if it doesn’t quite measure up to its badge, the 200 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is a welcome addition to the stable.

Top Gear wasn’t the only to test out the 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 when it was brand new. Motorweek also has a classic review of the performance car on its channel, too.

Alexandra is a Colorado-based journalist with a passion for all things involving horsepower, be it automotive or equestrian.

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  1. The early S-197 GT500s were good muscle car fun, I remember when I picked up my brand new 09 GT500 after trading in my 2007 GT that I had put an FRPP FR3 suspension kit on. I pulled out of the dealership and immediately noticed the difference in Cg on the car and thought to myself “I’m going wherever this big lump of an engine wants to go instead of where I tell the car to go”. Still after a tune and even a switch to a 2.9 Whipple, the car’s acceleration was intoxicating. Especially that pull from around 60-160mph. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss that even though I’m driving an S550 GT350 now which is an incredibly rewarding Mustang to drive.

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