Visionary? Or simply a crazy man? Or just maybe the appropriate combination of both? One thing is definite though, Dustin Rose has undertaken a build with his 2013 Shelby GT500 that is most certainly turning heads.
The Shelby had been a dream car for Rose from a very young age, and now that he owns one, what better to do with it than convert the beauty into a X275 rocket? “I am simply just a gearhead at heart and love what I do. I believe I am the only one on the planet that is willing to and has taken a 2013 Shelby to this point,” says Rose.
Rose, who is an active duty Army Staff Sargeant, purchased his Shelby in the summer of 2012. “After numerous trips to the drag strip I ran a personal best of 10.21 at 140 mph with it. I was not satisfied and have since decided to build this car into a street legal rocket. The purpose of my build is to maintain as much street-ability as possible while still being able to go to the track and run above average numbers,” explains Rose.
What does Rose consider above average numbers, you ask?
“The goal for our build is to run X275 radial class and be somewhere in the 4.90 range in the 1/8 mile and 7.50’s in the 1/4. The car will drive to the track on a street legal setup and with a wheel and tire change, go sevens at over 175 mph.”
Call him crazy or call him a genius, there’s no turning back now as the build has already started. Rose says, “MMR (Modular Mustang Racing) is currently building the long block while London Chassis Dyno of London, Kentucky is handling the suspension, chassis, electronics, transmission and so forth.” Rose explains that the car will not be haphazardly thrown back together, but rather is being well-designed in a way that the final product will appear as close to factory as possible.
Rose states, “ We are changing induction system from the standard TVS setup to a variation of a Precision 88mm pro mod turbo with all the supporting mods.” The transmission will change over to a Powerglide and the Shelby will also undergo surgery to receive a 25.5 cage.
The goal for the finished 2013 Shelby GT500 is aimed for September, and is tentatively scheduled to make its’ debut in October at the NMRA World Finals held in Bowling Green, Kentucky.