Shelby re-introduces GT350 convertible for 2026

A year after Shelby American re-introduced the GT350 to their range, they’re adding a convertible version for 2026. As with the GT350’s return in 2025 (after four years away) that coincided with the original version’s 60th Anniversary, the revival of the convertible comes 60 years after Carroll Shelby produced a small number of GT350 convertibles in 1966.

“The 1965 Shelby GT350 was so popular that Carroll Shelby decided to build more for 1966, including a handful of convertibles and even a supercharged version,” explained Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “Those cars became performance icons that are among the most coveted vehicles in the world.

“Sixty years later, the snake strikes again with both supercharged and convertible options available for the Shelby GT350.”

Making its public debut at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January, the GT350 convertible is based on the MY26 Mustang GT convertible and will go into limited production in Q2, 2026. Approximately 1,000 GT350s will be built this year - by Shelby American and their overseas partners that include Mustang Motorsport here in Australia – but Shelby says only a handful of these will be convertibles.

Power Plus

While a Mustang convertible is available in Australia with the 5.0-litre V8 (the EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder convertible was dropped after 2023), it produces “only” 462hp (345kW) and is only available with an automatic transmission.

On the new Shelby GT350 convertible, a six-speed manual or ten-speed automatic will be available, with a Whipple supercharger and Borla cat-back exhaust added to the 5.0 V8 to produce up to 810hp (604hp). That’s a 75 per cent increase in power compared to standard, and also significantly more than the locally-delivered Mustang GT and Dark Horse fastbacks, which peak at 462hp (345kW) and 468hp (349kW), respectively, using the same engine in naturally aspirated form.  

Beyond the supercharger and exhaust, other Shelby additions that define the GT350 against a regular Mustang GT convertible include lowered springs, front and rear sway bars, flow forged alloy wheels (20x9.5-inch front, 20x11-inch rear) and performance tyres. For GT350s with the manual transmission, a short-throw shifter is fitted, too.

Exterior Mods

Exterior features on the MY26 Shelby GT350 start with the lightweight aluminum ‘deep draw’ bonnet that includes a central vent. Shelby-specific inserts are fitted to the upper and lower grilles, as well as the brake ducts in the front bumper.

A three-piece splitter is added below the front bumper, with a ducktail spoiler fitted at the rear.

The rest of the exterior additions are cosmetic, like the Shelby badging on the front guards and tail, ‘GT350’ identification on the lower flanks, and signature Shelby GT stripes that run the length of the body.

The ‘Orange Fury’ paint seen in the images shown here is new colour for 2026, joining Molten Magenta from 2025 as another bold option. Familiar colours, like Shadow Black, Race Red, Oxford White and Grabber Blue, will also be available for MY26 Mustang convertibles.

Interior Mods

Inside, both the front and rear seats are re-trimmed in leather with Shelby identification embroidered into the uprights of the front seats. Model-specific sill plates are also added, along with embroidered floor mats. On manual transmission convertibles, a Shelby shifter knob is fitted.

A serialised plaque is added to both the dash and the engine bay, with an engine dress-up set (oil filler cap, radiator cap, brake fluid cap, washer fluid cap and dipstick handle) fitted under the bonnet.

If the donor convertible is fitted with puddle lamps, these are upgraded to project a Shelby-specific image.

Options are limited to a light bar for the protective roll hoop behind the front seats. A ‘pedestal’ rear wing is only available for the GT350 fastback.

Local Availability and Fitting

Australian customers interested in transforming their 2026 Mustang GT convertible into a Shelby GT350 should contact Mustang Motorsport. Australia’s only authorised Shelby Mod Shop, Mustang Motorsport supply and fit all the aforementioned performance and cosmetic parts, with the finished product officially recognised in the Shelby Registry. As a second-stage manufacturer, all of Mustang Motorsport’s work is road legal in Australia, too.

Some GT350 fastbacks are already in the process of being built by Mustang Motorsport, with GT350 packages for new Mustang convertibles to be available in the coming months.

In addition to the GT350, Mustang Motorsport also offer Super Snake and Super Snake R packages. The Super Snake package is available Mustang fastbacks and convertibles, with the Super Snake R limited to Dark Horse fastbacks. For more details, go to: mustangmotorsport.com.au