Florida GT500 Premier

Since it's debut in the fall of 2004, Mustang fanatics have beenanxiously waiting for that little cobra emblem on the fenders of theS197.

Since the first concept cars were shown to the public, the Mustang worldhas been in a frenzy over the new GT500. Sporting an iron-block 5.4LDOHC blown engine and special Shelby inspired/designed components,enthusiasts have been waiting for this car like hormone crazed teenagerswaiting for prom night.

Associate Editor Johnson and I got a chance to drive this venom lacedpony, and it left us wanting more. From Johnson laying an 80-ft.signature on the Legends Field parking lot, to myself hitting tripledigits for speed on the streets of Tampa, the whole experience left ussalivating. With the chance Editor Supremo Steve Turner might be buyingone, we can't wait to get some more experience with the GT500, and seejust how much it's capable of. Check out the photos below!

For more on the GT500, check out our previous test drive story, 2007 Shelby GT 500 - Test Drive

Associate Editor Johnson taking some pics of the GT500 and wondering ifhe could bling it out with some 22s and a booming stereo	The heart of the beast, the iron-block, supercharged 5.4L DOHC engine.Driving the car, we could tell it had a fairly soft tune in thecomputer. Launching from a dead stop the car was a bit lethargic anddidn't seem to come to life until it hit almost 3,000 RPM., and wecouldn't hear the blower until almost 4,000. Johnson and I were bothwondering what the car would be like with an aggressive computer tune.	We'd like to thank Doug Campbell and Bill Shaffer (or Sheffer, theelectric pencil was a little tough to read) for building a rock solid5.4L for us to flog on the streets of Tampa.
We were dodging rain clouds the whole morning, but fortunately we didn'thave any trouble, so we could keep the top down and enjoy theconvertible. The Model As in the foreground were from a local Tampa carclub. One of the owners threatened us with death when he overheard ustalking about what it would be like to cut the fenders of his belovedclassic and stuff the blown 5.4L into the engine compartment.	Johnson checking to make sure his hair was perfect before rolling out ofthe Legends Field parking lot. He had enough hair gel on his scalp thathe almost qualified as a moving fire hazard.
	It's amazing the attention you get when driving a car like the GT500.This guy was languishing behind the wheel of a Dodge SRT4, and we couldsee tears in his eyes when he pulled up next to us asking if the GT500was for sale.
Driving the GT500, both Johnson and I noticed the shifter was a littleon the loose side and the gate could be a little tough to find. This caris definitely a candidate for an aftermarket shifter upgrade. Thesix-speed Tremec performed flawlessly, each gear suiting the car justright.	Johnson admiring his handy work on the Legends Field parking lot.	"I can't believe that #@!$ just did that in the parking lot!"
Security at the GT500 premier was light, some of the local riff-raffsneaking in to ogle the car and try to bum a test drive. (Actually this gentleman isn't riff-raff, but a fellow Mustang editor and friend whose name we can't mention!)	The heated discussion about Johnson's execution after his impromptuburnout in the Legends Field parking lot. We got word a call came fromNew York to have the person responsible chained to a cinder block anddropped in Tampa Bay.	No, we can't take credit for this one. When we were checking the car outafter it arrived, we spotted this nice chunk out of the front rightwheel. Nice to see Ford is doing impact tests to check sidewall strengthon the GT500's tires.