RogerArrick.com Shelby GT-C 2008

Shelby GT-C 2008

2 Sep 2026

Click images for larger view

What is a 2008 Shelby GT-C

A 2008 Shelby GT-C is not a Shelby GT, it's not a GT-500, and it's not a California Special - it's a very special low-production (only 215) Shelby made only in 2008 for the southern California dealers and offered only in Grabber Orange with silver stripes. These are very unique cars.

Facts about the 2008 Shelby GT-C

18G Interior Upgrades: Only 3 cars (009,030,117) Don't have the 18G option which makes them the rarest GT-C's. The 18G option Interior Upgrade Package incl. bright polished six-gauge instrument cluster, bright shift knob, satin register vents w/satin aluminum spokes on steering wheel, door latches, door scuff plate. Also incl. message center, leather-wrapped steering wheel & Dark Charcoal Aberdeen pattern front door.

Began as a Ford Mustang GT premium built in MI
Converted at the Shelby factory in Nevada
Only offered in 2008
Only in Grabber Orange (U3) with silver stripes
4.6L (281ci) 3V engine with 319hp
Dark charcoal leather
There are 4 cars with automatic transmission: #043, #139, #172, #181; the rest are 5 speed Tremac
No rear spoiler
List price approx $49k
18" Aluminum wheels, 235/50/ZR18 tires
Only 215 made #003-#217
CSM numbers 08SGT0001 and 08SGT0002 were not assigned to vehicles
3 cars don't have the 18G interior upgrade package (IUP) (See below)
One of the 4 automatic cars, #08SGT0181 had a Shaker 1000 audio system. It was originally sold to Redlands Ford and eventually exported to Thailand with 426 miles on it.

The Shelby factory added these things

Visors signed by Carroll Shelby
Aluminum numbered dash plaque
Aluminum numbered engine plaque
Special GT-C numbered sill plates
Side "Powered by Ford" fender badging
Rear deck 'SHELBY' letters (template)
Silver stripes
Billet Grill with badge
Hood pins
Faux hood scoop
Strut tower brace
Handling dampers and sway bars
Lowering springs 1.5"
90mm cold air intake
X-pipe exhaust with performance mufflers
Hurst short-throw shifter on the manuals
Pro-Cal performance engine calibration

Quirks and things to know about the GT-C

The stripes are prone to 'rust' and often need to be replaced. Stripe replacement requires removal of the hood scoop and the trunk deck letters which will probably have to be repurchased because of the adhesive. The stripes themselves are not just straight pieces. Oracal (not 3M). The hood scoop is painted.
The center stripe on the hood scoop is 1" wide and the one on the body is 1-3/8" wide. The body stripes are vinyl but the hood scoop is painted. Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3
There is no spare tire. I recommend buying a matching wheel and tire. Make sure the wheel clears the brakes on both front and back.
Door panels often come loose on these and other mustangs of that era. This was fairly easy to fix using contact cement.
On my #208, and some others, I've heard the transmission sometimes rattles against the X-pipe exhaust while in certain gears.
The Shelby GT-C rides low and it will scrape on curbs and dips. Also watch when opening the door next to a high curb. Make sure anyone who works on your car is reminded of this by putting a note on the dash. Picture of rash.
The bottom grill area is open. There are aftermarket grills available but I prefer stock.
If you see a grabber orange 2008 GT/SC, that is a GT-C with an aftermarket super charger conversion from SAI.

What does a Shelby GT-C look like from space?

Option 18G Interior Upgrade Package

Cars #9, #30, #117 Do NOT have option 18G which is the Interior Upgrade Package (IUP).
I haven't confirmed everything on this list but a typical IUP for the Mustang GT which Shelby started with includes:

Bright polished register rings
Bright shift knob for manual transmission
Dark Charcoal Aberdeen-pattern front door panel inserts
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with satin aluminum spokes
Satin-aluminum-plated door handles
Satin-aluminum-plated shift lever for automatic transmission
Bright polished six-gauge instrument cluster with MyColor feature
Message center
Upgraded head rests

Are GT-C visors really signed by Carroll Shelby?

2008 GT-C cars include a visor said to be signed by Carroll Shelby himself. Some have suggested these are signed by a machine. A quick survey on the Facebook GTC group shows that they vary enough to exclude machine signing.

Recently this has been confirmed by SM who says: 'Carroll signed all of the passenger visors himself. It was in September of 2007. He actually sat at a card table and signed all 215 visors. That was the only Shelby GT series he did that for before they left Shelby Automobiles, Inc. Carroll actually kept in reserve the numbers 08SGT0001 and 08SGT0002. Those numbers were never used.'

Click images for a larger view.