Although the seventh-generation Mustang didn’t arrive until the 2024 model year, Ford has yet to offer a Shelby GT500 since 2022. However, that drought may soon be coming to an end, as a new rumor suggests that Ford could bring back the Shelby GT500 for the 2026 model year.
The speculation originates from a now-deleted post on the r/Mustang subreddit, which reportedly featured a leaked United Auto Workers (UAW) internal memo. The memo included a link to UAW Local 600’s website and referenced several recent updates at Ford’s Dearborn Engine Plant.
Notably, the memo mentioned an additional shift being introduced on the Niche assembly line. While the addition of a shift at an engine plant may not seem significant at first, the memo explicitly tied this change to the production of an upcoming 2026 Shelby GT500.
The memo went on to state, “I can’t wait until we start building engines for such an iconic vehicle with an engine that will be named Legend.”
The exact specifications of that engine remain up for debate. The previous GT500 utilized Ford’s Predator supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, while the GT3-inspired Mustang GTD employs a dry-sump version of the same engine, increasing output from 760 to 815 horsepower. It’s unlikely Ford would introduce a less powerful GT500, yet at the same time, the automaker wouldn’t want to outshine its high-end $300,000-plus model.
With the Mustang GTD’s arrival on the horizon, the potential return of a Shelby GT500 makes for an intriguing possibility. Both the fifth- and sixth-generation Mustangs featured a GT500 variant, but Ford has remained quiet about the name since unveiling the seventh-gen model. The brand could push into the four-digit horsepower range while omitting some of the race-inspired components that contributed to the GTD’s premium pricing.
While a Ford spokesperson declined to speculate on future products, we will update this story if we receive a response from the UAW.
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