We love enthusiast forums, in part because they're loaded with dealer employees who always manage to get their hands on fun stuff like vehicle ordering guides before the automakers are ready to spill the beans on upcoming changes themselves. The latest? It's the guide for the 2011 Shelby GT500, posted by one of the members at ModularFords.com. The document (presuming the info is 100-percent accurate) confirms that the new GT500 trades in its iron block for an aluminum one. We don't yet know how much weight the move will shave yet, but the change should only help make what's pretty much a great car even better.Other stuff of interest? HID lamps will be standard, the glass roof option will become available on coupes, the convertible gets equipped with the same 19-inch wheels as the hardtop (the 2010 'vert rolled on 18-inchers), and there's an optional goody-laden SVT Performance Package. It adds a 3:73 rear axle ratio (3:55 is standard), package-specific shocks and springs, what sounds like a different stripe package, upgraded wheels and tires (19-inchers in front and 20-inchers in back), and a rear spoiler with Gurney flap. (If you want the SVT Performance pack, you need to skip the Shaker 1000 stereo).
Ford doesn't appear to be making a big to-do about the revisions. A spokesperson tells us we won't see the 2011 GT500 at either the Chicago or New York auto shows. Ourselves, we're content to wait patiently for the car's arrival so we can jump behind the wheel for a few days of fun and fact-finding.
