Ford caps orders on '11 Shelby Mustang GT500

Time is running out to get a 2011 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500.

More than 3,300 orders have been placed for the instant icon--arguably the best ‘Stang ever--and Ford is capping orders for this model year at 5,500.

Do the math: That means 2,200 or fewer remain. Ford says it will halt orders in a bid to maintain the exclusivity of the GT500, and the initial response has already beat expectations.

“The car continues to be popular with sports-car enthusiasts and collectors who are blown away by the increase in horsepower and performance,” said Fritz Wilke, Mustang brand manager. “The limited production of the 2011 should make this year even more desirable.”

Desirability is no problem with this steed. The GT500 packs 550 hp from a 5.4-liter supercharged V8. It also features Cobra badges inside and out, a short-throw six-speed manual and a new exhaust system.

Interestingly, Ford says the glass-roof feature has been extremely popular on the GT500, and three times as many cars have been ordered with this option than on the base Mustang. Seventy percent of buyers have also loaded up with the electronics package, including voice-activated nav and HD radio.

And of course, 68 percent of coupe buyers have checked the box for the SVT performance package.

By Greg Migliore