Why This Car Is Special

The 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT is not a standard Mustang GT with a badge slapped on the fender. It is a vehicle that went through Shelby Automobiles' own conversion process, receiving an official Shelby serial number recorded in Carroll Shelby's personal registry. That number — CSM No. 08SGT1982 — is stamped right into the sill plates, and it means this car can be authenticated and titled as a genuine Shelby-certified vehicle. That distinction separates it from the thousands of other S197 Mustangs built that year.

The Shelby GT program ran from model years 2007 through 2008. Ford built the base Mustang GT on the assembly line, and the cars were then sent to Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas for the conversion package. The result was a documented special edition with specific exterior graphics, interior badging, and performance upgrades installed under Carroll Shelby's supervision. Total Shelby GT production across both years was relatively limited compared to standard Mustang GT output, and the convertible body style represents a smaller share of those numbers still.

This particular 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT convertible takes things a step further. In addition to the factory Shelby package, this car received a Roush supercharger installed on the 4.6L 3-valve V8. That combination — Shelby GT specification with a Roush forced-induction system bolted on top — gives this car more power than either company offered independently on this platform at the time. It is a dual-pedigree build from two of the most recognized names in Ford performance.

The exterior is finished in blue with silver Shelby GT racing stripes running over the hood and roof line, and the top is a black power convertible. The underside photos show a notably clean chassis — no rust, no rot, and well-maintained suspension components throughout.

Features List

• Roush Supercharged 4.6L 3-Valve V8
• 5-Speed Automatic Transmission
• Shelby GT Package (Shelby Automobiles certified)
• Shelby Numbered Sill Plates (CSM No. 08SGT1982)
• Shaker Hood Scoop
• Billet Aluminum Grille
• Shelby GT Side Stripes
• Chrome 5-Spoke Wheels
• Black Power Convertible Top
• Strut Tower Brace
• Dual Exhaust with Chrome Tips
• Black Leather Bucket Seats
• Center Console with Storage
• Tachometer
• Air Conditioning

Mechanical

The foundation is Ford's 4.6L 3-valve modular V8, the same engine used in the standard Mustang GT of that era. In stock form, the 3-valve 4.6 produced 300 horsepower. The Roush supercharger kit changes that equation considerably. Roush's positive displacement supercharger system for the 4.6L 3V Mustang was a well-engineered package designed to work with the factory engine management system and maintain reliability. The blower sits prominently on top of the engine, branded with Roush identification, and is fed through a large-diameter intake tube — all clearly visible in the engine photos.

The strut tower brace ties the front strut towers together, reducing chassis flex under load. On a convertible body, which lacks the structural rigidity of a coupe's fixed roof, this brace provides a meaningful improvement in front-end handling response. The undercarriage shots reveal a solid rear axle setup that is clean and free of corrosion, with the exhaust running back to a dual-tip exit at the rear bumper. The exhaust note on a supercharged 4.6 with this type of setup is aggressive without being unmanageable on the street.

The 5-speed automatic transmission was a sensible choice for the Shelby GT package. Ford's 5R55S unit was a proven gearbox in this application, and it pairs well with a supercharged engine in daily driving. The "Premium Fuel" label on the instrument cluster, visible in the gauge photo, is a reminder that the supercharger setup demands higher octane fuel for proper operation.

Interior

Step inside the 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT and the interior immediately communicates its special-edition status. The dashboard carries a Shelby Automobiles plaque with Carroll Shelby's printed signature — a detail that appears on every certified Shelby GT. The instrument panel follows the retro-influenced S197 design that Ford introduced with the 2005 Mustang redesign, with large round gauges set in chrome bezels and a silver accent panel across the dash. The tachometer redline corresponds to the supercharged engine's operating range, and the speedometer reads to 140 mph.

The seats are black leather bucket seats, and the condition shown in the photos is very good — the bolsters and seat backs retain their shape without significant wear. The rear seat area, also trimmed in black leather, is functional for two passengers, though the convertible's packaging limits rear headroom when the top is down. Shelby GT floor mats are visible in several interior shots, carrying the Shelby logo. The center console houses the automatic shifter with a chrome accent handle, along with a dual cupholder integrated into the console top.

Air conditioning is present and functional, which matters in a Florida-delivered convertible. The dashboard sticker notes this car requires premium fuel — consistent with the Roush supercharger installation. The overall cabin is clean, well-preserved, and carries all of its Shelby-specific identifiers intact.

Exterior

The 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT convertible wears its blue paint over the S197 body, which drew heavily from the original 1960s fastback Mustang in its proportions. The Shelby GT stripes run in silver over the hood, continuing over the roof line, and the Shelby GT identification appears on the lower door sills in the exterior graphics as well. From the factory, the Shelby GT package included these specific stripe graphics as a defining visual element of the conversion.

The billet aluminum grille replaces the standard egg-crate unit and gives the front end a cleaner, more aggressive look while maintaining the tri-bar pony emblem at center. Chrome 5-spoke wheels fill the wheel wells properly, and the tire package visible in the underside and suspension photos shows even wear with usable tread remaining. The black power convertible top is in good condition, with no visible separation or sagging at the header.

The rear of the car carries dual chrome exhaust tips exiting through the lower bumper fascia, framing the Shelby-specific rear treatment. The undercarriage photos are worth studying carefully: the floor pan is solid, the suspension components are clean and correctly oriented, and there is no evidence of prior collision damage or structural repair. For a Florida car, the underside presents exceptionally well.

Conclusion

The 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT Convertible offered here represents a specific intersection of documented Shelby provenance and Roush forced induction performance. The Shelby serial number on the sill plates — CSM No. 08SGT1982 — places this car in the official Shelby registry, and the Roush supercharger elevates its performance beyond what either the standard GT or the basic Shelby GT package could offer on its own. The convertible body style adds a dimension of usability that the coupe cannot match, especially in a Florida climate where open-air driving is a year-round proposition. The interior is well-preserved, the exterior retains all of its Shelby identification, and the undercarriage is notably clean for a vehicle of this age. This is a car that checks two significant boxes: it is documented, and it is built to drive.

To ask questions or arrange an in-person inspection, call Skyway Classics at 941-254-6608. We are located in Sarasota, Florida, and welcome serious buyers from anywhere in the country.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.