By Steven Symes 
When Shelby American says it’s going to reveal its latest model, people stop and pay attention because it’s a big deal. But when the company says it’s going to do that during Monterey Car Week, where usually only the very elite new vehicles are announced, it’s an even bigger deal.
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In a cryptic announcement, Shelby American has sent shockwaves through the enthusiast community by stating that on August 13, 2025 it will reveal “The Next One.”
That revelation on social media is accompanied by a photograph showing the silhouette of a car as it drives towards a fiery sunset, we assume in Las Vegas, where Shelby American is based.
There are few clues about what the new model might be. The biggest, most obvious, and least shocking one are the illuminated taillights. Those tell us the car is based on the S650 Mustang. Real shocking, we know.
But rising above those is another curious and rather large detail: a big trunk-mounted wing. Because this isn’t the first few Fast and Furious movies, Shelby American would only put such a modification on something that’s meant to go fast on road courses, not a drag strip monster, so that’s interesting.
The fenders appear to be stock, but it’s possible they’re flared out a little.
Fans of Shelby are making all kinds of wild guesses about what the new model might be. But many are speculating it’s a Mustang GT with a big Whipple supercharger bolted up. That could be, but it might be something a little spicier, considering the venue for the reveal.
Our best guess at this point is something based on the Mustang Dark Horse. The rear wing isn’t even close to a match, but Shelby American has to do its own touches. That could easily be off, but that’s our best stab at it.
There’s an outside chance, and we’re really going out on a limb here, that Shelby American swung some amazing deal with Ford and is tweaking the Mustang GTD, taking that to new heights. It’s not likely at all, but that would be amazing to see.
What do you think this car is?
Image via Shelby American