Do you ever look at a car and wonder what was going through its designer’s head when he or she was deciding how it would look? Of course you do—we all do that. But it’s not every day that we can ask an automotive designer that question, especially in front of one of his or her creations. Fortunately, I had the chance to do just that with Vince LaViolette, Shelby American’s senior designer (along with many other roles), following the debut of the 2025 GT350 and GT350R.
Like LaViolette’s other designs, the look of the GT350 and GT350R started in his studio. Of course, he took the hard lines of the body into consideration, but he also designed with the shadows those lines would create in mind. The legacy of Shelby Mustangs was a factor as well. As LaViolette, who worked alongside Carroll Shelby for many years, put it, “We always try to tie the history in as much as possible.” He combined those various elements with distinctive visual characteristics, modern aerodynamics, and supercharged power to help create the 810-horsepower 2025 GT350, a car that’s meant to be comfortable on the street yet capable at the track; the hardcore GT350R is an all-out racing machine with 830-plus supercharged horses, upgraded brakes and suspension, and more.
Click the video below to watch my full interview with LaViolette and learn more about the newest versions of the legendary Shelby GT350 and GT350R.
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