As you probably already know, the very first Shelby GT350 rolled off of the line exactly 50 years ago back in 1965. When the late and great Carroll Shelby was looking to name the then-new Shelby Mustang creation, he decided to count the steps it took for him to walk out to the car one day. It took him 350 steps to reach the high-performance Mustang and so the name was born – Shelby GT350.

Although Carroll left us a few years back, after leaving an everlasting mark on the automotive industry, the GT350 is galloping on for the 2016 model year as a tribute to the classic, yet legendary GT350 created by the man himself back in the mid-’60s. This all-new 2016 Shelby GT350 is returning with a flat-plane crankshaft 5.2-liter V8 stuffed under the hood and crammed with over 500 horses. That makes it the Ford’s most powerful naturally aspirated production engine ever. We think that is something Carroll Shelby would be proud of.

With the GT350 coming back in S550 form, it will still pay homage to its older kin in regards to performance. The 2016 GT350 will be adorned with the sixth-generation aerodynamic body, manual six-speed transmission, giant brakes, Torsen rear differential and MagneRide dampers – among other things. The GT350R was put on a strict diet with the deletion of rear seats and addition of all-carbon fiber wheels. The street-ready GT350 and track-prepped GT350R are reaching supercar status with its aggressive attitude, power, and stance.

It only makes sense for the legendary Carroll hat to be passed on from one high-performance GT350 to another. Thanks for everything, Carroll. You are greatly missed.