MALIBU, CA (Sept. 2006) -- Waves weren't the only things thundering along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu last week. For the first time ever, we brought together the entire line of new Ford Shelby Mustangs, and invited members of the media to come out and drive them back-to-back-to-back. On hand was a 500-hp Shelby GT500 convertible, a 319-hp Shelby GT-H (Hertz edition), and two 319-hp Shelby GT prototypes which are scheduled for production to begin in January 2007.

It didn't take long to catch the attention of the natives as we drove these four performance cars single-file up the PCH to Duke's Restaurant in the heart of Malibu.  As the driver of the last Mustang in line, I noticed a sheriff's deputy look up from a car he had pulled over as we passed by. The next time I saw him was in my rearview mirror two minutes later, as he pulled in to the parking lot behind me and asked if he could take a look at the goods. Turns out he was a long time Shelby and Mustang enthusiast, and told me a lady from Pennsylvania now owed me lunch… he let her go in order to follow us. (Listen to Deputy John Young's comments here.)

It was a perfect venue for a ride and drive: Plenty of room to look over cars and talk shop, with direct access to miles of road along the PCH and up into the bordering canyons. It gave everyone plenty of opportunity to experience the power and handling performance these ponies are capable of producing.

General feedback from the group was that the Shelby GT500 convertible was the perfect high-horsepower cruiser along the PCH or any other boulevard. The journalists also reported surprise at how smooth and refined the GT500 delivered those 500 horses.

At the other end of the Shelby spectrum, a lot of smiles were seen after flicking the lighter Shelby GT and GT-H through turns in the canyons, and pushing them up through the gears while they rumbled back with confident attitude.

I took the opportunity to record reactions from a few of the journalists when I had time during the day. Aaron Gold of About.com liked how the Mustang really delivers that muscle car feel (click here to listen), while Justin Kaehler of IGN.com noted there's just something special about the look of a Shelby Mustang (click here for his comments). Perhaps most telling was the response I got from Michael Tetrick of Motor Trend TV, who talked about how these cars are able to connect with the driver on an emotional level (click here).

All in all, it was a great day of talking performance cars and catching up on Southern Cal culture ... plus there's nothing quite like exploring the beaches and canyons around Malibu. Stay tuned for our American Muscle display featuring Shelby GT500s at SEMA next month, and for a lot more to come on Shelby GT at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale January 2007!