The SSC Ultimate Aero. Image: SSC
Even for those of us in the business, it occasionally got confusing: there was Shelby, which was really Shelby American, and there was Shelby SuperCars, which had nothing to do with Shelby. Shelby American, located in Nevada, builds fast-but-pricey Mustangs and continuation Cobras with Carroll Shelby’s stamp of approval. Shelby SuperCars, located in Washington, builds the SSC Ultimate Aero, the cars that (briefly) took fastest-car-in-the-world honors away from the Bugatti Veyron.
Shelby SuperCars was founded by Jerod Shelby, who shares no lineage with Carroll Shelby. We probably don’t need to tell you that Carroll Shelby wasn’t happy about another performance automobile brand with a shared name, so the two companies have finally come to terms on nomenclature. According to Left Lane News, Shelby SuperCars will now be known only by its common name, SSC.
In SSC’s defense, the brand has always emphasized SSC over Shelby SuperCars, so there really isn’t much of a change. Formally adopting the SSC moniker will allow the company to build a new corporate identity strategy that avoids confusion with any other brands.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
SSC is hard at work on its latest project, the 1,350 horsepower Tuatara, which it hopes will again take top dog honors back from Bugatti. We’re confident SSC will reach that goal, because with a name like Tuatara, you’d better be fast.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
