Shelby SP360 Durango: A Viper For You & Your Friends
Supercharged power, Viper Blue paint, and the Carroll Shelby connection means that this isn’t the average first-gen Durango.
Carroll Shelby is well known in the Mopar community for his 1980s partnerships with Chrysler Corporation. Less well-known is his foray into sportier sport utility vehicles from the late 1990s, the SP360 Durango.
They are tremendously rare machines, and we were lucky enough to spot this one for sale at Viper Exchange. With its Viper Blue paint and white racing stripes, it certainly bears a family resemblance to it brawnier brother. We’re not sure exactly how many were built, but the serialized Shelby American build plate denotes this truck as No. 0141.
Shelby SP360s also feature an aggressive body kit and chrome 18-inch wheels, as well as various interior upgrades like faux carbon fiber trim and racing bucket seats embroidered with Carroll Shelby’s signature. The SP360 is far more than a pretty face, though.
Where it Counts
The SP360 name refers to the 360 horsepower 5.9 liter V8 under the hood. That additional power comes from a Kenne Bell supercharger and a full exhaust, paired with upgraded engine management software. Apparently, this truck is capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in well under seven seconds. That’s not bad for a 20 year old full size SUV.
The example seen here was upgraded further for more power, with a hotter camshaft and supporting mods to the fuel system. No dyno figures are provided, however. Another unique feature of this particular SP360 is the dashboard. It was signed (and dated) back in 2003 by the man himself, Carroll Shelby.
Shelby SP360s also included beefy Stillen six-piston brake calipers up front to haul the hefty SUV down from the sort of speeds it was now capable off. The ride height was lowered roughly 3″, and the SUV was fitted with Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks. Believe it or not, Edelbrock actually offered suspension components for a time before selling that side of the business to QA1 about a decade ago.
These days, there’s nothing particularly surprising about a high performance SUV. Back in the late 1990s, when the SUV craze was just kicking into gear, the Shelby SP360 Durango was an answer to a question that hadn’t been asked yet. Next time you see a Durango SRT, remember what came before.
Photos: Viper Exchange
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