Mustang Round Up highlight – C2017 GT enhanced

Every year, hundreds of examples of America’s famous pony car gather for the ‘Mustang Round Up’ in Victoria. Hosted by the Mustang Owner’s Club of Australia’s Victorian chapter (MOCA Vic.), the Round Up welcomes all Mustang generations, including stock and modified examples, for a Show ‘n’ Shine, MOCA Vic’s annual State Concours and the related Shelby Nationals.

Held at the Dandenong Showgrounds on Sunday, 27 October, the 2024 Mustang Round Up celebrated 60 years since the Mustang’s debut, as well as the 50th birthday for MOCA Vic. More than 370 cars attended, including a strong lineup of modern Mustangs.

In terms of modern Mustangs, Ford’s decision to build the sixth-generation (S550) in RHD made it more accessible to Australian enthusiasts than any previous generation. Local buyers responded in droves initially, and while demand has tailed off since, almost 1,500 Mustangs were sold here last year.

In addition to being seen in ever-increasing numbers at events like the Round Up, the popularity of the Gen 6 Mustang has fuelled a healthy aftermarket scene, with Herrod Performance leading the way. Transferring their expertise in tuning and supplying upgrade parts for Falcons, Herrod offer everything enthusiasts need to enhance their Gen 6 and 7 Mustang, from crate engines, superchargers and exhaust systems to aerodynamic parts, suspension and brake upgrades, as well as simple things, like spare wheels and gas bonnet struts.

With the Mustang featured, we don’t know the full list of parts that have been fitted, but we can identify several items that set it apart from a stock C2017 Mustang GT.

For starters, this car wears a Shelby GT500-style front fascia kit, which MP Performance supply for Herrod. There’s also a GT500-style rear spoiler that’s been enhanced with a Mustang R-Spec Gurney flap to add downforce in high-speed track applications.

The GT500-look aluminium bonnet features twist-lock fasteners and a functional carbon fibre heat extractor vent. Side skirts are also GT500-style, while the rear quarter window caps are in the Roush style and perhaps the subtlest addition to this Mustang. 

What isn’t subtle is this car’s set of Shelby Super Snake wheels. Produced by American Racing for Shelby, these polished 20-inch alloys are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres and show the Brembo GT350R Performance Brakes underneath. This Herrod-supplied package is made up of drilled and ventilated GT350R rotors – 15.5-inch front and 14-inch rear - with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers. GT350R-spec pads, caliper adaptors, parking brake assembly and other hardware is included in the package.

At the rear, quad exhaust tips indicate an exhaust upgrade, which Herrod Performance offer in 2.5-inch, 3.0-inch and GT350R spec. Clear tail light lenses are another deviation from stock.

While we couldn’t see under the bonnet, it’d be safe to assume there’s a supercharger on the factory 5.0-litre V8, especially given all the other enhancements on this car. The Whipple 2.9-litre, twin-screw supercharger package that Herrod supply is available in two power levels: the first producing 559kW and 841Nm (750hp and 620lb/ft); and the second producing 615kW and 868Nm (825hp and 640lb/ft). For comparison, a 2017 Mustang GT without forced induction peaks at around 306kW and 530Nm.

Suitable for manual and auto transmissions, this supercharger package is also ADR compliant and meets all local emissions regulations.

To see JUST CARS’ report from the 2024 Mustang Round Up, click HERE.