Shelby American
Lancer (1987)

Why it matters

The 1987 Shelby Lancer was Carroll Shelby's sport sedan on the Dodge Lancer, with a 175 hp intercooled turbo engine and a comfort-oriented interior. It carried the first CD player in a production vehicle, according to the Shelby Registry.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Shelby started with a Lancer and two interior options and kept the 175 hp engine. Suspension was revised with Monroe Formula GP struts and shocks and larger sway bars, and brakes became power-assisted ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear. Production was limited to 800 cars: 400 five-speeds with cloth and 400 automatics with leather, which the registry's detailed split gives as 400 manual/cloth, 395 automatic/leather and 5 automatic/cloth.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Lancers were available only in Graphic Red with subdued 'Shelby' and 'Intercooled Turbo' graphics, blacked-out trim and driving lights in the airdam. Wheels are black Shelby CSS one-piece cast aluminium with a polished lip, on 205/60VR15 Goodyear Gatorbacks. Equipment includes a full-length console, an overhead console with compass and outside temperature, power windows, mirrors and locks, a split folding rear seat and a 140 watt Pioneer DEX77 CD player with ten speakers. There is no boost gauge.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   1987 Lancer Level B Shelby Registry (Shelby Dodge Registry)

   • The production was limited to 800 cars
   • The powerplant remained the 175HP engine
   • 400 of these automatics and 400 with a 5-speed
   • Monroe Formula GP struts/shocks with larger sway bars
   • ventilated 10.1" disks in front and solid 10.6" disks in back
   • top speed: 129 MPH
   • 0-60: 7.7 seconds
   • Quarter mile: 15.7

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Shelby Registry (shelbyregistry.com) – 1987 Lancer Level B

   • 800 total: 400 manual/cloth, 395 auto/leather, 5 auto/cloth

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   1987 Lancer - registered cars Level B Shelby Registry

   • 1987 Lancer - 237 registered (30%)

   Accessed 2026-11-12