At $54,000, the Shelby GT500 is an expensive one trick pony — it likes to go in one direction, fast. Peter Valdes-Dapena and I got to drive and review it for CNNMoney.

As a German sports car fan, I had my doubts about raw American power. Peter let me drive the Shelby GT500 around the streets of Manhattan (particularly down a strip of highway that runs along Manhattan’s West Side) and on the long straights at Jones Beach in Long Island. I was completely taken with the car. It’s power, its push, was just incredible, and it made me giggle like a little school girl. I loved it.

One of my favorite moments with the car was during that trip down the West Side Highway. A huge man in a giant 18-wheeler pulled up next to us, and motioned for Peter to roll down the window.

He leaned out and in a thick Bronx accent said “So you think she can handle all that power?”

Peter glanced at me, and gave a wry smile. “Uh yeah. She totally can.”

At which point, the light turned green, and we pulled away, a giant smile on my face.

Click to see the Shelby GT500 in action.