Latest: See our newest post on the controversy in which Shelby American says the doctored photos were accidently released to the press.

Shelby American acknowledged Tuesday afternoon that it faked photos of the front end of its new 950-horsepower Shelby 1000 lifting off the ground.

Two of the photos were distributed to the press as part of a group of shots and were being used on many websites. They show the two front wheels of the customized Mustang lifted several inches into the air, presumably because of the car's immense thrust. A company vice president, Gary Patterson, acknowledged in an email to Drive On that they they were the result of photo manipulation.

VIDEO: A sneak peek at the Shelby 1000

The issue was discovered by the USA TODAY photo desk in preparing tomorrow's story for the newspaper, which was posted here on Drive On earlier today. A photo editor questioned how the Mustang could lift off the ground, given its weight and that it has only street tires. Also, the tires in the photo do not appear to be under stress. A close examination revealed photo manipulation techniques under the wheels.

Scott Black, spokesman for Shelby American, initially said he was aware of manipulation only to fix shadows, that the wheels actually lifted off the ground. But after checking with the company, he called back and elaborated: "That is a fake shot. That shot is not real. I am beyond embarassed." He said the manipulation was done by the photographer and that he didn't know the reason.

The car is due to be unveiled at the New York Auto Show next week.

PHOTO GALLERY: Real photos of the Shelby Mustang.

MORE: About the 950-hp Shelby Mustang