Ford Shelby Mustang GT 500

The Shelby Mustang was the second project by Carroll Shelby after the Shelby Cobra. Shelby Mustangs were built from 1965 to 1970 and are nowadays very sought-after and high priced American muscle cars.

The car featured in the images is a Ford Shelby Mustang GT 500 Fastback, model year 1969. Powered by Ford’s 428 CID Cobra Jet engine and engaged by a four-on-the-floor manual transmission.

The car is covered in the Shelby registry and has a complete and well-documented car history. In 1969 the Shelby GT 500 was bought in Austria via official Ford dealership.

At present,already for more than a decade , the Shelby Mustang is hold by Mr. Franz Wittner of Steyr / Austria, who also runs the company Car Collection, one of Europe’s leading classic and exotic car dealerships.

As a lover of American sheet metal the Shelby Mustang GT 500 always has been one of his private toys. The car achieved a complete and detailed frame-off restoration. The goal of the restoration process was to keep it stock, including the ‘Gulfstream Aqua’ color, pretended by the car’s factory color tag.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1965

In 1965 the first Shelby Mustang model was introduced to the public as Shelby Mustang GT 350 and distributed by selected Ford dealers only. Only minor optical changes have been made to the standard Ford Mustang body. Special racing stripes were the most striking feature.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1965 Engine: Ford V8, 289 CID (4,377 ccm), Compression ratio 11,6 : 1, 306 bhp at 6,000 rpm. Holley model 4150 four-barrel carburetor.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1965 Transmission: Borg Warner 4-speed manual transmission

Ford Shelby Mustang 1965 Measurements: Wheelbase 2.74 m, total length 4,61 m, weight 1268 kilograms, tires 7.75 x 15

Ford Shelby Mustang 1965 Production: 562 units

Ford Shelby Mustang 1965 Base Price: $ 4547

Ford Shelby Mustang 1966

Compared to the previous year, only minor visual and technical modifications have been made. In addition to the Fastback two other types were introduced: the GT-350H. H like Hertz, built especially for this car rental company.  Basically the special GT 350 H was a ’standard’ Shelby GT 350 colored in black with gold stripes and a rear quarter window. The second new type for the model year 1966 was a GT 350 convertible, but only 6 units have been built by Carroll Shelby.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1966 Engine: Ford V8, 289 CID (4,736 ccm), Compression ratio 11,6 : 1, 306 bhp at 6,000 rpm. Holley model 4150 four-barrel carburetor.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1966 Transmission: 4-speed manual transmission. Cruise-O-Matic Automatic Transmission optional.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1966 Measurements: 2.74 m wheelbase, overall length 4.75 m, weight 1268 kilograms (Fastback) or 1328 kilograms (Convertible), E70 x 15 tires.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1966 Production: a total of 2380 units (1,438 GT-350 Fastback, 936 GT-350H, 6 Convertibles)

Ford Shelby Mustang 1966 Base Price: GT-350 Fastback: 4,600 $ (GT-350H and Convertible unknown).

Ford Shelby Mustang 1967

Again, Fastback models only. But in addition to the GT 350 with the 289 CID engine, 1967 was the first year the Shelby GT 500 with a 428 CID Ford V8 engine arrived on stage. The standard Ford Mustang model has received major modifications, so did the Shelby version. In addition, other modifications were done by Carroll to the Shelby Mustangs to differ from the standard Mustang bodies. The Shelby Mustang now featured a modified grille, front lights and tail-lamps. To decrease the gross vehicle weight the whole front end (hood and front fenders) were now made from fibreglass, as well as the trunk deck. On the longer Shelby hood ram air inlets and hood catchers were installed by Carroll Shelby. Scoops on the vehicle’s side, right below the quarter window, were another feature. And a wooden steering wheel was added for a more racy feeling and flair.

A Shelby GT 500 model year 1967, called Eleanore, is used in the famous action movie ’Gone in 60 seconds’, starring Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1967 Engines: GT-350:  Ford V8, 289 CID (4.736 ccm), Compression ratio 10,5 : 1, 306 bhp at 6.000 rpm, Holley model 4150 four-barrel carburetor.

GT-500:  Ford V8, 428 CID (7.014 ccm), Compression ratio 10,5 : 1, 355 bhp at 5.400 rpm, Holley model 2604 or 2605 carburetors

Ford Shelby Mustang 1967 Transmission: 4-speed manual transmission, optional Cruise-O-Matic Select Shift – Automatic Transmission (C4 in GT-350, C6 in the GT-500)

Ford Shelby Mustang 1967 Suspension:  front coil springs, rear leaf springs

Ford Shelby Mustang 1967 Brakes: Front disc brakes, rear drum brakes

Ford Shelby Mustang 1967 Measurements: 2.74 m wheelbase, overall length 4.74 m, weight 1234 kilograms (GT-350) or 1489 kilograms (GT-500), E70 x 15 tires

Ford Shelby Mustang 1967 Performance (GT-500): 0 – 100 km / h in 7 seconds, top speed 212 km / h

Ford Shelby Mustang 1967Production: a total of 3225 units (1,175 GT-350 and 2050 GT-500)

Ford Shelby Mustang 1967 Base Price: GT-350: $ 3995, GT-500: $ 4195

Ford Shelby Mustang 1968

In 1968 the largest range of Shelby mustang models was offered. Shelby GT 350, Shelby GT 500 and the Shelby GT 500 KR (King of the Road). All model types were available as Fastbacks or Convertibles. The 289 CID Ford V8 was replaced by a larger 302 CID Ford V8 engine for the GT 350 models. Besides the Ford V8 428 CID engine a Ford V8 427 CID engine was an option for the GT 500. The Shelby GT 500 KR replaced the GT 500 during the model year featuring a modified and even more powerful 428 CID engine. 1968 was the only year the Shelby GT 500 KR was offered. Again, some modification were done to the front end and fog lamps were installed.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1968 Engines: GT-350: Ford V8, 302 CID (4,949 cc), Compression ratio 10.5:1, 250 bhp at 4800 rpm, Holley four-barrel carburetor. GT-350 optional: supercharged engine with 335 bhp at 5,200 rpm.GT-500: Ford V8, 428 CID (7,014 cc), Compression ratio 10.5 : 1, 360 bhp at 5,400 rpm, Holley four-barrel carburetor. GT-500 optional: Ford V8, 427 CID (6,997 cc), Compression ratio 11,6 : 1, 400 bhp at 5,600 rpm, Holley four-barrel carburetor. GT-500 KR: Ford V8, 428 CID (7,014 cc), 400 bhp

Ford Shelby Mustang 1968 Transmission: 4-speed manual transmission, optional C4 or C6 automatic transmissions.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1968 Suspension: Independent front suspension with coil springs, rear rigid axle with semi elliptic leaf springs.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1968 Brakes: Front disc brakes, rear drum brakes. Ford Shelby Mustang Measurements: wheelbase 2.74 m, overall length 4.74 m, weight 1425 kilograms (GT-350 Fastback) to 1,690 (GT kg) 500 KR Convertible, E70 x 15 tires.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1968 Performance (GT-500 KR):Top speed 209 km/h. Ford Shelby Mustang 1968 Production: Total 445 units: 1253 GT-350 Fastback, 404 GT-350 Convertible, 1140 GT-500 Fastback, 402 GT-500 Convertible, 933 GT-500 KR Fastback and 318 GT-500 KR Convertible.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1968 Basic prices: GT-350 Fastback: $ 4117, GT-350 Convertible $ 4238, GT-500 Fastback: 4317 $, GT-500 Convertible $ 4439, GT-500 KR Fastback $ 4473 and GT-500 KR Convertible $ 4594.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1968 Options: Select Shift Gearbox (50 $), power disc brakes (65 $), Power Steering (57 $), Air Conditioning (356 $).

Ford Shelby Mustang 1969

Carroll Shelby took over the modification done by Ford to the standard Mustang model. Again, the front for the Shelby Mustangs was unique. Ford accepted the Shelby front design for its Ford Mustang Mach I in 1970 and 1971.

GT 350 and GT 500 models, both offered as Fastback and Convertible. A GT 500 KR was no longer available. Again, the GT 350 was equipped with a larger engine, the Ford 351 CID W (Windsor) engine.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1969 Engines: GT-350: Ford (Windsor) V8 351 CID (5,752 cc), Compression ratio 10.7 : 1, 290 bhp at 4800 rpm. Autolite four-barrel Carburetor.

GT-500 Ford V8 428 CID (7,014 cc), Compression ratio 10,6 : 1, 335 bhp at 5,200 rpm. Holley Four-barrel Carburetor.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1969 Transmission: 4-speed manual transmission. Shorter ratio 4-speed manual transmission , Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmissions optional.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1969 Measurements: Wheelbase 2.74 m, total length 4,72 m, weight 1630 kilograms (GT-350 Fastback) to 1,784 (GT-500 Convertible kg), F60 x 15 tires.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1969 Production: total of 3150 units (1,085 GT-350 Fastback, 194 Convertible, 1536 GT-500 Fastback and 335 Convertible).

Ford Shelby Mustang 1969 Basic prices: GT-350 Fastback: $ 4434, GT-350 Convertible: 4,753 $, GT-500 Fastback: 4709 $, GT-500 Convertible: 5,027.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1970

The last year for the Shelby Mustangs. There were no new units produced. ‘69 cars on stock got ‘70 model years serial numbers. Therefore, there were no changes to the previous models.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1970 Engines: GT-350: Ford (Windsor) V8 351 CID (5,752 cc), Compression ratio 10.7 : 1, 290 bhp at 4800 rpm. Autolite four-barrel Carburetor.

GT-500 Ford V8 428 CID (7,014 cc), Compression ratio 10,6 : 1, 335 bhp at 5,200 rpm. Holley Four-barrel Carburetor.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1970 Transmission: 4-speed manual transmission. Shorter ratio 4-speed manual transmission , Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmissions optional.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1970 Measurements: Wheelbase 2.74 m, total length 4,72 m, weight 1630 kilograms (GT-350 Fastback) to 1,784 (GT-500 Convertible kg), F60 x 15 tires.

Ford Shelby Mustang 1970 Production: 601 units (a total of 315 GT-350 in both body styles and a total of 286 GT-500 in both body styles).