A Shelby GT500 At the time Owned by Carroll Shelby Could Be Yours – Robb Report

It is one thing to very own a vehicle that Carroll Shelby worked on. It’s a further to possess 1 that was aspect of his collection.

You will get that prospect in early January when a 1969 Shelby GT500 fastback that as soon as belonged to automotive icon hits the block as section of Mecum Auctions’s Kissimmee 2023 profits party. It’s really hard to imagine there will be a further muscle mass vehicle out there subsequent calendar year than can match its pedigree.

Even with the reality that it was a legitimate hit, Ford determined to give the initially-technology Mustang a makeover for the 1969 product yr. The restyled muscle mass auto was for a longer period, wider and much more intense than in advance of. The revision also meant there was home beneath the hood for a major-block engine, in accordance to Road & Monitor. Naturally, Ford and Shelby took benefit of this, and generated a new GT500 with a mammoth V-8, making it a single of the most powerful ‘Stangs of that early period. It was also the previous initially-technology model of the auto to carry the Shelby identify, which could possibly explain why its namesake owned two about the decades.

The GT500 is a real “Pony Vehicle.” It’s powered by a large 7.-liter Cobra Jet V-8. In this example—which was also the moment owned by Oscar-nominated actor and director Jackie Cooper—the brawny mill is linked to a 3-pace C6 automated transmission that despatched 335 horses and 440 ft lbs of twist to the rear axle. That’s pretty powerful, but there are a lot of enthusiasts who feel the engine is even far more powerful than Ford stated. Whatsoever its legitimate output, the auto was ready to sprint from zero-to-60 mph in just six seconds and go over a quarter-mile in 16 seconds.

Shelby’s GT500 is concluded in Candyapple Purple with a black racing stripe alongside the facet. Its obtained a sculpted hood with a trio of air intakes, a massive rear spoiler and “Cobra Jet 428” and “Shelby” badging. The inside inverts this coloration plan. Other alternative information consist of the primary tachometer, a Cobra-manufacturer shifter and wooden accents on the dashboard and steering wheel. The vehicle, both equally within and out, seems lovely, many thanks in no compact aspect to a the latest thorough restoration. It also will come with a certificate of authenticity and title from the Carroll Hall Shelby Believe in.

This particularly GT500 will go up for bid throughout Mecum’s once-a-year Kissimmee sale, which runs from January 4 to 15. No pre-show estimate was accessible as of press time, but thinking of who after owned this Shelby, we wouldn’t be shocked if it sells for a total large amount of money. It would not be 1 of the auction’s headline a lot or else.

Simply click here for a lot more photographs of Carroll Shelby’s personal 1969 Shelby GT500.